Machine for providing a component of a spring coil, component provided by the machine and method for providing the component

Abstract

A machine (10, 110) for providing a component (11, 111) of a spring coil, a component (11, 111) provided by the machine (10, 110) and a method for providing the component. The machine (10, 110) comprises first handling means (12) adapted at least to pick up a first metal element (13) and to place the first metal element in a welding station (14), second handling means (15) adapted at least to pick up a second metal element (16, 116) and to arrange the second metal element in the welding station (14), welding means (17) for welding the first element (13) with the second element (16, 116) in the welding station (14) to provide the component (11, 111). The welding means (17) comprise laser means (18) adapted to provide a laser weld for joining the first element (13) with the second element (16, 116), the joining being provided only by the material of its own. The component (11, 111) comprises a first metal and substantially ring-shaped element (13) joined by a laser weld with a second metal element (16, 116) to constitute a link, the first element (13) and the second element (16, 116) being joined by a connection area constituted only by the material of its own.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for providing a component of a spring coil, a component provided by said machine, and a method for providing said component.

[0002] This invention is particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of jewelry and apparel jewelry (e.g., necklaces and bracelets). Background Technology

[0003] In this field, spring coils are widely used, specifically components for closures and bracelets. They consist of a C-shaped housing with a slot in the outer portion, a ring welded to the housing, a helical spring located within the housing, and an element also located within the housing that protrudes from the slot via a rod. This rod allows the user to translate the element against the spring's pushing action to open the coil. The spring then pushes the element back into its initial closed position.

[0004] The term "shell element" is understood here to refer to a spring coil blank consisting of a C-shaped shell and a ring welded to it.

[0005] This housing component is obtained through a series of production steps in the same machine:

[0006] - Cut and bend the metal wire to provide loops.

[0007] - The ring is picked up and moves toward the welding seat, while the C-shaped housing with the slot is picked up from the housing cassette and also moves toward the welding seat.

[0008] - Welding of the ring and shell by adding materials known to be low-melting-point alloys.

[0009] The two components can be welded along the same plane or along a vertical plane.

[0010] The welding of these two components resulted in a series of defects that have not yet been eliminated, such as oxidation in the welded area due to combustion, which therefore requires subsequent cleaning steps and the formation of waste that must be refined before remelting and reuse.

[0011] Furthermore, the flame must be adjusted according to environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature before welding. Because it takes time for the machine to fully reach the required temperature, the welding result of the first part will differ from that of subsequent parts.

[0012] Another drawback is that, as is known, welding with added materials requires not only the material itself, i.e., the welding alloy, but also auxiliary equipment, such as gas cylinders or generators, suitable for the maintenance of the equipment, and additional safety systems.

[0013] Another drawback is that welding can cause some thermal deformation, which can cause problems during assembly with other components of the spring coil.

[0014] Another drawback is that, due to the added material, the spring coil has a connecting portion between the housing and the ring, which has clearly defined boundaries, resulting in an uneven final product. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The objective of this invention is to provide a machine for providing components for spring coils, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0016] Within this objective, the object of the present invention is to provide a machine for providing components for spring coils in a total time that is reduced relative to the time currently required, and in which the weld is uniform relative to other similar components produced by the same machine.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a component that does not suffer from thermal deformation caused by laser welding.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine that has reduced maintenance compared to currently used machines.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in a manner that can replace any existing solution.

[0020] The main objective of this invention is to provide a highly reliable, relatively readily available, and competitively cost-effective machine.

[0021] This objective, and these and other objectives that will become more apparent below, are achieved by a machine for providing components for spring coils, the machine comprising:

[0022] - A first processing device, at least adapted to pick up a first metal component and place the first metal component in a welding station.

[0023] - A second processing device, at least adapted to pick up the second metal component and arrange the second metal component in the welding station.

[0024] - A welding apparatus for welding the first component and the second component in the welding station to provide the component.

[0025] The machine is characterized in that the welding apparatus includes a laser device adapted to provide laser welding for joining the first element and the second element, the joining being provided solely by the materials of the first element and the second element.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a component for a spring coil, provided by the aforementioned machine, wherein the component comprises a first metal element and a second metal element, the first metal element having a generally annular shape and being laser-welded to the second metal element to form a link, the first element and the second element being joined by a connection area consisting only of their own material.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for providing the above-mentioned component, comprising:

[0028] - Place the first metal component in the welding station.

[0029] - Place the second metal component in the welding station to contact the first component.

[0030] - The first and second components are joined by laser welding. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the machine, components, and method according to the invention, illustrated by non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a view of a first embodiment of the machine according to the invention as a whole, the machine being adapted to provide the first embodiment of the component;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a view of a second embodiment of the machine according to the invention, as shown in the preceding figure, the machine being adapted to provide the second embodiment of the component;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a view of a portion of the machine according to the invention during a step of the method for providing the components;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a view of a portion of the machine according to the invention during another step of the method;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a view of a portion of the machine according to the invention during another step of the method;

[0037] Figure 6 This is a view of a portion of the machine according to the invention during another step of the method;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a view of a first embodiment of a component according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 8 This is a view of a second embodiment of a component according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the machine according to the invention (generally indicated by reference numeral 10) allows for the provision of... Figure 7 and Figure 8 Components 11 and 111 in two embodiments are shown in a simplified manner.

[0041] Specifically, Figure 1 The machine 10 shown in the general diagram can be used to provide component 11, while Figure 2 The machine shown can be used to provide component 111.

[0042] The differences between the two embodiments of components 11 and 111 will become clear in their description.

[0043] It also shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of machine 10, showing the production steps of the component.

[0044] Machine 10 includes:

[0045] - A first processing device 12, which is at least adapted to pick up the first metal component 13 and place it in the welding station 14.

[0046] - A second processing device 15, which is at least adapted to pick up second components 16, 116, also made of metal, and arrange them in the welding station 14, in contact with the first component 13.

[0047] - Device 17 for welding the first element 13 to the second elements 16, 116 in welding station 14 to provide components 11, 111.

[0048] The welding apparatus 17 includes a laser device 18 adapted to provide a laser weld for joining the first element 13 with the second elements 16, 116. The joint is provided solely by the material of the first element 13 and the second element 16 or 116.

[0049] The first element 13 is formed by a C-shaped housing, which is open at its end and has a slot in its outer portion, which is not visible in the drawings. Furthermore, the second elements 16 and 116 are welded to the outer portion of the first element 13.

[0050] exist Figure 7 In the first embodiment of component 11 shown, the second element, indicated by reference numeral 16, is composed of a strip bent into a U-shape, and is welded to the first element 13 at the free end of the strip.

[0051] exist Figure 8 In the second embodiment of component 111 shown, the second element, represented by 116, is instead composed of a ring link.

[0052] exist Figures 3 to 6 The above-mentioned device for machine 10 is also shown in the figure.

[0053] Specifically, the first processing device 12 includes a pair of grippers for carrying the first element 13, the pair of grippers being adapted to move forward together toward the welding station and retract from the welding station, as can be seen by comparing the order of the figures, in order to pick up the subsequent first element 13 from the hopper.

[0054] The second processing device 15 also includes a pair of grippers for carrying the second elements 16, 116, which are adapted to rotate on the support 19 to move them from the forming station to the welding station 14.

[0055] The first processing device 12 or the second processing device 15 (the latter in the illustrated example) is adapted to rotate the component 11 or 111 in the welding station 14.

[0056] Specifically, in a first embodiment of machine 10, the second processing device 15 rotates component 11 by 180° to allow welding to be performed at the contact points on two opposing surfaces at both ends of the strip.

[0057] In a second embodiment of machine 110, the second processing device 15 performs rotation to allow welding between two elements at the contact point with two or four laser pulses at 180° or 90° to each other.

[0058] In both embodiments, machines 10 and 110 include means 20 and 120 for moving the laser device 18. In a first embodiment of machine 10, these means, indicated by reference numeral 20, include a support 21 for the laser device 18, by which the laser device is adapted to slide on a preferably arcuate guide 21.

[0059] In a second embodiment of machine 110, the moving device is represented by 120 and includes a support 121 for laser device 18, by which the laser device is adapted to rotate about a vertical axis and slide on a linear guide 122.

[0060] Machines 10 and 110 also include a hopper for a first component 13, from which a first processing device 12 is adapted to pick up a single first component 13 for carrying it to a welding station 14.

[0061] The second elements 16 and 116 are set in the same machine 10 and 110 in a step prior to the welding step. In fact, there is a device 23 (not shown in detail and of a type known by itself) for feeding the metal wire, a device 24 for cutting the metal wire (which includes a blade that descends vertically onto the metal wire to be cut), and a device 25 for stamping the metal wire to form the second elements 16 and 116.

[0062] exist Figure 3 The stamping device 25 shown is of a known type and includes a pair of clamps 26 and a punch 27, which is adapted to close the wire in a U-shape to provide the strip of the second element 16, or to close the wire in an annular shape for the second element 116.

[0063] In both cases, such as Figure 7 and 8 As shown, components 11, 111 for the spring coil include a first metal element 13 having a substantially annular shape, which, as intended, is formed by a C-shaped housing open at its end, and is joined to second metal elements 16, 116 by laser welding to form a link. The closure having the link is already present in the first embodiment of the annular shape for the second element 116, and is instead determined by welding in the second embodiment.

[0064] The first element 13 and the second elements 16, 116 are joined by a connection region consisting only of their own material, which is provided by melting during the welding process.

[0065] Compared to components provided by welding with added material, such a connection area has surface continuity with both the first element 13 and the second elements 16, 116.

[0066] In the first or second embodiment, the method for providing component 11 or 111 by means of the machine 10 or 110 respectively includes:

[0067] -The first metal component 13 is picked up by the first processing device 12 and placed in the welding station 14. Figure 3 , 4 and 5),

[0068] - The second elements 16 and 116 are formed by the stamping device 25. Figure 3 ),

[0069] - Pick up the second components 16 and 116 and place the second components in the welding station 14 to contact the first component 13. Figure 3 , 4 and 5),

[0070] - The first component 13 and the second components 16 and 116 are joined by laser welding. Figure 5 and 6 ).

[0071] Optionally, the second processing device 15 is used in the first welding pulse ( Figure 5 After that, the rotation of the second element 16 or 116 is performed, and then after the component rotates ( Figure 6 Repeated welding. During rotation, since the first welding pulse has already created the connection between the two components, the second processing device 15 rotates the entire component.

[0072] The use of the machine according to the invention is evident from what has been described and shown, and in particular it is evident that the use of laser welding of the two components eliminates the need for welding alloys, thus eliminating waste to be refined. Waste of any material can be easily remelted.

[0073] Furthermore, it is important to note that the use of lasers for welding reduces production time due to the higher welding speed compared to welding with added materials.

[0074] It should also be noted that the use of laser welding eliminates oxidation, thermal deformation of parts, and the need to adjust the flame according to environmental conditions because there is no combustion, and provides uniform results in all parts produced.

[0075] The use of the machine according to the invention thus limits the necessary post-weld operations, and therefore limits the associated time and cost.

[0076] Furthermore, it should be noted that no additional equipment or related maintenance is required due to the use of laser welding.

[0077] Furthermore, laser welding provides more uniform and precise results in the joined area while maintaining a similar appearance shape to components supplied in a known manner.

[0078] In practice, it has been found that the present invention achieves the intended goals and objectives by providing a machine for supplying components of spring coils, which has a greater output than known types of machines, and by means of the machine, the components are supplied without the need for refining material waste in the post-welding steps.

[0079] The present invention, conceived in this way, can be modified and varied in many ways, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; furthermore, all of these details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0080] In fact, the materials used can be any material, as long as they are compatible with the specific purpose and the possible shapes and sizes, depending on the requirements and existing technology.

Claims

1. A machine (10, 110) for providing components (11, 111) of spring coils, comprising: - A first processing device (12) is at least adapted to pick up a first metal component (13) and place the first metal component in a welding station (14). - A second processing device (15) is at least adapted to pick up a second metal component (16, 116) and arrange the second metal component in the welding station (14). - Welding apparatus (17) for welding the first metal element (13) and the second metal element (16, 116) in the welding station (14) to provide the component (11, 111). The welding apparatus (17) includes a laser device (18) adapted to provide laser welding for joining the first metal element (13) and the second metal element (16, 116), the joining being provided solely by the materials of the first metal element (13) and the second metal element (16, 116), characterized in that the machine includes a device (23) for feeding a metal wire, a device (24) for cutting the metal wire, and a device (25) for stamping the metal wire to form the second metal element (16, 116).

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the first processing device (12) and the second processing device (15) is adapted to rotate the component (11, 111) in the welding station (14).

3. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The machine includes means (20, 120) for moving the laser device (18).

4. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The machine includes a hopper for the first metal element, and the first processing device (12) is adapted to pick up the first metal element (13) from the hopper.

5. A component for a spring coil, provided by the machine according to claim 1, the component comprising a first metal element (13) having a substantially annular shape and joined by laser welding to a second metal element (16, 116) to form a link, the first metal element (13) and the second metal element (16, 116) being joined by a connecting region consisting only of the material of the first metal element and the second metal element themselves, characterized in that, The first metal element (13) is composed of a C-shaped housing with an opening at least at the end, and the second metal element (16, 116) is welded to the outer part of the C-shaped housing.

6. The component for a spring coil according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connection area has surface continuity with the first metal element (13) and the second metal element (16, 116).

7. The component for a spring coil according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second metal element (16) is composed of ring-shaped chain links.

8. The component for a spring coil according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second metal element (116) is made of a strip bent into a U-shape.

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