Apparatus and method for marking a component by applying readable identification information

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for marking a component (2) by applying readable identification information having at least one identification feature, and to a detection device (9) configured to detect, based on eddy current measurement, the identification information applied to or applicable to the component (2) by means of the apparatus (1), the detection device having at least one eddy current sensor disposed in a portion of the apparatus including at least one impression device having at least two impression elements (3-7), the detection device being configured to detect information relating to an impression symbol that can be pressed into the component by means of the at least two impression elements, wherein the eddy current sensor is disposed on the impression elements such that the eddy current sensor can pass through each impression element to detect a specific combination of the impression surfaces (8) of the impression elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for marking a component by applying readable identification information having at least one identification feature, particularly an identification symbol. Background Technology

[0002] Such devices for marking components are known in principle by existing technology, for example, in the form of counter impressions. With this device, components can be marked by applying readable identification information to them. For example, identification can be achieved by applying identification information, such as a serial number. The serial number can be categorized into a specific manufacturing process or batch, thereby further determining the manufacturing time or location of the relevant component.

[0003] To date, such devices cannot correlate known component information, such as details about the manufacturing process and materials, with identification information imprinted at the end of the manufacturing process. It is only known that identification information is engraved or imprinted into the component at the beginning of the manufacturing process. For example, with a counter mold, identification information is imprinted into the component by engraving a defined serial number. However, such counter molds currently lack a corresponding sensor system that would allow correlation between the manufactured component and the identification information. In other words, it is not possible to subsequently draw precise conclusions about which component was manufactured at what specific time based on the identification information; the component can only be categorized into the batch associated with the current process step. In particular, if there are fluctuations or deviations in the manufacturing process within a batch, it is usually necessary to process or remove all components categorized into that batch, because more precise resolution of the component in terms of each manufacturing step of an individual component is impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide an improved device for marking components, wherein information can be associated with the components in particular.

[0005] The task is accomplished by a device for marking a component by applying readable identification information having at least one identification feature. The device includes a detection unit configured to detect, based on eddy current measurements, the identification information applied to or potentially applied to the component by means of the device. The detection unit has at least one eddy current sensor disposed in a portion of the device including at least one impression device having at least two impression elements. The detection unit is configured to detect information relating to an impression symbol that can be imprinted onto the component by means of the at least two impression elements. The eddy current sensor is disposed on the impression elements such that it can detect the specific combination of the impression surfaces of the impression elements through each impression element.

[0006] As described above, the present invention relates to a device for marking components by applying readable identification information. The identification information has at least one, and typically multiple, identification features. Identification features are typically identification symbols, such as alphanumeric characters, especially numbers forming serial numbers. By imprinting unique identification information onto a component, the component can be distinguished from other components of the same structure. The invention is based on the understanding that the device can be equipped with a detection apparatus configured to detect the identification information applied to or potentially applied to the component by means of the device based on eddy current measurements.

[0007] Eddy current measurement can detect identification information that has been or is being applied to a component using the device. In other words, the device is used to mark a component by applying identification information to it. The identification information can be detected here using a detection device based on eddy current measurement. In other words, the detection device detects which identification information is introduced into or applied to the component. Alternatively, the identification information can also be detected before application, for example, based on the characteristics of the device, especially based on the current settings of the device.

[0008] By detecting identification information, an association can be established between an individual component and its identification information, and this information can be stored in the equipment's storage device if necessary. Eddy current measurements, in particular, can be used to detect identification information that is being introduced into or has been applied to a component, which can then be stored in the equipment's database or storage device. This also allows information already known about an individual component, such as information related to previous production steps, to be passed to other stations in the process chain. For example, if previously applied identification information, such as that already engraved in a component, is covered with paint, information about that component can be passed and associated with new identification information applied by the equipment to mark the component. This prevents component information from being lost in the process chain.

[0009] This is achieved by detecting the identification information applied to the marked component using a detection device. Since this identification information is therefore not simply applied to the component as is common in the prior art, but rather the application or identification information itself is also detected, it can be associated with known component information in addition to marking the component. This particularly allows for the accurate identification of individual components even when deviations occur during manufacturing that do not affect the entire batch.

[0010] According to an extension of the device, it can be configured to apply identification information by means of at least one impression device, particularly by means of a counter impression, or by means of an energy beam. In principle, the identification information can be arbitrarily applied to the component, as long as it can subsequently be detected by means of eddy current measurement. In principle, it is not necessary to detect the identification information on the component itself. Alternatively, indirect detection can be performed by means of eddy current measurement, for example, detecting identification features on the impression of the impression device, which are introduced into or applied to the component.

[0011] The detection device may have at least one eddy current sensor disposed in a portion of the device that includes at least one impression device. The at least one sensor may therefore be disposed in the portion of the device that houses the at least one impression device. In particular, the impression element that ultimately causes a change in the material of the component and thus applies identification information to the component may be disposed in the portion of the device where the at least one eddy current sensor is disposed. For example, if the impression device processes the component “from above,” that is, imprints identification information onto the component “from above,” the eddy current sensor may be disposed in the “upper” mold half or the corresponding mold portion of the device. This allows identification information to be detected not, or at least not only, in the component itself, but rather by means of the eddy current sensor, in order to determine what identification information is introduced into or applied to the component.

[0012] The described impression device may, in particular, have at least two impression elements, such as impression wheels rotatable to multiple positions about a rotation axis. The detection device may be configured to detect information related to the impression symbol to be imprinted into the component by means of the at least two impression elements, particularly the position and / or orientation of the at least two impression wheels. As mentioned above, the identification information typically includes multiple identification features, such as identification symbols in the form of alphanumeric characters. Therefore, the impression device has a corresponding number of impression elements to imprint the corresponding identification information into the component.

[0013] For example, the impression element can be constructed as a rotatable impression wheel, thereby generating the corresponding position of each impression wheel according to which identification information should be established. For example, if a consecutive serial number is used to mark a component that should be marked by the device, the serial number can be imprinted onto the component by means of each appropriately selected or positioned impression element, such as a rotatable impression wheel. The detection device can detect the corresponding position of each impression element or each impression wheel and thus establish a link between the component and the identification information.

[0014] At least one eddy current sensor may be assigned to at least two impression elements and / or at least two different eddy current sensors may be assigned to at least two different impression elements. Therefore, it can be specified that two or more impression elements can be detected by means of the same eddy current sensor. In particular, a specific combination of information imprinted into the component by means of two or more impression elements can be detected by the same eddy current sensor. Alternatively or additionally, different eddy current sensors may be assigned to each impression element, especially in order to detect only its identifying features or to detect which identifying features are imprinted by each impression element.

[0015] In other words, an eddy current sensor can be used for each impression element, or a single eddy current sensor can be used for multiple impression elements. Based on the mechanism of eddy current measurement, this allows the features of the identification information composed of the individual impression elements to be detected individually or in combination. If the individual impression elements are constructed, for example, as impression wheels and arranged side-by-side such that eddy current measurements can be performed through each impression element, then a single eddy current sensor can be used to simultaneously detect each impression element, especially their current orientation. Gaps can also be provided between the individual impression elements to accommodate the individual eddy current sensors, which then detect only the individual impression elements. However, the eddy current sensors can also be arranged in other ways without gaps between the impression elements, for example, radially to the impression elements. Of course, corresponding combinations are also possible.

[0016] Furthermore, each eddy current sensor can also be positioned relative to the at least one impression element to indirectly detect the identification information applied to the component by means of the impression element. For this purpose, at least one eddy current sensor can be positioned at an angle relative to the impression surface of the impression element. Additionally, the eddy current sensor can be positioned opposite the impression element. If, for example, identification information is imprinted using an impression wheel, the eddy current sensor can be positioned opposite the impression surface currently being pressed into the component. In other words, the impression surfaces distributed circumferentially on the impression wheel are rotatable to allow for the setting of corresponding combinations of identification features that collectively form the identification information. Therefore, the impression surface adjacent to any position along the circumference can be detected. Correspondingly, this can be related to the currently imprinted impression surface. Identification features are typically continuously distributed circumferentially on the impression wheel, so that knowing the position of at least one identification feature, for example, a digit 0...9 along the circumference, the digit currently being or to be imprinted onto the component can be deduced.

[0017] Furthermore, the detection device may have at least one eddy current sensor disposed in a portion of the device that houses the component. According to this embodiment, the identification information is not determined relative to the device itself, but rather the identification information applied to the component can be determined directly within the component itself. Regarding the arrangement described above, the arrangement in the portion of the device that houses the device is also understood as a "lower mold half," particularly relative to the impression device, which imprints the identification information into the component from above.

[0018] The detection device is particularly capable of being constructed to detect changes in components that characterize the identification information and can be distinguished from other identification information. As previously mentioned, the basic function of eddy current measurement is to detect material changes based on changes in signals induced in the component. In other words, a corresponding eddy current sensor contacts the component, generating a material change in that area based on which identification information is imprinted in the component. By the reflection of the induced magnetic signal in the component and its change compared to standard characteristics, it can be determined which characterizing identification information is imprinted in the component. Thus, for different components imprinted with different identification information, eddy current measurement generates different signals. Ultimately, this allows the components to be distinguished from each other by their features. Advantageously, even after attempts are made to render the identification information unidentifiable, such as after covering it with paint or grinding away the imprinted identification information, re-identification of the identification information is possible. Therefore, this allows the relevant components to be assigned or identified even after tampering.

[0019] The device may also have a storage device or be able to allocate a storage device, the storage device being configured to store at least one component information and associate the at least one component information with the identification information of a mating component. As mentioned above, the component information may ultimately involve any known or determined information relating to a specific component. In particular, the component information relates to the component's previous or future manufacturing process. The component information may provide descriptions of the component's material, batch, etc.

[0020] By utilizing storage devices, associations can be established between known data, particularly between component information and individual components, through the detection and identification information. This allows a component to be individually and completely assigned its component information based on the identification information applied to it. In other words, existing information about a component can be retrieved based on the identification information applied to it. In particular, information about previous process steps can be retrieved, which are executed separately from the current process steps that assign the device used to mark the component, thereby enabling complete tracking and tracing of the component.

[0021] The device may also have or be connected to a power supply unit, particularly an internal or external power supply unit, for operating the detection device. As previously mentioned, the device can be used to mark components, for example, in the form of a counter impression. Such devices are typically non-electric because the application of identification information is usually purely mechanical and the identification information is stored without being associated with the component. For example, such a counter impression mold has multiple impression wheels that mechanically advance one step in sequence number when identification information is applied. An energy supply is typically not required here because the operation of the device itself is purely mechanical. Providing a power supply unit ensures that the detection device can operate autonomously. An internal power supply unit, for example in the form of a battery, can be provided to supply the required energy to the detection device. An external power supply unit can also be provided, for example, connected to a power supply unit for the operation of the device.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for marking a component by applying readable identification information having at least one identification feature, particularly an identification symbol, by means of a device, particularly the aforementioned device based on eddy current measurement, to detect the identification information applied to or capable of being applied to the component.

[0023] All advantages, details, design and / or features of the device already described can be fully transferred to this method. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings are as follows:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the device according to the second embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 A device 1 is shown for marking a component 2 by applying readable identification information. The identification information has at least one identification feature, in particular an identification symbol. In other words, the device 1 is configured to introduce information into the component 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 1 is configured as a counter impression and has a plurality of impression elements 3-7 configured as impression wheels.

[0028] In other words, each impression element 3-7 has multiple impression surfaces 8, which are distributed circumferentially on the circumferential surface of the impression element 3-7. By bringing the corresponding impression surface 8 into contact with the surface of the component 2, identification information can be imprinted onto the surface of the component 2. Therefore, the impression element 3-7 can imprint its impression surface 8 onto the surface of the component 2, so that the identification symbol corresponding to or formed by the corresponding impression surface 8 is imprinted onto the surface of the component 2. Since each impression element 3-7 has multiple such identification symbols, unique identification information can be generated for each component 2. For example, each impression element 3-7 has the numbers 0 to 9 as impression symbols. Accordingly, ten impression surfaces 8 are distributed circumferentially on each impression element 3-7. Therefore, by setting a specific arrangement (Konstellation) of each impression element 3-7, for example by rotating each impression element 3-7 around a common axis of rotation, a unique serial number can be set, which can be imprinted onto the matching component 2.

[0029] The device 1 also includes a detection device 9, which in this embodiment has a plurality of eddy current sensors 10-15. However, these eddy current sensors 10-15 are only to be understood as exemplary. Of course, different numbers of eddy current sensors 10-15 or arrangements of eddy current sensors 10-15 different from the arrangement shown can also be provided. Therefore, the description of each eddy current sensor 10-15 and its arrangement should be understood as exemplary, used to explain the working principle of the device 1 or its detection device 9.

[0030] Eddy current sensors 10 are positioned on the impression elements 3-7 such that they can detect specific combinations of impression surfaces 8 through each impression element 3-7, particularly identification information related to that specific arrangement. Rotation of each impression element 3-7 alters the signals detectable by the eddy current sensors 10. Therefore, the unique combination of impression surfaces 8 or impression symbols introduced into the surface of the member 2 through each impression element 3-7 can ultimately be inferred based on the signals detected by the eddy current sensors 10.

[0031] Furthermore, the device 1 has a storage device 16 configured to record corresponding signals from eddy current sensor 10 or from eddy current sensors 10-15. Other data about component 2, or all components 2, can also be stored in the storage device 16 and associated with imprinted or applied identification information. Specifically, component information of component 2, such as data regarding the manufacturing process, materials, batch, etc., can be stored and associated with identification information, i.e., the final serial number. Which component 2 is involved can then be accurately determined using the identification information, and the component information of component 2 can be retrieved using the identification information.

[0032] The remaining eddy current sensors 11-15 indicate that each impression element 3-7 can also be detected individually. In the illustration, the eddy current sensors 11-15 are angled relative to the imprint surface 8 that currently introduces the identification feature into the surface of the component 2. Knowing the distribution of each identification symbol in the circumferential direction of the impression elements 3-7, the imprint surface 8 facing the eddy current sensor 11-15 can be detected by detecting any one imprint surface 8 of each impression element 3-7. It can be seen that this allows detection of which identification information is currently being imprinted into the component 2. Of course, the signals from the eddy current sensors 11-15 can also be stored in the storage device 16.

[0033] Figure 2 An alternative embodiment of device 1 is shown, in principle using the same reference numerals for the same components. Figure 2 Device 1 also has five impression elements 3-7, with multiple impression surfaces 8 arranged on its circumference. For example, in... Figure 1 In the process, each imprint surface 8 of each imprint element 3-7 is provided with different identification symbols or causes different identification symbols to be imprinted into the component 2. Figure 2 The device 1 also includes a detection unit 9, which comprises an eddy current sensor 17. In this embodiment, the eddy current sensor 17 is assigned to a mold half that also has impression elements 3-7. After applying identification information, the eddy current sensor 17 is able to detect the identification information introduced into or applied to the component 2 when the mold is opened, i.e., when the impression elements 3-7 and the component 2 are spatially separated. Here, the eddy current sensor 17 detects changes in the material structure on the surface of the component 2, thereby allowing the component 2 to be identified based on the measurement signal from the eddy current sensor 17.

[0034] In addition, Figure 2 An eddy current sensor 18 is additionally shown, which is disposed in the "lower mold half" and thus configured for direct measurement of component 2. Therefore, identification information introduced into or applied to component 2 can be detected after identification information is applied. Here, as described above, the eddy current sensor 18 can sense and generate a corresponding measurement signal in component 2, and the identification information can be detected based on the signal reflected in component 2. Also as described above, the corresponding signals of the eddy current sensors 17 and 18 can be stored in the storage device 16. Here, the signal that ultimately provides an explanation of the identification information of the corresponding component 2 can also be associated with the corresponding component information of component 2.

[0035] The above method can of course be executed on device 1. Figure 1 and 2 All the advantages, details and features shown can of course be combined, exchanged or transferred in any way.

[0036] List of reference numerals

[0037] 1 device

[0038] 2 components

[0039] 3-7 Imprinting Components

[0040] 8 seal faces

[0041] 9 Detection Devices

[0042] 10-15 Eddy Current Sensor

[0043] 16 storage devices

[0044] 17, 18 Eddy Current Sensors

Claims

1. Device (1) for marking a component (2) by applying readable identification information, the identification information having at least one identification feature, characterized in that The device includes a detection device (9) configured to detect identification information applied to or applicable to a component (2) by means of the device (1) based on eddy current measurement. The detection device (9) has at least one eddy current sensor (10-15, 17, 18) disposed in a portion of the device (1) including at least one impression device having at least two impression elements (3-7). The detection device (9) is configured to detect information relating to an impression symbol that can be pressed into the component (2) by means of the at least two impression elements (3-7). The eddy current sensor is disposed on the impression elements such that the eddy current sensor can detect the specific combination of the impression surfaces (8) of the impression elements through each impression element.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The identification feature is an identification symbol.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device (1) is configured to apply identification information by means of a counter, which is a stamping device.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least two impression elements (3-7) are impression wheels that can rotate to multiple positions about a rotation axis, and the detection device (9) is configured to detect the position and / or orientation of the at least two impression wheels.

5. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one eddy current sensor (10-15, 17, 18) is assigned to at least two impression elements (3-7), and / or at least two different eddy current sensors (10-15, 17, 18) are assigned to at least two different impression elements (3-7).

6. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The device includes a storage device (16) configured to store at least one component information and associate the at least one component information with the identification information of a mating component (2).

7. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device (1) has an energy supply device for operating the detection device (9).

8. The device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The energy supply device is an internal or external energy supply device.

9. A method for marking a component (2) by applying readable identification information, said identification information having at least one identification feature, characterized in that, Identification information applied to or capable of being applied to a component (2) is detected by means of the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 based on eddy current measurement.

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