Production stations and production systems for workpieces, in particular car body parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a production station for workpieces, in particular vehicle body parts, wherein the production station (4, 6) is constructed in a modular manner and comprises at least two production cells (8, 10; 12, 14) or a plurality of production cells, each of which has a separate working area (16, 18; 20, 22), wherein the working area (16, 18; 20, 22) comprises a plurality of robots (64, 66, 68, 70) arranged uniformly and receiving devices (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) interacting with the robots, wherein for at least two production cells (8, 10; 12, 14) there are provided a plurality of robots (64, 66, 68, 70) for the required components ( The invention relates to a production system comprising: a receiving device storage device (24, 26; 28, 30; 110) including all receiving devices (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) assigned to at least each production cell (8, 10; 12, 14); and a receiving device transport device (48, 50; 52, 54; 111) provided to at least one production cell (8, 10; 12, 14), wherein the at least two production cells (8, 10; 12, 14) are connected to each other via a connecting shaft (102) having at least one connecting robot (104).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a production station for workpieces, in particular vehicle body parts, wherein the production station is modularly constructed and comprises at least two production cells or a plurality of production cells, each of which has a separate working area, wherein the working area comprises a plurality of robots, each uniformly arranged, and receiving devices interacting with the robots, wherein at least one transport device for the required components and workpieces is provided for at least two production cells. The present invention also relates to a production system. Background Art

[0002] Such a production station and a production system are known, for example, from German utility model specification DE 20 2014101 002 U1. The production station described therein and the production system constructed from it are said to be particularly characterized by a greater flexibility of the processes carried out in the production station. Furthermore, this is said to result in advantages in terms of a better and more flexible interconnection of the production stations with one another. However, this type of flexibility only affects the range of geometrical properties of the workpieces, which is limited by the respective maximum values. In particular in the automotive industry, and in this case in the production of higher-quality vehicles, there is a demand for ever-increasing vehicle individualization, and of course also for individualization of the associated body parts. In extreme cases, this can lead to a desire to produce batch sizes of one piece in such a production system. von einem Stück). However, this has not been possible until now without adapting the production systems accordingly.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a production station or a production system which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages in a simple and cost-effective manner. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the invention, this object is firstly achieved by providing a production station in which a receiving device storage device including all receiving devices is assigned to at least each production unit, and a receiving device transport device is provided to at least one production unit, wherein the at least two production units are connected to each other via a connecting axis with at least one connecting robot. The receiving devices include receiving elements such as workpiece tables, gripping elements, tools, etc. This firstly makes it possible to appropriately process any workpiece in any unit. Processing includes in particular joining processes requiring so-called process devices, such as welding, gluing, etc., pressing and press-in processes (such as threaded connections, stapling or press-fit connections), or forming processes (such as folding, bending, crimping and riveting). It is also possible here to carry out different joining processes in one production station by connecting the production units to each other via a connecting axis with at least one connecting robot.

[0005] In an advantageous embodiment, each production unit is assigned exactly one receiving device storage device. Alternatively, at least two production units can be assigned to a common receiving device storage device.

[0006] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the transport device and / or the receiving device transport device is configured as an AGV transport system. The abbreviation "AGV" stands for "Automated Guided Vehicle." Here, a ground conveyor device with its own drive is automatically controlled and contactlessly guided. Alternatively, the transport device can also be configured as a ground conveyor system (e.g., a roller conveyor). These conveyors guide the workpieces and / or required components to the corresponding position in the respective production cell, where a robot can access the workpieces and / or required components.

[0007] Each production cell particularly advantageously comprises four robots, all of which are suitable for carrying out the joining and handling processes, and at least one of which is operatively connected to a transport device. It is particularly advantageous if two of these robots are operatively connected to the transport device and are spatially separated from the other two robots by a receiving device. This arrangement provides a particularly compact and flexibly usable production station.

[0008] In order to be able to carry out any joining process in any production cell, it is advantageous if the process or operating equipment joining device is provided at the same location in each production cell.

[0009] In this context, it is also advantageous if a tool change position equipped with a tool is provided at the same location in each production cell. Stationary tools can also be positioned.

[0010] By arranging at least one component storage device for providing components and / or workpieces on a side of the transport device opposite the production unit, a particularly compact production station is provided.

[0011] In order to ensure precise handling of the workpieces, it is advantageous if at least one robot includes a control device for receiving geometric measurements of the device and the arrangement. This can in particular prevent deviations caused by tilting.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if, in addition to the gripping device, the joining robot comprises at least a device for the material-locking joining process.

[0013] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a production system comprising at least two such production stations, wherein an intermediate space is provided between each two adjacent production stations for possible temporary storage or for loading and unloading of workpieces. This makes it particularly easy to remove or reintroduce workpieces from the ongoing production process and / or to process them further until the next production cycle.

[0014] It is also advantageous if at least one transport device is provided in the intermediate space to communicate (which may also mean connection or buffering) with adjacent production units. This makes it possible, for example, to transfer workpieces from one production station to an adjacent production station without using transport equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 a schematic diagram showing two production stations which together form a production system, and

[0017] Figure 2 An alternative embodiment with a receiving device storage device is shown Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the production station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The schematic diagram shows a production system 2 according to the present invention, which, for the sake of clarity, consists of two production stations 4 and 6 in this design example. Both production stations 4 and 6 are modularly constructed and each include two production cells 8, 10, 12, and 14. Each production cell 8, 10 and 12, 14 of a production station 4 and 6 has its own work area 16, 18 and 20, 22, respectively, which is designed to mirror the work area of ​​the adjacent production cell in the respective production station 4 and 6. Each production cell 8, 10, 12, and 14 is assigned its own receiving device storage 24, 26, 28, and 30. In each of these receiving device storages 24, 26, 28, and 30, different receiving devices 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, and 42 are provided to receive different workpieces for different processing operations. Each receiving device storage device 24, 26, 28, 30 is connected to the corresponding work area 16, 18, 20, 22 of the production cell 8, 10, 12, 14 via a receiving device transport device 48, 50, 52, 54. The corresponding receiving device transport device 48, 50, 52, 54 is configured as an AGV transport system. On the side of the production station 4, 6 opposite the receiving device storage device 24, 26, 28, 30, a transport device 56 for the workpieces 44, 46 and the components 58, 60, 62 required for processing the workpieces 44, 46 is provided. This transport device 56 is configured as an AGV transport system or floor conveyor technology (e.g., a roller conveyor). The AGV transport system 56 then serves to deliver the workpieces 44, 46 or components 58, 60, 62 to the corresponding production station 4, 6 and, therefore, to the required location of the corresponding production cell 8, 10, 12, 14. A parts storage device 65 for providing components 58 , 60 , 62 is arranged on the side of the transport device 56 opposite the production stations 4 , 6 and therefore also opposite the production units 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 .

[0019] The handling of workpieces 44, 46 will be described in more detail with reference to the production station 4 and its production cells 8, 10, and the associated work areas 16, 18. The reference numerals used herein also apply to the production station 6, which has identically constructed production cells 12, 14. Four robots 64, 66, 68, and 70 are provided in the work area 16 of the production cell 8. In this design example, these robots are primarily adapted to perform joining processes and handling operations. In the illustrated embodiment, two of the robots 64, 66 are operatively connected to the transport device 56 and are spatially separated from the other two robots 68, 70 by a receiving device transport device 48. The receiving device 36, brought into proximity by the receiving device transport device 48, is secured in a suitable position on a type of podium 72 (with or without a recess for the receiving device 36) and is thus ready to receive, for example, a workpiece 46. Reference numerals 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, and 90 designate tools that can be used by the respective robots 66, 68, and 70 to handle the workpieces 46, 48. Tools are also arranged at the same location in each production cell 8, 10, 12, 14, with the production cells 8, 10 and 12, 14 in the respective production stations 4, 6 being configured as mirror images of one another. Tools 74, 76, 78 are arranged at a tool change position 92, tools 80, 82, 84 are arranged at a tool change position 94, and tools 86, 88, 90 are arranged at a tool change position 96. Also configured in each production cell are process connection devices 98, such as for adhesives, and operating equipment connection devices 100, such as for electricity and water. To enable the transfer of workpieces from one production cell 8 to an adjacent production cell 10 in a production station 4, a connecting shaft 102 with at least one connecting robot 104 is provided. This connecting robot 104 can also perform joining operations on the workpieces to be processed.

[0020] To optimally align the receiving devices 36, 38, 40, 42 and the workpieces 46, 48 for processing, the robots 68, 70 include a control unit (not shown further here) for geometrically measuring the receiving devices 36, 38, 40, 42 and the workpieces 46, 48. An intermediate space 106 is provided between the production stations 4, 6 for temporarily storing processed or unprocessed workpieces 44, 46. This intermediate space 106 thus serves as a so-called buffer zone for temporarily storing workpieces 44, 46 that do not need to undergo the entire production process. A further transport device 108, here designed as a turntable, can be arranged in this intermediate space 106 to enable communication between adjacent production cells 10, 12. The intermediate space 106 can also be used for loading and unloading and can provide ample space for a floor conveyor.

[0021] Figure 2A production station 4 is shown with two production units 8, 10, which are connected to the Figure 1 The production cells 8, 10 in FIG. 1 are constructed in exactly the same manner, with an alternative embodiment of a receiving device storage device 110, which, in this design example, is assigned to both production cells 8, 10 and can supply each production cell 8, 10 with every available receiving device 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42. Here, too, an AGV transport system 111, serving as a receiving device transport device, is connected to a storage control system 112 and, in this case, is assigned to both production cells 8, 10. The storage control system 112 has access to a shelving system 114, in which, in this design example, the receiving devices 32, 34, 36 are provided. The storage control system 112 is designed to move the receiving devices 32, 34, 36 from the shelving system 114 to the correct position in the production cells 8, 10 and out of these production cells 8, 10 back to the shelving system 114. Furthermore, further receiving devices can be moved to or removed from the shelving system via a transfer port 115. In this design example, six transporters 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 of the AGV conveyor system 111 are shown to provide a more detailed description. Here, the receiving station (symbol "rectangle") has just been unloaded from transporter 116. Transporter 118 is currently loaded with a gripping element 34 (symbol "triangle"), and transfer device 120 is currently loaded with two gripping elements 36 (symbol "double triangle"). Transporters 124 and 126 are empty and will be loaded into the first production cell 8, which has two gripping elements 36 and a receiving station 32. Simultaneously, transporter 122 moves to the second production cell 10 and will be loaded with gripping elements 32 there.

[0022] It should be clear that this results in a production system 2 that is not only flexible and compact in design, but also makes it possible to produce workpieces with a wide variety of batch sizes and processes with reduced setup times. Thus, for example, a material-locking joining process (such as gluing or welding) can be performed in one production cell of a production station, while a forming process (such as folding or riveting) is performed in another production cell.

Claims

1. A production station for workpieces, in particular vehicle body parts, wherein the production station (4, 6) is constructed in a modular manner and comprises at least two production cells (8, 10; 12, 14) or a plurality of production cells, each of which has a separate working area (16, 18; 20, 22), wherein the working area (16, 18; 20, 22) comprises a plurality of robots (64, 66, 68, 70) arranged uniformly and receiving devices (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) interacting with the robots, wherein at least one transport device (56) is provided for the required components (58, 60, 62) and the workpieces (44, 46) for at least two production cells (8, 10; 12, 14), It is characterized by: A receiving device storage device (24, 26; 28, 30; 110) comprising all of the receiving devices (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) is assigned to at least each production unit (8, 10; 12, 14), and a receiving device transport device (48, 50; 52, 54; 111) is provided to at least one production unit (8, 10; 12, 14), wherein the at least two production units (8, 10; 12, 14) are coupled to one another via a connecting shaft (102) having at least one connecting robot (104), wherein, in addition to a gripping device, the connecting robot (104) comprises at least a device for performing a material-locking joining process.

2. The production station according to claim 1, It is characterized by: Each production unit (8, 10; 12, 14) is assigned exactly one receiving device storage device (24, 26; 28, 30).

3. The production station according to claim 1, It is characterized by: At least two production units (8, 10; 12, 14) are assigned a common receiving device storage device (110).

4. A production station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: The transport equipment (56) is configured as an AGV transport system or floor conveyor technology (eg, a sliding roller conveyor).

5. A production station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: The receiving device transport device (48, 50, 52, 54; 111) is configured as an AGV transport system.

6. Production station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: Each production cell comprises four robots (64, 66, 68, 70), all four robots being adapted to perform joining and handling processes, and at least one of the robots (64, 66) being operatively connected to the transport device (56).

7. The production station according to claim 6, It is characterized by: Two of the robots (64, 66) are operatively connected to the transport device (56) and are spatially separated from the remaining two robots (68, 70) by the receiving device.

8. A production station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: Process or operating equipment connection devices (98, 100) are provided at the same location in each production unit (4, 6, 8, 10).

9. A production station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: A tool changing position (92, 94, 96) equipped with tools (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90) is provided at the same position in each production cell.

10. The production station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: At least one parts storage device (65) for providing components (58, 60, 62) and / or workpieces (44, 46) is arranged on a side of the transport device (56) opposite to the production unit (8, 10, 12, 14).

11. A production station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: At least one robot (68, 70) comprises a control device for geometrical measurement of the receiving device (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) and the workpiece (46, 48).

12. A production system comprising at least two production stations according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: An intermediate space (106) is provided between each two adjacent production stations (4, 6) for possible temporary storage or for loading and unloading workpieces.

13. The production system according to claim 12 comprising at least two production stations, It is characterized by: At least one transport device (108) is arranged in the intermediate space to communicate with adjacent production units (10, 12).

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