Workpiece machining device and method for operating a workpiece machining device

Abstract

A workpiece processing apparatus for machining and / or manufacturing workpiece edges on a plate-shaped workpiece includes a detection device controlled by a control and adjustment mechanism for automatically detecting at least one characteristic of the workpiece edge. The detection device has an image detection device, wherein the viewing axis of the image detection device is oriented in the region of the workpiece edge toward the area to be detected on the workpiece edge and is positioned at least substantially orthogonal to the plane of the plate-shaped workpiece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a workpiece processing device and a method for operating the workpiece processing device. Background Technology

[0002] DE102017103867A1 discloses a method for operating a machine tool, wherein during the machining process, process variables, such as feed rate, mass variables resulting from the machining process on the workpiece, such as optical quality, variables characterizing the workpiece used, such as material, and tool time variables, such as previous operation time, are correlated to form a dataset. DE3633089A1 discloses an arrangement for testing the quantum mass in a plate-shaped semi-finished product. For this purpose, a light beam is directed towards the edge using a halogen light source and scattering is detected using a camera. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method that can produce high-quality workpieces at low cost and high clock speed.

[0004] This objective is achieved through workpiece processing equipment and methods. Further advantageous improvements to the invention have also been proposed.

[0005] The workpiece processing apparatus according to the invention has the advantage that the quality of the workpiece edges produced during processing can be determined in a fully automated and real-time manner. This allows for a response to the previously determined quality in subsequent processing steps, either by increasing the clock rate (in the case of "too good" quality) or decreasing the clock rate or changing other operating variables (in the case of "too poor" quality). If necessary, the workpiece can also be reproduced in the case of "too poor" quality. Here, a technique for determining processing quality is used, which can reliably detect the quality of the processed or manufactured workpiece edges.

[0006] Specifically, this is achieved by a workpiece processing apparatus for machining and / or manufacturing edges on a plate-shaped workpiece. This could be, for example, a plate-splitting apparatus for dividing at least one plate-shaped workpiece. Such plate-splitting apparatuses are known, for example, in the form of plate-splitting saws, which can be used to produce, for example, parts for manufacturing furniture. The workpiece processing apparatus according to the invention includes a supply table on which the plate-shaped workpiece is placed, and from which the plate-shaped workpiece can be fed to the processing apparatus by means of a conveying device, for example, by means of a programmable slide with chucks.

[0007] The processing device may preferably refer to a sawing device or saw assembly. The workpiece processing equipment may also include a removal table to which the workpiece processed by the processing device is conveyed, and which can either be fed back to the processing device for further processing from the removal table, or the workpiece can be removed from the removal table and, for example, stacked.

[0008] The control and adjustment device for the workpiece processing equipment according to the invention is used to control and adjust the operation of the workpiece processing equipment. This operation can preferably be performed fully automatically, for example using a robot, which can also be controlled by the control and adjustment device, and the robot handles the plate-shaped workpiece, particularly when the workpiece is located on a removal table.

[0009] The workpiece processing apparatus according to the invention includes a detection device controlled by a control and adjustment mechanism for automatically detecting at least one characteristic of the edge of a workpiece processed and / or manufactured by means of a processing device. Here, the detection device includes at least one image detection device, such as a camera with a CCD sensor. The viewing axis of the image detection device is oriented at least in the region of the workpiece edge toward the area to be detected on the workpiece edge, wherein the viewing axis is at least substantially orthogonal to the plane of the plate-shaped workpiece. That is, the image detection device observes the workpiece edge almost from above or below when the plate-shaped workpiece is horizontally positioned, thereby achieving optimal evaluation of the quality of the workpiece edge.

[0010] In particular, this method can be used to identify outliers in the coating within the edge region of a workpiece and to characterize these outliers based on variables and quantities. It can also detect and characterize the resulting waviness of the workpiece edge. Overall, the evaluation can determine quality characteristic numbers or quality characteristic variables, which can then be used to easily decide whether the operating parameters of the workpiece processing equipment should be changed and / or whether the evaluated workpiece must be reproduced.

[0011] One proposed improvement involves arranging the inspection device in the area of ​​the removal worktable, preferably fastened to or integrated into the removal worktable. This allows the inspection device to be integrated into the workpiece processing equipment without significant intervention in the design of the equipment. If necessary, the inspection device can even be added to existing workpiece processing equipment. Furthermore, the process sequence within the workpiece processing equipment is not affected, or at least only minimally affected, by this positioning of the inspection device.

[0012] To address this, an improved solution proposes an inspection device that can automatically move from a resting position to a working position and back. In the resting position, the inspection device is positioned below the resting plane of the removal table, and in the working position, it is positioned such that it can inspect the characteristics of the workpiece edges placed on the removal table. Therefore, the inspection device is either absent or barely visible in its lowered state, thus keeping the operation of the workpiece processing equipment undisturbed or unaffected. In particular, the operator or robot handling the workpiece on the removal table can remain at least largely unaffected by the inspection device. The inspection device automatically moves to the working position in a manner controlled by control and adjustment devices only when the quality of the workpiece edges needs to be inspected.

[0013] One proposed improvement involves a detection device for detecting the characteristics of a workpiece edge that can move longitudinally relative to the workpiece edge. Preferably, the detection device includes a driving mechanism that enables this longitudinal movement relative to the workpiece edge during the detection process. This allows for the detection of a larger area of ​​the workpiece edge, improving the reliability of the quality assessment.

[0014] One proposed improvement is that the workpiece processing equipment includes a fixing device that can hold the workpiece in place while the inspection device is detecting the characteristics of the workpiece edges. This improvement also enhances the persuasiveness of the quality of the workpiece edges assessed by the inspection device.

[0015] One proposed improvement involves an image detection device comprising at least two CCD sensors arranged on opposite sides of a plate-shaped workpiece relative to its center plane, such that the first CCD sensor's first viewing axis is oriented toward a first workpiece edge, and the second CCD sensor's second viewing axis is oriented toward a second workpiece edge adjacent to and parallel to the first workpiece edge. This allows for comprehensive identification of the workpiece edges manufactured during processing. Here, the fact that plate-shaped workpieces always have discrete thicknesses is taken into consideration, and therefore a workpiece edge has two workpiece edges.

[0016] Therefore, an improved embodiment proposes that the detection device include an illumination device, wherein the beam axis of the illumination device is oriented toward the area to be detected on the workpiece edge in the region of the workpiece edge and is positioned at least substantially within the plane of the plate-shaped workpiece and at least substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the workpiece edge. Thus, the beam axis of the illumination device is substantially orthogonal to the viewing axis of the image detection device, thereby making outliers and waviness of the workpiece edge particularly clear, which further improves the evaluation quality of the workpiece edge. Furthermore, a detection device independent of external influences such as the presence of sunlight is provided, thereby obtaining reproducible results when evaluating the quality of the workpiece edge. The illumination device preferably generates a beam focused on the workpiece edge. As a light source, a white LED or halogen lamp can be used, for example. The use of a laser is also conceivable.

[0017] Therefore, an improved embodiment proposes that the lighting device have at least two light sources, wherein the first beam axis of the first light source is oriented toward the edge of the first workpiece, and the second beam axis of the second light source is oriented toward the edge of the second workpiece. This is particularly beneficial for workpieces with significant thickness at the edges processed by the machining apparatus, and thus with workpiece edges that are clearly spaced apart from each other, resulting in more reliable results during quality inspection. In principle, it is also conceivable here to use only a single light source, but whose light is split into multiple beam axes that are separated from each other, for example, by means of a mirror or optical waveguide. Furthermore, it is conceivable to separate the beam axes into multiple beam axes by orienting the various segments of the light source accordingly, for example, by having individual LEDs in the light source that can be oriented accordingly.

[0018] In one improved embodiment, the image detection device includes a CCD sensor whose viewing axis is not initially orthogonal to the plane of the workpiece, and the image detection device has at least one deflection device for the viewing axis, which orthogonally aligns the viewing axis of the CCD sensor to the plane of the workpiece towards the workpiece edge in the region of the workpiece edge. Using this design of the workpiece processing equipment according to the invention, the CCD sensor can be arranged at virtually any location on the workpiece processing equipment, for example, in a protected location. Here, the deflection device may have one or more mirrors, but may also include, for example, a light guide if necessary.

[0019] The present invention also includes a method for operating a workpiece processing apparatus, the method being controlled and regulated by a control and regulation device, wherein a plate-shaped workpiece is supplied to the processing apparatus and the workpiece edge of the plate-shaped workpiece is processed and / or manufactured. It is proposed that at least one characteristic of the processed and / or manufactured workpiece edge is detected by means of a detection device, wherein the detection device has at least one image detection device, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: a. orienting the viewing axis of the image detection device toward the area to be detected of the workpiece edge such that the viewing axis is positioned approximately orthogonal to the plane of the plate-shaped workpiece in the area of ​​the workpiece edge; b. creating at least one image of the workpiece edge by means of the image detection device when an illumination device is turned on; and c. automatically evaluating the created image and automatically determining at least one characteristic of the workpiece edge by means of the evaluation.

[0020] In an improved embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of: oriented the beam axis of the illumination device toward the area to be detected at the edge of the workpiece such that the beam axis is at least substantially located in the plane of the plate-shaped workpiece and at least substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the workpiece edge in the area of ​​the workpiece edge; and creating an image of the workpiece edge when the illumination device is turned on.

[0021] One proposed improvement involves performing the steps for different regions of the workpiece edge. This improves the quality of information used to assess the quality of the machined workpiece edge.

[0022] One proposed improvement is that the image inspection device remains stationary relative to the edge of the workpiece being processed and / or manufactured during image creation. To still detect the largest possible area of ​​the workpiece edge, either the workpiece can move relative to the image inspection device, or the visual axis of the image inspection device can move, for example, by means of a movable mirror. However, it is also conceivable in principle that both the image inspection device and the workpiece remain stationary during the image inspection process.

[0023] One proposed improvement involves moving the image inspection device relative to the workpiece edge during image creation, and emitting flash-like light pulses from the illumination device for image creation. This further improves the quality of the inspection results.

[0024] One proposed improvement involves creating at least two images: a first image depicting the end region of the workpiece edge (i.e., a corner of the workpiece), and a second image depicting the region of the workpiece edge furthest from the end region (i.e., the middle region between two corners). This also improves quality assessment because only quality values ​​occurring locally at the workpiece edge are compensated for.

[0025] An improved version of the method proposes a step that includes: automatically creating a process plan via the control and adjustment device of the plate processing equipment, the process plan including at least steps b and c above. In this way, the process of detecting the quality of the workpiece edges is automatically integrated into the workpiece processing process, thus eliminating the need for manual operator interaction. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic top view of a first embodiment of a workpiece processing device in the form of a plate-splitting saw is shown;

[0028] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the area of ​​a workpiece processing equipment, which has a detection device, including an image detection device and a lighting device;

[0029] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A schematic top view of the area shown;

[0030] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 A schematic side view of the area shown;

[0031] Figure 5 The second embodiment is shown as similar to Figure 1 The illustration;

[0032] Figure 6 The third embodiment is shown as similar to Figure 1 The illustration;

[0033] Figure 7 The fourth embodiment is shown as similar to Figure 1 The illustration;

[0034] Figure 8 The fifth embodiment is shown as similar to Figure 1 The illustration;

[0035] Figures 9 to 12 A schematic side view of different embodiments of the detection device is shown; and

[0036] Figure 13 The operation is shown Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for processing workpieces using equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Hereinafter, functionally equivalent elements and areas will be labeled with the same reference numerals in different embodiments. They will generally be described in more detail only when mentioned for the first time. Furthermore, for clarity, not all reference numerals will always be included in the figures.

[0038] The workpiece processing equipment is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in the accompanying drawings. In this context, the workpiece processing equipment exemplarily refers to a plate-splitting device, namely a plate-splitting saw, which can be used to split large-sized plate-shaped workpieces. In this context, the workpiece processing equipment exemplarily includes a feed table 12, which may also be formed by a plurality of parallel roller tracks.

[0039] A machine worktable 14 is adjacent to the supply worktable 12, which may be configured, for example, as an air cushion worktable. A saw slit 16 is provided in the machine worktable 14, and a saw carriage (not shown) with a saw assembly is arranged below the machine worktable 14, which can move along the saw line 18 indicated by dashed lines. In this respect, the saw assembly forms a processing device. Above the machine worktable 14 is an unmarked pressure beam, which is vertically movable, thereby clamping and fixing the workpiece between the pressure beam and the machine worktable 14 during processing via the saw assembly.

[0040] On the side of the machine worktable 14 opposite the supply worktable 12, adjacent to the machine worktable 14, there is a removal worktable 20 composed of multiple individual segments. This removal worktable 20 can also be configured as an air cushion worktable. A robot 22 is located on one side of the removal worktable 20. The robot 22 has a robotic arm 24 and a gripping device 26, for example, in the form of a suction bar. The possible working area of ​​the robot 22 is indicated by a short circular dash 28. The working area 28 covers a portion of the removal worktable 20, a portion of the machine worktable 14, and a portion of the supply worktable 12.

[0041] An angle gauge 30 is located on one side of the supply table 12 and the other side of the removal table 20, used to orient the workpiece relative to the saw line 18. For moving and securing the workpiece, a gantry-type programmable slide 32 in the form of a conveyor is provided in the area of ​​the supply table 12. Multiple chucks 34 are clamped to the side of the gantry-type programmable slide 32 facing the machine table 14. The rear edge of the workpiece as seen along the feed direction (arrow 35) can be held using these multiple chucks 34. The programmable slide 32 can move automatically parallel to the feed direction 35 by means of a corresponding drive device, thereby positioning the workpiece held by the programmable slide 32 relative to the saw line 18.

[0042] The workpiece processing equipment 10 also includes a control and regulation device 36. The control and regulation device 36 may include, for example, one or more computers with corresponding microprocessors and memories, on which program code for performing predetermined processing steps is stored. For this purpose, the control and regulation device 36 may have communication interfaces (not shown in the figures) that enable communication between the control and regulation device 36 and the operator and / or other control and regulation devices, as well as with actuators and drives of the workpiece processing equipment 10, such as saw assemblies, program sliders 32, and robot 22.

[0043] The communication interface may include, for example, a screen, keyboard, microphone, speaker, and general connectors for exchanging data. To control and / or adjust the workpiece processing equipment 10, the control and adjustment device 36 receives signals from multiple sensors, which are not shown in this context.

[0044] The workpiece processing equipment 10 also includes a detection device 38, which in... Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, it is exemplary arranged in the area of ​​the removal workbench 20, more precisely in Figure 1 The detection device 38 is exemplarily arranged on the edge of the removal workbench 20 that protrudes from or away from the machine workbench 14. The detection device 38 also communicates with the control and regulation device 36 in such a way that the detection device 38 provides signals to the control and regulation device 36 and the detection device 38 is controlled by the control and regulation device 36.

[0045] The detection device 38 is still used in a display-ready manner to automatically detect the characterizing quality characteristics of the workpiece edges processed or manufactured by a processing device. This workpiece in... Figure 1 The workpiece, marked with reference numeral 40, is shown placed on the removal table 20. The workpiece edge, where the workpiece edge is located, is... Figure 1 The Chinese character is represented by 42.

[0046] The components of the detection device 38 are in Figure 2 This is shown in more detail, though only illustratively. Similarly, in Figure 2 The image shows in more detail the workpiece edge 42 of the workpiece 40 located on the removal table 20. It can be seen that the workpiece 40 has a core 44 and an upper coating 46a and a lower coating 46b. The core 44 may be made of, for example, pressed wood. The coatings 46a-b are typically made of plastic. Figure 2 The type of workpiece 40 shown can be used, for example, to manufacture furniture.

[0047] It can be seen that the workpiece edge 42 has Figure 2 The upper edge of the first workpiece 48a and Figure 2The lower part of the second workpiece edge 48b. The two workpiece edges 48a-b are parallel to each other and perpendicular to each other. Figure 2 The images are extended and adjacent to each other.

[0048] The detection device 38 includes an illumination device 50, which has a first light source 50a and a second light source 50b. The light sources 50a-b may include halogen light sources, LED light sources, and / or laser light sources. The detection device 38 also includes an image detection device 52, which has a first CCD sensor 52a and a second CCD sensor 52b. The first beam axis 54a of the first light source 50a is oriented toward the first workpiece edge 48a. The second beam axis 54b of the second light source 50b is oriented toward the second workpiece edge 48b. The first viewing axis 56a of the first CCD sensor 52a is oriented toward the first workpiece edge 48a, while the second viewing axis 56b of the second CCD sensor 52b is oriented toward the second workpiece edge 48b.

[0049] Not only the beam axes 54a-b, but also the viewing axes 56a-b are orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the workpiece edge 42, which is oriented in... Figure 2 The image extends perpendicularly to the plane of the image. It can be seen that the two viewing axes 56a-b of the CCD sensors 52a-b of the image detection device 52 are placed orthogonally to the central plane 58 of the plate-shaped workpiece 40, and it can also be seen that the two CCD sensors 52a-b are arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece 40 relative to the central plane 58 of the plate-shaped workpiece 40.

[0050] The basic operating principle of the detection device 38 is similar to that described in DE3633089A1. Thus, light, for example, incident from the light source 50a along the beam axis 54a onto the workpiece edge 48a is reflected there. In the case of anomalies in the coating 46a and other edge fractures, the resulting micro-surfaces with different tilt angles act as reflectors for the incident light. With such a micro-surface tilted at 45°, the light is reflected perpendicular to the beam axis 54a along the viewing axis 56a. The intensity of the reflected light can be measured using a CCD sensor 52a, allowing for precise conclusions about the geometry of the workpiece edge 48a. In this way, the quality of the workpiece edge 48a-b produced by the saw assembly can be detected by the detection device 38, and this quality can be evaluated by a corresponding algorithm in the control and adjustment device 36.

[0051] from Figure 3 It can be seen that the entire detection device 38 can move automatically parallel to the workpiece edge 42 by means of a drive device (not shown), which is also controlled by the control and adjustment device 36. This is in Figure 3The double arrow 60 is used to indicate this. For this purpose, the detection device 38 is guided or supported, for example, on a linear guide 62. In this case, the movement preferably occurs while the detection device 38 is detecting the characteristics of the workpiece edges 48a-b using the illumination device 50 and the image detection device 52.

[0052] from Figure 4 It can be seen that the entire detection device 38 can automatically, i.e., with the aid of a corresponding remote-controlled electric drive device, move from a stationary position to a working position and return, corresponding to... Figure 4 The double arrow 63 is shown. In Figure 4 At the resting position indicated by the solid-line box, the detection device 38 is located below the resting plane 64 of the removal worktable 20. However, in Figure 4 At the working position indicated by the dashed box, the detection device 38 is arranged such that the detection device 38 can detect the characteristics of the workpiece edge 48a-b of the workpiece edge 42 of the workpiece 40 located on the removal table 20, as described above.

[0053] Preferably, the detection device 38 occupies a stationary position when it is not desirable to detect the characteristics of the workpiece edges 48a-b of the workpiece 40 located on the removal table 20. This is, for example, when the workpiece 40 is handled on the removal table 20 by the robot 22 or by an operator. This occurs, for example, when the workpiece 40 is to be fed back to the saw wire 18 via the saw assembly for further processing.

[0054] To ensure that workpiece 40 does not move in an undesirable manner during the detection of the characteristics of workpiece edges 48a-b by detection device 38, workpiece 40 on removal table 20 can be secured to removal table 20 by means of fixing device 66. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram is schematic. Alternatively or additionally, in embodiments not shown, the fixing device may also be integrated into the detection device and / or the suction crossbar.

[0055] exist Figure 5 In an alternative embodiment of the workpiece processing equipment 10 shown, the detection device 38 is arranged in the area of ​​the supply table 12 and therein in the area of ​​the angle ruler 30, i.e., arranged laterally. Here, the workpiece 40 is fixed by means of the program slider 32 and the chuck 34 and by means of the movable oriented device 68, which can press the workpiece 40 against the angle ruler 30 in the lateral direction, during the detection of the workpiece edges 48a-b by the detection device 38. Thus, it is also conceivable that the detection device 38 is stationary at least during the detection process, while the workpiece 40 is moved by the program slider 32 parallel to the feed direction 35 during the detection of the workpiece edges 48a-b by the detection device 38.

[0056] exist Figure 6 In an alternative embodiment of the workpiece processing equipment 10 shown, the detection device 38 is arranged in the area of ​​the removal table 20, but laterally within the area of ​​the angle gauge 30. Therefore, the workpiece 40, laterally located on the removal table 20, can be detected by the detection device 38. If desired, relative movement between the workpiece 40 and the detection device 38 can be achieved either by longitudinal movement of the detection device 38 relative to the angle gauge 30, or by movement of the workpiece 40 by an operator or robot 22. However, it is conceivable, though not further shown, that an actuator for positioning the workpiece is integrated into the detection device, by means of which the aforementioned relative movement between the workpiece and the detection device can be achieved.

[0057] exist Figure 7 In an alternative embodiment of the workpiece processing equipment 10 shown, the detection device 38 is arranged in the area of ​​the machine worktable 14, where it is arranged laterally and / or above.

[0058] exist Figure 8 In an alternative embodiment of the workpiece processing equipment 10 shown, the detection device 38 is arranged in an area 70 separate from the supply table 12, the machine table 14, and the removal table 20. This area 70 may, for example, refer to an intermediate buffer or storage area. This separate area 70... Figure 8 The area 70 is exemplarily positioned near the robot 22 and the removal table 20. However, it is also conceivable that the area 70 is more precisely positioned on one side of the supply table 12 or on one side of the machine table 14.

[0059] Figures 9 to 12 Various possible design schemes for the detection device 38 are shown. Figure 9 In the process, the detection device 38 includes an image detection device 52 with two CCD sensors 52a-b, but only includes a single illumination device 50 with a single light source 50a, which is oriented towards the workpiece edge 42 of the workpiece 40.

[0060] exist Figure 10 In a variant, the image detection device 52 includes only a single CCD sensor 52a, which can only observe the upper edge 48a of the first workpiece.

[0061] exist Figure 11 In a variant, the image detection device 52 includes only a single CCD sensor 52b, which can only observe the lower edge 48b of the second workpiece.

[0062] exist Figure 12In a variant, the image detection device 52 includes only a single CCD sensor 52a. However, the viewing axis of this single CCD sensor 52a is not orthogonal to the central plane 58 of the workpiece 40 in the region of the CCD sensor 52b. Instead, the single CCD sensor 52a is arranged on one side of the workpiece edge 42 in the central plane 58. However, the detection device 38 has two deflection devices 72, which are exemplary in the form of mirrors in the present case. These two deflection devices 72 can be used to orthogonalize the viewing axis 56a or 56b to the central plane 58 of the workpiece 40 toward the workpiece edge 48a-b of the workpiece edge 42.

[0063] The following is for reference Figure 13 The flowchart describes the method for operating the workpiece processing equipment 10 using the detection device 38.

[0064] Following the start block 74, in function block 76, the plate-shaped workpiece 40 is fed to a processing device in the form of a saw assembly via a program slider 32 and / or robot 22, and workpiece edges 42 with workpiece edges 48a-b are formed. Then, in function block 78, the workpiece 40 with workpiece edges 42 is fed to the detection device 38. In the subsequent function block 80, the viewing axes 56a-b of the image detection device 52 are oriented toward the area to be detected of the workpiece edges 48a-b such that the viewing axes 56a-b are positioned approximately orthogonal to the center plane 58 of the workpiece 40 in the region of the workpiece edges 48a to 48b.

[0065] In subsequent functional block 82, the beam axis 54a-b of the light source 50a-b of the illumination device 50 is oriented toward the detection area of ​​the workpiece edge 48a-b such that the beam axis 54a-b is positioned approximately within the center plane 58 of the workpiece 40 and orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the workpiece edge 48a-b. It should be understood that the light source 50a-b can be rigidly proportional to the CCD sensor 52a-b, so that when the light source 50a-b is oriented, the CCD sensor 52a-b is automatically oriented as well.

[0066] In functional block 84, multiple images of the workpiece edges 48a-b are then created by means of image detection device 52 when illumination device 50 is turned on. For this purpose, detection device 38 moves parallel to the workpiece edges 48a-b relative to them, and illumination device 50 emits flash-like light pulses to create the images. Alternatively, illumination device 50 may also emit persistent light. Here, at least two images are created, wherein the first image depicts the end regions 86 of the workpiece edges 48a-b (see...). Figure 3 The second image depicts the central region 88 of the workpiece edge 48a-b, away from the end region (see also...). Figure 3 ).

[0067] In function block 90, the created image is then automatically evaluated, and the characteristics of the workpiece edges 48a-b or the workpiece edge 42 are automatically determined, for example, in the form of quality characteristic parameters, by control and adjustment device 36. The method ends in function block 92.

[0068] It is conceivable that, at the beginning of the method, immediately following the start block 74, the control and adjustment device 36 creates a process plan for dividing the workpiece 40 by the saw assembly, such that the quality of the workpiece edges 48a-b can be determined at appropriate time points corresponding to function blocks 78-90. This has the advantage that the inspection can be performed relatively without time constraints and in parallel with other processing steps.

[0069] It is also conceivable that the detection device 38 in function block 84 is stationary and does not move relative to workpiece 40.

[0070] It should also be understood that when the image inspection device 52 has only a single CCD sensor, it may be necessary to detect or determine the quality of only a single workpiece edge 48a or 48b.

[0071] In order to integrate the measurement process into the production process with as little time loss as possible, the control and regulation devices can select workpieces in advance based on the upcoming cutting plan to detect the quality of the workpiece edges.

[0072] For example, it is advantageous to use the corresponding last strip-shaped workpiece in the first segmentation step of the plate-shaped starting workpiece, or the corresponding last portion of the workpiece when segmenting the strip-shaped workpiece, to detect the quality of the workpiece edge. In this case, the workpiece to be tested is positioned in the detection device by an operator or robot, for example by means of a suction crossbar, and is fixed by a fixing device.

[0073] While the quality of the workpiece edges is detected by the inspection device and automatically evaluated by the control and regulation device, the operator, robot, and workpiece processing equipment can already perform other process steps in the production process of the workpiece processing equipment. Therefore, more workpieces can be manufactured while the quality of the workpiece edges is detected and evaluated by the inspection device and the control and regulation device, or other partially or fully processed workpieces can be handled by the operator or robot on the feed or removal table. Thus, the detection and evaluation of the workpiece edge quality can be integrated into the production process of the workpiece processing equipment without significantly impacting its productivity.

[0074] To keep the costs of workpiece feeding and edge quality inspection by the inspection device as low as possible, certain rules are stored in the control and regulation devices for targeted selection of workpieces to be inspected in the upcoming production process. For example, a workpiece is selected for edge quality inspection during production only if a certain interval of the time variable for manufacturing and / or tooling of a workpiece from a sheet metal different from the corresponding previous part of the production process, such as the operation duration, is exceeded in the corresponding prediction of that time variable.

Claims

1. A workpiece processing apparatus (10) for machining and / or manufacturing workpiece edges on a plate-shaped workpiece, comprising: Processing equipment; Control and regulation device (36) for controlling and regulating the operation of the workpiece processing equipment (10); A detection device (38) controlled by the control and adjustment device (36) for automatically detecting at least one characteristic of the edge of the workpiece processed and / or manufactured by the processing device, wherein the detection device (38) has at least one image detection device (52). The plate-shaped workpiece is placed on the supply worktable (12) and can be supplied from the supply worktable (12) to the processing device by means of the program slider (32). The plate-shaped workpiece processed by the processing device can be transported to the removal worktable (20) and can either be fed back to the processing device from the removal worktable (20) for further processing operations, or the plate-shaped workpiece can be removed from the removal worktable (20). A robot (22) located on the side of the removal workbench (20) has a robot arm (24) and a gripping device (26). The image detection device (52) has its viewing axis oriented toward the area to be detected on the edge of the workpiece in the region of the workpiece edge and is positioned at least approximately orthogonal to the center plane (58) of the plate-shaped workpiece. Its features are, The detection device (38) is arranged in the area of ​​the removal workbench (20), or laterally arranged in the area of ​​the supply workbench (12) and also in the area of ​​the angle ruler (30), or arranged in an area (70) separate from the supply workbench (12), the machine workbench (14) and the removal workbench (20), i.e., an intermediate buffer or storage area, and The workpiece processing equipment (10) is configured to allow the plate-shaped workpiece to be tested to be positioned in the detection device (38) by the robot (22) using the gripping device (26); and The workpiece processing equipment (10) is configured to fix the plate-shaped workpiece to be tested by means of a fixing device (66), while the detection device (38) detects the characteristics of the edge of the workpiece.

2. The workpiece processing equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device (38) is capable of automatically moving from a stationary position to a working position and returning, wherein the detection device (38) is arranged below the resting plane (64) of the removal worktable (20) at the stationary position and is arranged at the working position such that the detection device (38) is capable of detecting the characteristics of the edge of the plate-shaped workpiece placed on the removal worktable (20).

3. The workpiece processing equipment (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The detection device (38) for detecting the characteristics of the workpiece edge is capable of moving longitudinally relative to the workpiece edge, wherein the detection device (38) has a driving device that is capable of moving the detection device (38) longitudinally relative to the workpiece edge during the detection of the characteristics of the workpiece edge.

4. The workpiece processing equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image detection device (52) has at least two CCD sensors, including a first CCD sensor and a second CCD sensor. The workpiece edge includes a first workpiece edge and a second workpiece edge. The second workpiece edge is adjacent to and parallel to the first workpiece edge. The at least two CCD sensors are arranged on opposite sides of the plate-shaped workpiece relative to the center plane (58) of the plate-shaped workpiece, such that the first viewing axis of the first CCD sensor is oriented toward the first workpiece edge, and the second viewing axis of the second CCD sensor is oriented toward the second workpiece edge.

5. The workpiece processing equipment (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The detection device (38) includes an illumination device (50), wherein the beam axis of the illumination device is oriented toward the detection area of ​​the workpiece edge in the region of the workpiece edge and is located at least approximately in the central plane (58) of the plate-shaped workpiece and is placed at least approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the workpiece edge.

6. The workpiece processing equipment (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lighting device (50) has at least two light sources, wherein the at least two light sources include a first light source and a second light source, the first light source having a first beam axis oriented toward the edge of the first workpiece, and the second light source having a second beam axis oriented toward the edge of the second workpiece.

7. The workpiece processing equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image detection device (52) includes a CCD sensor whose viewing axis is not orthogonal to the central plane (58) of the plate-shaped workpiece, and the image detection device (52) has at least one deflection device (72) for the viewing axis, the at least one deflection device (72) orthogonalizing the viewing axis of the CCD sensor to the central plane (58) of the plate-shaped workpiece toward the edge of the workpiece.

8. A method for operating a workpiece processing apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method being controlled and regulated by a control and adjustment device (36), wherein a plate-shaped workpiece is fed to the processing apparatus and the workpiece edges of the plate-shaped workpiece are processed and / or manufactured, characterized in that, The method further comprises the following steps: Detecting at least one characteristic of the edge of the processed and / or manufactured workpiece by means of a detection device (38) controlled by the control and adjustment device (36), wherein the detection device (38) has at least one image detection device (52). a. Orient the viewing axis of the image detection device (52) toward the area to be detected at the edge of the workpiece such that the viewing axis is placed approximately orthogonal to the central plane (58) of the plate-shaped workpiece in the area at the edge of the workpiece. b. When the lighting device (50) is turned on, at least one image of the edge of the workpiece is created by means of the image detection device (52); and c. Automatically evaluate the created image and automatically determine at least one characteristic of the workpiece edge using the evaluation.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises the following steps: oriented the beam axis of the illumination device (50) toward the detection area of ​​the workpiece edge such that the beam axis is at least approximately located in the central plane (58) of the plate-shaped workpiece and at least approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the workpiece edge in the area of ​​the workpiece edge; and creating an image of the workpiece edge when the illumination device (50) is turned on.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method steps are performed on different regions of the workpiece edge.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The image detection device (52) is stationary relative to the edge of the workpiece being processed and / or manufactured during image creation.

12. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The image detection device (52) moves relative to the edge of the workpiece during image creation, and the illumination device (50) emits flash-like light pulses for image creation.

13. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Create at least two images, wherein the first image depicts the end region (86) of the workpiece edge, and the second image depicts the region (88) of the workpiece edge away from the end region (86).

14. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method includes the steps of automatically creating a process plan by means of the control and adjustment device (36) of the workpiece processing equipment (10), the process plan including at least the steps b and c described above.

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