Sorting device, separation system and related method

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting device (10) for assisting a sorting process of workpieces (2) of a workpiece plate (1), in which workpieces (2) are connected to the workpiece plate (1) via predetermined breaking points, and to a separating system (200) for separating workpieces (2) of a workpiece plate (1) and to a method (300, 400) associated therewith.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sorting device for assisting a sorting process of workpieces from a workpiece plate, a separating system for separating workpieces from a workpiece plate, a method for sorting workpieces from a workpiece plate, and a method for separating workpieces from a workpiece plate. Background Art

[0002] When sorting workpieces, especially sheet metal parts, which are cut by laser or punched on a machine tool, a sorting device is usually used, by which different workpieces are sorted into different workpiece collecting units provided for this purpose on the sorting device. For example, such a sorting device is disclosed in DE 10 2016 120 131 B4.

[0003] However, the manual sorting of workpieces cut or punched from workpiece plates, in particular small parts in small nests, from workpiece plates as performed according to the prior art is not ergonomic, as is the case, for example, with sorting tables on flat-bed machines. The workpieces can also fall to the floor and become damaged. In addition, the workpieces can scratch against the support bars of the machine tray. Sorting of the known type is therefore extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is therefore the object of the invention to enable an improved, in particular ergonomic, simple and rapid sorting of workpieces of a workpiece plate compared to the prior art.

[0005] The object is achieved by the sorting device according to claim 1. Accordingly, a sorting device is proposed for assisting the sorting process of workpieces of a workpiece plate, in which the workpieces are connected to the workpiece plate by a preset breaking point (Sollbruchstelle). The sorting device has a receiving area, the receiving area has a receiving element for placing the workpiece plate thereon, wherein at least one sorting opening for allowing the workpiece to fall through is formed between the receiving elements. In addition, the sorting device has a collecting area, especially in the falling direction of the workpiece, the collecting area is arranged below the receiving area and has at least two collecting grids for collecting the workpieces falling through the at least one sorting opening. In addition, the sorting device also has a conduction area, which is located between the receiving area and the collecting area, and has at least one conduction element for conducting the workpiece falling through the at least one sorting opening to the collecting grid. Finally, the sorting device has an adjustment device for adjusting the collecting grid relative to the at least one conducting element and / or adjusting the at least one conducting element relative to the collecting grid so as to selectively conduct the workpiece through the at least one conducting element to a collecting grid selected from the at least two collecting grids by adjustment.

[0006] Therefore, according to the present invention, a sorting device is provided, which assists the sorting process of sorting workpieces from a workpiece plate. This assistance lies, on the one hand, in the placement of the processed workpiece plate on the supporting element. On the other hand, this assistance lies in particular in: conducting different workpieces to a selected corresponding one of the collecting grids, wherein the corresponding collecting grid can be selected according to the geometric shape, in particular the two-dimensional shape and / or size of the workpiece to be sorted. After the collecting grid is selected, one of the collecting grid and / or the at least one conducting element is adjusted relative to the other by means of an adjusting device so that the selected collecting grid is connected to the at least one conducting element for conducting the workpiece, by means of which the workpiece can be conducted through the at least one conducting element to a correspondingly selected collecting grid among the plurality of collecting grids.

[0007] Therefore, by providing a sorting device for sorting, on the one hand, ergonomic work of a worker can be achieved, on which the sorting device can work in or on the placement area. The placement area is preferably at an ergonomic working height, which is in the range of 0.6 m to 1.30 m, in particular 0.7 m to 1.20 m and more particularly 0.8 m to 1.10 m. In this case, the placement area can be at least partially height-adjustable. The height adjustability can be achieved, for example, by a mechanical and / or electrical drive.

[0008] On the other hand, it is possible to realize ergonomic work for workers, because there is no need to replace or move the collection grid back and forth for workpieces of different geometric shapes. Instead, the collection grids arranged in the collection area can keep their relative positions unchanged until they are full and can be emptied. Since the collection grids become heavier as the workpieces are continuously filled, and lifting them will mean a lot of physical exertion, the heavy physical labor of the workers can be reduced in the above manner. The workpieces do not have to be sorted into one of the multiple collection grids by hand. This also reduces the risk of the workpiece accidentally falling into the wrong collection grid. Instead, only by adjusting with the help of an adjusting device, the corresponding collection grid can be selected for part or all of the workpieces of the processed workpiece plate, so that each workpiece falling through the at least one sorting opening is continuously conducted to the collection grid by the at least one conducting element. Between the sorting of different workpiece plates or during the sorting of a workpiece plate, the adjusting device can be conveniently operated to select other collection grids or change the collection grids, and the workpieces should be sorted into them under the conduction of the at least one conducting element.

[0009] At present, workpiece plate refers in particular to a workpiece plate having its maximum extension dimension in a horizontal plane and having thickness in a vertical plane orthogonal to the horizontal plane. The workpiece plate can be a workpiece metal plate in particular. Here, if a workpiece connected to the workpiece plate by a preset fracture site is processed in the workpiece plate, this workpiece plate is also referred to as a processed workpiece plate. This preset fracture site can be configured in particular as one or more bridges between the workpiece and the workpiece plate or the remaining grid of the workpiece plate or in the form of one or more bridges between two adjacent workpieces. Completely in particular, the bridge can be configured as a micron joint, a nano joint and / or a micro soldering point. The micron joint extends through the entire workpiece thickness, and the nano joint only extends through a part of the workpiece thickness. The micro soldering point is a small soldering point formed specifically between the workpiece and the workpiece plate or in the cutting gap between two adjacent workpieces. Thus, the preset fracture site, in particular the bridge, is used on the one hand to reliably remove the workpiece plate together with all workpieces from the flat bed machine tool, and on the other hand, the workpiece can be easily detached from the workpiece plate.

[0010] These workpieces can be processed in particular by a flat-bed machine tool, which can be, for example, a laser cutting flat-bed machine tool or a punching flat-bed machine tool, in particular a two-dimensional laser flat-bed machine tool. The flat-bed machine tool can also be a combined machine tool, which uses two segmentation methods at the same time. In addition, other processing steps, such as deburring, bending, folding, welding, drilling, thread cutting, etc., can also be implemented on the flat-bed machine tool. By means of a flat-bed machine tool, the workpiece is separated from the remaining part of the workpiece plate by means of laser cutting or punching, and the workpiece is preset to the flat-bed machine tool in terms of its shape. Therefore, in particular, the workpiece is laser-cut or punched out from the workpiece plate. But still leave a preset fracture site, the preset fracture site connects the workpiece to the remaining part of the workpiece plate respectively, and the remaining part can be a residual grid or a component group without a residual grid and forms waste that can be reused if necessary. Here, multiple preset fracture sites can also be left between each workpiece and the workpiece plate. The workpiece plate processed in this way can now be supplied to sorting because the workpiece is still fixed on the remaining grid by the preset fracture site. The predetermined breaking point or the workpiece can be separated from the workpiece plate or the remaining grid by using corresponding tools, such as so-called vibrating hammers or drills. Vibrating hammers periodically and repeatedly strike the workpiece plate by vibration, so that the workpiece is separated from the workpiece plate. With a drill, the predetermined breaking point can be broken by drilling at the predetermined breaking point or at a drilling point provided next to the workpiece, in particular at a so-called micro joint.

[0011] In general, the workpiece plate and thus the workpiece can include metal plates, glass, semiconductor substrate structures, circuit board structures and / or plastic components. The above-mentioned laser cutting flat-bed machine or punching flat-bed machine can be used in particular for producing workpieces made of solid materials, the fixed materials having a bending strength that does not lead to significant deformation during sorting.

[0012] After the workpiece is detached from the workpiece plate placed in or on the placement area, the workpiece will fall through the at least one sorting opening, especially due to gravity. For this purpose, the size of the at least one sorting opening or multiple sorting openings is correspondingly larger than the average, most or largest geometric dimensions of the workpiece, especially along the horizontal or planar extension of the workpiece. After passing through and falling, sorting is carried out in the sorting device. Sorting means that the workpieces are sorted (zusammengestellt) accordingly for further processing or delivery. For example, the sorting can be carried out by collecting workpieces with the same or similar geometries into corresponding collection grids. But it can also be arranged that the same geometries are collected in different collection grids. The advantage here is that the collection grids can be smaller and therefore easier to carry. The workpieces sorted in this way can be used for further processing or delivery, for example.

[0013] The conducting region with its at least one conducting element is designed for passive conduction, in particular based on the gravity acting on the workpiece. In other words, the conducting region and the at least one conducting element are preferably not active elements such as a conveyor belt; rather, the conducting region advantageously only defines the spatial direction and thus the location for the workpiece. Advantageously, the workpiece can slide or glide on the at least one conducting element. For this purpose, the at least one conducting element can have a sliding and / or gliding surface for conducting the workpiece. Advantageously, the surface of the at least one conducting element is metallic, but can alternatively also be made of other materials.

[0014] The sorting device can be configured to be fully manually operated, partially automated and / or fully automated. The following will explain in more detail the different operating steps of the workers at the sorting device and the different degrees of automation, as well as other advantageous features.

[0015] The sorting device is preferably configured with rollers for moving the sorting device. The sorting device may in particular have at least three rollers, preferably four rollers. Therefore, the sorting device can be flexibly moved in the production workshop. By means of the rollers, the sorting device can be easily moved, for example, in front of a flat-bed machine tool in order to pick up workpiece plates there for subsequent sorting. Similarly, the sorting device with the workpieces sorted into the collecting grid can be easily moved to the next processing point or delivery point of the workpieces in order to be supplied there for the next processing or delivery. Unlike in the present application, it is necessary to transfer the collecting grid to a transport vehicle in a time-consuming and troublesome manner in order to transport the workpieces to the next processing point or delivery point, while this transfer is omitted by the present application.

[0016] Preferably, a brake, in particular a parking brake, is arranged on at least one of the rollers. Preferably, brakes can be arranged on at least two rollers, in particular on the same side of the sorting device. This allows the sorting device to be fixed in its position for reliable operation.

[0017] It is also preferred that the at least one conducting element is configured as a funnel, a tube, a slide and / or a flap. Accordingly, the at least one conducting element can be configured as a funnel, a tube, a slide, a flap or any combination of the above components. This makes it possible to conduct the workpiece to the selected collecting grid in a geometrically advantageous manner. For example, the funnel can have a polygonal, in particular a quadrilateral, cross-section, or a circular cross-section. The funnel, tube or slide has a corresponding opening or end, from which the workpiece leaves the funnel, tube, flap or slide. Preferably, when adjusted by means of an adjusting device, the opening or end is aligned with a corresponding one of the collecting grids.

[0018] It may also be advantageous if the at least one conducting element is designed to be flexible. This flexibility contributes to the adjustability of the at least one conducting element, so that adjustment can be carried out particularly easily. In this case, the position temporarily adjusted by the flexible adjustment of the conducting element can preferably be fixed by means of an adjustment device or other means. The at least one flexible conducting element can be, for example, a hose, a net and / or a conducting element that is flexibly designed with a plurality of sections, by means of which the flexibility of the at least one conducting element is provided. For example, the hose can be a rubber hose, the net can be a metal net, and the sections can be made of plastic or metal.

[0019] It can also be advantageous if the conducting area has a funnel element, in particular arranged above the at least one conducting element in the direction in which the workpieces fall. By means of the funnel element, all workpieces falling through the at least one sorting opening can be advantageously collected together and then conducted by the at least one conducting element to the correct collecting grid or to the one selected by adjustment. The funnel element can, for example, have a polygonal, in particular a quadrilateral or circular cross section. The funnel element is preferably arranged stationary relative to the receiving area.

[0020] A particularly simple variant of the sorting device is that the adjusting device is a manually operable adjusting device. For this purpose, the adjusting device can have one or more handles. The one or more handles can facilitate manual operation by workers.

[0021] Likewise, it is additionally or alternatively possible that the adjusting device is an automatically operable adjusting device. This means that the adjustment performed by the adjusting device is performed automatically, for example by a corresponding drive, for example an electric drive. For the automatic operation of the adjusting device, a corresponding operating unit can be provided, for example in a simpler embodiment one or more operating buttons, a foot switch, a remote control, an operating panel or the like. This simplifies the adjustment for the worker who needs to perform the adjustment and further improves the ergonomics.

[0022] It is also advantageous if the adjustment device has a rotary mechanism and / or a linear mechanism for rotating and / or linearly displacing the at least one conducting element or the collecting grid relative to one another. This means that either the at least one conducting element is rotated and / or linearly displaced relative to the collecting grid or the collecting grid is rotated and / or linearly displaced relative to the at least one conducting element. By means of the rotary mechanism and / or the linear mechanism, a geometrically simple adjustability of the at least one conducting element is provided, which adjustability is simple to establish.

[0023] Preferably, the rotating mechanism has a rotating wheel connected to the at least one conducting element, which has at least one handle for rotating the at least one conducting element relative to the collecting grid. In this way, the advantageous rotating mechanism is coupled in a simple manner with an easily operable manual operating unit. The handle can extend completely or in sections along the entire rotating wheel. The rotating wheel can have, for example, a metallic and round base body, on which one or more handles are formed from another material with a higher grip, for example from plastic.

[0024] It is also advantageous if the adjustment device has a latching position into which the adjustment device latches during adjustment when the at least one conducting element is in a predefined relative position relative to at least one of the collecting grids. Thus, on the one hand, the fixation of the position temporarily set by the adjustment can be ensured so that the position is not lost during sorting, which would result in incorrect sorting of the workpieces. Furthermore, during adjustment, a tactile and / or acoustic feedback can be output that indicates that one of the predefined positions has been reached.

[0025] Advantageously, the conduction region further comprises at least one sound-absorbing element. A plurality of sound-absorbing elements may also be provided. For example, one or more sound-absorbing elements may be located on the at least one conduction element and / or on the aforementioned funnel element. In particular, they may be located on the back side of the at least one conduction element and / or the funnel element, so that the conduction of the workpiece is not affected by the one or more sound-absorbing elements. For example, the at least one sound-absorbing element may be a sound-absorbing or sound-insulating mat, for example made of asphalt. The sound-absorbing or sound-insulating mat may, for example, be easily glued to the back side of the at least one conduction element and / or the funnel element.

[0026] The collecting area preferably has at least four collecting grids. The workpieces can thereby be divided into four different categories according to their geometric shape and sorted into corresponding collecting grids. The adjusting device can have four positions in which the at least one conducting element conducts to one of the four collecting grids, respectively, so that each of the four collecting grids can be provided with a workpiece.

[0027] It is further preferred that the collecting grid is designed as a collecting box. Collecting boxes are boxes which are designed independently of one another and of the sorting device, such as a frame or housing of the sorting device. Thus, when the collecting grid is full of workpieces, it can be easily removed from the sorting device. Furthermore, it can be easily replaced. The collecting grid preferably has at least two handles in order to be able to easily transport it, in particular to be able to lift it out of the collecting area.

[0028] The support elements are preferably configured as support strips that are spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other. They can extend or be arranged between two sides of the sorting device, in particular between the longitudinal and / or parallel sides. Here, the sorting device can have a plurality of sorting openings, which are formed between each two support elements or support strips. This advantageous structural form of the support area as a support grid allows stable support of the workpiece plate and easy sorting of the workpiece from the workpiece plate by means of the plurality of sorting openings through the plurality of support strips.

[0029] The support element preferably has a brush and / or is configured to be elastic on the support side for supporting the workpiece plate. The elastic construction scheme of the support element on the support side can be realized, for example, by an elastic element, particularly a pad or a convex knob on the support element. This can be composed of rubber, for example. But it is also possible that the support element itself is made of an elastic material (for example plastic). Alternatively, the support element can be made of metal. The construction with a brush has special advantages, because the workpiece plate can slide well on the brush, and this simplifies the handling of the workpiece plate. When using a vibrating hammer for sorting, the brush can also greatly reduce noise. By the elastic construction of the support side of this brush and / or the support element, the workpiece can be prevented from scratching in the support area. Therefore, a higher production quality can also be ensured in the sorting process.

[0030] It is also preferred that the support element is heat-resistant up to at least 80° C. This also applies to brushes and / or elastic configurations that may be provided on the support element. The brushes can be made, for example, of polyamide, which is heat-resistant up to approximately 100° C., or aramid, which is heat-resistant up to at least 370° C. Accordingly, the still hot workpiece plates can be transferred from the flat-bed machine to the support area without prior cooling or with only a short cooling time. This allows rapid sorting after processing in the flat-bed machine without damaging the sorting device.

[0031] It is also possible that the holding element is detachably fixed to the sorting device, in particular to its frame. Damaged holding elements can thus be easily replaced, and the sorting device can thereby be repaired economically.

[0032] It is also advantageous that at least two of the holding elements form an inclined holding surface. Here, the inclined surface refers to a horizontal plane, such as the ground or a collection area or remaining holding elements. In order to provide an inclined position, at least one of the holding elements can be higher than other holding elements. The height is measured in the falling direction or perpendicular to the horizontal plane. In particular, the height adjustability of the at least one holding element can be provided so that the holding element is arranged higher than the corresponding other holding elements, thereby not having to be a holding element higher than other holding elements from the beginning. Thus, the inclined position of the workpiece plate in the holding area can be realized, which can simplify the sorting of workpieces from the workpiece plate.

[0033] It is also advantageous if the sorting device has at least one fixing device for fixing the workpiece plate on the receiving area. The fixing device can be, for example, a clamping device, such as a clamping claw or a gripper, which can clamp the workpiece plate on one side of the workpiece plate.

[0034] Particularly advantageous is the combination of two receiving elements at different heights and the at least one fixing device. Here, the workpiece plate can be supported on two receiving elements at different heights and vibrate freely. The at least one fixing device can prevent the workpiece plate from sliding. The inclined position and the complete, especially one-sided fixing on the higher receiving element lead to a significantly increased removal speed when the workpiece is disengaged from the workpiece plate, especially by the action of a vibrating hammer. The reason for this is the self-vibration of the workpiece plate, which is strengthened by the inclined position of the workpiece plate and the especially one-sided clamping. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly fast disengagement of the workpiece from the workpiece plate and thus achieve faster sorting.

[0035] It is also preferred that the sorting device has a level monitoring device for determining the material level of the collecting grid. The level monitoring device can be, for example, at least one scale, at least one camera, at least one sensor and / or at least one light barrier, which can be assigned to one collecting grid respectively or to all collecting grids together to determine their material level. The level monitoring device can also be configured to provide feedback about the material level of the collecting grid to the worker operating the sorting device. This feedback can be, for example, visual, such as through a screen on the sorting device that continuously displays the material level, and / or acoustic, such as through a loudspeaker on the sorting device. This further increases the sorting speed because the worker does not have to check the material level with his eyes all the time. It can also ensure that the collecting grid does not become too heavy, making the work easier. Finally, it is also avoided that the collecting grid overflows and the workpiece enters the wrong collecting grid.

[0036] It is also advantageous if the sorting device has a camera device for monitoring the sorting process. Such a camera device can be arranged above the receiving area. It can be configured to detect which workpieces have fallen off and dropped into the collection area. The camera device can in turn be coupled to a display device, for example a screen, in particular of the sorting device, on which the worker can be shown which workpieces have dropped. Furthermore, the camera data detected in this way can be used to feed back the data of the next production task after sorting.

[0037] It is also advantageous if the sorting device has a tool that can be automatically moved in the receiving area for breaking the predetermined breaking point between the workpiece and the workpiece plate. In this case, the tool can be arranged on a carrier system above the receiving area. In particular, the tool can be movable in all spatial directions by a corresponding drive, such as an electric drive. This allows the workpiece to be automatically separated from the workpiece plate.

[0038] It can be advantageous that the sorting device comprises a tool station having tools, in particular tools in the form of vibrating hammers, and a robot arm or a C-shaped frame having three motion axes, wherein the tools are arranged on the robot arm or the C-shaped frame. In addition, the tool station can include a camera system. In other words, the workpiece can be separated from the workpiece plate or finally separated by the tool station. The advantage of such a tool station located above or above the receiving area is the improvement in ergonomics or partial or complete automation of the breaking process when the corresponding tools (in particular vibrating hammers, for example, configured as pneumatic hammers) of the tool station are manually operated. Here, the C-shaped frame or robot is used as a bearing system above the receiving area, so that the worker no longer needs to hold and operate heavy tools. Here, the camera system can detect the preset breaking position, the orientation of the workpiece, identify the preset breaking position that has been broken and not yet broken, etc., so that the robot arm or the motion axis can accurately use the vibrating hammer at the position where the workpiece has not yet been separated. Here, the robot arm or the motion axis can be controlled by the numerical control device of the tool station. The C-shaped frame can be raised from one or more arbitrary areas or bases of the sorting device to above the placement area, wherein the vibrating hammer can be moved along all three spatial axes of space via the movement axis so that every position of the placement area can be grasped with the tool and workpiece parts can thus be separated.

[0039] As an alternative, more cost-effective variant, it is possible that the tool is manually operated by the worker but is held by the support system. It is also desirable to simplify the operation of the tool. It has proven to be advantageous that the sorting device has a tool station with a tool for breaking a predetermined breaking point between the workpiece and the workpiece plate, wherein the tool station includes a toggle press with a tool arranged thereon. The tool station can include an automatically movable or manually movable motion axis for the toggle press and / or the tool arranged thereon. As a result, the manual release of the workpiece from the workpiece plate is significantly more ergonomic and easier than if the worker holds and operates a vibrating hammer by hand.

[0040] It is also advantageous if the collection area has a pallet area for a pallet or with a pallet for storing the at least two collection grids thereon. Storage on a pallet enables the collection grid to be removed with the aid of a machine, for example by means of a hubwagen. This is advantageous because the collection grid can become very heavy and it is no longer reasonable for a worker to remove the collection grid manually. Furthermore, since the collection area is arranged at the bottom of the sorting device, removal is also not ergonomic. Here, the pallet area is an area additionally provided in the sorting device, which corresponds at least to the height of the pallet and further to other dimensions of the pallet, in particular a Euro pallet. Here, the dimensions of a Euro pallet are 800 mm×1200 mm×144 mm, so that the pallet area can have at least these dimensions. Laterally, the sorting device is preferably open on at least one side to simply ensure accessibility by a hubwagen.

[0041] It is also advantageous if a predefined minimum distance is provided between the at least one conducting element and the at least two collecting compartments, which minimum distance corresponds to the lifting height of the tray in the sorting device, wherein the minimum distance is in particular at least 30 millimeters, very particularly at least 40 millimeters, and further preferably at least 50 millimeters. This allows the tray and the collecting compartments thereon to be easily removed using a lifting vehicle. The minimum distance can be achieved in particular by a correspondingly short design of the at least one conducting element.

[0042] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a separation system according to claim 17. The separation system has a machine tool, in particular a flat-bed machine tool, for cutting, in particular laser cutting or punching workpieces from workpiece plates, and a sorting device according to the invention.

[0043] Features described herein with respect to the sorting device also apply to the separation system and vice versa.

[0044] As mentioned above, the flat-bed machine tool can be in particular a laser cutting and / or punching flat-bed machine tool, wherein the flat-bed machine tool can also perform other production steps. The separation system can also have at least one tool for breaking a predetermined breaking point between the workpiece and the workpiece plate.

[0045] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a conveyor system according to claim 18. The conveyor system is designed for conveying and sorting workpieces of a workpiece plate, wherein the conveyor system has a conveyor belt device and a sorting device according to any of the preceding claims arranged or arrangeable thereon.

[0046] The conveying system according to the invention makes it possible to place the cut workpiece plates which previously had to be placed manually on the sorting device easily, in particular automatically, on the sorting device, thereby simplifying and accelerating the conveying and sorting. It can be provided that the sorting device can be mechanically coupled to the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can be equipped with an automated drive. The conveying system can also have a vibrating station which acts on the entire width or part of the width of the conveyor belt device to vibrate the workpieces out of the workpiece plates. In addition, the sorting device and the conveyor belt device can be adjusted in height synchronously with each other.

[0047] Here, features described herein with respect to the conveying system also apply to the separation system and the sorting device, and vice versa.

[0048] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a plant according to claim 19, which comprises a separation system according to the invention and a conveying system according to the invention. The plant thus comprises a sorting device, a conveyor belt device and a machine tool for partially or fully automated separation, conveying and sorting of workpieces.

[0049] Features described herein with respect to the installation also apply to the separation system, the conveying system and the sorting device, and vice versa.

[0050] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a method according to claim 20. This relates to a method for sorting workpieces of a workpiece plate using a sorting device according to the invention, in which the workpieces are connected to the workpiece plate via predetermined breaking points, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0051] - Place the workpiece plate on the receiving area of ​​the sorting device,

[0052] - adjusting the adjusting device in order to select one of the collecting cells of the sorting device into which the workpieces of the workpiece plate are to be conducted, and

[0053] - The workpieces are detached from the workpiece plate by means of a tool so that the workpieces pass through the conduction area into the one collecting compartment selected by adjustment in the collecting area of ​​the sorting device.

[0054] In this case, the features described in this text with respect to the sorting device, the separation system, the conveying system and the installation also apply to the method and vice versa.

[0055] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a method according to claim 21. This is a method for separating workpieces from a workpiece plate, wherein the method comprises the steps of cutting or punching the workpieces from the workpiece plate using a machine tool, in particular a flat-bed machine tool, and the method according to the invention for sorting the workpieces on the workpiece plate.

[0056] Features described herein with respect to the sorting device, the separation system, the conveying system, the installation and the sorting method also apply to the separation method and vice versa.

[0057] Further details and advantageous configurations of the invention can be found in the following description, on the basis of which embodiments of the invention are described and explained in more detail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The accompanying drawings show:

[0059] Figure 1 is a side view of a sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the sorting device in FIG.

[0061] Figure 3 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of a sorting device in FIG.

[0062] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an alternative sorting device;

[0063] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of another alternative sorting device;

[0064] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of yet another alternative sorting device;

[0065] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a portion of yet another alternative sorting apparatus; and

[0066] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a possible embodiment of a receiving element of a sorting device in FIG.

[0067] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of another possible embodiment of the receiving element of the sorting device in FIG.

[0068] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of yet another possible embodiment of a receiving element of a sorting device in FIG.

[0069] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 A side view of a possible implementation of the receiving area of ​​the sorting device in;

[0070] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A top view of the receiving area in FIG.

[0071] Fig.13 is a perspective view of a separation system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0072] Fig.14 is a perspective view of a separation device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of a separation and sorting method according to the present invention; and

[0074] Fig.16 A further exemplary embodiment of a sorting device according to the invention is shown in purely schematic form.

[0075] In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used respectively for the same or corresponding features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] Figure 1 A sorting device 10 for assisting the sorting process is shown. The sorting device 10 comprises a frame 11 and is open on the side shown so that the interior of the sorting device 10 can be seen. This enables in particular easy access to the collecting grid 31 in the collecting area 30 of the sorting device 10.

[0077] Alternatively, a cover may be provided, but the cover may be at least partially transparent and / or removable. For example, the cover may be formed by a door or a metal mesh.

[0078] The sorting device 10 is equipped with rollers 13 via corresponding attachment elements 12, wherein at least one of the rollers 13 is also equipped with a brake 14. Thus, the sorting device 10 is configured as a sorting vehicle that can be easily moved in a production hall. Figure 2 by Figure 1 As shown in the top view of the sorting device 10 in FIG. 1 , a handle 17 , in particular a bow-shaped handle 17 , can also be provided on the frame 11 so that the sorting device 10 can be pushed comfortably.

[0079] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, there is a receiving area 20 on the top of the sorting device 10. The receiving area 20 is used to receive the workpiece plate 1 (see Figures 11 to 14 ). In the workpiece plate 1, it has been passed through the flat bed machine (see Fig.13 , Fig.14 ) a workpiece 2 is machined, which is only connected to the rest of the workpiece plate 1 via a predetermined fracture point, in particular in the form of a micro-bridge.

[0080] In the interior of the sorting device 10, the workpieces 2 can be sorted into suitable collecting grids 31 according to their geometric shape. To this end, the workpieces 2 are moved in the receiving area 20 by means of a tool 81 (see Fig.16), for example, a vibrating hammer, is released from the workpiece plate 1 by breaking the predetermined breaking point. The workpiece 2 is thus passed through the support element 21 (see Figure 2 ) fall down into the corresponding sorting opening 22 between the workpiece plates 1 and the receiving area 20, and the receiving element 21 forms a receiving surface for the workpiece plate 1 on the receiving area 20.

[0081] In the sorting device 10, a conducting area 40 is arranged below the receiving area 20, that is, in the falling direction or gravity direction of the workpiece 2, and a collecting area 30 is arranged below the conducting area 40 on the corresponding bottom plate of the sorting device 10, wherein the collecting area 30 has a collecting grid 31. In this example, the collecting grid 31 is configured as a collecting box, and as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, a total of four collecting grids are provided by way of example.

[0082] from Figure 3 It can be seen that the sorting device 10 is open here on all its sides 15 , 16 , wherein, as already mentioned, covers can also be provided on one, several or all sides 15 , 16 .

[0083] There is a conductive area 40 between the collecting area 30 and the receiving area 20, which Figure 1 and Figure 2 The workpiece 2 is provided with a funnel element 42 and a conducting element 41. The funnel element 42 has a rectangular cross section, for example, and the conducting element 41 can also be configured as a funnel, or alternatively as a tube or a slide. After being detached from the workpiece plate 1, the workpiece 2 falls through the funnel element 42, the funnel element 42 transfers the workpiece 2 to the conducting element 41, and the conducting element 41 conducts the workpiece 2 to one of the collecting grids 31, respectively. As shown in the figure, one or more sound absorbing elements 43 can be arranged on the funnel element 42 to minimize noise when the workpiece 2 is conducted.

[0084] In order to select the collecting grid 31 to which the workpieces 2 are to be conducted by the conducting element 41, an adjusting device 50 is provided between the funnel element 42 and the conducting element 41. The adjusting device 50 allows the conducting element 41, which is fixed to the funnel element 42, to be adjusted relative to the collecting grid 31 along the adjustment direction 3 shown. Here, the adjustment direction 3 is the direction of rotation, since the adjustment is performed by rotation, during which the conducting element 41 is aligned with its end or its opening to one of the four collecting grids 31. For this purpose, the adjusting device 50 comprises a rotating wheel 51, which allows the conducting element 41 to be rotated relative to the funnel element 42 and aligned with one of the four collecting grids 31. Thus, it can be selected selectively based on the respective geometry of the workpieces 2 of the workpiece plate 1 by adjusting the conducting element 41: into which of the four collecting grids 31 the workpieces 2 are to be sorted.

[0085] In addition to the receiving area 20 formed by the receiving element 21, which extends exemplarily between the longitudinal sides 16 of the sorting device 10, an optional additional receiving area 65 is provided, which is in turn provided with additional receiving elements 66, 67, between which an additional sorting opening 68 is formed. The additional receiving area 65 is part of the optional additional area 60 in addition to the previously described area including the receiving area 20, the collecting area 30 and the conducting area 40. Here, the additional area 60 itself comprises an additional funnel element 61 with an optional additional conduit element 62 for conducting the workpieces through the additional sorting opening 68 to two additional collecting grids 63. The optional additional area 60 can also be used for sorting, wherein here, for example, the workpieces 2 can be sorted by drilling out micro joints in the workpiece plate 1 using a drilling tool, while the workpieces 2 in the receiving area 20 can be sorted by a vibrating hammer. The workpiece 2 can be removed simultaneously or one after the other by drilling or vibrating hammers, depending on which workpiece plate 1 is present. The optional additional area 60 thus expands the functionality of the sorting device 10. Nevertheless, it can also be provided that the optional additional area 60 in the sorting device 10 is omitted, so that only the sorting device 10 in the sorting device 10 is provided. Figure 1 The left part shown in FIG. 1 has a receiving area 20 , a collecting area 30 and a conducting area 40 .

[0086] Figure 4 An alternative conducting area 40 is shown with a flexible conducting element 41, for example a hose. The flexible conducting element 41 is Figure 4 The adjustment is already performed in the adjustment direction 3 shown by an adjustment device 50 (not shown), which is, for example, a fixing device, such as a movable ring, for fixing the flexible conducting element 41 in the Figure 4 The flexible conducting element 41 is therefore assigned to the position (also covering the posture) shown. Figure 4 The left collecting grid of the two collecting grids 31 visible in FIG. 1 and enables the workpiece 2 to be transferred from the receiving area 20 to the Figure 4 The collecting grid 31 is located on the left side.

[0087] Figure 5 An alternative conduction area 40 is also shown, which has two sub-flaps as conduction elements 41, which are also movable in their length. The sub-flaps can be rotated by corresponding rotary joints to open or close the area below the sub-flaps. In addition, the sub-flaps can be extended so that the workpiece 2 can be optimally fed into a position slightly in front of the collection grid 31. In this regard, the adjustment device 50, which is not shown here, can include a rotary joint and a mechanism for extending the sub-flaps. Here, the workpiece 2 is also guided to the collection grid 31 on the left side by way of example.

[0088] Figure 6 A further alternative adjustment device 50 is shown, this time not in the conduction region 40, but in the collection region 30. In this case, the conduction region 40 and its conduction element 41 and, if applicable, the funnel element 42 are stationary. The adjustment device 50 is designed as a vehicle on rollers (alternatively, for example, also on rails), on which the collection grids 31 are located, and which can be moved in one of the linear adjustment directions 3. The conduction region 40 is designed here by way of example with a conduction element 41 in the form of a funnel. At least one sound-absorbing element 43 in the form of a sound-absorbing mat is arranged on the conduction element 41. By moving the collection grid 31 below the opening of the conduction element 41 by means of the adjustment device 50, it is possible to select which of the collection grids 31 the workpiece 2 is conducted to.

[0089] Figure 7 A further alternative adjustment device 50 is shown, which is again arranged on the collecting area 30 and is designed as a cart. Figure 6 Differently, the vehicle can rotate with the collecting grid 31 located thereon along the adjustment direction 3 shown, and cannot move in a straight line. Therefore, by rotating the adjustment device 50, the conducting element 41 can be aligned with one of the collecting grids 31.

[0090] Figures 8 to 10 Different possible embodiments of the support element 21 are shown in order to avoid damage to the workpiece 2 when the workpiece plate 1 is placed on the support element 21. Figure 8 In the embodiment, a sleeve element 23 in the form of a cushion is provided, which is made of plastic or rubber, for example, and has bristles 24 on which the workpiece plate 1 can rest. This prevents scratches, reduces the noise level and allows better handling of the workpiece plate 1. Fig. 9 In the embodiment, the entire supporting element 21 is made of elastic plastic. Fig.10 In the embodiment, only an elastic sleeve element 25 is arranged on the support element 21, for example, made of elastic plastic or rubber. The support elements 23, 25 can be detachably fixed on the support element 21, so that they can be replaced when necessary.

[0091] Fig.11 Two support elements 21 of different heights are shown, wherein one or both of the support elements 21 may be height-adjustable. Fig.12 It is also shown that the workpiece plate 1 with the workpiece 2 is clamped on one of the two support elements 21 by a fixing device 70. This allows the workpiece plate 1 to vibrate freely when the workpiece 2 is released from the workpiece plate 1 and thus allows the workpiece 2 to be quickly released from the workpiece plate 1 when using a corresponding vibrating hammer.

[0092] Fig.13A separation system 200 is shown, which includes a flat bed machine tool 100 and Figure 3 Here, the flat bed machine 100 exemplarily comprises a camera unit 110 and a table or tray 120, on which the workpiece plate 1 from the flat bed machine 100 is placed. Now, the worker can simply lift the workpiece plate 1 from the table or tray 120 onto the sorting device 10, which can be rolled by the worker in front of the table 120. If necessary, a lifting device can be provided.

[0093] Fig.14 Shows relative to Fig.13 An alternative separation system 200 is provided. In this separation system 200 , the table or tray 120 is omitted and the workpiece plates 1 from the flat bed machine 100 are placed directly on the sorting device 10 instead.

[0094] If the time taken for sorting using the sorting device 10 is longer than the time taken for processing another workpiece plate 1 in the flat bed machine 100, another sorting device 10 can be provided. This other sorting device 10 can be moved in front of the flat bed machine 100 to replace the sorting device 10 where the workpiece plate 1 has been placed, so as to receive the next workpiece plate 1. Thus, the lifting of the workpiece plate 1, which would be required if another sorting device is not provided, is advantageously eliminated.

[0095] Fig.15 A separation method 400 for separating workpieces 2 from a workpiece plate 1 is schematically shown, the separation method 400 comprising a sorting method 300. The separation method 400 may utilize Fig.13 and Fig.14 The sorting method 300 can be performed by using the sorting device 10.

[0096] In a first step 410 of the separation method 400 , a workpiece 2 is cut out of a workpiece plate 1 in a flat-bed machine tool 100 , for example by laser cutting or punching.

[0097] In the second step 310 of the separation method 400 (which is also the first step of the sorting method 300), the processed workpiece plate 1 with the cut workpieces 2 is placed on the receiving area 20 of the sorting device 10, and the workpieces 2 are held together with the workpiece plate 1 by the preset breaking points.

[0098] In the third step 320 of the separation method 400 (the third step 320 is also the second step of the sorting method 300), the adjustment device 50 is adjusted to select one of the collecting grids 31 of the sorting device 10. This selects: to which of the collecting grids 31 the workpiece 2 will be conducted by the subsequent separation in the fourth step 330 of the separation method 400 (the fourth step 330 is also the third step of the sorting method 300). However, the third step 320 does not necessarily have to be performed after the second step 310 or the first step 410, but: if it is known which collecting grid 31 should be used for sorting the workpieces 2 of the workpiece plate 1, the third step 320 can also be performed in advance.

[0099] Finally, in a fourth step 330 of the separation method 400, the workpiece 2 is detached from the workpiece plate 1, for which purpose a tool 81 (see Fig.16 ) is assisted. This can be, for example, a vibrating hammer. The detached workpieces 2 are conducted via a conducting area 40 to a previously selected collecting grid 31 in the collecting area 30 of the sorting device 10 .

[0100] Here, Fig.16 A further, only schematically illustrated, embodiment of a sorting device 10 is shown. In this sorting device 10, in addition to the other embodiments, a tray area 32 is provided in the collection area 30, in which a tray 33 is located. Here, a collection grid 31 is arranged on the tray 33. Since a minimum distance 34 corresponding to the lifting height of a lifting vehicle (not shown) is also provided between the collection grid 31 and the conducting element 41, the tray 33 can be lifted unhindered by the lifting vehicle in the sorting device 10 and can be moved laterally out of the open side of the sorting device 10.

[0101] Fig.16 Also shown is a tool station 80 as part of the sorting device 10, which is located above the receiving area 20, in which the workpiece plate 1 is located. By way of example, a C-shaped frame 83 is shown here, which carries a tool 81, in particular a vibrating hammer, for breaking a preset fracture site in the workpiece plate 1. A motion axis (not shown) is provided in the C-shaped frame 83 for moving the tool 81 above the workpiece plate 1. Alternatively, a robot arm can also be used instead of the C-shaped frame 83. The tool station 80 also includes a camera system 82, with the help of which the workpiece plate 1 and its preset fracture site can be detected, so that the tool 81 can be controlled according to the current progress of the breaking process, so as to break the remaining preset fracture site.

[0102] As an alternative to this automated variant, it is also possible to provide a C-frame 83 with a movement axis, for example with a toggle lever squeezer for actuating the tool 81 , so that the tool 81 is held by the tool station 80 but can be actuated manually.

[0103] Fig.16 Also shown is a conveying system 500, which comprises a sorting device 10 and a conveyor belt device 501, which is coupled to the sorting device 10. The cut workpiece plates 1 can be easily removed from the machine tool 100 (see Fig.13 ) is transported to the sorting device 10. In this regard, the conveyor device 501, the sorting device 10 and the machine tool 100 can also form a facility (not shown separately).

Claims

1. A sorting device (10) for assisting a sorting process of workpieces (2) of a workpiece plate (1), wherein the workpieces (2) are connected to the workpiece plate (1) via a preset breaking point, wherein: The sorting device (10) comprises: a receiving area (20) having receiving elements (21) for placing the workpiece plate (1) thereon, wherein at least one sorting opening (22) is formed between the receiving elements (21) for the workpieces (2) to fall through, a collecting area (30) arranged below the receiving area (20) and having at least two collecting compartments (31) for collecting the workpieces (2) falling through the at least one sorting opening (22), a conducting area (40) arranged between the receiving area (20) and the collecting area (30) and having at least one conducting element (41) for conducting the workpieces (2) falling through the at least one sorting opening (22) to the collecting grid (31), and - an adjusting device (50) for adjusting the collecting grid (31) relative to the at least one conducting element (41) and / or for adjusting the at least one conducting element (41) relative to the collecting grid (31), so that the workpiece (2) can be selectively conducted to a collecting grid (31) selected from the at least two collecting grids (31) by means of the at least one conducting element (41).

2. The sorting device (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one conducting element (41) is designed as a funnel, a tube, a slide and / or a flap.

3. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The conducting region (40) has a funnel element (42) which is arranged above the at least one conducting element (41).

4. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The adjusting device (50) has a rotary mechanism and / or a linear mechanism for rotating and / or linearly moving the at least one conducting element (41) or the collecting grid (31) relative to each other.

5. The sorting device (10) according to claim 4, wherein: The rotating mechanism comprises a rotating wheel (51) connected to the at least one conducting element (41), and the rotating wheel comprises at least one handle for rotating the at least one conducting element (41) relative to the collecting grid (31).

6. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The conducting region (40) has at least one sound absorbing element (43).

7. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support elements (21) are configured as support strips which are spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other, and which extend between two side surfaces (15, 16) of the sorting device (10), wherein the sorting device (10) has a plurality of sorting openings (22) which are formed between each two support elements (21).

8. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support element (21) has a brush (23) on the support side for supporting the workpiece plate (1) and / or is designed to be elastic on the support side for supporting the workpiece plate (1).

9. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support element (21) is heat-resistant up to at least 80°C.

10. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least two of the supporting elements (21) form an inclined supporting surface.

11. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sorting device (10) has at least one fixing device (70) for fixing the workpiece plate (1) on the receiving area (20).

12. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sorting device (10) has a tool (81) that can be automatically moved in the receiving area (20) and is used to break a preset breaking point between the workpiece (2) and the workpiece plate (1).

13. The sorting device (10) according to claim 12, wherein: The sorting device (10) comprises a tool station (80) having the tool (81), which is in particular in the form of a vibrating hammer, and a robot arm or a C-shaped frame (83) having three axes of movement, wherein the tool (81) is arranged on the robot arm or the C-shaped frame (83).

14. The sorting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The sorting device (10) has a tool station (80) having a tool (81) for breaking a predetermined breaking point between a workpiece (2) and a workpiece plate (1), wherein the tool station (80) includes a toggle lever press having the tool (81) arranged thereon.

15. The sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The collecting area (30) has a tray area (32) for a tray (33) or with a tray for storing the at least two collecting compartments (31) thereon.

16. The sorting device (10) according to claim 15, wherein: A predefined minimum distance (34) is provided between the at least one conducting element (41) and the at least two collecting grids (31), which minimum distance corresponds to a lifting height for lifting the tray (33) in the sorting device (10), wherein the minimum distance (34) is in particular at least 30 millimeters.

17. A separation system (200) for separating a workpiece (2) from a workpiece plate (1), wherein: A separation system (200) comprises a machine tool (100) for cutting or punching workpieces (2) from workpiece plates (1) and a sorting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. A conveying system (500) for conveying and sorting workpieces (2) of a workpiece plate (1), wherein: The conveying system (500) comprises a conveyor belt device (501) and a sorting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 which is arranged or can be arranged on the conveyor belt device.

19. An installation having a separation system (200) according to claim 17 and a conveying system (500) according to claim 18.

20. A method (300) for sorting workpieces (2) of a workpiece plate (1), in which the workpieces (2) are connected to the workpiece plate (1) via a predetermined breaking point, the method being carried out using a sorting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The method (300) comprises the following steps: - placing the workpiece plate (1) on the receiving area (20) of the sorting device (10), - adjusting the adjusting device (50) to select one of the collecting grids (31) of the sorting device (10) to which the workpieces (2) of the workpiece plate (1) are to be transferred, and - the workpiece (2) is detached from the workpiece plate (1) by means of a tool (81) so that the workpiece (2) passes by means of the conducting area (40) into the one collecting compartment (31) selected by the adjustment in the collecting area (30) of the sorting device (10).

21. A method (400) for separating workpieces (2) from a workpiece plate (1), wherein: The method (400) comprises the step of cutting or punching a workpiece (2) from a workpiece plate (1) by means of a machine tool (100) and comprises the method (300) according to claim 20.

Images