Clamping device for workpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for workpieces, comprising: a clamping table (2) which is designed to position and pre-position at least one workpiece to be clamped; at least one clamping mechanism (3) having a base body (4) and a pressing member (5) adjustably mounted on the base body (4) between a clamping position and a release position, the at least one clamping mechanism (3) being designed to press the at least one workpiece placed on the clamping table (2) against the clamping table (2) by the pressing member (5) of the at least one clamping mechanism (3) in its clamping position, clamping at least one workpiece on the clamping table (2); and at least one bridge (6) extending across the clamping table (2) and having a first bridge end (6.1) supported on a first side of the clamping table (2) and a second bridge end (6.2) opposite the first bridge end (6.1), the second bridge end being supported on a second side of the clamping table (2) opposite the first side of the clamping table (2), wherein at least one clamping mechanism (3) is mounted on the bridge (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device for a workpiece, comprising: a clamping table designed for placing and pre-positioning at least one workpiece to be clamped; and at least one clamping mechanism having a base and a pressing member adjustablely mounted on the base between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism is designed to securely clamp at least one workpiece placed on the clamping table by pressing the pressing member of the at least one clamping mechanism against the clamping table in its clamping position. Background Technology

[0002] DE202008007548 U1 describes a clamping device for a workpiece having multiple relatively movable device components that clamp the workpiece between them in a closed position. These device components support a support and clamping structure, including one or more rigid support elements opposite to each other and movable clamping elements, wherein the clamping elements are designed to be pressed against the workpiece by a spring force. These device components are pivotally connected to each other via bearings. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device for a workpiece, wherein the clamping device can be used with particular flexibility in the presence of a small space required for the entire clamping device.

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved by a clamping device for a workpiece, the clamping device having: - A clamping stage, designed for placing and pre-positioning at least one workpiece to be clamped. - At least one clamping mechanism having a base and a pressing member adjustablely mounted on the base between a clamping position and a releasing position, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism is designed to securely clamp at least one workpiece placed on a clamping table against the clamping table by causing the pressing member of the at least one clamping mechanism in its clamping position. Its features are, - A cable tray extending across a clamping platform is provided, the cable tray having a first cable tray end and a second cable tray end opposite to the first cable tray end, the first cable tray end being supported on a first side of the clamping platform, and the second cable tray end being supported on a second side of the clamping platform opposite to the first side of the clamping platform, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism is supported on the cable tray.

[0005] Clamping devices for workpieces are typically used to simultaneously secure one or more workpieces to a clamping table for machining during a manufacturing process or, possibly, an assembly process. Therefore, clamping devices securely clamp the workpiece to the clamping table in a predetermined, i.e., pre-positioned location and / or orientation, thereby maintaining the workpiece's position and orientation during subsequent machining, preventing undesirable slippage or twisting. After machining of the workpiece is complete, the clamping mechanism of the clamping device is released to allow the workpiece or workpiece assembly machined on the clamping table to be removed.

[0006] In the clamping position, the pressing member of the clamping mechanism presses against the surface of at least one workpiece to firmly clamp the workpiece onto the clamping table by pressure. In the release position, the pressing member disengages from the workpiece, thereby allowing the workpiece to be removed from the clamping table or a new workpiece to be placed onto the clamping table.

[0007] A concrete example of this type of processing is the welding of workpieces, particularly the welding of at least two workpieces, to join them in a desired manner after the welding process. Especially during welding, there is a significant risk that the workpiece may undergo undesirable deformation or warping due to heat introduced into the workpiece during welding, or, for example, the forces transmitted to the workpiece by the rotating tool of the friction stir welding apparatus when pressing and / or pulling along it. Therefore, the workpieces to be welded must be clamped or held in place on a clamping table by a clamping device to reliably prevent deformation and / or warping of the workpiece during processing.

[0008] Depending on the type and shape of the workpiece, it must be held in place at individual locations by the clamping mechanism of the clamping device.

[0009] In existing technologies, clamping mechanisms are typically specially designed and fixedly arranged for each workpiece type, based on its specific type and shape, to accurately clamp the workpiece onto the clamping table in the desired manner. For this purpose, the required number of individual clamping mechanisms are directly arranged on the clamping table. Here, the base of the clamping mechanism is directly fixed to the clamping table or to its edge, and a movable pressing member is adjustablely mounted on this fixed base. When the workpiece is large, the pressing member sometimes must be designed to be very large or very long so that it can reach the pressing point in the middle area of ​​the workpiece, even when the clamping mechanism is fixed to the edge of the clamping table. However, this fixed arrangement of the clamping mechanism is very inflexible; that is, when the workpiece type or shape changes, the entire clamping mechanism must be laboriously modified.

[0010] In another known technical solution, a clamping mechanism is arranged on an upper housing that can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis on a clamping table. In this embodiment, the clamping mechanism is not arranged or fixed to the clamping table, but rather mounted on the pivotable upper housing, which pivots above the clamping table from the working position, such that the clamping mechanism is in its desired position and orientation during the machining process. However, a disadvantage is that when the upper housing is pivoted to the working position above the clamping table, the machined workpiece or workpiece assembly cannot be easily removed because the upper housing forms an obstruction and thus prevents its removal. Therefore, the upper housing is pivotally mounted so that it can be pivoted away from the clamping table, thereby enabling the removal of the machined workpiece or workpiece assembly from the clamping table. However, another disadvantage is that, like a clamping mechanism fixed to the clamping table, the clamping mechanism is still fixedly arranged on the upper housing, making it very inflexible in use. When the upper housing pivots above the clamping table, the clamping mechanism can only occupy a single predetermined position and / or orientation, and cannot be variably positioned.

[0011] The present invention proposes to provide at least one cable tray extending across a clamping table, the cable tray having a first cable tray end and a second cable tray end opposite to the first cable tray end, the first cable tray end being supported on a first side of the clamping table, and the second cable tray end being supported on a second side of the clamping table opposite to the first side of the clamping table, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism is supported on the cable tray.

[0012] Here, the cable tray has a shape such that its length, extending from the end of the first cable tray to the end of the second cable tray, is several times its width extending across the clamping plane of the clamping table. This means that the cable tray does not completely cover the clamping plane of the clamping table, but rather, due to its small width, covers only a small area, specifically only 10% to a maximum of 30% of the total area of ​​the clamping plane. The particular effect of this is that, although the cable tray extends across the clamping table, the workpiece placed on the clamping table is easy to machine.

[0013] The first and / or second cable tray ends may be directly fixed or supported on two opposite sides of the clamping platform. Alternatively, the first and / or second cable tray ends may be fixed or supported on a bracket separate from the clamping platform, which is adjacent to or at least partially close to the clamping platform on opposite sides of the clamping platform.

[0014] Since the at least one cable tray covers only a small portion of the clamping table area, finished workpieces or workpiece assemblies can be easily removed from the clamping table even when the cable tray remains in the position spanning the clamping table. Similarly, unfinished workpieces can be easily placed on the clamping table even when the cable tray remains in the position spanning the clamping table. Since it is conceivable that the at least one cable tray extends across the clamping table, for example, in the middle region of the clamping table, the clamping mechanism arranged on the cable tray can be designed to be significantly shorter than if the clamping mechanism could only be arranged in the edge region of the clamping table.

[0015] At least one clamping mechanism is installed on the cable tray, the clamping mechanism having a base and a pressing member adjustablely mounted on the base between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism is designed to securely clamp at least one workpiece placed on the clamping table by pressing the pressing member of the at least one clamping mechanism against the clamping table in its clamping position.

[0016] In this regard, the pressing member is directly or indirectly, adjustably mounted on the base so that it can move back and forth between a clamping position and a release position. In the clamping position, the pressing member presses against the surface area of ​​the workpiece placed on the clamping table. The workpiece is secured to the clamping table by the pressure applied to it by the pressing member in the clamping position. In the clamping position, the pressing member is supported on the cable tray by the base to absorb the reaction force and transmit it through the cable tray to the support and / or the clamping table.

[0017] Each pressing component of the clamping mechanism can automatically reciprocate between the clamping and releasing positions via a dedicated clamping actuator. Each clamping actuator can be, for example, an electric clamping actuator or a pneumatic clamping actuator. In cases where multiple clamping mechanisms exist on the cable tray, they can be automatically controlled individually or as a group.

[0018] At least one cable tray may preferably be designed to be adjustable in a plane parallel to the clamping table, i.e., adjustablely installed.

[0019] Alternatively, at least one or more clamping mechanisms may be individually or collectively repositioned relative to the cable tray, particularly along the longitudinal extension of the cable tray from its first end to its second end. For example, each clamping mechanism may be automatically and repositionably mounted on the cable tray by an electric servo drive or a pneumatic clamping drive.

[0020] The first cable tray end can be movably mounted relative to the clamping table in a motion plane parallel to the clamping plane of the clamping table via a first linear guide, and the second cable tray end can be movably mounted relative to the clamping table in a motion plane parallel to the clamping plane of the clamping table via a second linear guide, thereby enabling the cable tray to move above the clamping table across the clamping plane of the clamping table, so that at least one clamping mechanism mounted on the cable tray moves to a selected position above the workpiece placed on the clamping table.

[0021] The first linear guide forms the first support member, allowing translational movement of the first cable tray end and thus allowing translational movement of the entire cable tray in a linear direction. The first linear guide may, for example, include at least one first track on which at least one first carriage is movable in a linear direction. The first cable tray end may be connected to or integrally formed with the first carriage. The first track may, for example, be a first circular rod on which a first circular bushing connected to the first carriage can be linearly and adjustably guided. Preferably, the first track may be designed as a first profile guide. Alternatively, the first track may, for example, include a first prism guide or a first dovetail guide.

[0022] Similarly, the second linear guide can constitute a second support member, allowing translational movement of the second cable tray end and thus allowing translational movement of the entire cable tray in a linear direction. The second linear guide may, for example, include at least one second track on which at least one second carriage is movable in a linear direction. The second cable tray end may be connected to or integrally formed with the second carriage. The second track may, for example, be a second circular rod on which a second circular bushing connected to the second carriage can be linearly and adjustably guided. Preferably, the second track may be designed as a second profile guide. Alternatively, the second track may, for example, include a second prism guide or a second dovetail guide.

[0023] The first and second linear guides can be designed to coordinate with each other, allowing the cable tray to move in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal extension within a plane of motion parallel to the clamping plane of the clamping table. By enabling the cable tray to move above the clamping table, at least one or more clamping mechanisms arranged on the cable tray can be moved to a desired position within the clamping plane of the clamping table. Therefore, after machining the workpiece on the clamping table, the clamping mechanisms can be removed from the clamping plane of the clamping table again, thus eliminating any clamping mechanisms that would hinder the removal of the workpiece or workpiece assembly. In this regard, it is conceivable to completely remove the cable tray from the clamping plane of the clamping table, for example, to a storage or parking position, where the cable tray no longer extends across the clamping plane of the clamping table. Consequently, the workpiece or workpiece assembly can even be removed from the clamping table perpendicular to the clamping plane after machining.

[0024] By enabling the cable tray to move above the clamping table, at least one or more clamping mechanisms arranged on the cable tray can also be moved to a desired first position within the clamping plane of the clamping table, to generate a first weld, for example, near these clamping mechanisms. These clamping mechanisms can then be moved to another desired position, i.e., a second position within the clamping plane of the clamping table, different from the first position, to generate a second weld, different from the first weld and spatially separated, near the clamping mechanisms. Thus, in each welding step, the cable tray and clamping mechanisms can continue to move progressively. This can be particularly automated by an actuator.

[0025] The first linear guide may be equipped with an electro-electric or pneumatic first actuator designed to automatically move the cable tray; and / or the second linear guide may be equipped with an electro-electric or pneumatic second actuator designed to automatically move the cable tray.

[0026] The electromechanical first actuator may, for example, include a first electric motor having a first motor shaft to which a first lead screw may be connected, and a first lead screw nut mounted on the first lead screw, such that when the first electric motor rotates to drive the first lead screw, the first lead screw nut can move linearly, i.e., along the longitudinal extension direction of the first lead screw. In this regard, the end of the first bridge frame may be connected to the first lead screw nut. Alternatively or supplementarily, the electromechanical second actuator may also, for example, include a second electric motor having a second motor shaft to which a second lead screw may be connected, and a second lead screw nut mounted on the second lead screw, such that when the second electric motor rotates to drive the second lead screw, the second lead screw nut can move linearly, i.e., along the longitudinal extension direction of the second lead screw. In this regard, the end of the second bridge frame may be connected to the second lead screw nut.

[0027] In the case of a pneumatic first actuator, a first pneumatic cylinder can be provided. The first cylinder body of the first pneumatic cylinder can be, for example, fixedly arranged, and a movable first rod of the first pneumatic cylinder can be connected to the end of a first bridge frame. Thus, when the first rod moves relative to the first cylinder body, the bridge frame connected via the end of the first bridge frame can move according to the adjustment movement of the first rod. Alternatively or supplementarily, a second pneumatic cylinder can be provided as a pneumatic second actuator. The second cylinder body of the second pneumatic cylinder can be, for example, fixedly arranged, and a movable second rod of the second pneumatic cylinder can be connected to the end of a second bridge frame. Thus, when the second rod moves relative to the second cylinder body, the bridge frame connected via the end of the second bridge frame can move according to the adjustment movement of the second rod.

[0028] The first linear guide may include at least one first track fixed relative to the clamping table and having a first carriage movable on the first track, with a first bridge end mounted on the first carriage; and / or the second linear guide may include at least one second track fixed relative to the clamping table and having a second carriage movable on the second track, with a second bridge end mounted on the second carriage.

[0029] The first track can be fixed directly to the clamping table, for example. Alternatively, the first track can be fixed to a first bracket separate from the clamping table, which can be positioned near the side of the clamping table. In this regard, the first end of the cable tray can be connected to the first carriage.

[0030] Similarly, the second track can be fixed directly to the clamping platform, for example. Alternatively, the second track can be fixed to a second bracket separate from the clamping platform, which can be positioned near the side of the clamping platform. In this regard, the second end of the cable tray can be connected to the second carriage.

[0031] The first cable tray end can be movably installed relative to the clamping table in a lifting direction perpendicular to the clamping plane of the clamping table via the first lifting device, and / or the second cable tray end can be movably installed relative to the clamping table in a lifting direction perpendicular to the clamping plane of the clamping table via the second lifting device, thereby enabling the cable tray to be raised or lowered relative to the clamping table above the clamping table.

[0032] By using a first lifting device and / or a second lifting device to raise or lower the cable tray above the clamping table relative to the clamping table, the clamping mechanism arranged on the cable tray can also be raised or lowered above the clamping table relative to the clamping table. This can be useful, for example, when the cable tray and clamping mechanism need to move in a plane of motion parallel to the clamping plane, passing over at least one workpiece placed on the clamping table, and this workpiece has a protruding portion due to its special shape. If the cable tray or clamping mechanism is not raised, the clamping mechanism or cable tray may collide with the protruding portion during movement. Therefore, the cable tray can be raised by the first lifting device and / or the second lifting device to be able to pass over such protruding portions on the workpiece. The first lifting device and / or the second lifting device can be designed to be lockable, thereby fixing the cable tray at the desired height position and preventing undesirable adjustments to the cable tray height. This is particularly useful for preventing the cable tray from undesirably retracting upwards when the clamping mechanism is moved to its clamping position. If the first and / or second lifting devices are designed to be self-locking, such as in embodiments using a lifting screw and a lifting screw nut, then the locking device can be eliminated. However, in embodiments using a pneumatic actuator, a corresponding locking device may be required.

[0033] If the clamping mechanism has at least one first cable tray and at least one second cable tray, the two cable trays can be guided on different tracks, and guided such that one cable tray can pass under the other. For this purpose, it may be advantageous, for example, that one cable tray can be raised, or the other cable tray can be lowered, so that the two cable trays do not collide with each other when exchanging positions. After the two cable trays have passed over each other, the raised cable tray can be lowered again, or the lowered cable tray can be raised again.

[0034] The first lifting device may be equipped with a first lifting drive, which is either electro-electric or pneumatic and is designed to automatically raise or lower the cable tray; and / or the second lifting device may be equipped with a second lifting drive, which is either electro-electric or pneumatic and is designed to automatically raise or lower the cable tray.

[0035] The electromechanical first lifting actuator may, for example, include a first electric motor having a first motor shaft to which a first lifting screw may be connected, and a first lifting screw nut mounted on the first lifting screw, so that when the first electric motor rotates to drive the first lifting screw, the first lifting screw nut can move vertically in height, i.e., along the longitudinal extension direction of the first lifting screw. In this regard, the end of the first bridge frame may be connected to the first lifting screw nut. Alternatively or supplementarily, the electromechanical second lifting actuator may similarly include, for example, a second electric motor having a second motor shaft to which a second lifting screw may be connected, and a second lifting screw nut mounted on the second lifting screw, so that when the second electric motor rotates to drive the second lifting screw, the second lifting screw nut can move vertically in height, i.e., along the longitudinal extension direction of the second lifting screw. In this regard, the end of the second bridge frame may be connected to the second lifting screw nut.

[0036] In the case of a pneumatic first lifting actuator, a first pneumatic cylinder can be provided. The first cylinder body of the first pneumatic cylinder can be fixedly arranged, for example, and a movable first lifting rod of the first pneumatic cylinder can be connected to the end of a first bridge frame. Thus, when the first lifting rod moves relative to the first cylinder body, the bridge frame connected to the end of the first bridge frame can be raised or lowered according to the adjusting movement of the first lifting rod. Alternatively or supplementarily, a second pneumatic cylinder can be provided as a pneumatic second lifting actuator. The second cylinder body of the second pneumatic cylinder can be fixedly arranged, for example, and a movable second lifting rod of the second pneumatic cylinder can be connected to the end of a second bridge frame. Thus, when the second lifting rod moves relative to the second cylinder body, the bridge frame connected to the end of the second bridge frame can be raised or lowered according to the adjusting movement of the second lifting rod.

[0037] The first lifting actuator can be combined with the first actuator of the first linear guide, thereby enabling two adjustment directions, particularly independent of each other. Correspondingly, the second lifting actuator can also be combined with the second actuator of the second linear guide, thereby enabling two adjustment directions, particularly independent of each other. In this regard, the at least one cable tray can be raised or lowered during its movement in a plane of motion parallel to the clamping plane.

[0038] The clamping mechanism may have at least one first cable tray extending across the clamping table and at least one second cable tray extending across the same clamping table, the second cable tray being arranged parallel to the first cable tray.

[0039] Therefore, if the clamping mechanism has at least one first cable tray and at least one second cable tray, the two cable trays can be guided on different tracks, and guided such that one cable tray can pass under the other. For this purpose, it may be advantageous, for example, that one cable tray can be raised, or the other cable tray can be lowered, so that the two cable trays do not collide with each other when exchanging positions. After the two cable trays have passed over each other, the raised cable tray can be lowered again, or the lowered cable tray can be raised again.

[0040] Therefore, the second cable tray can be installed independently of the first cable tray, movably relative to the clamping table.

[0041] Multiple clamping mechanisms can be installed on each cable tray. These clamping mechanisms can be adjusted individually or as a group of multiple clamping mechanisms, between their clamping and releasing positions.

[0042] In the first embodiment, the clamping mechanisms required for clamping a specific workpiece or a specific type of workpiece can be installed at individual predetermined locations on the cable tray. The advantage of this is that the clamping device only needs to be equipped with the actual number of clamping mechanisms required.

[0043] To further enhance flexibility, in a second embodiment, a number of clamping mechanisms can be installed on the cable tray, regardless of the specific workpiece or type of workpiece required. Therefore, in certain cases, it may be possible to use only a portion of the existing clamping mechanisms on the cable tray. The multiple clamping mechanisms can be mounted on the cable tray, for example, positioned at uniform intervals, and only those actually needed can be operated for clamping.

[0044] In the third embodiment, a number of clamping mechanisms can be repositionably mounted on the cable tray. For example, it can be specified that clamping mechanisms initially spaced evenly apart from each other are adjustable relative to each other on the cable tray, and are specifically designed to be automatically adjustable so that the relative distance between any two directly adjacent clamping mechanisms can be changed, i.e., increased or decreased.

[0045] At least one clamping mechanism can be designed to be automatically adjustable and driven by a clamping driver. The clamping driver can be designed as a diaphragm clamping module.

[0046] In each clamping mechanism, the pressing member is adjustablely mounted on its respective base between a clamping position and a release position. These clamping mechanisms can automatically adjust between the clamping and release positions by equipping them with clamping actuators capable of automatically moving the pressing member. The clamping actuator can be specifically designed as a diaphragm clamping module. Such a diaphragm clamping module has, for example, a generally disc-shaped housing with a pressure cylinder adjustablely mounted on its upper side. Here, the lifting stroke may only be a few millimeters, which is sufficient. In this respect, such a diaphragm clamping module has a very small structural height but can generate sufficiently high pressure to move the adjustablely mounted pressing member on the base to the clamping position, where the pressing member presses against the workpiece to be clamped on the clamping table with the required pressure. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific features of these exemplary embodiments may be considered individually or in combination to represent the general features of the invention, regardless of where they are specifically mentioned herein. Wherein: Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the clamping device according to the present invention is shown. Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 A top view of an exemplary clamping device. Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary clamping device. Figure 4 It shows according to Figure 1 A perspective view of a single cable tray of an exemplary clamping device. Figure 5 It shows according to Figure 1 Exemplary clamping device in Figure 4 A partial perspective view of the end area of ​​the cable tray shown. Figure 6 It shows according to Figure 1 Exemplary clamping device in Figure 4 A partial side view of the end region of the cable tray shown, and Figure 7 It shows Figure 4 The cable tray shown is a partial perspective view of the middle section of the cable tray, in which three clamping mechanisms mounted on the cable tray are illustrated by way of example. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a clamping device 1 for a workpiece according to the present invention is shown.

[0049] The clamping device 1 has a clamping platform 2, which is designed to place and pre-position at least one workpiece to be clamped.

[0050] The clamping device 1 includes a plurality of clamping mechanisms 3. Each clamping mechanism 3 has a base 4 and a pressing member 5 adjustablely mounted on the base 4 between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism 3 is designed to securely clamp at least one workpiece placed on the clamping table 2 by pressing at least one workpiece against the clamping table 2 in its clamping position using the pressing member 5 of the at least one clamping mechanism 3. Three exemplary clamping mechanisms 3 are described in... Figure 7 The image is shown in more detail in a magnified view.

[0051] The clamping device 1 has at least one cable tray 6 extending across the clamping platform 2. The cable tray has a first cable tray end 6.1 and a second cable tray end 6.2 opposite to the first cable tray end 6.1. The first cable tray end is supported on a first side of the clamping platform 2, and the second cable tray end is supported on a second side of the clamping platform 2 opposite to the first side of the clamping platform 2. A plurality of clamping mechanisms 3 are respectively mounted on each cable tray 6.

[0052] Figure 1 A total of four cable trays 6 are shown. However, the clamping device 1 does not actually need to have four cable trays 6. Instead, Figure 1 This shows a single cable tray 6 or two separate cable trays 6 in a total of four different positions above the mounting platform 2. This is particularly evident by the two cable trays 6 shown in the middle intersecting each other, and for this purpose, it should only show two different positions of the same cable tray 6.

[0053] exist Figure 1 The rotating tool 7 of the friction stir welding apparatus, which is not shown in detail, is shown in front of the illustration at two different locations.

[0054] The first cable tray end 6.1 is movably mounted relative to the clamping table 2 in a motion plane parallel to the clamping plane of the clamping table 2 via the first linear guide 8.1. The second cable tray end 6.2 is also movably mounted relative to the clamping table 2 in a motion plane parallel to the clamping plane of the clamping table 2 via the second linear guide 8.2, thereby enabling the cable tray 6 to move above the clamping table 2 along the clamping plane of the clamping table 2, so that the clamping mechanism 3 mounted on the cable tray 6 moves at a selected position above the workpiece (not shown) placed on the clamping table 2.

[0055] The first linear guide 8.1 and the second linear guide 8.2 each constitute a support member, allowing translational movement of the first bridge end 6.1 or the second bridge end 6.2, and consequently allowing the entire bridge 6 to translate along the linear motion direction R. The first linear guide 8.1 and the second linear guide 8.2 may, for example, include tracks 9.1 and 9.2 respectively, on which at least one carriage 10.1 or 10.2 is movable along the linear motion direction. In this regard, the first bridge end 6.1 may be connected to or integrally constitute the first carriage 10.1. The first track 9.1 may, for example, include a first profile guide rail. In this regard, the second bridge end 6.2 may be connected to or integrally constitute the second carriage 10.2. The second track 9.2 may, for example, include a second profile guide rail, particularly as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the second linear guide 8.2 is equipped with a pneumatic actuator 11.2, which is designed to move the cable tray 6 automatically.

[0057] Accordingly, the first linear guide 8.1 includes a first track 9.1 fixed relative to the clamping table 2 and a first carriage 10.1 movable on the first track 9.1, with the first bridge end 6.1 mounted on the first carriage. The second linear guide 8.2 includes a second track 9.2 fixed relative to the clamping table 2 and a second carriage 10.2 movable on the second track 9.2, with the second bridge end 6.2 mounted on the second carriage.

[0058] Especially as Figure 6 As shown, the first cable tray end 6.1 is movably mounted relative to the clamping platform 2 in a lifting direction H perpendicular to the clamping plane of the clamping platform 2 via the first lifting device 12.1. Similarly, the second cable tray end 6.2 is movably mounted relative to the clamping platform 2 in a lifting direction H perpendicular to the clamping plane of the clamping platform 2 via the second lifting device 12.2, thereby allowing the cable tray 6 to be raised or lowered relative to the clamping platform 2 above it. This is particularly important for... Figure 6 It is shown in more detail below.

[0059] The first lifting device 12.1 may be equipped with an electromechanical or pneumatic first lifting drive, which is designed to automatically raise or lower the cable tray 6. Similarly, the second lifting device 12.2 may be equipped with an electromechanical or pneumatic second lifting drive, which is designed to automatically raise or lower the cable tray 6.

[0060] Especially Figure 1 and Figure 2In this clamping device 1, a first cable tray 6a extends across the clamping platform 2 and at least one second cable tray 6b extends across the same clamping platform 2, the second cable tray being arranged parallel to the first cable tray 6a. To illustrate mobility, the second cable tray 6b is shown in a total of three different positions.

[0061] Accordingly, the second cable tray 6b is movably installed relative to the clamping platform 2 independently of the first cable tray 6a.

[0062] exist Figure 4 and Figure 7 The diagram shows in detail that in this embodiment, multiple clamping mechanisms 3 are installed on each of the cable trays 6, 6a, and 6b. These clamping mechanisms can be adjusted individually or as a group of multiple clamping mechanisms 3 together between their clamping and releasing positions.

[0063] In each clamping mechanism 3, the pressing member 5 is adjustablely mounted on its respective base 4 between a clamping position and a release position. These clamping mechanisms can automatically adjust between the clamping and release positions by having a clamping actuator 13 capable of automatically moving the pressing member 5. The clamping actuator 13 can be specifically designed as a diaphragm clamping module. Such a diaphragm clamping module, for example, has a generally disc-shaped housing with a pressure cylinder adjustablely mounted on the upper side of the housing. Here, the lifting stroke may only be a few millimeters, which is sufficient. In this respect, such a diaphragm clamping module has a very small structural height but can generate sufficiently high pressure to move the pressing member 5, adjustablely mounted on the base 4, to the clamping position, where the pressing member 5 presses against the workpiece to be clamped on the clamping table 2 with the required pressure.

Claims

1. A clamping device for a workpiece, comprising: The clamping table (2) is designed to place and pre-position at least one workpiece to be clamped. At least one clamping mechanism (3) having a base (4) and a pressing member (5) adjustablely mounted on the base (4) between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism (3) is designed to securely clamp at least one workpiece placed on the clamping table (2) by pressing at least one workpiece against the clamping table (2) with the pressing member (5) of the at least one clamping mechanism (3) in its clamping position, characterized in that, The cable tray (6) extends across the clamping platform (2) and has a first cable tray end (6.1) and a second cable tray end (6.2) opposite to the first cable tray end (6.1). The first cable tray end is supported on a first side of the clamping platform (2) and the second cable tray end is supported on a second side of the clamping platform (2) opposite to the first side of the clamping platform (2). The at least one clamping mechanism (3) is mounted on the cable tray (6).

2. The clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cable tray end (6.1) is movably mounted relative to the clamping table (2) in a motion plane parallel to the clamping plane of the clamping table (2) via a first linear guide (8.1), and the second cable tray end (6.2) is movably mounted relative to the clamping table (2) in a motion plane parallel to the clamping plane of the clamping table (2) via a second linear guide (8.2), thereby enabling the cable tray (6) to move above the clamping table (2) along the clamping plane of the clamping table (2) so as to move at least one clamping mechanism (3) mounted on the cable tray (6) to a selected position above the workpiece placed on the clamping table (2).

3. The clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first linear guide (8.1) is equipped with an electromechanical or pneumatic first actuator (11.1) designed to automatically move the cable tray (6), and / or the second linear guide (8.2) is equipped with an electromechanical or pneumatic second actuator (11.2) designed to automatically move the cable tray (6).

4. The clamping device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first linear guide (8.1) includes at least one first track (9.1), which is fixed relative to the clamping table (2) and has a first carriage (10.1) movable on the first track (9.1), with the first bridge end (6.1) mounted on the first carriage; and / or the second linear guide (8.2) has at least one second track (9.2), which is fixed relative to the clamping table (2) and has a second carriage (10.2) movable on the second track (9.2), with the second bridge end (6.2) mounted on the second carriage.

5. The clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first cable tray end (6.1) is movably mounted relative to the clamping platform (2) in a lifting direction (H) perpendicular to the clamping plane of the clamping platform (2) via a first lifting device (12.1); and / or the second cable tray end (6.2) is movably mounted relative to the clamping platform (2) in a lifting direction (H) perpendicular to the clamping plane of the clamping platform (2) via a second lifting device (12.2), thereby enabling the cable tray (6) to be raised or lowered above the clamping platform (2) relative to the clamping platform (2).

6. The clamping device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first lifting device (12.1) is equipped with an electromechanical or pneumatic first lifting drive, which is designed to automatically raise or lower the cable tray (6); and / or the second lifting device (12.2) is equipped with an electromechanical or pneumatic second lifting drive, which is designed to automatically raise or lower the cable tray (6).

7. The clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism (1) has at least one first bridge (6a) extending across the clamping table (2) and at least one second bridge (6b) extending across the same clamping table (2), the second bridge being arranged parallel to the first bridge (6a).

8. The clamping device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second cable tray (6b) is movably mounted relative to the clamping table (2) independently of the first cable tray (6a).

9. The clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Multiple clamping mechanisms (3) are installed on each of the cable trays (6), and the clamping mechanisms can be adjusted individually or as a group of multiple clamping mechanisms (3) between their clamping and releasing positions.

10. The clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The at least one clamping mechanism (3) is designed to be automatically adjustable and driven by a clamping driver (13), which can be designed as a diaphragm clamping module.

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