Mechanical device with leveling device for orienting product combination of workpiece part and remaining grid for processing separated workpiece prior to separating workpiece part

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical device (1) for separating a workpiece part (2), which is present as a machined product of split machining of a plate-shaped workpiece, from a remaining grid (3), which is present as another machined product of split machining, from a product joint (5) of the remaining grid (3) and the workpiece part (2) under the action of gravity, the mechanical device has a holding device (7), a separating unit (13) and a product storage (15). The holding device (7) is used for fixing the product joint (5) before the workpiece part (2) is separated and for fixing the remaining grid (3) after the workpiece part (2) is separated. Before the workpiece part (2) is released from the product joint (5) fixed by means of the holding device (7), the product joint (5) is oriented by means of a leveling device (18) in such a way that the main plane (10) of the product joint (5) is parallel to the horizontal storage plane (14) of the product storage (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a mechanical device for separating a workpiece component, existing as a processed product of segmented processing of a plate-shaped workpiece (especially a sheet metal), from a remaining grid, existing as another processed product of segmented workpiece processing, under the action of gravity from a product assembly consisting of the remaining grid and the workpiece component.

[0002] The mechanical device includes a holding device, a separation unit, and a product storage section.

[0003] The retaining device is configured to secure the product assembly along the direction of gravity before the workpiece components are separated, and to secure the remaining grille along the direction of gravity after the workpiece is separated.

[0004] • The separation unit is designed to detach the workpiece components from the product assembly secured by a holding device.

[0005] • The product storage section is arranged at a vertical interval below the product assembly that is fixed by a retaining device, and

[0006] • The product storage section for storing workpiece parts that have detached from the product assembly under gravity has a horizontal storage surface that extends along the product assembly which is fixed by means of a holding device. Background Technology

[0007] In the case of segmented sheet metal processing using a segmentation device (e.g., a laser segmentation device), sheet metal components and a remaining grid that at least partially surrounds the sheet metal components are produced as the processed product. To simplify the removal of the processed product from the segmentation device, in segmented sheet metal processing, the sheet metal components are not completely separated from the remaining grid. More precisely, micro-connections or nano-connections are left between the remaining grid and the sheet metal components, allowing the remaining grid and the sheet metal components to be handled as a whole when the segmentation device is removed. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the sheet metal components produced in segmented sheet metal processing may be retained within the remaining grid due to generated thermal stress or warping after the segmentation process. Separation of the sheet metal components from the remaining grid is performed in a method step following segmented sheet metal processing.

[0008] Prior art of this type is disclosed in JP 2000094057 A. The prior art relates to a machine assembly and method for stamping sheet metal processing. At the blanking station of the machine assembly, sheet metal parts and residual grids are produced from a sheet metal plate, wherein the sheet metal parts are connected to the residual grids via micro-connectors after the stamping sheet metal processing is completed. The assembly of the residual grids and the sheet metal parts connected thereto is moved to a separation station, where multiple pairs of rollers follow each other along the direction of movement of the residual grids and sheet metal parts, and here alternately offset upwards and downwards from each other perpendicular to the direction of movement of the residual grids and sheet metal parts. A gap is constructed between the rollers of each pair of rollers. The residual grids carrying the sheet metal parts exiting the blanking station move through the gaps in the multiple pairs of rollers that follow each other along the direction of movement. Due to the offset of the roller pairs from each other, the residual grids carrying the sheet metal parts are bent multiple times as the roller pairs move through. Simultaneously, the residual grids carrying the sheet metal parts vibrate perpendicular to the direction of movement. Therefore, the micro-connection between the remaining grating and the sheet metal part in the stamping sheet metal processing breaks, and the sheet metal part that has detached from the remaining grating falls onto the horizontal storage platform arranged below the roller pair in the separation station. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The objective of this invention is to provide a mechanical device for separating workpiece components from the remaining grid of a segmented workpiece processing process, wherein the workpiece components separated from the remaining grid are stored orderly and smoothly on the product storage section of the mechanical device under the action of gravity.

[0010] According to the present invention, the task is accomplished by the mechanical device according to the present invention.

[0011] In the case of this invention, the leveling device ensures that the product assembly and the workpiece component, which is also to be detached from the product assembly, are oriented horizontally and therefore parallel to the storage surface of the product storage section provided for storing the workpiece component when the workpiece component is detached from the product assembly. Especially at low drop heights, the workpiece component maintains at least substantially parallel orientation to the storage surface after detachment from the product assembly until it is placed on the product storage section. When the workpiece component falls onto the storage surface of the product storage section, it tilts at most slightly towards the storage surface. This ensures that the workpiece component is placed orderly and gently on the storage surface of the product storage section. The orderly placement of the workpiece component on the product storage section and the associated precise positioning are particularly advantageous in cases where, for example, the product storage section is automatically unloaded by means of a robot. Especially when the workpiece component is easily damaged, for example, depending on the material or based on its geometry, it is recommended to handle the workpiece component gently when it is placed on the storage surface of the product storage section.

[0012] The leveling device according to the invention includes an inspection device and a calibration device. Before separating the workpiece component from the remaining grid, the inspection device checks whether the product assembly fixed by the holding device and the workpiece component to be detached from the product assembly are horizontally and therefore parallel to the storage surface of the product storage section. If this is not the case, the orientation of the product assembly fixed by the holding device is corrected by means of the calibration device according to the invention.

[0013] The inspection apparatus according to the invention may include a measuring unit by means of which the vertical distance between the product assembly and a horizontal reference plane can be determined at at least three points on the product assembly. If it is confirmed here that the product assembly is not horizontally oriented, the controlled adjustment device of the calibration apparatus can correct the incorrect orientation of the product assembly.

[0014] In the case of the machine device according to the invention, the orientation of the retaining device for securing the product assembly relative to the horizontal reference plane reflects the orientation of the product assembly relative to the horizontal reference plane. Accordingly, the inspection device of the leveling device according to the invention is configured to determine the orientation of the retaining device relative to the horizontal reference plane. If the inspection device confirms that the actual orientation of the retaining device deviates from the nominal horizontal orientation, the orientation of the retaining device is correspondingly changed by means of the calibration device of the leveling device according to the invention.

[0015] In another embodiment, in the machine device constructed above, a support structure is provided for the holding device for fixing the product assembly, and the holding device is supported vertically on the support structure by at least one spacing retainer arranged vertically between the support structure and the holding device. The spacing retainer constitutes part of the calibration device of the leveling device according to the invention. The vertical dimension of the spacing retainer can be changed by means of the adjustment device of the calibration device. The adjustment device is suitable for confirming the non-horizontal orientation of the holding device by means of the inspection device according to the invention, and therefore also confirming the non-horizontal orientation of the product assembly fixed by means of the holding device. In this case, the vertical dimension of the spacing retainer arranged between the support structure and the holding device can be adjusted by means of the adjustment device of the calibration device, such that the holding device and the product assembly fixed thereon are horizontally oriented. By correspondingly adjusting the vertical dimension of one or more spacing retainers arranged between the support structure and the holding device, the vertical distance between the product assembly fixed on the holding device and the product storage part can also be adjusted, thereby adjusting the drop height of the workpiece component separated from the remaining grid.

[0016] In an extended embodiment of the invention, the calibration device of the leveling apparatus according to the invention includes a plurality of spacing retainers disposed vertically between a support structure and a retaining device, the spacing retainers being offset from each other parallel to the main plane of the product assembly fixed by means of the retaining device, and their vertical dimensions can be adjusted. If the orientation of the retaining device, determined by means of the inspection device of the leveling apparatus according to the invention, deviates from the orientation of the horizontal reference plane, the vertical dimensions of the spacing retainers between the support structure and the retaining device can be adjusted in a coordinated manner by means of the adjustment device of the calibration apparatus, such that the retaining device extends parallel to the horizontal reference plane.

[0017] In another embodiment, the support structure is used as a reference system for checking and, if necessary, adjusting the horizontal orientation of the product assembly secured by the retaining device.

[0018] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a preferred configuration of one or more spacing retainers with adjustable vertical dimensions arranged between a support structure and a retaining device, by means of at least one compressed air bellows having adjustable internal pressure and at least one spring element having adjustable spring stiffness.

[0019] In a preferred extension of the mechanical device according to the invention, the separation unit of the mechanical device has a vibration generator configured to cause vertical vibration in the retaining device that secures the product assembly, the vertical vibration causing the workpiece component to detach from the product assembly. A spring-damping device is arranged between the retaining device and the support structure and is provided for vibration isolation of the retaining device relative to the support structure. This spring-damping device also constitutes a spacing retainer of the type described above, the vertical dimension of which can be adjusted as needed for the nominal horizontal orientation of the product assembly secured by the retaining device.

[0020] As a spring damping device with this dual function, it is provided with one or more compressed air bellows and one or more spring elements.

[0021] Another embodiment relates to a machine device according to the invention with the following structural form, wherein a retaining mechanism is provided for securing a product assembly to a retaining device, and can be adjusted relative to the base structure of the retaining device in a manner parallel to the principal plane of the product assembly secured to the retaining device. By correspondingly adjusting the retaining mechanism, the retaining device can be adapted to variations in the form of the product assembly to be secured to the retaining device. Due to the repositioning of the retaining mechanism and the associated change in the position of the product assembly on the retaining device, the principal plane of the product assembly secured to the retaining device will deviate from its horizontal orientation when the retaining mechanism was previously positioned. In this case, the tilted position of the principal plane of the product assembly secured by the repositioned retaining mechanism can be corrected by correspondingly changing the vertical dimension of one or more spacing retainers arranged between the retaining device and the support structure using an adjusting device according to the invention.

[0022] Preferably, one or more spacing retainers for the calibration device are provided between the support structure and the base structure of the retaining device.

[0023] When using a separation unit with a vibration generator, the holding device is preferably excited on its base structure to implement vertical vibration, which causes the workpiece component to detach from the product assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary schematic diagrams. These diagrams show:

[0025] Figure 1 A mechanical device for separating sheet metal components from residual grids in segmented sheet metal processing, having a horizontally oriented first product assembly (of the sheet metal components and residual grids).

[0026] Figure 2 according to Figure 1 The mechanical device, with a second product assembly consisting of sheet metal parts and remaining grilles, inclined relative to the horizontal plane, and

[0027] Figure 3 according to Figure 2 The components, with a horizontally oriented second product assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figures 1 to 3 A mechanical device 1 is shown for separating a workpiece component in the form of a sheet metal part 2 from a remaining grid 3. The sheet metal part 2 and the remaining grid 3 are processed products obtained by splitting the sheet metal using a laser cutting machine, which is located away from the mechanical device 1 and is not shown in the figures.

[0029] In the segmentation process using a laser cutting machine, nano-connections 4 are left between the sheet metal component 2 and the remaining grid 3, as well as between adjacent sheet metal components 2. Due to these nano-connections 4, the sheet metal component 2 and the remaining grid 3 constitute... Figure 1 Product assembly 5 and in Figure 2 and Figure 3 Product assembly 6. Product assembly 5 and product assembly 6 are removed as a whole from the laser cutting machine and transported to the mechanical unit 1.

[0030] For product assembly 5 and product assembly 6, machine device 1 has a holding device 7, which has a rigid base plate 8 as a base structure and a holding mechanism in the form of a clamp 9.

[0031] At clamp 9, product assembly 5 and product assembly 6 are fixed to holding device 7 in a gravitational direction. Clamp 9 is mounted on substrate 8 and is positioned opposite each other at a distance parallel to the main plane 10 (indicated by dashed lines) of product assemblies 5 and 6 fixed to holding device 7. To accommodate different forms of product assemblies 5 and 6, clamp 9 can be adjusted relative to substrate 8 and parallel to the main plane 10 of product assemblies 5 and 6 fixed to holding device 7, in the direction of double arrow 11.

[0032] A vibration generator 12 (an unbalanced exciter in the illustrated embodiment) is mounted on the upper side of the base plate 8 of the holding device 7. The vibration generator, together with the holding device 7, constitutes the separation unit 13 of the machine assembly 1. By means of the vibration generator 12, the holding device 7, with product assemblies 5 and 6, is subjected to vertical vibration. Due to the vibration of the product assemblies 5 and 6, the nano-connections 4 remaining between the individual pieces of the product assemblies 5 and 6 break, and the sheet metal component 2 detaches from the product assemblies 5 and 6, which are secured by the holding device 7. Under the influence of gravity, the sheet metal component 2, detached from the product assemblies 5 and 6, falls onto the horizontal storage surface 14 of the product storage section arranged below the holding device 7. Figures 1 to 3 The facility includes a traditional pallet truck 15 as a product storage area.

[0033] The mechanical device 1 has a support structure 16 for supporting and holding the device 7.

[0034] A spacing retainer is arranged vertically between the support structure 16 and the retaining device 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing retainer is configured as a compressed air bellows 17, by means of which the retaining device 7 can be effectively supported on the support structure 16 in the vertical direction. The compressed air bellows 17 is offset from each other parallel to the main plane 10 of the product assembly 5, 6, which is fixed by means of the retaining device 7.

[0035] The compressed air bellows 17 is spring-elastic in the vertical direction and acts as a spring damping device during the vertical vibration generated on the holding device 7 by means of the vibration generator 12 for loosening the sheet metal component 2 from the product assembly 5, 6, thus providing vibration isolation for the support structure 16 relative to the holding device 7. The compressed air bellows 17 largely prevents the transmission of vertical vibrations of the holding device 7 to the support structure 16. As the support structure 16 is a component of the advanced automation unit of the laser cutting machine and is connected to other components of the automation unit, vibration isolation of the support structure 16 is crucial.

[0036] Furthermore, the compressed air bellows 17 is a component of the leveling device 18 of the mechanical device 1, specifically a component of the calibration device 19 of the leveling device 18.

[0037] In addition to the compressed air bellows 17, the calibration device 19 of the leveling device 18 also includes an adjustment device 20 connected to the compressed air bellows 17. The adjustment device 20 for the compressed air bellows 17 has a compressor 22 equipped with a pressure regulating device 21. By applying a corresponding air pressure to the compressed air bellows 17, the vertical dimension of the compressed air bellows 17 can be adjusted independently of each other.

[0038] The adjustment device 20 of the calibration device 19 is controlled by the evaluation unit 23 of the inspection device 24. The inspection device 24 and the calibration device 19 together constitute the leveling device 18 of the mechanical device 1.

[0039] In addition to the evaluation unit 23, the inspection device 24 also includes a spacing measuring device. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing measuring sensor 25 is connected to the evaluation unit 23.

[0040] Before the vibration generator 12 is switched on, the spacing measuring sensor 25 measures the vertical distance between the retaining device 7 and the horizontally oriented support plane 26 of the support structure 16 at at least two (preferably three) spaced apart positions. The measurements obtained by the spacing measuring sensor 25 are evaluated in the evaluation unit 23 of the inspection device 24. If the evaluation results indicate that the retaining device 7 is not parallel to the support plane 26 of the support structure 16 and therefore lacks horizontal orientation, the evaluation unit 23 of the inspection device 24 adjusts the vertical dimension of the compressed air bellows 17 by applying a corresponding pressure load to the compressed air bellows 17 through the operation of the adjustment device 20 of the calibration device 19, thereby eliminating the deviation between the orientation and horizontal orientation of the retaining device 7. The product assemblies 5 and 6 fixed to the retaining device 7 are also horizontally oriented with respect to the retaining device 7.

[0041] Because of the horizontal orientation of product assembly 5, 6, the plate component 2 that is to be detached from product assembly 5, 6 is also horizontal, and therefore oriented in the same way as the storage surface 14 of pallet truck 15.

[0042] A spring element can be used instead of the compressed air bellows 17 as a spacing retainer between the retaining device 7 and the support structure 16. The vertical dimension of the spring element can be changed by adjusting the spring stiffness.

[0043] After the vibration generator 12 is turned on, the sheet metal component 2, detached from the product assembly 5, 6, maintains its orientation substantially parallel to the storage surface 14 until it is placed on the pallet trolley 15. When the sheet metal component 2 falls onto the storage surface 14, it will at most tilt slightly relative to the storage surface 14. Therefore, the sheet metal component 2 can be stored orderly and smoothly on the storage surface 14 of the pallet trolley 15.

[0044] Figure 1 The machine assembly 1 is shown with a horizontal nominal orientation, including a retaining device 7 and a product assembly 5 fixed thereon.

[0045] Figure 2 The diagram shows the position of the clamp 9 of the holding device 7 after adjusting it according to the dimensions of the product assembly 6. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the product assembly 6, the compressed air bellows 17 of the calibration device 19 is unevenly loaded by the holding device 7 and the product assembly 60 fixed thereto. This results in an inclined position for the holding device 7 and the product assembly 6.

[0046] exist Figure 3 In Figure 2 The tilted positions of the retaining device 7 and the product assembly 6 have been corrected by the leveling device 18 in the manner described above.

Claims

1. A mechanical device for separating a workpiece component (2) and a remaining grid (3) from a product assembly (5, 6) of the remaining grid (3) and the workpiece component (2) under the action of gravity, wherein the workpiece component exists as a processed product of segmented processing of a plate-shaped workpiece, particularly a plate, and the remaining grid exists as another processed product of segmented workpiece processing. ·in, The mechanical device includes a holding device (7), a separating unit (13), and a product storage section (15). • The retaining device (7) is configured to secure the product assembly (5, 6) along the direction of gravity before the separation of the workpiece component (2), and to secure the remaining grille (3) along the direction of gravity after the separation of the workpiece component (2). • The separation unit (13) is configured to detach the workpiece component (2) from the product assembly (5, 6) which is secured by the retaining device (7). • The product storage section (15) is arranged at a vertical distance below the product assembly (5, 6) which is fixed by means of the holding device (7), and • The product storage section (15) for storing the workpiece component (2) that has detached from the product assembly (5, 6) under gravity has a horizontal storage surface (14) that extends along the product assembly (5, 6) which is fixed by means of the holding device (7). Its features are, A leveling device (18) is provided, which enables the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by the holding device (7) to be oriented such that the main plane (10) of the product assembly (5, 6) is parallel to the horizontal storage surface (14) of the product storage section (15) before the workpiece component (2) is detached from the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by the holding device (7).

2. The mechanical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The leveling device (18) includes an inspection device (24) and a calibration device (19). • By means of the inspection device (24), the orientation of the main plane (10) of the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by means of the holding device (7) relative to the horizontal reference plane can be determined, and If the orientation of the main plane (10) of the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by means of the holding device (7) deviates from the orientation of the horizontal reference plane, the orientation of the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by means of the calibration device (19) can be calibrated so that the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by means of the holding device (7) extends in such a way that the main plane (10) is parallel to the horizontal reference plane.

3. The mechanical device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The orientation of the main plane (10) of the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by means of the retaining device (7) relative to the horizontal reference plane is determined by the orientation of the retaining device (7) relative to the horizontal reference plane. • The orientation of the holding device (7) relative to the horizontal reference plane can be determined by means of the inspection device (24), and • If the determined orientation of the holding device (7) deviates from the orientation of the horizontal reference plane, the orientation of the holding device (7) can be calibrated by means of the calibration device (19) so that the holding device (7) extends parallel to the horizontal reference plane.

4. The mechanical device according to claim 3, characterized in that, • A support structure (16) is provided for the holding device (7). The calibration device (19) has at least one spacing retainer (17) and an adjustment device (20) for the spacing retainer (17) in the vertical direction between the support structure (16) and the holding device (7), wherein the holding device (7) is vertically supported on the support structure (16) by means of the spacing retainer (17), and wherein the vertical dimension of the spacing retainer (17) can be adjusted by means of the adjustment device (20). • If the determined orientation of the retaining device (7) deviates from the orientation of the horizontal reference plane, the vertical dimension of the spacing retainer (17) between the support structure (16) and the retaining device (7) can be adjusted by means of the adjusting device (20) so that the retaining device (7) extends parallel to the horizontal reference plane.

5. The mechanical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, • The calibration device (19) has a plurality of spacing retainers (17) arranged vertically between the support structure (16) and the retaining device (7) and offset from each other parallel to the main plane (10) of the product assembly (5, 6) fixed by means of the retaining device (7). The spacing retainers have an adjustable vertical dimension and • If the determined orientation of the retaining device (7) deviates from the orientation of the horizontal reference plane, the vertical dimension of the spacing retainer (17) between the support structure (16) and the retaining device (7) can be adjusted in coordination with each other by means of the adjusting device (20), so that the retaining device (7) extends parallel to the horizontal reference plane.

6. The machine device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The support structure (16) for the retaining device (7) is oriented horizontally with respect to its support plane (26), in which the retaining device (7) is supported vertically on the support structure (16) by means of one or more spacing retainers (17). • By means of the inspection device (24) of the leveling device (18), the orientation of the retaining device (7) relative to the support plane (26) of the support structure (16) can be determined, and • If the determined orientation of the retaining device (7) deviates from the orientation of the support plane (26) of the support structure (16), the orientation of the retaining device (7) can be calibrated by means of the calibration device (19) so that the retaining device (7) extends parallel to the support plane (26) of the support structure (16).

7. The machine device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, At least one gap retainer (17) is constructed as a compressed air bellows, and The internal pressure of the compressed air bellows can be adjusted by means of the adjustment device (20) to adjust the vertical dimension of the compressed air bellows.

8. The machine device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, At least one gap retainer (17) is configured as a spring element, and The spring stiffness of the spring element can be adjusted by means of the adjustment device (20) to adjust the vertical dimension of the spring element.

9. The machine device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that, The separation unit (13) has a vibration generator (12) configured to cause the holding device (7) fixing the product assembly (5, 6) to generate vertical vibration, which causes the workpiece component (2) to detach from the product assembly (5, 6). At least one vertically elastic spring damping device is provided between the retaining device (7) and the supporting structure (16) for vibration isolation of the retaining device (7). The retaining device (7) is supported on the supporting structure (16) in a vibratory manner in the vertical direction by the spring damping device. The spring damping device is configured with a spacing retainer (17) between the retaining device (7) and the support structure (16), and the vertical dimension of the spring damping device can be adjusted by means of the adjustment device (20) of the calibration device (19).

10. The mechanical device according to claims 9 and 7, characterized in that, At least one compressed air bellows is provided between the retaining device (7) and the supporting structure (16) as a spring damping device.

11. The mechanical device according to claim 9 or 10 and claim 8, characterized in that, At least one spring element is provided between the retaining device (7) and the supporting structure (16) as a spring damping device.

12. The machine device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining device (7) has a retaining mechanism (9) and a base structure (8). The retaining mechanism (9) is mounted on the base structure, and the retaining mechanisms (9) are positioned opposite each other on the base structure at a horizontal distance parallel to the main plane (10) of the product assembly (5, 6) fixed to the retaining device (7). • The product assembly (5, 6) on the retaining mechanism (9) can be fixed to the retaining device (7) in a gravitational direction, and • At least one of the retaining mechanisms (9) is capable of closing and adjusting relative to the base structure (8) parallel to the main plane (10) of the product assembly (5, 6) fixed on the retaining device (7).

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