Processing station for body components

Abstract

A processing station (B1...B12) for large-area components of a motor vehicle body, arranged in a processing cabin which is largely sealed off from the escape of noise, dust, etc., with a rotatably and pivotably arranged holder for a component and with a vertical partition wall (3) arranged in the axis of rotation of the processing station to form a largely enclosed working space and to separate the working space from a loading and unloading point for components (1, 11), characterized in that the holder (2, 20) for the component (1, 11) can be pivoted from a vertical position running essentially parallel to the partition wall (3) into a substantially horizontal processing position which is freely accessible for processing and vice versa, wherein the holder (2,20) in the vertical position, together with the partition wall, can be rotated by 180° from the processing area into the loading and unloading position, and several processing stations (B1-B12) are arranged one behind the other along a loading and unloading line, and parallel rows (B1-B5 or B6-B12) of processing stations are provided along the loading and unloading line.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a processing station for particularly large-area components, e.g. components of a motor vehicle body, wherein the processing takes place in a processing cabin that is largely sealed against escaping noise, dust, etc.

[0002] Manufacturing and processing devices for car body components are available in various designs. They typically include, in addition to the actual processing station, a transfer or removal station, with these stations being functionally interconnected. Processing and / or handling robots are typically used for processing, loading, and removal of the components to be processed.

[0003] Regarding the state of the art, reference is made to the following publications: DE 42 90 927 C2, DE 44 22 380 A1, DE 197 13 860 A1, DE 203 04 022 U1, DE 20 2005 001 780 U1, DE 20 2006 021 053 U1, EP 0 977 651 B1 and EP 1 601 492 B1. All devices known from these publications have in common that they attempt to simplify machining processes and, in some cases, to make them more flexible.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in addition to the desired simplification, to offer a processing station which largely relieves the operator(s) of their workload and is optimized with regard to the work processes to be carried out as well as the loading and unloading process for components to be processed and is protected from noise and dust from the environment.

[0005] According to the invention, the above object is achieved in a machining station of the type mentioned at the outset in that, in the case of a rotatable and pivotable holder for a component to be machined, a vertical partition wall is provided in the axis of rotation associated with the holder to form a largely enclosed working space and to separate this working space from a loading and unloading point for the component to be machined, wherein the holder for the component can be pivoted from a vertical position running essentially parallel to the partition wall with the component fastened to the holder via grippers into a substantially horizontal processing position freely accessible for processing and vice versa, and wherein the holder in the vertical position can be rotated together with the partition wall through 180° from the processing space into the loading and unloading position for the component.

[0006] Such processing stations can be arranged one after the other along a loading and unloading line for the series production of such components, whereby the loading and unloading of the components can be carried out by a handling robot that can be moved automatically along the loading and unloading line.

[0007] A large number of such processing stations can be arranged in parallel rows along such a loading and unloading line.

[0008] The above and further features of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0009] The Fig. 1 to 4 the processing station according to the invention in different positions and Fig. 5 schematically shows a processing line for series production with a plurality of work stations according to the invention.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a machining station according to the invention in a position suitable for full-surface machining, e.g., a front hood of a motor vehicle, in the exemplary embodiment for finishing the surface of the front hood of a motor vehicle (sanding unevenness). The component 1 is fixed on a holder 2 in a substantially horizontal position. The machining station is housed in a machining cabin (not shown) which is largely sealed off from escaping noise, dust, and the like, and within which the machining takes place. Opposite the feeding line (see below), the machining cabin is largely sealed off by a vertical partition wall which is part of the machining station. A further component 11, which is ready for subsequent machining after completion of the machining of component 1, is clamped on a second holder 20.

[0011] Once the machining process of component 1 is completed, the fixture 2 with the clamped component 1 is pivoted by 90° (see arrow) and thus brought into a position essentially parallel to the partition wall 3. Subsequently, the machined component 1 in the fixture 2 supporting it, together with the partition wall 3 and the component 11 to be machined, is rotated by 180° on the second fixture 20 on the machining station - see Fig. 3. As soon as the twisting process is completed, the completely machined component 1 can be removed by the handling robot; at the same time, the component 11 to be machined in the second holder 20 can be moved from the vertical position to a substantially horizontal position (see arrow in Fig. 4) can be swivelled for freely accessible processing.

[0012] Following the removal of the machined component 1, the handling robot reloads the holder 2 with a component to be machined.

[0013] In Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a processing line with several processing stations of the type described above. A handling robot feeds the components, which are fed to the handling robot 2 for processing in the direction of the arrow, individually to the processing stations arranged in two lines. In the individual processing stations B1 to B12, the components are loaded or unloaded and processed in the order specified by the Fig. 1 to 4 above. The removal of the machined components from the processing line can be carried out via the removal stations E1 or E2.

Claims

[1] A processing station (B1...B12) for large-area components of a motor vehicle body arranged in a processing cabin which is largely sealed off from noise, dust, etc., with a rotatable and pivotable holder for a component and with a vertical partition wall (3) arranged in the axis of rotation of the processing station to form a largely sealed working space and to separate the working space from a loading and unloading point for components (1, 11), characterized byin that the holder (2, 20) for the component (1, 11) can be pivoted from a vertical position running essentially parallel to the partition wall (3) into a substantially horizontal processing position freely accessible for processing and vice versa, wherein the holder (2, 20) in the vertical position can be rotated together with the partition wall through 180° from the processing space into the loading and unloading position and a plurality of processing stations (B1-B12) are arranged one behind the other along a loading and unloading line and parallel rows (B1-B5 or B6-B12) of processing stations are provided along the loading and unloading line.

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