Brush manufacturing machine

Abstract

Brush manufacturing machine, with a guide (26) extending along several processing stations (14, 16 ...) and along which at least one slide (12) can be moved successively through the processing stations (14, 16 ...), wherein the slide(s) (12, 12'...) have receptacles (30) for brush bodies (32) which are located in the processing stations (14, 16 ...) are processed differently, wherein the or several slides (12, 12') are assigned a total of several motors (29, 129, 229, 329) which are mounted on the slide(s) (12, 12'), and wherein the motors (29, 129, 229, 329) are assigned moving lines for the power supply and / or at least one moving line for signaling, which are coupled to a stationary power source (70) or a stationary control (48), characterized in that at least one of the lines is led from one to another motor (29, 129, 229, 329) and that the motors (29, 129, 229, 329) are energetically and / or signal-technically coupled to the at least one line.

Description

The invention relates to a brush manufacturing machine with a guide extending along several processing stations and along which one or more slides can be moved successively through the processing stations, wherein the slide(s) have receptacles for brush bodies which are processed differently in the processing stations, wherein the several slide(s) are assigned a total of several motors which are mounted on the slide(s), and moving lines for the power supply and / or at least one moving line for signaling are assigned, which are coupled to a stationary power source or a stationary control system. In the manufacture of brushes, such as toothbrushes, household brushes, or paintbrushes, it is common practice for a brush body to be successively guided to various processing stations, each performing a specific processing step, as described in DE 28 26 357 A1. For example, several holes can be drilled into the brush body at one processing station, and bristle bundles can be stuffed into the holes at a subsequent processing station. One or more carriages are used to move the brush bodies along a predetermined path, i.e., a predetermined guide, so that the bristle bodies arranged on them are successively offered to the different stations for processing. In a simple example, the brush manufacturing machine has a loading station, a drilling station, a stuffing station, and a removal station.Then, for example, three or four carriages can be used, which are moved one station further with each cycle of the brush manufacturing machine. Each carriage has one or more motors mounted on it, each producing individual movements. For example, brush manufacturing machines have one or more motors on each carriage to adjust the brush bodies as they are processed in the station. For instance, the brush bodies are adjusted after each tamping step to align the next free hole with the tamping tool. Power is supplied to the motors, and they are controlled via dedicated lines: power supply lines and signal lines. These lines lead to a stationary contact point, usually sliding contacts, to facilitate the transition from the moving to the stationary part. To ensure independent operation of the motors, each motor has its own set of sliding contacts, which guarantees the transition from the stationary to the moving section of the line. EP 1 240 849 A1 describes a brush manufacturing machine in which several workpiece holders are mounted on a drum. A cable, fixed centrally (i.e., immovably) to a control cabinet, runs to the drum and branches out there into lines, each leading to an associated motor to supply it with power. The drum rotates a maximum of 360° and is then returned to its starting position. The fixed mounting of the cable to the control cabinet and the drum's return rotation are highlighted as particularly advantageous because they minimize stress on the cable and ensure a reliable electrical connection. The object of the invention is to create a brush manufacturing machine that is more cost-effective in its construction and requires less maintenance. In a brush manufacturing machine of the type mentioned above, this is achieved by ensuring that at least one of the lines runs from one motor to another and that the motors are energetically and / or signal-wise coupled to the at least one line. In the invention, several motors share common sliding contacts, because they are connected to the same line that moves with the carriage(s), thus reducing the number of sliding contacts. While in the prior art there is always a separate connection for each motor to the power source or control system in order to supply each carriage directly from the power source and / or the control system, the invention takes the opposite approach. By coupling motors to a type of moving conductor for the common power supply and / or signal input, the number of contact points (normally sliding contacts) can be reduced to a minimum. This eliminates many expensive, maintenance-intensive contact points. Several motors thus share the same sliding contact for power supply and / or signal input. According to the invention, it is possible for several motors on a single carriage to be coupled to the same power supply and / or signal line(s), or for motors from different carriages, if multiple carriages are provided, to be coupled to the power supply and / or signal lines; hybrid configurations are also possible. These lines are not stationary but move along with the moving carriages. One embodiment of the invention provides that several motors are mounted on each of several carriages and are moved along them. Power supply and / or signal lines run directly from one carriage to another, without being connected to the power source or the control system in between. At least some of the motors on these carriages are connected to these power supply and / or signal lines for energy and / or signal purposes. The power supply and / or signal lines thus form a kind of ring circuit that extends across several carriages and is connected to the motors of different carriages. However, a closed ring circuit is not necessary; it is generally also possible to use power supply and / or signal lines that extend, so to speak, to the last motor supplied by these lines. This applies particularly to signal lines. Alternatively, an open bus system, such as a CAN bus, is used, in which at least one signal line, designed as a signal supply line, runs via the contact point to one or more slides. Several motors receive their signals via this line without the need for a second signal line. This further reduces the number of required sliding contacts. Preferably, the power supply lines (hereinafter also referred to as "power supply lines") and / or the at least one signaling line (hereinafter also referred to as "signal lines") run along the length of all carriages, preferably for both power supply and signaling purposes. This means that only one dedicated contact point is required for both the continuous signal line and the continuous power supply line, i.e., for example, two sliding contacts (one contact each for the beginning and end of each line). When using an open bus system, one sliding contact is sufficient for the line supply, i.e., the transition from the controller to the moving part. Preferably, not only are all carriages connected to the same power supply and / or signal lines, but also all motors of all carriages. Of course, especially for power supply, it might be advantageous to provide two or more power supply lines for a large number of motors, for example, to divide the motors into two or three groups. The carriages each have at least one motor for adjusting the mount relative to the carriage itself, in order to adjust the brush body at least in one processing station. Furthermore, each sled can carry a motor to move the sled along the track. These adjustment and / or movement motors can be connected to the same power supply and / or signal lines. However, it is also possible, for example, to connect only the motors for movement along the guide or only the motors for moving the brush bodies during processing to their own separate power supply and / or signal lines, or, as mentioned, to form groups. Either DC or AC motors can be used. In particular, at least some, preferably all, of the motors are servo motors. One embodiment of the invention provides for AC servomotors with an integrated controller. The guide preferably runs in a closed ring shape, although a circular path is not absolutely necessary. In the present invention, preferably no reversing operation is provided, i.e. the slides move only in one direction and are not moved in the opposite direction, as is mandatory in EP 1 240 849 A1. The brush manufacturing machine, for example, has a stationary central guide block around which the guide rotates and from which the energy and signal coupling of the movable lines to a central energy source or control system originates. Preferably, only one central energy source and / or one central control system is provided for all motors. As already mentioned, the moving power supply lines and / or at least one signal line can originate from a stationary, central contact point. In particular, all power supply lines and all signal lines originate from a single contact point. This contact point, for example, has sliding contacts for the transition from stationary contacts to moving contacts. A contact point preferably consists of a set of sliding contacts for the power supply lines and / or a set of sliding contacts for the signal line or lines. This set of sliding contacts comprises at least two individual sliding contacts for, so to speak, the beginning and end of the power supply line, or at least one sliding contact (if only a non-continuous signal line is present) for the signal line. In particular, a so-called hybrid cable leads to the individual motors or forms the movable ring line. The stationary contact point should be positioned in the middle of the circumferential guide, that is, in the middle of the area enclosed by the guide, in order to have the smallest possible distances to all carriages during the revolution. The power supply and / or signal lines run in a star shape from the center of the circumferential guide to the individual carriages. The power supply lines and / or the at least one signal line running between the directly coupled carriages—that is, the connecting lines between carriages that are directly successive in the circuit—preferably extend from one carriage first to the center and from there to the following carriage. Particularly when the carriages move largely independently of each other, the distance between them varies considerably during their rotation. This presents problems with the routing of the lines, as the lines must be long enough to compensate for the greatest distance and guided sufficiently to maintain a defined position at the smallest distance between the carriages. Furthermore, constant, sharp bending back and forth is very detrimental to the service life of the lines.The star-shaped routing of the cables towards the center ensures that the cables have V-shaped sections, with the center of the "V" also representing the center of the surrounding guide. If the carriages are spaced differently, the angle of the "V" would only become slightly smaller or larger, resulting in minimal stress on the cables themselves. Furthermore, the shortest distance of the carriages from the center usually varies less than the distance between adjacent carriages, making the star-shaped arrangement advantageous. The "V" can also be formed by using plug connectors in the center, to which connecting cable sections leading to the individual carriages can be detachably coupled. These plug connectors also form cable sections, as they connect one plug connector to another for a connecting cable section leading to the other carriage. It is not absolutely necessary for the immediately successive sleds to be connected to the same line one after the other. It would also be possible, for example, to connect the first, then the third, then the second, and then the fourth sled using circuitry. However, one embodiment of the invention provides for the power supply lines and / or the one or more signal lines running to the sleds to run from a guide to the center, then to the immediately following sled, and then to the subsequent sleds. The guide is preferably closed in a ring shape, but can deviate from a circular shape. In particular, the cables are guided in so-called energy chains, which are offered, for example, by the company Kabelschlepp®. This ensures that the cables have a defined path and are not bent beyond a minimum radius, regardless of the position of the carriages. All motors are preferably independently programmable. This allows the fixtures to be adjusted as desired relative to the machining stations. Stops can be at least partially eliminated. Furthermore, this independent adjustability means that the carriages do not have to be moved into or out of a machining station simultaneously, and / or the fixtures on the carriages do not have to be moved at the same time. This simultaneous movement was previously standard practice, for example, in drilling and plugging, where the drilling and plugging movements occurred synchronously. The complete independence of the movements makes it possible to optimize each movement for the specific machining task. This also means, for example, that one carriage can be moved out of one station while another is still in a different machining station.This can also reduce cycle times. The control system includes a bus system that allows for the specific control of each motor. This means the control system is designed to output motor-specific control data sets, which the motors then accept as assigned to them. Unassigned control data sets are essentially passed through unnoticed. The bus system can be either open (e.g., a CAN bus system) or closed. At least some servo motors can have an integrated controller, also called a driver. These drivers are attached directly to the motors or in close proximity to them and are preferably also coupled to encoders attached to the motors. The drivers receive the necessary information from the central control unit via the bus system and can then directly control the motor and change its power supply. The encoder then transmits the motor's position signals to the driver, which processes them and moves the motor into position accordingly. Instead of transmitting signals via a cable, a wireless transmission can also be used. This would either relay the signals for all motors of a sled to the individual sleds, meaning that a central receiver is located on each sled. Alternatively, each motor can have its own receiver, or groups of motors can have their own receiver, through which they then receive the control signals. Of course, in this context, it is also quite practical to use motors with an integrated driver, meaning that the driver is directly coupled to the receiver or has an integrated receiver. The invention preferably provides for a single direction of rotation for the slides. Therefore, there is no reversing operation. Prior art production machines with extra-long cables allow the slide(s) to rotate multiple times until the cables are twisted to a tolerable degree. The machine is then moved into the opposite direction. This reversing operation requires increased complexity in terms of both the control system and the mechanical components. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the following drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show: - Fig. 1 a brush manufacturing machine in a schematic top view; - Fig. 2 a schematic section along line II-II of Fig. 1; and - Fig. 3 a schematic view of the circuits of the motors of the brush manufacturing machine according to the invention; and - Fig. 4 a ring contact for another embodiment of the invention. The figures schematically show a brush manufacturing machine which has a guide block 10 along which several slides 12 can be adjusted in a circumferential direction. Several machining stations 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 are arranged around the guide block 10. When the carriages 12 are moved around the guide block 10, they move past the machining stations. The guide block 10 is provided with a guide 26, the function of which is to mount the slides 12 movably on the guide block 10. The guide 26 is intended, in particular, to ensure that the slides 12 are guided precisely and with as little tolerance as possible. The guide 26 can, for example, be designed as a guide rail on which the slides 12 are guided with rollers, rolling bearings or similar elements. A drive device 28 is provided for adjusting the carriages 12, allowing each carriage to be moved individually and independently around the guide block 10. The only limitation on the individual movement of the carriages is that no carriage can overtake another. Otherwise, each carriage can be moved individually and independently of the other carriages with regard to travel distance and speed. The drive device 28 can, for example, be formed by a drive motor 29 on each slide 12, which is coupled to a drive element, for example a drive wheel or a gear 31, which in turn interacts with a corresponding counter element of the central guide block 10, for example a raceway or a rack 33 (Fig. 2). The drive device 28 can also be designed as a linear motor assigned to the slide, which adjusts it without contact relative to the guide block 10. Alternatively, the drive device 28 can consist of multiple belt drives, allowing the slides to be adjusted individually. By appropriately assigning the belt drives to the processing stations, it is possible to manage with fewer belt drives than there are slides. This minimizes cycle time by allowing the slides to be adjusted individually and independently of each other only in the area of ​​a few processing stations, for example, in the area of ​​the drilling and stuffing stations. Meanwhile, the slides can be adjusted synchronously (and thus by means of the same belt drive) from a removal to a loading station without negatively impacting the cycle time. The drive devices mentioned are merely examples and not an exhaustive list. Each carriage 12 has at least one receptacle 30 for a brush body 32. In the illustrated embodiment, two receptacles 30 are used per carriage, mounted on a common, height-adjustable support 34. If necessary, more receptacles can be provided. Each mounting 30 can be pivoted or tilted about two axes. Firstly, a pivoting device 36 is provided, with which each mounting 30 can be pivoted about a pivot axis S by means of motors 129. The pivot axis S is aligned parallel to the adjustment direction of the slides. Furthermore, a tilting device 38 is provided with which the receptacle 30 can be tilted about a tilting axis K by means of motors 229 (see Fig. 2). The tilting axis K is perpendicular to the adjustment direction V of the slides 12. Furthermore, a height adjustment 40 is provided, with which the carrier 34 can be adjusted in a vertical direction relative to the slide 12, i.e. in the direction of the double arrow H, by means of motors 329. Each sled 12 carries one engine each of 29, 129, 229 and 329. With reference to the orientation of the brush-making machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the height adjustment 40 adjusts a support 34 vertically, i.e., up and down. The tilting device 38 can tilt its associated receptacle 30, relative to Fig. 1, clockwise and counterclockwise about the tilting axis K (see also the double arrow K in Fig. 1). The pivoting device 36 can pivot its associated receptacle 30, relative to Fig. 1, clockwise and counterclockwise about the pivoting axis S (see also the double arrow S in Fig. 2). Terms like "above" or similar are used here only as a reference to the figures. The brush-making machine can later be arranged differently, as the guide 26 does not have to be located in a horizontally extending plane, as shown in the drawings. A control unit 48, shown schematically here, is provided for adjusting the carriages 12 along the guide 26 and the fixture 30. This control unit can be freely programmed as desired. Depending on the desired machining steps, the control unit 48 regulates the speed and increments at which the carriages 12 move along the guide 26. The processing stations can perform different processing steps. For example, processing station 14 can be a loading station where empty clamping devices 30' are fitted with brush bodies 32 to be processed. The processing station 16 can be a drilling station where a drill 50 is used to drill holes in the brush body 32 with a reciprocating motion along the direction of the double arrow B. The necessary longitudinal adjustment of the brush body 32, i.e., along the adjustment direction V of the slide 12 on the guide 26, is achieved by moving the slide 12 relative to the processing station 16 in small increments by means of the drive device 28, specifically for each row of holes to be drilled by the hole spacing. In the vertical direction, the brush bodies 32 are adjusted by means of the height adjustment 40, specifically for each row of holes to be drilled by the hole spacing. If the holes in the brush body 32 are to be drilled in directions that are not parallel to each other, the brush body 32 is pivoted and / or tilted appropriately by means of the swivel device 36 and the tilting device 38. The processing station 18 can be a tamping station in which a tamping tool 52, in a reciprocating motion along the double arrow P, tamps bundles of bristles 60, which are held in a storage box 54, into the holes of the brush body 32. Here, too, the brush body 32 is positioned relative to the tamping tool 52 by appropriately controlling the drive device 28, the height adjustment 40, the swivel device 36, and the tilting device 38. The processing station 20 can be a removal station in which the brush body 32, equipped with bristle bundles, is removed from the clamping device 30' or simply ejected. Depending on the processing steps to be carried out by the brush manufacturing machine, additional processing stations can be used. For example, a trimming station can be provided in which the bristles 60 attached to the brush body 32 are cut and / or ground to obtain a desired length and / or profile. In this case, the unloading station, viewed in the adjustment direction V, will naturally be located downstream of the trimming station. The brush manufacturing machine can be coupled to an injection molding station, so that in an adjacent injection molding station the brush bodies are first injection molded or additional parts are injection molded onto previously manufactured brush bodies. From the injection molding station, these brush bodies are then transported manually or, preferably fully automatically, to the brush manufacturing machine and coupled into the machine at the loading station. This can be done in various ways. If the carriers do not leave the brush manufacturing machine, the brush bodies are inserted into the carriers within the machine. Alternatively, the carriers could also be inserted into the machine already loaded at the loading station. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the carriers circulate within the brush manufacturing machine and therefore do not leave it. It is also possible to configure the brush manufacturing machine with two separate units: one half with a loading station, various processing stations, and a removal station, and the other half with another loading station, several processing stations, and a removal station. This allows the number of brushes produced per cycle to be doubled. It is not necessary to preposition the brush bodies before each of the processing stations. It is advisable to do so where it is advantageous in terms of cycle time, particularly before the drilling station and the packing station. The loading and unloading stations are less critical in this respect, as there is a comparatively large amount of time available there; the cycle rate is usually determined by the time required at the drilling or packing station to process the entire brush body 32. It is also essential for the described brush manufacturing machine that there is no longitudinal adjustment device between the slide 12 and the clamping device 30' associated with it, since the longitudinal adjustment of the brush body 32 relative to the corresponding processing station, i.e. in the direction of the adjustment direction V, is carried out by the individual adjustment of the slides 12 relative to the guide block 10. It is evident that not all carriages need to be moved independently relative to each other. Individual adjustment of the carriages is necessary where it offers advantages for optimizing cycle times and with regard to pre-positioning, for example, from the loading station to the drilling station and from the drilling station to the tamping station. The carriages currently located in the loading station and the unloading station can also be adjusted synchronously at the same time. Because the adjustment movements of the brush bodies being processed in the drilling station and the subsequent packing station are not simultaneous, but rather independent and decoupled from each other, it is possible to produce brush bodies with different hole geometries and / or different brush body shapes simultaneously in one brush manufacturing machine. This can be achieved without stopping the machine, i.e., without manual changeovers. This allows different types of brushes to be produced alternately, for example, a hand broom followed by a room broom or a toilet brush. Some or all of the motors 29, 129, 229, 329 may be designed as DC or AC servomotors, in particular AC servomotors. Each servomotor 29 is supplied by at least one power supply line 84 and at least one signal line 86. The power supply is provided by a central energy source 70 and the signal supply by the controller 48. A stationary, central contact point 72 is provided in the center of the rotating guide 26, i.e., in the center of the guide block 10. This contact point 72 comprises a type of circular cylindrical column with a few sliding contacts, through which the current and signal flow to the individual motors 29, 129, 229, 329 is carried out. A set of sliding contacts 74, 76 is provided for the power supply and a set of sliding contacts 78, 80 for the signal supply. Each set of sliding contacts has at least two movable contacts, which are, for example, attached to a rotating slip ring 82, and corresponding stationary contacts, which are located on the column and are permanently connected to the power source 70 and the control unit 48. The sliding contacts 74, 76 are connected to the conductors of the power supply line 84, which has a first section leading to a motor 29 of a carriage 12. The power supply line 84, which has at least two conductors (even more conductors for AC motors), forms a ring line to which the motors are connected. Optionally, and this is not to be understood as restrictive, the power supply line can be led from motor 29 to motor 129 and then to motor 229 and then to motor 329 of carriage 12, so that all motors of carriage 12 are connected to the power supply line 84. Alternatively, it would also be possible to provide a separate power supply line 84 for motor 29 and a common power supply line for motors 129, 229, 329, or to connect only motors 129 or motors 229 or motors 329 to a common line. However, there are also motors that are, or must be, controlled by more than two power lines and more than two signal lines. For these, a separate set of sliding contacts is provided for the power supply and a separate set for the signal supply. In this case, the lines required for the power supply and signal supply of one motor are also used for the power supply and signal supply of some or all motors, so that no extra lines and, more importantly, sliding contacts are needed for other motors. Alternatively, multi-core cables, such as hybrid cables, can be used, combining several lines into one cable. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the signal line 86 is configured such that it runs from the associated sliding contact to the first motor 29 on the carriage 12, then along this carriage to the second motor 129, and so on, and from the carriage 12 back to the center and then directly to the motors 29, 129, 229, 329 of the second carriage 12', and so on, until it is finally coupled back to the stationary part of the contact point via a sliding contact 80. A series connection of the motors is possible for the signal line connection, but it is not mandatory. A type of ring circuit for the signal supply is also shown for the signal line 86, to which the individual motors 29, etc., of the carriages are in turn coupled. Regardless, the power supply line 84 and the signal line 86 do not extend back to the sliding contacts after the carriage 12, but only to the center of the guide block 10, in order to then run directly to the motors 29, 129, 229, 329 of the adjacent carriage 12' and from there to the motors of the next adjacent carriage 12'', etc. This means that all motors within a carriage and all motors of all carriages are connected to the same line 84 or 86, both with regard to the power supply and the signal supply. However, it would also be possible to connect the drive motors of carriages 12, 12', etc. to one line and separately connect the motors 129 to 329 of all carriages to a separate line with their own sliding contacts, again with regard to both the power supply and the signal supply. From the last carriage 12''' the power supply and signal lines then run back to the column to the associated sliding contacts 76 and 80 respectively. This results in a kind of star-shaped structure, viewed in the direction of the axis of the ring 82, of the power supply lines 84 and signal lines 86. The signal line is usually multi-core. The control unit 48 is implemented with a bus system, so that specific control data sets for the individual motors 29, 129, 229, 329 are output on the same line, which are recognized by the motors as belonging to them. All slides 12 are arranged independently and freely programmable relative to the processing stations, which means that the distances between adjacent slides are variable. However, the corresponding lines 84, 86 are hardly stressed as a result; only the angle α (see Fig. 3) between the lines 84, 86 of adjacent slides, which are arranged as bundles, changes. The distance between the stationary contact point, i.e. the center of the guide block 10 and the individual carriages is variable during a revolution of the carriage, since the guide 26 does not move in a circle, but essentially forms a rectangular path with rounded corners. To ensure stable guidance of the conductors 84, 86 from the center to the carriages, the conductor sections from the center to the individual carriages are each guided in energy supply chains 90, as shown schematically in Fig. 3. These energy supply chains 90 compensate for longitudinal displacement by a kind of rolling motion of the chain, thereby preventing kinking of the conductors 84, 86. These energy supply chains 90 are attached to the ring 82 on one side and to the guides on the other. While in the prior art a separate set of sliding contacts was provided for each motor, the invention is aimed at supplying several motors with energy and / or signals via the same set of sliding contacts. As previously mentioned, the motors can be servo motors, particularly those with an integrated controller 99, 199, 299 or 399. Furthermore, the motors are equipped with their own encoders 101, 201, 301, 401, which transmit the position of the motor shafts to the associated controller. The signal lines 86 thus run to the controllers 99, 199, 299, 399 of the individual motors, which then control the respective electric motor, in particular its displacement, by receiving position feedback from the encoders 101, 201, 301, 401. However, the overall control is still carried out via the central control unit 48. Fig. 4 shows a slightly modified version compared to Fig. 3, where functionally identical parts bear the same reference numerals and only the differences are discussed. In this embodiment, the slip ring or a moving part already incorporates integrated, moving ring conductors 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, each of which is associated with sliding contacts. These ring lines are part of the power supply lines 84 and the signal lines 86. For example, the signal line 86, which leads to the motors on the carriage 12 and can also be multi-core, is connected to the ring 82 via a plug contact. The corresponding line section 86' to the motors of the carriage 12' is then also directly connected to the ring line 107. From a circuit perspective, this results in a line routing in which one line section 86' to a motor is routed back to the ring line 107 via a conductor, in order to be connected to the other line section 86' via the ring line 107, which then leads to the motors of the carriage 12'. Here too, compared to the state of the art, there is a significant reduction in the number of sliding contacts. Here too, several motors share the same set of sliding contacts. If an open bus system is used, a single signal line 86 can be used, which then terminates at the last motor 329 of the carriage 12''' without running back to the contact point. If more than one signal line 86 is required for control, these signal lines 86 terminate at the last motor 329 of the carriage 12'''. In all the embodiments shown, no reversing operation is provided, i.e., the slides only move in one direction on the circumferentially closed, i.e., ring-shaped guide and are not moved in the opposite direction.

Claims

Brush manufacturing machine, with a guide (26) extending along several processing stations (14, 16 ...) and along which at least one slide (12) can be moved successively through the processing stations (14, 16 ...), wherein the slide(s) (12, 12'...) have receptacles (30) for brush bodies (32) which are located in the processing stations (14, 16 ...) are processed differently, wherein the or several slides (12, 12') are assigned a total of several motors (29, 129, 229, 329) which are mounted on the slide(s) (12, 12'), and wherein the motors (29, 129, 229, 329) are assigned moving lines for the power supply and / or at least one moving line for signaling, which are coupled to a stationary power source (70) or a stationary control (48), characterized in that at least one of the lines is led from one to another motor (29, 129, 229, 329) and that the motors (29, 129, 229, 329) are energetically and / or signal-technically coupled to the at least one line. Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that several motors (29, 129, 229, 329) are mounted on several carriages (12, 12') and that the lines for the power supply and / or the at least one line for signaling are led directly from one carriage to another (12, 12') and motors (29, 129, 229, 329) of these carriages (12, 12') are energetically and / or signal-technically coupled to at least one moving line. Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that several slides (12, 12') are provided and motors (29, 129, 229, 329) of all slides (12, 12'...) are energetically and / or signal-technically coupled to at least one of the moving lines. Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all motors (29, 129, 229, 329) of all carriages (12, 12'...) are energetically and / or signal-technically coupled to the at least one moving line. Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage(s) (12, 12'...) have at least one motor (129, 229, 329) for adjusting the receptacle (30) relative to the carriage (12, 12'...). Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a motor (29) for moving the carriage (12,12'...) along the guide (26) is attached to each of the carriages (12,12'...). Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide (26) runs in a closed ring shape. Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide (26) revolves around a stationary guide block (10). Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the slides (12, 12'...) are moved only in one direction of movement along the guide (26). Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the moving conductors originate from a stationary, central contact point (72). Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the contact point (72) has sliding contacts (74 - 80) for the transition from a stationary contact to a movable contact. Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that only one set of sliding contacts (74, 76) is provided for the moving lines for the power supply and / or one set of sliding contacts (78, 80) for the at least one moving line for signaling. Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 7 or 8 and additionally according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the stationary contact point (72) is provided in the middle of the circumferential guide (26). Brush manufacturing machine according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the lines for the power supply and / or the at least one line for signaling run in a star shape from and to the center of the circumferential guide (26). Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 13, characterized in that the line or lines leading to the carriages (12, 12'...) run from one carriage (12, 12'...) first to the center and there to the following carriage (12, 12'...). Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide (26) is ring-shaped and deviates from a circular shape, in particular wherein the conductors are guided in energy guide chains (90). Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all motors (29, 129, 229, 329) are independently programmable. Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control (48) has an open or closed bus system, which is designed to output specific control data sets for the individual motors (29, 129, 229, 329). Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the motors (29, 129, 229, 329) are servomotors. Brush manufacturing machine according to claim 18, characterized in that at least some of the servomotors (29, 129, 229, 329) have an integrated controller. Brush manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal transmission from the control (48) to the carriage(s) (12, 12'...), in particular directly to the individual motors (29, 129, 229, 329), is designed as radio transmission.

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