Method for the temporary installation of a tension frame

Abstract

Method for the temporary stationing of a clamping frame (1), in particular in the context of carrying out a type change in a processing station (2) in which workpieces (3), such as vehicle bodies, are joined using clamping frames (1, 11), characterized in that that the clamping frame (1) is temporarily stored between a transfer line (4), along which workpieces (3) to be joined are conveyed within a production line (100) through the processing station (2), and a clamping frame travel axis (5) running essentially parallel to the transfer line (4), along which clamping frames (1, 11) can be transported to or from the processing station (2), wherein the production line (100) has a conveying device by which the clamping frame (1) is transported perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer line (4) to the temporary storage location (9) between the transfer line (4) and the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6), wherein the conveying device includes a transversely movable feed carriage, and wherein a further clamping frame (1) is temporarily mounted between the transfer line (4) and a further clamping frame travel axis (6), which runs on a side of the transfer line (4) facing away from the clamping frame travel axis (5) and is essentially parallel to the transfer line (4).

Description

[0001] A method is provided for temporarily stationing a clamping frame, particularly during a type change in a processing station. The processing station can, in particular, be part of a production line or assembly line, wherein workpieces, such as vehicle bodies and / or body components, are joined in the processing station using clamping frames.

[0002] Such processing stations, such as so-called framing stations or geostations, are known from practice. They serve to clamp and join the parts of a fed workpiece, in particular a vehicle body, in a predetermined, precise position. For this purpose, clamping frames are used which are stored, for example, in one or more frame magazines and transported to the work station and back to the magazine by means of a feed device. The clamping frames are usually designed as essentially flat support frames on which several controllable clamps can be arranged. In framing stations for vehicle bodies, two such clamping frames are usually placed on either side of a pre-clipped body, for example. A conveyor device can be provided for transporting the clamping frames. This conveyor device can be designed as a rail track and runs along a clamping frame travel axis parallel to the workpiece transfer line.

[0003] The processing station normally comprises one or more processing robots, such as welding robots, by means of which one or more components to be welded can be welded to the already prefabricated part of the workpiece or the body-in-white.

[0004] Examples of such processing stations include EP 903 197 A1 or EP 909 603 A1, DE 198 20 094 A1, DE 199 38 683 A1, and WO 92 / 19486 A1, in which the clamping frame is replaced whenever the workpiece to be machined is changed. The clamping frames are usually located in special magazines. Typically, a large number of different clamping frames are provided, which are often stored in space-consuming magazines until needed.

[0005] Existing production lines or assembly lines can usually only be expanded during ongoing production at considerable expense. For example, if additional successor types are to be integrated, additional clamping frames suitable for these successor types must be provided at the processing station, which is usually not easily possible due to a lack of space.

[0006] Based on the prior art, it is an object of at least some embodiments to specify a method for temporarily stationing a clamping frame, by means of which a production line can be extended to further subsequent types to be processed in a processing station without high effort or additional costs.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method according to the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are further apparent from the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0008] In the method described here for temporarily stationing a clamping frame, in particular when carrying out a type change in a processing station in which workpieces, such as vehicle bodies or body components, are joined using clamping frames, according to the invention at least one clamping frame is temporarily stored or "intermediately stored" between a transfer line and a clamping frame travel axis running essentially parallel to the transfer line. The transfer line is preferably designed to convey workpieces to be machined or joined in a conveying direction towards the processing station or away from the processing station. Clamping frames can be transported along the clamping frame travel axis towards the processing station or in the opposite direction away from the processing station.

[0009] For example, the clamping frame travel axis can have a rail guide that extends parallel to and laterally spaced from the transfer line. Furthermore, preferably on a side of the transfer line facing away from the clamping frame travel axis, another clamping frame travel axis extends essentially parallel to and spaced from the transfer line. Clamping frames can be advanced to two opposite sides of the workpiece by the clamping frame travel axis and the additional clamping frame travel axis. The processing station can be designed, in particular, as a joining station, such as a framing station, geostation, and / or welding station.

[0010] In modern and flexible vehicle production, it is common practice for different types of a vehicle model or even different vehicle models to be manufactured on a single production or assembly line, which requires frequent clamping frame changes. The method according to the invention advantageously enables expansion to a successor model or an additional vehicle type without requiring high investment expenditure and / or space requirements for storing additional types of clamping frames outside the clamping frame travel axes. In particular, integration into existing production lines is enabled, whereby the existing peripherals, e.g. with regard to the conveying and / or lifting technology, remain virtually unchanged. This results in a reduction in integration losses, since new clamping frames can be integrated into the system parallel to the series frame. In comparison to known standard solutions, such asThe provision of clamping frames by means of rotary table devices advantageously results in a significantly smaller space requirement.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, an additional clamping frame is temporarily stored between the transfer line and the additional clamping frame travel axis. This allows two clamping frames, which are specifically designed for a specific vehicle type and are positioned on two opposite sides of the workpiece or vehicle body in the processing station during use, to be temporarily stored without requiring additional space.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, two clamping frames are temporarily stored between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis, and between the transfer line and the additional clamping frame travel axis. For example, two of the clamping frames can be temporarily stored on a first side of the processing station, and two additional clamping frames can be temporarily stored on a second side of the processing station opposite the first side, respectively, between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis and between the transfer line and the additional clamping frame travel axis. This allows four clamping frames that are not currently in use in the processing station to be temporarily stored in the immediate vicinity of the processing station.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the production line comprises a conveyor device by which the clamping frame is transported perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer line to the temporary storage location between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis and / or between the transfer line and the additional clamping frame travel axis. Furthermore, the production line can comprise one or more additional conveyor devices by which clamping frames, which are stored between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis or the additional clamping frame travel axis, can be transported perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0014] Furthermore, to reach the temporary storage location, the clamping frame can first be moved away from the processing station along the clamping frame travel axis and then moved by the conveyor system perpendicular to the clamping frame travel axis in the direction of the transfer line. The additional clamping frames that are to be temporarily stored between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis or another clamping frame travel axis can also be moved away from the processing station along the clamping frame travel axis and then moved by the conveyor system perpendicular to the clamping frame travel axis or another clamping frame travel axis in the direction of the transfer line.

[0015] Furthermore, the clamping frame can be moved by the conveyor system from the temporary storage location perpendicular to the transfer line in the direction of the clamping frame travel axis for use in the processing station, and then along the clamping frame travel axis to the processing station. The other clamping frames, which are temporarily stored between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis or other clamping frame travel axes, can also be moved by the respective conveyor systems perpendicular to the transfer line in the direction of the clamping frame travel axis for use in the processing station, and then along the clamping frame travel axis to the processing station.

[0016] The conveyor device or the respective conveyor devices can each have a pushing unit and / or a pulling unit and / or a rotating unit for moving the clamping frames perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer line. For example, the conveyor device can comprise a transversely movable feed carriage.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, a clamping frame parked in a temporary storage location between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis or another clamping frame travel axis has a maximum distance of 10.0 m, preferably a maximum distance of 5.0 m, from a workpiece arranged in the processing station or from the vehicle body arranged in the processing station. Preferably, all clamping frames that are intermediately stored between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis or another clamping frame travel axis have a maximum distance of 15.0 m, preferably a maximum of 10.0 m, particularly preferably a maximum of 5.0 m, from a workpiece arranged in the processing station or from the vehicle body arranged in the processing station.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the temporarily stored clamping frame is mounted between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis or another clamping frame travel axis in such a way that a workpiece that has been completely machined in the processing station can be transported on the transfer line past the temporarily stored clamping frame. Furthermore, temporarily stored clamping frames, which are located upstream of the processing station between the transfer line and the clamping frame travel axis or another clamping frame travel axis with respect to the conveying direction of the transfer line, can be mounted in such a way that a workpiece to be machined in the processing station can be transported on the transfer line past the temporarily stored clamping frame.

[0019] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the method described here for the temporary stationing of a clamping frame are described below in conjunction with the Fig. 1 to 3. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a production line with a processing station according to the prior art, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a production line with a processing station or a method described here according to an embodiment, and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a production line with a processing station or a method described here according to a further embodiment.

[0020] In the exemplary embodiments and figures, identical or similarly functioning components may be provided with the same reference numerals. The illustrated elements and their relative sizes are generally not to scale. Rather, individual elements may be exaggeratedly thick or oversized for clarity and / or clarity.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a production line 100 with a processing station 2 according to the prior art. The processing station 2 is designed as a joining station or so-called framing station or geostation and serves for the precise joining of workpieces 3, which can in particular be body components of vehicle bodies. For example, floor assemblies of vehicle bodies can be brought into the processing station 2 using a suitable conveyor along a transfer line 4 in the conveying direction, where they can be completed with other body components, e.g., side walls and roof parts, clamped, and joined by means of welding, gluing, or similar joining processes.

[0022] Clamping frames 11 are used for clamping. These can be equipped with clamping tools and can be pinned to a station frame and precisely positioned in processing station 2. Components, such as side panels, can also be fed simultaneously using the clamping frames 11. Alternatively, the floor assembly and side panels, as well as any other body components, can be fed loosely pre-positioned onto transfer line 3. The body components are clamped and processed in processing station 2 at a so-called work station. If work is carried out on both sides of transfer line 4, two such work stations are available.

[0023] To carry out the joining operation, the processing device 2 comprises, for example, one or more multi-axis movable robots, e.g., at least six-axis articulated arm robots, with suitable tools, e.g., laser welding tools, spot welding tools, glue guns, or the like.

[0024] The required clamping frames 11 are temporarily stored in a parking position 8 until their use, for example in a turntable changing device 7 and / or outside two clamping frame travel axes 5, 6, which run on both sides of the transfer line 4 and essentially parallel to and spaced from the transfer line 4. Clamping frames 11 can be transported to the processing station 2 or transported away from the processing station 2 by the clamping frame travel axes 5, 6.

[0025] The Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for temporarily stationing two clamping frames 1, wherein two clamping frames 1 are each temporarily stored in a parking position 9 between the transfer line 4 and the clamping frame travel axis 5 or the further clamping frame travel axis 6. This advantageously allows an existing production line 100 to be expanded with a further vehicle type with little effort.

[0026] When used in the processing station 2, the clamping frames 1 are transported by a conveyor device perpendicular to the transfer line in the direction of the clamping frame travel axis 5 or the further clamping frame travel axis 6 and then conveyed on the clamping frame travel axis 5 or on the further clamping frame travel axis 6 in the direction of the processing station 2. After their use in the processing station 2, the clamping frames 1 are moved along the clamping frame travel axis 5 or along the further clamping frame travel axis 6 and then perpendicular to the clamping frame travel axis 5 or clamping frame travel axis 6 by the conveyor device in the direction of the transfer line 5 to the parking position 9 between the transfer line 4 and the clamping frame travel axis 5 or the further clamping frame travel axis 6 and are temporarily stored there. The clamping frames 1 temporarily stored in the parking position 9 are preferably a maximum distance of 5.0 m from the processing station 2 orto the vehicle body 3 arranged in the processing station 2.

[0027] In the Fig. 3 shows a method according to the invention according to a further embodiment. In contrast to the method described in connection with Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, two additional clamping frames 1 are temporarily stored between the transfer line 4 and the clamping frame travel axis 5 or the additional clamping frame travel axis 6 in parking positions 9. The two additional clamping frames 1 are temporarily stored on a side of the processing station 2 opposite the two first, intermediately stored clamping frames 1. This advantageously allows an existing production line 100 to be expanded by two additional vehicle types without requiring significant effort or excessive space requirements.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments shown in the figures may have further features according to the embodiments of the general description. List of reference symbols 1, 11 clamping frames 2 processing stations 3 Workpiece 4 Transfer line 5, 6 Clamping frame travel axis 7 Turntable changing device 8, 9 Parking position 100 production lines

Claims

[1] Method for the temporary stationing of a clamping frame (1), in particular in the context of carrying out a type change in a processing station (2) in which workpieces (3), such as vehicle bodies, are joined with the aid of clamping frames (1, 11), characterized by , that the clamping frame (1) is temporarily stored between a transfer line (4), along which workpieces (3) to be joined are conveyed through the processing station (2) within a production line (100), and a clamping frame travel axis (5) running essentially parallel to the transfer line (4), along which clamping frames (1, 11) can be transported to or from the processing station (2), wherein the production line (100) has a conveyor device by which the clamping frame (1) is transported perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer line (4) to the temporary storage location (9) between the transfer line (4) and the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6), wherein the conveyor device comprises a transversely movable feed carriage, and wherein a further clamping frame (1) is temporarily mounted between the transfer line (4) and a further clamping frame travel axis (6), which runs substantially parallel to the transfer line (4) on a side of the transfer line (4) facing away from the clamping frame travel axis (5). [2] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two clamping frames (1) are temporarily stored between the transfer line (4) and the clamping frame travel axis (5) and between the transfer line (4) and the further clamping frame travel axis (6). [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein two of the clamping frames (1) are temporarily stored on a first side of the processing station (2) and two further clamping frames are temporarily stored on a second side of the processing station (2) opposite the first side, each between the transfer line (4) and the clamping frame travel axis (5) or between the transfer line (4) and the further clamping frame travel axis (6). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping frame (1) is first moved along the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6) away from the processing station (2) to reach the temporary storage location (9) and then is moved by the conveyor device perpendicular to the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6) in the direction of the transfer line (4). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping frame (1) for use in the processing station (2) is moved by the conveyor device from the temporary storage location (9) perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer line (4) to the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6) and then along the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6) to the processing station (2). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device comprises a pushing unit and / or a pulling unit and / or a rotating unit for moving the clamping frame (1) perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer line (4). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a clamping frame (1) placed in a temporary storage location (9) between the transfer line (4) and the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6) has a maximum distance of 5.0 m from a workpiece (3) arranged in the processing station (2). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping frame (1) is mounted between the transfer line (4) and the clamping frame travel axis (5, 6) in such a way that a workpiece (3) which has been finished in the processing station (2) can be transported on the transfer line (4) past the temporarily mounted clamping frame (1).

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