Method for cutting through a workpiece along a cutting line

Abstract

Method for cutting through a workpiece (1) along a cutting line (10), comprising the following steps: - Providing a tool setup (2) and a workpiece (1), - Determining a first distance (D1) of a first tool cutting edge (3) to a reference point (4), - Determining a second distance (D2) of a second tool cutting edge (5) to the reference point (4), - Calculating a virtual cutting line (6) from the first and second distances (D1, D2), and - Positioning the tool setup (2) relative to the workpiece (1) such that the virtual cutting line (6) coincides with the cutting line (10).

Description

[0001] A method for cutting a workpiece along a cutting line is described. The invention relates in particular to an improvement in the quality of machine tools when using saw blades.

[0002] Machine tools, for example those with so-called HSK tool holders (“HSK”, hollow taper shank), are known in the prior art. Lateral deviations of the tool can occur, for example due to imbalance, misalignment, dimensional deviations and / or vibrations.

[0003] The German patent application DE 101 44 508 C9 discloses a method for controlling relative movements of a tool against a workpiece, in which a tool axis of the tool can be pivoted or moved in all spatial dimensions for material removal machining of the workpiece, and in which a desired target contour of the workpiece is generated by a sequence of relative movements along a toolpath of the tool.

[0004] It is a problem to be solved for at least some embodiments to specify a method for cutting a workpiece along a cutting line, by which high dimensional accuracy and high production stability can be achieved.

[0005] This problem is solved by a method according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the subject matter are further described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawing.

[0006] In the method described here for cutting a workpiece along a cutting line, a tooling device and a workpiece to be cut are provided. The tooling device preferably includes a tool, such as a milling tool or a cutting tool, for example, a saw blade. Furthermore, the tooling device preferably includes a tool holder for receiving the tool. The tool can be aligned, for example, by a spindle or a linear axis. The workpiece to be cut can be, for example, a metal component, such as an aluminum or steel component. Preferably, the workpiece is clamped firmly in a holding device before the process begins.

[0007] A first distance is determined from the first cutting edge of the tool to a reference point, and a second distance is determined from the second cutting edge of the tool to the same reference point. The distance between the first and second cutting edges can, in particular, be the tool width or the cutting width of the tool.

[0008] Furthermore, a virtual cutting line is calculated from the first and second distances. In particular, the calculation of the virtual cutting line can be carried out such that the virtual cutting line has a third distance from the reference point, where the following applies: third distance = (first distance + second distance) / 2, In other words: "third distance equals the sum of first and second distances divided by 2".

[0009] Furthermore, the tooling unit is positioned relative to the workpiece so that the virtual cutting line coincides with the actual cutting line. The workpiece can then be cut by the tooling unit.

[0010] The method described here offers the advantage of halving the error, achieving high dimensional accuracy, and ensuring high production stability compared to the prior art. Manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for using the virtual cutting line or "virtual cutting edge." Furthermore, this method may eliminate the need for remeasurement after a tool change, thus avoiding downtime due to readjustment.

[0011] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the method described here for cutting a workpiece along a cutting line will become apparent from the following in conjunction with the Fig. 1 described embodiment.

[0012] The elements shown and their relative sizes are generally not to scale. Rather, individual elements may be exaggeratedly thick or large for clarity and / or better understanding.

[0013] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method described here according to an exemplary embodiment. In the method, a tooling device 2 with a tool 7 and a tool holder 8, as well as a workpiece 1 to be cut, which is a double part, are provided.

[0014] A first distance D1 from a first cutting edge 3 of the tool 7 to a reference point 4 is determined, and a second distance D2 from a second cutting edge 5 of the tool 7 to the reference point 4 is determined. Furthermore, a virtual cutting line 6 is calculated from the first and second distances D1 and D2, according to the following relationship: D3=(D1+D2) / 2.

[0015] The third distance D3 is therefore the distance from reference point 4 to the virtual cutting line.

[0016] The tooling unit 2 is positioned relative to the workpiece 1 such that the virtual cutting line 6 coincides with the cutting line 10. The workpiece 1 is then cut through by the tool 7 of the tooling unit 2.

[0017] The method described here advantageously achieves a halving of the error, high dimensional accuracy, and high production stability compared to the prior art. Manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for by means of the virtual cutting line 6, or the "virtual cutting edge".

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the embodiment shown in the figure may have further features according to the embodiments described in the general description. Reference symbol list 1 workpiece 2 Tool setup 3 first tool cutting edge 4 Reference point 5 second tool cutting edge 6 virtual cutting lines 7 tools 8 Tool holder 9 axis of rotation 10 Section line D1 first distance D2 second distance D3 third distance

Claims

[1] Method for cutting through a workpiece (1) along a cutting line (10), comprising the following steps: - Providing a tool setup (2) and a workpiece (1), - Determining a first distance (D1) of a first tool cutting edge (3) to a reference point (4), - Determining a second distance (D2) of a second tool cutting edge (5) to the reference point (4), - Calculating a virtual cutting line (6) from the first and second distances (D1, D2), and - Positioning the tool setup (2) relative to the workpiece (1) such that the virtual cutting line (6) coincides with the cutting line (10). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the calculation of the virtual cutting line (6) is carried out such that the cutting line (6) has a third distance (D3) from the reference point (4), wherein: or D3=(D1+D2) / 2. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool device (2) comprises a tool (7) and a tool holder (8). [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the tool (7) is designed as a saw blade or as a milling tool. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the workpiece is a metal component. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the workpiece is an aluminium or steel component.

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