Device and method for operating a device

Abstract

Device (10) for releasing a workpiece (12) with a cut edge (14) produced by a machine tool (20) for a processing operation. The device comprises a detection device (16) and a control device (18). The detection device (16) is configured to detect the shape of the cut edge (14). The control device (18) is configured to release or not release the workpiece (12) for the processing operation based on the detected shape of the cut edge (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for operating a device.

[0002] Machine tools are often used to cut a workpiece. After cutting the workpiece, the workpiece has a cutting edge created by the machine tool. The shape of the cutting edge depends on at least one cutting parameter of the machine tool used to create the cutting edge. If an unsuitable cutting parameter is used to cut the workpiece, the cutting edge may contain a machining defect, for example, in the form of a burr.

[0003] If the cut edge has a machining defect and the workpiece undergoes a processing step, such as painting or bending, the machining defect often affects the quality of the process. For example, the machining defect can result in not all parts of the workpiece being completely painted or in the workpiece being damaged during bending.

[0004] DE 10 2021 200 598 A1 discloses a device for analyzing a cut edge of a workpiece. The workpiece is held in a workpiece holder, with the cut edge illuminated at an acute angle in the cutting direction or counter to the cutting direction. The roughness and the cut edge bevel can be captured with a camera under such illumination. The camera creates a set of cut edge images to characterize the cut edge.

[0005] DE 10 2019 209 088 A1 discloses a method for evaluating a laser-cut edge of a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of: A) acquiring image data of the laser-cut edge and its surroundings, B) segmenting the image data and identifying a segment of interest in the image data, wherein the segment of interest comprises image data of the laser-cut edge, C) performing image quality detection for the segment of interest, and D) generating an output for a user based on the image quality detection.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a device that enables the assurance of high quality in a manufacturing process and / or the increase of the degree of automation, particularly in continuous production. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating the device.

[0007] The invention solves this problem by providing a device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 13. Advantageous developments and / or embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] A device according to the invention is designed to release a workpiece with a cutting edge created by a machine tool for a processing process. The device has a detection device and a control device. The detection device is designed to detect the shape of the cutting edge. The control device is designed to release or not release the workpiece for the processing process based on the detected shape of the cutting edge.

[0009] Advantageously, by releasing the workpiece for processing by means of the control device, the degree of automation, particularly in flow production, can be increased. Advantageously, releasing the workpiece for processing ensures that only a released workpiece passes through the processing process, thus ensuring a high level of processing quality.

[0010] The machine tool can be a cutting machine, in particular a laser cutting machine or a laser cutting system.

[0011] The workpiece may be a sheet metal. In particular, a width and / or a length of the workpiece may be more than five times, in particular ten times, the thickness of the workpiece.

[0012] The control device can be a computer-implemented control device. The control device can comprise, in particular, a computing device, a microcontroller, a computer, a production control system, a manufacturing execution system, a programmable logic controller, and / or an IPC-based controller.

[0013] The cutting edge may contain a machining error. Detecting the cutting edge's formation may include detecting the machining error. The release or non-release of the workpiece may be based on the frequency and / or severity of the machining error. For example, the workpiece may not be released due to a severe machining error. For example, the workpiece may be released due to a minor machining error.

[0014] The machining defect can be a burr, a melt that has folded over, slag adhesion, splashing on an upper and / or lower surface of the workpiece, a wavy cut start, groove lag, roughening, pitting, spontaneous combustion, slagging, cut surface discoloration, corner discoloration, and / or cut end discoloration. Additionally or alternatively, the machining defect can be a deviation of a position and / or a position of the cutting edge from a specified target position and / or a specified target position of the cutting edge. Additionally or alternatively, the machining defect can be a deviation from a specified target symmetry of the workpiece.

[0015] The detected formation of the cutting edge may deviate from a predetermined target formation of the cutting edge. The target formation of the cutting edge may have a rectangular cross-section. The deviation may occur due to a machining error. The control device may be configured to evaluate the deviation from the target formation of the cutting edge and compare it with a predetermined limit evaluation. The control device may be configured to release the workpiece if the evaluation of the deviation is equal to or better than the predetermined limit evaluation, and to not release the workpiece if the evaluation of the deviation is worse than the predetermined limit evaluation.

[0016] The deviation assessment may be poor if the cutting edge has numerous machining defects and / or severe machining defects. The deviation assessment may be good if the cutting edge has few machining defects and / or mild machining defects.

[0017] The limit assessment can be an assessment of a deviation from the target formation of the cutting edge at which a high quality of the processing process can be achieved and / or at which the processing process can be carried out.

[0018] A robot can feed the workpiece to the fixture to release the workpiece for processing.

[0019] If the workpiece is released, the workpiece can proceed through the processing process. If the workpiece is not released, the workpiece cannot proceed through the processing process.

[0020] In a further development of the device, the processing process includes deburring the cut edge, welding the workpiece, bending the workpiece, painting the workpiece, and / or punching the workpiece. The processing process can be deburring the cut edge, welding the workpiece, bending the workpiece, painting the workpiece, and / or punching the workpiece.

[0021] For example, the processing process may be welding the workpiece, whereby releasing the workpiece ensures that the edges to be welded lie cleanly against each other and do not have any burrs that cause a welding defect.

[0022] For example, the processing process may be bending the workpiece, where releasing the workpiece ensures that the workpiece to be bent does not have a burr that causes a bending defect.

[0023] For example, the processing process may be painting the workpiece, whereby the release of the workpiece ensures that the workpiece to be painted does not have any burrs that cause a painting defect.

[0024] In a further development of the device, the control device is designed to determine a parameter of the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge. Advantageously, the determined parameter enables the workpiece to undergo the processing process, in particular even though the workpiece has the processing error and / or deviation. For example, a value of the parameter of the processing process can be determined based on a characteristic of the detected formation of the cutting edge. The parameter of the processing process can be determined in such a way that the formation of the cutting edge is changed by the processing process. For example, the processing error and / or deviation can be reduced by means of the processing process.

[0025] In a further development of the device, the processing parameter comprises a deburring parameter, a welding parameter, a bending parameter, a painting parameter, and / or a punching parameter. The deburring parameter can comprise a rotation speed of a tool for deburring the workpiece. The welding parameter can comprise a welding speed for welding the workpiece. The bending parameter can comprise a bending force for bending the workpiece. The painting parameter can comprise a painting direction for painting the workpiece. The punching parameter can comprise a punching force for punching the workpiece.

[0026] In a further development of the device, the control device is designed to determine a material parameter of the workpiece and / or an orientation of the workpiece, in particular based on the detected formation of the cutting edge. The control device can be designed to release or not release the workpiece for the processing process based on the determined material parameter and / or the determined orientation of the workpiece. The material parameter can be a material type of the workpiece and / or a thickness of the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece can be a layer and / or a position of the workpiece. In particular, the orientation of the workpiece can be an orientation of a top side of the workpiece and / or an orientation of a bottom side of the workpiece.

[0027] In a further development of the device, the control device is designed to determine, based on the detected cutting edge configuration, whether turning the workpiece is necessary for the processing. For example, the determination of whether turning the workpiece is necessary can be based on detecting a top side and / or a bottom side of the workpiece.

[0028] Turning the workpiece may be referred to as turning the workpiece over. Turning the workpiece may involve rotating the workpiece. Turning the workpiece may involve rotating the workpiece by 180°. The control device may be configured to initiate the turning of the workpiece.

[0029] For example, turning the workpiece may be necessary if the processing involves deburring the cut edge and a burr on the cut edge to be removed faces away from a deburrer. After turning the workpiece, the deburrer can remove the burr. For example, turning the workpiece may be necessary if the processing involves painting one side of the workpiece and a burr on the cut edge faces a painting nozzle. After turning the workpiece, the painting nozzle can paint that side of the workpiece without being affected by the burr.

[0030] The control device can be configured to initiate, after the workpiece has been turned, feeding the turned workpiece to the detection device for detecting the formation of the cutting edge for the purpose of releasing or not releasing the turned workpiece. The control device can be configured to not release a turned workpiece if the control device determines that the turned workpiece has been turned based on the detected formation of the cutting edge of the turned workpiece.

[0031] In a further development of the device, the control device is designed to determine a processing process prior to the processing process from a set of predetermined upstream processing processes based on the detected formation of the cutting edge. The upstream processing process may be necessary for the smooth running of the processing process. The upstream processing process may be a repetition of the last processing process through which the workpiece has undergone. After passing through the upstream processing process, the workpiece can be fed back to the device for the purpose of releasing or not releasing it.

[0032] In a further development of the device, the set of predetermined upstream processing steps includes at least deburring the cut edge and / or grinding the cut edge. For example, the processing step can be painting, wherein the device, based on the detected shape of the cut edge, detects a burr to be removed before painting and determines deburring of the cut edge as a upstream processing step.

[0033] In a further development of the device, the control device is configured to optimize at least one cutting parameter of the machine tool based on the detected cutting edge configuration. The control device can be configured to optimize the cutting parameter in such a way that a deviation of a cutting edge of another workpiece, created by the machine tool using the optimized cutting parameter, from the desired cutting edge configuration is minimized. The control device can be configured to optimize the cutting parameter in such a way that the cutting edge does not exhibit any machining errors.

[0034] The cutting parameter can be a focus diameter, a laser power, a nozzle focus distance, a nozzle-workpiece distance, a feed rate, a gas pressure, a nozzle diameter or a gas type.

[0035] The control device can be designed to optimize several cutting parameters of the machine tool based on the detected formation of the cutting edge, in particular simultaneously.

[0036] The detection device can be designed to detect a formation of a cutting edge that was created with the optimized cutting parameters, wherein the control device can be designed to optimize the optimized cutting parameters of the machine tool based on the detected formation of the cutting edge that was created with the optimized cutting parameters.

[0037] In a further development of the device, the detection device comprises an optical sensor, a tactile sensor, and / or an acoustic sensor for detecting the formation of the cutting edge. The optical sensor can comprise, in particular, a digital camera for taking a photograph of the cutting edge and / or a light section sensor, in particular for detecting a height profile of the cutting edge. The tactile sensor can comprise, in particular, a probe for scanning the cutting edge. The acoustic sensor can comprise, in particular, an ultrasonic sensor.

[0038] In a further development of the device, the device comprises a manipulator for gripping, moving, and / or manipulating the workpiece. The control device is designed to control the manipulator, in particular depending on the detected formation of the cutting edge. For example, before the workpiece is released, the control device can control the manipulator such that the workpiece is gripped by the manipulator and moved to the detection device for detecting the formation of the cutting edge. For example, after the workpiece is released, the control device can control the manipulator such that the workpiece is clamped into a machine tool by means of the manipulator to carry out the processing.

[0039] In a further development of the device, the detection device is arranged on the manipulator. The detection device can be designed to detect the formation of the cutting edge when the workpiece is gripped by the manipulator.

[0040] A method according to the invention for operating a device described above comprises the steps of: a) detecting the formation of the cutting edge and b) releasing or not releasing the workpiece for the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge.

[0041] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following drawings, their description, and the patent claims. All features disclosed in the drawings, their description, and the patent claims can be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a device for releasing a workpiece, Fig. 2 a schematic view of the workpiece of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic view of another workpiece, Fig. 4 a schematic view of a layout of a flow production with the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for operating the device of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 shows a further schematic flow diagram of the process of Fig. 5.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a device 10 for releasing a workpiece 12 with a cutting edge 14 created by a machine tool for a processing process.

[0043] The device 10 has a manipulator 26 for gripping, moving, and manipulating the workpiece 12. The manipulator 26 is a robot with a gripper 28 for gripping the workpiece 12. Fig. 1 shows that the workpiece 12 is gripped by the gripper 28.

[0044] The device 10 has a control device 18. The control device 18 is a computer-implemented control device in the form of a computer. The control device 18 is designed to control the manipulator 26. The control device 10 can control the manipulator 26 such that the workpiece 12 is gripped, moved, or released by the gripper 28.

[0045] The device 10 has a detection device 16 for detecting a formation of the cutting edge 14. The detection device 16 has an optical sensor 22 in the form of a digital camera.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment, the detection device 16 may, in addition to or alternatively to the optical sensor 22, have a tactile sensor 24 and / or an acoustic sensor 25 for detecting the formation of the cutting edge 14.

[0047] The detection device 16 is arranged on the manipulator 26. The control device 18 has controlled the manipulator 26 such that the cutting edge 14 of the workpiece 12 faces the detection device 16. The detection device 16 is designed to detect the formation of the cutting edge 14 when the workpiece 12 is gripped by the manipulator 26. The detection device 16 creates a photograph of the cutting edge 14 of the workpiece 12 gripped by the manipulator 26.

[0048] Fig. Figure 2 shows the workpiece 12 gripped by the manipulator 26. The workpiece 12 is a sheet metal. The cutting edge 14 was created using a laser cutting machine. The cutting edge 14 has a machining defect. The machining defect is a burr 30 and a roughening 32.

[0049] The detection of the formation of the cutting edge 14 by means of the detection device 16 comprises a detection of the burr 30 and the roughening 32.

[0050] The control device 18 is configured to release or deny the workpiece 12 for processing based on the configuration of the cutting edge 14 detected by the detection device 16. The release or deny of the workpiece 12 is determined based on the shape of the burr 30 and the roughening 32.

[0051] In the example shown, the Fig. 2, the burr 30 and the roughening 32 are so pronounced that the processing process is not impaired by the presence of the burr 30 and the roughening 32.

[0052] The control device 18 is configured to determine an orientation of the workpiece 12 based on the detected configuration of the cutting edge 14. In the illustrated example, the workpiece 12 gripped by the manipulator 26 is oriented such that the cutting edge 10 extends orthogonally to a viewing direction of the camera 22. The processing process is not impaired by such an orientation of the workpiece 12.

[0053] The control device 18 releases the workpiece 12 for processing based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14 and the determined orientation of the workpiece 12. Due to the release, the workpiece 12 can proceed through the processing process.

[0054] The control device 18 is designed to determine, based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14, whether turning the workpiece 12 is necessary for the processing process.

[0055] In the example shown, the processing process involves painting one side 34 of the workpiece 12 and painting the cutting edge 14. Fig. 1 shows that page 34 is viewed by a viewer of the Fig. 1 and the burr 30 point upwards. Therefore, the control device 18 determines, based on the orientation of the burr 30, that turning the workpiece 12 is necessary for the processing. Turning the workpiece 12 is a rotation of the workpiece 12 by 180°. The control device 10 controls the manipulator 26 such that the workpiece 12 is turned. After turning, the burr 30 points from a viewer of the Fig. 1 downwards and page 34 upwards.

[0056] The control device 18 is configured to determine a painting parameter for the painting process based on the detected configuration of the cutting edge 14. The painting parameter is a painting direction. The control device 18 determines the painting direction based on the roughening 32 such that, when the cutting edge 14 is painted, an applied paint penetrates into the spaces between the roughening 32. This results in a continuous paint layer on the cutting edge 14. Advantageously, the applied paint fills the spaces between the roughening 32, thereby reducing the severity of the roughening 32.

[0057] The control device 18 controls the manipulator 26 in such a way that the workpiece 12 is clamped by means of the manipulator 26 into a machine tool in the form of a painting machine for carrying out the painting.

[0058] In Fig. 3 is a variant of the workpiece 12 of the Fig. 2, wherein identical and functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals and in this respect reference is made to the above explanations regarding the embodiment of the Fig. 2, so that essentially only the existing differences are addressed.

[0059] The workpiece 12 of the Fig. 3 has a burr 30 which is so pronounced that the processing process cannot be carried out due to the presence of the burr 30. If the workpiece 12 of the Fig. 3 is gripped by the manipulator 26, the formation of the cutting edge 14 is detected by the detection device 16. The control device 18 does not release the workpiece 12 for the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14. Therefore, the workpiece 12 cannot undergo the processing process.

[0060] The control device 18 is designed to determine a processing process prior to the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14 from a set of predetermined upstream processing processes. The set of predetermined upstream processing processes includes at least deburring of the cutting edge 14 and / or grinding of the cutting edge 14. In the illustrated example of the Fig. 3, the identified upstream processing step is deburring of the cutting edge 14.

[0061] The control device 18 is configured to optimize at least one cutting parameter of the machine tool based on the detected configuration of the cutting edge 14. The control device 18 optimizes the at least one cutting parameter of the machine tool such that further cutting edges created with the machine tool using the optimized cutting parameter have no burr 30 or have a burr 30 that is significantly reduced in its severity. The control device 18 is configured to transmit the at least one optimized cutting parameter of the machine tool to the machine tool.

[0062] Fig. 4 shows a schematic layout of a flow production 100 with the device 10 of Fig. 1. The device 10 is arranged between the machine tool 20 in the form of a laser cutting machine and the machine tool 36 in the form of a painting machine. The flow production line also has a machine tool 38 in the form of a deburring machine.

[0063] After the cutting edge has been created with the laser cutting machine 20, the workpiece 12 is fed to the device 10. The device 10 detects the formation of the cutting edge 14 and, based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14, releases the workpiece 12 for painting with the painting machine 36. Based on the release by the device 10, the workpiece 12 is fed to the painting machine 36.

[0064] If the device 10 does not release the workpiece 12 for painting with the painting machine 36 and determines deburring of the cut edge 14 as a prior processing step, the workpiece 12 is fed to the deburring machine 38. After deburring the cut edge 14 with the deburring machine 38, the workpiece 12 is fed to the device 10. The device 10 detects the formation of the deburred cut edge 14 and, based on the detected formation of the deburred cut edge 14, releases the workpiece 12 for painting with the painting machine 36. Based on the release by the device 10, the workpiece 12 is fed to the painting machine 36.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the device does not release the workpiece after deburring the cut edge and determines that the cut edge must be deburred again as a preliminary processing step. The workpiece is fed back to the deburring machine for deburring the cut edge. After deburring the cut edge again with the deburring machine, the workpiece is fed back to the device for the purpose of releasing or not releasing the workpiece.

[0066] In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the device does not release the workpiece after deburring the cut edge and determines the subsequent processing step of re-creating a cut edge. The workpiece is fed to the machine tool for re-creating the cut edge. After re-creating the cut edge with the machine tool, the workpiece is fed to the device for the purpose of releasing or not releasing the workpiece.

[0067] In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the device does not release the workpiece after deburring the cut edge and determines that the next processing step is to remanufacture the workpiece. The workpiece is sent to the waste collection, and the machine tool is instructed to remanufacture the workpiece.

[0068] Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for operating the device 10. The method has the steps: a) detecting the formation of the cutting edge 14 and b) releasing or not releasing the workpiece 12 for the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14. Simultaneously with step b), the step is carried out: c) optimizing at least one cutting parameter of the machine tool 20 based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14. In the illustrated example of the Fig. 5, the workpiece 12 has been released in step b). After the workpiece 12 has been released, the following steps are executed: d) determining a processing parameter based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14; and e) determining, based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14, whether turning the workpiece 12 is necessary for the processing. Steps d) and e) are executed simultaneously. In an alternative variant, steps d) and e) can be executed consecutively.

[0069] Fig. Figure 6 shows another schematic flow diagram of the method of Fig. 5. In contrast to the flow chart of Fig.5, the workpiece 12 was not released in step b). After the workpiece 12 has not been released, the following step is executed: f) Determining a processing process prior to the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge 14 from a set of predetermined upstream processing processes.

[0070] As the embodiments shown and explained make clear, the invention provides a device and a method for operating a device which ensure a high quality of a processing process and / or which increase a degree of automation, in particular of a flow production. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 200 598 A1

[0004] DE 10 2019 209 088 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Device (10) for releasing a workpiece (12) with a cutting edge (14) produced by a machine tool (20) for a processing process, the device comprising: - a detection device (16) for detecting a formation of the cutting edge (14), and - a control device (18) which is designed to release or not release the workpiece (12) for the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge (14). [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, - wherein the processing process comprises deburring the cut edge (14), welding the workpiece (12), bending the workpiece (12), painting the workpiece (12) and / or punching the workpiece (12). [3] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the control device (18) is designed to determine a parameter of the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge (14). [4] Device (10) according to claim 3, - wherein the processing parameter comprises a deburring parameter, a welding parameter, a bending parameter, a painting parameter and / or a punching parameter. [5] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the control device (18) is designed to determine a material parameter of the workpiece (12) and / or an orientation of the workpiece. [6] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the control device (18) is designed to determine, based on the detected formation of the cutting edge (14), whether turning the workpiece is necessary for the processing process. [7] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the control device (18) is designed to determine a processing process prior to the processing process from a set of predetermined upstream processing processes based on the detected formation of the cutting edge (14). [8] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the set of predetermined upstream processing processes comprises at least deburring of the cutting edge (14) and / or grinding of the cutting edge (14). [9] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the control device (18) is designed to optimize at least one cutting parameter of the machine tool (20) based on the detected formation of the cutting edge (14). [10] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the detection device (16) comprises an optical sensor (22), a tactile sensor (24) and / or an acoustic sensor (25) for detecting the formation of the cutting edge (14). [11] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the device (10) comprises a manipulator (26) for gripping, moving and / or manipulating the workpiece (12), - wherein the control device (18) is designed to control the manipulator (26). [12] Device (10) according to claim 11, - wherein the detection device (16) is arranged on the manipulator (26). [13] A method for operating a device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: a) detecting the formation of the cutting edge (14), and b) Releasing or not releasing the workpiece (12) for the processing process based on the detected formation of the cutting edge (14).

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