Heating device for heating a circuit board made of metal or plastic and forming station for a circuit board made of metal or plastic

Abstract

A heating device for heating a circuit board made of metal or plastic has a first heating plate, adjustable by a hydraulic adjustment device, and a second heating plate connected to a counter bearing. The first and second heating plates are adjustable relative to each other between an open and a closed position. The counter bearing is provided with a plurality of hydraulic and / or pneumatic clamping devices by which the second heating plate can be clamped directly or indirectly against the first heating plate. A forming station with a corresponding heating device and a forming device has a common hydraulic adjustment device so that the heating device and the forming device are moved synchronously.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heating device for heating a circuit board made of metal or plastic, with a 1st heating plate which is adjustable with a hydraulic adjustment device, and a 2nd heating plate which is connected to a counter bearing, wherein the 1st heating plate and the 2nd heating plate are adjustable relative to one another between an open position in which they are arranged at a mutual distance so that the circuit board can be inserted into or removed from an intermediate space formed between the heating plates, and a closed position in which the circuit board is clamped between the heating plates.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a forming station for a blank made of metal or plastic with a corresponding heating device and a forming device which has a first tool part and a second tool part which are adjustable relative to one another by means of a hydraulic adjusting device for forming the blank.

[0003] It has long been known to form a metal blank, for example made of steel or aluminum, or a blank made of a thermoplastic material, in a hydraulic press. For this purpose, the blank, which is a flat plate, is heated to a desired temperature in a heating device and then transferred to a forming device, where the blank is formed into the desired configuration between two tool parts that are brought together by a hydraulic press. The formed component is then usually cooled and, if necessary, cut or punched.

[0004] For cost-effective component production, it is necessary to keep the cycle time, i.e., the duration of the individual process steps, as short as possible. To achieve this, a process described in US Pat. No. 11,313,010 B2 involves heating the circuit board with a heating gradient of more than 100 K° / s up to 300 K° / s. Only such rapid heating of the circuit board makes it possible to achieve the desired short cycle times, but in practice, it is difficult to introduce the necessary heat energy into the circuit board in such a short time.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a forming station for a metal or plastic board and in particular a heating device for heating a metal or plastic board of the type mentioned, with which the board can be heated quickly to a desired temperature.

[0006] This object is achieved with regard to the heating device according to the invention by a heating device having the features of claim 1. It is provided that the counter bearing, via which the second heating plate is supported, has a plurality of hydraulic and / or pneumatic clamping devices, in particular in the form of hydraulic and / or pneumatic piston-cylinder units, with which the second heating plate can be clamped directly or indirectly against the first heating plate.

[0007] For example, it is assumed that the circuit board is made of a 5000 or 6000 aluminum alloy, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0008] The invention is based on the basic idea that a rapid heating gradient for the board of at least 100 K° / s can be achieved if a high, uniform, full-surface contact pressure is applied between the heating plates and the board. In particular, the invention aims to compensate for the deflections of the first and second heating plates by the clamping devices. This can be achieved, for example, using a special so-called cushion technique.

[0009] Preferably, the first heating platen is connected to a hydraulically adjustable ram of the forming station and is adjusted by the latter. A plurality of hydraulic and / or pneumatic clamping devices, preferably arranged in a field-like grid, are integrated into the counter-bearing supporting the second heating platen. This can, for example, consist of the clamping devices being positioned in a 4x5 matrix to form a preferably flat cushion, i.e., four rows of five spaced-apart clamping devices are provided, thus forming a 4x5 field. Other numbers of clamping devices are also possible, although a rectangular field is preferred.

[0010] The clamping devices are each subjected to hydraulic or pneumatic pressure and are dimensioned and operated in such a way that the deflections of the 2nd heating plate and also the 1st heating plate and thus also of the board clamped between them are compensated under force.

[0011] The heating plates are preferably designed so that they can follow the deflections of the press ram that occur during operation, i.e. they are relatively flexible so that full-surface contact is ensured between the board and the heating plates.

[0012] The clamping devices can be supplied with pressure in the form of a communicating tube so that the clamping devices can be adjusted uniformly.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, however, it can alternatively be provided to divide the total number of clamping devices into several groups and supply these groups with pressure independently of one another in order to generate different contact pressures in certain areas. The clamping devices within a group can then be adjusted uniformly.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, however, it can be provided that the tensioning devices are each supplied with pressure individually and independently of one another in order to achieve a desired, freely selectable force distribution across the field or the cushion.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that a pressure piece serving as a chuck is arranged on at least some clamping devices, and preferably on all clamping devices, on the side facing the second heating plate. The pressure pieces can be interchangeable and designed identically for all clamping devices; however, it is also possible to use different pressure pieces in order to adjust the clamping force for several clamping devices or even for all clamping devices.

[0016] It has proven advantageous if the clamping devices do not act directly on the second heating plate, but rather if a distributor plate is arranged between the clamping devices and the second heating plate. The distributor plate is preferably made of steel and can have a thickness in the range of 30 mm to 100 mm.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distributor plate rests on the clamping devices and is mounted in a floating manner. This allows the distributor plate to undergo displacements and deformations in its plate plane without excessive constraint stresses occurring.

[0018] Preferably, the distributor plate carries the second heating plate, which is placed on the distributor plate or preferably fastened to it.

[0019] The second heating plate can have thermal insulation on its side facing the clamping devices or the distribution plate, via which it rests on the distribution plate. Additionally, the second heating plate can be surrounded by insulation on its side edges.

[0020] Preferably, a guide device is provided for the distributor plate, which undergoes deformation and / or displacement perpendicular to its plate plane due to the clamping devices, to prevent the distributor plate from deflecting sideways. Preferably, the distributor plate is guided by guide pins, wherein, in one possible embodiment of the invention, the guide pins penetrate the distributor plate with clearance, so that the floating mounting of the distributor plate on the clamping devices is not impeded.

[0021] Preferably, the board should only touch the heating plates shortly before reaching the closed position, i.e., when the heating plates move together and clamp the board between them. It should also be ensured that the board quickly leaves the heating plates after heating to the desired temperature. In a further development of the invention, a hydraulic and / or pneumatic lifting device can therefore be provided, by means of which the board can be lifted from the second heating plate into a lifting position.

[0022] The lifting device can comprise several lifting pins that are mounted on and connected to a common lifting plate. The lifting plate can be moved and adjusted together with the lifting pins, for example, using hydraulic or pneumatic piston-cylinder units or by means of gas springs. In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the lifting pins and preferably also the lifting plate are preloaded into the lifting position by the gas springs or the piston-cylinder units.

[0023] When the circuit board is inserted into the space between the first and second heating plates, the lifting pins protrude from the second heating plate on the upper side of the first heating plate. The circuit board is placed on the lifting pins so that it is spaced from the second heating plate. When the two heating plates are moved together and toward each other, the circuit board is pressed against the second heating plate against the preload exerted by the piston-cylinder units or the gas springs.

[0024] As soon as the two heating plates are moved apart again after the board has been heated, the piston-cylinder units or the gas springs push the board away from the second heating plate due to their preload and lift the board off it.

[0025] According to the invention, a forming station of the type mentioned is also provided, which is characterized in that a common hydraulic adjustment device is provided for the heating device and the forming device, which adjusts the first heating plate of the heating device and the first tool part of the forming device synchronously.

[0026] The forming station is preferably designed as a hydraulic forming press and has a lower counterbearing on which the second heating platen and the second tool part are preferably arranged fixedly to the frame. The first heating platen and the first tool part are mounted on a common press ram, which can be moved up and down using a conventional hydraulic adjustment device, so that not only the heating device can be adjusted between the open and closed positions, but the forming device can also be adjusted synchronously between a corresponding open and closed position using the press ram.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, a spraying device is provided in the forming station with which a lubricant can be sprayed onto the blank from above and / or from below.

[0028] Preferably, the spraying device is arranged so that the blank is sprayed with the lubricant only after it has been removed from the heating device. The spraying device can be arranged so that the blank can be sprayed with the lubricant during the transfer of the blank between the heating device and the forming device and / or in the forming device.

[0029] A component formed from the formed blank is preferably cooled directly in the forming device. This can be achieved if, in a further development of the invention, a cooling device is integrated into the forming device.

[0030] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 A schematic side view of a heating device, Fig. 2 the field of hydraulic and / or pneumatic clamping devices and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the functionality of the forming station.

[0031] In Fig. 1 shows a heating device 10 for heating a metal or plastic board P. The heating device 10 has an upper hydraulic adjustment device 12 with a plunger plate 25, which can be adjusted vertically up and down in a known manner, as indicated by the double arrow V. The plunger plate 25 carries a first heating plate 11 on its underside, which is moved up and down together with the plunger plate 25 by means of the hydraulic adjustment device 12.

[0032] A counter bearing 18 comprises a fixed base plate 19, on which an intermediate plate 20 is located, which is enclosed by wall elements 27 to form a trough 28. In an interior 29 of the trough, a plurality of hydraulic and / or pneumatic clamping devices 16, which are designed as piston-cylinder units, are arranged in the form of a grid field, as shown in Fig. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, four rows of five clamping devices 16 arranged at a distance from one another are provided to form the grid field, ie a total of twenty clamping devices 16.

[0033] On the clamping devices 16, a pressure piece 40 serving as a chuck is arranged on the side facing the second heating plate 13. The size of the pressure pieces 40 makes it possible to vary the clamping force.

[0034] A distributor plate 14 is placed on top of the clamping devices 16, floating on the clamping devices 16. Vertical guide pins 17, which engage the distributor plate 14 with clearance, prevent the distributor plate 14 from excessively deflecting laterally.

[0035] The distributor plate 14 supports a second heating plate 13 on its upper side facing the first heating plate 11. The second heating plate 33 can have a conventional structure and supports thermal insulation 41 on its side facing the clamping devices 16, via which it rests on the distributor plate 14. In addition, the second heating plate 13 is surrounded by further insulation 42 at its side edges.

[0036] The 1st heating plate 11 and the 2nd heating plate 13 can be heated in the usual way, for which purpose an embedded resistance heater can be used, for example.

[0037] A lifting device 21 is provided for the second heating plate 13. The distribution plate 14 and the second heating plate 13 are penetrated by several lifting pins 22 arranged at a distance from one another with clearance. The lifting pins 22 rest at their lower end, facing away from the second heating plate 13, on a common lifting plate 24, which in turn rests on hydraulic or pneumatic lifting cylinders 23, which are supported at the other end on the intermediate plate 20. By activating the lifting cylinders 23, the lifting plate 24 can be raised and lowered together with the lifting pins 22.

[0038] The lifting pins 22 are pre-tensioned into their raised position by means of the lifting cylinders 23, in which they protrude from the top of the second heating plate 13.

[0039] In Fig. 1, the first heating plate 11 and the second heating plate 13 are shown in an open position, in which they are arranged at a mutual distance, forming a gap 26. When the first heating plate 11 and the second heating plate 13 are in the open position shown, the board P can be inserted into the gap 26 and placed on top of the lifting pins 22, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown.

[0040] To heat the blank P, the hydraulic adjustment device 12 is activated so that the plunger plate 25, together with the 1st heating plate 11, is moved vertically downwards until it comes into contact with the upper side of the blank P. A further downward movement of the plunger plate 25 and the 1st heating plate 11 results in the blank P, together with the lifting pins 22, being pressed downwards against their pretension and clamped against the surface of the 2nd heating plate 13, so that the blank is clamped between the 1st heating plate 11 and the 2nd heating plate 13.

[0041] The clamping devices 16 are activated and exert a counterforce on the 2nd heating plate 13 via the floating distribution plate 14, which counterforce is dimensioned such that the deflections of the 1st heating plate 11 and the 2nd heating plate 13 occurring as a result of the clamping are compensated.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a forming station 30 for forming a metal blank P. The forming station 30 comprises a heating device 10 of the type described above and a forming device 32. An upper first heating plate 11 of the heating device 10 and an upper first tool part 36 of the forming device 32 are arranged on a common ram 38, which can be moved up and down in the usual way by means of a hydraulic adjusting device 12, as indicated by the double arrow V.

[0043] The heating device 10 and the forming device 32 have a common lower counter bearing 18, on which a lower second heating plate 13 (including the additional components not shown) and a second tool part 37 of the forming station 32 are supported. A spray device 31 is arranged between the second heating plate 13 and the second tool part 37, by means of which a lubricant can be sprayed onto the top and / or bottom of the blank P.

[0044] On the left side of the Fig. 3 schematically shows a feed conveyor 33, with which the blank P to be formed can be fed to the forming station 30. The blank P to be formed is grasped by a transfer device 35 and transported by this device through the individual devices of the forming station 30. After passing through the forming station 30 and being formed into a component B, it is deposited on a discharge conveyor 34.

[0045] A cooling device 39 (not shown in detail) is integrated into the forming device 32, with which the formed component B can be cooled while still in the forming device 32.

[0046] By means of the spraying device 31, a lubricant can be sprayed onto the top and / or bottom of the board P after it leaves the heating device 10 and before it is inserted into the forming device 32. 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] US 11,313,010 B2

[0004]

Claims

[1] Heating device (10) for heating a circuit board (P) made of metal or plastic, with a first heating plate (11) which is adjustable by means of a hydraulic adjustment device (12), and a second heating plate (13) which is connected to a counter bearing (18), wherein the first heating plate (11) and the second heating plate (13) are adjustable relative to one another between an open position in which they are arranged at a mutual distance so that the circuit board (P) can be inserted into or removed from an intermediate space (26) formed between the heating plates (11, 13), and a closed position in which the circuit board (P) is clamped between the heating plates (11, 13), characterized by that the counter bearing (18) has a plurality of hydraulic and / or pneumatic clamping devices (16) with which the 2nd heating plate (13) can be clamped directly or indirectly against the 1st heating plate (11). [2] Heating device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the clamping devices (16) are formed by hydraulic and / or pneumatic piston-cylinder units. [3] Heating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the clamping devices (16) are arranged in a field-like grid. [4] Heating device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the clamping devices (16) can be adjusted individually, in groups or uniformly. [5] Heating device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that a distributor plate (14) is arranged between the clamping devices (16) and the second heating plate (13). [6] Heating device according to claim 5, characterized by that the distributor plate (14) rests on the clamping devices (16) and is mounted floatingly on them. [7] Heating device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the distributor plate (14) directly or indirectly supports the second heating plate (13). [8] Heating device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the distributor plate (14) is guided on guide pins (17). [9] Heating device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that a hydraulic and / or pneumatic lifting device (21) is provided, by means of which the board (P) can be lifted from the second heating plate (13) into a lifting position. [10] Heating device according to claim 9, characterized by that the lifting device (21) has a plurality of lifting pins (22) which are connected to a common lifting plate (24). [11] Heating device according to claim 10, characterized by that the lifting pins (22) are pre-tensioned into the lifting position. [12] Forming station (30) for forming a blank (P) made of metal or plastic, with a heating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims and with a forming device (32) which has a first tool part (36) and a second tool part (37) which are adjustable relative to one another by means of a hydraulic adjusting device (12) for forming the blank (P), characterized by that a common hydraulic adjustment device (12) is provided for the heating device (10) and the forming device (32), which adjusts the 1st heating plate (11) of the heating device (10) and the 1st tool part (36) of the forming device (32) synchronously. [13] Forming station according to claim 12, characterized by that a spray device (31) is provided with which a lubricant can be sprayed onto the circuit board (P). [14] Forming station according to claim 13, characterized bythat the spray device (31) is arranged so that the circuit board (P) can be sprayed with the lubricant after removal from the heating device (10). [15] Forming station according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that the spraying device (31) is arranged so that the board (P) can be sprayed with the lubricant during the transfer of the board (P) between the heating device (10) and the forming device (32). [16] Forming station according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by that the spraying device (31) is arranged so that the board (P) in the forming device (32) can be sprayed with the lubricant. [17] Forming station according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized by that a cooling device (39) is integrated into the forming device (32).

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