Mechanical device for separating a workpiece part from a residual grid of a separating workpiece machining process

Abstract

A mechanical device (1) for separating a workpiece part (2) from a residual grid (3) of a product assembly (5) comprising the residual grid (3) and the workpiece part (2) during a separating workpiece machining process includes a vibration generator (6) by means of which the product assembly (5) can be excited to perform composite vibrations perpendicular to a principal plane (7) of the product assembly (5) and which cause the workpiece part (2) to detach from the product assembly (5). The vibration generator (6) comprises an excitation unit (9) and a residual grid assembly (10).By means of a holding element of a holding device (12) the product assembly (5) can be effectively mounted on the residual grid system (10) perpendicular to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) for the execution of the composite vibrations with the residual grid (3), in that the holding element can be switched into a functional state and into a non-functional state and in the functional state exerts force on the product assembly (5) on the residual grid (3) against the residual grid system (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanical device for separating a workpiece part, which is present as a machining product of a separating machining of a plate-like workpiece, in particular a sheet metal workpiece, from a residual grid consisting of a product composite of the residual grid and the workpiece part, which is present as a further machining product of the separating workpiece machining. • with a vibration generator by means of which the product assembly can be excited to perform composite vibrations, which are performed perpendicular to a principal plane of the product assembly and which cause the workpiece part to detach from the product assembly, • wherein the vibration generator comprises an excitation unit and a residual grid system and • wherein the residual grid system can be excited by means of the excitation unit to perform system vibrations perpendicular to the main plane of the product assembly.

[0002] In sheet metal cutting processes using a cutting device, such as a laser cutting device, the resulting products are sheet metal parts and a residual grid that at least partially surrounds them. To simplify the removal of the processed products from the cutting device, the sheet metal parts are not completely separated from the residual grid during the cutting process. Instead, microjoints or nanojoints are left between the residual grid and the sheet metal parts, allowing the residual grid and the sheet metal parts to be handled as a single unit when unloading the cutting device. Furthermore, it is conceivable that sheet metal parts produced during cutting processes may be held in the residual grid after the cutting process due to thermal stresses or tilting. The separation of the sheet metal parts from the residual grid takes place in a subsequent process step.

[0003] The prior art is disclosed in JP 2000094057 A. The prior art relates to a machine arrangement and a method for stamping sheet metal. At a stamping station of the machine arrangement, sheet metal parts and a residual grid are produced from a sheet of metal. After completion of the stamping process, the sheet metal parts are connected to the residual grid via microjoints. The assembly of the residual grid and the attached sheet metal parts is moved to a separation station. At this station, several pairs of rollers follow one another in the direction of movement of the residual grid and the sheet metal parts, and are alternately offset upwards and downwards perpendicular to the direction of movement of the residual grid and the sheet metal parts. A gap is formed between the rollers of each pair of rollers. Coming from the stamping station, the residual grid with the sheet metal parts passes through the gap at several pairs of rollers that follow one another in the direction of movement.Due to the offset of the roller pairs, the remaining grid containing the sheet metal parts is bent multiple times as it passes through the roller pairs. Simultaneously, the rollers of the roller pairs cause the remaining grid and sheet metal parts to vibrate perpendicular to the direction of movement. As a result, the microjoints remaining between the remaining grid and the sheet metal parts during the stamping process break, and the sheet metal parts detached from the remaining grid fall onto a product tray located below the roller pairs of the separating station.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to ensure a reliable separation of a workpiece part produced by separating a plate-like workpiece from the residual grid of the separating workpiece processing.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the mechanical device according to claim 1.

[0006] In the case of the invention, a holding device with a switchable holding element is provided which, in a functional state, effectively fixes the residual grid of the product assembly, consisting of the workpiece part and the residual grid, perpendicular to the main plane of the product assembly to the residual grid system. In the functional state of the holding element according to the invention, the residual grid is subjected to force against the residual grid system by the holding element and thereby reliably held on the residual grid system, which oscillates perpendicular to the main plane of the product assembly.

[0007] Specific embodiments of the machine device according to the invention are set out in dependent claims 2 to 16.

[0008] According to claim 2, in a further development of the invention, the residual grid system is configured on a support plate which can be excited by means of the excitation unit of the vibration generator to perform the system vibrations and which extends along the product assembly mounted on the residual grid system. The support plate vibrates as part of the residual grid system during the separation of the workpiece part from the residual grid.

[0009] According to the invention, it is conceivable that the product assembly is fixed to the residual grid system solely by clamping, using the holding element, to perform the composite vibrations that cause the workpiece part to separate. Additionally or alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the residual grid system is provided on the side facing the residual grid with an indentation element projecting towards the residual grid, which penetrates the residual grid due to the force applied to the residual grid by the holding element (claim 3). By means of the indentation element on the residual grid system, a positive-locking connection is created between the residual grid system and the residual grid, against which force is applied. This connection ensures that the product assembly is particularly securely fixed to the residual grid on the residual grid system during the composite vibrations performed to separate the workpiece part.

[0010] To define the positioning of the product assembly relative to the holding element, the device according to claim 4 is provided with a positioning stop that acts parallel to the main plane of the product assembly. The positioning stop, in particular, prevents a collision between the product assembly and the holding element.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, as specified in claim 5, a clamping element is provided as a holding element for the releasable fixation of the residual grid to the residual grid system. During the compound vibrations performed to separate the workpiece part, the product assembly is effectively clamped at the residual grid between the clamping element of the holding device according to the invention and the residual grid system. A conventional actuator is provided for moving the clamping element into its functional position.

[0012] A pressing-in element of the type described above can also be provided on the clamping element of the machine device according to the invention for the positive locking fixation of the remaining grid during the compound vibrations carried out to separate the workpiece part (patent claim 6).

[0013] Preferably, a clamping lever, in particular designed as an angled lever, is provided as the clamping element (claims 7, 8). To fix the product assembly to the residual grid system, the residual grid is gripped on the side facing away from the residual grid system by a clamping arm of the clamping lever in its functional position and pressed against the residual grid system. The clamping lever is moved into the functional position by means of the aforementioned actuator.

[0014] In the case of the inventive design according to claim 9, several holding elements of the type described above are provided. The holding elements are spaced apart from one another parallel to the main plane of the product assembly. The mechanical device according to claim 9 is preferably intended for applications in which the residual grid forms an edge of the product assembly. In the operating state, the holding elements press the residual grid forming the edge of the product assembly against the residual grid system.

[0015] To adapt to different formats of the product assembly to be fixed to the residual grid system by means of the holding elements, the mutual distance of the holding elements is variably adjustable in a preferred embodiment of the invention by means of a distance adjusting device (patent claim 10).

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in claim 11, a positioning stop acting parallel to the main plane of the product assembly is provided for each of the holding elements to position the product assembly relative to the respective holding element.

[0017] Each of the holding elements can be designed as a tensioning element and then as described above (patent claims 12, 13, 14).

[0018] The machine device according to claim 15 is characterized by special design features for fixing the product assembly to the residual grid system. To receive the product assembly, the clamping elements are moved by means of the actuator into a starting position provided as a first out-of-function state. In the starting position, the clamping elements have a mutual distance parallel to the main plane of the product assembly that is greater than the extent of the product assembly parallel to the main plane of the product assembly. With the clamping elements in the starting position, the product assembly and the machine device according to the invention are positioned relative to each other such that the clamping elements can be moved by means of the actuator from the starting position into an intermediate position provided as a second out-of-function state.In the intermediate position, the clamping elements engage the product assembly on the side facing away from the residual grid system. In this position, the clamping elements do not yet exert pressure on the product assembly against the residual grid system. Pressure on the product assembly against the residual grid system occurs in the functional position, into which the clamping elements are moved from the intermediate position by means of the actuator.

[0019] If positioning stops according to claim 11 are provided on the machine device according to the invention, these positioning stops can also be used to guide the product assembly in its movement from the intermediate position to the functional position in connection with the movement of the clamping elements.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the residual grid system stores the product assembly in a horizontal orientation (claim 16). Due to the horizontal orientation of the product assembly, the workpiece part separated from the residual grid can be placed under the influence of gravity, particularly on a workpiece pallet provided for this purpose. Also under the influence of gravity, the residual grid of the product assembly, which initially remains on the device according to the invention after the workpiece part has been separated, can be removed from the machine according to the invention, for example, by being dropped into a scrap container.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary schematic diagrams. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a mechanical device for separating sheet metal parts from a product composite of sheet metal parts and a residual grid produced during a separating sheet metal processing, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a holding device of the machine device used to fix the product assembly of the sheet metal parts and the remaining grid according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a vertical side view of the holding device according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a product range for storing the product combination according to Fig. 1 immediately after the separating sheet metal processing and Figures are highly schematic representations to illustrate the functioning of the holding device according to sections 5 to 7. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a machine device 1 for separating workpiece parts in the form of sheet metal parts 2 from a residual grid 3. The sheet metal parts 2 and the residual grid 3 are the products of a sheet metal cutting process carried out by a laser cutting machine located away from the machine device 1 and not shown in the figures. During the sheet metal cutting process using the laser cutting machine, microjoints 4 were left between the sheet metal parts 2 and the residual grid 3, as well as between adjacent sheet metal parts 2. Due to the microjoints 4, the sheet metal parts 2 and the residual grid 3 form Fig. 1 a product assembly 5 which is removed as a unit by the laser cutting machine and subsequently taken over by the machine device 1 in the manner described below.

[0023] The mechanical device 1 comprises a vibration generator 6, by means of which the product assembly 5 can be excited to perform assembly vibrations perpendicular to a direction in Fig. The main plane 7 of the product assembly 5, indicated by a dashed line, is designed to cause the sheet metal parts 2 to detach from the product assembly 5. The direction of vibration of the vibration generator 6 and the product assembly 5 attached to it is shown in Fig. 1 indicated by a double arrow 8.

[0024] The vibration generator 6 has an unbalance exciter 9 as an excitation unit and also residual grid systems 10, which are integrated into a mounting plate 11 of the machine device 1.

[0025] Four opposing pairs of holding devices 12 of the machine device 1 are mounted on the mounting plate 11. One of the pairs of holding devices is in Fig. 1. The second pair of holding devices is opposite holding devices 12. Fig. 1. Attached perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing on the mounting plate 11.

[0026] The holding devices 12 each have a holding element, the details of which can be determined from the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 results. Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows one of the holding devices 12 with the associated residual grid system 10 before installation on the mounting plate 11.

[0027] The holding elements are designed as angled clamping levers 13, each with two angled units 14 connected to each other via a clamping piece 15. The clamping levers 13 are provided with an upwardly projecting indentation element on the clamping piece 15, in the form of a triangular cutting edge 16 in the illustrated example. A corresponding triangular cutting edge 17 projects downwards from the underside of the residual grid assembly 10 as an indentation element. For the sake of simplicity, the cutting edges 16, 17 on the clamping levers 13 are shown only in Fig. Figure 3 shows that, instead of triangular cutting edges 16, 17, circular cutting edges are also possible, for example.

[0028] The leg of the clamping lever 13, which is provided with the clamping piece 15, forms a clamping arm 18.

[0029] By means of a pneumatic actuator 19 in the example shown, the clamping levers 13 can be moved about a pivot axis parallel to the main plane 7 of the product assembly 5 in the direction of a double arrow 20 and thereby be brought into a functional position and, in the example shown, into two non-functional positions.

[0030] In the state mounted on the mounting plate 11, the clamping levers 13 of each pair of holding devices are positioned opposite each other at a mutual distance parallel to the main plane 7 of the product assembly 5. To adapt to changing formats of the product assembly 5, the mutual distance can be variably adjusted by conventional means in the direction of a double arrow 21 ( Fig. 1).

[0031] With the in the Fig. In the highly schematically illustrated processes 5 to 7, the product assembly 5 was placed on the machine device 1 in the Fig. 1 shown in a fixed manner.

[0032] Immediately after completion of the separating sheet metal processing, the product assembly 5 was on a Fig. The product range 22 shown in Figure 4 was stored. The product group 5 rested in the usual manner on the tips of support strips 23 of the product range 22.

[0033] To pick up the product assembly 5 from the product range 22, the clamping levers 13 of the machine device 1, which are opposite each other at a previously set mutual distance, were moved by means of the actuators 19 into an initial position intended as the first out-of-function state ( Fig. 5) In the initial position, the clamping levers 13 parallel to the main plane 7 of the product assembly 5 had a mutual distance that was greater than the extent of the product assembly 5 parallel to the main plane 7 of the product assembly 5.

[0034] With the clamping levers 13 in the initial position, the product assembly 5 mounted on the product pallet 22 and the machine device 1 were positioned relative to each other in such a way that the clamping levers 13 could be moved from the initial position to an intermediate position provided as a second out-of-function state by means of the actuators 19 ( Fig. 6) In the intermediate position, the clamping levers 13 with the clamping arms 18 were pivoted into the gaps 24 of the support rails 23 on the product range 22. Consequently, the product assembly 5 was gripped from behind by the clamping arms 18 of the clamping levers 13 on the side facing away from the residual grid system 10.

[0035] Starting from the intermediate position, the clamping levers 13 were moved into the functional position by means of the actuators 19 ( Fig. 1, Fig. 7) The product assembly 5, mounted on the clamping arms 18 of the clamping levers 13, was guided by lateral positioning stops 25. For clarity, the positioning stops 25 are shown only in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown.

[0036] In the operating position, the clamping levers 13 with the clamping arms 18 engage the residual grid 3 on the side facing away from the residual grid unit 10. The clamping levers 13 thereby apply force to the product assembly 5 via the clamping arms 18 on the residual grid 3 against the respective residual grid unit 10. Under the influence of the force applied by the clamping levers 13, the cutting edges 16 on the clamping levers 13 and the cutting edges 17 on the residual grid units 10 penetrate the residual grid 10. Consequently, in the operating position of the clamping levers 13, the product assembly 5 is secured to the machine device 1 by both force-fit and form-fit, and thus extremely effectively.

[0037] If the residual grid systems 10 are now excited by means of the unbalance exciter 9 to perform system vibrations perpendicular to the main plane 7 of the horizontally oriented product assembly 5, the product assembly 5, which is fixed to the machine device 1 with a horizontal orientation, performs composite vibrations perpendicular to the main plane 7 of the product assembly 5 in the direction of the double arrow 8. As a result of the composite vibrations, the microjoints 4 between the sheet metal parts 2 and the residual grid 3 break, and the sheet metal parts 2 are separated from each other and from the residual grid 3.

[0038] Under the influence of gravity, the sheet metal parts 2 separated from the residual grid 3 are placed on a pallet trolley 26 arranged below the machine 1. The residual grid 3, which is initially still fixed to the machine 1, is disposed of separately, for example, by being thrown into a scrap container (not shown). For this purpose, the clamping levers 13 are released from the machine 1 by means of the actuators 19. Fig. 7 shown function position back to the starting position according to Fig. 5 moves. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2000094057

[0003]

Claims

[1] Mechanical device for separating a workpiece part (2) present as a machining product of a separating machining of a plate-like workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part, from a residual grid (3) present as a further machining product of the separating workpiece machining, consisting of a product composite (5) of the residual grid (3) and the workpiece part (2), • with a vibration generator (6) by means of which the product assembly (5) can be excited to perform composite vibrations, which are performed perpendicular to a principal plane (7) of the product assembly (5) and which cause the workpiece part (2) to detach from the product assembly (5), • wherein the vibration generator (6) comprises an excitation unit (9) and a residual grid system (10) and • wherein the residual grid system (10) can be excited by means of the excitation unit (9) to perform system vibrations perpendicular to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5), characterized by, that the machine device has a holding device (12) with a holding element by means of which the product assembly (5) can be effectively mounted on the residual grid system (10) perpendicular to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) for the execution of the compound vibrations with the residual grid (3), in that the holding element can be switched into a functional state and into a non-functional state and in the functional state exerts force on the product assembly (5) on the residual grid (3) against the residual grid system (10). [2] Machine device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the residual grid system (10) is formed on a system plate (11) which can be excited by means of the excitation unit (9) to perform the system vibrations and which extends along the product assembly (5) mounted on the residual grid system (10). [3] Machine device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the residual grid assembly (10) is provided on the side facing the residual grid (3) with an indentation element (17) projecting towards the residual grid (3), which penetrates the residual grid (3) due to the force applied to the residual grid (3) by the holding element. [4] Machine device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a positioning stop (25) acting parallel to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) is provided for positioning the product assembly (5) relative to the holding element. [5] Machine device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the holding element is designed as a tensioning element which can be moved into a functional position provided as a functional state by means of an actuator (19) and in the functional position exerts force on the residual grid (3) on the side facing away from the residual grid system (10) against the residual grid system (10). [6] Machine device according to claim 5, characterized by , that the tensioning element is provided on the side facing the residual grid (3) with an indentation element (16) projecting towards the residual grid (3), which penetrates the residual grid (3) due to the force applied to the residual grid (3) by the tensioning element. [7] Machine device according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized by , • that the clamping element is designed as a clamping lever (13) with a clamping arm (18) and • that the clamping lever (13) can be pivoted by means of the actuator (19) about a pivot axis running parallel to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) and that in the functional position the residual grid (3) engages behind it on the side facing away from the residual grid system (10) with the clamping arm (18) and exerts force against the residual grid system (10). [8] Machine device according to claim 7, characterized by, that the clamping lever (13) is designed as an angle lever. [9] Machine device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , • that in addition to the holding device, a further holding device is provided and • that the holding elements are positioned at a mutual distance parallel to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) and can be switched into a functional state and a non-functional state and, in the functional state, exert force on the residual grid (3) forming an edge of the product assembly (5) against a residual grid system (10). [10] Machine device according to claim 9, characterized by , that the mutual distance of the holding organs is variably adjustable. [11] Machine device according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized by, that for each of the holding elements a positioning stop (25) acting parallel to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) is provided for positioning the product assembly (5) relative to the holding element. [12] Machine device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by , that each of the holding elements is designed as a tensioning element which can be moved into a functional position provided as a functional state by means of an actuator (19) and in the functional position exerts force on the residual grid (3) on the side facing away from the residual grid system (10) against the residual grid system (10). [13] Machine device according to claim 12, characterized by , that each of the tensioning elements is provided on the side facing the residual grid (3) with an indentation element (16) projecting towards the residual grid (3), which penetrates the residual grid (3) due to the force applied to the residual grid (3) by the tensioning element. [14] Machine device according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized by , • that each of the clamping elements is designed as a clamping lever (13), preferably as an angled lever, with a clamping arm (18) and • that each of the clamping levers (13) can be pivoted by means of the actuator (19) about a pivot axis running parallel to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) and that in the functional position the residual grid (3) engages behind it on the side facing away from the residual grid system (10) with the clamping arm (18) and exerts force against the residual grid system (10). [15] Machine device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by , • that the clamping elements can be moved by means of the actuator (19) into a starting position provided as a first out-of-function state, from the starting position into an intermediate position provided as a second out-of-function state and from the intermediate position into the functional position, • that the tensioning elements in the initial position have a mutual distance that is greater than the extent of the product assembly (5) parallel to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) and • that the tensioning devices are in the intermediate position - are arranged with a mutual distance that is smaller than the extent of the product assembly (5) parallel to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5), on the side of the residual grid (3) forming the edge of the product assembly (5) facing away from the residual grid system (10) and - from the residual grid system (10) perpendicular to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5) have a greater distance than in the functional position. [16] Machine device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the residual grid system (10) is designed to provide a support for the horizontally oriented product assembly (5) that is perpendicular to the main plane (7) of the product assembly (5).

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