Alignment system for straightening a large assembly of a track-guided vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a straightening system 1 for straightening a large assembly G of a track-guided vehicle, comprising a workpiece holder 10 for receiving the large assembly G, at least one straightening tool 20, 20' for straightening the large assembly G, at least one measuring device 30 for measuring the large assembly G and at least one control unit 60, wherein the control unit is configured to control the straightening system 1 based on measurement data M D to control the measuring device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a straightening system for straightening a large assembly of a track-guided vehicle.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for straightening a large assembly of a track-guided vehicle, using such a straightening system or a further developed system as described below.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product that is to be used in a computer of such a straightening system or a straightening system further developed as described below, wherein the computer program product, when executed, causes the computer to carry out such a method or a straightening system further developed as described below.

[0004] Finally, the invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program product is recorded, wherein the computer program product, when implemented in such a judgement system or as further developed below, causes a computer of the judgement system to carry out such a method or as further developed below.

[0005] When welding large assemblies of rail vehicles, such as side walls, roof elements, or entire car bodies, the heat input during the welding process and the subsequent cooling phase causes the assembly to deform. Even with targeted countermeasures before welding, this behavior cannot be reliably prevented. Therefore, these large assemblies must be straightened after the welding process to achieve the required dimensional accuracy, such as flatness, contour, and / or straightness specifications.

[0006] Currently, such large assemblies are straightened after welding using a process called "thermal straightening." The first step involves manually measuring the component's contour using gauges or templates to determine any deviations from the target contour. These deviations are then marked on the component by the operator using a permanent marker.

[0007] In a second step, the actual "straightening process," the large assembly is heated by a worker along the weld seam in the area of ​​the unacceptable deformation using an oxy-fuel torch (e.g., fuel gas acetylene + oxygen). The subsequent cooling process causes the assembly to reshape into the desired contour / flatness. The success of the straightening is checked in a further process, and if necessary, the assembly is thermally straightened again. This entire process is very time-consuming. To our knowledge, this procedure is common practice in the metalworking industry.

[0008] Based on this, the invention aims to create a straightening system that allows for faster and more efficient straightening of a large assembly.

[0009] This problem is solved by the alignment system of claim 1, the method of claim 9, the computer program product of claim 13 and the computer-readable recording medium of claim 14.

[0010] Advantageous designs and further developments are the subject of the respective sub-claims.

[0011] According to the invention, the straightening system for straightening a large assembly of a track-guided vehicle is provided, comprising a workpiece holder for receiving the large assembly, at least one straightening tool for straightening the large assembly, at least one measuring device for measuring the large assembly and at least one control system, wherein the control system is configured to control the straightening system based on measurement data from the measuring device.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for straightening a large assembly of a track-guided vehicle, using such a straightening system or a straightening system further developed as described below, comprising the following steps: measuring the large assembly, preferably the entire large assembly, with the at least one measuring device and generating measurement data; controlling the straightening system based on measurement data; straightening the large component assembly by the at least one straightening tool.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product that is to be used in a computer of such a straightening system or a straightening system further developed as described below, wherein the computer program product, when executed, causes the computer to carry out such a method or a straightening system further developed as described below.

[0014] Finally, the invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program product is recorded, wherein the computer program product, when implemented in such a judgement system or as further developed below, causes a computer of the judgement system to carry out such a method or as further developed below.

[0015] According to the invention, a straightening system is provided that allows for faster and more efficient straightening of large assemblies than previously known manual processes. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the throughput times for straightening large assemblies.

[0016] Large assemblies of track-guided vehicles within the meaning of the invention include, for example, entire car bodies, side panels of car bodies, roofs of car bodies, underbodies of car bodies, etc. These large assemblies have welded joints, which can lead to deviations due to thermal distortion resulting from the welding process.

[0017] The workpiece holder is designed to hold the workpiece so that it is held and fixed by the workpiece holder during straightening.

[0018] The measuring device is designed to preferably measure the entire large assembly. The measuring device includes at least one sensor.

[0019] The contour and position of the large assembly can be detected by means of at least one sensor of the measuring device.

[0020] The straightening tool is designed to straighten the large assembly.

[0021] The control system controls the straightening system, for which purpose it is operationally connected to the straightening system.

[0022] The control unit is operationally connected to the measuring device and receives measurement data from the measuring device.

[0023] The control system is operationally connected to the straightening tool and is configured to control the straightening tool.

[0024] Furthermore, the control system is operationally connected to the computer of the alignment system.

[0025] The inventive design reduces the number of personnel required and significantly accelerates the straightening process (by up to 80% in terms of setup time). The complete capture of the geometry of the large assembly generates additional important documented data for quality management and can be used for subsequent processes.

[0026] In the embodiment of the straightening system, it can be provided that the straightening system has a first tool holder which is movable, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the straightening system, relative to the workpiece holder, and wherein a travel distance of the first tool holder in at least a first axial direction is more than 10m, in particular more than 20m, and furthermore in particular more than 25m, and in a second axial direction is more than 2m, preferably more than 3m.

[0027] With a travel distance of more than 10 m, and in particular more than 20 m, and furthermore in particular more than 25 m, for the first workpiece holder in the first axial direction, it is possible to straighten large assemblies using the straightening system. In a second axial direction, the travel distance is more than 2 m, preferably more than 3 m. This makes it possible, for example, to straighten entire sides of a track-guided vehicle as assemblies using the straightening system.

[0028] The control system is operationally connected to the tool holder and is designed to control the tool holder.

[0029] The measuring device is arranged on the tool holder and can be moved with it.

[0030] The tool holder has at least one drive per axis direction in which the tool holder can be moved, which is designed to move the tool holder along the travel path.

[0031] Preferably, the tool holder is designed in a portal construction.

[0032] In the design of the straightening system, it may be provided that the first tool holder carries at least one straightening tool and / or at least one measuring device.

[0033] Because the first tool holder carries at least one straightening tool and / or at least one measuring device, it is possible to move the straightening tool along the entire length of the large assembly using the tool holder. If both the straightening tool and the measuring device are arranged on the first tool holder, it is possible to perform both straightening and measuring operations on the workpiece in a single pass.

[0034] In the embodiment of the straightening system, it can be provided that the straightening system has a second tool holder which is movable, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the straightening system, relative to the holder, and wherein a travel distance of the second tool holder in at least a first axial direction is more than 10m, in particular more than 20m, and furthermore in particular more than 25m, and in a second axial direction is more than 2m, preferably more than 3m.

[0035] With a travel distance of more than 10 m, particularly more than 20 m, and especially more than 25 m, for the second workpiece holder in the first axial direction, it is possible to straighten large assemblies using the straightening system. In a second axial direction, the travel distance is more than 2 m, preferably more than 3 m. This makes it possible, for example, to straighten entire sides of a track-guided vehicle as assemblies using the straightening system.

[0036] The design of the straightening system may include the provision that at least one second tool holder carries at least one straightening tool.

[0037] If both the first tool holder and the second tool holder carry a straightening tool, it is possible to straighten the large assembly particularly efficiently.

[0038] The design of the straightening system may include at least one measuring device that is an optical measuring device and / or a tactile measuring device.

[0039] In its embodiment, the at least one measuring device includes at least one sensor. This sensor can be, for example, a tactile sensor or an optical sensor.

[0040] Modern sensors (tactile or optical) are used to detect the component's contour and position. These sensors are attached to movable machine elements, allowing them to scan the entire component.

[0041] The design of the straightening system may include the provision that at least one straightening tool is a thermal straightening tool.

[0042] For example, the straightening tool may be a burner. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the straightening tool can be an acetylene burner. This allows for a high, localized heat input into the assembly.

[0043] The design of the straightening system may include at least one straightening tool comprising at least one robot arm.

[0044] This allows for flexible positioning of the straightening tool. Since preferably no forces are exerted between the straightening tool and the large assembly, robot arms can be used without any problems.

[0045] The design of the procedure may include one or more of the following steps: pre-measuring the large component before straightening the large component, and / or re-measuring the large component after straightening the large component.

[0046] This allows the large component to be measured before and / or after straightening, thus making it possible to record the success of a straightening process.

[0047] In the design of the procedure, it may be provided that the step of controlling the straightening system includes one or more of the following steps: providing reference data of the large component; comparing the measurement data with the reference model; capturing deviation data between the measurement data and the reference model; controlling the straightening system based on the deviation data.

[0048] The control system compares the measurement data with the previously provided reference data of the large assembly and generates deviation data based on this comparison. The control system thus identifies the detected deviation of the large assembly. It can also be configured to visualize these deviations.

[0049] In the design of the procedure, it may be provided that the step of controlling the straightening system comprises one or more of the following steps: Optimizing the step of controlling the straightening system by comparing measurement data which were measured during the step of remeasuring the large component with the deviation data, preferably by an artificial intelligence algorithm.

[0050] It may be provided that the optimization steps include an artificial intelligence which is trained using data obtained from previous straightening processes and determines the process parameters to be carried out for the straightening procedure (or straightening).

[0051] In the embodiment of the process, it may be provided that the step of straightening the straightening system comprises one or more of the following steps: introducing heat into the top and / or bottom of the large assembly, preferably in the area of ​​a weld seam of the large assembly, by means of the at least one straightening tool.

[0052] By selectively introducing heat into the top and / or bottom surface using the straightening tool, it is possible to straighten the large assembly as desired.

[0053] It may also be provided that the cooling process is accelerated by local compressed air cooling in order to be able to carry out a faster verification of the straightening success.

[0054] The straightening system includes a cooling device that allows for local compressed air cooling.

[0055] The straightening system is further equipped to carry out the preceding procedural configurations. Accordingly, the control system, the measuring device, etc., are configured to perform the respective procedural steps mentioned above.

[0056] Insofar as advantages for the device design have been mentioned above, these apply equally to the process steps of the procedures listed below and vice versa.

[0057] The invention will now be explained with reference to one embodiment and the drawings.

[0058] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective representation of a straightening system according to the invention; Fig. 2 A schematic sectional view of the straightening system according to the invention.

[0059] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective representation of a straightening system 1 according to the invention and Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the straightening system according to the invention. The embodiment of the straightening system is described below with regard to... Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0060] The straightening system 1 is designed for straightening a large assembly G of a track-guided vehicle. This means that large assemblies can be straightened on the straightening system 1.

[0061] The straightening system 1 includes a workpiece holder 10 for receiving the large assembly G.

[0062] Furthermore, the straightening system 1 includes at least one straightening tool 20, 20' for straightening the large assembly G.

[0063] The at least one measuring device 30 is an optical measuring device and / or a tactile measuring device.

[0064] The straightening system 1 further comprises at least one measuring device 30 for straightening the large assembly G.

[0065] Furthermore, the straightening system 1 includes at least one control unit 60, wherein the control unit 60 is configured to control the straightening system 1 based on measurement data M D to control the measuring device 30.

[0066] According to the embodiment, at least one straightening tool 20, 20' is a thermal straightening tool.

[0067] The at least one alignment tool 20, 20' each includes at least one robot arm 22, 22'.

[0068] The straightening system 1 has a first tool holder 40.

[0069] According to the embodiment, the first tool holder 40 is movable in a longitudinal direction L of the straightening system 1 relative to the workpiece holder 10.

[0070] A travel distance of the first tool holder 40 in at least a first axial direction X is more than 10m, in particular more than 20m, furthermore in particular more than 25m and in a second axial direction Y more than 2m, preferably more than 3m.

[0071] The first tool holder 40 carries at least one first straightening tool 20 and / or at least one measuring device 30.

[0072] The first straightening tool 20 comprises a first torch 22 and a first robot arm 24. The first robot arm 24 is connected to the first tool holder 40. The first robot arm 24 is supported by the first tool holder 40.

[0073] The first burner 22 is arranged on the robot arm 24. The first burner 22 is supported by the robot arm 24.

[0074] The measuring device has at least one sensor 32.

[0075] The straightening machine 1 has a second tool holder 50.

[0076] The at least one second tool holder 50 carries at least one second straightening tool 20'.

[0077] According to the embodiment, the second tool holder 50 is movable in a longitudinal direction L of the straightening system 1 relative to the holder 10, and wherein a travel distance of the second tool holder 50 in at least a first axial direction X is more than 10m, in particular more than 20m, and furthermore in particular more than 25m, and in a second axial direction Y is more than 2m, preferably more than 3m.

[0078] The second straightening tool 20' comprises a second torch 22' and a second robot arm 24'. The second robot arm 24' is connected to the second tool holder 50. The second robot arm 24' is supported by the second tool holder 50.

[0079] The second burner 22' is arranged on the second robot arm 24'. The second burner 22' is supported by the second robot arm 24'.

[0080] According to the embodiment, a computer program product is further required, which is to be used in a computer of the straightening system 1 with the straightening system 1, wherein the computer program product, when executed, causes the computer to carry out a procedure as described below.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium is provided on which a computer program product is recorded, characterized in that the computer program product, when executed in the straightening system 1, causes the computer of the straightening system 1 to carry out a procedure as described below.

[0082] In its configuration, the computer is operationally connected to the control unit 60 and / or is part of the control unit 60.

[0083] The following describes, with reference to the figures, the procedure for straightening a large assembly G of a track-guided vehicle using the straightening system 1.

[0084] The method comprises the following steps: measuring the large assembly G, preferably the entire large assembly, with which at least one measuring device 30 is used, and generating measurement data M. D ; Control of the alignment system 1, based on measurement data M D ; Straightening of the large component group G by the at least one straightening tool 20, 20'.

[0085] The measurement step may include, in its design, one or more of the following steps: pre-measuring the large component G before straightening the large component G, and / or re-measuring the large component G after straightening the large component G.

[0086] The step of controlling the alignment system 1 comprises, in its implementation, one or more of the following steps: providing reference data R D of the large component G; comparison of the measurement data M D with the reference data R D ; Recording of deviation data A D between measurement data M Dand the reference data R D ; Control of the alignment system 1 based on the deviation data A D .

[0087] In the embodiment of the method, it is provided that the step of controlling the straightening system 1 comprises one or more of the following steps: Optimizing the step of controlling the straightening system by comparing measurement data M D , which were measured during the step of remeasuring the large component G, with the deviation data A D , preferably by an artificial intelligence algorithm.

[0088] In the embodiment of the method, it is provided that the step of straightening the straightening system comprises one or more of the following steps: introducing heat into the upper and / or lower side of the large assembly G, preferably in the area of ​​a weld seam of the large assembly G, by means of the at least one straightening tool 20, 20'.

[0089] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all the embodiments described above can be combined with one another in any way to form further embodiments of the invention. Likewise, all features of dependent claims can be combined individually with any feature of any other claim, either individually or in any combination, to obtain further embodiments.

[0090] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of an exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived from them by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

[0091] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

Claims

[1] Straightening system (1) for straightening a large assembly (G) of a track-guided vehicle, comprising a workpiece holder (10) for receiving the large assembly (G), at least one straightening tool (20, 20') for straightening the large assembly (G), at least one measuring device (30) for straightening the large assembly (G) and at least one control system (60), wherein the control system (60) is configured to control the straightening system (1) based on measurement data (M D ) to control the measuring device (30). [2] Straightening device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the straightening system (1) has a first tool holder (40) which is movable, preferably in a longitudinal direction (L) of the straightening system (1), relative to the workpiece holder (10), and wherein a travel distance of the first tool holder (40) in at least a first axial direction (X) is more than 10m, in particular more than 20m, and furthermore in particular more than 25m (Y) and in a second axial direction (Y) is more than 2m, preferably more than 3m. [3] Straightening device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the first tool holder (40) carries at least one first straightening tool (20) and / or at least one measuring device (30). [4] Straightening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the straightening system (1) has a second tool holder (50) which is movable, preferably in a longitudinal direction (L) of the straightening system (1), relative to the holder (10), and wherein a travel distance of the second tool holder (50) in at least a first axial direction (X) is more than 10m, in particular more than 20m, and furthermore in particular more than 25m (Y) and in a second axial direction (Y) is more than 2m, preferably more than 3m. [5] Straightening device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that at least one second tool holder (50) carries at least one second straightening tool (20'). [6] Straightening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one measuring device (30) is an optical measuring device and / or a tactile measuring device. [7] Straightening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one straightening tool (20, 20') is a thermal straightening tool. [8] Straightening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one alignment tool (20, 20') each includes at least one robot arm (22, 22'). [9] Method for straightening a large assembly (G) of a track-guided vehicle, with a straightening system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - Measuring the large assembly (G), preferably the entire large assembly, with which at least one measuring device (30) is used and generating measurement data (M D ); - Control of the alignment system (1) based on measurement data (M D ); - Straightening of the large component group (G) by the at least one straightening tool (20, 20'). [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by , that the measuring step includes one or more of the following steps: - Pre-measuring the large component (G) before straightening the large component (G), and / or - Remeasuring the large component (G) after straightening the large component (G). [11] Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the step of controlling the aiming system includes one or more of the following steps: - Providing reference data for the large component, - Comparison of the measurement data (M D ) with the reference data (R D ); - Recording of deviation data (A D ) between the measurement data (M D ) and the reference data (R D ); - Control of the alignment system (1) based on the deviation data (A D ). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by , that the step of controlling the aiming system includes one or more of the following steps: - Optimizing the step of controlling the alignment system by comparing measurement data (M D), which were measured during the step of remeasuring the large component (G) with the deviation data (A D ), preferably by an artificial intelligence algorithm. [13] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by , that the step of straightening the straightening system includes one or more of the following steps: - Introducing heat into the top and / or bottom of the large assembly (G), preferably in the area of ​​a weld seam of the large assembly (G), by means of the at least one straightening tool (20, 20'). [14] Computer program product to be used in a computer of a straightening system (1) with a straightening system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the computer program product, when executed, causes the computer to perform a method according to any one of claims 9 to 13. [15] Computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program product is recorded, characterized by, that the computer program product, when executed in a judgement system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, causes a computer of the judgement system (1) to carry out a method according to one of claims 9 to 13.

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