Injection molding machine with turntable for center plate transport

Abstract

Injection molding machine (1) for machining profiles and for molding partial profiles, end sections or the like, comprising: • a rotary table (2) with a work table device (3) which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis (4) and which has at least two, in particular three receiving devices (5, 6, 7), wherein the receiving devices (5, 6, 7) each comprise a central plate (8) for receiving and transporting the profiles, • wherein the receiving devices (5, 6, 7) are arranged on a circle around the rotation axis, wherein in particular the receiving devices (5, 6, 7) protrude outwards from the rotation axis in a finger-shaped and / or star-shaped manner, wherein the central plates (8) are preferably arranged on the outer edge of the receiving devices (5, 6, 7), • at least one injection station (10) for injection molding one of the profiles, • at least one, in particular two handling stations (9, 11) for handling the profiles, • wherein the at least one injection station (10) and the at least one handling station (9, 11) are arranged outside the circle, • wherein the central plate (8) is mounted on the work table device (3) and can be moved parallel to the rotation axis (4) by means of a lifting device (13), • wherein the at least one injection station (10) has a mold (14, 24) for enclosing the volume to be injected on the profile, • the mold comprises an upper and a lower mold half (14, 24) which are decoupled from the rotation of the work table device (3), • wherein the upper and / or lower mold half (14, 24) and / or the center plate (8) is / are movable in such a way that, together with the center plate (8), they form a mold receiving the profile in the region of the respective injection station (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an injection molding machine and a production line for manufacturing profiles according to the preamble of claim 20.

[0002] From the prior art, for example from EP 3 991 940 A1, an injection device with a rotary table and a three-part closing side is known, wherein in the center of the rotary table there are stationary processing devices, such as an injection molding system, around which the profiles on the rotating part of the work table device can be rotated and thus changed.

[0003] The object of the invention is to be able to offer an efficiently operating injection molding machine or production line with increased effectiveness.

[0004] The problem is solved, starting from an injection molding machine of the type mentioned at the outset, by the features of claim 1 or, with regard to a production line, by the characterizing features of claim 20.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possible by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0006] The injection molding machine according to the invention is used for processing profiles onto which, for example, partial profiles or end sections are molded. It is also conceivable, in principle, that additional processing steps are integrated, depending on the embodiment. For this purpose, the injection molding machine comprises at least one processing station for performing a processing step there. In particular, such a processing step is the injection molding process to be performed, which is carried out here with one or more injection stations.

[0007] Additionally, processing steps can also include manufacturing steps in which the profile is merely placed and positioned in the mold, i.e., inserting a profile into the mold. These steps are performed using handling stations. It is also conceivable to refer to an ejection process as a processing step if the profiles are removed accordingly.

[0008] In addition, as already shown, further processing steps can be carried out, such as making trims to the profiles.

[0009] The injection molding machine according to the invention uses a turntable with a work table device that can rotate about a rotational axis. The profiles are each stored in a center plate during transport on the turntable. The center plate allows the profile to be inserted into the center plate before a processing station for easier handling and positioning. In order to enable the most diverse processing of the profiles, all processing stations are either arranged outside the circle on which the center plates rotate, or additional processing stations can be arranged above the circle on which the center plates are to rotate, i.e. in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0010] The worktable device is the area that can rotate or be moved in a rotational plane about a rotational axis. At least two, in particular three, holding devices are arranged on the worktable device on a circular line around the rotational axis of the turntable. In particular, these can be arranged in a star-shaped alignment around the rotational axis, with adjacent holding devices preferably being arranged at equal angular distances from one another. In principle, four or more holding devices are also conceivable. In one embodiment, the holding devices can protrude outwards in a finger-like manner in order to require as little material as possible, possibly also requiring as little space.

[0011] Each fixture includes a center plate in which a profile can be held for processing. The center plate is placed in the center between two mold halves when the injection process is to take place. The center plate itself is mounted in such a way that it can be lifted onto the workbench using a lifting device. This allows, for example, the center plate to be precisely inserted into an injection station and held there in a well-defined position. Later, it is possible to lift the center plate with the profile out of the injection station.

[0012] While one holding device is located in the area of ​​the corresponding injection station, the other two holding devices - out of a total of three holding devices - are each located at a handling station, so that processing can be carried out on all profiles on the work table device.

[0013] A design variant with two receiving devices, in particular a handling station and an injection station, which are therefore approached alternately, is also conceivable.

[0014] In an embodiment with three holding devices, for example, two handling stations can be provided for loading a profile and for removing the profile after processing, the injection station is arranged between the two handling stations.

[0015] In principle, a handling station can work automatically or manually, i.e. the profile can be inserted or removed automatically, or by an operator, i.e. manually.

[0016] By rotating the work table, the machining areas are moved to the same, precisely specified positions where the profile is machined by a machining station. Each machining area is moved to every position during the production process. The machining areas are thus arranged on a circle or circular line around the rotation axis, allowing the center plates to be moved from one machining station to the next.

[0017] Only the injection station(s) each have a mold, allowing the respective profile to be enclosed for the injection process. More precisely, an injection station has an upper and lower mold half. The center plate is positioned between them. This means that it is placed between them using the rotation of the turntable, and the height of the center plate can be adjusted using the lifting device.

[0018] For example, the center plate can be raised to a certain height where it can be safely guided between the two mold halves. From there, the center plate can be lowered onto the lower mold half using the lifting device. With such an embodiment of the invention, the positioning process for the center plate is simplified and can therefore be performed in a short period of time for short cycle times.

[0019] In principle, with such an arrangement, it is advantageous to provide only one mold as a tool, because the profile is transported with the center plate. The profile remains on the center plate, and even bulky parts, such as large, complex sealing frames, can be transported in a small space by being guided from station to station on the turntable. The profiles can be mounted so that they are positioned toward the center of the turntable.

[0020] Because the processing stations, i.e., handling station(s) and injection station(s), are arranged around the outside of the turntable or the circle, significantly more space is available for them than with other conventional designs, where the dimensions of the turntable dictate the dimensions. However, there is also more space towards the center of the turntable, since there is no longer a station there.

[0021] A fixation device can be used to ensure stable positioning of the center plate in the mold. For example, it is conceivable for the center plate and mold half to interlock. For example, the center plate can be equipped with bolts that engage in recesses in the mold half, or vice versa, with the mold half having bolts and the center plate having corresponding recesses, similar to a tongue and groove principle. In this way, the center plate is positioned at a defined, reproducible location in the injection station. This fixation ensures that the center plate remains in a defined position even during processing. Furthermore, this fixation ensures that the profile remains stable during processing.

[0022] In one embodiment, the nozzle device can be mounted on the upper or lower mold half. Above all, the user generally has the option of positioning the nozzle device or injection unit vertically or horizontally, which can be selected depending on the product range and also allows for direct connection to the products. However, other arrangements and angles are also conceivable.

[0023] The upper and lower molds can form the movable closing side, while the center plate can form the fixed closing side. If the center plate in one embodiment of the invention is movable or floating, for example, mounted in its own center plate holder, then the center plate itself is also a movable closing side. In this case, the fixed closing side forms only the center plate holder, which is attached directly to the workbench device.

[0024] The injection molding machine according to the invention has the particular advantage that the profiles can be fed and deposited automatically, without the need for an operator. The use of a turntable also simplifies automation, ensures fast processing, and ultimately means that an operator can be eliminated if necessary to handle the profiles. The automated insertion and removal of the profiles is facilitated by the provision of a three-part closing side or mold. The only part of the mold that guides the profile from processing station to processing station is the center plate with any inserts or receiving strips that may be present, which only limits this profile laterally, which significantly facilitates the insertion and removal of a flexible profile. Nevertheless, the profile is guided along the processing path in a positionally stable manner, enabling highly precise production of the profiles.Even larger sealing frames than profiles can be transported and processed because sufficient space can be provided to the outside and an injection station (or several) is (are) arranged outside the turning circle.

[0025] A handling station can also work manually with an operator instead of automatically.

[0026] Depending on the design variant, the center plate can also include one or more support strips to improve the storage of the profile for transport, especially in the case of large profiles.

[0027] In particular, the invention offers the advantage that manual handling of the profiles can typically be avoided between the application of trims and the actual injection process (unless a manual handling station is explicitly provided), and the proposed automated handling bridges these two processing steps. The nozzle device for the actual injection onto the profile, i.e. either for connecting a profile to another partial profile or for injection onto profile end sections, can be arranged in the area of ​​the upper or, in principle, also the lower mold. As a rule, the nozzle device is attached to the upper mold, while the lower mold forms the contour side or ejection side. Advantageously, the profile to be machined is stored in the center plate and moved from processing station to processing station.The upper and lower molds, which are necessary for the injection molding process and thus form a processing station, are designed to be movable and can be moved towards the work table device in order to enclose the profile in this processing station and to carry out the injection molding process.

[0028] Otherwise, the profile, which is mounted in the center plate, is independent of the upper and lower molds and can be moved relative to them. This advantageously increases the degree of automation.

[0029] Because the invention allows the insertion and removal of the profile to be carried out using a handling station, there is essentially no need for another operator, who would otherwise have to insert and remove the profiles from the mold in a complex and laborious manner.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the center plate is mounted in a floating manner in the center plate holder, so that it can be moved and / or lifted by movement and contact with the movable closing side. The floating mounting significantly simplifies the closing process of the molds before the injection molding process, especially since the upper and lower molds are moved against the center plate from different sides and, to a certain extent, also center the center plate themselves in the process. In this way, machining accuracy can be increased and the positioning process simplified. This floating mounting can also make it easier to insert and remove profiles. The center plate can move slightly relative to the profile, which can be used for ejection, since the center plate can be lifted, for example, via the movable closing sides.Furthermore, precise positioning relative to the mold halves is also possible by adjusting the height of the center plate using a lifting device.

[0031] The center plate can be mounted via the fixing device, for example, with a downward-facing bolt in an upwardly open recess of a support of the lifting device. If the lifting device lowers further downwards when the center plate is already resting on the lower mold half, the lower mold half releases the center plate at least partially. This may also facilitate closing the mold because the center plate has a certain amount of play.

[0032] The lifting device also allows an injection station, as well as a handling station, to be exchanged for another station, even if it operates at a different height, which improves flexibility.

[0033] The lifting device of the center plate can also be used to carry out a quick tool change by removing the mold or basic mold as a whole and handing it over to the setup equipment, or picking up the next tool and placing it in the machine.

[0034] To eject the profile, a further development of the invention can provide a corresponding ejector that is mechanically coupled to a movement of the turntable or to a movement of the upper and / or lower mold. Such a design facilitates automation in particular because two simultaneous mechanical processes or movements do not have to be controlled by independent drives, but are linked to each other, for example, via a gear system, and thus run automatically and simultaneously. Furthermore, this eliminates the need for an additional drive, which brings corresponding cost advantages. In this way, the ejection processing step can also be incorporated into the automation.

[0035] The work table device is designed to be rotatably movable. A profile that is located on the work table device, or more precisely is mounted in the center plate, can thus be moved with its processing area from processing station to processing station. Profiles are also stored in the adjacent processing areas and are moved from processing station to processing station by means of the rotary movement of the work table device. In order to be able to carry out a processing step with each transport step or immediately after each rotary movement of the work table device, it is therefore advantageous to arrange the center plates or the processing areas at equal angular intervals so that the rotary movement of the work table device moves from one processing station to the next and thus the adjacent profile can also be guided accordingly from one processing station to the next.This can save time and costs required for production.

[0036] One embodiment of an injection molding device according to the invention can, for example, be designed such that three processing areas are arranged on the work table at equal angular distances from one another, which are therefore rotated depending on the timing so that they enable sequential processing in all processing stations. A loading station, an injection station, and a removal station can be used as processing stations. In addition, further processing areas or stations can, in principle, also be provided, for example for carrying out a second injection, for carrying out trimming, or the like. In particular, for profile handling (inserting or removing profiles), robots can be assigned to the respective processing station. These robots are arranged in a stable position, for example, on or next to the turntable and insert or remove the profiles.This is facilitated by rotating the work table, ensuring that the same center plate is always used to position the profile to be machined. The work table always stops its rotation in such a way that the processing areas always stop at the same point, allowing the robots to always perform the same profile handling. Furthermore, the use of a turntable saves space because there's no need to dedicate a dedicated work area to a single person.

[0037] The rotation of the turntable can advantageously be carried out in one direction, i.e. a pendulum movement can be avoided, which can simplify the production process and save time.

[0038] The removal of a profile can be facilitated by, for example, providing an ejector. The ejector can, for example, engage the center plate and raise or lower it accordingly, which can advantageously be directly coupled to an existing movement of the turntable or molds. This not only facilitates temporal parallelization but also makes it possible to cost-effectively eliminate the need for an additional drive.

[0039] The center plate itself, in turn, can also utilize a support rail for precise guidance and stable support of profiles (flexible profiles or carrier profiles). Since such a support rail can also be movably mounted on the center plate, it can also be used to assist in ejection. This measure can fundamentally simplify handling.

[0040] In addition, inserts can be provided that are attached to the center plate, forming part of a mold during injection molding, for example, in the injection area where the profiles are connected to each other or where final injection molding takes place. These inserts can also be designed so that, for example, positioning pins, recesses in the profile, or the like are shaped via the insert. This allows the manufacturing process to be handled as flexibly as possible.

[0041] To supply the rotatably mounted section of the work table with power, contactless power transmission can be advantageously used. In particular, it is advantageous to use inductive power transmission. This avoids maintenance-prone and expensive wear contacts, which also significantly increase friction during movement and thus energy consumption, as well as complex cable routing. Furthermore, not only is the power transmission more reliable, but working with the machine is also fundamentally less dangerous if the power is transferred between parts moving relative to one another not directly via a physical cable, but rather contactlessly.

[0042] The worktable device can be configured to have radially outward-facing finger structures, each of which supports a holding fixture. Thus, each holding fixture is easily accessible for machining, and there is also radially outward space for large profiles.

[0043] Using handling stations, several injection molding machines can be linked together, each with a different turntable. This means that two of these production cells are linked together, and the profile is transferred from the removal station of one of the injection molding machines to the next via a handling station. By combining the turntables with only one direction of rotation, production time can be significantly reduced. Short cycle times are possible. Example:

[0044] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below, including further details and advantages. In detail: Fig. 1: an injection molding machine according to the invention in plan view, Fig. 2: a schematic representation of the mounting of the center plate and its fixation to the lower mold half in the raised position, Fig. 3: a schematic representation of the mounting of the middle plate and its fixation to the lower mold half in the lowered position, Fig. 4: a perspective schematic representation of the injection molding machine from Fig. 1, and Fig. 5: a representation of the positioning of the injection units for the aforementioned injection molding machine.

[0045] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 shows an injection molding machine 1 according to the invention in a top view. The rotary table 2 with the work table device 3, which is rotatable about the rotation axis 4, is visible. The work table device 3 here comprises three radially outward-facing structures with holding devices 5, 6, 7 for holding the profiles to be molded.

[0046] Each receiving device 5, 6, 7 carries a central plate 8. On the (according to Fig. 1) On the left side of the turntable 2, an injection station 10 is located, where the receiving device 6 is located. Handling stations 9, 11 are located at the other two receiving devices 5, 7, respectively; all adjacent stations are offset by 120° from each other. A motor 12 for rotating the worktable device 3 is provided in the center of the turntable 2, but no other processing station is located.

[0047] The Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows the mounting of the center plate 8 on the lifting device 13. Also shown is the lower mold half 14 as part of the overall mold. The lower mold half 14 is provided with recesses 15, which are recessed into the surface of the lower mold half 14. Accordingly, the center plate 8 has bolts 16 on its underside as part of a fixing device. When the turntable 2 is pivoted, the center plate 8 is raised so that it can be placed between the two mold halves, see. Fig. 2. Before the injection process can begin, the middle plate 8 is lowered until it rests on the lower mold half 14, see. Fig. 3. The bolts 16 are conical in shape and center the center plate 8 in the desired position.

[0048] A further component of the fixing device is a further bolt 17, which is inserted from above into a receptacle 18 in the lifting device 13. Furthermore, the central plate 8 has a stop 19 with which it can come into contact with a stop 20 of the lifting device 13. The central plate is thus mounted so as to be freely movable in the vertical direction, at least upwards, i.e., even when it comes into contact with the lower mold half 14, it can lift upwards away from the further lowering lifting device 13.

[0049] Fig. Figure 4 also illustrates how the center plate 8 can be adjusted in height from station to station 5, 6, and 7. Only one direction of rotation is required on the rotary table 2: The center plate 8 is loaded with a profile blank at handling station 5, the molding takes place at station 6, and the profile is removed and passed on at handling station 7.

[0050] Fig.5 shows the optional arrangements of the injection units 21, 22 in vertical alignment above the upper mold half 24 (injection unit 21) or in horizontal alignment at the level of the lower mold half 14 (injection unit 22). List of reference symbols: 1 injection molding machine 2 turntables 3 Work table device 4 rotation axis 5 Mounting device 6 Mounting device 7 Mounting device 8 Middle plate 9 Handling station 10 injection stations 11 Handling station 12 Turntable motor 13 Lifting device 14 lower mold half 15 Recess for fixing 16 bolts for fixing 17 bearing bolts 18 recordings in the lifting device 19 Lifting stop 20 Lifting stop 21 Injection unit (vertical) 22 Injection unit (horizontal) 24 lower mold half 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] EP 3 991 940 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Injection molding machine (1) for machining profiles and for molding partial profiles, end sections or the like, comprising: • a rotary table (2) with a work table device (3) which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis (4) and which has at least two, in particular three receiving devices (5, 6, 7), wherein the receiving devices (5, 6, 7) each comprise a central plate (8) for receiving and transporting the profiles, • wherein the receiving devices (5, 6, 7) are arranged on a circle around the rotation axis, wherein in particular the receiving devices (5, 6, 7) protrude outwards from the rotation axis in a finger-shaped and / or star-shaped manner, wherein the central plates (8) are preferably arranged on the outer edge of the receiving devices (5, 6, 7), • at least one injection station (10) for injection molding one of the profiles, • at least one, in particular two handling stations (9, 11) for handling the profiles, • wherein the at least one injection station (10) and the at least one handling station (9, 11) are arranged outside the circle, • wherein the central plate (8) is mounted on the work table device (3) and can be moved parallel to the rotation axis (4) by means of a lifting device (13), • wherein the at least one injection station (10) has a mold (14, 24) for enclosing the volume to be injected on the profile, • the mold comprises an upper and a lower mold half (14, 24) which are decoupled from the rotation of the work table device (3), • wherein the upper and / or lower mold half (14, 24) and / or the center plate (8) is / are movable in such a way that, together with the center plate (8), they form a mold receiving the profile in the region of the respective injection station (10). [2] Injection molding machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the upper and / or lower mold half (14, 24) has / have a fixing device (15, 16) in order to fix a center plate (8) in the at least one injection station (10). [3] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the middle plates (8) and the fixing device (15, 16) are designed to be fixed by a positive connection, which can be released by lifting the middle plate (8) with the lifting device (13). [4] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the upper or lower mold half (14, 24) has a nozzle device and / or an injection unit (21, 22) for injection onto the profile and the other of the two molds (24, 14), namely the upper and lower mold, has a contour side in order to be able to remove the profile after injection. [5] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the nozzle device and / or the injection unit (21, 22) is positioned horizontally or vertically for injection onto the profile. [6] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the center plate (8) is mounted floating on the work table device (3). [7] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an ejector is provided to eject the profile for removal, which ejector is mechanically coupled to a movement of the rotary table (2) and / or the upper mold half (24) and / or the lower mold half (14). [8] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adjacent receiving devices (5, 6, 7) are each arranged at equal angular distances from one another. [9] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handling station or at least one of the handling stations (9, 11) is provided as an insertion area for inserting the profile and / or a partial profile as a component of the profile. [10] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handling station or at least one of the handling stations (11) is provided as a removal area for removing the profile and / or a partial profile as a component of the profile. [11] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handling station or at least one of the handling stations (9) comprises a robot for inserting and / or removing the profile and / or the partial profile. [12] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one of the middle plates (8) has at least one receiving strip for the positionally stable mounting of the profile and / or a partial profile as a component of the profile. [13] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the middle plate (8) has at least one insert for forming a closing side during injection molding. [14] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rotary table (2) has an energy transmission device for contactless energy transmission to the work table device, in particular for inductive energy transmission. [15] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a further processing station is provided for processing the profiles, which is arranged in particular above the turntable (2) and / or the work table device (3). [16] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving devices (5, 6, 7) are designed as radially outwardly extending fingers of the work table device (3). [17] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handling station or at least one of the handling stations (9, 11) is designed to cut the profile and / or at least one partial profile. [18] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lifting device (13) is designed to support the central plate (8) in a floating manner and / or so that it can be removed upwards in the direction of the rotation axis (4). [19] Injection molding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the work table device and / or the turntable (2) is designed to rotate in only one direction during processing and injection molding of the profiles. [20] Production line for the production of profiles with at least two injection moulding machines (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a common handling station (9, 11) is provided for transferring one of the profiles from one of the injection moulding machines (1) to the other and / or to one of the others.

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