WORKPIE PREPARATION GROUP FOR A PROCESSING STATION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a workpiece supply group for a machining station with a rail support body carrying at least one rail and with a support device having a fixing unit, wherein the rail support body carries at least one second rail parallel or coaxial to the first-mentioned rail, wherein at least two normal planes oriented perpendicular to the rail longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another in the rail longitudinal direction penetrate the first rail and the second rail, wherein the fixing unit is movable between said normal planes relative to the rails between a standby position, a first working position and a second working position,wherein in the first working position, a workpiece that can be guided along the first rail can be fixed in a flat manner by means of the fixing unit, and wherein in the second working position, a workpiece that can be guided along the second rail can be fixed in a flat manner by means of the fixing unit, as well as a machining station with such a workpiece supply group and with a movable and / or pivotable tool unit.

[0002] From DE 10 2017 012 075 A1 and from WO 2018 / 121 809 A1, processing stations for processing plate and / or board-like workpieces are known.

[0003] US Pat. No. 5,220,715 A discloses a device for processing printed circuit boards, in which the individual printed circuit boards are conveyed to a transfer station by means of a chain conveyor. At the transfer station, the printed circuit boards are lifted from the chain conveyor and tilted onto a movable tool table. This tool table moves with the workpiece resting on it into a processing position. After processing, the board is transferred to a second conveyor device in the same way.

[0004] The present invention is based on the problem of increasing the utilization rate and output rate of a processing station.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of the main claim. For this purpose, the fixing unit is height-adjustable.

[0006] The workpiece supply group has two rails on which workpieces can be alternatively prepared for processing. At the processing station, the workpiece is held by a movable and / or pivoting fixing unit. This fixing unit functions as a workpiece table. When the fixing unit is in the ready position, both a workpiece on the first rail and a workpiece on the second rail can easily pass through the support device. After the workpiece to be processed has been positioned in front of the fixing unit, the latter is moved into a working position that holds the respective workpiece sitting on the first or second rail. The fixing unit moves within a working space delimited by two normal planes of the longitudinal directions of the rails. The workpiece can now be processed.After machining has been completed and the fixing unit has been returned, the machined workpiece is moved out of the work area while the next workpiece is moved into the work area.

[0007] Further details of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description of schematically illustrated embodiments. Figure 1: Workpiece supply group of a machining station with rail-supporting rail support body and support device; Figure 2: Front view of a unit according to Figure 1 ; Figure 3: Front view of Figure 2 ; Figure 4: Cross section of the Figure 2 along line AA Figure 2; Figure 5: Sectional view with the fixing unit in the ready position; Figure 6: Sectional view with the fixing unit in the first working position; Figure 7: Sectional view with the fixing unit in the second working position; Figure 8: Unit with the first workpiece ready; Figure 9: Unit with the second workpiece ready; Figure 10: Processing station with workpiece supply group and tool unit; Figure 11: Processing station with manual loading; Figure 12: Processing station with handling robot.

[0008] The Figure 1 - 9 show a workpiece supply group (20) of a machining station (10) with a rail support body (21) and with a support device (61). The workpiece supply group (20) shown is designed in these illustrations as a unit (20) with mechanically connected assemblies. Figure 10shows a processing station (10) with such a workpiece supply group (20) and with a tool unit (12). Processing stations (10) with such units (20) are used, for example, in the processing of large-area workpieces (111, 112), such as plates (111, 112) or boards, cf. Figure 8 - 10These workpieces (111, 112) can be made of wood, composite materials, metal, glass, etc. The workpieces (111, 112) are conveyed in the longitudinal direction (25) of the rail support body (21) to the support device (61). The support device (61) contacts and fixes the respective workpiece (111; 112) by means of a fixing unit (81). The fixed workpiece (111, 112) can then be processed, for example, by means of forming processes, separating processes, joining processes or coating processes. A combination of two or more processes is also conceivable. In these processes, for example, one or more tool-carrying processing robots (11) are used, which are arranged, for example, next to the rail support body (21).

[0009] The unit (20) shown in the figures can be configured as part of a single processing station (10) or as a substation of a linked production line, e.g., a transfer line. In the latter case, the support device (61) can also be used as a buffer station or alignment station in the material flow.

[0010] In the illustrated embodiment, the rail support body (21) is a welded sheet steel construction. It can also be manufactured as a cast part, from polymer concrete, etc. The illustrated rail support body (21) has two external longitudinal beams (22), which are anchored, for example, to the hall floor. These longitudinal beams (22) are connected to one another by means of a plurality of transverse plates (23) arranged offset from one another in the longitudinal direction (25). The transverse plates (23) are designed, for example, to be congruent with one another. They support a U-shaped receiving groove (24) oriented in the longitudinal direction (25).

[0011] The receiving groove (24) has a constant cross-section over its length, cf. Figure 3 , It is open at both ends. The receiving channel (24) can also be inclined, e.g. for chip removal. A chip conveyor device can also be arranged in it. For example, when used on a woodworking station, an extraction system can also be provided. The two, e.g. vertically arranged longitudinal side plates (26, 28) of the receiving channel (24) have a different height in the embodiment. Thus, in the illustrations of the Figure 1 - 10the first upper side (27) of the first longitudinal side plate (26) facing the support device (61) is one-third higher than the second upper side (29) of the second longitudinal side plate (28). However, the upper sides can also lie in a common plane. Both upper sides (27, 29) are parts of longitudinal webs (31, 32) which, in the exemplary embodiment, each project beyond the longitudinal side plates (26, 27) in the direction of the support device (61). It is also conceivable for the longitudinal webs (31, 32) to project in the direction away from the support device (61). They can also be arranged above the receiving groove (24) or facing away from one another.

[0012] A helical toothed rack (33) and several electrical conductor tracks (34) are arranged below each of the longitudinal webs (31, 32). These run, concealed by the longitudinal webs (31, 32), along the entire length of the rail support body (21). In the illustrations of the Figure 1 - 10 directly below the respective longitudinal web (31, 32). On the outer side (35) of the first longitudinal side plate (26), the rack (33) and the electrical conductor tracks (34) are located above the transverse plates (23).

[0013] A rail (51; 56) is fastened to each of the longitudinal webs (31; 32). A first rail (51) sits on the first longitudinal web (31) and a second rail (56) on the second longitudinal web (32). In the exemplary embodiment, both rails (51, 56) are straight rails (51, 56). The longitudinal direction (55) of these rails (51, 56) is identical to the longitudinal direction (25) of the rail support body (21). At least two normal planes, spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction (55) and lying normal to the longitudinal direction (55), penetrate both the first rail (51) and the second rail (56).

[0014] The two rails (51, 56) can also be curved. They are then arranged coaxially about a common axis. This common axis is aligned normal to the support planes of the rails (51, 56) that are tangent to the rail head surfaces (52; 57). These support planes are parallel to the planes of the upper sides (27, 29) of the longitudinal webs (31; 32). The respective rail longitudinal direction (55) of these curved rails (51, 56) lies on a cylindrical surface around the common axis, wherein the cylindrical surface penetrates the center of the respective rail (51, 56). In this exemplary embodiment, too, two normal planes to the rail longitudinal direction (55), which are spaced apart from one another in the region of the rails (51, 56), penetrate both rails (51, 56). In this case, the normal planes are, for example, radial planes through the common axis.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the respective rail (51; 56) is a guide rail (51; 56) for recirculating ball bearings (102) with two-point contact. Each of the recirculating ball bearings (102) has, for example, four rows of rolling elements.

[0016] Each of the recirculating ball bearing shoes (102) encompassing a rail (51; 56) is part of a workpiece carriage (101). In this embodiment, each workpiece carriage (101) is guided along the respective rail (51; 56) by means of precisely one recirculating ball bearing shoe (102). The individual workpiece carriage (101) has a workpiece holder (103) above the recirculating ball bearing shoe (102). For example, a workpiece clamp is arranged on the individual workpiece holder (103). The length of the, for example, straight, groove-shaped workpiece holder (103) corresponds to the length of the workpiece carriage (101) in the longitudinal direction of the rail (55).

[0017] Below the longitudinal webs (31, 32), the individually mounted workpiece carriage (101) has a drive unit. This includes, for example, current collectors that contact the conductor tracks (34) and a motor-driven drive pinion that meshes with the rack (33).

[0018] A control portal (36) is arranged on the rail support body (21). This portal is a transverse gate projecting beyond both rails (51, 56) and has two parallel passages (37, 38). These passages (37, 38) each have a rectangular cross-sectional area that is wider than the width of the individual workpiece carriages (101) in the transverse direction (39). In this embodiment, the transverse direction (39) is oriented perpendicular to a vertical central longitudinal plane of the first rail (51; 56). The height of both passages (37, 38) is greater than the maximum permissible workpiece height.

[0019] A workpiece release device (41) is arranged at each passage (37; 38). The individual workpiece release device (41) has a locking pin (42) that can be moved in the transverse direction (39). A light barrier that responds when a workpiece (111; 112) is waiting can also be arranged in the gantry. For example, the light barrier is damped as soon as a workpiece (111; 112) rests against the locking pin. A measuring device, e.g., for the height and thickness of a workpiece (111; 112), can also be arranged in the control gantry (36).

[0020] In the exemplary embodiment, the support device (61) is also arranged on the rail support body (21). For example, it is joined to it, e.g., welded. However, the support device (61) can also be located next to the rail support body (21) on the hall floor. For example, its floor anchors or foundation are offset in the transverse direction (39) from the floor anchors or foundation of the rail support body (21).

[0021] The support device (61) comprises a stationary frame (62) and a fixing unit (81) that is adjustable relative thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, a cross slide (63) that can be moved in the transverse direction (39) is arranged on the frame (62). For this purpose, for example, two guide rails (64) are fastened to the frame (62), on each of which two recirculating ball bearing shoes (65) arranged on the cross slide (63) are guided. On its end face (66) facing the rail support body (21), the cross slide (63) carries a vertical slide (67). This can be moved perpendicular to the transverse direction (39) and perpendicular to both rail support planes of the rails (51, 56). The mounting of the vertical slide (67) on the cross slide (63) is designed analogously to the mounting of the cross slide (63) on the frame (62). The vertical slide (67) carries the fixing unit (81).In an embodiment of the workpiece supply group (20) with a horizontal rail support plane contacting both rails (51, 56), the support device (61) can be designed without a vertical slide (67). In this case, the fixing unit (81) is arranged on the cross slide (63).

[0022] The fixing unit (81) has two vertically oriented stop bars (82). These define a holding area (83). The stop bars (82), arranged here flush with the transverse sides (84) of the fixing unit (81), can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction (25). For example, this can be used to change the size of the holding area (83). If necessary, the fixing unit (81) can be extended in the longitudinal direction (25). For this purpose, extendable rods can be used, for example.

[0023] In the exemplary embodiment, the adhesion region (83) is configured vertically in space. However, it can also be inclined about an axis oriented in the longitudinal direction (25). The angle of inclination to a vertical plane oriented in the longitudinal direction (25) is, for example, less than 15 degrees. The adhesion region (83) has, for example, a flat envelope. However, the adhesion region (83) can also be curved along one or more axes, for example, when used in a forming station.

[0024] The fixing unit (81) has in the illustration of the Figure 1suction cups (85) arranged in the adhesion area (83). When these, for example, extendable suction cups (85) are subjected to negative pressure, a workpiece (111; 112) is pulled towards the fixing unit (81) and fixed there. The suction cups (85) can be extended and retracted all together, but also individually or in groups. For example, in the case of a curved adhesion area (83), the suction cups (85) can be controlled line by line, for example depending on the degree of deformation of the workpiece (111; 112). In order to release the workpiece (111; 112) from the adhesion area (83), the pressure in the suction cups (85) is increased to the ambient pressure, for example.

[0025] Instead of the suction cups (85), magnets, such as electromagnets, can be used in the holding area (83) when machining magnetizable workpieces (111; 112). To release the respective workpiece (111; 112), the electromagnets are switched off.

[0026] The fixing unit (81) can also be moved relative to the rails (51; 56) by means of an inclined plane, by means of a kinematic chain, by means of a gear, etc. If a gear is used, this can be designed, for example, as a non-rotatable four-bar linkage, e.g., as a parallelogram. During this displacement, the fixing unit (81) moves between two normal planes of the longitudinal rail direction (55). These normal planes delimit the fixing unit (81) in the longitudinal rail direction (55), for example, at least in a standby position (91) in which the support device (61) is not in contact with the workpiece (111; 112). The fixing unit (81) is moved in a plane spanned by the transverse direction (39) and a vertical direction (43) oriented normal to this and to the longitudinal rail direction (55).

[0027] When using the workpiece supply group (20) in a flexible manufacturing system, the workpiece (111; 112) is fed to the individual processing station (10), for example on a transport carriage. Workpiece feeding by means of a conveyor belt, by means of a lifting device, etc. is also conceivable. The workpiece (111; 112), e.g. a wooden panel to be processed, is picked up by an operator, for example. It is then inserted into the workpiece holders (103) of, for example, three workpiece carriages (101) arranged in a row on the first rail (51) in the insertion area (44). Insertion can also be carried out by means of a lifting device. The first rail (51) is the rear rail (51) as seen from the operator. Since this first rail (51) in the exemplary embodiment is higher than the second rail (56) located at the front, there is no risk of collision with the second rail (56) when inserting the first workpiece (111) into the workpiece carriage (101) of the first rail (51).After insertion, the respective workpiece (111; 112) is secured, e.g., by means of clamps, in the workpiece holders (103). It is now perpendicular, e.g., to the support plane of the first rail (51) and to the support plane of the second rail (56). The workpiece (111; 112) can also have a slight helix angle, e.g., less than 15 degrees, to a vertical plane.

[0028] If the workpiece supply group (20) is used in a rigid transfer line or in a flexible transfer line, the workpiece (111; 112) is already conveyed into the insertion area (44) by means of the workpiece carriage (101). The insertion area (44) is located in the illustrations of the Figure 1 and 8 - 10 left of the tax portal (36).

[0029] For example, the workpiece carriage (101) moves the initially inserted first workpiece (111) toward the control portal (36). Here, it abuts the locking pin (42) of the workpiece release device (41). This position of the workpiece (111) is used, for example, as a reference point for determining the length of the workpiece (111). The workpiece (111) can also be measured here. For example, the thickness and height of the workpiece (111) can be determined and transmitted to the control system of the processing station (10).

[0030] To release, for example, the first workpiece (111), the locking pin (42) is moved so that the passage (37) penetrated by the first rail (51) is opened. The self-propelled workpiece carriages (101) convey the first workpiece toward the support device (61). The length of the workpiece (111) is determined, for example, using the light barrier, taking into account the travel speed of the workpiece carriages (101).

[0031] The support device (61) is initially in a standby position (91), cf. Figure 5 . The section plane of this illustration corresponds to the section plane AA of Figure 2. In this standby position (91), the cross slide (63) has been retracted, for example, to its end position (68). The fixing device (81) is at its greatest distance from the first rail (51). It is in an end operating position. The support device (61) covers neither the first rail (51) nor the second rail (56). In the standby position (91), the distance of the fixing unit (81) from the center of the first rail (51), measured in the transverse direction (39), is greater than half the width of a workpiece carriage (101), measured in the transverse direction (39).

[0032] As soon as the first workpiece (111) is offset in the transverse direction (39) relative to the support device (61), cf. Figure 8, the workpiece carriages (101) are stopped. The cross slide (63) with the fixing unit (81) is moved towards the first rail (51) until the stop bars (82) rest against the workpiece (111). The suction cups (85) are subjected to a negative pressure so that the adhesive area (83) is pressed against the first workpiece (111). The fixing unit (81) is now in a first working position (92), see. Figure 6 The fixing unit (81) lies flat against the first workpiece (111) and holds it in place.

[0033] For machining the first workpiece (111), a machining robot (11) standing on the hall floor is used, for example, cf. Figure 10. This has a tool unit (12) that can be pivoted and / or moved relative to the rails (51, 56). In the exemplary embodiment, the tool unit (12) has several driven tools (13), e.g., a drill, a milling cutter, etc. Furthermore, the processing robot (11) can have a testing or measuring device, for example, to precisely determine the position of the workpiece (111) before processing.

[0034] During machining, the tool unit (12) moves with the tool (13) to the specified position on the workpiece (111). This position can be located, for example, in the lower area of ​​the workpiece (111). Due, among other things, to the raised first rail (51) relative to the second rail (56), there is no risk of the tool unit (12) colliding with the first rail (56). If, for example, drilling through the workpiece (111) is planned, a suction cup (85) located in the working area can be retracted.

[0035] After machining is complete, the tool unit (12) returns to its starting position. The vacuum at the suction cups (85) is switched off, and the clamping unit (81) moves to its standby position (91) using the cross slide (63) and, if applicable, the vertical slide (67). Depending on the planned material flow to the next machining position in the hall, the workpiece carriages (101) can either transport the workpiece (111) back to the insertion area (44) or in the opposite direction.

[0036] Immediately after the first workpiece (111) has been released on the first rail (51), a second workpiece (112), for example, is inserted into a workpiece carriage (101) located, for example, on the second rail (56) in the insertion area (44). This second workpiece (112) is moved against the locking pin (42) and measured, as described in connection with the first workpiece (111). As soon as the tool unit (12) is in its starting position and / or as soon as the fixing device (81) has reached its standby position (91), the workpiece carriages (101) of the second workpiece (112) can be released. The second workpiece (112) is moved in the direction of the support device (61). The travel times of the first workpiece (111) and the second workpiece (112) overlap. The machining station (10) therefore has only a short idle time. The setup time of one workpiece (111; 112) is within the main time of the other workpiece (112; 111).This results in a high output rate. This results in a low machine-related dead time. This is the downtime of the tool unit (12) between the machining of two workpieces (111, 112). This achieves a high degree of capacity utilization and utilization of the machining station (10). The overall job, which includes the machining of several workpieces (111, 112), requires only a short throughput time because the non-productive times of the individual workpieces (111, 112) overlap.

[0037] As soon as the second workpiece (112) is offset in the transverse direction (39) relative to the support device (61), cf. Figure 9, the fixing unit (81) is moved with the workpiece carriage (101) stopped. In the exemplary embodiment, the cross slide (63) moves, for example, until it reaches the distance in the transverse direction (39) from the second rail (56) that it has from the first rail (51) in the standby position (91). This distance is referred to below as the minimum distance for release. The vertical slide (67) with the fixing unit (81) is then moved downwards. These two movements can also overlap in some areas. The cross slide (63) can now be moved further in the direction of the second workpiece (112). After the second workpiece (112) has been sucked up, the fixing unit (81) is in a second working position (93), see. Figure 7. The workpiece (112) is immovably attracted by means of the suction cups (85) and is supported on the stop bars (82). In this second working position (93), the support device (61) covers the first rail (51). It is located above the first rail (51). The second rail (56) is not covered. The fixing unit (81) of the support device (61) is offset next to the second rail (56) in the direction of the first rail (51). In this second working position (93), the fixing unit (81) is positioned in the work area, for example, parallel to its position in the first working position (92).

[0038] The second workpiece (112) is machined in a manner analogous to the above-described machining of the first workpiece (111). As soon as the fixing unit (81) has reached the minimum clearance for release after machining is complete, the second workpiece (112) can be conveyed further or back into the insertion area (44). As soon as the fixing unit (81) is in the standby position (91), a new first workpiece (111) can be conveyed into the work area.

[0039] The Figure 11shows a processing station (10) with manual loading. In this illustration, a second workpiece (112) is shortly before processing. A first workpiece (111) has been finished at this processing station (10). It is moved back to the insertion area (44) by means of the workpiece carriage (101). Here it is removed by hand, for example, and placed on a magazine (14). Subsequently, another workpiece (111) to be processed can be taken, for example, from a stack not shown here, and inserted into the workpiece holders of the workpiece carriage (101) in the insertion area (44).

[0040] In the Figure 12the loading and removal of the workpieces (111; 112) by means of a handling robot (15) is shown. The handling robot (15) has a gripping device (16) for this purpose. By means of this gripping device (16), a workpiece (111; 112) to be machined is lifted from a stack, e.g. by means of suction elements, and placed on the workpiece carriage (101) in the insertion area (44). In this exemplary embodiment, too, the machined workpiece (111; 112) is moved back into the insertion area (44). Here, the workpiece (111; 112) is removed by means of the handling robot (15) and placed in a magazine (14) of the finished workpieces (111; 112). This magazine is then conveyed, e.g., to a subsequent processing station in the material flow. List of reference symbols:

[0041] 10Processing station 11Processing robot 12Tool unit 13Tools 14Magazine 15Handling robot 16Gripping device 20Workpiece supply group, unit 21Rail support body 22Longitudinal beam 23Cross plates 24Receiving trough 25Longitudinal direction 26Longitudinal side plate, first longitudinal side plate 27First top side 28Longitudinal side plate, second longitudinal side plate 29Second top side 31First longitudinal web 32Second longitudinal web 33Rack 34Conductor tracks 35Outside of (26) 36Control portal 37Passage 38Passage 39Transverse direction 41Workpiece release device 42Locking pin 43Height direction 44Insertion area 51Rail, first rail 52Rail head surface 55Rail longitudinal direction 56Rail, second rail 57Rail head surface 61Support device 62Frame 63Cross slide 64Guide rails 65Ball bearing shoes 66End face of (63) 67Vertical slide 68End position of (63) 81Fixing unit 82Stop bars 83Adhesive area 84Cross sides of (81) 85Suction cups 91Standby position, final operating position 92First working position 93Second working position 101Workpiece carriage 102Recirculating ball bearing 103Workpiece holder 111Workpiece, first workpiece, plate 112Workpiece, second workpiece, plate

Claims

1. A workpiece-providing assembly (20) for a processing station (10) having a rail-bearing body (21), which bears at least one rail (51; 56), and having a supporting device (61), which has a fixing unit (81), - wherein the rail-bearing body (21) bears at least one second rail (56; 51), which is parallel to or coaxial with the first-mentioned rail (51; 56), - wherein at least two normal planes, which are oriented normally to the rail longitudinal direction (55) and are mutually spaced in the rail longitudinal direction (55), extend through the first rail (51; 56) and the second rail (56; 51), - wherein the fixing unit (81) is movable between the said normal planes relative to the rails (51, 56) between a standby position (91), a first working position (92), and a second working position (93), - wherein, in the first working position (92), a workpiece (111) that can be guided along the first rail (51; 56) is fixable in planar contact by means of the fixing unit, and - wherein, in the second working position (93), a workpiece (112) that can be guided along the second rail (56; 51) is fixable in planar contact by means of the fixing unit (81), characterised in that - the fixing unit (81) is height-adjustable.

2. The workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the supporting device (61) is fastened to or integrally formed on the rail-bearing body (21).

3. The workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the spatial position of the fixing unit (81) in the first working position (92) is parallel to the spatial position of the fixing unit (81) in the second working position (93).

4. The workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the supporting device (61) has a transverse slide (63), which is movable normally to a vertical central longitudinal plane of the first rail (51; 56) and bears the fixing unit (81).

5. The workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the first rail (51; 56) and the second rail (56; 51) are vertically offset from one another.

6. The workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that a workpiece-releasing device (41) is arranged on the rail-bearing body (21).

7. The workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that workpiece carriages (101) are movable both along the first rail (51; 56) and along the second rail (56; 51).

8. The workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it is part of a workpiece processing and transfer system.

9. A processing station (10) having a workpiece-providing assembly (20) according to Claim 1 and having a movable and / or pivotable tool unit (12).