Processing machine, in particular a plate processing machine, and method for operating a processing machine

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a method for operating a processing machine according to the preamble of claim 8. Such a machine is known from the document DE 10 2009 022 784 A1.

[0002] A processing machine, in particular a slab processing machine for processing slabs made of stone, wood, metal, and / or their substitute materials, comprising a work area with a support device for receiving the slabs during processing, preferably arranged horizontally, and a processing head with a tool drive motor with a tool arranged on the output side, is known, for example, from DE 10 2009 022 784 A1. The tool can be, for example, a circular saw blade or a circular saw. Additionally, the machine can be equipped with a water jet cutting head.

[0003] Waterjet technology offers several advantages compared to traditional machining methods and also non-traditional machining techniques (laser cutting, plasma cutting, ultrasonic machining), in particular Almost any material can be cut (steel, ceramics, composite materials, glass, stone, etc.) Large material thicknesses can be cut: up to 300 mm at 4,000 bar water pressure and up to 500 mm at 6,000 bar water pressure No thermal influence on the workpiece material No thermal and chemical reactions No direct contact between the cutting head and the workpiece Small kerf width: typically approx. 0.5 - 1.2 mm, which contributes to material savings Omnidirectional tool - ability to machine complex geometries Low cutting and reaction forces Multifunctional tool (cutting, drilling, milling, cleaning with one tool) Good automation and robotization options

[0004] These advantages are leading to a rapid expansion of application areas, for example in the aircraft and automotive industries, the military, medicine, and contract processing. Today, two types of high-pressure waterjet cutting are used in industrial applications – pure waterjet (WS) and water abrasive jet (WAS). Pure waterjet cutting utilizes the erosive effect of pure water and is used to cut soft materials such as seals, foams, rubber, wood, plastics, paper products, or food. Water is compressed in a high-pressure pump and pumped through a high-pressure line to a water nozzle with a diameter of 0.08 to 0.5 mm. At the water nozzle, which is made of sapphire or diamond, the potential energy of the compressed water is converted into the high kinetic energy of the waterjet. The waterjet can reach several times the speed of sound (e.g., at 4,000 bar: approx.805 - 875 m / s). In everyday practice, water pressures of 400 bar to 6,000 bar are used.

[0005] To compress water to high pressure, hydraulic pressure intensifier pumps or direct-drive plunger pumps are typically used. Currently, typical 4,000 bar pressure intensifier pumps can achieve flow rates of 0.8 to 7.6 l / min; most 6,000 bar pressure intensifier pumps achieve flow rates between 2.8 and 6.0 l / min.

[0006] By adding abrasive solid particles (e.g., garnet or olivine), the cutting effect of the waterjet increases significantly. In this case, the material removal results primarily from micro-cutting with abrasive particles. The abrasive particles, which are accelerated by the high-speed waterjet in the focusing tube of the cutting head, hit the workpiece surface at high speed and induce microscopic erosion. This enables the cutting of hard materials such as metals, composites, concrete, glass, stone, etc.

[0007] There are currently two methods for supplying the abrasive in WAS: water abrasive injector jet (WAIS) and water abrasive suspension jet (WASS).

[0008] WAIS is state-of-the-art today and is used worldwide in industrial manufacturing at pressures up to 6,000 bar. The water jet generated by WAIS flows through a mixing chamber in the cutting head, creating a vacuum (Venturi effect) that enables the pneumatic feed of dry, solid abrasive particles. In the focusing tube, water, abrasive particles, and air are mixed, accelerated, and focused into a coherent abrasive water jet. On average, WAIS consists of approximately 95% air, 4% water, and 1% abrasive particles.

[0009] The so-called "bypass principle" is most commonly used to generate WAIS. In this process, a portion of the water pumped is used to extract the abrasive particles from a storage pressure vessel and mix them into the main water flow. The resulting suspension can be fed to the cutting head via elastic high-pressure hoses. The main difference between WAIS and WASS is the absence of air. This characterizes WASS with greater stability and greater cutting performance compared to WAIS – a cutting thickness of 1,000 mm in reinforced concrete is possible. Commercial WASS systems operate at pressures of up to 2,000 bar.

[0010] The result of waterjet cutting depends on several process parameters simultaneously. The most important are the water pressure, the diameter of the water nozzle and the focusing tube, the feed rate of the cutting head, the distance between the water nozzle and the workpiece, the type and thickness of the material, and the type and quantity of abrasive particles.

[0011] In industrial practice, waterjet cutting is primarily used for cutting two-dimensional (2D) workpieces from sheet materials. One or more cutting heads are guided along two CNC-controlled XY axes of a gantry system. The third Z-axis allows the height of the cutting head to be adjusted to the thickness of the workpiece. The residual energy of the waterjet at the exit side of the workpiece is dissipated in a water basin.

[0012] The integration of a 3D cutting head (5-axis control) opens up new application areas for waterjet cutting. Both types of cutting heads, 2D and 3D, can also be combined in a single cutting system. Robotic systems are also used for waterjet cutting of products with complex 3D geometries but with lower precision requirements.

[0013] A high-pressure water jet cutting head is known, for example, from DE 37 08 608 A1.

[0014] From DE 196 03 933 A1 a device for processing plates has become known, wherein at least one cutting device and at least one water jet cutting device are provided for producing cut surfaces.

[0015] Furthermore, DE10 2006 002 504 A1 discloses a panel processing device comprising a table for supporting a panel to be processed, a feed device for displacing the panel in a first direction (X-direction), and a processing unit having two drivable saw blades, wherein the processing unit is drivably mounted for carrying out a sawing operation from a processing side of the panel in a second direction (Y-direction) which runs at right angles to the X-direction, which is characterized in particular in that the processing unit has a further tool which is capable of processing the panel in more than one single direction, wherein the further tool is mounted such that it can pivot about at least one axis, wherein the further tool can be designed as a water jet unit.

[0016] As already explained above, the processing machine is particularly suitable for processing, in particular cutting or notching, plate-shaped workpieces, such as sandwich polystyrene-metal panels, sandwich mineral wool-metal panels, sandwich foam polymer-metal panels, generally sandwich insulation-metal panels, composite panels, etc. Here, in particular in the constellation with a circular saw as an additional processing device and a water jet cutting head.

[0017] For example, the circular saw first cuts the top metal layer and partially the polystyrene intermediate layer, then the water jet cuts the remaining intermediate layer without damaging the lower metal layer.

[0018] Since the entire processing machine with the installed waterjet cutting head is to rotate 180° after the cut, a flexible holder for the waterjet cutting head is required to start the next cut.

[0019] Another processing machine is known, for example, from DE 20 2012 010050 U1. DE 20 2012 010050 U1 describes a fluid jet cutting device with a support part and a cutting head, between which a parting plane runs. A movable boom with a drilling unit is attached to the support part. The drilling unit can create precise starting holes before the cutting process begins to prevent delamination in composite materials. This improves efficiency and precision by combining drilling and cutting operations in an automated process and enables flexible adaptation to different workpiece geometries.

[0020] Another processing machine is known, for example, from DE 10 2014 014359 A1. DE 10 2014 014359 A1 describes a multifunctional robot cell for machining workpieces. This robot cell combines a processing robot for waterjet cutting with at least one additional processing device for an additional machining process. This eliminates time-consuming and cost-intensive transport routes between different processing systems. The robot cell enables more efficient and cost-effective machining, as the workpiece can be further processed directly in the cell without repositioning. The use of interchangeable tool heads and the ability to perform machining steps simultaneously increases the flexibility and speed of workpiece machining.

[0021] Another processing machine is known, for example, from US 5 605 492 A. US 5 605 492 A describes a machine tool for cutting workpieces, comprising a cutting head with at least two cutting units that direct cutting jets onto the workpiece. These jets act in close proximity to one another to assist the cutting process. The machine tool has a worktable to support the workpiece, and both the workpiece and the cutting head are movable to create a cutting line. At least one of the cutting units is movable relative to the other so that the angle of the cutting jets can be changed. The cutting head can use high-speed water jets, which may be abrasive, and the cutting characteristics of these jets are adjustable.

[0022] The object of the present invention is to propose an improved processing machine, in particular a processing machine that enables flexible mounting of the waterjet cutting head. In other words, the aim is to propose a way to avoid complicated, vulnerable high-pressure piping with HD swivel joints for a processing machine, in particular a metal circular saw including waterjet cutting.

[0023] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a processing machine having the characterizing features of claim 1. Due to the fact that the axis of rotation of the further processing device and the axis of rotation of the water jet cutting head are arranged parallel to one another, wherein the water jet cutting head is equipped with a supply line for the fluid required for cutting, in particular water, wherein the supply line extends from a connection point from the axis of the processing machine to the connection of the water jet cutting head, wherein the supply line is arranged in a projecting manner, in particular in an arc shape, between the connection point and the connection of the water jet cutting head, the problems outlined above can be eliminated, or at least reduced.In other words, a fundamental concept of the present invention is that the waterjet cutting head is rotatably mounted, thus at least partially eliminating the need for high-pressure rotary couplings and / or complex flexible piping. Furthermore, a rotatable waterjet cutting head can reduce forces / moments from the piping.

[0024] Further advantageous embodiments of the proposed invention emerge in particular from the features of the subclaims. The subject matter and features of the various claims can, in principle, be combined with one another in any desired way.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the waterjet cutting head can be rotatably mounted together with the connection. The connection for the fluid required for cutting thus represents the interface for a supply line. If the waterjet cutting head can be rotated together with its connection, then, for example, a costly and error-prone high-pressure rotary coupling is no longer required in this area. This opens up freedom in the design of the supply line, which can then be designed from rigid to more rigid, for example.

[0026] According to the invention, the processing machine comprises a further processing device, wherein the processing machine can be rotated about at least one axis, wherein the waterjet cutting head is arranged at a radial distance from the axis of rotation of the processing machine, wherein the waterjet cutting head is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis. This opens up the possibility of the waterjet cutting head being individually aligned and, in particular, tracked with respect to its axis of rotation. This enables, for example, the connection of a supply line for the fluid required for cutting; which, for example, does not require costly high-pressure rotary couplings. The processing machine is thus less susceptible to failure, can be used more individually, and is ultimately more cost-effective.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional processing device can be designed as a circular saw, comprising a circular saw blade with a rotational axis, which is partially enclosed by a casing. A circular saw is preferably suitable as an additional processing device, particularly in conjunction with a waterjet cutting head.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the waterjet cutting head can be accommodated in a pivot bearing device. A separate mounting of the waterjet cutting head in a pivot bearing device enables a definable rotational behavior of the waterjet cutting head, for example, with stops, dampers, etc.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pivot bearing can comprise at least one bearing support with a rolling bearing or plain bearing. Such a bearing is particularly advantageous for a rotatable mounting of the waterjet cutting head.

[0030] According to the invention, the rotational axis of the additional processing device and the rotational axis of the waterjet cutting head are arranged parallel to each other. Thus, the waterjet cutting head and the additional processing device can be rotated about their radially spaced, but preferably parallel, vertical axes.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the axis of rotation of the circular saw blade is aligned orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the further processing device and / or the water jet cutting head.

[0032] According to the invention, the waterjet cutting head is equipped with a supply line for the fluid required for cutting, in particular water, wherein the supply line extends from a connection point on the axis of the processing machine to the waterjet cutting head. A curved supply line can be formed across the distance between the connection point and the waterjet cutting head, which can be designed to be fluidically optimized, or at least advantageous.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the connection coupling is arranged axially above the further processing device. This results in a supply line from top to bottom in the direction of gravity. According to the invention, the supply line is arranged in a projecting manner, in particular in an arc shape, between the connection point and the water jet cutting head. This accordingly results in an advantageous possibility of initiating the rotary movement of the water jet cutting head via the supply line. In principle, no further drive is required for the rotary movement of the water jet cutting head, although such a drive is fundamentally possible. Nevertheless, the supply line is always relieved by the rotatable water jet cutting head.

[0034] A further object of the present invention is to propose an advantageous method for operating the processing machine according to the invention.

[0035] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method according to claim 8. Preferably, it can be provided that, when the processing machine rotates about the axis, the additional processing device is rotated in the opposite direction to the water jet cutting head. This possibility arises from the processing machine proposed according to the invention, in particular from the rotatably mounted water jet cutting head.

[0036] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows a processing machine in a perspective view; Fig. 2 shows a processing machine in a first position in a side view; Fig. 2a shows a processing machine according to Fig. 2 in a view from above; Fig. 3 a processing machine in a second position in a view from the front; Fig. 3a a processing machine according to Fig. 3 in a view from above; Fig. 4 a processing machine in a third position in a side view; Fig. 4a a processing machine according to Fig. 4 in a view from above; Fig. 5 a processing machine not according to the invention with a rotatably mounted water jet cutting head without further processing device.

[0037] The following reference symbols are used in the figures: Radial distance between the rotation axes 3 and 4 1 (further) processing device 2 Water jet cutting head 3 Processing machine rotation axis, in particular rotation axis of the processing machine, and in particular rotation axis of the further processing device 4 Axis, in particular rotation axis of the water jet cutting head 11 Drive 12 Circular saw blade 13 Cover 14 Rotation axis 21 Rotation bearing device, in particular consisting of bearing (25) and bearing holder (26) 22 Supply line 23 Connection point or connection coupling 24 Connection for the fluid required for cutting 25 Bearing 26 Bearing holder

[0038] First, Fig. 1 Reference is made.

[0039] A processing machine according to the invention essentially comprises a water jet cutting head 2 and in particular a further processing device 1.

[0040] The entire processing machine can be rotated about at least one axis 3, which will be referred to below as the processing machine rotation axis. The waterjet cutting head 2 is arranged at a radial distance A from this axis 3. The rotation axis 3 of the processing machine and the rotation axis of the additional processing device 1 coincide. The additional processing device 1 is preferably designed as a circular saw, comprising a drive 11, a circular saw blade 12, and a cover 13 for the circular saw blade 12. Other types of suitable processing devices are also conceivable. The rotation axis 14 of the circular saw blade 13 is preferably aligned orthogonally to the rotation axis 3 of the processing machine or the additional processing device 1.

[0041] According to the invention, the waterjet cutting head 2 is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis 4. For this purpose, the waterjet cutting head 2 can be mounted, for example, in a suitable pivot bearing device 21. The pivot bearing device 21 can, for example, comprise two roller bearings that are mounted vertically one above the other in the axial direction in suitable bearing receptacles. If the further processing device 1 is configured as a circular saw with a corresponding housing or covering 13 for the saw blade 12, the pivot bearing device 21 can, for example, be attached to the housing 13.

[0042] The rotation axis 4 of the water jet cutting head is aligned parallel to the rotation axis 3 of the processing machine.

[0043] The waterjet cutting head 2 is equipped with a connection 24 for the fluid required for cutting. The waterjet cutting head 2 is preferably rotatably mounted together with the connection 24. The waterjet cutting head 2 is equipped with a supply line 22 for the fluid required for cutting, in particular water. This is a pipe suitable for supplying the fluid under high pressure. The supply line 22 is connected accordingly to the connection 24.

[0044] It is provided that the supply line 22 extends from a connecting coupling 23 from the axis 3 of the processing machine to the connection 24 of the waterjet cutting head 2. Preferably, the connecting coupling 23 is arranged axially above the further processing device 1. The supply line 22 is arranged in a projecting, in particular arcuate, manner between the connecting coupling 23 and the waterjet cutting head 2, in particular the connection 24. The resulting radius can advantageously be designed generously, for example, to avoid excessively tight bends or kinks.

[0045] An operation, in particular rotation, of the processing machine around the axis 3, is to be explained below using the Fig. 2 bis 4 will be explained in more detail. It is understood that only a few selected method steps are presented here, as they are helpful for understanding the device according to the invention. The operation may include further steps or intermediate steps known to those skilled in the art.

[0046] In the Fig. 2 The processing machine is shown in a first position, which can also be referred to as the starting position. In this first position, the additional processing device 1 is in a first rotational position and the waterjet cutting head 2 is in a first rotational position. To establish a suitable reference, it is assumed that this first rotational position should be 0° in both cases.

[0047] In the Fig. 3 The processing machine is shown in a second position, which can also be referred to as an intermediate position. It can be seen that the additional processing device 1 is in a second rotational position and the water jet cutting head 2 is in a second rotational position. With respect to the starting position, the second rotational position of the additional processing device is 90° and the second rotational position of the water jet cutting head is -90°. In other words, the additional processing device 1, e.g., the circular saw, has been rotated 90° in one direction and the water jet cutting head 2 has been rotated 90° in the other direction.

[0048] It should be noted that the rotational positions are relative rotational positions between the processing device 1 and the waterjet cutting head 2. This is intended to explain, in particular, the rotatability of the waterjet cutting head 2 and the resulting positive effects on the supply line 22. Furthermore, the angular positions shown here serve only as examples. Furthermore, the position of the waterjet cutting head should always be considered approximate values, as small angular deviations can lead to better relief of the pipeline.

[0049] In the Fig. 4 The processing machine is shown in a third position. It can be seen that the additional processing device 1 is in a third rotational position and the water jet cutting head 2 is in a third rotational position. With respect to the starting position, the third rotational position of the additional processing device is 180° and the third rotational position of the water jet cutting head is -180°. In other words, the additional processing device 1, e.g., the circular saw, has been rotated 180° in one direction and the water jet cutting head 2 has been rotated 180° in the other direction.

[0050] In principle, it can therefore be provided that when the processing machine rotates about the axis 3, the water jet cutting head 2 is rotated in the opposite direction to the further processing device 1.

[0051] Thus, assuming that the processing machine initially made a cut in one direction, the processing machine is now rotated 180° and can then make a cut in the other direction. The workpiece (not shown) can be machined in a meandering fashion, so to speak.

[0052] An advantage resulting from the invention is apparent. Due to the rotatable mount of the waterjet cutting head 2, radially removed from the rotational axis 3 of the processing machine, a fundamentally rigid or at least slightly elastic supply line 22 can be used. Likewise, the supply of the waterjet cutting head 2 is guaranteed in every rotational position. For example, vulnerable and expensive rotatable couplings in the supply line can be dispensed with. This makes the entire processing machine low-maintenance, less prone to failure, and correspondingly more cost-effective. It is also apparent that the rotation of the waterjet cutting head can be achieved by the resistance of the supply line, in particular a high-pressure line (metal pipe) used to supply the high-pressure water for cutting.

[0053] In the Fig. 5 A processing machine with a rotatable water jet cutting head is shown. Fig. 5 essentially serves to illustrate a processing machine not belonging to the invention, comprising a water jet cutting head 2.

Claims

1. Processing machine, comprising - a water jet cutting head (2) with a connection (24) for the fluid required for cutting, wherein - the processing machine comprises a further processing device (1), wherein - the processing machine together with the further processing device (1) can be rotated about at least one axis (3), - the water jet cutting head (2) is arranged at a radial distance (A) from the axis of rotation (3) of the processing machine, wherein - the water jet cutting head (2) is mounted rotatably about an axis (4), and - the axis of rotation (3) of the further processing device (1) and the axis of rotation (4) of the water jet cutting head (2) are arranged parallel to one another, wherein - the water jet cutting head (2) is equipped with a supply line (22) for the fluid required for cutting, in particular water, wherein the supply line (22) extends from a connection point (23) of the axis (3) of the processing machine to the connection (24) of the water jet cutting head (2), wherein - the supply line (22) is arranged in a projecting, in particular curved, manner between the connection point (23) and the connection (24) of the water jet cutting head (2).

2. Processing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the water jet cutting head (2) is rotatably mounted together with the connection (24).

3. Processing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the further processing device (1) is designed as a circular saw, comprising a circular saw blade (12) with an axis of rotation (14), which is partially surrounded by a casing (13).

4. Processing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water jet cutting head (2) is accommodated in a rotary bearing device (21).

5. Processing machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the rotary bearing device (21) comprises at least one bearing holder with a roller bearing or plain bearing.

6. Processing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the axis of rotation (14) of the circular saw blade (12) is aligned orthogonally to the axis of rotation (3) of the further processing device (1) and / or the axis of rotation (4) of the water jet cutting head (2).

7. Processing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection point (23) is arranged in the axial direction above the further processing device (1).

8. Method for operating a processing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water jet cutting head (2) is rotated.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that when the processing machine is rotated about the axis (3), the water jet cutting head (2) is rotated in the opposite direction to the further processing device (1).

10. Method according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterised by the following method steps: - the processing machine is in a first position, which is characterised in particular by the fact that the further processing device (1) is in a first rotational position and the waterjet cutting head (2) is in a first rotational position; - Pivoting the processing machine into a second position, which is characterised in that the further processing device (1) is in a second rotational position and the water jet cutting head (2) is in a second rotational position, wherein the second position is characterised with respect to the first position in that the second rotational position of the further processing device is 90° and the second rotational position of the water jet cutting head is -90°; - Pivoting the processing machine into a third position, which is characterised in that the further processing device (1) is in a third rotational position and the water jet cutting head (2) is in a third rotational position, the third position being characterised with respect to the first position in that the third rotational position of the further processing device is 180° and the third rotational position of the water jet cutting head is -180°.