DEVICE AND METHOD FOR JOINING TWO JOINING PARTNERS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for joining two joining partners, in particular by quasi-simultaneous laser welding of plastic parts. Technological background

[0002] Plastics or plastic parts or workpieces or semi-finished products made of plastic are of particular importance in today's production. Such plastic parts are used in a wide variety of technical fields, such as automotive engineering, robotics, machine manufacturing, household appliance technology and the like. In individual production steps, it is often necessary to join two or more plastic parts together. This can be achieved, for example, by adhesive bonding or a mechanical fastening solution such as screws, rivets or clips. However, welding is increasingly being used to connect or join two components or joining partners together, in particular in a permanent manner. There are various welding processes that can be used for this, such as laser welding, hot gas welding, using a hot plate, infrared welding, ultrasonic welding or friction welding.

[0003] In hot gas welding, the two parts to be welded are usually each placed in a product-specific workpiece carrier. Feed units open, and the actual welding process is initiated by extending the heating element into the heating position. This is followed by the diathermic (heat-through) phase, in which the joining area or zone is plasticized by radiant heat. The heat transfer from the heating element to the weld seam is enforced by a hot shielding gas stream. Once the necessary melting heat has been applied to the plastic part, the feed units move apart far enough so that the heating element can move from the working to the parking position. The actual joining process now takes place when the feed units close, allowing the plasticized, weld-defined geometries to be fused together.The specified joining path is monitored and thus ensures the correct final dimensions of the welded parts.

[0004] Furthermore, two plastic parts can also be welded together using a heated tool plate, whereby a welding rib or bead on opposite joining partners is brought into contact with a heated tool, the heating plate. The heat is conducted into the welding rib and melts it. The heating plate is then removed and the joining partners are pressed together until they bond. In infrared welding (IR welding), the joining partners are held rigidly near an infrared-emitting plate to melt the joining surfaces. The plate is removed and the part halves are forced together and allowed to solidify again under pressure. State-of-the-art hot gas welding, the heating plate and infrared welding have the disadvantages of being expensive and heat cannot be provided selectively to welding interfaces.In addition, long cycle times are required and a high energy consumption is required.

[0005] In ultrasonic welding, the required welding heat is generated by pressure and ultrasonic vibration between the parts to be joined. After plasticization, the molten plastic solidifies under pressure, creating a homogeneous weld. However, this process is unsuitable for assemblies with internal electronics, as these can be damaged by the ultrasound. Particles are also generated, which can lead to increased contamination, e.g. of the electronic components. In friction welding, the required welding heat is generated by pressure and friction between the parts to be joined. After plasticization, the molten plastic material becomes stiff and creates a homogeneous weld. However, friction welding is also unsuitable for some assemblies with internal electronics, as particles are also generated.

[0006] The basic principle of laser welding is a laser beam that penetrates a laser-transparent joining partner and is focused onto an absorbing joining partner. The laser beam is converted into heat and plasticizes the material. The increasing volume contacts the transparent partner. The resulting heat conduction plasticizes the transparent joining partner locally. In order to achieve good thermal conductivity between the two joining partners and ultimately a welded joint, a fixing plate must usually be attached, which presses both joining partners together during laser exposure. The process for laser welding plastics therefore requires a laser-transparent joining partner and a laser-absorbing joining partner. Because one of the joining parts orIf a joining partner has to be laser-transparent, this can lead to increased manufacturing costs, as laser-transparent plastics are often expensive, especially if the plastic parts are to be designed in black, for example. Printed state of the art

[0007] CN 107 471 657 A discloses a laser welding process for the transmission-free welding of thermoplastics. In this process, two non-transparent components are welded by laser, but held together under pressure during the welding process. In the laser welding process, an upper plastic part and a lower plastic part to be welded are positioned such that the upper plastic module and the lower plastic module are stacked and pressed together under pressure. A laser beam is then focused on the upper plastic part, creating a heating zone.The laser beam is then adjusted so that the temperature of the heating area is lower than the melting point of the upper plastic part, but higher than the melting point of the lower plastic part, so that the heat of the heating area is radiated onto the lower plastic module and melted accordingly, so that this is then bonded to the upper plastic part under the influence of pressure.

[0008] Similar devices or methods are also known from DE 35 05 272 A1, WO 2007 / 147935 A1 or US 3 207 049 A.

[0009] Furthermore, EP 1 469 983 A1 discloses a method for joining a first joining partner and a second joining partner, wherein the first joining partner is positioned in a first molded part and the second joining partner is positioned in a second molded part. Here, the joining partners are arranged in relation to a laser in such a way that the joining surfaces of the joining partners are heated by the laser. The molded parts are then moved by a rotary motion so that the joining surfaces of the joining partners are positioned against one another in order to join them together. Object of the present invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for joining plastic parts, with which plastic parts, in particular for assemblies with electronic components inside, can be joined together in a simple, efficient and cost-effective manner and with which the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome. Inventive solution

[0011] The above object is achieved by the entire teaching of claim 1 and by the subordinate claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the subclaims.

[0012] The present invention claims a device for joining two joining partners, in particular for welding the joining partners by means of heat input or for the quasi-simultaneous laser welding of plastic parts. For this purpose, the device comprises a first heat source, which is arranged to heat a joining surface of the first joining partner, and a second heat source, which is arranged to heat a joining surface of the second joining partner. Furthermore, a first component holder for receiving the first joining partner and a second component holder for receiving the second joining partner are provided, wherein the first component holder is arranged so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation and the second component holder is arranged so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The first component holder is at least substantially perpendicular orarranged orthogonally to the second component holder, so that the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are also arranged substantially perpendicular to one another. The first component holder also has a heating position in which the first joining partner is arranged relative to the first heat source in such a way that the joining surface of the first joining partner can be heated by the first heat source. Accordingly, the second component holder also has a heating position in which the second joining partner is arranged relative to the second heat source in such a way that the joining surface of the second joining partner can be heated by the second heat source. The device can then join the first and second joining partners together, in particular after heating, by providing a joining position in which the joining surfaces of the first and second joining partners are arranged opposite one another, and the first component holder is rotated about the first axis of rotation oris rotatable so that the first joining partner is in the joining position, and the second component holder is rotated or rotatable about the second rotation axis so that the second joining partner is also in the joining position. The joining surfaces are brought together by providing a joining unit which can move the first component holder or a part of the first component holder or the second component holder or a part of the second component holder (e.g. the first component holder or a part of the first component holder can be moved towards the second component holder or the second component holder or a part of the second component holder can be moved towards the first component holder), whereby the joining surfaces are brought into contact or can be brought into contact by the movement of the joining unit.

[0013] Preferably, the joining surfaces can be brought together by the joining unit moving the first component holder or a part of the first component holder in the direction along the first rotation axis or along the second rotation axis, so that the joining surface of the first joining partner is brought into contact with the joining surface of the second joining partner.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the joining surfaces can also be brought together by the or a joining unit moving the second component holder or a part of the second component holder in the direction along the first axis of rotation or along the second axis of rotation, so that the joining surface of the first joining partner is brought into contact with the joining surface of the second joining partner.

[0015] Preferably, a laser is provided as the first heat source and / or a laser as the second heat source. Furthermore, any device known from the prior art that is suitable for heating the joining surfaces can also be provided as the heat source.

[0016] Furthermore, the component holders can each accommodate multiple joining partners, in particular two or four joining partners or more. Accordingly, the component holders can also have multiple component seats. This results in the advantage that the joining partners can be loaded, heated, joined, and unloaded in parallel or quasi-simultaneously. According to an advantageous embodiment, the component holder can comprise a turntable or rotary table that is arranged to rotate about the rotation axis. The turntable can have any shape (round, square, hexagonal, or the like) and any thickness. Furthermore, the turntable can be driven, for example, by an electric motor, in particular a servomotor, or by a hydraulic control system.

[0017] The component holder can expediently comprise at least one component seat for receiving a joining partner.

[0018] Advantageously, the component seat can comprise a suitable component fixation device, in particular a vacuum suction cup, a magnetic mechanism, or a clamping device, to securely hold the component or the joining partner. Furthermore, this makes it possible for the components to be transported "upside down" on the turntable without detaching from the component seat.

[0019] Preferably, the joining unit comprises a punch that contacts the turntable or the component seat, and a joining force is transmitted to the punch so that the turntable and / or the component seat is moved in the direction along the first rotation axis.

[0020] The joining unit can expediently comprise a motor-driven or a hydraulic drive.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one component holder can be arranged horizontally and one component holder can be arranged vertically.

[0022] Furthermore, two vertically and oppositely arranged component holders can also be provided. Accordingly, an additional heat source can also be provided for the additional second vertical component holder.

[0023] A separate monitoring system, particularly a thermal imaging camera, can be conveniently provided for each heat source to monitor the heating of the joining partners separately. This results in the advantage that monitoring can be carried out particularly precisely, since each component is monitored individually and can be individually reacted to errors (e.g., by only changing the power of one heat source).

[0024] Furthermore, the component holders can each have their own joining unit, with the joining surfaces of the joining partners being brought together by each joining unit moving the respective component holder or a part of it, so that the joining surfaces are brought into contact by the movement of the joining units. This results in the advantage of cycle time savings, whereby the heating phase or heating can be shortened, for example.

[0025] The invention also claims, in a subsidiary or subordinate manner, a method for joining two joining partners. In particular, this is carried out using a device according to the invention. The method comprises the following method steps: Loading a first component holder with the first joining partner and a second component holder with the second joining partner; positioning the first component holder about a first rotation axis into a heating position in which the first joining partner is arranged relative to the first heat source such that the joining surface of the first joining partner is heated by the first heat source, and positioning the second component holder about a second rotation axis into a heating position in which the second joining partner is arranged relative to the second heat source such that the joining surface of the second joining partner is heated by the second heat source; heating by providing oris arranged to heat the joining surface of the first joining partner, and a second heat source is arranged to heat the joining surface of the second joining partner; rotating the first component holder about the first axis of rotation so that the first joining partner is in a joining position, and rotating the second component holder about the second axis of rotation so that the second joining partner is also in a joining position, wherein the joining surfaces of the first and second joining partners are arranged opposite one another in the joining position; joining the first joining partner and the second joining partner by bringing the joining surfaces into contact by a movement of the first component holder or a part of the first component holder or the second component holder or a part of the second component holder.For example, a joining unit can be provided for this purpose, which brings the joining surface of the first joining partner into contact with the joining surface of the second joining partner by moving the first component holder or a part of the first component holder along the first axis of rotation. Furthermore, the joining surface of the second joining partner could also be brought into contact with the joining surface of the second joining partner by moving the second component holder or a part of the second component holder along the first axis of rotation. In addition, other constellations are also conceivable, or even movements on both sides (e.g. by having each component holder have a joining unit); and unloading the connected joining partners. .

[0026] Preferably, the component holders can each accommodate multiple joining partners, in particular two, three, or four joining partners. Accordingly, the component holders can also have multiple component seats. This results in the advantage that the joining partners can be loaded, heated, joined, and unloaded in parallel or quasi-simultaneously.

[0027] Advantageously, the unloading and loading of the component holders with joining partners can take place in parallel with the heating, whereby at least one joining partner is heated while the component holder is loaded in parallel with another joining partner and / or two connected joining partners are unloaded or a finished plastic product is unloaded.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention can be used for the production of a sensor unit with a housing, in particular a radar or lidar sensor for environmental detection for a vehicle or a means of transportation. The housing comprises two joining partners that were joined together using a device according to the invention or by means of a method according to the invention.

[0029] For the purposes of the invention, "along the rotation axis" is understood to mean, in particular, the direction of the rotation axis or the longitudinal extent of the rotation axis. For example, this means that if the rotation axis runs centrally through the component holder or the turntable of the component holder, the component nests or component seats arranged in the outer region of the turntable can also be moved along the rotation axis (i.e., in the direction of the rotation axis, i.e., approximately perpendicular or orthogonal to the turntable) by a joining stroke in order to bring about the joining or contacting of the joining partners.

[0030] The present invention thus advantageously makes it possible to create a method (process) and a device with which two non-transparent plastic parts can be welded using a laser as the energy or heat source (laser welding). The application can be optimized for use in series production in terms of material flow and cycle time in a simple and cost-effective manner: The special design of the device allows it to be optimized for series operation by parallelizing the individual processes (quasi-simultaneous). In particular, the method is also suitable for welding assemblies with internal electronics, since these are not damaged by the joining process according to the invention. Furthermore, this is a particle-free process, whereby known ESD requirements are met.The robustness of laser technology can thus be advantageously utilized for welding plastics, regardless of the transparency of the joining partner. A selective heat path can be created at the welding interface. Furthermore, the technology's flexibility is increased when changes to the part design are made, without requiring additional tool modifications or new tooling.

[0031] The present invention can also be used, for example, in the following fields (this list is explicitly non-limiting): automotive, aerospace, medical technology, electronics, and beyond, in all areas where two plastic parts must be welded to function. Consequently, the present invention makes a very special contribution to the field of (laser) welding of plastic parts. Description of the invention using exemplary embodiments

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail below using practical embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 : a simplified, schematic representation of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for laser welding plastic parts, wherein (A) shows a sectional view through the center of the component holder 2 and the front of the component holder 3, (B) shows a sectional view through the center of the component holder 3 and the front of the component holder 2 and (C) shows a sectional view through the centers of the component holders 2 and 3; Fig. 2 : a simplified, schematic representation of the device from Fig. 1 with rotation axes shown and an enlarged view of the joining position of the two joining partners 4 and 5; Fig. 3 : a simplified, schematic representation of an embodiment of a horizontally arranged component holder of a device according to the invention; Fig. 4: a simplified, schematic representation of an embodiment of a vertically arranged component holder of a device according to the invention, and Fig. 5 a simplified schematic representation of a flow chart for a device according to the invention with three component seats per component holder.

[0033] In Fig. 1the device 1 according to the invention is shown. The device 1 comprises two positioning systems, namely a first component holder 2 and a second component holder 3, which can also be referred to here as a horizontal holder and a vertical holder due to their arrangement. The first component holder 2 serves to hold the first joining partner 4 and the second component holder 3 for holding a second joining partner 5. Furthermore, the first component holder 2 and the second component holder 3 are configured such that they can each hold four components or joining partners 4a-4d or 5a-5d. The device 1 is configured to join the joining partners 4, 5 made of plastic along a surface, the joining surface. The joining surface is created from joining surfaces 6, 7 of the joining partners 4, 5, at which the joining partners 4, 5 are connected to one another.The joining surfaces 6, 7 can form a continuous surface or also have interruptions or elevations. For the joining process, the device 1 comprises a first heat source in the form of a laser 8, which is arranged to heat the joining surface 6 of the first joining partner 4, and a second heat source in the form of a laser 9, which is arranged to heat the joining surface 7 of the second joining partner 5, i.e., the joining surfaces 6, 7 are heated so that they may melt or partially melt, in order to then be welded together.

[0034] The first component holder 2 is arranged so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation 10 and the second component holder 3 is arranged so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation 11. The rotation is shown in the figures by the thick black arrows, whereby the direction of rotation can be determined depending on the application. Since the component holders 2, 3 can each hold four components or joining partners, the component holder 2, 3 must therefore be rotated by approximately 90 degrees about the respective axis of rotation in order to change its position. The first component holder 2 is arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the second component holder 3, i.e. the installation planes of the flat component holders 2, 3 are arranged substantially orthogonal to one another, so that the first axis of rotation 10 and the second axis of rotation 11 are also substantially perpendicular orare arranged at right angles (+ / - a component tolerance of 0 degrees to 5 degrees, in particular from 0 degrees to 3 degrees) to one another. The first component holder 2 as well as the second component holder 3 each have a heating position in which the respective joining partner 4, 5 is arranged relative to the corresponding laser 8, 9 in such a way that their joining surfaces 6, 7 can be heated by the lasers 8, 9 (represented in the figures by the thin black arrows).

[0035] Furthermore, the first joining partner 4 and the second joining partner 5 are brought together after heating by providing a joining position in which the joining surfaces 6, 7 of the first joining partner 4 and the second joining partner 5 are arranged opposite one another. For this purpose, the first component holder 2 is rotated 90 degrees about the first rotation axis 10 so that the first joining partner 4 is in the joining position, and the second component holder 3 is rotated 90 degrees about the second rotation axis 11 so that the second joining partner 5 is also in the joining position, so that the joining surfaces 6, 7 are arranged opposite one another, as shown in Fig. 2is shown in more detail. The joining surfaces 6, 7 can then be brought together by arranging the first component holder 2 or a part of the first component holder 2 so as to be movable along the first axis of rotation 10, wherein the first joining surface 6 is brought into contact with the second joining surface 7 of the second joining partner 5 by a movement (shown by the white arrow) of the first component holder 2 or a part of the first component holder 2 along the first axis of rotation 10.

[0036] The horizontal receptacle or first component receptacle 2 comprises, as shown in Fig. 3shown, a (horizontally arranged) turntable 21, which is arranged to rotate about the first axis of rotation 10, optionally a base plate 22 for a component seat, a component seat 23 which supports the first joining partner, and a punch 24 for force introduction and thus for the joining movement (joining stroke), which can be driven, for example, by a motor or hydraulically. The force introduction (shown by the arrow F) is preferably carried out by a stationary joining unit from below. The first component holder 2 thus comprises a guided component holder to ensure a precise joining stroke, i.e. here not the entire component holder 2 is moved along the first axis of rotation 10 in the direction of the second joining partner, but only the component seat 23 with the first joining partner 4.

[0037] The vertical holder or second component holder 2 comprises, as shown in Fig. 4shown, a (vertically arranged) turntable 31, which is arranged to be rotatable about the second rotation axis 11, optionally a base plate 32 for a component seat and a component seat 33, which supports the second joining partner 5. The component seat 33 is preferably configured such that it comprises a component fixation suitable for receiving it (not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity), e.g. a vacuum suction cup, a magnetic mechanism (particularly in the case of non-metallic plastics with permanent magnetic properties or magnetic materials overmolded with plastic) or a clamping mechanism, in order to hold the component or the second joining partner 5 and to counteract the gravitational and centrifugal forces.

[0038] The joining movement is explicitly not limited to a joining movement from "bottom to top" (based on the representation in the figures); in particular, the first component holder could be arranged vertically and the second component holder horizontally, so that the joining movement would be directed from "top to bottom" (based on the representation in the figures, this would mean that joining partner 5 with component holder 33 would be pressed downwards against joining partner 4). Furthermore, it is also possible for both component holders to each perform a joining movement (sequentially or simultaneously) using a joining unit, i.e., a bilateral movement, whereby, for example, each component holder has a joining unit.

[0039] By separating the individual processes into separate process stations, cycle-time-optimized series production is possible, since, for example, the unloading and loading of the component holders 2, 3 runs parallel to the (laser) heating process (virtually simultaneously). Furthermore, existing processes for welding plastics of non-transparent parts (e.g., hot gas welding or infrared welding), in which the energy source does not touch the welding surface, are not capable of focusing the energy or heat directly onto the welding surface. In contrast, processes capable of focusing the energy / heat directly onto the welding surface (e.g., ultrasonic welding or friction welding) have the disadvantage of generating a large amount of particles and / or potentially damaging electronic components if the assembly contains them.In contrast, the proposed invention relates in particular to a selective plastic welding process in which the energy / heat is focused directly on the welding interface or the joining surface(s).

[0040] The method according to the invention comprises the process steps of laser heating, positioning or rotating (switching), clamping and cooling as well as loading and unloading of the components or joining partners.

[0041] During laser heating, the two parts to be welded, or joining partners 4, 5, are heated. Heating should be carried out at the correct angle for each joining partner – for this purpose, the lasers 8, 9 can be arranged accordingly or can also be designed to be movable. Therefore, separate laser equipment is provided for each joining partner 4, 5 so that the necessary process parameters can be set selectively and independently. In addition, a monitoring system, e.g., in the form of thermal imaging cameras (not shown in the figures), can be adapted to monitor the two heating processes and detect any negative influences that may occur.

[0042] After the heating has ended, in particular after the laser has been switched off, both joining partners 4, 5 are moved into the joining position with a rotating movement (via the rotary indexing table or turntable 21, 31) until the two heated joining partners 4, 5 are opposite each other but are not yet touching (i.e. the component holders 2, 3 are each rotated by 90 degrees for this purpose).

[0043] A joining unit is advantageously provided, which allows the optimal pressing process of the molten surfaces (pressing) to be adjusted and monitored in the joining position with variable joining speeds and joining forces. In this stage, the joining partners 4 and 5 must remain in place (i.e., remain pressed together) until the heated material can no longer be deformed by itself or due to the lack of pressure between the components, and the two components have thus formed a permanent, material-to-material bond (cooling). Active cooling (e.g., by means of airflow cooling) can also be provided.

[0044] During loading and unloading, the two joining partners are preferably inserted for the automated material flow using suitable handling systems, e.g., industrial robots or axis gantries in a free component holder (e.g., in the figures at the position of component seat for joining partners 4c / 4d or 5c / 5d - depending on the number of component seats used and the positioning system used).

[0045] In Fig. 5 A flow chart of the method according to the invention is shown as an example for a system or device with two component holders, in which each component holder can accommodate three components or joining partners, i.e., each has three component seats. To change position, the respective turntable is thus rotated by 120 degrees.

[0046] Furthermore, it is also conceivable to use other workpiece carrier circulation systems instead of the two turntables 21, 31 (such as a freely programmable drive system with linear motor technology, on which, for example, a variable number of "movers" can move independently of one another in an endless loop). The number of component seats 23, 33 (so-called "stations" or "nests") used on the turntables 21, 31, as well as the rotation directions of the workpiece carrier systems, can be variably selected and adapted to the application. The spatial arrangement / orientation of the joining structure in space is variable and can also be adapted to the respective application. List of reference symbols

[0047] 1 Assembly device 2 (first) component holder 3 (second) component holder 4, 4a-4d (first) joining partner 5, 5a-5d (second) joining partner 6 Joining surface 7 Joining surface 8 Laser 9 Laser 10 First rotation axis 11 Second rotation axis 21 Rotary table 22 Base plate 23 Component seat 24 Punch 31 Rotary table 32 Base plate 33 Component seat

Claims

1. Device (1) for joining together a first joining partner (4) and a second joining partner (5), comprising a first heat source which is arranged so as to heat a joining surface (6) of the first joining partner (4), and a second heat source which is arranged so as to heat a joining surface (7) of the second joining partner (5), wherein provision is made of a first component receptacle (2) for receiving the first joining partner (4) and a second component receptacle (3) for receiving the second joining partner (5), and the first component receptacle (2) is arranged so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation (10), and the second component receptacle (3) is arranged so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation (11), wherein the first component receptacle (2) is arranged in relation to the second component receptacle (3) in such a way that the first axis of rotation (10) and the second axis of rotation (11) are substantially perpendicular to one another, and the first component receptacle (2) has a heating position in which the first joining partner (4) is arranged in relation to the first heat source in such a way that the joining surface (6) of the first joining partner (4) is able to be heated by the first heat source, and the second component receptacle (3) has a heating position in which the second joining partner (5) is arranged in relation to the second heat source in such a way that the joining surface (7) of the second joining partner (5) is able to be heated by the second heat source, and the first joining partner (4) and the second joining partner (5) can be brought together in that provision is made of a joining position in which the joining surfaces (6, 7) of the first and second joining partners (4, 5) are arranged opposite one another, and the first component receptacle (2) is rotated about the first axis of rotation (10) so that the first joining partner (4) is in the joining position, and the second component receptacle (3) is rotated about the second axis of rotation (11) so that the second joining partner (5) is also in the joining position, and the joining surfaces (6, 7) can be brought together in that provision is made of a joining unit which can move the first component receptacle (2), or a part of the first component receptacle (2), or the second component receptacle (3), or a part of the second component receptacle (3), wherein the joining surfaces (6, 7) are brought into contact by the movement of the joining unit.

2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the joining surfaces (6, 7) are brought together in that the joining unit moves the first component receptacle (2) or a part of the first component receptacle (2) in the direction along the first axis of rotation (10) or along the second axis of rotation (11) so that the joining surface (6) of the first joining partner (4) is brought into contact with the joining surface (7) of the second joining partner (5).

3. Device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the joining surfaces (6, 7) are brought together in that the joining unit moves the second component receptacle (3) or a part of the second component receptacle (3) in the direction along the first axis of rotation (10) or along the second axis of rotation (11) so that the joining surface (6) of the first joining partner (4) is brought into contact with the joining surface (7) of the second joining partner (5).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a laser (8) is provided as the first heat source and / or a laser (9) is provided as the second heat source.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component receptacles (2, 3) can receive in each case multiple joining partners (4a-4d, 5a-5d), in particular in each case two or four joining partners (4a-4d, 5a-5d).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component receptacle (2, 3) comprises a rotary table (21, 31) which is arranged so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation (10, 11).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component receptacle (2, 3) comprises at least one component seat (23, 33) for receiving a joining partner (4, 5).

8. Device (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the component seat (23, 33) comprises a component fixing means which is suitable for receiving, in particular a vacuum cup, a magnetic mechanism or a clamping device, in order to hold the joining partner (4, 5).

9. Device (1) according to one of Claims 6-8, characterized in that the joining unit comprises a ram (24) which makes contact with the rotary table (21) or the component seat (23), and a joining force is transmitted to the ram (24) so that the rotary table (21) and / or the component seat (23) are / is moved in the direction along the first axis of rotation (10).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining unit comprises a motor-driven or a hydraulic drive.

11. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one component receptacle (2) is arranged horizontally and one component receptacle (3) is arranged vertically.

12. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provision is made of a horizontally arranged component receptacle (2) and two vertically and oppositely arranged component receptacles.

13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each heat source, provision is made of a separate monitoring system, in particular a thermal imaging camera, in order for the heating of the joining partners (4, 5) to be monitored separately.

14. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component receptacles (2, 3) have in each case one joining unit and the joining surfaces (6, 7) are brought together in that each joining unit moves the respective component receptacle or a part thereof, wherein the joining surfaces (6, 7) are brought into contact by the movement of the joining units.

15. Method for joining together a first joining partner (4) and a second joining partner (5) by means of a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: - loading a first component receptacle (2) with the first joining partner (4) and a second component receptacle (3) with the second joining partner (5), and - positioning the first component receptacle (2) into a heating position about a first axis of rotation (10), in which heating position the first joining partner (4) is arranged in relation to the first heat source in such a way that the joining surface (6) of the first joining partner (4) is heated by the first heat source, and positioning the second component receptacle (3) into a heating position about a second axis of rotation (11), in which heating position the second joining partner (5) is arranged in relation to the second heat source in such a way that the joining surface (7) of the second joining partner (5) is heated by the second heat source, and - heating in that a first heat source is arranged so as to heat the joining surface (6) of the first joining partner (4) and a second heat source is arranged so as to heat the joining surface (7) of the second joining partner (5), - rotating the first component receptacle (2) about the first axis of rotation (10) so that the first joining partner (4) is in a joining position, and rotating the second component receptacle (3) about the second axis of rotation (11) so that the second joining partner (5) is also in a joining position, wherein the joining surfaces (6, 7) of the first and second joining partners (4, 5) are arranged opposite one another in the joining position, and - joining together the first joining partner (4) and the second joining partner (5) in that the first component receptacle (2), or a part of the first component receptacle (2), or the second component receptacle (3), or a part of the second component receptacle (3), is moved in such a way that the joining surfaces (6, 7) are thus brought into contact, and - unloading the connected joining partners (4, 5).

16. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the component receptacles (2, 3) can receive in each case multiple joining partners (4a-4d, 5a-5d), in particular in each case two or four joining partners (4a-4d, 5a-5d).

17. Method according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the unloading of joining partners (4a-4d, 5a-5d) from, and the loading thereof onto, the component receptacles (2, 3) is carried out in parallel with the heating, wherein at least one joining partner (4c, 5c) is heated while in parallel another joining partner (4d, 5d) is being loaded onto the component receptacle (2, 3) and / or two connected joining partners are being unloaded therefrom.