Process system for carrying out a process on a workpiece, and method for carrying out a process on the workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a process system (1) for printing a workpiece (2), comprising a process device (3) for printing the workpiece (2) along an advancing direction V in a process region (4), a relative positioning device (7) for positioning the workpiece (2) and the process device (3) relative to each other in a transverse direction Q, and a feed device (5) for feeding the workpiece (2) to the process device (3), wherein the feed device (5) is designed to feed the workpiece (2) to the process device (3) multiple times along at least one circulating path (6) in a circulating operation.

Description

[0001] Process system for process application on a workpiece and process application on the workpiece

[0002] The invention relates to a processing system for process application on a workpiece with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for process application on the workpiece.

[0003] When printing components, particularly with inkjet print heads, a distinction is made between two different printing processes. One is the so-called single-pass process, where the component is completely printed in a single pass under the print head. This means that the print image is created in a single pass, with each droplet from the print head forming a defined area of ​​the print image. This means that, on the one hand, the correct positioning of the droplet is significantly more important, and on the other hand, sharper contours can be produced because there is no mediation by randomly positioned droplets. The disadvantage of the single-pass process is that the width of the print heads must correspond to the width of the printing area, and accordingly, a lot of printing technology must be installed.

[0004] On the other hand, there is the multi-pass process, in which the print image is built up through multiple print passes, which together create the intended print image. In this case, only a portion of the volume to be printed is printed with each pass, or only a portion of the surface is printed. The advantage of the multi-pass process is that the geometric errors during the transfer of the droplets to the surface disappear through multiple passes and the incremental printing of the overall image. These errors are statistically averaged out. This conceals these errors in the visual perception and creates a uniform print image, although the sharpness / precision and productivity of single-pass printing are not achieved.It is an object of the present invention to propose a process system for process application on a workpiece and a method for process application on the workpieces, which is characterized by a new functional principle.

[0005] This object is achieved by a process plant having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 12. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the following description and the attached figures.

[0006] The subject matter of the invention is a processing system for applying a process to a workpiece. The process can, in particular, be a measuring process and / or a manufacturing process. A combination of the two types of processes is also possible. The measuring process can, for example, be an image-based measuring process based on a camera. In particular, the process is designed as a non-contact process. The manufacturing process can, for example, be printing, laser treatment, or the like.

[0007] The workpiece is specifically designed as an individual piece. A workpiece can also be understood as a finished product that is measured, documented, and / or inspected using the measuring process.

[0008] The processing system comprises a process device for applying the process to the workpiece. The process device can in particular comprise one or more device modules for applying the process. The device modules preferably have an application area limited in the transverse direction. During printing, the application area can be defined by an extension of a print head as a device module; during laser treatment, the application area can be defined by a processing area of ​​a laser head as a device module. During an image-based measuring process, the application area can be defined by a viewing area and / or measuring area of ​​the camera. In particular, the process application is designed as a process application extended in a transverse direction of the processing system.

[0009] The process is applied to the workpiece along a feed direction, with the workpiece being moved relative to the processing device in the feed direction and thereby processed. The process is applied in a process area of ​​the processing system. In particular, the process area is arranged below and / or congruent with the processing device.

[0010] The processing system comprises a relative positioning device for the relative positioning of the workpiece and the processing device in a transverse direction. In particular, the transverse direction is oriented perpendicular to the feed direction. The relative positioning device allows the workpiece to be positioned relative to the processing device in the transverse direction. The processing application of the workpiece extends in particular in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. In particular, the application areas of the device modules limited in the transverse direction are each smaller than the maximum area and / or the application area of ​​the processing device in the transverse direction.

[0011] The process system has a feeding device for feeding the workpiece to the process device, in particular to the process area. It is provided that the feeding device is designed to feed the workpiece to the process device multiple times in a circulating operation along at least one circulating track and in particular to transport it along the process device for processing. In particular, the workpiece passes through the circulating track in the process area at least twice, so that the process device can apply the process to the workpiece multiple times, in particular at least twice. It is possible for the workpiece to have a different, in particular defined, positioning in the transverse direction relative to the process device during different circulations. The process device is preferably arranged stationary in the longitudinal direction in the process system, in particular during the process application.In particular, the feed device forms a clamping fixture for the workpiece, whereby the workpiece remains clamped in the clamping fixture during multiple passes through the orbit and is thus arranged and / or positioned in a defined position in the process area for the process application each time. In particular, the workpiece is held in a defined position and / or constant position in the clamping fixture, e.g., by positive locking.

[0012] According to the invention, it is proposed that the workpiece and in particular further workpieces are pushed through in a same feed direction relative to the in particular stationary processing device and are subsequently guided past the processing device along the circulating track outside the processing area in order to be ready for a second or further pass relative to the processing device. This makes it possible for the processing device to carry out the processing application on the workpieces with virtually no application breaks, as long as the workpieces are returned quickly enough on the circulating track. It can be provided that the processing application areas on the workpiece are arranged next to one another in the transverse direction for multiple processing applications. In the process, in particular during printing, these processing application areas are referred to as single-pass areas.Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the process application areas on the workpiece are arranged so that they overlap at least partially in the transverse direction during multiple process applications. In the process, especially during printing, these process application areas are referred to as multi-pass areas.

[0013] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the relative positioning device is designed to move the processing device in the transverse direction in order to achieve the relative positioning of the workpieces of the processing device in the transverse direction. This embodiment has the advantage that the actuators for the relative positioning device only need be provided in one position and / or only simply, namely for displacing the processing device. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the relative positioning device is designed to move the workpiece in the transverse direction in order to achieve the relative positioning of the workpiece and the processing device. The processing device is preferably designed to be stationary in the transverse direction.Particularly with a very high and possibly almost continuous throughput of workpieces in the process area, this has the advantage that the workpieces are already in the desired relative position in the transverse direction relative to the process device and, if necessary, only the process parameters of the process device need to be adjusted to suit the workpiece. This can usually be implemented very quickly, so that the throughput rate of the process system can be high. If, on the other hand, the process device has to be moved in the transverse direction, it may have to be moved for each workpiece in the case of a high throughput and a very individual process application of the workpieces. This means that at least a sufficient distance between the workpieces must be maintained so that the process device can be positioned in the transverse direction in good time.

[0014] In a preferred structural embodiment of the invention, the feeding device has at least one workpiece holder, in particular as a clamping device for holding the workpiece in the circulating operation. The workpiece holder ensures that the workpiece is held in a defined manner, in particular in a defined position, and can be fed to the processing device in the correct position and / or in a defined manner even after passing through the circulating path. For flexible use of the processing system, it can be provided that the workpiece holder is designed to be exchangeable and / or that the feeding device has a workpiece carrier for receiving the workpiece holder. In this way, the feeding device can be easily converted for other workpieces.

[0015] In a preferred development of the invention, the feeding device has at least one shuttle, wherein the workpiece holder is carried by the shuttle. The shuttle can also have multiple workpiece holders. In particular, the shuttle is arranged on the workpiece carrier described above. In a preferred development of the invention, the shuttle can be inserted and / or removed during circulating operation along the circulating track, in particular at end points of the circulating track. In this way, a completely processed workpiece on the shuttle can be removed from the circulating track and a new shuttle with a new workpiece can be inserted into the circulating track. By using a shuttle, the feeding device can be loaded with workpieces very quickly.

[0016] As long as the workpiece or the workpiece holder is mounted on the shuttle, the process can be applied to the workpiece in several cycles, whereby the individual process application operations can be realized in a precisely defined positioning relative to one another.

[0017] In a preferred alternative of the invention, a workpiece holder with component, the shuttle, or the component itself can be moved into and / or out of the circulating path during circulating operation, particularly at the end points of the circulating path. In this way, a workpiece can be removed from the circulating path after the process application, and a new workpiece can be moved into the circulating path. Here, too, the workpiece is always held in a defined position in the workpiece holder, even during multiple passes.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the feeding device has at least one lock section, wherein the lock section is designed as an infeed section for infeeding and / or as an outfeed section for outfeeding the workpiece holder, the component, the workpiece carrier and / or the shuttle, etc. The lock section is arranged in particular outside the circulating track and / or extends the circulating track so that infeed and / or outfeed does not block the circulating track. For example, further workpieces can be moved and processed on the circulating track while a workpiece is being infeeded and / or outfeeded in the lock section. The lock sections can in particular be arranged and / or aligned as an extension of the circulating track in the feed direction and / or in the longitudinal direction.In particular, the workpiece is introduced and / or discharged into the feed device in a position-defined manner in the lock section so that it is arranged in a position-defined manner in the lock section of the feed device, in particular for the circulating operation or from the circulating operation.

[0019] In a preferred design development of the invention, the relative positioning device is designed as an adjusting axis for displacing the workpiece in the transverse direction. The adjusting axis enables the workpiece to be positioned very precisely in the transverse direction. The adjusting axis is carried along with the workpiece, in particular by the shuttle. The adjusting axis can displace the workpiece directly or indirectly. In the case of a direct displacement, the adjusting axis acts on the workpiece. In the case of an indirect displacement, the adjusting axis can displace the workpiece holder, in particular directly or indirectly. In the case of an indirect displacement, the adjusting axis acts directly on the workpiece holder. In the case of an indirect displacement, the adjusting axis can displace the workpiece carrier and / or the shuttle.

[0020] In a preferred design development of the invention, the feeding device has at least one first circulating device with a linear feed axis for moving the workpiece holder and / or the workpiece and / or the shuttle and / or the workpiece carrier along the longitudinal direction and / or the feed direction of the circulating path. The use of the linear feed axis ensures that the workpiece can be guided via the workpiece holder and / or the shuttle and / or the workpiece carrier along the longitudinal direction, on the one hand, with a precise feed rate and, on the other hand, with a small lateral tolerance in the transverse direction. This allows a high-precision process application to be carried out on the workpiece. Preferably, the first circulating device and / or each circulating device transports exactly one workpiece carrier and / or exactly one workpiece holder.To increase throughput, several such circulation devices can be installed, each transporting a workpiece carrier or workpiece holder. The corresponding workpieces can be fed to the processing device in rapid succession, particularly without gaps.

[0021] The transfer section can be designed as an extension of the linear feed axis, with the extension extending beyond the linear axis region of the orbit, particularly in the feed direction and / or longitudinal direction. For example, such a linear feed axis has an extension section that has a length, particularly in the feed direction and / or longitudinal direction, of at least one workpiece length, preferably at least two workpiece lengths, and especially at least three workpiece lengths, to form the transfer section. In this way, it is possible to transfer the workpiece, etc., into and out of the orbit.

[0022] In a preferred development of the invention, the at least first circulating device has an auxiliary actuator for manipulating the workpiece. The auxiliary actuator is designed such that it positions the workpiece holder and / or the workpiece and / or the shuttle and / or the workpiece carrier in the process area during a process travel along the circulating path and positions it in a return area outside the process area during a return travel along the circulating path, in particular in the opposite direction to the printing travel. This ensures that no collision with subsequent workpieces can occur during circulating operation.

[0023] For the design of the auxiliary actuator, it can be provided, for example, that the workpiece is displaced vertically or laterally by the auxiliary actuator, thus retracting it, for example, below the process device or above the process device and / or below the process area or above the process area. For example, the auxiliary actuator is then designed as a vertical linear axis, which is designed to support the precise positioning of the workpiece relative to the process device.

[0024] Alternatively, the workpiece can also be pivoted away by the auxiliary actuator, so that the workpiece is not passed through the process area during the return travel. In this case, the auxiliary actuator is designed as a pivot axis, which is configured to support the precise positioning of the workpiece relative to the process device.

[0025] The auxiliary actuator can be designed as an active auxiliary actuator, such that it is operated electrically, pneumatically, and / or hydraulically, for example. However, it can also be designed as a passive auxiliary actuator, e.g., implemented mechanically via forced paths.

[0026] In a preferred development of the invention, the workpiece is always held in a defined position during circulating operation. Its position and orientation are thus maintained in a defined manner throughout the process application with multiple passes and / or guided in relation to the process module and / or to the process device and optional adjustment systems between the shuttle and the process module. The position is defined by a low-tolerance or tolerance-free frictional engagement, e.g., within the framework of a vacuum gripper, a positive engagement, e.g., within a device or component holder, or via an axis-controlled position of the workpiece during circulating operation, e.g., via a transverse adjustment axis and / or suitable sensors for adjusting a desired workpiece position.

[0027] It is particularly preferred that the process device has different process property ranges in the transverse direction. The process property ranges can be characterized by different processes; for example, measurement and / or manufacturing processes can be implemented in the transverse direction. However, the process property ranges can also differ due to differences in the process parameters. The different process property ranges can be implemented by different process modules.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the processing system is designed as a printing system for printing on the workpiece.

[0029] The printing can be decorative, such as an image, a pattern, or other surface printing. Alternatively, the printing can be functional, for example, applying electrically conductive and / or electrically active layers to the workpiece.

[0030] The workpiece can be of any size; for example, the workpiece can be small, such as with a maximum dimension of less than 5 cm, or large, such as with a maximum dimension greater than 1 m. In the case of flat, planar components, the component can be designed with a surface area greater than 0.1 m. 2 , especially larger than 2 m 2 and in particular larger than 2.5 m 2 is trained. up to 3 m 2 Alternatively or additionally, the component is smaller than 10 m 2, especially smaller than 7 m 2 , less than 5 m 2

[0031] The printing system comprises a printing device as a process device for printing and / or for a printing process as a process application of the workpieces. The printing device can in particular have one or more print heads as process modules. In particular, the printing device, in particular the print heads, each have print nozzles for dispensing a liquid printing ink. The printing ink is designed, for example, as a colored ink and / or as a functional ink, which is, for example, electrically conductive and / or active. The printing process is designed, in particular, as an inkjet printing process, in particular as an ink-jet printing process, e.g., as a DOD (drop-on-demand) printing process or electrostatic print heads.

[0032] A particularly big disadvantage of the multi-pass process is that a print head is moved over a component for printing, then decelerated, moved transversely and then moved back over the component in the opposite direction. This means that, on the one hand, each time the print head passes over the component, the direction of travel of the print head changes, and, on the other hand, the print head must be moved far enough over the component that any auxiliary devices connected to the print head, such as curing lamps for the printing ink, are also moved completely over the component. It must also be taken into account that after each pass, the print head first requires a deceleration distance and, after the change of direction, an acceleration distance before it can be moved over the component at a constant speed. In particular, it is intended that the printing system is suitable and / or designed for multi-pass printing of the workpieces.

[0033] The feeder, and in particular the consistent clamping of the workpiece during its rotations, ensures that the critical position change in the transverse direction takes place in a defined manner and / or, in particular, is possible precisely at the scale of the print resolution. Conveyor belts, for example, cannot achieve this, as the error influences on the position would be too great.

[0034] A further subject matter of the invention relates to a method for process application using the processing system as described above, wherein the system is configured to feed the workpiece to the processing device multiple times along at least one circulating path in a circulating operation and process it. It is provided that at least one multi-pass area is processed, in particular printed, on the workpiece.

[0035] It is generally accepted that both the single-pass process and the multi-pass process have their own advantages in any process, particularly in the printing process. However, the advantages of the two different processes are based on the different designs of the associated systems. In particular, the workpiece is positioned and moved with high precision relative to the process device with the optional interposition of the workpiece holder, the shuttle, the workpiece carrier, the positioning axis, and / or the linear feed axis, so that the process system in this configuration also enables high-quality single-pass areas on the workpiece. This also enables a hybrid variant that enables a combination of single-pass and multi-pass on one component surface of the workpiece.

[0036] The printing process involves image areas or image structures that are realized with the properties of a single-pass print, and areas or overlapping areas that are printed with the properties of a multi-pass print. This creates the possibility of selectively utilizing the quality characteristics of both processes in the print image, allowing the balance between quality and productivity to be tailored to specific requirements.

[0037] This makes it possible, for example, for different color ranges, resolution ranges for the print resolution, printing ink ranges, drop sizes, etc. to be arranged in the transverse direction or to be operated with correspondingly different settings.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, one or more process gap regions, in particular pressure gap regions, can be arranged in the process device in the transverse direction, in particular between the process property regions, so that process-free regions are defined in the transverse direction.

[0039] This allows the workpiece to be moved through the respective print property range / process property range required for the process, especially printing, in multiple passes. The process property range is selected by the relative positioning of the workpiece or the process head in the transverse direction.

[0040] Optionally, at least one multi-pass region and at least one single-pass region can be processed, in particular printed, on the workpiece. For example, the multi-pass region and the single-pass region can be arranged next to one another and / or laterally offset in the transverse direction, in particular spaced apart from one another. However, it is also possible for the processing system to process, in particular print, a layered structure, wherein the layered structure comprises different layers, for example with different process results, in particular printing inks, and wherein the different layers comprise at least one single-pass region as a layer and at least one multi-pass region as a layer.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the process, one of the process property areas has a first process property and another process property area has a second process property that differs from the first process property. It is provided that printing with the first and second process property takes place in the multi-pass area. Thus, the first and second process properties do not have to be provided by the process system on a common process path along the displacement direction; rather, in multi-pass operation, the multi-pass area can first be processed with the first process property, and the workpiece can then be displaced in the transverse direction so that the workpiece in the second process property area is printed with the second process property in the same multi-pass area.

[0042] For example, the first and / or second process property is embodied as a printing property, wherein the printing property comprises a droplet size selection for the printing ink. In particular, the respective droplet size selection comprises a limited number of different droplet sizes. For example, the droplet size is defined as a 2-bit value, so that the first printing property comprises three droplet sizes and the second printing property comprises three droplet sizes, each of the same printing ink. The droplet sizes of the first and second printing properties are embodied differently. In this way, a larger number of different droplet sizes, namely six droplet sizes in this example, can be used in the multipass area. This makes it possible, for example, to implement a grayscale with a higher resolution in terms of contrast, since a larger number of droplet sizes is available to choose from.

[0043] Alternatively or in addition to or in addition to the influences of the dosing technology, the printing speed and / or the processing time per pass can also be varied

[0044] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying figures. These show: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a processing system designed as a printing system as one embodiment of the invention;

[0045] Figures 2 a, b, c, d show the process plant in Figure 1 in plan view;

[0046] Figures 3 a, b show various printed workpieces from the processing plant of the previous figures;

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic front plan view of a

[0048] Embodiment of the process plant of the previous figures.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a process system 1 designed as a printing system for printing on a workpiece 2 as a process application on the workpiece 2. The process system 1 has a process device 3 designed as a printing device which enables the printing of the workpiece 2. The printing device is designed in particular as an inkjet printing device and / or operates according to the inkjet principle. The printing device uses printing ink which is applied to the workpiece 2 during printing, wherein the printing ink can be designed, for example, as a colored ink in order to produce printed images and / or decorations in particular, or as a functional ink in order to produce, for example, electrically conductive and / or active layers or other functional layers on the workpiece 2 as a print.

[0050] In the process system 1, the workpiece 2 is transported along a feed direction V in a process area 4 designed as a printing area of ​​the process device 3 and is printed in the process.

[0051] To generate the movement of the workpiece 2 along the feed direction V, the processing system 1 has a feed device 5 designed as a pressure feed device, which transports the workpiece 2 in the process area 4, in this embodiment below the process device 3. In particular, the workpiece 2 is to be moved at least twice through the process area 4 and / or along the process device 3 for processing and / or printing. Therefore, the feed device 5 is designed to feed the workpiece 2 in a circulating operation along a circulating path 6 of the process device 3. The circulating path 6 is designed as a closed circulating path 6, so that the circulating operation can be achieved.

[0052] In Figure 1, the workpiece 2 is shown twice, wherein it is shown in the feed direction V for a printing run as a process run with a solid line and shown after the process device 3 with a dashed line to illustrate that the same workpiece 2 is returned along the orbit 6 during a return run along the orbit 6 in the opposite direction to the process run as a printing run. During the return run, the workpiece 2 is transported back outside the process area 4 along the orbit 6. This makes it possible to feed the workpiece 2 multiple times, in particular at least twice, during the circulation operation of the process device 3 for printing without collision.

[0053] The processing system 1 has a relative positioning device 7, wherein the relative positioning device 7 is designed for the relative positioning of the workpiece 2 and the processing device 3 in a transverse direction Q. The transverse direction Q is in particular angled, specifically oriented perpendicular to the feed direction V. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the relative positioning device 7 is designed to displace the workpiece 2 in the transverse direction Q, wherein the processing device 3 is preferably stationary in the transverse direction Q during printing operation. The displacement of the workpiece 2 in the transverse direction Q is carried out in particular outside the processing area 4.

[0054] Figures 2a to 2d each show a schematic plan view of the processing system 1 in the area of ​​the processing device 3. The workpiece 2 is moved by the relative positioning device 7 in the transverse direction Q to a desired position and then moved in the feed direction V under the processing device 3. This makes it possible for the workpiece 2 to pass through different process property areas 8a, b, c, d as printing property areas of the processing device 3 and for the workpiece 2 to be processed in different process property areas 8a, b, c, d. If areas on the workpiece 2 are processed multiple times during the multiple passes through the printing area 4, this procedure corresponds to a multi-pass process and multi-pass areas are formed. However, it is also possible for the workpiece 2 to be printed only once, so that a single-pass process is carried out and a single-pass area is formed on the workpiece.It is also possible to apply zebra stripes as process areas in a first pass, and then print or process the unprinted and / or unprocessed stripes in a subsequent pass and / or cycle. This can also be done using the same printing or process properties.

[0055] The process property areas 8 a, b, c, d can be designed as different areas on a common process module, e.g. designed as a print head; alternatively or additionally, the process property areas 8 a, b, c, d can also be assigned to several process modules, in particular print heads; in particular, each process property area 8 a, b, c, d can be assigned its own process module, in particular print head in the process device 3.

[0056] The process property ranges 8 a, b, c, d can differ, for example, due to different printing inks, different resolutions, or other nozzle and / or printhead parameters. The possibility of positioning the workpiece 2 relative to the processing device 3 in the transverse direction Q makes it possible to selectively select a process property range 8 a, b, c, d that has the corresponding process properties required for printing.

[0057] Figure 2a shows an embodiment in which the processing device 3 has, for example, four process property regions 8a, b, c, d, which are arranged seamlessly next to one another in the transverse direction Q. Figure 2b shows an embodiment in which the processing device 3 comprises fewer process property regions 8a, b, c and instead has a process gap region 9 in the transverse direction Q, which is arranged between two process property regions 8b and 8c. As long as the workpiece 2 is passed through the process gap region 9, no processing, in particular printing, can take place in this transverse region. This transverse region can be printed and / or processed in a subsequent cycle.

[0058] Figure 2c shows an embodiment in which the process property regions 8a, b, c, d are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction Q such that a process gap region 9 is arranged between each of them. This makes it possible to first process, in particular print, a zebra crossing and subsequently process / print the unprocessed / unprinted regions in at least one further cycle.

[0059] Figure 2d shows an embodiment in which the extent of the workpiece 2 in the transverse direction Q is greater than the extent of the single process property area 8a. This illustration shows a further advantage of the printing system 1, since for processing the wider workpiece 2, a process device 3 is not required which - as is usual with the single-pass process - has at least the same process width, in particular print width, but rather a process device 3 can be selected which has a significantly smaller process area in the transverse direction Q. Considering, for example, that the print heads of the process device 3 are a cost-driving factor in the manufacture of the process system 1, the possibility of a process with multiple cycles leads to a significant reduction in the system costs.

[0060] In other embodiments, the printing width and / or the process area of ​​the processing device 3 can be narrower in the transverse direction than the workpiece 2, and the processing device 3 can be provided with several gapless areas and / or one or more process gap areas 9 or printing gap areas. Figure 3a shows an exemplary plan view of the workpiece 2, wherein a multi-pass area 10 and two single-pass areas 11 are processed onto the workpiece 2 by the processing system 1. In particular, one of the single-pass areas 11 is arranged at a distance from the multi-pass area 10 and / or the other single-pass area 11.

[0061] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section through the workpiece 2, with the single-pass areas 11 and the multi-pass areas 10 formed as layers one above the other. For example, functional printing of the workpiece 2 can be implemented in this way, with the selection of multi-pass areas 10 and single-pass areas 11 corresponding to the technical requirements.

[0062] Figure 4 shows a schematic front view of the processing system 1 with the processing device 3 and the feeding device 5. The feeding device 5 has a plurality of circulating devices 12 a, b, c, d, in this example, four circulating devices 12 a, b, c, d. The circulating devices 12 a, b, c, b each have a linear feed axis 13 a, b, c, d to move the workpiece 2 in the feed direction V for the process travel and in the opposite direction for the return travel.

[0063] Each of the circulating devices 12 a, b, c, d has a workpiece carrier 1 a, b, c, d on which the respective workpiece 2 is arranged / can be arranged. The workpiece 2 is preferably arranged in a workpiece holder 15 a, b, c, d in order to position it in a defined position for repeated passage through in circulating operation. In particular, the workpiece 2 is arranged in the workpiece holder 15 a, b, c, d in a form-fitting and / or fixed and / or immovable manner in the transverse direction Q and / or in the displacement direction V. The workpiece holder 15 a, b, c, d can be arranged directly on the workpiece carrier 14 a, b, c, d. Alternatively, the workpiece holder 15 a, b, c, b is located on a shuttle 16 a, b, c, d, which is detachably arranged on the workpiece carrier 14 a, b, c, d, so that the respective shuttle 16 a, b, c, d can be easily inserted and removed from the circulation operation in order to accelerate the workpiece change.The circulation devices 12 a, b, c, d each have an auxiliary actuator 17 a, b, c, d for manipulating the workpiece 2 and / or the workpiece carrier 14 a, b, c, d, so that during the process travel along the circulation path 6 the workpiece 2 and / or the workpiece carrier 14 a, b, c, d is arranged in the printing area 4 and during a return travel along the circulation path 6 in the opposite direction to the process travel is arranged outside the process area 4.

[0064] In the circulating devices 12a, b, the auxiliary actuators 17a, b are designed as linear height axes for height adjustment. The feed linear axes 13a, b are arranged opposite each other, so that the workpiece carriers 14a, b can operate with a height offset in circulating operation.

[0065] The auxiliary actuators 17 c, d of the circulation devices 12 c, d are designed as pivot axes, which can pivot the workpiece carrier 14 c, d out of the collision zone of the process area 4 during the return travel. The four workpiece carriers 14 a, b, c, d shown can thus be guided through the process area 4 in any desired sequence and returned collision-free with the workpiece 2 along the circulation path 6 during the return travel.

[0066] In particular, each circulating device 12 a, b, c, d has exactly one workpiece carrier 14 a, b, c, d. The relative positioning device 7 can be configured as desired in the circulating devices 12 a, b, c, d; for example, it can move the workpiece carrier 14 a, b, c, d, move the shuttle 16 a, b, c, d, move the workpiece holder 15 a, b, c, d, or directly move the workpiece 2.

[0067] In other embodiments, the illustrated process plant 1 can perform other process applications, such as measuring processes, laser processes, wherein the process modules are designed accordingly as measuring modules, production modules, etc. or the process property areas 8a, b, c, d are designed as measuring areas, production areas, etc. List of reference symbols

[0068] 1 printing system

[0069] 2 Workpiece

[0070] 3 Printing device

[0071] 4 Print area

[0072] 5 Feeding device

[0073] 6 Orbit

[0074] 7 Relative positioning device

[0075] 8 a, b, c, d Print property ranges

[0076] 9 Print gap area

[0077] 10 Multipass area

[0078] 11 Single pass area

[0079] 12 a, b, c, d Circulation systems

[0080] 13 a, b, c, d Feed linear axes

[0081] 14 a, b, c, d Workpiece carrier

[0082] 15 a, b, c, d Workpiece holder

[0083] 16 a, b, c, d Shuttle

[0084] 17 a, b, c, d Auxiliary actuators

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Process plant (1) for process application on a workpiece (2), with a process device (3) for process application on the workpiece (2) along a feed direction (V) in a process area (4), with a relative positioning device (7) for relative positioning of the workpiece (2) and the process device (3) in a transverse direction (Q), characterized by a Feeding device (5) for feeding the workpiece (2) to the process device (3), wherein the process device (5) is designed to feed the workpiece (2) to the process device (3) multiple times along at least one orbit (6) in a circulating operation.

2. Process plant (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the relative positioning device (7) is configured to move the process device (3) in the transverse direction (Q) in order to achieve the relative positioning of the workpiece (2) and the process device (3).

3. Process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the relative positioning device (7) is configured to move the workpiece (2) in the transverse direction (Q) in order to achieve the relative positioning of the workpiece (2) and the process device (3).

4. Process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feeding device (5) has at least one workpiece holder (15 a, b, c, d) for receiving the workpiece (2) in the circulating operation.

5. Process plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein characterized in that the feeding device (5) has a shuttle (16 a, b, c, d) wherein the workpiece holder (15 a, b, c, d) is carried by the shuttle (16 a, b, c, d).

6. Process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the relative positioning device (7) is designed as an actuating axis for displacing the workpiece (2) in the transverse direction (Q).

7. Process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feeding device (5) has at least one first circulation device (12 a, b, c, d) with a feed linear axis (13 a, b, c, d) for moving the workpiece holder (15 a, b, c, d) and / or the workpiece (2) along the longitudinal direction and / or feed direction (Q) of the orbit (6).

8. Process plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least first rotating device (12 a, b, c, d) has an auxiliary actuator (17 a, b, c, d) for manipulating the workpiece (2) and / or the workpiece holder (15 a, b, c, d), wherein the auxiliary actuator (17 a, b, c, d) is designed such that it arranges the workpiece holder (15 a, b, c, d) and / or the workpiece (2) in the process area (4) during a process travel along the orbit (6) and, during a return travel along the orbit (6) in the opposite direction to the process travel, arranges the workpiece holder (15 a, b, c, d) and / or the workpiece (2) in a return travel area outside the process area (4).

9. Process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process device (3) has different process property areas (8 a, b, c, d) in the transverse direction (Q).

10. Process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process device (3) has process gap areas (9) in the transverse direction (Q).

11. Process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece (2) is always held in a position-defined manner during circulating operation.

12. Method for process application on workpieces (2) using the process plant (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process plant (1 ) is designed to feed and process the workpiece (2) of the process device (3) multiple times along at least one orbit (6) in a circulating operation.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the workpiece (2) Multipass areas (10) and singlepass areas (11) are processed laterally side by side and / or multipass layer areas (10) and singlepass layer areas (11) are processed layer by layer.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims 12 or 13, characterized in that one of the process property areas (8 a, b, c, d) has a first process property and another process property area (8 a, b, c, d) has a second, different process property, wherein processing with the first and with the second process property takes place in the multipass area (10).

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the process application is designed as a printing process.

Images