Apparatus for cleaning a powder press device, combination of a powder press device with such a cleaning apparatus, and method for cleaning a powder press device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cleaning a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, wherein the cleaning device has a movable cleaning head (9) which comprises, within a housing and more particularly a suction-extraction casing, at least one brush (1, 2) and at least one nozzle (3, 4) for dispensing a fluid, and at least one suction device (5). The invention also relates to a combination of a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, comprising such a cleaning apparatus, and also to a method for cleaning a powder press device using such a cleaning apparatus.

Description

[0001] Device for cleaning a powder press device, combination of a powder press device with such a cleaning device and method for cleaning a powder press device

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a device for cleaning a powder press device according to the preamble of claim 1, a combination of a powder press device with such a cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 10 and a method for cleaning a powder press device by means of such a cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0004] In presses used to mold powdered materials, the tool parts must be cleaned after use. Such cleaning is typically performed after demolding the molded article, such as a molded part, using a device. The molded article is first removed from the press using a gripping device, which is usually automated. After the molded article has been removed, cleaning occurs. The device used for this purpose is either designed as part of the gripping device, which disadvantageously "accompanies" each removal process of the gripping device, or is designed as a separate device and, if necessary, is coupled to the gripping device whenever a cleaning cycle is required.

[0005] Conventional cleaning devices, according to the state of the art, consist of a rotating brush. During a cleaning process, the cleaning device with the rotating brush is guided along a defined path along the tool parts in the press, removing adhering particles. Following this brush-off cleaning process, these particles then remain in the press chamber and must be manually removed by a press equipment operator. The cleaning process prior to the manual final cleaning of the press equipment is automated according to the state of the art and can only be performed dry.

[0006] Particularly with critical materials to be pressed, for example, materials that adhere strongly to the active surfaces of the press tools, this previous approach to cleaning a press system has the disadvantage that the automatic cleaning process using a coupled or on-board cleaning machine is often inadequate, and the press system operator must manually clean the system with cleaning agents at set intervals. An operator is typically responsible for several systems. This manual cleaning work inevitably causes the press system to shut down.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art and of providing a device for cleaning a press device that reduces, eliminates, and / or minimizes the need for manual operator intervention, thereby minimizing downtime of the press device. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a combination of a press device with a cleaning device that fulfills the stated object, as well as to provide a method for cleaning a press device.

[0008] This object is achieved with a device according to claim 1.

[0009] In particular, this object is achieved with a device for cleaning a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, wherein the cleaning device has a movable cleaning head which, within a housing, in particular a suction cover, has at least one brush and at least one nozzle for discharging a fluid and at least one suction device.

[0010] The cleaning head is the movable part of a cleaning device, which, according to one embodiment of the invention, is designed to be independently movable and / or, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, can be gripped in an extremely advantageous manner by a gripping device that is also used to remove a pressed molding from the press and moved to the machine parts to be cleaned. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned at this point that, instead of a gripping device of the press device, a separate positioning device can also be used for this purpose.

[0011] The cleaning head itself consists of a housing designed in the form of a casing. According to the invention, at least one brush, at least one nozzle, and at least one end of a suction device are arranged within the housing. Thus, the cleaning head, when positioned in position, can, in a highly advantageous manner, perform mechanical cleaning of the machine parts of the press device to be cleaned by means of the at least one brush, with the housing surrounding the brush preventing the loosened dirt particles from being distributed into the surrounding area.

[0012] According to another extremely advantageous aspect of the invention, a fluid can also be introduced into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device according to the invention, defined by the housing, via the nozzle, which is also arranged in the housing. This fluid supports the cleaning process of the brush by contributing to the release of dirt particles from the machine parts to be cleaned. Depending on the pressing material, the fluid can be a cleaning fluid such as water, or solvents, or mixtures of different cleaning fluids, which are best suited to supporting the mechanical cleaning action of the brush.

[0013] According to the invention, the fluid can be used by means of spray nozzles or also as a hard jet, whereby the nozzles used can be controlled individually or in combination with one another and can be pivoted in their direction.

[0014] According to a further extremely advantageous aspect of the invention, the cleaning device according to the invention further comprises a suction device, by means of which it is possible to suction away both the dirt particles detached from the machine parts to be cleaned, as well as the introduced cleaning fluid and any vapors possibly generated therefrom. According to the invention, several suction devices can be used, with each suction device being assigned, for example, to a brush and / or nozzle. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a single suction device can also be provided for the entire housing of the cleaning head of the cleaning device according to the invention.

[0015] In this way, it is extremely advantageously possible, using the cleaning device according to the invention, to completely remove the dirt particles detached from the machine parts to be cleaned from the press device, so that manual cleaning by an operator can be largely or, in the best case, completely avoided, which in turn extremely advantageously leads to the fact that any downtimes of a press device can be minimized by using the cleaning device according to the invention.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least the cleaning head of the cleaning device according to the invention, as a movable part of the cleaning device according to the invention, is arranged close to the pressing tool, or to any removal station of the pressing tool, so that the cleaning head can be automatically gripped by the gripping device of the pressing device as soon as the gripping device has removed the pressed blank from the pressing device. The cleaning device according to the invention is thus always located in a parked position within reach of the removal station of the pressing tool when no cleaning process is taking place and is only ever picked up by the gripping device of the pressing device and moved to the correct position within the pressing device in order to clean the machine parts to be cleaned when cleaning or a cleaning cycle is pending.

[0017] This avoids the need for the cleaning head or the entire cleaning device to follow or move along with every movement of the gripping device. This allows the press device to be designed with a weight-optimized design, which not only makes the press device more energy-efficient but also allows it to operate at higher speeds due to its lower mass.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device has at least one first hose for supplying the at least one nozzle with fluid and at least one second hose for applying negative pressure to the at least one suction device and for disposing of suctioned material.

[0019] Using these hoses, in particular the first hose, a fluid or fluid mixture particularly suitable for cleaning the respective machine parts can be supplied to the cleaning head from a stationary part of the cleaning device according to the invention. Furthermore, these hoses, in particular the second hose, can be used to create a vacuum on the housing, or rather inside the extraction panel, in order to extract loosened contaminants, used or excess fluid, and any vapors from the housing and dispose of them properly.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device further comprises at least one compressed air hose for introducing compressed air into the cleaning head, in particular to at least one compressed air nozzle.

[0021] The mechanical cleaning process of tool parts can advantageously be supported with compressed air in this way by directing a jet of compressed air onto the respective areas to be cleaned. Furthermore, the compressed air, or rather the jet of compressed air, can also be used to blow dirt particles off the surface of the tool parts to be cleaned, with these dirt particles then being removed from the housing of the press device using the suction device. The use of compressed air is particularly advantageous when the press device has angled and hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to access using mechanical cleaning agents and in which dirt particles already detached from the tool parts could accumulate. Such hard-to-reach areas can be blown out with compressed air according to the invention.This is particularly effective when the housing of the press device is cleaned both mechanically and with the aid of fluid and compressed air.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device further comprises at least one ultrasonic emitter, which can be used to remove particularly stubborn deposits from the surfaces of tool parts. For this purpose, the ultrasonic emitter is advantageously integrated into a brush head and, according to a specific embodiment of the invention, is suitable for stimulating the at least one brush such that the vibration generated by the ultrasonic emitter, in combination with the cleaning action of the brush, results in optimal cleaning of the surface. The brush can be used in a rotating manner or simply to strip dirt particles from the surface of the tool parts to be cleaned.In this context, it should be noted that the brush can generally perform a rotating movement, a rotating back-and-forth movement, or a translatory movement, which can also be implemented as a back-and-forth movement, as desired and in coordination with the tool part to be cleaned. Likewise, a combination of movements allows for traversing spatial trajectories. A lateral, particularly back-and-forth, tilting movement of the brush is also possible. The fluid and compressed air nozzles of the cleaning device according to the invention can also be moved and controlled in a similar manner, so that every angle of the housing of the press device can be optimally reached both mechanically and fluidically, and with compressed air.

[0023] According to the invention, a rotary drive is provided for the rotational drive of the brushes, which sets the respective brushes in rotational motion via a respective drive shaft. Similarly, a translational drive, for example, a linear motor, can be provided for a translational movement of the brushes.

[0024] For this purpose, the respective cleaning units, i.e., in particular the brushes and nozzles used, can be controlled individually or combined in groups and pivoted in any technically possible direction. The same applies to any suction nozzles, the latter being particularly useful for extracting dirt particles as well as used or excess fluid, even from hard-to-reach areas of the press equipment to be cleaned.

[0025] At this point, it should be noted that, in particular, the possibility of flushing the housing of the press device to be cleaned with fluid and / or compressed air, as well as removing residues such as dirt particles and excess clean as well as contaminated fluid from the housing of the press device to be cleaned, represent an essential aspect of the invention, which makes it possible to minimize or completely avoid the need for manual intervention. According to a further embodiment of the invention, during a cleaning of the press device according to the invention, a visual inspection of the tool parts to be cleaned can also be carried out, if necessary simultaneously, which can be carried out, for example, using a camera and associated contamination detection software. In this way, the success of the cleaning can be monitored directly in situ during the cleaning process.

[0026] According to a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, the ultrasonic emitter can be powered by an induction coil. This avoids the need for complicated cable routing within the cleaning device, or rather within the housing of the press device to be cleaned.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one first hose and the at least one second hose and optionally the at least one compressed air hose and / or at least one energy supply line are guided in a collecting hose, in particular a hose package.

[0028] Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the stationary part of the cleaning device according to the invention can be connected to the cleaning head, i.e., the actual cleaning unit of the cleaning device according to the invention, with a single collecting hose or a hose package, in which several hoses are routed essentially parallel to one another and connected to one another, thereby forming a hose unit or hose package. In this way, the individual hoses and the power supply line can be routed parallel and bundled, without having to worry about the individual hoses and lines becoming tangled during movement of the cleaning head.

[0029] Furthermore, the object of the invention is also achieved by a combination of a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, with a device for cleaning a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, according to the above statements, wherein the powder press device has a gripping device with which pressed molded parts can be removed from a press of the powder press device and the cleaning device is stored near the powder press device in a parking station accessible for the removal axis of the gripping device until a cleaning process.

[0030] In this way, it is extremely advantageous to combine the cleaning device according to the invention with a powder press device in such a way that a gripping device which removes fully pressed moldings from the press in the regular molding process of the powder press device can also be used to grip the cleaning head, i.e. the mobile cleaning unit of the cleaning device according to the invention, after the pressed moldings have been deposited, and to bring it closer to the tool parts of the powder press device to be cleaned in such a way that the cleaning head with its brushes and nozzles as well as its suction device reaches the tool parts of the powder press device to be cleaned.

[0031] In this context, it should be noted that the cleaning head of the cleaning device according to the invention, as mentioned above, has a housing that acts as a suction cover, but the nozzles and brushes of the cleaning head protrude from this housing in such a way that the nozzles and brushes reach the tool parts to be cleaned. This is achieved according to the invention by openings in the housing or the suction cover, with the suction of dirt particles and fluid also taking place through these openings in the housing or the suction cover.

[0032] The extraction can take place simultaneously with the use of the brushes and, if necessary, the sprayed or injected fluid, so that the fluid and dirt particles are extracted directly in situ with the cleaning of the tool parts and the removal of dirt particles from the tool parts.

[0033] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, however, it can also be provided that mechanical and, if necessary, fluidic cleaning is carried out first using brushes and, if necessary, fluid via the fluid discharge nozzles. Only then is the fluid and dirt particles suctioned away. The brushes and nozzles used for cleaning are retracted from the openings of the housing, so that the openings are now free for suction. If necessary, a suction nozzle can also be moved through the openings of the housing to the respective tool parts to be suctioned.Furthermore, the object of the invention is also achieved by a method for cleaning a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, by means of a cleaning device according to the above statements, wherein a movable cleaning head of the cleaning device is removed from a parking station near the powder press device and within reach of the gripping device by means of a gripping device of the powder press device in order to initiate a cleaning process and is introduced into a press chamber of the powder press device by means of the gripping device.

[0034] Tool parts of the powder press device are cleaned by means of at least one brush, wherein a fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid, such as a solvent-containing cleaning fluid, is optionally supplied to the brush; suction of removed dirt particles and optionally of introduced fluid is carried out.

[0035] If desired, the cleaning method according to the invention can also be carried out with the aid of ultrasound, provided that a fluid is used.

[0036] In summary, the invention can be stated as follows.

[0037] The novel device according to the invention for cleaning the tool parts of a powder press device has a driven brush. The geometry, arrangement, and configuration of the device according to the invention advantageously allows for the additional application of various media, such as cleaning liquids and fluids, as well as compressed air, vacuum, and / or ultrasound, to the brush. The cleaning agent improves the cleaning of the tool parts and removes adhering dirt, equivalent to the manual cleaning previously required. The improved cleaning process increases the productivity of the system because manual interventions are reduced or eliminated.

[0038] The device is stored near the press tool in a parking station accessible by the automation removal axis, i.e., the automated removal of pressed molded parts by means of a gripping device, until the cleaning process. A media-carrying hose package is permanently connected to the device. According to the invention, this hose package advantageously enables new functions to be realized when cleaning tool parts of a powder press device. The main media used according to the invention include, in particular, cleaning agents, compressed air, vacuum, and electrical signals, for example, for power supply.

[0039] During the cleaning process, the cleaning device according to the invention, or its cleaning head or cleaning unit, is guided from the removal axis or the gripping device to the tool. The cleaning process then begins. The tool parts are cleaned with the brush. Cleaning agent can be added to the brush as needed. The suction system around the brush prevents the cleaning agent and the removed contaminants from spreading throughout the press's working area. In conjunction with a suitable extraction system, solvent-based cleaners can also be used.

[0040] The cleaning arrangement according to the invention not only allows for the supply of cleaning agent but also for the suction removal of excess cleaning agent and the removed contaminants. This prevents the environment around the tool parts from being contaminated with the cleaning agent.

[0041] To increase the cleaning effect, the brush can be equipped with an ultrasonic generator. If necessary, the rotation of the brush can be omitted. The fluid-wetted brush allows the ultrasound to loosen adhering particles. In combination with the rotation of the brush, the energy to drive the ultrasonic generator is transferred to the brush via an induction coil.

[0042] Further embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0043] The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment, which is explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Herein:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a cleaning head of a cleaning device according to the invention in a sketched sectional view; and Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a cleaning head of a cleaning device according to the invention in a sketched perspective view.

[0045] In the following description, the same reference numbers are used for identical and equivalent parts.

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning head 9 of a cleaning device according to the invention in a sketched sectional view. It can be seen that the cleaning head 9 is designed in the form of a housing in which a drive shaft 7 is located, which in the present embodiment extends vertically. A brush 1, 2 is arranged symmetrically in the axial direction at each end of the drive shaft 7, wherein the respective distal end of the brush extends slightly out of the housing so that the brush reaches the tool part to be cleaned or can be retracted into the housing. Furthermore, nozzles 3, 4 in the form of respective spray devices are arranged within the housing, through which nozzles a fluid can be sprayed in the direction of the respective cleaning brushes 1, 2.The brushes 1, 2 are surrounded laterally by preferably flexible covers 6, 8, wherein the covers 6, 8 prevent cleaning fluid from pouring outwards over parts of the press device or wetting parts of the press device that are not to be cleaned. The covers 6, 8 can be designed to be flexible so that the respective brushes 1, 2 can be pressed against the tool parts to be cleaned in order to improve the cleaning effect in this way. The covers 6, 8 thus act as an apron against an undesired escape of cleaning fluid and serve to keep dirt particles in the area of ​​action of a suction device 5 so that both cleaning fluid and dirt particles can be removed from the surface of the tool parts to be cleaned by the suction device and ultimately sucked out of the cleaning head 9, i.e. the actual cleaning unit 9 of the cleaning device according to the invention.The suction is directed toward the stationary unit of the cleaning device according to the invention, from which both the power supply to the cleaning unit and the supply of cleaning fluid to the cleaning unit are also provided. For this purpose, i.e., for supplying cleaning fluid, respective first and second hoses 10, 10' are used, as shown in Fig. 2, while the power supply to the cleaning head 9 is provided via a power supply line 11. According to the invention, both the hoses 10, 10' and the power supply line 11 are combined into a collecting hose 12 and / or bundled into a hose assembly 12.

[0047] At this point, it should be noted that all parts described above, viewed individually and in any combination, particularly the details shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention. Modifications to these are familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0048] List of reference symbols

[0049] 1 brush

[0050] 2 brushes

[0051] 3 Nozzle / spray device

[0052] 4 nozzle / spray device

[0053] 5 Suction device

[0054] 6 Cover

[0055] 7 Drive shaft

[0056] 8 Cover

[0057] 9 Cleaning head / cleaning unit

[0058] 10 first hose

[0059] 10' second hose

[0060] 11 Power supply line / power supply

[0061] 12 Collecting hose / hose package

Claims

Claims: Device for cleaning a powder press, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press, wherein the cleaning device has a movable cleaning head (9) which, within a housing, in particular an extraction housing, has at least one brush (1, 2) and at least one nozzle (3, 4) for dispensing a fluid and at least one extraction device (5). Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device has at least one first hose (10) for supplying the at least one nozzle (3, 4) with fluid and at least one second hose (10') for applying negative pressure to the at least one extraction device (5) and for disposing of extracted material.Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, that the cleaning device further comprises at least one compressed air hose for introducing compressed air into the cleaning head, in particular to at least one compressed air nozzle. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, provided that the cleaning device further comprises at least one ultrasonic emitter. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, provided that the at least one first hose (10) and the at least one second hose (10') and optionally the at least one compressed air hose and / or at least one power supply line (11) are guided in a collecting hose, in particular a hose assembly (12). Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, provided that the at least one brush (1, 2) can be set in rotation by means of a rotary drive and a drive shaft in each case.Cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, wherein the ultrasonic emitter is integrated into a brush head and is suitable for exciting the at least one brush. Cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, wherein the ultrasonic emitter is supplied with energy by means of an induction coil. Cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective cleaning units, namely in particular brushes (1, 2) and nozzles (3, 4), are in particular individually controllable, in particular pivotable.Combination of a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, with a device for cleaning a powder press device, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press device, according to one of the preceding claims, dadu rc hge ke nn ze ich net, dass. The powder press assembly comprises a gripping device with which pressed molded parts can be removed from a press of the powder press assembly, and the cleaning device is stored in a parking station near the powder press assembly, accessible to the removal axis of the gripping device, until a cleaning process is initiated. A method for cleaning a powder press assembly, in particular a metal powder and / or ceramic powder press assembly, by means of a cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a movable cleaning head (9) of the cleaning device is removed from a parking station near the powder press assembly and within reach of the gripping device by means of a gripping device to initiate a cleaning process, and is inserted into a press chamber of the powder press assembly by means of the gripping device; Tool components of the powder press device are cleaned by means of at least one brush (1, 2), wherein a fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid, such as a solvent-containing cleaning fluid, is optionally supplied to the brush (1, 2); extraction of removed dirt particles and optionally of introduced fluid is carried out. Method according to claim 11, which is characterized by the fact that a cleaning process is supported by ultrasound with the aid of fluid.

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