Workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts, comprising a carrier base, such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line, and at least one holder, arranged on the carrier base, for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition casings, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers, wherein the at least one ammunition part holder is moveably mounted relative to the carrier base.

Description

[0001] Workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts

[0002] The present invention relates to a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts, such as an ammunition cartridge that combines the components necessary for firing a projectile in one unit, such as an ammunition case, an ammunition projectile, an ammunition primer, and / or propellant powder. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an automated production line for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts, which comprises a workpiece carrier according to the invention.

[0003] The present invention fundamentally relates to the technical field of ammunition loading, which encompasses the preparation and assembly of individual ammunition components into a complete ammunition unit. For decades, this was done at separate, successive processing stations, which roughly summarized the following process: Preparation of the ammunition case, projectile, primer bag, and propellant powder at separate processing stations; insertion of the primer bag into the ammunition case; filling of propellant powder into the ammunition case; and insertion of the projectile into the ammunition case. Furthermore, additional sealing, painting, and / or inspection steps were performed.The individual parts were removed from the individual processing stations as bulk material and then separated again from this bulk material in a separation station preceding the next processing station and fed to the next processing station. There have already been attempts to automate the loading of ammunition. For example, WO 2017 / 085751 Ai describes a production plant in which the individual processing stations are arranged along a circulating linear transfer system in which a large number of receiving cases, each adapted to receive one ammunition case, are conveyed through the various stations in a conveying direction. However, the cycle rate of such a system is very limited. This is particularly due to the fact that the transfer system is still quite rudimentary, as the ammunition case is moved rigidly and immobilely through the individual stations.In connection with this, such a system according to WO 2017 / 08575 Ai requires complexly constructed individual processing stations that take up a lot of space in order to be able to carry out the necessary handling, the necessary alignment and the necessary processing steps.

[0004] Another approach to automating ammunition loading is described in JP 1020130133355 Bi, in which a case-loading plate is provided for receiving and holding a large number of ammunition cases and is moved along the production line by means of a conveyor system. The additional ammunition components, such as the projectile, primer, and propellant charge, are each connected to the ammunition case via separate, dedicated receptacles at specially designed handling and processing stations.

[0005] The complexity and large installation space of the individual processing stations required to assemble a complete cartridge have also proven to be disadvantageous on the JP 1020130133355 Bi production line.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to simplify the automated ammunition loading and / or to increase its cycle rate, in particular while using less installation space.

[0007] The problem concerns the features of the independent claims solved.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition comprising at least two ammunition parts is provided. The automated production line can comprise all joining and assembly steps necessary to cover a complete ammunition unit consisting of an ammunition case, an ammunition primer, an ammunition projectile, and the propellant powder. Therefore, such a production line can also be referred to as a loading system. The individual ammunition components can be manufactured in upstream manufacturing steps and / or upstream production stations and finally added to the loading system, where they are generally assembled using proven technology to form a complete ammunition or cartridge, which is thus ready for sale after passing through the automated production line.The automated production line is preferably implemented as a rotary indexing or circulation system, in which the individual processing stations for assembling the ammunition are arranged sequentially along the rotary indexing or circulation system and automatically assemble ammunition units according to a conveying cycle of the production line.

[0009] The system comprises several manufacturing or processing stations at which the various assembly or manufacturing steps are carried out. For example, the several manufacturing stations include an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station and / or a projectile insertion station, for inserting at least one of the several ammunition parts into the system's manufacturing process, several quality inspection stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station, a propellant charge filling station, a projectile assembly station, a projectile marking station, and / or an ejection station for transporting the finished ammunition from the system's manufacturing process. The ejection station can also serve to eject rejects from the manufacturing process.The multiple production stations are arranged in relation to the production process in such a way that the ammunition parts can be fed to the production stations one after the other in order to carry out the successive production steps.

[0010] The system further comprises one or more conveyor devices, each for holding several of the multiple ammunition parts and for transporting several of the multiple ammunition parts to or from the multiple production stations. The conveyor device therefore fulfills at least two functions. Firstly, the conveyor device can hold the ammunition parts required for the ammunition and enable the individual production stations to access the ammunition parts or enable the ammunition parts to be processed at the individual production stations. Secondly, the conveyor device is responsible for the, in particular, automated transport or conveyance of the individual ammunition parts along the production process defined by the multiple production stations.The conveyor system defines a closed, circulating conveyor track along which the individual ammunition parts are conveyed, at least in sections, depending on their influence on the production process, and which defines an interior space enclosed by the conveyor track and an exterior space delimited therefrom. The conveyor track can have an endless racetrack-like structure or shape. In particular, the system comprises several conveyor devices, such as carriages, distributed along the conveyor track and particularly of identical design. The several conveyor devices can be individually controlled and moved along the conveyor track so that individual production stations can be reached with an individual movement profile for each conveyor device. This makes the production process considerably more flexible than if the conveyor devices were fixed to one another along the conveyor track.

[0011] At least one, in particular several, of the multiple production stations can be arranged in the interior and / or the exterior and act from the inside and / or outside on the conveyor system, in particular on the ammunition parts conveyed or transported along the conveyor system. The lateral or horizontal plane of influence of the production stations on the conveyor system or on the ammunition parts conveyed thereby enabled a space-saving, tidy design of the system. With such lateral access to the conveyor system, the high demands on production capacity can be better met, because the lateral arrangement with lateral access of the production stations to the conveyor system allows the individual production stations to be designed completely independently of the conveyor system and to be freely and flexibly positioned, repositioned and interchanged with respect to the conveyor system.

[0012] Furthermore, the multiple conveyors can be moved independently of each other from, to, and / or between the multiple production stations. In particular, the system comprises multiple, particularly identically designed, conveyors, such as carriages, distributed along a conveyor track. The multiple conveyors can be individually controlled and moved along the conveyor track, allowing individual production stations to be approached with a unique motion profile for each conveyor. This makes the production process considerably more flexible than if the conveyors were fixed to one another along the conveyor track.

[0013] Furthermore, the system can have at least two propellant charge filling stations arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction. The propellant charge filling stations are basically designed to fill ammunition parts, in particular the casing, with propellant powder. The propellant charge filling station according to the invention can be designed on the basis of gravimetry or operate on the basis of volumetric dosing. With gravimetric dosing, advantages can be achieved with regard to the accuracy of the dosed quantity. With volumetric dosing, significant advantages can be achieved with regard to processing speed, which has a positive effect on the cycle rate, in particular when the propellant charge filling station according to the invention is integrated into a system according to the invention for the automated production of ammunition. The device according to the invention serves in particular for the simultaneous filling of at least two ammunition casings with propellant powder.This means that the filling of the at least two ammunition cases is carried out in one filling process, in particular without a change of direction of more than 90°. "Simultaneous" does not necessarily mean that the at least two ammunition cases are filled at exactly the same time, but rather that there is certainly a certain time offset between the filling, in particular the complete filling, of the ammunition cases arranged along the path. The device according to the invention can be designed to fill the at least two ammunition cases each with a defined, in particular essentially identical, quantity, taking into account the inaccuracies inherent in the process.The propellant powder can, for example, be a propellant powder for small-caliber ammunition, in particular with a caliber in the range of 4.5 mm to 13 mm, which typically has mono- or dibasic spherical, tubular, rod-shaped, or flake-shaped forms and / or is powder-like. Alternatively, extruded propellant powders can also be used. If the propellant powder is spherical, it can, for example, be rolled and have a sphere diameter of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. In the case of rod-shaped propellant powder, for example for 5.56 mm caliber ammunition, the rods can have a length of up to 1.1 mm and / or a diameter of up to 0.7 mm. The density of the propellant powder used can, for example, be in the range of 0.5 to 1 g / cm3 for nitrocellulose (NC).For such a propellant powder, the bulk density is in the range of 0.6 to 1 g / cm3, for insert cartridges, for subsonic or blank cartridges up to 0.4 g / cm3.

[0014] Furthermore, one of the multiple production stations can be an ignition element insertion station, which brings an ignition element into the production process of the system and inserts each ignition element into a sleeve. The ignition element insertion station can be designed to insert several, in particular at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve, ignition elements simultaneously, in particular in one insertion process, into a corresponding number of sleeves.

[0015] Furthermore, one of the multiple manufacturing stations can be a fluid application station, where a sealing compound is applied in an annular joint between the casing and the ignition element accommodated therein and / or between the casing and the projectile inserted therein, and the annular joint is sealed and / or marked. It has been found that integrating the application of the sealing compound into the automated manufacturing process offers significant advantages in terms of production capacity as well as manufacturing accuracy. Because the system ensures that the individual components are aligned with one another, the fluid application station can benefit from this predetermined alignment of the individual components and apply the sealing compound very precisely.

[0016] Furthermore, one of the multiple production stations can be a quality monitoring station, where the casing and the projectile are monitored individually before assembly. Monitoring can be understood as quality control with regard to predetermined parameters.

[0017] Furthermore, the conveyor system and the production stations can be coordinated with each other in cycles, with at least two, at least five, at least ten, or at least twelve ammunition parts being processed into ammunition at the production stations per cycle. The production capacity according to the invention is achieved, among other things, by the parallel processing of a large number of ammunition parts per cycle.

[0018] Furthermore, the conveyor track can have a rail oriented toward the interior and / or exterior, which runs along the conveyor track and fixes a coupling interface of the conveyor device in a ready position. The workpiece carrier can therefore fulfill two functions. Firstly, it can hold the ammunition parts required for the ammunition and enable access to the ammunition parts by the individual processing stations or enable processing of the ammunition parts at the individual processing stations. Secondly, the workpiece carrier can form the interface to the automated production line, so that the at least two ammunition parts can pass through the automated production line using the workpiece carrier.

[0019] The workpiece carrier according to the invention has a carrier base, such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line. The carrier base can therefore be designed, in particular, to be detachably coupled to the automated production line in order to be automatically conveyed from one processing station to the next. The carrier base can, for example, be configured to form a tongue-and-groove system with a connecting component of the automated production line.

[0020] The workpiece carrier further comprises at least one receptacle arranged on the carrier base, in particular preferably detachably attached thereto, for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition casings, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges, or two ammunition primers. An essential aspect of the workpiece carrier according to the invention is that it is designed to hold multiple ammunition parts, which are held in such a way that they can be processed simultaneously or in parallel. For example, the receptacle is designed such that it can hold at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 15 ammunition parts of the same type. For example, the plurality of ammunition parts is held by the receptacle in a predetermined, in particular unchangeable, arrangement. For example, in rows and / or parallel arrangement, such as in an array field.

[0021] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one ammunition part holder is mounted so as to be movable relative to the support base. It has been discovered that when loading ammunition, the individual ammunition parts must be held in a different orientation depending on the processing station. While this was solved in the prior art by complex and individually constructed processing stations that could access the rigid holding devices for the ammunition parts, the present invention breaks away from this concept in that these requirements can be met at the expense of a more complex workpiece carrier. According to the invention, a high level of flexibility is achieved in a simple manner by means of the movable mounting of the ammunition part holder relative to the support base. The movable nature of the material holder makes it possible to move it during the various processing steps orto orientate the individual processing stations in the optimal way. This significantly simplifies the design, handling, and control of the individual processing stations, and significantly reduces their installation space. The processing stations no longer require complex systems to access and process the rigidly arranged ammunition parts.

[0022] In an exemplary development, the ammunition part holder is pivotally mounted relative to the carrier base, in particular on the carrier base. As a result, the ammunition part holder can be pivoted between different positions with respect to a rotation axis in order to assume a different orientation. According to an exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one ammunition part holder can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be fed, in particular simultaneously, into a processing position in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed simultaneously. The moveability of the at least one ammunition part holder relative to the carrier holder can be designed to be flexible enough to allow a multitude of different positions to be reached.For example, the at least one ammunition part holder can be locked when assuming the receiving position and / or when assuming the processing position, so that the ammunition part holder is temporarily prevented from moving. It should be understood that the position of the at least two ammunition parts in the receiving position or their orientation can also be such that processing of the at least two ammunition parts can also take place in the receiving position. The different positions that the ammunition part holder can assume relative to the support base can differ by a different orientation and / or position in terms of distance from the support base.

[0023] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one ammunition part holder is mounted on the carrier base in such a way that it can perform a combined pivoting and translational movement relative to the carrier base. For example, the ammunition part holder is pivotally mounted on the carrier base by means of a pivot arm, so that the pivot or rotation axis does not pass through the ammunition part holder. Furthermore, the at least one ammunition part holder can be mounted on the pivot arm in a way that is movable, in particular pivotable, relative to the pivot arm. This further increases the flexibility of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, in particular because it creates an additional degree of freedom of movement that enables adaptation of the orientation and positioning of the ammunition part holder or the ammunition parts held therein.

[0024] In a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the carrier base has a driver configured to transmit the drive force of the production line to the workpiece carrier. For example, the driver can have a connecting device in the form of a tongue-and-groove system. Furthermore, it can have actively controllable, actuatable fastening mechanisms, such as a clamping and / or locking mechanism, via which the carrier can be coupled to the production line in a force-transmitting manner.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects by way of example, a workpiece carrier is provided for an automated production line for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts.

[0026] The workpiece carrier can essentially fulfill two functions. Firstly, it can hold the ammunition parts required for the ammunition and enable access to the ammunition parts by the individual processing stations or enable the processing of the ammunition parts at the individual processing stations. Secondly, the workpiece carrier can form the interface to the automated production line, allowing at least two ammunition parts to pass through the automated production line via the workpiece carrier.

[0027] The workpiece carrier further comprises at least two receptacles, each for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition casings, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges, or two ammunition primers. An essential aspect of the workpiece carrier according to the invention is that it is designed to hold multiple ammunition parts, which are held in such a way that they can be processed simultaneously or in parallel. For example, the receptacle is designed such that it can hold at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 15 ammunition parts of the same type. For example, the plurality of ammunition parts is held by the receptacle in a predetermined, in particular unchangeable, arrangement. For example, in rows and / or parallel arrangement, such as in an array field.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, at least one of the ammunition part holders can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be fed, in particular, simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed, in particular, simultaneously. Because not all different types of ammunition parts necessarily have to be fed to the same number of different processing stations and / or have to be machined in different orientations or positions, a cost-effective and yet significantly more flexible workpiece carrier can be provided compared to the prior art. By combining the holders of the different types of ammunition parts required for ammunition production in one and the same workpiece carrier, considerable advantages can be generated, particularly with regard to the cycle rate.Thus, the ammunition parts to be joined together can, for example, be provided in close proximity to one another, but in any case can be held by one and the same workpiece carrier, so that they are held locally concentrated on the workpiece carrier for easy handling and accessibility.

[0029] The mobility of the at least one ammunition part receptacle relative to the carrier receptacle can be designed so as to be flexible that a multitude of different positions can be reached. For example, the at least one ammunition part receptacle can be locked when assuming the receiving position and / or when assuming the processing position, so that mobility of the ammunition part receptacle is temporarily prevented. It should be understood that the position of the at least two ammunition parts in the receiving position or their orientation can also be such that processing of the at least two ammunition parts can also take place in the receiving position. The different positions that the ammunition part receptacle can assume relative to the carrier base can differ by a different orientation and / or position in terms of distance from the carrier base.

[0030] According to an exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one movable ammunition part holder is movable relative to the other ammunition part holder such that the movable ammunition part holder can assume a processing position in which the at least two ammunition parts of the movable ammunition part holder and the at least two ammunition parts of the other, either rigid or likewise movable, ammunition part holder can be processed together, in particular joined together. It has been discovered that the workpiece carrier can be used not only to hold and provide ammunition parts at different processing stations, but can also simultaneously serve to perform processing steps itself during the manufacture or assembly of ammunition.For example, if one type of ammunition part is the ammunition case and the other type of ammunition part is the ammunition projectile, the holder holding the ammunition projectiles can be displaceable relative to the ammunition part holder holding the ammunition cases, so that the workpiece carrier is able to insert, in particular press, the ammunition projectiles into the ammunition cases.

[0031] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least two ammunition part holders can each be moved independently of the other ammunition part holder. Thus, the ammunition part holders holding different ammunition parts can be moved independently of one another and moved into the required processing position. This even makes it possible for both ammunition part holders to be in a processing position in which the respectively received ammunition parts can be processed, in particular simultaneously. According to an exemplary further development, the at least two ammunition part holders can each perform a pivoting and / or translational movement relative to the respective other ammunition part holder.The more degrees of freedom of movement there are and / or the more independently the at least two ammunition part holders can be moved, the more flexibly the ammunition carrier of the workpiece carrier can be used and the simpler and less complex the necessary processing stations can be designed.

[0032] According to a further exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one movable ammunition part holder defines a first travel space in which this ammunition part holder is movable, and the at least one further movable holder defines a further travel space in which this further holder is movable, which is arranged within the first travel space. In a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one first movable ammunition part holder is movable along a first travel path, and the at least one further movable ammunition part holder is movable along a further travel path, wherein the two travel paths intersect.By crossing the movement paths, it can be ensured in a simpler manner that the workpiece carrier is able to carry out a machining operation, such as joining the ammunition parts arranged in the first movable ammunition part holder with the ammunition parts arranged in the further ammunition part holder.

[0033] According to a further exemplary development of the workpiece according to the invention, the workpiece carrier has a carrier base, such as a carriage or a device based on the tongue-and-groove principle, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line. At least one of the receptacles can be mounted on the carrier base so that it can move via a travel arm. For example, the other receptacle is coupled to the carrier base via a support arm rigidly connected to the carrier base. According to an exemplary development, the moveably mounted travel arm is arranged on a holding arm, which is in particular rigidly coupled to the carrier base and on which the at least one further ammunition part receptacle is in particular moveably mounted. For example, the moveable travel arm is mounted so that it can move on its bearing surface facing the respective ammunition part receptacle.This arrangement of the ammunition part holders on the workpiece carrier allows the latter to be designed to be particularly compact and allows for a high degree of flexibility in terms of the movement possibilities of the ammunition part holders.

[0034] According to an exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, it has a carrier base, such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line. Furthermore, the workpiece carrier has at least two, in particular three, axes of rotation, wherein both receptacles are each pivotable relative to the carrier base and to the other receptacle with respect to a first or second axis of rotation, independently of the other receptacle. In other words, the first ammunition part receptacle is pivotably mounted with respect to a first axis of rotation, and the second ammunition part receptacle is pivotably mounted with respect to a second axis of rotation different from the first axis of rotation. According to an exemplary development, the at least two receptacles can be pivotable relative to the carrier base with respect to a common third axis of rotation.In other words, the two ammunition holders can then be pivoted as a unit with respect to the third axis of rotation.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspect and exemplary embodiments, a workpiece carrier is provided for an automated production line for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts.

[0036] The workpiece carrier comprises at least one receptacle for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition casings, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges, or two ammunition primers. An essential aspect of the workpiece carrier according to the invention is that it is designed to hold multiple ammunition parts, which are held in such a way that they can be processed simultaneously or in parallel. For example, the receptacle is designed such that it can hold at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 15 ammunition parts of the same type. For example, the plurality of ammunition parts is held by the receptacle in a predetermined, in particular unchangeable, arrangement. For example, in rows and / or parallel arrangement, such as in an array field.

[0037] The at least one holder can be moved from a holding position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be fed, in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed, in particular simultaneously. Because not all different types of ammunition parts necessarily have to be fed to the same number of different processing stations and / or have to be machined in different orientations or positions, a workpiece carrier can be provided that is both more cost-effective and, compared to the prior art, significantly more flexible. By combining the holding of the different types of ammunition parts required for the production of ammunition in one and the same workpiece carrier, considerable advantages can be generated, particularly with regard to the cycle rate.Thus, the ammunition parts to be joined can, for example, be provided in close proximity to one another, but in any case can be held by one and the same workpiece carrier, so that they are held locally concentrated on the workpiece carrier for easy handling and accessibility. According to a further aspect of the invention, the workpiece carrier further comprises a coupling interface for connection to a motor of the production line, in particular a motor-side coupling interface, in order to move the holder from the receiving position to the processing position, and in particular vice versa. The workpiece carrier itself can therefore be designed without a drive and / or motor. The necessary activation or kinetic energy required to move the at least one ammunition part holder can, in particular, be supplied entirely from outside, for example by a motor or drive of the production line.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, the workpiece carrier-side coupling interface is designed, in particular, so shaped and / or aligned with a motor-side coupling interface that the workpiece carrier can be moved into the motor-side coupling interface for connection to the motor. This enables a particularly simple coupling of the workpiece carrier and the energy source, without the workpiece carrier requiring its own energy supply to move the at least one holder.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier, the coupling interfaces are designed for positive engagement. For example, the coupling interfaces can be based on the tongue-and-groove principle.

[0040] In a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the coupling interface on the workpiece carrier side has a linear recess and a linear projection, the longitudinal extent of which is / are aligned parallel to a travel direction for coupling the workpiece carrier and motor. The travel direction of the workpiece carrier for coupling can correspond to the travel direction defined by the production line, for example, the rotary indexing or circulation system.

[0041] In a further exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one receptacle has a pretensioning device which is designed to apply a projecting force to the at least two ammunition parts when held. For example, the pretensioning device comprises springs assigned to each of the ammunition parts. For example, the pretensioning device can comprise spring-biased pawls. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the workpiece carrier 2, 3, or 4 can have, in particular, movably mounted ammunition part receptacles for receiving at least two, in particular 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, ammunition parts of the same type.

[0042] In a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the carrier base is designed such that it can be guided in a magnetically levitating manner along the production line, in particular along a rail of the production line. A gap can be formed between two facing bearing / guide surfaces of the carrier base and the rail, in particular for the least possible frictional displacement of the carrier base relative to the rail.

[0043] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, an automated production line for ammunition, also called a plant for the automated manufacture of ammunition, is provided with at least two ammunition parts, which has at least one workpiece carrier designed according to one of the preceding claims.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment of the production line according to the invention, it further comprises several production stations, such as an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station and / or a projectile insertion station, for introducing at least one of the several ammunition parts into the production process of the plant, several quality inspection stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station, a propellant charge filling station, a projectile assembly station, a projectile marking station, and / or an ejection station for removing the finished ammunition from the production process of the plant. The ejection station can also serve to eject rejects from the production process. The several production stations are arranged with respect to the production process such that the ammunition parts can be fed to the production stations one after the other in order to carry out the successive production steps.

[0045] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the production stations are individually relocatable between a production position, in which the production stations can act on the ammunition parts and / or the conveyor system, and a passive position, in which the production stations are set back with respect to the ammunition parts and / or the conveyor system. The passive position can be a maintenance position, for example, in which the respective production station is decoupled from the production process in order to be able to carry out maintenance, repair, or other inspection measures not directly related to the production of ammunition. For example, the production stations can be individually moved away from the conveyor track or blown away from the production position in the passive position.

[0046] According to an exemplary further development of the production line according to the invention, the production stations each have a drive for displacing the respective production station. For example, the drive is independent of a respective production-station-specific manipulation device for acting on the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier. In other words, the drive for displacing the production stations between the production and passive positions can be constructed and controlled independently of the production-station-specific manipulation device, which intervenes in the production process in order to manufacture the ammunition. For example, the production stations should each have a detachable coupling interface for connecting to the respective drive, which is in particular stationary.

[0047] In a further exemplary embodiment of the production line according to the invention, the workpiece carrier is mounted on a rail running along the conveyor track, in particular in a guided, movably manner, and is held to the rail by a horizontally oriented, in particular magnetic, holding force. For example, no further fastening mechanisms acting in the horizontal direction are used. The horizontal, in particular magnetic, holding force can be supported by a vertically oriented support for a bearing interface on the conveyor device side, which slides and / or rolls along the support as the workpiece carrier moves relative to the support.

[0048] According to a further exemplary development of the production line according to the invention, the workpiece carrier is mounted on the rail in a removable manner. For example, disassembly can occur by overcoming the holding force, in particular a magnetic one, between the conveyor device and the rail. A disassembly direction of the workpiece carrier away from the rail can be oriented horizontally. In a further exemplary embodiment of the production line according to the invention, the rail has at least one storage and / or guide surface for the workpiece carrier. The storage and / or guide surfaces support the movements of the workpiece carrier for transporting and / or transporting the plurality of ammunition parts from, to and / or between the plurality of production stations. For example, a guide surface oriented horizontally in particular provides the holding force, in particular a magnetic one.The magnetic holding force can be achieved by surface contact or by two bearing surfaces of the rail and workpiece carrier arranged at a slight distance from each other.

[0049] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the workpiece carrier and a rail running along the conveyor track, on which the workpiece carrier is mounted in a particularly movably guided manner, form a magnetic levitation system.

[0050] Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0051] In the following, further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

[0052] Figure i is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a workpiece carrier according to the invention;

[0053] Figure 2 is a side view of the workpiece carrier from Figure 1;

[0054] Figure 3 is a plan view of the workpiece carrier from Figures 1 and 2;

[0055] Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view of the workpiece carrier from Figures 1-3;

[0056] Figure 5 shows a further detailed sectional view of the workpiece carrier from Figures 1-3;

[0057] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a section of an exemplary embodiment of an automated production line according to the invention with a plurality of workpiece carriers according to the present invention;

[0058] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an ammunition production plant; Figures 8-11 show further schematic diagrams of sections of the production line from Figure 7.

[0059] In the present description of exemplary embodiments of the present inventions, a workpiece carrier according to the invention is generally provided with the reference numeral 1, which can be used in a production line 100, which is also referred to as a plant, for the automated production of ammunition, also called a loading plant, which consists of several ammunition parts, in particular a casing, an ignition element, a projectile and a propellant charge.

[0060] According to the exemplary embodiments of the workpiece carrier i according to the invention in Figures 1-3, the workpiece carrier 1 essentially comprises the following main components: a carrier base 3, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line 100; a first and a second receptacle 5, 7 for each holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, according to the exemplary embodiments in the figures of 12; and a coupling interface 9 for connecting to a motor 109 of the production line 100 for actuating the driveless / motorless workpiece carrier 1.

[0061] The carrier base 3 is formed in two parts according to the exemplary embodiments and comprises a coupling section 11 with a C-shaped cross-section, via which the workpiece carrier 1 can be detachably docked to the production line 100 in order to be moved or conveyed there, for example, via a rotary or circulating conveyor system along the processing stations 105 of the production line 100. Furthermore, the carrier base 3 comprises a bearing section 13 fastened to the coupling section 11, on which both the two coupling interfaces 9 and the at least two ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 are arranged.

[0062] According to the exemplary embodiments in the figures, ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 can each hold up to 12 ammunition parts of the same type, such as projectiles 121 (in receptacle 5), ammunition cases 17 (in receptacle 7) or even primer caps (not shown) in a row, in particular at the same distance from one another, wherein, according to Figure 1, the projectiles 121 are already inserted into the ammunition cases 17, so that the ammunition part receptacle 7 according to Figure 1 holds ammunition in an intermediate production state. The two ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 each comprise holding recesses 19, which are each configured and designed to receive one ammunition part. The ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 are basically arranged on the support base 3 via two support arms 21, 23 that are aligned parallel to one another and are in particular identically designed.The support arms 21, 23 can, for example, also be pivotably mounted relative to the support base 3, in particular the bearing section 13, with the bearing center being indicated by the reference r3. These pivotable bearings make it possible to pivot the two ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 as a unit relative to the support base 3, so that the ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 can be positioned in different positions in order to position or align the respective ammunition parts differently, depending on the requirements of the respective processing station 105.

[0063] In addition, the two ammunition part holders are each pivotably mounted separately on the support arms 21, 23, so that the ammunition parts 5, 7 can each be pivoted independently of the other holder. Figure 1 shows that the ammunition part holder 7 is pivotable relative to a rotation axis Ri, which passes through a bearing center r. xruns, is rotatably mounted and furthermore that the rotation axis Ri runs through the holder 7, which means that the holder 7 can perform a pure rotational movement with respect to the rotation axis Ri. In other words, the ammunition part holder 7 is rotatable about its own axis, in particular by 360°, in order to be able to align the received ammunition parts in a 360° orientation. The further ammunition part holder 5, in turn, is pivotally mounted on the lever arms 21, 23 via a pivot arm construction 25. The entire pivot construction 25, including the holding recesses 19 defining the holder 5, is pivotable about a rotation axis R2, which runs through a rotation center r2. When the holder 5 rotates relative to the support arms 23, the holder 5 performs a combined pivoting and translational movement.As can be seen in particular in Figure 1, the pivoting construction 25 is mounted and fastened on mutually facing bearing surfaces 27, 29 of the support arms 21, 23.

[0064] Referring to Figure 2, the coupling section 11 of the carrier base 3 is particularly illustrated, the C-shape of which defines a receiving space 29, via which the workpiece carrier 1 can be placed onto a carrier of the production line 100, which conveys the workpiece carrier 1 along the production line 100. On an inner side 31 of the coupling section 11 facing the receiving space 29, actuatable and / or adjusting devices 33 are provided, via which a reliable attachment to the carrier of the production line 100 can be achieved and adjusted, so that in principle, adaptation to different carriers is also possible here.

[0065] Figure 3 shows a further special feature of the workpiece carrier 1 according to the invention. The workpiece carrier 1 according to the invention not only serves to hold the ammunition parts 15, 17 required for the production of ammunition or to bring them into the desired alignment and orientation during processing at the various processing stations 105 of the production line 100, but the workpiece carrier 1 is also capable of carrying out process or machining steps. Figure 3 again shows the rotation axis R2, with respect to which the ammunition part holder 5 can be pivoted relative to the other ammunition part holder 7 and relative to the holding arms 21, 23.If the ammunition part holder 5 is rotated in the direction U shown in Figure 3 about the rotation axis R2, ammunition parts held by the ammunition part holder 5, such as ammunition rounds 121, can be inserted or pressed into ammunition parts held in the ammunition part holder 7, such as ammunition cases 17. A crucial measure here is that, on the one hand, the orientation of the ammunition parts held in the ammunition part holder 5, which is realized via the orientation of the holding recesses 19, is coordinated with the orientation of the ammunition parts held in the other ammunition parts 7. On the other hand, a movement path when pivoting the ammunition part holder 5 is coordinated with the arrangement of the ammunition part holder 7 on the holding arms 21, 23, so that at a 180. 0- Pivoting in the direction U shown, starting from the constellation shown in Figure 3, one holding recess 19 of the ammunition part holder 5 coincides with one holding recess 35 of the ammunition part holder 7, in particular is aligned.

[0066] Figures 4 and 5 each show detailed sections in a partial sectional view of the workpiece carrier 1 with a focus on the holding recesses 19, 35 of the ammunition part receptacles 5, 7. In the example of Figure 5, these are the holding recesses 35 of the ammunition part receptacle 7. The ammunition part receptacle 7 has a preload device, generally designated by the reference numeral 37, which serves to fix the received ammunition parts, here the received ammunition case 17. The preload device 37 applies a preload and / or clamping holding force to the respective ammunition parts so that they are secured in the respective holding recess 35 against falling out. The preload is applied by using a preloading means, such as springs 39, to press movably mounted clamping jaws 41 against the respective ammunition part in order to build up the holding force.

[0067] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pretensioning device 37 is implemented by spring-loaded latches. The clamping jaws 41 or latches have clamping surfaces 43 inclined in the longitudinal direction L of the ammunition part, which, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, are convexly shaped, so that when the respective ammunition parts are inserted into the holding recesses 35 essentially along the longitudinal direction L, the ammunition parts can push the two clamping jaws 41 away. This means that the latches are pressed outward against the spring pretension force, thereby building up the holding force without jamming with them.In the unoccupied state of the holding recesses 35 (not shown), the clamping jaws 41, in particular the mutually facing clamping surfaces 43, thus protrude significantly further towards the center of the holding recesses 35 and, when occupied by an ammunition part, are pushed outwards in particular elastically, whereby the particularly elastic clamping / holding force is built up, which is ultimately responsible for the ammunition parts being reliably held in the holding recesses 35.

[0068] Referring to Figure 5, which shows a detailed sectional view of a similar section from Figure 4, but rotated by 90°, four holding recesses 35 arranged in a row are visible, each of which accommodates an ammunition case 17. As already described, each holding recess 35 or each ammunition part is assigned a pretensioning device 37 consisting of spring-loaded clamping jaws 41. In Figure 5, it can be seen that the mutually facing clamping surfaces 43, 45 of the clamping jaws 41 have different shapes in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 5. The clamping surfaces 43 of the respective lower clamping jaws 41 are flat in the cross-sectional view and therefore form a punctiform line contact with the ammunition case 17.The opposing clamping surfaces 45 of the other clamping jaws 41, facing the clamping surfaces 43, are shaped in the cross-sectional view of Figure 5 to form a receiving recess 47 for the ammunition casings, which can be concave, frustoconical, or similar. It has been discovered that, via such a receiving recess 47, a self-centering effect can be utilized when the clamping jaws 41 are pressed against each other and when the clamping / holding force is built up on the ammunition parts. This self-centering effect is also achieved through the statically determined mounting that results from this.

[0069] Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a section of an automated production line 100 according to the invention, in which two processing stations 105, 103 are schematically indicated. Figure 6 shows that several workpiece carriers 1 according to the invention are arranged in a row, one behind the other, at a short distance from one another, and can be conveyed or moved along the production line 100 according to the invention in a conveying direction indicated by the arrow with the reference symbol F, so that the workpiece carriers 1 can be fed to the various processing stations 103, 105.

[0070] Firstly, Figure 6 shows the pivotability of the ammunition part holders 5, 7, which becomes apparent from a comparison of the two workpiece carriers 1 arranged next to one another (on the right in the image). While the ammunition part holder 5 is initially arranged in the horizontal orientation (far right), the ammunition part holder 5 is subsequently pivoted upwards by 90° into the vertical orientation (central workpiece carrier 1). For example, in this way it is possible to move the ammunition part holders 5, 7 between different positions, such as a receiving position in which the at least two ammunition parts can be fed into the holder 5, 7, in particular simultaneously, and a processing position in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed, in particular simultaneously.

[0071] A further feature that can be realized with the workpiece carriers 1 according to the invention is the special type of coupling or connection to actuators, motors 109, or drives of the production line 100, which means that the workpiece carrier itself does not require its own drive. According to the preferred embodiment in Figure 6, the outwardly oriented coupling interfaces 9 of the workpiece carriers 1 have a flat coupling surface 49 on which a rectilinear coupling projection 51 is arranged, which is oriented in the conveying direction F of the production line 100.This makes it possible for the coupling interface 9 to be adapted to a motor-, drive-, or actuator-side coupling interface 107, which is assigned to a schematically indicated motor 109, drive, or actuator 109 of the production line 100, and is shaped and aligned accordingly, to be able to move into the motor-side interface 107 automatically during conveyance along the production line 100, i.e., without manual or mechanical access, in order to establish a connection with the motor 109, drive, or actuator. The respective coupling interfaces 9 are rotatably mounted with respect to a bearing 53, which is rigidly coupled to the support base 3, so that when coupled with the coupling interface 107 of the motor 109, actuator, or drive of the production line 100, the coupling interface 9 can be actuated, so that it can be rotated to change the orientation of the coupling projection 51.This makes it possible for the respective workpiece carrier 1 to be fixed in a desired position and to be connected to the motor 109, the drive or the actuator for energy transmission.

[0072] The loading system 100 according to Figure 7 comprises the following production stations: a case insertion station 111, which is configured to insert cases 119 into the conveyor device 113; a projectile insertion station 115, which is configured to insert projectiles 121 into the conveyor device 113; a propellant charge filling station 117, which is configured to fill cases 119 with propellant charge powder 11, 123; a case mouth expansion station; an ignition element feed station 125 for feeding ignition elements 127 and an ignition element insertion station 129, in which the ignition elements 127 are inserted into the conveyor devices 113; an ignition element caulking station; several quality monitoring stations 131 and quality testing stations 133 for optical and / or tactile assurance of the quality of the ammunition and an ejection station 135 for the final ejection of the finished ammunition.

[0073] The conveyor device 113 for holding the multiple ammunition parts and for transporting the multiple ammunition parts to and / or from the multiple production stations defines a closed, circulating conveyor track 137, which defines an interior space 139 enclosed by the conveyor track 137 and an exterior space 141 delimited therefrom. According to the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1, the conveyor track 137 is constructed from two parallel linear sections 143 connected by curved sections 145 to form a racetrack-shaped conveyor track. The production stations 11, 13, 15, 59, 59, 25 are arranged laterally to the conveyor track 137 in the interior space 139 (Figure 12) or in the exterior space 141 of the conveyor track 137.

[0074] Figure 7 shows a system layout in which the ammunition components are introduced into system 1 from the outside. Alternatively, the ammunition components can be introduced from the interior 139 into the conveyor systems 113. The basic production sequence is the same for both system layouts. Both system principles have the following production sequence: A conveyor system 113 located in a buffer zone 147 is fed to the case insertion station 111 via a curved section 145. This is followed by a projectile insertion station 115, in which the projectiles 121 are fed to the conveyor system 113. The entire conveyor system 113, with the projectiles 121 and cases 119 located thereon, is then subjected to a visual inspection in a quality monitoring station 131.At the subsequent stations, an ignition element 127 is first introduced into system 1 via an ignition element feed station 125, then transferred to an ignition element insertion station 129 by a slide 51, before finally being inserted into the rear of the case 119. After insertion, the fired cases 119 are calibrated at a case forming station 153 and subsequently sealed with annular joint varnish at a fluid application station 149. The conveyor devices 113 are then guided over a second curved section 145, followed by a linear section 143 with several production stations. Before the cases 119 are filled with propellant powder 11, 123 at the propellant charge filling station 117, a quality control station 131 checks whether the ignition elements 7 have been properly received in the cases 119.After filling, the fill level is checked, particularly tactilely, at a quality control station 133. The actual assembly of projectile 121 and case 119 takes place in two stages. First, the projectile 5 is lightly placed onto the case 119 at the projectile insertion station 155, and finally, in the subsequent step, is pressed into the case 119 at the projectile assembly station 151. The thus finalized ammunition 101 is subsequently inspected at a quality monitoring station 131 and / or a quality control station 133 and subsequently discharged via an ejection station 135.

[0075] Figure 8 shows a further section in a perspective view of a production line 100 according to the invention, with a focus on a workpiece carrier 1 arranged on the rail 63. The embodiment according to Figure 8 differs from the previous embodiments with regard to the coupling of the workpiece carrier 1 and rail 63. As schematically indicated by the arrow with the reference symbol M, a magnetic holding force oriented in the horizontal direction H prevails between the workpiece carrier 1 and rail 63, which holds the workpiece carrier 1 to the rail 63. According to the embodiment in Figure 8, the workpiece carrier 1 is free of any form-fitting or locking engagement with the rail 63. The coupling is achieved by means of mutually assigned pairs of bearing and / or guide surfaces 83, 87 and 85, 89, respectively.The guide surface 85 of the rail 63 is formed by a support 91 for the conveyor device 100, namely for a bearing projection 93, which projects from the flat, magnetic bearing and / or guide surface 87 and rests with its bearing and / or guide surface 89 on the support 91.

[0076] Figure 9 shows the printout from Figure 8 in a top view. This shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the production line 100 according to the invention. The rail 63 and the workpiece carrier 1 together form a magnetic levitation system, which is evident from the narrow gap a between the mutually facing magnetic bearing and / or guide surfaces 83, 87. Thus, the workpiece carrier 1 is vertically supported by the support 91 at least via the bearing projection 93 and can otherwise float past the region of the mutually facing bearing and / or guide surfaces 87, 89 without contact and friction during a relative movement of the workpiece carrier 1 relative to the rail 63.

[0077] Figures 10 and 11 relate to the same embodiment as Figures 8 and 9, wherein the workpiece carrier 1 is partially disassembled from the rail 63. According to the preferred embodiment of Figures 8-11, disassembly can be carried out simply by overcoming the magnetic holding force (arrow M) between the workpiece carrier 1 and the rail 63. For subsequent reassembly of the workpiece carrier 1 onto the rail 63, the workpiece carrier 1 must be fed back onto the rail 63 essentially in the opposite direction, in particular until the magnetic holding force M begins to pull the workpiece carrier 1 toward the rail 63.

[0078] The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims may be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in the various embodiments.

[0079] List of reference symbols

[0080] I Workpiece carrier

[0081] 3 support base

[0082] 5, 7 Ammunition part holder

[0083] 9 Coupling interface

[0084] II Coupling section

[0085] 13 storage section

[0086] 15, 17 ammunition part

[0087] 19?35 Retaining recess

[0088] 21, 23 Holding arm

[0089] 25 Swivel structure

[0090] 27, 29 storage area

[0091] 30 recording room

[0092] 31 Inside

[0093] 33 Adjustment device

[0094] 37 Pre-tensioning device

[0095] 39 spring

[0096] 41 clamping jaw

[0097] 43?45 clamping surface

[0098] 47 Recording recess

[0099] 49 Coupling surface

[0100] 51 Coupling projection

[0101] 53 warehouses

[0102] 63 Rail

[0103] 83,85,87,89 Guide and / or bearing surface

[0104] 91st edition

[0105] 93 bearing projection

[0106] 100 production lines

[0107] 103 processing station

[0108] 105 processing stations

[0109] 107 Coupling interface

[0110] 109 Engine

[0111] III Sleeve insertion station

[0112] 113 Conveyor system

[0113] 115 Bullet insertion station

[0114] 117 Propellant filling station 119 Case

[0115] 121 floors

[0116] 125 Ignition element feed station

[0117] 127 Ignition element

[0118] 129 Ignition element insertion station

[0119] 131 quality monitoring stations

[0120] 133 quality inspection stations

[0121] 135 Discharge station

[0122] 137 conveyor belt

[0123] 139 Interior

[0124] 141 Outdoor space

[0125] 143 Linear section

[0126] 145 curve section

[0127] 147 Buffer zone

[0128] 149 Fluid application station

[0129] 151 Projectile assembly station

[0130] 155 Projectile insertion station

[0131] F Conveying direction

[0132] L Longitudinal direction

[0133] Ri rotation axis n rotation center

[0134] U rotational movement

[0135] V, H Vertical direction or horizontal direction a Distance

[0136] M magnetic force

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Workpiece carrier (1) for an automated production line (100) for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts, comprising a carrier base (3), such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line (100), and at least one receptacle (5, 7) arranged on the carrier base (3) for holding at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the same type, such as two ammunition casings (119), two ammunition projectiles (121), two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers, characterized in that the at least one ammunition part receptacle (5, 7) is mounted so as to be movable relative to the carrier base (3).

2. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one ammunition part holder (5, 7) can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be fed in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be processed in particular simultaneously.

3. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ammunition part holder (5, 7) is mounted on the carrier base (3) in such a way that the ammunition part holder (5, 7) can perform a combined pivoting and translational movement relative to the carrier base (3).

4. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier base (3) has a driver which is designed to transmit the drive conveying force of the production line (100) to the workpiece carrier (1).

5. Workpiece carrier (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for an automated production line (100) for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts, comprising at least two receptacles (5, 7) for holding at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the same type, such as two ammunition cases (119), two ammunition projectiles (121), two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers, characterized in that at least one of the ammunition part receptacles (5, 7) can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be fed in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be processed in particular simultaneously.

6. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one movable receptacle (5, 7) is movable relative to the other receptacle (5, 7) in such a way that the movable receptacle (5, 7) can assume a processing position in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the movable receptacle (5, 7) and the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the other receptacle (5, 7) can be processed together, in particular joined to one another.

7. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least two receptacles (5, 7) are movable independently of the other receptacle (5, 7), wherein in particular the receptacles (5, 7) can each carry out a pivoting and / or translational movement relative to the respective other receptacle (5, 7).

8. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the at least one first movable ammunition part holder (5) is movable along a first travel path and the at least one further movable ammunition part holder (7) is movable along a further travel path, the two travel paths intersecting.

9. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, further characterized by a carrier base (3), such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line (100), wherein at least one of the receptacles (5, 7) is mounted on the carrier base (3) so as to be movable via a travel arm, wherein in particular the travel arm is mounted so as to be movable on a support arm of the other receptacle (5, 7), in particular on its bearing surface (27, 29) facing the respective receptacle (5, 7).

10. Workpiece carrier (i) according to one of claims 5 to 9, further characterized by a carrier base (3), such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line (100), wherein the workpiece carrier (1) has at least two axes of rotation, wherein both receptacles (5, 7) are each pivotable with respect to a first or second axis of rotation independently of the respective other receptacle (5, 7) relative to the carrier base (3) and to the other receptacle (5, 7), wherein in particular the at least two receptacles (5, 7) are pivotable with respect to a common third axis of rotation relative to the carrier base (3).

11. Workpiece carrier (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for an automated production line (100) for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts, comprising At least one receptacle (5, 7) for holding at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the same type, such as two ammunition casings (119), two ammunition projectiles (121), two ammunition cartridges, or two ammunition primers, which receptacle can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be fed, in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be processed, in particular simultaneously, and a coupling interface (9) for connecting to a motor of the production line (100) in order to move the receptacle (5, 7) from the receiving position to the processing position, characterized in that the coupling interface (9) is shaped and / or aligned with respect to a motor-side coupling interface (107) in such a way that the workpiece carrier (1) can be moved into the motor-side coupling interface (107) for connection to the motor.

12. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the coupling interfaces (9, 107) are designed for positive engagement.

13. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the workpiece carrier-side coupling interface (9) has a rectilinear recess and / or a rectilinear projection, the longitudinal extent of which is / are aligned parallel to a travel direction for coupling the workpiece carrier (1) and the motor to one another. 14- Workpiece carrier (i) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receptacle (5, 7) has a pretensioning device which is designed to apply a pretensioning force to the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) when holding them.

15. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier base (3) is designed such that it can be guided in a magnetically levitating manner along the production line (100), in particular along a rail of the production line (100).

16. Automated production line (100) for ammunition with at least two ammunition parts, comprising at least one workpiece carrier (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims.

17. Production line (100) according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of production stations, in particular an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station (111) and / or a projectile insertion station (155), for introducing at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the production line (100), a plurality of quality inspection stations (133), at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station (17), a propellant charge filling station (117), a projectile assembly station (151), a projectile marking station and / or an ejection station (135) for transporting the manufactured ammunition (101) away from the production process of the production line (100), wherein the workpiece carrier (1) is designed to hold the plurality of ammunition parts and to transport and / or remove the plurality of ammunition parts from, to and / or between the plurality of production stations.

18. Production line (100) according to claim 17, wherein the production stations are in particular individually displaceable between a production position in which the production stations can act on the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier (1), and a passive position, such as a maintenance position in which the production stations are set back with respect to the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier (1). - System (i) according to claim 18, wherein the production stations each have a drive for displacing the respective production station, wherein in particular the drive is independent of a respective production-station-specific manipulation device for acting on the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier (i). System (i) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the workpiece carrier (i) is mounted, in particular guided, movably on a rail (63) defining a conveyor track (29) and is held on the rail (63) by a magnetic holding force oriented in the horizontal direction. System (1) according to claim 20, wherein the workpiece carrier (1) is mounted on the rail (63) in a removable manner, in particular by overcoming the magnetic holding force between the workpiece carrier (1) and the rail (63).System (1) according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the rail (63) has at least one bearing and / or guide surface (83, 85) for the workpiece carrier (1), wherein in particular a guide surface (83, 85) oriented in the horizontal direction provides the magnetic holding force. System (1) according to one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the workpiece carrier (1) and a rail (63) defining a conveyor track (29), on which the workpiece carrier (1) is mounted in a particularly movably guided manner, form a magnetic levitation system.

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