Cleaning tool for bending machines

Abstract

A cleaning tool (8) for at least part of the lower tool arrangement of bending machines (1) with an automation system (2) or robot grippers (3) comprises at least one brush (9, 14) and a suction-removal arrangement (11) with a collection container (13) for material removed by suction. The cleaning tool (8) is equipped with a coupling arrangement for the automation system (2) or the robot gripper (3), and the suction-removal arrangement (11) can be coupled with a compressed-air system of the automation system (2) or robot gripper (3). A bending machine (1) with an automation system (2) or robot grippers (3) and a cleaning tool (8) of this kind can have this cleaning tool coupled to the automation system (2) or to the robot gripper (3), or the cleaning tool (8) is kept ready for coupling with the automation system (2) or the robot gripper (3).

Description

[0001] CLEANING TOOL FOR BENDING MACHINES

[0002] The invention relates to a cleaning tool for at least part of the lower tool arrangement of bending machines with automation system or robot gripper.

[0003] The Japanese publication JPS6033828A already describes an automatic cleaning system for a bending press's lower tool. A gear-driven cleaning carriage with a rotating brush moves along the bending surface and cleans it. However, no provisions are made for automatic handling by a gripper, and the tool itself is not cleaned in the holder for the bending tool.

[0004] Japanese publication JP2013237075A discloses a cleaning carriage with rigid cleaning brushes that can be operated by an automation system. Once set down, the carriage automatically moves along the lower tool holder of a bending press and cleans it. Contaminants adhering to the brushes are blown away using compressed air.

[0005] Furthermore, a system from Bystronic is known that provides automatic cleaning for the lower tool holder. A cleaning tool, movable by the robot gripper, cleans the holder for the lower tool of the bending press using compressed air, but without any brushes.

[0006] JP2005319351A discloses an arrangement in which a freely programmable robot carries a detachable cleaning unit for a die of a sheet metal processing machine. The cleaning unit includes a brush, which may optionally be mounted in a rotating position, and a vacuum cleaner for the loosened contaminants, which are then transported to a collection container and collected there.

[0007] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device and a method whose structure is simple and flexible and which is optimally suited for integration into the automation system of the bending machines or for connection to a robot used therein.

[0008] This object is achieved by a device according to the claims. The device according to the invention provides a cleaning tool comprising at least one brush for the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder, as well as a compressed-air suction arrangement with a receptacle for the extracted material, wherein the cleaning tool is equipped with a coupling arrangement for the automation system or the robot gripper. The suction arrangement can be coupled to a compressed-air system of the automation system or robot gripper. This enables automatic scale and dust removal from the lower tool clamp and the lower tools by a device with an integrated air-driven vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.

[0009] A cleaning tool with a receiving container designed as a collection bag made of textile, air-permeable material is preferred.

[0010] Advantageously, a filter arrangement can be arranged on the suction arrangement in front of a vacuum connection.

[0011] A simple embodiment of a cleaning tool according to the invention is characterized in that at least one brush is rigidly integrated into the cleaning tool or mounted thereon.

[0012] Another embodiment provides that at least one rotating brush is integrated into or mounted on the cleaning tool and is preferably drivable by means of the compressed air system of the automation system or robot gripper.

[0013] In any case, the width of at least one brush preferably corresponds to the width of the lower tool or the lower tool holder.

[0014] To achieve the stated object, a bending machine with an automation system or robot gripper and a cleaning tool is also provided, and is equipped with at least one brush for the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder. A cleaning tool according to one of the preceding paragraphs is coupled to the automation system or the robot gripper or is kept ready for coupling to the automation system or the robot gripper. Preferably, the cleaning tool is movable by the automation system or the robot gripper along a trajectory that is freely programmable in the automation system or the robot gripper.

[0015] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that an instruction block is implemented in the automation system or a controller for the robot gripper in order to move the cleaning system along a straight line parallel to and with the brush along the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder.

[0016] Preferably, a tool magazine or a tool changing station is designed to hold and provide the cleaning tool.

[0017] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0018] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0019] Fig. 1 is an overall view of a bending machine, a robot with attached cleaning device, and a changing station;

[0020] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a robot with a coupled cleaning device;

[0021] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a robot with a coupled cleaning device with a rigid brush;

[0022] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a robot with a coupled cleaning device with a rotating brush.

[0023] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the position information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and if the position changes, these position information must be applied analogously to the new position. For a better understanding of the structure, some elements may be shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic overall view of an arrangement comprising a bending machine 1 with an automation system 2, in particular here in the form of a system with a robot gripper 3, which is advantageously movable along a guideway 4 along the bending machine 1. Furthermore, a tool magazine or a tool changing station 5 for receiving and providing different tools 6 for the bending machine 1 is preferably positioned in the working area of ​​the robot gripper 3, either stationary or possibly also movable for easy and rapid exchange.

[0025] As indicated in Fig. 1 and shown on a larger scale in Fig. 2, in addition to grippers for a wide variety of tools 6, a cleaning tool 8 can also be coupled to the tool coupling 7 of the robot gripper 3. This tool is equipped with at least one brush 9 for the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder 10. Furthermore, a compressed air-operated suction arrangement 11 is detachably coupled to the robot gripper 3 and preferably integrated into the cleaning tool 8. For this purpose, the cleaning tool 8 is equipped with a coupling arrangement for the automation system or the robot gripper.

[0026] A suction pipe 12 finally leads to a receptacle 13 for the extracted material. This receptacle 13 is preferably designed as a collection bag made of a textile, air-permeable material. The suction arrangement 11 can be coupled to a compressed air system of the automation system or robot gripper 3. Advantageously, a filter arrangement can be arranged on the suction arrangement upstream of a vacuum connection.

[0027] The cleaning tool 8 can, as shown in Fig. 1 to 3, be equipped with at least one rigidly integrated or mounted brush 9. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, at least one rotating brush 14 can be integrated into the cleaning tool 8 or mounted thereon. Such a rotating brush 14, which is also moved by means of the robot gripper 3, is preferably designed to be drivable by means of the compressed air system of the automation system or robot gripper 3. In any case, the width of at least one brush 9, 14 preferably corresponds to the width of the lower tool or the lower tool holder 10 of the bending machine 1. In the same way as is set up for the tools 6, the cleaning tool 8 can also be kept ready in the tool changing station 4 and put away again after use. The cleaning tool 8 is preferably controlled by the automation system orThe robot gripper 3 can be moved along a trajectory that is freely programmable in the automation system or the robot gripper 3. For this purpose, an instruction block is implemented, for example, in the automation system or a controller for the robot gripper 3 to move the cleaning system 8 along a straight line parallel to and with the brush 9, 14 sweeping along the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder 10.

[0028] Preferably, at least the suction device 11 is activated by switching on the compressed air, and the tool clamping of the lower tools is cleaned simply by moving along the bending machine 1. This has the great advantage that the respective lower tool is not pulled over scale, thus preventing increased wear on the clamping and inaccuracies in the height of the lower tool. Furthermore, aggressive scale, for example, is no longer carried into plastic guides, thus protecting them from damage. Finally, the existing setup can also be cleaned in advance at the same time.

[0029] The embodiments show possible embodiments, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments with each other are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in the art in this technical field due to the teaching of technical action by means of the objective invention.

[0030] Reference symbol list

[0031] Bending machine automation system robot gripper

[0032] guide

[0033] Tool change station

[0034] Tool

[0035] coupling

[0036] Cleaning device

[0037] Brush (rigid)

[0038] Lower tool holder Suction device Suction pipe

[0039] Collection container

[0040] Brush (rotating)

Claims

Patent claims 1. Cleaning tool (8) for at least part of the lower tool arrangement of bending machines (1) with automation system (2) or robot grippers (3), the cleaning tool (8) comprising at least one brush (9, 14) for the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder (10), and a compressed air-operated suction arrangement (11) with a receiving container (13) for sucked-off material, wherein the cleaning tool (8) is equipped with a coupling arrangement for the automation system (2) or the robot gripper (3), characterized in that the suction arrangement (11) can be coupled to a compressed air system of the automation system (2) or robot gripper (3).

2. Cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving container (13) is designed as a collecting bag made of textile, air-permeable material.

3. Cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that a filter arrangement is arranged on the suction arrangement (11) in front of a vacuum connection.

4. Cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one brush (9) is rigidly integrated into the cleaning tool (8) or mounted thereon.

5. Cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one rotating brush (14) is integrated into the cleaning tool (8) or mounted thereon and can preferably be driven by means of the compressed air system of the automation system (2) or robot gripper (3).

6. Cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of at least one brush (9, 14) corresponds to the width of the lower tool or the lower tool holder (10).

7. Bending machine (1) with automation system (2) or robot grippers (3) and a cleaning tool (8) with at least one brush (9, 14) for the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder (10), characterized in that a cleaning tool (8) according to one of claims 1 to 6 is coupled to the automation system (2) or the robot gripper (3) or is kept ready for coupling to the automation system (2) or the robot gripper (3).

8. Bending machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the cleaning tool (8) can be moved by the automation system (2) or the robot gripper (3) along a trajectory that can be freely programmed in the automation system (2) or the robot gripper (3).

9. Bending machine according to claim 7, characterized in that an instruction block is implemented in the automation system (2) or a control system for the robot gripper (3) in order to move the cleaning system (8) along a straight line parallel to and with the brush (9, 14) along the lower tool and / or the lower tool holder (10).

10. Bending machine according to claim 7, characterized in that a tool magazine or a tool changing station (5) is designed to receive and provide the cleaning tool (8).

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