Method and system for producing a marking on a component

Abstract

A method for producing a marking (K) on a component (4) comprises a fixing step, in which the component (2) is fastened relative to a milling device (8), a subsequent machining step, in which an engraving region (32) is milled into a machining region (28) of the component (4), and an adhesive bonding step, which is further subsequent and in which a marking carrier (34) having the desired marking (K) is adhesively bonded into the engraving region (32). According to the invention, a measuring step is carried out between the fixing step and the machining step, in which measuring step a surface (30) of the component (4) is measured at a plurality of measurement points of a predefined measurement field (26), which extends over the machining region (28), by means of a measuring assembly (14) and the position of the surface (30) is determined over the extent of the measurement field (26), and in the machining step the engraving region (32) is milled in according to the determined position of the surface (30) in the measurement field (26).

Description

[0001] Method and system for producing a marking on a component

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a method for producing a marking on a component, such as in particular a motor vehicle component, according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a system for carrying out the method and a component with such a marking. In the method for producing the marking, the component is fixed relative to a milling device in a fixing step, an engraving area is milled into a designated processing area of ​​the component in a subsequent processing step, and a marking carrier is glued into the engraving area in a further subsequent bonding step, the marking carrier containing the desired marking or parts thereof.

[0004] Currently, markings are known in which self-adhesive films in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, decorations, and / or trademarks are glued into a recess. For this purpose, the recesses are first machined into a surface of the component in a shape corresponding to the respective marking, for example, by laser engraving.

[0005] DE 10 2020 125 622 A1 discloses an emblem attached to a radiator grille. The emblem has a multi-layer structure and is glued into a recessed area of ​​the plastic radiator grille. The emblem can be illuminated using an electrically chargeable film.

[0006] With conventional laser deep engraving techniques used to create a recess for a marking, machining marks and / or structural changes typically remain, which are particularly noticeable on the flanks or edges of the resulting engravings. Furthermore, particularly when engravings are incorporated into curved or rounded surfaces, or due to manufacturing tolerances of the component in the machining area, the distances between the recorded marking carriers and the edges of the engravings vary in some sections.

[0007] Overall, the markings produced using conventional methods often exhibit visual impairments. Especially with high-quality and / or particularly exposed components, such impairments are often intolerable, so the conventional marking methods cannot be used for these applications or lead to a very high rejection rate.

[0008] DE 10 2015 224 441 A1 describes a method for determining the position of a workpiece and a tool in the machine. This involves determining the positions of geometric elements of the workpiece that define a zero point and are determined prior to machining relative to the tool to be used.

[0009] DE 10 2005 022 344 A1 discloses a device and method for measuring a workpiece relative to a tool intended for its processing. A partial area of ​​the workpiece is captured by a camera and compared with a stored geometric model.

[0010] EP 3 623 883 A1 describes a method and a machine tool for machining workpieces with an unknown workpiece geometry. The workpiece geometry is captured using a hand-guided 3D line scan.

[0011] CN 111015363 A discloses a rapid positioning device consisting of a clamping table, a support frame, and a cutting system comprising a milling cutter and a control system for controlling the movement of the milling cutter. The contour of the surface of a workpiece to be machined is detected by a probe plate, allowing the milling cutter to be quickly adjusted to the workpiece.

[0012] TW 202000364 shows a machining system comprising a workpiece platform, a height measuring unit, a machining head, and an axis control unit. An unmachined workpiece is mounted on the workpiece platform. The height measuring unit, controlled by an axis control system, first measures the height of the unmachined workpiece along a machining path. The axis control unit then controls the machining head to machine the unmachined workpiece along the machining path.

[0013] The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages in a generic method and to ensure precise attachment of the marking carrier to the component and thus enable optically perfect, recurring marking of components.

[0014] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. In this case, a measuring step is carried out between the fixing step and the processing step, in which a surface of the component is measured at several measuring points of a predetermined measuring field using a measuring arrangement. The measuring field extends over the processing area. In addition, the position of the surface over the extent of the measuring field is determined on the basis of the measured values ​​determined at the measuring points, for example by interpolating the measured values ​​between the measuring points. In the processing step, the engraving area is then milled depending on the determined position of the surface. By means of the measuring step and the measuring field used here, the extent of the surface in the processing area can be precisely recorded and virtually modeled, so that the processing step can be carried out in a way that is adapted to the actual geometry of the surface.This allows for very precise machining of the desired engraving area, regardless of the specific surface shape and / or possible manufacturing tolerances of the component, which in turn enables exact positioning of the marking carrier on the component. The precise creation of the engraving area enables precise attachment of the marking carrier and thus overall visually flawless marking of the component.

[0015] In this case, it is particularly advantageous if, during the machining step, the milling depth of the milling device is adjusted depending on the position of the surface determined in the measuring step or its interpolated extension within the machining area. By adapting the milling work to the actual position of the surface during the machining step, the engraving area can be formed, ensuring the precise alignment of the marking surface of the marking carrier relative to the surface of the component and thus ensuring a visually flawless production of the marking overall.

[0016] Advantageously, the milling device is controlled during the processing step in such a way that the milling depth is uniform across a section of the engraving area or across the entire engraving area, relative to the surface position determined in the measuring step. This ensures that the marking side of the marking carrier is positioned evenly parallel to the surrounding surface of the component or flush with it after the bonding step.

[0017] Furthermore, it is advantageous to perform touch-sensitive edge scanning on at least two different sides of the component at the beginning of the measuring step. This allows the exact position of the component relative to the milling device or the measuring arrangement to be determined before measuring the measuring points of the measuring field, in order to adjust the position of the measuring field and the control of the milling device accordingly. This ensures particularly precise machining of the engraving area in a predetermined position on the component.

[0018] Advantageously, the measurement points of the measurement field are distributed in a grid pattern, allowing the flat profile of the detected surface, especially between the measurement points, to be easily derived from the measurement results at the individual measurement points, particularly through interpolation. The accuracy of the surface position determined in this way can be adapted to the respective application or the complexity of the surface geometry by selecting the tightness of the grid.

[0019] It is advantageous if a touch sensor position measurement relative to the surface is performed at each measuring point during the measuring step, which allows for particularly precise determination of the surface position. Alternatively, or in addition, an optical position measurement relative to the surface can be performed at the measuring points during the measuring step, which can reduce the time required to perform the measuring step.

[0020] Advantageously, a control step is also performed after the processing step and before the bonding step, in which the actual dimensions of the produced engraving area are determined and compared with the stored target dimensions. The measurements required for this control step can be performed by touch sensor scanning and / or optical measurement. In either case, the quality of the produced engraving area can be checked before the marking carrier is applied, and the bonding step can only be approved if the quality of the engraving area is verified to be sufficient.

[0021] In addition, it is advantageous if, during the bonding step, the marking carrier is pressed into the engraving area using a press device with an adhesive layer in between, in order to ensure uniform contact pressure and uniform quality of the adhesive bond over the entire connection area between the marking carrier and the engraving area.

[0022] It is also advantageous to perform a test step after the bonding step, during which the actual position of the marking surface relative to the engraving area after the marking carrier has been applied is determined and recorded. This allows for continuous quality control, which ensures the visually flawless quality of the produced marking and can be subsequently documented.

[0023] Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a system for carrying out a marking process in one of the embodiments described above, wherein a measuring arrangement for carrying out the measuring step and a milling device for carrying out the processing step are arranged on the system and the measuring arrangement and the milling device are connected to a common measuring and control electronics. Thanks to the common measuring and control electronics, the measurement data obtained via the measuring arrangement regarding the actual position and extent of the surface to be processed and the processing area are directly available in order to adapt the control of the milling device. In this way, a predetermined position and engraving depth of the engraving area can be precisely incorporated into the surface of the component, regardless of manufacturing tolerances and / or varying paint layer thicknesses.

[0024] It is also advantageous if the measuring arrangement includes a sensor for performing the touch-sensor position measurement in the measuring field and / or for performing the control step. This enables particularly precise measurement of the surface in the processing area and / or the engraving area after its production. In particular, the measuring step and the control step can be performed on the milling device in order to ensure both precise production of the engraving area and control the actual dimensions of the produced engraving area, thus verifying the manufacturing quality.

[0025] Advantageously, the measuring probe is mounted so that it can be moved to additionally perform touch-sensor edge scanning. This allows the measuring probe to be used both for edge scanning and for measuring the measuring points and / or for measuring the finished engraving area during the inspection step. This eliminates the need to provide additional measuring equipment for edge scanning on the measuring setup.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the measuring arrangement can comprise an optical measuring device for carrying out the measuring step and / or the control step in order to be able to carry out the respective measurements particularly quickly.

[0027] Advantageously, the milling tool is formed by a rotating milling cutter, whereby the edges and surfaces of the engraving area can be produced particularly precisely, evenly and in particular without chipping or burrs, particularly in the case of a component made of plastic. The rotating milling cutter can in particular be formed by an end mill which is additionally cooled during the machining step, for example using ethanol. Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a component with a marking produced using one of the methods described above, wherein the component is formed by a plastic part and the machining area extends at least partially over a rounded area of ​​the surface. By producing the engraving area in a partially rounded area of ​​the component, a special optical effect can be achieved.Alternatively or in addition to the use of plastic, the component can also be made at least partially of metal.

[0028] It is advantageous if the engraving area is at least partially incorporated into a painted area of ​​the surface to ensure a particularly high-quality finish of the component adjacent to the engraving area and the marking carrier accommodated therein. The processing step, which is carried out depending on the measurement step, ensures that the engraving area, regardless of the respective coating thickness, has the desired engraving depth across its entire extent and that the marking surface is parallel or flush with the surrounding painted surface of the component.

[0029] Advantageously, the marking carrier is formed by an adhesive film on which the adhesive layer is pre-formed on a side facing away from a marking surface. The adhesive layer already applied to the marking carrier ensures a uniform distribution of the adhesive layer and thus a consistent quality of the adhesive bond to be created across its entire length.

[0030] Advantageously, the component forms a rearview mirror housing of a vehicle, to which the marking is affixed, for example, in the form of a name and / or brand. The marking in question can be provided in a particularly high-quality design on the predominantly curved or arched surface of the rearview mirror housing, which provides a particularly prominent positioning of the marking.

[0031] It is pointed out that all features of the subject matter according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with one another, unless an exchange or combination thereof is excluded for technical reasons.

[0032] The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a view of a system for carrying out a marking process on a component during a measuring step,

[0034] Figure 2 is a partially sectioned plan view of the system and the component according to Figure 1,

[0035] Figure 3 shows a view of the system and the component according to Figure 1 during a processing step,

[0036] Figure 4 is a view of the system and the component according to Figure 3 during a control step,

[0037] Figure 5 is a view of the component according to Figure 4 during a bonding step and

[0038] Figure 6 shows a view of the component according to Figure 5 during a test step.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a system 2 for producing a marking K on a component 4, such as, in particular, on a partially curved component of a motor vehicle, which is formed, for example, by a painted rearview mirror housing. For this purpose, the system 2 has a support frame 6 on which a milling device 8 with a milling tool 10 is mounted, which is formed, for example, by an end mill. For the controlled three-dimensional displacement of the milling tool 10, the support frame 6 and / or the milling device 8 are designed to be partially adjustable or displaceable, and the drives (not shown) required for the adjustment / displacement are connected to a measuring / control electronics system 12.In addition, the system 2 has a measuring arrangement 14, which includes, for example, an optical measuring device 16, a three-dimensionally displaceable measuring sensor 18, and an edge sensor device 20, which are also connected to the measuring / control electronics 12. The edge sensor device 20 can be formed either by the measuring sensor 18 or, alternatively, by at least one separately formed edge sensor 22.

[0040] The component 4 to be marked is mounted on a milling fixture 24 and is formed, for example, by a plastic part. Alternatively, the component 4 can also be made at least partially of a metal. In particular, the system 2 for marking the component 4 can be provided in the form of a vehicle part, such as, in particular, for applying a label and / or a trademark to a rearview mirror housing.

[0041] To produce the marking, the following procedure is carried out on system 2:

[0042] In a fixing step, the component 2 to be marked is first fixed to the milling holder 24, for example by clamping, suppressing, adhesive and / or other known and suitable fixing means (not shown).

[0043] In a subsequent measuring step, the measuring sensor 18 and / or the at least one edge sensor 22 are then first applied to different sides of the component 2 by horizontal displacement in order to detect its exact position, as can be seen in particular from Figure 1.

[0044] Depending on the position determined by the edge sensor device 20, the measuring / control electronics 12 defines a virtual measuring field 26 with several measuring points P on the component 4. This measuring field 26 extends over a predetermined processing area 28 on, for example, a curved surface 30 of the component 4. Within this processing area 28, the predetermined extent of the marking K, represented by dash-dotted lines, is defined, which is to be incorporated into the surface 30. At the measuring points P, which are arranged, for example, in a grid pattern, the exact position or height of the surface 30 is determined by distance measurement and passed on to the measuring / control electronics 12. This determines the exact position of the surface 30 in the processing area 28 based on the measured values ​​of the edge sensor 22 and the measuring field 26.

[0045] The measurement at the measuring points P is preferably carried out by touch-sensor scanning using the measuring sensor 18. Alternatively or additionally, the measurement in the measuring field 26 can also be carried out by optical measurement using the optical measuring device 16.

[0046] Depending on the position of the surface 30 precisely determined in this way, the measuring / control electronics 12 adjusts or relocates the support frame 6 and / or the milling device 8 such that the milling tool 10 is positioned in a starting position from which a predetermined engraving area 32, according to Figure 3, is milled into the machining area. During this machining step, the measuring / control electronics 12 controls the position of the milling tool 10 depending on the determined position of the surface 30 such that a predetermined milling depth T of the engraving area 32 is precisely maintained over its entire extent, regardless of possible manufacturing tolerances and / or a curvature or bulge of the surface 30. In particular, a uniform milling depth T can be incorporated over a predetermined section or over the entire extent of the engraving area 32.

[0047] After completion of the engraving area 32, its actual dimensions can then be determined in a control step, as shown in Figure 4, for example, using the optical measuring device 16 and / or the measuring sensor 18 of the measuring arrangement 14. The determined actual dimensions can then be passed on to the measuring / control electronics 12, which compares them with stored nominal dimensions. Based on this comparison, it can be verified whether the engraving area 32 has been produced with sufficient accuracy or not, and the result of the verification can be output to the measuring / control electronics 12.

[0048] If the produced engraving area 32 is sufficiently accurate, a marking carrier 34 is then glued into the engraving area 32 in a subsequent gluing step, as shown in Figure 5. For this purpose, the marking carrier 34 is formed, for example, by an adhesive film in the form of at least one letter, a symbol, a decorative element, a trademark, or another sign, and has an adhesive layer 36 on an underside facing away from a marking surface 35, which is attached to an engraving base 38.

[0049] In order to ensure a uniform and sufficiently stable adhesive bond, a press device 40 can also be used according to Figure 5, which presses the marking carrier 34 into the engraving area 32 with a stamp 42 adapted to the desired marking K and a predetermined force F.

[0050] Subsequently, the position of the marking K produced in the gluing step can be measured in a test step using any optical and / or touch-sensor test measuring device 44 and the result can be recorded for quality assurance purposes.

[0051] It is pointed out that all elements and features of the various embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with one another, unless an exchange or combination thereof is excluded for technical reasons.

Claims

1. A method for producing a marking (K) on a component (4), in which, in a fixing step, the component (2) is fixed relative to a milling device (8), in a subsequent processing step, an engraving area (32) is milled into a processing area (28) of the component (4), and in a further subsequent bonding step, a marking carrier (34) having the desired marking (K) is bonded into the engraving area (32), characterized in that, between the fixing step and the processing step, a measuring step is carried out in which a surface (30) of the component (4) is measured at several measuring points of a predetermined measuring field (26) extending over the processing area (28) by means of a measuring arrangement (14), and the position of the surface (30) is determined over the extent of the measuring field (26),and in the processing step, the engraving area (32) is milled in the measuring field (26) depending on the determined position of the surface (30).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the processing step a milling depth (T) of the milling device (8) is set as a function of the position of the surface (30) determined in the measuring step.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the processing step the milling device (8) is controlled such that the milling depth (T) along at least a portion of the engraving area (32) is produced uniformly with respect to the position of the surface (30) determined in the measuring step.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at the beginning of the measuring step, a touch-sensor edge scan is carried out on different sides of the component (4).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the measuring points (P) of the measuring field (26) are arranged in a grid.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the measuring step a touch-sensor position measurement is carried out at the measuring points (P).

7. Method according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the measuring step an optical position measurement is carried out at the measuring points (P).

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that after the processing step and before the gluing step, a control step is carried out in which actual dimensions of the produced engraving area (32) are determined and compared with stored target dimensions.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that during the bonding step the marking carrier (34) is pressed into the engraving area (32) by means of a pressing device (40) with an adhesive layer (36) interposed.

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that after the bonding step, a testing step is carried out in which an actual position of a marking surface (35) of the marking carrier (34) relative to the engraving area (32) is determined and recorded.

11. System for carrying out a marking method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measuring arrangement (14) and the milling device (8) are connected to a common measuring and control electronics (12).

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the measuring arrangement (14) has a measuring sensor (18) for carrying out the touch-sensor position measurement in the measuring field (26) and / or for carrying out the control step.

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the measuring sensor (18) is held displaceably for additional implementation of the touch-sensor edge scanning.

14. System according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the measuring arrangement (14) has an optical measuring device (16) for carrying out the measuring step and / or the control step.

15. Plant according to claim 13, characterized in that the milling device (8) has a rotating milling tool (10).

16. Component with a marking produced in a method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the component (4) is formed by a plastic part and the processing area (28) extends at least partially over a rounded area of ​​the surface (30).

17. Component according to claim 15, characterized in that the processing area (28) extends at least partially over a painted area of ​​the surface (30).

18. Component according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the identification carrier (34) is formed by an adhesive film on which the adhesive layer (36) is formed on an underside.

19. Component according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the component (4) is formed by a rearview mirror housing of a vehicle.

Images