Laser apparatus and method for producing a component in the form of a closed ring

Abstract

A method for producing a circumferentially closed component 2, particularly in the form of a closed ring, that is composed of a number N of sheet-metal parts 4, 4a, 4b, using a laser apparatus 3.

Description

[0001] "Laser device and method for producing a ring-shaped closed component"

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing a circumferentially and / or annularly closed component.

[0003] Various methods and devices for producing so-called door rings, which can be understood as annular sheet metal structure with one or more door cutouts, or roof frames, for example in the field of motor vehicle production, made from multiple sheets, are known from the prior art. Among other things, these methods and / or devices deal with the joining of precisely cut sheets and / or components. For example, seam tracking sensors and additional wires are used, for example in combination with lasers with so-called twin-spot optics, to close a gap that occurs during the manufacturing process and results geometrically from the annular arrangement of the sheets used.

[0004] Furthermore, in individual cases there is the problem that a geometric offset arises from the ring-shaped arrangement of sheets and the associated summation of the manufacturing tolerances of the sheets used.

[0005] For example, document EP 3 572 179 EP discloses a method for butt welding of sheet metal, in particular in body construction of the motor vehicle industry, in which at least two flat components with arbitrary contours are fed to a processing process, wherein in a first sub-process the components are positioned relative to each other and forming a gap between the at least two welding edges to be welded together and are fixed with holding means, wherein in a further sub-process the gap position and gap width of the gap are continuously measured immediately before welding and that these measured values ​​are used to control a laser welding head, thereby controlling at least the welding wire feed and the processing optics,wherein the laser welding head is equipped with a rotatable twin-spot optics and the relative alignment of a main spot and a secondary spot to each other during the welding process is controlled depending on the absolute position of the gap and the gap width by rotating the processing optics of the laser welding head at the rotation angle alpha around the laser beam axis.

[0006] Furthermore, devices are known from the prior art which, by means of a large number of robots and holders, enable movement mechanisms of the sheets to be joined, so that any laser cutting / laser welding processes can join the sheets as precisely as possible.

[0007] A disadvantage of the state of the art is that the gap shapes between the last sheet to be joined and the sheets already joined are always subject to unpredictable fluctuations, which are due, for example, to the preparation of the sheets and therefore make precise joining of the components more difficult.

[0008] The technical object of the invention is therefore to propose a method and a device which enable defined and reproducible gap shapes to be achieved.

[0009] The technical problem is solved by an object or a method having the technical features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0010] According to one aspect, the technical object of the invention is achieved by a method for producing a component which is formed from a number N of sheets and is closed in a circumferential, in particular annular, manner, by means of a laser device, comprising the successive method steps: a) fixing a first sheet to a first clamping device in the region of a first clamping point; b) fixing a second sheet to a second clamping device in the region of the first clamping point; c) positioning the first sheet and the second sheet to form a joint; d) joining the first sheet and the second sheet to form a first sheet module at the sheet edges facing each other between the first sheet and the second sheet by means of laser-assisted welding methods of the laser device; e) transferring the first sheet module, in particular by means of a gripper, and fixing the first sheet module to the first clamping device at the first clamping point;f) repeating the preceding process steps with further sheets to form an Nl module consisting of a number Nl sheets; g) transferring the Nl module and fixing the Nl module in such a way that, on the one hand, a first edge of the Nl module is fixed in the region of the first clamping point on the first clamping device and, on the other hand, a second edge of the Nl module is fixed in the region of a second clamping point on a third clamping device; h) fixing a first edge of a closing part in the region of the first clamping point on the second clamping device and;

[0011] Fixing a second edge of the closing part in the region of the second clamping point on a fourth clamping device; i) preparing and / or trimming the sheet metal edges facing each other between the closing part and the NL module; j) closing the circumferentially closed component, in particular by moving the clamping devices; k) joining the closing part to the NL module.

[0012] The method can advantageously be used to create a flexible option for cost-effectively producing, for example, a door ring of very different designs and / or any similar complex components. Type-specific devices can be eliminated, which would otherwise have to be adapted for each component to be produced. In particular, component-specific costs can be saved. Savings are also possible in that mirror-symmetrical components, such as the right and left door rings of a motor vehicle, can be produced in one and the same device. Furthermore, special punching tools can advantageously be eliminated, since the quality of the sheet metal edges for further processing is achieved in the described device itself. Furthermore, cutting and joining can be made possible in the same clamping process.The shape of the joint can be optimized and scrap reduced. Logistics is simplified and damage to the joints or sheet edges during handling can be reduced. Furthermore, this creates the possibility of joining any number of sheets together, avoiding the usual restriction to a defined number of sheets, such as three, four, five, or six. This can also enable flexibility in manufacturing and allow for further freedom in component design, as well as material savings.

[0013] For example, it can be provided that in method step j) a closing of the circumferentially closed component is carried out by moving in particular the second clamping device and the third clamping device.

[0014] For the purposes of the invention, a circumferentially, in particular annular, closed component is to be understood as meaning, for example, a door ring or a double door ring, or a roof frame, or a tailored blank or a complex tailored blank, or a giga-stamping part, in each case in particular of motor vehicles. The circumferentially closed component is formed from a number T of sheets and / or components, the sheets in particular comprising different materials or different coatings from one another. For example, the sheets can have edges which are to be joined to one another which are of non-linear design, which is why seams which are formed by joining between the sheets are of non-linear design.For example, the circumferentially closed component can also be considered a three-dimensional component, in particular a three-dimensional tailored blank, which, for example, has a circumferentially closed shape in a plan view. A joint can be understood in this context as a contact joint (zero gap) or as a defined joint in the sense of a joint gap intended to form a weld seam or a molten pool during the welding process.

[0015] Furthermore, in the sense of the invention, a closing part or closing sheet is to be understood as that part or sheet which is joined last to a Tl module made up of the number Tl sheets in order to form a circumferentially closed component made up of the number T of parts or sheets.

[0016] Furthermore, within the meaning of the invention, a clamping device is understood to mean any device suitable for securing sheet metal without distortion. A clamping device within the meaning of the invention comprises, for example, a single clamping jaw and / or a magnetic clamp and / or vacuum clamp, in particular using magnetic clamping technology and / or vacuum clamping technology, and is designed in particular for gripping and / or securing a sheet metal.

[0017] In contrast to a clamping device, a clamping point within the meaning of the invention comprises, for example, a pair of clamping devices and is designed in particular for the mutual alignment and positioning of metal sheets. For example, to align and position the metal sheets, either only one of the clamping devices of a clamping point can move or, for example, all of the clamping devices can move.

[0018] In a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the method additionally comprises at least one

[0019] Method step b) subsequent method step b . l ) and / or b . 2 comprises: b . l ) preparing the sheets (4, 4a, 4b); b . 2 ) preparing and / or trimming sheet edges (4d), preferably by means of laser-assisted cutting methods; wherein method steps b . l and / or b . 2 are carried out either inside the device or outside the device, in particular remotely from the device, wherein if method steps b . l and / or b . 2 are carried out inside the device, the sheet edges (4d) between the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) are directed towards one another and the preparation and / or trimming is carried out by means of the laser device (3).

[0020] Production errors and / or inaccuracies that may have occurred during sheet metal manufacture, for example, can be advantageously corrected. This allows the process to be carried out more precisely, and components, particularly door rings, can be manufactured with greater accuracy and tighter tolerances. This advantageously enables optimized edge preparation, for example, within the fixture.

[0021] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the joining, in particular the joining of process step k), is carried out by means of welding processes.

[0022] This can advantageously enable greater flexibility for producing a wide variety of components, as well as a particularly stable, durable and uniform material connection with the usual advantages of welding between the sheets. In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the method additionally comprises a method step h . l ) and / or h . 2 ) following method step h): h . l ) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the clamping points relative to the laser device, and / or h . 2 ) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the laser device relative to the clamping points.

[0023] If, for example, a filler wire is used during joining by welding, it would have to be fed in the direction of the welding process, which would require a movable wire feed in a 2D gantry. This can be advantageously avoided, and additional technology can be simplified or eliminated. If a filler wire is used, its guidance or wire feed does not need to be changed.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that method step j) is carried out by moving the closing part and / or the NI module, or in particular by radially moving the closing part and / or the NI module in relation to a center of the circumferentially closed component.

[0025] In this way, the method can be advantageously improved in that the most cost-effective option is created for attaching the locking part to the other parts and closing the door ring. In a further advantageous embodiment, the method additionally comprises a method step j . l ) and / or j . 2 ) following method step j ): j . l ) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the clamping points relative to the laser device, in particular inverted to a previous rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the clamping points relative to the laser device, and / or j . 2 ) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the laser device relative to the clamping points, in particular inverted to a previous rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the laser device relative to the clamping points.

[0026] This can advantageously simplify the process and enable cost-effective production or manufacture of the component, in particular of the door ring.

[0027] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that in order to carry out the method steps h) to k), the first clamping point is rotated together with the second clamping point, in particular around a center of the circumferentially closed component, preferably in a plane of the component to be produced, particularly preferably in a horizontal plane, and in a fixed position relative to one another in such a way that the second clamping point is moved to the location of the first clamping point.

[0028] This also advantageously allows the process to be further improved. In particular, moving the joining device can be dispensed with, and cost-effective production of the door ring can be further improved. In a further technically advantageous embodiment, for fixing and / or transferring the sheets, they are fed to the clamping point, in particular the clamping device, by means of a gripper with a gripping circle, in particular one separate for each component.

[0029] This can advantageously create a process-safe option for moving the components safely and use existing technology for this purpose cost-effectively, which can also save costs during production.

[0030] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the joining of the sheets is carried out by means of a filler wire, in particular fed in a welding direction.

[0031] For example, by means of a filler wire, especially a continuous one, the fill volume of a weld seam can be increased during welding until the fill volume reaches the free volume of any groove or a desired weld reinforcement. This allows additional technologies to be used for joining the sheets, which can advantageously increase flexibility during production.

[0032] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, the preparation of the sheet edges comprises an ablation process.

[0033] This advantageously creates further possibilities for improving the quality, particularly of the joints, and thus optimizing the production of the component by removing thin layers of various coatings from the sheet metal edge. In a technically advantageous embodiment, the preparation and / or trimming is carried out using remote laser cutting methods.

[0034] This allows the process to be carried out quickly and efficiently, which can have a particularly positive effect on production costs.

[0035] Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the preparation of the sheet edges and / or the joining of the sheets comprises method steps for producing a V-groove and / or a Y-groove and / or an HV-groove and / or an HY-groove between the sheets.

[0036] For the purposes of the invention, the terms V-groove, Y-groove, HV-groove, and / or HY-groove are to be understood as meaning those defined in application DE 10 2020 106 530 A1 of the applicant BAOSTEEL LASERTECHNIK GMBH. The advantages associated with the corresponding groove design are described in the cited patent application. The disclosure of this application, as well as its content, is hereby incorporated by reference. These advantages are particularly evident when welding aluminum and steel.

[0037] Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the component is continuously clamped, in particular in the process steps preceding process step e).

[0038] This minimizes manufacturing tolerances and enables more precise execution of the process, which, among other things, can significantly improve the quality of the component being manufactured. Furthermore, a technically advantageous embodiment provides for the joint to be formed as a definable gap, particularly one that is larger than the zero gap.

[0039] Advantageously, any gap, any gap width, or any gap size can be defined and adjusted in this way, for example, depending on any laser-assisted welding processes of the laser device. In particular, the gap can also be designed as a zero gap in the sense of a butt joint. This allows for greater flexibility and can thus expand the range of applications.

[0040] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that preparation and / or trimming takes place exclusively, in particular exclusively in method step i), on the sheet metal edges (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) directed towards one another between the closing part (13) and the Nl module (14).

[0041] This advantageously allows work steps to be avoided and enables more precise production.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, a device for producing a circumferentially, in particular annular, closed component is provided, comprising a laser device, wherein the laser device is designed in particular for cutting and / or welding metal sheets; at least one gripper for transferring the metal sheets; a first clamping point and a second clamping point, wherein the first clamping point is formed from a first clamping device and a second clamping device and wherein the second clamping point is formed from a third and a fourth clamping device;wherein the clamping points are arranged at an angle to one another in their linear extent, wherein the angle lies in particular in a plane of the component to be produced, wherein the angle preferably lies in a horizontal plane, wherein the second clamping point is designed to be rotatable relative to the first clamping point at the angle to one another, wherein the second clamping device can be moved together with the third clamping device in the radial direction of the angle;

[0043] This advantageously creates a cost-effective way of implementing the process, and the advantages of the process also come into play here. The cost-saving production of, for example, a door ring or any similarly complex components can be made possible. Type-specific fixtures, which would otherwise have to be adapted for each component to be produced, can be eliminated. In particular, component-specific costs can be saved.

[0044] In a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the clamping points are designed to be rotatable together in a plane of the component to be produced, in particular in a horizontal plane, wherein the angle between the clamping points is preferably set automatically or manually, in particular for different sheets, preferably between 0 ° and 270 °, preferably between 45 ° and 135 0 is adjustable .

[0045] This allows, for example, any angle between components or sheets to be flexibly created, thus improving flexibility in production and manufacturing. This also enables the production of very different components using a single device. For example, this can improve the possibilities for producing a double door ring, a so-called double door ring with two or more closed rings.

[0046] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the clamping devices, in particular the clamping devices of each clamping point, are designed to be height-adjustable, preferably to form a height difference of +2.5 mm to -2.5 mm, relative to one another.

[0047] This can also improve flexibility in production and create further possibilities for joining the sheets together.

[0048] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the laser device is designed to cut a V-cut and / or a V-groove and / or a Y-groove and / or an HV-groove and / or an HY-groove and in particular comprises a remote laser.

[0049] Depending on the specific manufacturing requirements, this can further improve flexibility. This creates the opportunity to utilize an extremely precise and highly dynamic welding system, particularly for the production of three-dimensional components, and to take advantage of its benefits.

[0050] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, the gripper has various gripping circles, which are, in particular, freely configurable and preferably adapted to each individual sheet. This can also have an additional advantageous effect on the flexibility in the production of the component and other various components.

[0051] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that in an area between the first clamping point and the second clamping point, in particular in an area between the first clamping device and the fourth clamping device, support means and / or in particular a support part are / is provided, which are / is designed to stabilize the sheets and / or the closing part in a plane of the NI module and / or in a horizontal plane, wherein the support means are designed to be stackable or foldable relative to one another, in particular during a rotational movement of the clamping points. In this way, automatic adaptation to the support area can be achieved.

[0052] This allows an inserted sheet to be held securely and stably and more precise production can be further improved.

[0053] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that a positioning of the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) is made possible to form a joint, wherein in particular the joint is designed as a definable gap, in particular with a width which is larger than that of a zero gap.

[0054] This advantageously enables greater flexibility in production, for example, by providing a defined distance between the sheets to be joined to accommodate a molten pool formed during welding. Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, the device is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 14.

[0055] This means that the advantages of the method can also be applied to the device.

[0056] In contrast, the state of the art always uses the same number of clamping devices or magnet sets or clamping points as there are seams to be formed between the individual sheets.

[0057] In the presently claimed invention, one sheet after another is cut, joined, and welded on the same clamping device, whereby the final component is gradually built up step by step. Two clamping devices are then provided for the last two seams to insert the last sheet, i.e., the closing part. In particular, only two sets of clamping devices, in particular clamping magnets, are sufficient.

[0058] In a minimal embodiment of the invention, only the closure part is cut in the edge preparation system prior to joining, in order to compensate for any tolerances that may have accumulated during component construction. The other components of the component can then be sufficiently formed by prepared edges, eliminating the process time required for cutting each individual component.

[0059] Advantageously, freely defined and design-related ring-shaped components can be produced which vary considerably, including in terms of the number of sheets and their sheet shape, sheet thickness, materials and other properties. The required position of the clamping device or clamping technology (e.g. magnetic clamps, vacuum clamps, etc.) can be made available for each production step, for example automatically changing. This advantageously eliminates the need for complex and, in particular, multiple positioning technology, and pre-positioning in any upstream station is sufficient. This can significantly reduce production costs and plant engineering costs.

[0060] It is also particularly preferably provided that the clamping device or clamping technology can flexibly form a height offset (step-up / step-down). This makes it possible for an offset, in particular of a clamping device, but possibly also of both clamping devices, to be formed perpendicular to the sheet plane (step-up / step-down) between the sheets when the first sheet and the second sheet are positioned, e.g. in method step c), whereby the surfaces of the sheets form a common plane, particularly on one side of the sheets. This means that left-hand and right-hand structures with different material thicknesses can be produced on the same system, whereby when the assembly sequence changes (for example with a left and a right vehicle door), the height offset is to be formed once from the weaker material to the stronger material and once from the stronger material to the weaker material as a result of the circumferential assembly.

[0061] The accumulation of tolerances in the last seam in the ring-shaped, closed component can thus be advantageously avoided or compensated for, and the manufacturing accuracy is improved. In this way, all seams can be welded, for example, with only one

[0062] Laser, trimming and welding can further improve manufacturing quality and plant efficiency.

[0063] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are described in more detail below.

[0064] It shows :

[0065] Fig. 1 to 10 show a schematic representation of a method based on a schematic representation of a device;

[0066] Fig . 11 is another schematic representation of a

[0067] Device with clamping points at an angle to each other; and

[0068] Fig . 12 and 13 a schematic representation of a device in the case of a double door ring .

[0069] Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout.

[0070] In a synopsis of Figures 1 to 10, a method is shown schematically which is carried out by means of a device 1 which is also shown schematically in Figures 1 to 11.

[0071] The device 1 for producing a circumferentially and annularly closed component 2 comprises a laser device 3. The laser device 3 is designed for cutting and welding metal sheets 4. A gripper for transferring the metal sheets is not shown. The device 1 further comprises a first clamping point 5 and a second clamping point 6, wherein the first clamping point 5 is formed from a first clamping device 7 and a second clamping device 8 and wherein the second clamping point 6 is formed from a third clamping device 9 and a fourth clamping device 10.

[0072] The clamping points 5, 6 are arranged in their linear extent at an angle 11 to one another, which is explicitly designated in Fig. 11, wherein the angle 11 lies horizontal in a plane of the component to be produced. The second clamping point 6 is designed to be rotatable relative to the first clamping point 5 at the angle 11, wherein a synopsis, in particular of Figures 8 and 9, shows that the second clamping device 8 can be moved together with the third clamping device 9 in the radial direction of the angle 11.

[0073] Furthermore, Figures 1 to 11 show that in an area between the first clamping point 5 and the second clamping point 6, in particular in an area between the first clamping device 7 and the fourth clamping device 10, there is a support means designed as a support part 12, which is designed to stabilize the sheets 4 and a closing part 13 in a plane of the Nl module 14 and in a horizontal plane, wherein the support means are designed to be foldable towards one another, in particular during a rotational movement of the clamping points 5, 6.

[0074] The method shown in a synopsis of Figures 1 to 10 for producing a circumferentially ring-shaped, closed component 2 formed from a number N of sheets 4 comprises the following method steps: a) fixing a first sheet 4a to a first clamping device 7 in the region of a first clamping point 5, as shown in Figure 1; b) fixing a second sheet 4b to a second clamping device 6 in the region of the first clamping point 5, as also shown in Figure 1;

[0075] Not shown is b . l ) the preparation of the sheets ( 4 , 4a, 4b); and / or b . 2 ) the preparation and / or trimming of sheet edges ( 4d ), preferably by means of laser-assisted cutting methods; wherein the method steps b . l and / or b . 2 are carried out either inside the device or outside the device, in particular remotely from the device, wherein in the case of carrying out the method steps b . l and / or b . 2 inside the device the sheet edges ( 4d) between the first sheet ( 4a) and the second sheet ( 4b) are directed towards one another and the preparation and / or trimming is carried out by means of the laser device ( 3 ).

[0076] Furthermore: c) positioning the first sheet 4a and the second sheet 4b to form a joint, as shown in Figure 2; d) joining the first sheet 4a and the second sheet 4b to form a first sheet module 4c at the sheet edges 4d facing each other between the first sheet 4a and the second sheet 4b by means of laser-assisted welding processes of the laser device 3; e) transferring the first sheet module 4c and fixing the first sheet module 4c to the first clamping device 7 of the first clamping point 5, as shown in Figure 3; f) repeating the preceding process steps with further sheets 4 to form an Nl module 14 consisting of a number Nl sheets, as shown in Figures 4 to

[0077] 6; g) transferring the NI module 14 and fixing the NI module 14 in such a way that, on the one hand, a first edge 14a of the NI module 14 is fixed in the region of the first clamping point 5 on the first clamping device 7 and so that, on the other hand, a second edge 14b of the NI module 14 is fixed in the region of a second clamping point 6 on a third clamping device 9, as shown in Fig. 7; h) fixing a first edge 13a of a closing part 13 in the region of the first clamping point 5 on the second clamping device 8 and fixing a second edge 13b of the closing part 13 in the region of the second clamping point 6 on a fourth clamping device 10, as also shown in Fig. 7;l) rotation, movement and positioning of the clamping points 5, 6 relative to the laser device 3 as shown in Figure 8; i) preparation and trimming of the sheet metal edges 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b directed towards one another between the closing part 13 and the NI module 14; j) closing the circumferentially closed component 2 by moving the second and third clamping devices 8, 9 and by moving the closing part 13 towards the NI module 14 with respect to a center 15 of the circumferentially closed component 2, as shown in a synopsis of Figures 8 and 9; j) l) rotation, movement and positioning of the clamping points 5, 6 relative to the laser device, inverted to a previous rotation, relative to the laser device 3, as shown in Figure 10 and in synopsis with Figure 8; k) Joining the locking part 13 to the Nl module 14 as shown in Figure 10.

[0078] This allows a wide variety of components, such as door rings, to be manufactured cost-effectively using a single device and a single process. Tools or special fixtures specifically adapted to individual components are no longer required, enabling flexible and customized component production.

[0079] In a synopsis of the figures, in particular figures 8 and 10, it is shown that in order to carry out the method steps h) to k), the first clamping point 5 and the second clamping point 6 are rotated together and fixed to one another around a center 15 of the circumferentially closed component 2, in a plane of the component to be produced, in a horizontal direction, so that the second clamping point 6 is moved to the location of the first clamping point 5.

[0080] Figure 11 shows a device analogous to Figures 1 to 10, wherein the clamping points 5, 6 have an angle 11 to each other, which can be set automatically or manually, in particular for different sheets, preferably between 0 ° and 270 °, preferably between 45 ° and 135 0is adjustable. When viewed together with the other figures, it is shown that the adjustability of such an angle 11 advantageously enables the sheets to be joined at different angles 11 to one another, which can create greater flexibility and the option of producing very different components 2, such as different door rings. Figures 12 and 13, viewed together with the other figures, show an analogous device in which an analogous method for producing a double door ring is used. Also shown here is an example of weld seams that are flexibly aligned to one another and not equal to 90°. The reference symbols correspond to the components described above.

[0081] Reference symbol:

[0082] 1 device

[0083] 2 component

[0084] 3 Laser device

[0085] 4 sheets

[0086] 4a first sheet

[0087] 4b second sheet

[0088] 4c first sheet metal module

[0089] 4d sheet edges

[0090] 5 first clamping point

[0091] 6 second clamping point

[0092] 7 first clamping device

[0093] 8 second clamping device

[0094] 9 third clamping device

[0095] 10 fourth clamping device

[0096] 11 Angle between the clamping points

[0097] 12 Supporting part / support element

[0098] 13 Locking part

[0099] 13a first edge of the locking part

[0100] 13b second edge of the locking part

[0101] 14 Nl module

[0102] 14a first edge of the Nl module

[0103] 14b second edge of the Nl module

[0104] 15 Center of the component

Claims

Claims:

1. Method for producing a circumferentially, in particular annularly, closed component (2) formed from a number N of sheets (4, 4a, 4b), by means of a laser device (3), comprising the successive method steps: a) fixing a first sheet (4a) to a first clamping device (7) in the region of a first clamping point (5); b) fixing a second sheet (4b) to a second clamping device (8) in the region of the first clamping point (5); c) positioning the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) to form a joint; d) joining the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) to form a first sheet module (4c) at the sheet edges (4d) facing each other between the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) by means of laser-assisted welding processes of the laser device (3);e) transferring the first sheet metal module (4c), in particular by means of a gripper, and fixing the first sheet metal module (4c) to the first clamping device (7) of the first clamping point (5); f) repeating the preceding method steps with further sheets (4) to form an Nl module (14) consisting of a number Nl sheets; g) transferring the Nl module (14) and fixing the Nl module (14) in such a way that, on the one hand, a first edge (14a) of the Nl module (14) is fixed to the first clamping device (7) in the region of the first clamping point (5); so that, on the other hand, a second edge (14b) of the N-1 module (14) is fixed in the region of a second clamping point (6) to a third clamping device (9); h) fixing a first edge (13a) of a closing part (13) in the region of the first clamping point (5) to the second clamping device (8) and Fixing a second edge (13b) of the closing part (13) in the region of the second clamping point (6) on a fourth clamping device (10); i) preparing and / or trimming the sheet metal edges (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) directed towards one another between the closing part (13) and the NI module (14); j) closing the circumferentially closed component (2), in particular by moving the clamping devices (7, 8, 9, 10); k) joining the closing part (13) to the NI module (14). Method according to claim 1, additionally comprising at least one method step b1) and / or b.2) following method step b): b1) preparing the sheets (4, 4a, 4b); b.2) preparing and / or trimming sheet edges (4d), preferably by means of laser-assisted cutting methods; wherein method steps b1) and / or b.2) are carried out either inside the device or outside the device (1), in particular remotely from the device, wherein in the case of carrying out method steps b1) and / or b.2) inside the device, the sheet edges (4d) between the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) are directed towards each other and the preparation and / or trimming is carried out by means of a laser device (3).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining, in particular the joining of method step k), is carried out by means of welding processes.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a method step h1) and / or h.2) following method step h): h1) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the clamping points (5, 6) relative to the laser device (3), and / or h.2) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the laser device (3) relative to the clamping points (5, 6).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method step j) is carried out by moving the closing part (13) and / or the NI module (14) towards, or in particular by radially moving the closing part (13) and / or the NI module (14) towards a center (15) of the circumferentially closed component (2).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a method step j .l) and / or j .2) following method step j): j .l) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the clamping points (5, 6) relative to the laser device in particular inverted to a previous rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the clamping points (5, 6) relative to the laser device (3), and / or j .2) rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the laser device (3) relative to the clamping points (5, 6), in particular inverted to a previous rotation and / or movement and / or positioning of the laser device (3) relative to the clamping points (5, 6). . Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in order to carry out the method steps h) to k), the first clamping point (5) and the second clamping point (6) are rotated together and stationary relative to one another, in particular around a center (15) of the circumferentially closed component (2), preferably in a plane of the component (2) to be produced, particularly preferably in a horizontal plane, such that the second clamping point (6) is moved to the location of the first clamping point (5).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for fixing and / or transferring the sheets (4, 4a, 4b, 4d), these are fed to the clamping point (5, 6), in particular to the clamping device (7, 8, 9, 10) by means of a gripper with a gripping circle, in particular one for each component (2).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining of the sheets (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) is carried out by means of an additional wire, in particular fed in a welding direction.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation of the sheet edges (4d) comprises an ablation process.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation and / or trimming is carried out by means of remote laser cutting methods.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation of the sheet edges (4d) and / or the joining of the sheets comprises method steps for producing a V-groove and / or a Y-groove and / or an HV-groove and / or an HY-groove between the sheets (4, 4a, 4b, 4c).

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component (2), in particular in the method steps preceding method step e), is continuously clamped and / or that during the positioning of the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) in method step c), an offset, in particular of a clamping device perpendicular to the sheet plane (step-up / step-down), is formed between the sheets, whereby, in particular on one side of the sheets, the surfaces form a common plane.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint is formed as a definable gap, in particular with a gap width that is larger than the zero gap.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that preparation and / or trimming takes place exclusively, in particular exclusively in method step i), on the sheet metal edges (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) directed towards one another between the closing part (13) and the Nl module (14).

16. Device (1) for producing a circumferentially, in particular annular, closed component (2), comprising a laser device (3), wherein the laser device (3) is designed in particular for cutting and / or welding metal sheets (4, 4a, 4b, 4c); at least one gripper for transferring the metal sheets (4, 4a, 4b, 4c); a first clamping point (5) and a second clamping point (6), wherein the first clamping point (5) is formed from a first clamping device (7) and a second clamping device (8) and wherein the second clamping point (6) is formed from a third clamping device (9) and a fourth clamping device (10); wherein the clamping points (5, 6) are arranged at an angle (11) to one another in their linear extent, wherein the angle (11) lies in particular in a plane of the component (2) to be produced, wherein the angle (11) preferably lies in a horizontal plane, wherein the second clamping point (6) is designed to be rotatable relative to the first clamping point (5) at the angle (11) to one another, characterized in that the second clamping device (8) can be moved together with the third clamping device (9) in the radial direction of the angle (11).

17. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping points (5, 6) are designed to be rotatable together in a plane of the component (2) to be produced, in particular in a horizontal plane, wherein the angle (11) between the clamping points (5, 6) is preferably adjustable automatically or manually, in particular for different sheets (4, 4a, 4b, 4c), preferably between 0° and 270°, preferably between 45° and 135°.

18. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping devices (7, 8, 9, 10), in particular the clamping devices (7, 8, 9, 10) of each clamping point (5, 6), height adjustable, preferably to form a height difference of +2.5 mm to -2.5 mm, to each other.

19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser device (3) is designed to cut a V-cut and / or a V-groove and / or a Y-groove and / or an HV-groove and / or an HY-groove and in particular comprises a remote laser.

20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper has various gripping circles, which are in particular freely configurable and preferably adapted to each individual sheet (4, 4a, 4b, 4c).

21. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a region between the first clamping point (5) and the second clamping point (6), in particular in a region between the first clamping device (7) and the fourth clamping device (10), support means and / or in particular a support part (12) are / is provided, which are / is designed to stabilize the sheets (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) and / or the closing part (13) in a plane of the NI module (14) and / or in a horizontal plane, wherein the support means are designed to be stackable or foldable relative to one another, in particular during a rotational movement of the clamping points (5, 6).

22. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that positioning of the first sheet (4a) and the second sheet (4b) is enabled to form a joint, wherein in particular the joint is designed as a definable gap, in particular with a width that is enlarged compared to the zero gap.

23. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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