Method for manufacturing cables, cable processing center, holder for a cable processing center

Abstract

Disclosed are a method for assembling cables / wires, a cable processing center for carrying out such a method, and a holder for such a cable processing center, designed in such a way as to ensure intermediate storage of assembled cables / wires in the wiring sequence.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assembling cables and wires intended for wiring electrical circuits, for example, a control cabinet, or for manufacturing a cable harness. The invention further relates to a cable processing center for carrying out such a method and a holder for such a cable processing center.

[0002] In mass production, it is usually necessary to crimp different cable and wire cross-sections or lengths with electrical components / contact elements and then use them as a wire / cable set for wiring a control cabinet or for manufacturing a cable harness.

[0003] Crimping machines are preferably used that can process different cable cross-sections and wire ferrules without changeover. German patent application DE 10 2004 057 813 B3 discloses a crimping machine designed as a stripper-crimper, which can process different cable cross-sections and wire ferrules. A roller magazine and an associated crimping unit are provided for each wire ferrule type, and these are driven by a common drive that can be selectively engaged with one of the crimping units. Such a solution requires significant equipment complexity, as a large number of crimping units must be provided and controlled.

[0004] To overcome this disadvantage, DE 10 2015 119 217 A1, which originates from the applicant, proposes a crimping machine which is designed with a storage arrangement with several roll magazines, to which a common transport unit and a common crimping head are assigned, so that the equipment-related effort is significantly reduced compared to the solution described above.

[0005] In DE 10 2017 118 968 A1, the applicant describes a crimping machine in which a contact element to be crimped is guided directly into the working area of ​​a stripping or crimping head without the need for an intermediate feeding device or the like. In this known solution, the contact elements are held as a tape in roll magazines, so that the crimping machine is accordingly equipped with a singulation device.

[0006] The patent application DE 10 2015 102 060 A1, also filed by the applicant, describes a crimping machine in which different wire ferrules are stored in a storage arrangement with several roller magazines. Each of these roller magazines is assigned a transport unit, via which the preselected wire ferrule is transported to a transfer position. The ferrule cut off there is then guided by a shuttle to a common crimping head. This crimping machine is characterized by high productivity.

[0007] In WO 2019 / 211 490 A1, the applicant proposes a modular cable processing center in which the processing modules are arranged on a mobile platform.

[0008] According to DE 10 2018 131 444 A1 of the applicant, a cable processing center can be equipped with a cutting machine designed for processing multiple cable cross-sections or cable types. A multiple feed is provided, via which a cable to be processed is aligned with respect to the feed or transport device of the cutting machine. In one embodiment of DE 10 2018 131 444 A1, the cables cut to length by the cutting machine are fed by a robot to further processing units, for example, a stripper / crimper and a marking system (printer) or a cable discharge unit. DE 10 2018 131 444 A1 also discloses the ability to position the assembled cables on a rack.However, with such a rake, reliable relative positioning of the assembled cables during intermediate storage or transport for further processing and adherence to a specific wiring sequence when wiring a control cabinet is not guaranteed.

[0009] A similar cable processing center is described in the applicant's WO 2022 / 079 215 A1, in which the processing units are arranged on or around a rotary table.

[0010] In the subsequently published DE 10 2023 131 311.8 of the applicant, a cable processing center is disclosed in which the cables to be processed are positioned as a wound ring on an unwinding device, by means of which the cables / wires to be assembled are fed to a cutting machine via a multiple feed, so that a sequential processing of complex projects is possible, wherein the cables to be cut to length are cut according to the specifications of a central control unit and are then crimped with the respective contact element, for example a wire end ferrule or a turned contact, by means of a crimping machine.

[0011] To simplify quality control, the applicant proposes in the subsequently published application PCT / EP2024 / 058371 that the cable processing center be equipped with a control device for testing cut and stripped cables or cables crimped with contacts. In the former case, the trajectory of the stripped cable end is recorded, thus ensuring targeted feeding to the crimping machine. The quality of the crimping is then checked via this control device or another control device.

[0012] In all these solutions, cables / wires with varying cross-sections, lengths, and contact elements are bundled into a cable set, which is then processed by a worker during the wiring of the control cabinet or similar. This wiring task requires a high level of expertise from the worker, as it must be ensured that they connect the correct cables / wires to the corresponding terminals on the control cabinet.

[0013] Document DE 11 2008 002 501 T5 discloses a cable processing center in which the assembled cables are wound up by means of a winding device and then arranged in the processing sequence via a chute on an arm projecting towards it. Positioning short cable bridges on this arm is not possible.

[0014] Document US 5,135,154 A describes a cable processing center in which the cut cables are each held in a cassette, with cable ends protruding from the cassette. These ends are then stripped, for example, by a wire stripper and crimped with appropriate contacts by a crimping machine. A large number of such cassettes are held in a magazine to provide a complete cable / wire set. A problem with this solution is that, firstly, considerable technical effort is required to hold the individual cables in their respective cassettes and, secondly, to feed the cable ends from each cassette to the wire stripper and crimping machine.Another disadvantage is that the individual cables of a cable / wire set have to be removed from their respective cassettes when manufacturing a cable harness, and the latter then either have to be disposed of or returned to the assembly station.

[0015] In contrast, the invention is based on the objective of creating a method for assembling cables and a cable processing center suitable for carrying out such a method, which enables simplified further processing of a cable / wire set, in particular simplified wiring of a control cabinet.

[0016] This problem is solved with regard to the method by the features of claim 1 and with regard to the cable processing center by the features of dependent claim 3. The solution to the problem according to the invention also includes a holder for such a cable processing center according to claim 10.

[0017] Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0018] The procedure described below is in principle suitable for the assembly of filaments, for example cables, wires, whereby the term "cable" is used as a generic term to also cover wires or the like.

[0019] According to the invention, in a first process step the cables are cut to the predetermined length. In a further process step, the cable end sections are stripped and preferably crimped with a contact element, for example a wire end ferrule, a turned contact or the like.

[0020] Before or after crimping, the respective cable end sections can be provided with information on the connection or positioning of the cables in a circuit.

[0021] In a further step of the process according to the invention, comparatively long pre-assembled cables are wound into a ring-shaped coil – even with multiple windings. Cables that cannot be wound in this way, or can only be wound with difficulty, are provided as a cable bridge. The coil and the cable bridge are preferably designed so that the previously applied information and the crimped contacts are accessible or verifiable.

[0022] The coils or cable bridges provided in this way are then positioned as a cable set on a holder according to the wiring / processing sequence, which is designed with a column held on a base, whereby the positioning on or at the column is carried out in such a way that only the next coil or bridge in the processing sequence can be removed during wiring.

[0023] After the holder has been completed with the entire cable set, the holder can be marked with an identifier that allows it to be assigned to the electrical circuit, in particular to the control cabinet, for which the wire set is intended.

[0024] The holder, loaded in this manner and provided with an identifier, is then, according to the invention, moved to a storage area or to the respective wiring station.

[0025] Preferably, cable assembly and transport between the aforementioned stations (cutting to length, stripping, marking, winding) are fully automated based on CAE data stored in a central control unit. Instead of such a system, for example, one using a multi-axis robot, semi-automated cable assembly is also possible. In this case, the cables to be assembled are automatically transported between some stations / modules using handling devices, and manually by an operator to other stations / modules. In principle, the cables can also be manually guided between the individual assembly stations.

[0026] The cable processing center according to the invention for carrying out the method accordingly has one or more feeding devices for conveying cables of different diameters to a cutting machine, via which the cables are cut to the respective predetermined cable length.

[0027] The cable processing center is further equipped with a device for stripping the cable ends and a crimping machine for crimping the cut cables with contacts, such as ferrules or twisted contacts, or the like. These contacts are preferably provided on reel magazines or fed via sorting bowls. This crimping machine can be designed as a stripper / crimper, thus eliminating the need for a separate stripping device.

[0028] The cable assembly according to the invention is further equipped with a marking station via which information for connecting / positioning the cable in a circuit, in particular a control cabinet, can be applied. This marking station can be provided in the production sequence before or after the crimping machine.

[0029] The cable processing center according to the invention is further equipped with a bundling device via which assembled cables can be wound into a coil, wherein this winding is carried out in such a way that the previously applied information can be read or seen.

[0030] The cable processing center also has a mobile holder on which a column is mounted on a base. This column is designed to accommodate the coils and short, uncoiled cable bridges of a cable set in the processing sequence. In other words, this column is designed so that the coils and cables are placed on the column contrary to the processing sequence and then removed in the processing sequence during wiring, with the column's geometry designed to make deviations from this sequence difficult.

[0031] In the event that the cable processing center is operated automatically or semi-automatically, it is equipped with a central control unit for controlling the components / stations depending on CAE data.

[0032] In this case, the individual cables are fed to the stations / modules during the assembly process, for example, via a handling device or similar equipment. As explained, however, this feeding can also be done manually or semi-automatically.

[0033] The column is preferably designed such that the coils produced by the bundling device can be stacked around the column. If the assembled cables are provided as cable bridges, they can be detachably fixed to the column, preferably by clamps, or inserted into a diagonal slot in the column. Alternatively, these cable bridges can each be fixed to a ring, which is then placed around the column.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, a separate cable bridge holder can additionally be provided for cable bridges.

[0035] The holder can also be designed with two or more columns, which allow the cable bridge to be fixed in a stretched position. The coils can then wrap around both columns or just one of them, thus ensuring the correct processing sequence.

[0036] To fix the position of the cable bridges, at least one column, preferably slot-shaped, can have receptacles for the cable bridges or their supports.

[0037] The columns can be cylindrical with a round cross-section or with another cross-section.

[0038] Especially in autonomous cable assembly, it is preferred if the holder is assigned a mobile platform, for example an autonomous robot, an AGV or the like, for transporting the holder to a warehouse or to the wiring station.

[0039] A bundling device for the aforementioned cable processing center is equipped with a winder that can wind a cable into a coil. This winder is further designed to accommodate fixing elements, such as at least one fixing rubber or similar device, for the relative fixation of the winding layers.

[0040] A holder according to the invention for the cable processing center has at least one column supported on a base for receiving the coils and cable bridges of a cable / wire set provided by the cable processing center in the wiring / processing sequence. This column is designed such that the coils can be stacked around the column. The at least one column is further designed such that the cable bridges can be detachably secured, preferably by clamps / clips or by insertion.

[0041] The column can have a round or rectangular profile, with the latter simplifying the straightened positioning of the cable bridges. In principle, two columns can also be positioned side by side, on which the coils and cable bridges are then placed in the processing sequence.

[0042] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the holder according to the invention, it is provided with a code / marking that enables the assignment of the wire set carried by the holder to an electrical circuit, preferably a control cabinet. This code is then preferably applied individually after the positioning of the cable set.

[0043] In one variant of the invention, the cable processing center is equipped with a quality control device that can detect both the trajectory of the stripped cable end and the quality of the crimping.

[0044] In one embodiment of the holder according to the invention, the column is designed with a diagonal slot for receiving cable bridges.

[0045] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show: Figure 1 a cable processing center according to the invention with a bundling device and a holder for cable coils created by means of the bundling device; Figure 2 a single illustration of exemplary embodiments of a holder for a cable processing center according to Figure 1 ; Figure 3 a retaining ring for positioning a short cable bridge on a holder according to Figure 2 ; Figure 4a variant of a holder for attaching short cable bridges and Figure 5 Another embodiment of a holder on which cable bridges and cable windings can be determined in the processing sequence.

[0046] The cable processing center described below, similar to a solution disclosed in DE 10 2018 131 444 A1, can be positioned stationary on a table or mobile on a workshop trolley. At least some of the modules are mounted on a platform in Figure 1The cable processing center, hereinafter referred to as WPC 1 (Wire Processing Center), is arranged on the indicated work surface 2. It is designed to assemble multiple cables / wires with varying diameters, lengths, and contact types (e.g., ferrules, twisted contacts). The basis for cable assembly is existing CAE data, which is transferred to the WPC 1. This CAE data contains information about the cables to be assembled, such as cable diameter, length, type of marking to be applied, contact type (ferrule, twisted contact), position in the circuit / cable harness, etc. Such a CAE system is known, for example, as ePlan®. The wiring data is then transferred to the WPC 1 via a suitable data transmission method, such as a network, or, in simpler solutions, via a USB stick or similar device.This system has a central control unit, for example, an IPC 4, which is equipped with suitable software for controlling the processing modules described below. The manufacturing data generated by the IPC 4 is then transferred to the individual processing modules, so that they process this information for sequential cable assembly based on the specified CAE data. In the illustrated embodiment, the IPC 4 is equipped with a touch display 6, which allows operation of the IPC 4.

[0047] The illustrated WPC 1 has a cable cutting machine 8, which cuts the cables / wires 12 to a specific length according to a list in the CAE system and the wiring diagram of a control cabinet. The respective cutting process can be read on the display 6 or on a display of the cable cutting machine 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable cutting machine 8 is equipped with a multi-feed system 10. Specifically, the applicant's Z+F EvoFeed® model is used as the multi-feed system 10, which can feed up to twelve different cables 12, thus enabling the sequential processing of complex projects (different cross-sections, different colors, different contacts, etc.). The end sections of the cables 12 are mounted on a cross slide, which allows the respective cable 12 to be cut to be aligned with respect to the drive rollers and cutting jaws of the cable cutting machine 8. Figure 1A cutting machine of type Z+F EvoCut ®< is shown.

[0048] The supply of the various cables (in Figure 1(Only one cable 12 is shown as an example) is processed via a winding device 14, the design of which is disclosed in the subsequently published patent application DE 10 2023 131 311.8. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable 12 to be assembled is contained as a ring 16 with multiple turns in a cardboard box 18, into which the winding device 14 is inserted. The winding device 14 is designed such that the cable 12 to be cut is unwound from the ring 16 by appropriate control of the multi-feed unit 10 and the cutting machine 8, with each cable 12 being aligned with the multi-feed unit 10 via a deflection roller 20. Depending on the type and number of cable cross-sections to be processed, correspondingly different cable rings 16 are provided in cardboard boxes 18, each of which is operatively connected to the multi-feed unit 10 via a winding device 14.The different cables / wires 12 can of course also be provided in other ways, e.g. by cable drums or the like.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the cut cable 12 is picked up by a multi-axis robot 22 with two grippers 24a, 24b and then guided to a quality control device, hereinafter referred to as VCS (Vision Control System) 28, the basic structure of which is disclosed in the applicant's PCT patent application mentioned above. The end sections of the cut cables 12 are fed to the VCS 28 via an insertion opening 30 formed in the work surface 2, and the trajectory of the respective cable end, i.e., its deviation from a target path (e.g., a straight cable end), is detected by suitable sensors.

[0050] Depending on the trajectory determined in this way, the respective cable end is then fed to a crimping machine 32 for further processing. The specific embodiment uses the Z+F UNIC-GV® model, which enables the processing of different wire ferrules or other contacts, each arranged as a tape on a reel magazine, so that different wire ferrules or other contacts can be crimped without changing the magazine. This is a combination of a stripper and crimping machine (stripper-crimper), so that no separate stripping unit is required in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, if the cable end is to be crimped with a twisted contact, a crimping machine 32 of type Z+F AM03 can be used.

[0051] The contacts (ferrules, twisted contacts, etc.) can alternatively be fed via vibrating feeders.

[0052] After crimping, the respective cable end section is fed again to the VCS 28 via the multi-axis robot 22 for crimp quality checks. Cables 12 that do not meet the quality specifications are rejected, and a new cable 12 that meets the specifications is assembled by appropriate control of the IPC 4.

[0053] After cutting to length or crimping, the respective cable 12 is fed to a marking module 34 (Z+F EvoPrint) in the illustrated embodiment. This module applies a marking, preferably a printing, to the respective cable end sections according to the specifications in the CAE system. This marking module 34 can, for example, be docked to the cutting machine 8, so that the wiring information stored in the CAE system is printed on both end sections of each cut cable / wire 12. As mentioned, this marking can also be applied after crimping. In this case, the insulation of the cable 12 or a plastic collar of a wire end ferrule can be printed. If more space is required for the information to be printed, it can also be printed on a marking label, which is then attached to the respective cable end section, for example, by gluing. Such marking labels are explained in more detail below.

[0054] According to the invention, the cut, crimped, and appropriately marked cable 12 is then fed to a bundling device 36 (Z+F EvoRoll), in which the assembled cable is wound into a coil 38. This is preferably done such that the two end sections of the respective cable 12, each fitted with a ferrule 40a, 40b, protrude from the coil 38 approximately tangentially and are thus visible from the outside. Accordingly, the marking applied in the area of ​​these end sections is not covered by the winding. The coil structure is then fixed by the bundling device 36 using suitable measures, for example, by positioning fixing rubbers 41a, 41b.

[0055] It is preferred that the assembled cable 12, after crimping in the crimping machine 32, is also fed to the bundling device 36 via the multi-axis robot 22. The coil 38 is then arranged on a holder 42 by the multi-axis robot 22, the construction of which is described in more detail below. This holder 42 is designed such that the cables 12, assembled sequentially according to the wiring sequence, are positioned accordingly on the holder 42 and can then only be removed during wiring according to this wiring sequence, so that the wiring can also be carried out by an inexperienced operator, who can easily orient themselves with regard to the wiring position using the printed markings.

[0056] After all cables / wires to be processed 12 have been sequentially assembled and positioned on the holder 42, this is marked with an identifier, for example a barcode 44, so that a unique assignment to the respective control cabinet to be wired is made possible.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 42 is then positioned on a mobile platform 46 (Z+F WireMover), for example an AGV 46, and – as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 indicated - brought to a central warehouse, from which the worker then retrieves, as needed, a cable set intended for the production of a specific control cabinet or the associated holder 42, whereby the assignment of the respective holder 42 to the respective control cabinet is carried out in a simple way by reading the barcode 44.

[0058] Alternatively, the holder 42 with the cable set can also be conveyed directly to the wiring station via the AGV 46. There, a semi-skilled worker (not necessarily a qualified professional) can insert the cables / wires 12 into the control cabinet according to the wiring sequence defined by the holder 42 and wire it accordingly. Typically, an automatic functional test is then performed again before the control cabinet or circuit is delivered.

[0059] Figure 2Figure 1 shows a single view of a holder 42 as it can be used in the manufacturing process described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the holder has a base plate 48 which is mounted on the AGV 46 or another mobile platform. For later identification, the base plate 48 is provided with the aforementioned barcode 44 or other marking. Of course, this can also be arranged at a different position on the holder 42. It is preferred to fix this barcode 44, for example, by affixing it with adhesive or the like.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, a column 50 is positioned on the base plate 48, the outer diameter d of which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter D of the coil 38.

[0061] The windings 38 are then arranged sequentially on the column 50, contrary to the wiring sequence, with the column 50 passing through the central axis of the winding structures, so that they are reliably positioned one above the other along the column 50. In the illustration according to Figure 2 Two windings 38, 38' of such a winding stack are shown as examples, each with a reference numeral. The length of the column 50 is designed to accommodate the number of pre-assembled cables 12 / windings 38 required for wiring. In principle, several such columns 50 can also be arranged side by side, but it should be ensured that the windings 38 arranged on these columns 50 are then removed in the wiring sequence.

[0062] In the representation according to Figure 2It can also be seen that the windings 38 are applied in such a way that the two wire end ferrules 40a, 40b and the marking tabs 51a, 51b which are provided with the corresponding wiring information by means of the marking module 34 are not covered by the winding turns, so that the worker can easily read the corresponding information.

[0063] Especially when wiring cable harnesses or control cabinets, even relatively short cable bridges 52 must be wired, whose length is so short that they cannot be wound up. The following describes several ways to position these cable bridges 52 on the holder 42 in the processing sequence.

[0064] The simplest solution, but the most vulnerable with regard to maintaining the wiring sequence, is to arrange such short cable bridges 52 on a separate, e.g., cuboid-shaped cable bridge holder 53. This holder is designed such that, along the longitudinal direction of each cable bridge 52, two spaced-apart brackets 54a, 54b are provided on a large surface of the cuboid. The cable bridges 52 are inserted into these brackets in such a way that the inherently flexible cable bridges 52 are reliably fixed in their longitudinal position. These brackets 54a, 54b can be designed, for example, as force-fit or form-fit clips, clamps, or the like. Alternatively, the brackets 54 can also be designed as a material bond with a releasable adhesive or the like.

[0065] With such a concept, it is important to ensure that the worker installs the cable bridges 52 in the predetermined wiring sequence. This is not the case with an alternative, in Figure 2 The solution also shown is more likely to be guaranteed. In this alternative or additional design, several are located vertically on column 50 (view according to). Figure 2Superimposed brackets 54 are formed into which the respective cable bridge 52 can be inserted, so that it runs approximately tangentially to the outer circumference of the column 50. This column-side bracket 54 can, for example, be designed as a circumferential slot or again by a clip attached to the column 50 or the like. The advantage of this concept is that the short cable bridges 52 are positioned directly in the desired wiring sequence in the stack formed by the windings 38, 38', thus ensuring that they can be processed in the wiring sequence. Of course, hybrid forms of the two are also possible. Figure 2 The illustrated examples of implementation are used.

[0066] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a variant in which each cable bridge 52 is positioned on a retaining ring 56, which carries two supports 54a, 54b. These supports are aligned longitudinally with the cable bridge 52, ensuring reliable fixation on the retaining ring 56. The inner diameter D of the retaining ring 56 corresponds approximately to the inner diameter D of the coil 38, so that after positioning the cable bridge 52 on a retaining ring 56, the ring can be placed on the column 50 parallel to the coils 38, 38' according to the wiring sequence. The positioning of the cable bridge 52 on the respective retaining ring 56 can be performed either by the multi-axis robot 22 or manually.

[0067] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a further simplified embodiment in which the column 50 of the holder 42 is provided with a diagonal slot 58, the slot width S of which is designed to be slightly larger than the largest cable cross-section to be processed. This makes it possible to position the cable bridge 52 section by section in the diagonal slot 58, with the two end sections of the cable bridge 52, including the wire end ferrules 40a, 40b and the marking tabs 51a, 51b, projecting laterally beyond the column 50. With this design as well, the windings 38, 38' and the cable bridges 52 can thus be positioned on the column 50 in the wiring sequence.

[0068] Figure 5Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which two columns 50a, 50b are arranged side by side on the base plate 48. Each of these columns 50a, 50b is in turn equipped with holders 54a, 54b (for example, clips) by which the cable bridges 52 can be fixed in position. The axial distance a between the two columns 50a, 50b is selected such that a stretched position of the cable bridges 52 fixed to them is ensured. The coils 38, 38' are then positioned in the manner described above, for example, on one of the columns 50a, whereby this concept also allows the cable bridges 52 and the coils 38, 38' to be positioned in the predetermined wiring sequence. In principle, the distance a and the diameter of the columns 50a, 50b can also be selected such that the coils 38, 38' encompass both columns 50a, 50b.The columns 50a, 50b can each also be provided with diagonal slots aligned with each other for receiving the cable bridges 52, so that their extended position is ensured.

[0069] In the embodiments described above, the columns 50 are cylindrical. Of course, other column structures, such as columns with a polygonal cross-sectional area, ovalized columns, or the like, can also be used. Hybrid forms of the previously described supports for the windings 38, 38' and the cable bridges 52 are also possible.

[0070] Disclosed are a method for assembling cables / wires, a cable processing center for carrying out such a method, and a holder for such a cable processing center, designed in such a way as to ensure intermediate storage of assembled cables / wires in the wiring sequence. Reference symbol list:

[0071] 1 Cable processing center, WPC 2 Worktop 4 IPC 6 Display 8 Cutting machine 10 Multi-feeder 12 Cable 14 Unwinding device 16 Ring 18 Barrel carton 20 Deflection roller 22 Multi-axis robot 24 Gripper 28 VCS 30 Feed opening 32 Crimping machine 34 Marking module 36 Bundling device 38 Winding 40 Ferrule 41 Fixing rubber 42 Holder 44 Barcode 46 FTS 48 Base plate 50 Column 51 Marking tab 52 Cable bridge 53 Cable bridge holder 54 Bracket 56 Retaining ring 58 Diagonal slot

Claims

1. A method for assembling cables / wires (12) intended for wiring in electrical circuits, for example in a control cabinet, comprising the steps of: a) cutting the cables (12) to the predetermined length; b) stripping and crimping cable end sections with a contact; c) marking the respective cable end sections with information for positioning the cables (12) in the circuit; d) coiling assembled longer cables (12) into a coil (38) and providing shorter cables (12) as a cable bridge (52), wherein the information and / or contacts are preferably accessible in each case;e) Positioning the coils (38) and the cable bridges (52) on a mobile holder (42) which has a column (50) held on a base and designed to accommodate the coils (38) and short, uncoiled cable bridges (52) of a cable set according to the processing sequence, such that wiring in this processing sequence is ensured; f) Repeating the assembly steps a) to e) until a cable set intended for wiring is positioned on the holder (42) according to the wiring / processing sequence and, preferably g) providing the holder (42) with an identifier that enables the cable set to be assigned to the intended electrical circuit, in particular to the control cabinet and, h) moving the loaded holder (42) to a storage area or to the wiring station.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the transport and processing of the cables (12) of the cable set between and at the modules is carried out fully automatically, semi-automatically or manually depending on CAE data stored in a central control unit.

3. Cable processing center, in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a) one or more feeding devices for conveying cables / wires (12) of different diameters to b) a cutting machine (8) for cutting the cables (12) to length, c) a device for stripping the cable end sections, d) a crimping machine (32) for crimping the cut and stripped cables (12) with contacts, in particular wire end ferrules (40) or turned contacts, e) a marking module (34) for applying information for connecting / positioning the cable (12) in a circuit, in particular in a control cabinet;f) a bundling device (36) for winding pre-assembled cables (12) into coils (38) and g) a mobile holder (42) having a column (50) held on a base, designed to accommodate the coils (38) and short, uncoiled cable bridges (52) of a cable set in accordance with the processing sequence, ensuring that wiring is carried out in that processing sequence.

4. Cable processing center according to claim 3, with a control unit for controlling the modules of the cable processing center depending on CAE data.

5. Cable processing center according to claim 3 or 4, comprising at least one handling device or device for moving the cables (12) between the modules of the cable processing center (1).

6. Cable processing center according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the column (50) held on a base plate (48) is designed such that the coils (38) can be stacked around the column (50) and that the cable bridges (52) can be detachably fixed, preferably by clamping or inserting.

7. Cable processing center according to claim 6, wherein the at least one column (50), preferably slot-shaped, has receptacles for the cable bridges (52) or for their supports (54).

8. Cable processing center according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the holder (42) is associated with a mobile platform, in particular an autonomous robot, an AGV (46) or the like, for transporting the holder (42).

9. Cable processing center according to one of claims 3 to 8, comprising a winder for winding a pre-assembled cable (12) into a coil (38) and for fixing the winding layers relative to each other by means of a fixing device, preferably a fixing rubber (41).

10. Holder for a cable processing center according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 9, with at least one column (50) held on a base plate (48) for receiving coils (38) and cable bridges (52) of a cable set provided by means of the cable processing center (1) according to the wiring / processing sequence, onto which the coils (38) can be stacked surrounding the column (50) and / or on which the cable bridges (52) can be detachably fixed, preferably by clamps, clips or by inserting them into a diagonal slot (58).

11. Holder according to claim 10, wherein a readable coding, preferably a barcode (44), is applied to it, which enables the assignment of the cable set carried by the holder (42) to an electrical circuit, preferably a control cabinet.

12. Holder according to claim 10 or 11, with a retaining ring (56) for fixing a cable bridge (52) in position and for positioning it on the column (50).

Images