Method and separating device for separating at least one workpiece from a residual grid of a residual grid assembly of parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a separating device for separating at least one workpiece (7) from a residual grid (8) of a residual grid assembly of parts (9) which is produced in a machine tool (3) from a plate-shaped material (2) by means of a cutting process, wherein the residual grid assembly of parts (9) is fed to a holder (42) of the separating device (41) together with a holding-down element (26) resting on an upper side of the residual grid assembly of parts (9), wherein the holding-down element (26) and the residual grid assembly of parts (9) are jointly excited to vibrate by a vibration drive (45), and wherein the holding-down element (26) enables the at least one workpiece (7) to be separated in a targeted manner only downward with respect to the bottom side of the residual grid assembly of parts (9).

Description

[0001] Method and separating device for separating at least one workpiece from a residual grid of a residual grid part assembly

[0002] The invention relates to a method for separating at least one workpiece from a residual grid of a partial grid composite produced from a plate-shaped material by cutting in a machine tool. Furthermore, the invention relates to a separating device, in particular for carrying out the method.

[0003] DE 20 2018 001 674 U1 discloses a vibrating table for separating workpieces from a scrap skeleton, wherein the workpieces are held in place in the scrap skeleton by a web connection. The vibrating table comprises a vibrating frame, which is mounted on a frame via springs so that it can oscillate. The vibrating frame is set in motion by vibration drives. The scrap skeleton component assembly is clamped onto the vibrating frame. A conveyor system is provided below the scrap skeleton component assembly. After the vibrating process is completed, the conveyor system is folded down so that the workpieces separated from the scrap skeleton fall to the bottom by gravity.This vibrating table has the disadvantage that during the vibrating process, removed workpiece parts can remain above the residual skeleton, so that it is not guaranteed that all removed workpieces will be guided out of the residual skeleton downwards.

[0004] From US 2016 / 0023368 A1 a vibration device is known whose functionality corresponds to the aforementioned vibrating table.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of proposing a method and a separating device for separating at least one workpiece from a residual skeleton of a residual skeleton-part assembly, whereby a controlled and process-reliable separation of the at least one workpiece from the residual skeleton is enabled.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for separating at least one workpiece from a residual skeleton of a residual skeleton assembly, in which the residual skeleton assembly is fed to a holder of the separating device by means of a hold-down element resting on an upper side of the residual skeleton assembly, in which the hold-down element and the residual skeleton assembly are excited together in the separating device by vibrations of an oscillating drive, and in which the hold-down element deliberately separates the at least one workpiece separated from the residual skeleton so that it falls downwards only relative to the underside of the residual skeleton. By positioning the hold-down element above the residual skeleton assembly, it is ensured that the at least one workpiece separated from the residual skeleton cannot reach the upper side of the residual skeleton, but is deliberately guided out only downwards, in particular by gravity.Thus, the workpiece can only be separated from the rebar in one direction. The separating device can break the web connection, particularly the microjoints or nanojoints, which secure the workpiece to the rebar. Furthermore, the hold-down element resting on the rebar assembly has the advantage that a workpiece that may be tilted or jammed in the rebar, which has been completely cut free or is tilted or jammed after the web connection has been broken, can be released and conveyed downwards by gravity.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the hold-down element and the residual skeleton assembly are held together by the holder in contact with one another. In particular, the hold-down element and the residual skeleton assembly can be clamped and held in contact with one another by the holder. As a result, the hold-down element and the residual skeleton assembly form a single unit during the separation process, which is jointly excited by vibrations. This enables a quick and reliable separation of at least one workpiece.

[0008] It is preferably provided that the oscillating drive generates at least one oscillation or a back-and-forth movement which is independent of direction, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the plane of extension of the residual skeleton part assembly and the hold-down element. By reversing the direction of the oscillating back-and-forth movement of the hold-down element and the residual skeleton part assembly, the inertia of the workpiece can initially align the workpiece when it is clamped in the residual skeleton, so that it is transferred from its tilted position into a position lying flat against the hold-down element, so that it can then fall freely downwards out of the residual skeleton. In addition, this step of the workpiece falling out of the residual skeleton can be supported by reversing the direction of the oscillating assembly of the hold-down element and the residual skeleton part assembly.

[0009] To monitor the separation process, it is preferably provided that the removal of at least one workpiece from the residual skeleton is monitored, preferably by a detection device. This can reduce the process time. The oscillating drive is activated until the workpieces have been separated from the residual skeleton of the residual skeleton component assembly. Activation can be continuous or pulsed. The detection device preferably forwards the detected workpieces to a control device, which knows the number of workpieces to be removed from the residual skeleton component assembly. If not all workpieces have been removed within a predetermined oscillation duration, the oscillating drive is switched off and corresponding information is output.If it is detected prematurely at the predetermined oscillation duration that all workpieces have been removed, the oscillating drive is stopped and a message is also sent to the control device.

[0010] Advantageously, the separating device's holder is subjected to vibrations directly by the vibratory drive. This allows for high efficiency in breaking the web connection and / or separating workpieces that have been completely cut free but may be jammed or tilted relative to the skeleton.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment of the method, the oscillating drive is designed as a vibrating conveyor, through which the at least one workpiece separated from the residual skeleton can be conveyed away in a targeted manner. For example, the workpieces can be transferred by the vibrating conveyor into storage containers or the like.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the vibration excitation of the vibration drive is introduced from above into the hold-down element or from below into the residual skeleton part assembly.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that, in addition to the oscillating drive, a vibrating tool is positioned and activated directly on the hold-down element. This allows additional vibration excitation to be introduced into the hold-down element, so that the vibration introduced by the vibrating tool spreads completely through the hold-down element and can be transmitted to the entire skeleton part assembly. The vibrations of the vibrating tool and the vibrating drive can be superimposed.

[0014] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a separating device, in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding embodiments, which comprises a holder provided for receiving the at least one residual skeleton assembly and a hold-down element resting thereon, and the residual skeleton assembly and the hold-down element resting thereon can be excited jointly with vibrations by an oscillating drive. This separating device enables the hold-down element and the residual skeleton assembly to be set into vibration simultaneously in order to remove the at least one workpiece from the residual skeleton. Due to the hold-down element resting above the residual skeleton assembly, the at least one workpiece can be separated in a targeted manner only downwards. This ensures reliable conditions for an automation process.

[0015] Preferably, the holder is formed by at least one tensioning element or clamping element. This allows the hold-down element and the residual skeleton assembly to be firmly positioned and aligned relative to one another. This also enables good vibration transmission, particularly when the vibrations are initiated via the holder. Alternatively, a defined distance can be maintained between the holder and the hold-down element, for example, by a damping element, so that relative movement between the hold-down element and the residual skeleton assembly is possible.

[0016] The separating device preferably has vibration exciters as a drive device, which oscillates to cause a back and forth movement or an up and down movement.

[0017] Furthermore, the oscillating drive can be designed as a vibrating conveyor. This allows the separating device and a transport conveyor device to be integrated into one another. The vibrating conveyor enables, on the one hand, the excitation of vibration to release the at least one workpiece from the residual skeleton, and, on the other hand, the removal of the at least one workpiece through this vibration excitation.

[0018] Preferably, in the vibratory drive configured as a vibratory conveyor, the holder for receiving the partial skeleton assembly and the hold-down element is arranged at a distance from the floor of the vibratory conveyor that corresponds at least to the thickness of the partial skeleton assembly. This allows the workpiece to be safely conveyed away via the floor of the vibratory conveyor after the at least one workpiece has been separated from the residual skeleton.

[0019] The invention, as well as further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof, are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features shown in the description and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. They show:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a machine arrangement for laser cutting plate-shaped workpieces with a laser cutting machine and an automation unit arranged in front of it with a handling device,

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the handling device above a workpiece support,

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the handling device in an arrangement resting on the residual skeleton part assembly,

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the handling device with the skeleton part assembly in a raised position for workpiece support,

[0024] Figure 5 shows a further schematic side view of the handling device for transferring the residual skeleton part assembly into a separating device,

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the separating device at the beginning of a separation process, Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a state during the separation process,

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic side view of another state during the separation process,

[0027] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the separating device with a separated workpiece,

[0028] Figure 10 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the separating device to Figure 6, and

[0029] Figure 11 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the separating device to Figure 10.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a mechanical assembly 1 with a machine tool 3, in which a sheet-like material 2 is separated by a cutting device into at least one workpiece 7 and a residual skeleton 8 or several residual skeleton parts. The machine tool 3 is preferably designed as a laser cutting machine.

[0031] For cutting, the plate-shaped material 2, in particular the sheet metal, is placed on a workpiece support 15 inside a work area 5 of the machine tool 3. In a known manner, the plate-shaped material 2 is passed over by a laser cutting head 6 of the laser cutting machine for cutting. Figure 1 shows a plate-shaped material 2 inside the work area after cutting, during which workpiece blanks or workpieces 7 in the form of finished parts and a residual skeleton 8 at least partially surrounding the workpiece 7 have been produced as processing products. Between the workpiece 7 and the residual skeleton 8 there is a cutting gap a few millimeters wide. The at least one cut workpiece 7 and the residual skeleton 8 form a residual skeleton component assembly 9. It is preferably provided that the at least one workpiece 7 is completely cut free from the residual skeleton 8.Alternatively, it can also be provided that the workpiece 7 is connected and held in the residual skeleton 8 by at least one web section, in particular a microjoint or nanojoint.

[0032] The workpiece support 15 is provided on a movable pallet 4, which was moved with the sheet material 2 through a slot-shaped opening in a housing of the machine tool 3 into its working area 5. Previously, the workpiece support 15 with the raw sheet material 2 was placed on the front side of the machine tool 3 on a conventional pallet changer 10. After the sheet material 2 has been machined, the pallet 4 with the workpiece support 15 is moved back onto the pallet changer 10 with the residual skeleton assembly 9 resting thereon. From the pallet changer 10, the residual skeleton assembly 9 is removed jointly by a handling device 11 of an automation unit 12.

[0033] The handling device 11 is motor-driven and can be moved along a linear device 13 of the automation unit 12 in the direction of a double arrow 14. The handling device 11 can be moved either via the pallet changer 10 or via a workpiece support 15 arranged laterally next to the pallet changer 10. Furthermore, in the example shown, the handling device 11 can approach a pallet 4 (not shown in Figure 1) on which unprocessed sheet-like material 2 is stored.

[0034] In Figure 1, the pallet 4 with the residual skeleton assembly 9 is still located inside the working area 5 of the machine tool 3. After the transfer of the pallet 4 and the residual skeleton assembly 9 resting on it to the pallet changer 10, the conditions shown schematically in Figure 2 result.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the workpiece support 15. This workpiece support 15 consists of several support strips 16 arranged one behind the other. These support strips 16 are advantageously aligned parallel to one another at a predetermined distance from one another. The scrap skeleton assembly 9 is mounted on tips of the support strips 16. This is schematically shown in a further side view according to Figure 3. The at least one workpiece 7 and the scrap skeleton 8 of the scrap skeleton assembly 9 lie in a horizontal workpiece plane 18, which is indicated by a dash-dotted line in Figure 2. The handling device 11 is moved into a position above the pallet changer 10 or the pallet 4. Rear-engaging elements 19, 20 are movably arranged on a support frame 23 of the handling device 11.These rear gripping elements 19, 20 are preferably rake-like and have rake tines 21, 22 arranged one behind the other with spaces perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Figure 2. The rear gripping elements 19, 20 are positioned in an open position or a disengaged position with respect to the support frame 23 according to Figure 2. Together, the rake-like rear gripping elements 19, 20 form a rear gripping device 24 of the handling device 11. A schematically illustrated rake drive 25 on the support frame 23 serves to move the rake-like rear gripping elements 19, 20.

[0036] A hold-down element 26 is provided on the support frame 23 of the handling device 11. This hold-down element 26 is positioned at a distance from the support frame 23. Advantageously, at least one holding element 27 is provided on the support frame 23. This holding element 27 receives the hold-down element 26 in a detachable, in particular replaceable, manner. The hold-down element 26 can be designed as a hold-down plate. The hold-down element 26 can be made in one piece or consist of several sections, which are arranged in a common plane to the support frame 23. The holding elements 27 can be spring-loaded to the support frame 23. This enables the hold-down element 26 to exercise a relative movement in the direction of the support frame 23. The spring bearing is designed such that the hold-down element 26, in an arrangement of the handling device 11 according to Figure 2, is remote from the residual skeleton part assembly 9 at a predetermined ormaximum distance from the supporting structure 23.

[0037] The handling device 11, as shown in Figure 2, can be moved up and down or displaced vertically relative to the pallet changer 10 or the pallet 4 by means of a drive motor 31 shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 also shows a chassis 32 of the handling device 11, which supports the support frame 23 with its attachments in a height-adjustable manner and which, in turn, can be moved by motor drive on the linear unit 13 of the automation unit 12.

[0038] To remove the residual skeleton assembly 9, the handling device 11 is lowered with the rear gripping elements 19, 20 open into the position shown in Figure 3. The hold-down element 26 is fed from above onto the residual skeleton assembly 9. The lowering movement is preferably continued until the hold-down element 26 is positioned at least resting on the residual skeleton assembly 9. Preferably, it can be provided that the hold-down element 26 is positioned resting on the residual skeleton assembly 9 with a contact force. In this case, the hold-down element 26 is retracted in the direction of the support frame 23 along a predetermined spring travel due to the spring bearing.

[0039] After the hold-down element 26 has rested on the residual skeleton part assembly 9, the rear gripping elements 19, 20 are positioned at a level slightly below the underside of the residual skeleton part assembly 9.

[0040] Starting from the position of the handling device 11 shown in Figure 3, the rear gripping elements 19, 20 are moved toward each other by means of the rake drive 25 and transferred to a gripping position 33. In the gripping position 33 of the rear gripping elements 19, 20, the residual skeleton assembly 9 is positioned between the rake tines 21, 22 on the one hand and the hold-down element 26 on the other.

[0041] The handling device 11 is then moved upward by means of the lifting drive motor 31. In a first lifting phase, the rear gripping elements 19, 20 engage an underside of the residual skeleton assembly 9. Due to the hold-down element 26, which is preferably arranged with a retracted spring travel, this hold-down element 26 remains held in contact with the upper side of the residual skeleton assembly 9 during the first lifting phase, so that the residual skeleton assembly 9 is then clamped between the hold-down element 26 and the rear gripping elements 19, 20. This enables, as can be seen from the side view according to Figure 4, both the residual skeleton 8 and the at least one workpiece 7 of the residual skeleton assembly 9 to remain aligned in a defined position relative to the hold-down element 26. Tilting of the at least one workpiece 7 relative to the residual skeleton 8 can thus be prevented.

[0042] In this position, where the residual skeleton assembly 9 is clamped between the hold-down element 26 and the rear gripping elements 19, 20, the residual skeleton assembly 9 can be securely lifted or removed from the workpiece support 15. Figure 4 shows the handling device 11 with the residual skeleton assembly 9 lifted relative to the workpiece support 15. The residual skeleton assembly 9 is held between the hold-down element 26 and the rear gripping elements 19, 20 or the rake tines 21, 22, as shown in Figure 5.

[0043] The residual skeleton assembly 9 lifted from the workpiece support 15 is fed by the handling device 11 to a separating device 41 shown in Figures 6 to 11. The residual skeleton assembly 9 and the hold-down element 26 resting thereon are transferred together as a single unit into the separating device 41. This can be done by means of gripping elements or a holder 42 that can be inserted into the separating device 41. Subsequently, in the separating device 41, the at least one workpiece 7 is separated from the residual skeleton 8 and selectively separated only downwards.

[0044] Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of the separating device 41. This separating device 41 is shown in a very simplified manner. The separating device 41 comprises a holder 42. The holder 42 holds the residual skeleton part assembly 9 and the hold-down element 26 resting thereon in alignment with one another. The holder 42 can be formed by clamping elements 43. These can open and close. A clamping force can also be applied so that the hold-down element 26 is held firmly in place on the residual skeleton part assembly 9. Alternatively, it can be provided that a defined distance is provided between the holder and the hold-down element, for example by a damping element 50.

[0045] The separating device 41 further comprises an oscillating drive 45. In this exemplary embodiment, the oscillating drive 45 consists of at least two linear drive devices. Preferably, a linear drive device engages each of the at least one clamping element 43 of the holder 42. Below the holder 42, at least one detection device 47 is preferably provided. This detection device 47 can be a sensor, a light barrier, or the like. This detection device 47 detects the workpieces 7 removed from the residual skeleton assembly 9. The separating device 41 can alternatively be freely movable on a manipulator 55.

[0046] A separation process of the separation device 41 is described in more detail below with reference to Figures 6 to 9, by which at least one workpiece 7 is selectively separated downwards from the residual skeleton 8 of the residual skeleton assembly 9. In the arrangement shown in Figure 6, the workpiece 7 is completely cut free from the residual skeleton 8, but held in a clamped position relative to the residual skeleton. The oscillating drive 45 imparts a back-and-forth movement or vibrations to the holder 42, which is perpendicular to the plane of extension of the residual skeleton assembly 9 and the hold-down element 26.

[0047] Figure 7 illustrates a vibration excitation in which the holder 42 is moved vertically upward. Subsequently, a downward movement of the holder 42 is initiated, particularly vertically downward. Due to the inertia of the workpiece 7 as indicated by arrow 49, the reversal of the direction of the movement brings the workpiece 7 into contact with the hold-down element 26.

[0048] The contact of the workpiece 7 with the hold-down element 26 is shown in Figure 8. By accelerating the holder 42 vertically downward, the workpiece 7 is also moved downward. By further reversing the direction of the holder upward, the workpiece is selectively cut out downwards as shown in Figure 8.

[0049] This up-and-down movement of the holder 42, or the oscillation of the holder 42, can be repeated several times until the workpiece 7 or workpieces 7 are released from the residual skeleton 8. The detection device 47 detects the number of separated workpieces 7, so that the oscillating drive 45 is either stopped after a predetermined period or immediately after all workpieces 7 to be released have been detected by the detection device 47. Figure 9 shows the end of the separation process, after the workpiece 7 has been separated from the residual skeleton 8.

[0050] Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the separating device 41. In this embodiment, the oscillating drive 45 is designed as a vibrating conveyor. This vibrating conveyor comprises a conveyor trough 51 with a base 52. The conveyor trough 51 is set into vibration by means of vibration devices. Within the trough 51, the holder 42 for receiving the residual skeleton assembly 9 and the hold-down element 26 is provided. The holder 42 can be adjustable to different formats of the residual skeleton assembly 9. In this embodiment, it is preferably provided that a distance H is provided between an underside of the residual skeleton assembly 9 and the base 52 of the conveyor trough 51 of the vibrating conveyor, which distance corresponds at least to the thickness of the residual skeleton assembly 9 to be separated. This enables the separated workpiece 7 to be transported away safely.

[0051] Figure 11 shows a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the separating device 41 to Figure 10. In this embodiment, it is provided that in addition to the oscillating drive 45, at least one vibration tool 34 is used. This vibration tool 34 can be mounted on an upper side of the hold-down element 26. This can introduce additional vibration excitation into the hold-down element 26, which is advantageously transmitted to the entire residual skeleton part assembly 9. This vibration tool 34 can enhance the separation process for separating the at least one workpiece 7 from the residual skeleton 8. Alternatively, it can be provided that several vibration tools 34 are used. These can be positioned both on the upper side of the hold-down element 26 and on an end face.

[0052] Such a vibration tool 34 can be, for example, an oscillating head or a reciprocating piston vibrator, a piezo element or the like.

Claims

Claims 1. Method for separating at least one workpiece (7) from a residual skeleton (8) of a residual skeleton composite (9) which is produced from a plate-shaped material (2) in a machining process by cutting, characterized in that the residual skeleton composite (9) is fed to a holder (42) of the separating device (41) with a hold-down element (26) resting on an upper side of the residual skeleton composite (9), that the hold-down element (26) and the residual skeleton composite (9) are jointly excited with vibrations by an oscillating drive (45), and that the at least one workpiece (7) is selectively cut out downwards only from the underside of the residual skeleton part assembly (9).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hold-down element (26) and the residual skeleton part assembly (9) are held together by the holder (42) resting on one another, in particular clamped.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one linear drive movement is generated by the oscillating drive (45), which is oriented independently of direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to the planar extension plane of the residual grid part assembly (9).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by at least one reversal of the direction of the generated vibration, the at least one workpiece (7) tilted or jammed in the residual grid (8) is aligned by the inertial force against the holding element (26) and is subsequently guided downwards out of the residual grid (8) by gravity and / or a subsequent reversal of direction.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a detection device (47) is provided, in particular positioned below the residual skeleton part assembly (9), by which the at least one workpiece (7) removed from the residual skeleton (8) is detected.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the oscillating drive (45) is activated until the detection device (47) detects the separation of the workpiece(s) (7) from the residual grid (8).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (42), in particular clamping elements (43) or the tensioning elements of the holder (42), are directly subjected to the vibrations of the oscillating drive (45).

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vibrations of the oscillating drive (45) are introduced from above into the hold-down element (26) or from below into the residual skeleton part assembly (9).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oscillating drive (45) is designed as a direction-independent drive device.

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the oscillating drive (45) is designed as an oscillating conveyor, by means of which the at least one workpiece (7) separated from the residual grid (8) is conveyed away.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hold-down element (26) and / or the residual skeleton part assembly (9) are excited with vibrations using an additional vibration tool (34).

12. Separating device for separating at least one workpiece (7) from a residual grid (8) of a residual grid composite (9), which can be produced in a machine tool (3) by cutting a plate-shaped material (2), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one holder (42) is provided, by means of which the residual grid component assembly (9) and a hold-down element (26) resting above the residual grid component assembly (9) can be arranged, and in that an oscillating drive (45) is provided, by means of which the residual grid component assembly (9) and the hold-down element (26) resting thereon can be excited jointly with oscillations.

13. Separating device according to claim 12, characterized in that the holder (42) is formed by clamping elements or tensioning elements, by means of which the hold-down element (26) is held resting, in particular clamped, on the residual skeleton part assembly (9).

14. Separating device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a defined distance is provided between the holder (42) and the hold-down element (26) by a damping element (50).

15. Separating device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the oscillating drive (45) is designed as a linear drive device or as an oscillating conveyor.

16. Separating device according to claim 15, characterized in that the vibrating conveyor accommodates the holder (42) above a bottom (52) of the conveyor trough (51), wherein the holder (42) is arranged at a distance of at least the thickness of the residual skeleton part assembly (9) to be separated above the bottom (52).

17. Separating device according to claim 12, characterized in that the separating device (41) is arranged freely movable on a manipulator (55).

Images