MACHINING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a machining device (101) comprising a support (103) for a machining head (105) configured to produce an abrasive water jet (115) from a first pressurized water stream (109) and an abrasive material (113). The machining device (101) further comprises a cleaning head (117), held by the support (103), and configured to produce a cleaning water jet (123) from a second pressurized water stream (121). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MACHINING DEVICE technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of machining materials, particularly for the manufacture of mechanical parts for an aircraft. It relates in particular to a machining device. Previous technique

[0002] As is known, machining materials for the manufacture of mechanical parts generates waste in the form of particles deposited or adhering to the surface of the machined material. Whether these are residual particles from a material used for abrasion or particles originating from the material that has been machined, a cleaning technique is necessary to remove them from the surface of the machined material in order to obtain a clean machined part.

[0003] Thus, many cleaning methods are used, including ultrasonic cleaning, the use of a high-pressure water jet, the use of a water bath and a scouring sponge, LASER, or even ice projection.

[0004] However, a major drawback of existing methods is the time associated with the different stages of their implementation, such as, for example, setup for machining, machining, dismantling, transport, setup for cleaning, cleaning and finally dismantling.

[0005] Another disadvantage of some of these methods is that they are not very effective when the residual abrasive material is deeply embedded in the material being machined (this is for example the case for high-pressure water jet machining in ductile materials).

[0006] Another disadvantage is the need to use a repetitive manual process which can lead to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and which requires the training of a qualified operator. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention proposes a solution to these drawbacks.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a machining device comprising a support for holding a machining head, said machining head being connected to a first conduit configured to admit a first flow of pressurized water and an abrasive material, and being configured to produce an abrasive water jet, at a first pressure value, from said first flow of pressurized water and said abrasive material,

[0009] said machining device being characterized in that it further comprises a cleaning head, held by the retaining support, connected to a second conduit for admit a second pressurized water stream, and configured to produce a cleaning water jet, at a second pressure value, from the second pressurized water stream.

[0010] The invention thus makes it possible to perform machining and cleaning operations simultaneously without requiring complex and / or time-consuming manipulations to link these operations. Furthermore, the use of a single device for these operations simplifies their execution.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first conduit includes a first inlet for the admission of the first flow of pressurized water and a second inlet for the admission of abrasive material.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the machining device further includes a storage tank for the abrasive material connected to the second inlet of the first conduit, preferably in a removable manner.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the support includes fastening means configured to allow its attachment to an arm of a robotic movement system.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the machining head comprises a first nozzle and the cleaning head comprises a second nozzle, said first nozzle and second nozzle being configured to generate, respectively, the first pressure value of the abrasive water jet, from the first pressurized water flow and the abrasive material, and, the second pressure value of the cleaning water jet, from the second pressurized water flow.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the machining device further includes a pump connected to both the first conduit and the second conduit, to provide the first flow of pressurized water and the second flow of pressurized water.

[0016] According to another embodiment, a first pump is configured to supply the first flow of pressurized water to the first conduit and a second pump is configured to supply the second flow of pressurized water to the second conduit.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the machining device further includes a filter, arranged in a closed circuit including said machining device, and configured to retain impurities from a machining evacuation water, so that water intended to supply the first pump is produced at the outlet of the filter.

[0018] The invention, according to a second aspect, also relates to a machining method with a machining device comprising a machining head configured to produce an abrasive water jet and a cleaning head configured to produce a cleaning water jet, said machining method comprising:

[0019] - the positioning of a material to be machined on a mounting support located in a machining device abrasion zone;

[0020] - machining the material to be machined, in the abrasion zone, by the abrasive water jet produced by the machining head;

[0021] - cleaning the material to be machined, in the abrasion zone, by the cleaning water jet produced by the cleaning head; and,

[0022] - the removal of the material to be machined from the mounting support,

[0023] said machining process being characterized in that the machining and cleaning are carried out simultaneously.

[0024] In particular, it can be provided that the machining and cleaning are carried out without removing the material to be machined from the fixing support.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment of the method, the machining head and the cleaning head of the machining device are held by the same support of the machining device so that, during each movement of the machining device, the machining head and the cleaning head are moved together.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment of the process, the abrasive water jet has a first pressure value and in which the cleaning water jet has a second pressure value which depends on the first pressure value. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] The present invention will be better understood and other details, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of a machining device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a machining device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a machining device according to a third embodiment of the invention; and,

[0031] [Fig.4] is a step diagram of a machining process according to an implementation method of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0032] With reference to [Fig.1], we will now describe an embodiment of a machining device 101 according to the invention.

[0033] In the example shown in [Fig. 1], the machining device 101 comprises a support 103 for holding a machining head 105 and a cleaning head 117. The support 103 has two separate arms 103a and 103b, both extending from the same central trunk 103c, and configured to hold, respectively, the machining head 105 and the cleaning head 117. Furthermore, in In the non-limiting example shown, these arms are configured to hold the machining head and the cleaning head so that they are both directed parallel to the same X axis. More specifically, in the non-limiting example shown, the machining head 105 and the cleaning head 117 are press-fitted (and therefore held after insertion) into through holes respectively provided in the arm 103a and the arm 103b of the holding support 103.

[0034] The machining head 105 is connected to a conduit 107 which is configured to admit a flow of pressurized water (symbolized by the arrow) 109 (hereafter referred to as pressurized water) and an abrasive material 113. It is configured to produce an abrasive water jet 115, at a pressure value PI (sufficient to allow the machining of a material placed in front of the jet), from the pressurized water 109 and the abrasive material 113.

[0035] Typically, the pressurized water 109 admitted into the conduit 107 is demineralized water with a pressure between 10 and 2500 bars. In addition, the abrasive material can be, for example, garnet, staurolite, olivine, crushed glass or copper slag.

[0036] Furthermore, in the example shown, the machining head 105 includes a nozzle 129 which is configured to generate the pressure value PI of the abrasive water jet 115, using pressurized water 109 and abrasive material 113. More specifically, the pressure value PI at the outlet of the machining head 105 depends on the pressure value of the pressurized water 109 at the inlet of the conduit 107, the abrasive material 113 used, and the nozzle 129 used. For example, the length and internal diameter of said nozzle 129 can contribute to increasing or decreasing the pressure at the outlet of the machining head 105 relative to the pressure value in the conduit 107. Thus, advantageously, changing a nozzle can allow adjustment of the pressure value of the abrasive jet at the outlet of the machining head.

[0037] The jet formed at the exit of the machining head is said to be "abrasive" in the sense that it allows the machining of various materials such as metals, ceramics, thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, reinforced or not, by short or long fibers of carbon, glass, aramid, etc.

[0038] More specifically, by way of example, the metals may be titanium alloys, in particular TA6V, Inconels, aluminum alloys, steel, etc. The ceramics may be silicon carbides, silicon nitrides, zirconium dioxide, alumina, etc. The thermosetting resins may be polyurethane, epoxy, polybismaleimide (BMI), polyimide, or phthalonitrile. The thermoplastic resins may be PEEK (polyetheretherketone), polyaryl thermoketones (PAEK), or PEI (polyetherketone). The fibers may be glass, carbon, aramid, or SiC (silicon carbide) ceramic.

[0039] Machining these materials allows, for example, the manufacture of mechanical parts for an aircraft or an automobile, or even parts for nautical or railway equipment.

[0040] As an example, for TA6V titanium, machining is done with an abrasive jet with a pressure value PI between 1400 and 2400 bars.

[0041] In the example shown in [Fig.1], the conduit 107 includes an inlet 107a configured for the admission of pressurized water 109 and an inlet 107b configured for the admission of abrasive material 113. Advantageously, the use of the two independent inlets allows, where appropriate, independent modification of the type of pressurized water (for example, to use demineralized or non-demineralized water) and the type of abrasive material used.

[0042] Furthermore, in the example also shown, a storage tank 125 for the abrasive material 113 is connected, for example removably, to the inlet 107b of the conduit 107. In this way, the pressurized water 109 and the abrasive material 113 mix in the conduit 107 before being projected by the nozzle 129 in the form of the abrasive jet 115. The term "removable" here refers to the fact that the tank can be connected and disconnected from the inlet 107b (reversibly) by a user of the machining device 101. Advantageously, when the tank 125 is removable, the abrasive material used can be replaced or changed easily and quickly by replacing the tank or its contents.

[0043] Finally, in the example shown, the support 103 includes fastening means 135 (for example, a thread) configured to allow its attachment to an arm 127 of a robotic movement system. Typically, the arm 127 allows the machining device 101 to be moved as a whole to machine different areas of a workpiece material placed under the machining device 101. Advantageously, the machining device can thus be mounted or dismounted on one mobile system or another as required.

[0044] As mentioned above, in addition to the machining head 105, the machining device also includes the cleaning head 117 which is also held by the holding support 103. The machining head 117 is connected to a conduit 119 configured to admit a flow of pressurized water 121 (also referred to as pressurized water in what follows), and configured to produce a cleaning water jet 123, at a pressure value P2, from the pressurized water 121.

[0045] By way of example, the pressurized water admitted into conduit 119 may be demineralized water with a pressure value between 10 and 2500 bars.

[0046] In the case of the TA6V titanium example mentioned above, cleaning becomes effective from a pressure value P2 equal to or greater than 1800 bar. Thus, the cleaning water jet can be a water jet free of abrasives (also called a pure water jet) at a pressure P2 equal to or greater than 1800 bars.

[0047] In some cases, the pressure values ​​PI and P2 may be equal.

[0048] More generally, the value of P2 can be adapted to the value of PI, for example by choosing P2 that is higher the higher PI is, in order to optimize cleaning efficiency according to the quantity of particles produced by machining. As a non-limiting example, P2 can be equal to PI, within 30%, or greater than or equal to PI, or fall within a pressure range [P 1min, Plmax] in which PI lies for a given machining phase.

[0049] The water jet exiting the cleaning head is said to be "cleaning" in the sense that its properties are adapted to allow the evacuation of particles from machining and contained in a so-called "evacuation" water which may then be recovered or not.

[0050] As in the case of the machining head, the cleaning head includes a nozzle 131 configured to generate the pressure value P2 of the cleaning water jet 123, from the pressurized water 121. Here again, advantageously, adjusting the dimensions of the nozzle (in particular its internal dimensions) can make it possible to modify the pressure value P2 at the outlet of the cleaning head from the pressure value of the pressurized water 121 initially admitted into the conduit 119.

[0051] In the example shown in [Fig. 1], the abrasive water jet 115 and the cleaning water jet 123 are directed towards the same area called the abrasion zone 133. Advantageously, the portion of a workpiece 209 (visible in [Fig. 2]) can be machined and cleaned simultaneously. In other embodiments, the two jets can be directed differently so that the device is moved to alternate machining and cleaning of the same workpiece. Furthermore, the workpiece 209 is positioned on a clamping support 217 which allows said workpiece 209 (or the workpiece) to be fixed and held in place throughout the machining and cleaning operations.Thus, to reach the different areas targeted for machining / cleaning the workpiece material, either the clamping support 217 is moved under the machining device 101 (and therefore moves the workpiece material with it) or the machining device 101 is moved over the clamping support 217 (or a combination of both).

[0052] With reference to [Fig.2], we will now describe another embodiment of a machining device 101 according to the invention.

[0053] In the example schematically represented in [Fig. 2], the machining device 101 comprises, in addition to the elements already described with reference to [Fig. 1], two pumps 203 and 205. The two pumps are configured to supply the machining device 101 with pressurized water 109 and pressurized water 121, respectively. In particular, pump 203 supplies pressurized water 109 to the conduit 107 of the machining head 105, and pump 205 supplies pressurized water 121 to the conduit 119 of the cleaning head 117. (described with reference to [Fig.1]).

[0054] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the machining device 101 also includes a filter 207. The filter 207 is arranged in a closed circuit 211 formed with the machining device 101. It is configured to retain impurities from wastewater 213 which is produced from the machining of the material 209. Thus, after filtration of the particles contained in the wastewater 213 (also referred to as decontamination), it becomes (pure) water 215 which is recovered to be injected into the pump 203 of the machining device 101 and become the pressurized water 109 which supplies the machining head 105.

[0055] Advantageously, the amount of water consumed by the machining device 101 can thus be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, in the example shown, unlike the machining head 105, the cleaning head 117 operates in an open circuit, that is to say, it is continuously supplied with water without using water recovered from the water that has already been used for machining the material to be machined 209.

[0057] However, in an embodiment not shown, it could also be included in a closed circuit comprising a filter.

[0058] In the variant shown in [Fig. 3], a single pump 203 is used to supply pressurized water 109 and pressurized water 121 to the machining device 101. This variant makes it possible, in particular, to ensure a synchronized evolution of the two pressure values ​​PI and P2. Furthermore, in this case, the pressure values ​​PI and P2 of the abrasive water jet and the cleaning water jet can be made different, if necessary, by using two nozzles 129 and 131 having different parameters.

[0059] Finally, the invention makes it possible to combine in a single device machining means and cleaning means while retaining the possibility of adjusting the properties of two jets generated by the device according to the material to be machined.

[0060] Advantageously, this saves time and simplifies the process line by eliminating transport between a machining station and a cleaning station and any storage of parts between these different operations.

[0061] With reference to [Fig.4], we will now describe a method of implementing a machining process according to the invention.

[0062] The machining process described can be implemented, for example, with a machining device such as the machining device 101 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0063] Generally, the machining process 300 is carried out with a machining device which includes a machining head configured to produce an abrasive water jet and a cleaning head configured to produce a cleaning water jet.

[0064] In what follows, by way of illustration and to facilitate understanding, the references associated with the elements of the machining device are those corresponding to the embodiments of a machining device as described in figures 1 to 3.

[0065] Step 301 consists of positioning a workpiece 209 on a clamping support 217 located in an abrasion zone 133 of the machining device 101. As described above with reference to the machining device 101, the abrasion zone 133 is an area toward which the abrasive water jet 115 and the cleaning water jet 123 are directed. The clamping support 217 is a support in which the workpiece is held once positioned on it. In other words, the workpiece 209 can be mounted on the clamping support 217 such that the clamping support 217 and the workpiece 209 are fixed together until the workpiece 209 is removed from the clamping support 217.

[0066] Step 303 consists of machining the material to be machined 209, in the abrasion zone 133, by the abrasive water jet 115 produced by the machining head 105.

[0067] Step 305 consists of cleaning the material to be machined 209, in the abrasion zone 133, by the cleaning water jet 123 produced by the cleaning head 117.

[0068] Finally, step 307 consists of removing (i.e. dismantling) the workpiece material 209 from the mounting support 217.

[0069] Furthermore, in the machining process 300, the machining step 303 and the cleaning step 305 are carried out simultaneously. In other words, the abrasive water jet and the cleaning water jet act together on the abrasion zone 133 so that the residual particles produced by the machining are immediately cleaned. Furthermore, the machining step 303 and the cleaning step 305 are also carried out without removing the workpiece 209 from the mounting support 217, i.e. without having to carry out any dismantling operation of the workpiece 209 from the mounting support 217. Advantageously, the whole of the operations to be carried out for the machining is both less complex (i.e. without multiplying potentially heavy assembly / disassembly operations) and faster (i.e. it is no longer necessary to link the machining and the cleaning in a sequential and therefore time-consuming manner).

[0070] In a particular embodiment of the machining process 300, the machining head 105 and the cleaning head 117 of the machining device 101 are held by the same support 103 of the machining device 101, such that, during each movement of the machining device 101, the machining head 105 and the cleaning head 117 are moved together. Thus, if the machining device 101 is moved above the mounting support 217 (and therefore above the workpiece 209), the abrasive water jet 115 and the cleaning water jet 123 continue to operate at the same position relative to each other (potentially superimposed).

[0071] Finally, the abrasive water jet 115 can have a pressure value PI and the cleaning water jet 123 a pressure value P2 which is a function of the pressure value PI, as explained above.

Claims

Demands

1. A machining device (101) comprising a support (103) for holding a machining head (105), said machining head (105) being connected to a first conduit (107) configured to admit a first flow of pressurized water (109) and an abrasive material (113), and being configured to produce an abrasive water jet (115), at a first pressure value (P1), from said first flow of pressurized water (109) and said abrasive material (113), said machining device (101) being characterized in that it further comprises a cleaning head (117), held by the support (103), connected to a second conduit (119) for admitting a second flow of pressurized water (121), and configured to produce a cleaning water jet (123), at a second pressure value (P2), from the second flow of pressurized water (121), and a pump (203, 205) connected to both the first and second conduits,to provide the first pressurized water flow (109) and the second pressurized water flow (121).

2. Machining device (101) according to claim 1, wherein the first conduit (107) comprises a first inlet (107a) for the admission of the first pressurized water flow (109) and a second inlet (107b) for the admission of abrasive material (113).

3. Machining device (101) according to claim 2, further comprising a reservoir (125) for storing abrasive material (113) connected to the second inlet (107b) of the first conduit (107), preferably in a removable manner.

4. Machining device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding support (103) includes fastening means (135) configured to allow its attachment to an arm (127) of a robotic movement system.

5. A machining device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machining head (105) comprises a first nozzle (129) and the cleaning head (117) comprises a second nozzle (131), said first nozzle (129) and second nozzle (131) being configured to generate, respectively, the first pressure value (P1) of the abrasive water jet (115), from the first pressurized water stream (109) and the abrasive material (113), and the second pressure value (P2) of the cleaning water jet (123), from the second stream of pressurized water (121).

6. Machining method (300) with a machining device (101) comprising a machining head (105) configured to produce an abrasive water jet (115) and a cleaning head (117) configured to produce a cleaning water jet (123), said machining method (300) comprising: - positioning (301) a workpiece material (209) on a mounting support (217) located in an abrasion zone (133) of the machining device (101); - machining (303) the workpiece material (209), in the abrasion zone (133), by the abrasive water jet (115) produced by the machining head (105); - the cleaning (305) of the material to be machined (209), in the abrasion zone (133), by the cleaning water jet (123) produced by the cleaning head (117); and, - the removal (307) of the material to be machined (209) from the fixing support (217), said machining process (300) being characterized in that the machining (303) and the cleaning (305) are carried out simultaneously.

7. Machining method (300) according to claim 6, wherein the machining head (105) and the cleaning head (117) of the machining device (101) are held by the same support of the holding (103) of the machining device (101) so that, during each movement of the machining device (101), the machining head (105) and the cleaning head (117) are moved together.

8. Machining method (300) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the abrasive water jet (115) has a first pressure value and wherein the cleaning water jet (123) has a second pressure value which depends on the first pressure value.

Images