Assembly press for the press-fit assembly of components, and associated process

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly press for the press-fit assembly of components. This system comprises a linear unit for moving the components, an optical measuring unit that measures them during the process, and a punch-gripper. The punch-gripper is designed to pick up a first component, preferably an internal part, and assemble it with a second component, preferably an external part, positioned within the detection zone of the measuring unit.

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly press for the press-fit assembly of components, and associated method

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly press for the press-fit assembly of components, as well as an associated method.

[0002] In modern manufacturing technology, assembly processes play a central role, as they form the basis for the production of sub-assemblies and complex systems. These processes enable the precise and durable joining of different materials and components, thus ensuring the functionality and reliability of the final products. One of the most important assembly processes is press-fit assembly, in which components are joined by the application of pressure. This process is widely used in various industrial sectors, from automotive production to aerospace.

[0003] Press-fit assembly is characterized by its ability to create strong and durable bonds without the use of filler materials such as adhesives or welding materials. It is particularly favored in applications where high precision and reliability are required. An example of a press-fit assembly application is the electro-hydraulic servovalve (EHSV), used in aeronautical technology to precisely control aircraft control surfaces, such as ailerons, elevators, and rudders. This is crucial for flight control and aircraft maneuverability.During the manufacture and assembly of an EHSV, pressure fitting is used to securely and precisely connect EHSV components such as the nozzle, nozzle tube, armature, torsion shaft, base plate, valve block, and jet divider. These components must withstand extreme operating conditions and therefore require a particularly reliable assembly technique.

[0004] One disadvantage of the conventional pressing process is that it requires its own complex apparatus, resulting in high costs and a large footprint. Furthermore, while the desired pressing dimension is achieved with high-precision stops, these pressing dimensions are often not reliably maintained during production, necessitating remeasurement and leading to a high scrap rate. In addition, component tolerances negatively impact assembly dimensions, meaning that the dimensional accuracy of the press-fit joint cannot be reliably guaranteed during production. Overall, it This results in a complex manipulation of individual assembly processes, where each pressing dimension must be tediously remeasured after the pressing process.

[0005] Moreover, because of the pressing dimensions achieved using stops, it is not possible to make them variable, so that a change in the desired geometry (for example, the depth of insertion of the two assembly partners) always results in significant modifications of the components to be assembled.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide an assembly press for the press-fit assembly of components or a method for press-fit assembly of components that overcomes, or at least mitigates, the drawbacks mentioned above. This objective is achieved with an assembly press according to the invention or a press-fit assembly method according to the invention. Other advantageous configurations are described in the respective dependent claims.

[0007] An assembly press according to the invention for the pressure-fit assembly of components comprises a linear unit designed to move a component placed on it back and forth along a direction, an optical measuring unit with a detection zone directed towards a portion of the linear unit to measure a component placed on the linear unit, and a punch-clamp designed to lift a first component, preferably an internal part, from the linear unit and, after a movement of the linear unit, to assemble it with a second component, preferably an external part, placed in the detection zone.

[0008] The combination of the linear unit, the optical measuring unit and the punch-clamp allows for fully automatic pressure-fit assembly of the components to be assembled, which are initially placed on the linear unit.

[0009] Thus, the presence of the optical measuring unit makes it possible to measure the components to be assembled before and after assembly by pressure fitting, so that, in an automated way, it is possible to determine even before assembly whether the components to be assembled meet the required tolerances and are suitable for use in the assembly process, or whether they should be considered as scrap.

[0010] The linear unit moves the components towards a detection zone of the optical measuring unit and a gripping zone of the punch-gripper, so that the punch-gripper advantageously only needs to be able to move in a vertical direction. The feeding of the corresponding components into the gripping zone of the punch-gripper is accomplished by the movement of the linear unit. Therefore, the punch-gripper does not need to be able to move in the same direction in which the linear unit can move the various components.

[0011] According to the present invention, the detection zone of the optical measuring unit can be provided to coincide with the working zone of the punch-clamp. This means that the assembly of a first component with a second component is carried out in the detection zone of the optical measuring unit, so that a measurement by the optical measuring unit is possible immediately after or even during the assembly process.

[0012] According to an optional improvement of the present invention, it may be provided that the punch-clamp is designed to lift the first component of the detection area of ​​the optical measuring unit, and / or that the optical measuring unit has an accuracy of 1 pm or more.

[0013] It can thus be provided that the detection zone of the optical measuring unit coincides with the gripping zone of the punch-clamp, which has the advantage that after a press-fit assembly of two components, an assembled component can be immediately measured by the optical measuring unit. A partially assembled component can also be measured beforehand by the optical measuring unit to determine how much further it needs to be pressed to reach the final assembled component in accordance with the target assembly dimension. This information can then be transmitted to the punch-clamp, thus making it possible to obtain a final assembled component with a particularly high tolerance quality.

[0014] A measurement accuracy of the optical measuring unit of 1 pm or more allows for pressure-fit mounting with particularly high accuracy.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it can advantageously be provided that the linear unit is designed to, after a first component has been lifted by the punch-clamp, move the second component into the detection zone of the optical measuring unit.

[0016] As briefly mentioned, the optical measuring unit is capable of measuring the two components to be assembled before an assembly process. The first component is therefore measured first before being lifted by the punch-clamp, and after lifting, the second component is brought into the detection zone of the optical measuring unit. If the second component is also within the predefined tolerance limits, a press-fit assembly takes place by lowering the punch-clamp.

[0017] According to another advantageous improvement of the present invention, it may be provided that the linear unit comprises a die body, on which at least one component can be deposited and which serves as a stop surface for mounting by pressure fitting by the punch-clamp, preferably the second component and / or the first component being placed on the die body.

[0018] The linear unit must therefore be equipped with a stable area that can serve as a base for mounting by pressure adjustment using the punch-clamp. It may also be provided that the linear unit can move the entire die body back and forth.

[0019] To simplify the arrangement of the components to be assembled on the linear unit, a parts holder may also be provided, into which the various components are to be inserted. This parts holder is then moved by the linear unit.

[0020] According to another optional modification of the present invention, it may be provided that the linear unit is designed to move a component placed on it into the detection zone of the optical measuring unit or to move it out of it.

[0021] It can also be provided that the detection zone of the optical measuring unit and the working zone of the punch-clamp overlap, so that the working zone of the punch-clamp lies within the detection zone of the optical measuring unit. This is advantageous, among other things, because the optical measuring unit can also be used during press-fit assembly and can provide immediate feedback to the punch-clamp indicating whether additional pressing is required.

[0022] The invention further relates to a method for assembling components by pressure fitting, in particular with an assembly press according to one of the configurations described above, comprising the steps: the placement of a first component, preferably an internal part, and a second component, preferably an external part, on a linear unit, the measurement of the first component by an optical measuring unit and the verification of the accuracy and / or dimensional precision of the first component against predefined target values, the gripping of the first component by a punch-clamp and its lifting from the linear unit, the placement of the second component under the punch-clamp by a linear displacement of the unit, the measurement of the second component by the optical measuring unit and the verification of the accuracy and / or dimensional precision of the second component against predefined target values, the lowering of the punch-clamp which took the first component for assembly by pressure fitting with the second component placed under the punch-clamp, the determination of an assembly dimension by the optical measuring unit and the comparison of the measured assembly dimension with a target assembly dimension value, a further lowering of the punch-clamp to press a difference between the measured assembly dimension and the target assembly dimension value.

[0023] According to the invention, the two components to be assembled are measured respectively by the optical measuring unit, and the process is only continued if the measurement reveals that the individual components are within a predefined tolerance range. If this is not the case, the component not within the tolerance range is rejected.

[0024] If both the first and second components are within a predefined tolerance range, a press-fit assembly takes place. The punch-clamp grasps and lifts the first component, and, after moving the second component into the punch-clamp's working area, assembles it with the second component. The second component, positioned on the linear unit, is measured for its correct position before assembly, so that lowering the punch-clamp results in proper contact between the two components. The linear unit is designed to be so stable that the press-fit assembly can be performed directly on the unit. The linear unit can therefore be designed to include or move a die to form a counter surface during the press-fit assembly.

[0025] Furthermore, during the assembly of the two components, the initial pressing is not performed at the final dimension, but first at a basic dimension, which differs from the final assembly dimension (the target assembly dimension value). The component assembled at the basic dimension is measured by the optical measuring unit, so that the information can be transmitted to the punch-clamp to determine how much more pressing is required to compress the two already partially pressed assembly partners to reach the target assembly dimension value (i.e., the final dimension). This contributes to improved accuracy and reduces the scrap rate.

[0026] The component assembled to its final dimensions can in turn be measured again by the optical measuring unit to determine the final dimensions of the assembled component and to judge whether they fall within a predefined tolerance range. If not, the assembled component is scrap, whereas if the dimensions fall within the tolerance range, a very precisely manufactured assembly component has been created.

[0027] According to an optional improvement of the present process, it may be provided that, on the basis of the measurement of the first and / or second component, the respective component is rejected or the following steps are carried out with the respective component.

[0028] Individual assembly partners are therefore checked for their accuracy and dimensional precision even before assembly by pressure fitting.

[0029] Furthermore, according to an advantageous configuration of the present invention, it can be provided that, based on the measurement of the first component and before the first component is taken by the punch-clamp, the linear unit is actuated to precisely position the first component for its taking by the punch-clamp.

[0030] The exact positioning of the second component within the working area of ​​the punch-clamp can be verified using the optical measuring unit. To this end, the optical measuring unit is used to detect the position of the second component, which must be assembled with the first component lifted by the punch-clamp, in order to ensure precise positioning. A movement of the linear unit can be triggered by the result of the optical measuring unit's determination of the second component's position.

[0031] Advantageously, according to the invention, it can be provided that, based on the measurement of the second component and before lowering the punch-clamp for press-fit assembly, the linear unit is actuated to precisely position the second component for press-fit assembly relative to the punch-clamp.

[0032] According to an optional modification of the present method, it may be provided that: i. the pressing forces during the press-fit assembly are stored and / or monitored, and / or ii. The values ​​of the first component and / or the second component obtained during the measurement by the optical measuring unit are stored, and the pressing forces and / or the values ​​obtained during the measurement are transferred into an assembly protocol.

[0033] Storing the pressing forces during assembly by pressure fitting, as well as storing the dimensions of the two components to be assembled or even of the assembled component, can be included in an assembly protocol to meet quality control requirements. Furthermore, storing these values ​​is particularly advantageous for an optimization algorithm, preferably one that uses artificial intelligence, and which uses the stored information for optimization.

[0034] In addition, it may be provided that, after a re-pressing by the new lowering of the punch-clamp, the pressed part obtained by assembly by pressure fitting is measured by the optical measuring unit to obtain an assembly dimension of the pressed part.

[0035] According to another optional improvement of the present invention, the assembly dimension of the pressed part can be stored with the values ​​obtained during measurement by the optical measuring unit of the first component and the second component, preferably with the pressing forces exerted during assembly by pressure fitting and / or re-pressing, in order to optimize the pressing forces during assembly by pressure fitting and re-pressing and / or positioning of components by the linear unit using an optimization algorithm, which is preferably based on artificial intelligence.

[0036] According to another improvement of the present invention, it can be provided that, when lowering the punch-clamp for assembly by pressure fitting and / or for re-pressing, an assembly at the dimension and not an assembly in stop is achieved.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the invention, it can be provided that the forces exerted during the press-fit assembly are exerted and / or monitored as a function of a measurement of the first component and / or the second component, in order to allow automatic press-fit assembly of different components.

[0038] Advantageously, it can be provided that a multitude of first components and a multitude of second components are arranged on the linear unit and, after a press-fit assembly of a first component with a second component, a press-fit assembly of another first component with another second component is carried out.

[0039] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description in the following figures. The figures show: [Fig. 1]: a schematic representation of an assembly press according to the invention, and [Fig.2a] and [Fig.2b]: a schematic representation of an implementation of the process according to the invention.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an assembly press 10 according to the present invention.

[0041] The linear unit 1 is recognized, on which several components are placed. A first of the several components must be pressed with a second of the several components by a press-fit assembly to form an assembled component.

[0042] The linear unit is capable of moving the several components back and forth in one direction, the path of movement of the linear unit passing through a detection zone of an optical measuring unit 2. The optical measuring unit 2 can now accurately measure the component placed in its detection zone with regard to its dimensions and its positioning relative to the punch-gripper.

[0043] In addition, the assembly press 10 according to the invention includes a punch-clamp 3, which is designed to take and lift a first component of the linear unit 1, in order to, after a movement of the linear unit 1 during which a second component has been placed directly under the punch-clamp 3, perform a press-fit assembly of the two components with each other.

[0044] According to the assembly press 10, the assembly process by pressure fitting also takes place in the detection area of ​​the optical measuring unit 2, in order, for example, after a first pressing process in which the assembled components are not yet pressed to their final dimension, to carry out a measurement of the component not yet completely pressed to determine how much an additional pressing process must still press the two components already partially pressed together.

[0045] A higher-level control unit, connected to the linear unit 1, the optical measuring unit 2, and the punch-clamp 3, and which stores the respective parameters of the various settings and actions of the assembly press 10 during a press-fit assembly, is not shown. This information can subsequently be used to execute an optimization algorithm aimed at improving the press-fit assembly. The optimization algorithm can operate using artificial intelligence and autonomously optimize the settings and actions of the assembly press 10.

[0046] Figures 2a-b show a flow diagram of the process according to the invention for the press-fit assembly, the flow diagram being divided into two pages of different representation of figures 2a and 2b due to its size.

[0047] First, a specific program for the press-fit assembly of two components is selected, and a parts holder 4 is equipped according to the installation specifications. The parts holder can interact with the linear unit during the process, so that the linear unit is able to move the components arranged in the parts holder 4. Once the parts holder 4 is filled and inserted into the installation, the machine operating according to the process begins the assembly process.

[0048] First, the first component is moved to a predefined position, in which the optical measuring unit has its detection zone.

[0049] Next, using the optical measuring unit, the first component is checked for accuracy and dimensional precision to determine whether it falls within predefined tolerance limits. If it does not, the component is rejected, and a subsequent manual check of the rejected component may be performed. If, however, the dimensional accuracy of the first component is correct, it can be precisely positioned for gripping by the gripper punch. For example, the first component is positioned directly under the gripper punch, so that lowering the gripper punch allows the first component to be gripped.

[0050] Once the first component has been removed from the parts holder or the linear unit by the punch-clamp, the linear unit now moves the second component, the assembly partner, in a detection zone of the optical measuring unit, to also check the second component for its dimensional accuracy and correctness.

[0051] Here too, if there is a deviation from the permissible tolerance values, the second component is rejected, while the assembly process continues if the second component is acceptable. The second component is then precisely positioned by the linear unit relative to the punch-clamp, so that lowering the punch-clamp, which holds the first component, results in assembly with the second component.

[0052] Once the positioning of the second component is complete, the punch-clamp is lowered and the two components are assembled by pressure fitting to a basic dimension. The pressure force applied is monitored so that no unexpected damage to the components being assembled can occur.

[0053] The basic dimension, at which the two components are assembled during this first assembly step, differs from the final assembly dimension that the component to be assembled must have at the end of the assembly process.

[0054] The components assembled to the assembly dimension are measured by the optical measuring unit, so that a difference between the measured assembled component and the final target assembly dimension is determined. Based on the value thus determined, a corresponding force and / or displacement is calculated for another assembly step by the punch-clamp, which is necessary to precisely achieve the desired dimension of the assembled component.

[0055] Once the additional assembly step to achieve the final dimension has been completed, the final assembly dimension of the assembled component is verified by the optical measuring unit. If it is determined that the final assembly dimension has not yet been achieved, another assembly step using the punch-clamp takes place, so that the component to be assembled is as close as possible to the specified tolerances, which is determined by a further verification.

[0056] If the assembled component meets the requirements, the values ​​used for the press-fit assembly with regard to the pressing forces and / or the measurement of the individual components and / or the assembled component obtained at the intermediate or final stage are stored and transferred in an assembly protocol.

[0057] In addition, the stored information can also be used for an optimization algorithm which, based on artificial intelligence, optimizes the settings or actions of the process to obtain better or consistent results with less effort.

[0058] Once the press-fit assembly of two components is complete and an assembled component has been created, it is also checked whether other components are arranged on the linear unit that need to be assembled. If so, another first component is moved by the linear unit into the detection zone of the optical measuring unit and the assembly process starts again from the beginning.

[0059] By assembling to the dimension and not against the stop, tolerances less than or equal to 10 pm, preferably less than or equal to 1 pm, are achieved according to the method according to the invention, which also makes it possible to compensate for the tolerances of the components of the first component or the second component.

[0060] List of reference points 1 Linear Unit 2 Optical unit of measurement 3. Punch-pliers 4 Parts Support 10 Assembly Press

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly press for the pressure-fit assembly of components, comprising: a linear unit (1), which is designed to move a component placed on it back and forth along a direction, an optical measuring unit (2) with a sensing area directed towards a portion of the linear unit (1), for measuring a component placed on the linear unit (1), and a punch-clamp (3), which is designed to lift a first component, preferably an internal part, from the linear unit (1) and, after a movement of the linear unit (1), to assemble it with a second component, preferably an external part, placed in the sensing area.

2. Assembly press according to the preceding claim 1, wherein the punch-clamp (3) is designed to lift the first component from the sensing area of ​​the optical measuring unit (2), and / or the optical measuring unit (2) has an accuracy of 1 pm or more.

3. Assembly press according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear unit (1) is designed to, after lifting the first component by the punch-clamp (3), move the second component into the detection area of ​​the optical measuring unit (2).

4. Assembly press according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear unit (1) comprises a die body, on which at least one component can be deposited and which serves as a stop surface for assembly by pressure fitting by the punch-clamp (3), preferably the second component and / or the first component being placed on the die body.

5. Assembly press according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear unit (1) is designed to move a component placed on it into the detection zone of the optical measuring unit (2) or to move it out of it.

6. A method for assembling components by pressure fitting, in particular with an assembly press according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: the placement of a first component, preferably an internal part, and a second component, preferably an external part, on a linear unit (1), the measurement of the first component by an optical measuring unit (2) and the verification of the accuracy and / or dimensional precision of the first component with respect to predefined target values, the gripping of the first component by a punch-clamp (3) and its lifting from the linear unit (1), the placement of the second component under the punch-clamp (3) by a displacement of the linear unit (1), the measurement of the second component by the optical measuring unit (2) and the verification of the accuracy and / or dimensional precision of the second component with respect to predefined target values, the lowering of the punch-clamp (3) which has taken the first component for assembly by pressure fitting with the second component placed under the punch-clamp (3),the determination of an assembly dimension by the optical measuring unit (2) and the comparison of the measured assembly dimension with a target assembly dimension value, a further lowering of the punch-clamp (3) to press out a difference between the measured assembly dimension and the target assembly dimension value.

7. A method according to the preceding claim 6, wherein, based on the measurement of the first and / or second component, the respective component is rejected or the following steps are carried out with the respective component.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6 or 7, wherein, based on the measurement of the first component and before the first component is taken by the punch-clamp (3), the linear unit (1) is actuated to precisely position the first component for its taking by the punch-clamp (3).

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, wherein, based on the measurement of the second component and before lowering the punch-clamp (3) for press-fit assembly, the linear unit (1) is actuated to precisely position the second component for press-fit assembly relative to the punch-clamp (3).

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 9, wherein: the pressing forces during the press-fit assembly are stored and / or monitored, and / or the values ​​of the first component and / or the second component obtained during measurement by the optical measuring unit (2) are stored, and the pressing forces and / or the values ​​obtained during measurement are transferred into an assembly protocol.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 10, wherein, after re-pressing by the new lowering of the punch-clamp (3), the pressed part obtained by press-fit assembly is measured by the optical measuring unit (2) to obtain an assembly dimension of the pressed part.

12. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the assembly dimension of the pressed part is stored with the values ​​obtained during the measurement by the optical measuring unit (2) of the first component and the second component, preferably with the pressing forces exerted during the press fit assembly and / or re-pressing, in order to optimize the pressing forces during the press fit assembly and re-pressing and / or positioning of the components by the linear unit (1) using an optimization algorithm, which is preferably based on artificial intelligence.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 12, wherein, when lowering the punch-clamp (3) for assembly by pressure fitting and / or for re-pressing, an assembly at the dimension and not a stop assembly is achieved.

14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 13, wherein the forces exerted during press-fit assembly are exerted and / or monitored as a function of a measurement of the first component and / or the second component, in order to enable automatic press-fit assembly of different components.

15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 14, wherein a multitude of first components and a multitude of second components are arranged on the linear unit (1) and, after assembly by press fitting of a first component with a second component, a press-fit assembly of another first component with another second component is carried out.

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