Cable processing device with rotary tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable processing device (20) comprising a tool holder (30) for housing a group of at least two first tools (351, 352) for processing a cable (80). The tool holder (30) is mounted rotatably about a rotation axis (X), and the at least two first tools (351, 352) are movable relative to the tool holder (30) for advancing the first tools (351, 352) for processing the cable. A tool holder drive (34) for rotating the tool holder (30) and a first drive (44) for moving the first tools (351, 352) relative to the tool holder (30) are provided, and at least one additional / second tool (361, 362) is arranged in the tool holder (30), and the at least one additional / second tool (361, 362) is movable relative to the tool holder.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a cable processing device comprising a rotary tool as claimed in claim 1 and to a method for producing a cable as claimed in claim 13. [Background technology]

[0002] Rotatable mobile cable processing devices are known, which are mainly used for processing or stripping multi-layer cables, e.g. coaxial cables, double sheathed cables, but also other cables and wires. Typically, stripping is performed in stages. In most cases, an initial rotary slitting with a stripping knife cuts the outer sheath and / or shield, after which the slit layer can be immediately removed. Meanwhile or afterwards, the film or inner insulation, e.g. the dielectric of a coaxial cable, can be cut down to the inner conductor and then partially or completely removed. The entire cable is then cut off.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a cable processing device having a rotatable movable stripping head with two tool groups, which are driven by a common drive. The first tool group includes slitting knives for making incisions in the cable, and the second tool group includes slicing knives for cutting the cable. The tools are driven by a link guide.

[0004] This known solution has the drawback that both tool groups always operate at the same speed depending on the link configuration, which can lead to poor cutting quality for some cable types.

[0005] DE 10 2004 033 333 A1 discloses a cable processing machine with a group of tools, the drive kinematics of the feed movement of which are designed to be particularly simple. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] DE 102020207962 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2020 / 119916 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to obviate one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular to provide an improved cable processing device, in which the precision of the first tool is still ensured and the processing speed of the second tool is increased.

[0008] At least some of the above mentioned objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further refinements are set out in the drawings and in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The cable processing device according to the invention comprises a tool holder for housing a group of at least two first tools for processing cables, the tool holder being rotatably mounted about a rotation axis, the at least two first tools being movable relative to the tool holder for feeding the first tools for processing cables. A tool holder drive for rotatably driving the tool holder and a first drive for moving the first tools relative to the tool holder are provided, and at least one second tool is arranged in the tool holder for processing cables and is movable relative to the tool holder. The at least one second tool is movable independently of the first tools by the second drive.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cable processing apparatus comprises a tool holder for housing a group of at least two first tools for processing the cable, the tool holder being rotatably mounted about a rotation axis, the at least two first tools being movable relative to the tool holder to feed the first tools for cable processing, a tool holder drive device for rotatably driving the tool holder and a first drive device for moving the first tools relative to the tool holder are provided, at least one second tool for processing the cable is arranged in the tool holder and movable relative to the tool holder, the at least one second tool being movable independently of the first tools by the second drive device, and the second drive device is arranged in a fixed position in the cable processing apparatus.

[0011] The cable processing device may be an independent machine or a part or station of an entire machine, which allows the cable processing device to be manufactured cheaply and used flexibly. The movement of the first two tools may be linear or rotary or a combination of linear and rotary movements. The cable processing device allows for improved processing of the processed cable, in particular for improved processing quality, since the cable end of the cable is precisely configured with the aid of the first two tools. For example, the at least one second tool is a slicing knife for cutting the cable, a blunt pizza knife for erecting the shielding braid, a knife with a special cutting blade for removing film residues or a tool that is heated to melt the sheath or film of the cable. The two tool groups allow at least two different and independent processing steps at the cable end of the cable. Different drives allow a simple and precise drive of the tool holder and a simple and precise feed-out of the tools when processing the cable end of the cable. The feeding of the first tool in the knife holder is independent from the feeding of at least one second tool, whereby the precision of the first tool is still ensured and the processing speed of the second tool is increased.

[0012] The two tool groups can be arranged in the tool holder so that the tool holder absorbs the machining forces when machining the cable. The machining forces may include axial and / or radial forces. The tool holder can be placed in a predefined position relative to the axis of rotation by the tool holder drive. This may be required depending on the type of cable or the machining process.

[0013] Preferably, at least one of the tools is designed as a knife for cutting into the cable, for example by means of the knife cutting into the cable sheath, after which the sheath can be easily removed.

[0014] The first tool is preferably designed as a slitting knife for making an incision in the cable sheath. Since the cable sheath has different properties depending on the cable type (conductor cross-section, sheath material, etc.), it is advantageous to install a dedicated slitting knife for each type of cable to be processed. A separate drive for the slitting knife improves the precision of the slitting. The cable processing device allows for improved processing of the cable when making an incision in the cable to be processed, in particular improving the quality of the slitting, since the depth of the sheath incision can be accurately reproduced with the aid of an optimally dimensioned drive.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the first tool is designed as an opening knife for cutting the film of the cable. The cable film is very thin, and therefore the opening knife has a high-precision blade suitable for cutting only the very thin film. A separate precision drive for the two opening knives allows an improved and precise cutting quality of the very thin film. Any undesired cutting into the layer arranged below the film is prevented.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the first tool is designed as a slitting knife for making an incision in the cable shield. Since the cable shield is usually made of a conductive material such as aluminum, the slitting knife has a suitable robust cutting edge to minimize wear. To further minimize wear on the slitting knife and delay knife replacement, a precise drive using a dedicated drive is advantageous.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the tools is designed as a knife for cutting the cable. For example, the cable is cut by means of a knife. A separate drive of the cutting knife increases the processing speed during cutting. The cable processing device allows for improved processing of the processed cable, in particular an improved cutting quality, with a precisely designed cutting edge at the cable end of the cable. The two tool groups allow for at least two different and simultaneously independent cutting steps at the cable end of the cable. The different drives allow for a simple and precise drive of the tool holder and a simple, independent and rapid launch of the cutting tools when incising and / or cutting the cable end.

[0018] Preferably, at least one second tool is designed as a slicing knife for cutting the cable. This cable processing device allows for improved processing of the processed cable, in particular an improved cutting quality, since the cutting edge at the cable end of the cable is precisely configured. For optimal cutting quality and high processing speeds, it is advantageous if one tool group can move particularly slowly and precisely, and another tool group can move particularly quickly. For example, the slicing knife needs to move much faster in the feed direction than the slitting knife.

[0019] Alternatively, the at least one second tool has a disk-shaped blade, which is rotatably mounted via a further axis of rotation, preferably parallel to the main axis of rotation, also called a "blunt pizza knife". With the aid of such a tool, the shielding braid is not cut, but rather plastically deformed in a particularly uniform manner, thereby carrying out further processing steps (as explained in DE 102020207937 A1).

[0020] Alternatively, the at least one second tool is a heatable tool so as to be able to thermally process, in particular melt, the film or sheath of the cable.

[0021] Alternatively, the at least one second tool is a shaft-type knife for simply cutting off film residues, for example from a high voltage cable.

[0022] The separate drive for the second tool described above allows for faster processing of the cable or cable end, thereby increasing productivity and minimizing waste in the cable processing process.

[0023] The cutting edges of the slicing knife are preferably V-shaped. The blades or working surfaces of the slicing knife are aligned with each other in a V-shape, whereby the two blades face each other. The V-shaped blades or working surfaces make it possible to cut the cable with a large, planar cutting surface.

[0024] Preferably, the working surface of the first tool and the working surface of the at least one second tool are arranged in the same plane. Being arranged in the same plane, both cuts can be made in quick succession without requiring significant movement of the cable relative to the tool holder, thereby saving processing time and improving precision.

[0025] Preferably, a further second tool is provided. The working surface of the further second tool is arranged in the same plane as the working surface of the second tool. The cable is symmetrically worked with at least one second tool and the further second tool, thereby preventing undesired deformation of the cable due to asymmetrical force input. This ensures high working accuracy. The two second tools can move independently of the first tool with the aid of a second drive, thereby further increasing the working speed and accuracy.

[0026] Preferably, at least one passive biasing element is provided in the tool holder to move at least one of the second tools to the first position. In the present case, the open position is defined as the first position, i.e. the position in which at least one second tool is located at a maximum distance from the axis of rotation in the tool holder. This second tool is stably and reproducibly held in the first position when the two first tools process the cable. Furthermore, both second tools can be transported to a passive biasing element, each in the first position, which holds them stably in the first position. For example, the passive biasing element is a spring, e.g. a compression spring or a magnet.

[0027] Preferably, the second drive for moving the second tool comprises at least one actuating plunger for actuating at least one contact surface configured for this purpose on the second tool. For this purpose, this second tool has a contact surface arranged opposite the processing surface of the second tool, the contact surface being arranged in particular on the end face of the second tool. The second tool can thus be moved quickly and reproducibly from a first position (open) to at least a second position. The second position (closed) is defined as a position of at least one second tool or two second tools. In this position the two second tools contact the cable or penetrate the sheath, shield, film or conductor depending on the processing step or cut the cable. Between the first and second positions of the second tool there are an infinite number of third positions in which the second tool can be placed with the aid of the second drive depending on the use.

[0028] Specifically, the actuating plunger is arranged in a fixed position on the cable processing device, such that the actuating plunger of the at least one second tool does not rotate with the at least one second tool. As a result, the actuating plunger can be driven by a simple power supply without a rotary feedthrough. Specifically, the actuating plunger is arranged adjacent to the tool holder and separated from the tool holder. This reduces the overall weight of the tool holder, and thus the mass of the flywheel when rotating the tool holder. As a result, the tool holder can be positioned more accurately with the first drive device, which results in more accurate processing of the cable with the first tool. As the mass of the flywheel is smaller, the energy consumption of the drive device is also reduced.

[0029] In a preferred manner, the tool holder drive and the second drive of the second tool are arranged such that the second tool is driven in a non-rotating mode of the tool holder. According to the inventors' findings, by driving the second tool in a non-rotating mode of the tool holder (e.g. when cutting), i.e. when the tool holder is in a stationary state, any twisting or winding of the cable is prevented while the second tool is used. This is especially the case when the at least one second tool is a V-shaped slicing knife. Operating the tool in a non-rotating mode therefore advantageously improves the quality of the processed cable.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the second drive is configured as a parallel gripper, which allows for synchronously and rapidly delivering two second tools from the first position to the second position. The second drive is preferably configured as a pneumatic parallel gripper, which allows for reproducibly and rapidly transporting at least one second tool from the first position to the second position.

[0031] Advantageously, the first two tools can be moved from a first position (open) to a second position (closed) with the aid of the first drive. In the present case, the open position is defined as the first position, i.e. the position in which the first tools are arranged at a maximum distance from the axis of rotation in the tool holder. The position of the first tools is defined as the second position (closed). In the second position, depending on the processing step, the two first tools contact the cable or penetrate the sheath, shield, film or conductor. Between the first and second positions of the first tools, there are an infinite number of third positions in which the first tools can be arranged with the aid of the first drive depending on the use.

[0032] Preferably, an adjustment ring is arranged, which is movable relative to the tool holder, said movement being preferably rotational about a rotation axis, which allows a space-saving movement of the adjustment ring about the rotation axis and has a compact construction.

[0033] Alternatively, the movement is a linear displacement parallel to the axis of rotation. This design requires a little more space than the design with a rotating adjusting ring, but for this only one toothed belt is needed. The two drives for the rotation and the feed movement of the first tool are also independent of each other. This is why no complex electrical synchronization (US Pat. No. 5,399,433) or complex mechanisms (US Pat. No. 5,399,433) are needed.

[0034] Preferably, at least one drive element is provided. The at least one drive element is arranged on the adjustment ring or operably connected to the surface of the adjustment ring to easily and precisely convert the rotational movement of the adjustment ring relative to the tool holder into a linear movement of one of the first two tools. For example, the at least one drive element comprises a connecting rod. The connecting rod is rotatably attached to the adjustment ring and to one of the first tools. In this design, all forces are transmitted very directly. This means that the recoil is very small. Thus, maximum precision is achieved.

[0035] Alternatively, the drive element may be a flexible element, for example a cord, band, belt or chain attached to at least one first tool and to an adjusting ring configured as a disk or with the aid of a toothed structure form-fittingly operatively connected to these other elements of the drive. Deflectors are provided in the tool holder to guide the drive element, whereby the desired transformation of the movement is achieved. These deflectors are preferably designed as rollers to minimize friction losses. In contrast to the variant with connecting rods, a constant transmission ratio is achieved, as in the variant with gear or link guidance described below in this specification, since it is a drive with the aid of flexible drive elements and deflectors. In comparison with these alternatives, this drive has less recoil, which improves the precision. Furthermore, the first tool can be attached in one direction by a spring in the tool holder. As a result, the drive element only needs to apply a tensile force in one direction and can therefore be shorter and simpler, with fewer deflectors. The deflectors may also be arranged in such a way that all the tools can be moved with only one belt.

[0036] Alternatively, the drive element may be a gear. The gear comprises a toothed structure that fits into the toothed structure on at least one first tool and on the adjusting ring (external or internal surface) configured as a gear. Here, the point of action of the operative connection between the drive element and the tool is the position where the meshed teeth of the gear or pinion and the toothed structure or rack on the tool come into contact with each other. In contrast to the alternative embodiment, in which the point of action is defined by a swivel joint and / or a fastening means of the belt, here the point of action moves along with the tool as the gear rotates on the rack in the local coordinate system of the tool, but remains at approximately the same point in the local coordinate system of the tool holder. This also applies to the point of action of the operative connection between the drive element and the adjusting ring. A drive with gears requires fewer parts and is therefore very space-saving. Here again, the transmission ratio is constant.

[0037] Alternatively, the drive element can be a sliding body or plain bearing which is fitted to an adjusting ring configured as a camshaft or a link guide. This design can be realized very compactly.

[0038] In the aforementioned embodiment, the movement of the adjusting ring with the aid of the drive element results in a linear movement of the at least one first tool, so that the first tool can be easily and accurately moved from a first position to at least a second position with the aid of the movement of the adjusting ring.

[0039] Preferably, the cable can be moved axially relative to the tool holder along the axis of rotation. Thus, the cable can be fed into the tool holder centered relative to the tool holder, which allows a rotationally symmetrical processing of the cable. The axial movement of the cable can also be carried out with the aid of the fed tool, with the result that a partially cut-through outer layer can be removed.

[0040] In particular, the cable is moved along the axis of rotation with the aid of a gripper which comprises two gripper jaws. The gripper is moved by a stem drive. The gripper is preferably designed as a pneumatic parallel gripper.

[0041] Alternatively, the cable gripper can remain in a fixed position and the rotating element of the cable processing device can be moved axially along the axis of rotation, preferably also using a mandrel drive, as an alternative to a mandrel drive another linear drive can be used including, for example, a toothed belt or a rack.

[0042] Instead of the gripper, the cable may be fixed in a conveyor system with driven rollers and moved simultaneously, in which case only the cable is moved by the motorized rotation of the driven rollers.

[0043] Preferably, a group of third tools is provided. The third tools can be fed axially relative to the axis of rotation. The third tools can advantageously be moved from a first position (open) to a second position (closed). The open position is defined here as the first position, i.e. the position in which the third tools are arranged in the tool holder at a maximum distance from the axis of rotation. The second position (closed) is defined as the position of the third tools. In this position, depending on the processing step, the two third tools contact the cable or penetrate the sheath, shield, film or conductor. Between the first and second positions of the third tools, there are an infinite number of third positions in which, depending on the use, the third tools can be arranged or moved, preferably with the aid of a third drive. To move the third tools with the third drive, drive kinematics can be used as described in the patent application WO 2005 / 023366. Although such a cable processing device then has the associated disadvantages, it nevertheless allows three different processing options with a very compact design.

[0044] However, preferably the third drive is arranged within the tool holder so that a compact design is provided and the machining path of the at least one second tool from the first position to the second position is shortened, thereby increasing the machining speed.

[0045] A power supply is preferably provided, which is connected to the drive unit via a hose, and may be an electrical, hydraulic and / or pneumatic power supply that provides electrical power or fluid (compressed air or oil) to the third drive unit.

[0046] A rotary feedthrough for the hose is preferably provided. Alternatively or additionally, a co-rotating sensor is arranged in the tool holder and / or in the drive, for example to monitor the first and / or second positions of the respective tool. The rotary feedthrough may be a simple rotary feedthrough, or a hollow shaft rotary feedthrough, or a multi-path rotary feedthrough with at least one slip ring, especially if a double-acting pneumatic parallel gripper is provided and / or a co-rotating sensor is provided. Thus, the hose and / or the electric cable are not unintentionally wound up by the rotation of the tool holder.

[0047] Preferably, the third drive in the tool holder is designed to be pneumatic, thereby providing a cost-effective and lightweight additional drive, reducing the overall weight of the tool holder and improving the accuracy in rotating the tool holder.

[0048] The third drive is preferably designed as a single-acting pneumatic cylinder. By using a single-acting pneumatic cylinder in combination with a passive biasing component, only one compressed air path is needed to the rotary feedthrough, which allows for a particularly cost-effective and compact design.

[0049] Preferably, the first tool is designed as a slicing knife, at least one second tool is designed as a slicing knife and the third tool is designed as a blunt pizza knife for erecting the shield braid.

[0050] Preferably, there are several second tools, and even more preferably, there are also several third tools. Even more preferably, of all three tools or groups of tools, there are exactly two in each case, and even more preferably, the working faces of all tools are in the same plane or at least closely adjacent. Thus, cable ends of laborious cable types can be worked quickly and accurately, which at least increases the cutting quality during cutting. The working of the cable ends with the first and third tools is carried out with a rotational movement of the tool holder, whereby the incision in the cable can be made accurately and symmetrically. The cable is worked with at least one second tool without rotating the tool holder, so that the cutting is carried out at increased speed.

[0051] Alternatively, the third tool may be configured for other processing options, for example as an axial knife or removal tool for removing film residues (positively with a blunt knife or frictionally with a gripper) or as a heated tool for heat treatment (melting) of cable layers with a low melting point. The advantages are the same as those mentioned above.

[0052] It is also possible to provide a second group of tools with respective drives, whereby there is a first group of tools with a first drive for moving the first tool, and a third group of tools with a third drive for moving the third tool. The first tool can move independently of the third tool. It should be noted that the third group of tools may comprise only one third tool. Thus, in this configuration, at least one third group of tools functions like at least one second tool as described above.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment with a first group of tools and a third group of tools, the third tool comprises at least one, preferably two slicing knives for cutting the cable. The cutting edges of the slicing knives are advantageously configured in a V-shape. The blades or working surfaces of the slicing knives are aligned with each other in a V-shape, whereby the two blades face each other. The V-shaped blades or working surfaces allow the cable to be cut with a large planar cutting surface. The rotation of the tool holder is stopped at a predetermined position in order to move the two slicing knives to further positions for processing the cable. The cable is then cut without rotating the tool holder so that the cutting is performed at an increased speed.

[0054] In a preferred manner, the tool holder drive and the third drive of the third tool are arranged such that the third tool is driven in a non-rotating mode of the tool holder. According to the inventors' knowledge, by driving the third tool in a non-rotating mode of the tool holder, i.e. when the tool holder is in a stationary state, any twisting or winding of the cable can be prevented while the third tool is used (e.g. during cutting). This is especially the case when the at least one third tool is a V-shaped slicing knife. Operating the tools in a non-rotating mode therefore advantageously improves the quality of the processed cable.

[0055] The drives and sensors described herein are electrically connected to a control device and exchange control or measurement data. The control device transmits control commands to the drives, so that the first tool can be transported independently of the second tool, in particular independently of the third tool, and the tool holder can be rotated independently of the tools. Complex and various processing steps can therefore be performed on the cable precisely and quickly.

[0056] The cable processing machine according to the invention comprises a cable processing device as described herein, which allows cables to be processed accurately and at high processing speeds.

[0057] The method according to the invention for producing a cable using a cable processing device, in particular using the above-mentioned cable processing device, comprises at least a) providing a cable; b) rotating the tool holder by means of a first drive and rotatably processing the sheath and / or the shield and / or the film of the cable by means of a group of at least two first tools; c) stopping the tool holder at a predetermined position; d) processing the cable using at least one second tool, the at least one second tool being moved independently of the first tool with the assistance of a second drive device.

[0058] Preferably, the at least one second tool is in the first position during step b), thereby preventing any unintentional damage to the cable while processing the cable with the first tool.

[0059] In particular, the at least one second tool is passively mounted in the first position by a spring and is therefore reproducibly and stably held in the first position.

[0060] Preferably after step b), the tool holder is moved along the axis of rotation relative to the cable and the first tool is placed in a third position, which in the present case is defined here as the position of the first tool, at which the sheath of the cable is stripped from the conductor with the first two tools.

[0061] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings, in which the enumeration of first, second, third, etc. only serves to identify an element.

[0062] The description of the symbols is part of this disclosure as well as the technical content of the claims and drawings. The drawings are described coherently and comprehensively. The same reference numbers refer to the same components, and reference numbers with different indices indicate functionally identical or similar components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1a] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a cable processing device according to the invention, with a first tool shown in a first position; [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cable processing device of FIG. 1a, showing the second tool in a first position. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cable processing device, with the second tool shown in a further position; [Figure 2a] 1b , a schematic cross-sectional view of the cable processing device of FIG. 1b taken along the section line AA shown in FIG. 1b and in the same position as shown in FIG. 1b. [Figure 2b] 2a shows the cable processing device with the first tool in a second position; [Figure 3a] 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a cable processing device according to the invention, with the first tool shown in a first position; [Figure 3b] 3b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cable processing device of FIG. 3a, with the second tool shown in a first position; [Figure 3c] 3b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cable processing device of FIG. 3b, with the second tool shown in a further position; [Figure 4] 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a cable processing device according to the invention, with the first tool shown in a first position; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] 1a to 1c show a first embodiment of a cable processing machine including a cable processing device 20. The cable processing device 20 has a connection structure 27 and a tool holder 30 mounted therein and rotatable about a rotation axis X. A first group of first tools 351, 352 and a second group of second tools 361, 362 are mounted so as to be displaceable linearly and perpendicularly to the rotation axis. The cable processing device 20 includes an axial drive 70 for axially displacing a cable 80 along the rotation axis X. The linear guides of the tool holder 30, i.e., the tools 351, 352, 361, 362, are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis X.

[0065] The axial drive 70 consists of an axial drive 71, axle 72, a linear guide element 73, a cable gripper 74 and two gripper jaws 751, 752 attached to the cable gripper 74. The cable 80 is fixed to the gripper jaws 751, 752 of the cable gripper 74. The cable gripper 74 is designed as a pneumatically driven parallel gripper. The cable gripper 74 is connected to the linear guide element 73. The linear guide element 73 is guided in a guide rail attached to the connection structure 27 and thus allows an axial movement parallel to the axis of rotation X. This movement is driven by axle nut in the region of the guide element 73 and the axle 72. The axle 72 rotates with the aid of the axial drive 71. The axial drive 71 is designed as an electric drive motor with a rotary encoder and a flanged planetary gear and is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) as are all the other motors, sensors and valves of the pneumatic drives listed here.

[0066] Instead of a drive with axle 72, a rack or toothed belt drive may also be used to move the cable gripper 74. The cable gripper 74 may also be configured as an angular gripper. Further drives and / or guides may also be provided for moving the cable 80 transversely to the rotation axis X. Instead of an axial movement of the cable gripper, the gripper jaws may also be equipped with rollers or similar drive elements and thus directly transport the cable. This design is advantageous for swivel arm machines. Alternatively, it is also possible to move the tool holder axially with its rotatable mounting and all drives. This design is advantageous for simple or rotary transporters, in which the cable is moved on a non-axially displaceable cable transporter between different cable processing devices.

[0067] The tool holder 30 is rotatably mounted on the connection structure 27 and is connected via an inner hollow shaft 39 to a tool holder drive wheel 31 designed as a tool holder toothed belt wheel 31. This tool holder toothed belt wheel 31 is connected via a tool holder toothed belt 32 and a tool holder toothed belt pinion 33 to a tool holder drive 34 designed as an electric drive motor with a rotary encoder and a flanged planetary gear and electrically connected to a control device (not shown). The tool holder 30 can thus be actively rotated by the motor with the aid of a control signal.

[0068] In the tool holder 30, first tools 351, 352 of a first group and second tools 361, 362 of a second group are mounted so as to be linearly displaceable on or in a radial direction from the rotation axis X. The first tools 351, 352 of the first group are moved here with the aid of a first drive 50, and the second tools 361, 362 of the second group are moved with the aid of a second drive 60.

[0069] A first drive 50 generates the required radial and linear movements of the first tools 351, 352 from the relative rotation between the tool holder 30 and the adjusting ring 40. This first drive 50 is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1a using two bold lines and an exemplary embodiment is shown in Fig. 2.

[0070] The adjusting ring 40 is connected via an outer hollow shaft 49 to an adjusting ring drive wheel 41 designed as an adjusting ring toothed belt wheel 41. The outer hollow shaft 49 and the inner hollow shaft 39 are rotatably mounted relative to each other and to the connecting structure 27. The adjusting ring toothed belt wheel 41 is connected via an adjusting ring toothed belt 42 and an adjusting ring toothed belt pinion 43 to a first drive 44, which is likewise designed as an electric drive motor with a rotary encoder and a flanged planetary gear and is electrically connected to a control device (not shown). The adjusting ring 40 can thus also be actively rotated by the motor with the aid of a control signal.

[0071] The two drives 34, 44 of the tool holder 30 and the adjustment ring 40 are controlled here so that the tool holder 30 and the adjustment ring 40 rotate synchronously in normal operation and perform relative movement with each other to deliver the first tool 351, 352 of the first group.

[0072] The second drive 60 consists of a second drive 61 and two actuating plungers 621, 622 which are moved by the second drive 61. The actuating plungers 621, 622 actuate the second tools 361, 362. The second drive 61 is designed as a pneumatically driven parallel gripper and is connected to the connection structure 27, in other words does not rotate with the tool holder 30. The actuating plungers 621, 622 are integrated or attached to the gripper jaws of this parallel gripper 61.

[0073] The second tools 361, 362 are linearly guided in the radial direction of the tool holder 30 and are connected respectively to passive biasing elements 371, 372, designed here as springs, i.e. cylindrical helical compression springs, which passive biasing elements 371, 372 ensure that the associated second tools 361, 362 are positively fixed in a first position in the unactuated state, but can be moved to at least one further position with the aid of actuating plungers 621, 622. This is shown in figures 1b and 1c.

[0074] In Fig. 1b, the two second tools 361, 362 are arranged in a first position (open - at a maximum distance from each other). The second drive 61 is also arranged in a first position (open - at a maximum distance from each other, i.e. not activated) with the two actuating plungers 621, 622. In this position, the rotation of the tool holder 30 is possible, and the second tools 361, 362 always remain in the first position (open - at a maximum distance from each other), while processing of the cable 80 is still possible with the first tools 351, 352. To move the second tools 361, 362 to a further position for processing the cable 80, the rotation of the tool holder 30 is stopped in a predefined position (angular position about the axis of rotation X, where the second tools 361, 362 and the actuating plungers 621, 622 are aligned with each other) (Figs. 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b).

[0075] In this angular position, the second drive unit 61 is transported to its further position, thereby moving the two actuating plungers 621, 622 to operatively connect the two second tools 361, 362 and move the second tools 361, 362 radially inward, thereby processing or cutting the cable 80.

[0076] In the example of the cable processing device 20 shown in Figures 1a-1c, the second tools 361, 362 are designed as slicing knives, with which the cable 80 is cut and the cable pieces 81 are separated from the cable 80. The first tools 351, 352 are designed as slitting knives, with which the outer layers of the cable are cut and these layers, e.g. the sheath, film or shield, are partially removed. To remove this separated material, a suction device 28 is used, which is shown here only diagrammatically as a block arrow.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, the second drive 61 may also be designed as an electric parallel gripper, or the actuating plungers 621, 622 may be moved by means of independent drives, preferably designed as simple pneumatic cylinders and actuated by a common valve. This allows a space-saving design and / or more than two actuating plungers and more than two second tools. Here, an electric actuation, preferably of the plunger design, preferably with the aid of an electromagnet, is also possible. Also other types of springs, for example tension springs, wound or constant force springs, may be used for the passive biasing elements 371, 372. The use of permanent magnets is also possible. Instead of a linear mounting of the tools in the tool holder, a rotatable mounting or a mixed form is also possible (one group of tools is mounted linearly and another group is mounted rotatably).

[0078] 2a and 2b show schematic cross-sectional views of the first drive part 50 of the cable processing device 20 of FIG. 1 according to the cutting plane AA shown in FIG. 1b.

[0079] In Fig. 2a, the tools 351, 352, 361, 362 of both groups are arranged in their first position (open - maximally spaced apart from each other), i.e. as shown in Fig. 1b. In Fig. 2b, the first tools 351, 352 of the first group are radially advanced in the direction of the cable 80 by rotating the adjusting ring 40 relative to the tool holder 30 and are thus arranged in the second (closed / advanced) position. The two drive elements 551, 552 are designed here as connecting rods and are used to convert the relative rotation into the desired linear radial movement. These connecting rods 551, 552 are rotatably attached to the adjusting ring 40 and to the respective first tools 351, 352, respectively, and thus transmit the movement of the adjusting ring 40 to the tools 351, 352.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, a drive element may be used in this power transmission, for example a gear or pinion, a cam roller or plain bearing, or a belt, cord or chain, although correspondingly alternative adjustment rings, tools and / or tool holders are designed, for example as gears and racks, links or cam disc rings, or with deflection rollers and / or additional springs on the tool holder. A rotatable mounting of the tool in the tool holder is also conceivable.

[0081] The first tools 351, 352 of the first group are designed as slicing knives with slightly beveled cutting edges, which minimizes unwanted vibrations of the knife when cutting the cable 80 and thus ensures optimal precision and cutting quality. The tools 361, 362 of the second group are designed as slicing knives with V-shaped blades, which make it possible to cut the cable 80 with a large planar cutting surface without having to rotate the tools 361, 362 about the rotation axis X.

[0082] Figures 3a-c show a further embodiment of a cable processing machine using a cable processing device 20a similar to the cable processing device 20 of Figure 1, an alternative (second) drive 60a for moving a second group of (second) tools 361a, 361b, and alternative drive kinematics for rotating the tool holder 30 and the adjustment ring 40. Alternatively, the cable processing device may further comprise a third group of (third) tools 361a, 361b, and the drive 60a may be used for moving the third tools 361a, 361b.

[0083] The alternative drive 60a (visible in Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c) consists of two drives 671a, 672a, (compressed air) hoses 651a, 661a, 662a, a rotary feedthrough 66a and a valve 65a. The valve 65a is part of a valve battery and is electrically connected to a control device (not shown). With the help of a control signal, compressed air can be supplied or reduced to the compressed air hose 651a connected to the valve 65a. The other end of this compressed air hose 651a is connected to a non-rotating part of the rotary feedthrough 66a. The co-rotating part of the rotary feedthrough 66a is connected to an inner hollow shaft 39a. The inner hollow shaft 39a connects the tool holder 30 to the tool holder drive wheel 31. There, with the help of the compressed air hoses 661a, 662a, the compressed air is sent to the two drives 671a, 672a. Two drives 671a, 672a are designed as single-acting pneumatic cylinders and are arranged in the tool holder 30. They are connected to the second (or third) tool 361a, 362a and to the passive biasing elements 371a, 372a, respectively. The passive biasing elements 371a, 372a are designed as springs, i.e. cylindrical helical compression springs. When the drives 671a, 672a are switched to reduced pressure (FIG. 3b), the second (or third) tool 361a, 362a is moved by the passive biasing elements 371a, 372a to the first position (open). When the two drives 671a, 672a are pressurized (FIG. 3c), they move the second (or third) tool 361a, 362a to the further position required to process or cut the cable 80. By using a single-acting pneumatic cylinder in combination with a passive force element, only one compressed air path is required at the rotary feedthrough 66a, which allows for a particularly cost-effective and compact design.

[0084] Alternatively or additionally, the rotary feedthrough can also be designed as a hollow shaft rotary feedthrough, which also creates the possibility of a suction device similar to that shown in FIG. 1. It is also possible to use a rotary feedthrough with several compressed air paths, which also allows for a double-acting pneumatic cylinder in the drive element. Rotary feedthroughs with slip rings for electrical signal or energy transmission, preferably combined with sensors for detecting the end position of the drive element and / or cables 80, in particular heating elements for heating the tool for heat treatment of the shielding film contained in the cables 80, are also conceivable.

[0085] Any variants are possible when designing the passive biasing part, as already explained in Fig. 1. A rotatable mounting of the second tool is also possible.

[0086] Also, instead of using two separate drive elements, three or more drive elements may be used, or only one drive element may be used in combination with drive kinematics, thereby enabling synchronized feed-out motion of all second tools.

[0087] In designs with a drive element arranged in the tool holder, the drive element may also be designed electrically, preferably as an electromagnet, preferably as a plunger magnet, where the rotary feedthrough is designed as a slip ring.

[0088] The drive kinematics of the rotation of the tool holder 30 and the adjusting ring 40 are also designed differently from the cable processing device 20 of FIG. 1. Both are connected to one toothed belt wheel 31, 41, respectively, via hollow shafts 39a, 49a. However, in the further cable processing device 20a, both toothed belt wheels 31, 41 are connected via toothed belts 32a, 42a and toothed belt pinions 33a, 43a, respectively, to the shaft of a tool holder drive 34a, which is designed as an electric motor with planetary gears and a rotary encoder. To enable the relative rotation of the two toothed belt wheels 31, 41 relative to one another, the toothed belt 42a for the adjusting ring is deflected with the aid of two deflecting rollers 45a (only one of which is visible). The two deflecting rollers 45a can be moved laterally towards the line of sight by a motor with the aid of axles 46a and a first drive 47a.

[0089] Alternatively or additionally, the deflecting roller may also be arranged on a separate toothed belt or the linear movement may be driven in a different way, for example via a toothed belt or a toothed rack. Alternatively, drives for generating a relative rotation between the two drive wheels 31, 41, for example with the aid of a differential or planetary gear, are also conceivable.

[0090] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a cable processing device 20b similar to the cable processing device 20 of FIG. 1, with an alternative (first) drive 50b for delivering the first group of tools 351b, 352b.

[0091] Here, the adjusting ring 40b is designed as an axially movable inner drive part 40b and is mounted linearly displaceable along the rotation axis X on the inner hollow shaft 39b between the tool holder 30 and the tool holder drive wheel 31 with the aid of a linear guide element 49b. This axial movement is converted into a radial movement of the first tool 351b, 352b with the aid of two drive elements 551b, 552b. These drive elements 551b, 552b are in turn designed as connecting rods and are rotatably mounted on the inner drive part 40b and the first tool 351b, 352b. The axial movement of the inner drive part 40b is generated with the aid of a first drive 47b. The first drive 47b is connected to the connecting structure 27 and is likewise designed as an electric motor with planetary gears and a rotary encoder. For this purpose, the rotary movement of this first drive 47b is converted into a linear movement with the aid of a mandrel 46b. The axle 46b moves a non-rotating outer drive part 48b attached to the axle 46b along a rotation axis X. The inner drive part 40b is rotatably attached to this outer drive part 48b. The rotation of the tool holder 30 is thus not hindered, but the driving force acting in the axial direction of the first drive 47b or the axle 46b attached to the first drive 47b can be transmitted to the inner drive part 40b and to the drive elements 551b, 552b attached to the inner drive part 40b. In this embodiment, at least one second tool 361, 362 can be moved with the aid of the second drive 61 and the actuating plungers 621, 622.

[0092] Alternatively, the inner drive piece and the drive element on the first tool and the corresponding machine interface may be designed as a link guide, rack and pinion with cord, belt or chain combination, or other type of gear.

[0093] It is also possible to use a drive similar to that described in Fig. 2 after converting the axial movement into a rotation of the adjustment ring relative to the tool holder. The conversion of the axial movement into a rotational movement is achieved, for example, with the aid of a mandrel.

[0094] Further part solutions as described here are also possible, for example further combinations of different drives of the individual tool groups using more than two tools per tool group and / or also rotatable mounting of the tools in the tool holders.

[0095] Other embodiments of tools may also be used, such as a rotating disk (pizza knife) for erecting the shielding braid, a knife with a special cutting surface for axial cutting to remove film residues, or a tool that is heated, for example for heat treatment to weaken the shielding film.

[0096] The method of the invention for producing a cable 80 using a cable processing device, in particular the cable processing device 20 already described and shown in Figures 1a to 1c, comprises at least a) providing a cable 80; b) rotating the tool holder 30 using the tool holder drive 34 and rotatably processing the sheath and / or shield and / or film of the cable 80 using a group of at least two first tools 351, 352 driven by a first drive 44; c) stopping the tool holder 30 at a predetermined position; d) processing the cable 80 with the aid of at least one second tool 361, 362, the at least one second tool 361, 362 being moved independently of the first tool with the aid of a second drive device 61.

[0097] Preferably, the at least one second tool 361, 362 is arranged in the first position during step b).

[0098] Specifically, the at least one second tool 361, 362 is passively mounted by a spring in a first position.

[0099] Preferably, after step b), the tool holder is moved along the axis of rotation relative to the cable so that the first tool is positioned in a third position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 20, 20a-20b Cable processing device 27 Connection Structure 28 Suction device 30 Tool holding part (tool flange) 31 Tool holder drive wheel (toothed belt wheel for tool holder) 32, 32a~32b Toothed belt for tool holding section 33, 33a~33b Toothed belt pinion for tool holder 34, 34a to 34b Tool holder drive device (geared motor) 351, 352, 351b, 352b (first) tool (first group, slitting knife) 361, 362, 361a, 362a (second) tools (second group, slicing knife, V-knife) 371, 372, 371a, 372a Passive biasing elements (springs) 39, 39a~39b (inner) hollow shaft 40 Adjustment Ring 41 Adjusting ring drive wheel (toothed belt wheel for adjusting ring) 42, 42a Toothed belt for adjusting ring 43, 43a Toothed belt pinion for adjusting ring 44 (First) Drive Unit (Gear Motor) 45a deflection roller 46a, 46b Mandrel 47a, 47b (first) drive unit (gear motor) 48b (Outer) Drive parts (non-rotating) 49, 49a (outer) hollow shaft 50, 50b (first) drive unit (transmission unit) 40b Adjustment ring (axially moved, inner drive part, co-rotating) 49b (Straight) guide element 551, 552, 551b, 552b Driving elements (connecting rods) 60, 60a (second) drive unit 61 (second) drive unit (actuator gripper, parallel gripper) 621, 622 Actuating plunger (gripping jaw) 65a valve (valve battery) 651a (Compressed Air) Hose 66a Rotary Feedthrough (Pneumatic) 661a, 662a (compressed air) hose 671a, 672a (third) drive unit (pneumatic cylinder, single acting) 70 Axial drive 71 (Axial) Drive (Gearmotor) 72 Mandrel 73 (Straight) Guiding element 74 Cable gripping part (parallel gripping part) 751, 752 Grip jaws 80 Cable 81 (separated) cable piece A cutting plane X rotation axis (cable axis)

Claims

1. A cable processing device (20, 20a, 20b) comprising a tool holder (30) for accommodating a group of at least two first tools (351, 352) for processing a cable (80), the tool holder (30) is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (X) and the at least two first tools (351, 352) are movable relative to the tool holder (30) to feed the first tools (351, 352) for cable processing; a tool holder driving device (34, 34a, 34b) for rotationally driving the tool holder (30) and a first driving device (44, 47a, 47b) for moving the first tool (351, 352) relative to the tool holder (30); at least one second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a) for processing the cable (80) is arranged in the tool holder (30) and is movable relative to the tool holder (30); At least one of the second tools (361, 362, 361a, 362a) can be moved independently of the first tool (351, 352) by a second drive device (61), The cable processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second drive device (61) is arranged in a fixed position in the cable processing device so that it cannot rotate together with the tool holding part (30).

2. 2. The cable processing device according to claim 1, 10. A cable processing device, characterized in that at least one of said tools (351, 352, 361, 362, 361a, 362a) is designed as a knife for making incisions and / or cutting said cable (80).

3. A cable processing device as claimed in claim 2, 10. A cable processing device, characterized in that the first tool (351, 352) is designed as a slitting knife for making incisions in a sheath, a film and / or a shield of the cable (80).

4. 3. The cable processing device according to claim 1, 10. A cable processing device, characterized in that at least one said second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a) is designed as a slicing knife for cutting said cable (80).

5. A cable processing device as claimed in claim 4, A cable processing device characterized in that the cutting blade of the slicing knife is configured in a V-shape.

6. A cable processing device according to claim 4, A cable processing device (20, 20a, 20b), characterized in that the processing surfaces of the first tool (351, 352) and the second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a) are arranged in the same plane.

7. A cable processing device as claimed in claim 4, A cable processing device characterized in that a further second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a) is provided, and the processing surface of the further second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a) is arranged in the same plane as the second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a).

8. A cable processing device according to claim 4, A cable processing device, characterized in that at least one passive biasing element (371, 372, 371a, 372a) is provided in the tool holding portion (30) to transport at least one of the second tools (361, 362, 361a, 362a) to a first position.

9. A cable processing device according to claim 4, A cable processing device characterized in that the second drive device (61) for moving the second tool (361, 362) has at least one actuating plunger (621, 622) for actuating at least one contact surface configured on the second tool (361, 362), in particular the actuating plunger (621, 622) is arranged in a fixed position so that it cannot rotate together with the tool holding part (30) and / or the second drive device (61) is configured as a parallel gripper.

10. A cable processing device as claimed in claim 9, The cable processing device, wherein the parallel gripping unit is configured as a pneumatic parallel gripping unit.

11. A cable processing device according to claim 4, A cable processing device, characterized in that a third group of tools is provided, said third tools being deliverable in a radial direction relative to said axis of rotation (X) and preferably movable by a third drive device (671a, 672a).

12. A cable processing device as claimed in claim 11, The third drive unit (671a, 672a) is arranged in the tool holding part (30), a power supply unit is preferably provided, the power supply unit is connected to the third drive unit (671a, 672a) via hoses (651, 661a, 662a), and a rotary feed-through (66a) for the hoses (651, 661a, 662a) is preferably provided.

13. A cable processing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, 10. A cable processing device, characterized in that the third drive (671a, 672a) in the tool holder (30) is designed pneumatically, preferably as a single-acting pneumatic cylinder.

14. A cable processing device as claimed in claim 4, A cable processing device comprising an adjustment ring (40, 40b), said adjustment ring (40, 40b) being movable relative to said tool holder (30, 30b), and preferably at least one drive element (551, 552, 551b, 552b) being arranged on said adjustment ring (40) or in operative connection with a surface of said adjustment ring (40).

15. A cable processing device as claimed in claim 4, A cable processing device, characterized in that the cable (80) is movable relative to the tool holder (30) along the rotation axis (X).

16. A method for producing a cable (80) using the cable processing apparatus (20, 20a, 20b) according to claim 4, comprising at least a) providing a cable (80); b) rotating the tool holder (30) using a tool holder drive (34, 34a, 34b) and rotatably processing the sheath and / or shield and / or film of said cable (80) using a group of at least two first tools (351, 352); c) stopping the tool holder (30) at a predetermined position; and d) a step of processing the cable (80) using at least one second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a), wherein the at least one second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a) can be moved independently of the first tool (351, 352) by a second drive device (61), the second drive device (61) being arranged in a fixed position in the cable processing device so that it cannot rotate together with the tool holder (30).

17. The method of claim 16, comprising: said at least one second tool (361, 362, 361a, 362a) being placed in a first position during said step b) and passively retained in said first position by a spring.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising: and after step b), the tool holder (30) is moved relative to the cable (80) along the axis of rotation (X) and the first tool (351, 352) is positioned in a third position.

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