Method and device for singulating a workpiece - Patents.com

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for removing a plate-like first workpiece (12) from a top surface (14) of a stack (16) of plate-like other workpieces (18a, 18b) in a successive direction of the plate-like other workpieces (18a, 18b), in which a gripper (22) moves the first workpiece (12) away from a second workpiece (20), the second workpiece (20) being an adjacent workpiece to the first workpiece (12) of the stack (16) of the other workpieces (18a, 18b). A separating layer (34) is run into a gap (46) between the raised corner (23) of the first workpiece (12) and the second workpiece (20) and is moved at least partially over the second workpiece (20). The first workpiece (12) is moved away from the stack (16) of the other workpieces (18a, 18b).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] 2. Background of the Invention The invention relates to a method for removing a plate-shaped first workpiece from the top surface of a stack of plate-shaped further workpieces in the direction of succession of these further workpieces, and also to a machine for singulating the workpieces, in particular for carrying out such a method.

[0002] From DE 112012006565 A1 a method for singulating sheet metal is known, in which a sheet metal is lifted from a stack of several sheet metal pieces and then a separating element is introduced between the lifted sheet metal and the adjacent sheet metal below the lifted sheet metal, and then the lifted sheet metal is removed from the sheet metal stack.

[0003] A disadvantage is that the adjacent metal sheets remain partially attached to the raised sheet metal and are partially moved together with it when the raised sheet metal is removed. Separating the raised sheet metal from the adjacent sheets takes a relatively long time and may cause movement or deformation of the adjacent sheets. Measures to improve the separation require additional auxiliary means such as compressed air.

[0004] Problem to be solved by the invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for singulating plate-shaped workpieces, in which the plate-shaped workpieces are mechanically separated from one another in a simple and rapid manner. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for carrying out the method.

[0005] Description of the invention This problem is solved according to the invention by a method as claimed in claim 1. The device according to the invention is characterized in claim 7. Advantageous configurations are given in the dependent claims.

[0006] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) lifting a first workpiece with a gripper; b) inserting a separation layer between the raised corner of the first workpiece and a second workpiece of another stack of workpieces adjacent to the first workpiece; c) holding down the stack of separate workpieces with a separation layer; d) removing the first workpiece from the stack of another plurality of workpieces; e) measuring the thickness of the first workpiece (12); It has.

[0007] By the step of clamping the stack of further workpieces, the separating layer holds the further workpiece, in particular the second workpiece, in its position, so that the second workpiece is relatively quickly removed from the first workpiece without changing its position. By the step of clamping the stack of further workpieces, it is mechanically ensured that the additional workpiece is not separated and removed from the stack together with the first workpiece. The separating layer can be moved apart by the gripper. Preferably, there are no additional auxiliary means or contours (e.g. nozzles for compressed air) for individualizing the first workpiece, which would make gripping of the first workpiece difficult or cause a time delay during gripping. Separation of corners is particularly advantageous, since this allows two adjacent edges of the workpieces to be at least partially released simultaneously. This leads to a reduction in the time and cost of the method.

[0008] The separating layer may have at least one nozzle, in particular a plurality of nozzles. The nozzle may be provided on one end face of the separating layer. At least temporarily during the process, gas, in particular compressed air, may flow out of the nozzle. Alternatively, suction may be performed by the nozzle.

[0009] In step b), the separating layer is run over at least a part of the second workpiece covered by said separating layer. By pressing, it is understood in particular that the separating layer blocks the movement of this covered part of the second workpiece in the direction of the first workpiece and / or applies a force directed away from the first workpiece to this part of the second workpiece. The force is directed in the direction of another workpiece below the second workpiece.

[0010] According to an advantageous configuration of the method, after the separation layer has been inserted between the raised corner and the adjacent second workpiece, a step of removing the gripper from the first workpiece is performed, so that the transport device for removing the first workpiece can grip the first workpiece on all sections of its surface.

[0011] In another configuration of the method, a separation layer is inserted between the raised corner and the adjacent second workpiece followed by the step of moving and / or pivoting another stack of workpieces.

[0012] To accelerate the separation of the first workpiece from the second workpiece, the second workpiece can be guided along the separation layer. The movement and / or pivoting of the stack can be performed by means of a bearing carriage.

[0013] According to a preferred variant of the method, the separation layer is formed as a strip, which preferably has a relatively large surface area, so that a rapid separation of the first workpiece from the second workpiece occurs.

[0014] In particular, the thickness measurement can be used to check whether only the first workpiece has been lifted from the stack of other workpieces or whether another workpiece has also been lifted and / or removed from the stack of other workpieces by mistake. The thickness measurement of the first workpiece can be performed before and / or after inserting a separation layer between the first and second workpieces.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment of the method, a separation layer is inserted between a separation section of a first workpiece including the raised corner and an adjacent second workpiece, the separation section including the raised corner, the adjacent corner and the edge between the corners, and the separation is effected simultaneously across the entire width of each workpiece between two opposite edges, which makes the separation particularly rapid.

[0016] The device according to the invention for removing a plate-shaped first workpiece from the upper surface of a stack of plate-shaped further workpieces in the successive direction of the further workpieces comprises the following elements: i) a gripper for gripping a first workpiece, the gripper having a drive for moving the gripper along a stroke axis of the device; ii) a separation layer oriented perpendicular to the stroke axis, with positioning means for moving the separation layer along and perpendicular to the stroke axis; iii) a transfer device for removing the first workpiece from the stack of other workpieces; iv) a thickness gauge (32) for measuring the thickness of the first workpiece (12) after the first workpiece (12) is removed from the stack (16) of other workpieces (18a, 18b); It has.

[0017] Advantageously, such a device allows the stack of further workpieces to be held in place during the separation of a first workpiece from a second workpiece, thereby accelerating this separation process in a mechanically simple and stable manner.

[0018] A successive direction is understood in particular to mean the direction of succession of the workpieces, preferably from below towards the first workpiece.

[0019] The apparatus is preferably configured to carry out the methods described herein.

[0020] In one advantageous embodiment of the device, the separating layer is designed as a strip, which has a relatively large surface area, so that the separating process takes place relatively quickly.

[0021] In another embodiment, the separating device is formed as a plate-like sheet metal. Such a separating layer can be produced relatively easily.

[0022] By measuring the thickness of the first workpiece that has been lifted, it is possible in particular to check whether only the first workpiece has been lifted or whether another workpiece has also been lifted by mistake.

[0023] Features described for the method can be used in the apparatus, and vice versa.

[0024] Further advantages of the invention are apparent from the description and the drawings. Likewise, the features described above and below may be used alone or in any combination of features. The illustrated and described embodiments are not to be understood as a restrictive enumeration, but rather have an exemplary character for the explanation of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus for singulating a plate-shaped first workpiece; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of an apparatus with a thickness gage measuring the thickness of a first workpiece; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of an apparatus in which a separation layer is run under a corner of a first workpiece. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the device in a horizontal plane. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of the apparatus with the first workpiece removed.

[0026] 1 shows a schematic cross-section of an apparatus 10 for removing a plate-like first workpiece 12 from a top surface 14 of a stack 16 of plate-like further workpieces 18a, 18b in the successive direction of these further workpieces 18a, 18b (for the sake of clarity, only the further workpieces 18a, 18b are numbered). The cross-section is illustrated along a vertical plane through the apparatus 10. In particular, the apparatus 10 serves to separate the first workpiece 12 from a second workpiece 20 of the stack 16 of the further workpieces 18a, 18b, in which case the second workpiece 20 is adjacent to the first workpiece 12. The first workpiece 12 is lifted at a corner 23 by a gripper 22, which has a first suction unit 24a for sucking the first workpiece 12. This creates a gap 46 between the raised corner 23 of the first workpiece 12 and the second workpiece 20 .

[0027] The gripper 22 is moved by a drive 26 in a support column 28 of the device 10 in the direction of a stroke axis HA of the device 10, parallel to the running direction of the plate-like further workpieces 18a, 18b of the stack 16. The stroke axis HA of the device 10 extends in particular vertically. The drive 26 also moves a first support arm 30, on which the gripper 22 is attached. The drive 26 thereby also brings about a movement of the gripper 22 perpendicular to the stroke axis HA of the device 10. A thickness gauge 32 is also movably supported on the first support arm 30 for measuring the thickness of the first workpiece 12 after it has been removed from the stack 16 of the further workpieces 18a, 18b.

[0028] To separate the first workpiece 12 from the second workpiece 20, the device 10 has a separating layer 34, which is preferably oriented perpendicular to the stroke axis HA. The separating layer 34 is moved along the stroke axis HA and perpendicular to this stroke axis HA by a positioning means 36 via a second support arm 38. In Fig. 1, the separating layer 34 is in the entered position.

[0029] After separation of the first workpiece 12 from the second workpiece 20, the first workpiece 12 is removed from the stack 16 of further workpieces 18a, 18b by a conveying device 40 having a second suction unit 24b and a third suction unit 24c for gripping the first workpiece 12. The conveying device 40 is supported on a third support arm 42 so as to be movable in the direction of the stroke axis HA of the device 10.

[0030] 2 shows a cross section of the device 10, with the thickness gauge 32 being run on the fourth support arm 44 in the direction of the stroke axis HA of the device 10 and brought close to the first workpiece 12. The thickness gauge 32 surrounds the first workpiece 12 in the direction of the stroke axis HA of the device 10 and measures the thickness of the workpiece 12 in this direction, thereby checking whether only the first workpiece 12 has been lifted as defined.

[0031] 3 shows a cross section of the device 10. The separating layer 34, which is provided on the second support arm 38, is run into the gap 46 between the raised first workpiece 12 and the second workpiece 20. The separating layer 34 has been run from the position shown in FIG. 2 into the gap 46 between the first workpiece 12 and the second workpiece 20 by the positioning unit. In the run-out position shown, the separating layer 34 blocks the second workpiece 20 and thus the stack 16 of further workpieces 18a, 18b in the direction of the stroke axis HA, so that the stack 16 of further workpieces 18a, 18b can be fixed in position in order to separate the second workpiece 20 from the first workpiece 12 more quickly.

[0032] 4 shows a cross-section of the apparatus 10 in a horizontal plane passing through the support column 28 and the second support arm 38 in the position shown in FIG. 3. A separation layer at the second support arm 38 is indicated by a dashed line and is located below the raised corner 23 of the first workpiece 12. In one possible configuration of the method, the separation layer 34 is configured to run under a separation section 52 of the first workpiece 12, the separation section 52 including the corner 23, the adjacent corner 48 and an edge 50 between the corner 23 and the adjacent corner 48.

[0033] 5 shows a cross section of the device 10. The transport device 40 is brought close to the first workpiece 12 along the stroke axis HA of the device 10 by the third support arm 42, so that the first workpiece 12 can be removed from the stack 16 of the other workpieces 18a, 18b. For this purpose, the second suction unit 24b and the third suction unit 24c suck the first workpiece 12. The separating layer 34 is located in the gap 46 between the first workpiece 12 and the second workpiece 20, which can facilitate or accelerate the separation of the first workpiece 12 and the second workpiece 20. The gripper 22 is movable independently of the separating layer 34 and is in a retracted position on the first support arm 30, which can allow the transport device 40 to have improved access to the first workpiece 12.

[0034] Viewed together in all figures, the invention relates to a method for removing a plate-like first workpiece 12 from the top surface 14 of a stack 16 of plate-like further workpieces 18a, 18b in the successive direction of the further workpieces 18a, 18b. The gripper 22 moves the first workpiece 12 away from a second workpiece 20, which is the workpiece of the stack 16 of the further workpieces 18a, 18b adjacent to the first workpiece 12. The separating layer 34 is run into a gap 46 between the raised corner 23 of the first workpiece 12 and the second workpiece 20 and is moved at least partially above the second workpiece 20. The first workpiece 12 is moved away from the stack 16 of the further workpieces 18a, 18b.

Claims

1. 1. A method for removing a plate-shaped first workpiece (12) from a top surface (14) of a stack (16) of plate-shaped further workpieces (18a, 18b) in the successive direction of said further workpieces (18a, 18b), comprising: a) lifting the first workpiece (12) by a gripper (22); b) inserting a separation layer (34) between the raised corner (23) of the first workpiece (12) and a second workpiece (20) of the stack (16) of further workpieces (18a, 18b) adjacent to the first workpiece (12); c) holding down the stack (16) of further workpieces (18a, 18b) with the separating layer (34); d) removing the first workpiece (12) from the stack (16) of further workpieces (18a, 18b); e) measuring the thickness of the first workpiece (12); The method comprises:

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least temporarily allowing gas to flow out of at least one nozzle of the separation layer (34).

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the gas is compressed air.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of at least temporarily suctioning the separating layer (34) through nozzles.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the step of removing the gripper (22) from the first workpiece (12) after inserting the separation layer (34) between the raised corner portion (23) and the adjacent second workpiece (20).

6. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of moving and / or pivoting the stack (16) of further workpieces (18a, 18b) after inserting the separating layer (34) between the raised corner (23) and the adjacent second workpiece (20).

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the separating layer (34) is formed as a strip.

8. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the separation layer between a separation section of the first workpiece including the raised corner and an adjacent second workpiece, the separation section including the raised corner, the adjacent corners and an edge between the corners.

9. A device (10) for removing a plate-shaped first workpiece (12) from a top surface (14) of a stack (16) of plate-shaped further workpieces (18a, 18b) in a successive direction of the further workpieces (18a, 18b), the device being configured for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the device comprising: i) a gripper (22) for gripping said first workpiece (12) comprising a drive (26) for moving said gripper (22) along a stroke axis (HA) of said device (10); ii) a separating layer (34) oriented perpendicular to said stroke axis (HA) and provided with positioning means (36) for moving said separating layer (34) along said stroke axis (HA) and perpendicular to said stroke axis (HA); iii) a transfer device (40) for removing the first workpiece (12) from the stack (16) of further workpieces (18a, 18b); iv) a thickness gauge (32) for measuring the thickness of the first workpiece (12) after the first workpiece (12) is removed from the stack (16) of further workpieces (18a, 18b); An apparatus having the above configuration.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the separating layer (34) is formed as a strip.

11. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the separating layer (34) is formed as a sheet metal plate.

12. 12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the separating layer comprises at least one nozzle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the separation layer (34) comprises a plurality of nozzles.

14. 14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the at least one nozzle is provided in an end face of the separating layer (34).

Images