Processing machinery

Abstract

The present invention provides a machining machine equipped with a pneumatically operated chuck, and in which the operation of the pneumatically operated chuck should be simple. [Solution] A pneumatically operated chuck 63 is attached to the workpiece surface 91 of the workpiece turntable 62, and a pneumatic valve 69 is assigned to the chuck, which is switchable between an intake position and an exhaust position, and a plurality of pneumatic valves are connected to a compressed air reservoir 74, and a coupling device is configured to supply compressed air to the compressed air reservoir, and has a first coupling part and a second coupling part, the first coupling part is movably supported by a first mechanical part, and the second coupling part is positioned on the workpiece turntable in the coupling plane opposite to the first coupling part, the first coupling part is in close contact with the second coupling part at the coupling position and has a gap with respect to the second coupling part at the stationary position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing machine for processing container materials, as known from European Patent No. 2363216 by way of example only.

Background Art

[0002] In this type of processing machine, a chuck that operates selectively hydraulically or a chuck that operates pneumatically is used. In this case, the chuck that operates pneumatically is becoming increasingly widespread. This is because the chuck that operates pneumatically is easier to handle compared to the chuck that operates hydraulically based on the use of compressed air as the operating medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem of the present invention is to provide a processing machine in which a chuck that operates pneumatically is mounted and easy operation of the chuck that operates pneumatically should be achieved.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This problem is solved in a processing machine of the type described at the beginning, wherein the processing machine has a first machine part and A second mechanical part configured as a workpiece turntable, the workpiece turntable comprises a second mechanical part that is rotatably supported by a first mechanical part about a rotation axis, and a drive device fixed to the first mechanical part, configured to provide rotational step motion of the workpiece turntable, a pneumatically operated chuck attached to the workpiece surface of the workpiece turntable, the chuck being formed to detachably fix container material on the workpiece turntable, each chuck being assigned a pneumatic valve, the pneumatic valve controlling the intake position relative to the chuck and the chuck The exhaust position is switchable between and , and a plurality of pneumatic valves are connected to a compressed air reservoir fixed to the workpiece turntable, further comprising a coupling device, the coupling device is configured to supply compressed air to the compressed air reservoir, and has a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, the first coupling portion being movably supported on a first mechanical part, and the second coupling portion being positioned on the workpiece turntable opposite the first coupling portion in a coupling plane aligned particularly perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the first coupling portion being in close contact with the second coupling portion in the coupling position and having a gap with respect to the second coupling portion in the stationary position, thereby solving the problem.

[0006] A container material that can be processed using a processing machine is preferably a material for an aerosol can, having at least a substantially cylindrical side wall (circumferential wall) and a concave bottom region, and typically fixed to each chuck by force coupling at the side wall portion adjacent to the bottom region.

[0007] To secure the container material within the chuck, the intention is to expand the elastically deformable, particularly annular, region of the chuck radially inward, thereby partially reducing the inner diameter of the recess in the chuck configured to accommodate the container material. For example, by supplying compressed air to the chuck, axial movement of the chuck's working piston is induced, thereby compressing a rubber-elastic retaining ring, which is positioned coaxially adjacent to the working piston, in the axial direction, thereby causing it to perform a radially inward avoidance movement. Alternatively, the rubber-elastic retaining ring may be intended to restrict the annular working chamber within the chuck to a radially inward direction, and can be expanded radially inward by applying pressure to the working chamber.

[0008] The chucks are preferably mounted on the substantially circular workpiece surface of the workpiece turntable at a constant angular pitch and at a constant distance from the rotation axis of the workpiece turntable. In this case, the extension axes, particularly the rotational symmetry axes, of the particularly cylindrical recesses configured to house the container material within the chucks are aligned parallel to the rotation axis of the workpiece turntable. The workpiece turntable, rotatably supported by the first machine part, also referred to as the second machine part, is driven in a rotational step motion by a drive unit fixed to the first machine part when the machining equipment is used as specified. The drive unit is, for example, a servo motor. The servo motor is configured to provide rotational step motion of the workpiece turntable via a transmission. Preferably, the drive unit is configured as a direct drive, particularly a torque motor, which enables the provision of rotational step motion of the workpiece turntable without a transmission. The rotational stepping motion of the workpiece turntable is adapted to the angular pitch of the chuck. Therefore, to perform the rotational stepping motion, the workpiece turntable starts from a previous angular position and sequentially accelerates and decelerates until it occupies a subsequent angular position that is different from the previous angular position by the angular pitch of the chuck. Typically, the workpiece turntable performs all rotational stepping motions in the same direction of rotation around the axis of rotation.

[0009] The chuck's primary role is to transmit the acceleration generated during rotational stepping motion to the container material, ensuring that the orientation of the container material does not change during the rotational stepping motion or during the processing of the container material in the stationary phases between individual rotational stepping motions. A further role of the chuck, only when non-contact processing of the container material is not anticipated, is to guide the processing force generated during the processing of the container material to the workpiece turntable, and from there to the first machine part.

[0010] To perform a machining process using a machining machine, the workpiece turntable performs a series of rotational stepping motions, so that the chucks and the container material contained within them move along an arc-shaped motion path. This motion path extends from a loading station, located in a fixed position, particularly in the first machine part, for supplying the container material to the workpiece turntable, to an unloading station, also located in a fixed position, particularly in the first machine part, for unloading the container material from the workpiece turntable. Typically, the container material is intended to be inserted into each chuck at the loading station by a loading motion directed parallel to the axis of rotation, and unloaded from each chuck at the unloading station by an unloading motion directed parallel to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, after the container material is inserted into each chuck, it is intended that the container material is secured in the chuck by intake or exhaust of the chuck. Typically, the securing of the material container is maintained throughout the entire motion path between the loading station and the unloading station. At the retrieval station, the chuck is either sucked in or exhausted, thereby releasing the force-based bond between the chuck and the container material, allowing the container material to be removed from the chuck with minimal friction. Depending on the chuck's configuration, the tightening process against the container material is performed by either sucking in or exhausting the chuck. In this case, sucking in is understood as supplying compressed air to the chuck, and exhausting is understood as releasing compressed air from the chuck.

[0011] To enable the necessary supply or discharge of compressed air at the loading and unloading stations, each chuck is assigned a pneumatic valve that can be switched between an intake position and an exhaust position. Preferably, the pneumatic valve is a switching valve that can selectively switch between an intake position and an exhaust position in response to an external energy supply. Preferably, the pneumatic valve is configured as a 3-port 2-position directional control valve that can be switched between an intake position and an exhaust position. Alternatively, the pneumatic valve may be configured as, for example, a 3-port 3-position directional control valve, which has an intake position, an exhaust position, and a shut-off position in which no compressed air flows into or out of the chuck.

[0012] To enable a favorable supply of compressed air to the chuck, at least one compressed air reservoir is mounted on the workpiece turntable, and the compressed air reservoir is in fluid communication with a plurality of pneumatic valves, so that compressed air can be supplied to the chuck connected to the pneumatic valves according to the switching position of each pneumatic valve. Preferably, all pneumatic valves located on the workpiece turntable are intended to be in fluid communication with one or a plurality of compressed air reservoirs mounted on the workpiece turntable.

[0013] To enable the supply of compressed air to at least one compressed air reservoir without requiring a technically complex and maintenance-intensive rotational feedthrough between a first machine part and a second machine part configured as a workpiece turntable, the machine machine has a coupling device. The coupling device is configured to temporarily fluidize the first machine part and the second machine part. To this end, the coupling device includes a first coupling part movably supported on the first machine part and a second coupling part attached to the workpiece turntable. In this case, it is intended that the first coupling part can move between a stationary position where there is a gap between it and the second coupling part and a coupling position where the first coupling part abuts the second coupling part to establish close fluidization. Since the second coupling, attached to the workpiece turntable, moves in the same way as the chuck along a circular orbit aligned concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation, the first coupling is attached to the first mechanical part such that it is positioned precisely opposite the second coupling at at least one rotational position occupied by the workpiece turntable while it performs a series of rotational step movements. Preferably, the first coupling is intended to move along a motion path oriented parallel to the axis of rotation. Particularly preferably, a plurality of second couplings are provided, and the second couplings are intended to be positioned on the workpiece turntable opposite the first coupling, particularly in a coupling plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0014] An advantageous development of the present invention is the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] Purposefully, a drive housing for a linear drive is attached to a first mechanical part, and a first coupling is attached to a connecting rod for a linear drive, the connecting rod being configured to perform linear relative motion with respect to the drive housing, particularly oriented parallel to the axis of rotation, thereby moving the first coupling between a stationary position and a coupling position.

[0016] A linear drive is configured to provide linear working motion and may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric linear direct drive, or an electric threaded spindle drive. In any case, the linear drive is intended to have a drive housing and a connecting rod supported in or at least partially within the drive housing so as to be movably relative to the drive housing, the connecting rod being able to perform positional changes relative to the drive housing by supplying energy to the linear drive. Typically, the drive housing is attached to a first mechanical part and a first coupling is attached to the connecting rod. Alternatively, the connecting rod is attached to a first mechanical part and the drive housing is coupled to the first coupling. Preferably, the linear motion of the connecting rod relative to the drive housing is intended to occur along a line of motion aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece turntable. In this case, it may further be intended that the first coupling surface of the first coupling and the second coupling surface of the second coupling are located in mutually parallel planes aligned laterally with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0017] Alternatively, the first coupling section may be intended to rotate on a curved track between the stationary position and the coupling position, particularly on the circular track portion, and to perform helical motion as a combination of rotational and linear motion.

[0018] Advantageously, a fluid valve is assigned to the first coupling, and the fluid valve is configured to supply compressed air from the first coupling to the second coupling when the first coupling is in the coupling position. To ensure the most efficient use possible of the compressed air required to operate the chuck, the supply of compressed air is only set when the first coupling is in close contact with the second coupling. For this purpose, a fluid valve is located in a compressed air supply pipeline extending between a compressed air source and the first coupling, and the fluid valve can be switched between an shut-off position and an open position. Preferably, the fluid valve is a switching valve, such as a two-port two-position directional control valve or a three-port two-position directional control valve, and in particular an electrically controlled solenoid valve. Alternatively, a proportional valve may be used to influence the flow of compressed air between the first coupling and the second coupling. Preferably, the switching of the fluid valve between the shut-off and open positions is performed according to the position of the first coupling, so that the fluid valve is only moved to the open position when there is a minimum gap between the first and second couplings. Particularly preferably, the coordination between the control of the linear drive and the control of the fluid valve is performed by an electrical or electronic control device assigned to the first mechanical part.

[0019] Preferably, the linear drive is intended to be configured as a pneumatic cylinder, particularly a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, and the linear drive is intended to be assigned a control valve configured to control the fluid supply to the linear drive. The use of a pneumatic cylinder is advantageous because a compressed air supply to the machine tool must be provided anyway to operate the chuck. In principle, a single-acting pneumatic cylinder may be used to move the first coupling between a stationary position and a coupling position. In this case, when pressure is applied, the pneumatic cylinder causes the piston rod to move relative to the cylinder housing along a straight line of motion in a first spatial direction, while the movement of the piston rod relative to the cylinder housing in a second spatial direction opposite to the first spatial direction is induced by an internal or external return device, particularly a spring unit. Preferably, the linear drive is configured as a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, in which the piston rod can be moved in two opposite spatial directions by applying pressure to a first working chamber and a second working chamber formed within the pneumatic cylinder. Control valves are provided for the intake and exhaust of at least one, preferably two, working chambers of the pneumatic cylinder, and the control valves may be, depending on the configuration of the pneumatic cylinder, for example, a 3-port 2-position directional control valve in a single-acting pneumatic cylinder or a 5-port 2-position directional control valve or a combination of two 3-port 2-position directional control valves in a double-acting pneumatic cylinder. The control valves may be configured as switching valves or proportional valves and may be configured for electrical control, particularly electromagnetic control.

[0020] In one advanced form of the present invention, the first machine part comprises a machine frame and a tool turntable supported to move linearly along a rotation axis, wherein the tool turntable has a tool surface positioned opposite the workpiece surface, and a plurality of tool housings are arranged on the tool surface at the same angular pitch as the chuck. In such a form of the machining machine, a linear reciprocating motion directed along the rotation axis, also known as a stroke motion, is intended to occur between the workpiece turntable and the tool turntable. Preferably, the tool turntable is configured to perform a linear stroke motion exclusively, and the workpiece turntable performs a rotational step motion exclusively about the rotation axis, thereby enabling the container material housed in the chuck to sequentially contact the machining tool housed in the tool turntable.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is intended that at least one component from the group consisting of a linear drive having a first coupling, a control valve, a fluid valve, a pulse generator, and an electrical valve control device is positioned on the tool turntable, particularly on the tool surface. This enables a short fluid connection, particularly a tube channel, between the valve and the assigned fluid consumer. In this case, in addition to the linear drive for moving the first coupling, a fluid pulse generator should be mentioned in particular, which is used to provide a short compressed air shock, which can switch the pneumatic valve assigned to the chuck. Preferably, an electrical connection and a compressed air connection are present between the machine frame and the tool turntable, and it is intended that both power supply to the electrical valve control device and compressed air supply to the valve control device can be ensured through these connections. The valve control device, also called a valve island, includes, in addition to an electronic control unit, a plurality of valves that can influence the flow of compressed air to the compressed air consumer assigned to the tool turntable. Preferably, the valve control device is intended to communicate with the machine control device of the processing machine, and in particular with the programmable logic controller, via a communication line, and especially via a bus communication line.

[0022] Purposefully, the tool housing is configured to accommodate machining tools from a group of tools including pull-in tools, milling tools, edge bending tools, and rolling tools. These machining tools are typically used in pull-in machines. Pull-in machines machine the end regions of the container material, so that a valve can be attached to the container material, for example, if the container material is later used as an aerosol can.

[0023] Preferably, the first machine section is intended to include a plurality of work stations, particularly a group of printing stations, activation stations, and curing stations, the work stations being configured to process the sides of the container material housed in the chuck. When such work stations are used to decorate the sides of the container material using an inkjet printing method, the processing machine is a digital printing press.

[0024] In a further form of the present invention, it is contemplated that the second connecting part is arranged on the workpiece surface of the workpiece turntable. The arrangement of this second connecting part is advantageous when the tool surface of the tool turntable is arranged opposite the tool surface of the tool turntable, especially in the case of a drawing machine. Based on the reciprocating motion of the tool turntable relative to the workpiece turntable, a continuous change in the distance between the tool turntable and the workpiece turntable, which can be represented in particular by a sine curve, is carried out. In principle, it can be assumed that the compressed air transmission between the first connecting part and the second connecting part is carried out during the period when the distance between the tool turntable and the workpiece turntable is at a minimum. However, this period is extremely short in terms of the vibration frequency with respect to the stroke motion of the tool turntable, which can be up to a maximum of 5 Hz in the normal use of the processing machine. The extension of this period can be achieved by the first connecting part being accommodated, for example, in a spring-biased linear guide and coming into close contact with the second connecting part before the minimum distance between the tool turntable and the workpiece turntable has already been reached. In such a form of the connecting device, an actuator, especially a linear actuator, can be omitted.

[0025] In an advantageous development of the present invention, the pneumatic valve is configured to switch non - contact between an intake position and an exhaust position, and / or the pneumatic valve is contemplated to be arranged on the workpiece surface of the workpiece turntable. Non - contact switching should be understood as meaning that there is no mechanical contact between the pneumatic valve and the device provided for controlling the pneumatic valve. For example, it is contemplated that the switching of the pneumatic valve is carried out via a compressed air impact provided by a pulse generator arranged opposite the pneumatic valve. Alternatively, a non - contact inductive or magnetic switching of the pneumatic valve may be set, in which case the pulse generator arranged opposite the pneumatic valve provides a magnetic flux excited by an electrical coil unit or a permanent magnet.

[0026] Preferably, the pneumatic valve is arranged on a first circle aligned concentrically with the axis of rotation, at least one pulse generator is arranged on the first mechanical part, the pulse generator is configured to control the pneumatic valve and is arranged on a second circle aligned concentrically with the axis of rotation, and it is contemplated that the first circle and the second circle have, in particular, substantially the same diameter. Thereby, it is ensured that at least one pulse generator is arranged opposite the pneumatic valve so that the pulse transmission necessary to switch the pneumatic valve can be carried out with a minimum distance between the tool turntable and the workpiece turntable, typically with a stationary phase of the tool turntable between two successive rotational step motions.

[0027] Advantageously, a plurality of second connections are arranged on the workpiece turntable at an angular pitch corresponding to the angular pitch of the chuck. Thereby, it is ensured that the fluid communication of the connecting device can be achieved at each stationary position of the workpiece turntable.

[0028] Preferably, it is contemplated that at least two first connections are arranged on the first mechanical part, in particular on the tool turntable, at an angular pitch corresponding to half the angular pitch of the chuck.

[0029] Expediently, a check valve is arranged in the fluid line extending from the second connection to the compressed air accumulator, the check valve being configured to release the fluid line when a positive differential pressure exists between the second connection and the compressed air accumulator. The check valve easily ensures that the positive pressure present in the compressed air accumulator is supplied only to the chuck and does not escape to the periphery after the first connection is separated.

[0030] In an advantageous development of the invention, it is contemplated that the product of the number of first connections and the number of second connections corresponds at least to the number of chucks on the workpiece turntable.

[0031] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is illustrated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] A machining center configured as a pull-in machine is shown in a very schematic plan view, comprising a first machine part having a machine frame and a tool turntable, and a second machine part having a workpiece turntable. [Figure 2] The workpiece turntable is shown in a very schematic front view. [Figure 3] The tool turntable is shown in a very schematic front view. [Figure 4] The coupling device is shown in a very schematic manner. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The machining machine 1, schematically shown in Figure 1, is configured as a pull-in machine for machining a container material 65, merely as an example. For the sake of clarity, only a single container material 65 is shown in Figure 1. The container material 65 is force-coupled (i.e., capable of transmitting force) to one of the chucks 63 of the workpiece turntable 62. When the machining machine 1 is used as specified, a tool turngable 15 is positioned opposite the workpiece turntable 62, which rotates in a stepping motion in the rotational direction 64 around the rotation axis 14, and the tool turntable 15 is configured to perform a linear reciprocating motion 19. The tool turntable 15 is provided with a tool housing 16, which is positioned at the same angular pitch as the chucks 63 on the workpiece turntable 62. As merely an example, a machining tool 20 is positioned in one of the tool housings 16. The machining tool 20 is a pull-in tool, schematically shown, for plastically deforming the container material 65.

[0034] The machining machine 1 may be broadly subdivided into a first machine part 11 and a second machine part 61. Here, the subdivision of the machining machine 1 is selected so that, for the purposes of the later explanation, the first machine part 11 includes a machine frame 12 housing a drive unit 13 (shown schematically), a tool turntable 15 housing a tool housing section 16, and a guide tube 18 coupled to the tool turntable 15. The second machine part 61 includes a workpiece turntable 62 housing a chuck 63.

[0035] The drive unit 13, which belongs to the first mechanical part, is configured as, for example, an electric motor and has a drive shaft 17 that is rotatably supported around a rotation axis 14. The drive shaft 17 is coupled to the workpiece turntable 62 at its end face. When electrical energy is supplied to the drive unit 13, the rotation of the drive shaft 17 and the rotation of the workpiece turntable 62 coupled to the drive shaft 17 are connected in the rotational direction 64. The supply of electrical energy to the drive unit 13 is performed so that the workpiece turntable 62 performs a rotational step motion, in which case the workpiece turntable 62 starts from a stationary position and rotates by a predetermined angle value corresponding to the angular pitch of the chuck 63, thereby occupying a new stationary position. At each stationary position, it is intended that coaxial alignment of the chuck 63 containing the container material 65 and the tool housing 16 containing the processing tool 20 is ensured.

[0036] A reciprocating motion 19, introduced to the tool turntable 15 by another drive mechanism not shown in Figure 1, causes the tool turntable 15 to approach the workpiece turntable 62, starting from the position shown in Figure 1. At this time, the machining tool 20 engages with the end region of the container material 65 that is away from the chuck 63, allowing the container material 65 to be slightly plastically deformed, for example. In the standard operating mode of the machining machine 1, since machining tools 20 are mounted in multiple tool housings 16, it is also possible to machine multiple container materials 65 arranged opposite each other during the reciprocating motion of the tool turntable 15. Based on the synchronization between the reciprocating motion 19 of the tool turntable 15 and the motion of the workpiece turntable 62 around the rotation axis 14, the container materials 65 housed in the workpiece turntable 62 sequentially come into contact with the machining tools 20 housed in the tool turntable 15, thereby enabling stepwise machining, particularly plastic deformation.

[0037] A chuck 63, mounted on a workpiece turntable 62 for housing the container material 65, is configured to be pneumatically controlled. For example, the chuck 63 is intended to be able to move from an open position, where the container material 65 can be inserted into or removed from the chuck 63 with minimal friction, to a closed position, where the container material 65 is forcefully housed in the chuck 63, by applying compressed air. Alternatively, the chuck 63 is intended to be able to move from the closed position to the open position by applying compressed air.

[0038] In any case, in order to process the container material 65 to a high quality, when the container material 65 is supplied to the workpiece turntable 62 at the loading position 67 as shown in Figure 2, it is necessary to ensure that there is as little friction as possible between the container material 65 and the chuck 63 when the container material 65 is inserted into the chuck 63 along the container axis 66 parallel to the rotation axis 14. Conversely, when the container material 65 is subsequently moved toward the removal position 68 along the arc-shaped motion path 69, it must be ensured that the generated processing force and acceleration force do not cause any positional change between the container material 65 and the chuck 63. At the removal position 68, for the removal process of the container material 65, a new linear relative motion with minimal friction between the container material 65 and the chuck 63 along the container axis 66 must be ensured. To satisfy these requirements, each chuck 63 is fluidly connected to an individually assigned pneumatic valve 69. The pneumatic valve 69 allows for the selective release or cutoff of the supply of compressed air to each chuck 63. For example, the pneumatic valve 69 is configured to switch non-contact between an intake position and an exhaust position relative to the chuck 63. This non-contact switching is performed, for example, by providing compressed air shock to one of two control openings 70, 71 formed in each pneumatic valve 69.

[0039] For the sake of clarity, only the compressed air supply section to the pneumatic valve 69 is shown in Figure 2. However, in reality, each pneumatic valve 69 also has an outlet connection, and a silencer (not shown) can be connected to the outlet connection. This reduces the noise generated when switching from the intake position to the exhaust position, and the resulting noise from the outflow of compressed air from the chuck 63 through the pneumatic valve 69.

[0040] Compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic valves 69 via an annular conduit 72, as is merely an example. All pneumatic valves 69 are fluid-connected to the annular conduit 72. This annular conduit 72 is itself fluid-connected to a second coupling 73, which will be described in detail below. Furthermore, compressed air reservoirs 74 are fluid-connected between the second couplings 73, which are arranged side by side, and each compressed air reservoir 74 has a storage volume for compressed air, which is not shown.

[0041] The second connecting portion 73, together with the first connecting portion 23, forms a connecting device 22, which enables the supply of compressed air from the first mechanical portion 11, particularly the tool turntable 15, to the workpiece turntable 62.

[0042] As can be seen from the schematic drawing in Figure 4, the second coupling portion 73 is a combination of a second coupling plate 75, a second annular seal 76, and a check valve 80. The check valve 80 is located in the fluid conduit 81, which is in fluid communication with the respective compressed air reservoirs 74 and the annular conduit 72. In this case, the front surface of the second annular seal 76 facing the first annular seal 26 defines a seal plane 79 aligned laterally with respect to the axis of rotation 14. The seal plane 79 is provided with a contact portion that exerts the sealing action of the first annular seal 26. The check valve 80 is basically in the shut-off position, and is positioned to move to the open position only when positive pressure is supplied from the first coupling portion 23 to the second coupling portion 73. The second connecting portion 73 is fixed in place on the circular workpiece surface 91 of the workpiece turntable 62, and a chuck 63 is also fixed to the workpiece surface 91.

[0043] As can be seen from the drawing in Figure 2, the chucks 63 are arranged on the workpiece surface 91 at a constant angular pitch with respect to the rotation axis 14. As a simple example, since 24 chucks 63 are mounted on the workpiece turntable 62, adjacent chucks 63 are positioned at an angle of 15 degrees 77 with respect to the rotation axis 14. Therefore, the workpiece turntable 62 performs motion at an angle of 15 degrees each time.

[0044] To ensure a favorable supply of compressed air to the chuck 63, the workpiece surface 91 is provided with a total of eight second couplings 73 arranged at the same angular pitch, and these second couplings 73 can be in fluid communication with the first couplings 23, which will be described in detail later.

[0045] As can be further seen from the schematic diagram in Figure 4, the first coupling portion 23 is substantially formed by a first coupling plate 25 having an annular seal 26, in which case the first coupling plate 25 is attached, as an example, to the axial end face of a piston rod 33 used as a connecting rod of a linear drive 31. On the rear side of the first coupling portion 23, away from the second coupling portion 73, is provided, as an example, a fluid connection portion 24 configured as a hose connection portion, which, as shown in the drawing in Figure 3, is in fluid communication with the valve disc 28 of the valve island 27 via a fluid conduit 42.

[0046] The linear drive 31 includes, as an example, a cylinder housing 32, also called a drive housing, which is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and is fixed to the tool surface 41 of the tool turntable 15 in a manner not shown in detail. In this case, a piston rod 33 is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation 14 and coupled to a working piston 34, which is rotatably housed in a cylinder recess of the cylinder housing 32. In this case, the working piston 34 separates a variable-size first working chamber 35 from a variable-size second working chamber 36, and these working chambers can draw in and exhaust air through their respective assigned working connections 37, 38, thereby causing the linear motion of the working piston 34. The working connections 37, 38 are connected to the valve disc 28 of the valve island 27 via fluid lines 39, 40, which are shown as common lines in the schematic drawing of Figure 3.

[0047] The valve island 27 includes, in addition to the valve discs 28, a valve control device 29 designed to precisely control the valve discs 28. For example, it is intended that the valve discs 28, which are in fluid communication with the first coupling 23 and provided for the release or cutoff of compressed air to the first coupling 23, are each configured as two-port, two-position directional control valves, in particular solenoid valves. Furthermore, as merely an example, it may be intended that the valve discs 28, which are in fluid communication with the linear drive 31 via fluid lines 39, 40, are each configured as five-port, two-position directional control valves. The valve island 27 is in fluid communication with a compressed air source (not shown) assigned to the machine frame 12 via a supply line 30 extending into the machine frame 12 through a guide pipe 18. Furthermore, the valve island 27 is electrically connected to a machine control device (not shown) assigned to the machine frame 12 via a communication line 47 extending into the machine frame 12 through the guide pipe 18.

[0048] Furthermore, the valve island 27 is intended to have two more valve discs 28, which are connected to a first pulse generator 43 or a second pulse generator 44 via fluid lines 45, 46.

[0049] The role of the first pulse generator 43 is to provide compressed air pulses (pulsations) to the first control opening 70 of the pneumatic valve 69 at the loading position 67 when there is a minimum gap between the tool turntable 15 and the workpiece turntable 62, thereby enabling the pneumatic valve 69 to switch from the exhaust position relative to the chuck 63 to the intake position relative to the chuck 63, and consequently to fix the container material inserted into each chuck 63 at the loading position 67.

[0050] The role of the second pulse generator 44 is to provide compressed air pulses to the second control opening 71 of the pneumatic valve 69 at the removal position 68 when there is a minimum gap between the tool turntable 15 and the workpiece turntable 62, thereby enabling the pneumatic valve 69 to switch from the intake position to the exhaust position relative to the chuck 63, and consequently to release the container material removed from each chuck 63 at the removal position 67.

[0051] In fact, other valve disks not shown on the valve island, and other pulse generators not shown, may be used to control them at locations other than the loading and unloading positions.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, a total of five first connecting parts 23 are arranged on the tool surface 41, in which case three of the first connecting parts 23 belong to the first group 48 and the other two belong to the second group 49. The first connecting parts 23 of the first group 48 are arranged on the workpiece turntable 15 at the same angular pitch as the tool housing 16 and are used for compressed air transmission between the tool turntable 15 and the workpiece turntable 62 during the specified operation of the machining machine 1. In this case, the arrangement of the first connecting parts 23 of the first group 48 ensures that each of the first connecting parts 23 is in fluid communication with one of the second connecting parts 73 during each rotational step motion performed by the workpiece turntable 62.

[0053] The first connecting portion 23 belonging to the second group 49 is positioned offset from the first connecting portion 23 of the first group 48 by half the angular pitch relative to the angular pitch of the workpiece housing 16, and can be used when the workpiece turntable 62 is displaced by half the rotational step value relative to the tool turntable 15, for example when performing maintenance work.

[0054] The first connecting portion 23 of the first group 48 is essential for the processing machine 1 to operate as specified, whereas the first connecting portion 23 of the second group 49 is optional and may be omitted.

[0055] As can be seen from the drawings in Figures 2 and 3, the pneumatic valve 69 is positioned on the first circle 51, and the pulse generators 43 and 44 are positioned on the second circle 52. Preferably, the first radius 53 of the first circle 51 is intended to be equal to the second radius 54 of the second circle 52.

[0056] As can be seen from the drawing in Figure 2, the second connecting portion 62 is positioned on the fourth circle 56. Furthermore, as can be seen from the drawing in Figure 3, the first connecting portion 23 is positioned on the third circle 55. Preferably, the third radius 57 of the third circle 55 is intended to be equal to the fourth radius 58 of the fourth circle 56.

[0057] The function of the machining machine 1 can be described as follows. At a predetermined time, the workpiece turntable 62 is stationary, and the tool turntable 15 is positioned opposite the workpiece turntable 62 at an axial distance. At the loading position 67, container material is supplied to the chuck 63 at the loading position 67 at a predetermined distance coaxially using a supply device not shown in detail. Subsequently, the tool turntable 15 moves toward the workpiece turntable 62, thereby inserting the container material into the chuck 63. While the workpiece turntable 62 is stationary, compressed air is supplied from the valve island 27 to the linear drive 31 (the first coupling portion 23 assigned to the linear drive 31 faces the second coupling portion 73), causing the piston rod 33 to retract, thereby reducing the distance between the first coupling portion 23 and the second coupling portion 73. During this approaching motion, the first connecting portion 23 comes into close contact with the second connecting portion 23, allowing compressed air to be supplied from the first connecting portion 23 to the second connecting portion 73, thereby filling the compressed air reservoir 74. For example, the valve control device 29 sets force control for the valve disc 28 used to supply compressed air to the linear drive 31, so that a constant driving force is always ensured between the first connecting portion 23 and the second connecting portion 73 during the approaching motion. As the tool turntable 15 approaches the workpiece turntable 62, a slider (not shown) housed in the corresponding tool housing 16 of the tool turntable 15 comes into contact with the end face of the container material, and the container material is inserted into the coaxially arranged chuck 63. At this time, it is assumed that the chuck 63 is in the open position to ensure insertion with as little friction as possible with respect to the container material. For this purpose, it is preferably intended that the pneumatic valve 69 of the chuck 63 is in the exhaust position. As soon as the tool turntable 15 occupies the minimum distance from the workpiece turntable 62, the valve island 27 controls the first pulse generator 43, thereby delivering compressed air pulses from the first pulse generator 43 to the first control opening 70 of the pneumatic valve 69 positioned opposite it, thereby moving the pneumatic valve 69 from the exhaust position to the intake position.This supplies compressed air to the chuck 63, thereby securing the pre-inserted container material. During the subsequent separation motion between the tool turntable 15 and the workpiece turntable 62, force control to the linear drive 31 is maintained, at least temporarily. As the distance between the tool turntable 15 and the workpiece turntable 62 increases, the compressed air transmission between the first coupling 23 and the second coupling 73 is interrupted, and the valve control device 29 controls the valve disc 28 used to supply to the linear drive 31, causing the piston rod 33 to enter, thereby separating the first coupling 23 from the second coupling 73, and subsequently, the rotational stepping motion of the workpiece turntable 62 may be performed. In view of the container material supplied at the loading position 67 according to the above description, the container material is moved to the discharge position 68 along the motion path 78, which is formed as an arc, during the subsequent rotational stepping motion of the workpiece turntable 62 and the accompanying reciprocating motion of the tool turntable 15. At the discharge position 68, the second pulse generator 44 is controlled by the valve island 27 at the minimum distance between the tool turntable 15 and the workpiece turntable 62, thereby sending pressure pulses to the second control opening 71 of the pneumatic valve 69, which moves the pneumatic valve 69 from the intake position to the exhaust position, thereby releasing the force-coupled fixing of the container material. To ensure that the container material does not reach an undesirable position after being released by the chuck 63, a container gripper (not shown) is housed in the assigned tool housing 16 opposite the removal position 68, and the container gripper can grip the container material and transfer it to a transport system (not shown).

[0058] Naturally, when the processing machine 1 is used as specified, one container material is supplied to the loading position 67, one container material is discharged at the removal position 68, and the container material received in the chuck 63 along the movement path 78 is processed by a processing tool (not shown) housed in the tool housing 16 of the tool turntable 15.

[0059] To allow adjustment of the holding force on the chuck 63, an electrically adjustable pressure control valve (not shown) may be optionally provided between the compressed air source (not shown) assigned to the machine frame 12 and the valve island 27, thereby adjusting the supply pressure to the valve island 27. Alternatively, a valve disc 28, which is in fluid communication with the first coupling 23 and provided for releasing or shutting off compressed air to the first coupling 23, may be appropriately electrically controlled to regulate the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the second coupling 73, respectively.

Claims

1. A processing machine (1) for processing container material (65), The first mechanical part (11) and A second mechanical part (61) configured as a workpiece turntable (62), the workpiece turntable (62) is supported by the first mechanical part (11) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (14), and the second mechanical part (61) is configured as a workpiece turntable (62), A drive unit (13) fixed to the first mechanical part (11), configured to provide rotational step motion of the workpiece turntable (62), Equipped with, A pneumatically operated chuck (63) is attached to the workpiece surface (91) of the workpiece turntable (62), and the chuck (63) is formed to detachably fix the container material (65) on the workpiece turntable (62). Each chuck (63) is assigned a pneumatic valve (69), and the pneumatic valve (69) is switchable between an intake position relative to the chuck (63) and an exhaust position relative to the chuck (63). Multiple pneumatic valves (69) are connected to a compressed air reservoir (74) fixed to a workpiece turntable (62). The system further comprises a coupling device (22), which is configured to supply compressed air to a compressed air reservoir (74), and has a first coupling portion (23) and a second coupling portion (73), the first coupling portion (23) being movably supported on the first mechanical portion (11), and the second coupling portion (73) being positioned on the workpiece turntable (62) opposite the first coupling portion (23) in a coupling plane (79) which is aligned laterally with respect to the axis of rotation (14), The first connecting portion (23) is in close contact with the second connecting portion (73) at the connecting position, and has a gap between it and the second connecting portion (73) at the stationary position. Processing machine (1).

2. The drive housing (32) of the linear drive (31) is attached to the first mechanical part (11), The first coupling portion (23) is attached to the connecting rod (33) of the linear drive (31), and the connecting rod (33) is configured to perform linear relative motion with respect to the drive housing (32), particularly aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (14), thereby moving the first coupling portion (23) between a stationary position and a coupling position. The processing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. The processing machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a fluid valve (28) is assigned to the first connecting portion (23), and the fluid valve (28) is configured to supply compressed air from the first connecting portion (23) to the second connecting portion (73) when the first connecting portion (23) is positioned in the connecting position.

4. The linear drive (31) is configured as a pneumatic cylinder, particularly a double-acting pneumatic cylinder. A control valve (28) configured to control the fluid supply to the linear drive (31) is assigned to the linear drive (31). The processing machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that

5. The first mechanical part (11) includes a mechanical frame (12) and a tool turntable (15) that is supported to move freely in a straight line along a rotation axis (14). The tool turntable (15) has a tool surface (41) positioned opposite the workpiece surface (91), and a plurality of tool housings (16) are arranged on the tool surface (41) at the same angular pitch as the chuck (63). A processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

6. The machining machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one component from the group consisting of a linear drive having a first coupling portion, a control valve, a fluid valve, a pulse generator, and an electrical valve control device is arranged on the tool turntable (15), particularly on the tool surface.

7. The machining machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tool storage section (16) is configured to accommodate machining tools from the group consisting of pull-in tools, milling tools, edge bending tools and roll processing tools.

8. A processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a first machine part (11) is provided with a plurality of work stations, particularly a group of printing stations, activation stations and curing stations, wherein the work stations are configured to process the sides of a container material (65) housed in a chuck (63).

9. The processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second connecting portion (73) is arranged on the workpiece surface (91) of the workpiece turntable (62).

10. The pneumatic valve (69) is configured to switch between an intake position relative to the chuck (63) and an exhaust position relative to the chuck (63) in a non-contact manner, and / or The pneumatic valve (69) is located on the workpiece surface (91) of the workpiece turntable (62). A processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that

11. The pneumatic valve (69) is positioned on a first circle (51) that is aligned concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation (14), The first mechanical part (11) is equipped with at least one pulse generator (43, 44), which is configured to control a pneumatic valve (69) and is positioned on a second circle (52) that is concentrically aligned with respect to the axis of rotation (14). The processing machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first circle (51) and the second circle (52) have substantially the same diameter (53, 54).

12. A machining machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a plurality of second connecting parts (73) are arranged on a workpiece turntable (62) at an angular pitch corresponding to the angular pitch of the chuck (63).

13. The machining machine (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that at least two first connecting parts (23) are arranged on the first machine part (11), particularly on the tool turntable (15), at an angular pitch corresponding to half the angular pitch of the chuck (63).

14. A processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a check valve (80) is provided in a fluid conduit extending from a second connecting portion (73) to a compressed air reservoir (74), and the check valve (80) is configured to release the fluid conduit (81) when a positive differential pressure exists between the second connecting portion (73) and the compressed air reservoir (74).

15. The machining machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the product of the number of first connecting parts (23) and the number of second connecting parts (73) corresponds to at least the number of chucks (63) in the workpiece turntable (62).

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