Workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts

Abstract

The present invention relates to a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts, comprising a carrier base, such as a carriage, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line, and at least one receptacle arranged on the carrier base for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition cases, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition lighting caps, wherein the at least one ammunition part receptacle is mounted so as to be movable relative to the carrier base.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts, such as an ammunition cartridge, which combines the components necessary for firing a projectile in one unit, such as an ammunition case, an ammunition projectile, an ammunition primer and / or propellant charge powder. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an automated production line for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts, which comprises a workpiece carrier according to the invention.

[0002] The present invention relates in principle to the technical field of ammunition assembly work, which comprises the provision and assembly of the individual ammunition components to form a complete ammunition unit. For decades, this was carried out at successive processing stations which are separate from one another and in which, roughly in summary, the following process was carried out: provision of the ammunition case, of the projectile, of the primer and of propellant charge powder at respective separate processing stations; insertion of the primer into the ammunition case; filling of propellant charge powder into the ammunition case; insertion of the projectile into the ammunition case. Furthermore, additional sealing, painting and / or inspection steps were carried out. From the individual processing stations, the individual parts were discharged as bulk material and then separated again from this bulk material in a separating station preceding the following processing station and fed to the following processing station.

[0003] There have already been attempts to automate the ammunition assembly work of ammunition. For example, WO 2017 / 085751 A1 describes a production plant in which the individual processing stations are arranged along a circulating linear transfer system, in which a plurality of receiving sleeves, which are each adapted to receive one ammunition case, are conveyed by means of a conveying direction through the different stations. However, the number of cycles of such a system is greatly restricted. This is related in particular to the fact that the transfer system is still of quite rudimentary design since the ammunition case is moved rigidly and immovably through the individual stations. Coherently with this, the system of this type according to WO 2017 / 08575 A1 requires elaborately constructed individual processing stations which occupy a large installation space, in order to be able for each station to carry out the necessary handling, the necessary alignment and the necessary processing steps.

[0004] A further approach to automating ammunition assembly work is described in JP 1020130133355 B1, in which an ammunition case receiving plate for receiving and holding a plurality of ammunition cases is provided and is moved along the production line by means of a conveying device. The additional ammunition components, such as projectile, primer and propellant charge, are each connected to the ammunition case via separate receptacles provided for this purpose at handling and processing stations constructed specifically for this purpose.

[0005] Also on the production line of JP 1020130133355 B1, in particular the complexity and the large installation space of the individual processing stations which are necessary for assembling a complete cartridge have proven to be disadvantageous.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages from the prior art, in particular to simplify the automated ammunition assembly work and / or to increase the cycle rate thereof, in particular while requiring a smaller installation space.

[0007] The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts is provided.

[0009] The automated production line can comprise all joining and assembly steps which are necessary in order to cover a complete ammunition unit comprising an ammunition case, an ammunition primer, an ammunition projectile and the propellant charge powder. Such a production line can therefore also be referred to as an ammunition laboratory or assembly plant. The individual ammunition components can be produced in upstream production steps and / or upstream production stations and finally be added to the ammunition assembly installation, at which they are in principle assembled according to proven technology to form a complete ammunition or cartridge which, after passing through the automated production line, is therefore ready for sale. The automated production line is preferably realized as a rotary cycle or circulation system, in which the individual processing stations for assembling the ammunition are arranged in succession along the rotary cycle or circulation system and assemble ammunition units in an automated manner according to a conveying cycle of the production line.

[0010] The plant comprises a plurality of production or processing stations, at which the different assembly or production steps are carried out. For example, the plurality of production stations comprise an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station and / or a projectile insertion station, for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the plant, a plurality of quality testing stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station, a propellant charge filling station, a projectile assembly station, a projectile marking station and / or a discharge station for transporting the produced ammunition out of the production process of the plant. The discharge station can also serve to discharge rejects from the production process. The plurality of production stations are arranged in relation to the production process in such a way that the ammunition parts can be supplied to the production stations one after the other in order to allow the production steps which build up one after the other to be carried out.

[0011] The plant furthermore comprises one or more conveying devices, each configured for holding a plurality of the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting a plurality of the plurality of ammunition parts from, to and / or between the plurality of production stations. The conveying device accordingly performs at least two functions. On the one hand, the conveying device can hold the ammunition parts which are necessary for the ammunition and permit access of the individual production stations to the ammunition parts or permit processing of the ammunition parts at the individual production stations and, on the other hand, the conveying device is responsible for the in particular automated transporting or conveying of the individual ammunition parts along the production process which is defined by the plurality of production stations. The conveying device defines a closed circulating conveying track, along which the individual ammunition parts are conveyed at least in sections, depending on the influence thereof on the production process, and which delimits an interior space which is enclosed by the conveying track and an exterior space which is delimited therefrom. The conveying track can have an endless racetrack-like structure or shape. In particular, the plant comprises a plurality of conveying devices, such as carriages, which are distributed along the conveying track and are in particular of identical design. In this case, the plurality of conveying devices can be activated individually and can be moved along the conveying track in order that individual production stations can be approached with an individual movement profile for each conveying device. The production process is therefore considerably more flexible than when the conveying devices are fixed to one another along the conveying track.

[0012] At least one, in particular a plurality, of the plurality of production stations can be arranged in the interior space and / or the exterior space and can act on the conveying device, in particular the ammunition parts which are conveyed or transported along the conveying device, from the inside and / or from the outside. The lateral or horizontal action plane, which is created in this way, of the production stations on the conveying device or on the ammunition parts which are conveyed thereby permits a space-saving, cleaned-up construction of the plant. With such lateral access to the conveying device, the high demands on the production capacity can be better satisfied, since, as a result of the lateral arrangement with the lateral access of the production stations to the conveying device, the individual production stations can be designed completely independently of the conveying device and can be positioned, repositioned and exchanged freely or flexibly in relation to the conveying device.

[0013] Furthermore, the plurality of conveying devices can be moved independently of one another from, to and / or between the plurality of production stations. In particular, the plant comprises a plurality of conveying devices, such as carriages, which are distributed along a conveying track and are in particular of identical design. In this case, the plurality of conveying devices can be activated individually and can be moved along the conveying track in order that individual production stations can be approached with an individual movement profile for each conveying device. The production process is therefore considerably more flexible than when the conveying devices are fixed to one another along the conveying track.

[0014] Furthermore, the plant can have at least two propellant charge filling stations arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction. The propellant charge filling stations are in principle designed to fill ammunition parts, in particular the case, with propellant charge powder. The propellant charge filling station according to the invention can be designed on the basis of gravimetry or can operate on the basis of volumetric metering. The gravimetric metering can achieve advantages with regard to the accuracy of the metered quantity. The volumetric metering can achieve clear advantages with regard to the processing speed, which has a positive effect on the cycle rate, in particular when incorporating the propellant charge filling station according to the invention into a plant, in particular according to the invention, for the automated production of ammunition. The device according to the invention serves in particular for the simultaneous filling of the at least two ammunition cases with propellant charge powder. This means that the filling of the at least two ammunition cases is carried out in one filling operation, in particular without a change of direction by more than 90°. In this case, “simultaneous” is not necessarily to be understood as meaning that the at least two ammunition cases are filled exactly at the same time, but rather that there is quite a certain time offset between the filling, in particular the complete filling, of the ammunition cases arranged along the track. The device according to the invention can be designed to fill the at least two ammunition cases in each case with a defined, in particular substantially identical, quantity taking into account the process-inherent inaccuracies. The propellant charge powder can be, for example, a propellant charge powder for a small-caliber ammunition, in particular with a caliber in the range from 4.5 mm to 13 mm, which typically has one-or two-base spherical, tubular, rod or flake shapes and / or is shaped in the manner of a powder. Alternatively, extruded propellant charge powders can also be used. If a spherical propellant charge powder is involved, it can be, for example, rolled and have a sphere diameter of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. In the case of rod-shaped propellant charge powder, for example for the 5.56 mm caliber ammunition, the rods can have a length of up to 1.1 mm and / or a diameter of up to 0.7 mm. In the case of nitrocellulose (NC), the density of the propellant charge powder used can be, for example, in the range from 0.5 to 1 g / cm3. In the case of such a propellant charge powder, the bulk density is in the range from 0.6 to 1 g / cm3, for cartridge cartridges, for subsonic or blank cartridges, up to 0.4 g / cm3.

[0015] Furthermore, one of the plurality of production stations can be an ignition element insertion station which introduces an ignition element into the production process of the plant and inserts it into a case in each case. The ignition element insertion station can be designed to insert a plurality of, in particular at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven or twelve, ignition elements simultaneously, in particular in one insertion operation, into a corresponding number of cases.

[0016] Furthermore, one of the plurality of production stations can be a fluid application station in which a sealing compound is applied in an annular joint between the case and the ignition element accommodated therein and / or between the case and the projectile inserted therein, and the annular joint is sealed and / or marked. It has been found that the integration of the application of the sealing compound in the automated production process entails considerable advantages with regard to the production capacity and also the production accuracy. By virtue of the fact that the plant ensures that the individual components are aligned with respect to one another, the fluid application station can benefit from this predetermined alignment of the individual components with respect to one another and apply the sealing compound very precisely.

[0017] Furthermore, one of the plurality of production stations can be a quality monitoring station in which the case and the projectile are monitored, in particular in each case individually, before assembly. The monitoring can be understood to mean quality control with regard to predetermined parameters.

[0018] Furthermore, the conveying device and the production stations can be coordinated with one another in clock cycles, wherein at least two, at least five, at least ten or at least twelve ammunition parts are processed into ammunition per clock cycle at the production stations. The production capacity according to the invention is achieved inter alia by the parallel processing of a multiplicity of ammunition parts per clock cycle.

[0019] Furthermore, the conveying track can have a rail which is oriented in the direction of the interior space and / or exterior space, runs along the conveying track and fixes a coupling interface of the conveying device in a provision position.

[0020] The workpiece carrier can accordingly perform two functions. On the one hand, it can hold ammunition parts which are necessary for the ammunition and permit access of the individual processing stations to the ammunition parts or permit processing of the ammunition parts at the individual processing stations and, on the other hand, the workpiece carrier can form the interface with the automated production line, such that the at least two ammunition parts can pass through the automated production line by means of the workpiece carrier.

[0021] The workpiece carrier according to the invention has a carrier base, such as a carriage, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line. The carrier base can accordingly be configured to be coupled, in particular releasably, to the automated production line in order to be conveyed by the latter in an automated manner from one processing station to the next. The carrier base can be configured, for example, to form a tongue-and-groove system with a connecting component of the automated production line.

[0022] The workpiece carrier furthermore comprises at least one receptacle, arranged on the carrier base, in particular preferably releasably fastened thereto, for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition cases, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers. An essential aspect of the workpiece carrier according to the invention is that it is designed for receiving a plurality of ammunition parts which are held such that they can be processed simultaneously or in parallel. By way of example, the receptacle is configured such that it can hold at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 15 ammunition parts of the same type. For example, the multiplicity of ammunition parts are held in a predetermined, in particular invariable, arrangement by the receptacle. For example, in a row and / or parallel arrangement, such as, for example, in an array field.

[0023] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one ammunition part receptacle is mounted so as to be movable relative to the carrier base. It has been found that, in the ammunition assembly work of ammunition, the individual ammunition parts have to be held in a different orientation depending on the processing station. While this was achieved in the prior art by elaborately and individually constructed processing stations which were able to access the rigid holding devices for the ammunition parts, the present invention departs from this concept to the effect that these requirements can be complied with at the expense of a more complex workpiece carrier. According to the invention, high flexibility is obtained in a simple manner by means of the movable mounting of the ammunition part receptacle relative to the carrier base. Owing to the movability of the material holder, it is possible for the latter to be brought into the respectively optimum orientation during the different processing steps or in the different processing stations. As a result, the individual processing stations can be significantly simplified in terms of construction, handling and actuation and can be significantly reduced in terms of the installation space thereof. The processing stations no longer require elaborately complex systems in order to be able to access the rigidly arranged ammunition parts or to be able to process the latter.

[0024] In an exemplary development, the ammunition part receptacle is mounted pivotably relative to the carrier base, in particular on the carrier base. As a result, the ammunition part holder can be pivoted between different positions with respect to an axis of rotation in order to assume a different orientation. According to an exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one ammunition part receptacle can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be supplied in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed simultaneously. The movability of the at least one ammunition part holder relative to the carrier holder can be of flexible configuration such that a multiplicity of different positions can be approached. For example, the at least one ammunition part receptacle can be locked when the receiving position is assumed and / or when the processing position is assumed, such that movability of the ammunition part receptacle is temporarily prevented. It is clear that the position of the at least two ammunition parts in the receiving position or the orientation thereof can furthermore be such that processing of the at least two ammunition parts can likewise take place in the receiving position. The different positions which can be assumed of the ammunition part receptacle relative to the carrier base can differ by a different orientation and / or position in relation to distance from the carrier base.

[0025] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one ammunition part receptacle is mounted movably on the carrier base such that the ammunition part receptacle can carry out a combined pivoting and translational movement relative to the carrier base.

[0026] For example, the ammunition part receptacle is mounted pivotably on the carrier base by means of a pivoting arm, with the result that the pivoting or rotation axis does not pass through the ammunition part receptacle. In this case, the at least one ammunition part receptacle can furthermore be mounted on the pivoting arm so as to be movable, in particular pivotable, relative to the latter. The flexibility of the workpiece carrier according to the invention is further increased as a result, in particular because a further degree of freedom of movement is created which permits adaptation of the orientation and positioning of the ammunition part receptacle or of the ammunition parts which are received therein.

[0027] In a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the carrier base has a catch which is designed for transmitting the drive conveying force of the production line to the workpiece carrier. For example, the catch of the connecting device can have the manner of a tongue-and-groove system. Furthermore, said ignition element insertion station can have actively controllable actuable fastening mechanisms, such as a clamping and / or latching mechanism, by means of which said ignition element insertion station can be coupled to the production line so as to be able to be carried along in a force-transmitting manner.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects by way of example, a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts is provided.

[0029] The workpiece carrier can in principle perform two functions. On the one hand, it can hold ammunition parts which are necessary for the ammunition and permit access of the individual processing stations to the ammunition parts or permit processing of the ammunition parts at the individual processing stations and, on the other hand, the workpiece carrier can form the interface with the automated production line, such that the at least two ammunition parts can pass through the automated production line by means of the workpiece carrier.

[0030] The workpiece carrier furthermore comprises at least two receptacles for holding in each case at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition cases, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers. An essential aspect of the workpiece carrier according to the invention is that it is designed for receiving a plurality of ammunition parts which are held such that they can be processed simultaneously or in parallel. By way of example, the receptacle is configured such that it can hold at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 15 ammunition parts of the same type. For example, the multiplicity of ammunition parts are held in a predetermined, in particular invariable, arrangement by the receptacle. For example, in a row and / or parallel arrangement, such as, for example, in an array field.

[0031] According to the further aspect of the invention, at least one of the ammunition part receptacles can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be supplied in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed in particular simultaneously. Owing to the fact that not necessarily all different ammunition parts types have to be able to be supplied to the same number of different processing stations and / or have to be able to be processed in different orientations or positions in each case, it is thus possible to provide a workpiece carrier which is more cost-effective and nevertheless significantly more flexible in comparison with the prior art. By combining the receptacles of the ammunition parts of different types required for the production of ammunition in one and the same workpiece carrier, considerable advantages can be generated, in particular with regard to the cycle rate. Consequently, the ammunition parts to be joined to one another can be provided, for example, in the direct vicinity of one another, but at any rate can be held by one and the same workpiece carrier, such that they are held in a locally concentrated manner on the workpiece carrier for simple handling and accessibility.

[0032] The movability of the at least one ammunition part holder relative to the carrier holder can be of flexible configuration such that a multiplicity of different positions can be approached. For example, the at least one ammunition part receptacle can be locked when the receiving position is assumed and / or when the processing position is assumed, such that movability of the ammunition part receptacle is temporarily prevented. It is clear that the position of the at least two ammunition parts in the receiving position or the orientation thereof can furthermore be such that processing of the at least two ammunition parts can likewise take place in the receiving position. The different positions which can be assumed of the ammunition part receptacle relative to the carrier base can differ by a different orientation and / or position in relation to distance from the carrier base.

[0033] According to an exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one movable ammunition part receptacle can be moved relative to the other ammunition part receptacle such that the movable ammunition part receptacle can assume a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts of the movable ammunition part receptacle can be processed together, in particular can be joined together, the at least two ammunition parts of the other, either rigid or likewise movable ammunition part receptacle. It has been found that the workpiece carrier can be used not only for holding and providing ammunition parts at different processing stations but can simultaneously serve itself to take over processing steps in the production or assembly of ammunition. For example, if the one ammunition part type is the ammunition part case and the other ammunition part type is the ammunition projectile, the receptacle holding the ammunition projectiles can thus be displaceable relative to the ammunition part receptacle holding the ammunition cases, with the result that the workpiece carrier is capable of inserting, in particular pressing, the ammunition projectiles into the ammunition cases.

[0034] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least two ammunition part receptacles can each be moved independently of the other ammunition part receptacle. Consequently, the ammunition part receptacles holding different ammunition parts can be moved independently of one another and moved into the respectively necessary processing position. As a result, it is even possible for both ammunition part receptacles to be able to be located in a processing position, in which the respectively received ammunition parts can be processed in particular simultaneously. According to an exemplary development, the at least two ammunition part receptacles can each carry out a pivoting and / or translational movement relative to the respective other ammunition part receptacle. The more degrees of freedom of movement exist and / or the more the at least two ammunition part receptacles can be moved independently of one another, the more flexible the ammunition carrier of the workpiece carriers can be inserted and the simpler and less complex the necessary processing stations can be designed.

[0035] According to a further exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one movable ammunition part receptacle defines a first movement space, in which precisely this ammunition part receptacle can be moved, and the at least one further movable receptacle defines a further movement space, in which this further receptacle, which is arranged within the first movement space, can be moved.

[0036] In a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one first movable ammunition part receptacle can be moved along a first travel path and the at least one further movable ammunition part receptacle can be moved along a further travel path, wherein the two travel paths intersect. By crossing the movement tracks, it can be ensured in a simpler manner that the workpiece carrier is capable of carrying out a processing operation, such as the joining together of the ammunition parts arranged in the first movable ammunition part receptacle with the ammunition parts arranged in the further ammunition part receptacle.

[0037] According to a further exemplary development of the workpiece according to the invention, the workpiece carrier has a carrier base, such as a carriage or a device based on the tongue-and-groove principle, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line. In this case, at least one of the receptacles can be mounted movably on the carrier base via a movement arm. For example, the other receptacle is coupled to the carrier base via a support arm connected rigidly to the carrier base. According to an exemplary development, the movably mounted movement arm is arranged on a holding arm which is coupled, in particular rigidly, to the carrier base and on which the at least one further ammunition part receptacle is mounted, in particular movably. For example, the movable movement arm is mounted movably on its bearing surface facing the respective ammunition part receptacle. As a result of this arrangement of the ammunition part receptacles on the workpiece carrier, the latter can be of particularly compact design and permit high flexibility in relation to the possibility of movement of the ammunition part receptacles.

[0038] According to an exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the latter has a carrier base, such as a carriage, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line. Furthermore, the workpiece carrier has at least two, in particular three, rotation axes, wherein both receptacles can each be pivoted relative to the carrier base and to the other receptacle with respect to a first or second rotation axis independently of the respectively other receptacle. In other words, the first ammunition part receptacle is mounted pivotably with respect to a first rotation axis and the second ammunition part receptacle is mounted pivotably with respect to a second rotation axis which is different from the first rotation axis. According to an exemplary development, the at least two receptacles can be pivotable relative to the carrier base with respect to a common third rotation axis. In other words, the two ammunition part receptacles can then be pivoted as a unit with respect to the third rotation axis.

[0039] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspect and exemplary embodiments, a workpiece carrier for an automated production line for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts is provided.

[0040] The workpiece carrier comprises at least one receptacle for holding at least two ammunition parts of the same type, such as two ammunition cases, two ammunition projectiles, two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers. An essential aspect of the workpiece carrier according to the invention is that it is designed for receiving a plurality of ammunition parts which are held such that they can be processed simultaneously or in parallel. By way of example, the receptacle is configured such that it can hold at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 15 ammunition parts of the same type. For example, the multiplicity of ammunition parts are held in a predetermined, in particular invariable, arrangement by the receptacle. For example, in a row and / or parallel arrangement, such as, for example, in an array field.

[0041] The at least one receptacle can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be supplied in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed in particular simultaneously. Owing to the fact that not necessarily all different ammunition parts types have to be able to be supplied to the same number of different processing stations and / or have to be able to be processed in different orientations or positions in each case, it is thus possible to provide a workpiece carrier which is more cost-effective and nevertheless significantly more flexible in comparison with the prior art. By combining the receptacles of the ammunition parts of different types required for the production of ammunition in one and the same workpiece carrier, considerable advantages can be generated, in particular with regard to the cycle rate. Consequently, the ammunition parts to be joined to one another can be provided, for example, in the direct vicinity of one another, but at any rate can be held by one and the same workpiece carrier, such that they are held in a locally concentrated manner on the workpiece carrier for simple handling and accessibility.

[0042] According to the further aspect according to the invention, the workpiece carrier furthermore has a coupling interface for connecting to a motor of the production line, in particular a motor-side coupling interface, in order to move the receptacle from the receiving position into the processing position, and in particular vice versa. The workpiece carrier itself can accordingly be of drive-free and / or motorless design. The necessary activation or movement energy which is necessary for moving the at least one ammunition part receptacle can be fed in particular completely from outside, for example by a motor or drive of the production line.

[0043] According to the further aspect according to the invention, the workpiece-carrier-side coupling interface is designed, in particular adapted and / or orientated with respect to a motor-side coupling interface, in such a way that the workpiece carrier can move into the motor-side coupling interface for connecting to the motor. In this way, coupling of the workpiece carrier and energy source to one another in a particularly simple manner is made possible without the workpiece carrier requiring its own energy supply in order to move the at least one receptacle.

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier, the coupling interfaces are designed for interlocking engagement. For example, the coupling interfaces can be based on the tongue-and-groove principle.

[0045] In a further exemplary embodiment of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the workpiece-carrier-side coupling interface has a rectilinear depression and a rectilinear projection, the longitudinal extent of which is / are orientated parallel to a movement direction for coupling the workpiece carrier and motor to one another. The movement direction of the workpiece carrier for coupling to one another can correspond to that movement direction which is defined by the production line, for example the rotary cycle or circulation system.

[0046] In a further exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the at least one receptacle has a pretensioning device which is configured to apply a projection force to the at least two ammunition parts when they are held. For example, the pretensioning device comprises springs assigned to each of the ammunition parts. For example, the pretensioning device can comprise spring-pretensioned latches.

[0047] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the workpiece carrier can have 2, 3 or 4, in particular movably mounted ammunition part receptacles for receiving in each case at least two, in particular 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, ammunition parts of the same type.

[0048] In a further exemplary development of the workpiece carrier according to the invention, the carrier base is designed such that it can be guided in a magnetically floating manner along the production line, in particular along a rail of the production line. In this case, a gap can be formed between two mutually facing bearing / guide surfaces of carrier base and rail, in particular for as low-friction a displacement as possible of the carrier base relative to the rail.

[0049] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, an automated production line for ammunition, also referred to as a plant for the automated production of ammunition, having at least two ammunition parts is provided, which has at least one workpiece carrier designed according to one of the preceding claims.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment of the production line according to the invention, said production line furthermore comprises a plurality of production stations, such as an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station and / or a projectile insertion station, for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the plant, a plurality of quality testing stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station, a propellant charge filling station, a projectile assembly station, a projectile marking station and / or a discharge station for transporting the produced ammunition out of the production process of the plant. The discharge station can also serve to discharge rejects or waste from the production process. The plurality of production stations are arranged in relation to the production process in such a way that the ammunition parts can be supplied to the production stations one after the other in order to allow the production steps which build up one after the other to be carried out.

[0051] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the production stations can be displaced, in particular individually, between a production position, in which the production stations can act on the ammunition parts and / or the conveying device, and a passive position, in which the production stations are set back in relation to the ammunition parts and / or the conveying device. The passive position can be a maintenance position, for example in which the respective production station is decoupled from the production process, in order to be able to carry out maintenance, repair or other inspection measures which are not directly related to the production of ammunition. For example, the production stations can be moved away or blown away individually from the production position into the passive position of the conveying track.

[0052] According to an exemplary development of the production line according to the invention, the production stations each have a drive for displacing the respective production station. For example, the drive is independent of a respective production-station-specific manipulation device for acting on the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier. In other words, the drive for displacing the production stations between the production position and the passive position can be constructed independently and can be activated with respect to the production-station-specific manipulation device, with which intervention is made in the production process in order to be able to produce the ammunition. For example, the production stations should each have a releasable coupling interface for connecting to the respective drive, which is in particular stationary.

[0053] In a further exemplary embodiment of the production line according to the invention, the workpiece carrier is mounted movably, in particular in a guided manner, on a rail running along the conveying track and is held on the rail by a holding force which is oriented in the horizontal direction, in particular a magnetic holding force. For example, no further fastening mechanisms acting in the horizontal direction are used. The horizontal, in particular magnetic, holding force can be supported by a support, which is oriented in the vertical direction, for a bearing interface on the conveying device side, which bearing interface slides along and / or rolls along the support during the movement of the workpiece carrier relative to the support.

[0054] According to a further exemplary development of the production line according to the invention, the workpiece carrier is mounted removably on the rail. For example, the disassembly can be carried out by overcoming the holding force, in particular magnetic holding force, between the conveying device and the rail. A dismantling direction of the workpiece carrier away from the rail can in this case be oriented in the horizontal direction.

[0055] In a further exemplary embodiment of the production line according to the invention, the rail has at least one bearing and / or guide surface for the workpiece carrier. The bearing and / or guide surfaces support the movements of the workpiece carrier for the removal and / or transport of the plurality of ammunition parts from, to and / or between the plurality of production stations. For example, a guide surface oriented in particular in the horizontal direction provides the holding force, in particular magnetic holding force. The magnetic holding force can be achieved by a surface contact or by two bearing surfaces of the rail and workpiece carrier arranged at a small distance from one another.

[0056] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the workpiece carrier and a rail running along the conveying track, on which rail the workpiece carrier is mounted movably, in particular in a guided manner, form a magnetic levitation system.

[0057] Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0058] Further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear below by means of a description of preferred embodiments of the invention on the basis of the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a workpiece carrier according to the invention;

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the workpiece carrier from FIG. 1;

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the workpiece carrier from FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a detailed sectional view of the workpiece carrier from FIGS. 1-3;

[0063] FIG. 5 shows further detailed sectional view of the workpiece carrier from FIGS. 1-3;

[0064] FIG. 6 shows perspective view of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of an automated production line according to the invention having a plurality of workpiece carriers according to the present invention;

[0065] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an ammunition production plant;

[0066] FIGS. 8-11 show further schematic diagrams of details of the production line from FIG. 7.

[0067] In the present description of exemplary embodiments of the present inventions, a workpiece carrier according to the invention is generally provided with the reference sign 1, which can be used in a production line 100, which is also referred to as a plant, for the automated production of ammunition, also referred to as a ammunition assembly or assembly plant, which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case, an ignition element, a projectile and a propellant charge.

[0068] According to the exemplary embodiments of the workpiece carrier 1 according to the invention in FIGS. 1-3, the workpiece carrier 1 comprises substantially the following main components: a carrier base 3, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line 100; a first and a second receptacle 5, 7 for holding in each case at least two, according to the exemplary embodiments in FIG. 12, ammunition parts of the same type; and a coupling interface 9 for connecting to a motor 109 of the production line 100 for actuating or actuating the drive-free / motorless workpiece carrier 1.

[0069] According to the exemplary embodiments, the carrier base 3 is of two-part design and comprises a coupling section 11 which is c-shaped in cross section and via which the workpiece carrier 1 can be releasably docked to the production line 100 in order to be moved or conveyed there, for example via a rotary or circulating conveying system, along the processing stations 105 of the production line 100. Furthermore, the carrier base 3 comprises a bearing section 13 which is fastened to the coupling section 11 and on which both the two coupling interfaces 9 and the at least two ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 are arranged. According to the exemplary embodiments in the figures, the ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 can each hold up to 12 ammunition parts of the same type, such as projectiles 121 (in the receptacle 5), ammunition cases 17 (in the receptacle 7) or else primers (not illustrated) in a row with, in particular, the same distance from one another, wherein, according to FIG. 1, the projectiles 121 are already inserted into the ammunition cases 17, such that the ammunition part receptacle 7 according to FIG. 1 holds ammunition in an intermediate production state. The two ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 each comprise holding depressions 19, which are configured and designed to receive in each case one ammunition part.

[0070] The ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 are in principle arranged on the carrier base 3 via two support arms 21, 23 which are orientated parallel to one another and are in particular of identical design. The support arms 21, 23 can, for example, also be mounted pivotably with respect to a rotation axis R3 with respect to the carrier base 3, in particular the bearing section 13, wherein the bearing center is indicated by the reference r3. By means of these pivotable mountings, it is possible for the two ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 to be pivoted as a unit relative to the carrier base 3, with the result that the ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 can be positioned in different positions in order to position the respective ammunition parts differently or to align them differently, depending on what is required by the respective processing station 105.

[0071] Furthermore, the two ammunition part receptacles are each still mounted pivotably separately on the support arms 21, 23, with the result that the ammunition parts 5, 7 can each be pivoted independently of the respectively other receptacle. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the ammunition part receptacle 7 is mounted rotatably with respect to a rotation axis R1 which runs through a bearing center r1, and furthermore that the rotation axis R1 runs through the receptacle 7, which has the result that the receptacle 7 can perform a pure rotational movement with respect to the rotation axis R1. In other words, the ammunition part receptacle 7 can be rotated about its own axis, in particular through 360°, in order to be able to orientate the received ammunition parts in a 360° orientation. The further ammunition part receptacle 5 is in turn mounted pivotably on the lever arms 21, 23 via a pivoting arm construction 25. In this case, the entire pivoting construction 25, including the holding depressions 19 which define the receptacle 5, can be pivoted about a rotation axis R2 which runs through a rotation center r2. During the rotation of the receptacle 5 relative to the support arms 23, the receptacle 5 performs a combined pivoting and translational movement. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 1, the pivoting construction 25 is mounted and fastened on mutually facing bearing surfaces 27, 29 of the support arms 21, 23.

[0072] With reference to FIG. 2, in particular the coupling section 11 of the carrier base 3 is illustrated, the c-shape of which defines a receiving space 29, via which the workpiece carrier 1 can be placed on a catch of the production line 100, which conveys the workpiece carrier 1 along the production line 100. Actuable and / or adjusting devices 33 are provided on an inner side 31 of the coupling section 11, which inner side faces the receiving space 29, by means of which adjustable and / or adjusting devices a reliable fastening to the catch of the production line 100 can be achieved and set, such that adaptation to different catches is in principle also possible here.

[0073] A further special feature of the workpiece carrier 1 according to the invention can be seen from FIG. 3. The workpiece carrier 1 according to the invention serves not only to hold the ammunition parts 15, 17 required for the production of ammunition or to bring them into the desired alignment and orientation during the processing at the different processing stations 105 of the production line 100 but, furthermore, the workpiece carrier 1 is also capable of carrying out process or processing steps. FIG. 3 once again shows the rotation axis R2, with respect to which the ammunition part receptacle 5 can be pivoted relative to the other ammunition part receptacle 7 and relative to the holding arms 21, 23. If the ammunition part receptacle 5 is rotated about the rotation axis R2 in the direction U shown in FIG. 3, ammunition parts, such as ammunition projectiles 121, held by the ammunition part receptacle 5 can be inserted or pressed into ammunition parts, such as ammunition cases 17, held in the ammunition part receptacle 7. A decisive measure in this case is that, on the one hand, the orientation of the ammunition parts held in the ammunition part receptacle 5, which is realized via the orientation of the holding depressions 19, is coordinated with respect to an orientation of the ammunition parts held in the further ammunition parts 7. On the other hand, a movement track during the pivoting of the ammunition part receptacle 5 is adapted to the arrangement of the ammunition part receptacle 7 on the holding arms 21, 23, such that, in the case of a 180° pivoting in the direction U shown, starting from the constellation illustrated in FIG. 3, each holding depression 19 of the ammunition part receptacle 5 coincides with, in particular is aligned with, one holding depression 35 of the ammunition part receptacle 7.

[0074] FIGS. 4 and 5 each show detail details in a partial sectional view of the workpiece carrier 1 with focus on the holding depressions 19, 35 of the ammunition part receptacles 5, 7; using the example of FIG. 5, these are the holding depressions 35 of the ammunition part receptacle 7. The ammunition part receptacle 7 has a pretensioning device which is generally denoted by the reference sign 37 and serves to fix the received ammunition parts, in this case the received ammunition case 17. In this case, the pretensioning device 37 applies a pretensioning and / or clamping holding force to the respective ammunition parts, such that the latter are secured against falling out in the respective holding depression 35. The pretensioning is applied by using a pretensioning means, such as, for example, springs 39, in order to press movably mounted clamping jaws 41 against the respective ammunition part in order to build up the holding force.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pretensioning device 37 is realized by spring-pretensioned latches. The clamping jaws 41 or latches have clamping surfaces 43 which are inclined in the longitudinal direction L of the ammunition part and which, according to the embodiment in FIG. 4, are of convex shape, such that, when the respective ammunition parts are inserted into the holding depressions 35, the ammunition parts can press away the two clamping jaws 41 substantially along the longitudinal direction L, which means that the latches are pressed outward counter to the spring pretensioning force, as a result of which the holding force also builds up without becoming hooked with the latter. In the unoccupied state (not illustrated) of the holding depressions 35, the clamping jaws 41, in particular the clamping surfaces 43 which face one another, therefore project significantly further in the direction of the center of the holding depressions 35 and, during the occupation by means of an ammunition part, are in particular urged elastically outward, as a result of which the in particular elastic clamping / holding force builds up, which ultimately is responsible for the ammunition parts being held reliably in the holding depressions 35.

[0076] With reference to FIG. 5, which represents a detailed sectional view of a similar detail from FIG. 4, but rotated through 90°, four holding depressions 35 arranged in a row can be seen, in each of which an ammunition case 17 is accommodated. As already described, each holding depression 35 or each ammunition part is assigned a pretensioning device 37 composed of spring-pretensioned clamping jaws 41. It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the mutually facing clamping surfaces 43, 45 of the clamping jaws 41 are of different shape in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5. The clamping surfaces 43 of the respectively lower clamping jaws 41 are of planar design in the cross-sectional view and accordingly form punctiform linear contact with the ammunition case 17. The opposite clamping surfaces 45, facing the clamping surfaces 43, of the other clamping jaws 41 are shaped in the cross-sectional view from FIG. 5 such that a receiving depression 47 for the ammunition cases results, which receiving depression can be shaped, for example, in a concave, frustoconical or similar manner. It has been found that, by means of such a receiving depression 47, when the clamping jaws 41 are pressed against one another and when the clamping / holding force is built up on the ammunition parts, a self-centering effect can be utilized at the same time, which self-centering effect is also set by means of the statically determined mounting which results in this way.

[0077] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of an automated production line 100 according to the invention, in which two processing stations 105, 103 are indicated schematically. It can be seen in FIG. 6 that a plurality of workpiece carriers 1 according to the invention are arranged in a row one behind the other and at a small distance from one another and can be conveyed or moved along the production line 100 according to the invention in a conveying direction, which is indicated by the arrow with the reference symbol F, such that the workpiece carriers 1 can be supplied to the different processing stations 103, 105.

[0078] Firstly, the pivotability of the ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 can be seen in FIG. 6, which results from a comparison of the two workpiece carriers 1 arranged next to one another (on the right in the figure). While the ammunition part receptacle 5 is initially arranged in the horizontal orientation (on the far right), the ammunition part receptacle 5 is subsequently pivoted upward by 90° into the vertical orientation (central workpiece carrier 1). For example, it is possible in this way to move the ammunition part receptacles 5, 7 between different positions, such as, for example, a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be supplied in particular simultaneously into the receptacle 5, 7, and a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts can be processed in particular simultaneously.

[0079] A further feature which can be realized in the workpiece carriers 1 according to the invention is the particular type of coupling or coupling to actuators, motors 109 or drives of the production line 100, which leads to the workpiece carrier itself managing without its own drive. According to the preferred embodiment in FIG. 6, the outwardly oriented coupling interfaces 9 of the workpiece carriers 1 have a planar coupling surface 49, on which a rectilinear coupling projection 51 is arranged, which is orientated in the direction of the conveying direction F of the production line 100. It is thus possible for the coupling interface 9 to be adapted in shape and orientated with respect to a motor-, drive- or actuator-side coupling interface 107, which is assigned to a schematically indicated motor 109, drive or actuator 109 of the production line 100, to move automatically, that is to say without manual or machine access, into the motor-side interface 107 during conveyance along the production line 100, in order to be able to produce a connection to the motor 109, drive or actuator. The respective coupling interfaces 9 are mounted rotatably with respect to a bearing 53 which is coupled fixedly to the carrier base 3, with the result that, in the coupled state with the coupling interface 107 of the motor 109, actuator or drive of the production line 100, the coupling interface 9 can be actuated, with the result that the latter can be rotated along in order to change the orientation of the coupling projection 51. It is thereby possible for the respective workpiece carrier 1 to be fixed at a desired position and to be connected to the motor 109, the drive or the actuator for energy transmission.

[0080] The ammunition assembly plant 100 according to FIG. 7 comprises in any case the following production stations: a case insertion station 111 which is designed to insert cases 119 into the conveying device 113; a projectile insertion station 115 which is designed to insert projectiles 121 into the conveying device 113; a propellant charge filling station 117 which is designed to fill cases 119 with propellant charge powder 11, 123; a case mouth expansion station; an ignition element feed station 125 for feeding ignition elements 127 and an ignition element insertion station 129 in which the ignition elements 127 are inserted into the conveying devices 113; an ignition element caulking station; a plurality of quality monitoring stations 131 and quality testing stations 133 for optically and / or tactilely ensuring the quality of the ammunition and a discharge station 135 for finally discharging the produced ammunition.

[0081] The conveying device 113 for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts from, to and / or between the plurality of production stations defines a closed circulating conveying track 137, which delimits an interior space 139 which is enclosed by the conveying track 137 and an exterior space 141 which is delimited therefrom. According to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the conveying track 137 is constructed from two parallel linear sections 143 which are connected by curved sections 145 in order to form a racetrack-shaped conveying track profile. The production stations 11, 13, 15, 59, 59, 25 are arranged laterally with respect to the conveying track 137 in the interior space 139 (FIG. 12) or in the exterior space 141 of the conveying track 137.

[0082] FIG. 7 shows a plant arrangement, wherein the ammunition components are introduced into the plant 1 from the outside. Alternatively, the ammunition components can be brought out of the interior 139 into the conveying devices 113. The basic production sequence is the same in both plant arrangements. Both plant principles have the following production sequence: via a curved section 145, a conveying device 113 located in a buffer zone 147 is fed to the case insertion station 111. This is followed by a projectile insertion station 115 in which the projectiles 121 are fed to the conveying device 113. After this, the entire conveying device 113 with the projectiles 121 and cases 119 located thereon is subjected to optical inspection in a quality monitoring station 131. In the subsequent stations, an ignition element 127 is first introduced into the plant 1 via an ignition element feed station 125 in order then to be transferred with a slide 51 into an ignition element insertion station 129 in order finally to be inserted into the rear of the case 119. After the insertion, the fired cases 119 are calibrated at a case forming station 153 and then sealed with annular joint lacquer at a fluid application station 149. Subsequently, the conveying devices 113 are guided via a second curved section 145, after which a linear section 143 having a plurality of production stations follows again. Before the cases 119 are filled with propellant charge powder 11, 123 at the propellant charge filling station 117, a quality monitoring station 131 checks whether the ignition elements 7 were properly accommodated in the cases 119. After the filling, the filling level is checked, in particular tactilely, at a quality testing station 133. The actual assembly of projectile 121 and case 119 takes place in two stages; first, the projectile 5 is brought onto the case 119 only slightly at the projectile insertion station 155, in order ultimately to be pressed into the case 119 at the projectile assembly station 151 in the downstream step. The ammunition 101 finalized as a result is subsequently checked at a quality monitoring station 131 and / or a quality testing station 133 and subsequently discharged via a discharge station 135.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows a further detail in a perspective view of a production line 100 according to the invention with focus on a workpiece carrier 1 arranged on the rail 63. The embodiment according to FIG. 8 differs from the preceding embodiments with regard to the coupling of the workpiece carrier 1 and rail 63 to one another. As is indicated schematically by the arrow with the reference symbol M, a magnetic holding force which is oriented in the horizontal direction H and holds the workpiece carrier 1 on the rail 63 prevails between the workpiece carrier 1 and the rail 63. According to the embodiment in FIG. 8, the workpiece carrier 1 is free of positively locking or latching engagement with the rail 63. The coupling is carried out by mutually assigned pairs of bearing and / or guide surfaces 83, 87 and 85, 89. The guide surface 85 of the rail 63 is formed by a support 91 for the conveying device 100, namely for a bearing projection 93 which projects from the planar, magnetic bearing and / or guide surface 87 and rests with its bearing and / or guide surface 89 on the support 91.

[0084] FIG. 9 shows the expression from FIG. 8 in a view from above. A particularly preferred embodiment of the production line 100 according to the invention emerges from this. The rail 63 and the workpiece carrier 1 together form a magnetic levitation system, which emerges from the narrow gap a between the mutually facing magnetic bearing and / or guide surfaces 83, 87. The workpiece carrier 1 is therefore supported vertically by the support 91 at least via the bearing projection 93 and can otherwise float past in a contact-free and friction-free manner in the region of the mutually facing bearing and / or guide surfaces 87, 89 during a relative movement of the workpiece carrier 1 relative to the rail 63.

[0085] FIGS. 10 and 11 relate to the same embodiment as FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein the workpiece carrier 1 is partially dismantled from the rail 63. According to the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 8-11, the disassembly can be carried out simply by overcoming the magnetic holding force (arrow M) between the workpiece carrier 1 and the rail 63. For the subsequent reassembly of the workpiece carrier 1 on the rail 63, the workpiece carrier 1 is to be fed back to the rail 63 substantially in the opposite direction, in particular until the magnetic holding force M begins to pull the workpiece carrier 1 in the direction of the rail 63.

[0086] The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims can be significant both individually and in any desired combination for the realization of the invention in the various configurations.REFERENCE SIGNS1 workpiece carrier

[0088] 3 carrier base

[0089] 5,7 ammunition part receptacle

[0090] 9 Coupling interface

[0091] 11 Coupling section

[0092] 13 Bearing section

[0093] 15, 17 Ammunition Part

[0094] 19, 35 Holding depression

[0095] 21, 23 Holding arm

[0096] 25 Pivot structure

[0097] 27, 29 Bearing surface

[0098] 30 receiving space

[0099] 31 inner side

[0100] 33 Adjusting device

[0101] 37 Pretensioning device

[0102] 39 spring

[0103] 41 Clamping jaw

[0104] 43, 45 Clamping surface

[0105] 47 Receiving depression

[0106] 49 Coupling surface

[0107] 51 Coupling projection

[0108] 53 Store

[0109] 63 rail

[0110] 83.85, 87.89 Guide and / or Bearing Surface

[0111] 91 Support

[0112] 93 bearing projection

[0113] 100 Production line

[0114] 103 Processing Station

[0115] 105 Processing Station

[0116] 107 Coupling interface

[0117] 109 Motor

[0118] 111 Case Insertion Station

[0119] 113 Conveying device

[0120] 115 Projectile Insertion Station

[0121] 117 Propellant Charge Filling Station

[0122] 119 sleeve

[0123] 121 Projectile

[0124] 125 Ignition element feed station

[0125] 127 Ignition element

[0126] 129 Ignition element Insertion Station

[0127] 131 Quality Monitoring Stations

[0128] 133 Quality Testing Stations

[0129] 135 Discharge station

[0130] 137 Conveying track

[0131] 139 interior space

[0132] 141 exterior space

[0133] 143 Linear section

[0134] 145 Curved section

[0135] 147 buffer zone

[0136] 149 Fluid Application Station

[0137] 151 Projectile assembly station

[0138] 155 Projectile Insertion Station

[0139] F conveying direction

[0140] L Direction of longitudinal extent

[0141] Ri axis of rotation

[0142] li Rotation center

[0143] U rotational movement

[0144] V, H Vertical direction or horizontal direction

[0145] a Distance

[0146] M magnetic force

Claims

1. Workpiece carrier (1) for an automated production line (100) for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts, comprisinga carrier base (3), such as a carriage, which is configured to be conveyed along the production line (100), andat least one receptacle (5, 7) arranged on the carrier base (3) for holding at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the same type, such as two ammunition cases (119),two ammunition projectiles (121), two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers,characterized in that the at least one ammunition part receptacle (5, 7) is mounted movably relative to the carrier base (3).

2. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one ammunition part receptacle (5, 7) can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be supplied in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be processed in particular simultaneously.

3. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ammunition part receptacle (5, 7) is mounted movably on the carrier base (3) in such a way that the ammunition part receptacle (5, 7) can carry out a combined pivoting and translational movement relative to the carrier base (3).

4. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier base (3) has a catch which is designed to transmit the drive conveying force of the production line (100) to the workpiece carrier (1).

5. Workpiece carrier (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for an automated production line (100) for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts, comprisingat least two receptacles (5, 7) for holding in each case at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the same type, such as two ammunition cases (119), two ammunition projectiles (121), two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers,characterized in that at least one of the ammunition part receptacles (5, 7) can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be supplied in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be processed in particular simultaneously.

6. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one movable receptacle (5, 7) can be moved relative to the other receptacle (5, 7) in such a way that the movable receptacle (5, 7) can engage a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the movable receptacle (5, 7) and the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the other receptacle (5, 7) can be processed together, in particular can be joined together.

7. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least two receptacles (5, 7) can be moved independently of the other receptacle (5, 7), wherein in particular the receptacles (5, 7) can each carry out a pivoting and / or translational movement relative to the respective other receptacle (5, 7).

8. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the at least one first movable ammunition part receptacle (5) can be moved along a first movement path and the at least one further movable ammunition part receptacle (7) can be moved along a further movement path, wherein the two movement paths intersect.

9. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, further characterized by a carrier base (3), such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line (100), wherein at least one of the receptacles (5, 7) is mounted movably on the carrier base (3) via a movement arm, wherein in particular the movement arm is mounted movably on a support arm of the other receptacle (5, 7), in particular on the bearing surface (27, 29) thereof which faces the respective receptacle (5, 7).

10. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of claims 5 to 9, further characterized by a carrier base (3), such as a carriage, which is designed to be conveyed along the production line (100), wherein the workpiece carrier (1) has at least two axes of rotation, wherein both receptacles (5, 7) can each be pivoted relative to the carrier base (3) and to the other receptacle (5, 7) with respect to a first or second axis of rotation independently of the respective other receptacle (5, 7), wherein in particular the at least two receptacles (5, 7) can be pivoted relative to the carrier base (3) with respect to a common third axis of rotation.

11. Workpiece carrier (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for an automated production line (100) for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts, comprisingat least one receptacle (5, 7) for holding at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) of the same type, such as two ammunition cases (119), two ammunition projectiles (121), two ammunition cartridges or two ammunition primers, which can be moved from a receiving position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be supplied in particular simultaneously, into a processing position, in which the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) can be processed in particular simultaneously, anda coupling interface (9) for connecting to a motor of the production line (100) in order to move the receptacle (5, 7) from the receiving position into the processing position,characterized in that the coupling interface (9) is adapted and / or orientated with respect to a motor-side coupling interface (107) in terms of shape in such a way that the workpiece carrier (1) can be retracted into the motor-side coupling interface (107) for connecting to the motor.

12. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the coupling interfaces (9, 107) are designed to engage in one another in a form-fitting manner.

13. Workpiece carrier (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the workpiece-carrier-side coupling interface (9) has a rectilinear depression and / or a rectilinear projection, the longitudinal extent of which is / are orientated parallel to a movement direction for coupling workpiece carrier (1) and motor to one another.

14. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receptacle (5, 7) has a pretensioning device which is configured to apply a pretensioning force to the at least two ammunition parts (15, 17) when they are held.

15. Workpiece carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier base (3) is designed in such a way that it can be guided in a magnetically levitating manner along the production line (100), in particular along a rail of the production line (100).

16. Automated production line (100) for ammunition having at least two ammunition parts, comprising at least one workpiece carrier (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims.

17. Production line (100) according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of production stations, in particular an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station (111) and / or a projectile insertion station (155), for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the production line (100), a plurality of quality testing stations (133), at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station (17), a propellant charge filling station (117), a projectile assembly station (151), a projectile marking station and / or a discharge station (135) for transporting the produced ammunition (101) out of the production process of the production line (100), wherein the workpiece carrier (1) is designed for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts from, to and / or between the plurality of production stations.

18. Production line (100) according to claim 17, wherein the production stations can be displaced, in particular individually, between a production position, in which the production stations can act on the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier (1), and a passive position, such as a maintenance position, in which the production stations are set back in relation to the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier (1).

19. Line (1) according to claim 18, wherein the production stations each have a drive for displacing the respective production station, wherein in particular the drive is independent of a respective production-station-specific manipulation device for acting on the ammunition parts and / or the workpiece carrier (1).

20. Line (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the workpiece carrier (1) is mounted movably, in particular guided, on a rail (63) defining a conveying track (29) and is held on the rail (63) by a magnetic holding force oriented in the horizontal direction.

21. Line (1) according to claim 20, wherein the workpiece carrier (1) is mounted removably on the rail (63), in particular by overcoming the magnetic holding force between workpiece carrier (1) and rail (63).

22. Line (1) according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the rail (63) has at least one bearing and / or guide surface (83, 85) for the workpiece carrier (1), wherein in particular a guide surface (83, 85) oriented in particular in the horizontal direction provides the in particular magnetic holding force.

23. Line (1) according to one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the workpiece carrier (1) and a rail (63) defining a conveying track (29), on which the workpiece carrier (1) is mounted movably, in particular guided, form a magnetic levitation system.

Images