Method and device for analyzing a cut edge of a workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a method having the features of claim (1) for analyzing a cut edge of a workpiece, in particular for determining the burr, and to a device having the features of the additional independent claim for analyzing a cut edge of a workpiece, in particular for determining the burr.

Description

[0001] Title: Method and device for analyzing a

[0002] Cutting surface of a workpiece

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a method for analyzing a cut surface of a workpiece, in particular for determining burrs, with features of claim 1 and a device for analyzing a cut surface of a workpiece, in particular for determining burrs, with features of the independent claim.

[0005] In the production of sheet metal assemblies, for example, it may be necessary to cut parts using a laser cutting device. Poor cutting quality can lead to various problems in the production of sheet metal assemblies. Assessing the cutting quality usually requires manual intervention or assessment by a user. The result of the quality assessment depends heavily on the user and their skills and experience.

[0006] DE 10 2021 200 598 A1 discloses a method and a device for analyzing a cutting edge by recording and analyzing a cutting edge image.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a method and a device for analyzing a cutting surface of a workpiece, in particular for determining burrs, whereby an automated, user-independent and as accurate as possible analysis of the cutting surface is made possible.

[0008] The above object is achieved by a method for analyzing a cut surface of a workpiece, in particular for determining burrs, with the features of claim 1. The method comprises the steps:

[0009] Preparing the workpiece with the cutting surface.

[0010] Take at least one picture of the cutting surface.

[0011] Dividing the image into at least two areas, especially three areas. This can be implemented using a model. It is also conceivable that dividing the image into at least two areas can be implemented using an (artificial intelligence) algorithm.

[0012] Dividing the image into at least two areas can be done pixel-precisely.

[0013] Determining the surface area of ​​at least one region. This enables an automated, experience-independent, and precise analysis (e.g., quality control or monitoring) of the cutting surface, particularly the determination of the burr.

[0014] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0015] Creating the model, in particular by a neural network, by taking images of several different cutting surfaces. The division of each image into at least two areas can be carried out manually, checked and / or corrected. The neural network can be trained by taking images of several different cutting surfaces and dividing them into at least two areas (e.g. by means of an (artificial intelligence) algorithm). The recording direction or perspective when taking images is in particular identical or is preferably not changed.

[0016] This allows a model to be created and / or trained using simple means, allowing the process to be further optimized.

[0017] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0018] After creating the model, improve it by manually checking and / or correcting the division of the image into at least two areas. This allows the model to be further improved or optimized using simple means. Deviations in the model can be manually checked and corrected if necessary.

[0019] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0020] Dividing the image into a first region, wherein the first region indicates a burr. Alternatively or additionally, dividing the image into a second region, wherein the second region indicates a burr-free cut surface. Alternatively or additionally, dividing the image into a third region, wherein the third region indicates a background.

[0021] This allows the image of the cut surface to be divided or broken down into essential components using simple means. The process can thus be further optimized.

[0022] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0023] Determine the first area from the cut surface and the thickness of the workpiece. The cut surface (i.e., the first and second areas) can be subtracted from the previously known thickness of the workpiece. The result is the size or thickness of the burr.

[0024] This allows the first area, i.e. the ridge, to be determined using simple means. According to a further development of the method, the method may include the following steps:

[0025] Creating the cutting surface by a cutting process. The cutting process can be thermal cutting, in particular laser cutting, and / or punching. Of course, other cutting processes are also conceivable. The cutting surface can be created, in particular, by laser cutting. The cutting surface is composed, in particular, of a burr (first area) and a burr-free cutting surface (second area).

[0026] This allows the cutting surface to be created using simple means.

[0027] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0028] Comparing the determined surface area of ​​an area ( in particular the first area ) with a predetermined value .

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, display the determined area of ​​an area (especially the first area).

[0030] This allows for simple quality control. In particular, it can be determined whether, for example, burr formation is below a desired limit and whether the cut surface thus meets the desired quality. By displaying the determined surface area, manual, yet user-independent, quality control by the user is possible. Furthermore, a log of the cut edge quality can be implemented.

[0031] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the following steps:

[0032] Creating an analysis image from the divided areas.

[0033] Displaying the analysis image on a display device. The display device can be a screen or monitor. The individual areas on the analysis image can be marked with different colors.

[0034] This allows for simple quality control. In particular, individual areas can be displayed graphically and clearly identified, for example, by a user. This allows the process to be further optimized.

[0035] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0036] Displaying the image and the analysis image on the display device. The analysis image can be placed partially transparently over the image. In other words, the analysis image can be placed congruently over the image, with the analysis image being partially transparent.

[0037] This allows, for example, a user to identify individual areas in the analysis image based on the analysis image (or the colored areas of the analysis image). This allows the user to review the analysis results and correct them if necessary. This allows, for example, the model to be further or continuously improved (e.g., during operation).

[0038] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0039] While capturing the image of the cut surface, illuminate the workpiece and / or the cut surface from behind. The illumination can be implemented opposite to the direction in which the image is captured. For this purpose, the workpiece or the cut edge can be positioned between the recording device and a lighting device.

[0040] This allows for the highest possible contrast image of the cut surface to be captured. This allows for the division of the image into individual sections and thus the entire procedure to be further optimized.

[0041] The above object is further achieved by a device for analyzing a cut surface of a workpiece, in particular for determining burrs, with the features of the independent claim. The device comprises a cutting device for generating the cut surface of the workpiece. The cutting device can be a laser cutting device. The device has a recording device for recording at least one image of the cut surface. The recording device can be a camera or a camera-based sensor. The recording device can be designed as a smartphone with a camera, an industrial camera or a hand-held scanner. The device additionally comprises an evaluation device for analyzing the cut surface. The device is set up to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

[0042] With regard to the advantages that can be achieved, reference is made to the relevant explanations of the method. The measures described in connection with the method and / or those explained below can be used to further refine the device.

[0043] According to a further development of the device, the device can comprise a display device for displaying the image, the analysis image, and / or the determined surface area of ​​a region. The display device can be designed as a screen or monitor.

[0044] This allows the image, the analysis image and / or the determined area to be displayed (optically or graphically) using simple means.

[0045] According to a further development of the device, the device can have an illumination device for illuminating the workpiece and / or the cutting surface. The device can be configured such that the illumination device illuminates the workpiece and / or the cutting surface from behind. In particular, the recording direction of the image and an illumination direction of the workpiece and / or the cutting edge can be oriented opposite to one another.

[0046] This allows an image to be taken against the light of the illumination device, thus producing an image with the highest possible contrast. Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0047] Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a method for analyzing a cross-sectional surface of a workpiece;

[0048] Fig. 2 is a picture of a cut surface;

[0049] Fig. 3 is an analysis image of the cut surface according to Figure 2;

[0050] Fig. 4 shows an overlay of the image according to Figure 2 and the analysis image according to Figure 3 and

[0051] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a device for analyzing a cut surface of a workpiece.

[0052] In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements have the same

[0053] Reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all figures.

[0054] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method for analyzing a cut surface 42 of a workpiece 46, in particular for burr determination. The method comprises the following steps:

[0055] 10: Providing the workpiece 46 with the cutting surface 42 (see Figure 5). 12: Taking at least one image 56 of the cutting surface 42 (see Figure 2).

[0056] 14: Dividing the image 56 into at least two areas 58, 60, 62. This can be implemented using a model or an (artificial intelligence) algorithm.

[0057] 16: Determine the area of ​​at least one region 58, 60, 62.

[0058] Figure 2 shows an image 56 of a cutting surface 42. In the image 56, only a part of the cutting surface 42 can be seen.

[0059] The method may include the step:

[0060] 18: Creating the model by taking images 56 of several different cutting edges 42. The division of the respective image 56 into at least two areas 58, 60, 62 can be carried out manually, checked and / or corrected.

[0061] The method may include the step:

[0062] 20: After creating the model, improve the model by manually checking and / or correcting the division of the image 56 into at least two areas 58, 60, 62. This can be done, for example, at regular intervals and / or continuously during operation.

[0063] The method may comprise the step: 22: Dividing the image 56 into a first region 58, a second region 60 and / or a third region 62. The first region 56 indicates a burr, the second region 60 a burr-free cutting surface and the third region 62 a background.

[0064] The method may include the step:

[0065] 24: Determining the first area 58 from the cutting surface 42 and a thickness of the workpiece 46.

[0066] The method may include the step:

[0067] 26: Creating the cutting surface 42 by a cutting process. The cutting process can be, for example, thermal cutting, in particular laser cutting, and / or punching. Other cutting processes are also conceivable. In particular, the cutting surface 42 can be created by laser cutting.

[0068] The method may include the step:

[0069] 28: Comparing the determined area of ​​a region 58, 60, 62 with a predetermined value.

[0070] The method may include the step:

[0071] 30: Display the determined area of ​​an area 58, 60, 62.

[0072] The method may comprise the step: 32 : Generating an analysis image 64 from the divided regions.

[0073] Figure 3 shows an analysis image 64 of the cutting surface 42 according to Figure 1 .

[0074] The method may include the step of:

[0075] 34: Displaying the analysis image 64 on a display device 52, in particular a screen. The individual regions 58, 60, 62 can be displayed in different colors. The displayed analysis image 64 can, for example, have three regions 58, 60, 62, as shown in Figure 3, wherein the first region 58 can be colored yellow, the second region 60 green, and the third region 62 purple.

[0076] Of course, other colors are also conceivable. In the present case, the third region 62 is composed of two regions separated by the first and second regions 58, 60. For clarity, the first and second regions 58, 60 are each shown hatched in Figure 3. Thus, the individual regions 58, 60, 62 are clearly visible in Figure 3.

[0077] The method may comprise the step of:

[0078] 36: Displaying the image 56 and the analysis image 64 on the display device 52. The analysis image 64 can be placed partially transparently over the image 56 (congruently).

[0079] Figure 4 shows an overlay of the image 56 according to Figure 2 and the analysis image 64 according to Figure 3. A user can thus easily verify whether the individual areas 58, 60, 62 have been correctly determined and, if necessary, correct or adapt the model.

[0080] The method may comprise the step of:

[0081] 38: Illuminating the workpiece 46 and / or the cut surface 42 from behind while recording the image 56 of the cut surface 42. The illumination can occur against a recording direction of the image 56.

[0082] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a device 40 for analyzing a cutting surface 42 of a workpiece 46, in particular for determining burrs.

[0083] The device 40 comprises a cutting device 44 for producing the cut surface 42 of the workpiece 46. In this case, the cutting device 44 is designed as a laser cutting device. In this case, the workpiece 46 is cut by means of a laser beam 45 of the cutting device 44. This creates the cut surface 42.

[0084] The device 40 comprises a recording device 48 for recording at least one image 56 of the cut surface 42. In the present case, the recording device 48 is designed as a camera.

[0085] The device 40 comprises an evaluation device 50 for analyzing the cut surface 42. The evaluation device 50 can be embodied as a computer. The device 40 is configured to carry out the method according to the above explanations, in particular the method shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0086] In this case, the device 40 comprises a display device 52 for displaying the image 56, the analysis image 64, and / or the determined surface area of ​​a region 58, 60, 62. The display device 52 is embodied as a screen (e.g., a computer monitor).

[0087] In this case, the device 40 comprises an illumination device 54 for illuminating the workpiece 46 and / or the cutting surface 42. In this case, the device 40 is configured such that the illumination device 54 illuminates the workpiece 46 and / or the cutting surface 42 from behind. Thus, the illumination device 54 illuminates the workpiece 46 and / or the cutting surface 42 opposite to the recording direction of the recording device 48. The workpiece 46 or the cutting surface 42 is thus located between the recording device 48 and the illumination device 54.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for analyzing a cutting surface (42) of a workpiece (46), in particular for determining burrs, comprising the steps: (10) Providing the workpiece (46) with the cutting surface (42); (12) taking at least one image (56) of the cut surface (42); (14) dividing the image (56) into at least two areas (58, 60, 62), in particular by means of a model; (16) Determining an area of ​​at least one region (58, 60, 62).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the step: (18) Creating the model, in particular by a neural network, by taking images (56) of several different cutting surfaces (42), wherein the division of the respective image (56) into at least two areas (58, 60, 62) is carried out, checked and / or corrected manually.

3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the method comprises the step: (20) After creating the model, improving the model by manually checking and / or correcting the division of the image (56) into at least two areas (58, 60, 62).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step: (22) Dividing the image (56) into a first region (58) which characterizes a burr, a second region (60) which characterizes a burr-free cutting surface and / or a third region (62) which characterizes a background.

5. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the method comprises the step: (24) Determining the first area (58) from the cutting surface (42) and a thickness of the workpiece back (46).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step: (26) Producing the cutting surface (42) by a cutting process, in particular thermal cutting, e.g. laser cutting, and / or punching.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the steps: (28) comparing the determined area of ​​a region (58, 60, 62) with a predetermined value and / or (30) Displaying the determined area of ​​an area (58, 60, 62) .

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the steps: (32) Generating an analysis image (64) from the divided areas (58, 60, 62); (34) Displaying the analysis image (64) on a display device (52), in particular a screen.

9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the method comprises the step: (36) Displaying the image (56) and the analysis image (64) on the display device (52), wherein the analysis image (64) is placed semi-transparently over the image (56).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step: (38) During the recording of the image (56) of the cut surface (42), illuminating the workpiece (46) and / or the cut surface (42) from behind, in particular opposite to a recording direction of the image.

11. Device (40) for analyzing a cutting surface (42) of a workpiece (46), in particular for burr determination, comprising: a cutting device (44), in particular a laser cutting device, for generating the cut surface (42) of the workpiece (46); a recording device (48), in particular a camera, for recording at least one image (56) of the cut surface (42); an evaluation device (50) for analyzing the cut surface (42), wherein the device (40) is set up to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Device (40) according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (40) comprises a display device (52) for displaying the image (56), the analysis image (64) and / or the determined surface area of ​​a region (58, 60, 62).

13. Device (40) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the device (40) has an illumination device (54) for illuminating the workpiece (46) and / or the cut surface (42), wherein the device (40) is set up such that the illumination device (54) illuminates the workpiece (46) and / or the cut surface (42) from behind, in particular opposite to the recording direction.

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