Device and method for feeding a sheet metal strip to a machining device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for feeding a sheet metal strip (B) to a machining device (1) arranged downstream in a transport direction or X direction, comprising a roller feed (6) for transporting the sheet metal strip (B) in the X direction, wherein the roller feed (6) can be moved back and forth in a Y direction running transversely to the X direction, wherein a residual strip transport device (7) for transporting a residual strip to the machining device (1) is provided between the roller feed (6) and the machining device (1).

Description

[0001]Device and method for feeding a sheet metal strip to a processing device. The invention relates to a device and a method for feeding a sheet metal strip to a processing device arranged downstream in a transport or X-direction. A device for feeding a sheet metal strip to a sheet metal processing device is known from DE 102009027908 B3. A sheet metal strip is fed intermittently in a transport or X-direction to a transfer press by means of a roller drive. In the transfer press, sheet metal parts are punched from the sheet metal strip. The punched sheet metal parts are transported to a transfer device, for example, a 2-beam transfer.in the transfer press from one processing station to the next processing station and processed in the respective processing stations. The roller feed for feeding the sheet metal strip is usually located upstream at a distance of several meters from the transfer device and the tool. When one strip end leaves the roller feed, the remaining strip or the remaining strip section can no longer be gripped and processed by the transfer device. The remaining strip is usually discarded. In order to also be able to utilize the remaining strip, it is known from the aforementioned document to provide special gripping devices at the inlet ends of the transfer beams, with which the remaining strip can be gripped and transferred to the transfer device.or fed to the tool. JP S56-117841 A discloses a method for zigzag punching a sheet metal strip. The sheet metal strip is guided upstream of a processing device, in particular a punching device, through a roller feed. The roller feed is movable back and forth in a Y direction perpendicular to the transport or X direction. This allows the sheet metal strip to be fed to the downstream processing device in a zigzag motion. This enables more effective utilization of the sheet metal strip. As soon as one end of the sheet metal strip has left the roller feed, the zigzag movement can no longer be performed. The relevant remaining strip section must be discarded. Sheet metal strips are sold on the market in so-called coils, i.e., as sheet metal strip coils.Coils are offered in certain predefined sheet metal strip widths. Depending on the geometry of the sheet metal parts to be punched from the sheet metal strip, a relatively large amount of scrap may remain. The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a device and a method for feeding a sheet metal strip are to be provided, with which sheet metal parts can be produced with improved efficiency. In particular, scrap is to be reduced. This object is achieved by the features of patent claims 1 and 17. Expedient embodiments emerge from the features of the dependent patent claims. According to the invention, a device for feeding a sheet metal strip to a processing device arranged downstream in a transport or X-direction, with a roller feed for transporting the sheet metal strip in the X-direction, is proposed.wherein the roller feed is movable back and forth in a Y-direction running transversely to the X-direction, wherein a residual strip transport device for transporting a residual strip to the processing device is provided between the roller feed and the processing device, wherein a control system with a residual strip detection device is provided for controlling the residual strip transport device, wherein the control system is designed such that upon detection of a residual strip by means of the residual strip detection device, a change is made from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, in which the movements of the residual strip transport device, the press, and the transfer device are controlled in cycles in dependence on one another such that a zigzag movement of the sheet metal strip occurring in the first operating mode is continued in the second operating mode,so that a previous zigzag path is continued. The residual strip detection device can be an optical, mechanical, or electromechanical device with which a strip end can be detected. The residual strip detection device is expediently mounted on the roller feed. By allowing the roller feed to be moved back and forth in a Y direction running transversely to the X direction, it is possible to feed the sheet metal strip to a first processing station in a zigzag motion. The first processing station typically includes a punching tool. If the sheet metal strip is fed to the first processing station in a zigzag motion, significantly more parts can be punched from the sheet metal strip per given length section than if the sheet metal strip were simply moved in the X direction. The control system is expediently designed such thatthat a cycle of the press and / or transfer device remains unchanged in both the first and second operating modes. Upon detection of the residual strip in the second operating mode, the movements of the residual strip transport device are controlled by the control system in such a way that the residual strip is also fed to the processing device along the previous zigzag path. By providing a residual strip transport device for transporting a residual strip,A residual strip leaving the roller feed can also be fed to the processing device. This further increases the efficiency of the device. The residual strip can also be processed, thus reducing scrap. The processing device advantageously comprises a press with processing stations arranged consecutively in the transport direction and a one-to-one transfer device for transporting workpieces from one processing station to the next. The processing station can, for example, also comprise a Prodgie tool. The proposed residual strip transport device can advantageously be optionally inserted between the roller feed and the processing device. The residual strip transport device is expediently not mechanically coupled to the transfer device. The residual strip transport device can have grippers for gripping or holding the residual strip.which are movable back and forth in the X and Y directions and in a Z direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions. This means that the grippers can be moved back and forth in the X direction as well as in a vertical direction perpendicular to an XY plane. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the grippers can also be moved back and forth in the Y direction. This advantageously makes it possible to feed the remaining strip to a first processing station of the processing device using the proposed remaining strip transport device in a zigzag motion. This can further improve the efficiency of the device and save scrap. According to a specific embodiment, the remaining strip transport device can comprise two telescopic arms movable back and forth in the X direction, on which at least one gripper,Preferably, several grippers are attached. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, several grippers are attached to each of the telescopic arms in the X-direction. This makes it possible to feed large residual strip sections to the processing device. An additional gripper, movable relative to the telescopic arm by means of a vertical movement device, can be attached to each of the telescopic arms. The additional gripper is attached to one end of the telescopic arm facing away from the an-2-re processing device. If an additional gripper is provided, only one gripper can be provided on the respective telescopic arm instead of several grippers. Due to the additional gripper, which can be moved vertically back and forth separately, it is possibleto feed even small residual strip sections to the processing device. To transport small residual strip sections, the additional gripper can be moved into a vertically raised position relative to the gripper or grippers. This avoids collisions with other components of the device. In this case, the residual strip sections are only moved in the X and / or Y transport direction with the grippers facing the processing device. The grippers and / or the additional grippers are advantageously suction cups for sucking in the residual strip. Of course, the grippers and / or the additional grippers can also be designed differently. They can, for example, be magnetic,Preferably, these are electromagnetic grippers or mechanically designed grippers. The telescopic arms are conveniently attached to a holder that can be moved back and forth in the Y direction. The holder can in turn be attached to a crosshead that can be moved in the Z direction. In the second operating mode, the two telescopic arms of the residual strip transport device are conveniently moved into an area between the two transfer beams of the transfer device to transport the residual strip. After the residual strip has been positioned as specified by the control system, the grippers are released from the residual strip and the two telescopic arms are retracted from this area. A processing operation is then carried out using the transfer press. This makes it possibleImmediately after completion of the processing operation, the remaining strip can be gripped again by the grippers and fed to the processing device. This enables a reduction in cycle times. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the remaining strip transport device can have a table extending in the direction of the processing device to support the remaining strip section. The table is expediently designed as a brush or roller table. The design as a brush table is particularly preferred when a zigzag movement is to be performed with the strip or the remaining strip. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the table comprises a support and holding device telescopic in the X-direction. This enables the holding or supporting of small or short remaining strip sections. The support and holding device is expediently designed as an additional table, preferably as a brush or roller table.An upper side of the table facing the telescopic arms and another upper side of the further table expediently form a common plane for supporting the remaining strip section. The support and holding device comprises at least one further suction cup and / or a switchable magnet as a holder, which is preferably provided on an end section facing the processing device. With the holder, it is possible to hold a remaining strip section in place on its underside facing the table.when the grippers provided on the telescopic arms are released from an upper side of the remaining strip section. This enables particularly precise feeding of the remaining strip section to a downstream transfer device or a downstream tool. According to the invention, a method for feeding a sheet metal strip to a processing device arranged downstream in a transport or X-direction, having a roller feed for transporting the sheet metal strip in the X-direction, is further proposed. The roller feed is movable back and forth in a Y-direction running transversely to the X-direction. A remaining strip transport device for transporting a remaining strip to the processing device is provided between the roller feed and the processing device. A control system with a remaining strip detection device is provided for controlling the remaining strip transport device. The control system is designed such thatthat upon detection of a residual strip by means of the residual strip detection device, a switch is made from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, in which the movements of the residual strip transport device, the press, and the transfer device are controlled in a cyclical manner in dependence on one another such that a zigzag movement of the sheet metal strip carried out in the first operating mode is continued in the second operating mode with the residual strip such that a zigzag path carried out in the first operating mode is continued. According to an advantageous embodiment, the residual strip transport device further comprises two telescopic arms movable back and forth in the X direction, to which the grippers are attached, wherein on each of the telescopic arms a further gripper is attached, movable relative to the telescopic arm by means of a vertical movement device, wherein the control is further configured such thatthat a third operating mode is provided for feeding a short remaining strip section that can no longer be gripped by the additional grippers, wherein in the third operating mode, the additional grippers are moved into a raised position relative to the short remaining strip section, and subsequently the short remaining strip section is gripped only with the grippers. The grippers are expediently lowered by means of the vertical movement device to grip the short remaining strip section. The control is expediently designed such that when changing from the first to the second operating mode, a cycle of the press and / or transfer device specified in the first operating mode is maintained. This means that the telescopic arms and / or the vertical movement device and / or the additional grippers movable relative to the an-2-pure telescopic arm are controlled such thatthat a previous zigzag path of the sheet metal strip is thus continued with the remaining strip. An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device for feeding a sheet metal strip according to the prior art, Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the essential components of a device according to the invention for feeding a sheet metal strip, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a roller feed according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a zigzag feed for producing round blanks, Fig. 5 is a front view of a remaining strip transport device, Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a telescopic arm according to Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a side view of a telescopic arm, Fig. 9 is a perspective view according to Fig. 8,Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a table with a support and holding device, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a residual strip transport device with a table attached thereto according to Fig. 10. Fig. 1 shows a device for feeding a sheet metal strip to a processing device generally designated by reference numeral 1. The processing device comprises a transfer press 2 with a transfer device for the cyclic transport of workpieces 4 from one processing station to the subsequent processing station (not shown in detail here). The transfer device has two transfer beams 3 with grippers 5, with which the workpieces 4 can be gripped and fed to the next processing station. Reference numeral 6 designates a roller feed.with which a sheet metal strip from B is gripped and fed to the processing device 1 in a transport direction T or X-direction in a cyclical manner. A Y-direction runs in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the X-direction. A vertical direction is designated Z. Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of an inventive device for feeding a sheet metal strip to the processing device 1. A residual strip transport device 7 is arranged between a roller feed 6 and the processing device 1. Reference numeral 8 denotes a roller straightening machine upstream of the roller feed 6, with which a sheet metal strip (not shown here) is fed to the roller feed 6. The roller feed 6 is shown in perspective in Fig. 3. A frame 9a, which can be moved back and forth in the Y-direction, is mounted on a roller table 9.which includes, among other things, two transport rollers 10 for clamping and advancing a sheet metal strip (not shown here). Support rollers 11 are arranged upstream of the transport rollers 10. Fig. 4 shows a zigzag feed of a sheet metal strip B, which can be carried out by a cyclically controlled movement in the X and Y directions of the roller feed 6. It can be seen that the proposed zigzag movements allow considerably more round blanks to be punched from the sheet metal strip B.than when the sheet metal strip B moves only in the X direction. The zigzag movements can occur from left to right either in the sequence ACB; BCA; ACB (solid line) or along the path ABC; ABC; ABC (broken line). Figs. 5 to 8 show an embodiment of a residual strip transport device according to the invention. Fig. 7 schematically shows the telescopic arms 15, which can be moved back and forth in the X direction, in an extended and a retracted position. Fig. 8 shows a side view of the telescopic arms 15. A crosshead 13, which can be raised and lowered in the Z direction, is attached to two press stands or columns 12. The crosshead 13 can comprise a holder 14, for example rails.on which telescopic arms 15 are provided that can be moved back and forth in the Y direction. Each of the telescopic arms 15 comprises grippers 16 designed as suction cups. Fig. 9 shows a perspective detailed view according to Fig. 8. Several grippers 16 and a further gripper 17 are attached to the telescopic arm 15, one behind the other in the X direction. The further gripper 17 can be moved back and forth vertically relative to the grippers 16 by means of a vertical movement device 18. As can be seen in particular in Fig. 8, the further gripper 17 is attached to one end E1 of the telescopic arm 15. The grippers 16 are attached near another end E2 of the telescopic arm 15. The transport device 7 is arranged with respect to the processing device 1 such that the other end E2 of the telescopic arms 15 faces the processing direction 1. Figs. 10 and 11 show in perspective views a table 19,which is optionally attached to the residual strip transport device 7. The table 19 extends from the residual strip transport device 7 toward a processing device (not shown here). The table 19 is designed here as a brush table. As can be seen particularly from Fig. 10, the table 19 can comprise a support and holding device 19a that is telescopic in the X direction. The support and holding device 19a is designed here as a further table, in particular as a brush table. As can be seen particularly from Fig. 11,An upper side of the table 19 facing the telescopic arms 15 and another upper side of the support and holding device 19a form a common plane for supporting the remaining strip section (not shown here). The support and holding device 19a can have at least one further suction cup 20 as a holder. Instead of the further suction cup 20, a switchable magnet or the like can also be provided. The holder 20 is provided at an end section of the support and holding device 19a, which faces the processing device (not shown here). The function of the device is as follows: A remaining strip detection device (not shown in detail here) can be provided on the roller feed 6. This can be, for example, an optical detector. As soon as the presence of a remaining strip is detected,A change is made from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the sheet metal strip B is moved by means of the roller feed 6 in the X and Y directions, for example, such that one of the zigzag movements shown in Fig. 4 is carried out with respect to a processing device 1 provided in the transfer press 2. As long as the first operating mode is active, the residual strip transport device 7 is not active. As soon as a strip end or the like is detected by the residual strip detection device, a second operating mode is activated. The residual strip is gripped or fixed by means of the residual strip transport device 7. By means of the telescopic arms 15, the residual strip is moved in the X and / or Y directions according to a predetermined path stored in a control system towards the downstream processing device 1. The movement can be in the transport direction, i.e. exclusively in the X direction.However, it can also be carried out in an oblique direction, i.e., in the XY-on-2 plane. By means of the residual strip transport device 7, a zigzag movement can also be carried out or continued, as shown, for example, in Fig. 4. According to a further embodiment, a third operating mode is provided. The third operating mode serves to feed a remaining short residual strip section, which in the second operating mode can no longer be gripped by the additional grippers 17. In the third operating mode, the additional grippers 17 are moved into a raised position relative to the short residual strip section. By raising the additional grippers 17 relative to the grippers 16, a collision with an upstream support table or other components can be avoided. The short residual strip section is then gripped only by the grippers 16.by lowering them onto the short remaining strip section by means of the vertical movement devices 18. This allows the short remaining strip section to continue to be fed according to the zigzag movement of the processing device 1. This further increases the efficiency of the remaining strip transport device 7. Scrap can be largely avoided. In the third operating mode, short remaining strip sections in particular can be supported by means of the telescopic support and holding device 19a. For this purpose, the support and holding device 19a can be moved, preferably in accordance with the advance of the telescopic arms 15.moved back and forth in the X direction. Upon reaching a predetermined end position, the short remaining strip section can be secured on its underside by means of the holders 20. Subsequently, the additional grippers 17 engaging the top side of the short remaining strip section are released and lifted vertically. Because the short remaining strip section is secured by the holder 20 provided on the support and holding device 19a, it is ensured that the sheet metal strip section is held precisely in a predetermined position. It can thus be precisely fed to a tool and / or transfer device arranged downstream in the transport direction X. an-2-rein List of Reference Symbols 1 Processing device 2 Transfer press 3 Transfer beam 4 Workpiece, 5 Greifer 6 Roller feed 7 Remaining strip transport device 8 Roller straightener 9 Roller table 9a Rahmen 10 transport rollers11 support rollers 12 Säule13 Crosshead14 Holder15 Telescopic arm16 Gripper17 Additional gripper18 Vertical movement device 19 Tisch 19a Support and holding device20 Additional suction cupB Sheet metal stripT Transport or X-directionA,B,C Points of a zigzag movementan-2-rein

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 01 July 2025 (01.06.2025) 1. Device for feeding a sheet metal strip (B) to a processing device (1) arranged downstream in a transport or X-direction, comprising a press (2) with processing stations arranged one after the other in the transport direction and a transfer device (3, 5) for transporting workpieces (4) from one processing station to the subsequent processing station, a roller feed (6) for transporting the sheet metal strip (B) in the X-direction, wherein the roller feed (6) is movable back and forth in a Y-direction running transversely to the X-direction, wherein a residual strip transport device (7) for transporting a residual strip to the processing device (1) is provided between the roller feed (6) and the processing device (1), wherein a control with a residual strip detection device is provided for controlling the residual strip transport device (7), wherein the control is designed such thatthat upon detection of a residual strip by means of the residual strip detection device, a change is made from a first operating mode, in which the roller feed (6) is active and the residual strip transport device (7) is not active, to a second operating mode, in which the movements of the residual strip transport device (7), the press (2) and the transfer device (3) are controlled in cycles in dependence on one another such that a zigzag movement of the sheet metal strip carried out in the first operating mode is continued in the second operating mode, so that a previous zigzag path is continued.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the residual strip transport device (7) has grippers (16) for gripping the residual strip, which grippers can be moved back and forth in the X direction and in a Z direction running perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the grippers (16) are movable back and forth in the Y direction. 19 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the residual strip transport device (7) comprises two telescopic arms (15) which can be moved back and forth in the X direction and to which the grippers (16) are attached.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein several grippers (16) are attached to each of the telescopic arms (15) in succession in the X direction.

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein on each of the telescopic arms (15) a further gripper (17) is attached which can be moved relative to the telescopic arm (15) by means of a vertical movement device.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the grippers (16) and / or the further grippers (17) are designed as suction cups (16) for sucking the remaining strip.

8. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the telescopic arms (15) are mounted on a holder (14) so as to be movable back and forth in the Y direction.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the receptacle (14) is attached to a crosshead (13) movable in the Z direction.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the residual strip transport device (7) has a table (18) extending in the direction of the processing device (1) for supporting the residual strip section.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the table (18) is designed as a brush or roller table.

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the table (18) comprises a support and holding device (19) telescopic in the X direction.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the supporting and holding device (19) is designed as a further table, preferably as a brush or roller table. 20 14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein an upper side of the table (18) facing the telescopic arms (15) and a further upper side of the further table form a common plane for supporting the remaining strip section.

15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the support and holding device (19) comprises as a holder at least one further suction cup (20) and / or a switchable magnet, which is preferably provided on an end section facing the processing device (1).

16. A method for feeding a sheet metal strip (B) to a processing device (1) arranged downstream in a transport or X-direction, comprising a press (2) with processing stations arranged one after the other in the transport direction and a transfer device (3, 5) for transporting workpieces (4) from one processing station to the subsequent processing station, a roller feed (6) for transporting the sheet metal strip (B) in the X-direction, wherein the roller feed (6) is movable back and forth in a Y-direction running transversely to the X-direction, wherein a residual strip transport device (7) for transporting a residual strip to the processing device (1) is provided between the roller feed (6) and the processing device (1), wherein a control with a residual strip detection device is provided for controlling the residual strip transport device (7), wherein the control is designed such thatthat when a residual strip is detected by the residual strip detection device, a change is made from a first operating mode in which the roller feed (6) is active and the residual strip transport device (7) is not active, to a second operating mode in which the movements of the residual strip transport device (7), the press (2) and the transfer device (3) are controlled in cycles in dependence on one another in such a way that a zigzag movement of the sheet metal strip which took place in the first operating mode in, 21 of the second operating mode is continued with the remaining strip in such a way that a zigzag path executed in the first operating mode is continued.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the residual strip transport device (7) has grippers (16) for gripping the residual strip, which grippers can be moved back and forth in the X direction and in a Z direction running perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the residual strip transport device (7) comprises two telescopic arms (15) which can be moved back and forth in the X direction and to which the grippers (16) are attached, wherein on each of the telescopic arms (15) a further gripper (17) which can be moved relative to the telescopic arm (15) by means of a vertical movement device (18) is attached, wherein the control is further designed such that a third operating mode is provided for feeding a short residual strip section which can no longer be gripped by the further grippers (17), wherein in the third operating mode the further grippers (17) are moved into a position raised relative to the short residual strip section and subsequently the short residual strip section is gripped only with the grippers (16).

19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the grippers (16) for gripping the short remaining strip cut are lowered by means of the vertical movement device (18).

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