Processing station

Abstract

The invention relates to a processing station having a processing machine (2) for processing structural components (3), in particular aircraft structural components, wherein the processing machine (2) has a frame (5), in particular a frame which forms a portal (4), a workpiece receiving frame (6), which can be adjusted relative to the frame (5), for receiving the respective structural component (3) to be processed, in particular an aircraft structural component, and a processing unit (7) for processing the structural component (3), the processing unit (7) having an upper tool unit (8), which can be adjusted relative to the frame (5) and which is supported by the frame (5), in particular by the portal (4). According to the invention, the processing station (1) has a supply unit (19) for a structural component (3), and the processing machine (2) is designed to receive the structural component (3) from a supply unit (19) and / or to transfer the structural component to a supply unit (19).

Description

[0001] Processing station

[0002] The present invention relates to a processing station according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a processing method according to the preamble of claim 12.

[0003] Various machining tools for processing aircraft structural components are known from the prior art. The applicant, for example, markets such machining tools under the names MPAC, CPAC, and IPAC.

[0004] These systems are characterized by a workpiece holding frame for the aircraft structural component to be machined and a machining unit for machining the structural component. The machining unit comprises an upper tool unit and a lower tool unit.

[0005] The frames of MPAC, CPAC, and IPAC machines have different designs. A particular embodiment of an MPAC-type machining center is described in utility model DE 20 2015 104 273 U1. This machine features a linearly movable frame with two columns and a crossbeam connecting the columns, from which the upper tool unit is linearly supported. The lower tool unit is separately movable from the upper tool unit along the floor. The crossbeam spans the width of the aircraft structural component.

[0006] In a CPAC type machining center, the frame is C-shaped and the upper tool unit and the lower tool unit are located at the upper and lower ends of the C-shaped frame, respectively.

[0007] A specific configuration of an IPAC-type machining station is described in German patent application DE 10 2017 116 718 A. In the CPAC and IPAC-type machining centers, as is common in systems for machining aircraft structural components, the upper tool unit is arranged on a crossbeam that extends transversely across the aircraft structural component being machined.

[0008] Furthermore, both CPAC and IPAC type machining centers feature an adjustable workpiece holding frame relative to the frame supporting the upper tool unit. For this purpose, these machining centers have two turrets, separate from the frame supporting the upper tool unit, which are mounted on the base and allow for adjustment of the workpiece holding frame.

[0009] The processing machines or the respective workpiece holding frame are usually loaded with the aircraft structural component using a crane, by lifting a clamping frame with the aircraft structural component attached to it onto the workpiece holding frame and attaching it to the workpiece holding frame.

[0010] It has been found that at machining stations for processing aircraft structural components, workpiece changes are relatively complex and time-consuming.

[0011] The invention is based on the problem of designing and further developing the known processing station in such a way that further optimization is achieved with regard to the aforementioned challenge and, in particular, a processing station is provided which enables simple, safe and cost-effective manufacturing of structural components.

[0012] The above problem is solved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0013] The fundamental consideration is to provide a supply unit for a structural component and to design the machining center so that it can pick up the component from and / or deliver it to a supply unit. This allows, for example, the machining center to independently deliver a finished structural component and / or automatically pick up the next component to be machined, thus simplifying component changeovers and / or reducing changeover times. Consequently, the productivity of the machining station or machine can be improved.

[0014] Specifically, it is proposed that the processing station has a provisioning unit for a structural component and that the processing machine is designed to pick up the structural component from a provisioning unit and / or deliver it to a provisioning unit.

[0015] A particularly efficient structural component change is made possible by providing an additional supply unit as described in the further developments according to claim 2 and / or 3.

[0016] The further training according to claim 4 enables particularly easy handling of the structural component.

[0017] Preferred further developments of the handling of the structural component with the workpiece holding frame are described in claims 5 to 7, which enable a simple structural component change and / or good machinability of the structural component.

[0018] The horizontal mounting of the structural component described in claim 8 enables a particularly space-saving provision of the structural component by means of the provisioning unit and / or the transport of the structural component.

[0019] Further preferred embodiments relating to the provisioning unit or units according to claims 9 to 11 enable simple construction and safe replacement of structural components. According to a further teaching as claimed in claim 12, which has independent significance, a method for processing is claimed.

[0020] It is essential that the processing machine automatically picks up the structural component from a supply unit and / or delivers it to a supply unit, particularly with a workpiece holding frame.

[0021] Reference may be made to all statements regarding the proposed processing station.

[0022] The driverless transport vehicle provided according to the further development according to claim 13 makes it possible to integrate the processing station into the manufacturing process in a particularly simple and efficient manner.

[0023] The ability to attach and detach the components allows for a particularly simple and secure design of the provisioning unit.

[0024] Providing a dynamically adjustable safety zone allows for a particularly easy and / or safe and / or quick replacement of the structural component.

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of the proposed processing station with a processing machine for carrying out the proposed method.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of the machining machine, in which the kinematics are illustrated and

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the proposed machining station with a machining tool. The embodiment shown in the figures, which is preferred in this respect, relates to a proposed machining station 1 with a machining tool 2 for structural components 3, in particular aircraft structural components.

[0029] The machining machine 2 has a frame 5, in particular forming a portal 4, and a workpiece holding frame 6, adjustable relative to the frame 5, for receiving the structural component 3 to be machined, in particular an aircraft structural component, and a machining unit 7 for machining the structural component 3. The frame 5 here forms a machine frame. It provides the rigidity for the machining of the structural component 3 by the machining unit 7.

[0030] Furthermore, the machining unit 7 has an upper tool unit 8 which is adjustable relative to the frame 5 and which is supported by the frame 5, in particular by the portal 4.

[0031] Here, the portal 4 is designed to span one long side 9 of the workpiece holding frame 6.

[0032] While it is generally common to design machine tools 2 such that the portal 4 spans a transverse side 10 of the workpiece holding frame 6 in order to make the machine tool 2 as rigid as possible, in the preferred embodiment of the exemplary work, the portal 4 spans a longitudinal side 9 of the workpiece holding frame 6. This allows for a particularly large working area 12 compared to the required footprint 11 of the machine tool 2 or machining station 1, and thus enables the machining of particularly large structural components 3 compared to the footprint 11 of the machine tool 2 or machining station 1.

[0033] Furthermore, and preferably, the portal 4 and / or the frame 5 are fixedly mounted on the base 13. Such a fixed arrangement makes it possible to further optimize the required base area 11 in relation to the size of the structural component 3 to be processed. It is also preferably provided that the portal 4 has at least two columns 14 and a longitudinal beam 15 connecting the columns 14.

[0034] Preferably, the portal 4, or the frame 5 forming the portal 4, has at least four columns 14, here exactly four columns 14. Furthermore, the portal 4, or the frame 5, has a longitudinal beam 15. The longitudinal beam 15 connects the columns 14. It extends along the longitudinal side 9 of the workpiece holding frame 6. In a top view, the frame 5 is H-shaped. The ends of the H are formed by the columns 14.

[0035] The workpiece holding frame 6 is arranged between the columns 14 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the longitudinal beam 15 extends over the longitudinal side 9 of the workpiece holding frame 6.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, the upper tool unit 8 is supported by the longitudinal beam 15 and is adjustable on the longitudinal beam 15, in particular movable.

[0037] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided that the workpiece holding frame 6 can be moved into a position in which the longitudinal side 9 of the workpiece holding frame 6 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal beam 15. This is shown in the schematic representation of the machine tool 2 in Fig. 2. As shown in the figures, the longitudinal side 9 of the workpiece holding frame 6 is longer than its transverse side 10 is wide.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, the upper tool unit 8 is adjustable on the longitudinal beam 15 between two columns 14, and in particular, can be moved between two columns 14. Here, the upper tool unit 8 can be moved into a maintenance position 17 accessible from a platform 16. This allows for particularly easy maintenance of the upper tool unit 8 by an operator.

[0039] Furthermore, and preferably, the workpiece holding frame 6 is supported by the frame 5 and / or adjustable on the frame 5, in particular on the columns 14, of the portal 4. The upper tool unit 8 and the workpiece holding frame 6 are arranged on the same frame 5 and are adjustable. This will be explained in more detail in connection with the adjustability of the workpiece holding frame 6. The adjustment of the workpiece holding frame 6 is therefore preferably carried out on the same frame 5 as that of the upper tool. Separate towers for adjusting the workpiece holding frame 6 are preferably not provided.

[0040] The maximum adjustment path or travel path of the workpiece holding frame 6 along the Y-axis is, here and preferably – as shown in the figures – less than or equal to the maximum adjustment path or travel path of the upper tool unit 8 along the X1-axis. Preferably, the maximum adjustment path or travel path of the workpiece holding frame 6 along the Y-axis is less than or equal to half the maximum adjustment path or travel path of the upper tool unit 8 along the X1-axis.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, the workpiece holding frame 6 has receptacles for receiving a clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 to be machined.

[0042] It has proven particularly advantageous to secure the structural component 3 in a clamping frame 18 and transport it using this frame. The structural component 3 can then be transported easily and safely and picked up by the processing machine 2.

[0043] However, in principle, a separate clamping frame 18 is not required in addition to the workpiece holding frame 6. Instead, the structural component 3 can also be attached to the workpiece holding frame 6. In this case, the features described in connection with the clamping frame 18 apply accordingly to the workpiece holding frame 6. Preferably, the workpiece holding frame 6 is designed to be detachable from the machine tool 2, so that the structural component 3 can be easily transported to and picked up by the machine tool 2. In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, however, the workpiece holding frame 6 and the clamping frame 18 are separate components.The proposal stipulates that the processing station 1 has a supply unit 19, 20 for a structural component 3 and that the processing machine 2 is designed to pick up the clamping frame 18, in particular by means of the workpiece receiving frame 6, from a supply unit 19, 20 and / or to deliver it to a supply unit 19, 20.

[0044] This enables a particularly simple and safe changeover of the structural component 3 to be processed and short workpiece changeover times. The automatic picking up and dropping of the structural component 3 by the processing machine 2 from and to the supply unit 19, 20 simplifies internal logistics, as a structural component change by operator and / or by means of a crane no longer needs to be precisely coordinated with the processing time of the structural component 3.

[0045] Furthermore, and preferably, the processing machine 2 is provided with a further supply unit 20 and is configured to receive the structural component 3 from the further supply unit 20 and / or to transfer it to the further supply unit 20. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the supply unit 19 and the further supply unit 20 are arranged on opposite sides of the processing machine 2, preferably one on each side of the portal 4 and / or longitudinal beam 15.

[0046] This enables a particularly simple changeover of structural components 3. The machining center 2 can transfer the currently machined structural component 3 to one of the supply units 19 and pick up the next structural component 3 to be machined from the other supply unit 20. In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, the workpiece holding frame 6, after the clamping frame 18 has been transferred to one of the supply units 19, moves with the structural component 3 under the longitudinal beam 15 to the other supply unit 20 and picks up another clamping frame 18 there with the next structural component 3 to be machined. This enables a particularly efficient changeover of structural components 3, especially without the need for an operator and / or additional equipment to be present at the machining station 1 at the time of the changeover.

[0047] Accordingly, it is preferably provided here that the processing machine 2 is designed to receive the structural component 3 from one of the supply units 19, 20 on both sides of a processing area 21 of the processing unit 7 and / or on both sides of a processing movement area 22 of the component.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, the processing machine 2 is designed to deliver the structural component 3 to a supply unit 19, 20 on both sides of a processing area 21 of the processing unit 7 and / or on both sides of a processing movement area 22 of the component.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, the processing machine 2 receives the structural component 3 attached to the clamping frame 18 by receiving the clamping frame 18, or releases the structural component 3 attached to the clamping frame 18 by releasing the clamping frame 18.

[0050] Furthermore, and preferably, the workpiece holding frame 6 has receptacles for receiving a clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 to be machined. These receptacles serve to secure and / or release the clamping frame 18 from the workpiece holding frame 6. They preferably enable the automatic picking up and / or dispensing of the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 to the respective supply unit 19 or further supply unit 20.

[0051] Accordingly, it can be provided that the workpiece receiving frame 6 receives the structural component 3, in particular the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 attached to it, from a supply unit 19, 20 and / or delivers it to a supply unit 19, 20. This can be, in particular, supply unit 19 or the further supply unit 20.

[0052] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided that the structural component 3, together with the workpiece holding frame 6, can be moved completely under the longitudinal beam 15 of the machine tool 2. Preferably, the structural component 3 is picked up by the machine tool 2, preferably via the clamping frame 18, from a supply unit 19, 20, processed by the machining unit 7, and then transferred to the opposite supply unit 19, 20, as is shown by way of example in Fig. 3.

[0053] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the structural component 3 and / or the workpiece holding frame 6 can be completely moved out of the machining area 21 of the machining unit 7 and / or completely out of the machining movement area 22 of the structural component 3.

[0054] The machining area 21 is defined here, and preferably, by the area in which the structural component 3, picked up by the machining machine 2, can be machined by the machining unit 7. The machining area 21 is therefore essentially determined by the flexibility and mobility of the workpiece holding frame 6 and the machining unit 7.

[0055] The machining movement range 22 is defined here, and preferably, by the area in which the structural component 3, picked up by the machining machine 2, is moved or can be moved by the machining unit 7 during machining. Here, machining refers to the physical action of the machining unit 7 on the structural component 3. Moving the structural component 3 to the machining unit 7, for example from one of the supply units 19, 20, does not constitute machining in the strict sense. The machining movement range 22 is therefore essentially determined by the flexibility and mobility of the workpiece holding frame 6 during machining, the spatial dimensions of the structural component 3, and the positions of the structural component 3 in which the machining unit 7 processes it.

[0056] The supply unit 19, 20 or the supply units 19, 20 are located separately from the processing machine 2 on the base 13. In the exemplary embodiment, the supply unit 19, 20 or the supply units 19, 20 together with the processing machine 2 form the processing station 1.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment, the supply unit 19, 20 is designed to hold the structural component 3 and / or the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 essentially horizontally and / or suspended from it. This is shown schematically in Fig. 3. Here, the supply unit 19, 20 holds the structural component 3 suspended from a receptacle. It is hooked onto hooks of the supply unit 19, 20. The receptacle is therefore preferably designed as an actuator-free receptacle. This allows for a particularly simple and safe design. Furthermore, the horizontal receptacle enables a particularly space-saving holding of the structural component 3 in the supply unit 19, 20.

[0058] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the supply unit 19 and / or the further supply unit 20 is fixedly mounted on the base 13 and / or is adjustable, in particular movable, on the base 13. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiving unit is movable. For picking up and / or dispensing the structural component 3 by the processing machine 2, the supply unit 19, 20 moves towards the processing machine 2. Here, preferably, the respective supply unit 19, 20 moves into the processing movement area 22 for picking up and / or dispensing, while it is further preferably located outside the processing movement area 22 during the processing of a structural component 3. Here, the respective supply unit 19, 20 is preferably designed such that it cannot penetrate the processing area 21.

[0059] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided here that the supply unit 19, 20 receives the structural component 3, in particular the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3, in an aligned and positionally secured manner. This ensures a safe and precise transfer of the structural component 3 between the respective supply unit 19, 20 and the processing machine 2 or a transport vehicle 23.

[0060] Furthermore, the supply unit 19 or the further supply unit 20 in the exemplary embodiment has two stands 24. Each of the stands 24 has two receptacles for the clamping frame 18.

[0061] Here, and preferably, it is provided that the provisioning unit 19, 20, apart from any adjustability or mobility on the base 13 that may be provided, is designed without actuators. This allows for a particularly simple construction of the unit.

[0062] Having previously described the structural component change 3 in more detail, the kinematics of the machining center 2 will now be described in more detail. Of particular importance here is the preferred design of the kinematics for moving the workpiece holding frame 6.

[0063] It is preferably provided here that the workpiece holding frame 6 is adjustable, and in particular movable, transversely to its longitudinal side 9 and / or transversely to the longitudinal beam 15. This makes it particularly easy to machine the structural component 3, even in its edge regions. Furthermore, this facilitates picking up and / or removing the structural component 3.

[0064] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the workpiece holding frame 6 is height-adjustable and / or swiveling, in particular swiveling about two axes. This allows structural components 3 that are curved in two dimensions to be machined.

[0065] The height adjustment (Z-axis or W-axis) is achieved here, and preferably, by one or two height adjustment units 25. These units are, and preferably, adjustable in the vertical direction and / or linearly guided on the frame 5, in particular on one or two columns 14. The height adjustment units 25 extend here, and preferably, between two columns 14 of the frame 5 and / or are linearly guided on the columns 14, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0066] Of the two height adjustment units 25, one is provided at each end of the workpiece holding frame 6. Each height adjustment unit 25 extends transversely to the longitudinal side 9 of the workpiece holding frame 6 and / or to the longitudinal beam 15.

[0067] Furthermore, the height adjustment units 25 serve here, and preferably, to pivot the workpiece holding frame 6 about an axis transverse to its longitudinal side 9 and / or to the longitudinal beam 15. The pivoting about this axis is effected by the height adjustment units 25, as shown in Fig. 1. Here, the height adjustment units 25 are set to different heights to pivot the workpiece holding frame 6.

[0068] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the workpiece holding frame 6 is supported by two crossbeams 26 and is pivotable about a pivot axis 27 (A or C axis) parallel to its longitudinal side 9, in particular an adjustable pivot axis.

[0069] This can be seen from the schematic representations in Figures 2 and 3. Here, and preferably, the structural component 3 can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis in this way. Preferably, an unrestricted pivoting about the pivot axis 27 is possible.

[0070] The crossbeams 26 are here and preferably assigned to the height adjustment units 25. The workpiece holding frame 6 can be adjusted on them transversely to the height adjustment and / or transversely to the longitudinal beam 15 and / or pivoted in a swivel bearing about the swivel axis 27 parallel to its longitudinal side 9.

[0071] It is therefore preferably provided that the workpiece holding frame 6 is adjustable transversely to the longitudinal beam 15, and in particular that the workpiece holding frame 6 is movable transversely under the longitudinal beam 15 through the portal 4 (Y-axis). The maximum adjustment path or the maximum travel path of the supply unit 19 and / or the further supply unit 20 is here, and preferably – as shown in the figures – less than or equal to the maximum adjustment path or maximum travel path of the upper tool unit 8 along the X1-axis and / or the maximum adjustment path or maximum travel path of the workpiece holding frame 6 along the C-axis.Preferably, the maximum adjustment path or the maximum travel path of the supply unit 19 and / or the further supply unit 20 is less than or equal to half of the maximum adjustment path or maximum travel path of the upper tool unit 8 along the X1 axis and / or half of the maximum adjustment path or maximum travel path of the workpiece holding frame 6 along the C axis.

[0072] The workpiece holding frame 6 is preferably rectangular. In the exemplary embodiment, the workpiece holding frame 6 is width-adjustable (U-axis). This makes it possible to accommodate structural components 3 and / or clamping frames 18 of different widths with the workpiece holding frame 6.

[0073] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided here that the machining unit 7 has a lower tool unit 28 that is adjustable relative to the frame 5. Preferably, the lower tool unit 28 is adjustable, in particular parallel to the upper tool unit 8 (X2-axis).

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably as shown in Fig. 1, the lower tool unit 28 is adjustable relative to the base 13. In the exemplary embodiment, a lower tool traversing unit 29 is provided, by means of which it can be moved in a linear guide on the floor parallel to the upper tool unit 8 and / or parallel to the longitudinal beam 15. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower tool unit 28 is also preferably movable transversely to the longitudinal beam 15 relative to the lower tool traversing unit 29 (Y2 axis). Alternatively, however, it can be provided that the frame 5 has a lower tool longitudinal beam on which the lower tool unit 28 is adjustably arranged, preferably with the same directions of movement as described above. This is not shown in the figures.

[0075] The maximum adjustment travel or maximum travel of the supply unit 19 and / or the further supply unit 20 is, here and preferably – as shown in the figures – less than or equal to the maximum adjustment travel or maximum travel of the lower tool unit 28 along the X2 axis. Preferably, the maximum adjustment travel or maximum travel of the supply unit 19 and / or the further supply unit 20 is less than or equal to half the maximum adjustment travel or maximum travel of the lower tool unit 28 along the X2 axis.

[0076] The maximum adjustment path or travel path of the lower tool unit 28 corresponds here, and preferably substantially, to the maximum adjustment path or travel path of the upper tool unit 8. Preferably, the quotient of the difference between the adjustment paths or travel paths of the upper tool unit 8 and the lower tool unit 28 and the adjustment path or travel path of the upper tool unit 8 is less than or equal to 20%, more preferably less than or equal to 10%, and more preferably less than or equal to 5%.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, the upper tool unit 8 comprises a drilling unit 30 with a drilling tool 31 and / or a riveting unit 32 with a riveting tool 33. The lower tool unit 28 is configured here, and preferably, to cooperate with the upper tool unit 8.

[0078] As already described with reference to Fig. 1 for the upper tool unit 8, the lower tool unit 28 is additionally or alternatively adjustable, and preferably movable, between two columns 14. Here, the lower tool unit 28 can be moved into a maintenance position 17 accessible from a platform 16. This allows for particularly easy maintenance of the lower tool unit 28 by an operator. According to a further teaching, a method for machining a structural component 3, in particular an aircraft structural component, with a machining station 1 is proposed.

[0079] Reference may be made to all statements concerning the proposed processing machine 2 and the proposed processing station 1.

[0080] In the method for machining the structural component 3, in particular an aircraft structural component, with a machining station 1, it is provided here that the machining station 1 automatically, in particular with a workpiece receiving frame 6, picks up the structural component 3 from a supply unit 19, 20 and / or delivers it to the supply unit 19, 20.

[0081] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided here that an automated guided vehicle (AGV) 23 delivers the structural component 3 to the staging unit 19, 20, and / or that an automated guided vehicle (AGV) 23 picks up the structural component 3 processed by the processing station 1 from the staging unit 19, 20 and transports it away. This is shown in Fig. 3.

[0082] In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, the driverless transport vehicle 23 engages and / or disengages the structural component 3 from the supply unit 19 and / or further supply units 20. This is preferably achieved by engaging and / or disengaging the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 attached to it. Additionally or alternatively, the processing machine 2, in particular the workpiece holding frame 6, may engage and / or disengage the structural component 3 from the supply unit 19 and / or further supply units 20. This is preferably achieved by engaging and / or disengaging the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 attached to it. This enables a particularly simple and safe design of the supply unit 19, 20 or supply units 19, 20.Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided that the processing station 1 has a safety zone 34 which is dynamically adjustable. For example, it can be provided that the processing machine 2 performs an emergency shutdown if the safety zone 34 is entered. The safety zone 34 can be monitored, for example, by physical barriers and / or sensors, in particular light barriers.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, it is provided that a safety zone 35, which has a provisioning unit 19, 20, can be included in or excluded from the safety area 34.

[0084] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided here that a security zone 35 is provided around the provisioning unit 19 and / or the further provisioning unit 20, in particular each. This is illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0085] Here, and preferably, it is provided that the safety zone 35 assigned to the supply unit 19 is included in the safety area 34 when the processing machine 2 picks up and / or delivers the structural component 3 to the supply unit 19, and / or that the safety zone 35 assigned to the supply unit 19 is excluded from the safety area 34 when the automated guided vehicle 23 picks up and / or delivers the structural component 3 to the supply unit 19. This ensures particularly safe operation of the processing station 1.

[0086] The respective safety zone 35 is provided here, preferably laterally, outside the processing movement area 22 and / or completely encompasses the structural component 3 received in the respective supply unit 19. For the processing unit 7 to receive the structural component 3, it can be moved from the supply unit 19 into the processing movement area 22, as can be seen in Fig. 3. Here, and preferably, a transport vehicle 23 brings a structural component 3, in particular a structural component 3 received in a clamping frame 18, to a supply unit 19, 20. There, it transfers the structural component 3 to the supply unit 19, 20. For this purpose, the supply unit 19, 20 is preferably excluded from the safety zone 34. In the exemplary embodiment, the transport vehicle 23 suspends the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 in the supply unit 19, 20.Here, and preferably, the structural component 3 is picked up from one of the supply units 19, 20 and / or delivered to the supply units 19, 20 in such a way that it is curved either towards the outside of the machining machine 2 and / or towards the inside of the machining machine 2, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0087] Afterwards, the provisioning unit 19, 20 with the structural component 3 will be reintroduced into security area 34 here, preferably.

[0088] The processing machine 2 now picks up the structural component 3; here, and preferably, the processing machine 2 with the workpiece holding frame 6 picks up the clamping frame 18 with the structural component 3 held therein.

[0089] The structural component 3, along with the workpiece holding frame 6, is then moved into the machining area 21 and machined. This is also shown in Fig. 3. After machining, the structural component 3, here with the clamping frame 18, is transferred to a supply unit 19, 20. Preferably, the structural component 3, along with the workpiece holding frame 6, is moved out of the machining area 21 and, in particular, transferred outside to the supply unit 19 and / or the further supply unit 20.

[0090] The workpiece holding frame 6 can then pass under the longitudinal beam 15 and pick up the next structural component 3 to be processed from the opposite supply unit 19, 20, preferably in the manner described above. The dispensed structural component 3 can be transported by the transport vehicle 23 to the next station. For this purpose, it is picked up here, preferably from the respective processing station 1, and transported further.

[0091] Here, and preferably, the machining station 1 has a control system, in particular an NC control system, for controlling the motion of the machining machine 2 and / or the supply unit 19. Particularly preferably, the motion control of the workpiece holding frame 6 and the machining unit 7, in particular of the upper tool unit 8 and / or lower tool unit 28, is coupled, especially functionally coupled. In this way, the machining process, including the movements of both the machining machine 2 and the supply unit 19, can be controlled, particularly preferably, by a single NC control system.

[0092] By means of the control, in particular the NC control, the upper tool unit 8 and the lower tool unit 28 are preferably coupled to each other in terms of movement, preferably in such a way that a tool axis of the upper tool unit 8 and a tool axis of the lower tool unit 28 are or remain coaxially aligned, in particular towards a machining point, when the upper and lower tools are moved.

[0093] Reference symbol list

[0094] 1 processing station

[0095] 2 processing machines

[0096] 3 structural components

[0097] 4 Portal

[0098] 5 frames

[0099] 6 workpiece holding frames

[0100] 7 processing units

[0101] 8 Upper tool unit

[0102] 9 Long side

[0103] 10 Cross side

[0104] 11 Base area

[0105] 12 Workroom

[0106] 13 Subsurface

[0107] 14 pillars

[0108] 15 longitudinal beams

[0109] 16 platforms

[0110] 17 Maintenance position

[0111] 18 clamping frames

[0112] 19 Deployment Unit

[0113] 20 additional deployment units

[0114] 21 Processing area

[0115] 22 processing movement range

[0116] 23 Transport vehicle

[0117] 24 stands

[0118] 25 height adjustment units

[0119] 26 crossbeams

[0120] 27 Swivel axis

[0121] 28 lower tool unit

[0122] 29 Lower tool traverse unit

[0123] 30 drilling units

[0124] 31 Drilling tool

[0125] 32 rivet units

[0126] 33 Riveting tool 34 Safety area

[0127] 35 Security Zone

Claims

Patent claims 1. Machining station with a machining center (2) for machining structural components (3), in particular aircraft structural components, wherein the machining center (2) has a frame (5), in particular forming a portal (4), and a workpiece holding frame (6) adjustable relative to the frame (5) for receiving the structural component (3), in particular aircraft structural component, to be machined, and a machining unit (7) for machining the structural component (3), wherein the machining unit (7) has an upper tool unit (8) adjustable relative to the frame (5), which is supported by the frame (5), in particular portal (4), characterized in that the machining station (1) has a supply unit (19, 20) for a structural component (3) and that the machining center (2) is designed to receive the structural component (3) from a supply unit (19, 20) and / or to a supply unit (19, 20).

2. Processing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing machine (2) has a further supply unit (20) and is designed to receive the structural component (3) from the further supply unit (20) and / or to transfer it to the further supply unit (20), preferably that the supply unit (19) and the further supply unit (20) are arranged on opposite sides of the processing machine (2).

3. Machining station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machining machine (2) is configured to receive the structural component (3) from one of the supply units (19, 20) on both sides of a machining area (21) of the machining unit (7) and / or on both sides of a machining movement area (22) of the component, and / or that the machining machine (2) is configured to transfer the structural component (3) to a supply unit (19, 20) on both sides of a to be discharged into the processing area (21) of the processing unit (7) and / or on both sides of a processing movement area (22) of the component.

4. Machining station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece receiving frame (6) has receptacles for receiving a clamping frame (18) with the structural component (3) to be machined.

5. Processing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece receiving frame (6) receives the structural component (3), in particular a clamping frame (18) with a structural component (3) attached to it, from a supply unit (19, 20) and / or delivers it to a supply unit (19).

6. Machining station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structural component (3) with the workpiece receiving frame (6) can be moved completely under the longitudinal beam (15) of the machining machine (2).

7. Machining station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structural component (3) and / or the workpiece holding frame (6) can be moved completely out of the machining area (21) of the machining unit (7) and / or completely out of the machining movement area (22) of the structural component (3).

8. Processing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provisioning unit (19, 20) accommodates the structural component (3) and / or the clamping frame (18) with the structural component (3) in a substantially horizontal manner.

9. Processing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply unit (19) and / or the further supply unit (20) is fixedly mounted on the base (13) and / or is adjustable, in particular movable, on the base (13).

10. Processing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provisioning unit (19, 20) receives the structural component (3), in particular the clamping frame (18) with the structural component (3), in an aligned and positionally secured manner, and / or that the provisioning unit (19, 20) has two stands (24), in particular that each stand (24) has two receptacles for the clamping frame (18).

11. Processing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provision unit (19, 20), apart from any adjustability or mobility provided on the substrate (13), is designed without actuators.

12. Method for machining a structural component (3), in particular an aircraft structural component, with a machining station (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the machining machine (2) automatically, in particular with a workpiece receiving frame (6), picks up the structural component (3) from a supply unit (19, 20) and / or delivers it to a supply unit (19, 20).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that a driverless transport vehicle (23) has delivered the structural component (3) to the provision unit (19, 20), and / or that a driverless transport vehicle (23) picks up the structural component (3) processed by the processing station (1) and transports it away.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the driverless transport vehicle (23) hooks and / or unhooks the structural component (3) into the provision unit (19, 20) and / or further provision unit (20), and / or that the processing machine (2), in particular the workpiece holding frame (6), hooks and / or unhooks the structural component (3) into the provision unit (19) and / or further provision unit (20).

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the processing station (1) has a safety area (34) which is dynamically adaptable, preferably that a safety zone (35) which has a provisioning unit (19) can be included in or excluded from the safety area (34), further preferably that the safety zone (35) assigned to the provisioning unit (19) is included in the safety area (34) when the processing machine (2) picks up and / or delivers the structural component (3) to the provisioning unit (19), and / or that the safety zone (35) assigned to the provisioning unit (19) is excluded from the safety area (34) when the automated guided vehicle (23) picks up and / or delivers the structural component (3) to the provisioning unit (19).

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