Working head for thermally and / or mechanically working workpieces, assembly comprising said working head, and method for connecting and disconnecting a front part and a rear part of a working head

Abstract

The invention relates to a working head for thermally and / or mechanically working workpieces, which extends along a longitudinal axis L, the working head comprising a front part and a rear part, wherein the front part comprises at least one nozzle having an opening from which thermal and / or mechanical energy for workpiece working emerges during operation, the rear part is or can be connected to operating-medium supply devices, and the rear part and the front part can be releasably connected to each other and can be disconnected from each other, characterized in that the rear part and / or the front part have / has a drive device, the drive device or drive devices being designed to move the front part (200) at least partly along the longitudinal axis L relative to the rear part (300) for connection and in the opposite direction relative to the rear part for disconnection.

Description

[0001]

[0002] KJELLBERG FOUNDATION, Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 1, 03238 Finsterwalde

[0003] Machining head for thermal and / or mechanical machining of workpieces, arrangement with the same, and method for joining and separating a front and a rear part of a machining head.

[0004] The present invention relates to a machining head for thermal and / or mechanical machining of workpieces, an arrangement with the same, and a method for joining and separating a front and a rear part of a machining head.

[0005] Examples of machining heads for thermal machining processes include arc torches, plasma torches, and plasma arc torches.

[0006] Special designs of such torches include, for example, plasma torches for cutting, so-called plasma cutting torches, and, for example, torches for welding, so-called plasma welding torches or TIG torches.

[0007] Thermal and mechanical machining processes utilize wear parts that wear out as a result of operation.

[0008] The head of a burner (hereinafter also referred to as the burner head) contains at least the wear parts nozzle and electrode. Furthermore, other parts such as a gas guide, insulating components and / or caps, as well as a mounting for these, may be located in the burner head. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0009] The electrode and nozzle are wear parts that wear out, especially due to high thermal stress, and must be replaced regularly.

[0010] The shaft of a burner (hereinafter also referred to as burner shaft) contains at least one gas inlet, one electrical inlet, and one fluid passage. The corresponding lines for supplying the burner, in particular the plasma burner, with electricity, gas, and, depending on the design, also with cooling water and other gases, are connected to the burner shaft.

[0011] However, replacing consumable parts is also necessary when changing technological parameters. For example, if different currents or gases are used, the consumable parts must be changed. The same applies to switching between plasma cutting and plasma marking, which is possible with a plasma torch. It is also often advisable to change the consumable parts between piercing and cutting.

[0012] A plasma cutting torch is usually integrated into a guidance system, a CNC-controlled guide machine, or a robot that guides the plasma torch. To prevent damage from collisions, the holder for the plasma cutting torch is equipped with a collision protection device that triggers and stops the movement if the plasma torch collides with, for example, the workpiece.

[0013] Replacing individual wear parts is usually time-consuming, as the parts often have to be replaced individually using a tool.

[0014] To enable the quickest possible changeover, plasma cutting torches consist of a front and a rear section that can be connected and separated. The front section is called the torch head, the rear section the torch shaft, and the entire processing head is called a quick-change plasma torch. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0015] It is known that the burner head and burner shaft can be connected or disconnected using a threaded connection or a bayonet fitting. This is usually done manually. A mechanized changeover is only possible with considerable additional effort and the aid of a further device, such as an external drive to rotate the threaded connection or the bayonet fitting. This is necessary so that the changeover can be carried out without exerting any force on the collision protection, which would otherwise be triggered.

[0016] The distance traveled by the rotary motion is significantly longer than the distance required along the longitudinal axis of the plasma quick-change torch for separation or connection. Therefore, the rotary motion also takes longer to separate the torch head from the torch shaft and to connect the torch head to the torch shaft.

[0017] So far, no plasma torches are available that have a device enabling a force-neutral, mechanized, quick and easy change between a torch head and a torch shaft for the collision protection device.

[0018] Machining heads for thermal and / or mechanical processes can also be gas burners, such as so-called oxyfuel burners. Here, thermal energy is generated by the combustion of combustible gases, for example, hydrogen, propane, or acetylene, usually in combination with combustion-promoting oxygen. A typical application is oxyfuel cutting.

[0019] Machining heads for thermal and / or mechanical processing can also be used for laser processes. In this case, the laser radiation is directed and focused onto the workpiece in such a way that the workpiece is heated by the absorption of the laser radiation.

[0020] A typical application is laser cutting. By directing a gas stream precisely onto the workpiece, the workpiece is oxidized by the oxygen gas (BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT) and "burns." This is laser flame cutting. In laser melt cutting, non-oxidizing gas, such as nitrogen, is used, and the molten workpiece is ejected by a jet of non-oxidizing gas.

[0021] Machining heads for mechanical processing can also be used for waterjet cutting. Here, the workpiece is mechanically separated using high fluidic pressure – a process known as waterjet cutting. Additionally, a gas and an abrasive can be added to the water.

[0022] The invention is based on the objective of enabling a quick and simple mechanized separation and joining of a front part and a rear part of a machining head.

[0023] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a machining head according to claim i, an arrangement according to claim 28 and a method according to claim 35.

[0024] The dependent claims relate to specific embodiments.

[0025] The present invention is based on the surprising finding that, by means of the, in particular special, drive device, a quick and simple mechanized separation and joining of a front part and a rear part of a machining head is possible. Preferably, this is achieved by means of a completely or mainly linear relative movement of the front and rear parts of the machining head.

[0026] At least in one particular embodiment, the front and rear parts of the machining head are not screwed together.

[0027] In at least one particular embodiment, the connecting and / or disconnecting process is automated. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0028] At least in one particular embodiment, the separating and joining takes place without applying force to the mounting of the processing head, for example to a collision protection device attached to it.

[0029] Furthermore, at least in one particular embodiment, it is possible to separate the front from the rear part or to connect them in mechanical and / or automated guide systems, for example, to replace worn parts. It is also possible to switch between different technologies. This switching can be automated.

[0030] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached claims and from the following description of particular embodiments with reference to the schematic representations.

[0031] Figure 1a shows a schematic side view of a machining head according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure lb shows a detail of figure la;

[0033] Figures 2a to 2d show a method for joining and separating a front part and a rear part of the machining head of Figure 1 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3a shows a side view of a plasma cutting torch; and

[0035] Figure 3b shows a view of the drive unit of the torch shaft of the plasma cutting torch of Figure 3a;

[0036] Figure 3c shows a 3D view of the torch shaft of the plasma cutting torch from Figure 3a with the drive unit; and BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0037] Figure 4 shows an arrangement for the thermal and / or mechanical processing of workpieces according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1a shows an exemplary schematic side view of a machining head 100 for the thermal and / or mechanical machining of workpieces in a particular embodiment of the invention. The machining head 100 extends along a longitudinal axis L and comprises a front part 200 and a rear part 300, as well as a drive unit 400. In this example, it is a two-part machining head. It could, in particular between the front part 200 and the rear part 300, have at least one further part.

[0039] The front section 200 includes a nozzle 232 with a nozzle opening 233 from which thermal and / or mechanical energy for workpiece processing exits during operation. Furthermore, the front section includes feedthroughs 250 and 252 for electricity and gas. Additional feedthroughs for, e.g., water and one or more other gases may also be present.

[0040] The rear section 300 includes the inlets 320 and 322, for example for gas or electricity. It can also have further inlets and passages for, e.g., water (e.g., as a cooling medium), for other gases, or for electricity.

[0041] The front part 200 and the rear part 300 are detachably connected to each other.

[0042] In this example, the drive unit 400 is located on the rear part 300. The drive unit 400 contains a gripper 410, which has fingers 411 (here, three are shown as an example), each with a tip 412 and a surface 414, as well as, for example, a spring-loaded or magnetic element 413. The gripper 410 can, in principle, have one or more spring-loaded and / or magnetic elements. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0043] The drive unit 400 further comprises a cylinder 460, which has an outer sleeve 440, an inner sleeve 442, and a component 430. The component 430 is, by way of example, a cylinder piston comprising a cylindrical sleeve 432 and a circumferential flange 434. The inner sleeve 442, the outer sleeve 440, and the cylinder piston 430 form two chambers 465 and 466. The outer sleeve 440 has two fluid passages 461 and 462. The fluid passage 461 connects chamber 466, and the fluid passage 462 connects chamber 465, to lines 463 and 464, respectively, for supplying and venting the respective chambers. The compressed air supply and venting are controlled by solenoid valves and a control unit, which are not shown here.

[0044] The two chambers 465 and 466 are separated by the flange 434, which has a groove 435 and 437 circumferentially on both its inner and outer surfaces, each with an O-ring 436 and 438 for sealing against the inner surface 441 of the outer sleeve 440 and the outer surface 443 of the inner sleeve 442. The surface 433 of the flange 434 bounding chamber 465 is smaller than the surface 431 of the flange 434 bounding chamber 466. This ensures that, at the same pressure pi and p2, the force applied for separation is greater than the force applied for joining.

[0045] If pressure is applied to chamber 465 and chamber 466 has a significantly lower pressure, preferably at least 3 bar lower, than chamber 465 and is ideally almost pressure-free due to the vent, the cylinder piston 430 is moved towards the rear section or held in the position shown here. In this way, the front section 200 can be connected to, or kept connected to, the rear section 300.

[0046] If pressure is applied to chamber 466 and chamber 465 has a lower pressure, preferably at least 1 bar lower, than chamber 466 and is ideally almost pressure-free due to the vent, the cylinder piston 430 is moved towards the front part 200. This separates the front part 200 from the rear part 300. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0047] Cylinder 460 is therefore a double-acting cylinder. The different pressure differentials during connection and separation between pi and p2 are due to the fact that the bounding area 433 of chamber 465 is larger than the bounding area 431 of chamber 466.

[0048] The front part 200 has a circumferential stop surface 210. This extends, by way of example, as a circumferential partial surface 210 of a circumferential groove 212 on the outer surface 220. The outer surface 220 refers to the entire outer surface of the front part 200, which may be formed by several components and outer surfaces. The stop surface 210 has an angle α of, for example, 70° in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis L and the stop surface 210. Preferably, when the fingers 411 are closed, the surface 414 has an angle β of, for example, 70° in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis L and the surface 414. Preferably, at least one of the two surfaces, the stop surface 210 or the surface 414, has such an angle α, β between 45° and 41°. 0and 85°. This directs part of the force acting radially in the direction of the longitudinal axis L when the fingers 411 close into the axial direction along the longitudinal axis L, thus facilitating the movement of the front part 200 along the longitudinal axis 1 towards the front part 300. Opening the fingers 211 is also facilitated.

[0049] Figure 1a shows the fingers 211 in the so-called closed state; the tips 212 touch the stop surface 210 and hold the front part. The outer sleeve 440, through its inner surface 441, holds the fingers 211 in the described position.

[0050] Figure 1b shows in more detail the area of ​​the gripper 410 with a finger 411 having the tip 412 and the surface 414, as well as the stop surface 210. The front and rear parts 200 and 300 of the machining head 100 are connected to each other, and the fingers 411 are closed, i.e., they contact the stop surface 210 with the surface 414. The stop surface 210 has an angle α of, for example, 70° between the longitudinal axis L and the stop surface 210 in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis L. The surface 414 has the BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT in the closed state.

[0051] Finger 411 has an angle β of, for example, 70° enclosed in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis L and between the longitudinal axis L and the surface 414. Preferably, at least one of the two surfaces, the stop surface 210 or the surface 414, has such an angle β between 45° and β. 0and 85°. This directs part of the force acting radially in the direction of the longitudinal axis L when the fingers 411 close into the axial direction along the longitudinal axis L, thus facilitating the movement of the front part 200 along the longitudinal axis 1 towards the rear part 300. Opening the fingers 211 is also facilitated.

[0052] Figures 2a to 2d show an example of the process of connecting the front part 200 with the rear part 30 of the machining head 100 of Figure 1.

[0053] Connect:

[0054] Figure 2a:

[0055] The rear part 300 of the machining head 100, which is mounted in a holder (not shown) of a guide system, is positioned by the guide system above the front part 200 of the machining head 100, which is located in a receptacle 500. The longitudinal axes L of the front part 200 and the rear part 300 should be aligned with each other.

[0056] The fingers 411 of the gripper 410 are in the open position. The distance 420 between the tips 412 of the fingers 411 and the longitudinal axis L is greater than in the closed position, as shown in Figures 2c and 2d. The spring element 413 acting on the fingers 411 holds them in the open position. The spring element can also be, for example, a magnetic element.

[0057] Figure 2b: BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0058] The rear part 300 of the machining head is moved by the guide system along the longitudinal axis L in the direction of the front part 200 until the tips 412 of the fingers 411 of the gripper 410 are axially close below the stop surface 210.

[0059] Figure 2c:

[0060] Any fluid pressure pi present in chamber 466 is vented through fluid passage 461. A fluid pressure p2 is then introduced via line 464 through fluid passage 462 into chamber 465. This moves component 430, for example a cylinder piston 430, and thus also the gripper 410, towards the rear part 300.

[0061] Due to the relative movement of the gripper 410 to the outer sleeve 440, the fingers 411 are moved by the inner surface 441 of the outer sleeve 440 against the spring force of the spring element 413 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L until the tips 412 touch the stop surface 210. The spring element can also be a magnetically acting element. The front part 200 is then moved further towards the rear part 300 by the gripping action of the fingers, and both parts are joined together.

[0062] Figure 2d:

[0063] Here, the front 200 and rear 300 sections of the machining head 100 are connected, and the movement of the front section 200 towards the rear section 300 along the longitudinal axis L is completed. The fingers 411 of the gripper 410 are in the closed position. The distance 420 between the tips 412 of the fingers 411 and the longitudinal axis L is smaller than in the open position, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. The fluid pressure pi in the chamber 465 remains constant. This can be achieved by further supplying the pressure through the line 464. This can also be done, for example, by closing the line with a solenoid valve. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0064] Afterwards, the guidance system can guide the machining head 100 for further machining of a workpiece.

[0065] Separate:

[0066] The separation of the front part 200 from the rear part 360 is carried out in the reverse order of figures 2a to 2d:

[0067] Figure 2d:

[0068] The front part 200 and the rear part 300 of the machining head 100 are connected to each other. The fingers 411 of the gripper 410 are in the closed position. The distance 420 of the tips 412 of the fingers 411 to the longitudinal axis L is smaller than in the open position, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b.

[0069] The machining head 100, which is mounted in a holder (not shown) of a guide system, is positioned above the receptacle 500 by the guide system. The longitudinal axes L of the machining head 100 and the receptacle 500 should be aligned with each other.

[0070] Figure 2c:

[0071] Any fluid pressure p2 present in chamber 465 is vented through fluid passage 462. A fluid pressure pi is then introduced via line 463 through fluid passage 461 into chamber 466. This moves component 430, for example a cylinder piston 430, and thus also the gripper 410, towards the front part 200.

[0072] Figure 2b: n / 29 BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0073] The component 430, here for example a cylinder piston 430 and thus also the gripper 410, are moved further towards the front part 200.

[0074] The relative movement of the gripper 410 to the outer sleeve 440 terminates the limitation of the fingers 411 by the inner surface 441 of the outer sleeve 440. The spring force of the spring element 413 moves the fingers in the direction opposite to the longitudinal axis L and opens them. The spring element can, for example, also be a magnetically acting element. The tips 412 no longer touch the stop surface 210. The front part 200 is then separated from the rear part 300. The distance 450 traveled by the front part to separate from the rear part is, for example, 18 mm.

[0075] Figure 2a:

[0076] The rear part 300 of the machining head is moved away from the front part 200 by the guide system along the longitudinal axis L.

[0077] The guide system can then move the rear part 300 of the machining head 100 to another front part 200 and connect them together.

[0078] Figure 3a shows an exemplary side view of a processing head in the form of a plasma torch 100 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, wherein the front part is a torch head 200 and the rear part is a torch shaft 300. Both parts are shown detachably connected to each other.

[0079] The plasma torch 100 extends along a longitudinal axis L and comprises a torch head 200 and a torch shaft 300 as well as a drive unit 400.

[0080] The burner head 200 comprises a nozzle 232 with a nozzle opening 233, from which thermal and mechanical energy for workpiece machining exits during operation. The BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0081] The burner head 200 further comprises an electrode 230, a gas guide 234, an insulating part 236, a nozzle cap 242, a secondary gas cap 240, and a retaining cap 238.

[0082] In the burner head 200, a thermal plasma with a very high temperature, e.g., 30,000 K, is generated by an electric arc. The arc (not shown) burns between the electrode 230 and the nozzle 232 or between the electrode 230 and the workpiece (not shown). The opening, here called the nozzle bore 233, constricts the plasma jet, and the plasma jet exiting the nozzle bore 233 acts on the workpiece thermally due to its high temperature and also mechanically due to its high kinetic energy. The plasma gas flows through a gas guide 234 into the space between the electrode 230 and the nozzle 232 and is ionized by the arc.

[0083] Furthermore, a secondary gas cap 240, which is fixed by a retaining cap 238, is shown here. A secondary gas flows between the secondary gas cap 240 and the nozzle cap 242, which is supplied to the plasma jet outside the nozzle 232 to influence its properties. The secondary gas is guided through a gas guide 235 into the space between the nozzle cap 242 and the secondary gas cap 240. The nozzle cap 242 fixes the nozzle 232, and a coolant, in the simplest case water, flows in the space between the nozzle cap 242 and the nozzle 232.

[0084] The burner shaft 300 includes inlets 320, 322 for gas and electricity. It can also include further inlets for water, e.g., as a cooling medium, for other gases, e.g., secondary gas, or electricity, as well as the passages for these media to be supplied to the burner head 200. These are not shown in Figure 3a.

[0085] The drive unit 400 is located here on the burner shaft 300.

[0086] The drive unit 400 contains the gripper 410, which has fingers 411 (three shown here as an example) with tips 412 and a spring element 413. The spring element can also be, for example, a magnetic element. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0087] Furthermore, the drive unit 400 comprises a cylinder 460, which has an outer sleeve 440 (illustrated here as a two-part design), an inner sleeve 442, and a cylinder piston 430, comprising a cylindrical sleeve 432 and a circumferential flange 434. The inner sleeve 442, the outer sleeve 440, and the cylinder piston 430 form two chambers 465 and 466. The outer sleeve has two fluid passages 461 and 462. Fluid passage 461 connects chamber 466, and fluid passage 462 connects chamber 465, to lines 463 and 464, respectively, for supplying and venting compressed air into the respective chambers.

[0088] The compressed air supply and venting are controlled, by way of example, by solenoid valves and a control unit, which are not shown here. The two chambers 465 and 466 are separated by the flange 434, which has a groove 435 and 437 on its inner and outer surfaces, respectively, each with an O-ring 436 and 438 for sealing to the inner surface 443 of the outer sleeve 440 and to the outer surface 441 of the inner sleeve 442.

[0089] If pressure is applied to chamber 465 and chamber 466 has a significantly lower pressure, preferably at least 3 bar lower, than chamber 465 and is ideally almost pressure-free due to the vent, the cylinder piston 430 is moved towards the burner shaft 300 or held in the position shown here. This allows the burner head 200 to be connected to the burner shaft 300.

[0090] If pressure is applied to chamber 466 and chamber 465 has a lower pressure, preferably at least 1 bar lower, than chamber 466 and is ideally almost pressure-free due to the vent, the cylinder piston 430 is moved towards the burner head 200. This separates the burner head 200 from the burner shaft 300.

[0091] The cylinder 460 is therefore a double-acting cylinder. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0092] The different pressure differences during the connection and separation between pi and p2 are due to the fact that the limiting area 433 of chamber 465 is larger than the limiting area 431 of chamber 466.

[0093] The burner head 200 has a circumferential stop surface 210. This extends, for example, as a circumferential stop surface 210 of a circumferential groove 212 on the outer surface 220. The outer surface refers to the entire outer surface of the front part, which may be formed by several components and outer surfaces. The stop surface 210 has an angle α of, for example, 70° in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis L. This ensures that the tip 412 of the finger 411 forms only a line or point contact with the stop surface 210 when the front part 200 and rear part 300 are connected, thus allowing the fingers 411 to open and close easily.

[0094] The fingers 411 are in the closed position, the tips 412 touch the stop surface 210 and hold the burner head 200. The outer sleeve 440 holds the fingers 411 in the described position by means of its inner surface 441.

[0095] The connection of the burner head to the burner shaft and the separation of the burner head from the burner shaft are carried out in the manner shown in Figures 2a to 2d.

[0096] Figure 3b shows an example of a view of the drive unit 400 of the torch shaft 300 of the plasma cutting torch from Figure 3a, as seen from the torch head 200. The torch shaft 300 is shown in a state in which it is not connected to the torch head 200. The fingers 411 are open.

[0097] Gas and electricity connections 320 and 322 are visible in burner shaft 300. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0098] The drive unit 400 is shown with the components of the gripper 410, the fingers 411 with the tip 412 and a spring element 413, here a circumferential spring. The circumferential spring 413 tensions the fingers 411 so that they are open. The tips of the fingers are at a distance 420 from the longitudinal axis L, which is greater than when the burner shaft 300 and the burner head 200 are connected.

[0099] In the separated state, which is not shown here, the inner surface 441 of the outer sleeve 440 touches the fingers 4ii and presses them against the spring force of the spring element 413 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0100] Figure 3c shows a 3D view of the burner shaft 300 with the drive unit 400. The burner shaft 300 is also shown in a state where it is not connected to the burner head 200. The fingers 411 are open.

[0101] The drive unit 400 is also shown, including the components of the gripper 410, the fingers 411 with the tip 412, and a spring element 413, in this case a circumferential spring. The circumferential spring 413 tensions the fingers 411 so that they are open. The tips of the fingers are at a distance 420 from the longitudinal axis L, which is greater than when the burner shaft 300 and the burner head 200 are connected.

[0102] In the separated state, which is not shown here, the inner surface 441 of the outer sleeve 440 touches the fingers 411 and presses them against the spring force of the spring element 413 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0103] Figure 4 shows an example of an arrangement for the thermal and / or mechanical processing of workpieces 610, comprising a processing head 100 according to the invention and a power supply unit 600 for the processing head 100, which is supplied by one or more lines 605, e.g. with energy, gas and / or BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0104] Cooling water, are connected and comprise a mechanical and / or automatic guidance system 650 for guiding the machining head 100. Furthermore, the guidance system 650 comprises a distance control 652, which regulates the distance of the nozzle 232 of the machining head 100 to a workpiece 610 to be machined, and a collision protection 655, which interrupts the movement of the guidance system in the event of an unintended collision of the machining head 100, e.g., with the workpiece 610.

[0105] The guide system 650 guides the machining head 100 to the machining, in this case cutting, of the workpiece 610. Furthermore, the guide system 650 also guides the machining head 100 to the fixtures 500, where the exchange of the front parts 200 is carried out by separating and joining the rear part 300 with the front part 200 as described in Figures 2a to 2d. During or after separation, a front part 200 is placed into a storage location 500 by the rear part 300 with the aid of the drive unit 400, and before or during retrieval, the front part 200 is removed from the fixture 500 by the rear part 300 with the aid of the drive unit 400.

[0106] If the process for thermally and / or mechanically processing workpieces 610 is an arc and / or plasma process, then the processing head 100 is an arc torch, a plasma torch, a plasma arc torch, a plasma welding torch, a TIG torch, or a plasma cutting torch. The rear part 300 is then a torch shaft and the front part 200 a torch head. The torch head comprises at least a nozzle 230 with an opening 232 and an electrode 230. It may further comprise, for example, an electrically insulating part 236 and / or a gas guide 234 and / or a further cap 238, 240. In this example, the torch shaft 300 comprises at least a supply 250, 252 for a fluid and / or for an electric current. The power supply unit 600 is a power source connected to the burner shaft 300 via at least one or more lines 605 for the transmission of energy, gas, or cooling water. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0107] If the process for thermally and / or mechanically processing workpieces 610 is a combustion process using a flammable gas, the processing head 100 is a gas burner. The rear part 300 is a burner shaft and the front part 200 is a burner head. The burner head 200 includes at least one nozzle 232. The burner shaft 300 includes at least one supply 250, 252 for a fluid. The energy supply unit is, for example, a gas supply unit for flammable gas, e.g., propane, hydrogen, acetylene.

[0108] If the method for the thermal and / or mechanical processing of workpieces 610 is a laser process, then the processing head 100 is a laser processing head. The rear part 300 is a laser shaft and the front part 200 is a laser head. The laser head includes at least one nozzle 232. The laser shaft includes at least the supply for a gas and for the laser radiation. The power supply unit is a laser beam generator, e.g., a fiber laser, a diode laser, or a gas laser.

[0109] If the mechanical processing method is a waterjet process, the processing head 100 is a waterjet processing head. The rear part 300 is a waterjet shaft and the front part 200 is a waterjet head. The waterjet head includes at least one nozzle 232. The waterjet shaft includes at least one fluid feed 250, 252. The power supply unit 600 is a pressure generator, e.g., a pump.

[0110] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings, and in the claims can be essential for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0111] Reference symbol list

[0112] Machining head front part, burner head

[0113] Stop surface

[0114] Nut

[0115] Outdoor area

[0116] electrode

[0117] nozzle

[0118] opening

[0119] Gas flow

[0120] Gas flow

[0121] Insulating part

[0122] Cap (retaining cap)

[0123] Cap (secondary gas cap)

[0124] Cap (nozzle cap)

[0125] Supply

[0126] Feed, consists of rear part, burner shaft

[0127] Stop surface

[0128] Supply

[0129] Supply

[0130] drive unit

[0131] Grabber

[0132] finger

[0133] pointed spring or magnetic element

[0134] Area

[0135] Distance to tip and longitudinal axis

[0136] Component, cylinder piston

[0137] Area

[0138] sleeve

[0139] Area BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT

[0140] 434 Flange 435 Groove 436 O-ring 437 Groove 438 O-ring 440 Outer sleeve

[0141] 441 Inner surface of the outer sleeve 442 Inner sleeve 443 Outer surface of the inner sleeve 444 Sleeve 450 Path 460 Cylinder

[0142] 461 Fluid passage 462 Fluid passage 463 Conduit 464 Conduit 465 Chamber 466 Chamber

[0143] 500 Intake 600 Power supply unit 610 Workpiece 650 Guide system 652 Distance control 655 Collision protection

[0144] L Longitudinal axis

[0145] Pi fluid pressure P2 fluid pressure a angle ß angle

Claims

BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT Claims 1. Machining head (too) for thermal and / or mechanical machining of workpieces, extending along a longitudinal axis L, comprising a front part (200) and a rear part (300), wherein the front part (200) comprises at least one nozzle (232) with an opening (223) from which thermal and / or mechanical energy for workpiece machining is emitted during operation, the rear part (300) is connected or connectable to operating media supply devices, and the rear part (300) and the front part (200) are detachably connectable and separable from one another, characterized in that the rear part (300) and / or the front part (200) has / have a drive device (400) which is / are designed to move the front part (200) at least partially along the longitudinal axis L relative to the rear part (300) for connection and to move it in the opposite direction relative to the rear part (300) for separation.

2. Machining head (100) according to claim 1, wherein the drive device (400) is pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, electromechanically, magnetically and / or electromagnetically operable.

3. Machining head (100) according to claim 2, wherein the drive device (400) has at least one pneumatically, hydraulically, electromechanically, magnetically and / or electromagnetically operable cylinder (460).

4. Machining head (100) according to claim 3, wherein the cylinder (460) is a double-acting cylinder. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT 5. Machining head (too) according to claim 4, wherein the double-acting cylinder (460) is designed to provide a joining force which is less than the separating force which it provides, preferably 50 to 95% of the same.

6. Machining head (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a path (450) along the longitudinal axis L for joining and / or separating is at least 2 mm, better 5 mm and best at least 10 mm.

7. Machining head (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive device (400) has at least one gripper (410).

8. Machining head (100) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one gripper (410) has at least one movable finger (411) and a tip (412).

9. Machining head (100) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one gripper (410) has one, two, three or four movable fingers (411).

10. Machining head (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the distance (420) between the longitudinal axis L of the machining head (100) and the tip (412) of the fingers (411) of the gripper (410) is smaller or larger in the connected state than in the separated state.

11. Machining head (100) according to claim 10, wherein it is designed such that a change in the distance (420) is triggered by a movement of a component (430) and / or a sleeve (440) and / or the gripper (410) of the drive device 400 along the longitudinal axis L.

12. Machining head (100) according to claim 11, wherein the finger(s) (411) is / are at least partially movable by means of at least one spring-loaded and / or magnetic element (413). BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT 13- Machining head (100) according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the rear part (300) has the drive device (400) and the front part (200) has at least one stop surface (210) for the tips (412) of the finger(s) (411) of the gripper (410) or wherein the front part (200) has the drive device (400) and the rear part (300) has at least one stop surface (310) for the tips (412) of the finger(s) (411) of the gripper (410).

14. Machining head (100) according to claim 13, wherein it has a nozzle (232) and / or a cap (238, 240, 242) and the at least one stop surface (210, 310) extends at least partially on the circumference of the outer surface (220) of the front part (200) and / or the outer surface of the nozzle (232) and / or the cap (238, 240, 242) and / or the outer surface 320 of the rear part (300) of the machining head (100).

15. Machining head (100) according to claim 14, wherein the stop surface (210, 310) has at least one section in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis L, the angle α enclosed between the longitudinal axis L and the stop surface (210, 310) being less than 85°, preferably less than 75° 0and greater than 45°, in particular greater than 55° and / or wherein the surface (414) of the fingers (411) of the gripper (410) in the closed state of the fingers (411) has at least one section in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis L, the angle β enclosed between the longitudinal axis L and the surface (414) being less than 85°, preferably less than 75° 0 and larger than 45 0 , especially larger than 55 0 is.

16. Machining head (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the path (450) for separating or joining the front part (200) and the rear part (300) is at least 10 mm. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT 17- Machining head (100) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the machining comprises cutting, welding, coating and / or heating.

18. Machining head (100) according to claim 17, wherein the machining comprises machining of electrically conductive and / or electrically non-conductive materials.

19. Processing head (100) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein it is an arc torch, plasma torch, plasma arc torch, plasma welding torch, TIG torch or plasma cutting torch.

20. Machining head (100) according to claim 19, wherein it has a burner head (200) comprising at least one electrode (230) and a nozzle (232) with an opening (233), and a burner shaft (300) comprising at least one supply (250, 252) for a fluid and / or for an electric current.

21. Machining head (100) according to claim 20, wherein the burner head (200) further comprises at least one electrically insulating part (236) and / or a gas guide (234) and / or a further cap (238, 240).

22. Machining head (100) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein it is a burner for machining with flammable gas and is designed to generate thermal energy by burning the gas.

23. Machining head (100) according to claim 22, wherein it has a burner head (200) comprising at least one nozzle (232) and a burner shaft (300) comprising at least one supply (250, 252) for a fluid.

24. Processing head (100) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein it has a head and a shaft for laser processing. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT 25- Processing head (100) according to claim 24, wherein it has a laser head comprising at least one nozzle (232) and a laser shaft comprising at least one supply for a gas and / or for the laser radiation.

26. Machining head (100) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein it has a head and a shaft for waterjet machining.

27. Machining head (100) according to claim 26, wherein it has a water jet head comprising at least one nozzle (232) and a water jet shaft comprising at least one feed (250, 252) for a fluid.

28. Arrangement for the mechanical and / or thermal processing of workpieces, comprising at least the following: - a processing head (100) according to one of claims 1 to 27, - at least one, preferably at least two or more shots (500) for the processing head(s), - a power supply unit (600) for the machining head(s) (100) and - a mechanical and / or automatic guidance system (650) for guiding the machining head(s) (100).

29. Arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the guidance system (650) comprises at least the following: - a device (652) for regulating or controlling and / or positioning the distance between the nozzle of the machining head (100) and a workpiece and / or - a collision protection device (655) for the machining head(s) (100).

30. Arrangement according to claim 28 or 29, further comprising: BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT - a machining head according to at least one of claims 19 to 21, - a power source (600) to provide electrical energy for the processing head (100), and - a gas supply to provide the gases for the processing head (100).

31. Arrangement according to claim 30, further comprising a coolant unit for supplying the machining head with a coolant.

32. Arrangement according to claim 28 or 29, further comprising: - a machining head according to at least one of claims 22 and 23 and - a gas supply for the processing head (100).

33. Arrangement according to claim 28 or 29, further comprising: - a machining head according to at least one of claims 24 and 25, - a laser beam source to provide the laser radiation and - a gas supply to provide the gases for the processing head (100).

34. Arrangement according to claim 28 or 29, further comprising: - a machining head according to at least one of claims 26 and 27 and - a high-pressure pump to provide water pressure for the machining head (100).

35. Method for joining and separating a front part (200) and a rear part (300) of a machining head (100) for thermal and / or mechanical machining of workpieces, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front and / or rear part comprises a drive device (400) and wherein the front part (200) is moved towards each other relative to the rear part (300) for joining and is moved away from each other relative to the rear part (300) for separating. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT 36. Method according to claim 35, wherein the joining comprises at least the following steps: a. axially aligned positioning of the rear part (300) and the front part (200) of the machining head (100), b. applying fluid pressure to the inlet (462), c. movement of the component (430) in the direction of the rear part 200 along the longitudinal axis L by the drive device (400), d. closing of the fingers (411) of the gripper (410), and e. further movement of the component (430) along the longitudinal axis L and joining of the front part (200) with the rear part (300) of the machining head (100).

37. Method according to claim 35, wherein the separation comprises at least the following steps: a. Applying fluid pressure to the inlet (461), b. Moving the component (430) in the direction of the front part (200) along the longitudinal axis L by the drive device (400), c. Opening the fingers (411) of the gripper (410), and d. Releasing the front part (200).

38. Method according to claim 36 and / or 37, wherein the front part (200) is located in a receptacle (500) before joining and / or is placed in a receptacle (500) after separating.

39. Method according to claim 36, wherein before step a, b or c the ventilation of the room (466) takes place through the inlet (461).

40. Method according to claim 37, wherein before step a or b, the room (465) is vented through the inlet (462).

41. Method according to one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the positioning is carried out by a guidance system or manually. BOEHMERT 8c BOEHMERT 42. Method according to any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the opening and / or closing of the fingers (411) of the gripper (410) is effected by a spring force and / or by a mechanical limit and / or magnetically.

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