Powder press and method for automated assembly and disassembly of the powder press

Abstract

The invention relates to a powder press (10) comprising: a die (20) for receiving the powder; an upper punch and a lower punch (17, 19), each held by a punch carrier (21, 26); a core rod (18) guided for axial movement in the lower punch (19); and a core-rod carrier (30) that can be connected to the core rod. A die assembly (25), the punch carriers (21, 26) and the core-rod carrier (30) can each be clamped in a clamping device (22, 24, 27, 28) to an associated vertically adjustable plate (11, 12, 13, 14) of a press frame (15) of the powder press (10). The core-rod carrier (30), in which the core rod (18) is secured, in particular without a coupling connection, can be releasably connected in the punch carrier (26) of the lower punch (19) by means of a coupling (35), wherein the punch carrier (26) of the lower punch (19) is releasably coupled to the die assembly (25) by means of a coupling (15) which allows the lower punch (19) together with its punch carrier (26), and the core rod (18) inserted therein together with the core-rod carrier (30), to be installed as a single assembly (50.1). These coupling connections provide a particularly advantageous arrangement for automated assembly and disassembly of the powder press.

Description

[0001] KRAMER W. Dietmar, Dr.sc.techn. 8623 Wetzikon, Switzerland

[0002] Powder press and a method for automated assembly and disassembly of the powder press

[0003] The invention relates to a powder press comprising a die unit receiving the powder, an upper and a lower punch, each with a workpiece carrier holding them, a core rod axially movably guided in the lower punch, and a core rod carrier connectable to the latter, wherein the die unit, the workpiece carriers, and the core rod carrier can each be clamped in a chuck on a height-adjustable plate of a press frame of the powder press, and a method for automated assembly and disassembly of the tools or the workpiece carriers and the core rod carrier of the powder press, according to the preamble of claim 1 and claim 7, respectively.In publication EP 4 124 402 A1, a tool arrangement for a powder compaction press with a lower punch and a core rod is described. The arrangement comprises a lower punch with a lower punch drawbar for holding the lower punch in the lower punch chuck within the powder press, and a core rod with a core rod drawbar for holding the core rod in the core rod chuck. A coupling mechanism is provided to connect the lower punch and the core rod. This coupling mechanism has a projecting coupling element located on the outer surface of the core rod and an inwardly extending coupling element located on the inner surface of the lower punch drawbar. This projecting coupling element on the outer surface of the core rod is designed as an elastic element, particularly annular, with two adjacent ends.

[0004] A disadvantage of this tool arrangement is that the core bar, with its indentation for accommodating the ring-shaped elastic element, requires an additional machining operation to create this annular groove in its lower part. Since this core bar is typically made of carbide, such machining is complex and expensive. This machining must be performed on every new core bar, regardless of shape, and must be carried out on a defined, stepped diameter. This means the core bar cannot be manufactured from a smooth bar. Furthermore, there is a risk that the core bar will warp during this machining process, leading to inaccuracies in the produced pressing in the die during operation, and / or that it may even break due to the resulting stress concentration when moving within the lower punch during the pressing process.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of improving a powder press in such a way that it enables optimal production of pressed powders in a die unit, preferably in which all tools in the powder press can be changed automatically.

[0006] Furthermore, a method for the automated assembly and disassembly of tools, workpiece carriers and / or a core bar carrier in the powder press is to be created, in which, by means of a manipulator or robot, the powder press with the required tools, namely the die, the upper and lower punches and the core bar, can be easily and highly precisely mounted in corresponding chucks in the press frame, and the disassembly of these tools with the workpiece carriers can likewise be carried out mechanically in an analogous manner with only a few work steps.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 or claim 7.

[0008] According to the invention, the core rod is attached to the lower die in the core rod carrier, particularly without a coupling connection, and this core rod carrier is detachably connected to the workpiece carrier of the lower die by a coupling. The workpiece carrier of the lower die is detachably connected to the die unit by a coupling, through which the lower die with its workpiece carrier and the core rod inserted therein with the core rod carrier can be assembled or disassembled as a single unit.

[0009] These coupling connections allow the lower punch with the core rod inserted into it to be connected to the die unit or detached during disassembly, resulting in a very advantageous arrangement for automated assembly and disassembly of the powder press.

[0010] Advantageously, a sleeve or similar component is inserted into a central recess in the workpiece carrier of the lower die, with the coupling attached to the core rod carrier to hold the core rod. The core rod is thus positively and force-fitted into the core rod carrier at its lower end.

[0011] The core rod carrier with the core rod attached therein can be removed from the workpiece carrier of the lower punch by automatically releasing the coupling at a defined axial tensile force, which is greater than the weight force of the workpiece carrier and the core rod.

[0012] In the inventive method for the automated assembly and disassembly of a powder press, the die unit, the lower punch with its workpiece carrier, and the core bar carrier with the core bar are fed into a press frame by a manipulator or robot as a first pre-assembled unit, while the upper punch with its workpiece carrier is fed into a press frame by the manipulator or robot as a second pre-assembled unit, either separately or together with the first unit, to a clamping device in the powder press below an upper plate of a press frame.

[0013] This method allows for the automated assembly of a powder press to be carried out very easily and without complex manipulations, thus ensuring that highly precise manufacturing is enabled by the powder press.

[0014] The pre-assembled components are very advantageously connected to a connecting element as an assembly aid during common feeding and preferably positioning, and are fed together by the manipulator or robot and positioned and clamped in the powder press, whereby the connecting element of the components is uncoupled and removed before pressing.

[0015] With this connecting element as an assembly aid, the components can be easily inserted by the manipulator or robot and lowered into the clamping devices, allowing the lower component to be positioned and coupled with the outer clamping ring in the chuck of the clamping device. During manipulation, the connecting element protects the upper punch and die from damage and can also be used as a temporary storage device for the tools in a magazine. The invention and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawing. It shows:

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a powder press according to the invention in the assembled operating state before pressing with a schematically shown press frame;

[0017] Fig. 2 shows a partial longitudinal section of the powder press according to Fig. 1 with a first assembly unit comprising the die unit, the lower punch with its workpiece carrier and a core rod carrier coupled to it with a core rod and a partially shown connecting element as an assembly aid;

[0018] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the powder press with the inserted connecting element and the first and second assembly units coupled to it, in which the plates of the press frame are moved apart;

[0019] Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the powder press with the connecting element and the first and second assembly units coupled to it; in which the plates are pushed together compared to those in Fig. 3;

[0020] Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section of the powder press, in which the connecting element is separated from the building units and the plates of the press frame are pushed apart.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a powder press 10 in its assembled operating state for pressing, in particular, metal powder for the compression molding of carbide inserts for tools of machining equipment or the like. The powder press 10 comprises a die 20 of a die unit 25 for receiving the powder, an upper punch 17 held by a workpiece carrier 21, and a lower punch 19 supported by a workpiece carrier 26 in a press frame 15. A core rod 18, axially movably guided in the lower punch 19 and held at its lower end in a core rod holder 30, is also provided. When inserted into the die 20 and filled with powder, the upper and lower punches 17 and 19, together with the core rod 18, form the shape of the workpiece to be pressed, with the pressing pressure being generated by the upper punch 17 and the lower punch 19.

[0022] The powder press 10 is constructed by plates 11, 12, 13, 14 in the supporting columns 16, which are adjustable by controlled displacements. The workpiece carriers 21, 26 of the upper and lower punches 17, 19, the die unit 25 and the core bar carrier 30 can each be clamped in a clamping device 22, 24, 27, 28 on each of the height-adjustable plates 11, 12, 13, 14 of the press frame 15 of the powder press 10, wherein preferably the plate 12, on which the die unit 25 is attached, is designed as a non-adjustable base plate.

[0023] These clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28 each have a chuck 31 attached to a base plate 32, with a clamping mechanism (not shown) for fixing the respective workpiece carrier 21, 26, die unit 25, or core bar carrier 30 therein. The clamping mechanism is provided with a number of radially displaceable clamping elements that interact along a respective cylindrical surface with clamping surfaces formed by the workpiece carriers, etc. The clamping elements can be shaped as balls, rollers, sliding elements, or similar. These clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28 can be actuated hydraulically or pneumatically for clamping or releasing, and they can be controlled for automated operation by a control device. Naturally, these clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28 can be configured differently, which is not described further.

[0024] The uppermost plate 11, with the clamping device 22 attached to its underside for releasably holding the workpiece carrier 21 with the upper punch 17, can be moved from a separated position, as shown, into a press position relative to the plate 12 below, with the clamping device 27 attached to its upper side for fixing the die unit 25. The clamping device 24 for releasably holding the workpiece carrier 26 for the core bar carrier 30 is attached to the plate 13 below, above the plate 14, and projects into a central opening 12' in the plate 12 holding the die unit 25.

[0025] The plates 11, 12, 13, 14 are adjustable to their intended positions relative to each other by a controlled adjustment mechanism with drive motors (not shown in detail). The four plates 11, 12, 13, 14 are arranged parallel to each other, and preferably four columns 16 engage at the corners of the rectangular plates. The number of plates and columns can vary depending on the application. According to the invention, the core rod carrier 30, in which the core rod 18 is attached, particularly without a coupling connection, is detachably connected to the workpiece carrier 26 of the lower die 19 by a coupling 35. The workpiece carrier 26 of the lower die 19 is itself connectable to the die unit 25 by a coupling 40, through which the lower die 19 with its workpiece carrier 26 and the core rod 18 inserted therein with the core rod carrier 30 can be mounted as a single assembly 50.1.

[0026] With this assembled unit 50.1, particularly in automated operation of the powder press 10, very simple assembly and disassembly can be achieved because the die unit 25 and the workpiece carrier 26 for the lower punch 19 and the core rod carrier 30 for the core rod 18 can be moved from a coupled to an uncoupled state and vice versa during assembly and disassembly without any direct manual or machine intervention at the couplings.

[0027] As shown enlarged in Fig. 2, a sleeve 33 or the like, with the coupling 35 for holding the core rod carrier 30 with the core rod 18, is inserted into a central recess 29 in the workpiece carrier 26 of the lower punch 19. The workpiece carrier 26 has a support body 26' with the recess 29 and a base ring 34 attached thereto by at least one fastening means 34', in which the lower punch 19 is held at its lower end. Preferably, several recesses for the coupling 40 with the die unit are formed on the outside of this base ring 34.

[0028] The invention is further characterized in that the core rod 18 is positively and force-fittedly inserted into the core rod carrier 30 at its lower end region, preferably being rod-shaped and made of hard metal without any change in diameter, and being pressed into a bore 30' in the core rod carrier 30 or inserted with approximately no play and, for example, glued in place. This rod-shaped design of the core rod 18 without a lateral recess and this simple connection with the core rod carrier 30 results in cost-effective manufacturing.

[0029] The die unit 25 is designed as a single or preferably multi-part assembly, comprising the die 20 as the die core and, holding the core, the one-piece workpiece carrier 26 with a die ring 36 that encloses the die 20 externally. The clamping device 27 secures the workpiece carrier 37. The coupling ring 38 with the coupling 40 for coupling the die unit 25 to the workpiece carrier 26 of the lower die 19 is fixed in the workpiece carrier 37.

[0030] The couplings 35 and 40 are each designed to allow automatic release and connection upon application of a defined axial tensile or compressive force. This force is greater than the weight of the core rod carrier 30 and the core rod, and, in the case of the upper coupling 40, also greater than the weight of the workpiece carrier 26 and the lower punch 19. Similarly, during disassembly, the couplings 35 and 40 are each designed to release automatically upon application of a defined minimum axial tensile force.

[0031] These couplings 35, 40 are each arranged in preferably several radially oriented bores on the outside of the sleeve 33 inserted in the support body 26' or in the coupling ring 38 of the die unit 25, respectively. In coupling 35, each bore contains a rubber ring 42 and, on the inside, a ball 41, which, in the coupled state, is pressed into an annular groove or into a recess 43 corresponding to the ball shape by the spring pressure generated by the rubber ring. In coupling 40, a compression spring 44 is also inserted between the rubber ring 42 and the ball 41, so that the spring force is greater than in coupling 35. In principle, only one bore per coupling could be provided, and the couplings could, of course, be designed differently than shown.

[0032] The mandrel-shaped core rod carrier 30 is detachably held on its underside by a clamping device 28, which is not explained in detail, wherein this clamping device 28 has a base plate 39 which is attached to the lower plate 14.

[0033] According to the inventive method, the powder press 10, which essentially consists of the upper punch 17, the die 20, the lower punch 19, and the core bar 18 for producing pressed products, particularly from metal powder, is assembled automatically. The die unit 25, the lower punch 19 with its workpiece carrier 26, and the core bar carrier 30 with the core bar 18 are fed into the press frame 15 by a manipulator or robot as a first pre-assembled unit 50.1. The workpiece carriers 37, 26, and the core bar carrier 30 are each positioned in their respective clamping devices 24, 27, 28 in the press frame 15 and clamped by actuating the radially displaceable clamping elements of the respective clamping mechanism.The upper die 17 with its workpiece carrier 21 as a second separate pre-assembled unit is fed by the manipulator or robot into the clamping device 22 in the powder press 10 below the upper plate 11 of the press frame 15 and clamped.

[0034] For space reasons, it is advantageous to first insert and position the first pre-assembled unit 50.1 into the press frame 15 with the upper plate 11 extended and the plates 12, 13, 14 retracted, because this first unit is taller than the second and therefore has sufficient clearance. Depending on the circumstances, the second unit or both units simultaneously could also be inserted by separate manipulators or robots. A commercially available device can be used for the manipulator or robot, which allows for program-controlled gripping and positioning or removal of the units.

[0035] When dismantling the powder press 10, the upper plate 11 is first pushed apart from the lower plates 12, 13, 14, and the second upper assembly with the upper punch 17 and its workpiece carrier 21 and subsequently the first assembly are gripped by the manipulator or robot, the associated clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28 are released and the assemblies are taken out and removed in order to replace the tools and pre-assemble for a new feed.

[0036] In Fig. 1, annular grooves 46 and 47 are indicated on the outer circumference of the workpiece carrier 21 and the die unit 25, respectively. These grooves serve to engage and lock appropriately shaped grippers of the manipulator or robot. This allows for the simple connection of, for example, a robot arm with a respective assembly unit. These assemblies are advantageously pre-assembled and stacked in a magazine, allowing the robot to grip them, feed them into the powder press 10, and position them accordingly.

[0037] According to the further method according to the invention, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the two pre-assembled units 50.1, 50.2 are not fed and positioned or removed separately by the manipulator or robot into the press frame 15, but they are both detachably coupled to a connecting element 50 as an assembly aid and are fed together by the manipulator or robot and positioned and clamped in the clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28 in the powder press 10, the connecting element 50 being uncoupled and removed from the units 50.1, 50.2 before the start of the pressing process.

[0038] This connecting element 50 is sleeve-, bell-, or otherwise shaped, with a hub 58, 59 on its upper and lower sides, which, in the coupled state, enclose the workpiece carrier 21 of the upper punch 17 or the die unit 25 with approximately zero play. Couplings 55, 56 are provided in these hubs 58, 59 with coupling elements 55', 56' on the outside at the workpiece carrier 21 or at the die ring 36 of the die unit 25. This connecting element 50, which has side openings 65, forms an internal clearance for the projecting punches 17, 19 and the core rod 18 when coupled. A gripper 66, connected to the manipulator or robot via a robot arm or similar device, with a locking device 57, is also indicated.

[0039] These couplings 55, 56 each consist of preferably several radially oriented bores in these hubs 58, 59, each containing, for example, a fastening element 61 designed as a screw pin, a spring element 62, and, on the inside, a ball 63. In the coupled state, the spring force generated by the spring element presses the ball into an annular groove or into a recess 64 corresponding to the ball shape. It is important that, preferably, both components 50.1, 50.2 and the connecting element 50 are provided with a corresponding positioning means, such as a ball and a recess of a corresponding size, to ensure correct positioning of the workpiece carriers 21, 26, 37 in the chucks.This centers the workpiece carriers 21, 26, 37 in a specific position circumferentially, since the robot with its gripper 66 always assumes the same rotational position relative to the press frame 15 with aligned axes. In principle, only one or two opposing bores per coupling could be provided, and the couplings could, of course, be designed differently than shown. Due to this design of the couplings 55, 56, the connecting element 50 can be automatically connected or disconnected during assembly or disassembly by a defined minimum axial compressive or tensile force acting in the adjustment direction of the punches.

[0040] As can be seen partly in Fig. 2 and in Figs. 3 to 5, the connecting element 50, serving as an assembly aid, and the attached components 50.1, 50.2 are inserted into the open press frame 15 with the plates 11, 12, 13, 14 separated by a manipulator or robot (not shown in detail). The gripper 66 of the manipulator, equipped with machine-operated locking devices 57, grips the connecting element 50. The upper punch 17 with its workpiece carrier 21, forming the second component 50.2, is attached to the top of the connecting element 50, while the die unit 25, the workpiece carrier 26, the lower punch 19, the core bar carrier 30, and the core bar 18, forming the second pre-assembled component 50.1, are attached to the underside of the connecting element 50.The height between the clamping devices 22, 27 when the plates 11 are fully extended is chosen so that the assembly units with the connecting element holding them in between can be inserted coaxially in the axial direction of the powder press, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0041] From this position, the connecting element 50 and the assembly units 50.1, 50.2 are lowered by the manipulator or robot towards the clamping devices 24, 27, 28, and the lower assembly unit 50.1 with the outer workpiece carrier 37 is placed in the chuck of the clamping device 27. Next, as shown in Fig. 4, the plate 11 with the clamping device 22 held beneath it is moved downwards until the workpiece carrier 21 with the upper punch 17 is positioned. Simultaneously or subsequently, the two lower plates 13, 14 and with them the clamping devices 24, 28 are moved upwards in the opposite direction. This positions the workpiece carrier 26 of the lower punch 18 and the core rod carrier 30, which have been lowered from above, as can be seen in Fig. 4, and the clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28 can be clamped by a corresponding control when the robot picks up the package 50.1.Instead of lowering the plate 11 into the position shown in Fig. 4, this plate 11 could be left at the top and the robot, after positioning the assembly unit 50.1 with the connecting element 50 and the upper assembly unit 50.2 coupled to it, could move upwards and position the latter in the clamping device 22 and fix the workpiece carrier 21 in it.

[0042] According to Fig. 5, after clamping the clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28, the plate 11 and with it this second assembly 50.2, and preferably then the connecting element 50, are moved upwards by the manipulator or robot with this defined minimum axial tensile force. This causes the couplings 55, 56 of the connecting element 50 to automatically detach from the assembly 50.2 and the die unit 25, and the connecting element 50 can be removed laterally from the powder press 10.

[0043] Furthermore, the adjacent plates 13, 14, and with them the clamping device 24 with the workpiece carrier 26 and the lower punch 19, and likewise the clamping device 28 with the core bar carrier 30 and the core bar 18, are moved away from the plate 12 by the same vertical distance, so that the lower punch 19 and the core bar 18 are moved into their operating position. With this lowering of the plates 13, 14, the workpiece carrier 26 of the lower punch 19 with its base ring 34 is automatically released from the die unit 25 by the coupling 40 and lowered, while the die unit 25 remains stationary in the clamping device 27 on the plate 12. For the operational pressing process, the plate 11 is moved downwards again until the upper punch 17 is inserted into the die 20 in the operating position with almost no play.

[0044] When disassembling the powder press 10 after use, the procedure is carried out in reverse order according to the invention. First, the plate 11 with the assembly 50.2 and the plates 13, 14 are lifted together, thus reconnecting the coupling 40 to the workpiece carrier 26 and the die unit 25. Then, the connecting element 50 can be reinserted into the press frame 15 by the manipulator or robot and coupled to the first and second assemblies 50.1, 50.2, as shown in Fig. 4. The clamping devices 22, 24, 27, 28 can then be released, and the plate 11 can be moved upwards, or the plates 12, 13, 14 downwards. Subsequently, the connecting element 50 can be used as a disassembly aid and the attached building units 50.1, 50.2 can be moved upwards so that they reach the position shown in Fig. 3.Finally, the construction units can be removed from the open press frame 15 and the construction units can be detached from the connecting link and brought back into operation offline.

[0045] The invention is sufficiently demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments described above. However, it could be further illustrated by additional variants.

[0046] A third assembly unit could also be provided, for example for feeding powder into the die, which would also enable the portion-wise dispensing of powder with the manipulator or robot before pressing in the position of the powder press 10 shown in Fig. 1 above the opening in the die 20.

[0047] The workpiece carrier of the lower die has a central opening containing a sleeve with a coupling for holding the core rod carrier. Instead of a sleeve coupling, individual coupling elements could also be used. The core rod could, for example, also be secured in the core rod carrier by a clamping system, a collet, or similar device, but notably without any recesses on the outer circumference of the core rod.

[0048] The plates and the press frame are shown schematically, as mentioned. Their specific design could result in different shapes. The columns are also shown only schematically. The corresponding adjustment mechanisms for the plates are not shown in detail, as these are generally known. The powder press could also be arranged horizontally or at an angle.

Claims

P158-P6-PCT PATENT CLAIMS 1. Powder press comprising a die (20) receiving the powder, an upper and a lower punch (17, 19) each with a workpiece carrier (21, 26) holding them, a core rod (18) axially movably guided in the lower punch (19) and a core rod carrier (30) connectable to the latter, wherein a die unit (25), the workpiece carriers (21, 26) and the core rod carrier (30) can each be clamped in a clamping device (22, 24, 27, 28) on a height-adjustable plate (11, 12, 13, 14) of a press frame (15) of the powder press (10), characterized in that The core rod carrier (30), in which the core rod (18) is attached, in particular without a coupling connection, is detachably connectable to the workpiece carrier (26) of the lower punch (19) by a coupling (35), wherein the workpiece carrier (26) of the lower punch (19) is detachably coupled to the die unit (25) by a coupling (40), by which the lower punch (19) with its workpiece carrier (26) and the core rod (18) inserted therein can be mounted with the core rod carrier (30) as a single assembly (50.1).

2. Powder press according to claim 1, characterized in that a sleeve (33) or the like inserted therein is attached to a central recess (29) in the workpiece carrier (26) of the lower punch (19) by means of the coupling (35) for holding the core rod carrier (30) with the core rod (18).

3. Powder press according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the core rod (18) is inserted into the core rod carrier (30) in a form-fit and force-fit manner at the lower end area, wherein it is preferably made of hard metal in a rod-like form without any change in diameter.

4. Powder press according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The workpiece carrier (26) of the lower punch (19) has a clamping element (26') that can be connected to the clamping device (24) and a base ring (34) connected to it, wherein the lower punch (19) is held in the base ring (34) and preferably several recesses for the coupling (40) with the die unit (25) are formed on the outside of this base ring (34).

5. Powder press according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the die unit (25) is designed in one or preferably in multiple parts, comprising inside the die (20), a die ring (36) enclosing it on the outside, an outer workpiece carrier (37) arranged below it and a coupling ring (38) with the coupling (40) for coupling with the workpiece carrier (26) of the lower punch (19).

6. Powder press according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The core rod carrier (30) with the core rod (18) attached therein is disassembled from the workpiece carrier (26) of the lower punch (19) by an automatic release of the coupling (35) under a defined axial tensile force, which is preferably greater than the weight force of the workpiece carrier (30) and the core rod (18).

7. Method for the automated assembly and disassembly of tools, workpiece carriers and / or the core rod carrier in the powder press (10) in particular according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The die unit (25), the lower punch (19) with its workpiece carrier (26), and the core bar carrier (30) with the core bar (18) are fed as a first pre-assembled assembly (50.1) by a manipulator or robot into a press frame (15), while the upper punch (17) with its workpiece carrier (21) is fed as a second pre-assembled assembly (50.2) by the manipulator or robot separately or together with the first assembly (50.1) to a clamping device (22) in the powder press (10) below an upper plate (11) of a press frame (15), wherein the die unit (25), the workpiece carriers (21, 26), and the core bar carrier (30) are each positioned and clamped in an associated clamping device (27, 22, 24, 28) in the press frame (15).-22 - 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the pre-assembled building units (50.1, 50.2) are detachably coupled to a connecting element (50) as an assembly aid during a common feeding and preferably positioning process and are fed together by the manipulator or robot and positioned and clamped in the powder press (10), wherein the connecting element (50) is uncoupled and removed before pressing.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the die unit (25), the workpiece carrier (26) and the core rod carrier (30) with the core rod (18) are coupled to the connecting member (50) on the underside as an assembly aid as a first pre-assembled assembly unit (50.1), while the upper punch (17) with its workpiece carrier (21) is coupled to the connecting member (50) on the top side as the second pre-assembled assembly unit (50.2), wherein the connecting member (50) feeds these two assembly units (50.1, 50.2) together with the manipulator or robot into the powder press (10) with the press frame (15) open and brings the assembly units (50.1, 50.2) into the operating position by pushing plates (11, 12, 13, 14) together, thereby connecting the die unit (25), the workpiece carriers (21, 26) and the Core rod carrier (30) is detached from the connecting member (50) and clamped in a corresponding clamping device (22, 24, 27, 28) in the press frame.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that after feeding and clamping the die unit (25) and the workpiece carrier (26) into the clamping devices (22, 27), at least the upper plate (11) is moved upwards, thus moving the workpiece carrier (26) from the manipulator or the clamping device (22, 27). The robot-held connecting link (50) is automatically uncoupled and removed from these two construction units (50.1, 50.2), and at least the upper plate (11) can be pushed downwards again and the powder press (10) can be brought into operating condition.

11. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The connecting element (50) which automatically couples and uncouples these two pre-assembled building units (50.1, 50.2) can be coupled and uncoupled by means of couplings (55, 56) on the one hand with the workpiece carrier (21) of the second building unit (50.2) and on the other hand with the die unit (25) of the first building unit.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting member (50) is provided on its upper and lower sides with a hub (58, 59) which enclose the workpiece carrier (21) of the upper punch (17) or the die unit (25) with approximately no play and these couplings (55, 56) can be coupled or uncoupled in these hubs (58, 59) and corresponding coupling elements (55', 56') at the workpiece carrier (21) or on the outside at the die unit (25).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The connecting element (50) is automatically released or connected during assembly or disassembly by means of a defined minimum axial tensile or compressive force.-24- 14. Method according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that The connecting element (50) with lateral through-openings (65) in the coupled state with the pre-assembled building units (50.1, 50.2) forms an internal space for the projecting punches (17, 19) and core rod (18).

15. , Method according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the upper plate (11) can be moved at such a distance to the lower adjacent plate (12) that the connecting element (50) with the first and second assembly units (50.1, 50.2) mounted on it can be inserted or removed by the manipulator or robot in between.

16. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that When dismantling the powder press (10), first the plates (11, 12, 13, 14) are pushed apart, the clamping devices (22, 24, 27, 28) are released, and the two assembly units (50.1, 50.2) are each removed from the clamping devices and the press frame by the manipulator or robot, or that after pushing apart at least the upper plate (11), the connecting element (50) is inserted by the manipulator or robot between the first and second assembly units (50.1, 50.2), then at least the upper plate (11) is pushed back together as in the operating state, and the connecting element (50) is connected by the couplings (55, 56) on the one hand to the die unit (25) of the first assembly unit (50.1) and on the other hand to the workpiece carrier (21) of the second assembly unit 50.2) is coupled, and that subsequently at least the upper plate (11) is pushed upwards again and the connecting element is disassembled by the manipulator or robot with the component units (50.1, 50.2) coupled to it after the clamping devices (22, 24, 27, 28) have been released.

17. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that at least one assembly (50.2) and the connecting element (50) are provided with a positioning means for the purpose of correctly positioning the workpiece carrier (21, 26, 37) in the chuck, so that the workpiece carrier (21, 26, 37) can be centered in a specific position in the clamping device (22) during circumferential assembly.

Images