DE102015004227A1 - Method for introducing a coding into a workpiece and punch for introducing a coding into a workpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for introducing a three-dimensional coding into a workpiece to be produced with a tool, wherein the three-dimensional coding is characteristic for at least one property of the workpiece, is specified. Here, the workpiece is produced with the tool, and the coding during the manufacturing process in the workpiece by means of a data matrix (10) introduced.

Description

The invention relates to a method for introducing a three-dimensional coding into a workpiece to be produced with a tool and a punch for introducing a coding into a workpiece to be produced with a tool.

Coding methods are for example from the publications EP 24 39 033 A2 . EP 111 09 96 A1 . DE 10 2011 086 592 A1 and DE 10 25 75 32 A1 known.

It is very important to mark workpieces made with tools, for example to document and ensure the traceability and correct use of the workpieces. Therefore, conventionally, on the workpiece after its manufacture, markings are made which allow to uniquely identify the workpiece. Common and known methods are the use of labels, such as a barcode, a two-dimensional Data Matrix code or plain text, the use of direct lettering, for example with a pen, a stencil or color, the use of stroke numbers or key letters, the use of a Engraving, milling or drilling, laser marking or laser marking, embossing with needles, or permanent pressing on, for example, iron dust.

Conventionally, in this case a permanent marking is applied only after the manufacturing process of the workpiece in or on the workpiece. In addition to manufacturer-specific article numbers and information in plain text, codes are usually also used for labeling, such as barcodes, data matrix codes or QR code (Quick Response). To read the information, 2D readers are used. In particular, the information applied or applied is recognized and evaluated exclusively in two dimensions.

A disadvantage of the conventional methods is the subsequent marking of the workpieces after their production. This is an additional operation that involves extra effort and also involves the risk of confusion and / or manipulation. There is also the danger of a possible loss of the mark, for example in the event of accidental release of the label. Also, such conventional markers usually receive only general information of the workpiece. The amount of information is limited.

Nowadays, series parts are usually produced in tools, for example in injection molding, sintering, forming, casting or blow molding processes. In many tools, type designations and production date stamps are introduced that are permanently present in the tool. They contain only general information such as manufacturer, article number and production lot. This information is only read and used visually by persons.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the automated introduction of a coding in a workpiece, which is characterized by a lower workload, and / or by a reduced susceptibility to errors and / or manipulation and / or by its reusability.

These objects are achieved inter alia by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a programmable stamp having the features of claim 9. Advantageous developments of the method and the stamp are the subject of the dependent claims.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method for introducing a three-dimensional coding into a workpiece to be produced with a tool is specified, wherein the three-dimensional coding is characteristic of at least one property of the workpiece. Here, the workpiece is produced with the tool and the coding introduced during the manufacturing process in the workpiece by means of a data matrix.

Thus, in the manufacturing process or during the manufacturing process of the workpiece, the three-dimensional coding is introduced directly into the workpiece. A marking of the workpiece takes place directly in the production process or is integrated in the production process as a work step or process step. This advantageously creates no additional operation or effort. In addition, confusion of workpieces or manipulation are not possible. Further, the mark can only be lost by destruction. Unintentional detachment is not possible, for example. Also, the cost of the mark is advantageously within limits. In particular, only one-off costs for coding in the tool and no running costs, which burden the unit price. The main expense is the purchase of the stamp, which is advantageously reusable and can be used in other tools. Stamps of different tools differ only by the size of the data matrix and thus the codable information volume. Since they are programmable, any desired "static information", such as type designation, material, manufacturer, or the like, as well as any "dynamic information", which is automatically generated, such as serial number or date, are introduced. Further, workpieces produced by encoding in series can be uniquely identified, for example, by a serial number that is automatically generated on each work piece. This reliably documents the number of workpieces produced with the tool.

The manufacturing method thus relates to an automated marking of any workpieces. In the process, an individual serial number is mainly introduced, which identifies each workpiece unmistakably, which can contain the date of manufacture and further information. The marking is therefore "dynamic" and can change with every workpiece.

The placement of the mark is preferably not localized and may be introduced at any suitable location on or in the workpiece. It is also an automated "reading" of the mark and the derived control in the further manufacturing process possible. Especially for logistical purposes, for the quality management standard EN ISO 9000 ff For documentation of the manufacturing date and part origin, as well as for warranty claims, the marking is very useful and beneficial.

By "three-dimensionality" is meant in particular a representation variant of a body, which consists of the spatial dimensions of length, width and height. An "encoding" is to be understood as a mapping rule which uniquely assigns to each character of a character set (original picture set) a character or a character string from a possibly different character set (picture set). A "data matrix" is a 2D or 3D code. A "tool" is understood to mean a body that does not belong to the workpiece, with the aid of which the actual workpiece is produced and, for example, the shape of the actual workpiece is specified. The term "workpiece" is understood to mean that actually produced in the method, which is processed with the tool and, in particular, produced. This usually happens in a mass production. This means that the tool will successively produce a plurality of identical workpieces.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the data matrix is a three-dimensional stamp by which the workpiece is marked during the manufacturing process. The stamp is preferably inserted into the tool, wherein in the manufacturing process of the workpiece this is marked with the stamp. The stamp is thus part of the tool and serves for embossing and / or marking of the workpiece.

According to at least one embodiment, the coding is formed over three-dimensional elevations and / or depressions. By way of example, the stamp consists of suitable pins, with raised and / or recessed codings being produced in the workpiece during the production process. The pins are preferably arranged like a matrix, for example in a square or rectangular shape, and may have different numbers of subdivisions in different sizes and shapes, for example, square, rectangular, round and / or oval.

According to at least one embodiment, the data matrix is programmed according to desired information before the manufacturing process. The data matrix is thus advantageously a reusable, programmable data matrix. For example, the programming takes place in a separate device or directly in the tool. Depending on the programming, the three-dimensional marking is produced in the workpiece, which may preferably contain a large number of information concerning properties of the workpiece, for example serial number, material properties, temperature and / or heat resistance, electrical and / or physical and / or chemical properties. The information of the coding reproduce characteristic properties of the workpiece to be produced.

Preferably, a serial number of the workpieces can also be automatically generated by the data matrix.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the information of the coding is evaluated via a 3D reading device and / or transmitted to a computer. For this purpose, for example, the 3D reader is set to the three-dimensional coding of the workpiece or positioned at a certain distance thereto. This can be done manually, for example, with a CNC-controlled handling device, ie a robot, or by machine, ie on the assembly line. The reader may also be permanently mounted, preferably with the workpieces always passing in the same position, so that the Data Matrix code can be automatically read.

The read information can be processed and evaluated in the 3D reader or transferred as a pure data stream to the computer for evaluation. In this case, the 3D reader, the read data wired, via a storage medium or wireless, for example via Bluetooth, WiFi, WiFi, transferred to the computer. The 3D reader is for example a read head.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the 3D reader includes a camera and a plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein the camera a plurality of images is recorded with illuminations from different directions, which are evaluated by an image evaluation. For example, the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in a ring or rectangle around an optic of the camera. The reading process is preferably triggered or started by pressing a button, by an external signal or by placing the 3D reader on the workpiece.

The camera now makes a series of images with illuminations possibly in different intensities and / or wavelengths, static or dynamic, synchronized or free-running, and in particular images from different directions. Structured illuminations, static or dynamic, are also conceivable which are known to the person skilled in the art, inter alia, from strip projections. Another 3D reading unit may be a laser line that sweeps over the coding area, which is also a known 3D shape detection method (also known by the term triangulation) to a person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the camera and LEDs are process-controlled, whereby different images with different contrasts and / or shadows arise, which can be evaluated by image analysis.

Preferably, the camera and the LEDs are mutually adjustable so that different sized areas and heights of the three-dimensional encoding can be read with the 3D reader.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the evaluated images are converted into machine-readable characters. In particular, a finished overall image, for example a composition of filtered and evaluated partial images, is converted into the machine-readable characters by a known method, for example optical character recognition (OCR), barcode, data matrix or QR deciphering. This data can then be further used in databases, manufacturing operations, quality assurance, documentation, process control, and the like.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the production method of the workpiece with the tool is an injection molding, in particular a plastic injection molding, sintering, forming, casting, die casting, centrifugal casting or blow molding process. These methods are known to the person skilled in the art and are therefore not explained in detail at this point.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a three-dimensional punch is provided for introducing a three-dimensional coding into a workpiece to be machined, wherein the three-dimensional coding is characteristic of at least one property of the workpiece, and wherein the punch is integrated in the tool.

Of course, the advantages and features explained in connection with the method also apply to the stamp, and vice versa.

In particular, a direct introduction of the three-dimensional coding into the workpiece by means of the stamp is used during the manufacturing process, which has the advantage, inter alia, a simplified and in particular reduced manufacturing costs and lower production costs.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the stamp has male-like arranged raised and / or recessed pins which are to be assigned to the three-dimensional coding. The punch preferably consists of the pins, which can be programmed in a separate device or directly in the tool. The punch is inserted into the tool and, depending on the programming, raised or recessed codings are produced in the workpiece during the manufacturing process. The pins are arranged in matrices square or rectangular and can have different numbers of divisions in different sizes.

Further advantages and advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below in conjunction with the figures. Show it:

1 a schematic flow diagram of the inventive method for introducing a three-dimensional coding in a workpiece to be produced with a tool and

2A to 2D each a schematic view of an embodiment of a data matrix according to the invention, in particular a stamp.

1 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for introducing a three-dimensional coding in a workpiece to be produced with a tool, which is characteristic of at least one property of the workpiece.

In method step S1, a three-dimensional stamp suitable for creating the three-dimensional coding is programmed and inserted into the intended tool. The three-dimensional stamp can be programmed in a separate device or directly in the tool.

In the subsequent method step S2, the desired workpiece is produced, whereby in the manufacturing process in the workpiece by means of the punch and the resulting data matrix depending on programming raised or recessed codings arise. These encodings receive the desired information regarding the workpiece, such as serial number and / or additional characteristics of the material that are characteristic of the workpiece. The serial number can be generated "safety-locked", that is, derived, for example, from the closing of the tool and / or from the injection of the material, and is thus tamper-proof. This is highly relevant and of great importance for the verifiable serial number and documentation of the production.

In a subsequent to the manufacturing process of the workpiece step S3, the coded information is evaluated and / or transmitted to a computer. For this purpose, a 3D reader is used, which is set to the three-dimensional coding of the workpiece or positioned at a certain distance thereto. This can for example be done manually, with a robot, or by machine. The read information can be processed and evaluated in the 3D reader or transferred as a pure data stream to the computer for evaluation. In this case, the 3D reader, the read data wired, via a storage medium or wireless, for example via Bluetooth, WiFi, WiFi, transferred to the computer.

The 3D reader may be similar to a bar code reader that allows three-dimensional recognition. After holding the 3D reader to the three-dimensional encoding, the desired information can be displayed directly on the 3D reader or forwarded to a computer via cable or wirelessly.

To read the information, a camera and a plurality of light-emitting diodes are used, the camera taking a plurality of images with illuminations from different directions, which are evaluated by an image evaluation. The reading process is triggered or started by pressing a button, by an external signal or by placing the 3D reader on the workpiece. The camera now makes a series of images with illuminations possibly in different intensities and / or wavelengths, structured, static or dynamic, synchronized or free-running, and in particular images from different directions.

The camera and light-emitting diodes are process-controlled, whereby different images with different contrasts and / or shadows are created, which can be evaluated by an associated image analysis. The camera and the LEDs are mutually adjustable, so that different sized areas and heights of the three-dimensional encoding can be read with the 3D reader.

The evaluated images can be converted into machine-readable characters in a concluding method step S4. In this case, a finished overall image, for example a composition of filtered and evaluated partial images, is converted into the machine-readable characters by a known method, for example optical character recognition (OCR), barcode, data matrix or QR deciphering. This data can then be used, for example, in databases, manufacturing processes, quality assurance, documentation, process control and the like.

In addition, an encryption of the stored or retrieved information can be present. Encryption means, in particular, to follow unknown standards, but to introduce its own, unpublished code, which in particular is forgery-proof. This makes it particularly difficult for non-experts of the unpublished code to decrypt or read the stored or retrieved information of the data matrix with a replica 3D reader.

As a result, the marked parts are forgery-proof, since the code introduced into a forgery does not correspond to the encrypted coding and is thus recognized as a forgery. This is particularly important for safety-relevant parts, since often only original parts are approved here.

The 2A to 2D each show schematic views of different perspectives of an 8 × 8 data matrix 10 , especially as a stamp 1 is trained. In particular, the Data Matrix assigns 10 on a top stamp 1 with square bodies 1 on that over pins 3 , in particular thin rods with cylindrical bodies 2 are connected. The cylindrical body 2 are in particular electromagnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic switching elements, the stamp 1 advance or retract after individual programming.

The invention is not limited by the description based on the embodiment of this, but includes every new feature and any combination of features, which in particular includes any combination of features in the claims, even if these Features or these combinations themselves are not explicitly stated in the claims or exemplary embodiments.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2439033 A2 [0002]
• EP 1110996 A1 [0002]
• DE 102011086592 A1 [0002]
• DE 10257532 A1 [0002]

Cited non-patent literature

• EN ISO 9000 ff. [0012]

Claims (10)

Method for introducing a three-dimensional coding into a workpiece to be produced with a tool, which is characteristic of at least one property of the workpiece in which the workpiece is manufactured with the tool, and the coding during the manufacturing method into the workpiece by means of a data matrix ( 10 ) is introduced. Method according to Claim 1, in which the data matrix ( 10 ) a three-dimensional stamp ( 1 ) by which the workpiece is marked during the manufacturing process. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the coding is formed by means of three-dimensional elevations and / or depressions. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the data matrix ( 10 ) is programmed according to desired information prior to the manufacturing process. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which information of the coding is evaluated via a read head and / or transmitted to a computer. The method of claim 5, wherein the read head includes a camera and a plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein the camera is a plurality of images with illuminations from different directions is taken, which are evaluated by an image evaluation. Method according to Claim 6, in which the evaluated images are converted into machine-readable characters. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the production method of the workpiece with the tool is a spraying, sintering, forming, casting or blow molding method. Three-dimensional stamp ( 1 ) for introducing a three-dimensional coding into a workpiece to be produced with a tool which is characteristic of at least one property of the workpiece, the stamp ( 1 ) is integrated in the tool. Stamp according to claim 9, the male-like arranged raised and / or recessed pins ( 3 ), which are assigned to the three-dimensional coding.

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