AT510840B1 - MANUFACTURING SYSTEM WITH AUXILIARY DEVICE FOR INTERMEDIATE POSITIONING OF WORKPIECES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a production plant (1) for the free-form bending of workpieces (2) to be produced from sheet metal, comprising a bending press (3) with press beams (13, 16) and tool holders (19, 20) with which a bending tool (4) is connected is. The bending tool (4) defines a working plane (33) extending between the press beams (13, 16). Furthermore, an auxiliary device (35) for intermediate positioning and undertaking a gripping operation of a manipulator (28) on the workpiece (2) is provided. The auxiliary device (35) comprises cooperating holding elements (36, 37), wherein the holding elements (36, 37) in each case on one of the press bars (13, 16) are arranged and clamping surfaces (38, 39), which arranged in a clamping position opposite to each other are and serve for clamping support of the workpiece to be manufactured (2).

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT 510 840 B1 2012-07-15

The invention relates to a manufacturing plant, in particular for the free-form bending of workpieces to be produced from sheet metal, with an auxiliary device for intermediate positioning and undertaking a gripping operation on the workpiece to be produced, as described in the preamble of claim 1.

From AT 008 674 U1 is often required for manipulating thin-walled, sheet-metal workpieces with a gripping device of a handling device, for performing machining operations on manufacturing equipment, for example, bending operations on bending presses, including the bending press on a front side of a table beam having a support device. This is formed by spaced apart adjustable support brackets. For longer workpieces so that sagging of the workpiece can not be avoided, on the other hand, a bending process as well as a grasping is obstructed by a longitudinal support device many times. Furthermore, unwanted displacements of the workpiece may occur during the storage period of the workpiece on the support device.

Further bending presses with different manipulation devices for the workpiece to be produced have become known from JP 2003-181542 A, US Pat. No. 4,177,666 A, EP 0 354 559 A1 and DE 20 38 237 A1.

The present invention has for its object to increase the degree of automation in bending operations, thus shortening the production time and to improve the efficiency.

This object of the invention is solved by the features of claim 1. The advantage resulting from the features of claim 1 lies in the fact that so even narrow components to be bent automatically processed and thus manual manipulations can be prevented at all. Thus, in combination with a manipulator or gripper, it is possible to carry out first bending operations on the workpiece, then to position the semi-finished workpiece in the auxiliary device and to hold it by clamping, wherein subsequently a corresponding gripping operation of the manipulator on the workpiece can take place. During the Umgreifvorgangs the workpiece to be produced remains fixed and it is then an exact further processing without additional, manual Rieht- and Justieraufwand possible. Due to the fact that the holding elements are arranged on the press bar, additional drive units for the operation of the clamping or holding device also fall away. Thus, the bending press can cause both the bending operation and the clamping operation of the workpiece between the holding elements, after the workpiece to be manufactured has been brought into the region of the auxiliary device by the manipulator. But this also allows the adjustment and straightening effort to be reduced, since in the region of the bending press can be done by the arranged on the press beams additional holding elements exact positioning of the workpiece.

Also advantageous is a further embodiment according to claim 2, as can be dispensed with additional clamping mechanisms. Thus, standardized clamping devices for the holding elements can be used, which are already used in the bending tools. This achieves economic simplification and, above all, lower stock distribution. In addition, however, it is also possible to use the holding elements automatically with the manipulator in the tool holders and there to keep aligned exactly positioned.

A further advantage is an embodiment according to claim 3, since such an unhindered bending operation can be carried out in the region of the bending tool, without causing a collision between the holding elements. As a result, the bending process can take place unhindered with the bending tool in a known manner, wherein only after a corresponding displacement of at least one of the retaining elements from their rest position to the clamping position, a clamping of the workpiece to be manufactured. Due to the design according to claim 4, it is possible to create additional space in the area of the auxiliary device so as to be able to carry out bending processes unhindered.

According to another embodiment according to claim 5, the clamping of the workpiece between the holding elements is achieved only by a targeted adjustment. This makes it possible to avoid unintentional damage in the region of the holding elements during the bending process.

Also advantageous is a development according to claim 6, as this unnecessary displacement can be avoided and at the same time the alignment and positioning in the clamping position is more similar to that, as this is present in the bending process.

In the embodiment according to claim 7 is advantageous that a higher variability of the holding elements is achieved. In addition, it is easy to change individual parts of the retaining element and to be aware of different clamping situations as quickly as possible.

Through the development according to claim 8 it is achieved that as an additional centering and alignment of the insert element with respect to the cooperating support member can be achieved.

Due to the construction according to claim 9, the maximum clamping force can be better adjusted and damage to the workpiece can be easily avoided.

Also advantageous is an embodiment according to claim 10, since a damping effect in the region of the clamping surfaces is created for the workpiece to be clamped during the clamping operation. In addition, a simple replacement of the support element and thus associated with this clamping surface can be achieved even with heavy wear.

According to one embodiment, as described in claim 11, so the damping effect of the support element can be improved and in addition a better support of the support element on the support temple, in particular its insert element, can be achieved.

Finally, however, an embodiment as described in claim 12, possible, since so damage to the workpiece to be clamped reduced or can be avoided at all.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

In each case in a highly schematically simplified representation: Figure 1 shows a bending press of a manufacturing plant with an auxiliary device for inter mediate positioning and making a gripping operation on the workpiece to be manufactured, in view; FIG. 2 shows the bending press according to FIG. 1, in side view; FIG. Fig. 3 shows the auxiliary device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in side view according to arrow III in Fig. 2 and enlarged view.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a manufacturing plant 1 is shown in particular for the free-form bending of sheet metal to be produced workpieces 2 in a highly schematically simplified representation.

The manufacturing plant 1 in this case comprises a bending press 3, in particular a press brake, for the production of workpieces 2 or workpieces between relatively adjustable bending tools 4, such as punch 5 and bending die. 6

A machine frame 7 of the bending press 3 consists for example of a bottom plate 8 on the vertically upstanding, spaced from each other and mutually parallel side cheeks 9, 10 are arranged. These are preferably connected to each other by a solid, formed for example from a sheet metal part cross member 11 at their distance from the bottom plate 8 end portions. The side cheeks 9, 10 are approximately C-shaped to form a free space for the forming of the workpiece 2, wherein a front end faces 12 of bottom flanges 9, 10 of the side cheeks 9, 10 are stationary , on the bottom plate 8 upstanding press bar 13, in particular a table bar, is fixed. At front end faces 14 of the bottom plate 8 remote legs is in linear guides 15 a to the table beam forming press bar 13 relatively adjustable further press bar 16, in particular a pressure bar, guided guided. On opposite, mutually parallel end faces 17,18 of the two press bars 13,16 tool holders 19, 20 are arranged for assembly with the bending tools 4. The one or more bending tools 4 can also be supported with the interposition of an adapter not shown on the tool holders 19, 20.

The bending press 3 shown has as drive arrangement 21 for the adjustable press beam 16, namely the pressure bar, e.g. two powered by electric energy drive means 22, which are conductively connected to a fed from a power grid 23 control device 24. By way of example, the operation of the bending press 3 is controlled via a line-connected input terminal 25 connected to the control device 24.

The drive means 22 are preferably motorized spindle drives 26, as they are well known, of which adjusting means 27 for a reversible actuating movement of the upper beam bar 16 formed by the pressure bar with this, for example, are drivingly connected.

Further details required for the operation of such a bending press 3, such as safety devices, stop arrangements, control and measuring devices is omitted in the subject description to avoid unnecessary length of the description.

Furthermore, the manufacturing plant 1 also comprises a manipulator 28 shown here in simplified form in FIG. 2, which extracts at least a portion from a schematically indicated supply stack 29 of sheets to be deformed or folded and spends into the working area of the bending press 3. The manipulator 28 in turn comprises a gripping tongs 30, shown in a simplified manner, which in turn has gripping fingers 31, 32. The gripping fingers 31, 32 each have clamping surfaces on the side facing the workpiece 2 to be produced. By a corresponding pivoting of the two gripping fingers 31, 32 against each other and applying a sufficient clamping force, the sheet metal or the workpiece 2 to be produced is held by the manipulator 28 and moved accordingly as well as positioned on the interaction of the clamping surfaces. With the gripper fingers 31, 32 of the gripping tongs 30 is a corresponding gripping and later ensured due to the clamping movement sufficient support for the workpiece to be produced from the sheet 2.

Furthermore, it is shown here in simplified form that the two press beams 13, 16, in particular their tool holders 19, 20, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the press beams 13, 16, these define a working plane 33 extending therebetween. The working plane 33 preferably runs centrally with respect to the press beams 13, 16 or the tool holders 19, 20 arranged on them. In the present exemplary embodiment, a vertically aligned plane is understood here in which a bending region 34 defined by the bending tool 4 is arranged or formed , In this case, the term bending region 34 is understood to mean the region which serves to form the workpiece 2 to be produced from the metal plate, which is still largely undeformed and is present for the most part planarly. The bending region 34 lies mostly in the working plane 33 and is formed or defined by the cooperating components of the bending tool 4, namely the bending punch 5 and the bending die 6.

Furthermore, in FIG. 1, in addition to the bending tool 4, an auxiliary device 35 is shown in simplified form, which serves for the intermediate positioning and gripping operation of the manipulator 28 on the workpiece 2 to be produced. This auxiliary device 35 is used for Umgreifunterstützung for small parts to be manufactured, with which it is possible to process automated smaller bending parts 3/11 Austrian Patent Office AT510 840 B1 2012-07-15. This makes it possible to perform a gripping independently of the bending tools 4, in which case the clamping of the workpiece 2 by the mutual displacement of at least one press bar 13, 16 and associated therewith also a part of the auxiliary device 35 takes place.

The auxiliary device 35 shown here comprises cooperating holding elements 36, 37, which in turn in the clamping position each facing each other and cooperating clamping surfaces 38, 39 for clamping support of the workpiece to be manufactured 2 have. In this clamping position, the clamping surfaces 38, 39 are opposite each other. In most cases, the auxiliary device 35, in particular its holding elements 36, 37, arranged at a frontal view of the bending press 3 laterally adjacent to the bending tool 4 on the two press beams 13, 16 and held thereon. However, the holding elements 36, 37 are preferably inserted into the two tool receivers 19, 20 of the press bars 13, 16 and held in position thereon. Thus, the insertion and tensioning operation can be carried out similarly, as is possible for the bending punch 5 or the bending die 6 of the bending tool 4. The one or more holding elements 36, 37 may also be referred to as holding stamp and are also characterized by the fact that they serve as a replaceable tool and can be easily inserted into existing holding or clamping receptacles. These are in the present case the mostly standardized tool holders 19, 20.

In order to perform an unhindered bending operation in the region of the bending tool 4 and to avoid collisions in the region of the auxiliary device 35, in particular their holding elements 36, 37, at least one of the holding elements 36, 37 between two positions or positions relative to the further holding element 36, 37 designed to be displaceable.

In Fig. 3 is simplified, the auxiliary device 35 in side view - that seen in a view in the longitudinal direction of the press beams 13,16, shown, wherein the two press bars 13, 16 and the tool holders 19, 20 arranged thereon, indicated only schematically simplified are. As already described above, the here lower press beam 13 is stationary on the machine frame 7 and the other press beam 16 relative to the machine frame 7 in a vertical adjustment direction adjustable.

In this embodiment shown here, the first holding element 36 of the auxiliary device 35 is arranged on the upper press bar 16, in particular in its tool holder 20 used, and held fixedly positioned there. The orientation with respect to the working plane 33 is selected so that here the upper holding element 36 is preferably aligned and arranged centrally with respect to the working plane 33. The lower holding element 37 is shown in its two possible positions. In full lines the rest position is shown, in which the clamping surface 39 of the holding member 37 is laterally offset with respect to the clamping surface 38 of the upper holding member 37 is arranged. Thus, in a mutual relative displacement of the upper support member 36 this unhindered next to the lower support member 37, in particular its clamping surface 39, towards the lower press beam 13 are adjusted without it already comes in the region of the clamping surfaces 38, 39 to a collision ,

In dashed lines then the working position of the lower support member 37 is still shown, in which this has also been adjusted or shifted to the working plane 33 and so the two clamping surfaces 38, 39 are arranged opposite to each other. In this position, the two holding elements 36, 37 to each other form a clamping position, in which after appropriate displacement of the upper press beam 16 toward the lower press bar 13 between the two clamping surfaces 38, 39 of the holding members 36, 37, the sheet or the workpiece to be produced 2 can be held clamped.

The transverse displacement of at least one holding element 36, 37 in the vertical direction with respect to the working plane 33 can be achieved, for example, that a portion of the respective tool holder 19, 20 relative to the press beam 13, 16 is mounted adjustable to run. Regardless, it would also be possible to align the lower holding element 37 with its clamping surface 39 centrally to the working plane 33 and the first holding element 36 laterally adjustable with respect to the working plane 33 at the top here Press bar 16 adjustable to store stored. This lateral displacement into the rest position serves to prevent collisions of the holding elements 36, 37 during the execution of the bending operation.

Preferably, the lateral displacement of at least one of the clamping surfaces 38, 39 of the holding elements 36, 37 takes place on a side facing away from an operating side with respect to the plane defined by the press bars 13, 16 and the bending tool 4 working plane 33. Thus, the free work area in the region of the bending tool 4 is not unnecessarily limited by additional components.

Seen in the vertical direction, the positioning of the fixed clamping surface -here in the present case the clamping surface 39 of the lower holding element 37 -is chosen such that it is arranged approximately in the region of the bending region 34 defined by the bending tool 4. Thus, in the clamping position, the clamping surfaces 38, 39 of the holding elements 36, 37 seen in the vertical height direction, arranged approximately in the region of the bending region 34 of the here also fixedly arranged lower bending die 6.

Furthermore, it is shown here in FIG. 3 that at least one of the holding elements 36, 37 can be designed in several parts or in multiple pieces. For example, one of the holding elements 36, 37, in the present case both holding elements 36, 37, each comprise a carrier part 40, 41 as well as an insert part 42, 43 forming the clamping face 38, 39. The one or more support members 40, 41 serve to be used in the respective tool holders 19, 20 and kept there positioned. In this embodiment shown here, the upper support member 40 in side view - ie in the longitudinal direction of the press beams 13, 16 - seen in approximately rectilinear between the clamping point in the tool holder 20 and the clamping surface 38 is formed. The further carrier part 41 has an angled orientation in the same viewing direction. Thus, between its clamping region and that section which carries or forms the clamping surface 39, a transverse web is provided. This is preferably located on an upper side of the tool holder 19 and is supported on this.

The insert parts 42, 43 can be exchangeably connected to the respective carrier parts 40, 41. In order to achieve a mutual centering or alignment of the inserts 42, 43 relative to the support members 40, 41, it may be advantageous if the insert 42, 43 on its side facing away from the clamping surface 38, 39 side a particular flat profile-like projection 44, 45 has. In the present embodiment, the lugs 44, 45 are arranged laterally with respect to the clamping surfaces 38, 39. In this case, an alignment of their outer side to a side wall of the respective carrier part 40, 41 has shown to be advantageous. In order to receive the projection 44, 45, in each case a recess 46, 47 of opposite design is formed in the carrier part 40, 41, in which the projection 44, 45 is inserted.

Furthermore, it is shown here in simplified form that the insert 42, 43 on its respective other holding element 36, 37 facing end face 48, 49 comprises a separate support member 50, 51, which the respective end face 48, 49 on the other holding element 36, 37 facing side overlooked. This support element 50, 51 can serve to prevent damage to the workpiece 2 to be clamped during the holding process or to ensure a damping effect during the clamping process. This makes it possible, with an exchange of the support elements 50, 51 to take different materials of the workpiece 2 to be considered.

However, the support element 50, 51 can also be arranged directly on the holding element 36, 37, if this does not include an additional insert 42, 43. When using a support element 50, 51 then this forms the respective clamping surface 38, 39 from. The support element 50, 51 is preferably inserted into a recess 52, 53 formed in the end face 48, 49. Thus, for example, a self-clamping effect of the support element 50, 51 in the respective recess 52, 53 can be achieved. In addition, but also 5/11

Austrian Patent Office AT510 840B1 2012-07-15 even a simple change and replacement of the support elements 50, 51 possible if required. Preferably, the material forming the support element 50, 51 is selected such that it has a lower hardness with respect to the material of the workpiece 2 to be clamped. Thus, the material of the support element 50, 51 is softer than the material of the workpiece 2. Damage caused by scratches, etc. in the surface area can be avoided. If, in addition, the material is chosen so that it has a lower modulus of elasticity with respect to the material to be clamped, conditional elastic deformations of the support element 50, 51 can also prevent damage to the workpiece 2 to be produced. As materials, e.g. Plastics, elastomers, rubber find application.

In addition, it would also be possible, at least one of the inserts 42, 43 support with the interposition of a spring element on the support member 40, 41, so as to provide additional damping effect at the beginning of the clamping operation in the clamping position or clamping position holding element 36, 37 in the region of the clamping surfaces 38, 39 to achieve. For this purpose, it would be possible to provide a corresponding guide arrangement between the insert part 42, 43 and the carrier part 40, 41. This guide arrangement could be, for example, a dovetail guide, a bolt or round guide or the like. As a spring element, for example, compression springs, elastic materials with spring-back properties, etc. can be used.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that in order to better understand the construction of the production plant 1, in particular its auxiliary device 35, these or their components have been shown partly unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

REFERENCE IDENTIFICATION 1 Production line 2 Workpiece 3 Bending press 4 Bending tool 5 Bending punch 6 Bending die 7 Machine frame 8 Bottom plate 9 Side cheek 10 Side cheek 11 Cross brace 12 Front face 13 Presser bar 14 Front end face 15 Linear guide 16 Presser bar 17 End face 18 End face 19 Tool holder 20 Tool holder 21 Drive arrangement 22 Drive means 23 Power supply 24 Control device 25 Input terminal 26 Spindle drive 27 Adjustment means 28 Manipulator 29 Supply stack 30 Gripper 31 Gripper fingers 32 Gripper fingers 33 Working plane 34 Bending area 35 Auxiliary device 36 Holding element 37 Holding element 38 Clamping surface 39 Clamping surface 40 Carrier part 6/11

Claims (12)

AT510 840B1 2012-07-15 Austrian Patent Office 41 Carrier 51 Carriage 42 Insert 52 Recess 43 Insert 53 Recess 44 Anchor 45 Recess 46 Recess 47 Recess 48 Face 49 Face 50 Support element 1. Production plant (1), especially for free-form bending of sheet metal to be produced workpieces (2), comprising a bending press (3), in particular press brake, with press beams (13, 16) and tool holders (19, 20), at least one bending tool (4), such as bending punch (5) or bending die (6), which optionally with the interposition of an adapter with the tool holders (19, 20) on the press bar (13, 16) is connected and the bending tool (4) defines a between the press bar (13, 16) extending working plane (33), and an auxiliary device ( 35) for intermediate positioning and performing a gripping operation of a manipulator (28) on the workpiece to be manufactured (2), characterized g characterized in that the auxiliary device (35) comprises cooperating holding elements (36, 37), wherein the at least two holding elements (36, 37) are respectively arranged on one of the press bars (13, 16) and the holding elements (36, 37) each have clamping surfaces (36). 38, 39), which are arranged opposite one another in a clamping position and serve for the clamping support of the workpiece (2) to be manufactured. 2. Production plant (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding elements (36, 37) in the tool holders (19, 20) of the press beams (13, 16) are inserted and held in position. 3. Production plant (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a rest position of the auxiliary device (35) at least one of the clamping surfaces (38, 39) of the holding elements (36, 37) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the press beams (13, 16 ) is arranged laterally with respect to the working plane (33) defined by the bending tool (4). 4. Production plant (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one clamping surface (38, 39) of the holding elements (36, 37) on a side facing away from an operating side with respect to the by the bending tool (4) defined working plane (33). is arranged. 5. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the holding elements (36, 37) relative to the press bar (13, 16) in the vertical direction with respect to the working plane (33) adjustable between the rest position and the clamping position is. 6. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooperating clamping surfaces (38, 39) of the holding elements (36, 37) seen in the clamping position in the vertical direction approximately in the region of a by the bending tool (4) Bending area (34) are arranged. 7. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (36, 37) comprises a carrier part (40, 41) and a clamping surface (38, 39) forming insert part (42, 43). 7/11 Austrian Patent Office AT510 840B1 2012-07-15 8. Production plant (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the insert part (42, 43) on its side facing away from the clamping surface (38, 39) side has a particular flat profile-like projection (44, 45), which in a carrier part (40, 41) engages opposite trained recess (46, 47). 9. Production plant (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the insert part (42, 43) with the interposition of a spring element on the support part (40, 41) is supported. 10. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the holding elements (36, 37) or at least one insert part (42, 43) on its the other holding element (36, 37) facing end face (48, 49 ) comprises a support element (50, 51), which projects beyond the end face (48, 49) on the side facing the other holding elements (36, 37) and the clamping surface (38, 39) is formed on the support element (50, 51). 11. Production plant (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the support element (50, 51) in a in the end face (48, 49) formed recess (52, 53) is inserted. 12. Production plant (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the support element (50, 51) forming material has a lower hardness than the material of the workpiece to be clamped (2). For this 3 sheets drawings 8/11