CN111238782A

CN111238782A - Method, apparatus, system and storable medium for inspecting a mold

Info

Publication number: CN111238782A
Application number: CN201811328683.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔跃; 郭迎亮; 佟俊
Original assignee: BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd
Current assignee: BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-09
Filing date: 2018-11-09
Publication date: 2020-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-09
Also published as: CN111238782B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, a device, a system for inspecting a die, which is intended for a press and comprises a movable part for deforming or limiting, and a method for inspecting a die by means of a storable medium. The method comprises the following steps: generating simulation signals by simulating the control process of the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator on the die in actual operation; sending the simulation signal to a mold for moving a movable part in the mold; receiving a feedback signal of the mold; and outputting the mold state, wherein the mold state is represented by the simulation signal, the feedback signal and/or the operation information. The apparatus comprises: the simulation signal generating device is used for generating simulation signals through the control process of the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator on the die in actual operation; the simulation signal sending device is used for sending the simulation signal to the mold; a feedback signal receiving device for receiving a feedback signal of the mold; and an output device for outputting the state of the mold.

Description

Method, apparatus, system and storable medium for inspecting a mold

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a mold, an apparatus for inspecting a mold, a system for inspecting a mold, and a storable medium.

Background

Machines for machining generally have a die with movable parts (pneumatic) for local deformation and/or limitation of the workpiece. The mold is required to be detected before the new mold is put on line and in the debugging process, so that various functions of the mold are checked, existing or potential problems are found, and efficient production and high-quality products are guaranteed.

The traditional way of inspection is a manual inspection under production lines based on buttons and indicator lights, which are connected to the mould by means of cables, the buttons being operated to control the movable parts in the mould. However, in such a detection method, the inspector must first understand the button control sequence by looking at the drawing, operate the buttons in sequence according to the sequence, and observe whether the movable member in the mold is operating. However, such a detection method cannot perform sequential logic control according to the angles of the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator, and cannot ensure normal work during online production. With many indicator lights, it is also difficult for the detector to discern whether a fault is indicated and where the fault exists.

In practice, the inspector directly manipulates the solenoid valves on the mold out of order to save time. Thus, the correctness of the signal is neglected actually, and the existing problem is difficult to detect. Problems occur in production because the inspection is not in place, production is directly influenced, the failure rate of equipment is increased, and time cost and labor cost are caused. Such a detection method is difficult to match the actual situation of the production line, so that it is difficult to judge and find the problem.

Furthermore, there may also be occasional failures of the mold, i.e. the mold only occasionally fails in long runs, for example hundreds of runs. The conventional detection method is more difficult to find out such faults.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention proposes a method for inspecting a mold, an apparatus for inspecting a mold, a system for inspecting a mold, and a readable storage medium, which can greatly improve the existing conventional inspection manner. The invention can accurately find the existing faults, shorten the detection time, save the labor cost and improve the production quality and efficiency.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for inspecting a die for a press and having a movable part which locally deforms and/or limits a workpiece, comprising the following steps:

-generating simulation signals by simulating the control process of the press, the loading manipulator and the unloading manipulator on the mould during actual operation;

-sending said simulation signal to the mould for moving a movable part in the mould;

-receiving a feedback signal of the mould;

-outputting a mould state, the mould state being characterized by a simulation signal, a feedback signal and/or operational information.

According to the invention, simulation signals are generated by the control of the press, the loading robot and the unloading robot on the mold during the actual operation and are transmitted to the mold for moving the movable parts in the mold. Therefore, the simulation signals generated by the control process of the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator on the die during operation can replace the manual operation of the movable part in the prior art, so as to restore the control on the die during operation in the press.

In the present invention, the simulation signal corresponds to a signal received by the die from the press when the die is assembled in the press and the press is running. The mold may receive a control signal on PIN24 that may be referred to as "on mold start". In particular, the simulation/control signals received by the mold during operation are sequences in which the plurality of signals are respectively turned on and/or off. For example, first the signal on PIN24 "start on mold" turns on to an on angle and turns off to a decision angle; also following the signal "after parts extraction" signal on PIN20, the switch is turned on to the on angle and off to the judgment angle. This is determined by the mold data.

Therefore, on the one hand, the die detection can be efficiently implemented, a large amount of manpower input in the traditional detection process is saved, the die drawing does not need to be researched for knowing the manual operation sequence, and the time for die detection is also saved. On the other hand, in the detection according to the invention, the mold is controlled as in the actual operation of the production line or at least similar to the actual operation of the mold, and the detection can restore the action which the mold should perform during the operation more than the traditional detection, thereby improving the reliability of the detection, so that the detection can reflect the existing and/or potential faults or problems of the mold in the production more truly. In addition, the die is linked according to the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator, and the linkage condition of the die with the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator can be reflected through simulation according to the invention, which cannot be realized in the prior art.

According to the invention, a feedback signal of the mold is received. Here, the feedback signal may include a signal emitted from a sensor in the mold. Here, the feedback signal of the mold may be a signal output from a sensor in the mold. The feedback signals are, for example, "mold protection" signals, "web detection" signals, "placement allowed signals," and gripping allowed signals. This leads to an objective and comprehensive detection result compared to the prior art, which simply observes whether the movable part is performing, and in particular detects whether the electrical parts in the mold, in particular the sensors, are functioning properly, for example, by which a malfunction such as a lack of movement of the movable part or a loss of signal can be detected. Based on the feedback signal, the presence and location of the fault is typically directly known to the detection personnel.

According to the invention, the mold state is output, which is characterized by simulation signals, feedback signals and/or operating information. Here, the mold state may include whether the mold is well-functioning or whether the mold has a malfunction. The output here is preferably made via a display screen. The mould status as well as the simulation signals, feedback signals and/or operating information may be displayed synthetically on a display screen. Through the output simulation signal, the detection personnel can conveniently know the current mold control. The output feedback signal can monitor the die detection result. In particular, the feedback signal is sometimes directly a fault warning signal so that the detection personnel can quickly know where the fault is. By means of the output operating information, in particular the die operating information or the press operating information, the detection personnel can know the operating process of the press and/or the die by means of such operating information, so that relevant information of various aspects can be obtained for the die failure.

By means of the solution according to the invention, the tool can be tested separately from the press and/or from the workpiece, i.e. according to the invention, instead of the press, the loading robot and the unloading robot, the simulation signal is sent to the tool and the feedback signal is received from the tool. The mould can thus be controlled as it runs on the production line so that the movable part acts in line with the actual production, thereby closely simulating the multifaceted situation of the mould on the line. In particular, the processing machine can be simulated in accordance with the production cycle, so that the mold or the movable part can be moved according to the production requirements. Since the alternating speed of the movement of the movable part is much faster than manual manipulation in actual production, the detection according to the invention is more reflective of problems and/or malfunctions of the mould in production. In addition, the present invention can also verify that the control logic for the mold is appropriate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the simulation signal simulates a control signal for the press to the mold in a single operation or in a continuous operation. Whether the mold can normally act or not can be quickly checked when a single running is simulated. In particular, the mold may be controlled slowly or stepwise to identify and/or troubleshoot one by one. Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to simulate a continuous operation, whereby the mold or the movable part thereof can be operated continuously any number of times, in particular tens, hundreds or even thousands of times, and the continuous operation can be carried out over a period of time ranging from 1 minute to 99 hours. With such a preferred embodiment, occasional faults in the mold can be detected. The method according to the invention preferably comprises a step of recording the feedback signal; and the device according to the invention preferably comprises means for recording the feedback signal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the simulation signal is generated as a function of a parameter of the press. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the simulation signal generating device generates the simulation signal as a function of a parameter of the press.

First, the simulation signal time series, i.e. the time-dependent course of the simulation signal, can be generated from the parameters of the press. Therefore, the control process of the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator on the time of the die is effectively simulated. Taking the press as an example, the simulation control signals at PINs PIN20-PIN24, etc. are generated based on the set press parameters.

Secondly, the simulation signal change sequence, i.e. the change process of the simulation signal with a certain parameter/parameters, can be generated according to the parameters of the press. Thus, a course of variation with the further parameter/parameters is generated in accordance with the set fixed press parameter. And generating simulation signals at each angle of 1-360 degrees of the cam angle of the press according to the set press parameters. Usually, other parameters can be easily calculated/correlated by a certain parameter/parameters in production, and in production, a certain parameter/parameters instead of an angle is/are used as a criterion for whether a signal is triggered or not. In such an embodiment, not only the follow-up relationship between the mold and other parameters can be detected in close proximity to production, but also the simulation signal can be easily simulated.

Again, when the parameters of the press change, that is to say when the settings and/or configuration of the press change, the simulation signals can likewise change accordingly. This has the following advantages: it is possible to verify in advance whether the mold control logic is appropriate before production is carried out. Furthermore, it is also possible to test the operation of the mould under different conditions, for example to verify that the mould is operating properly under varying production steps and/or production speeds.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feedback signal comprises a mold state indicator signal and/or a sensor detection signal. Typically, the mould has corresponding sensors which can detect, for example, whether the corresponding component is energized, whether an action condition is present, whether the movable component is moved into position, etc. The sensor may be, for example, a proximity sensor, a position sensor, an electrical signal (voltage and/or current) sensor, a magnetic sensor, a force sensor, a speed sensor, and/or an acceleration sensor. The signals of these sensors make it possible to easily ascertain whether the mold or the movable part thereof is operating properly.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, a feedback reference signal is generated during operation. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the simulation signal generating means generate a feedback reference signal during operation. In addition to the control signals for the die during operation of the press, the loading manipulator and the unloading manipulator, a feedback signal output outwards during normal operation of the die is simulated, and the feedback signal serves as a feedback reference signal of the invention and provides a reference for the normal condition of the received feedback signal.

It should be noted that, in the present invention, the simulation signal, the feedback signal, and the feedback reference signal may be not only discrete signals but also continuous signals. The simulation signal, the feedback signal, and the feedback reference signal may be not only simulation signals but also digital signals. In principle, the simulation signal and/or the feedback reference signal are simulated in accordance with the signal received by the die in the press.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the simulation of the press, the loading and unloading robot, the sending of simulation signals to the mold and/or the output of warning prompts are stopped when the received feedback signal is abnormal and/or differs from the feedback reference signal. According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the simulation signal generating device stops the simulation press, the loading and unloading manipulator, the simulation signal transmitting device stops transmitting the simulation signal to the mold and/or the output device outputs an alarm when the received feedback signal is abnormal and/or differs from the feedback reference signal. Stopping the simulation press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator and stopping sending simulation signals to the mold can protect the mold from further damage in case of failure; the output device outputs an alarm prompt to prompt the detector that the fault occurs, and the angles of the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator are located when the fault occurs, and can also directly output the analysis of the fault position, the fault reason and the like when necessary. In case the device according to the invention comprises means for recording the feedback signal, it is also possible to record the differences and alarm cues, thereby facilitating the management of the detection data. In particular, the detection data can be write-protected, so that editing or tampering of the detection data is prohibited, and authenticity of the detection data is guaranteed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable part comprises a pneumatic part, an electric part and/or a hydraulic part. The pneumatic, electric and/or hydraulic components can be actuated, for example, to execute a translational movement, a rotational movement, a telescopic movement, a deformation movement and/or a combination of these movements, as a function of the provided simulation signal. As mentioned above, the actions of the movable parts in the mould are usually in a sequential order. By the invention, detection personnel can automatically carry out detection in sequence without knowing and manipulating the sequence of the actions, thereby accurately finding out faults and comprehensively detecting the die.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the simulation signal is switched on or off depending on the press angle, the loading robot angle and/or the unloading robot angle. In the case of a press, the press (or the cams of the press), the loading robot, the unloading robot and the die are linked to one another. That is, the action of the mold may be related to the position of the press (or its cams), the loading robot, the unloading robot. Such linkage relationships cannot be simulated or verified at all by conventional manual inspection. According to the invention, for example, provision can be made for: the simulation signal of the extracted part is switched on in the angle range from the angle of the blanking manipulator to the angle of the press (cam) to 187 deg. Through the embodiment, the interaction of each device (the press cam, the feeding manipulator and/or the discharging manipulator) of a processing machine (a press in the present case) can be comprehensively simulated, the controlled condition of the mold can be truly reflected, and the mold detection result close to production can be obtained.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the course of the press angle, the loading manipulator angle, the unloading manipulator angle, the simulation signal and/or the feedback signal over time is simulated during operation of the press. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the simulation signal generating means simulate the course of the change of the press angle, the feed robot angle, the discharge robot angle, the simulation signal and/or the feedback signal during operation of the press. In this embodiment, not only the simulation signal for the mold, but additionally the entire operating process of the press is simulated. Such an embodiment allows flexible modification of any operating parameter, so that the movements of the mold under different operating conditions can be detected. Preferably, the course of the change of the press angle, the loading robot angle, the unloading robot angle, the simulation signal and/or the feedback signal (or the feedback reference signal) is output, in particular graphically, on the output device according to the invention, so that the entire working process of the press is visually indicated for the test person. And when a fault occurs, other operation parameters related to the fault can be provided for detection personnel so that the detection personnel can deduce the cause of the fault and carry out maintenance.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mold is a clinching device, in particular an EPE clinching device. The EPE clinching device can automatically clinch the nut in the press. The welding of the nut is usually performed in a body shop. And the EPE riveting device can improve the connection efficiency and achieve higher connection strength than welding. However, the method and the equipment for detecting the EPE riveting device are still absent in the prior art. In this embodiment, the riveting device corresponds to the controlled die of the invention, which receives a simulation signal simulating the operation of the press on the riveting device and transmits a feedback signal to the outside.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the parameters of the different presses and/or of the different molds are stored. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device further comprises a parameter memory device for storing parameters of different presses and/or different molds. All the mould parameters (up to thousands of mould parameters) can be stored in the parameter storage device and can be randomly called. In this way, one apparatus for inspecting molds can be adapted to a plurality of presses and/or a plurality of molds by matching the parameters for different presses and/or different molds, i.e. to inspect different processing molds of different presses or different processing molds of the same press. In particular, parameters related to the detected mold can be called by input, so that targeted detection can be performed. This is particularly advantageous on large production lines, since there may be different presses, different procedures and/or different moulds. The same device integrated with different parameters can be used for detecting various dies in different procedures, so that the detection cost is saved.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a mold is identified and its parameters are called up as a function of the identified mold. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device further comprises a mold recognition device for recognizing the mold and the device calls up its parameters as a function of the recognized mold. Here, the mold recognition device may be a mold recognition code input device, such as a mold barcode, a two-dimensional code or RFID reading device, a mold recognition cable connection device. In production, the mold is typically connected by an 18-core hardline cable to obtain the mold identification. The detection is carried out intelligently according to the identified mould, and particularly parameters related to the mould can be automatically called. This can further save labor and time costs in detection.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting a die for a press and having a movable part that locally deforms and/or constrains a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

simulation signal generating means for generating simulation signals by a control process of the press, the loading robot and the unloading robot on the mold in actual operation;

-simulation signal sending means for sending said simulation signal to the mould for moving the movable part in the mould;

-feedback signal receiving means for receiving a feedback signal of the mould; and

-output means for outputting a mould state, the mould state being characterized by the simulation signal, the feedback signal and/or the operational information.

By means of the invention, the tool can be initially checked off the press and/or off the workpiece. The equipment for detecting the die provides high-efficiency detection possibility for detection personnel, saves a large amount of manpower invested in the traditional detection, avoids researching drawings to know the manual operation sequence, and also saves the die detection time. In addition, the control signals of the press, the loading manipulator and the unloading manipulator to the mould during operation can improve the detection credibility, so that the detection can reflect the existing and/or potential faults or problems of the mould in production more truly. In addition, compared with the prior art that the movable part is only observed to move, the detection result can be more objective and comprehensive, and particularly whether the electric part in the mould, particularly the sensor, works normally can be detected, and therefore faults such as the moving failure of the movable part or the loss of detection signals can be detected. Moreover, the detection personnel can conveniently know the currently performed mold control, monitor the mold detection result and/or know the operation process of the press or the mold.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a system for inspecting a mold, comprising:

-a memory storing computer executable instructions; and

-a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the system for inspecting a mold to perform the method according to the invention.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium having executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform a method according to the invention.

The features and advantages described in connection with the method of the invention and its advantageous embodiments also apply to the device, the system and the computer-readable storage medium of the invention and their advantageous embodiments and vice versa.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a system according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a main operating interface when the apparatus according to the present invention is implemented as a press simulation die control box;

FIG. 8 is a die signal detection interface of a press simulation die control box;

FIG. 9 is a press simulation die control interface of the press simulation die control box;

fig. 10 is a die identification code detection interface of a press simulation die control box.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a method for testing a die for a press and having a movable part for locally deforming and/or limiting a workpiece, comprising the following steps:

step 101: generating a simulation signal through the control process of the press, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator on the die in actual operation;

step 102: sending the simulation signal to a mold for moving a movable part in the mold;

step 103: receiving a feedback signal of the mold;

step 104: outputting a mold state characterized by a simulation signal, a feedback signal, and/or operational information.

The steps 101 to 104 may be performed in a single operation or in a loop.

In step 101, according to one embodiment, the press, the loading and unloading robot, and the loading and unloading robot can also provide control signals to the mold in a single operation or in a continuous operation.

According to one embodiment, the simulation signal can also be generated in step 101 as a function of a parameter of the press.

According to one embodiment, the feedback signal in step 104 may include a mold status indicator signal and/or a sensor detection signal.

According to one embodiment, the movable part comprises a pneumatic part, an electric part and/or a hydraulic part.

Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in which a feedback reference signal during normal operation is generated at the same time as the simulation signal in step 101'. In this case, when the feedback signal received in step 103 is abnormal and/or has a difference from the feedback reference signal generated in step 101', the press, the feeding robot and the discharging robot in step 101' are stopped, the transmission of the simulation signal to the mold in step 102 is stopped, and/or an alarm prompt is output in step 105.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. In order to be able to generate simulation signals for different presses or simulation signals for different dies in step 101, parameters of different presses and/or different dies may be stored. In this case, it can be provided in particular that the method further comprises a step 100: a mold identification is performed and its parameters are invoked according to the identified mold. A simulation signal for the identified mold can thus be generated in step 101 or step 101'.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an apparatus 11 for inspecting molds according to the present invention. The device 11 comprises

A simulation signal generating device 12 for generating simulation signals through the control process of the press, the loading manipulator and the unloading manipulator on the mold in actual operation;

-simulation signal sending means 13 for sending said simulation signal to the mould;

a feedback signal receiving means 14 for receiving a feedback signal of the mold; and

an output device 15 for outputting simulation signals, feedback signals and/or press operating information.

Preferably, the simulation signal generating device 12 generates simulation signals for controlling the mold in a single operation or in continuous operation of the press, the loading robot and the unloading robot. In particular, the simulation signal generation device 12 generates the simulation signal in dependence on parameters of the press.

Furthermore, the simulation signal generating means 12 may also generate a feedback reference signal during operation. In this case, when the feedback signal received by the feedback signal receiving device 14 is abnormal and/or differs from the feedback reference signal, the simulation signal generating device 12 stops the press, the loading robot and the unloading robot, the simulation signal transmitting device 13 stops transmitting the simulation signal to the mold, and/or the output device 15 outputs an alarm.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the device 11 according to the invention. In contrast to the basic embodiment of fig. 4, the apparatus shown in fig. 5 is additionally provided with a parameter memory device 16 and a mold recognition device 17. The parameter storage means 16 are provided for storing parameters of different presses and/or different moulds. The mould recognition means 17 are provided for recognizing a mould and the device 11 recalls the parameters of the mould from the parameter storage means 16 in accordance with the recognized mould.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic configuration of a system 1000 for inspecting molds according to the present invention. A system 1000 for inspecting a mold, comprising:

a memory 1001 storing computer executable instructions; and

a processor 1002 configured to execute computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the system for inspecting a mold to perform the method according to the invention.

The system may store the mold parameters, preferably all of the mold parameters. The system may in particular also comprise a touch screen. In addition, the parameters of the mold to be tested are called according to the ID or the mold identification

Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium having executable instructions which cause a computer to perform the method according to the invention.

Without being limited thereto, the invention may also relate to a computer program product which, when loaded and executed on a computer, causes a method according to the invention.

The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In some embodiments, electronic circuitry, including, for example, a programmable controller (PLC), programmable logic circuitry, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or Programmable Logic Array (PLA), may execute computer-readable program instructions to perform aspects of the invention by utilizing state information of the computer-readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

The following describes an embodiment when the apparatus of the present invention is implemented as a press simulation die control box. The tool is a tool for a press, in which the method according to the invention is implemented in particular in a simulation tool control box.

Figure 7 shows the main interface of the human-machine interface of the press simulation die control box. The main interface displays various functions of the press simulation mould control box: die inspection, die control, die identification, EPE and press, cope and drag die inspection, multiple (24-core, 18-core, 10-core) cable inspection, and importing data, particularly parameters for different dies.

In the case of the inspection of the dies, it is necessary to connect the press simulation die control box to the dies via cables, in particular 24-core hardwires, which enable signals, in particular simulation signals, from the press simulation die control box to be transmitted to the dies and also enable the pneumatically actuatable elements of the dies to be controlled to transmit signals, in particular feedback signals, from the dies, in particular their sensors, to the press simulation die control box. Therefore, the simulation signal is sent to the die by the simulation signal sending device in the press simulation die control box, and the feedback signal of the die is received by the feedback signal receiving device.

FIG. 8 shows a die signal detection interface for a press simulation die control box. Under the interface, a traditional detection mode can be realized. In the left half of fig. 8, 5 keys are shown, which correspond to the buttons in the conventional test mode, where the test person has to actuate the keys in the interface according to a defined actuation sequence. When each key is operated, the corresponding discrete simulation signal is sent to the mould by the press simulation mould control box. By means of such a simulation signal or a combination or sequence of simulation signals, it is possible to move movable components, in particular pneumatic components, in the press tool. In this case, the simulation signal is, for example, first switched on PIN24 "start on die" and then switched off, then switched on PIN20 "after part extraction" and again switched off, and then switched on PIN22 "monitor signal" and then switched off. Such a signal sequence makes it possible to move the movable mold in the mold as it is actually operating. Meanwhile, the die also transmits a feedback signal to the die control box of the press simulation through a cable. These feedback signals are exemplarily shown in the right half of fig. 8. Each feedback signal is transmitted through one core of the cable. The individual feedback signals are marked here in the form of PINs "PIN + number". The names of the individual feedback signals are given in fig. 8, and the lamp in front of the name identifies the feedback signal status.

FIG. 9 shows a press simulation die control interface of the press simulation die control box. The various parts of the interface are described in detail below.

The selection of the mould by entering the ID number (extraction of the mould parameters by means of the mould identification code at the mould identification code interface), and the work order number, and the display of the mould number (in the figure, for example, the part number), the production line in which the mould is located, the serial number, is shown in the box marked with 1. By means of such manual input, parameters for the mold can be called and used for further simulation or simulation processes.

The box marked with 2 shows a press simulation animation, wherein the motion process of the upper die, the feeding manipulator and the discharging manipulator of the die in the simulation can be shown. The angles of the die upper or press cams, the loading robot, the unloading robot or the relative angles between them are also shown. A control button and a slide bar are arranged in the frame 3 below the frame. The simulation/simulation can be started, stopped, single or cycle simulation/simulation can be carried out, the number of cycles/strokes of the simulation/simulation can be set, the operation time (1 min-99 min: 59 min: 0) and the operation times (1-9999) can be set under the cycle function, and the simulation/simulation can be cycled for an indefinite period if the operation time and the operation times are zero.

The monitoring of the feedback signal is shown in the box marked 4. Here, the pin number and its name, whether or not the check is detected, are shown in the form of a table. The cam on selection, on angle, off angle, time (corresponding to the advance detection time) can generate a feedback reference signal during operation, which displays the lights in the "feedback" column as they are on and off. The opening angle and the closing angle can be cams of a press, of a loading robot or of a discharge robot. The last column in the box "monitor" shows the feedback signal actually received from the mold. This easily allows the test person to compare the actual feedback signal with the feedback reference signal. And when the received feedback signal is abnormal and/or has a difference with the feedback reference signal, stopping simulating the press, the feeding mechanical arm and the discharging mechanical arm, and stopping sending the simulation signal to the mould and/or outputting an alarm prompt.

The monitoring of the simulated signal is shown in the box marked 5. Here, the emulation signal numbers, names, selections or not on PINs PIN20 through 24 are shown. In this case, the respective simulation signal can be switched on or off depending on the press (cam) angle, the loading robot angle and/or the unloading robot angle. Taking PIN20 as an example, the simulated signal on the PIN starts to be switched on from the angle of the blanking manipulator being 120 degrees (at the moment, the feeding manipulator is discharging) until the angle of the press (cam) reaches 180 degrees. In fig. 9 the current press (cam) angle is 199 deg., out of the above range, so the emulation signal on PIN20 is off and the control lights in the last column are off. In contrast, the on range of PIN21 is set to an angle range from 187 ° for the press (cam) angle to 120 ° (at which time the blanking robot performs a restraint). In the present case, the emulation signal on PIN21 is on and the control lights in the last column are on.

The interface in fig. 9 only shows the instantaneous case of a press cam angle of 199 °. The process according to the invention can be carried out continuously. According to the invention, the simulation signal generating device of the simulation mould control box of the press can simulate the change process of the press angle, the angle of the feeding manipulator, the angle of the discharging manipulator, the simulation signal and/or the feedback (reference) signal when the press operates. The change process is output through an output device of the press simulation mould control box. At this time, the animation in box 2 and the angle value therein and the slider progress bar in box 3 continuously change, and the feedback reference signal in box 3 is also turned on or off accordingly as the current angle changes.

In addition, the frame marked with 6 can realize the function jump of the press simulation mould control box. An alarm prompt is shown in the box labeled 7 so that the inspector can easily know the name of the fault, the location of the fault, and/or the cause of the fault, etc. The box marked with 8 can realize the time and the times of running in the circulation state, if the time setting value and the times setting value are zero, the infinite circulation is continued in the circulation state until the stop button is pressed to stop; if the time setting value and the frequency setting value are not zero, the circulation is carried out within the set time (or frequency), and the detection of the die is stopped when the time (or frequency) is reached, so that the fault which is difficult to appear can be conveniently found, and the online inspection time of the die is greatly saved. The frame marked with 9 may display the detection lead-in time, the mold name, and the like.

In fig. 9, the data in

blocks

4 and 5 can be stored as parameters of the press and/or the die, in particular in a parameter storage device. Moreover, the data import function can be realized through the shown press simulation die control box. In this case, the individual parameters for a press or die are grouped into a press simulation die control box.

Fig. 10 illustrates a mold identification interface. The various parts of the interface are described in detail below.

The block marked 1 shows the 8421 code state (including inspection and simulation) of the mold identification code, and the green light is turned on. The frame marked with 2 shows that the die identification code Hadin plug wiring diagram, the pins with the bright green lights are connected together by wires, a correct wiring method is provided for the wiring of a new die, and whether the wiring of the die is correct or not can be checked. The box marked with 3 shows that a selection switch can actually check the identification code and the simulation identification code of the mold (four-digit identification code is input through the data box on the right side), the box marked with 4 shows that the identification code and the simulation identification code can be displayed only when the selection switch selects the simulation state, after data is input into the data box, a simulation wiring leading-in button is clicked, a 2-marked identification wiring state is immediately displayed, then the mold data leading-in button is pressed, the mold parameter is immediately led in for detection, and the corresponding mold serial number is automatically determined, so that the method is a rapid leading-in method (without checking an ID number in a mold list). If the selection switch marked with 3 selects 'check', the

marks

1 and 2 immediately display the die identification code after the die identification data line is inserted, whether the die identification code is identical to the last four digits of the die number on the die is required to be compared, if the die identification code is not identical to the error, the pressing machine cannot operate, and meanwhile, the die parameters are automatically led in.

Similar to that shown in fig. 9, the press simulation die control box can also detect the EPE clinching device. In addition, the EPE riveting device and the upper die or the lower die can also realize the detection function in the same way.

The press simulation die control box can also detect die identification codes. For example, the wiring demonstration on the Hadin plug is realized according to the mold identification code. Further, the mold can be intelligently identified by a bar code, a two-dimensional code, RFID, or the like. Further, the parameters thereof may be called according to the identified mold.

In addition to possible failure of movable parts or sensors in the mould, there may also be failure of the connecting cables of the mould, in particular the hating cables. To test this problem, 24-core, 18-core, and 10-core cables and a hart plug test were also provided according to the present invention. The two ends of the cable are respectively connected with the press simulation mould control box to verify whether each path of signal can be well received and/or transmitted.

The features disclosed in the present document can be essential for the implementation of the embodiments in terms of different embodiments and can be implemented both individually and in any combination.

Although some aspects are described in association with a device, it should be understood that: these aspects are also a description of the corresponding method, so that a module or an apparatus of a device can also be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Similarly, an aspect described in connection with or as a method step is also a description of a corresponding module or detail or feature of a corresponding device.

In the present invention, memory may include, but is not limited to, disk drives, optical storage devices, solid state memory, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, optical disks, or any other optical medium, ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), cache memory, and/or any other memory chip or cartridge and/or any other medium from which a computer can read data, instructions, and/or code. The processor may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an Integrated Circuit (IC), a System On Chip (SOC), a Programmable logic device (plc), or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with a microprocessor.

Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may be machine-readable or computer-readable. Thus, in some embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium comprises a data carrier having executable instructions that can cooperate with a programmable computer system or programmable hardware components such that one of the methods described herein is performed. An embodiment is thus a data carrier, a digital storage medium or a computer-readable storage medium, on which a program for implementing one of the methods described herein is recorded.

Embodiments of the invention may generally be implemented as a program, firmware, computer program or a computer program product with a program code or data for performing the method efficiently when the program is run on a processor or programmable hardware components or as data. The program code or data may also be stored on a machine-readable carrier or data carrier, for example. Program code or data may additionally exist as source code, machine code, or bytecode, as well as other intermediate code.

Furthermore, another embodiment is a data flow, a signal sequence, or a signal sequence, which is a program for implementing one of the methods described herein. A data stream, a signal sequence or a signal sequence may for example be arranged for transmission via a data communication connection, for example via the internet or other networks. Thus, an embodiment may also be a signal sequence representing data, which is suitable for transmission via a network or a data communication connection, wherein the data is a program.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make variations and modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention by using the methods and technical contents disclosed above.

Claims

1. Method for inspecting a die for a press and having a movable part for locally deforming and/or limiting a workpiece, comprising the steps of:

-receiving a feedback signal of the mould;

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the simulation signals simulate the control signals to the mould by the press, the loading robot and the unloading robot in a single run or in continuous runs.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the simulation signal is generated in dependence of parameters of the press.

4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the feedback signal comprises a mould status indication signal and/or a sensor detection signal.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a feedback reference signal is generated during operation.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the simulation of the press, the loading and unloading robots, the sending of the simulation signal to the mould and/or the output of an alarm prompt are stopped when the received feedback signal is abnormal and/or differs from the feedback reference signal.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the movable parts comprise pneumatic, electric and/or hydraulic parts.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the switching on or off of the simulation signal is defined as a function of the press angle, the loading robot angle and/or the unloading robot angle.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the course of the change over time of the press angle, the loading manipulator angle, the unloading manipulator angle, the simulation signal and/or the feedback signal is simulated while the press is running.

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mould relates to an EPE clinching device.

11. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the parameters of different presses and/or different molds are stored.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that a mold identification is performed and its parameters are called up on the basis of the identified mold.

13. Apparatus for inspecting a die for a press and having a movable part for locally deforming and/or limiting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

simulation signal generating means for generating simulation signals by simulating the control process of the press, the loading robot and the unloading robot on the mold in actual operation;

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the simulated signals simulate control signals to the mold by the press, the loading robot, and the unloading robot in a single run or in continuous runs.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the simulation signal generating means generates the simulation signal in relation to a parameter of the press.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the feedback signal comprises a mould status indication signal and/or a sensor detection signal.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the simulation signal generating means generates a feedback reference signal during operation.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the simulation signal generating means stops simulating the press, the feeding robot and the discharging robot, the simulation signal transmitting means stops transmitting the simulation signal to the mold, and/or the output means outputs the alarm prompt when the received feedback signal is abnormal and/or different from the feedback reference signal.

19. Device according to one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the movable parts comprise pneumatic, electric and/or hydraulic parts.

20. Device according to one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that the simulation signal generating means prescribe the switching on or off of the simulation signal as a function of the press angle, the loading robot angle and/or the unloading robot angle.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the simulation signal generating means simulates the course of the change of the press angle, the feeding manipulator angle, the discharging manipulator angle, the simulation signal and/or the feedback signal when the press is in operation.

22. Apparatus according to one of claims 13 to 21, characterized in that the mold relates to a clinching device.

23. Apparatus according to one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises parameter storage means for storing parameters of different presses and/or different moulds.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises mould identification means for identifying a mould and the apparatus calls its parameters on the basis of the identified mould.

25. A system for inspecting a mold, comprising: -a memory storing computer executable instructions; and

-a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the system for inspecting a mold to perform the method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

26. A computer readable storage medium having executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform the method of one of claims 1 to 12.