DE102006010715A1 - Equipment processing and marking static articles, has small unit sliding on or over workpiece without making contact, on e.g. air cushion- or magnetic bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit slides on or over the workpiece avoiding contact, on e.g. an air cushion- or magnetic bearing. Vertical and three-dimensional articles may be processed in this way. The workpiece can be printed, then formed to shape. In an example, the item is cut to shape, to impress images. Further possibilities are described in detail, e.g. for coloring without movement of the workpiece. Positioning of the unit may be carried out using reflective markers, or by use of the global positioning system (GPS). Further inventive suggestions are included.

Description

The The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

1. State of the art

at the labeling of material and machining of workpieces under of a certain size Used processing machines, which are typically much larger as the object to be edited.

When Example here is the comparison with a printer, the paper included and promoted by its mechanism. The printer has it minimum dimensions corresponding to the minimum dimensions of the paper (width) correspond. Printers that can print on A3 paper are therefore larger than Printers that only work on A4.

in the same applies to processing machines such as e.g. a lathe or milling machine for mechanical machining of workpieces. Other examples are Paint booths in automobile production, which also enclose the car and thus have a considerable size.

at many of these devices are as well because of the inflexible mechanical material transport only certain material sizes Processing possible, e.g. Printer Paper A5, A4, Letter, Legal, Postcards, Stickers and much more.

• • Die Materialkosten zur Herstellung sind höher.
• • Wegen der großen und meist beweglichen Teile ist der Energiebedarf hoch, mit allen damit einhergehenden Nachteilen (Energiekosten, Verkabelungsaufwand, evtl. Energiespeicherkosten, Raumbedarf, Unbeweglichkeit).
• • Höhere Wartungskosten wegen beweglicher Teile
• • Feste mechanische Komponenten schränken die bearbeitbaren Formen erheblich ein.
• • Verschiedene Formate können oft nur durch mechanisches Umkonfigurieren (Verstellen von Anschlägen) eingelegt werden.
• • Solche großen Gerätschaften sind schlecht zu transportieren.

These systemic limitations on the minimum size of the processing tool have several disadvantages.

• • The material costs for the production are higher.
• • Due to the large and mostly moving parts, the energy demand is high, with all the associated disadvantages (energy costs, cabling, possibly energy storage costs, space requirements, immobility).
• • Higher maintenance costs due to moving parts
• • Fixed mechanical components significantly limit the machinable shapes.
• • Different formats can often only be inserted by mechanical reconfiguration (adjustment of stops).
• • Such large equipment is difficult to transport.

2. Object of the invention

• – Einfärben (z.B. Lackieren)
• – Bedrucken (z.B. Beschriften)
• – Material verändern (z.B. Datenträger (z.B. CD/DVD) programmieren/brennen, Chemische Prozesse einleiten)
• – Oberflächen bearbeiten (z.B. Schleifen, Polieren, ...)
• – Material bearbeiten (z.B. Fräsen, Drehen)
• – Material formen (z.B. Gießen, Kneten)

The object of the invention is to allow a miniaturization of the processing machines, which have no restrictions in terms of shape, size and location and largely also of the material of the workpieces. It also includes various different processing methods. These are, for example

• - coloring (eg painting)
• - printing (eg labeling)
• - Change material (eg program / burn data carrier (eg CD / DVD), initiate chemical processes)
• - edit surfaces (eg sanding, polishing, ...)
• - edit material (eg milling, turning)
• - forming material (eg casting, kneading)

These Improvements are made by not having the machines more the workpieces but that the machines are the workpieces of Outside to edit. The workpieces will be not moving, but the machine moves around / over Workpiece. This means that the machine is moving on the workpiece (e.g. on and off her driving), or around the workpiece is moved. For example, foreign or self-propelled (e.g., flying or Hovering) but without contact on the workpiece guided along becomes. The processing machines are typically much LESS as the workpieces to be processed.

3. Advantages of the invention

• • Sie sind deutlich kleiner.
• • Sie sind auf verschiedene Formate und Formen der Werkstücke einsetzbar.
• • Sie sind sehr mobil.
• • Sie können zentral programmiert, gesteuert und gewartet werden. Entweder durch Drahtlose Datenverbindung, oder durch Bedienung an einem zentralen Ort.
• • Wegen ihrer Mobilität können sie sich zu Wartungsarbeiten an bestimmten Stellen einfinden.
• • Unterschiedliche Formen und Oberflächen sowie unterschiedliche Lagen und Positionen (Senkrechte, Waagrechte, Diagonal) können bearbeitet werden.
• • Dreidimensionale Objekte beliebiger Form können bearbeitet werden.

The miniaturized machines have the following advantages, among others:

• • They are much smaller.
• • They can be used for different formats and shapes of workpieces.
• • They are very mobile.
• • They can be centrally programmed, controlled and maintained. Either by wireless data connection, or by operation in a central location.
• • Because of their mobility, they can arrange for maintenance at specific locations.
• • Different shapes and surfaces as well as different layers and positions (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) can be edited.
• • Three-dimensional objects of any shape can be edited.

4. A concrete example

Examples of the invention (subminiature printer SuMiDru):

The Invention is a device the e.g. the size of one Matchbox has. It has several roles to get around or wheels appropriate. these can on all sides of the device to be appropriate. This allows the device to self-suspend over a surface (e.g. a piece of paper lying on a table).

In this device are as well both sensors and actuators installed. The control of the device and all its tasks are realized by a logic that either completely in the device is built, or outside lies and the device supplied with already preprocessed commands.

The Sensors are used to control the subsurface and environment detect. This recognizes the device its position in space and relative to the paper (e.g. from paper edges or other characteristic features) and calibrates accordingly. Depending on the application, the position can be defined two- or three-dimensionally become. The data is used for motion control, positioning and the position determination of the processing position.

The Actuators move the device on your own the paper to any position. If the workpiece is three-dimensional is, this movement can also take place in the room. Besides, they are Nozzles installed, can apply the different colored ink to the ground. In addition, more can Actuators are incorporated, which cut the sheet into a specific shape.

Also Is it possible, to install an actuator which can move the sheet to e.g. the put finished product on a pile.

The use of this example device will as follows be:

One Any piece of paper is put on a table as you like. The desired Product is defined at a data processing system. Depending on the equipment of the device the data is transferred there, or previously broken down into individual processes. The step sequence is transmitted to the device, or determined by this self. The device is nearby, or on paper.

Now becomes the device move so that the arbitrary position of the paper is detected becomes. The device will memorize the position and the programmed steps then adjust.

Now the device moves to the positions that are necessary to carry out the processing steps. It could e.g. in a grid over move the paper, or similar a vector graphic along the lines to be drawn. The device does not have to to approach every point that is being processed, if a certain range the nozzles given is. According to this, the step sequences ggf optimized, e.g. Save energy or time.

If The paper can be printed as defined, the part with a further function to be used which is to be used. Again, the optimal paper utilization can be considered. (See cookie cutters in Christmas cookies)

The Invention is characterized in that it is on or over the workpiece moves and is significantly smaller than the workpiece.

Characteristic properties:

• - Can either independently take its position (such as example a) or can be fixed and be immobile
• - Device can be complete independently operated (as example a), without (mechanical or electrical) Connections to external units, or can be connected many times to a control unit be and as "external Printhead "work
• - Got to If necessary, do not change the position and can the whole area to edit
• - different Processing steps are possible
• - Possible editing is printing on paper and also burning CDs. Nozzles can also be circular, spiral or be concentric active.
• - It can one or more nozzles or other editing tools installed. These can be unbalanced be arranged, as well as in different levels and in different directions (Insert vertically or horizontally).
• - Got to not in the center about be the workpiece, but also can not be placed in the middle
• - Location of the workpiece can be detected by sensors. Calibration takes place accordingly.

Characteristic properties:

• - Smaller as the paper to be printed
• - Emotional self-employed in two or three dimensions
• - Position determination independent internally or externally
• - Position determination by reference to the workpiece or external markers
• - Calibrated itself relative to the workpiece position
• - different Processing steps possible
• - Communication with external control unit
• - Input option by attached buttons, switches or sensors
• - Built-in Control and / or storage logic for processing steps and also basic functionality (e.g. Home position for charging material / energy)
• - Carrying of necessary material (ink) or producing such (e.g. Ambient air with existing or additionally introduced gases or similar)
• - Energy storage present or continuous generation of necessary energy from environment (e.g., natural or artificial Magnetic fields, radiation) Alternatively, receive energy through e.g. Cable connection or wireless transmission

Claims (13)

The device can also be contactless on or over the workpiece along (e.g., air cushions, magnetic repulsion). On In this way, vertical workpieces are machinable and also three-dimensional Shapes are possible. As well as a treatment of the materials provided is, after the lettering of the workpiece and the shape edited (e.g., the format tailored for printout of images). In particular, you can also editing operations carried out will allow some distance to the workpiece, e.g. Apply colors by using spray nozzles over greater distances. This does not mean that the entire shape of the workpiece has to be scanned, but instead the complete visible area from the position of the device can be processed without further movement. For example, can the machine spread over several centimeters position a lying sheet and from this position the Carry out the entire inscription without further movement. Especially This procedure can also be performed by not using the device independent moved there, but there permanently mounted, or by external Movement has arrived there. (See overhead projector with reverse Function) see also example b. The position determination by the device can also with measures carried out that have nothing to do with the workpiece or the movement of the device itself (e.g., wheel revolutions) themselves. It can e.g. a room having recognizable locations (e.g., reflective Materials, or wireless communication elements, cf. GPS) that serve for reference. In particular, the position determination can also outside of the device external facilities take place and then by data transmission the device be communicated. The device can either be complex operations themselves prepare and autonomously implement the task, or it can also be controlled externally in any small steps. It does not necessarily define just one edit become. It can e.g. many independent processes be preprogrammed, either a production of many more similar Parts, or even a production of different parts, which defines once and transfer and then independently implemented becomes. Different processing and processing steps are possible, e.g. Printing and cutting. The nature of the actions is not limited. The data transmission Can be wireless or wired on different procedures respectively. A connection to a higher-level control unit can be available be. This can be permanent or short-lived. According to the implementation are both two- as also three-dimensional processes possible. The size of the device is neither down nor up limited. As a printer for paper can the device be as small as the necessary mechanical components allow. In particular, however, a version can also be generated the very big one Dimensions has. For example, a device can be built that lines a sports field or a parking or road marking can install automatically. If in this size a hovering possible is, can possibly house walls O.A. be deleted. Especially the extremely large version can possibly with a GPS similar or similar method. A compensation of external influences, such as mechanical Moving the device from the outside, or wind influences can be corrected. Unsymmetrical arrangements of sensors and actuators can be used deliberately to achieve specific results.