DE102008038760B4 - processing concept - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing a plurality of first (1) and second (2) workpieces, which are sequentially fed to an at least partially common machining process. Workpieces (1, 2, 106, 108) are processed in at least two processing steps in at least two spatially remote processing areas (12, 14, 16, 52, 54, 56) and a transport of the workpieces (1, 2, 106, 108) between the respective processing areas (12, 14, 16, 52, 54, 56) is effected by a common conveyor system. The workpieces (1, 2, 106, 108) are moved for a respective processing step on a conveying path (18, 20, 22, 58, 60, 62, 102) belonging to the conveyor system into the respective processing region (12, 14, 16, 52, 54, 56) in and out. According to the method, first (1) and second (2) workpieces are respectively conveyed in and / or out in at least one common processing region through the processing region (12, 14, 54) arranged conveying path (18, 20, 60). The invention also relates to a corresponding processing area.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for processing a plurality of first and second workpieces.

It is well known that industrial products such as Automobile bodies are assembled from a plurality of individual workpieces. Due to the ever-increasing demands of customers for customization is increasing the variety of shapes of the workpieces to be produced. But also the color variety, for example, the automobile bodies and associated attachments like bumpers or mirror housing, is steadily increasing.

This has the consequence that, in particular when painting such workpieces between different custom variants one and the same of workpiece, such as a bumper, sometimes significant differences in the required effort of the respective processing or painting process result.

For example requires a bumper with comments for Fog lights a higher Lackieraufwand as the same bumper without submissions. Also the painting of a workpiece in a paint difficult to paint, such as yellow, which is characterized by a low opacity requires an elevated one Lackieraufwand or even an additional Lackier step compared to the Painting the same workpiece for example, in the color black, which has a high opacity having. Ie. a workpiece If necessary, it is repainted as needed, preferably with a flash off time is provided between the painting steps.

Especially in automotive attachments is in an industrial paint shop a variety of differently shaped workpieces in a variety of to paint different colors, resulting in a different one each Time required for processing. The workpieces undergo for example dependent of their material to be painted also a different number process steps, some repeat (2 layer order), some are omitted (eg, Beflämmen).

Appropriate Industrial paint shops are mostly for a variety of different to be painted workpieces designed. The workpieces be by means of a conveyor system from one processing area of the paint shop to the next following transported. Often have such conveyor systems the structure of a closed ring, with the unpainted workpieces mostly in a task area of the paint shop on one of the conveyor system transported workpiece carriers attached become. Go through with the workpiece carrier the workpieces like on a string of pearls the respective processing areas of the Paint shop and are as finished painted workpieces in one Removal area of the paint shop removed from the workpiece carrier. The now empty one Workpiece carrier is then promoted back to the reception area.

From the DE 100 08 890 A1 a painting device with a painting station is known in the paint can be applied to an introduced into the painting station object. With a stationary conveyor system, the object can be transported from outside the painting station into the painting station and from there back to the outside. The conveyor system comprises a feed conveyor with a feed drive means and a feed support member and a discharge conveyor with a discharge drive means and a discharge support member. The supply and the discharge drive means are each arranged outside the painting station and they can move the feed and the discharge support element into the painting station in such a way that they interlock and the supply and discharge elements can move out of the painting station again.

In the WO 2005/120733 A1 For example, the structure of such a conveyor system is shown with different processing areas. There is also the possibility of ejecting workpiece carriers at a branch of the conveying path from the circular structure to a further processing region or a bypass and subsequently feeding them back into the circular structure in the conveying direction.

adversely in this procedure is in particular that at a different required processing for first, second and more Workpieces, which at least partially in common processing areas be processed, the highest each Processing costs significantly is for the needed processing capacity the respective processing areas. Depending on the workpieces and to be performed Processing steps are times in which the processing capacity in the Machining areas are not used.

outgoing From this prior art, it is an object of the invention, a method which allows better utilization of machining capacity. The object of the invention is also to specify a corresponding processing area for this purpose.

These The object is achieved by a method of processing a plurality of first and second workpieces with the features specified in claim 1 and by a processing area according to claim 16.

Accordingly, that is Method characterized in that the workpieces sequentially be fed to an at least partially common processing process, with workpieces in at least two processing steps in at least two spatially distant Machining areas are processed and a transport of the workpieces between the respective processing areas through a common conveyor system takes place, the workpieces for one respective processing step on a conveyor system associated conveyor line into and out of the respective processing area and according to the method first and second workpieces in at least one common processing area of opposite Pages of extending transversely through the processing area arranged conveyor line each one and / or promoted being, while claiming in the common editing area a read operation associated with the workpiece and / or with the workpiece carrier disk takes place and wherein the data read information about the relevant workpiece and the ones to be done Contain processing steps.

The Structure of the conveyor system is inevitable here not exclusively as a ring, but rather to be regarded as at least partially mesh-shaped. The mesh-shaped Structure allows the selection of an individual conveying path for a workpiece or for a group of workpieces through the respective processing areas. The conveying path is preferably so to determine that the existing processing capacity of the Processing areas as possible Completely be used.

ever according to the emergence of the workpieces to be processed is in a larger number of successively to be machined first workpieces a common conveying path for this conceivable, which then for a subsequent larger number is changed at successively to be machined second workpieces, for example the shape of the first and second workpieces is identical, but others Processing steps are required.

One essential feature of the invention is that the conveyor line if necessary bidirectionally by at least one processing area is operated, whereas according to the state technology the conveyor lines be operated by processing areas in one direction only. this makes possible a shortened one conveying a workpiece between different mesh-like with a conveyor system connected editing areas, because in a editing area now not only be promoted by a given page can, but a promotion possible from both sides is. Transport of the workpiece outside of the work area from its second end to its first end following this for editing from the first end to the second To go through end, thus eliminating advantageously. The Meshed conveyor system is This simplifies and reduces transport times.

Further variants the method according to the invention are characterized in that in at least one processing step a coating process takes place and that the coating process in a painting booth by means of at least one painting robot he follows.

Just Coating or painting processes are characterized by a high variety of variants the workpieces to be painted characterized, why the advantages of the method according to the invention especially come to fruition.

Of the Use of a painting robot for the coating of workpieces allows advantageously a reproducible painting quality in a in advance known processing time for a respective processing step. The possibilities an improved utilization of the existing processing capacities of the Bear processing areas, for example by means of a parent Tax system, are thereby increasable.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized characterized in that in at least one processing step, a drying process of the workpiece takes place, for example, after a paint job or a cleaning process. The corresponding processing area has in this case, for example an oven or radiation dryer. But also a cleaning a workpiece in one for that provided processing area is considered a possible processing step to watch.

In a variant of the method according to the invention be at least first workpieces in the at least one common processing area of the same Side of the conveyor line promoted and promoted. The funding times the workpieces between The processing areas are thereby depending on given boundary conditions further reducible.

As advantageous in terms of a reduced Conveying time also proves that a workpiece is processed during conveying by a processing area therein at least partially simultaneously.

In a preferred embodiment be in one for that provided processing area on a conveyed workpiece several processing steps carried out. The funding period is thereby further reducible.

In A further embodiment of the method according to the invention takes place in the at least one common processing area at least one Processing step for first and second workpieces differently. For example, first workpieces with painted a base coat during second workpieces be painted with a primer varnish, which is usually in different Processing areas takes place. The possibilities of the improved Utilization of processing capacities will be increased further.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention are workpieces before the machining arranged on a workpiece carrier and then fed to the processing. This will promote the workpieces simplified at reduced assembly tolerances. The conveying takes place preferably with a floor or with an overhead conveyor.

A further embodiment of the method is characterized in that that the conveyor system and / or the associated conveyor lines at least in sections with a respectively adapted conveying speed operate. This leaves the flow of funding the workpieces between the different processing areas even more variable design and exploit the existing processing capacities increase. Similar Advantages result from the at least section-wise operation the conveyor system and / or the associated conveyor lines in a respective adapted conveying direction.

In a further variant of the method is at least partially different funding route for first and second workpieces by means of at least one switchable branch in the conveyor system specified. This is, for example, a switch or a turntable, which on at least three sides with the further conveyor system connected is. The funding flow the workpieces between the different editing areas is so special easily influenced.

In In a preferred variant of the method, workpieces are interposed two processing steps buffered in a buffer area of the conveyor system. this makes possible a temporal equalization of any resulting peaks of required processing capacity and provides another tax option for improved utilization of processing capacities.

In a particularly preferred variant of the method according to the invention becomes after a conveyor technically conditional transition a workpiece carrier and / or a workpiece on a conveyor line, which leads into a common processing area, before claiming in the Machining area connected to the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece disk read automatically by means of a reading device.

such disk contain information about the workpiece concerned and the ones to be done Processing steps. This information will be for example a parent control system supplied which about it In addition, data from further processing areas are supplied.

Based The control system determines this data and other production data for example, automatically the respective funding routes the workpieces and / or goods carriers and controls the flow of funding the workpieces by switching the corresponding branches in the conveyor system.

By Reading the disk at the read points of the common processing area with bidirectional conveyor system Information is provided to the control system indicating the reliable control of the funding flow and simplify the processing steps of the workpieces.

The inventive task is also solved through a machining area for machining workpieces accordingly the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, with a conveyor system associated conveyor line for feeding in and out of workpiece carriers and / or on these arranged workpieces.

Of the Machining area is characterized in that the conveyor line is bidirectionally operable and that between two Anschlussstellender conveyor line to the further conveyor system on the one hand and the entry or exit point of the conveyor line on the other hand, at least one each in the processing area Reading device for reading a connected to a workpiece and / or workpiece carrier disk is provided.

Such data carriers contain information about the relevant workpiece and the through feeding processing steps. In the case of an annular conveyor system, a single reading operation is usually sufficient before the workpiece is conveyed into the machining area in which the first machining step is carried out. The read data are then forwarded, for example via a higher-level control system to the respective subsequent processing area. When conveying the workpiece in the subsequent processing area, only the information is detected that a workpiece has been conveyed into this, the detailed information is taken from the previous processing area. Along a conveying path without branches, this is sufficient because the sequence of the workpieces along the conveying path is not changeable.

One bidirectional conveyor by a processing area is necessarily with at both ends branch facilities provided it is integrated in a meshed conveyor system. The order of the workpieces is therefore changeable. Several longitudinal a common conveyor line arranged processing areas are in this context as to look at a single processing area, at its two Ends are each provided with a reading point.

A Control of the processing steps in a processing area with bidirectional conveyor system is significantly simplified by a double-sided reading device.

Further advantageous design options are the other dependent claims refer to.

Based the embodiments illustrated in the drawings are intended to Invention described in more detail become.

It demonstrate:

1a a first processing system in a first method state,

1b the first processing system in a second process state,

1c the first processing system in a third process state,

2a a second processing system in a first process state,

2 B the second processing system in a second process state and

3 an example of a workpiece carrier with workpieces

1a shows a first processing system 30 in a first process state 10a , The editing system 30 has a first 12 , a second 14 and a third 16 Machining area for machining workpieces. Each processing area is to be regarded in this example as delimited paint booth, through which a respective conveyor line 18 . 20 . 22 is arranged.

By means of the conveyor lines 18 . 20 . 22 are workpieces 1 . 2 , which are arranged for example on a workpiece carrier, in the paint booths 12 . 14 . 16 one and also ausförderbar. Every paint booth 12 . 14 . 16 is with two painting robots each 36 equipped with which a variety of different paints can be applied. However, the number of painting robots can also be only one or even more, for example eight, or else a purely manual machining area is also conceivable. Preferably, a painting robot 36 provided with 6 degrees of freedom of movement, because this is an achievement of each spatial point in the respective working area of the robot 36 with any orientation, but also an arrangement of such a robot 36 on a so-called seventh axis or a support column is of course within the spirit of the invention. The robots 36 can differ from each other, for example in their execution and in the type or number of applicable lacquers. A painting of a workpiece during conveyance through the paint booth is provided in both conveying directions.

The paint booths 12 . 14 . 16 are an exemplary example of a processing area, a real industrial painting plant has, in addition to the paint booths for the various paints, for example, cleaning, drying, rework and / or buffer areas, which of course also the possibility of a conveyor bypass is given.

The conveyor system has the three conveyor lines crossing the paint booths 18 . 20 . 22 on which at a first 32 and a second 34 switchable branch conveyor technology are connected to two meshes, with each switchable branch ever another conveyor line is connected, via which the workpieces 1 . 2 into the editing system 30 be promoted or out of this. Usually, these two conveyor sections are connected to each other au ßerhalb the processing system, so that workpiece carrier after removal of the finished painted workpieces can be re-stocked with unpainted workpieces and the processing system to be re-supplied.

In the first method state shown 10a is exclusively a variety of first workpieces 1 to paint, which are indicated as a triangle, but in reality, for example, bumpers for automobile bodies or even automobile bodies themselves can be. The term first workpieces does not necessarily mean that first workpieces must resemble each other in shape and / or the steps to be performed, but rather comprises a group of workpieces to be painted, possibly even selected at random. Of course, the invention concept also any number of other groups of workpieces, ie third, fourth, ..., detected.

In the example shown 10a are the first workpieces 1 to be regarded as equally shaped workpieces, on which only a paint application in possibly different colors has to be made. The in the editing area 30 conveyed first workpieces 1 be at the first switchable turnoff 32 on the three processing areas 12 . 14 . 16 in which they are then varnished during the passing through. Then they will be at the second switchable turnoff 34 reunited and promoted on a common conveyor line. Depending on the colors to be applied, an assignment of different colors to the processing areas makes sense to reduce the number of color changes and the associated color change losses.

The 1b shows the same editing system 30 now in a second process state 10b , They are only second workpieces 2 to paint, which are on the one hand larger than the first workpieces 1 and also require three different paint jobs. The first 12 and second 14 Processing area are only intended to perform the first and second coating application - for example, the application of a base coat - the third processing area is intended to perform in addition to the first and second coating application and the third coating application - for example, the application of a clearcoat.

In the process state 10b All three paint booths are now conveyor technology in series and no longer connected in parallel and are sequential of the second workpieces 2 run through. By means of this series connection, precisely one processing step is carried out in each processing region, which advantageously reduces, for example, the number of necessary color changes.

The 1c shows the same editing system 30 now in a third state of the process 10c , First 1 and second 2 Workpieces are joined together sequentially in the machining area 30 processed. It's first 1 and second 2 To paint workpieces, each with a layer of base coat, wherein in both types of workpieces for selected paints, such as the color yellow, still a second paint layer of the color yellow is applied.

Through the second processing area 14 are only second workpieces 2 promoted and edited while through the third editing area 16 only first workpieces 1 be promoted and edited. In the first editing area 12 If necessary, from the left first in the color yellow to be painted workpieces and discharged, while from the right, if necessary, second in the color yellow to be painted workpieces and be discharged, wherein in the first processing area 12 in each case one of the two color jobs necessary for the color yellow takes place.

2a shows a similar second processing system 70 with 3 processing areas 52 . 54 . 56 , each with painting robots 76 are equipped. The three conveyor sections crossing the processing areas 58 . 60 . 62 are connected to each other at a total of six switchable branches, of which in the Fig. Four with the reference numerals 72 . 74 . 78 . 80 are designated. Also included is a buffer area 90 the conveyor system, in which workpieces can be cached. Shown are in this example, a first 82 and a second 84 Reading device at the beginning of the unidirectionally operated conveyor lines 58 . 62 of the fourth 52 and sixth 56 Editing area and a third 86 and fourth 88 Reading device on both sides of the bidirectionally operable conveyor line 60 of the fifth processing area 54 ,

by virtue of the meshing of the conveyor lines of the conveyor system it is advantageous to provide such reading devices so as to a clear identification of transferred to a conveyor line workpieces ensure, with the workpieces or the workpiece carrier with a corresponding data carrier provided with the identification data. The from the reading device read information is then preferably to a parent and control system not shown, for example a data processing device. Based on this data and more Production data are taking into account the respective Boundary conditions corresponding funding routes for the respective workpieces determined. The results are returned from the tax system to the Processing system transmitted and implemented there.

The 2a shows the second processing system 70 in a first process state 50a , First and second workpieces are to be applied, each with two coats of lacquer, with the lacquering time for the first 1 Workpieces is significantly smaller than for the second 2 Workpieces and being between two paint Apply a flash off time in the buffer area 90 is required. A large number of consecutive second workpieces 2 has already been provided with the first coat of paint. Some of the second workpieces are still in the buffer area 90 another one has already left the buffer area for painting the second lacquer layer. In spite of the increased painting time for second workpieces 2 to allow a correspondingly high processing throughput, the paint is done in the fifth 54 and sixth 56 Machining area in parallel, leaving the buffer area 90 accelerated is driven empty.

Into the editing system 70 and in the fourth processing area 52 a variety of successive first workpieces is painted 1 , Due to the lower painting costs corresponds to the time throughput of the fourth processing area 52 on first workpieces 1 in about the time throughput of the parallel fifth 54 and sixth 56 Processing areas on second workpieces 2 ,

The 2 B shows the second processing system 70 in a second process state 50b , Out of the buffer area 90 are now all second workpieces 2 discharged. In the fifth processing area 54 Now takes place in the reverse direction of the first paint job for first workpieces 1 parallel to the fourth processing area 52 , The resulting increased throughput of machined workpieces is thereby from the intermediate buffer 90 added.

In a further, not shown process state with only similar workpieces with comparable processing time, for example, the fifth processing area 54 each for a certain number of successive workpieces alternately parallel to the fourth 52 or sixth 56 Processing area are operated, the buffer area 90 compensates for the resulting fluctuations in the throughput of the workpieces. In this case, first and second workpieces would be considered each to be a number of successive like workpieces, which even require the same processing steps.

3 shows an example of a workpiece carrier 104 with workpieces 106 . 108 , which are suggested as bumpers for automobile bodies. The workpiece carrier 104 is located on a conveyor line 102 , a floor conveyor with rollers 112 , With the workpiece carrier 104 connected is a disk 110 , which data about the workpieces to be processed 106 . 108 contains and which are readable with a reading device. The disk can also contain only a serial number, with an assignment of the serial number to the workpieces to be machined 106 . 108 is done in a separate mapping table, which is included, for example, in the parent control system.

1

first workpiece

2

second workpiece

10a

first Processing system in a first state of the process

10b

first Processing system in a second process state

10c

first Processing system in a third state of the process

12

first editing area

14

second editing area

16

third editing area

18

conveyor line of the first processing area

20

conveyor line of the second processing area

22

conveyor line of the third processing area

30

first processing system

32

first switchable branch

34

second switchable branch

36

first processing device

50a

second Processing system in a first state of the process

50b

second Processing system in a second process state

52

fourth editing area

54

fifth processing area

56

sixth editing area

58

conveyor line of the fourth processing area

60

conveyor line of the fifth machining area

62

conveyor line of the sixth processing area

70

second Processing system with buffer of the conveyor system

72

third switchable branch

74

fourth switchable branch

76

second processing device

78

fifth switchable diversion

80

sixth switchable branch

82

first reading device

84

second reading device

86

third reading device

88

fourth reading device

90

buffer area of the conveyor system

100

example for one Workpiece carrier with workpieces

102

part a conveyor line

104

Workpiece carrier

106

first attachment

108

second attachment

110

disk

112

role

Claims (18)

Method of editing a plurality of first ( 1 ) and second ( 2 ) Workpieces that are sequentially fed to an at least partially common machining process, wherein workpieces ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) in at least two processing steps in at least two spatially remote processing areas ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) and a transport of the workpieces ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) between the respective processing areas ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) is carried out by a common conveyor system, the workpieces ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) for a respective processing step on a conveying system associated with the conveyor system ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 58 . 60 . 62 . 102 ) into the respective processing area ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) and, according to the method, first ( 1 ) and second ( 2 ) Workpieces in at least one common bidirectional processing area ( 12 . 14 . 54 ) from opposite sides of the across the processing area ( 12 . 14 . 54 ) extending arranged conveyor line ( 18 . 20 . 60 ) are promoted and / or promoted, whereby in the case of conveyance into the common processing area ( 12 . 14 . 54 ) a read operation of one with the workpiece ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) and / or with the workpiece carrier ( 104 ) and wherein the read-out data contain information about the relevant workpiece and the processing steps to be performed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that in at least one processing step, a coating process he follows. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that that the coating process in a paint booth by means of at least a painting robot takes place. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized that in at least one processing step, a drying process he follows. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least first workpieces ( 1 ) into the at least one common processing area ( 12 ) from the same side of the conveyor line ( 18 ) are promoted and promoted. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a workpiece ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) during conveyance through a processing area ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) at the same time at least partially processed therein. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a processing area ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) on a conveyed workpiece ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) several processing steps are performed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the at least one common processing area ( 12 . 14 . 54 ) at least one processing step for first ( 1 ) and second ( 2 ) Workpieces are different. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that workpieces ( 1 . 2 ) before machining on a workpiece carrier ( 104 ) are arranged and then fed to the processing. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that workpieces ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) are conveyed with a floor or overhead conveyor. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor system and / or the associated conveyor lines ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 58 . 60 . 62 102 ) are operated at least in sections with a respectively adapted conveying speed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor system and / or the associated conveyor lines ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 58 . 60 . 62 . 102 ) are operated at least in sections in a respective adapted conveying direction. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an at least partially different conveying path for first and second workpieces by means of at least one switchable branch ( 32 . 34 . 72 . 74 . 78 . 80 ) is specified in the conveyor system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that workpieces ( 1 . 2 ) between two processing steps in a buffer area ( 90 ) of the conveyor system are cached. Method according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that after a conveyor-related transition of a workpiece carrier ( 104 ) and / or a workpiece ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) on a conveyor line ( 18 . 20 . 60 ), which are placed in a common processing area ( 12 . 14 . 54 ), before being conveyed into the processing area with the workpiece carrier ( 104 ) and / or the work piece of connected data carrier ( 110 ) automatically by means of a reading device ( 82 . 84 . 86 . 88 ) is read. Processing area ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) for machining workpieces ( 1 . 2 ) according to the method according to one of claims 1 to 15, with a delivery system associated with a conveyor system ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 58 . 60 . 62 . 102 ) for feeding in and out of workpiece carriers ( 104 ) and / or on these arranged workpieces ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ), characterized in that the conveyor line ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 58 . 60 . 62 ) is bidirectionally operable and that between both connection points ( 32 . 34 . 72 . 74 . 78 . 80 ) of the conveyor line ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 58 . 60 . 62 ) to the further conveyor system on the one hand and the entry or exit point of the conveyor line ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 58 . 60 . 62 ) into the editing area ( 12 . 14 . 16 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) on the other hand in each case at least one reading device ( 82 . 84 . 86 . 88 ) for reading one with a workpiece ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) and / or workpiece carrier ( 104 ) data carrier ( 110 ) is provided. Machining area according to claim 16, characterized that this is a paint booth. Machining area according to claim 17, characterized in that for the machining of the workpieces ( 1 . 2 . 106 . 108 ) Painting robots are provided.