DE102009003492A1 - Modular manufacturing plant - Google Patents

Abstract

It discloses a manufacturing plant comprising at least one handling device and a plurality of modular manufacturing stations (6). The manufacturing stations (6) are detachably connected to a fixed plant environment. The plant environment has attachment points for the modular manufacturing stations (6), which are arranged according to a fixed one-dimensional or multi-dimensional grid.

Description

The The present invention relates to a manufacturing plant consisting from at least one handling device and several modular manufacturing stations.

Usually Machine tools are fixed in manufacturing cells or lines constructed and fixed by conveyors together concatenated. From the literature manufacturing systems are known which consist of manufacturing stations, which are detachable with the Plant environment are connected, the manufacturing stations depending after their task usually very different dimensions and varying Have interfaces to the plant environment.

When Reaction to the current trend of the economy after progressive Automation in recent times are increasingly forms of production such as flexible transfer lines or flexible manufacturing systems emerged. The flexibility of such facilities is in the Generally by redirecting the workpiece flow and retrofitting of individual production machines compared to classical systems which increases but in many cases insufficient is. It is also known that the material flow between production stations realized wholly or partly by handling equipment can be, with the handling device or the handling equipment optionally tool-guided or workpiece-guided can be operated.

The Linking of manufacturing stations with the help of handling equipment offers in many cases an increase in flexibility, because they allow a more variable material flow (any Sequence when approaching production stations possible, multiple starting of a production station possible). Out Manufacturing technology are various clamping and fixing devices for the clamping of workpieces on workpiece carriers known (Swing clamp, centering or clamping cylinder, swinging tensioner, ...).

The DE 27 56 422 C2 describes a manufacturing plant for multi-step components, which is composed of along a conveyor path arranged processing and assembly stations. Each of the processing and assembly stations is provided in each case with a rectilinear conveying path section with lateral longitudinal guides and with its own independent drive and conveying device for component carriers and forms a structural unit. The longitudinal guide for the component carrier is formed by cooperating with their longitudinal edges sliding guides. The drive and conveyor consists of a force acting in the region of the longitudinal edges of the component carrier rotating friction drive.

From the DE 35 02 820 C2 is a manufacturing plant with several individual stations known, which can serve for the production of two or more parts composite workpieces. The individual stations are formed by mutually arranged machine tables, which are interconnected via coupling members and have devices for the transport of workpiece carriers. The devices for transporting the workpiece carriers are designed as modules which have identically arranged coupling members for connection to the machine tables, so that the modules on the machine tables are exchangeable. The machine tables are of similar design and have similarly arranged and formed coupling members, so that the machine tables are interchangeable.

The DE 20 2004 009 415 U1 discloses a flexible manufacturing system for machining workpieces. There are several machine tools and facilities for transporting the workpieces between the machine tools and for the transfer or removal of the workpieces provided to or from the machine tools. The machine tools may be arranged side by side and / or opposite one another. Each machine tool is assigned a clamping device with workpiece-specific clamping locations for at least two workpieces with different geometries. Each machine tool is assigned an articulated arm robot with an interchangeable tool-specific gripper for the removal / transfer of workpieces from / to the clamping device. Between the machine tools, a buffer for storing the workpieces and / or the gripper is arranged in each case. The transport of the workpieces from one machine tool to the next by means of the articulated arm robot is to be carried out by a transfer / removal of the workpieces to / from the buffer (s).

When Disadvantages of the known production equipment can be mentioned among others that is often a fixed link of the plant parts It is provided that many are often very elaborate custom Solutions are required (high engineering costs, high Development risk).

The Documentation of the equipment is often very expensive, since this is to create individually for each plant. The Systems are sometimes very limited to changing tasks customizable (time-consuming fitting work at product change or change). The customer often creates a high Assembly and / or retooling.

Of the Testing customer-specific solutions is very time-consuming and mostly only possible with the customer. In addition, exist usually low testing possibilities of plant supplements and extensions at the manufacturer (especially a problem if Plants can be supplemented or extended subsequently should).

It High set-up times, long downtimes occur during maintenance, product conversion, extension or modification of the Attachments. The processing stations are i. a. on a special one Optimized system and can i. a. only with great effort for Convert the alternative use in other plants. at small lot sizes and high variety of variants frequent reconfigurations become necessary whose cost and reduce the efficiency of the overall system.

Especially when supplementing additional production steps with additional ones Processing machines or by using larger as the originally provided stations is in the Usually a very high cost for their spatial, mechanical and control-side connection / redesign necessary.

Suboptimal use of the (often very limited) working space of the handling device used, as well as stations that are not needed in the current manufacturing process, remain in the plant
The bottom line: The high flexibility of handling devices often counteracts a high degree of inflexibility of the production equipment.

Of the The invention is based on the object, a flexible manufacturing plant to make available that allows Production processes with different processing steps with the least possible setup and retooling - with the goal of low downtime and set-up times - high grade can run automatically. It is thus a highly flexible To develop a production plant which makes it possible even with small batch sizes and low product life cycles as well as high product variations an economical automation to reach.

in this connection was the aspects of standardization, of easy modifiability, the individual equipment of the plant, a (re-) usability from manufacturing stations in different plants as well as one easy monitoring and maintenance of the plant a special Pay attention.

The The object is achieved according to the invention that the available footprint within the workspace the handling equipment used on the basis of a grid is divided, whereby the associated production stations over a suitably designed positioning and / or clamping device can be arranged there in a variety of ways and that this possibly also centrally or automatically during the insertion process be connected, the parent manufacturing plant automatically informed about the type and location of the stations can, or in a subsequent update cycle the Type and location of stations independently determined and that handling equipment the stations flexible with each other chain, while both tool and workpiece leading can be used. A standardization of mechanical and or energy and / or information technology interfaces between the plant and the production stations, it may allow the stations at different positions and possibly also in different Laying layers in the system. By the additional Use of intelligent control technology and possibly an associated networking the stations and / or the host can be a smart and be built flexible production unit.

The Manufacturing stations are arranged in a grid and detachable Connected to the environment, making it arbitrary from the plant removed, replaced by other stations, or elsewhere can be used again. Is the grid dimension in several dimensions / directions are chosen equal, so allowed it also the grid-shaped arrangement beside the position to vary the orientation of the manufacturing stations. For the fixation of the production stations on the ground is preferably a specially designed for this purpose clamping device for Commitment.

• • Stationen getrennt von der Anlage betreibbar;
• • Anordnung der Stationen im Raster;
• • Stationen getrennt wartbar;
• • Stationen flexibel kombinierbar;
• • lagegenaues Einsetzen von Stationen;
• • Nullpunkt-Spannen von ganzen Stationen;
• • Automatische Erkennung von Art und Lage der eingesetzten Fertigungsstationen;
• • Automatischer Anschluss von Energie- und Signalleitungen.

The following aspects, individually or in combination, may be advantageous and / or important for the invention, this list being to be understood as merely exemplary and in no way conclusive:

• • stations can be operated separately from the plant;
• • Arrangement of the stations in the grid;
• • stations can be maintained separately;
• • stations can be flexibly combined;
• • precise positioning of stations;
• • Zero-point clamping of entire stations;
• • Automatic recognition of the type and position of the production stations used;
• • Automatic connection of power and signal cables.

• 1. Lösbare Verbindung mit der Umgebung;
• 2. Einheitliche/standardisierte Schnittstellen;
• 3. Rasteranordnung;
• 4. Materialfluss zwischen den Stationen (Handhabungssystem);
• 5. Materialfluss zwischen den Stationen (Robotergestützt);
• 6. Durch Aktoren betätigte Verriegelung der Stationen;
• 7. Zentrale Betätigung mehrerer Aktoren;
• 8. Verriegelung mehrerer Stationen durch einen Aktor.

The following features may be of importance individually or in any combination:

• 1. Releasable connection with the environment;
• 2. Uniform / standardized interfaces;
• 3. grid arrangement;
• 4. Material flow between the stations (handling system);
• 5. Material flow between the stations (robot-supported);
• 6. actuated by actuators locking the stations;
• 7. Central actuation of several actuators;
• 8. Interlocking of several stations by an actuator.

Further Details on possible technical execution of the Clamping system can be found in the accompanying drawings.

The The present invention relates to a manufacturing plant comprising at least one handling device and several modular manufacturing stations, which is detachably connected to a fixed plant environment are, with the plant environment attachment points for has the modular manufacturing stations, which according to a fixed one- or multi-dimensional grid are arranged.

Of the Distance of attachment points of the manufacturing stations can optionally a single or multiple of a grid dimension of the plant environment be. In particular, it can be provided that the grid in each dimension of the plant expansion takes a fixed measure. The grid dimension can be in any dimension of the plant extension be about the same, especially identical.

A advantageous variant of the manufacturing plant according to the invention can be configured so that the manufacturing stations with respect to their Energy interfaces and / or mechanical and / or information technology Interfaces are standardized so far that the manufacturing stations used at several or at any point within the system and can be connected to the system.

Preferably The production stations automatically engage when they are inserted into the fixing positions to one or more of the connections to the system (mechanical, electrical Connections, compressed air, signal and data connections, etc.).

Optional can the manufacturing stations in the manufacturing plant be fixed in place at discrete locations (and possibly also diverse Take orientations). The fixation of the production stations can be done in each case by one or more fixing devices.

The Fixation of the production stations can, for example. By swing clamps, Centering or clamping cylinder, swing tensioner o. Ä. Made.

The Location or position of the production stations in the production plant can be defined by one or more position or position defining Be set elements or assemblies. The position or location definition The production stations can, for example, by one or more centering o. Ä. Optionally, the position or position determination the stations according to the principle of a zero point clamping system respectively.

moreover can the position of the locking and or centering by Sensors are monitored. It can also be the presence the locking and or centering monitored by sensors become.

A further embodiment of the manufacturing plant according to the invention can provide that the fixing and centering in a Assembly or a component are summarized. Optionally, you can Centering pins on one side of the connection in centering holes be introduced on the other side of the connection. These centering pins can, for example, by a positive Locking element to be secured. Optionally, the Centering pins be designed to be retractable. It is also possible, the centering pins by elastic elements in to bias one or more directions.

Farther can be provided that the clamping forces of the elastic Elements (eg spring packs) are designed adjustable. Advantageous It may continue to be when multiple fixing and or centering be operated centrally.

The Fixation of the production stations can, for example. By more than one shared active body ("slider") attached Locking elements ("clamping plates") are effected. The common active body can be operated centrally become. In addition, the common active body of a housing ("Tensioning rail") completely or partially protected become.

The Housing ("tensioning rail") can be completely or partially serve as a support for the production stations. The fixing forces can completely or partially through the housing ("tensioning rail") be directed.

Farther can be provided that the energetic and / or mechanical and / or information technology connections of the production stations integrated in the bottom anchoring or its housing are. In addition, the cable guides for the energy and information technology connections between plant and manufacturing stations wholly or partly by the bottom side Anchoring or its housing are performed.

From It can also be an advantage if the production plant is over Detecting terminals or sensors has, which automatic recognition of the type and / or position and / or Orientation of the used processing station allowed. The o. G. Detection of the production stations can in particular also over an optical detection or measurement done. The o. G. recognition can, for example, via a coding of the energetic and / or of the mechanical connection. Beneficial in this Connected an automatic anchoring coupled with the detection be the manufacturing stations.

A further embodiment of the invention Production plant may provide that the detection of the species and / or the position and / or orientation of a used processing station via an information technology data exchange with the central control he follows. Alternatively, the detection of the type and / or position and / or orientation of the processing station used also robot-based, with robotic sensors and / or robot-own actuators or extra used for this purpose Sensors and / or actuators can be used. Also It may be useful to the manufacturing station according to their size to arrange.

The Production plant can optionally also manufacturing stations for storage or buffering of tools or for storage or buffering of Material flow include.

to Conservation of the flow of material and / or as a supply to Joining and / or machining processes can be done within the manufacturing plant one or more handling equipment be used. This may be a handling device, whose first axis is a linear axis. In the handling device it can also be a gantry robot.

The Handling devices can be programmed that they have a given manufacturing process independently from the position and / or location of the manufacturing stations within the plant can perform. Optionally, you can the handling equipment workpiece or tool leading be used. The working space of the handling device is preferably divided into several areas, wherein the handling device Access to a part of the workspace can be denied. Of the Working space on which the handling device does not have access can be used for maintenance, replacement or manual operation used by manufacturing stations.

From Advantage may be if the different work spaces meet different purity requirements (Dirt area / measuring range, etc.).

The Manufacturing stations can optionally have a own control that allows them to control the manufacturing processes to control the production station and or with other manufacturing stations or a parent controller to communicate. in this connection It may be advantageous if the processing station after inserting and connecting to the system automatically at the other manufacturing stations and or a central controller Sign in. The manufacturing stations can themselves and or diagnose one another with regard to your system status. The manufacturing stations can be the parent Control and vice versa with respect to their system state diagnose.

A another variant may provide that the plant the state of Monitored production stations and for maintenance or repair needs the Automated replacement of production stations or causes. Optionally, in case of failure of one of the controllers involved their function be taken over by another involved control.

A Another option may be that the attachment and / or the Manufacturing stations via an information technology interface are fernwartbar.

The Manufacturing stations can according to a another variant both within the production plant and operated outside the manufacturing plant (stand-alone solution without the need for a control link with the system control).

The Modular manufacturing stations are preferably designed so that they are stackable for better transportation or better storability.

A further advantageous variant of the invention Production plant may consist in the fact that the plant designed so will that the replacement of the modular manufacturing stations by the used / the handling equipment used can be done. The modular manufacturing stations can do that Be designed in such a way that they are compatible with the usual industrial trucks can be easily moved.

moreover The system can do so with a driverless transport system be linked, that the replacement of the modular manufacturing stations can be automated.

The modular manufacturing stations can also do this be that you have your own housing.

The Modular production stations can optionally be carried out this way be that hermetically sealed in one or more directions or are executed closed. The modular production stations can have an opening mechanism which allows the modular production stations automated and / or robot-based to open or to close. The modular production stations can be designed to be your own Allow air conditioning of the interior. The modular manufacturing stations can be designed so that they meet clean room conditions (Climatic, over or under pressure in the interior, ...). The modular manufacturing stations can also do this be that they have a storage, handling or manufacturing of components Microsystems technology and the handling of bodies and Components of biotechnology or hazardous substances.

It can have multiple redundant modular manufacturing stations for important or wear-prone or failure-prone Functions may be present, with the facility optionally on this Can access, so that ever a modular manufacturing station in function is and one or more others are serviced or modified can (example: automatic change to redundant modular manufacturing station). The redundant modular manufacturing stations can either be kept in the system or only be inserted in the system if necessary.

The The present invention further includes methods for positioning of attachment points of the plant environment or the manufacturing stations, wherein the attachment points in the plant environment by a positioning frame be executed running device. A variant of the method may provide that the station-side attachment points by a device designed as a positioning frame be determined. Furthermore, it can be provided that the device establishing the station-side attachment points and the Device for fixing the environmental fixing points are integrated in a device and or a component or that these devices are identical.

• – Module kostengünstig herstellbar da standardisiert und daher viele Gleichteile;
• – Geringer Engineering-Aufwand zur Erstellung neuer Fertigungsfunktionalitäten innerhalb einer Anlage (Standardisierung macht Einsatz von Vorrichtungen
• – wirtschaftlich) und dadurch Kosten- und Zeiteinsparung sowie Qualitätsverbesserung;
• – Einsparung von Grundfläche: Im Falle des Einsatzes von geeigneten Robotersystemen
• – wie z. B. Portalrobotern – kann auf eine Verkettung durch Förderbänder o. ä. verzichtet werden, so dass der Flächenbedarf der letztgenannten Einheiten eingespart werden kann
• – Standardisierung der Module/der modularen Fertigungsstationen führt zu hohen Stückzahlen: Standardmodule/-tationen können in größeren Losgrößen produziert werden und ggf. so vorgehalten werden, das nach Eingang einer Bestellung für ein spezifische modulare Fertigungsstation ein Standardmodul nur noch für die jeweilige Aufgabe konfektioniert werden muss (Zeitvorteil, Kostenvorteil, ...);
• – Durch die Standardisierung werden Dokumentationsprozesse vereinfacht (herstellerseitige Dokumenation (z. B. Zeichnungsverwaltung), Anlagendokumentation für Kunden, Durchführung und Dokumentation von Gefährdungsanalysen, ...);
• – Standardmodule/modulare Fertigungsstationen können (wegen der standardisierten Schnittstellen und Abmessungen) auf einfache Weise beim Hersteller vor dem Versand ausgiebig in einer herstellerseitigen Anlage programmiert, getestet und ggf. optimiert werden;
• – Kompletter Test und Parametrierung von Mechanik, Elektrik und Software vor Auslieferung möglich;
• – Modifikation, Wartung und Erweiterung können mit minimalen Stillstandszeiten realisiert werden (Neuinstallation = Einsetzen in die Anlage, ggf. Verbindungen herstellen (mechanisch, energie-, informationstechnisch), ggf. Software der modularen Fertigungsstationen/der zentralen Steuerung anpassen (Software ist ggf. auch modularisierbar!);
• – Vereinfachte Wartung durch Fernmonitoring und -wartung von modularen Fertigungsstationen möglich;
• – Rüstzeitoptimierung;
• – Verringerung des Risikos bei der Installation bei herstellerfernen Aufstellungsorten (fernes Ausland, schlechte Verfügbarkeit von Werkstätten, Fachkräften, ...);
• – Einfache Zusammenstellung neuer Anlagen (Baukastensystem);
• – Höhere Sicherheit bei der Kalkulation neue Projekte, da Kosten für Fertigungsstationen aus anderen Anwendungen bekannt;
• – Systematische Pflege und Weiterentwicklung von Fertigungsstationen („systematische Produktpflege");
• – Zuweisung von Verantwortlichkeiten individuell für jede einzelne, modulare Fertigungsstation möglich (Verantwortlichkeit: beim Hersteller, beim Anwender, ...);
• – Modularisierung ermöglicht dem Betreiber von Fertigungsanlagen neue Strategien bei der Anlagenkonzeption: schrittweiser Anlagenausbau, bedarfsorientierter Ausbau, erfolgsorientierter Anlagenausbau usw.;
• – Modularisierung ermöglicht dem Hersteller von Fertigungsanlagen neue Fertigungs- und Verkaufsstrategien:
• – Leasing, Vermietung von Modulen/von modularen Fertigungsstationen;
• – Rückkauf und Wiederverkauf von Modulen/von modularen Fertigungsstationen (z. B. mit zwischengeschalteter Instandsetzung oder auch Neukonfektionierung);
• – modulspezifische bzw. stationsspezifische Wartungs- und Serviceverträge;
• – Outsourcing der Entwicklung und oder Produktion einzelner Module/einzelner Fertigungsstationen;
• – Entwicklung und Fertigung von Modulen/von modularen Fertigungsstationen an unterschiedlichen Standorten (z. B.: anspruchsvolle Module werden in der Entwicklungszentrale entwickelt, technisch weniger anspruchsvolle Module werden in einem untergeordneten Entwicklungsstandort erstellt);
• – Entwicklung und Fertigung einzelner Systembestandteile an unterschiedlichen Standorten (z. B.: Grundmodule wird an einem untergeordneten Standort besonders kostengünstig hergestellt, der Ausbau bzw. die kundenspezifische Konfektionierung der Module erfolgt im zentralen Entwicklungs- und Fertigungsstandort);
• – Verkauf von Anlage zusammen mit Grundmodulen, die anwendungsspezifische Konfektionierung der Module kann ggf. auch durch den Kunden erfolgen;
• – Einfache, schnelle und kostengünstige Wartbarkeit;
• – Minimierung der Anlagenstillstandszeiten (Redundanz einzelner modularer Fertigungsstationen (bei Ausfall einer Station kann schnell und mit geringem Aufwand eine Redundanzstation in die Anlage angefahren werden));
• – Anstelle eines Servicetechnikereinsatzes bei der Anlage vor Ort, kann ggf. auch ein fehlerhafte oder zu wartende modulare Fertigungsstation zum Hersteller gebracht werden (oder gegen eine funktionierende, modulare Fertigungsstation eingetauscht werden);
• – Fertigungsanlage kann für jede Aufgabe optimiert aufgebaut werden (optimale Position und/oder Orientierung, nur die Fertigungsstationen in der Anlage vorhanden die auch tatsächlich gebraucht werden);
• – Fertigungsstationen können zwischen verschiedenen Anlagen ausgetauscht werden;
• – Steuerung kann Fertigungsstationen erkennen und – auf dieser Information aufbauend – selbständig einen sinnvollen Fertigungsablauf festlegen;
• – Verriegelungsaktor ist ggf. an zentralen Schienen angebracht → ein Aktor für mehrere Stationen einsetzbar, keine Energieversorgung der modularen Fertigungsstationen notwendig (z. B. zum Ver- oder Entriegeln), Aktoren belasten die Fertigungsstationen nicht mit ihrem Eigengewicht/geringe Bauraumanforderungen/Kosten;
• – wenn die modularen Fertigungsstationen so ausgeführt werden, dass diese eine eigene Klimatisierung erlauben und/oder über besondere Schutzvorrichtungen verfügen: geeignet für den Umgang mit gefährlichen Stoffen, zur Aufzucht von Tieren und Pflanzen bzw. zum Einsatz unter Reinraumbedingungen;
• – Fertigungsstationen sind flexibel kombinierbar;
• – lagegenaues Einsetzen von Fertigungsstationen;
• – Nullpunkt-Spannen von ganzen Fertigungsstationen;
• – Automatische Erkennung von Art und Lage der eingesetzten modularen Fertigungsstationen;
• – Automatischer Anschluss von Energie- und Signalleitungen;
• – Automatisiertes Spannen von Fertigungsstationen;
• – Automatische Integration von Fertigungsstationen in einen Steuerungsablauf.

Depending on the chosen embodiment, the invention offers one or more of the following advantages, whereby this list is again not conclusive:

• - Modules inexpensive to produce because standardized and therefore many identical parts;
• - Low engineering effort to create new manufacturing functionality within a plant (standardization makes use of devices
• - economical) and thereby cost and time savings and quality improvement;
• - Saving of floor space: In case of using suitable robot systems
• - such. B. gantry robots - can be dispensed with a chaining by conveyor belts o. Ä., So that the space requirement of the latter units can be saved
• - Standardization of the modules / modular production stations leads to high quantities: Standard modules / -tations can be produced in larger batch sizes and, if necessary, kept in such a way that after receiving an order for a specific modular production station, a standard module is only assembled for the respective task must (time advantage, cost advantage, ...);
• - Standardization simplifies documentation processes (manufacturer documentation (eg drawing management), plant documentation for customers, execution and documentation of risk analyzes, ...);
• - standard modules / modular production stations can be easily programmed (due to the standardized interfaces and dimensions) at the manufacturer before shipment in a factory-side system, tested and possibly optimized;
• - Complete test and parameterization of mechanics, electrics and software before delivery possible;
• - Modification, maintenance and expansion can be realized with minimal downtime (reinstallation = installation in the plant, possibly make connections (mechanical, energy, information technology), if necessary adapt the software of the modular production stations / the central control (software may also be is modular!);
• - Simplified maintenance through remote monitoring and maintenance of modular manufacturing stations possible;
• - setup time optimization;
• - Reduction of the risk of installation at non-factory sites (far abroad, poor availability of workshops, skilled workers, ...);
• - Simple compilation of new plants (modular system);
• - Greater security in the calculation of new projects, since costs for manufacturing stations known from other applications;
• - Systematic maintenance and further development of production stations ("systematic product maintenance");
• - Assignment of responsibilities individually for each individual, modular manufacturing station possible (responsibility: at the manufacturer, at the user, ...);
• - Modularization enables the plant operator to adopt new strategies in plant design: gradual plant expansion, needs-based expansion, success-oriented plant expansion, etc .;
• - Modularization allows manufacturing equipment manufacturers new manufacturing and sales strategies:
• - leasing, module rental / modular manufacturing stations;
• - Repurchase and resale of modules / modular manufacturing stations (eg with interim repair or refurbishment);
• - module-specific or station-specific maintenance and service contracts;
• - outsourcing the development and / or production of individual modules / individual production stations;
• - Development and production of modules / modular manufacturing stations in different locations (eg: sophisticated modules are developed in the development center, less technically advanced modules are created in a subordinate development site);
• - Development and production of individual system components at different locations (eg: Basic modules are manufactured at a subordinate location in a particularly cost-effective manner, the expansion or customer-specific assembly of the modules takes place in the central development and production site);
• - sale of equipment together with basic modules, the application-specific assembly of the modules can also be done by the customer if necessary;
• - Easy, fast and inexpensive maintainability;
• - Minimization of system downtimes (redundancy of individual modular production stations (if one station fails, a redundancy station can be approached quickly and with little effort));
• - Instead of using a service technician at the plant on site, if necessary, a faulty or serviceable modular manufacturing station can be brought to the manufacturer (or exchanged for a functioning, modular manufacturing station);
• - Production plant can be set up optimally for each task (optimal position and / or orientation, only the production stations in the plant that are actually needed);
• - Manufacturing stations can be exchanged between different plants;
• - Control can detect production stations and - based on this information - independently determine a meaningful production process;
• - Interlocking actuator may be attached to central rails → An actuator can be used for several stations, no power supply to the modular production stations is necessary (eg for locking or unlocking), actuators do not burden the production stations with their own weight / low installation space requirements / costs;
• - where the modular manufacturing stations are designed to allow their own air conditioning and / or have special protection devices: suitable for handling dangerous substances, for raising animals and plants or for use in clean room conditions;
• - Manufacturing stations can be flexibly combined;
• - precise application of production stations;
• - zero point clamping of entire production stations;
• - Automatic recognition of the type and position of the modular production stations used;
• - Automatic connection of power and signal cables;
• - Automated clamping of production stations;
• - Automatic integration of production stations in a control process.

To the above-mentioned so-called "zero-point clamping" of whole However, manufacturing station is noted that this possible Embodiment is not always useful, since It is relatively expensive, so for cost reasons dispensed with in many variants can.

One previously not mentioned advantage can also consist in that defined on the slide rails positions are given can provide an exact location positioning and / or initialization allow a handling system and / or gantry robot. Possibly. can by the slide rail positions even a preliminary or gross pre-initialization / -pistionierung be given before Commissioning of the system through a fine adjustment or fine initialization can be supplemented.

To It should also be mentioned that the terms "production station", "module", "box" etc. are not always distinguishable, but partly synonymous to be understood. It should be noted in this context, that the most commonly used term "manufacturing station" for the modular modules to be used and to be combined can also be replaced by other terms, without it another object should be meant.

To Finally, mention that a clamping actuator not only can be mounted on the environment side, but also on the module side or production station side. The invention basically comprises both variants, so at this point again expressly It should be noted that such a kinematic Reversal is taken into account and when considering a the two variants basically as interchangeable "thought-out" becomes.

The Invention will be described below with reference to embodiments explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a manufacturing plant according to the invention.

2 shows an exemplary embodiment of manufacturing stations with single pitch and double pitch on a pair of clamping rails.

three shows an example of a grid design.

4 shows an example of a rail-type tensioning device.

5 shows an embodiment of the module side Teis a clamping and centering unit.

6 shows an embodiment of an environment-side clamping and centering unit.

7 shows an embodiment of a clamping and centering pin together with a clamping plate.

The schematic representation of 1 shows an embodiment of a manufacturing plant according to the invention 2 , Shown is an embodiment with bottom-mounted locking rails to which the regularly grouped manufacturing modules are anchored. The structure shows an exemplary implementation of a manufacturing plant according to the invention in an industrial manufacturing context. Advantageous here is a gantry robot 4 used in (linear) gantry design. The plant according to the invention are several production stations 6 which extend completely or partially into the working space of the handling device. The illustration shows an equipment with standard stations. Application-specific structure and attachments of the production stations 4 are not shown in the figure shown for reasons of clarity.

The schematic representation of 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of manufacturing stations 6 with single pitch (left) and double pitch (right) on a pair of slide rails (bottom). It may be advantageous if the (individual) dimensions of the various modules are based on an integer multiple of a basic module. The basic module may, for example, have a square base. Accordingly, double-sized modules can have a base area with the same narrow side and double-long longitudinal side, as shown in FIG 2 is shown. Of course, other modules, for example. With triple, quadruple or multiple base area possible.

The schematic representation of three shows an example of a grid design. In the example shown, one to three production stations can be arranged on the grid. The reference number denotes 10 a tensioning rail, the reference number 12 another, shorter clamping rail and the reference numeral 14 a box or module that may be laterally offset from other modules. The in the three Length dimensions a and b illustrate the typical dimensions of a module as well as the distance between two modules. With a suitable design of the two dimensions a) and b), the modules can be introduced with different orientations in the system and locked there. The mounting rails can z. B. are arranged in pairs with a distance between the pairs of rails. Alternatively, however, the rails can also be arranged at a constant distance from each other, which then allows a suitable overall design to use elongated modules also transversely to the rails. In the absence of a fixation by rails, the equivalent said here applies to the arrangement of the environment-side fasteners / fixings.

The schematic detail of the 4 shows an example of a rail-type tensioning device. Each module has in the case shown four feet, which can be clamped from below with the clamping rail and / or screwed. Preferably, they are immovably braced, so that a defined position is ensured.

The detail section of the 5 shows an embodiment of a clamping and centering unit for fixing the production stations 6 or their modules 14 on the slide rails (not shown here). Possibly. The clamping bolts can provide different functions with respect to the location of the manufacturing stations and be designed accordingly different. Shown is the station-side part of the clamping and centering unit, the different clamping bolt geometries ( 20 . 22 ), a foot plate 24 , a bearing bush 26 , a plate spring 28 , a coil spring 30 , a guide box 32 and screws 34 for the guide box 32 as well as screws 36 for the foot plate 24 includes. The foot plate 24 serves as a support on a tensioning rail on which it is secured by means of the clamping bolts 20 can be positioned and fixed.

The schematic representation of 6 shows an embodiment of a clamping and centering unit. Shown is a so-called. Environment unit, ie a rail system on which the feet of the modules (see. 5 ). The reference number 40 of the 5 denotes a pneumatic cylinder, the reference numeral 42 one from the pneumatic cylinder 40 sliding in the rail longitudinal direction slide, the reference numeral 44 a clamping plate with a clamping bolt 46 and a clamping foot 48 interacts. clamp 44 , Clamping bolts 46 and clamping foot 48 are components of a foot of a module (not shown). The reference number 50 Finally, a square tube, which can form the stabilizing base for the bottom rail.

The 7 shows an embodiment of a clamping and centering bolt 54 together with a clamping plate 52 , The reference number 56 denotes the two screws 56 left and right of the anchoring of the clamping bolt 54 ,

The schematic representations of 1 to 7 show an embodiment of the raster-like design of a manufacturing plant with manufacturing stations in two different sizes, as well as the preparation of the stations on bottom-side recordings, here in the form of a so-called. Coupling rail pair. The enlarged sectional view shows a possible centering device, in which in the case shown advantageously additionally a fixing function has been integrated, so that the introduced stations can be reliably and with high accuracy connected to the plant environment.

Of the Clamping takes place centrally in the embodiment shown Cylinders pressurized with compressed air, of which in the shown Embodiment attached to each rail one each is. The cylinders move slides, on which preferably one Clamping plate per receptacle are attached as a locking element, by means of which the tensioning and positioning bolts mounted on the station side are included can be. Due to the wedge-shaped cross-section and the correspondingly shaped contour of the opening in The clamping plate makes it possible to use the bolts against the force of yielding elements - here spring elements - too tension and fix in the final position self-holding. Elastic elements (here coil springs) provide a bias of the fastening bolts; At the same time, however, they make it possible to retract the Locking pin when parking the stations outside the Clamping device (eg on a flat floor).

Purely As a precaution should be mentioned again at this point that a Spannaktor or a clamping device not only the environment side can be attached, but also on the module side or production station side. The invention basically comprises both variants, see above that at this point expressly pointed out should be that of the expert such a kinematic reversal is considered and considering one of the two Variants basically as interchangeable "thought-out" becomes.

2

manufacturing plant

4

gantry robot

6

manufacturing station

10

tensioning rail

12

Further, shorter tensioning rail

14

module (Box)

20

clamping bolt Type A / B

22

clamping bolt Type C

24

footplate

26

bearing bush

28

Belleville spring

30

coil spring

32

leadership can

34

Screw for 32

36

Screw for 24

40

pneumatic cylinder

42

pusher (Acting body)

44

clamp (Locking elements)

46

clamping bolt

48

clamping foot

50

Square tube

52

clamp

54

clamping bolt

56

screw

a

distance a

b

distance b

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 2756422 C2 [0005]
• - DE 3502820 C2 [0006]
• - DE 202004009415 U1 [0007]

Claims (39)

Production plant ( 2 ), comprising at least one handling device and a plurality of modular production stations ( 6 ), which are detachably connected to a fixed plant environment, characterized in that the plant environment fastening points for the modular manufacturing stations ( 6 ) arranged in accordance with a fixed one-dimensional or multi-dimensional grid. Production plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the attachment points of the production stations ( 6 ) is a single or multiple of a grid size of the plant environment. Production plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized in that the grid dimension in each dimension of Plant expansion takes a fixed measure and / or that the pitch in each dimension of the plant extension approximately equal, in particular identical. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the manufacturing stations ( 6 ) with regard to their energy interfaces and / or mechanical and / or information technology interfaces are standardized so far that the manufacturing stations ( 6 ) can be used at several or at any point within the system and connected to the system. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the manufacturing stations ( 6 ) automatically connect to one or more of the connections to the system (mechanical connection, compressed air, electricity, network, etc.) when it is inserted into the fixing positions. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the modular production stations ( 6 ) in the production plant ( 2 ) are fixed in place at discrete locations, the fixation are variable in terms of their orientations. Production plant according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fixation of the stations by one or more fixing devices, wherein the fixing devices swing clamps, Centering or clamping cylinder and / or slewing tensioner o. include. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the position or position of the modular production stations ( 6 ) in the production plant ( 2 ) can be defined by one or more position-defining or position-defining elements or assemblies. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the position or Lagegfestlegung the manufacturing stations ( 6 ) by one or more centering o. Production plant according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the position or position determination of the production stations ( 6 ) according to the principle of a zero point clamping system. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the position and / or the presence the locking and or centering elements are monitored by sensors. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fixing and centering device (s) are combined in an assembly or a component. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that centering pins on one Side of the connection in centering holes on the other Side of the connection are insertable. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the centering pins by a positive locking element are secured and / or that the centering pins are designed to be retractable. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the centering pins by elastic Elements are biased in one or more directions. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the clamping forces of elastic elements are designed adjustable. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a plurality of fixing and or centering devices are centrally actuated. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the fixing of the manufacturing stations ( 6 ) several on a common active body or slider ( 42 ) fastened locking elements or clamping plates ( 44 ). Production plant according to claim 18, characterized in that the common active body ( 42 ) is centrally actuated. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the common active body ( 42 ) is completely or partially enclosed and / or protected by a housing or by a tensioning rail. Production plant according to claim 20, characterized in that the housing or the clamping rail wholly or partly as a support for the manufacturing stations ( 6 ) serves. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the fixing forces completely or partially through the housing or the clamping rail are conducted or recorded. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the energetic and / or mechanical and / or information technology connections of the modular production stations ( 6 ) are integrated in the bottom anchorage or its housing. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the cable guides for the energy and information technology connections between the plant and the modular manufacturing stations ( 6 ) Wholly or partially by which the bottom-side anchorage or its housing are guided. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the production plant ( 2 ) has recognition terminals or sensors, which automatically detect the type and / or the position and / or orientation of the manufacturing station used ( 6 ), wherein the detection takes place in particular via a coding of the energetic and / or the mechanical connection. Production plant according to one of Claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the recognition of the modular production stations ( 6 ) via an optical detection or measurement. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the plant also stations for Storage or buffering of tools or for storage or buffering of the material flow. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that for the maintenance of the flow of material and / or as a supply to joining and / or machining processes within the manufacturing plant ( 2 ) One or more handling devices are provided. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the working space of the handling device is divided into several areas, wherein for the handling device / handling equipment the access to a part of the working space can be blocked. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the production stations ( 6 ) have their own control that allows them to control the manufacturing processes of the 6 ) and or with other manufacturing stations ( 6 ) or a higher-level controller. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the manufacturing station ( 6 ) after insertion and connection to the plant automatically at the other production stations ( 6 ) and or a central controller. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that the modular production stations ( 6 ) diagnose yourself and / or one another with regard to your system state and / or that the modular production stations ( 6 ) diagnose the higher-level control and vice versa with respect to their system state. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that the plant the state of the modular manufacturing stations ( 6 ) and, in the case of maintenance or repair requirements, the replacement of modular production stations ( 6 ) automates or causes. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in that the modular production stations ( 6 ) both within the production plant ( 2 ) as well as outside the production plant ( 2 ) are operable. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the plant is designed so that the replacement of the modular manufacturing stations ( 6 ) can be done by the used / used handling equipment. Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 35, characterized in that a plurality of redundant modular production stations ( 6 ) are present for important or wear-prone or failure-prone functions and the plant optionally has access to these, so that in each case a modular production station ( 6 ) and one or more others can be maintained or modified, possibly with an automatic change to a redundant modular production station ( 6 ). Method for positioning fastening points of the plant environment or of the production stations ( 6 ), characterized in that the fastening points are fixed in the plant environment by a running as a positioning frame device. Method according to claim 37, characterized in that that the station-side fastening points by a positioning frame be executed running device. Method according to claim 37 or 38, characterized that the device for fixing the station-side attachment points and the device for fixing the environmental fixing points are integrated in a device and or a component or that these devices are identical.