DE102011103269A1 - Annealing apparatus and method of annealing metal plates - Google Patents

Abstract

An annealing device for annealing metal plates is proposed, which has a heating device for warming up the metal plates and a compensation device for keeping the metal plates at a substantially constant temperature, the compensation device having a stacking and transport mechanism for stacking the metal plates heated by the heating device in the Compensation device and for transporting the heated metal plates along a vertical direction perpendicular to their main planes of extension through the compensation device.

Description

State of the art

The present invention is based on an annealing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such annealers are well known and are commonly used to heat pretreat metallic workpieces to obtain defined workpiece characteristics. In particular, in the manufacture of formed components from high strength aluminum workpieces, for example for automotive applications, the strength of the aluminum workpieces may be temporarily reduced and thus the formability of the aluminum workpieces improved by a prior annealing process. The workpiece is usually heated to a certain temperature, then solution-annealed by holding the workpiece to a certain holding temperature and finally cooled. Solution annealing serves to produce the desired chemical and physical processes in the workpiece caused by the holding temperature. In subsequent steps, the workpieces are punched, pressed, cut or the like depending on the application in any way.

Such a heat treatment of aluminum workpieces is for example from the document DE 199 26 229 C1 known.

The workpieces which are subjected to a heat treatment in the annealing apparatus are usually designed as comparatively large-area metal plates, particularly in the area of the automobile sector. For solution annealing, these metal plates must be maintained at the hold temperature for a predetermined hold time, which hold time depends, among other things, on the alloy composition of the metal plates. When using large-area metal plates made of high-strength aluminum, the metal plates must be maintained at the holding temperature for a comparatively long holding time, which results in a large number or a large throughput of metal plates to be treated enormous space for the solution annealing of the metal plates. This results in undesirably long conveying paths between the individual processing points.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an annealing device and a method for annealing metal plates, in which a more efficient holding of the metal plates at a certain temperature with simultaneously significantly reduced space requirements, higher throughput and lower susceptibility to interference is made possible.

This object is achieved with an annealing device for annealing metal plates, which has a heating device for heating the metal plates and a compensating device for holding the metal plates at a substantially constant temperature, the compensating device comprising a stacking and transporting mechanism for stacking the metal plates warmed up by the heating device in the compensating device and for transporting the heated metal plates along a vertical direction perpendicular to their main extension planes vertical direction through the compensating device.

The device according to the invention has the advantage over the prior art that the metal plates in the compensating device can be stacked one above the other by the stacking and transport mechanism, so that the space requirement for the compensating device in the surface is significantly reduced. At the same time, the vertical transport of the metal plates through the balancing device ensures a correspondingly long dwell time of the metal plates in the balancing device so that the metal plates are held at the substantially constant temperature for a predetermined dwell time and thus the desired chemical and physical processes caused by the corresponding dwell temperature in the metal plates.

Preferably, the balancing device comprises a heat-insulated annealing vessel in which the metal plates are stacked in the vertical direction by means of the stacking and transporting mechanism and through which the metal plates are transported in the vertical direction by means of the stacking and transporting mechanism. The metal plates preferably comprise an aluminum material.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention are the dependent claims, as well as the description with reference to the drawings.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the compensation device is a passive compensation device and in particular without an active heater for holding the metal plates is formed at a substantially constant temperature. The compensation device is thus a passive device, ie the compensation device has no active heating means and hardly movable mechanical elements in the temperature-stressed area. The holding temperature is preferably introduced only by the warmed metal plates or optionally by preheated goods carriers in the annealing vessel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the compensating device has an inlet opening for introducing the metal plates warmed up by the warming device into the compensating device and an outlet opening for dispensing the metal plates from the compensating device transported by the balancing device by means of the stacking and transporting mechanism, wherein the Output opening is arranged in particular along the vertical direction on a side opposite the input opening side of the compensating device. This has the advantage that the metal plates are stacked one above the other by the successive introduction into the compensating device in the compensating device. In particular, it is thus possible for the metal plates to pass through the compensating device in a continuous movement and thus to achieve a high throughput of metal plates despite the reduced space requirement.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the stacking and transport mechanism is designed such that the metal plates are transported through the compensating device substantially antiparallel to the direction of the gravitational field of the earth. This has the advantage that the metal plates are transported substantially parallel to the heat flow in the compensating device. The metal plates heated by the heating device are hereby introduced into the compensating device in the inlet opening arranged in the lower region of the compensating device. The heat of these introduced into the compensating device metal plates rises in the balancing device upwards, so that by the movement of the metal plates upward as efficient as possible holding the metal plates at a substantially constant temperature, and the most homogeneous temperature distribution can be achieved in the balancing device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the annealing device has a plurality of goods carriers, each goods carrier being respectively provided for receiving a metal plate and wherein preferably the goods carriers are at least temporarily so releasably coupled to the stacking and transport mechanism that the goods carrier stacked directly above each other by the stacking and transport mechanism along the vertical direction and transported by the balancing device. In an advantageous manner, the metal plates stacked one above the other in the compensating device are not directly adjacent to one another but are separated from one another by means of the goods carriers. The product carriers thus prevent the adjacent metal plates from sticking together. Preferably, the goods carrier act at least partially as a heat storage. The individual goods carriers are preferably stacked directly on top of each other. This has the advantage that a comparatively simple stacking and transport mechanism can be realized, since the goods carrier stack can be lifted as a whole and not every goods carrier has to be guided individually. The product carriers are optionally centered in a centering plane parallel to the main extension plane in the compensating device by means of centering rods. The centering rods are aligned in particular vertically and are formed at their lower ends cone-shaped for threading the goods carrier. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the alignment of the product carrier takes place through the walls of the annealing device and / or by means of interlocking centering on the goods carriers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the stacking and transport mechanism has at least one lifting element for lifting a lowermost goods carrier located in the compensation device in the vertical direction, wherein the lever element preferably comprises a bolt protruding into the compensation device in a vertical direction. Advantageously, thus, a comparatively simple and reliable transport mechanism is realized in which only ever the lowermost goods carrier stack is raised. All stacked goods carriers are then inevitably also raised.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the stacking and transport mechanism comprises locking elements for fixing a lowermost goods carrier located in the compensating device and lifted by means of the lifting element, the locking elements preferably projecting laterally into the compensating device parallel to the main extension plane. This has the advantage that the lifting element can be moved back to its original position for receiving a new goods carrier without the goods carrier stack lowers again. In this way, a quasi-continuous, d. H. in particular stepwise transport of the metal plates by the compensation device feasible. The locking element are preferably resiliently biased in the direction of the respective goods carrier.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is provided that the goods carrier centering devices for centering the respective arranged on the goods carriers metal plates, which are preferably arranged on end sides of the goods carrier and which are particularly preferably formed in the form of inwardly bent tabs of the goods carrier. The centering provide advantageously for a precise placement of the metal plates on the goods carriers, so that a reliable and smooth transport of the metal plates is ensured by the balancing device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, provision is made for the goods carriers to have support devices which preferably comprise bearing surfaces for the metal plate received in the direction of the respectively received metal plate, with the support surfaces particularly preferably in the form of beads introduced into the product carrier in the direction of the received metal plate are formed. The metal plates are thus preferably only in the area of support means on the goods carriers, so that the most homogeneous temperature distribution in the interior of the metal plates is not affected by the goods carrier and thus only a small or insignificant distortion of the metal plates.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the annealing device has a return device for returning the goods carriers from the outlet opening to the inlet opening outside the compensating device. The product carriers are preferably returned automatically to the entrance opening and are then ready to receive further coming from the warm-up metal plates.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the annealing device comprises a cooling device for cooling the metal plates warmed up by means of the heating device and held at a substantially constant temperature by means of the balancing device, the cooling device preferably having a first cooling die and a first cooling die in parallel to the vertical direction movable second cooling die comprises. The metal plates are thereby particularly quenched and are then ready for further processing, for example in conventional pressing, punching and / or cutting tools. The first and second pressing part in this case preferably lie positively against an upper side and an underside of the metal plates, so that as uniform a quenching as possible of the entire metal plate is achieved and the distortion of the metal plate is thereby reduced. The first and second pressing part is preferably designed in each case as a steel plate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the first and second cooling punches preferably have line elements for conducting a cooling liquid through the cooling device. Advantageously, an efficient cooling of the cooling dies is achieved by the cooling liquid which flows through the conduit element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the cooling device comprises a spraying device for spraying a liquid onto the metal plate to be cooled, wherein the spraying device preferably has heatable nozzles, which are fed by means of a pump with liquid from a liquid container. For example, the metal plates can be oiled or guarded in this way by the Aufsprühvorrichtung.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the cooling device has a cutting device, which preferably comprises cutting blades which adjoin the cooling pistons, wherein the first and second cooling pistons are movable together relative to the cutting blades. The metal plates can thus be simultaneously trimmed in the cooling device to a size which is advantageous for the further treatment. Preferably, the metal plates are cooled, cut and oiled in only a single stroke of the cooling dies, so that advantageously a high throughput of metal plates is achieved.

A further subject of the present invention is a method for annealing metal plates with an annealing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a first method step metal plates are warmed up by means of the superheating device and in a second method step the heated metal plates are held on a substantially constant plane by means of the equalizing device Temperature are maintained, wherein the metal plates are stacked by means of the stacking and transport device in the balancing device and transported along the vertical direction by the balancing device. Advantageously, thus an efficient heat treatment of the metal plates is achieved with reduced space requirement and high throughput.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in a first substep of the second method step, a metal plate on a goods carrier is arranged, wherein in a second sub-step of the second method step, the goods carrier is introduced together with the metal plate through an input opening in the compensation device, wherein in a third sub-step of the second process step, the goods carrier is transported along with the metal plate along the vertical direction through the balancing device, wherein a further goods carrier is introduced together with a further metal carrier disposed on the other metal plate through the input opening in the compensating device and wherein in a third step of the second process step, the goods carrier is issued together with the metal plate through an exit opening, wherein the further goods carrier together with the another metal plate along the vertical direction is transported by the balancing device. The metal plates are thus automatically stacked in the balancing device and simultaneously moved continuously through the compensating device. The goods carriers are preferably returned in a fourth process step from the exit opening by means of a return device outside the compensating device to the input opening.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in the second method step by means of at least one lifting element only the lowermost located in the compensating device carrier is lifted directly and is fixed by means of locking elements in the raised position until a introduced through the input opening in the balancing device new product carrier is lifted from the at least one lifting element and raises the temporarily fixed in the raised position goods carrier and brings out of engagement with the locking elements. Advantageously, a comparatively simple, cost-effective and störunanfälliger stacking and transport mechanism is thus realized, since essentially always only the lowermost goods carrier is raised and thereby successively the entire set of goods carriers migrates in the vertical direction through the compensating device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in a third method step, the metal plates are cooled by means of a cooling device and preferably sprayed and / or cut.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, as well as from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention, which do not limit the essential inventive idea.

Brief description of the drawings

1 FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an annealing apparatus and method for annealing metal plates according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

2 FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an equalizer of the annealing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

3 FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of stacked metal plates and goods carriers in the equalizer of the annealing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

4 FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view and a schematic plan view of a product carrier of the annealing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

5 FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view showing a cooling device of the glow device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

6 FIG. 12 is a top view of an annealing apparatus and method of annealing metal plates according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Embodiments of the invention

In the various figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals and are therefore usually named or mentioned only once in each case.

In 1 is a schematic sectional view of an annealing device 1 and a method of annealing metal plates 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The annealing device 1 has a warm-up device 3 in which, in a first method step, the metal plates 2 to be warmed up. The metal plates 2 preferably comprise high strength aluminum metal plates for automotive production, in particular for the manufacture of vehicle bodies. The metal plates 2 are sequentially through the warm-up device 3 transported. The warm-up device 3 preferably comprises a coil, in which the metal plates are pushed individually or stacked and removed again. This will be a so-called Longitudinal field heating carried out. Likewise, a furnace with two induction coils 3 ' conceivable, wherein one of the induction coils 3 ' below and the other of the induction coils 3 ' above the metal plate 2 is arranged. The induction coils 3 ' generate an electromagnetic alternating field through which in between the induction coils 3 ' each arranged metal plate 2 Induction currents are induced, affecting the metal plate 2 Warm up. Alternatively, however, the use of other electrical or fuel-based heating methods for heating the metal plates 2 in the warm-up device 3 conceivable. The metal plates 2 be in the warm-up device 3 preferably warmed to a temperature of at least 350 ° Celsius.

The heated metal plates 2 then become a balancing device 4 , for example by means of a first robot 30 (please refer 6 ), transported. The balancing device 4 is intended to the metal plates 2 in a second process step for a certain holding time to keep at a substantially constant holding temperature (also referred to as solution annealing) to the desired chemical and physical processes in the metal plates caused by the holding temperature 2 to create. The metal plates 2 be this by means of a stacking and transport mechanism 5 the equalization device 4 in the equalizer 4 stacked one on top of the other and essentially stepwise through the equalizer 4 transported. An exemplary embodiment of the stacking and transport mechanism 5 will be explained later 3 explained in more detail.

The balancing device 4 has a thermally insulated annealing vessel 4 ' with an entrance opening 6 for introducing by means of the warm-up device 3 warmed up metal plates 2 in the equalization device 4 and an exit port 7 for dispensing by means of the balancing device 4 held at a substantially constant temperature metal plates 2 from the balancing device 4 on. The entrance opening 6 is on one of the exit opening 7 along a vertical direction 101 arranged opposite side, the vertical direction 101 is oriented substantially antiparallel to a gravitational field of the earth. In other words: the entrance opening 6 is in a lower area of the annealing tank 4 ' arranged while the exit opening 7 in an upper area of the annealing vessel 4 ' is arranged so that the metal plates 2 on the way from the entrance opening 6 to the exit opening 7 by means of the stacking and transport mechanism 5 in the vertical direction 101 and thus perpendicular to the main extension planes 100 the individual metal plates 2 is transported. During this vertical transport will be more metal plates 2 through the entrance opening 6 in the annealing tank 4 ' passed, leaving the metal plates 2 along the vertical direction 101 be stacked on top of each other. The balancing device 4 also has an entrance flap 31 for closing and opening the entrance opening 6 and an exit door 32 for closing and opening the exit opening 7 on. The entrance flap 31 and the exit flap 32 In this case, they are preferably each controlled in such a way that they respectively open or close sequentially in succession. In other words: at no time are both the entrance flap 31 , as well as the exit flap 32 open so that the heat loss in the annealing tank 4 ' through the entrance and exit openings 6 . 7 kept as low as possible.

The means of balancing device 4 Solution annealed metal plates 2 are subsequently, for example by means of a second robot 33 (please refer 6 ), to a chiller 12 the annealing device 1 transported. In the cooling device 12 become the metal plates 2 cooled in a third step and in particular quenched. The cooling device 12 includes for this purpose a first cooling stamp 14 and a relative to the first cooling stamp 14 parallel to the vertical direction 101 movable second cooling stamp 15 , The first and second cooling stamp 14 . 15 each have line elements 17 through which a cooling liquid for cooling the first and second cooling stamp 14 . 15 is encouraged. It will each be a metal plate 2 between the first and second cooling punches 14 . 15 driven and then the second cooling stamp 15 by means of hydraulic cylinders 34 against the first cooling stamp 14 emotional. The first cooling stamp 14 comes thereby flat with a top of the metal plate 2 in plant, while the second cooling stamp 14 flat with a bottom of the metal plate 2 comes into abutment, leaving the metal plate 2 Is cooled or quenched evenly from both sides. Subsequently, the metal plates 2 preferably promptly for further processing, for example, in conventional pressing, punching and / or cutting tools, not shown, further transported. According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the cooling device 12 at the same time a forming device for the respective metal plates 2 includes, wherein the first and second cooling stamp 14 . 15 then simultaneously act as a press die, which in addition to the cooling and optional oiling for pressing and forming the metal plates 2 is provided. It is conceivable that a desired high final strength of the machined metal plates 2 is achieved by a "bake-hardening" effect in later coating steps.

In 2 is a schematic sectional view of a balancing device 4 the annealing device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The balancer 4 has in the present example a plurality of reusable goods carriers 8th for holding the metal plates 2 on. Each of the warm-up device 3 coming metal plates 2 is initially on a separate goods carrier 8th arranged and together with the goods carrier 8th through the entrance opening 6 in the annealing tank 4 ' retracted. Inside the annealing tank 4 ' becomes the goods carrier 8th with the stacking and transport mechanism 5 coupled and in the vertical direction 101 transported against the gravitational field. Subsequently, the goods carrier 8th along with the on the product carrier 8th arranged metal plate 2 through the exit opening 7 from the annealing tank 4 ' output. The metal plate 2 is now from the product carrier 8th lifted and in the direction of the cooling device 12 transported. The goods carrier 8th is reused in a fourth process step by means of a return device 11 , for example by means of a third robot 40 (please refer 6 ), to the entrance opening 6 along a path 35 outside the annealing tank 4 ' returned, leaving another metal plate 2 by means of this product carrier 8th through the annealing vessel 4 ' is transportable. To the goods carrier 8th in the annealing tank 4 ' Controlled stacking can be found directly on the goods carrier stack optional additional centering rods, which one to the vertical direction 101 essentially congruent stacking of the individual product carriers 8th ensures.

In 3 is a schematic sectional view of a stacking and transport mechanism 5 the equalization device 4 the annealing device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the annealing tank 4 ' are a plurality of stacked metal plates 2 and goods carriers 8th arranged. The stacking and transport mechanism 5 includes exemplary lateral locking elements 51 which are along the main level 100 are displaceably mounted between a locking position and a release position. Furthermore, the stacking and transporting mechanism comprises 5 lifting members 50 , which comes in the form of vertical bolts from below into the annealing vessel 4 ' protrude and parallel and antiparallel to the vertical direction 101 are displaceable. First, the lifting elements 50 from their retracted starting position in the vertical direction 101 moved by at least one product carrier height, so that the lowest goods carrier 8th directly from the lifting elements 50 at least the product carrier height is raised. As a result, all others are indirectly on the bottom shelf 8th stacked goods carrier 8th in the vertical direction 101 raised. The goods carriers 8th be laterally by vertically extending centering rods 53 centered, which at its lower end with a cone for threading the goods carrier 8th are provided. The lowest raised goods carrier 8th will now be in its lateral end areas 36 from the side locking elements 51 engaged and held, so that the lever elements 50 in their retracted starting position against the vertical direction 101 can be moved back without the goods carrier stack lowers again. The lateral locking elements 51 are doing from the release position, in which goods carrier 8th between the locking elements 51 in the vertical direction 101 can be passed, moved to the locking position, in which the raised bottom shelf 8th from the locking elements 51 at least with respect to a movement against the vertical direction 101 is fixed. It is conceivable that the locking elements 51 are resiliently biased in the locking position and by appropriate guide slopes 52 when booting a goods carrier 8th by means of the lifting elements 50 be automatically and only briefly transferred to the release position and automatically return to the locked position. The locking elements 51 are preferably each biased towards each other along one direction. When the lifting elements 50 can be back in their original position, a new preheated and with a metal plate 2 equipped goods carrier 8th laterally through the entrance opening 6 in the annealing tank 4 ' be inserted. In a subsequent step now this new product carrier 8th by means of the lifting elements 50 in turn raised and from the locking elements 51 engaged during the previous product carrier 8th thereby in the vertical direction 101 is transported and thereby out of engagement with the locking elements 51 arrives. It is conceivable that in each cycle also the top in the annealing tank 4 ' located goods carrier 8th from a side ejector (not shown) laterally from the annealing vessel 4 ' through the exit opening 7 is pushed out. Preferably, the ejector is in each case during the downward movement or temporally before the lifting movement of the lifting elements 50 actuated. The stack height in the annealing tank 4 ' depends preferably on the respective holding and / or tact time. A detailed view of the goods carriers 8th is in 4 shown.

In 4 is a schematic sectional view, and a schematic plan view of a product carrier 8th the annealing device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The goods carrier 8th is produced by way of example from a embossing plate. In the sectional view, it can be seen that the metal plate 2 on support facilities 10 of the goods carrier 2 loosely. These support facilities 10 are formed by introduced into the embossing plate beads. The edges of the embossing plate are partially bent in the form of tabs inwards and thus form centering devices 9 through which the metal plate 2 centered on the product carrier 2 is centered and against shifting parallel to the main extension plane 100 is secured by positive locking. In the supervisory presentation 8th is the metal plate 2 transparent for the sake of clarity. The bead pattern, the sheet thickness and the flat material of the product carrier 8th are adapted to the required requirements, such as inherent rigidity, contact surface, heat capacity, weight and the like. The goods carriers 8th are further preferably formed as flat as possible in order to achieve a low stack height, so that as many metal plates 2 in the annealing tank 4 are stackable. The goods carriers 8th are preferably coated to adhere the metal plates 2 at the respective goods carrier 8th to prevent. To reduce the weight of the product carrier 8th are the goods carriers 8th optional with recesses 36 Mistake. It is conceivable that the goods carrier 8th is formed such that it can be heated inductively and / or has a comparatively high heat capacity. In this way, the goods carrier 8th preheated and / or act as a heat storage.

In 5 is a schematic sectional view of a cooling device 12 the annealing device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cooling device 12 already includes the basis of 1 described first and second cold stamp 14 . 15 , In the 5 illustrated cooling device 12 additionally has an optional cutting device 21 on, by means of which the metal plate 2 in the third step simultaneously also cut. The cutting device 21 includes on the cooling stamp 14 . 15 bordering non-movable cutting blades, which opposite to the two moving cooling punches 14 . 15 stand still. After the second cooling stamp 15 in the direction of the first cooling stamp 14 was moved, leaving the metal plate 2 between the first and second cooling dies 14 . 15 positively abuts and is quenched, move both cooling punches 14 . 15 together antiparallel to the vertical direction 101 between the two non-moving cutting blades, leaving those areas of the metal plate 2 , which laterally over the first and second cooling stamp 14 . 15 stand out from the cutting blades are separated. The cutting device 21 Optionally has upper cutting blades 41 on, which together with the first cooling stamp 15 moves in the direction of the cutting blade and thus ensure a clean cut. Optionally, the cutting device 21 also scrapers 37 on which are resiliently mounted and for stripping the cut areas of the remaining metal plate 2 serve. The second cooling stamp 15 is in the vertical direction 101 preferably via compression springs 38 so resiliently mounted that during the cutting process of the second cooling punch 15 from the first cooling stamp 14 in the vertical direction 101 pressed under the cutting edge of the cutting blade.

Optionally, the cooling device 12 also a spraying device 18 for spraying liquid onto the metal plate 2 on. The spraying device 18 preferably has a plurality of heatable nozzles 19 on, which at least partially in the first cooling stamp 14 are integrated. The nozzles 19 be via a supply line 39 with liquid from a liquid container 20 , preferably an oil and / or wax container, fed, from which the liquid by means of a feed pump, not shown, to the nozzles 19 is encouraged. The spraying device 18 is preferably used for oiling and / or waxing the metal plate 2 during the third process step, in particular after the cutting process. Cooling, cutting and oiling the metal plate 2 preferably takes place in a single lifting operation of the cooling device 12 ,

In 6 is a schematic plan view of an annealing device 1 and a method of annealing metal plates 2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The described different workstations are in 6 again clearly presented. First, the metal plates 2 in the warm-up device 3 warmed up. Then from the first robot 30 on a goods carrier 8th arranged and together with the goods carrier 8th in the equalization device 4 transferred. In the equalization device 4 becomes the goods carrier 8th together with the metal plate 2 in the vertical direction through a passive annealing vessel 4 ' guided and then out of the balancing device 4 spent again. A second robot 33 lifts the metal plate 2 from the product carrier 8th off and transferred the metal plate 2 in the cooling device 12 in which the metal plate 2 cooled and optionally cut and / or oiled. Subsequently, the metal plate 2 promptly in a further processing station 42 , For example, a conventional pressing, punching and / or cutting tool station transported. The goods carrier 8th is meanwhile one in the form of a third robot 40 executed return device 11 between the warm-up device 3 and the equalizer 4 recycled.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

annealing device

2

metal plate

3

warm-up device

3

induction coil

4

balancer

4 '

Glühbehälter

5

Stacking and transport mechanism

6

entrance opening

7

output port

8th

goods carriers

9

centering

10

support device

11

Recirculation device

12

cooling device

14

First cooling stamp

15

Second cooling stamp

18

spraying device

19

jet

20

liquid container

21

cutter

30

First robot

31

entrance flap

32

output flap

33

Second robot

34

hydraulic cylinders

35

path

36

Side end area

37

scraper

38

compression spring

39

supply line

40

Third robot

41

Upper cutting knife

42

Next processing station

50

lifting members

51

locking elements

52

guide slopes

53

centering

100

Main plane

101

Vertical direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19926229 C1 [0003]

Claims (20)

Annealing device ( 1 ) for annealing metal plates ( 2 ) comprising a warm-up device ( 3 ) for warming up the metal plates ( 2 ) and a compensating device ( 4 ) for holding the metal plates ( 2 ) at a substantially constant temperature, characterized in that the compensating device ( 4 ) a stacking and transport mechanism ( 5 ) for stacking the by means of the warm-up device ( 3 ) warmed metal plates ( 2 ) in the balancing device ( 4 ) and for transporting the warmed metal plates ( 2 ) along one of the main extension planes ( 100 ) of metal plates ( 2 ) in a substantially vertical vertical direction ( 101 ) by the compensating device ( 4 ) having. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the compensating device ( 4 ) a passive balancing device ( 4 ) and in particular without an active heating device for holding the metal plates ( 2 ) is formed at a substantially constant temperature. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compensating device ( 4 ) an entrance opening ( 6 ) for introducing by means of the warm-up device ( 3 ) warmed metal plates ( 2 ) into the balancing device ( 4 ) and an exit opening ( 7 ) for dispensing by means of the stacking and transport mechanism ( 5 ) by the compensating device ( 4 ) transported metal plates ( 2 ) from the balancing device ( 4 ), wherein the exit opening ( 7 ) along the vertical direction ( 101 ) on one of the entrance opening ( 6 ) opposite side of the compensating device ( 4 ) is arranged. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stacking and transport mechanism ( 5 ) is formed such that the metal plates ( 2 ) substantially antiparallel to the direction of the gravitational field of the earth by the compensating device ( 4 ) be transported. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annealing device ( 1 ) a plurality of goods carriers ( 8th ), each product carrier ( 8th ) each for receiving a metal plate ( 2 ) is provided and preferably wherein the goods carrier ( 8th ) at least temporarily detachable with the stacking and transport mechanism ( 5 ) can be coupled, that the goods carriers ( 8th ) by means of the stacking and transport mechanism ( 5 ) along the vertical direction ( 101 ) are stacked directly on top of each other and by the compensating device ( 4 ) be transported. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the stacking and transport mechanism ( 5 ) at least one lifting element ( 50 ) for lifting one in the balancing device ( 4 ) located at the bottom goods carrier ( 8th ) in the vertical direction ( 101 ), wherein the lever element ( 50 ) preferably one in the vertical direction ( 101 ) into the balancing device ( 4 ) protruding bolt comprises. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the stacking and transport mechanism ( 5 ) Locking elements ( 51 ) for fixing one in the balancing device ( 4 ) and by means of the lifting element ( 5 ) raised bottom goods carrier ( 8th ), wherein the locking elements ( 51 ) preferably parallel to the main extension plane ( 100 ) laterally into the compensating device ( 4 ) protrude. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the goods carriers ( 8th ) Centering devices ( 9 ) for centering the respective on the goods carriers ( 8th ) arranged metal plates ( 2 ), which preferably at end faces of the goods carrier ( 8th ) are arranged and which particularly preferably in the form of inwardly bent tabs of the goods carrier ( 8th ) are formed. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the goods carriers ( 8th ) Support facilities ( 10 ), which preferably in the direction of each recorded metal plate ( 2 ) projecting bearing surfaces for the received metal plate ( 2 ), wherein particularly preferably the bearing surfaces in the form of in the direction of the received metal plate ( 2 ) in the goods carriers ( 8th ) formed beads are formed. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the annealing device ( 1 ) a return device ( 11 ) for the return transport of the goods carriers ( 8th ) from the exit opening ( 7 ) to the entrance opening ( 6 ) outside the compensating device ( 4 ) having. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annealing device ( 1 ) a cooling device ( 12 ) for cooling by means of the heating device ( 3 ) and by means of the balancing device ( 4 ) held at a substantially constant temperature metal plates ( 2 ), wherein the cooling device ( 12 ) preferably a first cooling stamp ( 14 ) and a relative to the first cooling stamp ( 14 ) parallel to the vertical direction ( 101 ) movable second cooling stamp ( 15 ). Annealing device ( 1 ) according to claim 12, wherein the first and second cooling punches ( 14 . 15 ) preferably line elements ( 17 ) to lead a Coolant through the cooling device ( 12 ) exhibit. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein cooling device ( 12 ) is formed as a forming device, wherein the first and second cooling punches ( 14 . 15 ) are preferably formed as a press die Annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the cooling device ( 12 ) a spraying device ( 18 ) for spraying a liquid onto the metal plates ( 2 ), wherein the spraying device ( 18 ) preferably heatable nozzles ( 19 ), which by means of a pump with liquid from a liquid container ( 20 ) are fed. Annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the cooling device ( 12 ) a cutting device ( 21 ), which preferably to the cooling stamp ( 14 . 15 ) adjacent cutting knives ( 22 ), wherein the first and second cooling punches ( 14 . 15 ) together with the cutting blades ( 22 ) are movable. Method for annealing metal plates ( 2 ) with an annealing device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a first process step metal plates ( 2 ) by means of the warm-up device ( 3 ) and wherein in a second process step the warmed metal plates ( 2 ) by means of the balancing device ( 4 ) are kept at a substantially constant temperature, characterized in that the metal plates ( 2 ) by means of the stacking and transport device ( 5 ) in the balancing device ( 4 ) stacked on top of each other and along the vertical direction ( 101 ) by the compensating device ( 4 ) be transported. A method according to claim 16, wherein in a first substep of the second method step a metal plate ( 2 ) on a product carrier ( 8th ) is arranged, wherein in a second sub-step of the second process step of the goods carrier ( 8th ) together with the metal plate ( 2 ) through an entrance opening ( 6 ) into the balancing device ( 4 ) is introduced, wherein in a third sub-step of the second process step of the goods carrier ( 2 ) together with the metal plate ( 2 ) along the vertical direction ( 101 ) by the compensating device ( 4 ), whereby another goods carrier ( 8th ) together with one on the other goods carrier ( 8th ) arranged further metal plate ( 2 ) through the entrance opening ( 6 ) into the balancing device ( 4 ) and wherein in a third sub-step of the second method step the product carrier ( 8th ) together with the metal plate ( 2 ) through an exit opening ( 7 ) is output, wherein the further goods carrier ( 2 ) together with the other metal plate ( 2 ) along the vertical direction ( 101 ) by the compensating device ( 4 ) is transported. Method according to one of claims 16 or 17, wherein in the second method step by means of at least one lifting element ( 50 ) only the lowest in the balancing device ( 5 ) goods carriers ( 8th ) is raised immediately and by means of locking elements ( 51 ) is fixed in the raised position until a through the input opening ( 6 ) into the balancing device ( 5 ) introduced new goods carrier ( 8th ) of the at least one lifting element ( 50 ) and the temporarily fixed in the raised position goods carrier ( 8th ) and disengages with the locking elements ( 51 ) brings. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, wherein in a third method step, the metal plates ( 2 ) by means of a cooling device ( 12 ) and preferably sprayed, cut and / or reshaped. Method according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein in a fourth method step, the goods carriers ( 2 ) from the exit opening ( 7 ) by means of a return device ( 11 ) outside the compensating device ( 4 ) to the entrance opening ( 6 ) to be led back.

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