DE102022002374A1 - Material flow system, production system with material flow system and operating procedures - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a material flow system that has at least one workpiece conveyor system, at least one workpiece handling device and a flow storage, a production system with such a material flow system and a method for operating such a production system. The flow warehouse has a large number of workpiece storage locations for one workpiece each. Each workpiece storage location is located at least temporarily in the workspace of the workpiece handling device. In addition, the workpiece conveyor system penetrates into the working space of the workpiece handling device and has two conveying directions in opposite directions. The present invention increases the flexibility of a material flow system.

Description

The invention relates to a material flow system that has at least one workpiece conveyor system, at least one workpiece handling device and a flow storage, a production system with such a material flow system and a method for operating such a production system.

From the DE 20 2019 102 742 U1 a storage and a handling device for tools and/or workpieces for use on a machine tool is known. The individual workpieces to be processed are removed from the warehouse. The processed workpieces are stored in the warehouse.

The present invention is based on the problem of increasing the flexibility of a material flow system.

This problem is solved with the features of the main claim. The flow warehouse has a large number of workpiece storage locations for one workpiece each. Each workpiece storage location is located at least temporarily in the workspace of the workpiece handling device. In addition, the workpiece conveyor system penetrates into the working space of the workpiece handling device and has two conveying directions in opposite directions.

A production system with such a material flow system has at least two work stations. All work stations are connected to the material flow system.

During operation of the production system, a workpiece to be processed is removed from a workpiece storage location of the flow storage facility using the workpiece handling device and transferred to the workpiece conveyor system. The workpiece conveyor system conveys the workpiece to one of the work stations for processing. Each workpiece leaving one of the work stations is either conveyed to another work station or taken to the flow storage facility using the material flow system. In the flow storage, the workpiece handling device places the workpiece in a workpiece storage location.

The material flow system allows several different flow paths for a workpiece. To make it available, the individual workpiece is removed from the flow storage using the workpiece handling device and handed over to the workpiece conveyor system. The workpiece can be conveyed in different directions from, for example, a central flow warehouse. The workpiece-specific operations can be carried out largely independently of the location of the work stations in the material flow system.

In a production system with at least two work stations, the individual workpiece can be conveyed from one work station to another work station either directly or via the flow storage system. The material flow system allows any workpiece-specific sequence of work stations to carry out the work steps on the workpiece. Additional workpieces, for example those created during a sawing process, can also be loaded into the material flow system. In the material flow system, for example, a bypass via the flow storage is also conceivable. The flow storage can also be used as a buffer storage.

• 1: Draufsicht eines Materialflusssystems;
• 2: Längsansicht des Materialflusssystems;
• 3: Querschnitt des Materialflusssystems;
• 4: Variante eines Produktionssystems;
• 5: Weitere Variante eines Produktionssystems.

Further details of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description of schematically illustrated embodiments.

• 1 : Top view of a material flow system;
• 2 : Longitudinal view of the material flow system;
• 3 : Cross section of the material flow system;
• 4 : Variant of a production system;
• 5 : Another variant of a production system.

The 1 until 3 show a material flow system (20) in views and sections. Such material flow systems (20) are used in production systems that are designed for automated multi-stage workpiece processing. Such a production system has several work stations that are linked together by means of the material flow system (20). For example, each of the work stations has a machine tool. This can be, for example, a cutting machine tool, such as a sawing machine, a drilling machine, a milling machine, etc. The machine tool can also be a joining machine, a forming machine, etc. A joining machine can be, for example, an edge banding machine, a joining machine, etc.

The workpieces (1; 2; 3; 4) processed in the production system are, for example, wooden or composite material panels. As raw parts, for example, these have a length of 2500 millimeters and a width of 1500 millimeters. Their thickness is, for example, up to 25 millimeters.

The material flow system (20) has at least one workpiece conveyor system (21), at least one workpiece handling device (31; 41) and a flow storage (51). That in the 1 - 3 Material flow system (20) shown has two workpiece handling devices (31, 41).

The workpiece conveyor system (21) shown is rail-bound. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it has two workpiece conveying devices (26, 27). These are, for example, arranged parallel to one another and next to one another. The workpiece conveying devices (26, 27) can also be arranged one above the other. They can overlap or be offset from one another. The two workpiece conveying devices (26, 27) have conveying directions (15, 16) that are opposite to one another. So promotes in the top view 1 a first workpiece conveyor device (26) from right to left and a second workpiece conveyor device (27) from left to right. It is also conceivable to use a single workpiece conveyor device (26; 27), which can convey both in a first conveying direction (15) and in a second conveying direction (16) oriented in the opposite direction.

The individual workpiece conveyor device (26; 27) has, for example, a roller conveyor (22) with, for example, several sections and with a large number of rollers (23). The individual rollers (23) of this roller conveyor (22) can be driven individually or in groups. The workpiece conveyor system (21) can convey continuously or discontinuously, at least in sections. For example, the rollers (23) can be stopped near or on a workpiece handling device (31; 41) for handling a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4), while other rollers (23) continue to handle workpieces (2; 3 ; 4; 1) promote.

It is also conceivable to design the roller conveyor (22) with non-driven rollers (23). The individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is then conveyed, for example, by means of workpiece carts, which grip the individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) at its outer area. These workpiece carts can be controlled individually or in groups, so that each workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) can be moved and positioned individually.

In the working space (35; 45) of the individual workpiece handling device (31; 41), the workpiece conveyor system (21) shown has a removal and feeding area (24; 25). As soon as a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is in the removal and feeding area (24; 25), the workpiece conveyor system (21) is stopped, for example, at least in the removal and feeding area (24; 25). The individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) can now be transferred to the flow storage (51) using the workpiece handling device (31; 41). The individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) can also be conveyed past the individual workpiece handling device (31; 41) by means of the workpiece conveyor system (21). In this exemplary embodiment, the material flow system (20) with both workpiece conveying devices (26, 27) penetrates the working spaces (35, 45) of both workpiece handling devices (31, 41).

It is also conceivable to arrange a discharge device at the removal and feeding area (24; 25). This has, for example, a hydraulically or pneumatically operated plunger. Using this ram, the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) to be processed can be moved towards the workpiece handling device (31; 41) when the workpiece conveyor system (21) is at a standstill. If necessary, the ram has an additional gripping device in order to pull a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) provided by the workpiece handling device (31; 41) back onto the roller conveyor (22).

The workpiece handling devices (31; 41) shown are, for example, constructed identically to one another. These workpiece handling devices (31, 41) are, for example, industrial robots (31, 41) in the design of articulated arm robots. They can be designed to be fixed or movable. In the exemplary embodiment, the individual workpiece handling device (31; 41) is designed as a 6-axis robot with RRR kinematics. For example, it has three rotational and three translational axes. Its working space (35; 45) has the shape of a barrel body with a recessed inner cylinder. The working space (35; 45) of the individual workpiece handling device (31; 41) is the sum of all points in three-dimensional space that can be reached by a workpiece gripping device (33) of the workpiece handling device (31; 41). The workpiece gripping device (33) is arranged on a robot hand (32).

In the exemplary embodiment, the workpiece gripping device (33) is designed as a suction gripper. This workpiece gripping device (33) is used to grip the top of the individual plate-shaped workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4). The workpiece handling device (31; 41) is designed such that it can pick up a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) from both the first workpiece conveyor device (26; 27) and from the second workpiece conveyor device (27; 26). .

The robot hand (32) carries, for example, a reading device (34), such as a camera. Using this reading device (34), for example, a workpiece identifier (5) arranged on the workpiece (1 - 4) can be read. The workpiece identification (5) can, for example, be attached to a sticker, it can be attached as a visual identification on the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) or it can be engraved into the workpiece (1; 2, 3; 4). It can identify the individual workpiece (1; 2; 3, 4) as a code, alphanumeric, etc decorate. The reading device (34) is connected to a master computer of the production system (10) via data lines. This makes it possible, for example, to check whether the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) picked up by the workpiece handling device (31; 41) is the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) intended for handling by the production planning and control system. is.

The flow storage (51) has a large number of workpiece storage locations (52). In this flow storage (51), workpieces (1; 2; 3; 4) are temporarily stored before and/or after processing that takes place at the work stations. The temporarily stored workpieces (1; 2; 3; 4) are removed from the flow storage (51) in order to further process them at the same or another work station. Exactly one workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is stored in each workpiece storage location (52). During workpiece handling, the individual workpiece storage location (52) is assigned to the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) using the production planning and control system.

That in the 1 - 3 The flow storage (51) shown is, for example, a shelf storage (51). In this shelf storage (51), all stored workpieces (1; 2; 3; 4) are accessible at any time. The flow bearing (51) is shown in the illustration 1 six shelf units (53 - 58). Two first and second shelf units (53, 54) arranged on the right are, for example, large storage units (53, 54). Large-format raw parts (1), blanks (2) or leftover pieces (3), for example, are temporarily stored in these. The two in the lower area of the 1 The third and fourth shelf units (55, 56) shown are, for example, intermediate parts storage (55, 56) for blanks (2) and leftover pieces (3) of medium and small format. A further shelf unit (57), for example a fifth shelf unit (57), stands between the two workpiece handling devices (31, 41). This fifth shelf unit (57) can be operated both with the first workpiece handling device (31) and by means of the second workpiece handling device (41). The fifth shelf unit (57) and the sixth shelf unit (58) to the left of the second workpiece handling device (41) are constructed, for example, in the same way as the shelf units (55, 56) in the lower area of the illustration. Processed workpieces (4) can also be temporarily stored in all shelf units (53 - 58).

For example, all shelf units (53 - 58) have the same height. Individual shelf units (53 - 58) or all of the shelf units (53 - 58) can be designed to be movable. For example, those in the 1 The shelf units (55, 56) shown below can be moved parallel to the conveying directions (15, 16). They can then be operated by both the first workpiece handling device (31) and the second workpiece handling device (41).

The flow storage (51) is designed such that workpieces (1; 2; 3; 4) can be stored in at least one workpiece storage location (52) both from the first workpiece handling device (31) and from the second workpiece handling device (41). can be stored. Workpieces (1; 2; 3; 4) can also be removed from this workpiece storage location (52) both by the first workpiece handling device (31) and by the second workpiece handling device (41).

For processing, the workpiece handling device (31; 41) removes a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) from a workpiece storage location (52) of the flow storage (51). The workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is identified, for example, using the reading device (34). The individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is then placed in the workpiece conveyor system (21), depending on the transport direction, on the workpiece conveyor device (26; 27) provided by the production planning and control system. The workpiece conveyor system (21) conveys the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) to the work station that is intended for the next workpiece-specific operation. After completion of the workpiece processing at this, for example, first workstation, the workpiece is conveyed by means of the workpiece conveyor system (21) either to a further workstation or to the removal and feeding area (24; 25) of the workpiece conveyor system (21).

The workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is removed from the removal and feeding area (24; 25) using the pre-planned workpiece handling device (31; 41) and stored in a workpiece storage location (52) of the flow storage (51). . In order to carry out a next operation when machining the workpiece, the work steps mentioned are repeated for this further operation.

After the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) has been conveyed from the first-mentioned work station by means of the workpiece conveyor system (21) to a further work station, the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is processed at this further work station in a further operation. The workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) can then alternatively be conveyed again either to another work station or to the flow storage (51).

The 4 shows a production system (10) with at least two work stations (70, 80; 70, 90; 80, 90) and with a material flow system (20). All, for example three workstations (70, 80, 90) are connected to the material flow system (20). Each of the work stations (70; 80; 90) has a machine tool (71; 81; 91). In the production system (10) shown, one of the machine tools (81) is a sawing machine, and another machine tool (71) is a drilling and milling machine. The machine tool (91) shown in the middle is an edge banding machine.

In this exemplary embodiment, the material flow system (20) has three workpiece conveying systems (21, 28, 29). Each of the workpiece conveyor systems (21; 28; 29) runs between a work station (70; 80; 90) and a workpiece handling device (31; 41). The individual workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29) has two workpiece conveyor devices (26, 27) that lie next to one another and are arranged parallel to one another. The conveying directions (15, 16) of these two workpiece conveying devices (26, 27) of a workpiece conveying system (21; 28; 29) point in opposite directions. All workpiece conveying devices (26, 27) are designed, for example, as described in connection with the first exemplary embodiment.

All workpiece conveyor systems (21, 28, 29) protrude into the workspace (35; 45) of the workpiece handling device (31; 41), so that all workpiece conveyor devices (26, 27) penetrate into the workspace (35; 45). The workpiece handling device (31; 41) shown is constructed, for example, in the same way as the workpiece handling devices (31; 41) described in connection with the previous exemplary embodiment.

The flow storage (51) is shown in this illustration with three shelf units (55, 57, 58). All shelf units (55, 57, 58) are located within the working space (35; 45) of the workpiece handling device (31; 41). If necessary, the individual shelf units (55, 57, 58) can be designed to be movable.

The workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) to be processed is removed from a workpiece storage location (52) of the flow storage (51) by means of the workpiece handling device (31; 41) and delivered to one of the workpiece conveyor systems (21; 28; 29). hand over. The workpiece identifier (5) of the individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is identified. For example, the first workpiece conveyor system (21) conveys the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4), for example by means of a first workpiece conveyor device (26), to a first work station (80). The machine tool (81) of this first work station (80) is, for example, a sawing machine. The individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is separated using the sawing machine, so that, for example, two or more workpieces (2; 3; 4) are produced as intermediate products. All intermediate products (2; 3; 4) are coded, for example, by means of a workpiece identification device (82) arranged on the sawing machine (81). The workpiece marking device (82) can be, for example, a stamp device, an engraving device, a printing device, etc. Before, during or after the separating processing at this work station (80), for example, each workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is individually marked using the marking device (82). For example, additional workpiece numbers are specified by the production planning and control system.

The workpieces (1; 2; 3; 4) are, for example, conveyed individually into the workspace (35; 45) of the workpiece handling device (41; 41) by means of the workpiece conveyor system (21) of the material flow system (20). The workpiece handling device (31; 41) identifies the individual workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4). Depending on the pre-planned processing sequence, this workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is transferred either to another workpiece conveyor system (28; 29; 21) or to the flow storage (51) using the workpiece handling device (31; 41).

The further workpiece conveyor system (28; 29; 21) conveys the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) to a further work station (70; 90; 80). For example, there is a drilling and milling machine (71) or an edge banding machine (91) on this. The latter machine tool (91) is used, for example, to join an edge veneer to a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4). After machining on this machine tool (71; 91) has been completed, the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is conveyed again using the material flow system (20) either to another work station (70; 80; 90) or to the flow storage (51 ) accepted.

When transferred to the flow storage (51), the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is removed from the workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29) by means of the workpiece handling device (31; 41) and stored in a workpiece storage location (52 ) of the flow storage (51).

In the 5 Another arrangement of a production system (10) is shown. This production system (10) also has a material flow system (20) and several, for example three, work stations (70, 80, 90). The workstations (70, 80, 90) are constructed, for example, like those in connection with the representation of the 4 described workstations (70, 80, 90).

The material flow system (20) of this exemplary embodiment has a workpiece conveying system (21; 28; 29) with two workpiece conveying devices (26, 27), two workpiece handling devices (31, 41) and a flow storage (51). The workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29) is, for example, oval in the top view shown. The two workpiece conveying devices (26, 27) are, for example, arranged next to one another and are at a constant distance from one another. Their conveying directions (15, 16) point in opposite directions. The structure of the individual workpiece conveyor device (26; 27) corresponds to the structure described in connection with the previous exemplary embodiments.

The two workpiece handling devices (31, 41) and the flow storage (51) are, for example, outside the space surrounded by the workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29). It is also conceivable to arrange the workpiece handling devices (31, 41) and/or the flow storage (51) within the space enclosed by the workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29). The workpiece handling devices (31, 41) and the shelf units (55, 57, 58) of the flow storage (51) are designed, for example, as described in connection with the previous exemplary embodiments.

After a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) has been removed from a workpiece storage location (52) of the flow storage (51), the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is transported using the workpiece handling device (31; 41). the workpiece conveyor system (21). For example, depending on the utilization and/or availability of the individual workpiece conveyor device (26; 27), the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is placed on the inner workpiece conveyor device (26; 27) or the outer workpiece conveyor device (27; 26). The workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29) conveys the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) to the work station (70; 80; 90) by means of the workpiece conveyor device (26; 27).

After completion of the processing at the individual work station (70; 80; 90), the respective workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) is either conveyed to another work station (80; 90; 70) by means of the material flow system (20) or into that Flow storage (51) taken over.

Combinations of the individual exemplary embodiments are also conceivable.

List of reference symbols:

1

Workpiece, raw part

2

machined workpiece, first workpiece part, cutting, intermediate product

3

machined workpiece, second workpiece part, remaining piece, intermediate product

4

Final product

5

Workpiece identifier

10

Production system

15

Direction of conveyance

16

Direction of conveyance

20

Material flow system

21

Workpiece conveyor system

22

roller conveyor

23

roll

24

Removal and delivery area

25

Removal and delivery area

26

Workpiece conveyor device

27

Workpiece conveyor device

28

Workpiece conveyor system

29

Workpiece conveyor system

31

Workpiece handling device, industrial robot

32

Robot hand

33

Workpiece gripping device

34

Reading device

35

working space

41

Workpiece handling device, industrial robot

44

Reading device

45

working space

51

Flow storage, shelf storage

52

Workpiece storage locations

53

Shelving unit, first shelving unit, bulk storage

54

Shelving unit, second shelving unit, bulk storage

55

Shelving unit, third shelf unit, intermediate storage unit

56

Shelving unit, fourth shelf unit, intermediate storage unit

57

Shelving unit, fifth shelving unit

58

Shelving unit, sixth shelving unit

70

Workstation

71

Machine tool, cutting machine tool, drilling and milling machine

80

Workstation, first workstation

81

Machine tool, cutting machine tool, sawing machine

82

Workpiece marking device

90

Workstation

91

Machine tool, joining machine, edge banding machine

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 202019102742 U1 [0002]

Claims (9)

Material flow system (20), which has at least one workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29), at least one workpiece handling device (31; 41) and a flow storage (51), - wherein the flow storage (51) has a plurality of workpiece storage locations (52) for one workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4), each - Wherein each workpiece storage location (52) is located at least temporarily in the workspace (35; 45) of the workpiece handling device (31; 41) and - wherein the workpiece conveying system (21; 28; 29) penetrates into the working space (35; 45) of the workpiece handling device (31; 41) and has two opposing conveying directions (15; 16). Material flow system (20). Claim 1 , characterized in that the workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29) is rail-bound. Material flow system (20). Claim 1 , characterized in that the workpiece handling device (31; 41) is assigned a removal and feeding area (24; 25) of the workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29). Material flow system (20). Claim 1 , characterized in that the individual workpiece handling device (31; 41) is an industrial robot (31; 41) with a workpiece gripping device (33). Material flow system (20). Claim 1 , characterized in that the flow storage (51) is designed as a shelf storage (51). Material flow system (20). Claim 1 , characterized in that the workpiece handling device (31; 41) has a reading device (34; 44). Production system (10) with a material flow system (20). Claim 1 and with at least two work stations (70, 80; 70, 90; 80, 90), characterized in that all work stations (70; 80; 90) are connected to the material flow system (20). Production system (10). Claim 7 , characterized in that at least one of the work stations (70; 80; 90) has a separating machine tool (81). Method for operating a production system (10). Claim 7 , - wherein a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) to be processed is removed from a workpiece storage location (52) of the flow storage (51) by means of the workpiece handling device (31; 41) and delivered to the workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29) is transferred, - the workpiece conveyor system (21; 28; 29) conveys the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) for processing to one of the work stations (70; 80; 90), - the material flow system (20) each a workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) leaving the workstations (70; 80; 90) is alternatively conveyed either to a further workstation (80; 90; 70) or to the flow storage (51) and - whereby the workpiece - Handling device (31; 41) places the workpiece (1; 2; 3; 4) in the flow storage (51) in a workpiece storage location (52).

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