DE102022129834A1 - Method and device for testing a component, in particular a coil or a circuit board, for producing at least one product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for testing a first component (1) for producing at least one product, in which a first property value is determined by means of an electronic computing device (12), which characterizes a property of the first component (1). By means of the electronic computing device (12), a limit value range is calculated from second property values, which characterize the same property of several second components (10) for producing products. To test the first component (1), the electronic computing device (12) is used to determine whether the first property value is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range.

Description

The invention relates to a method for testing a component, in particular a coil or a circuit board, for producing at least one product. The invention also relates to a device.

The CN106226152B a test system for testing a mechanical property of a material is known. Furthermore, the EP 3 516 084 B1 a process for producing flat steel products.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method by means of which components can be tested particularly advantageously.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of patent claim 1, by a method having the features of patent claim 6 and by a device having the features of patent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for testing at least one first component for producing at least one product. This means that the first component is a first starting element from which the at least one product is produced. In other words, the at least one product in its fully manufactured state has at least the first component. For example, the first component is a coil, which is also referred to as a wrap. The coil is a wrap made of a strip made in particular from a metallic material, in particular sheet metal. In other words, the coil is a wound strip or is formed by a wound strip, wherein the strip can be made, for example, from a metallic material, in particular sheet metal and very particularly from steel or aluminum. In other words, the strip, also referred to as strip material, is wound up to form the coil, and thus the wrap. It is also conceivable that the first component is, for example, a flat product, i.e. a surface element, which can be formed, for example, from a metallic material, in particular from sheet metal and, in particular, from steel or aluminum, whereby the flat product is also referred to, for example, as a circuit board. Thus, the first component can be, for example, a circuit board, which can be formed, in particular, from a metallic material and, in particular, from sheet metal and/or from steel or aluminum. In a manufacturing process for producing the at least one product from the first component, for example when the first component is designed as the coil mentioned, the coil, and thus the strip, is unwound. In the manufacturing process, for example, strip parts of the strip are separated from the strip, so that, for example, the strip is divided into strip parts, in particular by cutting the strip. The strip parts can be, for example, circuit boards, so that circuit boards can be made from the coil. It is particularly conceivable that several products, i.e. the at least one product and at least one further product, are made from the circuit boards produced from the coil. For example, the respective circuit board, in particular made from the coil, is processed, in particular mechanically, during the manufacturing process. In this case, it is particularly conceivable that the respective circuit board made from the coil is processed, for example, by cutting, in particular punching, and/or the respective circuit board made from the coil is formed, in particular deep-drawn, during the manufacturing process. The previous and following statements on the coil and the respective circuit board made from the coil can also be transferred to the first component, in particular if the first component is a circuit board. In other words, the first component can be a semi-finished product, such as a circuit board. In the aforementioned manufacturing process for producing the at least one product, for example, the first component, in particular the circuit board, is processed, in particular mechanically processed. For example, in the manufacturing process, the first component is processed by cutting, in particular punching, and/or the first component is formed, in particular deep-drawn. In particular, it is conceivable that in the manufacturing process the first component is processed by at least one press, in particular by cutting and/or forming, in particular by deep drawing. In particular, it is conceivable that in the manufacturing process the first component is processed by means of a press line, which can comprise the aforementioned press and at least one further press.

The at least one product can be, for example, a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, such as a passenger car, so that, for example, in the manufacturing process at least one vehicle is manufactured from the first component. In other words, in the manufacturing process, for example, the first component is used to manufacture a vehicle. It is particularly conceivable that a body component of a vehicle body, in particular designed as a self-supporting body, is produced from the first component, which in its fully manufactured state comprises the body.

For example, the manufacturing process is carried out by a manufacturer, who thus manufactures or wants to manufacture the at least one product from the first component. For example, the manufacturer purchases the first component from a supplier who is different from the manufacturer and who, for example, transports the first component to a location specified by the manufacturer. In particular, if the manufacturer carries out production, such as series or mass production, through which several products, namely the at least one product and at least one other or several other products are or will be manufactured from the several first components, the manufacturer is supplied by the supplier with several first components, which are manufactured, for example, by the supplier. It is conceivable that, for example, one of the first components is part of a first batch and another of the first components is part of a second batch that is different from the first batch. The batches, i.e. the respective first components belonging to the batches, can fluctuate in terms of their properties, which is also referred to as batch fluctuations.

It is usually a goal of the manufacturer to produce the products with the same, high quality, so that it is desirable for the manufacturer to identify the aforementioned, possible batch fluctuations, and thus any differences between the batches or between the first components. This is usually very time-consuming and therefore costly and can depend excessively on at least one person or several people, i.e. on the experience of one person, and as a result cannot be carried out sufficiently reproducibly and/or with sufficient precision. The method according to the invention now makes it possible to test the first component, in particular several first components, in a time- and cost-effective, reproducible and precise manner in order to subsequently identify any excessive batch fluctuations. If such an excessive batch fluctuation is or has been identified, an appropriate countermeasure can be initiated. The countermeasure can include that a batch which, for example, does not meet at least one requirement is not accepted and/or returned to the supplier, or the manufacturing process can be adapted accordingly, i.e. varied, in order to compensate for batch fluctuations. The previous and following statements regarding the first component can easily be transferred to the other, remaining first components and vice versa.

In order to be able to test the first component in a time- and cost-effective, reproducible and precise manner, the first aspect of the invention provides that a first property value is determined by means of an electronic computing device, which characterizes, i.e. describes or indicates, a property of the first component. It is conceivable that the first property value is stored in a data storage device, in particular an electronic or electrical one, and is retrieved from the data storage device by means of the electronic computing device, whereby the electronic computing device determines the first property value. It is also conceivable that the first property value is detected by means of a detection device. The detection device can provide a signal, in particular an electrical one, which characterizes, i.e. describes, the detected first property value. For example, the electronic computing device receives the signal, whereby the electronic computing device determines the first property value. In particular, it is conceivable that the detection device detects a measured variable and determines the first property value characterizing the detected measured variable. This can also be expressed in particular in such a way that the detection device detects the first property value. For example, the detection device detects the measured variable or the first property value optically. For this purpose, for example, the detection device scans at least a partial area of the first component, in particular without contact, i.e. without contact between the detection device and the first component, whereby the measured variable or the first property value is detected by means of the detection device. In particular, it is provided that the electronic computing device determines the first property value automatically, i.e. without any human intervention. In particular, it is conceivable that the detection device detects the first property value automatically, i.e. without any human intervention.

Furthermore, in the method according to the first aspect of the invention, it is provided that a limit range is calculated, in particular automatically, from a plurality of second property values by means of the electronic computing device. The second property values cha characterize or describe the same property of several second components for producing products. This means that both the first property value and the second property values describe the same property. The first property value indicates the property of the first component, and the respective second property value indicates the property of the respective associated second component. The previous and following statements on the first component can easily be transferred to the respective second component and vice versa. Thus, for example, the respective second component is used to produce the at least one product or the multiple products. In other words, it is conceivable that the first component and the second components are used to produce the at least one product or the multiple products. It is conceivable that the respective second property value is stored in the data storage device mentioned or in another, in particular electrical or electronic, data storage device and is retrieved by means of the electronic computing device and thereby determined. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the respective second property value is detected by means of the same detection device or by means of a further detection device, in particular optically, wherein the previous and following statements regarding the first property value can also be transferred to the respective second property value, and wherein the previous and following statements regarding the detection device can also be easily transferred to the further detection device and vice versa.

In order to test the first component, in particular automatically, the electronic computing device is used to determine whether the first property value is within the limit range or outside the limit range. If, for example, it is determined that the first property value is in the limit range or within the limit range, the first component is then used to manufacture the at least one product, and the at least one product is then manufactured from the first component in the manufacturing process. If, for example, it is determined that the first property value is outside the limit range, the at least one product is not manufactured from the first component, or the manufacturing process, also referred to as the manufacturing process, is varied in such a way that it is carried out in a different way than if the first property value were within the limit range. If, for example, it is determined that the first property value is outside the limit range, it can then be concluded that there is an excessive difference between the first component or its batch and the second components or their batch or batches. This excessive difference is also referred to as excessive batch variation. As a result, for example, a measure can be taken to avoid, for example, an excessive quality fluctuation of the products resulting from the excessive batch fluctuation. In particular, the method according to the invention enables an automated calculation of the limit value range and a, in particular automated, determination of whether the first property value is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range. Thus, it is preferably provided that, in order to test the first component, the electronic computing device is used to automatically determine whether the first property value is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range. As a result, for example, any batch fluctuation can be determined automatically, i.e. automatically, by means of the electronic computing device. In particular, the method according to the invention enables an evaluation, in particular a statistical evaluation, of batch fluctuations of the first components, in particular designed as semi-finished products, based on the limit value range determined, in particular automatically or automatically. Thus, it is particularly provided that the at least one product is manufactured depending on the determination of whether the first property value is within the limit value range or in the limit value range or outside the limit value range. In other words, it is intended that the manufacturing process is carried out depending on the determination of whether the first property value is within the limit range or outside the limit range.

In order to be able to test the first component in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner, one embodiment of the invention provides for a predetermined or predeterminable first quantile of the second property values, also referred to as an empirical quantile, to be calculated. In addition, a predetermined or predeterminable second quantile of the second property values, which is different from the first quantile and is also referred to as an empirical quantile, is preferably calculated. In particular, it is provided that the limit range is calculated and thus determined as a function of the calculated quantiles. In particular, this makes it possible to identify excessive batch fluctuations in a particularly advantageous and precise manner.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the limit range is calculated as a function of the quantile in such a way that the first quantile is used as an upper limit value belonging to the limit range at which the limit range ends. In addition, it is preferably provided that the second quantile is used as a lower limit value belonging to the limit range at which the limit range begins. Thus, the limit range is limited or closed at the top by the upper limit value, and thus the limit range is limited or closed at the bottom by the lower limit value. The feature that the respective limit value belongs to the limit range is to be understood as meaning that if the first property value is equal to the upper limit value or equal to the lower limit value, the first property value is in the limit range or within the limit range. In addition, the first property value is in the limit range or within the limit range if the first property value is greater than the lower limit value and less than the upper limit value. The first property value is outside the limit range if the first property value is greater than the upper limit value or less than the lower limit value. This allows the first component to be tested in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner as well as precisely and reproducibly, in particular as to whether the first property value lies in the limit range, i.e. within the limit range or not.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the 95% quantile is calculated as the first quantile. It was found that, on the one hand, this allows excessive batch fluctuations to be identified in a beneficial, precise, time- and cost-effective manner. On the other hand, any differences or small batch fluctuations can be tolerated without this leading to an excessive deterioration in the quality of the product being manufactured.

Finally, in order to realize a particularly advantageous test of the first component, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the 5% quantile is calculated as the second quantile.

It is clear that the upper limit and the lower limit delimit an interval, tolerance interval or tolerance band, whereby the limit values can be determined by or as quantiles, and can therefore be quantiles. The quantile is therefore a possible statistical method for determining the limit values. The empirical quantile is only one way of determining the limit range. For example, it would be conceivable as an alternative or in addition to halving the interquartile range and multiplying it by a factor in order to calculate or obtain a value. The value obtained can then be subtracted from or added to the median. The factor can also be chosen differently for the lower and upper limits.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for testing a first component for producing at least one product. The embodiments of the first component according to the first aspect of the invention relating to the first aspect of the invention can also be easily transferred to the first component according to the second aspect of the invention and vice versa. The same applies to the at least one product.

In the second aspect of the invention, it is provided that an electronic computing device is used to select from second property values, which each characterize a property, thus the same property of a respective second component for producing at least one product, in particular automatically and/or depending on at least one criterion. For example, the second property values are stored in a data storage device, in particular electronic or electrical. Advantages, advantageous embodiments and the statements relating to the first aspect of the invention can also be easily transferred to the second aspect of the invention and vice versa. Accordingly, the statements relating to the first property value, the first component, the respective second property value and the respective second component can also be easily transferred to the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

In the second aspect of the invention, it is further provided that a limit range is calculated from the selected second property value, in particular automatically, by means of the electronic computing device. In the second aspect of the invention, a first property value is determined, in particular by means of the electronic computing device and/or automatically, which characterizes the same property of the first component. As already explained in relation to the first aspect of the invention, this is to be understood as meaning that the first property value and the second property values characterize, describe or indicate the same property, thus for example the same measurement variable. The property can, for example, be a quality of a surface of the respective component, also referred to as surface quality. component and/or at least one mechanical property. It is also conceivable that the property is or includes a thickness of a lubricating film of the respective component, also referred to as lubricating film thickness, wherein, for example, the lubricating film is arranged on a respective surface of the respective component and is formed in particular by a lubricant such as an oil.

Furthermore, the second aspect of the invention provides that, in order to test the first component, the electronic computing device determines whether the first property value is within the limit range, i.e. in the limit range or outside the limit range. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa. In particular, the invention makes it possible to test the first component in a time- and cost-effective manner as well as precisely and reproducibly, and in doing so, for example, to avoid unfavorable human influences, for example from human experience. As a result, any excessive differences between the first component and the respective second component, in particular excessive batch fluctuations, can be determined reliably, precisely and reproducibly, so that the at least one product, in particular several products, can be manufactured in a sufficiently high quality. Thus, it is preferably also provided in the second aspect of the invention, for example, that the at least one product is manufactured depending on the determination of whether the first property value is in the limit range (within the limit range) or outside the limit range.

An embodiment of the second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the limit value range is calculated from the second property values, in particular by means of the electronic computing device and/or automatically, in such a way that an upper limit value belonging to the limit value range is determined at which the limit value range ends. Furthermore, a lower limit value belonging to the limit value range is determined at or at which the limit value range begins. In addition, for example, the limit value range is calculated in such a way that the selected second property value lies in the limit value range, i.e. within the limit value range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value. Depending on the statistical method, individual second components could have property values that lie outside the limit value range.

The first aspect of the invention is based in particular on the idea of using the plurality of second components or their second property values to calculate the limit value range therefrom. This is particularly advantageous when the second components are components that have already been used to manufacture at least one product or several products and have led to a sufficiently high quality of this product or these products. If it is then determined, for example, that the first property value is within the limit value range and the first component is then used, for example, to manufacture the at least one product, this leads with a high probability to the at least one product also having a sufficiently high quality.

The second aspect of the invention is based in particular on the idea of selecting one of the second components from the plurality of second components and using it as a reference element. This is done in such a way that one second property value is selected from the plurality of second property values and used as a reference value, with the limit range being calculated as a function of the reference value. The background to this is in particular that, for example, in particular before the limit range is calculated, at least one product or several products were manufactured from the second components, with the reference element or its use to manufacture a product in particular leading to a particularly high quality of the one product. However, in order to tolerate any difference between the first component and the reference element or between their property values, the limit range is determined from the reference value, in particular automatically or automatically and in particular by means of the electronic computing device. The background to this is in particular that not every component from which a product is to be manufactured can be of as high quality as the reference element, but can nevertheless lead to a sufficiently high quality of a product to be manufactured, in particular if, for example, the property value of the component is within the limit value range (in the limit value range).

A further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the selected second property value lies exactly in the middle between the limit values. This allows a time-saving and cost-effective as well as precisely reproducible testing of the first component can be ensured.

Finally, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the first property value and the second property values are recorded by means of a sensor, in particular an optical one, in particular the same, in particular an optical one. For example, the sensor can be the aforementioned detection device or be part of the detection device. The sensor provides a signal also referred to as a sensor signal, the sensor signal being, for example, an electrical signal. The sensor signal describes or characterizes the respective property value, the electronic computing device receiving the signal and thereby determining the respective property value. The respective property value can be recorded in particular while, for example, the previously described coil or the strip forming the coil is unwound. For example, the strip, in particular while it is unwound from the coil, is moved relative to the sensor and in particular through a detection area of the sensor, the sensor recording the respective property value while the strip is moved through the detection area and in particular unwound from the coil. This ensures that the respective property value is recorded in a time- and cost-effective manner and thus, as a result, that the first component can be tested in a particularly time- and cost-effective manner.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a device which is designed to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the invention and/or according to the second aspect of the invention. In particular, the device is or comprises the aforementioned press and/or press line.

• Es sind bereits Einrichtungen bekannt, um die Qualität von Halbzeugen, die beispielsweise in Presswerken verarbeitet werden, während eines jeweiligen Prozesses zur Herstellung von Platinen zu erfassen und in einer zentralen Datenbank abzulegen, das heißt zu speichern. Hierfür umfasst die jede Einrichtung beispielsweise wenigstens einen Sensor, mittels welchem beispielsweise ein Band, insbesondere optisch, erfasst wird, während das Band von einem Coil abgewickelt wird und insbesondere während aus dem Band die Platinen hergestellt werden. Wie bereits zuvor beschrieben, kann es sich bei der jeweiligen Platine um das erste Bauelement oder um das jeweilige, zweite Bauelement handeln. Somit sind beispielsweise unter den genannten Halbzeugen das erste Bauelement und die zweiten Bauelemente zu versehen. Darunter, dass beispielsweise mittels der Sensoren die Qualität der Halbzeuge erfasst wird, ist zu verstehen, dass der jeweilige Sensor die genannte Eigenschaft beziehungsweise den jeweiligen Eigenschaftswert erfasst. Mit anderen Worten ist oder beschreibt beispielsweise die zuvor genannte Eigenschaft eine Qualität des jeweiligen Bauelements. Insbesondere kann die Qualität die zuvor genannte Schmierfilmdicke sein oder umfassen. Dabei vorgesehen sein kann eine, insbesondere automatische, Kennzeichnung des jeweiligen Halbzeugs (Bauelement) insbesondere während die Halbzeuge, insbesondere Platinen, hergestellt, insbesondere geschnitten und dabei beispielsweise von dem Band abgeschnitten, werden. Beispielsweise wird das jeweilige Halbzeug mit einer optisch erfassbaren Markierung versehen, welche beispielsweise dem jeweiligen erfassten Eigenschaftswert beschreibt, charakterisiert oder angibt. Insbesondere kann die optische Markierung mittels des Sensors erfasst werden. Die mittels der Sensoren erfassten Eigenschaftswerte, die beispielsweise durch Messdaten der Sensoren beschrieben werden, können eindeutig den jeweiligen Halbzeugen (Platinen) zugeordnet werden. Bei einer weiteren Verarbeitung der Halbzeuge in einer Pressenstraße können die auch als Kennzeichnung oder Kennzeichnungen bezeichneten Markierungen ausgelesen, insbesondere optisch erfasst werden. Somit können jeder verarbeiteten Platine auch entsprechend verwendete Prozessparameter der Pressenstraße zugeordnet werden. Gegebenenfalls können damit auch Daten bezüglich einer Qualität von Bauteilen, die für jedes produzierte Teil während der Produktion aufgezeichnet werden, eindeutig den ursprünglichen Platinen zugeordnet werden.

The invention is based in particular on the following considerations and findings:

• Devices are already known for recording the quality of semi-finished products, which are processed in press shops, for example, during a respective process for producing circuit boards and storing them in a central database, i.e. saving them. For this purpose, each device comprises, for example, at least one sensor, by means of which, for example, a strip is recorded, in particular optically, while the strip is unwound from a coil and in particular while the circuit boards are produced from the strip. As already described above, the respective circuit board can be the first component or the respective second component. Thus, for example, the semi-finished products mentioned can be the first component and the second components. The fact that the quality of the semi-finished products is recorded, for example by means of the sensors, is to be understood as meaning that the respective sensor records the mentioned property or the respective property value. In other words, for example, the aforementioned property is or describes a quality of the respective component. In particular, the quality can be or include the aforementioned lubricating film thickness. In this case, provision can be made for an, in particular automatic, marking of the respective semi-finished product (component), in particular while the semi-finished products, in particular circuit boards, are being manufactured, in particular cut and, for example, cut from the strip. For example, the respective semi-finished product is provided with an optically detectable marking, which, for example, describes, characterizes or indicates the respective recorded property value. In particular, the optical marking can be detected by means of the sensor. The property values recorded by the sensors, which are described, for example, by measurement data from the sensors, can be clearly assigned to the respective semi-finished products (circuit boards). During further processing of the semi-finished products in a press line, the markings, also referred to as marking or markings, can be read out, in particular optically detected. In this way, each processed circuit board can also be assigned the process parameters used accordingly in the press line. If necessary, data regarding the quality of components, which are recorded for each part produced during production, can also be clearly assigned to the original circuit boards.

In this context, people who operate the press lines and are also referred to as plant operators can be provided with visualizations that allow them to analyze the properties of the semi-finished products (circuit boards) to be processed. For example, an amount of the aforementioned lubricant, also referred to as lubricant quantity, is recorded, i.e. recorded, on a respective top and bottom side of the circuit board for 20 measuring tracks before the circuit boards are cut. In particular, the lubricant quantity is or describes the thickness of the lubricating film. Underneath the respective measuring track, in particular, a linear, in particular imaginary track must be provided, which extends in Longitudinal direction of the strip and/or in a direction of movement or along a direction of movement along which the strip is moved while the strip is unwound from the coil. Along an arrangement direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and/or to the direction of movement, several such measuring tracks, for example at least or exactly 20 such measuring tracks, are arranged one after the other, so that, for example, the respective property can be particularly advantageously recorded at several respective locations of the respective component, for example by means of a common sensor or by means of respective sensors. Thus, for example, at least or exactly one sensor is provided per measuring track or the measuring tracks are recorded by means of a common sensor. The property values determined in this way are results that can be summarized, i.e. noted, for example in a particularly two-dimensional matrix, whereby the matrix can comprise, for example, exactly one row and several columns or exactly one column and several rows or several columns and several rows. If, for example, 20 measuring tracks are provided, each row contains, for example, both 20 measured values and an associated strip position. This means in particular that the strip positions are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the strip and/or along the direction of movement of the strip. In particular, the respective property is recorded for each measuring track at the respective strip position, so that, for example, if 20 measuring tracks and 1000 strip positions are provided, the matrix is a 20x1000 matrix. The number of measuring tracks and/or the number of strip positions can be different from 20 or 1000. The matrix therefore then has 20,000 fields, with a respective property value entered in the respective field. The respective property value then characterizes the property at the respective, associated strip position and in the respective associated measuring track, with the property values that are or were recorded along the respective measuring track at the respective strip position being entered in the respective row, for example. Such a matrix can be generated both for the top and for the bottom of the respective semi-finished product and thus, for example, for the strip from which the semi-finished products are manufactured, in particular in the form of blanks. On this basis, it is possible, for example, to use the tape position for the abscissa and to use the ordinate for the assignment of the measuring tracks. This means that a field of the matrix is used for each individual measurement, such that the respective property value is entered in the respective field. For example, this matrix is displayed on a display, in particular an electrical or electronic display, and can thus be visually perceived by a person such as the aforementioned plant operator. For example, the respective field of the matrix is shown as a rectangle, in particular a square, on the display. It is also possible to display the respective field in color, i.e. to display or fill it with a color. The respective color of the respective field is determined, for example, from the respective property value entered in the respective field and also referred to as the measured value. In other words, the respective property value is, for example, a respective measured value, whereby the respective property value is recorded and thus measured in particular by means of the aforementioned recording device. It can be seen that a location or position of the respective property value in the matrix depends on a location defined by the tape position and the measuring track, in particular in the manner of a Cartesian coordinate system, at which the respective property value is or was recorded. Dimensions of the field, in particular of the rectangle or square, are chosen, for example, in such a way that there are no gaps between the colored fields. One result can in particular be that the matrix with the colored fields is displayed like a bitmap. The term "heat map" is usually used for this type of display. In other words, when the matrix is displayed on the electronic or electrical display and when the fields of the matrix are filled with colors, it forms a heat map, also known as a heat map, which visualizes the recorded property values and in particular their positions to a person viewing the display. If, for example, the property mentioned is the lubricating film thickness or the amount of lubricant, the heat map represents at least one semi-finished product property such as the amount of lubricant in a coil. In principle, heat maps can also be generated or calculated that refer to individual stacks formed by blanks or to all blanks that were processed or produced by the press line as part of a production order. In principle, a reference other than the belt position can also be used for the matrix introduced or described above. For example, it would also be conceivable to use a reference to a manufactured blank. In this case, each row of the matrix would represent exactly one produced blank.

Typically, fluctuations in the properties of components such as coils or entire batches are investigated using limit values. Limit values result, for example, from specifications of the property and/or requirements from subsequent processes. Limit values can be defined within process steps to ensure that the process runs robustly. Such limit values can then be used to detect anomalies relating to the semi-finished product properties (properties). In concrete terms, this could be a limit value for the maximum amount of lubricant, for example.

The progression of the field sizes with respect to the length of the first component, particularly in the form of a coil, and the width of the component, for example in the form of a coil, is generally not constant. For example, when coils are stored, relocation processes take place which often result in lubricant accumulating on the edges of the coils and the amount of lubricant decreasing in the middle of the coils or the respective strips. Other semi-finished product properties, such as the thickness of the respective strip, also referred to as wall thickness or strip thickness, may also not have a constant progression in the direction of the width or length of the strip. It can therefore be problematic to assess a semi-finished product property based on a single limit value.

It may also be useful not to apply the limit value to the entire strip. For example, a different limit value could be applied to the amount of lubricant in the middle of the strip than at the edge if the above-mentioned rearrangement processes occur repeatedly. Using the visualization of semi-finished product properties described above, and therefore the property values, in particular using the heat map, it is usually hardly possible to monitor local exceedances of limit values. In particular, if the definition of several zones proves to be useful, a manual definition and predominance may no longer be manageable. Furthermore, several coils or strips should always be considered to assess whether limit values have been exceeded in order to be able to relate a result to a frequency of occurrence in other coils, for example. A manual comparison of results, in particular shown by a heat map, can usually only be carried out for very few coils. When displaying the field of a semi-finished product property in the form of a heat map, it can also be difficult to visually identify zones that have exceeded a limit value. This is particularly problematic if a limit value is only slightly exceeded or undercut. If significant exceedances of limit values are detected, measures can be taken at an early stage, if necessary, to maintain a robust production process.

The problems and disadvantages mentioned above can now be avoided by the invention. According to the invention, for example, it is proposed to derive limit values for each point on the heat map. This makes it particularly easy to take into account physically caused inhomogeneities of fields, such as the aforementioned redistribution of the lubricant when storing coils. If data from numerous coils is available, an upper and lower limit value can be determined for each point using statistical indicators, such as the values of quantiles. Such a limit value therefore also takes into account the variance at the respective point on the strip, for example, since it is to be expected that the variance is not constant across the entire range of the strip. The limit values determined at each point can thus be used to monitor limit value violations. The choice of limit value, such as the quantiles or their values, can depend on process stability, for example, and should be determined on a case-by-case basis if necessary. In addition or alternatively, components such as a coil can be selected as a reference, and thus as a reference element, or the median at each point can serve as a reference. Subsequently, for example, a limit value exceedance is monitored at each point with respect to the reference value using a constant positive and negative deviation. For example, the amount of the maximum positive deviation is not necessarily chosen to be equal to the amount of the negative deviation. In principle, it would also be conceivable to define constant lower and upper limits that apply to each point or to a certain defined range that can be determined by choosing the extent in terms of the strip length and the strip width. The values of these limits could in turn be derived from the individual limits determined above for each individual point. Based on the determined limits, i.e. limit values, a number of limit value exceedances can be determined for all components considered, such as coils or batches. As a result, a user can be informed, for example, of how many coils or batches exceed a limit value. This is done, for example, by displaying or showing at least one visual indication, in particular on the aforementioned display. It is conceivable to take the number of limit value exceedances per coil or batch into account when calculating this statement. If a limit value is exceeded only at one or very few points, this exceedance could be ignored. In this context, it could be required It can be ensured that only points where a limit value violation has been detected are taken into account, and where limit value violations also occur in the immediate vicinity. This ensures that only significant violations of limit values are taken into account and that, for example, noise in the measured values does not lead to incorrect assessments.

If critical coils or batches (components) are identified using the analysis described, the limit violations could be displayed for each individual size considered, such as the amount of lubricant. For example, it is suggested to first calculate the determined upper and lower limits (limit values) in two matrices. Each entry in the respective matrix represents a respective limit value for a respective point. These two matrices can then be visualized as a heat map. This makes it possible to display the course of the limit values used for the analysis described above.

It is also conceivable to determine, generate and calculate a matrix that contains the values (property values) at all points of a quantity (property), such as the amount of lubricant in a coil or a batch (component). The points can be displayed using a heat map. All points for which a limit value has been exceeded are then marked. For example, the colors of all points for which a limit value has been exceeded could be modified in the visualization. In this regard, it would be conceivable, for example, to display the points dimmed or with a certain degree of transparency or permeability.

• - einfache Bewertung der Qualität von Halbzeugeigenschaften beziehungsweise Halbzeugen anhand von gegebenen oder berechneten Grenzwerten
• - Grenzwerte, die von der Stelle beziehungsweise von dem Ort auf dem Band abhängen, können die Aussagefähigkeit von Analysen erheblich steigern
• - automatisierte Ableitung von Grenzwerten anhand historischer Daten
• - übersichtliche Visualisierung einer Überschreitung von Grenzwerten.

In this context, it has proven advantageous to divide the strip position into intervals such as 20 m. Within each interval, for example, an average value is calculated from all available measured values for each measuring track. This smoothes the measured values depending on the size of the interval selected. The result can be a matrix that contains exactly one row of averaged measured values for each interval. This can make it possible to carry out the described method for coils (components) if the strip positions associated with the measured values are not exactly the same, in particular from component to component. For example, the method is only used for components that were produced by the supplier based on the same specification. The procedure described can be used for any semi-finished product properties such as the sheet thickness or wall thickness or roughness, in particular of a respective surface of the respective component. In particular, the invention can realize at least the following advantages:

• - simple assessment of the quality of semi-finished product properties or semi-finished products based on given or calculated limit values
• - Limit values that depend on the position or location on the tape can significantly increase the informative value of analyses
• - automated derivation of limit values based on historical data
• - clear visualization of exceedances of limit values.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zum Prüfen eines Bauelements; und
• 2 eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Coils, welches abgewickelt wird.

Further details of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the associated drawings.

• 1 a schematic representation of a method for testing a component; and
• 2 a schematic perspective view of a coil being unwound.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference symbols.

In the following, 1 and 2 a method for testing at least a first component 1 is described. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first component 1 is a coil which is formed by a strip 2 wound up into the coil. The first component 1 can thus be understood to mean the aforementioned coil, also referred to as the first coil, or the strip 2, which is also referred to as the first strip. The strip 2 is a metal strip which is formed from sheet metal, in particular steel or aluminum sheet, and wound up into the first coil. The first component 1 is used to manufacture at least one product, such as a vehicle. For this purpose, for example, the first component 1 (first coil) is unwound and cut in such a way that first semi-finished products in the form of first blanks are manufactured from the first coil. This means in particular that the first blanks are manufactured from the first strip 2, in particular by cutting the respective first blank off the first strip 2. For this purpose, the first coil is unwound, for example, and the respective first board is cut off from the first strip 2. For example, the first boards from the first strip 2 are cut off at or in a process also known as The method for testing the first component 1 is carried out, for example, in the first manufacturing process, so that the first component 1 is tested, for example, in the first manufacturing process or during the first manufacturing process.

The mentioned unwinding of the first coil (first component 1) is in 2 illustrated. In 2 an arrow 3 illustrates a direction of movement which runs in the longitudinal direction of the strip 2, the length of which runs along the longitudinal direction of the strip 2. A double arrow 4 illustrates an arrangement direction which runs perpendicular to the direction of movement. In particular, a width of the strip 2 runs along the arrangement direction. The length of the strip 2 is also referred to as the strip length, and the width of the strip 2 is also referred to as the strip width. While the first coil is being unwound, the strip 2 is moved in the direction of movement, in particular relative to a 2 particularly schematically shown detection device 5. In 2 Also shown are measuring tracks 6a, 6b and 6c, which are arranged one after the other along the arrangement direction and in particular are spaced apart from one another. The respective measuring track 6a-c runs along the direction of movement. Also shown schematically in 2 Belt positions 7a and 7b, which are arranged one after the other along the direction of movement and are particularly spaced apart from one another. For example, the detection device 5 is or comprises a particularly optical detection device 8. The optical detection device 8 is or comprises at least one sensor. For example, it is provided that for each measuring track 6a-c and each belt position 7a-b, a respective measuring point of the belt 2 is detected by means of the detection device 8, particularly contactlessly and very particularly optically, whereby a respective first property value is recorded for the respective measuring point. The first property values characterize or describe a property of the belt 2, thus of the first coil. In other words, the first property values describe or characterize the same property of the belt 2, but at the respective, different and particularly spaced apart locations. The property is or comprises, for example, an amount of lubricant. The amount of lubricant is to be understood as an amount of a lubricant arranged on a surface 9 of the belt 2, which is also referred to as lubricant.

In 1 Also shown particularly schematically are several second components 10. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the components 10 are also coils, which are also referred to as second coils. The respective second coil is formed by a respective second strip 11 wound up to form the respective second coil. The previous and following statements on the first coil and the first strip 2 can also be easily transferred to the respective second coil and the respective second strip 11 and vice versa. The aforementioned first manufacturing method, in which the first strip 2 or the first coil is unwound and the first boards are produced from the first strip 2, is carried out, for example, after the second manufacturing method, which is also referred to as the second manufacturing process. It is conceivable that the second manufacturing processes were or are carried out one after the other or at least partially in parallel. In the respective second manufacturing process, the respective second coil was unwound as already described for the first coil, and in the respective second manufacturing process, respective second boards were produced from the respective second coil, as already described for the first coil. As already described for the first manufacturing process and the first coil, in the respective manufacturing process, second property values were recorded by means of the detection device 8 or by means of a further detection device to which the previous and following statements on the detection device 8 can be easily transferred and vice versa, which characterize the same property at respective points of the respective second strip 11. This means that, as already described for the first coil, the respective second property values were determined for the respective second coil in the respective second manufacturing process, which indicate, describe or characterize the same property at respective points of the respective second coil or second strip 11. In relation to the second components 10, the second property values recorded for the second components 10 thus form data sets. In this case, a respective one of the data sets is assigned to a respective one of the second components 10. In this case, the respective data set assigned to the respective second component 10 comprises those of the second property values which characterize the property at the locations of the respective second component 10 to which the respective data set is assigned.

Since the second manufacturing process is carried out before the first manufacturing process were determined, the second property values were determined and thus recorded before the first property values were determined or recorded. The second property values are therefore historical data, whereby, as will be explained in more detail below, the first component 1 is tested depending on historical data.

• Bei dem Verfahren wird mittels einer in 1 besonders schematisch dargestellten, elektronischen Recheneinrichtung 12 der jeweilige, erste Eigenschaftswert ermittelt, welcher die Eigenschaft des ersten Bauelements 1 charakterisiert. Mittels der elektronischen Recheneinrichtung 12 wird aus den zweiten Eigenschaftswerten insbesondere automatisch ein Grenzwertbereich berechnet. Bei diesen zweiten Eigenschaftswerten, aus denen der Grenzwertbereich berechnet wird, handelt es sich beispielsweise um die Eigenschaftswerte, die für die zweiten Bauelemente 10 an der gleichen, durch die jeweilige Messspur 6a-c und durch die jeweilige Bandposition 7a, b insbesondere nach Art eines kartesischen Koordinatensystems charakterisierte, gleiche Stelle erfasst wurden. Zum Prüfen des ersten Bauelements 1 wird mittels der elektronischen Recheneinrichtung 12 ermittelt, ob der jeweilige, erste Eigenschaftswert innerhalb des Grenzwertbereiches oder außerhalb des Grenzwertbereichs liegt. Als die zweiten Eigenschaftswerte werden beispielsweise solche Eigenschaftswerte von solchen zweiten Bauelementen 10 verwendet, die zu einer hohen Qualität von Produkten, die aus den zweiten Bauelementen 10 hergestellt wurden, geführt haben. Liegt beispielsweise der jeweilige, erste Eigenschaftswert innerhalb des jeweiligen Grenzwertbereiches, so kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass dann, wenn aus dem ersten Bauelement 1 wenigstens ein Produkt hergestellt wird, auch dieses Produkt eine hinreichend hohe Qualität aufweist. Somit wird beispielsweise dann, wenn der jeweilige, erste Eigenschaftswert innerhalb des Grenzwertbereiches liegt, das erste Bauelement 1 verwendet, um aus dem ersten Bauelement wenigstens ein oder mehrere Produkte herzustellen. Dadurch kann ein qualitativ hochwertiger sowie zeit- und kostengünstiger Produktionsprozess dargestellt werden.

In particular, it is provided that the respective measuring tracks 6a-c and the respective band positions 7a, b are defined for the respective component 1, 10. Thus, for example, the first property value that is determined for the first band 10 in the measuring track 6a at the band position 7a is comparable to the second property value that is recorded and thus determined for the respective second band 11 in the measuring track 6a at the band position 7a. It is thus possible in particular to check the respective first property value depending on the respective second property value. This can be done in particular in the following way:

• The procedure uses a 1 The respective first property value which characterizes the property of the first component 1 is determined by the electronic computing device 12, which is shown particularly schematically. In particular, a limit value range is automatically calculated from the second property values by means of the electronic computing device 12. These second property values, from which the limit value range is calculated, are, for example, the property values which were recorded for the second components 10 at the same location, characterized by the respective measuring track 6a-c and by the respective tape position 7a, b, in particular in the manner of a Cartesian coordinate system. In order to test the first component 1, the electronic computing device 12 is used to determine whether the respective first property value lies within the limit value range or outside the limit value range. For example, property values of second components 10 which have led to high quality of products manufactured from the second components 10 are used as the second property values. If, for example, the respective first property value is within the respective limit range, it can be assumed that if at least one product is manufactured from the first component 1, this product also has a sufficiently high quality. Thus, for example, if the respective first property value is within the limit range, the first component 1 is used to manufacture at least one or more products from the first component. This makes it possible to represent a high-quality, time- and cost-effective production process.

List of reference symbols

1

first component

2

tape

3

Arrow

4

Double arrow

5

Furnishings

6a-c

Measuring track

7a, b

Band position

8th

Recording device

9

surface

10

second component

11

tape

12

electronic computing device

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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CN 106226152 B [0002]
• EP 3516084 B1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Method for testing a first component (1) for producing at least one product, in which: - a first property value is determined by means of an electronic computing device (12), which characterizes a property of the first component (1); - a limit value range is calculated by means of the electronic computing device (12) from second property values, which characterize the same property of several second components (10) for producing products; and - for testing the first component (1), it is determined by means of the electronic computing device (12) whether the first property value is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that: - a predetermined or predeterminable first quantile of the second property values is calculated; and - a predetermined or predeterminable second quantile of the second property values, different from the first quantile, is calculated. Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the limit value range is calculated as a function of the quantile in such a way that: - the first quantile is used as an upper limit value belonging to the limit value range at which the limit value range ends; and - the second quantile is used as a lower limit value belonging to the limit value range at which the limit value range begins. Procedure according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the 95% quantile is calculated as the first quantile. Method according to one of the Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the 5% quantile is calculated as the second quantile. Method for testing a first component (1) for producing at least one product, in which: - an electronic computing device (12) is used to select from second property values, each of which characterizes a property of a respective second component (10) for producing at least one product; - a limit value range is calculated from the selected second property value by means of the electronic computing device (12); - a first property value is determined which characterizes the same property of the first component (1); and - for testing the first component (1), the electronic computing device (12) is used to determine whether the first property value is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range. Procedure according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the limit value range is calculated from the second property values in such a way that: - an upper limit value belonging to the limit value range is determined, at which the limit value range ends; and - a lower limit value belonging to the limit value range is determined, at which the limit value range begins. Procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the selected second property value lies exactly in the middle between the limit values. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first property value and the second property values are detected by means of a sensor (8) which provides at least one signal which characterizes the respective property value, wherein the electronic computing device (12) receives the signal and thereby determines the respective property value. Device which is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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