DE10307559C9 - Device for automatic casting - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for the automated casting of castings (2) of single- or multi-component casting compounds with mold-closing machines (4) and a manipulator (6), the tools for removing the castings (2), tools for cleaning the molds and tools for applying release agent in the Molds, wherein the casting (2) by the manipulator (6) is first taken out of the mold and stored to then clean the closing machine (4) or the casting mold and spray after cleaning the release agent in the mold and the closing machine ( 4) for casting the next cast part (2), characterized by an optical system on the manipulator (6) for monitoring the casting process or molds, the optical system being connected to an evaluation unit by means of detecting insufficient cleaning of the molds can be done by simple algorithms of image recognition, and the evaluation unit with a control unit ve By means of which the manipulator (6) can sort out bad parts and carry out new steps for cleaning the molds.

Description

The invention relates to a device for automated and continuous casting of castings with single or multi-component potting compounds made of plastic, such as. Casting resin, silicone, polyethylene u. Like. Cast resin according to the preamble of claim 1.

For the rational casting of casting resin so-called closing machines are used, in which the opening, closing and the closed keeping of the molds before and after the casting automatically, for example. Pneumatically or hydraulically.

It is also already known to carry out the removal of the cast casting or cast part from the opened casting mold by means of a manipulator (robot). The casting is then deposited and cleaned by blowing off with compressed air by means of a nozzle arranged on the arm of the manipulator. In the next step, the manipulator can apply release agent to the opened mold. Finally, the closing machine is automatically closed again, whereby the casting process can start again.

From the JP 05 031 736 A a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known. The known device is used for casting and light curing lenses or other optical elements, wherein a robot is provided for removing the cured optical elements.

From the JP 61 031 713 A a similar pouring device for plastic parts is known.

Finally, out of the EP 1 189 054 A2 a device for optical monitoring of thermoformed plastic parts known, with a quality control device for the thermoformed plastic parts with respect to unauthorized thin spots.

The US Pat. No. 4,656,049 shows a robot arm with a spray head, a light source and a photometer, wherein light source and photometer are housed in a reflector housing. In the release agent, which is applied to the molds, a fluorescent dye is introduced, which is activated by means of the UV light source on the manipulator, wherein the re-emitted light is detected by the photometer. By means of these measures, the thickness or the quality of the wetting of the tool with release agent is detected.

A disadvantage of these known devices is that operators still need to intervene, for example, to deburr the casting, to make a visual inspection of the cast part, to separate rejects, for example to deposit good and bad parts in the corresponding boxes. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to use so-called inserts, d. H. Metal inserts, which are to be cast with, insert in the open mold. Also, this must be done manually by the operator so far.

Based on this, the object is to design a device of the type mentioned in that a virtually automated and continuous casting operation with high quantities is possible.

According to a particular idea of the invention, it is provided that a plurality of mold-closing machines, for example three, are arranged around a manipulator. This is preferably done in the form of a U's. Also, more mold clamping machines, for example six, may be arranged in the form of two U's, with the manipulator (s) being arranged approximately in the middle of the two legs of the U or between both U's. Thus, in a relatively small space an extremely productive casting machine can be installed, which can already pour the next batch during the curing of the first batch and thus makes high quantities possible. Preferably, this can also be used to control the quality of the casting and to monitor the mold before the start of casting.

The optics of the system works preferably in the visible range (photo or video camera), but can also work in the infrared, ultraviolet or X-ray range. Visible errors can be detected in the visible range. In the infrared, for example, the temperature and the heat distribution of the cooling casting can be registered. In the UV or X-ray range, internal structures and defects become visible.

When using a video camera, it is recommended to use a computer-aided evaluation. With a frame grabber known per se, an image can be taken out of the video sequence or "snapped" and then digitized. The digitized image can then be evaluated by means of likewise known algorithms for matches or errors. Deviations from predetermined shapes or defects of the products or residues in the molds can be detected in this way. The manipulator can be controlled in this way sort out bad parts or perform new cleaning steps.

The optical monitoring system is preferably arranged so that it looks into the closing machine or into the mold or the tool when the mold is open in order to optimize the casting process to be able to capture. For this purpose, it can be moved automatically from a rest position to a working position at a predetermined time. The arrangement is advantageous for example on the hand of the manipulator. This allows the optical system to be programmed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the manipulator may also be designed to deposit the cast part at a specific location, for example in a packaging container, and moreover to complete the packaging unit, for example by interposing packing material between individual layers of cast parts.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the manipulator is adapted to remove inserts from a magazine and insert it into the mold. Possibly. the manipulator has separate sliding arms for this purpose. This function is also programmable and can be repeatedly reproduced by the manipulator with high precision. This results, for example in the manufacture of castings, which consist of a metal core and a surrounding plastic insulating sheath to extremely precise, always exactly the same workpieces, since the manipulator can position the cores more accurately to the intended location than an operator.

In one embodiment of the invention, when not needed, the optical system may be moved or retracted, for example, in filling and compacting the molds, in a protective position or position where it is protected from contamination. Outside the casting areas, it is thus protected against unintentional contamination with sticky cast resin. On the other hand, its automatic ancestor, once the casting is over, is close enough to the scene to provide meaningful images.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided that the cast part is first taken out of the casting mold and deposited by the manipulator in order then to clean the closing machine or the casting tool. This can be done by compressed air or mechanically. If, by means of the optical monitoring, the cleaning carried out was not sufficient, a subsequent cleaning is carried out. The detection of insufficient cleaning can be done by simple image recognition algorithms. Remaining residues in the mold can be automatically detected based on their generated shadows, light diffractions or heat radiation. The cleaning can be done not only pneumatically but mechanically with the advantage of being able to apply higher and targeted forces. As mechanical tools are, for example, scrapers, brushes o. The like. Into consideration.

After cleaning, the release agent is sprayed into the mold by means of the robot, optionally an insert inserted, and the closing machine for casting the next casting closed. For example, as the new casting is being poured, deburring and packaging of the previously cast casting is done at other stations of the device.

It is particularly favorable when this U-shaped arrangement is mirrored, so that three mold clamping machines are also arranged in the form of a U on the opposite side of a turntable, each with an associated manipulator. This makes it possible to optimize the storage and packaging system and make it flexible. The working cycle of the manipulators and / or the packing of the packages can be done in common mode or in push-pull. Also, the insertion and removal of full or empty pallets or receptacles designed very simple. Thus, in a special embodiment, the removal of the pallets take place laterally.

It is also conceivable according to the invention to arrange a plurality of mold-closing machines or molds on a turntable or carousel, so that a fully automatic system can be realized in the smallest space with short travel paths of the manipulator.

The packaging units for depositing the castings are preferably located at the open end of the U or U, so that a very short cycle time for the production of a casting is realized.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the storage boxes are arranged on a turntable or a carousel, so that the respectively to be stocked box or tray is driven by turning the table in their position closest to the manipulator. This also increases the working speed, since the travel paths are minimized.

Other objects, advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the present invention, also independent of their summary in the claims or their dependency.

Show it:

1 a first device for automated casting

2 a second embodiment and

3 a third embodiment.

1 shows in outline three mold clamping machines 4 , which are set up in the form of a U's. Between the three form-locking machines 4 there is a manipulator 6 who is trained to manipulate his hand 8th in each of the three mold clamping machines 4 and fill and empty the machines. Next to the manipulator 6 There is a storage table 10 for just unused tools of the manipulator 6 and several tables 18 for depositing the castings 2 , On some tables 18 there are storage boxes 12 into which the castings taken out of the molds and possibly cleaned 2 be filed.

The manipulator 6 So the mold clamping machines can equip with new molds, castings or castings 2 remove from the molds and clean these or the molds. Because different filing boxes 12 The Manipulator can - if it comes with a program for detecting good and bad castings 2 equipped, the good parts in a specific filing box 12 and the bad or the nachzubearbeitenden parts in another storage box 12 lay.

With 16 is a stack of packing material (paper), from which the manipulator 6 after depositing a first layer of castings 2 in a box 12 hangs up a bow as an intermediate layer. This prevents the sticking of castings 2 the second layer at those of the first layer. It is also conceivable, of course, that the manipulator 6 the packaging material breaks off from a roll, cuts to length and inserts as an intermediate layer into the respective box.

In the embodiment according to 2 are accordingly too 1 are again the three form closing machines 4 , the manipulator 6 and a storage table 10 intended for tools. Next to the storage table 10 are located in 2 three more tables, for example for storage boxes. Instead of the filing table 18 for the castlings 2 is a turntable 14 or carousel provided. With this turntable 14 The production can be further automated, since now by rotation of the table 14 filled storage boxes 12 from the grip area of the manipulator 6 away and new, empty storage boxes 12 in the grip area of the manipulator 6 can be brought into it. By 90 ° rotation in the direction of the arrow so a full storage box 12 from the manipulator 6 away to a new position (in 2 to the right), from which it is subsequently taken over by another system.

3 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in the six mold clamping machines 4 are placed in the form of two U's, with the respective open sides of the two U's facing each other. Between every three form closing machines 4 there is a manipulator 6 with the filing tables 10 for his tools. Between the two manipulators 6 there is a turntable 14 , by both manipulators 6 can be achieved, as the two gripped areas 20 demonstrate. On the turntable 14 are again filing boxes 12 for the castlings 2 , Full storage boxes 12 be from the turntable 14 brought into a position which is indicated by the dashed line. From there, the full storage boxes 12 then removed. In their place are empty storage boxes 12 then placed in the grip area if necessary 20 a manipulator 6 to be turned around.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

casting

4

Mold closing machine

6

manipulator

8th

manipulator hand

10

tray table

12

storage box

14

turntable

16

packing material

18

table

20

grip area

Claims (10)

Device for the automated casting of castings ( 2 ) of single or multi-component potting compounds with mold-closing machines ( 4 ) and a manipulator ( 6 ), the tools for removing the casting ( 2 ), Tools for cleaning the molds and tools for applying release agent in the molds, wherein the casting ( 2 ) from the manipulator ( 6 ) is first removed from the mold and stored, then the closing machine ( 4 ) or to clean the casting tool and spray the release agent into the mold after cleaning and the closing machine ( 4 ) for casting the next cast part ( 2 ), characterized by an optical system on the manipulator ( 6 ) for monitoring the casting process or the molds, wherein the optical system is connected to an evaluation unit, by means of which the recognition of insufficient cleaning of the forms can be effected by simple algorithms of image recognition, and the evaluation unit is connected to a control unit, by means of which the manipulator ( 6 ) Sort out bad parts and take new steps to clean the molds. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical system for quality control of the casting ( 2 ) is provided. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by a tool for depositing the castings in packaging and / or for introducing packaging material ( 16 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a tool for inserting inserts. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one tool for deburring and / or blowing off the castings ( 2 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a retraction of the optical control device in a protective position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a tool for post-cleaning and / or a mechanical cleaning tool. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that three or more mold clamping machines ( 4 ) are placed in one or more, preferably two, U-shapes. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a plurality of mold clamping machines are arranged on a turntable or carousel. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a turntable ( 14 ) for storage boxes ( 12 ).

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