DE29622433U1 - Device for the production of furniture - Google Patents

Description

RICHTER, WERDERMANN & GERBAULET

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS ■ PATENT ATTORNEYS

HAMBURG · BERLIN

DIPL.-1NG. JOACHIM RICHTER DIPL.-1NG. HANNES GERBAULET DIPL.-1NG. FRANZ WERDERMANN

- 1986

NEW WALL IO KURFÜRSTENDAMM

2O354 HAMBURG IO719 BERLIN

S (O4O) 34 OO 45/34 OO 56 © (O3O) S 82 74 FAX (O4O) 35 24 15 FAX <O3O) 8 82 32

IN OFFICE SHARING WITH MAINlTZ & PARTNER LAWYERS - NOTARIES

YOUR FILE

oursign OUR FILE

HAMBURG

96471 III 5776

12.02.1997

Applicant:

IBG Automation GmbH
Osemundstrasse 20-22
D-58809 Neuenrade

Title:

Device for

Manufacturing of furniture

Description

The present invention relates to the field of furniture manufacturing technology. It relates to a device for manufacturing pieces of furniture according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the current state of the art, furniture, especially kitchen furniture in the form of wall units (wall cabinets) or similar, is either assembled by hand or on a processing line in which the individual processing steps are carried out one after the other on the part transported on a belt conveyor (see, for example, DE-C3-22 34 868 or DE-Al-36 633). Such a processing line requires conversion to accommodate different batch sizes, which requires corresponding set-up times. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide high cycle rates or processing speeds for the belt line in order to achieve economical processing times. This requires complex and expensive feeding devices for the material, which are only profitable at very high cycle rates. In addition, conversion to other drilling patterns, hinges, part sizes or similar is very complex because the entire belt line has to be adapted.

In small-scale production, i.e. predominantly manual production with mechanical auxiliary equipment and simple presses and with high personnel requirements, the quality of execution is extremely dependent on personnel. In medium and large-scale production with predominantly linked systems, personnel is also essential. It is rare that a complete element can be manufactured.

It is therefore the object of the invention to create a flexible manufacturing device for furniture, which has a simple structure, is easy to convert, works economically even with smaller batch sizes and cycle rates and can, if necessary, be arranged and work in parallel in multiple versions.

The problem is solved by the totality of the features of claim 1.

&bull; · &igr;

The invention enables the processing and assembly steps to be combined in a compact production cell. It also enables the arrangement of several such cells on a conveyor system. The use of one or more freely programmable robots instead of conventional conveyor belts or similar transport devices for transporting the individual elements within the production cell enables the production cell to be easily and flexibly adapted to the required processing or production process. At the same time, the robots allow very simple feed systems to be used for the individual elements, since the processing times in the individual production cell are not as long as in a conveyor line, where deliveries must be made more quickly.

In a cell according to the invention, capacity can be gradually built up, which leads to appropriate investments. In contrast, the capital investment in assembly lines is extremely high in relation to capacity. In addition, the influence of the human condition on the day is largely excluded.

A first preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one robot is also provided for attaching the assembly aids to the individual elements. This saves additional transport and assembly devices for the assembly aids, whereby the production cell is further simplified and can be used even more flexibly.

A second preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that at least two freely programmable robots are present in the production cell, each of which takes over part of the sequence of actions required for assembling the pieces of furniture. This enables the robots to be used alternately, which, with appropriately clever programming, simplifies and accelerates the production process as a whole.

In addition, there is increased flexibility in the arrangement of the various preparation stations within the production cell, because their location does not have to be exclusively aligned with the work area of a robot.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the stations for preparing the individual elements comprise a measuring station in which the individual elements are individually measured for further processing. Through the measurement, the production cell can automatically and directly adjust to the different individual elements and optimally adapt the subsequent processing and assembly steps to the respective conditions.

Another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the production cell is composed of several sub-cells (so-called "pontoons"), in each of which some of the stations and robots are pre-assembled, and in that the sub-cells are connected to one another by a plug system for power supply and data exchange. Such a pontoon system, in which the base frame of the production cell consists of two or more parts on which the assembly stations for the individual processing and assembly stations are prepared and the necessary connection of the pontoon parts is made by a plug system, makes it possible to set up the entire production cell, connect it and make it ready for production within one day. In the prior art, however, setting up production lines usually takes weeks or months.

Further embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a manufacturing cell according to the invention in side view; and

Fig. 2 shows the production cell of Fig. 1 in a top view.

In Fig. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of a production device or cell is shown in the side view (Fig. 1) and in the top view (Fig. 2). The production device 10, which in the present example is designed for the production of wall cabinets, in particular 1- and 2-door wall and short wall cabinets, comprises a (cuboid-shaped) production cell 11, which is composed of three sub-cells (pontoons) 31, 32 and 33 arranged next to one another and is limited in height by a cell shell 34 in the form of a frame with wire mesh or the like. The production cell 11 forms a self-contained production system, to which individual elements in the form of material cuts 14 are fed from the outside, and which delivers the fully assembled wall cabinets back to the outside via a conveyor belt 30, whereby several hundred (e.g. 800) wall cabinets can be produced per day with the embodiment shown here.

The material cuts 14 comprise the body and front material for the cabinets, whereby the body material includes the body sides, the structural floors, shelves, posts and rear walls, while the front material optionally includes hinged doors and flaps. The material cuts 14 required for a wall cabinet are pre-picked by type on L-shaped support frames 13 by means of a

Overhead conveyor 12. The overhead conveyor 12, which functions like a chair lift, leads into the production cell 11, makes a 180° turn there, and then leads out of the production cell 11 again. The support frame 13 is oriented in the area of the turn with its open side towards the production cell 11, so that the material cuts 14 can be removed easily and without hindrance.

Two freely programmable robots 16 and 17 in the form of robot arms that can rotate and swivel around several axes are provided for removing the material cuts 14 from the overhead conveyor 12 and for further transporting the material cuts 14 within the production cell 11. The control and power supply of the robots 16, 17 is carried out via control cabinets.

15 in the upper sub-cell 31. In the present case, the robots 16 and 17 are preferably positioned so that they can optionally remove the material cuts 14 from the overhead conveyor 12 or carry out other operations. Their working areas overlap for this purpose. However, other positionings of the robots 16, 17 are of course also conceivable within the scope of the invention. The robots 16, 17 are provided with suction cups, for example, at the end of their gripping arms, to grip the material cuts 14. The same gripping arm then also has the corresponding assembly devices, for example for screwing on hinges or hangers, and a gripping device for gripping a feedable stapler.

The material cuts 14 are, after preparatory processing steps, by the lower robot 17 - which incidentally has a higher load capacity (30 kg) than the upper robot

16 (15 kg) - are automatically assembled in a final assembly station 29 located in the sub-cell 33 and pressed into the finished wall cabinet in the station. The finished wall cabinet is then automatically pushed from the final assembly station 29 onto the discharge conveyor 30 leading to the outside and

then goes to the inspection (not shown in the figures) and then to the automatic packaging system.

The material cuts 14 are assembled to form the wall cabinet using various assembly aids such as mounting plates, hinges and glue beads. Furthermore, hangers, stops and locking devices are required for the intended function and assembly of the finished wall cabinet, which are also installed in the production cell 11. So that these elements can be fitted precisely in the correct places on the material cuts 14, the material cuts 14 taken from the overhead conveyor 12 are first transported one after the other by the robots 16, 17 to a (laser-operating) measuring station 27, where they are measured, centered and recorded in terms of coordinates.

The measured material cuts 14 are then fed to drilling stations 25, 26, where they are provided with the necessary holes for the inclusion of glue beads, hinges and the like. For the side parts, this includes the introduction of all surface holes such as construction, mounting plate, shelf, shelf stop, connection, suspension fitting and special holes as well as position markings. For front processing, this is the introduction of all holes for flap fittings, door stop buffers and the like. In the drilling stations 25, 26, one of the robots 16, 17 then places mounting plates, stops, right and left hangers on the material cuts 14 and applies individual glue beads for later gluing. In a further hinge station 28, the corresponding material cuts are then provided with hinges and stoppers. The material cuts of a wall cabinet prepared and processed in this way are finally assembled one by one by the lower robot 17 in the final assembly station 29 - as already mentioned above - to form the complete body and are pressed (glued) there cleanly, tightly and at an angle.

The rear wall is then automatically connected to the two side walls using a stapler. The finished barriers leave the production cell 11 standing on the conveyor belt 30.

The assembly aids are supplied to the production cell in the form of bulk material via individual feed devices 18,...,24 arranged next to one another. Each of the feed devices 18,...,24 comprises a filling unit (bunker unit) 18a,...,24a accessible from outside the production cell 11 and an adjoining feed unit 18b,...,24b located within the production cell 11, which makes the assembly aids available in individual form for removal by one of the robots 16, 17. In the present example, the feed devices 18 and 21 provide right and left hangers, the feed device 19 provides stops, the feed device 20 provides mounting plates, the feed device 22 provides glue beads, and the feed devices 23 and 24 provide hinges and locks.

A particular advantage arises when drilling fronts. The panels are brought over the drilling units by the robot and moved there, and the drills do not move over the panel as in the past. Advantageously, there are no additional axes that move in the system, only robot systems.

Overall, the invention results in a production facility that is simple and modular in design, quick and easy to assemble, can be quickly and flexibly converted and adapted to different requirements, and can therefore also be used efficiently for smaller manufacturing companies and for frequently changing products. The internal structure of the production cell can be implemented in very different ways. It is essential that the transport and assembly steps within the cell

Freely programmable, flexible robots are used, which work together with appropriately arranged preparation and assembly stations and conveyor and feeding devices.

List of reference symbols:

Manufacturing device 10 Manufacturing cell 11 Overhead conveyor 12 Support frame (L-shaped) 13 Material cutting 14 switch cabinet 15 robot 16, 17 Feeding device 18, ..., 24 Filling unit 18a, . . . , 24a Feeding unit 18b, ..., 24b Drilling station 25, 26 Surveying station 27 Hinge station 28 Final assembly station 29 Drain belt 30 Subcell (pontoon) 31, 32, 33 Cell envelope 34

Claims (10)

Expectations: 1. Device (10) for manufacturing pieces of furniture which are assembled from a plurality of individual elements (14) using assembly aids, characterized in that the manufacturing device (10) comprises a manufacturing cell (11) which is connected to a first conveyor device (12) for feeding the individual elements (14), feed devices (18,...,24; 18a,...,24a; 18b,...,24b) for feeding the assembly aids, and a second conveyor device (30) for transporting the fully assembled pieces of furniture away, that within the manufacturing cell (11) there are stations (25,...,28) for preparing the individual elements (14) for assembly and a final assembly station (29) for assembling the prepared individual elements (14) to form the finished piece of furniture using the assembly aids, and that within the manufacturing cell (11) at least one freely programmable robot (16, 17) is present, which transports the individual elements (14) back and forth between the various stations (25,..,29). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one robot (16, 17) is also provided for attaching the assembly aids to the individual elements (14). 3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in the production cell (11) there are at least two freely programmable robots (16, 17), each of which takes over part of the sequence of actions necessary for assembling the pieces of furniture. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the robot or robots (16, 17) are designed as robot arms that can rotate and pivot about several axes, and that the various stations (25,...,29), the first conveyor device (12) and the feed devices (18,...,24) are arranged so that they lie within the production cell (11) in the pivoting range of the robot arms. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the individual elements are designed as material blanks (14), and that the first conveyor device comprises a suspended conveyor (12) which is guided through the production cell (11) in such a way that the robot or robots (16, 17) can remove the material blanks (14) within the production cell (11) from the suspended conveyor (12). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the feed devices (18,..,24) each comprise a filling unit (18a,..,24a) that can be filled from outside the production cell (11) and a feed unit (18b,..,24b) arranged inside the production cell (11), which feed unit (18b,..,24b) makes the respective assembly aids available individually for removal by the robot(s) (16, 17). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stations for preparing the individual elements (14) comprise a measuring station (27) in which the individual elements (14) are individually measured for further processing. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the final assembly station (29) interacts directly with the second conveyor device (30). 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the production cell (11) is composed of several sub-cells (31,..,33), in each of which sub-cells (31,..,33) some of the stations (25,..,29) and robots (16, 17) are arranged pre-assembled, and that the sub-cells (31,..,33) are connected to one another by a plug system for energy supply and for data exchange. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the drilling of furniture parts, in particular of front parts, is carried out in such a way that the furniture parts are brought over the drilling unit by the robot and are moved there to create the hole(s).