DE3440943A1 - Process and device for continuous measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

With complicated, highly jointed profiles made of thermoplastics, for example plastics hollow window profiles, which are usually produced by extrusion, it is important that after their production they have the planned outer dimensions as accurately as possible. It is difficult to achieve this particularly because in general a plurality of specified dimensions must be maintained simultaneously so that the profiles fit perfectly and accurately together with other components, such as counterprofiles etc., during their further processing. The continuous monitoring of all important dimensions of the profiles during their production is made possible according to the invention in that a measuring device surrounding the profile is guided thereon in a longitudinal direction so as to be essentially non-slidable such that, in its entirety, it follows all movements of the profile transversely to the profile travel direction.

Description

Method and device for continuous measurement

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for continuously measuring one or more dimensions of any shape Profile made of thermoplastic material, in particular a plastic window hollow profile, by means of a measuring device during its manufacture by extrusion.

Complicated, highly structured profiles made of thermoplastic material, as is the case e.g. for plastic window hollow profiles, are usually used in Extruder process produced. It is of crucial importance that the profile has the intended external dimensions after its production. However, this is very difficult with such profiles because they are usually simultaneous a large number of specified dimensions must be precisely adhered to, as these profiles are processed with other components, such as counter profiles, Seals, etc., must fit together exactly.

In the case of complicated profiles made of thermoplastic material, this will be Compliance with the nominal dimensions usually after production using measuring tools controlled by hand. However, this can only be done for economic and personnel reasons be carried out on a random basis. Therefore it happens again and again that to a considerable extent Profiles with incorrect dimensions can also be produced without this immediately is recognized. The consequence of this means a considerable economic loss, Since the production of the profiles is associated with high costs, the profiles themselves but do not allow it to be recycled in retrospect and are therefore rejected and their reprocessing limits are also law.

An optoelectronic device is known in which with the help a three-point roller adapter via measuring mirror and measuring camera the parallelism or Right angles of surfaces to each other or a possible twist over can be measured over a certain length. With other known optoelectronic Devices can only measure a single outer dimension of the profile. These However, facilities are not suitable for measuring distances between several surfaces, Control projections and ledges in a satisfactory manner.

This also applies to a profile sensor, which has a measuring sensor monitors the dimensions of a profile.

With this profile sensor, deviations from a certain Monitor and check or determine dimensions for simultaneous measurement respectively.

however, this facility is capable of monitoring multiple profile dimensions also not suitable.

The known devices are those with which although a certain amount can be monitored and controlled. However, it is not possible to use several different dimensions of a profile with them at the same time monitor or control. Since they are also arranged stationary, is it is impossible or only insufficiently possible with them to transverse the movements of the profile to take into account the direction of extrusion without any disadvantage on the measured values.

The invention aims to provide a method and a device, with which it is possible regardless of movement of the extruded profile transversely one continuously or preferably also several at the same time to the extrusion direction Monitor and control the dimensions of a profile.

According to the invention, this is achieved with a method according to the main claim and an apparatus according to claim 5 achieved. Further advantageous refinements of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The invention is shown in the drawing in one embodiment and is explained below on the basis of this. FIG. 1 shows the measuring device in the closed state in a view against the profile extrusion direction, FIG. 2 shows the measuring device in the open state in the same way, figure 3 shows the measuring device in a side view in the direction of arrow C of the figure 1, FIG. 4, partially in section, the measuring device in a plan view according to FIG Line A - A of Figure 1 in the closed state with unlocked measuring pins, Figure 5 shows a side view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 again partially in section the measuring device in a plan view along the line B-B of FIG. 2 in the open state and locked against closing, FIG. 7 likewise partially in section in a plan view along the line B - B of Figure 2, the measuring device in the open, but released for closing state with locked measuring pins and FIG. 8 shows a side view in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

As in particular from Figures 1 to 3, in which for the same parts the same reference numerals are always used, it can be seen that the on the height-adjustable lifting device 19 via the springs 2 suspended measuring device the two main body halves 5 and 6.

The two halves are largely for the sake of simplicity. i.e. as far as structurally possible and justifiable, built and designed in a mirror-inverted manner each with a frame a cover plate 3, a base plate 4 and the struts 20, by means of which the cover and base plates through the screws 27 are rigidly connected to each other.

The two halves 5 and 6 are attached to the ceiling panels 3 via the Lugs 8 with guide sleeves 9 on the support bolt 29 against the pressure on this arranged and supported on the cross member 28 springs 18 displaceably guided, the displaceability through on the support bolt ends by means of the screws 10 attached flange washer 11 is limited.

At the front ends of the with their longitudinal extension in In the direction of the profile extrusion extending traverse 28, the auxiliary rollers 26 are arranged, which by means of the lever 23, for example, via eccentrics (not shown) in the direction of the double arrow 12 by a certain amount in the vertical direction upwards respectively.

can be adjusted at the bottom. At the front ends of the cover plates 3, the guide rollers 1 are arranged. Further guide rollers are on the long sides of halves 5 and 6 are provided. All guide rollers 1 are by means of the guide roller holder 30 in slots 31 of the struts 20 or in corresponding slots, not shown the cover plate 3 displaceably arranged and lockable by means of the screws 32, so that their respective positions suitably to different profiles Shape and cross-sectional dimensions can be adjusted. For the sake of the possibility of Adaptation to profiles of different dimensions and around always, even with slightly fluctuating outer profile dimensions, the two-sided stop of the profile To ensure the guide rollers 1 are essentially opposite one another arranged lateral guide rollers 1 those of the base body half 6 by means of the knurled screws 33 adjustable in the direction of the double arrow 34 and above also designed to be resilient against the pressure of the springs 35.

On the two main body halves 5 and 6 are here in the longitudinal direction one behind the other three per se known probes 7 each with one fixed in the probe arranged measuring pin (here for example the measuring pin 13) and one in the probe movable measuring pin (here for example the measuring pin 14) is provided. The probes 7 are resiliently mounted on the guides 22 by means of the springs 15 so that they are in the direction of double arrow 37 by a more or less large amount "+ a" of for example 10 mm can move. With this possibility of movement, the fixed measuring pin 13 resting on the profile more or less large movements of the relevant Participate in the profile edge, whereas the one resting against another profile edge is resilient measuring pin 14 resiliently arranged in the probe according to its respective distance to the fixed measuring pin 13 delivers the respective measured value, the spring deflection by means of the ring disks 38, which can be fixed by the screws 39, to the desired or set or limit the required dimension. Likewise, in a well-known Here, however, the distance between the measuring pins 13, 14, not shown any further each probe 7 to one of the size of the respective dimension to be controlled set the adjusted basic or output value of profile P. Instead of probes to use with adjustable spacing of the measuring pins, but could also be provided when using the measuring device for different profiles the probes to be exchanged for those in which the distances between the measuring pins are to controlling dimensions sings of the profile correspond approximately.

On the cover plates 3 and the base plates 4 are holding devices attached, the two main body halves 5 and 6 of the measuring device during of operation, i.e. during the measurement process, hold together.

These holding devices can be operated mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically, but preferably electro-mechanically. In the present embodiment the holding devices are designed as electromagnets 16 and 17, their attachment on the cover plates 3 and on the base plates 4 expediently as shown in FIG is chosen in such a way that they are flatly in firm contact with each other, even if the cover plates 3 and the base plates 4 are in solid contact with one another are with each other. The two-dimensional contact of the cover plates 3 during the closed state the measuring device is advantageous, but not a mandatory requirement, rather the corresponding parts of the measuring device could differ from case to case, i. when extruding profiles of different dimensions, even in one more or face less large distance, provided that it is ensured that the parts in the closed state of the device assume a clear, constant position. In order to adapt to different conditions, the electric magnets are provided here 16 and 17 on the cover plates 3 and base plates 4 in the direction transverse to the extrusion direction movable to a greater or lesser extent, i.e.

adjustable to attach.

To ensure that when closing, i.e. closing the measuring device the measuring pins 13 and 14 of the probe 7 are not damaged, but perfectly and un- interferes between the parts of the profile P, their distances to be measured from each other, to be able to intervene, is - as in particular from FIGS. 4 to 8 can be seen - the measuring pins are provided with the locking slots 25 provided locking plates 24 to lock outside their respective measuring range, i.e. to bring out of the system to the corresponding parts of the profile P and in this To block position while at the same time the locking device 21 for to enable the subsequent reclosing of the measuring device.

According to Figures 4, 6 and 7, the locking device 21, the cross-shaped center piece 41, which, for example, by means of screws 59 (in Figure 3) via the fastening bolts 42 shown here in section in the middle the underside of the traverse 28 is attached.

The pivotally movable by means of the bolts 43 on the transverse webs 44 of the Middle piece 41 arranged pivot or. Spreading arms 45 are by the force of tension springs attached to the transverse webs 44 on the one hand and to the arms 45 on the other hand 56 via the rollers 47 which are rotatably arranged on bolts 46 at the ends of the arms 45 kept in constant rolling contact with the inside of the locking plates. In the plane of the rollers, the driver pins 36 are fixed in the locking plates 24 arranged.

According to FIGS. 5 and 8, for one profile side of the around 900 Provided in the plane of the folded profile P three probes 7, of which the measuring pins 13 and 14 of the probe on the left in the figure for measuring the distance the two horizontal outer profile surfaces 48 and 49, the measuring pins 13 and 14 of the middle probe for measuring the distance between the bars 50 and 51 and the measuring pins 13 and 14 of the right probe for measuring the distance are provided between the web 52 and the outer profile surface 49. For each pair of measuring pins 13, 14 a vertical slot 53 is provided, of which the horizontal locking slots 25 branch off, the transition from the slots 53 to the slots 25 via the Slants 54 takes place. There are also recesses in the locking plates 55 provided in to limit the longitudinal displacement of the locking plates the brackets 30 of the horizontal brackets arranged on the base body halves 5 and 6 Engage guide rollers 1.

In the closed state (Figures 1, 4 and 5) they enclose the two Device halves 5 and 6 that in Figure 1 in cross section and in Figure 5 partially Profile P shown and folded into the plane of the drawing for the sake of clarity is essentially fully. The suspended via the springs 2 on the height-adjustable lifting device 19 The measuring device sits with only a small bearing weight by means of the vertical guide rollers 1 on the upper horizontal profile outer surface 48 and is at the same time means of the lateral guide rollers 1, one of which is a resilient one from opposite each other is designed to be resilient, guided on both sides. The measuring device can therefore move of the profile during extrusion both vertically and horizontally Follow direction unhindered, with the resilient resilience of the one on the right Side shown guide rollers 1, two of which in the longitudinal direction one behind the other are provided, any deviations in the dimension of the profile between the Outer surfaces of the vertical profile webs 57 and 58 intercepts without that thereby the measuring activity and measuring accuracy are impaired.

According to FIGS. 4 and 5, the swivel or

Spreading arms 45 of the locking device 21 in the closed state the measuring device a position in which it is furthest in the longitudinal direction of the device, the tension springs 56 being at their greatest tension. The locking plates 24 are in their end position in the direction of profile extrusion displaced, the right end of the recesses 55 resting on the holder 30 and the measuring pins 13 and 14 of the three probes 7 have full freedom of movement and accordingly - as shown in FIG. 5 folded by 900 into the plane of the drawing Profile P - scan the measured values assigned to them.

Should the measuring process, be it as a result of a setting or an interruption the extrusion or as a result of a value exceeding a permitted value Deformation of the extruded profile to be scanned is interrupted after the electromagnets 16, 17 have been switched off by the compression springs 18, the device halves 5 and 6 moved apart into the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, in which the guide rollers 1 and the measuring pins 13 and 14 out of contact or are out of engagement with the profile P. By the lifting device 19 is also the entire measuring device raised automatically, so that the profile is freely accessible is.

The unhindered free lifting of the device from the prefil is ensured by the inclined guide plates 40 ensure.

The locking device 21 takes the one shown in FIG Position in which the arms 45 when tensioned tension springs 56 in the fully stretched position transversely to the profile extrusion direction or to the longitudinal extent the measuring device and this in this standby position against a new one Block or block closing initially. The locking plates 24 take it still in the position shown in Figure 5, i.e. the disengaged Measuring pins 13, 14 can move freely.

Should the measuring device resume its measuring activity and close for this purpose the measuring device by moving the two device halves together 5 and 6 are closed again, the arms 45 must first be extended from their Able to be brought out. This is done by moving the locking plates 24 by the amount b in their opposite end position, with the driver pins 36 adjust the arms 45 into the slightly angled position shown in FIG. Simultaneously with their displacement, the locking plates 24 lock with their horizontal ones Slots 25 the measuring pins 13 and 14 in a position outside their measuring range, as can be seen from the schematic representation at the right end of Figure 8, in which the measuring pins 13, 14 and the profile P are folded over into the plane of the drawing. This measure prevents the measuring pins from being in the measuring position during the closing process stand and when the halves 5 and 6 move together, possibly against the profile edges butt and become damaged and / or damage the profile P.

To close the measuring device and return to that shown in FIG To bring the measuring position, the increase that took place when the device was opened must be restored be reversed. In order to prevent the condition Upper vertical guide rollers 1 that are outside the profile area when the halves 5 and 6 move together against the upper longitudinal edges of the profile Bump P and get damaged and / or damage the profile, it is provided that by means of the lever 23 first in the longitudinal direction of the measuring device in front of and behind the two measuring device halves 5 and 6 located auxiliary rollers 26 in the direction of the double arrow "c" to adjust a small way down and then the Lower the entire measuring device by means of the lifting device 19, initially place the auxiliary rollers 26 in the middle of the profile P. Thereupon the measuring device closed by moving halves 5 and 6 together, which both by simple Squeezing can be done by hand or in an automatic manner, the upper guide rollers 1 come to stand over the profile P, but without already to lie on this. By means of the lever 23, the auxiliary rollers 26 are then in the direction of the double arrow c adjusted by the same distance upwards, which now place the upper guide rollers 1 on the profile P and lift off the auxiliary rollers 26. The adjustment of the lever 23 can be done by hand or halfway or fully automatic way, in which case instead of the lever 23 corresponding others Device parts can be used. The now shown in FIG Way between the profile webs 57 and 58 or outside the profile outer surfaces 48 and 49 located measuring pins 13, 14 are finally moved by moving the locking plates 24 unlocked in the end position shown in Figures 4 and 5 and lie down in the manner shown in Figure 5 on the profile and feel at this now the desired values.

The measured values detected by the measuring pins 13 and 14 are stored in the measuring probes converted in a known manner into electrical values that add to the desired further Processing are available. Unless one or more of these values are not correspond to the specified conditions or exceed or exceed a specified limit value is not reached, a signal is given that either the automatic opening of the Measuring device causes or also causes the machine operator to take suitable measures to initiate. Besides the measuring pins 13 and 14 could of course also the upper and the side guide rollers 1 are provided at to trigger a signal if the dimensions of profile P deviate too much, for example in the event that the distance between the vertical profile webs 57 and 58 fluctuates more than permissible or, for example, in the event that the upper horizontal Profile surface 48 is deformed too much, so that one of the upper guide rollers 1, for example no longer has a circulation.

Dimensions and shape of the profile cross-section shown here are self-evident to be understood only as an example, as well as the structural design of the measuring device, (For example the lifting device 19, the locking device 21 and the locking plates 24, the type, number and arrangement of the probes 7 and other device parts. Likewise, of course, the confirmation of the measuring device can be in the most varied Automatically and / or by hand by means of suitable devices. In particular, the height adjustability of the auxiliary rollers 26 as well as the The extent of the lifting of the measuring pins 13, 14 from the profile P is of course set in such a way that that when the base body parts 5, 6 move together, the vertical guide roles 1 is slightly but sufficiently above the horizontal outer surface of the profile 48 and the measuring pins 13, 14, which are in the locked state, are in terms of height are at a sufficient distance from the profile webs or profile surfaces, which they are assigned for measuring, so that there is a collision of the moving parts with the profile P is safely avoided.

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Claims (12)

P a t e n t ans p r U c h e: l. Continuous measurement method one or more dimensions of any shaped thermoplastic profile Plastic, in particular a plastic window hollow profile, by means of a measuring device during its production by extrusion, d u r c h ek e n n z e i c h n e t that the measuring device is at such a distance from the extrusion tool which the extruded profile (P), if necessary after previous calibration and / or Tempering, at least almost cooled to bypass temperature, on this in Is guided in the longitudinal direction essentially immovable, so that they as a whole participates in all movements of the profile in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the profile. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device is guided on the profile (P) by means of guide rollers (1). 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the measuring device by means of a vertical guide roller (1) with a low bearing weight on the one above Profile surface and by means of horizontal ones arranged on both sides of the profile (P) Guide rollers (1) is guided. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that the measuring device has two or more parts (5, 6), and that when exceeded A signal is formed from a predetermined limit value of the dimensional deviation and through this the lifting of the parts from the profile (P) is triggered. 5. Device for performing the method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that they have one on a stationary lifting device (19) suspended frame-shaped base body made of two by means of a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electromagnetic locking and holding device against the force of at least one spring (18) on one in the profile extrusion direction extending traverse (28) fixed horizontal support bolts (29) in a Bring adjacent closed position and in this closed position on the measuring profile (P) guided and this enclosing base body halves (5,6) has, of which at least one half with at least one known per se Measuring probe (7) with a fixed (13) and a resiliently flexible (14) Measuring pin is provided. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the base body halves (5,6) in the closed position each by means of at least one vertical and one horizontal Guide roller (1) are guided on the profile to be measured (P). 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the horizontal Guide rollers (1) of the one Base body half (5 or 6) across the Profile extrusion direction horizontally adjustable and by means of a compression spring (35) Are resiliently arranged. 8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that that the probe (7) on the base body halves (5, 6) by means of compression springs (15) are resiliently arranged on vertical guides (22). 9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that that viewed in the extrusion direction in front of and behind the main body halves (5, 6) on the traverse (28) each one adjustable in height by a predetermined equal amount Auxiliary roller (26) is arranged. 10. Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that that on the main body halves (5, 6) axially between predetermined end positions and retractable locking plates (24) with slots (53) and branching off from these Locking slots (25) formed by sliding bevels (54) for the measuring pins (13, 14) are arranged. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that that on the underside of the traverse (28) one of one attached to the traverse cross-shaped middle piece (41, 'and on this against the force of tension springs (56) pivotably arranged spreader arms (45) formed locking device (21) is arranged. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the Locking device (21) with driving pins arranged on the locking plates (24) (36) work together.