EP1056556A1

EP1056556A1 - Flanging device with pressing and clamping elements

Info

Publication number: EP1056556A1
Application number: EP99906187A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ernst Zimmer
Original assignee: KUKA Schweissanlagen GmbH
Current assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
Priority date: 1998-01-24
Filing date: 1999-01-22
Publication date: 2000-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-22
Also published as: DE59900465D1; BR9907221A; ES2164488T3; WO1999037419A1; CA2318544A1; EP1056556B1; US6477880B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a flanging device (1) comprising an external flanging unit (6) and/or an internal flanging unit (7) as well as a clamping device (3). The clamping device (3) has one or more leading pressing and clamping elements (71) which are movable or deformable and can be adjusted in accordance with the place or time and/or force with which they act on the workpiece or workpieces (9). The pressing and clamping elements (71) are notably elastically deformable. They can also comprise a spring (72) or be fluidically pre-stressed.

Description

- 1 -

DESCRIPTION

Flaring device with pressing and tensioning elements

The invention relates to a flanging device with the features in the preamble of the main claim.

Such a flanging device is known from DE-A-43 30 683. It has a lifting and lowering crimping bed and two crimping units, each with two different crimping steels for pre- and finished flanging. The flanging drive is arranged on the flanging bed, which carries out the flanging stroke by means of a lifting movement. The flanging units can only be pivoted onto the flanging bed, the pre-flanging and finished flanging steels being brought into the working position by adjusting the height of the flanging bed. The workpiece is clamped to the flare steels using resilient hold-downs, which act jointly and simultaneously on the workpiece.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to show a better flanging device.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the main claim.

The flanging device according to the invention can work with different tensioning devices. Of particular advantage here is the use of advance pressing and tensioning elements, which can be predetermined when the tensioning device is advanced

Allow clamping sequence of arbitrarily selectable points of the workpiece (s). These pressing and clamping elements are deformable or capable of evasion, so that their leading function can be canceled at the end of the clamping movement, so that a uniform clamping of the workpiece or workpieces takes place at all the intended locations. - 2 -

The flanging device according to the invention requires little construction effort and has an arbitrarily adjustable and variable kinematics. Conversion work and tool changes can be carried out quickly and easily. The crimping unit can be controlled very easily and precisely. The drive is straightforward. The entire flanging unit is insensitive to malfunctions and also has a high level of operational reliability due to the small number of moving parts. This also has advantages for the simple and inexpensive maintenance of the flanging device.

The basic components of the flanging units are standardized and independent of the workpiece shape. They can therefore be pre-produced and can be reused when changing workpieces.

In particular, the flanging device according to the invention allows the flanging tools to be changed independently of the flanging stroke. It is particularly advantageous that the flanging stroke can be very small and can be carried out with a high force. In particular, the crimping head according to the invention does not require any additional overall height and additional height in the crimping area. This is especially the case with the preferred training as a rotating roller. When using several flaring units, their flanging tools can be changed independently of one another.

The entire flanging unit is small and can therefore be placed particularly cheaply and easily on the flanging device. The low overall height also has advantages with regard to the other components of the flanging device. The turning roller allows a tool change under the clamping device, which can remain in position on the workpiece and hold it in place during the tool change. The low height allows it - 3 -

moreover, to arrange the flanging unit at an angle, in order to possibly create a better flanging force direction perpendicular to the loaded workpiece surface. If the flanging unit according to the invention is arranged obliquely on the outside of the workpiece, the invention has the advantage that, because of the lower overall height of the flanging unit, the signal-to-noise ratio to a possible inner flanging device is greater.

The configuration of the flanging unit according to the invention also makes it possible to use any shapes and sizes of flanging tools. Optionally, a longer or multi-part crimping head can be provided for this purpose, which is arranged on two or more crimping units and is supported in a suitable manner via intermediate bearings.

The crimping head can carry several crimping tools. In the preferred embodiment, it takes up two flaring steels for pre-flanging and finished flanging. The formation of the crimping head as a rotary roller has the advantage that for the

Tool adjustment a particularly simple kinematics with safe guidance and setting is given. In particular, the flanging head can be set and positioned completely independently of the flanging drive which generates the flanging stroke. The rotary actuator for the

Flanging head preferably has a crank mechanism. This makes it possible to make do with low drive forces for the adjustment of the flanging head and nevertheless to develop form-fitting high holding forces in the working position in order to transmit correspondingly high flanging forces.

The flaring tools can have one or more centering inserts that have a stop and centering function for the workpiece (s). These centering stops are also used to hold and position the workpiece when changing tools and - 4 -

advantageous when turning the crimping head. Particular advantages result if the flanging device is designed as a combination device with an outer and inner flanging device.

The centering inserts facilitate a delayed delivery of the flanging unit. The final shape of the workpiece can be influenced in this way. In addition, distortion or dimensional errors can be compensated.

The flanging unit can have one or more movable and driven tensioners which can be actuated separately from the flanging tools. It is advantageous here if the tensioners are arranged behind the crimping heads and overlap them. This allows the crimping heads to rotate under the clamps to change the tool, whereby the workpiece (s) can remain clamped during a time-shifted tool change. The tensioner assigned to the flanging unit (s) can be an external tensioning device, e.g. replace a vertical or swiveling stenter. Alternatively, you can add it.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

- 5 -

The invention is shown in the drawings, for example and schematically. In detail show:

Figure 1: a side view of a

Flaring device with outer and inner flaring device and a swiveling clamping frame,

FIG. 2: an end view of the flanging device according to arrow II of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3: a top view of the flanging device according to arrow III of FIG. 1,

Figure 4 to 6: a crimping unit with crimping head in

Side view and in three operating positions,

Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of the

Flaring unit from FIGS. 4 to 6,

Figure 8: a variant of the flanging drive for a

Flaring unit according to FIGS. 4 to 7 in three operating positions,

Figure 9: a side view of a

Flaring device with individual clamps on the flanging units,

Figure 10: a variant of Figure 1 with

Single clamps on the clamping frame,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the crimping heads and crimping tools on

Crimp bed, - 6 -

Figure 12: a plan view of the arrangement of

Figure 11,

Figure 13: an enlarged side view of the flanging tools with integrated

Centering inserts for the workpieces,

Figure 14 and 15: Variants of the centering device of

Figure 13,

Figure 16 is an enlarged side view of the

Centering insert of Figure 14,

Figure 17 is an enlarged front view of the centering insert of Figure 14 according to

Arrow XVII,

FIG. 18: a section through the centering insert from FIG. 17 according to section line XVIII-XVIII,

Figure 19: an enlarged side view of a

Clamping contour with a hold-down device and a press and • clamping element and

Figure 20 and 21: a construction variant of a leading

Pressing and tensioning element from FIG. 19.

Figures 1 to 3 show an overview

Flaring device (1). This consists of a machine frame (2) on which a plurality of outer flanging devices (6) and one or more inner flanging devices (7) are arranged. A swiveling clamping device (3) with a clamping frame (69) is also arranged on the machine frame (2). Also located on the machine frame (2) - 7 -

a lifter (8).

The flanging device (1) is provided for machining one or more workpieces (9), in which prepared flanging flanges (63) (cf. FIG. 16) are first pre-flanged and then finished flanged. The workpieces (9) can be any parts. In the preferred embodiment, the flanging device (1) is used to machine vehicle body parts, in particular doors. The

Workpieces (9) can have one or more openings (10). These openings can e.g. Window openings or the like.

With the flanging device (1) the workpieces (9) can be pre-flared and finished flanged within one station. In addition, the flanging device (1) allows inner and outer flanging to be carried out within the same station. The inner and outer flanging can be done simultaneously or with a time delay one after the other. The inner flanging takes place in the area of the openings (10), in particular window cutouts.

The workpieces (9) are fed in the correct position by a suitable transport device. In the preferred embodiment, the feed takes place via a multi-axis industrial robot, which also removes the workpieces (9) after the flanging.

The machine frame (2) has a crimping bed (5) with suitable supports for receiving one or more workpieces (9). The crimping bed (5) can also have one or more positioning or centering pins for precise positioning of the workpiece (s) (9). The workpieces (9) are pressed against the flare bed (5) by the clamping frame (69) described in more detail below and held in the desired position. The - 8th -

Tensioning frame (69) on the underside can have a clamping contour (70) which is formally adapted to the workpieces (9) and, if appropriate, one or more pressure and clamping elements (71). One or more centering pins (41) or other positioning aids can also be located on the tensioning device (3).

The lifter (8) is arranged obliquely and essentially parallel to the inner flanging device (7) described in more detail below. It is located inside and essentially below the machine frame (2) or flare bed (5). It is used to hold and position the workpieces (9). The pivotable clamping frame (69) in its open position results in a wide open side and upward

Access opening (44) through which the delivery device or the aforementioned industrial robot delivers the workpieces (9) and picks them up again.

The lifter (8) is in an extended position (not shown) for feeding the workpieces (9). The lifter (8) has several suitable receptacles for receiving and storing the workpieces (9). Centering pins (42) or other positioning elements, e.g. are formed as an exact centering of the supplied workpieces (9) on the lifter (8).

The delivery device or the industrial robot places the workpiece (s) (9) on the extended lifter (8) in a positionally precise and precisely centered position. The lifter (8) then moves back and positions the workpiece (s) (9) on the flare bed (5). The lifter (8) can form part of the crimping bed (5) with its receptacles and preferably remains connected to the workpiece (s) during the crimping process. The workpieces (9) are thus precisely in the - 9 -

Flanging device (1) held and can be edited in the manner described below. After the flanging, the lifter (8) moves upwards again at an angle and prepares the workpieces (9) for collection by the delivery device.

The inner flanging device (7) has flaring tools (16, 17) which can be extended and retracted, so that the workpieces (9) can be placed with the opening (10) over the inner flanging device (7) onto the flanging bed (5). The

External flanging device (6) can be moved back into a rest position and in this position clears the way for the lifter (8) and the workpieces (9) for delivery and collection.

The outer crimping device (6) and the

Inner flanging device (7) can be positioned and aligned independently of one another relative to the workpiece (s) (9) and can be actuated separately. For this purpose, they each have several crimping units that can be operated separately

(11) with their own flanging drives (14). The inner flanging device (7) has hydraulic drives for retracting and extending the flanging tools (16, 17) and for the flanging stroke. It is preferably designed in accordance with DE-U-296 12 192.

The outer flanging device (6) is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 to 7. It consists of one or more flanging units (11) which are preferably suspended on the machine frame (2) or on the flanging bed (5) and which together with their flanging tools (16, 17) encompass the outer contour of the workpieces (9) to be flanged. The flanging units (11) each have a flanging head

(12) and a flanging drive (14). The crimping head (12) carries the crimping tools (16, 17). These are, for example, flaring steels for pre-flanging and finishing flanging. - 10 -

The flanging tools (16, 17) generally have the same length as the flanging heads (12). As a variation, it is also possible that the lengths differ and subdivisions arise, for example by a crimping head (12) has an excess length and carries two or more shorter pre-crimping and finished crimping steels (16, 17) arranged axially one behind the other. Figure 11 shows this arrangement.

The crimping tools (16, 17) are fastened interchangeably to suitable recessed receptacles of the crimping head (12) by means of suitable inserts. The receptacles are dimensioned so that they can hold different insert and tool sizes. The pre-flare and finished flare steels (16, 17) are located at different points on the flare head (12).

The flanging head (12) can be adjusted independently in relation to the flanging drive (14) described below. He brings the flanging tools (16, 17) into the respective working position by moving his head. Figure 4 shows the crimping head (12) in the pre-crimping position. Figure 5 shows the finished flanging position and Figure 6 shows the rest position in which the entire flanging unit (11) is pivoted away from the machine frame (2).

The crimping head (12) can be moved in different ways. In the preferred embodiment, the crimping head (12) is designed as a rotating roller which is pivotably mounted on end bearings (23) about an essentially horizontal axis.

The crimping head (12) or the rotating roller can also have a greater length and can be divided into several crimping head sections (13) which are driven together. The crimping head sections (13) are then rotatably supported at the internal contact point (s) via intermediate bearings (22) - 11 -

and supported. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate this arrangement.

The crimping head (12) or the individual crimping head section (13) is moved by a swivel drive (18). The pre-flare and finished flare steels (16, 17) are brought into the working position via the rotary movement. They are arranged close to one another at corners on the crimping head (12) and are at an angle of preferably approximately 90 ° to 120 ° to one another. The flanging head (12) executes a back and forth rotary movement with a corresponding angle of rotation.

The swivel drive (18) consists of a suitable drive element, e.g. a pneumatic cylinder and a suitable motion transmitter, e.g. a crank mechanism (19). The crank mechanism (19) is connected via an arm to the piston rod of the cylinder, which is arranged essentially vertically. The other crank arm is connected to the crimping head (12) via a link (20). The crank arm acts on a sliding block, which is held back and forth in a suitable sliding guide on the flanging head (12).

The angular position of the crank arms is between approximately 90 and 140 ° and is preferably selected such that the crank arm leading to the crimping head (12) in the pre-crimping position shown in FIG. 4 is essentially perpendicular to the link guide (20) and the necessary holding forces when the cylinder is retracted for the flaring stroke. In the finished flanging position shown in FIG. 5 with the cylinder extended, the crank arm leading to the flanging head (12) with its bearing point for the link (20) is located between the finished flanging steel (17) and the pivot axis (15). The crank arm assumes a relatively flat and slightly inclined upward position. He is essentially back there - 12 -

perpendicular to the slide guide (20).

The end positions of the crank mechanism (19), which also represent the working positions of the flanging tools (16, 17), are limited and defined by swivel stops (21). The cylinder (18) is only extended and retracted. There are adjustable stop screws on the crank arms, which interact with relatively stationary stop heads. In addition, on the crank head from which the two crank arms originate,

Flare stroke stops (37) are available. These are arranged on different planes perpendicular to the bearing axis of the crank mechanism (19) and offset on the circumference by the pivoting angle of the crank mechanism (19). In each case one of the two flare stroke stops (37) points vertically downwards in the two working positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and interacts with adjustable stops that are relatively stationary. The pre-flare and finished flare strokes can be set independently of one another and limited at the bottom by stop screws (65) or the like.

The crimping head (12) is fastened and mounted together with the swivel drive (18) on a bracket (25). The console (25) is in turn mounted for longitudinal movement on a swivel arm (24) via a console guide (26). The flanging stroke is carried out by moving the bracket (25) along the swivel arm (24). The bracket (25) together with the swivel arm (24) and a flanging cylinder (30) forms the flanging drive (14). The flanging drive (14) is separate from the swivel drive (18) of the flanging head (12).

Figures 4 to 7 illustrate one embodiment of the flanging drive (14). Figure 8 shows a variant of this. The flanging drive (14) generates both the infeed movement and the flanging movement, independently of one another and separately adjustable or with a separate one - 13 -

chronological order. For this purpose, the flanging tools (16, 17) are brought into a defined and statically determined starting or working position from which the flanging stroke takes place. For this purpose, all are monitored and controlled by means of a corresponding path or time

Flanging units (11) successively or simultaneously brought into the starting or working position, where they can wait for each other. From here you can then carry out the flaring stroke with any desired time sequence, in particular together and simultaneously.

In both cases from FIGS. 4 to 7 and FIG. 8, the swivel arm (24) is rotatably mounted on the machine frame (2) or a frame attachment via a bearing (29). The connection point of the bearing (29) to the machine frame (2) can be adjusted and fixed in one direction. It is preferably used for fine adjustment of the flanging unit (11) relative to the flanging bed (5) and the workpiece (9). In the working positions shown in Figures 4 and 5, the swivel arm (24) is employed. In the rest position shown in Figure 6, it is pivoted backwards. The arrangement can be such that, according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the flanging stroke takes place with an essentially vertical movement component.

FIG. 1 shows a variant in which the flanging units (11) are inclined in the working position and the flanging stroke has a correspondingly oblique direction of movement. The flaring stroke is preferably directed obliquely outwards. Such an arrangement has advantages because the flanging tools (16, 17) strike the counter surface of the flanging bed (5) as perpendicularly as possible, because of the space requirement and because of the freedom from interference with the inner flanging device (7). - 14 -

Between the bracket (25) and the swivel arm (24) there is a spring (27), which can preferably be limited in its stroke via an adjusting device (28). The spring (27) is also biased. The spring (27) is preferably designed as a compression spring and counteracts the flanging cylinder (30). The spring (27) is aligned parallel to the sled-shaped console guide (26). The adjusting device (28) consists e.g. from a set screw with clamping.

The upper position and the starting position of the boarding tools (16, 17) or the boarding head (12) is set via the adjusting device (28). The flare stroke stops (37) described above define the lower end of the flange position or limit the flange stroke. The set screws (65) for the bristle stroke stop are arranged on the swivel arm (24). The angular position of the tools (16, 17) on the head (12) is coordinated with the rotary movement of the swivel drive (18) or the shape of the crank drive (19) such that the

Bordel tools (16, 17) are essentially at the same height and position in the working position.

The bristle stroke is carried out by the flanging cylinder (30), which pulls the bracket (25) down against the force of the spring (27) on the swivel arm (24). In the embodiment from FIGS. 4 to 7, the flanging cylinder (30) engages via a toggle lever (31). In the embodiment of Figure 8, the flanging cylinder (30) attacks directly.

The bridle stroke is preferably the same direction when pre-flanging and finishing flanging. This applies to the outer flanging device (6) and the inner flanging device (7). The stroke direction is aligned vertically or at an angle. It is generally aimed in the direction of the brothel bed (5) and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, downwards. - 15 -

In the variant from FIGS. 4 to 7, the flanging cylinder (30) is rotatably attached to the bracket (25) with its housing via a cylinder bearing (35). The piston rod engages via a connection (32) on the central bearing of the toggle lever (31). One lever end is fixed in place on the machine frame (2) via a stationary eye (34). The other swivel arm eye (33) is arranged on the swivel arm (24).

Figure 6 shows the pivoted rest position of the flanging unit (11). In this position, the flanging cylinder (30) is retracted and the toggle lever (31) is bent accordingly. In order to pivot the flanging unit (11) into the working position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flanging cylinder (30) extends, the toggle lever (31) being brought into the extended position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The extension movement and the extended position are limited and defined by a swivel stop or lever stop (36). Against this stop (36), the piston rod moves with the connection (32). The flanging unit (11) is first pivoted in via the stretching movement. The cylinder force required is less than the counterforce of the spring (27). As a result, the cylinder force is deflected into the swiveling movement.

There is still no relative movement between the swivel arm (24) and the bracket (25) and therefore no flare stroke.

The force of the spring (27) is approximately 10% of the maximum

Cylinder force. For example, the spring (27) has a clamping force of 1 t and the flanging cylinder (30) a force of 10 t. The spring force is also greater than the resistance to movement of the swivel arm (24), for example inertia, frictional forces etc. As soon as the swivel position on the machine frame (2) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is reached and the flanging cylinder (30) extends further. - 1 6 -

the cylinder force supported on the lever stop (36) is deflected into a downward movement of the console (25). The bracket (25) takes the cylinder housing rotatably mounted over the cylinder bearing (35). This movement forms the flare stroke, in which the spring (27) is compressed by the higher cylinder force. The flare stroke is limited in the manner described above by the flare stroke stop (37).

After the flanging, the flanging cylinder (30), supported by the spring (27), retracts and brings the bracket (25) into the starting position opposite the swivel arm (24) or the adjusting device (28) to the stop on the swivel arm (24). The further retraction movement causes the knee lever (31) to buckle and the flanging unit (11) to pivot into the rest position shown in FIG. 6.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 7, the swivel arm bearing (29), which is suspended on the underside of the machine frame (2), is located above the stationary one

Lever bearing (34). It is preferably in the vertical alignment above it. In the stop position, the toggle lever (31) preferably extends horizontally and essentially perpendicular to the connecting line between the bearings (29, 34). At the lever bearing (34) in

Working position the horizontal reaction forces and the reaction moments supported by flanging.

The toggle lever (31) is missing in the variant of FIG. Instead, the flanging cylinder (30) is rotatably mounted on the machine frame (2) with its connection (32), preferably the piston rod connection. The connection (32) has the same effect as the bearing (34) and supports the reaction forces and the reaction moments from the flanging on the machine frame (2). With its opposite cylinder bearing (35), the flanging cylinder (30) is connected to the bracket (25) as in the first embodiment. - 17 -

In this variant, the bearing (29) of the swivel arm (24) is seen horizontally between the cylinder connection (32) and the cylinder bearing (35) or the console guide (26).

FIG. 8 shows three operating positions of the flanging unit (11). In the rest position shown on the left, the flanging cylinder (30) is oriented essentially vertically and the flanging unit (11) is pivoted away in a manner similar to that in FIG.

The middle representation of FIG. 8 shows the flanging starting position and the right representation the flanging or working position of the flanging unit (11) at the end of the flanging stroke. In both positions

Flaring cylinder (30) aligned obliquely. The horizontal force component stabilizes the swung-in flare. Working position and is supported via the console guide (26). In addition, the pivoting movement of the swivel arm (24) is via a

Swivel stop (36) limited to the machine frame (2).

In the exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 4 to 7, this arrangement is reversed, the flanging cylinder (30) lying obliquely in the rest position and oriented essentially vertically in the working or flanging position. The kinematics with the flanging movement of console (25), swivel arm (24) and spring (27) is otherwise the same in both embodiments.

In both exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 7 and FIG. 8, the arrangement of the bearings and the kinematics of the flanging unit (11) are selected so that a flaring reaction moment arises during flanging which rotates the flanging head (12) to the workpiece (9). The training, storage and kinematics of the - 18 -

Flanging unit (11) and its parts can be changed in any way.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the perspective view and plan view

External flanging device (6) and the arrangement of the flanging units (11) with their flanging heads (12). The figures also show the configuration and arrangement of the flare steels (16, 17). The flanging heads (12) together form a flanging contour that runs around the outside of the workpiece (9) and is essentially closed. To change the flaring steels (16, 17), the flanging units (11) are pivoted back into the rest position shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the flanging heads (12) can be rotated via the swivel drive (18).

In the case of excessively long crimping heads (12) with two or more crimping head sections (13), a plurality of swivel drives (18) may be arranged, which are synchronized with one another via the intermediate bearing (22) and which

Move the flare head sections (13) at the same time. The intermediate bearings (22) provide the necessary support and prevent deflections and other deformations.

To fix the workpiece (s) (9) on the

A crimping bed (5) is provided on the one hand the clamping frame (69) and on the other hand optionally one or more separate tensioners (4). Figures 9 and 10 illustrate these clamps (4) and their arrangement schematically and by way of example. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9, the flanging units (11) of the outer flanging device (6) are each assigned one or more such tensioners (4). They overlap the crimping heads (12) and are supported in a suitable manner on the swivel arm (24). They are preferably designed as swivel clamps and have a clamp bearing (46) and a suitable clamp drive (45), for example a cylinder, which is supported on the swivel arm (24) and on - 19 -

Tensioner (4) engages with the pivot bearing (49) via a boom.

In the variant of FIG. 10, one or more similar tensioners (4) can be arranged on the tensioning frame (69) and / or on its pivoting frame (48). The tensioner bearing (46) and the tensioner drive (45) are also located on the tensioning frame (69) and / or on the swivel frame (48).

In both exemplary embodiments, the clamps (4) are designed such that they overlap the flanging heads (12) at a distance and press on the workpieces (9) in the vicinity of the flanging points.

In the variant according to FIG. 10, the tensioners (4) on the tensioning frame (69) and / or on the swivel frame (48) are shaped such that they give the flanging units (11) enough space to pivot back into the rest position and to turn the flanging head (12 ) give. When changing tools, the workpieces (9) remain fixed in their position and pressing position.

In the variant according to FIG. 9, the tensioners (4) become the before the pivoting back of the flanging units (11)

Tool change opened and closed again after swiveling into the working position. If the workpiece (9) is always to be clamped, the tool change of the individual flanging units (11) can be carried out one after the other at different times. In any case, the clamps (4) can be moved far enough to feed and remove the workpieces (9).

If the tensioners (4) with tensioner drive (45) and / or tensioner bearings (46) are arranged on the tensioning frame (69) and / or on the swivel frame (48) in the interior of the outer flanging device (6), the requirements for FIG. 9 must be met - 20 -

and 10 are only taken into account to a limited extent, because then the clamps (4) generally neither overlap the outer flanging device (6) nor act as a hindrance when the workpieces (9) are fed in and out.

Figures 1 to 3, 9, 10 and 19 to 21 illustrate the clamping device (3), which in particular can have at least one movable clamping frame (69) andy or one or more individual clamps (4). The tenter frame (69) is pivotally mounted on the machine frame (2) via a frame-like swivel device (48) by means of swivel frame bearings (38). The swivel frame drive (39) is preferably designed as a swiveling cylinder which is rotatably mounted on a support column (40) of the machine frame (2) with its housing. The piston rod also rotatably engages the swivel frame (48). In an alternative embodiment, the tenter frame (69) can be used in any other suitable manner, e.g. B. by a vertical translatory movement with a corresponding drive.

On the Untersei te the clamping frame (69) carries the clamping contour (70) and one or more suitable pressing and clamping elements (71) for targeted pressing of the workpieces (9) against the flare (5). Such press and

Tensioning elements (71) can also be arranged on the tensioners (4). Here, in the manner described at the beginning on the tenter frame (69) and / or on the swivel frame (48), different center pins (41) and the like other positioning elements can also be present.

The pressing and clamping elements can be adapted to the shape of the workpieces (9) and can be rigid or movable or deformable.

In addition, some of the pressing and tensioning elements (71) can lead over other pressing and tensioning elements (71). The leading pressing and tensioning elements (71) are - 21 -

longer than other pressing and clamping elements (71) or are positioned at places where pressing and clamping elements (71) come into clamping contact with the workpiece (s) (9). The leading pressing and clamping elements (71) thereby consciously press the workpiece (s) (9) first at certain selectable points. This results in a specific clamping sequence, which counteracts undesirable deformations and or displacements of the workpiece (s) (9).

The pressing and tensioning elements (71) ending in a hurry are movable in themselves, e.g. resiliently or elastically deformable, and give way in the course of the infeed in order to enable an even contact of all pressing and tensioning elements (71) at the end of the tensioning process. In addition, the

Press and clamping elements (71) consciously act on the workpiece (s) (9) with different pressure.

19 to 21 show, in an enlarged side view, such pressing and clamping elements (71) on the underside of the clamping frame (69) in the clamping position on the workpiece (9). They are modeled to match the workpiece contour and have one or more contact or pressure surfaces for the defined holding and clamping of the workpiece (s) (9).

The pressing and clamping element (71) can be, for example, the lower part of the clamping contour (70). They are either a molded or attached part of the clamping contour (70). The pressing and clamping elements (71) can also be arranged on hold-down devices (67) which are located on the clamping frame (69) or on the clamping contour (70). The hold-down devices (67) can be designed as interchangeable inserts and can be changed to adapt to other workpieces (9). For this purpose, they are detachably fastened, for example, by means of a screw or the like on the underside in a recess in the clamping contour (70). - 22 -

In a modification of the embodiment shown, the hold-down devices (67) can also be seated on the ends of the tensioner (4) and / or on other tensioning elements of the tensioning device (3). The hold-down (67) can be in one or more parts.

The pressing and tensioning element (71) can be designed as movable and possibly leading pressure pieces (68) which are rigidly or detachably fastened to the hold-down devices (67) or at other points in the tensioning device (3). The pressure pieces (68) can, for. B. consist of plastic or another elastic material according to FIG. They can also be spring-loaded (72) according to FIGS. 20 and 21. The elasticity or spring action can be influenced by the shape in addition to the choice of material. For this purpose, the pressure pieces (68) z. B. one or more material weakening through recesses or openings that allow targeted t deformations in one or more directions.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the elastic or resilient pressure pieces (68) give contact with the work pieces (9) over the feed path of the clamping device (3) against the force of the spring (72) or the

The material's inherent elasticity. In the end, all the pressing and clamping elements (71) lie evenly on the workpieces (9), where they come into contact with their supports and their mobility is eliminated. The clamping force is then applied via the feed drive of the clamping device (3).

The elasticity or spring force of the pressure pieces (68) can be different. As a result, the pressure pieces (68) can act on the work piece (s) with different forces or pressures. The pressure pieces (68) are particularly suitable for use as leading press and - 23 -

Clamping elements (71). You are about that

Variation possibilities in their effect on the workpiece (s) (9) according to location or time and / or force or pressure selectively adjustable. The elasticity or mobility of the pressing and tensioning elements can also be present without a leading function.

Al ternatively, the pressure pieces (68) can also be made of a hard and solid material, e.g. B. steel or other metal. The pressure pieces (68) are adapted to the shape of the workpiece (9) in a suitable manner. Figure 19 shows the Niederhal ter (67) two pressing and tensioning elements (71), of which the rear is rigid and the front as a movable and preferably leading pressure piece (68) is designed.

In another, not shown embodiment variant, the pressing and tensioning elements (71) can be a fluid, for. B. pneumatic or hydraulic preload. In particular, they can be used as inflatable tube elements or the like. be trained. They can also be designed in several parts and are movable in themselves (e.g. telescopic) or can be moved.

The swivel frame (48) has multi-axis adjustable swivel frame bearings (38). For example, the swivel frame bearings (38) are designed as spherical or spherical bearings with three translatory adjustment axes.

The adjustable swivel frame bearings (38) align the swivel frame (48) and thus the clamping frame (69) with respect to the flare bed (5) and the workpieces (9). The adjustment is made by adjusting the clamping frame (69) with the swivel frame (48) as a whole. The receptacles and centering pins (41) and the other positioning aids are individually on the swivel frame (48) and / or on the clamping frame (69) - 24 -

Depending on the application, it is in a positional position and can be arranged in an adjustable manner and its position is preferably not changed. The tenter frame (69) itself can also consist of several parts depending on the application.

The swivel frame bearings (38) are located near the table surface of the machine frame (2). The swivel frame (48) is bent accordingly. In a preferred embodiment, the swivel frame bearings (38) are located in or close to a workpiece plane (43) which is formed and defined by the centering openings on the workpieces (9). With such an alignment, the centering pins (41) plunge essentially vertically into the centering openings on the workpieces (9) and develop essentially a centering effect in the workpiece plane (43). An arrangement of the swivel frame bearings (38) near the table also allows a large access opening (44).

The swivel frame (48) and / or clamping frame (69) can preferably have two to four or more height-adjustable supports (64), which can preferably be arranged on the periphery or in the crimp bed area (5). These supports (64) enable the tensioning force of the tensioning device (3) to be supported on the

Machine frame (2) and thus a specifically partially variable clamping action on the workpiece (9) in order to allow or prevent tensioning and shape-compensating movements of the workpiece (9) before or during the flanging process, depending on the application.

In another embodiment, not shown, the swivel frame bearings (38) can be arranged at a distance above the machine frame table (2) via corresponding brackets or supports. Depending on the design and arrangement of the workpieces (9), such an arrangement may be necessary around the swivel frame - 25 -

(48) or the clamping frame (69) to be immersed in the arch between the outer and, if appropriate, inner flanging devices (6, 7).

The arcuate tensioning movement can also be replaced in whole or in part or in combination by straight-line guidance. Different shapes and positions of the workpieces (9) and arrangements of the flanging units (11) can thus be taken into account.

FIGS. 13 to 18 show in different representations a centering device for the workpiece (s) (9) in the exchange device (1). For this purpose, one or more centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60) are preferably arranged on the flanging tools (16, 17). The

Drawings show different variants for this.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, such a centering insert (50) is arranged on the pre-flanging tool (16) and is preferably adjustably attached via one or more fitting plates (52) and a clamping element (62), preferably a screw connection. The centering insert (50) is arranged obliquely with respect to the receptacle or the pre-flaring tool (16). Its inclined position corresponds to the pre-flanging angle (56) which the flanging flank (66) of the pre-flanging tool (16) assumes. The adjustment option is given in the direction of the flanging slope.

The centering insert (50) is inserted frontally into a corresponding recess in the pre-flanging tool (16). In the manner described below, it protrudes a little way beyond the normal flanging tool contour (53) for centering purposes. In preferably each embodiment, the centering inserts have

(50, 51, 58, 59, 60) a contour which corresponds to the flare steel contour and thus essentially also to the workpiece contour (57) - 26 -

corresponds.

FIG. 13 shows another variant of the centering insert (51) on the finished flanging tool (17). This is essentially parallel to the base of the

Tool holder aligned on the crimping head (12) and also adjustable in the manner described above using adapter plates (52) and a clamping element (62). In both embodiments, adjustment in several directions can be possible via a plurality of fitting plates (52) arranged at an angle.

The centering insert (51) only contains the tool contour located below the flanging nose or flanging flank (66).

Figure 13 also shows a third variant of a centering insert (58) which e.g. is arranged on the pre-flaring steel (16) of the inner flanging device (7). The centering insert (58), which is also adjustable, is arranged here above the pre-flanging nose.

The centering inserts (50, 51) act on the workpieces (9) in the region of the flanged flanges (63) and center the outer contour of the workpieces (9). The centering insert (58) acts on another part of the inner contour of the workpiece (9), which may remains rigid and is not flared. The workpiece (9) is shown in FIG. 13 as a workpiece cut (55), which e.g. a section through parts of the workpiece (9), in particular through a

Window guide frame shows. The centering insert (58) acts on this. The window guide frame (55) and the inner part of the workpiece (9) connected to it can be held rigidly or elastically on the flare bed by hold-down devices (67) in the stenter frame (69) and preferably by interaction with the centering inserts (58) in the inner flare steels (16, 17) (5) can be kept (cf. - 27 -

Figure 2 and 19).

FIG. 14 shows a variant of FIG. 13, in which the centering inserts (50, 51) in a corresponding shape and design are also arranged on the pre- and finished flanging tools (16, 17) of the inner flanging device (7). Here, too, the centering insert (50) on the pre-flanging tool (16) has an inclined position and is aligned in accordance with the pre-flanging angle (56). This inclined position allows the centering insert (50) to be placed particularly precisely and adjusted in the direction of the flanging flank (66). The support and centering function is particularly good and the adjustment is only required one-dimensionally.

FIG. 15 shows a further variant with centering inserts (59, 60), which here have a larger shape than in the previous exemplary embodiments and are also fastened by means of a plurality of clamping elements (62). They cover almost the entire cross-sectional contour of the flaring tools

(16.17). The centering insert (60) on the finished flanging tool (17) also includes, in deviation from FIGS. 13 and

14 also the flank (66). The centering inserts (59, 60) are arranged here on the inner flanging device (7). You can also send an email to

Flanging heads (12) of the outer flanging device (6) are attached.

Figure 16 illustrates in an enlarged view the shape and function of the centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60). The flanging tools (16, 17) normally have a certain lateral distance to the workpiece (9.55) in their flanging starting position before the flanging stroke begins. The centering inserts (50, 51, 59, 60) can, with their centering contour (54) located below the flanging flank (66), protrude a little above the aforementioned normal flanging steel contour (53) and - 28 -

are therefore in contact with one or more surfaces on the workpiece (9.55). For this purpose, the crimping bed (5) can have one or more suitable recesses (61). Figure 16 also illustrates the position of the flanging flange (63) during pre-flanging and finish-flanging.

The centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60) are arranged in places on the flanging tools (16, 17). The workpiece (9.55) is thereby guided and centered at several points on the outer and / or inner circumference.

The centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60) enable the workpiece shape to be influenced during the infeed of the flaring tools (16, 17) for inner and outer flanging and provide the necessary centering and

Holding functions, which can be particularly important when changing the pre- and finished flanging tools (16, 17).

When the outer flanging device (6) is in operation and the pre-flanging is carried out, the workpiece (9, 55) is supported against the flanging forces acting on the outer circumference on the centering inserts (50, 58, 59) of the pre-flanging tools (16) of the inner flanging device (7) . For this purpose, they have at least moved into a standby position in which the flanging flanks (66) are located at a short distance above the flanging flanges (63). The centering contour (54), which preferably projects below the flared flanks (66), then supports the workpiece (9, 55) on the inner circumference in the manner described. For example, the projecting centering contour (54) can bring about a shape correction of the workpiece (9).

After the outer pre-flanging, the inner pre-flanging can take place. Alternatively, outer and inner pre-flaring can run simultaneously or in a different order. In the same way, during the inner pre-flanging - 29 -

Support and centering function on the inner circumference of the workpiece (9.55) in the area of its opening (10).

When pre-flaring the inside, the workpiece (9.55) is supported on the outside on the centering inserts (50.59)

External flanging device (6). In the pre-flanging position of the outer flanging device (6), the counterhold also takes place via the angled flanging flanges (63) that are already angled. Here, the flanged flange (63) lies flat against the flanged flank (66) and / or the centering contour (54).

The finished flanging tools (17) of the outer and inner flanging device (6, 7) can then be brought into position simultaneously or in succession. These now support the workpiece (9.55) on the inside and outside via their centering inserts (51, 60). The protruding centering contour (54) bridges the free space created during the pre-flanging and rolling-in of the flanging flange (63). Finishing can then take place inside and outside in succession or simultaneously.

Figure 17 shows a detailed view of the centering device according to arrow XVII of Figure 14. It can be seen here how, for example, a centering insert (51) is adapted to the workpiece contour (57) and fills the surface up to the flanging flank (66).

Figure 18 shows a section along section line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 17. From this illustration, the example of a centering insert (51) shows the protrusion of the centering contour (54) compared to the normal flare steel contour (53). The assignment and shape of the recess (61) in the crimp bed (5) can also be seen. Figure 18 also illustrates the limited width of the centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60). - 30 -

If the centering and / or supporting function of the centering inserts (50, 51, 59, 60) is not desired or necessary due to the projecting adjustment of the centering contour (54), the centering contour (54) remains flush with that on the flanging steel (16, 17), if necessary, continuously existing flare steel contour (53), which can also have a support and / or centering function.

Modifications of the embodiment shown are possible in different ways. On the one hand, the crimping heads (12) can be designed, stored and driven differently. Instead of a crank mechanism, an arbitrary other force and motion transmitter can also be used. The drive for the crimping head (12) can also include an additional drive element instead of the cylinder. In addition, the flanging heads (12) can be combined with a flanging drive (14) of any other design. As a flare drive (14) in addition to fluid, i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic drives, also electric drives with suitable motors, gears and spindles. Separate drives can also be used for the delivery of the flanging unit and for the flanging stroke. The various units can be combined, expanded or reduced as required. For example, there is no need for the lifters (8) when the workpiece (9) is fed directly onto the crimping bed (5).

In a further modification, the flanging device (1) can have only one outer flanging device (6). The

Centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60) can also be arranged only on the outer flanging units (11). The tensioning device (3) and the other machine parts of the exchange device (1) are also variable. In particular, the tensioning device (3) can be linearly movable. The clamps (4) can also be stationary on the machine frame instead of on the movable flanging units (11) - 31

(2) be stored.

- 32 -

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

1 flaring device

2 machine frame 3 clamping device

4 tensioners

5 crimp bed, crimp bed area

6 outside flaring device

7 inner flaring device 8 lifter

9 workpiece, body part

10 opening, window opening

11 flaring unit

12 crimping head, turning roller, tool turret 13 crimping head section

14 flare drive

15 swivel axis

16 Flare tool, flare steel, pre-flare

17 Flaring tool, flaring steel, finished flanging 18 Swivel drive, cylinder

19 crank mechanism

20 scenery, scenery tour

21 swivel stop, stop screw

22 intermediate storage 23 final storage

24 swivel arm

25 console

26 Console guide

27 spring 28 adjusting device, spring

29 bearings

30 drive, flare cylinder

31 toggle lever

32 connection, piston rod connection 33 lever bearing, swivel arm eye

34 lever bearings, stationary eye

35 connection, cylinder bearing - 33 -

36 lever stop, swivel stop

37 flare stroke stop

38 swing frame bearings

39 Swivel frame drive 40 support column

41 Centering pin, clamping frame

42 Centering pin, ejector, exact centering

43 Workpiece level 44 Access opening 45 Clamp drive

46 tensioner bearings

47 workpiece stop

48 Swivel device, swivel frame

49 pivot bearing 50 centering insert, pre-flare steel

51 Centering insert, finished flare steel

52 fitting plate

53 flare steel contour, normal

54 centering contour 55 workpiece cut, window guide frame

56 pre-flare angle

57 workpiece contour

58 Centering insert, window guide rail

59 Centering insert, pre-flared steel 60 Centering insert, pre-flared steel

61 recess, crimp bed

62 clamping element, screw connection

63 flange

64 edition 65 adjusting screw, flare stroke stop

66 flank

67 Ni eder holder

68 prints

69 clamping frame 70 clamping contour

72 pressing and tensioning element

72 spring

Claims

- 34 -PATENT CLAIMS

1.) Flanging device with an outer flanging device (6) and / or an inner flanging device (7) and a tensioning device (3) with pressing and

Tensioning elements, characterized in that the tensioning device (3) has one or more leading pressing and tensioning elements (71).

2.) Flanging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing and clamping elements (71) are designed to be movable or deformable and are adjustable according to the location or time and / or force of their action on the workpiece (s) (9).

3.) Flanging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressing and tensioning elements (71) are elastically deformable or have a spring (72) or a fluidic prestress.

4.) Flanging device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the pressing and clamping elements (71) are designed as pressure pieces (68) which are adapted to the workpiece (9) and to one or more hold-down devices (67) Clamping device (3) are arranged.

Flanging device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flanging device (1) has a tensioning device (3) with at least one movable tensioning frame (69). - 35 -

6.) Flaring device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the outer and inner flanging device (6, 7) can be positioned and aligned independently of one another with respect to the workpiece (s) (9) and can be actuated separately.

7.) Flanging device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outer and / or inner flanging device (6, 7) each have a plurality of separately operable flanging units (11) with their own flanging drives (14).

8.) Flaring device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the outer and / or inner flanging device (6, 7) have hydraulic drives.

9.) Flanging device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the

Tensioning device (3) has one or more tensioners (4) assigned to the outer and / or inner flanging device (6, 7).

10.) Flaring device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the flanging tools (16, 17) have one or more centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60).

11.) Flanging device according to claim 10, characterized in that the centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60) are adjustable.

12.) Flanging device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the

Centering inserts (50,51,58,59,60) in the direction of the flare angle, especially the pre-flare angle - 36 -

(56) are adjustable.

13.) Flaring device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the centering inserts (50, 51, 58, 59, 60) have a protruding centering contour (54) and the flanging bed (5) has suitable recesses (61).