EP1663535B1 - Method and device for extruding curved extruded profiles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for extruding curved extruded profiles. The extruded profile is formed in a matrix mounted upstream in a counter beam of an extruder system and is subsequently curved or bent due to the effect of external forces and separated, supported and arranged into partial lengths in the extrusion flow by means of a separating robot connected to a higher control mechanism and is discharged to a storage area with the aid of a handling robot. The handling robot is coupled to the separating robot by means of the control mechanism and, like the separating robot, is moved into a starting position in front of the extrusion press.

Description

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for extruding curved extruded profiles, wherein the extruded profile formed in a countermember of an extrusion die and then curved by the action of external forces or bent and separated in the press flow by means of a connected to a higher-level control separation robot in part lengths , discharged supported and delivered with the help of a handling robot to a tray.

For the production of in various industrial areas for different purposes required rounded extruded profiles, which consist primarily of aluminum and magnesium alloys, it is for the extrusion of hollow products with large differences in wall thickness through the EP 0 706 843 B1 become known, in such a certain distance from Matrizenaustrittsende or counter-member with a pressure medium (guide tool) exert a force on the strand so that there is a reaction to the formed in the extrusion die profile. The pressure means may be a roller, a lateral force generating sliding surface, a roller cage or the like tool. The transformation to the curved or bent extruded takes place behind the extrusion tool in the plastic region of the material.

These continuously curved to one side with a predetermined radius or alternately curved in both directions extrusion profiles are divided into desired part lengths, eg by sawing or flame cutting, and then transported away. These are from the DE 101 41 328 A1 a method and a device of the type mentioned. There, it is provided that a press outlet arranged in the press-out, supporting the pressed-out, raisable and lowerable table is subdivided into functional fields, of which the machine-near, front functional field subsequent, rear functional field is temporarily pivoted into a position inclined to the foundation. The front functional field always remains in its position, mainly takes over the support of the profile and, because it remains stationary, is also available for the subsequent extruded profiles, while the rearwardly pivotable rear functional field ensures the removal of the separated profile lengths.

As soon as the desired part length is present, the rear functional field is lowered, so that this partial length can slip off the support surface. There it can be grabbed by a handling robot and transferred to a run-out. Until the rear pivoting of the rear functional field in its supporting position, the subsequent extruded profile is supported solely by the front functional field. Although this ensures that the extruded profile partial lengths can be isolated on the one hand, so that sufficient space for the continuously following strand is present, and on the other hand for each subsequent strand also equal or unchanged a support surface is present. However, due to relative movements between the support surface and the deposited extruded profile surface damage of the extruded profile can not be excluded, which is favored by the forming heat yet.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method and an apparatus of the generic type with improved operating characteristics.

This object is achieved for a method according to the invention in that the handling robot coupled via the controller with the separation robot and how this is moved to a starting position in front of the extruder, in which he occupies the separation robot downstream waiting position, then synchronously with the beginning of the separation process and thereby the extruded extruded profile supporting and his vorberechneten Auspressweg following with the separation robot is moved to the Trennendposition, from the back of the separation robot for re-synchronization with the extruded extruded profile moves back to its original position while the handling robot transports the separated part length to the filing there stores and then returns to his waiting position. It can thus be an automated, control technology coordinated process flow to achieve, with the guarantee that any curved, cut extruded sections partial lengths are transported after the separation without relative movements and thus without damage to the profile of the separation area for storage. Both the continuously extruded extruded profile as well as the separated after the separation strand profile partial lengths during the entire removal of a gentle support, wherein the extruded profile lengths are not grasped or clasped, i. are not subject to any mechanical stress.

An embodiment of the invention provides that in the Auspressweg of the extruded profile supporting means temporarily support the extruded profile. This is when the handling robot travels its way to the storage and then to its starting position to the waiting position.

According to a proposal of the invention, the deposited partial lengths are cooled on their transport for storage. This thus takes place on the tray and makes it possible to cool down the extruded profile partial lengths prior to their further handling or before the storage process to a desired temperature.

The object underlying the invention is achieved according to the device according to the invention with the features specified in the independent claim 4. The extruded profile is coupled in synchronism with the separating robot via the controller in the first phase and is immediately taken over and further transported by the support means after the separating cut, preferably by a saw blade of the separating robot, which is also synchronized with the movement of the extruded profile.

The support means can be advantageously designed as a transport fork with multiple tines. This allows a variable, easily changeable, adaptable to the respective profile or its curvature wing. This also complicated in the third dimension curved profiles are transportable without damage. This is supported by the fact that the handling robot is coupled via the control with the separation robot and nachfährt in the same manner as the saw robot, the predicted movements or Auspresswege the profile, without relative movements to the extruded profile.

If the surfaces of the tines are covered with a temperature-resistant layer, e.g. Kevlar, which supports the gentle transport or removal.

For temporary support during transport trips of the handling robot away from the extruder or the work area of the separation robot can be in the pressing of the extruded profile advantageously raised and lowered support means, such as rollers, arrange.

According to a proposal of the invention, the storage device consists of several parallel spaced adjacent juxtaposed, endless circulating belts. These allow a smooth takeover and a gentle transport of the unchanged hot, separated extruded profile partial lengths with resting support on the tapes.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage device is connected downstream of a cooling conveyor line, preferably also consisting of a plurality of parallel spaced parallel juxtaposed, endless circulating belts. Alternatively, however, a discharge table or the like is possible, wherein the cooling conveyor line or the outlet table can be adapted to the respective needs and also variable in terms of geometry. The geometry of the cooling area is not dependent on the process sequence in the area of the separating and handling robot.

It is preferably proposed that the storage device and the cooling conveyor line are modular. This area is thus extensible in length and width in a simple manner. Thereby, e.g. a cheaper outlet version for certain profiles at any time in an extended version for a wider range of profiles to be converted.

The cooling conveyor line, which could also be designed as a cooling tunnel, are advantageously associated with coolant application elements. For this purpose, fans, air, and / or water nozzles or the like, which are arranged above the cooling conveyor line are suitable.

If, according to an embodiment of the invention, a tilting device for erecting the extruded profile sections is arranged at the end of the cooling conveyor line, the extruded section lengths can be erected in this way automatically in their stacking position for the downstream storage in this way.

The automated process chain for separating, cooling and storing separated, curved extruded profile partial lengths can be further promoted by the fact that the cooling conveyor line is followed by a stacking robot and a stacking storage device downstream from it.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the stacking robot has a gripper arm with an image recognition means. The image recognition means allows the gripper arm or another suitable gripping system to be brought into a position adapted to the curvature of the extruded profile length before it is taken over.

Preferably, when the separation robot, the handling robot and the stacking robot are suspended overhead, the entire work area, especially in front of the counter-spar of the extruder, remains free and thus freely accessible and usable.

Figur 1

in der Draufsicht eine Strangpressanlage zum Herstellen von gekrümmten Strangpressprofilen mit im Auslaufbereich angeordneten Robotern;

Figur 2

als Einzelheit des Auslaufbereichs der Strangpressanlage nach Figur 1 in der Draufsicht eine Ablageeinrichtung mit dieser nachgeordneter Kühl-Förderstrecke und Strangprofil-Lagereinrichtung;

Figur 3

als Einzelheit der Figur 1 die Strangpresse mit den in ihre Ausgangsposition gefahrenen, nachgeschalteten Robotern;

Figur 4

eine Darstellung wie gemäß Figur 3, hier eine Folgeposition der Roboter zeigend; und

Figur 5

eine Darstellung wie gemäß den Figuren 3 und 4, eine nochmals andere Position der Roboter zeigend.

Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of an embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

in plan view, an extrusion press for producing curved extruded profiles with arranged in the outlet area robots;

FIG. 2

as a detail of the outlet region of the extrusion press according to Figure 1 in plan view, a storage device with this downstream cooling conveyor line and extruded profile storage device;

FIG. 3

as a detail of Figure 1, the extruder with the driven to their original position, downstream robots;

FIG. 4

a representation as shown in Figure 3, showing here a sequence position of the robot; and

FIG. 5

a representation as shown in Figures 3 and 4, showing yet another position of the robot.

In an extrusion press 1 shown in FIG. 1, a block 2 to be pressed is supplied by means of a block loading device 3 to a forming die or a tool 4 of an extrusion press 5, of which essentially only the counter-spar 6 and a guide tool 7 arranged on its exit side are shown. An extruded profile 9 extruded by means of a press ram 8 by acting on the block 2 by the shaping die or the tool 4 exits the counterbeam 6 and is bent in the press flow by means of the guide tool 7 with the desired curvature or desired radii.

The cutting tool 7 is followed in the press flow or in the extrusion following a separation robot 10, which is connected via a control line 11 to a higher-level control unit 12 and executed in the embodiment for dividing the extruded extruded profile 9 in curved extruded sections 9a as a sawing robot. The separating robot 10 is coupled via the control unit or controller 12 to the entered, precalculated movements of the extruded extruded profile 9, thus moves with the extruded profile 9 in the press flow until the separating cut begins and ends in the Trennendposition 13. A handling robot 14 moved there into its waiting position finally assumes the separated extruded section 9a at this moment and transports it for storage on a depositing device 15. The handling robot 14, like the separating robot 10, is connected to the higher-level control 12 via a control line 16 and consequently also moves synchronously with the extruded extruded profile 9 or the extruded profile part 9a.

For gentle takeover and forwarding of the separated extruded profile partial lengths 9a of the entire working area of the storage device 15 to at least Trennendeposition 13 besreichende or detecting handling robot 14 is provided with a support means 17 which is designed as a transport fork 18 with three tines 19 in the embodiment. These optionally on their surfaces, a temperature-resistant layer having tines support the extruded section 9a from below without relative movement from, carry the extruded profile part 9a in a stationary position to the storage device 15 and enter it there.

The depositing device 15 consists here of a plurality of spaced apart parallel juxtaposed, endless circulating belts 20 which open into a likewise consisting of a plurality of spaced apart parallel bands 21 existing cooling conveyor section 22 and - as shown in Figure 2 - the extruded profile lengths 9a pass on the bands 21. The cooling conveyor line 22 has a plurality of successively provided Kühlmittelbeaufschlagungselemente 23 above. At the end of the cooling conveyor section 22, a tilting device 24 is arranged, which raises the extruded profile sections 9 a, before they are stored in a storage rack 25. For transferring the erect extruded profile sections 9a from the tilting device 24 into the storage rack 25, a stacking robot 26 is provided which has a gripper arm 28 equipped with an image recognition means 27.

In the figures 3 to 5, the process flow is shown in different operating sequences. With the beginning of the extrusion of an extruded profile 9, the separating robot 10 as well as the handling robot 14, which occupies a waiting position reaching the hatched marked working area 33 of the separating robot 10, is in the starting position. A the work area 33 of the Separating robot 10 subsequent support means 29 in the form of several arranged in a frame 30 rollers 32 is located in a lowered, the path of the handling robot 14 with its support means 17 not obstructing position. As soon as the extruded strand 9 emerges from the counter-member 6 and is curved in a curved manner, the separation robot 10 moves in a motion-dependent manner with the extruded extruded profile 9 or its separation point 34 to the control or control unit 12 (see FIG to the separation end position 13 as shown in FIG.

The extruded extruded profile 9 or the separated extruded profile part length 9a has been placed on the suspension in the holding means 17 of the handling robot 14. The handling robot 14 with its carrying means 17 has also been moved synchronously. From the operating position according to FIG. 4, the handling robot 14 with its carrying means 17 moves away from the working area 33 and deposits the extruded section 9a onto the depositing device 15, as shown in FIG. According to FIG. 5, the separating robot 10 already returns to its starting position in order to be synchronized with the sequence of movements of the next separating cut of the continuously extruded extruded profile 9.

During the travel time of the handling robot 14, the support means 29 is lifted as shown in FIG 5 and assumes during this time the support of extruded over the work area 33 addition extruded profile 9. It is lowered when the handling robot 14 is moved back and then the support and acquisition of the extruded profile. 9 or the separated extruded profile part length 9a takes over again. This interplay with an automated process chain for separating, cooling and storage of extruded sections 9 or extruded sections 9a is repeated until the application weight of the block 2 to be pressed is used up and again sets in with the loading and the pressing out of a new block.

Claims (16)

1. A method for extruding curved extruded profiles (9), the extruded profile being formed in a matrix (4) mounted upstream in a counter-beam (6) of an extruder system (1) and being subsequently curved or bent due to the effect of external forces and separated into partial lengths, supported and carried out in the extrusion flow by means of a separating robot (10) connected to a higher-level control (12) and being delivered to a storage area (15) with the aid of a handling robot (14),
   characterised in that
   the handling robot (14) is coupled to the separating robot (10) via the control (12) and, like said separating robot, is traversed into a starting position in front of an extrusion press (1), wherein it assumes a waiting position downstream of the separating robot (10), whereupon it is moved together with the separating robot (10) into the final separating position (13) in a synchronous manner with respect to the beginning of the separating process, thereby taking over in a supporting fashion the pressed extruded profile (9) and following the predetermined pressway thereof, from which final separating position the separating robot (10) returns to its starting position for renewed synchronisation with the pressed extruded profile (9), whilst the handling robot (14) transports the separated extruded profile partial lengths (9a) to the storage area (15), deposits them there and is subsequently returned to its waiting position.
2. The method according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   support means (29) introduced into the pressway of the extruded profile (9) temporarily support the extruded profile (9, 9a).
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the deposited extruded profile partial lengths (9a) are cooled on their transport path to the storage area.
4. A device for extruding curved extruded profiles (9), the extruded profile being formed in a matrix (4) mounted upstream in a counter-beam (6) of an extruder system (1) and being subsequently curved or bent due to the effect of external forces and separated into partial lengths, supported and carried out in the extrusion flow by means of a separating robot (10) connected to a higher-level control (12) and being delivered to a storage area (15) with the aid of a handling robot (14), in particular for the performance of the method according to claim 1
   characterised in that
   a handling robot (14), which covers a working range (33) from at least a waiting position downstream of the starting position of the separating robot via the final separating position (13) up to a depositing device (15), is disposed downstream of the separating robot 10, said handling robot comprising carrying means (17), which take up in a supporting fashion a separated extruded profile partial length (9a), and being coupled with the separating robot (10) via the control (12) in such a way that in use it is traversed, like said separating robot, into a starting position in front of the extrusion press (1) and is moved together with the separating robot into the final separating position (13) in a synchronous manner with respect to the beginning of the separating process and following the predetermined pressway.
5. The device according to claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the carrying means (17) are designed as a transport fork (18) with several prongs (19).
6. The device according to claim 4 or 5,
   characterised in that
   the carrying or upper faces of the prongs (19) are provided with a temperature-resistant layer.
7. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
   characterised by
   raisable and lowerable support means (29) disposed in the pressway of the extruded profile (9, 9a).
8. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
   characterised in that
   the depositing device (15) comprises a plurality of endlessly circulating belts (20) disposed spaced apart in parallel with one another.
9. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
   characterised in that
   the depositing device (15) is disposed downstream of a cooling-conveying section (22).
10. The device according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the cooling-conveying section (22) comprises a plurality of endlessly circulating belts (21) disposed spaced apart in parallel with one another.
11. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
    characterised in that
    the depositing device (15) and the cooling-conveying section (22) are constituted in a modular fashion.
12. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
    characterised by
    coolant application elements (23) assigned to the cooling-conveying section (22).
13. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
    characterised in that
    a tilting device (24) for uprighting the extruded profile partial lengths (9a) is disposed at the end of the cooling-conveying section (22).
14. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
    characterised in that
    disposed downstream of the cooling-conveying section (22) is a stacker robot (26) and downstream of the latter a stacking storage arrangement (25).
15. The device according to claim 14,
    characterised in that
    the stacker robot (26) comprises a gripper arm (28) with an image recognition means (27).
16. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 15,
    characterised in that
    the separating robot (10), the handling robot (14) and the stacking robot (26) are provided suspended overhead.

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