EP3024646B1 - Force module and modular press system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power module for processing workpieces with a support frame which has at least one connecting element to fix the power module, a pressure element which is movably mounted relative to the support frame and forms part of a ram for processing the workpieces, and a Drive unit which is connected to the pressure element and a contact section of the support frame in such a way that a force can be exerted by the drive unit on the pressure element in order to move the pressure element relative to the support frame for processing the workpieces.

The present invention also relates to a bridge module for accommodating power modules, with an upper flange plate and a lower flange plate, wherein the flange plates each have a plurality of connecting sections arranged next to one another in order to receive and fix connecting elements of supporting frames of the power modules which are compatible therewith, and two end plates which are respectively connected to the flange plates on opposite sides, the end plates connecting the flange plate firmly and at a distance to one another , so that the connecting portions of the two flange plates face each other.

Finally, the present invention relates to a press system for processing workpieces, each having at least one column module and one bridge module and one power module according to the present invention.

Presses and press groups are used in various fields of application and are used, for example, to process sheet metal, thick sheet metal and solid parts by drawing, bending, forming, embossing, cutting/punching and connecting.

Different force/displacement characteristics of the presses are required for different types of processing. For example, pure drawing processes usually require a largely constant force curve over a long stroke. Embossing or calibrating operations, on the other hand, require a high force peak, which is followed by an extremely progressive force/displacement curve. Cutting and incising processes, in turn, require high forces in a short stroke range with a rather degressive force/displacement curve.

For these different needs, different types of presses with different movement sequences have evolved over the course of development history.

Hydraulically driven presses are particularly suitable for longer stroke distances with an approximately constant power requirement over the working stroke, e.g drag operations. Different speed curves can be implemented with the help of control elements. A switchover point between an express stroke, ie a pure stroke with minimal force, and a working stroke can be chosen at will.

Furthermore, mechanically driven presses are known, for example eccentric presses, crank presses, toggle presses or spindle presses. They are fundamentally characterized by higher rigidity and lower energy requirements. However, these drives, which are conventionally equipped with a continuous electric motor, usually only allow a very limited basic variation of the process sequence. A common feature is a progressive force/displacement curve during the working stroke. These types of presses are therefore only suitable to a limited extent for drawing processes with long working strokes.

Furthermore, press systems with servo technology are now known. With this, an almost unlimited controllability of the process is achieved in both hydraulic and mechanical presses. In embodiments, the highly dynamically controllable servomotors are connected to roller spindles that are installed directly on the main power flow. They therefore show comparable properties to servo-controlled hydraulic cylinders. However, they are also subject to the same boundary conditions, which makes it necessary to design them according to the highest peak force and limits the lifting speed to the maximum possible speed of the spindle.

In some cases, servomotors with extremely high torque, so-called torque motors, are connected directly to the drive shaft of an eccentric or toggle lever without a spindle or gear stages.

The pamphlet DE 10 2008 017 397 A1 proposes a device and an assembly for the production of components, which is used for machining a workpiece. The device has a plurality of processing modules to be processed in succession by workpieces to be processed in a feed direction. The processing modules can be displaced independently of one another and relative to one another in the feed direction of the workpiece to be processed.

Furthermore, the pamphlet shows DE 20 2005 013 912 U1 an automatic forming machine with several stages executing work cycles in a frame, with the tool path and/or the tool force and/or the tool speed being freely programmable for each stage by means of an electronic control device.

Furthermore, the pamphlet shows DE 10 2005 038 583 a press drive module for a press ram for generating a drive movement and a pressing force between a first output to be connected to a press frame and a second output connected to the press ram and with two drive devices which are defined by different force/displacement characteristics are, the press drive module with two drive units forming a structural unit separate from the press.

Furthermore, the pamphlet shows DE 100 64 154 B4 a multi-stage press with a plurality of rams which can be moved up and down and which are provided with tools for forming workpieces, and a transport device for transporting the workpieces within and/or between the stages.

The pamphlet EP 2 527 135 A1 , which discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1, shows a cycle press, in particular a short-cycle press, for the manufacture and/or coating of panel-shaped materials, in particular wood-based panels, with a press frame with a plurality of press frames arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the press and with an upper press plate and a lower press platen, the upper press platen or the lower press platen being acted upon by press cylinders which are supported on the press frame.

The pamphlet EP 1 695 791 A1 shows a processing machine for machining workpieces with a spindle group with at least two spindle arrangements arranged side by side, each spindle arrangement having a spindle for receiving a cutting tool.

The pamphlet EP 1 754 595 A2 shows a press drive module for a press ram for generating a drive movement and a pressing force between a first an output drive to be connected to a press frame and a second output drive connected to the press ram, with a first drive device, which is connected to at least one of the at least two drives and which is characterized by a first force/displacement characteristic, with at least one second drive device, which is connected at least to the other of the at least two drives and is characterized by a second force/displacement characteristic, the force/displacement characteristics of the at least two drive devices being defined differently and the press drive module forming a structural unit.

The pamphlet JP 2004 337959 A shows the servo transfer press with a stand, which is set up on a bed 2. Upper frames are parallel to each other and placed on posts left and right. Multiple press units are installed independently for each process on top of the upper frame. Sliding guides are provided to control vertical movement of a slide 7 installed on the upper frame 5 . The press units have crowns each having built-in slide drive mechanism driven by the servo motor independently for each process, and a carriage vertically moved by each slide drive mechanism.

However, there is still a need for a press concept that can be used universally over a wide range and that combines the advantages of the various known systems in a uniform basic concept. In particular, the possible uses should be kept versatile, in particular the number of stroke movements occurring independently and in different ways within a press.

Furthermore, there is a need for press systems that enable the processing of high-strength materials that can be used in the course of lightweight constructions. Significantly higher requirements exist here with regard to the expenditure of force and the controllability of the process flow and the number of directions of force and movement to be controlled independently of one another.

Finally, there is also a need to reduce the costs of manufacturing, assembling and operating the presses.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a modular press system and a power module that allows a high degree of flexibility in the configuration and in the type of processing operations in the same system, a higher number of movements to be controlled independently of one another and a greater development of power for processing allows, and reduces the cost of manufacturing, assembly and operation of the system.

A device with the features of claim 1 solves this problem. According to the first aspect of the invention, it is therefore proposed to further develop the power module mentioned at the outset in such a way that the support frame has an opening in an outer peripheral surface through which the pressure element can be moved by the drive force of the drive unit in order to process the workpieces by means of the drive force. wherein the at least one connecting element has a groove which is designed to be pushed into a rail in order to connect the supporting frame to a press frame, wherein the supporting frame is designed as a housing of the power module and wherein the drive unit is accommodated in the housing, wherein the pressing member is supported movably in a moving direction and the opening is formed at an end of the supporting frame formed in the moving direction, wherein the abutment portion is formed at an end of the supporting frame opposite to the opening, wherein two connecting members are provided on opposite paras Sections of the support frame are arranged and the support frame forms a rigid, rigid connection between the connecting elements, one of the two connecting elements being formed at one end of the contact section of the supporting frame, and the connecting elements being detachable.

In this way, the power module can be used as a ready-to-use base element for a modular press system, in a kind of “building block system”, with the individual power modules being arranged in a press system depending on the workpiece to be processed and the number of processing steps to be carried out and for processing the workpiece be used. Due to the fact that the support frame is designed to be rigid, the power module as such is a self-supporting unit and can be inserted into a press in almost any way. It can exert the force for processing the workpieces via the integrated pressure elements directly on the workpiece-receiving tool in the press. The part of the support frame surrounding the opening can be used as a receptacle and support for the tool frame. Alternatively, the power modules can also be used in such a way that they move bridge modules in the form of rams and thus have an indirect effect on the tool, as is usual with conventional presses. After inserting the power modules, the press can be used according to its function.

As a result, the power module can generally be designed to be self-supporting, so that the power module can be integrated into different press frames without further stiffening of the press frame being necessary.

As a result, the power module can increase the rigidity of the press frame by integrating it into a press frame, since the connecting elements are rigidly connected to one another.

As a result, the power module can be integrated into the rail of the press frame of a press system by simply sliding it in, and then fixed with a sliding wedge by subsequent bracing.

As a result, the power module can be inserted into corresponding strips of a press system with little assembly effort and stored in a stable manner.

As a result, the press system can be made small, since the pressure element is supported on the connecting element in order to exert the force on the workpiece to be machined and the support frame can be used to transmit force between the contact section and the connecting element.

As a result, the force of the drive unit exerted on the contact section can be transmitted to a press system with less effort, and the force exerted on the pressure element can be transmitted to the workpiece to be machined. As a result, the power module can be easily integrated into a press system, since the pressure element, which forms part of the ram for machining the workpieces, can be moved outwards in order to machine the workpieces by means of the driving force.

As a result, the force can be applied efficiently to the pressure element, and the structural size of the support frame is generally reduced.

Thus, the power module according to the invention enables easy assembly of the press system on site, which also reduces the cost of transport to the site of use, since the press is only assembled on site from ready-to-use modules. Furthermore, the independent force modules can be used to implement different force-displacement characteristics through the use of different drive systems, which enable further flexibility in the processing of the workpieces. The fact that the pressure element is supported by multiple moving elements at short intervals directly on the rigid, stationary drive frame, it can be kept very slim and light. The moving masses are therefore very low. This improves the response behavior of the control and reduces the energy consumption required during press operation. The stable housing can be used for static reinforcement due to the positive and non-positive connection with the other modules. As a result, the entire mechanical structure of the press can be kept very compact and light.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is proposed to develop the bridge module mentioned at the outset in such a way that a plurality of module receptacles is formed between the flange plates to accommodate the force modules, with the connecting elements of the force modules being able to be connected to the connecting sections of the flange plates in such a way that the supporting frame of the force modules rigidly connect the flange plates to one another. The second aspect of the invention provides that the bridge module is equipped with a plurality of power modules according to the first aspect of the present invention, the power modules being arranged next to one another and in each case the at least one connecting element of the respective support frame is connected to at least one of the connecting sections of the flange plates in order to fix the support frame of the power modules to the flange plates.

As a result, the power modules can be installed in the bridge module with simple means and connected to the flange plates in a positive and/or non-positive manner, so that they can be used for static reinforcement of the bridge module.

As a result, the individual power modules can be easily integrated into the bridge module and the stability of the bridge module can be increased by the integrated support frame. The narrow design of the power modules allows them to be fitted closely with a large number of power modules in order to increase the number of possible machining processes and/or to increase the power density. To reinforce the bridge module, a web plate can also connect the two flange plates. Alternatively, however, this function can be performed by stable vertical center bars or by the end plates of the power modules, depending on whether the length of the power modules extends over the entire flange width or whether half as long power modules are inserted from both sides to the middle of the flange. In addition to the proposed active versions, there are passive variants of a bridge module. The simplest form is a box-shaped body connected to the press elements of at least two spaced column modules.

When equipped with a continuous power module, the workpiece in the column module can be processed directly by the power module. The pressure element of the power module acts on the workpiece through the opening in the support frame, and the support frame outside the opening serves as a base plate for fastening the tool holding the workpiece.

Different processing steps can be carried out by any configuration of the stand module. In particular, in the element shots a box-shaped bridge module as a press table and a power module can be arranged and combined to form any single-column press. Alternatively, a force module can also be inserted in each of the two press element mounts, for example to increase the flexibility of the processing steps. Depending on the design of the press elements, in both cases the active points of the processing can be placed either between the two columns of the column module or in front of a column. This means that single-column presses can either be built with a closed O-frame or with an open C-frame, depending on whether the focus is on high rigidity and parallel deflection, or on good accessibility of the processing area from three sides. However, the disadvantage of the one-sided springing of the cantilever arm can be largely compensated for by a second drive in the power module, the pressure piece of which is supported at the end of the support frame opposite the cantilever arm against a fixed stop in the column of the stand module, and its movement tilts the support frame by the amount that the cantilever segment remains perpendicular to the front column and thus parallel to the corresponding second cantilever segment, provided that this is corrected in the same way.

To increase the number of movements to be controlled independently of one another, narrow bridge modules can be introduced parallel to the plane of the stand module and equipped with a number of power modules. These bridge modules can be rigidly attached directly to the functional element mounts or moved by separate force modules inserted between the ends of the bridge modules and the functional element mounts.

Furthermore, one continuous force module or two independently located in the corners can serve to move a bridge module according to the invention, which is located between two stand modules in a perpendicular orientation to the plane of the stand module.

Alternatively, a stand module can also be equipped with other processing devices instead of force modules, for example for welding, joining, injection molding or for machining. As part of a press system, a stand module equipped in this way can increase the flexibility of the processing steps in of a press system. In general, the stand module according to the invention can therefore form a flexible support structure for various functional elements within a flexible press system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is proposed to develop the press system in such a way that a plurality of column modules according to the present invention and with two bridge modules of the present invention are combined, the bridge modules being arranged opposite one another in the column modules. A multi-column press is created by equipping the column modules and/or the bridge modules with power modules.

This means that larger workpieces can be processed and/or the flexibility and variation of the different work steps for processing the workpieces can be increased if the bridge modules are equipped with power modules and the stand modules can be used in particular to move at least one of the bridge modules. With such multi-column presses, depending on the design of the press elements and the positioning of the bridge modules, the active points of processing can either be placed between the columns of the column modules or outside of the columns. This means that multi-column presses can either be built with a closed O-frame or with an open C-frame, which, for example, also allows use as a press brake in almost any length and variation of the processing steps.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is proposed to develop the press system in such a way that a plurality of single-column presses according to the present invention are joined together in a row and thus form a common working space between the press elements. If the power modules in the single-column presses are appropriately linked in terms of control technology, large workpieces can be subjected to high forces. Alternatively, each single-column press can form its own processing station in the sense of subsequent processing of a smaller workpiece in throughput, each with high application of force while avoiding spring-related influences from the neighboring station.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is proposed to develop the press system such that within such a group of single-column presses the central axes of the single-column presses are not all parallel and vertical, but can be aligned at different angles to one another. As a result, high machining forces can be exerted on the workpieces from completely different directions, partially or in individual work stations.

Overall, the individual aspects of the present invention can be used to implement different press configurations for a large number of different processing requirements within the framework of a uniform modular building block system. The easy interchangeability of the modules also allows the press to be easily adapted to changed requirement profiles at a later date. Both mechanical and hydraulic drives, with their different characteristics, can be used and combined as desired within a press system. With additional adjustment devices, the force-displacement characteristics can also be varied as desired in the mechanical drive systems. The fundamentally narrow structure of the power modules allows a high density of drives that can be moved independently of one another. These features provide a high level of flexibility in the type of machining operations. A high concentration of force is also made possible by the parallel operation of closely spaced power modules or complete, narrow single-column presses. The consistently modular design in all areas allows series production of the required individual parts and components in larger quantities. In connection with the reduced use of materials due to the static multiple use of the power module, this reduces the manufacturing costs and the weight of the press systems. Reusable parts and frequently used modules can be kept in stock. This smoothes out peaks in demand and evenly utilizes production capacities. This further reduces the manufacturing costs and shortens the delivery time of the press. The standardized mechanical interfaces allow the modules, which have been tested and ready for operation at the factory, to be easily installed on site, especially in large systems. This reduces transport costs and on-site assembly work. The reduction in moving masses made possible by the design of the power module reduces the use of energy. The easy replacement of the wear-prone modules made possible by the detachable connecting elements reduces downtimes and reduces repair costs. These features reduce operating costs.

The object set at the outset is thus completely achieved by the present invention.

In a special embodiment.

As a result, the support frame can be integrated into a press system in a particularly stable manner and the stability of the entire press system can be increased.

In a particular embodiment, the connecting element is designed as an elongate bar which is formed on the support frame transversely to the axis.

It is also preferred if the support frame is designed as the housing of the power module and the drive unit is accommodated in the housing.

As a result, an independent power module can be provided that can be integrated independently of other systems in a press system.

It is also preferred if the drive unit has a toggle lever or a toggle joint which is connected to the pressure element and the contact section of the support frame and to a drive motor in order to generate the force between the contact section of the support frame and the pressure element.

As a result, the force can be exerted by the drive unit on the pressure element with little technical effort.

It is also preferred if the drive unit has at least two toggle levers, which are connected to the contact section of the support frame and the pressure element and can be driven in parallel by a drive motor.

As a result, the force that is exerted on the pressure element can be evenly distributed with little technical effort and the drive unit can generally be made more stable.

It is particularly preferred if one of the two toggle levers is assigned a height adjustment element in order to set a distance between the pressure element and a contact section of the support frame.

This allows a deflection of the support frame to be compensated. It is particularly preferred if the height adjustment element is formed by a wedge or an eccentric that can be adjusted by means of a drive screw. As a result, the handling of this height adjustment element can be simplified.

It is also preferred if the drive unit has at least two toggle lever arrangements, each with at least one toggle lever, which are connected to a one-piece or segmented pressure element and the contact section of the support frame and can each be driven by a drive unit.

As a result, the force to be exerted on the pressure element can be increased and adjusted individually, since the respective toggle lever arrangements can be driven by different drive units.

It is also preferred if the drive unit is connected to the pressure element by means of a variable transmission element, which is designed to vary a force-displacement characteristic of the pressure element.

As a result, the force exerted by the pressure element on a workpiece to be machined can be set individually and adapted to the work step, so that the flexibility of the force module is further increased.

It is also preferred if the drive unit has at least one spindle drive, which is arranged between the pressure element and the contact section of the support frame in order to exert the force on the pressure element.

As a result, a particularly compact design can be implemented, in which case force transmission mechanisms can be dispensed with.

It is also preferred if the press system has a plurality of separate pressure elements which can each be connected to a spindle drive, the spindle drives being arranged between the contact section and the pressure elements in order to exert separate force on the pressure elements.

As a result, the flexibility of the power module can be increased since different forces act on the individual pressure elements and different force-displacement characteristics can be applied to the individual pressure elements, making different work steps possible.

It is also preferred if the drive unit has at least one hydraulic cylinder, which can be controlled via a hydraulic line by means of a valve arrangement in order to exert the force on the pressure element.

As a result, a further variation of the force-displacement curve can be realized using the special drive technology.

It is particularly preferred if the drive unit has a plurality of hydraulic cylinders which are each connected to a pressure element in order to separately exert force on the pressure elements.

As a result, individual processing can be implemented using the different pressure elements, which generally increases the flexibility of the power module.

It is also preferred if the hydraulic cylinder is connected to a spindle drive in order to generate hydraulic pressure on the hydraulic cylinder.

As a result, force can be transmitted to the pressure elements with little technical effort and small size. There is no need for a separate hydraulic unit.

In the bridging module, it is also preferred if the flange plates are connected to one another by means of at least one connecting plate which is arranged and fixed perpendicularly to the flange plates on an edge section and/or along a central axis of the flange plates.

As a result, the stability of the bridge module can be further increased.

It is also preferred if at least one connecting plate is connected to the connecting sections of the flange plates.

As a result, the connection plate can be integrated particularly easily in the bridge module.

It is also preferred if connecting sections of the flange plates are designed as rails, into which the connecting elements, which are designed as complementary rails, are inserted.

This enables the flange plates to be firmly installed in the connection rails.

It is also preferred if a distance between the connecting sections corresponds to a minimum width of the support frame of the power modules.

As a result, a maximum number of power modules can be integrated in the bridge module.

It is also preferred if one of the flange plates has openings which are arranged in such a way that the pressure elements of the force modules can be guided through the openings in order to machine workpieces.

This allows the pressure elements to be passed through the upper flange plate in order to machine the workpieces on the upper flange plate.

It is particularly preferred if a grid size of the openings corresponds to a grid size of the module receptacles.

This allows the bridge module to be equipped with a maximum number of power modules.

In one configuration of the stand module, it is particularly preferred if at least one functional element receptacle is mounted so as to be displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis and can be fixed in different positions relative to the other functional element receptacle.

This further increases the flexibility of the stand module, since workpieces of different sizes can be processed and the force-displacement characteristic and thus the force exerted on the workpiece can also be varied by adjusting the distance to the respective workpiece.

In this context, it is particularly preferred if two functional element receptacles are formed at one end of the columns, which are mounted so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction and can be fixed in different positions with respect to one another.

This means that workpieces of different sizes can be processed.

It is particularly preferred if the displaceably mounted functional element receptacle is mounted on the frame by means of at least two threaded segments aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis and with an adjustable threaded ring is, the different positions being adjustable by different rotational positions of the adjusting ring nut.

As a result, an adjusting device can be provided which can be adjusted with simple means and at the same time can carry large loads.

It is also preferred if the thread segments are mounted in the columns and at least partially surround the threaded adjustment ring, the threaded adjustment nut being fixable by a threaded clamping ring.

It is particularly preferred if the threaded adjustment ring can be rotated by means of an adjustment drive in order to set the different positions.

As a result, the different positions can be set automatically, which reduces the amount of work involved in handling the stand module.

In the case of the press system, it is particularly preferred if the press system has exactly one column module. A single-column press can thereby be formed.

It is also preferred if the at least one power module is detachably fixed in one of the functional element receptacles by means of the connecting element.

As a result, the stand module can be constructed as a modular system with little effort, as a result of which the overall assembly effort is reduced and at the same time flexibility is increased.

It is also preferred if one of the functional elements is designed as a press table that is detachably fixed in one of the functional element receptacles.

As a result, the column module can be equipped with a power module with little effort and the ram of the power module can process the tool to be machined together with the press table.

It is also preferred if one of the functional elements is designed as a bridge module according to the present invention and forms the press bed. As a result, a press table for large workpieces can be provided with little effort.

It is also preferred if at least one of the functional elements is designed as a bridging module according to the present invention and is equipped with a plurality of power modules.

As a result, existing module parts of the bridge module can be used and the stand module can be equipped with a large number of power modules in order to process the workpieces flexibly.

It is also preferred if the functional elements, which are accommodated and releasably fixed in the two functional element receptacles, are designed as force modules according to the present invention, with the respective pressure elements being aligned towards the workpiece receptacle in order to machine the workpieces and with a workpiece receiving Tool is fixed to the support frame of the respective power module.

This increases the flexibility of the machining, as two separately controllable power modules machine the workpieces in the workpiece holder.

It is also preferred if the force modules in the functional element receptacles protrude perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis in relation to the frame and the respective pressure element is arranged outside of the frame, so that a C-frame press is formed.

As a result, a further variation for processing workpieces with good accessibility can be implemented.

It is further preferred if the support frame is rotatably mounted on the frame of the stand module and is connected to a drive unit, which is arranged on a side opposite the pressure element, in order to twist the support frame in order to compensate for a bending of the support frame.

As a result, parallel and precise machining of the workpieces can also be achieved with C-frame presses with high forces and corresponding bending of the supporting frame.

It is also preferred if a functional element for processing by means of welding, joining or injection molding is accommodated in at least one functional element receptacle.

This further increases the variability of the stand module.

It is also preferred if at least two bridging modules according to the present invention are arranged opposite one another on at least two stand modules, with the at least one force module being accommodated in one of the stand modules or one of the bridging modules.

This allows the stand modules to be fitted with the bridge modules.

It is also preferred if a plurality of force modules are accommodated in the stand modules.

It is also preferred if a plurality of force modules is accommodated in the bridge modules. This enables more flexible processing of the workpieces.

It is also preferred if the bridge modules are arranged between the stand modules. This allows the bridge modules to be moved between the stand modules, which means greater flexibility can be achieved.

It is also preferred if the force modules that are accommodated in the functional element receptacles protrude in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in relation to the frame and the respective pressure element is arranged outside of the frame.

As a result, a further variation for processing workpieces with good accessibility can be implemented.

In the press system it is particularly preferred if the pressure elements of the force modules of the stand modules are connected to one of the bridge modules in order to move the bridge modules relative to one another. As a result, the bridge modules can be used more flexibly and adapted to the workpieces.

Overall, various elements of a modular, kit-like press system can thus be provided, which can be combined with one another in any desired manner in order to provide a press arrangement for processing workpieces. Due to the modular design, different work steps can be implemented and different force-displacement characteristics can be set by simply exchanging or adjusting the corresponding module parts, which allows individual and flexible processing and use of the entire system.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit einem Kniehebel,

Fig. 2

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit zwei Kniehebeln und Verstelleinrichtung zur Einstellung des Kraft-Weg-Verlaufs des Druckelements,

Fig. 3

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit zwei Kniehebeln und einer Höhenverstellung,

Fig. 4

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit zwei Kniehebelanordnungen und zwei separaten Antriebsmotoren,

Fig. 5

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit mehreren Hydraulikzylindern,

Fig. 6

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit einer Mehrzahl von Servospindeln,

Fig. 7

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit mehreren Druckelementen, die separat von jeweils einer Servospindel antreibbar sind,

Fig. 8

eine Ausführungsform des Kraftmoduls aus Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit einer Mehrzahl von Hydraulikzylindern, die mittels Servoventilen ansteuerbar sind,

Fig. 10

eine Ausführungsform eines Kraftmoduls mit einer Mehrzahl von Hydraulikzylindern, die separat durch eine entsprechende Mehrzahl von Servospindeln antreibbar sind,

Fig. 11a,

b ein Brückenmodul zur Aufnahme von Kraftmodulen,

Fig. 12

eine weitere Ansicht des Brückenmoduls aus Fig. 11 mit Seitenplatten,

Fig. 13

eine weitere Ansicht des Brückenmoduls aus Fig. 11 mit integrierten Kraftmodulen,

Fig. 14

eine alternative Bestückung des Brückenmoduls aus Fig. 13,

Fig. 15

eine alternative Bestückung des Brückenmoduls aus Fig. 13,

Fig. 16

eine alternative Bestückung des Brückenmoduls aus Fig. 13 mit Hydraulikzylinderkraftmodulen aus Fig. 9,

Fig. 17

eine Ausführungsform eines Ständermoduls zur Aufnahme von Kraftmodulen und Brückenmodulen,

Fig. 18

eine Detailansicht des Ständermoduls zur Erläuterung einer Höhenverstellung einer Funktionselementaufnahme,

Fig. 19

eine Einständerpresse mit einem Ständermodul aus Fig. 17, das mit einem Kraftmodul und einem Pressentisch bestückt ist,

Fig. 20

ein Variante der Einständerpresse aus Fig. 19, mit bestückten Brückenmodulen,

Fig. 21

eine Einständerpresse in einer Ausführungsform als C-Gestell-Presse mit einem Kraftmodul,

Fig. 22

eine Variante der Einständerpresse aus Fig. 21 mit zwei Kraftmodulen,

Fig. 23a

eine schematische Darstellung der Durchbiegung der Kraftmodule in einer C-Ständerpresse,

Fig. 23b

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kompensation der Durchbiegung der Kraftmodule,

Fig. 24

eine C-Gestell Presse aus Fig. 23 mit integrierten Antrieben zur Kompensation der Durchbiegung der Kraftmodule,

Fig. 25

eine Zweiständerpresse in einer Ausführungsform als C-GestellPresse,

Fig. 26

eine Presse mit mehreren Ständermodulen, bei der das mittlere Ständermodul verschieblich gelagert ist,

Fig. 27

eine Variante der Presse aus Fig. 26,

Fig. 28

eine Ausführungsform einer Zwei-Ständerpresse mit zwei Ständermodulen und zwei Brückenmodulen,

Fig. 29

eine Variante der Zwei-Ständerpresse aus Fig. 28,

Fig. 30

eine alternative Bestückung der Zwiei-Ständerpresse aus Fig. 28, bei der die Ständermodule jeweils mit zwei beweglichen Brückenmodulen bestückt sind,

Fig. 31

eine Pressenanlage mit einer Vielzahl von kombinierten Einständerpressen,

Fig. 32

eine Variante der Pressenanlage aus Fig. 31 mit verdrehbar gelagerten Ein-Ständerpressen,

Fig. 33

eine Kombination von zwei Zweiständerpresse aus Fig. 29 mit alternativen Bestückungen und einer Einständerpresse,

Fig. 34

eine Ausführungsform eines modularen Pressensystems, das als Pressenlinie ausgebildet ist mit mehreren Pressestationen in einer ersten Position,

Fig. 35

das modulare Pressensystem der Fig. 34 mit einer herausbewegten Einständerpresse,

Fig. 36

das modulare Pressensystem der Fig. 34 und 35 mit herausbewegten Pressenstationen und Werkzeugwechselvorrichtungen, und

Fig.37

eine schematische Ansicht einer konventionellen Presse mit eingebauten Kraftmodulen gemäß der Fig. 1 bis 10 ohne Verwendung der übrigen Baukastenmodule.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

1

a first embodiment of a power module with a toggle lever,

2

an embodiment of a power module with two toggle levers and an adjustment device for setting the force-displacement curve of the pressure element,

3

an embodiment of a power module with two toggle levers and a height adjustment,

4

an embodiment of a power module with two toggle lever arrangements and two separate drive motors,

figure 5

an embodiment of a power module with several hydraulic cylinders,

6

an embodiment of a power module with a plurality of servo spindles,

7

an embodiment of a power module with several pressure elements that can be driven separately by a servo spindle,

8

an embodiment of the power module 7 ,

9

an embodiment of a power module with a plurality of hydraulic cylinders that can be controlled by means of servo valves,

10

an embodiment of a power module with a plurality of hydraulic cylinders which can be driven separately by a corresponding plurality of servo spindles,

11a,

b a bridge module to accommodate power modules,

12

another view of the bridge module 11 with side plates,

13

another view of the bridge module 11 with integrated power modules,

14

an alternative assembly of the bridge module 13 ,

15

an alternative assembly of the bridge module 13 ,

16

an alternative assembly of the bridge module 13 with hydraulic cylinder power modules 9 ,

17

an embodiment of a stand module for accommodating force modules and bridge modules,

18

a detailed view of the stand module to explain a height adjustment of a functional element holder,

19

a single-column press with a column module 17 , which is equipped with a power module and a press table,

20

a variant of the single-column press 19 , with equipped bridge modules,

21

a single-column press in an embodiment as a C-frame press with a power module,

22

a variant of the single-column press 21 with two power modules,

Figure 23a

a schematic representation of the deflection of the force modules in a C-frame press,

Figure 23b

a schematic representation of a compensation of the deflection of the force modules,

24

a C-frame press 23 with integrated drives to compensate for the deflection of the power modules,

25

a two-column press in an embodiment as a C-frame press,

26

a press with several stand modules, in which the middle stand module is movably mounted,

27

a variant of the press 26 ,

28

an embodiment of a two-stand press with two stand modules and two bridge modules,

29

a variant of the two-column press 28 ,

30

an alternative equipment of the two-column press 28 , in which the stand modules are each equipped with two movable bridge modules,

31

a press system with a large number of combined single-column presses,

32

a variant of the press system 31 with rotatably mounted single-column presses,

Figure 33

a combination of two double column presses 29 with alternative equipment and a single-column press,

34

an embodiment of a modular press system, which is designed as a press line with several press stations in a first position,

Figure 35

the modular press system 34 with a single-column press moved out,

Figure 36

the modular press system 34 and 35 with press stations and tool changing devices moved out, and

Fig.37

a schematic view of a conventional press with built-in power modules according to Figures 1 to 10 without using the other modular modules.

In 1 1, a power module is shown schematically in perspective and side view and is generally designated 10. FIG.

The power module 10 has a housing 12 which serves as a support frame 12 for the power module 10 . The power module 10 has a pressure element 14 which is movably mounted in a direction of movement 16 relative to the support frame 12 . The pressure element 14 is movably mounted along a longitudinal axis of the support frame 12 . The support frame 12 has an opening 18 through which the pressure element 14 can be moved.

A toggle lever 20 is integrated in the support frame 12 or the housing 12 and is connected to the pressure element 14 and a contact section 22 of the support frame 12 . The force module 10 also has a drive motor 24 which is connected to the toggle lever 20 in order to move the pressure element 14 accordingly through the opening 18 and to exert a corresponding force on the pressure element 14 .

Two connecting elements 26 , 28 are formed on the housing 12 and are formed at opposite ends of the housing 12 in the direction of movement 16 . The connecting elements 26, 28 are designed as connecting strips 26, 28 which are aligned transversely or orthogonally to the longitudinal axis or to the direction of movement 16. One of the connecting elements 26 is arranged on a lower end of the housing 12 in the area of the contact section 22 and an upper one of the connecting elements 28 is arranged on an upper end of the housing 12 in the area of the opening 18 .

The pressure element 14 serves to exert a force on a workpiece to be machined and to form a ram for machining the workpiece itself or in combination with a tool. The pressure element 14 can be received or retracted completely in the housing 12 and correspondingly guided out through the opening 18 to the outside in order to process the workpieces (not shown) accordingly.

The connecting elements 26, 28 are used to push the entire force module 10 into a (not shown) press frame of a press system in a direction transverse or orthogonal to the direction of movement 16 and there to fix in order to provide a corresponding press function or a ram function.

In this special embodiment, the drive motor 24 is arranged outside of the housing 12, namely laterally next to the longitudinal axis of the housing 12 or offset parallel to the direction of movement 16 of the pressure element 14.

As seen in the side view 1 shown, the housing 12 is narrow in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and transverse to the insertion direction or to the connecting elements 26, 28, so that a large number of power modules 10 can be arranged next to one another, as is explained in more detail below.

The drive motor 24 can be designed as a spindle drive or as a hydraulic drive consisting of a hydraulic cylinder with a servo valve or alternatively as a servo pump and exerts a force on the toggle lever 20 which can be transmitted to the pressure element 14 in order to move the pressure element 14 accordingly in the direction of movement 16 and exert the force on the workpiece to be machined.

Because the pressure element 14 can be guided out of the opening 18 formed at one end of the housing 12 and protrudes in this position relative to the housing 12, the power module 10 can be easily integrated into a press system and used there for processing workpieces will.

In 2 an embodiment of the power module 10 is shown schematically. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

The drive motor 24 is formed in this embodiment with two jointly driven toggle levers 30, 32 which are connected to one another by means of a connecting rod 34. The pressure element 14 is in a guide 36 in the direction of movement 16 movably mounted or guided. The pressure element 14 has three separate pressure pieces which can be moved out of the housing 12 through the opening 18 or a plurality of openings in order to apply the force from the drive motor 24 to the workpieces to be machined.

Due to the two toggle levers 30, 32, the drive force can be transmitted more evenly from the drive motor 24 to the pressure element 14.

The drive motor 24 is connected to the toggle lever 32 or the pressure elements 14 via an adjustment device 25, with the adjustment device 25 being able to set different force-displacement curves of the pressure elements 14 in different settings. As a result, the force-displacement curve of the pressure elements 14 can be set individually and as required. The adjusting device 25 is adjusted via different pivot points and different levers or angles of the deflection mechanism, which thus offers a variation of the force-displacement curve.

In 3 another embodiment of the power module 10 is shown in perspective. The power module 10 has the two toggle levers 30 , 32 in order to move the pressure element 14 , one of the toggle levers 30 being assigned a height adjustment element 38 in order to vary the distance between the contact section 22 and the pressure element 14 . The height adjustment element 38 is designed as a wedge, the position of which can be moved by means of an adjustment screw 40 in order to vary the corresponding distance between the contact section 22 and the pressure element 14 . As a result, the force-related deflection of the housing 12, as well as dimensional tolerances and elastic compression of the toggle lever 30, 32 or the connecting rod 34 can be compensated. In a special embodiment, the height adjustment element 38 can also be designed as an eccentric. In this embodiment, the adjusting device 25 has an eccentric disk in order to set the force-displacement curve of the pressure elements 14 . Adjusting devices for adjusting the force-displacement curve are known, for example, from - PCT/EP2013/064298 .

In 4 an embodiment of the power module 10 is shown schematically. In this embodiment, the pressure element 14 is formed with two double toggle levers 42, 44, which are each connected to a drive motor 46, 48 via the adjusting devices 25. The pressure element 14 is guided accordingly with the guide 36, 36' in the direction of movement 16.

As a result, an increased force can be exerted on the pressure element by the two drive motors 46, 48. Furthermore, tilting of the pressure element 14 can be prevented in the case of different loads by appropriate readjustment of one of the two drive motors. The pressure element 14 can be made in one piece as shown. However, it can also be divided in the middle so that the two halves can perform independent movements. The adjustment device 25 enables the setting of different force-displacement curves of the pressure elements 14. The frame 12 also has a central web 49 which is connected to side plates of the frame 12 in order to increase the flexural rigidity of the frame 12.

In figure 5 an embodiment of the power module 10 is shown schematically. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

In the embodiment of the power module 10 from figure 5 several hydraulic cylinders 50 are arranged between the pressure element 14 and the contact section 22 and are supplied with hydraulic pressure via hydraulic lines 52 . The hydraulic lines 52 are connected to corresponding separate servo-hydraulic valves 54 in order to control the hydraulic cylinders 50 accordingly. The hydraulic pressure is provided by an external hydraulic unit (not shown) to which the hydraulic valves 54 can be connected. Optionally, the hydraulic cylinders 50 can be connected directly to one or more external servo pumps (not shown). In this variant, the servo-hydraulic valves 54 can be omitted.

In 6 an embodiment of the power module 10 is shown schematically. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here. in the in 6 In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of servo spindles 56 are arranged as a drive unit between the pressure element 14 and the contact section 22, which are supported on the contact section 22 and correspondingly exert the driving force on the pressure element 14.

In 7 an embodiment of the power module 10 is shown schematically in different views. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

The power module 10 off 7 comprises a plurality of independent pressure elements 60 each connected to a servo screw 56 . As a result, the independent pressure elements 60 can be moved independently of one another in order to flexibly provide different forces and strokes for processing the workpieces.

In 8 is a variant of the power module 10 from 7 shown schematically. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here. The separate pressure elements 60 are each connected to a servo screw 56 to be driven independently of one another. In this embodiment, the servo spindles 56 are offset from one another in the direction of movement 16 in order to enable a more compact design and to integrate a larger number of servo spindles 56 in the housing 12 .

In 9 an embodiment of the power module 10 is shown schematically. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here. The separate pressure elements 60 are each connected to a hydraulic cylinder 62 which is each connected via a hydraulic line 64 to corresponding hydraulic valves 66 . As a result, the separate pressure elements 60 can be controlled and moved independently of one another, with the hydraulic cylinders 62 corresponding to the hydraulic valves 66 or optionally can be controlled and moved independently by a direct-acting servo pump.

In 10 1 is another embodiment of the power module 10. FIG 9 shown schematically. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

The hydraulic cylinders 62 are supplied with the appropriate hydraulic pressure via the hydraulic lines 64 , the hydraulic lines 64 being connected to hydraulic pistons 68 which are driven by means of servo spindles 70 . The hydraulic pistons 68 are integrated in the housing 12 and the larger servo spindles 70 are connected externally to the housing 12 of the power module. Due to the different diameters of the hydraulic cylinders 62 and 68, the forces of the servo spindles can be varied proportionally. Because each pressure piece 60 has a separate hydraulic drive, the pressure elements 60 of the individual power modules 10 can be controlled and moved independently of one another.

In Figure 11a a bridge module for accommodating force modules 10 is shown schematically and generally designated 130 . The bridge module 130 has an upper flange plate 132 and a lower flange plate 134, each of which has connecting elements 136 for fastening power modules 10 or web plates. The flange plates 132, 134 are connected at the respective end faces by means of a respective end plate 140, 142 and, in this illustration, to the web plate 138. The flange plates 132, 134 are correspondingly spaced by means of the end plates 140, 142, with the connecting elements 136 facing one another or , directed toward a formed interior space 144 . The end plates 140, 142 also have cantilevers for connecting the bridge module 130 to the power modules 10 and/or the frame 82. Openings 145 are formed in the upper flange plate 132 , through which rams or the pressure elements 14 of the force modules 10 can be passed, which are accommodated in the interior space 144 and fastened by means of the connecting grooves 136 .

In Figure 11b the bridge module 130 is shown schematically with an inserted power module 10 . The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here. In a detailed drawing of the upper flange plate 32, which is also shown in Figure 11b 1, the receiving of the connecting element 28 in one of the connecting grooves 136 is shown in detail, with the connecting groove 136 and the connecting element 28 being of complementary design in order to securely mount the power module 10 in the bridge module 130. Furthermore, in Figure 11b an elongated wedge element 146 is shown, which is pushed in a longitudinal direction of the connecting groove 136 between the connecting element 28 and a side flank of the connecting groove 136 in order to store the power module 10 particularly firmly and without play.

In 12 the bridge module 130 is shown schematically, in which the inner spaces 144 are each closed by means of a lateral web plate 148 . The web plate 148 is connected to the bridge module 130 at the connecting grooves 136 . Thus, the bridge module 130 can also serve as a passive press table or ram without any additional function.

In 13 the bridge module 130 is shown schematically in a perspective and top view and equipped with a plurality of power modules 10. The power modules 10 are pushed laterally into the two interior spaces 144 and are connected to the bridge module 130 by means of the connecting strips 26, 28 and the corresponding connecting grooves 136 . The pressure elements 14 are guided through the openings 145 in the upper flange plate 132 in order to process the workpieces accordingly. in the in 13 In the assembly shown, four narrow power modules 10 are arranged in one of the two interior spaces 144, whereas two narrow power modules 10 and one wide power module 10 are arranged in the opposite interior space 144. The corresponding openings between the force modules 10 are closed with web plate segments 152 in order to increase the corresponding stability of the bridge module 130 .

Due to the power modules 10 arranged in the bridge module 130, the bridge module 130 can be used as a press element for processing workpieces be used, whereby the flexibility of the application and the processing is guaranteed by the different assembly variants. In this case, within a bridge module 130, different types of drive according to the Figures 1 to 10 be used side by side. The rigid and self-supporting support frames 12 or housing 12 of the power modules 10 also serve to mechanically stabilize the bridge module 130.

In 14 a further assembly variant of the bridge module 130 is shown schematically, in perspective and in a plan view. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

In 14 are in the interior 140 power modules 10 according to one of Figures 1 to 4 arranged, with the width of the respective housing 12 being less than the width of the respective drive motor 24. The power modules 10 are therefore designed in two different lengths, so that the drive motors 24 are arranged in two rows offset from one another and the housings 12 of the power modules 10 are each are placed next to each other in the respective interior space 144 . This makes it possible to equip it with a particularly large number of the power modules 10 .

In 15 an alternative assembly variant of the bridge module 130 is shown schematically, in perspective and in a plan view. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

The power modules 10, which are located in the two interior spaces 144 in 18 are arranged do not have their own drive motor 24 themselves, but are actuated via a connecting beam 152 which is moved by two separate drive motors 154 each, the drive motors 154 being connected to the upper flange plate 132 and the lower flange plate 134 in order to generate the corresponding force to be exerted on the connecting beam 152.

16 shows an assembly variant of the bridge module 130, in which in the interior 144 power modules 10 with hydraulic drive according to Fig. 9 or 10 are arranged. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

The separate pressure elements 60 are passed through the openings 145 in the upper flange plate 132 to perform the appropriate machining function. Due to the large number of individually movable pressure pieces 60, any desired free-form surfaces can be formed, which can be flexibly molded onto the workpiece, e.g. a sheet metal, either directly or via an intermediate medium.

As a result, the bridging module 130 can be equipped with a wide variety of power modules 10 right through to a fully flexible multi-point device in order to carry out a wide variety of processing steps.

In 17 a stand module for accommodating force modules 10 for machining workpieces is shown schematically and is generally designated 80 . The stand module 80 has a rigid frame 82 with element receptacles 84, 86 which are offset or spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis 88 of the frame 82. The element receptacles 84, 86 are designed to receive a press element in the form of a force module 10 or a bridge module 130 and to introduce the reaction forces from the press element into the columns. Corresponding openings in the columns 94, 96 allow the functional elements to be pushed in for easy assembly and replacement. The element receptacles 84, 86 each have connecting grooves 97 or connecting sections 97 which are designed to receive the connecting elements 26, 28 of the power modules 10 or the press tables 90. The connecting grooves 97 are designed to be complementary to the connecting elements 26, 28, so that the corresponding power modules 10 or press tables 90 can be firmly accommodated in the element receptacles 84, 86. Between the element receptacles 84, 86 of the installation space 92 for the tool (not shown) is formed, which is designed to to receive the workpieces to be processed and to process them by means of the power module 10 or the power module 10 .

The frame 82 generally has columns 94, 96 which connect the two element receptacles 84, 86 to one another and are designed to absorb the force exerted by the force modules 10 on the workpiece or the press table 90 and to develop a corresponding counterforce. The frame 82 also includes a top plate 98 and a foot plate 99 formed at opposite ends of the frame 82 .

Stiffening plates 101, 102 are arranged laterally on the columns 94, 96 in order to stiffen the entire frame 82.

The stand module 80 optionally has adjusting devices 104 on the top plate 98 or at the end of the columns 94, 96, by means of which the upper element receptacles 84 or the functional element accommodated therein can be displaced or shifted along the longitudinal axis 88. In a light version, the adjusting device 104 has a spindle drive 106 and an adjusting spindle 105 in order to move the element receptacles 84, 86 or the functional element accommodated therein.

The fact that in the element recordings 84, 86 different power modules 10 according to Figures 1 - 10 or bridge modules can be included, the press function can be varied as desired by replacing the elements in the column module 80. In a special embodiment, two power modules 10 can also be arranged in the two element receptacles 84, 86 and correspondingly machine a workpiece in the tool installation space 92 with the respective rams or pressure elements 14

In 18 is a schematic perspective sectional view of the stand module 80 and two partial views of an alternative adjustment device for high forces shown. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

Fixed thread segments 108 in the columns 94, 96 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 88. As shown in FIG. and act like segments of an enveloping hollow spindle. An adjusting ring nut 110 and a clamping ring nut 112 are arranged in between. The adjustable threaded ring 110 and the clamping threaded ring 112 are connected to a holding frame 114 via a common central axis in order to vary the height accordingly by rotating the adjustable threaded ring 110 in the thread segments 108 . This holding frame 114 also serves as an element receptacle 84 for the power module 10. One of the adjustment drives 106 is arranged on the holding frame 114, which is connected via a chain drive to the threaded adjustment ring 110 in order to rotate it accordingly for height adjustment. An actuator 116 is connected via a chain drive to the clamping nut 112 to rotate it accordingly.

The position of the holding frame 114 is set by the height position of the adjustable ring nut 110 and the holding frame 114 is clamped accordingly by countering via the clamping ring nut 112 in order to ensure a fixed position of the holding frame 114 and thus of the element holder 84 or the functional element held thereon.

The upper flanks 118 of the threads are oriented at a right angle relative to the longitudinal axis 88, while the lower flanks 120 of the threads are tapered or angled to provide a radially outward force in the tension rods 94, 96 to train. As a result, the tension rods are clamped in an elastic range against guides of clamps of the holding frame 114 . As a result, freedom from play is achieved when tightening the clamping nut 112 in all directions, which prevents the contact surfaces from deflecting during the constant load changes during press operation.

The adjustment device 106 can be used to adjust the relative position of the functional element receptacles 84, 86 to one another using simple means, which generally allows the final force on the workpiece to be adjusted and tools of different heights for machining the workpieces to be installed in the installation space 92.

In 19 a single-column press 100 is shown schematically as an assembly variant of the column module 80 . The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

The upper element receptacle 84 is equipped with a power module 10 and the lower element receptacle 86 is equipped with a bridge module 130 configured as a press table 90 . This allows a single-acting press function to be performed.

In 20 An alternative assembly variant of the single-column press 100 is shown schematically, in which a bridge module 130 is accommodated in the upper element receptacle 84 and in the lower element receptacle 86, in which four power modules 10 are accommodated. The bridge modules 130 are movably mounted on the columns 94, 96 and are each connected to opposing force modules 10 in order to move the bridge modules 130 accordingly along the longitudinal axis of the single-column press 100. As a result, large strokes and different force-displacement curves of the pressure elements 14 can be set.

In the Figures 21 and 22 assembly variants of the stand module 80 are shown. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

With this assembly variant, as in 21 1, a power module 10 is positioned in the upper element receptacle 84 and a press bed 90 is positioned in the lower element receptacle 86. The respective elements in the element receptacles extend laterally beyond the frame 82, so that the Pressure element 14 is arranged laterally next to the frame 82. As a result, a C-frame press can be provided by this equipment variant of the single-column press 100. The drive unit 24 also projects out of the frame 82 , specifically on a side opposite the pressure element 14 . There is free access to the external working area of the press.

In 22 an alternative assembly variant is shown, in which compared to the variant from 21 only in the lower element receptacle 86 is a power module 10 also arranged and fixed, so that this assembly variant has two power modules 10 and thus a double-acting C-frame press is formed.

Figure 23a shows a schematic representation of the effects of the force-related deflection of the support frame 12 of the power modules 10 in this assembly variant and figure 24 shows the possibility of compensating for this systemic disadvantage. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only the special features being explained here.

The eccentric arrangement of the pressure elements 14 of the assembly variant 23 causes as it is in Figure 23a shown, the deflection of the support frame 12 of the force modules 10 and a corresponding inclination of the pressure elements 14. The movements of the upper and lower pressure elements 14 are not parallel to one another but form an angle to one another, as indicated by the corresponding force arrows. As a result, precise machining of the workpieces is not possible and increased tool wear is the result. In order to compensate for this, the power modules 10 are mounted so as to be rotatable about a pivot point 166 and can be rotated about the pivot point 166 by means of a drive, which is not shown in detail here. In Figure 23b the support frames 12 are twisted accordingly, so that the surfaces of the pressure elements 14 are aligned parallel to one another. This allows precise compensation of the deflection of the support frame 12 to be implemented.

ADJUSTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP

24 shows an embodiment of FIG Figure 23b schematically illustrated option for compensating for the deflection of the support frame 12. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, with only the special features being explained here. A separate drive 167 is used to rotate the support frame 12 in order to compensate for the deflection of the support frame 12 accordingly. A force module 10 is similar at the top and bottom of the column module 80 4 installed with a drive 24 and a drive 167 for driving the printing elements 14 installed. At the processing point outside the frame, the drive 24 for the pressure element 14 is rotated through 180° and moved inside the housing of the power module 10, which is shown partially open in the drawing. This increases the accessibility of the processing point. At the end of the power module 10 opposite the processing point, the pressure piece 14 moved by the drive 167 is supported on a fixed contact piece of the column 94 . The movement of this pressure piece 14 causes the power module 10 to rotate about the pivot point 166, for which the element receptacles at the ends of the column 96 are formed by installing a spherical cap. The rotation of the power module 10 serves to compensate for the deflection of the support frame 12 accordingly. The parallel position of the pressure elements at the processing point during the press stroke must be monitored in a control circuit by suitable sensors, which emits corresponding control signals to the drive 24 causing the rotation in the event of impending deviations.

In 25 1, a two-column press is shown schematically and generally designated 170. FIG. The two column press has two column modules 80 according to 21 are equipped and wherein the power modules 10 which are accommodated in the upper element receptacle 84 are connected to an elongate bridge module 130 in which a plurality of power modules 10 are accommodated. This allows an elongated C-press unit to be assembled, which can also process elongated workpieces in one step or in subsequent steps.

In 26 a multi-column press 180 is shown with three single-column presses 100 arranged next to one another, in an assembly variant out 21 are equipped, each with a force module 10 in the upper element receptacle 84. The pressure elements 14 are each connected to a box-shaped bridge module 182 in order to jointly machine a workpiece. The middle one of the single-column presses 100 is movably mounted, as indicated by an arrow 184, so that the force can be applied here as required at any point.

In 27 an assembly variant of the multi-column press 180 is shown schematically. The single-column presses 100 are each equipped with a power module 10 in the assembly variant 19 equipped so that the printing elements 14 are moved within the frame 82. The pressure elements 14 are connected to the common ram 182 in order to machine the workpiece together. As in 26 the middle of the single-column presses 100 is movably mounted in order to distribute the force as required.

In 28 1, a two-column press is shown schematically and generally designated 185. FIG. The two-column press 185 has two column modules 80 and two oppositely fixed bridge modules 130, both bridge modules being equipped with power modules 10, each of which has its own drive motor 24. This assembly of the bridge modules 130 is only to be seen as an example. In principle, the bridge modules 130 with all in the Figures 1 to 10 shown power modules in any combination. Since the opposing bridge modules 130 do not move of their own, the workpieces can only be processed by the force modules 10 accommodated in the bridge modules 130. The upper and lower force modules 10 can each form an independent work station in pairs.

In 29 is a variant of the 185 double-column press 28 shown. The two-column press 185 has two column modules 80, which are each equipped with power modules 10 in the upper press element receptacles 84 and with two oppositely arranged bridge modules 130, the upper bridge module being equipped with power modules 10, each of which has its own drive motor 24, and the lower bridge module 130 two drive motors 154 for driving of all power modules of this bridge module 130 have. The power modules 10 of the stand modules 80 are connected to the upper bridge module 130 in order to move it accordingly and thus carry out variable work steps. In this way, for example, the upper bridge module 130 can perform rapid strokes and working strokes, and the power modules 10 only act as so-called drawing cushions. Alternatively, work steps between bridge module 130 and power modules 10 can also be combined in various ways, e.g. rapid stroke/closing stroke by bridge module 130 and various work strokes by power modules 10.

In 30 is another variant of the 185 double-column press 28 shown with a schematic sectional view. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, only special features being explained here.

In this variant, both the upper bridging module 130 and the lower bridging module 130 are designed to be movable at their four corners by power modules 10 . This will make the in 29 described possible variations expanded again. In addition, a larger closing or opening movement of the bridge modules 130 can be achieved, whereby, for example, the removal of the respective workpiece is made easier or a higher workpiece can be processed. The upper bridge module 130 is equipped with hydraulic power modules, the lower one with mechanical ones. The stand modules 80 also each have the adjusting device 104 . The columns 94, 96 are shown in section, with the columns each having guide rails 162, 164 to guide the two bridge modules 130 in the up and down movement. In principle, double-column presses according to Figures 28 - 30 process a large workpiece uniformly or with different effects at different points. Alternatively, if the bridging modules 130 are appropriately equipped, small workpieces can be individually processed independently of one another while passing through work stations formed by the power modules 10 within the bridging modules 130 . This enables a very flexible use of the presses.

In 31 A compact press system is shown schematically and generally designated 190 . The compact press system is used in this example formed from five detachably connected single-column presses 100, each consisting of column modules 80 and power modules 10. This means that very high forces can be exerted, either together on a large workpiece or individually in five work stations on a small workpiece in throughput. The same presses or presses with different designs and equipment can be combined.

In 32 a variant of the compact press system 190 is shown schematically. The various single-column presses 100 are rotatably mounted on a bogie. The single-column presses 100 are rotatably mounted independently of one another in order to act on the workpiece with high force from different directions.

In Figure 33 a combination of two two-column presses with a single-column press arranged between them is shown as an example. This enables use for multi-stage processing steps with very different power requirements, with the station with the high power requirement not exerting any influence in the form of elastic deformations on the other work stations with possibly high demands on accuracy.

34 shows a modular press line 200, in particular for large-area workpieces, which is formed from a plurality of press stations 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245. The stations from a combination of individual presses shown schematically in accordance with FIG 19 educated. A station can also consist of a two-column press according to Fig. -28 - 30 or a compact press system according to Figure 33 be educated. In each station, the workpiece is machined in a specific way in a tool. A workpiece is transported between the individual press stations 240 to 245 by means of suitable transport systems which are known in principle to those skilled in the art.

All presses can be arranged on a common machine bed 246, which allows relative mobility of each press and thus also of each press station 240 to 245 in the conveying direction relative to one another.

Furthermore, each press can be designed to be movable perpendicular to the conveying direction. An example is in Figure 35 shown how a single press is moved out of a press station 241 laterally, ie perpendicularly to the conveying direction. In this way, the respective press can be easily repaired or maintained. In principle, it is also possible to quickly replace an individual press in this way so that the entire press does not have to be stopped while the individual press is being repaired.

In Figure 36 is also shown that the individual press stations can be moved in this way perpendicular to the conveying direction. For example, it is then possible to exchange the tools at the individual press stations by means of a tool changing carriage 247 in order to subsequently implement other machining processes.

In 37 1, a conventional press is shown schematically and generally designated 250. FIG. The press system has a rigid press frame 252 with table and fixed head part and underneath the vertically movable ram. The table and ram have multiple receptacles 254 for inserting or locating the force modules 10. The pressure elements 14 can be guided into the tool installation space 258 through corresponding openings 256 in the table and ram plate in order to process the workpieces accordingly.

37 shows that the individual power modules 10 can also be used to equip conventional press systems in the function of passive die cushions or as additional active power elements.

Claims (10)

1. Force module (10) for processing workpieces, having:

   - a support frame (12) which has at least one connecting element (26, 28) in order to fix the force module (10),

   - a pressure element (14; 60) which is mounted movably relative to the support frame (12) and forms a part of a plunger for processing the workpieces,

   - a drive unit (24; 46; 48; 50; 56; 62) which is connected to the pressure element (14; 60) and to a contact portion (22) of the support frame (12) such that a force is able to be exerted on the pressure element (14; 60) by the drive unit (24; 46; 48; 50; 56; 62) in order to move the pressure element (14; 60) for processing the workpieces relative to the support frame (12), wherein the support frame (12) is in the form of a housing of the force module and wherein the drive unit is accommodated in the housing,

   wherein the support frame (12) has, in an outer circumferential face, an opening (18) through which the pressure element (14; 60) is movable by the drive force of the drive unit (24; 46; 48; 50; 56; 62) in order to process the workpieces by means of the drive force, wherein the pressure element (14; 60) is mounted so as to be movable in a direction of movement (16) and the opening (18) is formed at an end, formed in the direction of movement (16), of the support frame (12), wherein the contact portion (22) is formed at an opposite end of the support frame (12) from the opening (18), and wherein the support frame (12) forms a rigid, bend-resistant connection between the connecting elements (26, 28), wherein the support frame has a respective connecting element both at the contact portion end and at the opening end, and wherein the connecting elements (26, 28) are configured to be releasable,
   characterized in that
   the connecting element has a slot which is configured to be introduced into a rail in order to connect the support frame to a press frame, and in that two connecting elements are arranged on opposite portions of the support frame and the support frame forms a rigid, bend-resistant connection between the connecting elements.
2. Force module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (26, 28) is in the form of an elongate strip (26, 28) which is formed transversely to the direction of movement (16) on the support frame (12).
3. Force module according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive unit (24; 46; 48; 50; 56; 62) has a toggle lever (20) which is connected to the pressure element (14) and the contact portion (22) of the support frame (12) and to a drive motor (24) in order to develop the force between the contact portion (22) of the support frame (12) and the pressure element (14).
4. Force module according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive unit (24; 46; 48; 50; 56; 62) has at least two toggle levers (30, 32; 42, 44) which are connected to the contact portion (22) of the support frame (12) and the pressure element (14; 60) and are drivable in parallel by the drive motor (24; 46, 48).
5. Force module according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drive unit (46, 48) has at least two toggle lever arrangements (42, 44) each with at least one toggle lever, which are connected to a one-piece or segmented pressure element (14) and the contact portion (22) of the support frame (12) and are each drivable by a drive motor (46, 48).
6. Force module according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive unit is connected by means of a variable transmission element to the pressure element, which is configured to vary a force-displacement characteristic of the pressure element.
7. Force module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit has at least one spindle drive (56) which is arranged between the pressure element (14; 60) and the contact portion (22) of the support frame (12) in order to exert the force on the pressure element (14; 60).
8. Force module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit (50; 62) has at least one hydraulic cylinder (50; 62) which is actuable via a hydraulic line (52; 64) by means of a valve arrangement (54) in order to exert the force on the pressure element (60).
9. Bridge module (130) for receiving force modules (10), having:

   - an upper flange plate (132) and a lower flange plate (134), wherein the flange plates (132, 134) each have a plurality of connecting portions (136) arranged alongside one another, in order to receive and to fix connecting elements (26, 28), compatible therewith, of support frames (12) of the force modules (10),

   - two end plates (140, 142) which are each connected on opposite sides to the flange plates (132, 134), wherein the end plates (140, 142) connect the flange plates (132, 134) firmly together in a spaced-apart manner such that the connecting portions (136) of the two flange plates (132, 134) are opposite one another,

   - a plurality of force modules (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the force modules (10) are arranged alongside one another and in each case the at least one connecting element (26, 28) of the respective support frame (12) is connected to at least one of the connecting portions (136) of the flange plates (132, 154) in order to fix the support frames (12) of the force modules (10) on the flange plates (132, 154),

   wherein a plurality of module receptacles are formed between the flange plates (132, 134) in order to receive the force modules (10), wherein the connecting elements (26, 28) of the force modules (10) are connectable to the connecting portions (136) of the flange plates (132, 134) such that the support frames (12) of the force modules (10) connect the flange plates (132, 134) rigidly together.
10. Press system (100, 170, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200) for processing workpieces, having at least one upright module (80) and having at least one force module (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the upright module (80) has a rigid frame (82) that has a longitudinal axis (88), wherein the frame (82) has two spaced-apart columns (82, 84) which are designed to absorb forces exerted by the force modules (10) and/or bridge modules (130), and wherein functional-element receptacles (84, 86) are formed on opposite end portions of the columns in order to receive functional elements and to connect them releasably to the columns (82, 84).

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