EP3210719B1 - Method for processing the surface of workpieces - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of workpieces according to claim 1.

State of the art

When manufacturing workpieces, in particular essentially cylindrical workpieces such as drills or milling cutters, the workpieces are usually subjected to a surface treatment. This surface treatment is used, for example, to grind or polish the surface of the workpieces, round sharp edges or cutting edges on the workpieces, or to remove droplets from the workpieces using various coating processes. Surface processing can also be called finishing.

The surface processing is carried out, for example, by means of a vibratory grinding process in the vibratory grinding machines provided for this purpose. A special form of vibratory finishing is the so-called drag finishing, in which the workpiece to be machined is immersed in a bed of a processing medium, in particular a grinding and / or polishing granulate, located in a processing container, and the workpiece is finally moved relative to the granulate. In particular, the workpieces immersed in the granulate are rotated with at least one rotational movement. By using suitable workpiece holders or workpiece holders, several workpieces can be processed at the same time without running the risk of colliding with one another and thereby damaging one another.

In addition to the type of grinding and / or polishing granulate used, the direction of rotation and the speed at which the workpieces are rotated in the grinding and / or polishing granulate, but also the immersion depth and the machining time, are important parameters that have a decisive influence on the Take the result of the surface treatment of the workpieces. In addition, for An optimal surface processing can be provided so that the processing container is also set in rotation, for example with a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the workpieces.

Different approaches are therefore known from the prior art, all of which aim to achieve effective surface processing for certain workpieces. For example, the DE 20 2009 006 688 U1 a drag finishing machine, in which a workpiece carrier is provided for clamping a workpiece, to which a vibration generator is assigned, which can set the specified workpiece in addition to the rotational movement in vibration. The DE 10 2013 006 010 A1 again describes a vibratory grinding process in which the workpieces are accelerated several times to different rotational speeds. Furthermore, in the method according to the DE 10 2011 113 167 A1 the immersion depth of the workpiece in the grinding and / or polishing granulate can be determined and controlled by sensors. This document shows a method for the surface processing of workpieces in a processing machine, in which different workpieces are presented in at least one provided holding device and in which different processing routines are stored in at least one provided control unit, comprising: - selecting a processing routine for the workpieces - performing the for the workpiece selected machining routine in a machining container by means of workpiece receptacles provided for this purpose, the workpiece being held by the workpiece receptacles for carrying out the machining routine.

The choice of the above-mentioned parameters for an effective surface processing is correlated with the size and the geometric shape of the workpiece to be processed as well as with the type of the workpiece to be processed.

In order to fundamentally adapt a subsequent machining of the workpieces depending on the given sizes or shapes of the workpieces, it is known from the prior art, namely, for example, from DE 20 2005 012 910 U1 or from the JP 2009 285781 A also known to carry out a measurement of the workpieces.

With the known methods for the surface treatment of workpieces, typically larger or large batches of workpieces of the same type or of the same type are presented for carrying out the surface treatment. The process parameters or process conditions for the processing are set on the machine or provided as a processing routine for the processing machine and the workpieces presented are processed in succession process parameters or process conditions, the set process conditions or the specified processing routine being carried out.

In the case of differing workpieces, there is a loss of quality in surface processing, since the process conditions do not depend on the geometry of the individual workpieces can be adjusted. In the case of smaller batches of workpieces, the need to frequently change the processing machine leads to time delays and wasted time and to additional work for the operating personnel, since automation can hardly be implemented.

In spite of the solutions known from the prior art, there is therefore a need to further improve the methods for the surface treatment of workpieces.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and with which it is possible in particular to adapt the surface treatment of workpieces to different workpieces quickly and easily in a largely automated manner. This object is achieved according to the invention by the method according to independent claim 1. Further advantageous aspects, details and refinements of the invention result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

• Erfassen von zumindest einem geometrischen Parameter der vorgelegten Werkstücke in Form von Messdaten mittels zumindest einer dafür vorgesehenen, geeigneten Sensoreinheit,
• Auswerten der jeweils für die verschiedenen Werkstücke erfassten Messdaten in der Steuereinheit unter Verwendung wenigstens einer dafür vorgesehenen, geeigneten Auswerte- und Steuerroutine,
• Auswählen einer Bearbeitungsroutine für die Werkstücke in Abhängigkeit der ausgewerteten Messdaten der jeweiligen Werkstücke mittels der wenigstens einen Auswerte- und Steuerroutine und
• Durchführen der für die Werkstücke ausgewählten Bearbeitungsroutine in einem Bearbeitungsbehälter mittels dafür vorgesehener Werkstückaufnahmen, wobei die Werkstücke zur Durchführung der Bearbeitungsroutine durch die Werkstückaufnahmen gehaltert werden.

The present invention provides a method for the surface processing of workpieces in a processing machine, wherein different workpieces are presented in at least one provided holding device of the processing machine and different processing routines are stored in at least one provided control unit of the processing machine. The method is characterized in particular by at least the following steps:

• Detection of at least one geometric parameter of the workpieces presented in the form of measurement data by means of at least one suitable sensor unit provided for this purpose,
• Evaluating the measurement data recorded for the various workpieces in the control unit using at least one suitable evaluation and control routine provided for this purpose,
• Selection of a processing routine for the workpieces as a function of the evaluated measurement data of the respective workpieces by means of the at least one evaluation and control routine and
• Carrying out the machining routine selected for the workpieces in a machining container by means of workpiece holders provided therefor, the workpieces being held by the workpiece holders for carrying out the machining routine.

The essence of the idea underlying the invention is to be seen essentially in the fact that an effective and optimal machining routine can be carried out for each individual workpiece presented, by first recording at least one geometric parameter of the workpieces and finally a suitable geometric parameter depending on this Machining routine for each individual workpiece is selected and carried out. In this case, measurement data are initially recorded and stored for all workpieces, the respective template position of each workpiece assumed in the holding device being recorded, evaluated and stored together with the associated measurement data set in a storage unit provided for this purpose. By means of a suitable data comparison by means of the suitable evaluation and control routines, a respective machining routine is selected for each workpiece presented, depending on the associated, evaluated measurement data.

When an individual workpiece is removed from the holding device, only the associated data set for controlling the drive unit of the workpiece holder must be transferred together with the workpiece. The selected processing routine is carried out in the processing container by means of the respectively assigned workpiece holder.

In the present method according to the invention, the various workpieces to be machined, which can also be understood as raw workpieces, are measured in a first step of the method in relation to at least one geometric parameter and then the geometric parameters recorded in the form of measurement data are determined using the appropriate ones Evaluation and control routines evaluated.

The workpieces are preferably essentially cylindrical workpieces, for example drills or milling cutters. The workpieces can also have cutting edges. For an effective and optimal surface processing, certain process criteria or process parameters have to be matched to the geometrical parameters of the workpieces Machining routines must be observed, taking into account, for example, the type of workpiece, the diameter of a workpiece, the length, shape and number of cutting edges, or the presence of a tip, when selecting the appropriate process parameters.

The various machining routines, which are selected depending on the geometric parameters of the workpieces, can differ, for example, with respect to the following process criteria or process parameters: speed and / or direction of rotation of the workpiece holders, immersion depth of the workpieces, rotation change interval of the workpiece holders including the duration, stroke Pendulum movements, stroke length, frequency, processing time. In addition, the process parameters can be varied by setting a speed and / or direction of rotation of the processing container or a rotation change interval of the processing container, including the duration.

To carry out the machining routine selected depending on the geometric parameters of the workpieces, each workpiece is transferred to a workpiece holder provided for this purpose. A processing machine generally has at least two, but preferably a plurality of workpiece holders, each workpiece holder being able to hold a workpiece. The workpieces are preferably clamped to the workpiece holders. By means of the workpiece holders, the workpieces clamped thereon are set in at least one rotational movement for carrying out the machining routine, the individual workpiece holders being driven by at least one drive unit. A drive unit is preferably assigned to each workpiece holder. Alternatively, two or three or more workpiece holders can also be driven by a common drive unit. The drive units in turn are communicatively connected to the control unit, the control being carried out by the control unit in such a way that the machining routine selected for the workpiece by means of the evaluation and control routines is carried out on the respective workpiece holder.

The diameter of the workpieces is an important geometric parameter in relation to the selection of the suitable machining routine, so that preferably at least one workpiece diameter is recorded in the form of measurement data. A workpiece type and optionally additionally a workpiece length and / or a number of existing cutting edges are also particularly preferably recorded as geometric parameters.

With the present method, different workpieces can be presented particularly advantageously in the holding device, the optimum machining routine being selected and carried out for each workpiece depending on its geometric parameters. This is particularly advantageous for smaller batches or very small batches of certain workpiece types, since different workpiece types can also be placed in the reserve device, so that despite small batches, the reserve device can always be completely occupied. This makes it particularly advantageous to optimize process sequences both in terms of time and economically.

Particularly preferably, the various workpieces can be presented unsorted in the holding device, which means that there is no need to sort or order the workpieces according to the workpiece type, the size of the workpiece diameter or the length of the workpiece or the like. Rather, the workpieces can be accommodated in a random arrangement in the holding device, so that the template positions of the holding device are finally occupied in a random pattern. The subsequent loading of the workpiece holders can also be carried out randomly and unsorted. Thus, with the present method, the holding device and consequently also the workpiece holders can be loaded chaotically.

Alternatively, however, the geometric parameters can be recorded sequentially for each workpiece and the suitable machining routine can be selected with the removal from the holding device, the corresponding data records, in particular the generated control signals with the workpiece, being able to be transferred to the workpiece holder.

Very special advantages result from the fact that each available workpiece holder can be loaded with a workpiece and at the same time the optimal machining routine for the respective workpiece can be carried out on each workpiece holder. In a processing container, different processing routines run simultaneously side by side, so that for each workpiece, the surface processing takes place with the greatest possible efficiency in accordance with its geometric parameters.

The workpieces are preferably removed from the holding device by means of a handling or transport unit controlled by the control unit and transferred to the workpiece receptacles. The handling or transport unit preferably has a transfer axis for transporting the workpieces to the Workpiece holders or to the processing container of the processing machine, as well as via a lifting axis with encoder. Furthermore, a gripping device with a pivoting device for receiving the cylindrical workpieces from the holding device is provided in the handling or transport unit. The gripping device is controlled by the control unit. The gripping process can, for example, be matched to different workpiece diameters, with the recorded measurement data of a workpiece located at a predetermined template position being taken into account.

According to an alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, after the acquisition and evaluation of the measurement data, similarity values for the workpieces presented are determined, specifically by comparing the measurement data and calculating deviation parameters by means of a comparison routine. Depending on the determined similarity values, similar workpieces are then paired. The corresponding selection of the machining routine depending on the geometric parameters of the workpieces and also the execution of the machining routine are carried out for paired workpieces or for a pair of workpieces.

In the present case, the determined similarity value relates to the similarity in relation to the geometric parameters of the workpieces, the deviation parameters being able to be understood as values for the deviations of these geometric parameters. A pairing of two similar workpieces is only permitted if a specified maximum value for the deviation parameters is not exceeded. For example, pair formation can be permitted if there are two workpieces with an identical workpiece type and / or if the diameter of the workpieces is in a predetermined range, for example in a range from 6 mm to 8 mm. Pairing may also be permitted for workpieces with the same number of cutting edges. The deviation parameters can be determined and set by the user and can be selected, for example, so that pairing takes place only if the two workpieces have the same workpiece type, each with a diameter of 6 mm and if they differ by less than 10 mm in length and have the same number of cutting edges.

Only in the case where there is a high degree of similarity of the workpieces in terms of their geometric parameters can it be ensured that a selected machining routine for both workpieces of the pair leads to a desired result of the surface machining. The means of Comparison routines for a paired and paired workpieces are preferably removed in pairs by the controlled handling or transport unit from the storage device and transferred to the workpiece receptacles on which the selected machining routine for the paired workpieces is carried out. This preferred method mode, also referred to as a pair mode, is particularly suitable for processing machines in which two workpiece holders are driven together by a drive unit. When the method is carried out in the pair mode described, the time saved in particular is a decisive advantage.

Depending on the determined similarity values, one or two or further workpieces with already paired workpieces can particularly preferably be combined to form a group of similar workpieces.

The measurement data is preferably acquired by means of optical sensors. For example, at least one laser transmitted light sensor with transmitter and receiver or one laser reflective sensor with counter reflector for detecting the diameter of the workpieces is provided in the area of the holding device. Optionally, a smart camera traveling on the transfer axis of the handling or transport unit can be provided to determine the type of workpiece, the number of cutting edges and the length of the workpieces. The smart camera is arranged in such a way that data can be acquired from above on the workpieces located in the holding device.

The various workpieces are preferably placed horizontally in a holding device designed in the form of a flat magazine. The measurement data of the workpieces can advantageously be carried out on the workpieces arranged in their respective template positions in the flat magazine, whereby controlled translation movements of the flat magazine can be used to approach each template position in such a way that the measurement data of the workpiece located in the corresponding template position can be detected by the sensor unit , A magazine table for receiving one or more flat magazines can also be provided as a holding device, the magazine table having a motor-driven axis with encoder.

In alternative embodiments, the workpieces can be used to acquire the measurement data from the holding device by means of the handling and transport unit removed and held during the acquisition of the measurement data by means of a gripping device of the handling and transport unit.

The present invention also encompasses a processing machine for carrying out the method for surface machining of workpieces described here. The processing machine has at least one holding device for presenting different workpieces, at least one sensor unit for detecting at least one geometric parameter of the workpieces, at least one control unit with at least one microprocessor and at least one workpiece holder for holding workpieces. The control unit having at least one microprocessor is designed at least for storing and storing various processing routines and at least for recording and processing measurement data. The control unit is also set up to select a processing routine as a function of the acquired measurement data by means of suitable evaluation and control routines.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

ein schematisches Blockschaltdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung eines beispielhaften Verfahrensablaufs gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2

schematisch dargestellt in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Beispiel einer Bearbeitungsmaschine zur Durchführung des vorliegenden Verfahrens und

Fig. 3

einen Ausschnitt der Figur 2 im Bereich der Vorhaltevorrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show it

Fig. 1

is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary process flow according to the present invention;

Fig. 2

schematically shown in a perspective view an example of a processing machine for performing the present method and

Fig. 3

a section of the Figure 2 in the area of the retention device.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

Figure 1 illustrates with the aid of a schematic block circuit diagram an example of a method sequence for surface machining of workpieces according to the present invention.

The surface treatment of the workpieces W (in Figure 1 not shown) is carried out in a processing machine 1, for example a slide grinding machine. For this purpose, various workpieces are presented in a holding device 4, the workpieces not having to be separated or ordered or sorted according to workpiece type, nor according to geometric parameters or properties, such as shape, size, diameter or the like, but randomly in a random arrangement on a plurality of template positions can be distributed in the holding device 4. The holding device 4 can be loaded chaotically.

At least one geometric parameter is initially recorded from the workpieces W by means of a sensor unit 5, for example in the form of a laser transmitted light barrier and / or a camera, in the form of measurement data, which are transmitted to an input / output unit 12 of a control unit 6 by means of a suitable data transmission device become. The measurement data of a workpiece are recorded either as long as the workpiece is still in its original position in the holding device 4 or at the same time as the workpiece is removed from the holding device 4 by a handling or transport unit 8. By means of suitable evaluation and control routines 9, 10 one in the Control unit 6 provided microprocessor 7, the acquired and transmitted measurement data are processed and evaluated and can be stored in a memory unit 13.

Various processing routines 11 for the surface processing of the workpieces are stored in the control unit 6. Depending on the recorded and processed measurement data of each workpiece, a suitable processing routine 11 is selected for the measured workpieces by means of the evaluation and control routines 9, 10.

As already described above, the workpieces are removed from the holding device 4 for acquisition of the measurement data or alternatively after the acquisition of the measurement data by the handling or transport unit 8 and brought to a transfer position by means of a translational movement along a transfer axis and finally transferred there to a workpiece holder 3. The handling or transport unit 8 is in communication with the control unit 6, so that the removal and transfer of the workpiece take place in a controlled manner.

The workpiece transferred to the workpiece holder 3 is fastened to the workpiece holder 3, preferably clamped thereon, and can be positioned in a processing container 2 by vertical movement of the workpiece holder 3 in such a way that the workpiece is placed in a processing medium presented in the processing container 2, for example a grinding and Polishing granules, is immersed. The vertical movement of the workpiece holder 3 is mediated by a drive unit 14 assigned to the workpiece holder 3 and communicatively connected to the control unit 6.

When a specific workpiece is transferred to a relevant workpiece holder 3, data is also transmitted to the drive unit 14 for carrying out the machining routine 11, which was selected for the corresponding workpiece by means of the evaluation and control routine 9, 10. This data transmission can also be understood as the transmission of control signals from the control unit 6 to the drive unit 14 of the workpiece holder 3. The selected and optimal machining routine 11 is carried out for the workpiece held in the workpiece holder 3 by the transmitted control signals.

Figure 2 shows schematically shown in a perspective view an example of a processing machine 1 for performing the present method. A section of the processing machine 1 in the area of the holding device 4 and the handling or transport unit 8 is shown in FIG Figure 3 shown in a detailed view.

The holding device 4 of the processing machine 1 is in the example of FIG Figures 2 and 3 designed as a magazine table with three flat magazines 4a, the magazine table being movable by means of a magazine drive 4.1. Different workpieces W are presented unsorted at the individual template positions of the flat magazines 4a and can be measured with respect to their geometric parameters via the sensor units 5, 5 '.

The workpieces W are removed from the flat magazines 4a by means of a gripping device 8.1 of the handling or transport unit 8, which can move or transport the workpieces along a transfer axis 8.4. A safe removal and transport of the workpieces W can be ensured by means of a lifting device 8.2 and a swivel arm 8.3 of the handling or transport unit 8.

Two different examples for a chaotic loading of a processing machine are described below.

Example 1:

Execution of the procedure in single mode for the individual loading of the workpiece holders

In the single-mode method of the present example 1, a drag finishing process is carried out in a processing machine 1 designed as a drag finishing machine for the surface processing of workpieces W, a magazine table being provided for the processing machine 1 as a holding device 4 for receiving three flat magazines 4a , The flat magazines 4a are loaded with a multiplicity of basically cylindrical workpieces W, the workpieces W having different geometric parameters, in particular having different lengths and / or diameters, and different workpiece types, namely drills and milling cutters, being contained in the multiplicity of workpieces. The assignment of the individual template positions is purely random and unsorted. The flat magazines are loaded chaotically.

After the flat magazines 4a have been loaded, a first measurement process is carried out to record the diameter of the cylindrical workpieces W in the form of measurement data. The acquisition of the measurement data takes place by means of a sensor unit 5 designed as a laser transmitted light barrier at the point at which a removal opening for a gripping device 8.1 of a handling or transport unit 8 is made in prism receptacles of the flat magazines 4a in the processing machine. To record the measurement data, the magazine table with the flat magazines 4a is moved to any possible template position of the workpieces W by means of a magazine drive 4.1. The diameter of the workpieces W is determined by means of the laser transmitted light barrier 5 and by means of an encoder of the magazine drive 4.1, the measuring process for each workpiece W starting after the corresponding template position has been reached. For this purpose, the flat magazine 4a with the magazine table is moved slowly in one direction and at the same time an input signal of the laser transmitted light barrier 5 is monitored. As soon as the laser beam is interrupted for the first time, a first contour of the workpiece W is reached and the encoder value of the magazine drive 4.1 is saved. The flat magazine 4a continues to be moved slowly until the signal of the laser transmitted light barrier 5 changes again and thus indicates that the second contour of the workpiece W has been reached. This encoder value of the magazine drive 4.1 is also saved. In the Control unit 6 is determined and stored via suitable evaluation and control routines 9, 10 from the difference between the two stored encoder values of the diameter of the workpiece W. The associated template position of the workpiece W is also stored. This measuring process is carried out for all workpieces W in all template positions.

Parallel to the detection of the diameters of the workpieces W, the length of the workpieces W and the workpiece type are recorded in the present example via a provided smart camera 5 '. For this purpose, the smart camera 5 'is moved over a flat magazine 4a and an image of the workpiece W is recorded at the corresponding position. To determine the type of workpiece, for example, it is taken into account that drills always have a tip, but milling cutters do not. In addition, for example, the number of cutting edges of the workpieces W can be determined on the basis of the spiral pitch and the flute spacing. The acquired measurement data are in turn evaluated in the control unit 6 by means of a suitable evaluation and control routine 9, 10, it also being possible, for example, to evaluate the type of workpiece and the number of cutting edges in relation to the diameter. The recorded or evaluated measurement data are in turn stored for further processing.

With the evaluation of the recorded measurement data, a processing routine suitable for the corresponding workpiece W is made in a microprocessor 7 of the control unit 6 by means of suitable evaluation and control routines 9, 10 for each workpiece W as a function of the recorded measurement data and thus as a function of the geometric parameters of the workpiece W. 11 selected. The corresponding machining routine 11 is selected using suitable evaluation and control routines 9, 10 via a relevance assessment of the determined geometric parameters of the workpiece W. The type of the workpiece comes first, followed by the diameter and the number of cutting edges. The length of the workpiece W only leads to a slight modification of the process parameters of the machining routine 11, especially the machining times, since the density of the grinding and / or polishing granules held in the machining container 2 increases with increasing immersion depth and thus also the polishing effect.

As soon as the measurement data of all workpieces W have been recorded, the removal of the workpieces W from the flat magazine 4a begins by means of the handling or transport unit 8. The handling or transport unit 8, controlled by the control unit 6, moves to a corresponding template position. On the determined diameter of the workpiece W, the necessary height and opening width of the gripping device 8.1 can be adjusted accordingly. The gripping device 8.1 is open and a swivel arm 8.3 is in the starting position. By closing the gripping device 8.1 and lifting by means of a lifting device 8.2 and by pivoting the swivel arm 8.3 into a working position, the workpiece W is both removed from the flat magazine 4a and brought into a vertical orientation from the horizontal position.

In a next step, the workpiece W is transported by the handling or transport unit 8 to a transfer position to a workpiece holder 3 and positioned there for loading the workpiece holder 3. At the same time, the control unit 6 outputs corresponding control signals to a drive unit 14 assigned to the respective workpiece holder 3. This control signal correlates with the machining routine 11 selected for the respective workpiece W. As a result, the machining routine selected for the corresponding workpiece W on the workpiece holder 3 11 performed.

The loading of the workpiece holders 3 is continued until all the workpiece holders 3 are occupied. The method according to the present example is possible in particular if each workpiece holder 3 has its own vertical axis and its own drive unit 14. Otherwise, delays may result from the fact that the different machining routines for very different workpieces mean that machining has to be interrupted due to premature workpiece changes.

Example 2:

Execution of the procedure in pair mode for the paired loading of the workpiece holders

In the present example 2, a drag finishing process is again carried out, with two workpieces W having the greatest possible similarity being selected and combined into pairs before the selection and execution of the processing routine 11 for surface processing. The machining routine 11 is then selected for the paired workpieces W, also in accordance with the criteria already mentioned in Example 1. The similarity of two workpieces W is determined by determining a similarity value, the similarity value taking into account deviation parameters in relation for deviations in the recorded geometric parameters of the workpieces W is determined. The similarity value is determined by means of the microprocessor 7 using a suitable comparison routine by comparing the recorded and evaluated measurement data of the workpieces W.

For a permissible pair formation, the deviation parameters must not exceed a predetermined maximum value. In the present example, only workpieces W of the same workpiece type may be paired, or workpieces W with a diameter of 6 mm to 8 mm, or workpieces W whose length does not differ by more than 10 mm.

The workpieces W, which are determined to be similar and are combined in pairs, can then be transferred in pairs to the workpiece receptacles 3 for loading them. This paired mode method is particularly suitable for implementation in machine tools 1 in which at least two workpiece receptacles 3, a vertical axis and drive unit 14 each share.

To form a pair, a first workpiece W is first removed from the flat magazine 4a and at least one geometric parameter of the workpiece W is recorded in the form of measurement data. Subsequently, the workpiece W is put back into the flat magazine 4a at the template position of the flat magazine 4a from which it was removed, and a second workpiece W is removed and measurement data thereof are recorded analogously to the first workpiece W. The acquisition of measurement data of a second, third or further workpiece W is repeated until either two workpieces W can be paired or until it is certain that pairing is not possible.

As soon as a pairing is found, the two workpieces W are transferred to the workpiece holder 3 of the processing machine 1 and processed there with the corresponding, selected processing routine 11. While the processing is running, further workpieces W are further removed in the flat magazines 4a, measured and put back again until all workpieces W have been measured. As soon as a pair of workpieces has been finished and is ready for unloading, the workpieces are picked up again by the handling or transport unit 8 at the transfer position and placed in one of the empty template positions of the flat magazine 4a. Then the next pair of workpieces W is loaded again immediately. The measurement process or the acquisition of the measurement data for the remaining workpieces W is continued and only interrupted for loading and unloading the workpiece holders 3.

If no more pairs can be formed, the remaining workpieces are loaded individually and the loss of time or throughput is accepted.

By combining similar workpieces W into a pair, a significant saving in working time and an easier workload when loading drag finishing machines can be achieved. The automatic loading of the processing machine 1 and the automatic selection of the suitable processing routine can result in increased operating safety and flexibility.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

processing machine

2

processing tank

3

Workpiece holder

4

Vorhaltevorrichtung

4.1

magazine drive

4a

flat Magazine

5, 5 '

sensor unit

6

control unit

7

microprocessor

8th

Handling or transport unit

8.1

gripper

8.2

lifting device

8.3

Pivot means

8.4

transfer axis

9, 10

Evaluation and control routines

11

processing routine

12

Input / output unit

13

storage unit

14

drive unit

w

workpiece

Claims (14)

1. A method for processing the surface of workpieces (W) in a processing machine (1), in which various workpieces (W) are presented in at least one storage device (4) provided therefor and in which various processing routines (11) are deposited in at least one control unit (6) provided therefor, comprising at least the steps:

   - detecting at least one geometric parameter of the presented workpieces in the form of measured data by means of at least one suitable sensor unit (5) provided therefor,

   - evaluating the measured data respectively detected for the various workpieces in the control unit (6) by using at least one suitable evaluation and control routine (9) provided therefor,

   - selecting a respectively suitable processing routine (11) for the workpieces depending on the evaluated measured data of the respective workpieces by means of the at least one evaluation and control routine and

   - performing the processing routine selected for the workpieces in a processing container by means of workpiece receivers provided therefor, wherein for performing the processing routine the workpieces are held by the workpiece receivers, wherein measured data for all of the presented workpieces are initially detected, evaluated and stored in a memory unit provided therefor, by simultaneously detecting one respective position of presentation of the workpieces adopted in the storage device (4), wherein one respective processing routine is selected for each presented workpiece depending on the associated evaluated measured data and wherein each workpiece is assigned to a workpiece receiver and the selected processing routine is performed in the processing container by means of the respectively assigned workpiece receiver.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one workpiece diameter is detected in the form of measured data as a geometric parameter.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that additionally at least one workpiece type is detected in the form of measured data as a geometric parameter.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the various workpieces are presented in an unsorted manner in the storage device (4).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the workpieces are removed from the storage device (4) by means of a handling or transport unit (10), which is controlled by the control unit (6), and transferred to the workpiece receivers.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, after detecting and evaluating the measured data of the presented workpieces by comparing the measured data and calculating deviation parameters by means of a comparison routine provided therefor, similarity values for the presented workpieces are determined, wherein similar workpieces are paired depending on the determined similarity values and wherein the processing routine is selected and performed for paired workpieces.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that for pairing two similar workpieces a fixed maximum value of the deviation parameters may not be exceeded.
8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that paired workpieces are removed in pairs from the storage device (4) by means of the handling or transport unit (10), which is controlled by the control unit (6), and transferred to the workpiece receivers and the selected processing routine is performed for the paired workpieces.
9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that depending on the determined similarity values one or two or more workpieces (W) are combined with already paired workpieces into a group of similar workpieces.
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detection of the measured data is carried out by means of optical sensors (5, 5').
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the various workpieces (W) are presented in a lying position in a storage device (4) configured in the form of a flat magazine (4a).
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the detection of the measured data of the workpieces (W) is carried out on the workpieces (W) arranged in the lying position in their respective position of presentation in the flat magazine (4a), wherein by controlled translatory movements of the flat magazine (4a) each position of presentation is approached, such that a detection of the measured data of the workpiece (W) located in the corresponding position of presentation may be carried out by means of the sensor unit (5).
13. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterised in that for detecting the measured data the workpieces (W) are removed from the storage device (4) by means of the handling and transport unit (8) and during the detection of the measured data are held by means of a gripping device (8.1) of the handling and transport unit (8).
14. A processing machine for performing the method for processing the surface of workpieces (W) according to claims 1 to 13, wherein the processing machine comprises at least one storage device (4) for presenting various workpieces (W), at least one sensor unit (5) for detecting at least one geometric parameter of the workpieces (W), at least one control unit (6) having at least one microprocessor, at least one workpiece receiver (3) for retaining workpieces (W) and a memory unit, wherein the control unit (6) comprising the at least one microprocessor is configured at least for depositing and storing various processing routines and at least for receiving and processing measured data and wherein the control unit is designed to detect in advance measured data for all of the workpieces by means of suitable evaluation and control routines and at the same time to detect, to evaluate and, together with the associated measured data set, to store in the memory unit provided therefor the respective position of presentation of each workpiece adopted in the storage device, and wherein the control unit is designed to select one respectively suitable processing routine (11) by means of suitable evaluation and control routines depending on the detected measured data.

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