EP3308869A1 - Alignment device for workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an alignment device (100) for workpieces, wherein the alignment device (100) has at least one receptacle (110) for workpieces, at least two translational adjustment devices (102, 108), each for a translatory displacement of a receiving point of the adjustment device (102, 108 ) are formed opposite a fastening point of the adjusting device (102, 108) along a displacement axis (128, 148), and at least one rotary adjusting device (104, 106), which is responsible for a rotation of a receiving plane of the adjusting device (104, 106) relative to a fastening plane of the Adjusting device (104, 106) about an axis of rotation (126, 150) is formed. The rotary adjusting device (104) is fastened with its fastening plane to the receiving point of a first, lower translational adjusting device (102), while a second, upper translational adjusting device (108) is fastened with its attachment point to the receiving plane of the rotary adjusting device (104). The receptacle (110) for workpieces is attached to the receiving point of the second translational adjustment device (108). The displacement axis (128) of the first translatory adjusting device (102) lies in a first plane and the axis of rotation (126) of the rotary adjusting device (104) is aligned perpendicular to the first plane.

Description

The invention relates to an alignment device for workpieces according to claim 1, and a system of two alignment devices according to claim 10 and a production line with at least one alignment device according to claim 11.

In the industrial production of workpieces, a variety of tools for machining the workpieces is often required. For example, in the manufacture of molded sheets in a production line, a plurality of press tools are arranged in a row one behind the other. A sheet metal blank is then first inserted into a first pressing tool and formed by the tool. Subsequently, the formed sheet is removed by a gripper from the tool and transported to a next tool.

However, often different pressing tools require different orientations of the inserted sheets. Such a reorientation of the removed from a pressing tool However, sheets can not usually be implemented by the transport device. Therefore, it is known in the art to place alignment devices between the presses. Such an alignment device has a receptacle for a workpiece into which a workpiece can be inserted after removal from a press. Subsequently, the alignment and position of the workpiece relative to the presses can be changed so that the workpiece can be inserted into a subsequent press by an appropriate arrangement of adjusting. After alignment of the workpiece, the workpiece is then picked up again by the transport device and inserted into the subsequent press.

In alignment devices known in the prior art, translations along mutually perpendicular axes, as well as rotation and tilting of the workpiece against the translational axes are realized. A corresponding alignment device is for example in the DE 10 2013 019 358 A1 shown.

The present application is the object of the invention to provide an improved alignment, which allows a more flexible and faster alignment of workpieces in the transfer between two tools.

Main features of the invention are set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1 and in claims 10 and 11. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 9.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to an alignment device for workpieces. The alignment device according to the invention in this case has at least one receptacle for workpieces, and at least two translational adjustment, which are each formed for a translational displacement of a receiving point of the adjustment relative to an attachment point of the adjustment along a shift axis. Furthermore, the alignment device has at least one rotary adjustment device, which is designed for a rotation of a receiving plane of the adjustment device relative to a fastening plane of the adjustment device about an axis of rotation. The rotary adjusting device is fastened with its fastening plane to the receiving point of a first, lower translational adjusting device, while a second, upper translational adjusting device is fastened with its attachment point to the receiving plane of the rotary adjusting device. The receptacle for workpieces is attached to the receiving point of the second translational adjustment. The displacement axis of the first translational Adjusting means lies in a first plane, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotary adjusting device is aligned perpendicular to the first plane.

Such an arrangement has the advantage that the displacement axes of the translational adjustment devices can be rotated relative to one another by the rotary adjustment device arranged between the translational adjustment devices. For example, in an initial position of the alignment device, the displacement axes of the translational adjustment devices may initially be aligned perpendicular to one another. In this case, the displacement axis of the second translational adjusting device is preferably parallel to the first plane. In this initial position, the tool holder mounted on the upper translational adjusting device can be freely displaced over a surface whose edge length corresponds to the maximum displacement paths of the translational adjusting devices. Depending on requirements, however, can be changed by a rotation of the upper axis of displacement relative to the lower shift thing this area. In particular, the surface can thus be displaced by a parallel alignment of the two displacement axes to form a straight path whose length corresponds to the sum of the respective displacement paths of the individual translational adjusting devices. In this case, the possible angle of rotation of the rotary adjusting device is preferably 360 °.

Thus, depending on requirements, either a workpiece placed in the receptacle can be positioned over a large area, or be transported over a long distance, since the range of the alignment device compared to known variants increases significantly by a parallel alignment of the displacement axes. The named "first level" is merely a fictitious level and not a material component. Usually, the lower, first translational adjusting device would be mounted on a base plate. In this case, the first plane coincides with the plane of the base plate.

By means of the alignment device according to the invention, it is also possible to displace the workpiece with the second translatory adjusting device such that the center of gravity of the workpiece lies on the axis of rotation prior to a rotation of a workpiece in the holder about the axis of rotation of the first rotary adjusting device. Thus, an imbalance in a rotation of the workpiece is avoided, and consequently reduces the load on the device and in particular the bearing and mounting points of the device in a rotation of the workpiece. Furthermore, a faster rotation of the clamped workpiece is possible, whereby the process times can be reduced.

In order to further increase the flexibility of the alignment device, according to one embodiment, the alignment device has a second rotary adjustment device, which is arranged between the first translational adjustment device and the second translational adjustment device. The axis of rotation of the second rotary adjusting device is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first rotary adjusting device, so that by the second rotary adjusting the displacement axis of the second, upper adjusting device is tilted against the first plane.

By inserting a further rotary adjusting device, the alignment device receives a further degree of freedom about which a workpiece placed in the receptacle can be moved. The second rotary adjusting device can be designed as a separate adjusting device, or form together with the first rotary adjusting a common rotary adjustment with two axes of rotation.

Preferably, however, the second rotary adjusting device is fastened with its mounting plane to the receiving plane of the first rotary adjusting device and with its receiving plane at the attachment point of the second translational adjusting device. Thus, when the displacement axis of the upper, second translational adjusting device is tilted, the axis of rotation of the first rotary adjusting device is preferably not tilted with it. In this configuration, the orientation of the recording by tilting can also take place during the transport of the workpiece by the alignment in parallel-aligned translational adjustment. In this way, the process times in the manufacture of the workpieces can be reduced, or the clock rates can be increased.

Preferably, the displacement axis of the second adjusting device is tiltable by the second rotary adjusting device with respect to the first plane in an angular range between -15 ° and + 15 °. In this way, it can be avoided that upon a displacement of the upper, second translational adjusting device via the maximum displacement path and a maximum tilting of the displacement axis, the receptacle or the adjusting device itself touches down on the lower, first adjusting device or on the bottom. Effectively, such a damage of the device can be avoided by a maximum displacement and tilting of the second translational adjustment.

The connection of the adjusting means with each other is preferably carried out by a frictional connection and / or a positive connection. For example, the adjustment devices may each be self-contained adjustment devices, which are then screwed together or snapped into one another at corresponding locations. In this way, it is possible to disassemble the alignment in the individual adjustment to replace defective adjustment. Thus, the flexibility of the alignment device is further increased.

According to a further embodiment, the translational adjusting devices each have two rails, which are arranged parallel to one another and guide a carriage so that the carriage is displaceable along the displacement axis via a defined displacement path. By the longitudinal axes of the rails of the first, lower translational adjustment of the alignment device according to the invention, therefore, the first plane is clamped. The parallel rails ensure a high mechanical stability of the structure, so that a high durability and very accurate control of the alignment is possible.

Preferably, the translational adjusting devices each have a maximum displacement of 600 mm. Effectively results in orthogonal alignment of the axes of displacement of the translational adjustment then a square surface with an edge length of 600 mm within which the recording can be moved with the recorded therein workpiece. In the case of parallel alignment of the displacement axes, on the other hand, the range of the alignment device is 1.2 m.

The adjusting devices of the alignment device are driven by an electric motor in one embodiment. In this case, for example, each individual adjustment device can have its own electric motor as a drive. The control of the electric motors can be done separately for each adjusting device, as well as via a common connection with a downstream control device that forwards received control commands to the corresponding electric motors.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a system of two alignment devices as previously described. In this case, the displacement axes of the first translatory adjusting device of a first of the alignment devices is perpendicular to the displacement axis the first translational adjusting device and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first rotary adjusting a second of the alignment devices.

By this arrangement, a further increased flexibility in the alignment of workpieces is achieved.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a production line having at least two tools for machining a workpiece. According to the invention, at least one alignment device, as described above, is arranged between the tools, or a system as described above. The displacement axis of the first translational adjusting device of the alignment device is aligned perpendicular to the connecting axis of the two tools.

Fig. 1

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Ausrichtvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Ausrichtvorrichtung;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung der Rotation um die Drehachse der ersten rotatorischen Verstelleinrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung der Verschiebewege der translatorischen Verstelleinrichtungen;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung des Schwenkbereichs der zweiten rotatorischen Verstelleinrichtung, und

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Fertigungsstraße.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an exploded view of an alignment device;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the alignment device;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of the rotation about the axis of rotation of the first rotary adjusting device;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the displacement paths of the translational adjusting devices;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of the pivoting range of the second rotary adjusting, and

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a production line.

Hereinafter, similar or identical features will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

The FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an alignment device 100 according to the invention in a perspective view. The alignment device 100 in this case has a first, lower translational adjusting device 102, a first rotary adjusting device 104, a second rotary adjusting device 106 and a second, upper translational adjusting device 108. At the second translational adjusting device 108, a receptacle 110 for receiving and fixing a workpiece (not shown) is further arranged.

The first translational adjusting device 102 has two rails 112 which extend parallel to one another. The rails 112 are fastened to one another at a defined distance from one another on a base plate 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the rails 112 are bolted to the base plate 114. The extension plane of the base plate 114 will be referred to hereinafter as the first plane. On the rails 112, sliders 116 are arranged, which are displaceable along the rails 112 and guided by the rails 112 during a displacement. For the driven movement of the sliders 116 along the rails 112, the first translational adjusting device 102 has an electric motor 118. The electric motor 118 is coupled via corresponding gear with a drive mechanism within the rails, so that a rotation of the motor shaft is converted into a translation of the carriage 116 along the rails 112.

On the sliders 116, a base plate 120 is arranged. The base plate in this case has corresponding holes, via which it is non-positively connected to the sliders 116 of the rails 112. By attaching the base plate 120 on the sliders 116 so the carriage of the first translational adjustment is formed. On the base plate 120 of the carriage, the first rotary adjusting device 104 is arranged. Preferably, the rotary adjusting device 104 is screwed to the base plate 120. The first rotary adjusting device 104, like the first translational adjusting device 102, also has an electric motor 122 for driving it. The shaft of the electric motor 122 is connected via a worm gear with a rotatably mounted in the first rotary adjusting device 104 plate 124 so that a rotation of the shaft of the electric motor 122 in a rotation of the plate 124 about a rotation axis 126 perpendicular to the shaft of the electric motor 122 is implemented. The axis of rotation 126 is perpendicular to the first plane and thus also perpendicular to the displacement axis 128 of the carriage of the first translational adjustment device 102.

On the plate 124 of the first rotary adjusting device 104, the surface of which simultaneously defines the receiving plane of the first rotary adjusting device 104, the second rotary adjusting device 106 is attached. Preferably, the second rotary adjusting device 106 is screwed to the turntable 124. The second rotary adjusting device 106 has a main body 130, which has on its upper side two circular segment-shaped, upwardly open running shells 132.

On the underside of the second translational adjusting device 108, counter-rotating, circular segment-shaped sliding elements 136 are arranged to the running shells 132, which can be inserted into the running shells 132 and guided into these. The movement of the sliding elements 136 in the running shells 132 is driven by a further electric motor 134. On the shaft of the electric motor 134 for this purpose a gear is arranged, which engages in an outer circumferential surface of the sliding elements 136. By a rotation of the shaft, the sliding elements are then guided guided in the running shells 132. In this way, the upper, second translational adjusting device 108 can be tilted relative to the first plane.

The second translational adjusting device 108 is constructed analogously to the first translational adjusting device. This adjusting device also has two mutually parallel rails 138 which are mounted on a base plate 140, preferably screwed to it. On the rails 138, sliders 142 are mounted so as to be slidable along the longitudinal axis of the rails 138, respectively. Furthermore, the second translational adjusting device 108 has a further electric motor 144, by means of which the sliders 142 can be moved on the rails 138 by means of a suitable gear.

On the sliders 142, a base plate 146 is attached, so that a carriage is formed. On the carriage or the base plate 146, the receptacle 110 is arranged for a workpiece. The carriage is then displaceable along the displacement axis 148 by the electric motor. In this case, the displacement axis 148 can be tilted relative to the first plane or the base plate 114 by the second rotational adjustment device 106, while the relative orientation of the displacement axis 148 to the displacement axis 128 in the first plane can be rotated by the first rotational adjustment device 104.

The FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of in FIG. 1 shown alignment device 100 after all elements have been assembled. The individual movement modes of the alignment device are in the other Figures 3 . 4 and 5 shown.

The FIG. 3 shows in a perspective view two operating states of the alignment device according to the invention 100. It is in the FIG. 3 a) the alignment device 100 is adjusted so that the displacement axis 148 of the second translational adjustment device 108 is aligned parallel to the base plate 114 and thus also parallel to the first plane. Furthermore, the displacement axis 148 of the second translatory adjustment device 108 is perpendicular to the displacement axis 128 of the second translational adjustment device 102. In this setting, a workpiece (not shown) received in the receptacle 110 can be displaced within a surface whose edge length just corresponds to the maximum displacement travel of the first 102 and second 108 translational adjusting corresponds. In this case, the workpiece can also be tilted about the tilting axis 150 of the second rotary adjusting device 106.

In the FIG. 3 b) was the second translational adjustment 108 is rotated by the first rotary adjusting device 104 by 90 ° about the axis of rotation 126 to the right. The displacement axis 148 of the second translational adjustment device 108 is thus parallel to the displacement axis 128 of the first translational adjustment device 102. In this orientation, the workpiece can now be transported over a distance which is the sum of the maximum displacement paths of the first 102 and second 108 translational adjustment devices results. In this case, the workpiece can still be tilted about the tilting axis 150 of the second rotary adjusting device 106. However, by the alignment device 100, all intermediate states between the state of FIG. 3 a) and b) used to produce a suitable alignment of a workpiece 110 arranged in the receptacle.

The FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of an alignment device 100, in which the displacement axis 128 of the first translational adjustment device 102 is aligned parallel to the displacement axis 148 of the second translational adjustment device 108. At a respective maximum displacement of the individual translational adjustment 102 and 108 of 600 mm results in this orientation, a maximum displacement of the workpiece of 1200 mm. The direction in which this maximum displacement is possible is determined by the orientation of the lower, first translational adjusting device 102.

The FIG. 5 shows how FIG. 4 a schematic side view of the alignment device 100, wherein the displacement axis 128 of the first translational adjusting device 102 is aligned parallel to the displacement axis 148 of the second translational adjusting device 108. In the illustrated view, the gear 152, which is arranged on the drive shaft of the electric motor 134, can be easily recognized on the second rotary adjusting device 106. The gear 152 engages in a correspondingly curved rack, which is arranged on the sliding elements 136. By a rotation of the gear 152, the sliding element 136 is then moved in the corresponding running shell 132, so that the displacement axis 148 of the second translational displacement device 108 is tilted with respect to the displacement axis 128 of the first translational displacement device. It is, as in Fig. 5 shown, provided that a tilt takes place only in an angular range of -15 ° to + 15 ° measured against the horizontal starting position. In this way it can be avoided that at a maximum deflection of the second translational adjusting device 108, the receptacle 110 on the substrate on which the alignment device 100 is mounted, touches.

The FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a production line 200. The production line 200 in this case has two tools 202 and 204. The tools 202 and 204 are, for example, pressing tools with which a sheet metal is to be formed. Between the tools 202 and 204, two alignment devices 100 are arranged. In this case, the alignment devices 100 are arranged so that in each case the displacement axis 128 of the first, lower translational adjustment device 102 is transverse to the connection axis of the two tools 202 and 204. Thus, the alignment devices 100 in the longitudinal direction of the production line 200 have a range of 600 mm, while the range of the alignment devices 100 transverse to the production line with parallel aligned first and second translational adjustment devices is 1200 mm.

A sheet metal formed in the first tool 202 is removed from the first tool 202 by means of a lifting device and deposited on one or both alignment devices 100. Subsequently, by a corresponding actuation of the electric motors of the alignment devices 100, the receptacles 110 of the alignment devices 100 are controlled such that the workpiece or the metal sheet is brought into the desired position. Subsequently, the sheet is in turn picked up by means of a lifting device and inserted into the second tool 204.

The invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in many ways.

All of the claims, the description and the drawings resulting features and advantages, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps may be essential to the invention both in itself and in various combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

alignment

102

first translational adjustment

104

first rotary adjusting device

106

second rotary adjustment

108

second translational adjusting device

110

admission

112

rail

114

baseplate

116

skid

118

electric motor

120

baseplate

122

electric motor

124

Plate

126

axis of rotation

128

displacement axis

130

body

132

running shells

134

electric motor

136

Sliding elements

138

rail

140

baseplate

142

skid

144

electric motor

146

baseplate

148

displacement axis

150

tilt axis

152

gear

200

production line

202

Tool

204

Tool

Claims (11)

Aligning device (100) for workpieces, wherein the alignment device (100) comprises: At least one receptacle (110) for workpieces, At least two translatory adjusting devices (102, 108) which are each designed for a translatory displacement of a receiving point of the adjusting device (102, 108) with respect to an attachment point of the adjusting device (102, 108) along a displacement axis (128, 148), At least one rotary adjusting device (104, 106), which is designed for a rotation of a receiving plane of the adjusting device (104, 106) relative to a fastening plane of the adjusting device (104, 106) about an axis of rotation (126, 150), wherein the rotary adjusting device (104) with its fastening plane is fastened to the receiving point of a first, lower translational adjusting device (102),
wherein a second, upper translational adjusting device (108) is attached with its attachment point to the receiving plane of the rotary adjusting device (104),
wherein the workpiece receiver (110) is attached to the receiving point of the second translational adjuster (108),
wherein the displacement axis (128) of the first translational displacement device (102) lies in a first plane, and wherein the axis of rotation (126) of the rotary displacement device (104) is oriented perpendicular to the first plane. Alignment device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement axis (148) of the second translational adjusting device (108) is parallel to the first plane. Aligning device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the alignment device (100) comprises a second rotary adjusting device (106) which is arranged between the first translational adjusting device (102) and the second translational adjusting device (108), wherein the axis of rotation ( 150) of the second rotary adjusting device (106) is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (126) of the first rotary adjusting device (104), so that by the second rotary adjusting device (106) the displacement axis (148) of the second adjusting device (108) is tiltable against the first plane. Aligning device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the Veriebbungsachse (148) of the second adjusting device (108) by the second rotary adjusting device (106) relative to the first plane in an angular range between -15 ° and + 15 ° is tilted. Aligning device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the second rotary adjusting device (106) is fastened with its mounting plane on the receiving plane of the first rotary adjusting device (104) and with its receiving plane at the attachment point of the second translational adjusting device (108) , Aligning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting devices (102, 104, 106, 108) are connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-locking manner. Aligning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the translational adjusting devices (102, 108) each have two rails (112, 138), wherein the rails (112, 138) are arranged parallel to each other and guide a carriage so that the carriage along the displacement axis (128, 148) is displaceable over a defined displacement. Aligning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the translational adjusting devices (102, 108) have a maximum displacement of 600 mm. Alignment device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting devices (102, 104, 106, 108) are driven by an electric motor. System of two alignment devices (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement axis (128 ') of the first translational displacement device (102') of a first of the alignment devices (100 ') perpendicular to the displacement axis (128 ") of the first translational Adjustment device (102 ") and perpendicular to the axis of rotation (126 ") of the first rotary actuator (104") of a second one of the alignment devices (100 "). Production line (200) with at least two tools (202, 204) for machining a workpiece, characterized in that between the tools (202, 204) at least one alignment device (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 or a system according to claim 10 is arranged, wherein the displacement axis (128) of the first translational adjusting device (102) of the alignment device (100) is aligned perpendicular to the connecting axis of the two tools (202, 204).

Images