EP3372321B1 - Method and device for forming - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for forming with at least one spindle which can be driven in rotation via a rotary drive, a clamping device which is arranged on the spindle and is designed for receiving and clamping a workpiece on the spindle, and at least one forming roller which is axially and / or can be advanced radially relative to the workpiece in order to carry out a pressure-forming or pressure-rolling process, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a method for forming, in which at least one spindle is driven to rotate by means of a rotary drive, a workpiece is picked up on the spindle by means of a clamping device and clamped on the spindle and at least one forming roller is axially and / or radially relative to the workpiece Performing a flow-forming or flow-forming process is delivered, according to the preamble of claim 11.

The flow forming process is an efficient process for the production of particularly rotationally symmetrical parts in series production. Flow-forming processes are particularly advantageous in the manufacture of transmission parts such as belt pulleys and rollers, vehicle wheels and a large number of other products.

Particularly in the series production of heated parts or of relatively large and heavy parts, it is necessary to provide an automatic feed and discharge device. Handling devices with grippers or multi-axis robots are often used. The supply and removal of workpieces is fundamentally difficult because the working space within the flow forming machine is limited. The work space is also closed during operation by a housing as a splash guard for the cooling liquid required during operation, which improves accessibility further restricts. To avoid a collision of the workpiece with the machine, the transfer movement must be very precise and therefore relatively slow. This costs time and reduces the effective use of the machine.

A known device for forming by means of spinning rollers is from DE 10 2007 012 765 B4 known, with separate feed and discharge devices being provided.

Generic devices go from CN 202 387 812 U and the CN 205 798 097 U emerged. A shell-shaped workpiece is clamped on a column-like spindle, which is then moved horizontally into a forming position.

the U.S. 4,047,413 discloses an automatic spinning device in which a plurality of spindles, each with a workpiece, are arranged in a ring around central spinning rollers. The annular spindle assembly is rotated about a central axis.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a device and a method for forming with which particularly efficient set-up is made possible.

The object is achieved on the one hand by a device with the features of claim 1 and on the other hand by a method with the features of claim 11. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that the spindle and the clamping device are combined to form an interchangeable unit, which can be adjusted transversely to the axis of rotation, and that the interchangeable unit can be adjusted between a forming position of the device and a set-up position.

A basic idea of the invention is to feed or remove a workpiece in a device for forming by moving the spindle with the clamping device out of the limited working space from the forming position into a more accessible set-up position. In this set-up position, the workpiece can be fed or removed and clamped in a simple manner. After this handling process, the spindle with the tensioning device can be moved back into the flow-forming position in which the flow-forming or flow-forming process (s) are then carried out. For this purpose, the spindle and the clamping device are combined into one unit, which can be referred to as a changeover or moving unit. Spinning is rotational forming without any significant change in wall thickness, while wall thicknesses are specifically reduced and / or increased in spinning. Forming in the sense of the invention is to be understood in general terms and also includes profiling, upsetting, ironing and the like.

The inventive concept of moving the spindle with the clamping device into a set-up position enables a feed device to be considerably simplified. This makes it possible to considerably simplify handling robots or to replace them with a simple transfer device. This significantly reduces the cost. Manual set-up can also be simplified. Another advantage of the invention is that, if necessary, further set-up work or maintenance work on the spindle and the clamping device can also be simplified by the more accessible set-up position. The set-up position is preferably outside the working space and the housing of the device. The set-up position can also be used to change the spinning tool, which is attached to the spindle, to pretreat the workpiece, such as heating, or for other functions.

A preferred development of the invention consists in that the exchange unit has the rotary drive. The entire exchange unit with the rotary drive can thus be moved between the set-up position and the flow-forming position. The supply lines for the rotary drive are designed to be flexible accordingly. For the change unit there is an adjusting device, in particular in the forming position, so that the change unit can always assume the exact pressure roller position in the work area. In the operating or forming position, the workpiece can be clamped and held on both sides with an additional counter holder or only on one side by the clamping device on the spindle.

A particularly fast set-up is achieved according to the invention in that a first change unit with a first spindle and a first clamping device and at least one second change unit with a second spindle and a second clamping device are provided and that the first change unit and the at least second change unit alternately between the forming position and the set-up position are adjustable. An exchange unit can be located in the forming position in the machine, with workpiece processing being carried out. At the same time, the second exchange unit is outside the machine's work area in the set-up position. A machined workpiece can be removed and a new workpiece to be machined can be inserted into the clamping device of this exchange unit. Thus, a set-up and non-productive time of the machine becomes a processing or main time of the machine combined. This increases the degree of utilization of the machine considerably. As soon as the machined workpiece is finished, the two exchange units are exchanged so that further machining can be started immediately. In principle, more than two exchange units, preferably three or four exchange units, can also be provided.

A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that the at least one interchangeable unit is mounted such that it can be moved linearly. Preferably, one set-up position can be provided on both sides of the device. For example, at least one first exchange unit is always moved to a first set-up position, while the at least one second change unit is moved from the forming position into a second set-up position, which is spaced from the first set-up position.

Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided according to a development of the invention that the at least one interchangeable unit is pivotably mounted. For example, two exchange units can be moved back and forth like a revolver about a pivot axis by rotating between the pressure roller position and the set-up position. This enables a particularly quick change.

Several exchange units can be provided, which can be moved independently of one another. A particularly efficient embodiment of the device according to the invention is achieved in that the first interchangeable unit and the at least one second interchangeable unit are arranged on a common adjusting element. The common adjustment element can be a linearly displaceable slide or a pivotable turntable. The at least two exchange units can be moved and adjusted at the same time by a single alternating movement and a single adjusting drive.

According to one embodiment variant of the invention, it is preferred that the workpiece can be reclamped from the first interchangeable unit to the second interchangeable unit. Thus, a first pressing tool can be provided on the first exchange unit and a second pressing tool, which are different from one another, can be provided on the second exchange unit. The workpiece can initially be clamped in the first spinning tool, with a first side being machined or a first forming step is carried out. The workpiece can then be transferred to the second exchange unit in the set-up position manually or, preferably, by an automatic clamping device. The workpiece is held on the second spinning tool so that a second machining step can be carried out. This saves the use of intermediate storage or inflexible multi-station machines. The exchange units can also be in the set-up position at the same time or at different times.

The device can thus be used as a flexible multi-station machine. Depending on the workpiece, the device can process two different workpieces as a single-spindle device or, as a multiple-spindle device, process a single workpiece in a progressive manner. The transfer is preferably carried out by loading and unloading using conveyor belts with a selectable turning station.

A further development of the invention consists in that the axis of rotation is arranged horizontally or vertically. The changing device according to the invention can be used for both spindle arrangements, a vertical arrangement, in particular a hanging spindle arrangement, being particularly advantageous. With such a vertical arrangement, the alternating movement preferably takes place in a horizontal plane.

In principle, a relative infeed of the at least one forming roller takes place through an axial and / or radial adjustment of the forming roller itself. This can be achieved by means of appropriate supports for the individual forming rollers. An axial and / or radial feed movement of the workpiece can preferably also be provided.

An advantageous further development of the invention can be seen in the fact that the at least one forming roller is axially fixed in order to carry out the pressure or pressure rolling process, the workpiece being supported so that it can move axially. The workpiece clamped on the clamping device is preferably moved axially with the exchangeable unit during the forming process.

In the context of the invention, spinning includes not only forming with a change in wall thickness, but is to be understood more generally, so that forming with constant wall thickness, also called pressing, is also included.

It is also advantageous that a loading and unloading device is provided at the set-up position. This can be a simple mechanism for feeding in and / or removing the workpiece. In principle, handling devices, in particular multi-axis robots, can also be used. Due to the improved accessibility at the set-up position, an infeed and outfeed movement can be carried out relatively quickly without the risk of a collision. The workpiece can also be heated by a heating device or the spinning tool can be changed, preferably by an automatic changing device. The tool change can take place in an additional set-up position, which is parallel to the first set-up position.

The forming rollers are preferably driven, preferably at the same forming speed as the workpiece surface. To do this, it may be necessary to automatically adjust the speed in the process. This can be done, for example, by freewheeling the drive or active speed control.

It is also preferred that the at least one forming roller is mounted on an adjustable roller support and that a roll changing device is arranged on the roller support. The roll changing device can in particular be a turret arrangement with a turret carrier on which several different forming rollers are arranged. By adjusting the roller carrier, the desired forming roller can be moved into the processing position. This further improves the variety of uses and reduces idle times for setting up the machine. A multiplicity of forming rollers can be provided, which also act simultaneously on the outside and / or inside of the workpiece.

The method according to the invention for forming is characterized in that the spindle and the clamping device are combined to form an exchange unit, which can be adjusted transversely to the axis of rotation, the exchange unit being adjusted between a forming position and a set-up position.

The method according to the invention can in particular be carried out on the device described above. The advantages mentioned above can be achieved in this case.

A preferred variant of the method according to the invention is that a first change unit with a first spindle and a first clamping device and at least one second change unit with a second spindle and a second clamping device are provided, the first change unit and the at least second change unit alternating between the forming position and the set-up position can be adjusted. The change or exchange movement enables a particularly fast workpiece change or quick set-up to take place. This reduces idle times and increases the main time of the machine. This improves the degree of utilization and the efficiency of the machine and the forming process.

According to a further development of the invention, a particularly efficient change is achieved in that the at least one change unit is moved linearly or pivoted for adjustment between the pressure roller position and the set-up position. The linear process can for example take place with an adjusting cylinder, a ball screw spindle or a linear drive. A rotary motor or an actuating cylinder with a corresponding linkage to a pivoting mechanism can be used for pivoting.

In principle, the workpiece can be axially fixed during the forming process, while the forming rollers run over it axially. According to a variant embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advantageous that the at least one forming roller is axially fixed in order to carry out the forming process, the workpiece being moved axially. Since the workpiece is already mounted on a movable interchangeable or traversing unit with the spindle, this interchangeable and traversing unit can also be used for spinning to move the workpiece. In this way, an additional axial movement drive of the forming rollers with the corresponding guides can be achieved.

Furthermore, strippers or ejectors can be provided for pushing off the reshaped workpiece. In addition, the ejector can specifically be designed as a displaceable axis. The supports for the forming rollers are preferably arranged in such a way that the idle paths are as small as possible.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Umformen in einem ersten Betriebszustand;

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 in einem zweiten Betriebszustand;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung der Figuren 1 und 2;

Fig. 4

eine Vorderansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit unterschiedlichen Wechseleinheiten;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Umformen; und

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf eine abgewandelte erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung.

The invention is further explained below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, which are shown schematically in the drawings. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a front view of a device according to the invention for forming in a first operating state;

Fig. 2

a front view of the device of FIG Fig. 1 in a second operating state;

Fig. 3

a plan view of the device of Figures 1 and 2 ;

Fig. 4

a front view of a device according to the invention with different exchange units;

Fig. 5

a plan view of a further device according to the invention for forming; and

Fig. 6

a plan view of a modified device according to the invention.

A device 10 according to the invention for reshaping a workpiece 5 is shown in FIG Figures 1 to 3 shown. The device 10 has an approximately rectangular machine frame 12 with a machine bed 14 and a carrier-like upper part 18, which is connected to the machine bed 14 via a total of four vertical uprights 16. On the two inner uprights 16, vertically displaceable roller supports 27 are mounted, on each of which a forming roller 28 for contacting the outside of a workpiece 5 is rotatably mounted.

The workpiece 5 is at a first set-up station 35 according to FIG Fig. 1 Transferred from a loading and unloading device 60 with a lifting device to a first exchange unit 30. The first exchange unit 30 has a first spindle 31 which can be driven in rotation by a first rotary drive 32. A first clamping device 34, in particular a chuck with radially adjustable clamping jaws, is arranged at the lower end of the first spindle 31. The cup-shaped workpiece 5 is locked in rotation with the first spindle 31 of the first by means of the first clamping device 34 Exchange unit 30 connected. The first exchange unit 30 is attached to a slide-like adjusting element 22, which is part of an adjusting device 20 on the upper part 18 of the device 10. The plate-shaped adjusting element 22 can be moved horizontally along a linear guide 24 which is arranged along the upper part 18. A hydraulic cylinder is also arranged on the machine frame 12 as a linear drive 26, which is designed with the adjusting element 22 to carry out a linear displacement movement.

In addition to the first interchangeable unit 30, a second interchangeable unit 40 is arranged on the adjusting element 22. The second interchangeable unit 40 is designed in the same way as the first interchangeable unit 30 and has a second spindle 41, a second rotary drive 42 and a second clamping device 44 for clamping a further workpiece 5.

By actuating the linear drive 26, the first exchange unit 30 is removed from the first set-up station 35, as shown in FIG Fig. 1 is shown, proceed in a central processing or forming station, as illustrated Fig. 2 can be found. During this movement, the second exchange unit 40 is simultaneously moved from the central forming position into a second, lateral set-up position in a second set-up station 45. The previously machined workpiece 5 can be via an in Fig. 2 loading and unloading device 60, not shown, can be removed. A workpiece 5 to be newly machined can then be fed to the second exchange unit 40 and clamped with the second clamping device 44.

During this setup process on the second exchange unit 40, the workpiece 5 is simultaneously processed on the first exchange unit 30 in the forming position according to FIG Fig. 2 . In the forming position, the workpiece 5 is set in rotation about an axis of rotation 11 by means of the first rotary drive 32. Two forming rollers 28, which form an outer side of the workpiece 5, are fed to the rotating workpiece 5 from opposite sides. The forming rollers 28 can be moved radially and axially with respect to the workpiece 5.

At the same time, inner rollers 38 are fed to an inner side of the cylindrical workpiece 5. The inner rollers 38 are arranged on a counter spindle 13, which can be moved vertically via a slide 15. The carriage 15 is along from Vertical guides are movably mounted on the two inner uprights 16. The counter spindle 13 can be driven in rotation passively or actively by means of a rotary drive.

After completion of the forming operation on the workpiece 5, the first exchange unit 30 can be reset from the central forming position to the lateral first set-up station 35 by means of the adjusting device 20. At the same time, a new workpiece 5 is again delivered to the second changing unit 40, so that a new forming process can take place without any significant time interruption. The finished workpiece 5 is removed at the first set-up station 35 and replaced by a workpiece 5 to be newly machined. Another processing cycle can then take place.

Another device 10 according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 4 shown, which largely corresponds to the device 10 described above according to FIGS Figures 1 to 3 is equivalent to. In a modification of the embodiment described above, the device 10 has two different exchangeable units 30, 40. A pressing tool 48 is arranged on the second exchange unit 40. The workpiece 5 is clamped in the spinning tool 48, which is attached to a second spindle 41 of the second exchange unit 40. The spinning tool 48 forms at least part of a clamping device. A pressure plate 17, which is pressed axially against the workpiece 5, is arranged on the vertically displaceable counter spindle 13 for axial pressing. The counter spindle 13 can be driven synchronously with the second rotary drive 42 on the second exchange unit 40 by a rotary drive. After completion of the machining, the counter spindle 13 is moved down while the reshaped workpiece 5 is held on the spinning tool 48. In this state, the second changing unit 40 is moved to the second set-up station 45, while at the same time the first change unit 30 with a workpiece 5 to be machined is moved from the first set-up station 35 into the central forming position. The workpieces 5 held by the different interchangeable units 30, 40 can be different and / or processed differently.

In Fig. 5 a further device 10 according to the invention is shown with an angularly arranged machine bed 14. In this machine arrangement, there are a total of three central vertical uprights 16 are arranged. A total of three forming rollers 28 are arranged along this central stand 16, each offset by 120 ° to one another. In the forming position, a total of three forming rollers 28 can act on the outside of the workpiece 5.

When presented in accordance with Fig. 5 the workpiece 5 on the second exchange unit 40 is in the forming position. After the forming process has been completed, the second exchange unit 40 with the workpiece 5 is moved to a second set-up station 45 on the right. At the same time or at a different time, a first exchange unit 30 with a new workpiece 5 can be moved from the first set-up station 35 into the forming position.

The finished shaped workpiece 5 can be removed from the respective exchange unit 30, 40 at the respective setup station 35, 45 by means of a loading and unloading device 60, which is designed as a multi-axis robot with a gripper. A blank can then be picked up from a storage location (not shown) and inserted into the respective interchangeable unit 30, 40.

In Fig. 6 a modified device 10 is shown, which largely corresponds to the device 10 of FIG Fig. 5 is equivalent to. In addition, a roll changing device 66 with a multi-axis robot arm is arranged between two central uprights 16 in the area of the roll support 27. With the roll changing device 66, a forming roll 28 can be changed in the event of wear or a change in shape.

The tool change can be automated so that the tool is picked up in a specially designed set-up position and released again after use. The tools can, for example, be removed from a tool change trolley, a change pallet or an automatic magazine directly or with auxiliary equipment. The loading and unloading device 60 can be used, for example, as an auxiliary device for changing the tools.

For reasons of space or accessibility, at least one alternative position for the tool change can also be provided. This should be achievable parallel to the first by further radial displacement of the interchangeable unit 30, 40. At least one alternative position can be provided per interchangeable unit 30, 40.

the Fig. 3 , FIGS. 5 and 6 show exemplary embodiments for the arrangement of the supports. While in the device structure the Fig. 3 After moving the exchangeable unit 30, 40 into the processing position, a radial and axial displacement of the forming rollers 28 is still required, the pressure roller supports can also be offset by 90 °. The radial infeed of the forming rollers 28 would thus take place perpendicular to the displacement of the interchangeable unit 30, 40, so that no additional axial infeed of the forming rollers 28 would be necessary or the radial infeed can be minimized.

the Figures 5 and 6 show such an optimized arrangement of the pressure roller supports, but here specifically for a 3x 120 ° arrangement of the forming rollers 28. This means that there is no axial infeed, but a higher radial infeed is accepted.

Claims (13)

1. Device for forming having

   - at least one spindle (31, 41) which can be driven in a rotating manner by a rotary drive (32, 42),

   - a clamping means (34, 44) which is arranged on the spindle (31, 41) and designed to receive and clamp a workpiece (5) on the spindle (31, 41), and

   - at least one forming roller (28) which can be fed axially and/or radially relative to the workpiece (5) in order to carry out a spinning or flow-forming process,

   - wherein the spindle (31, 41) and the clamping means (34, 44) are combined to a unit which is adjustable transversely to the axis of rotation (11), and

   - the unit is adjustable between a forming position, in which the spinning or flow-forming process is carried out, and a set-up position for setting up,

   characterized in that
   a first changing unit (30) with a first spindle (31) and a first clamping means (34) and at least one second changing unit (40) with a second spindle (41) and a second clamping means (44) are provided and
   in that the first changing unit (30) and the at least one second changing unit (40) are alternately adjustable between the forming position and the set-up position.
2. Device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the changing units (30, 40) have a rotary drive (32, 42) of their own.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the set-up position is located on the outside of a housing of the device (10).
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the at least one changing unit (30, 40) is supported in a pivotable or linearly displaceable manner.
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the first changing unit (30) and the at least one second changing unit (40) are arranged on a joint adjustment element (22).
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the axis of rotation (11) is arranged horizontally or vertically.
7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   in order to carry out the spinning or flow-forming process the at least one forming roller (28) is axially stationary, wherein the workpiece (5) is supported in an axially displaceable manner.
8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that
   at the set-up position a loading and unloading means (60) is provided.
9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   the workpiece (5) can be reclamped from the first changing unit (30) to the second changing unit (40).
10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that
    the at least one forming roller (28) is supported on an adjustable roller support (27) and
    in that on the roller support (27) a roller changing means (66) is arranged.
11. Method for forming, in particular with a device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which

    - at least one spindle (31, 41) is driven in a rotating manner by means of a rotary drive (32, 42),

    - a workpiece (5) is received on the spindle (31, 41) by means of a clamping means (34, 44) and clamped on the spindle (31, 41), and

    - at least one forming roller (28) is fed axially and/or radially relative to the workpiece (5) in order to carry out a spinning or flow-forming process, wherein the spindle (31, 41) and the clamping means (34, 44) are combined to a unit (30, 40) which is adjusted transversely to the axis of rotation (11) between a forming position, in which the spinning or flow-forming process is carried out, and a set-up position for setting up,

    characterized in that
    a first changing unit (30) with a first spindle (31) and a first clamping means (34) and at least one second changing unit (40) with a second spindle (41) and a second clamping means (44) are provided, wherein the first changing unit (30) and the at least one second changing unit (40) are alternately adjusted between the forming position and the set-up position.
12. Method according to claim 11,
    characterized in that
    for adjustment between the forming position and the set-up position the at least one changing unit (30, 40) is linearly displaced or pivoted.
13. Method according to any one of claims 11 or 12,
    characterized in that
    in order to carry out the spinning or flow-forming process the at least one forming roller (28) is axially stationary, wherein the workpiece (5) is displaced axially.

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