EP3819092A1 - Method for unpacking a workpiece, unpacking device and a processing device comprising same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for unpacking a workpiece (1), in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank (2), from a packaging (10), in which an automated cutting open of a first packaging side (11) of the packaging (10), as well as the workpiece (1) is automatically slid out of the packaging (10) on the first packaging side (11). The invention also relates to an unpacking device (30) for unpacking a workpiece (1) from a packaging (10), with a feed station (40) for receiving a packaging (10) in which a workpiece (1) is arranged, with a slicing station (60) with a first cutting or sawing tool (61) for the automated cutting open of a first packaging side (11) of the packaging (10) behind the feed station (40), and with a slip station (70) behind the cutting station (60) with which a relative movement between the packaging (10) and the workpiece (1) can be generated automatically, by means of which the workpiece (1) slides out of the packaging (10) on the first packaging side (11).

Description

The invention relates to a method for unpacking a workpiece according to claim 1, an unpacking device according to claim 7 and a processing device with such a device according to claim 15.

When machining workpieces such as optical lenses and lens blanks, these are typically individually packed in packaging before machining. The lenses to be processed, in particular spectacle lens blanks, have quite different diameters, thicknesses and surface curvatures before they are fed to processing machines. Most of the packaging for these workpieces has a rectangular outer casing made of cardboard. Here, the workpiece can be arranged in a paper bag, a foil bag or in a packaging tray made of plastic (also called a blister) or made of paper. Combinations of storing a wrapped lens in a packaging tray are also known. The covering can be placed around the workpiece like a cloth made of foamed plastic or felt material, or the workpiece is wrapped in it.

Alternatively, the envelope can also be formed by welding the workpiece in a closed plastic bag. Before processing can start, the workpieces are now manually removed from the packaging and stored in so-called work boxes (English: job trays), usually in pairs for the later glasses in lens production. The packaging materials are separated from each other. Disadvantages of manual unpacking are the high wage costs and the high level of monotony of the activity. After all, tens of thousands of lenses are machined a day in larger processing lines, e.g. in spectacle glass grinding shops. Basically, this does not allow any interruption when unpacking, so that employee breaks have to be covered by additional staff.

In order to transmit the properties of the workpiece to the subsequent work stations, the packaging or parts thereof are often placed in the work box or attached to it. This can lead to errors due to human error. This leads to rejects and can even damage subsequent processing machines.

The object of the invention is therefore to eliminate sources of error during unpacking and to make the work step more cost-effective. The solution should work permanently and reliably.

Main features of the invention are set out in claims 1, 7 and 15. Refinements are the subject of claims 2 to 6 and 8 to 14 and the following description.

The invention relates to a method for unpacking a workpiece, in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank, from a packaging, comprising an automated cutting open of a first packaging side of the packaging and an automated sliding of the workpiece out of the packaging on the first packaging side.

The advantage of this is that no manual work is necessary to first orient the packaging and then open it at a point provided for this purpose. Automated cutting can prevent damage to the workpiece and create a defined opening for it to slide out. The cutting is preferably carried out with a linear cut. This is easy to manufacture.

The method is particularly suitable for workpieces that are optical lenses or optical lens blanks. These have two opposite lens sides, at least one of which is usually curved. Also have the optical lens or the optical lens blank preferably a round lens circumference, preferably with a lens diameter between 40 mm and 100 mm and more preferably between 50 mm and 85 mm. The workpiece can for example consist of glass or transparent plastic.

In principle, there is the possibility of causing the sliding out solely by gravity, in particular in that the first packaging side points downwards at an angle or perpendicularly or is brought into such a position after the first packaging side has been cut open. This can be implemented particularly inexpensively.

A higher level of process reliability is achieved, however, in a variant of the method in which the workpiece is slid out by pushing the workpiece out on the first packaging side with a slide that moves into the packaging on a second packaging side opposite the first packaging side that has been cut open. This prevents the workpiece from getting stuck in the packaging due to tilting or the like.

Optionally, the second packaging side can be pierced by the slide. This can be implemented comparatively inexpensively. However, a higher level of process reliability is achieved in a variant according to which the second side of the packaging is automatically cut open before the slide is moved into the packaging. By cutting open the slider can move into the packaging without resistance and through a defined opening and can optionally also be designed with a wide end face because no point is required to penetrate the packaging, for example with an end face that is at least 20% of the area of the second packaging side. This pushes the workpiece safely out of the packaging. For round workpieces and / or to prevent the workpiece from drifting sideways, a concave face is recommended. With this, the workpiece can be pushed centrally in front of the face.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the first and second packaging sides are cut open at the same time. This makes the process particularly fast and the necessary device compact. In addition, the forces of a cutting or sawing tool acting on the packaging can balance each other out.

Furthermore, a special implementation of the method provides that the first and / or second packaging side is cut open with a (in particular mechanical) cutting or sawing tool. A cut with a water jet is also possible and, above all, can be carried out without wear, but such a cut can only be considered for workpieces that may be wet in the next work steps. The cutting or The sawing tool is preferably oriented vertically. Accordingly, the first side of the packaging should be aligned vertically when it is cut open.

According to a preferred implementation, the cutting or sawing tool is driven to rotate. Such rotating cutting or sawing tools are particularly durable and make precise cuts. Alternatively, implementations can also be considered in which the cutting or sawing tool performs a linear cutting movement, for example by means of a lifting movement (similar to a jigsaw) or a rotary movement (similar to a band saw). These can also be used to generate non-linear sections.

Cuts are particularly simple and space-saving if the packaging is automatically guided past the cutting or sawing tool when the first and / or second packaging side is cut. In this case, it is guided past preferably by pushing the packaging along a movement path. The packaging is thus supported on a base.

A special cut-open variant provides that the cutting of the first packaging side includes a complete severing of the first packaging side and / or the cutting of the second packaging side includes a complete severing of the second packaging side. This makes it possible to produce a maximally large opening for the slide to slide out or to move in with little effort. Preferably, waste openings are formed in the area of the cutting open, which are designed so that separated or cut-off parts of the packaging fall away downwards through a waste opening. This means that they no longer interfere with the processing of further packaging.

Optionally, the packaging has a cuboid outer shell that forms the first and second packaging sides. Such packagings can be produced particularly inexpensively and are comparatively easy to orientate and cut open. Preferably the packaging is a cardboard box.

According to a variant of the method, the workpiece slides out of the packaging together with a packaging tray in which the workpiece is arranged. Such a packaging tray is particularly advantageous because the workpiece can hereby be held in a defined position within the packaging and the cutting can be carried out at defined positions in such a way that the workpiece is not damaged. The packaging tray can be a blister tray. Furthermore, the packaging tray can consist of plastic, cardboard or cardboard. It is preferable if the workpiece is aligned flat when it is cut open and when it slides out. Correspondingly should also the packaging tray should be aligned flat when sliding out. As a result, the workpiece or the packaging tray cannot fall over and be damaged as a result.

An optional addition to the method can be that the workpiece is mechanically picked up with a workpiece holder after it has slid out. This means that the workpiece can be further transported by machine. Such a workpiece holder can have a gripper or a suction holder. The workpiece is preferably separated from the optional packaging tray when it is picked up with the workpiece holder. The packaging tray and the workpiece are preferably arranged vertically adjacent to one another before the separation and the upper of the two parts is lifted upwards. For example, by weighing the part lifted upwards, it can be determined whether it is the workpiece or the packaging tray.

The packaging tray can, for example, be dropped down through a waste opening after being separated from the workpiece. Accordingly, the working area is ready again for the next unpacking.

For workpieces that are arranged in the packaging with a cover, with or without a packaging tray, the cover can be removed automatically after sliding out of the packaging. Bags and wrapping foils can be fixed, for example, by opposing suction holders, which are then torn open by increasing the distance between the suction holders. Alternatively, and in particular with almost all encased lenses or lens blanks, it is possible to first secure the workpiece from the front and back, for example by clamping, and then to make a circumferential cut on the circumference. In particular in the production of spectacle lenses, such edge areas are removed anyway after the surface processing for adaptation to a spectacle frame, so that even cutting traces in this edge area of the workpiece are not critical. As soon as the circumferential cut has been made, the upper half of the cover can be lifted off, then the workpiece can be fixed from above and finally pulled out of the lower half of the cover.

Furthermore, the method can include a step in which the packaging is automatically aligned before the first and / or second packaging side is cut open. This simplifies the provision, because the packaging does not have to be precisely positioned before it is aligned.

In the case of dissimilar workpieces, it also makes sense to automatically read information data on the workpiece from the packaging and physically from the removed workpiece and / or to be assigned logically. A physical assignment can be, for example, an attached data sheet that is attached to a work box, for example. The physical assignment can also be reduced to a physical identification code, e.g. also on the work box or on the component itself, for example by means of a barcode or QR code on the lens circumference or on the surface to be processed later. The actual information data on the identifiable workpiece can be stored in a database. A purely logical assignment succeeds, for example, if an automated system always knows which workpiece is where, for example through identification numbers of work boxes or visual monitoring.

It is best to save the information data on the workpiece, which is necessary for the assignment, before the packaging is cut so that information data is not lost during the cutting. The information data to be read out can be present, for example, as pure text, but they are preferably specified as a barcode, QR code or other visual code or stored on an RFID chip.

A high degree of automation can also be achieved if the packaging is automatically removed from a work box (also referred to as a job tray by experts) before it is sliced. In this way, the packaging with the workpieces can be made available for unpacking, for example, directly from automated warehouses, even if the packaging is of different sizes. The work boxes have the advantage that they can interact without difficulty with automated transport devices such as conveyor belts, especially with different workpieces.

For further automated processing, it is advisable to automatically deposit the workpiece in a work box after it has slid out. On the one hand, this enables simple further transport, in particular regardless of the shape of the workpiece, and on the other hand, information data for the further work steps can be assigned to the workpieces in a simple manner.

In particular in the case of lens processing and spectacle lens production, it is advisable to put it down in such a way that it is done with a convex surface of the workpiece facing up. For this purpose, an orientation step is recommended, in which the workpiece is either placed in the work box, oriented as it was after sliding out, or turned over before being placed.

The method is particularly efficient if all the method steps between removing the packaging from the work box and placing the workpiece in the or one other work boxes are carried out automatically, in particular including removal and storage.

The invention also relates to an unpacking device for unpacking a workpiece, in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank, from a packaging, preferably according to a method as described above and below, which has a feed station for receiving a packaging in which a workpiece is arranged is, a slicing station with a first cutting or sawing tool for the automated cutting of a first packaging side of the packaging behind the feed station, and a slip station behind the slicing station, with which a relative movement between the packaging and the workpiece can be generated automatically, through which the workpiece on the first packaging side slides out of the packaging.

The advantage of this unpacking device is that an automated unpacking of a workpiece is possible with low unpacking costs and without manual sources of error.

The sliding-out station should have a fixing device with which the packaging can be fixed while it is sliding out. This defines the unpacking location and prevents the packaging from slipping when it slides out, so that the packaging is then still at the intended location. The packaging can then simply be disposed of from here.

According to a more detailed embodiment of the unpacking device, the slip station has a slide which is designed to move into the packaging on a second packaging side opposite the cut first packaging side and to push the workpiece out of the packaging on the first packaging side. Such a slide allows a high level of process reliability. The slide should preferably perform a sliding movement in the horizontal direction. In addition, the direction of movement of the slide is preferably oriented transversely to the cutting direction of the first cutting or sawing tool and / or the movement path.

In addition, it can be provided that the slicing station has a second cutting or sawing tool for the automated slicing of the second packaging side of the packaging behind the feed station. This makes it easy and reliable to insert the slide into the packaging. It is preferred that the first and second cutting or sawing tools are arranged parallel to one another. The advantage of this is that the packaging does not have to be turned in order to be able to be cut open on both sides. It is also preferable to arrange the first and second cutting or sawing tools opposite one another. This allows the cutting of the first and second packaging side take place at the same time. By defining the distance between the first and second cutting or sawing tools, it is also possible to determine where the packaging will be cut open.

A preferred embodiment consists in that a movement pad for the packaging is formed between the first and second cutting or sawing tools. The movement path thus offers the possibility of being able to simply move the packaging for cutting open along the movement path, for example with a slide, slide or the like. The path of movement should run on a table. This provides a defined support surface for the packaging.

According to a special embodiment, the first and / or the second cutting or sawing tool is arranged in a stationary manner. Their storage can thus be implemented in a space-saving and cost-effective manner. Stationary cutting or sawing tools should also be understood that are adjustably mounted for setting a distance between the cutting or sawing tools.

Optionally, the first and / or the second cutting or sawing tool can be a lifting cutter (similar to a jigsaw) or a rotating band (similar to a band saw). However, a particularly long service life and precise, uniform cuts are achieved if the first and / or the second cutting or sawing tool is driven to rotate about a tool axis (similar to a circular saw or a cut-off grinder).

Furthermore, there is the equipment option that (at least) one waste opening can be formed in the area of or behind the first and / or second cutting or sawing tool, through which cut-off parts of the packaging can fall down. This means that the work surface is immediately free again for further unpacking processes.

The unpacking device preferably has a distance detection device in front of the slicing station, with which the distance between the first and the second packaging side is detected, the position of the first and / or second cutting or sawing tool correlating mechanically or automatically with the detected distance, preferably in such a way that that the distance between the first and second cutting or sawing tool is adapted to the distance between the first and the second packaging side.

In addition, the unpacking device can have alignment elements with which the packaging is automated before the first and / or second packaging side is cut open is aligned. As a result, the requirements for positioning prior to alignment are low, so that the device can be implemented cost-effectively.

Furthermore, the unpacking device can have a transport device for transporting the packaging from the feed station to the slip station. As a result, the position of the packaging can be changed automatically along the movement path. Such a transport device can have a gripper or a suction holder for fixing the packaging, which can be moved between the feed station and the slide-out station. The transport device preferably fixes the packaging on the circumference that does not include the first packaging side, and particularly preferably on the side arranged at the top, in particular in such a way that at least the first and optionally also the second packaging side is freely accessible.

Optionally, the fixing device of the slip station can be the same device as that for moving the packaging along the movement path. For this purpose, the transport device would only have to remain at the end of the movement path and fix the packaging until the workpiece has finished sliding out.

A workpiece holder can be arranged behind the slide-out station, which is designed for the machine holding of the workpiece after it has slid out of the packaging. From this moment on, the workpiece can continue to be handled automatically, free from the packaging. For this purpose, the workpiece holder can have a gripper or a suction holder. In addition, the workpiece holder can optionally be designed to be movable upwards through an opening on the underside, in particular in the table, for receiving the workpiece.

There is also the option that a separating device can be arranged behind the slip station, with which parts of the packaging are removed from the workpiece. The separating device can have at least one gripper or a suction holder. The workpiece holder can also be added here. For example, two workpiece holders arranged one above the other and opposite one another can be provided, so that one of these always picks up the workpiece, and the other a packaging part, in particular a packaging tray. After removing the packaging tray, one workpiece holder can then transfer the workpiece to the other workpiece holder for further handling or it can take the workpiece itself to a destination.

It is advisable here if the separating device has at least one scale with which parts of the packaging and the workpiece are identified in an automated manner, in particular on the basis of their weight.

In addition, the separating device could have at least two waste containers in which different materials of the packaging are disposed of separately. This is suitable for recycling. There is the option of arranging a shredding device, a shredder or a press in front of at least one of the waste containers. As a result, the emptying cycles for the waste containers are long.

For the further handling of the workpiece, there is a further development, according to which the unpacking device has a loading station which is designed to place the workpiece in a work box behind the slide-out station. This can be supplemented by the fact that the unpacking device has a conveyor line, in particular a conveyor belt, for transporting the work box. This means that it can be integrated directly into a production line. According to a special variant, the unpacking device is designed to remove packagings with workpieces on the input side from work boxes that come, for example, from an automated warehouse. On the output side, the unpacked workpieces are then placed in the or another empty work box. The work boxes should remain on the conveyor line all the time. The movement path is then to a certain extent a section of a bypass for the workpieces relative to the conveyor line. The movement path here preferably runs at least essentially in the conveying direction of the conveyor line.

In a special embodiment of the invention, it is particularly possible to insert packaged lens blanks out of a work box in an unoriented manner into an alignment unit, cut off the first and second packaging side, and then push the lens blank with the packaging tray upside down or in the normal position out of the packaging, and then the lens blank and the packaging tray with the help of a scale (e.g. a displacement measuring cell). By recognizing the difference in weight, the correct position of the lens blank for insertion into the or another work box can also be determined. When processing lenses, the desired position is usually such that the front curve of the blank points upwards.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a processing device with an unpacking device as described above and below and a processing machine, wherein the unpacking device is arranged along an automated conveyor line in front of the processing machine, and unpacked workpieces with the conveyor line from the Unpacking device are transported to the processing machine, the processing machine from the group milling machine, lathe, grinding machine, polishing machine, coating machine, cleaning machine, foiling machine and blocking machine. The processing device thereby enables automated processing including unpacking of the workpiece, which results in a high level of efficiency with reduced sources of error.

It is also part of the invention that all method features also specify optional functional configurations for the unpacking device according to the invention. Conversely, the defined device features can each optionally be used in the implementation of the method according to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht von ausgewählten Baugruppen einer Entpackungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine abweichende perspektivische Ansicht der ausgewählten Baugruppen einer Entpackungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht der ausgewählten Baugruppen einer Entpackungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 von oben;

Fig. 4

eine seitliche Ansicht der ausgewählten Baugruppen einer Entpackungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Entpackungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 6

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer transparent dargestellten Verpackung, einer herausgezogenen Verpackungsschale und einem herausgehobenen Werkstück; und

Fig. 7

eine transparent dargestellte Verpackung mit innenliegend angeordneter Verpackungsschale und Werkstück.

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

Fig. 1

a perspective view of selected assemblies of an unpacking device;

Fig. 2

a different perspective view of the selected assemblies of an unpacking device according to FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a view of the selected assemblies of an unpacking device according to Fig. 1 from above;

Fig. 4

a side view of the selected assemblies of an unpacking device according to FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of an unpacking device;

Fig. 6

an exploded view of a transparently shown packaging, an pulled out packaging tray and a lifted workpiece; and

Fig. 7

a packaging shown transparently with a packaging tray and workpiece arranged on the inside.

Fig. 1 shows a selected assembly of an unpacking device 30 in a perspective view obliquely from above. The same assembly is used in the Fig. 2 , 3 and 4th shown from a second perspective from obliquely above, a view from above and a side view. The same reference symbols therefore correspond to one another and the Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 and 4th are described collectively below. Such an assembly of an unpacking device 30 can be in an unpacking device 30 according to Fig. 5 be included to workpieces 1 from packaging 10 according to the Fig. 6 and 7th to unzip.

The selected assembly of an unpacking device 30 according to the Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 and 4th shows an arrangement of various stations on a surface of a table 31, in particular with a flat table surface. On the input side, a feed station 40 for receiving a package in which a workpiece is arranged is provided. Movable and stationary alignment elements 41 with which the packaging is automatically aligned are arranged here. The moving of the alignment elements 41 is combined with a distance detection device 42 with which the distance between a first and a second packaging side of the packaging is detected. As soon as the packaging is clamped between the movable and the fixed alignment element 41 during alignment, the position of the linear motor with which the movable alignment element 41 is moved can be detected.

As soon as the packaging is aligned with the alignment elements 41, a transport device 50 takes over the packaging in order to move it from the feed station 40 along a movement path P, in particular to displace it. For this purpose, the transport device 50 has a suction holder, which is placed on the packaging from above in order to fix the packaging and is driven displaceably along a linear slot in the table 31.

A slicing station 60 is initially arranged along this movement path P behind the feed station 40. This has a first cutting or sawing tool 61 for automatically cutting open a first packaging side of the packaging and a second cutting or sawing tool 62 for automatically cutting open an opposite, second packaging side of the packaging. For this purpose, the first and second cutting or sawing tools 61, 62 are arranged stationary opposite one another and parallel to one another, in particular in such a way that the first and second packaging sides can be cut open at the same time. The first and the second cutting or sawing tool 61, 62 are driven to rotate around a tool axis each, which are aligned coaxially in the present case. Regardless of other technical features, this has the advantage of being able to use tools of the same construction, which reduces the storage of wear parts and causes similar forces on the packaging that can balance each other.

By defining the distance between the first and second cutting or sawing tools 61, 62, it is possible to determine where the packaging 10 will be cut open. The position of the first cutting or sawing tool 61 correlates automatically with the distance between the first and second packaging side determined by the stop elements 41. The distance between the first and second cutting or sawing tools 61, 62 is always set slightly smaller than the distance between the first and second packaging side, e.g. 10% less.

In the present case, the movement pad P runs between the first and second cutting or sawing tools 61, 62, as a result of which a packaging can simply be moved along the movement path P for cutting open. In the area of and behind the first and second cutting or sawing tools 61, 62 one recognizes a waste opening 32 which is formed in the table 31 and through which the cut-off parts of the packaging can simply fall down.

The transport device 50 can be moved along the movement path P between the feed station 40, past the slicing station 60, as far as a slip station 70. This slip-out station 70 behind the slicing station 60 is used to automatically generate a relative movement between the packaging and the workpiece, by means of which the workpiece slides out of the packaging on the previously sliced first packaging side. The transport device 50 simultaneously forms a fixing device 72 for the sliding-out station 70, with which the packaging 10 is fixed while it is sliding out. For this purpose, the transport device 50 simply remains in the area of the slip-out station 70 until the sliding out is complete. The packaging can then be fed directly to a waste container using the transport device 50.

It can be seen that the slide-out station 70 has a slide 71 with a concave end face, which is designed to move into the packaging on the second packaging side, which is opposite the cut first packaging side and also cut open, and to push the workpiece out of the packaging on the first packaging side.

After the workpiece with or without an optional packaging tray has been pushed out of the packaging transversely to the movement path P, the transport device 50 can be moved backwards again to the feed station 40 in order to pick up a new packaging with workpiece.

An orientation tool in the form of a horizontally acting clamp is provided behind the slip-out station 70, with which the workpiece is aligned again before it is mechanically picked up. In the center of this centering bracket there is a workpiece holder 80 with a suction holder which is designed to mechanically pick up the workpiece after it has slid out of the packaging. The workpiece holder 80 moves upwards through an opening 35 (on the underside) in the table 31 in order to pick up the workpiece out of the table 31. A second workpiece holder, not shown, can be moved coaxially from above onto the workpiece. If there is no packaging tray, the second workpiece holder alone can be sufficient to move the workpiece on to a destination. Whenever a packaging tray is present, one of the two workpiece holders 80 will receive the workpiece and the other the packaging tray. By identifying the part picked up in each case, the second workpiece holder can either bring the workpiece to the destination or, first of all, transfer the packaging tray to a waste container before taking the workpiece from the first workpiece holder and bringing it to the destination. As a result, the two workpiece holders 80 form a separating device behind the slide-out station 70, with which parts of the packaging are removed from the workpiece.

This separating device can have one or two scales with which parts of the packaging and the workpiece are identified automatically on the basis of the weight. Different packaging materials could also be identified in this way, wherein the separating device can have at least two waste containers for their separate disposal. A shredding device, a shredder or a press can be assigned to each waste container.

Finally, the unpacking device 30 also has a loading station 82 which is designed to place the workpiece behind the slip-out station 70 and the separating device in a work box, as shown in FIG Fig. 5 is recognizable.

According to the unpacking device 30 according to Fig. 5 it can be seen that this has a conveyor line 90, in particular a conveyor belt, for transporting work boxes 91 in a conveying direction F. This runs parallel and in the same direction as the movement path. In this way, packagings with workpieces can be removed from work boxes 91 on the input side with an unloading device 43, which come for example from an automated warehouse. On the output side, the unpacked workpieces are then stored in the empty work boxes 91. The work boxes 91 remain on the conveyor line 90 the whole time. The movement path is, so to speak, a section of a bypass for the workpieces 1 to the conveyor line 90.

The table 31 can optionally have an underframe 33. In addition, the unpacking device 30 can optionally have a cabin 34. This can be used in particular for occupational safety and prevent unauthorized manual manipulation of the packaging and / or workpieces.

The unpacking device 30 according to Fig. 5 can be part of a processing device, the unpacking device 30 being arranged along an automated conveyor line 90 in front of a processing machine 101 (only indicated as a position), and unpacked workpieces 1 being transported with the conveyor line 90 from the unpacking device 30 to the processing machine 101. The processing machine 101 can in particular be from the group milling machine, lathe, grinding machine, polishing machine, coating machine, cleaning machine, foiling machine and blocking machine. A blocking machine is understood, in particular in lens and spectacle lens production, to be a machine with which a workpiece to be processed is automatically fixed to a holding piece, in particular in a materially bonded manner.

In the Fig. 6 and 7th one sees a packaging 10 (shown transparently) for receiving a workpiece 1. In the unpacked view of FIG Fig. 6 it can be seen that the workpiece 1 is an optical lens blank 2 with two opposing lens sides 3, 4, of which at least one can be curved. The optical lens blank 2 has a round lens circumference 5 with a lens diameter 6 between 40 mm and 100 mm and consists of glass or transparent plastic. The lens thickness 7 is significantly smaller than the lens diameter 6. Such optical lens blanks 2 are a typical starting point for processing into a spectacle lens, in particular a standard power lens or an individual prescription lens.

The packaging 10 has a cuboid outer shell 13 which forms the first and second packaging sides 11, 12, of which at least one is cut open, as described above, in order to remove the workpiece 1 from the packaging 10. Two opposite sides of the cuboid outer shell 13 always form the first and second packaging sides 11, 12, and this depends in particular on how the packaging 10 is oriented. Preferably, only alignments are used in which the packaging 10 is aligned lying flat. As a result, the workpiece 1 can be aligned flat when it is cut open and when it slides out and does not tip over. However, it is also conceivable to cut the packaging 10 upright so that even the two opposite sides that are closest to one another can form the first and second packaging sides 11, 12.

The packaging 10 is a cardboard box, in particular a folding box. When the first packaging side 11 is cut open according to the invention, it is irrelevant here whether this is a simple packaging side or a lid. Instead of having to laboriously open the lid at a defined position, it is always on one side a first packaging side 11 cut open or completely cut off so that the workpiece 1 can be removed.

Information data on the workpiece can be attached or printed on the packaging 10, for example text, codes such as barcodes and / or QR codes or an RFID chip.

Another packaging component can be seen in Fig. 6 a packaging tray 15 which can be arranged together with the workpiece 1 within the packaging 10. When the workpiece 1 lies in the packaging tray 15, it becomes as in FIG Fig. 7 recognizable, held at a distance from the first and second packaging sides 11, 12. The packaging tray 15 is a blister tray made of plastic.

• Optional kann die Verpackung 10 vor dem Aufschneiden automatisiert aus einem Arbeitskasten entnommen werden;
• Optional kann die Verpackung 10 vor einem Aufschneiden der ersten und/oder zweiten Verpackungsseite 11, 12 automatisiert ausgerichtet werden;
• Optional können vor dem Aufschneiden Informationsdaten zum Werkstück 1 automatisiert von der Verpackung 10 ausgelesen werden und dem entnommenen Werkstück 1 später physisch oder logisch zugeordnet werden;
• Automatisiertes gleichzeitiges Abschneiden der ersten und zweiten Verpackungsseite 11, 12 der Verpackung 10 mit einem rotierend angetriebenen Schneid- oder Sägewerkzeug 61, 62, wobei die Verpackung 10 beim Aufschneiden der ersten und zweiten Verpackungsseite 11, 12 dadurch automatisiert an dem Schneid- oder Sägewerkzeug 61, 62 vorbeigeführt wird, dass die Verpackung 10 entlang eines Bewegungspfades P geschoben wird;
• Optional können die abgeschnittenen Teile durch eine Abfallöffnung nach unten wegfallen;
• Automatisiertes Herausgleiten des Werkstücks 1 mit der Verpackungsschale 15 aus der Verpackung 10 auf der ersten Verpackungsseite 11 durch ein Herausschieben des Werkstücks 1 auf der ersten Verpackungsseite 11 mit einem Schieber 71, der auf der gegenüber zu der abgetrennten ersten Verpackungsseite 11 liegenden zweiten Verpackungsseite 12 in die Verpackung 10 hineinfährt;
• Maschinelles Aufnehmen des Werkstücks 1 nach dem Herausgleiten mit einem Werkstückhalter 80, der hierzu einen Greifer oder einen Saughalter aufweist;
• Optional kann das Werkstück 1 bei dem Aufnehmen mit dem Werkstückhalter 80 von der Verpackungsschale 15 getrennt werden;
• Optional kann das Werkstück nach dem Herausgleiten automatisiert in einem Arbeitskasten abgelegt werden;
• Dabei können optional alle Verfahrensschritte zwischen der Entnahme der Verpackung 10 aus dem Arbeitskasten und dem Ablegen des Werkstücks 1 in dem oder einem anderen Arbeitskasten 91 automatisiert erfolgen.

In an unpacking method according to the invention or with an unpacking device 30 according to the invention, a corresponding or similar can be used Fig. 6 Unpack packed workpiece 1 in a simple and, above all, automated manner. This is achieved through automated adaptations even with changing, differently sized packaging 10. According to the method, the unpacking can take place in particular as follows:

• Optionally, the packaging 10 can be automatically removed from a work box before being cut open;
• Optionally, the packaging 10 can be automatically aligned before the first and / or second packaging side 11, 12 are cut open;
• Optionally, information data on the workpiece 1 can be read out automatically from the packaging 10 before the cutting open and later physically or logically assigned to the removed workpiece 1;
• Automated simultaneous cutting of the first and second packaging sides 11, 12 of the packaging 10 with a rotatingly driven cutting or sawing tool 61, 62, whereby the packaging 10 is automatically attached to the cutting or sawing tool 61, when the first and second packaging sides 11, 12 are cut open. 62 is guided past that the package 10 is pushed along a movement path P;
• Optionally, the cut-off parts can be dropped down through a waste opening;
• Automated sliding of the workpiece 1 with the packaging tray 15 out of the packaging 10 on the first packaging side 11 by pushing out the workpiece 1 on the first packaging side 11 with a slide 71, which is inserted into the second packaging side 12 opposite the separated first packaging side 11 Packaging 10 moves in;
• Machine picking up of the workpiece 1 after it has slid out with a workpiece holder 80, which for this purpose has a gripper or a suction holder;
• Optionally, the workpiece 1 can be separated from the packaging tray 15 when it is picked up with the workpiece holder 80;
• Optionally, the workpiece can be automatically stored in a work box after it has slid out;
• In this case, all method steps between removing the packaging 10 from the work box and depositing the workpiece 1 in the or another work box 91 can optionally take place in an automated manner.

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

All of the features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. <b> List of reference symbols </b> 1 workpiece 43 Unloading device 2 optical lens / optical lens blank 3 first lens side 50 Transport device 4th second lens side 5 Lens circumference 60 Slicing station 6th Lens diameter 61 first cutting or sawing tool 7th Lens thickness 62 second cutting or sawing tool 10 packaging 70 Slip station 11 first packaging page 71 Slider 12th second packaging side 72 Fixing device 13th Outer shell 15th Packaging tray 80 Workpiece holder 82 Loading station 30th Unpacking device 90 Conveyor line 31 table 91 Work box 32 Waste opening 33 Underframe 101 Processing machine 34 cabin 35 opening on the underside F. Conveying direction P. Motion path 40 Feeding station 41 Alignment element 42 Distance detection device

Claims (15)

A method for unpacking a workpiece (1), in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank (2), from a packaging (10), comprising the following steps: a) Automated cutting open of a first packaging side (11) of the packaging (10); b) Automated sliding out of the workpiece (1) from the packaging (10) on the first packaging side (11). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece (1) is slid out by sliding out the workpiece (1) on the first packaging side (11) with a slide (71) which is located on a first packaging side (11 ) the lying second packaging side (12) moves into the packaging (10). Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second packaging side (12) is automatically cut open before the slide (71) is moved into the packaging (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting open of the first packaging side (11) comprises a complete severing of the first packaging side (11) and / or the cutting of the second packaging side (12) comprises a complete severing of the second packaging side (12). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging (10) has a cuboid outer casing (13) which forms the first and second packaging sides (11, 12). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece (1) slides out of the packaging (10) together with a packaging tray (15) in which the workpiece (1) is arranged. Unpacking device (30) for unpacking a workpiece (1), in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank (2), from a packaging (10), comprising: - A feed station (40) for receiving a package (10) in which a workpiece (1) is arranged, - a slicing station (60) with a first cutting or sawing tool (61) for the automated slicing of a first packaging side (11) of the packaging (10) behind the feed station (40), and - A slip station (70) behind the slicing station (60), with which a relative movement between the packaging (10) and the workpiece (1) can be generated automatically, through which the workpiece (1) on the first packaging side (11) out of the packaging (10) slides out. Unpacking device (30) according to claim 7, characterized in that the slide-out station (70) has a slide (71) which is designed for this purpose on a second packaging side (12) in the packaging (10) opposite the cut first packaging side (11) ) and push the workpiece (1) on the first packaging side (11) out of the packaging (10). Unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the cutting station (60) has a second cutting or sawing tool (62) for the automated cutting of the second packaging side (12) of the packaging (10) behind the feed station (40) having. Unpacking device (30) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a movement pad (P) for the packaging (10) is formed between the first and second cutting or sawing tools (61, 62). Unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the first and / or the second cutting or sawing tool (61, 62) is arranged in a stationary manner. Unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that a waste opening (32) is formed in the area of or behind the first and / or second cutting or sawing tool (61, 62) through which the cut-off parts of the packaging (10) can fall down. Unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it has alignment elements (41) with which the packaging (10) is automatically aligned before the first and / or second packaging side (11, 12) is cut open. Unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that it has a transport device (50) for transporting the packaging (10) from the feed station (40) to the slip station (70). Processing device with an unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 7 to 14 and a processing machine (101), wherein the unpacking device (30) is arranged along an automated conveyor line (90) in front of the processing machine (101), and unpacked workpieces (1) with the conveyor line (90) from the unpacking device (30) to the processing machine (101), the processing machine (101) being from the following group: - milling machine; - lathe; - grinding machine; - polishing machine; - coating machine; - cleaning machine; - foiling machine; and - Blocking machine.

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