Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/10—Riveting machines
  • B21J15/36—Rivet sets, i.e. tools for forming heads; Mandrels for expanding parts of hollow rivets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/10—Riveting machines
  • B21J15/30—Particular elements, e.g. supports; Suspension equipment specially adapted for portable riveters

Definitions

• the invention relates to a die changer system for changing a die of a fastening tool; the die changer system comprising: at least one fastening tool, in particular at least one riveting tool, comprising at least one holding area for interchangeably mounting a plurality of dies; and at least one die changer device for dismounting at least one first die from the at least one holding area of the at least one fastening tool and for mounting at least one second die to the holding area of the at least one fastening tool, wherein the at least one die changer device comprises: at least one die holding base for, in particular for magnetically, holding the plurality of dies; and at least one ejection device for dismounting the at least one first die from the at least one holding area of the at least one fastening tool.
• an automotive production line may produce a variety of vehicles, further increasing the need for the flexibility of the fastening devices.
• fastening devices that are used to fasten and/or join two or more components of a product or workpiece (e.g., two or more sheets).
• one group of known fastening devices works as follows: A fastener support is placed under the workpiece to be fastened. A fastener and a fastener insertion device are disposed above both the fastener support and the workpiece.
• the fastener insertion device can apply a force to the fastener to thereby drive the fastener through the workpiece toward the fastener support.
• the fastener support may exert a reaction force on the fastener as a result of a force applied to the fastener by the fastener insertion device. The forces applied to the fastener can cause the fastener to deform, thereby securing the two or more parts of the workpiece together.
• fasteners examples include rivets, mechanical studs and other types of fasteners.
• One particular type of a known rivet is the self-piercing rivet.
• the use of such rivets has become widespread and desirable in industries where welding is impractical.
• Such industries include, in particular, those that utilize aluminum components.
• An example of such an industry is the automotive industry, where stacks of metal sheets, including at least one aluminum sheet, may need to be fastened together.
• the fastener insertion device may include a nose assembly into which, for example, a rivet is passed from a rivet storage location, and from which the rivet is inserted into the workpiece by a punch.
• the fastener support may include an upsetting die located below the workpiece and configured to upset the rivet as the rivet is inserted into the workpiece. The volume and shape of the upsetting die is selected to provide a desired degree of upsetting such that the rivet takes a desired shape when inserted into the workpiece by the punch.
• dies are consumable items - they will eventually wear out and no longer be able to provide the required degree of upsetting to get the rivet into the required shape. This can result in unsatisfactory joints. A worn die must be replaced.
• the present invention is based on the task of providing a die changer system and a method for changing a die of a fastening tool, which enable a reliable fastening process of different components to be fastened to each other.
• said task is solved by aforementioned die changer system, wherein the die changer system further comprises at least one sensing device for sensing a mounting position of the at least one second die mounted to the holding area of the at least one fastening tool.
• the fastening tool may be operated in a reliable way.
• the reliability of the fastening tool may be further increased, production line downtimes may be reduced, and the quality of the product may be enhanced.
• the at least one fastening tool may for example comprise at least one holding area for interchangeably mounting a plurality of dies, in particular at least one first die and at least one second die.
• the fastening tool may be moved to the vicinity of the at least one die changer device by means of a robot.
• the fastening tool is aligned such with the die changer device that the die is aligned vertically with the holding area, in particular with a through hole and/or a dome of the holding area.
• the at least one die changer device may dismount the at least one first die from the at least one holding area via at least one ejection device, wherein the at least one first die is stored and/or held by the at least one holding base of the die changer device magnetically.
• the at least one die changer may dismount any die from the at least one holding area of the fastening tool.
• the at least one second die may be aligned vertically with the holding area of the at least one fastening tool such that the die may be attached to the holding area of the at least one fastening tool via a substantially vertical movement of the fastening tool and/or the die changer device, in particular of the holding area of the at least one die changer device.
• the sensing device senses the mounting position of the at least one second die. This enables the die changer system to reliable check whether the at least one second die is mounted accurately and/or correctly to the fastening tool and thus if a reliable joining process can further be guaranteed.
• the die changer system further comprises at least one controlling means, wherein the at least one controlling means is configured to either continue or stop the operation of the at least one fastening tool depending on the sensed mounting position of the at least one second die.
• the at least one controlling means may for example be part or be the controlling means of the at least one die changer device.
• the at least one controlling means may be part or be the controlling means of the at least one fastening tool.
• the at least one controlling means is configured to continue operation of the at least one fastening tool when the sensed mounting position of the at least one second die substantially corresponds to a reference mounting position of the at least one second die; and/or the at least one controlling means is configured to stop operation of the at least one fastening tool when the sensed mounting position of the at least one second die substantially differs from a reference mounting position of the at least one second die.
• reference mounting positions of the plurality of dies may be stored in a storage which communicates with the at least one controlling means.
• the reference position of the at least one second die may also substantially correspond to the sensed mounting position if minor tolerances with regard to the mounting position of the at least one second die occur which to not substantially influence the further production process. If the at least one second die is mounted incorrectly in the at least one fastening tool or if the at least one second die is not present at all in the at least one fastening tool, in particular in the dome of the at least one fastening tool, the operation of the fastening tool may be interrupted.
• a die correction may be performed by the at least one die changer device for correctly attaching the at least one second die to the at least one fastening tool. Additionally, or alternatively, a warning signal may be outputted so that a machine operator may intervene and correct the fault.
• the reference mounting position of the at least one second die may correspond to whether the at least one second die is attached to the at least one fastening tool or not, e.g. if the second die is present at the at least one fastening tool.
• the at least one sensing device comprises at least one optical sensor, wherein the at least one optical sensor in particular is a laser sensor and/or a camera.
• a laser sensor may utilize laser beams to detect the position and/or presence of the at least one second die with high accuracy, so that, for example, the mounting position of the at least one second die may be analyzed reliably.
• the at least one sensing device comprises a laser reflective detection system. Via a camera additional information may be gathered apart from the position and/or the presence of the at least one second die, so that for example the wear of the component may be additionally included in the analysis of the at least one second die.
• the at least one optical sensor is mounted such that the position and/or presence of the at least one second die may be reliably sensed by the at least one optical sensor.
• the at least one optical sensor may be arranged and/or be a part of the at least one die changer device.
• the at least one holding area of the at least one fastening tool comprises at least one snap gripping mechanism for interchangeably mounting a plurality of dies.
• This may enable a form-fit connection between the at least one fastening tool and the plurality of dies, so that the dies may be reliably changed by the at least one die changer device.
• the at least one snap gripping mechanism is constructed in such a way that a die may be mounted and/or demounted from the at least one fastening tool via a movement in substantially one direction, in particular via a substantially vertical movement.
• the at least one snap gripping mechanism comprises at least one dome for interchangeably arranging the plurality of dies in the at least one dome, wherein the at least one dome comprises at least one through-hole arranged in the holding area of the at least one fastening tool.
• the dome for example enables a comfortable mounting and demounting of the at least one die to the at least one fastening tool.
• the at least one through-hole in particular extends in a substantially vertical direction, so that a die may be mounted and/or demounted from the at least one fastening tool via a movement in substantially one direction, in particular via a substantially vertical movement.
• each die in particular the at least one first die and the at least one second die, comprises a die head and a die shank respectively, wherein the die shank comprises at least one substantially circumferential groove, and wherein the at least one snap gripping mechanism preferably comprises at least two holding elements each actuated against a spring force for engaging with the substantially circumferential groove.
• the die head comprises a larger outer diameter than the die shank.
• the substantially circumferential groove of the at least die shank extends substantially along a vertical plane.
• the at least two holding elements comprise at their radial outer side at least one web which substantially corresponds to the circumferential groove of the at least one die shank.
• the at least one die may be securely attached to the at least one fastening tool.
• the at least two holding elements may for example comprise a substantially circular or oval outer contour.
• the outer contour of the at least two holding elements support the inserting or receiving of the die shaft in the at least one dome. Thereafter, preferably the plurality of holding elements locks automatically at the first circumferential groove of the die shaft. If the ejection spike is moved through the through-hole against the insertion direction of the removable die, it is also preferred that the at least one die is thereby removable from the through-hole of the dome.
• the at least two holding elements are spring loaded in an initial position axially spaced apart from each other so that the holding elements may pivot into the at least one circumferential groove of the die shaft thereby securing the at least one die in the dome.
• the axial distance between the at least two holding elements in a relaxed spring position preferably is less than the outer diameter of the die shafts of the plurality of dies.
• the at least two holding elements are secured via springs respectively in the through hole of the die dome, in particular in at least two grooves arranged circumferentially in the through hole.
• the two holding elements are arranged substantially in the same vertical plane with respect to each other.
• the holding base of the at least one die changer device comprises at least two magnetic pads spaced apart from each other for receiving and holding the plurality of dies.
• the plurality of dies may be securely stored by the at least one die changer device.
• the holding base of the at least one die changer may be rotatable about a first axis, so that at least one of the magnetic pads and thus at least one of the plurality of dies may be arranged in a die pickup position for mounting the respective die to the at least one fastening tool.
• the at least one fastening tool comprises a C-frame with a first end comprising a fastening mechanism, in particular with a rivet pressing mechanism, and a second end comprising the at least one holding area.
• a C-frame arrangement of the at least one fastening tool may in particular be advantageous for providing a fastening tool for a punch riveting process.
• the first end of the C-frame may correspond to a first leg of the C-frame and the second end of the C-frame may correspond to a second leg of the C-frame.
• the first end of the C-frame may be arranged above the second end of the C-frame during use of the fastening tool.
• the at least one fastening tool and the at least one die changer device are configured to selectively remove at least one first die from the at least one holding area of the fastening tool and to attach at least one second die to said at least one holding area of the fastening tool.
• the at least one fastening tool and the at least one die changer device are configured to selectively remove and attach the plurality of dies to said at least one holding area of the fastening tool.
• the plurality of dies may be stored via the holding base of the at least one die changer device if they are not in use with the fastening tool.
• the at least one ejection device comprises at least one ejection spike movable by a driver mechanism, wherein the at least one ejection spike is configured to apply a force to the at least one first die in direction of the holding base of the at least one die changer device for dismounting the at least one first die from the fastening tool.
• the die connected to the fastening tool may be reliable removed from the snap-gripping mechanism and magnetically attached to the holding base of the die changer device.
• the at least one ejection spike is arranged through a lower opening of the through hole of the dome of the fastening tool for removing the die.
• the movement direction of the at least one ejection spike is substantially vertical.
• the at least one die changer device comprises at least two ejection devices, in particular at least two ejection spikes, wherein the at least two ejection devices preferably are movable by one driver mechanism; and/or wherein the at least two ejection devices preferably are independently movable by at least one driver mechanism.
• two positions may be provided by the at least one die changer device for dismounting dies from the at least one fastening tool. This may for example be beneficial with regard to production timing since different steps may be performed in a time-efficient manner and/or simultaneously.
• the die holding base is selectively movable from a die storing position to a die pickup position by means of a driver means.
• the holding base may be moveable in a rotational manner, wherein the holding base pads holding the dies respectively may be arranged on the lower side of the holding base in form of a carousel.
• the die holding base may be moved vertically downwards to a die pickup position.
• the driver means moves the respective pad holding the desired die into the die pickup position. This may for example be controlled by the at least one controlling means.
• the at least on driver mechanism and/or the at least one driver means comprises pneumatic cylinders and/or hydraulic cylinders.
• pneumatic cylinders and/or hydraulic cylinders advantageous power, control and precision of the driver mechanism and/or the driver means may be provided.
• Pneumatic cylinders substantially are air-driven, wherein hydraulic cylinders substantially are fluid-driven.
• pneumatic cylinders or hydraulic cylinders may be used for the at least one driver mechanism and/or the at least one driver means.
• aforementioned task is also solved by a method for changing a die of a fastening tool, in particular performed by aforementioned die changer system, comprising the following steps: Dismounting at least one first die from at least one holding area of at least one fastening tool via at least one ejection device; Providing at least one second die on at least one holding base of a die changer device; Mounting the at least one second die to the holding area of the at least one fastening tool; and Sensing a mounting position of the at least one second die mounted to the holding area of the at least one fastening tool.
• Advantages and features described in context with the aforementioned die changer system apply equally to the casting mold.
• Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a die changer device 2.
• the die changer device 2 comprises one plate 4 extending in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the plate 4 comprises a plurality of cutout portions 6 to which different components of the die changer device 2 may be attached or mounted.
• the die changer device comprises a holding base 8 which is mounted via attachment means 10 to the plate 4.
• the attachment means 10 may for example move the holding base 8 via driver means 13 from a stand-by position to a die pickup and release position, which may reduce the time for changing a die.
• the attachment means 10 may be fixed with the plate 4.
• the lower side of the holding base 8 (see Figs. 2a to 6b ) comprises two magnetic pads 12 spaced apart from each other for securing and/or holding at least one first die 14 and at least one second die 16.
• the die changer device 2 further comprises two ejection devices in form of ejection spikes 18 which are attached to a board 20 which is extending in a substantially vertical direction.
• the board 20 is movable in vertical direction by a driver mechanism 22, wherein the driver mechanism 22 is attached to the plate 4. Since the driver mechanism 22 moves the whole board 20 and thus both ejection spikes 18 similarly, both ejection spikes 18 are moveable by the one driver mechanism 22.
• the board 20 may for example be attached to the driver mechanism 22 by a plurality of struts 24 or by at least one moveable strut 24.
• At least one sensing device 26 is arranged laterally with respect to the plate 4. Via the at least one sensing device 26 a mounting position of the plurality of dies 14 and 16 may be sensed.
• Figs. 2a to 6b show a second embodiment of a die changer system 28 with different positions of the die changer device 2 and the at least one fastening tool 30.
• the die changer device 2 depicted in Fig. 1 the die changer device 2 depicted in Figs. 2a to 6b comprises a plate 4 which substantially extends in a vertical direction.
• the plate 4 is secured on the ground via a base plate 32 which is arranged perpendicular to the plate 4.
• Driving means 13 are attached to the plate 4 for driving and/or moving the holding base 8 in an upwards and in a downwards direction.
• the holding base 8 is connected to the driving means 13 via one holding strut 34 which extends in a substantially vertical direction.
• the holding base 8 comprises two magnetic pads 12 which are spaced apart from each other.
• the die changer device 2 comprises two ejection devices in form of ejection spikes 18 which are attached to the board 20.
• the board 20 is moveable by a driver mechanism 22 and connected to the driver mechanism via one strut 24.
• the die changer system 28 further comprises the fastening tool 30.
• the fastening tool 30 comprises a c-frame 36 with a first end 38 comprising a fastening mechanism 40, in particular a rivet pressing mechanism, and a second end 42 with a holding area 44.
• the holding area 44 is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 7 .
• a first die 14 is arranged via a snap gripping mechanism 46 in a dome 48.
• the dome 48 comprises a through-hole 50 extending through the holding area 44 of the fastening tool 30.
• the die 14 comprises a die head 52 and a die shank 54, wherein the die shank 54 comprises a circumferential groove 56.
• Two holding element 58 are actuated against a spring 60 respectively, so that the holding elements 58 engage with the groove 56 and thus secure the die 14 in the dome 48.
• the die 14 may be coupled and/or decoupled from the dome 48 by a substantially vertical movement of either the die 14, the dome 48 or both.
• both the holding base 8 as well as the board 20 are moved by the driving means 13 and the driving mechanism 22 from a die storing position to a die pickup position. This position is illustrated in Figs. 3a and 3b .
• the ejection spikes 18 contact the die shank 54 of the first die 14 and hereby remove the first die 14 from the snap gripping mechanism 46. Via the magnetic pad 12, the first die 14 may additionally be removed from the snap gripping mechanism 46 and afterwards stored at the holding base 8.
• the holding base 8 as well as the board 20 are moved by the driving means 13 and the driving mechanism 22 again from the die pickup position to the die storing position, wherein now both the first die 14 as well as the second die 16 are attached to the magnetic pads 12 of the holding base 8.
• the fastening tool 30, in particular the holding area 44 of the fastening tool 30, is moved laterally along arrow 62 such that the through-hole 50 of dome 48 substantially is in line with the at least one second die 16 and the right ejection spike 18. This is illustrated in Figs. 4a and 4b .
• the at holding base 8 may be moved downwards by the driving means 13 so that the at least one second die 16 may be attached via the snap gripping mechanism 46 to the dome 48 of the fastening tool.
• Such a position of the die changer system 28 is shown in Figs. 5a and 5b .
• the mounting position of the second die 16 may be sensed via the sensing means 26.
• a controlling means (not illustrated) may continue or stop the operation of the at least one fastening tool 30.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mounting, Exchange, And Manufacturing Of Dies (AREA)

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Citations (3)

• 2024
  • 2024-05-27 EP EP24178136.8A patent/EP4656309A1/de active Pending

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