FI89350C - Foerfarande and anordning Foer att skaera glasskivaemnen - Google Patents

Description

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Method and apparatus 1 for cutting sheet blanks.

For the purposes of this Regulation, this Regulation shall apply.

The invention relates to a method and a device 1 for cutting a sheet blank according to a defined contour. The general features of the method are set out in the introduction to the appended claim 1. The device comprises a cutting machine 1 for making a slit cutting of the contour of the blank; an edge crushing machine for separating the edge portion outside the bevelled edge from the glass sheet blank;

The invention is particularly useful for cutting sheet blanks in the manufacture of motor vehicle windshields. Therefore, the invention will be described in the following in connection with this application. The manufacture of motor vehicle windscreens first involves cutting the outline of the windscreen into a 1-piece sheet blank, separating the edge portion outside the cutting line from the 1-piece sheet blank, and grinding the edge of the separated blank. The glass blank is then bent to the required shape and subjected to a heat treatment. In the manufacture of laminated windshields, two such glass sheet blanks are joined together by a transparent film.

At present, cutting, edge separation and grinding operations are usually performed by hand, with the aid of models followed by a tracking roller. Recently, numerically computer-controlled (CNC) machines have been developed in which the operation is controlled by digital information which has been hand-made using a digitization table. Although such CNC-controlled machines are not used, grinding is still performed using a monitoring roller. However, FR application 2,476,059 discloses a separate grinding machine with two grinding cases 2 89350 which is controlled numerically by a contour file. However, this separate machine is not connected to a production line where all three production steps can be performed automatically, i.e. cutting, edge stripping and grinding.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,088 discloses an apparatus for forming an automatic production line in which contour cutting and grinding of the edge of a Lei street are performed by machines whose operation is mechanically connected so that both machines can be controlled by common numerical control to move simultaneously and in the same direction along the desired line. , which is numerically determined. This arrangement substantially reduces the production capacity of the device, which is determined by the grinding speed. The contour cutting can typically be performed in about half the time of grinding the cut edge.

The object of the invention is to provide an automatic method and apparatus for cutting blanks of the above-mentioned type, in which the operating controls of the cutting and grinding machine are improved so that the production capacity of the entire production line is substantially increased.

This object is achieved by the method according to the invention in that a digital outline file and a digital grinding file are further generated from a digital contour file representing a defined contour by a computer. with a grinding file so that both grinding heads of the grinder grind the opposite edges of one glass plate simultaneously and.

Device-specific features are set out in the appended claim 2.

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It is essential for the optimal operation of the entire production line that the speed of movement of the grinding heads along the edge to be sanded can be selected independently of the speed of movement of the cutting head 1. In this way, the cutting machine and the grinding machine have mechanically separate drive devices, which are controlled by their own control files.

In the method and device according to the invention, the drives of the cutting machine and the grinding machine are thus mechanically separate from each other and their controls are independent of each other, even though they simultaneously work on a similar contour line. However, control is based on a common contour file.

An outline digitizing apparatus 1 may be connected to the production line for sensing the outline of a blank or drawing blank and for producing a digital outline file. The computer included in the control system of the device is programmed to use said digital contour file to produce a digital cut file and a digital grind file.

The invention makes it possible to produce fully automatic production lines with high production capacity and short set-up times on glass blanks cut according to a defined contour and ground at the edges. This short set-up time (e.g. on the order of 5-15 minutes in a typical system) allows the device to be used efficiently when producing glass sheet blanks in small batches as well as in large batches. The invention also makes it possible to automatically digitize new models and to maximize the utilization of raw materials.

The invention is particularly useful when implemented as a fully automatic production line, in which the edge crushing machine selected between the cutting machine and the grinding machine is also controlled from a control file formed from the same digital contour file.

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The invention also makes possible a modular design in which individual machines can be efficiently operated as separate module units with other units in the production line.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which the invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows axonometrically one embodiment of a device according to the invention for cutting a blank according to a defined contour; Fig. 2 schematically shows the overall control of the device according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a mobile crane of the device according to Fig. 1 for transporting workpieces from one machine to the next; Fig. 4 schematically shows the control of a transfer crane according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows in axonometric view in more detail the cutting machine of the device according to Fig. 1 for making an incision in a glass sheet blank according to a defined contour and also for digitizing the contour of a new model; Fig. 6 schematically shows the control of the cutting machine according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows the structure of an edge crushing machine belonging to the device according to Fig. 1, for separating a cut edge part 899350 from a blank 1; Fig. 8 shows in more detail a method of controlling the alignment of the burners of the edge crusher of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 schematically shows the control of the edge crushing machine according to Fig. 7; Fig. 10 shows in more detail the structure of the grinding machine of Fig. 1 for smoothing the edges of a separated blank 1; Fig. 11 shows a control diagram of the grinding machine according to Fig. 9; Figures 12a to 12e show different operating modes of the device assembly according to Figure 1.

Fig. 13 shows the coordinate system used in the control of these functions; Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a central computer in the digitizing (or teaching) mode of operation of Fig. 12a; Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a CNC computer in the digitizing (or teaching) operation mode illustrated in Fig. 12a, the diagram of Fig. 15a assisting in understanding this operation mode; Figures 16a-16c together form a flow chart illustrating the operation of the mainframe computer in the process operation mode of Figure 12b; and Fig. 17 shows a diagram aiding in the grinding operation of the enclosure.

The device shown in Figure 1 of the drawings is specially designed for cutting GB of glass sheet blanks according to a defined arc line for use in the manufacture of vehicle windscreens. The apparatus includes a slitting machine, generally designated 2, for cutting the GB a3 line of a glass sheet blank according to a pre-digitized model, or for digitizing a new model; an edge crushing machine, generally indicated by reference numeral 4, for separating the cut edge area from the glass sheet blank GB; and a grinding machine, generally indicated at 6, for smoothing the edges of the separated glass sheet blank.

The device shown further comprises a transfer crane, generally indicated by reference numeral 8, for transporting glass sheet blanks GB from one machine to the next; a loading aid system (not shown) at the line inlet for loading the glass sheet blanks from the storage bundle, or from two different bundles, to a conveyor transporting the glass sheet blanks to the cutting machine 10; and a side crane, generally designated 12, at the outlet end of the line.

The side crane 12 is supported on a frame extension 14 of the transfer crane 8 having two rails 16. The side crane 12 includes a vertical frame structure 18 arranged with sliding members 20 to move along the rail 16 and a horizontal frame structure 22 supporting a handling device 24 with vacuum heaters 26. for transporting glass sheet blanks from the grinding machine 6 to subsequent stations of the production line (not shown) where bending, heat treatment and lamination operations are performed to produce finished windshields.

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The invention according to the application relates in particular to the structure and operation of a cutting machine 2, an edge crushing machine 4 and a grinding machine 6, as well as to the structure and operation of a transfer crane 8 which transports glass sheet blanks from one machine to the next. The remainder of the description of these objects relates to the features of the device according to Figure 1, which are most clearly illustrated in the remaining drawings.

The overall operation of the machine is controlled by a central computer 28, which includes a keypad 30 and a display 32. The cutting machine 2, the edge crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6 are each equipped with their own CNC (computerized numerical control) computer (not shown in Fig. 1). activities, all under the control of the mainframe 28. In addition, each of the female machines as well as the transfer crane 8 are equipped with a programmable logic controller (PLC), as described in more detail below.

Fig. 2 schematically shows the overall control of the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6 by a central computer 28. As shown in Fig. 2, each of said machines is connected to the central computer via a communication link 34, 36, 38 in the form of a conventional RS 232 slot.

The transfer crane 18 includes a PLC unit 40 controlled by a central computer 28 which in turn controls the crane to transport the glass sheets to their correct positions in the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinder 6 so that the latter machines can perform their respective functions on the glass sheets. The PLC unit 40 is also connected to the CNC computers of the cutting, crushing and grinding machines 2, 4, 6 for their functions. . to synchronize.

Transfer crane 8 .. 'In particular, the transfer crane shown in Figures 1 and 3 comprises a pair of rails 42 supported by a plurality of vertical columns 44 β 89350 and extending in a straight line between the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6. The crane 8 includes a carriage 46 moving along rails 42 and a slider 48 supporting a vacuum type handling device 50 provided with a plurality of suction cups 52 (Figure 4) for transporting a glass sheet from one machine to another. The slide 48 moves in the transverse direction of the carriage 46 and the handling device 50 moves vertically with respect to the carriage 46.

Figure 4 schematically shows the overall control of the transfer crane 8. Its PLC unit 40 is connected to a central computer 28 (Fig. 2) via a control panel 54, which enables manual or automatic operation of the crane. As previously stated, the PLC unit 40 of the transfer crane 8 is also connected to the computers of the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6 in order to synchronize their functions with the operation of the crane.

The transfer crane PLC unit 40 includes a connection through an electrical housing 56 to a carriage 46 drive device 58 to guide the carriage position along the rails 42 in their longitudinal direction, a slider 48 to the drive device 60 to control its position transversely of the carriage, and a connection to the carriage controller The PLC unit 40 is also connected via an electrical housing 56 to a pneumatic control system 64 for controlling the suction of the suction cups 52 of the processing device 50.

The drive systems 58, 60, 62 of the carriage 46, the slider 48 and the handling device 50, respectively, and the pneumatic system 64, all controlled by the central processor 28 via the PLC 40, may be of a known type for controlling crane operation to transfer glass blanks GB to a cutting machine 2 in succession. to the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6, enabling these machines to perform their respective operations on the glass sheet preform before the glass sheet preform is removed from the line by the side crane 12.

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Mower 2

Fig. 5 shows the structure of the cutting machine 2 in more detail, and Fig. 6 schematically shows the control system of the cutting machine. As shown in Fig. 5, the cutting machine 2 includes a pair of rails 66 on both poles of the conveyor belt 67, which conveyor belt receives the glass sheet blanks from the loading aid system. The first carriage 68 moves along the X-axis on rails 66; and the second carriage 70, which is allowed to slide in the groove 72 of the carriage 68, moves along the Y-axis.

As shown in Figure 6, carriage 68 is driven along the X-axis (along rail 66) by a motor Mx which drives a pair of transfer screws 73 which pass through nuts in opposite ends of the carriage; and the carriage 70 is driven along the Y-axis (transverse to the carriage 68) by a motor My and a transfer screw 74 supported by the carriage 68 and passing through the nut in the carriage 70. In addition, each of these uses includes an encoder Ex and Ey, respectively, which determine the position of the corresponding carriage. In addition to the carriage 68, there are two limit switches LSi, LS2, which determine the limit positions of the carriage 70 by the carriage 68.

The carriage 70 carries a cutting head 76, such as a diamond wheel, which can be used to cut the outline of glass sheet blanks produced during normal manufacture, or in the process mode of the device under the control of a CNC computer 78 belonging to a cutting machine 2. The carriage 70 also includes a new sensor 80. for digitization, e.g. from a model or drawing, during digitization (or teaching) mode when a new form of windscreen is to be fed into the device.

The position of the carriage 70 and thus the positions of the cutting head 76 and the sensor 80 are controlled by the CNC computer 78 via a drive control circuit DCX connected to the motor Mx and a drive control circuit DCy connected to the motor My. The CNC-10 S9350 computer 78 also receives location information of the carriage 70 from the encoders Ex, Ey, which provide feedback information to the computer about the actual location of the carriage 70 and thus the actual location of the cutting head 76 and the sensor 80.

The CNC computer 78 further includes a first port for connection to an out-of-gate communication link 82, e.g., an RS 232 bus, in order to input various programs and / or controls? a second port connects the gates to the control panel 84 to receive human-machine interface information (MMI) that can be input, e.g., via a keyboard, joystick, or display screen; and a third port connected to a PLC (prommabale Logic controller) unit 90, which makes it possible to control the movements of the two carriages 68, 70 as well as other functions on the machine by means of a transfer crane 8.

Edge crusher 4

Separation of the glass sheet blank GB from the edge part or crushing of the edge part along the cutting machine 2 cut lines is carried out by heat strokes produced by heating devices, namely gas burners, which are precisely placed in the four corners of the cut glass sheet blank GB. The crushing machine 4 in the apparatus according to Fig. 1 for performing this operation is described in more detail in Figs. 7-9.

As shown in Figs. 96 with external motor Mb. Each burner 91-94 is supported on the outer end of the respective articulated arm 97.

During the crushing operation, the glass sheet blank GB, into which the desired u 89350 contour line is cut by the cutting machine 2, is supported by the suction cups 52 of the transfer crane 8 in the crushing machine on the trough or basin 98. The suction cups adhere to the glass sheet blank inside the cut line. When the torches 91-94 are precisely positioned at the corners of the cut arc pattern, they are made to act to apply a thermal shock to the glass sheet blank GB to separate it from the edge portion along the cut line. The suction cups adhere to the glass sheet blank remaining inside the shear line, while the separated outer edge portion falls as a crush into the basin 98.

Fig. 9 schematically shows the control of the crushing operation. The crushing machine comprises a CNC computer 100 connected via bus 101 (e.g. RS 232) to a central computer (28, Fig. 2). The CNC computer 100 controls the eight motor Ma, Mb (two for each burner) drive circuits 102 of the four burners 91-94 so that the burners are precisely positioned relative to the cutting lines of the glass sheet blank. The electrical circuit of the crushing machine 4 illustrated in Fig. 9 further comprises a control panel 104, which enables manual or automatic operation of the machine.

As will be described in more detail below, each of the four burners 91-94 is placed at one of the four corners of the cut glass sheet blank so that the heat is precisely applied to the corner with the smallest radius of curvature. This alignment of the four burners 91-94 is performed automatically under the control of the CNC computer 100 and the central computer 28. When the four burners are precisely aligned, they are ignited under the control of the CNC computer 100 and the PLC unit 106. The heat applied by the four burners to the four corners of the glass sheet blank GB cut at these specified points causes a temperature in the glass sheet, which transport it to the grinder 6.

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Grinding machine 6

The grinding machine 6 shown in Fig. 1 is shown in more detail in Fig. 10 and its overall control diagram in Fig. 11.

The grinding machine 6 comprises a table 110 for receiving a glass sheet blank GB from the crushing machine 4, conveyed by a transfer crane 8. The grinding machine further includes a pair of grinding methods 111, 112 (Fig. 11) disposed on opposite sides of the table 110 so as to be contactable with opposite edges of the glass sheet blank when the glass sheet blank is in the Poy. The table 110 is rotated about the vertical axis of the machine by the motor Mqr »while the two grinding methods 111, 112 are movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the table 112, i.e. 110. Arranging the grinding shirts 111, 112 (Fig. 11) on opposite sides of the glass sheet blank allows the grinding operation to be performed simultaneously on two opposite edges of the glass sheet blank, thus substantially reducing the total time required to grind the entire outer edge of the glass sheet blank.

As shown in particular in Fig. 11, the grinding machine 6 comprises a CNC computer 114 which controls the rotating motor Mqr through the drive circuit 116a, and two grinding mode motors Mgl,

Mq2 through the other two user circuits 116b, 116c. The glass sheet blank receiving table 110 is provided with vacuum openings 118 for holding the glass sheet blank firmly on the table during grinding operations. Each grinding method 111, 112 is in the form of a grinding wheel and is supported by a carriage 121, 122 which can be moved by a transfer screw 123, 124 by means of a corresponding motor Mqi, Mq2.

The grinder illustrated in Figure 11 further includes a PLC unit 126 for controlling the functions of the three motors Mqr, Mqi and Mq2, and encoders Egi, Eq2 for providing feedback information to the CNC computer for the operation of the grinding wheels 111 and 112.

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locations.

The CNC computer 114 further includes a port for connection via the RS 232C bus 128 to the central computer 28 (Figure 2) for receiving operating programs, and also to provide a connection link to the ancillary systems. A control panel 130 connected to the CNC computer 114 allows for manual or automatic operation of the machine.

Operating modes (general)

The device shown in the drawings is capable of operating in any of the following modes of operation: (a) Digitization mode, shown in Figure 12a. This, sometimes referred to as the teaching mode, makes it possible to digitize a new contour, according to a model or drawing, into the device to produce a digitizing file 140 representing the contour that the device will work with. This digitization file is produced using the optical sensor 80 of the cutting machine 2, to digitize the outline under the control of the Central Computer 28 and also under the control of the CNC computer 78 of the cutting machine (Fig. 6). Both the main computer 28 and the CNC computer 78 of the cutting machine 2 include manual data input devices such as a keypad 30 and a display 32 on the central computer 28, and a keypad 78a and a display 78b on the CNC computer 78 to enable manual input of data for use in digitization 140. The operation of the central computer 28 during this digitization mode will be described in more detail below with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 14, and the operation of the CNC computer 78 of the cutting machine 2 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 15. 1. (b) The process state shown in Figure 12b. During this mode of operation, the mainframe 28 receives a digitization file ·: · 140 140 made during the digitization mode shown in Figure 12a, and also receives data from two other sources, as follows: relatively constant data 142 relative to the specified, produced process file, and a handful of input data 144 that, e.g., identifies a particular file. Data from the three sources 140, 142, 144 are processed in the central computer 28 according to a process program to provide three files, namely: a cutting file CN1, which is used to control the cutting machine 2; an edge crushing file CN2 used to control the crushing machine 4; and a grinding file CN3 used to control the grinding machine 6.

When producing three files CN1, CN2, CN3, the data for the specified cutting and grinding contour line is input with the digitizing file 140, while the relatively constant parameters of the corresponding process are input from the data file 142. The manual input 144 is mainly used for the number of file names.

The operation of the central computer 28 during the process operation mode, for producing the three files CN1, CN2 and CN3, will be described in more detail below with reference to the flowcharts of Figs. 16a, 16b and 16c.

(c) DNC state, shown in Figure 12c. DNC (Direct Numerical Control) mode is the actual manufacturing operation in which the main computer 28 receives information from the cutting file CN1, the crushing file CN2 and the grinding file CN3, all produced in the process mode shown in Fig. 12b, in one user / machine interface (MMI) input information 146, which is input via the keypad 30 and the display 32 of the central computer 28, and which controls the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6 via the three RS 232 channels 148, 150, 152, respectively, when the glass sheet blank GB is transferred from one machine to the next by transfer conveyor 8. The three files CN1, CN2 and CN3, which were produced during the process mode, contain the necessary data and format so that they can be used on CNC

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computers in each of the three machines 2, 4 and 6, to control the operation of the corresponding machine in a conventional manner, as is known in CNC-powered systems.

(d) Preprocessing state, shown in Figure 12d. This state is used to produce a digitizing file corresponding to the digitizing file 140 of Fig. 12 from externally derived data, i.e., data that was not produced during the digitizing operation mode of Fig. 12a described above. For example, this externally derived data may be data from a manual digitization process, pre-existing digitized data, or data from a computer-aided design (CAD) system or a computer-aided manufacture (CAM) system. In such cases, the central computer 28 receives externally derived data 154, and also MMI data 156, which is casually input from the keyboard 30 and display 32 of the central computer 28, and produces a digitization file, indicated 140 'in Figure 12d, corresponding to Figure 12d. 12a digitizing file 140. Thus, file 140 'can be used in the process mode of Figure 12b to produce three CNC files CN1, CN2 and CN3 to control the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6 during the DNC mode, except as described above, except that in this case the three files are made of externally derived data and not of the data derived from the digitalization mode of Fig. 12a described above.

(e) Data editing mode, shown in Fig. 12e. This mode is used when making changes to the basic information of any of the above files, e.g. to update the file. During this mode of operation, the central computer 28 receives, by means of a data editing program, one of the above-mentioned files CN1, CN2, CN3, 140 or 140 ', and also MMI information containing editing data for updating the corresponding file, which MMI information has just been input to the CPU 28. 30 and nayton 32.

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The above-mentioned operating modes are implemented by equipping the central computer 28 or the CNC computer in the respective cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6, with a suitable program, as described below.

Coordinate Systems

Figure 13 shows the coordinate system on which all machine functions are based.

Thus, the cutting machine 2 includes a reference center, which is marked "01" in Fig. 13, and which is the reference center of the machine. Ts. all dimensions related to the operations performed by the cutting machine are shown in the X-direction and in the Y-direction with respect to this reference center "01".

On the other hand, the cutting machine 2 as well as the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6 each have a theoretical center marked "MC" (machine center) in Fig. 13. The glass sheet blank GB has a corresponding reference center MC. When the transfer conveyor 8 conveys the glass sheet GB from one machine to the next, it places the center MC of the glass sheet GB at the center MC of the corresponding machine. Thereafter, all command instructions are given in relation to the distance between the center MC of the glass sheet and the reference center "01" of the machine along the X-axis (dimension "XC" in Fig. 13) and along the Y-axis (dimension "YC").

In Fig. 13, the GB dimensions of the glass sheet blank are marked "XGLASS" along the X-axis, and "YGLASS" along the Y-axis; when the maximum dimensions of the cut-off line to be cut on the glass plate are marked "XL" along the X-axis and "YL" along the "Y" axis.

Implementation of diquitation mode

As briefly described above, the digitizing mode (also called the teaching mode) illustrated in Figure 12a utilizes the cutting machine 2, and in particular its optical sensor 80, to digitize a new contour from a model or drawing to produce a digitizing file 140 representing workable treasure line; This digitization file is used during the next process mode (Fig. 12b) to produce three CNC files CN1, CN2, CN3, which are used in DNC mode (i.e. production) to control the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6. Fig. 14 is a flow chart. , which illustrates the programmed functions of the central computer 22 during the digitizing mode, while the flow diagram of Fig. 15 illustrates the programmed functions of the CNC computer 78 (Fig. 6) for controlling the cutting machine during the digitizing mode.

As shown in the flowchart of Figure 14, the central computer 28 requests data from the CNC computer 78, including the file name and coordinate point data, which data is transmitted to the central computer 28 from the CNC computer 78 via the channel 82 (Figure 6). The central computer 28 checks the content of this information by the conventional checksum procedure, and also asks, after receiving all the data bits, whether this is a stop character.

If not, it continues to receive the data and stores it in the digitalization file DF. When the end signal is received, the digitizing operation is stopped.

The program of the CNC computer 78 (Fig. 6) during the digitizing mode is somewhat more complex, as shown in Fig. 15. The program includes a parameter, called "LD", which represents the maximum distance from one sampling point to the next during the digitizing operation. The program includes two interrelated parameters, namely DLD, which represents the distance to be subtracted from the distance LD during program operation, and LD1, which represents the minimum distance LD. As one example, the LD may be 30 mm, the DLD may be 5 mm, and the LDj may be 1 mm.

The flowchart shown in Fig. 15 for controlling the CNC computer 78 during the digitizing mode uses the second parameter named 89350 here "α", and the related parameter "« max "· The meaning of this parameter and its relation to the distance" LD "is shown in more detail in the diagram of Fig. 15a , which illustrates the digitizing state applied to three consecutive points, namely point "nl", point "n" and point "n + 1" along which the contour is digitized.

Referring to the flowchart of Fig. 15, the CNC computer 78 (Fig. 6) of the cutting machine 2 takes a sample of the first point (nl, Fig. 15a) during the digitization mode, and transmits the value of this point to the main computer 28. The CNC computer 78 then performs a step step with a conventional hop function. Y-axis and then takes a sample from the next point (n, Fig. 15a) and transmits this value to the main computer 28. The CNC computer 78 then takes a sample from the third point (n + 1, Fig. 15a) and calculates the angle "a" of the points "n" and Between the line between "n + 1" and the extension of the line between points "nl" and "n". If this angle "a" is less than the specified "α ^ χ", the computer transfers the data of the point "n + 1" to the CNC computer 78 and advances to the next sampling point of the distance "LD" from the point "n + 1". However, if "a" is greater than the specified "aj ^ x", the computer returns to the previous point "n", checks if the "LD" is greater than the specified LD ^ in, and if so, subtracts the distance "DLD" from the distance LD and then returns the new one. I make to the point LD minus the original distance LD on the path DLD. On the other hand, if the distance "LD" is less than the specified LD ^, the program accepts this data and transfers this point to the main computer 28 for attachment to the digitization file, then adds the distance DLD to the distance LD, and checks if it is the last point. If not, the program proceeds to the next point where the above procedure is repeated for that point. When the last point is completed, the program is completed.

As can be seen, the operating program of the CNC computer 78 of the cutting machine 2, illustrated by the flow chart of Fig. 15, causes the sensor 80 (Fig. 6) to operate during the digitization mode to feel the contour of the model or drawing relatively along selected intervals LD (e.g. 30 mm). where the ååri line has a relatively large radius of curvature, indicated by a relatively small angle "a". However, where the radius of curvature is relatively small, indicated by the angle "a" being greater than "aj ^ x", the maximum distance LD (e.g.

30 mm) at a defined distance DLD (e.g. 5 mm) in one or more successive steps until the measured angle "ot" is less than "otrø ^ x" in order to obtain closer sampling points at those points of the contour with a relatively small curve. However, as soon as this sampling path LD has decreased below the determined minimum LDmin (e.g. 1 mm), no further reduction is made and the measurement is taken from that point and transferred to the mainframe computer 28 for attachment to a digitization file.

The parameters LD, DLD, and LD ^ in, as well as α ^ χ (e.g., 4 °), are contained in a standard parameter file 79 input to the CNC computer 78 (Fig. 12a) during the digitization mode. These parameters are relatively constant for each windshield model being manufactured, but can be changed as needed.

Executing process mode

As previously described in connection with the process mode shown in Figure 12b, the host computer 28 receives a digitization file 140 made during the digitization mode of Figure 12a, as well as other data file 142 and manually input data 144, and prepares three CNC files, CNCl, CNC2, CNC3 for use as CNC for controlling computers in a cutting machine 2, a crushing machine 4 and a grinding machine 6 during the DNC mode of operation (manufacture) of the system. Figures 16a, 16b, 16c together show a flow chart of a program of the central computer 28 to perform this process operation mode.

As shown in Fig. 16a, the system first reads the file name from the input data 144 and then reads the process data from the data file 142 and the digitizing data from the digitization file 140. The process data of the data file 142 includes all relatively constant values for the corresponding process. XC, YC (Fig. 13) on each machine with respect to the machine center MC of the glass sheet blank GB; the starting points of the carriage 70 of the cutting machine 2, the starting points of the burners 91-94 of the crushing machine 4, and the starting points of the grinding wheels 111, 112 of the grinding machine 6; the starting angles 96 of each of the articulated arms 96, 97 of the crushing machine 4; the start-up time of the burners 91-94 of the crushing machine 4; the diameter of the hi-discs 111, 112; the maximum accelerations and speeds allowed for the movements of the different elements of the three machines, etc. As mentioned in the early nun, the data in file 142 is relatively constant, but can be changed or updated whenever necessary using the data editing mode shown in Figure 12e.

As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 16a, the computer first begins to perform processing on the cutting machine to produce the cutting machine file CN1.

Initially, the computer performs the necessary kinematic calculations to determine if it is within certain allowable boundary conditions, as defined in data file 142. One boundary condition is the maximum allowable speed for each axis; e.g.

40 meters per minute. The computer also calculates the maximum acceleration (or deceleration) speeds to determine if it is within the allowable limits, as excessive acceleration (or deceleration) can overload the drive or cause a mechanical failure of the system. If the maximum speed or acceleration is exceeded, the system rejects that point, reduces the speed, and then performs new kinematic calculations until the speed and acceleration as well as the processing and speed limits are not exceeded.

The aforementioned kinematic calculations are well known in CNC machines, which is why the details of such a procedure are not presented here.

Once all the points have been determined within the permissible boundary conditions, the information is output to the CN1 file for use in controlling the cutting machine 2. The computer then proceeds to process the data to produce the CNC file CN2 for controlling the crushing machine 4.

As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 16b, to produce the crushing machine file CN2, the computer first searches the digitization file to determine the four corners of the arc line by locating the minimum point of the radius of curvature in each of the fourth quarters of the cut sheet glass blank GB. This information, which identifies the points of least curvature rainfall at the four corners of the edge-lined glass sheet, is converted to the angle All of the articulated arm 96 (Fig. 8) relative to its column 95 and the angle A12 of the articulated arm 97 relative to the articulated arm 96, each of the four burners 91; this places the corresponding burner exactly at the minimum point of the radius of curvature in the glass sheet blank GB at the corresponding angle of the incised line.

Since the lengths of the articulated arms 96 and 97 are known for each of the four burners 91-94, and since the minimum point of the radius of curvature for each burner is determined, simple mathematical calculations can be used to determine the angles All and A12 to accurately position the respective burner. The controls Ma and Mb of the two motors of each burner 91-94, to position the respective burner according to the exact calculated angles, are transferred to the CNC file CN2 for use in controlling the crushing machine during the crushing operation. The computer then proceeds to prepare a CNC file to control the CN3 grinder 6.

The first step in preparing the grinding file CN3 is to locate the location of each grinding wheel 111, 112 (Fig. 11) on each grinding point on the outer surface of the finished contour of the glass sheet blank GB. In Fig. 17, the GB line points of the finished glass blank 22 S9350 are marked with dots ---- Pn; and the respective centers of the grinding wheels 111 and 112 corresponding to these points are denoted ---- Gn.

When defining the grinding centers Gi ---- Gn, a line "R" is drawn from its corresponding glass plate point P ^ perpendicular to the line between its point and the previous point, the distance (R) corresponding to the the radius of the grinding wheel 111, 112.

Each of the grinding centers Gi ---- Gn is determined by polar coordinates. For this purpose, a line (X ^ points Gi for) is drawn from the machine center MC of the glass sheet blank GB to the corresponding point Gi, so that the point Gi is determined with respect to the machine center MC by the length of the line (X ^) and the horizontal line passing through that line and the machine center MC 0 ^).

Next, a table is prepared defining the positions of the two grinding heads 111, 112 around each angle (Θ) in the circumference of the contour of the finished glass sheet blank. Since the glass sheet blank is ground simultaneously with two grinding wheels 111, 112 on opposite sides of the glass sheet blank, a table is made to rotate the glass sheet blank only 180 °, as follows:

First, the table is made of angles 0 and distances X filled 360 ° according to the following table A:

Table A

0 ° X

10 100 100 150 150 140 200 120 250 110 300 150 350 170 23 8 9 3 5 0

Table Bi is then prepared by displaying the values of X for an angle (Θ) of 0 to 180 °, and Table B2 is prepared by displaying the values of Y for angles 181 to 360 ° after 180 °, both of which are shown below:

Table Bi Table B?

0 ° X 0 ° Y

10 100 200-180 = 20 120 100 150 250-180 = 70 110 150 140 300-180 = 120 150 360-180 = 180 170

The new Table C is then prepared by combining Tables B1 and B2 as shown below:

Table C

0 ° X Y

10 100 20 120 70 110 100 150 120 150 150 140 180 170

Although each of the tables above contains only some values, it is to be understood that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and that each table contains a significantly larger number of values. For example, Tables A and C may each contain about 400 values, dividing the perimeter of the glass sheet blank by 400 points, each deviating from the next by less than 1 °. The distances between points can be filled by interpolation.

It is observed that Table C defines the two grinding wheels 111,

24 b 9 3 5 O

112 stations during grinding operations, in which case the grinding wheels are in contact with the glass sheet blank over the entire 360 ° circumference, although the glass sheet sander is rotated only 180 °.

Once the positions of the grinding wheels have been determined, the kinematic calculations described above in connection with the preparation of the CN1 file are also performed to ensure that the maximum speed and acceleration limits are not exceeded. If any point exceeds one of these limits, the point is changed until the limit is exceeded.

Once all the points for controlling their grinding wheels 111, 112 have been determined, these points are printed to a file CN3, which is used to control the grinding machine 6 during grinding.

When this procedure is completed, the process operation mode described in Figs. 16a to 16c is terminated.

The three files CN1, CN2, CN3 produced during the process operation mode shown in Figs. 16a to 16c can then be used during the production DNC to control the operation of the cutting machine 2, the crushing machine 4 and the grinding machine 6 via the central computer 28. During this DNC mode, the mainframe computer 28 is also provided with MMI information, as shown at 146 in Figure 12c, which information is manually entered via the mainframe keyboard 30 and the display 32.

The preprocessing mode illustrated in Fig. 12d used to produce a digital file corresponding to the citation file 140 from the externally derived data in Fig. 12a and not from the data digitized by the cutter 2 during the digitizing operation mode can be used in the same manner as the digitization operation mode illustrated above. corresponds to externally derived data. In addition, the data editing mode described in Fig. 12e, which is used to make changes to the basic information of any of the above-mentioned files (e.g., file update 25 S9350), is controlled by the central computer 28 in a conventional manner as shown in Fig. 12e to update the data. which appears in the file 160 in Fig. 12e, with editing data 162 manually input to the central computer 28 to provide the modified data file 160 '.

The mainframe computer 28 may be one of many commercial spirit-specific computers, e.g., an IBM PC; and each of the CNC computers used in the three machines 2, 4, 6 (e.g., the CNC computer 78 in the cutting machine 2 of Fig. 6) may be a FANUC 11.

The invention has been described above with reference to one preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other modifications and applications may be made to the invention.

For example, the transfer crane illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 may comprise two or preferably three spaced apart carriages 46, all of which are mechanically connected together to move together. The selection distance between the carriages is the same as the selection distance between the centers of the cutting, crushing and grinding machines 2, 4 and 6. In this embodiment, the rails 42 can be extended so that one of said two or three carriages 46 replaces the side crane 12. The cutting, crushing and grinding machines 2, 4 and 6 are in this case equidistant from each other.

Claims (3)

26: 9350 Pat e n 11 i v a.a t i muk set A method for cutting sheet blanks according to a predetermined contour, the method comprising automatically conveying a sheet blank (GE) to a cutting machine (2), then to an edge crushing machine (4) and then to an edge grinding machine (6); and using digital control files to control the cutting machine (2) to cut the desired contour of the glass sheet blank, to control the crushing machine (4) to separate the cut edge portion from the digital sheet blank, and to control the grinding machine to smooth the separated edge, to smooth the separated edge. the contour file (140) is used to produce a digital cutting file (CN1) and a digital grinding file (CN3) on a computer (28), and that the cutting machine (2) and its various uses (Mx, My) are controlled by said digital cutting file (CN1) and The machine (6) comprising two grinding heads with their drive motors (MG 1, MG2) is controlled by said digital grinding file (CN3) so that both grinding ends of the grinding machine (6) grind the opposite edges of one glass plate while ill. 2. Anordning for att scarra and ascending after the best control, for example, anording omfattar en scarf (2) for att i gi asskivåmnet Gora en inristning av kontur1 injen; and a sliding mask (6) for the glazing of the glazing of the gantry of the gantry of the gantry of the gantry, for use in the manufacture of a sliding, cantilevering and siping operation, a color to the sliding mask (6) or a sling (110) for the inclusion of a glazed, non-sliding, sliding (6, 112) for slipper (111, 112) for , vårs båda sliphuvuden samtidigt sliper motsatta kanter av en glasskiva, ansJut.it s ined en over f or i ngs 1 yf tkran (8) av gi asskivåmnena till samma produktionslinje som skårmaskinen (2) och kantkrossnings- I; 29 b 9 3 50 maskinen (4) befinner sig på, och att envar av de tre maskinernas sårdrivanordningar anordnats att styras med de tre olika digital styrfilerna (CN1, CN2, CN3), vilka bildats av samma digitala kontur 1 injefi 1 (140) the repressors are not contoured. An apparatus 1 for cutting sheet blanks according to a defined contour, the apparatus comprising a cutting machine (2) for making an incision of the contour of a glass sheet blank; an edge crusher (4) for separating the edge portion outside the cut edge from the glass blank, a grinding machine (6) for smoothing the edges of the separated 1-sheet blank and a conveyor (8) for conveying the cutting edge blanks to each of the above-mentioned machines; for carrying out the functions, said grinding machine (6) comprising a table (110) for supporting a sheet blank, characterized in that the grinding machine (6) provided with two grinding heads (111, 112), both grinding ends simultaneously grinding opposite edges of one glass plate, is connected to a single crane mobile crane 11a (8) on the same production line II 27 89350 with a cutting machine (2) and an edge crushing machine (4) and that the different drives of each of the three machines are arranged to be controlled by three different digital control files (CN1, CN2, ) formed from the same digital ååri line file (140) that represents said contour. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the device comprises in combination - an apparatus for digitizing said outline with an outline sensor (80) for sensing the outline of a pattern or drawing of a blank 1 to be scaled; - means (28) controlled by said contour sensor (80) for generating said digital contour file (140); - a control system (28; 78, 90; 114, 126) comprising at least one computer (78, 114) programmed to use said digital contour file (140), a digital edge crushing file (CN1) and a digital grinding file (CN3); - two grinding heads (111, 112) on said grinding machine (6) on opposite sides of said table (110) and a drive motor (MG1, MG2) for each grinding head, said digital control of said control system (28, 114, 126) CN3) by means of two grinding heads (111, 112) so that the grinding heads simultaneously grind the opposite edges of the cut glass sheet blank according to the digital grinding file (CN3); and - a separate drive device (Mx, My) belonging to the cutting machine (2) for cutting the outline of the glass sheet blank, said control system (28, 78, 90) controlling the movements of the drive device (Mx, My) by means of a digital cutting device (CN1). CN1). 28 ϋ9350 P a tentkrav] .. For the purpose of drawing on the axle of the axle after the best contour, the tractor is equipped with an automatic conveyor (GB) for automatic transport (2), a sedan for a cross-country mask (4) and a sedan for office mask (6); and a digital styrofoam attachment for the styrofoam screen (2) for the styrofoam screen in the contour, for the styrofoam screen (4) av, att av den en beståmd konturlinje representerande digital konturlinje-filen (140) medelst en dator (28) framstálllas en digital scärrfil (CN1) och en digital slipfil (CN3), och att skårmaskinen (2) och dess separatdrift (Mx, My ) a styrene with a digital slip file (CN1) and a slip mask (6), a single slip motor (MG1, MG2), a styrene with a digital slip-file (CN3) and a slip screen a nice glass. 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, which comprises an arrangement and a combination of a circuit - a circuit according to which a circuit (80) for measuring the contours of a host model or a step according to the first step. att pointternas tåthet okas vid okning av konturlinjens krokningsgrad; - an organ styrda (28) av nåmnda kontur1 injeavkånnare (80) for framsstå11 Ning av nåmnda digital kontur 1 injefi 1 (140); - that the system (28; 78, 90; 114, 126) is equipped with a computer and a computer (78, 114) programmed to provide a digital circuit 1 (140) for framing the digital scanner (CN1) and the digital crossover (CN2) och en digital siipfi 1 (CN3); - a slip hood (111, 114) and a slip mask (6) on a motor-side clutch (110) and a drive motor (MG1, MG2) for a slip hose, which can be a styrofoam system (28, 114, 126) with a hose. the digital slip file (CN3) is styrofoam-free (111, 112), the slip data being the same as the slip-on slider of the digital gate file or the digital slip file (CN3); och - en till skårmaskinen (2) is able to separate the driveline (Mx, My) for the image and the gaseous contour of the gaseous rocker, variably according to the styrene system (28, 78, 90) in which the digital filament (CN1) styrene drive (M1) and enlarge with the digital file (CN1).