KR20130120699A - Automatic aligning welding system for three piece tailor welded blank - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic aligning and welding system for three piece tailor welded blank. The automatic aligning and welding system according to the present invention comprises: a main frame which has guiderails; a vacuum table which has multiple through holes connected to a vacuum device and moves along the guiderails to automatically align the tailor welded blanks; an aligning pin which is installed on the vacuum table and vertically moves between a first position where is exposed from the surface of the vacuum table to the outside to support the blanks and a second position where is under the surface of the vacuum table; a first pusher which is installed on one end of the vacuum table and pushes the blank arranged on one side in the direction of the aligning pin; an aligning pusher which is installed on the vacuum table and aligns the blank arranged on the center by pushing the blank in the direction of the aligning pin; a second pusher which is installed on the other end of the vacuum table and pushes the blank arranged on the other side in the direction of the aligning pusher; a robot arm in which a laser oscillator and a laser welding head connected to the laser oscillator are installed; and a laser welding device which welds the blanks supplied to a welding portion.

Description

Automatic aligning welding system for three piece tailor welded blank}

The present invention relates to a tailored welded blank welding system, and more particularly, to a tailored welded blank welding system having a vacuum table capable of supporting and automatically aligning three blanks.

Tailor welded blank (TWB) refers to a press-formed plate made of a welded metal plate of different thicknesses or materials.

By applying the TWB, it is possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle body without deteriorating the vehicle body structure. In addition, there is an advantage that the metal plate of the appropriate material can be used for each part according to the characteristics required for each position.

Therefore, in recent years, research and development on the method of using TWB in the production of structures such as automobile body panels of automobiles are actively underway.

Since parts of automobiles are mostly symmetrical, a welding system that can weld a center blank and both blanks at once is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tailor-welded blank welding system having a vacuum table capable of automatically aligning three blanks.

According to the present invention, a three-sheet automatic alignment tailored blank welding system according to the present invention has a main frame having a guide rail, and a plurality of through holes connected to a vacuum device, and a vacuum pressure at the through holes. A vacuum table which is fixed by the blanks, which is positioned at the rear end of the loading part and the loading part where the blanks are loaded, and moves along the guide rail along the guide rail, and is installed on the vacuum table, the surface of the vacuum table An alignment pin disposed up and down between a first position exposed upwardly and supporting a blank and a second position below the surface of the vacuum table, and a blank disposed at one end of the vacuum table and disposed on one side in the direction of the alignment pin A first pusher for pushing and aligning a surface of the vacuum table, the surface of the vacuum table An alignment pusher for moving the first and second positions below the surface of the vacuum table to expose the blanks, and aligning the blank disposed at the center in the direction of the first alignment pin; A second pusher installed at the other end and configured to push and align a blank disposed on the other side in the direction of the alignment pusher, and a robot arm provided with a laser oscillator and a laser welding head connected to the laser oscillator, It may include a laser welding device for welding the blanks.

The three-sheet automatic alignment tailor welded blank welding system according to the present invention can weld the three blanks at a time to make a tailored welded blank, and thus, there is an advantage in that the symmetrical parts such as automobile parts can be easily manufactured. In addition, since three blanks are welded at once, the welding time is shortened and the productivity is improved.

In addition, since the vacuum table is used, there is an advantage that the structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is reduced as compared with the conventional method using an electromagnet.

The above-described three-sheet automatic alignment tailored blank welding system may further include a clamp installed on the welding unit and clamping the blanks fixed on the vacuum table.

The clamp has a pressing portion in contact with the blank, and the pressing portion is preferably made of copper. This is to prevent adhesion of welding spatters generated during laser welding.

The above-described three-sheet automatic alignment tailor welded blank welding system may further include an unloader installed at the front end of the loading unit and absorbing the finished weld welded blank to be taken out of the vacuum table.

Preferably, the vacuum table is made of copper at a part supporting an end at which the welding of blanks is made.

In addition, the above-described three-sheet automatic alignment tailored blank welding system is preferably installed on the main frame, it is preferable to further include a locking device for fixing the vacuum table when the vacuum table is located in the welding portion.

The three-sheet automatic alignment tailor welded blank welding system according to the present invention can weld the three blanks at a time to make a tailored welded blank, and thus, there is an advantage in that the symmetrical parts such as automobile parts can be easily manufactured. In addition, since three blanks are welded at once, the welding time is shortened and the productivity is improved.

In addition, since the vacuum table is used, there is an advantage that the structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is reduced as compared with the conventional method using an electromagnet.

1 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment of a three-sheet automatic alignment tailor welded blank welding system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the three-sheet auto-aligned tailored blank welding system shown in FIG. 1.
3 is a plan view of the vacuum table shown in FIG. 1.
4 is a side view of the vacuum table shown in FIG. 3.
5 is a plan view of the welded part shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the welded part shown in FIG. 5.
7 is a plan view and a side view of the locking device shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The following embodiments are provided by way of example so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but may be embodied in other forms. And in the drawings, the width, length, thickness, etc. of the components may be exaggerated for convenience. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

1 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment of a three-sheet auto-aligned tailored blank welding system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the three-sheet auto-aligned tailored blank welding system shown in FIG. 1. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the three-sheet automatic alignment Taylor welded blank welding system according to the present invention is a vacuum table 20, the unloader 40 for moving the loading unit 1 and the welding unit (2) ) And a laser welding device 50.

The loading part 1 is a position where two pairs of three blanks B1 to B6 are loaded on the vacuum table 20, and the welding part 2 is aligned with three blanks loaded on the vacuum table 20 and welded. Is the location.

The vacuum table 20 serves to supply the three blanks loaded from the loading part 1 to the welding part 2 and to fix the three blanks primarily by vacuum pressure. The vacuum table 20 linearly moves between the loading part 1 and the welding part 2 along the guide rail 11 of the main frame 10 forming the lower part of the welding system.

Unloader 40 serves to take out the blank is completed welding. The unloader 40 is located at the front end of the loading unit 1. The unloader 40 extracts the Taylor welded blank from which welding is completed, from the vacuum table 20, and loads it to the blank loading part.

The unloader 40 moves between the blank loading part and the loading part 1 along the unloader guide rail 12 installed in the main frame 10.

The unloader 40 is provided with two pairs of adsorption parts 41 and 42 capable of adsorbing the tailored blank and a lifting device 43 capable of moving the adsorption parts 41 and 42 up and down.

The laser welding device 50 serves to weld three blanks supplied to the welding part 2 into one tailored welded blank. The laser welding device 50 is installed at the rear end of the welding unit 2. The laser welding device 50 includes a laser oscillator (not shown) for generating a laser, a laser welding head 51 connected to the laser oscillator, and a robot arm 52 for moving the laser welding head 51 along a welding line. .

3 is a plan view of the vacuum table shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the vacuum table shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of vacuum tables 20 may be installed. Each vacuum table 20a, 20b may vary in shape depending on the shape of the blank being loaded, but the basic structure is the same. In the drawing, the left vacuum table 20a may load a blank having a rectangular shape, and in the drawing, the right vacuum table 20b may load a blank that is slightly curved along the length direction. Since the two vacuum tables 20a and 20b have some differences in form but have the same basic structure, the two vacuum tables 20a and 20b will be described based on the left vacuum table 20a, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of through holes 21a are formed in the vacuum table 20a. The through hole 21a is connected to a vacuum device (not shown). The blanks B1, B2, B3 arranged on the vacuum table 20a are fixed in close contact with the surface of the vacuum table 20a by the vacuum pressure in the through hole 21a.

The vacuum table 20a is provided with a plurality of guides 22a and 23a for easily aligning the blanks B1, B2 and B3. Some guides 23a are provided to adjust the position according to the size of the blank disposed on the vacuum table 20a.

The vacuum table 20a is mostly made of stainless steel, and the portion supporting the end where welding of the blanks takes place is made of a copper bar 24a. The copper bar 24a is screwed into the vacuum table 20a so that it can be replaced.

The copper bar 24a is used to prevent the welding spatter generated during laser welding from adhering to the vacuum table 20a. If a welding spark is attached to the vacuum table 20a, it may cause damage to the blanks which are subsequently loaded into the vacuum table 20a. Since the welding spark is not easily attached to the copper, the end portion of the blank where welding takes place is supported by the copper bar 24a.

The alignment table 25a, the alignment pusher 26a, the first pusher 27a, and the first table for aligning the three blanks B1, B2, and B3 disposed on the vacuum table 20a on the vacuum table 20a. Two pushers 28a are installed.

The alignment pin 25a is positioned between the blank B1 disposed in the center and the blank B2 disposed on the right side (below in the drawing). The alignment pin 25a moves up and down between a first position exposed on the surface of the vacuum table 20a and a second position below the surface of the vacuum table 20a. The alignment pin 25a moves up and down by the pneumatic cylinder 251a (refer FIG. 4) provided under the vacuum table 20a.

The alignment pusher 26a is positioned between the blank B1 disposed in the center and the blank B3 disposed on the left side (above in the drawing). The alignment pusher 26a moves up and down similarly to the alignment pin 25a. In addition, the alignment pusher 26a moves left and right to push the blank B1 disposed in the center in the direction of the alignment pin 25a.

The alignment pusher 26a is moved left and right by a plate 261a connected to the alignment pusher 26a and a cylinder 262a installed under the vacuum table 20a to push the plate 261a from side to side. Further, it moves up and down by another cylinder 263a (see FIG. 4) installed under the vacuum table 20a to move the alignment pusher 26a and the plate 261a and the entire cylinder 262a up and down. do.

The first pusher 27a is disposed at the right end of the vacuum table 20a and serves to push the blank B2 disposed on the right side of the vacuum table 20a in the direction of the alignment pin 25a.

The second pusher 28a is disposed at the left end of the vacuum table 20a and serves to push the blank B3 arranged on the left side of the vacuum table 20a in the direction of the alignment pusher 26a.

The first pusher 27a and the second pusher 28a are moved left and right by pneumatic cylinders (not shown) which are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the vacuum table 20a.

In addition, pressure sensors 29a are installed on the surface of the vacuum table 20 to check whether a blank is loaded.

Referring to FIG. 4, rollers 31 are installed below the vacuum table 20 so that the vacuum table 20 can be easily moved along the guide rail 11 of the main frame 10.

5 is a plan view of the welded portion shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the welded portion shown in FIG. 5.

The welding part 2 is provided with a plurality of clamps 60. The plurality of clamps 60 are arranged in the vacuum table 20 so as to securely press the blanks fixed by the vacuum pressure from above. The clamps 60 are arranged in a row on both sides of the two welding lines, to prevent the welding portion to move during the welding process.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the clamp 60 includes a fixing portion 63 engaged with the cylinder 61 and the cylinder shaft 62. The fixing portion 63 includes a pressing portion 64 made of copper in contact with the upper surface of the blank. This is to prevent the welding spatter generated during the laser welding from being attached to the clamp 60.

When the cylinder 61 of the clamp 60 pushes the fixing portion 63 in the blank direction (downward direction), the pressing portion 64 presses the blank while the fixing portion 63 rotates. When the cylinder 61 pulls the fixing portion 63, the pressing portion 64 falls from the blank while the fixing portion 63 rotates in the opposite direction.

7 is a plan view and a side view of the locking device shown in FIG. (A) of FIG. 7 shows the state which the vacuum table 20 was isolate | separated, (b) shows the state fixed by the locking device.

The locking device 70 serves to fix the vacuum table 20 so that the vacuum table 20 moved to the welding part 2 does not move during the welding process.

Referring to FIG. 7, the locking device 70 includes a frame 71 for the locking device fixed to the main frame 10 and elastic means 72, a cylinder 73, and a support part 77 installed on the frame 71. And a fixed portion 76.

Elastic means 72 is installed on the upper portion of the frame (71). The elastic means 72 has an elastic force in a direction away from the frame 71 when the vertical surface 34 of the end of the vacuum table 20 is in contact with the elastic means 72. To provide.

The cylinder 73 is installed below the frame 71. A fixed portion 76 is rotatably coupled to the end of the cylinder shaft 74. The connection portion 75 rotatably coupled to the lower portion of the frame 71 is coupled to the central portion of the fixing portion 76.

When the cylinder shaft 74 pushes the fixing part 76, the fixing part 76 rotates in a clockwise direction and pushes the vertical surface 33 extending downward from the end of the vacuum table 20 in the direction of the supporting part 77 to the vacuum table. Secure (20).

The support portion 77 is inserted into the recess 32 coupled to the end of the vacuum table as a protrusion coupled below the center of the frame 71.

Hereinafter, the operation of one embodiment of the three-sheet automatic alignment tailor welded blank welding system according to the present invention will be described in detail.

The vacuum table 20 is placed in the loading section 1.

Next, the alignment pin 25 and the alignment pusher 26 are positioned at the first position exposed on the vacuum table 20, and then three blanks are loaded on the vacuum table 20. The alignment pin 25 and the alignment pusher 26 are positioned between the blanks.

Next, the vacuum table 20 is moved to the welding part 2. The vacuum table 20 moved to the welding part 2 is fixed by the locking device 70.

Next, by using the first pusher 27, the right blank B2 is pushed in the direction of the alignment pin 25 so that the right blank B2 is in close contact with the alignment pin 25, and then the vacuum apparatus is operated to the right. Fix the blank B2.

Next, the clamp 60 disposed on the right blank B2 is operated so that the upper surface of the right blank B2 is pressed and fixed by the clamp 60.

Next, the alignment pin 25 is moved to the second position below the vacuum table 20.

Next, using the alignment pusher 26, the center blank B1 is brought into close contact with the right blank B2, and the vacuum apparatus is operated to fix the center blank B1.

Next, the clamp 60 positioned on the right end of the center blank B1 is operated to fix the center blank B1.

Next, using the laser welding device 50, the center blank B1 and the right blank B2 are welded together to make them integral.

Next, using the second pusher 28, the left blank B3 is pushed in the direction of the alignment pusher 26 so that the left blank B3 is brought into close contact with the alignment pusher 26, and then the vacuum apparatus is operated to the left side. Secure the blank (B3).

Next, the clamp 60 disposed on the left blank B3 is operated to press and fix the upper surface of the left blank B3 with the clamp 60.

Next, the alignment pusher 26 is moved to the second position below the vacuum table 20.

Next, by using the first pusher 27, the welded center blank B1 and the right blank B2 are brought into close contact with the left blank B3, and the vacuum apparatus is operated to operate the welded center blank B1 and the right side. The blank B2 is fixed.

Next, the clamp 60 positioned on the left end of the center blank B1 is operated to fix the center blank B1.

Next, using the laser welding device 50, the center blank B1 and the left blank B3 are welded to form an integral tailored blank.

Next, the vacuum table 20 is returned to the loading unit 1.

Next, after moving the unloader 40 to the loading unit 1, the lifting device 43 is lowered, and the adsorption unit 41, 42 is used to adsorb the Taylor welded blank and then the lifting device 43 is raised. After returning, the unloader 40 is returned to the blank stacking portion and the Taylor welded blank is loaded.

While the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, it is usually in the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

For example, a device for aligning and fixing a blank such as a vacuum table, an unloader, and a clamp is installed only at the left side of the laser welding device. However, a pair of devices are arranged to be symmetric with respect to the laser welding device. You can also install.

In this case, while the blank is loaded in one device, welding can be performed in the other device, thereby increasing work efficiency.

10: main frame 11: guide rail
12: unloader guide rail 20: vacuum table
21: through hole 22, 23: guide
24: copper bar 25: alignment pin
26: alignment pusher 27: first pusher
28: second pusher 29: pressure sensor
31: roller 40: unloader
41, 42: adsorption part 43: lifting device
50: laser welding device 51: laser welding head
52: robot arm 60: clamp
61: cylinder 62: cylinder axis
63: fixing part 64: pressurizing part
70: locking device

Claims (6)

A main frame having a guide rail,
A plurality of through holes connected to the vacuum device are formed, and the blanks are fixed by the vacuum pressure in the through holes. So with the moving vacuum table,
An alignment pin installed on the vacuum table and vertically moving between a first position exposed on the surface of the vacuum table to support the blanks and a second position below the surface of the vacuum table;
A first pusher installed at one end of the vacuum table and configured to push and align a blank disposed on one side in the alignment pin direction;
Installed on the vacuum table, and moved between a first position exposed on the surface of the vacuum table to support the blanks and a second position below the surface of the vacuum table, and the center of the blank placed in the direction of the first alignment pin. Pusher to align and push,
A second pusher installed at the other end of the vacuum table, for pushing and aligning the blank disposed on the other side in the alignment pusher direction;
And a robot arm provided with a laser oscillator and a laser welding head connected to the laser oscillator, the laser arm including a laser welding device for welding the blanks supplied to the welding part. The method of claim 1,
And a clamp installed on the welding part, the clamp further clamping the blanks fixed on the vacuum table. 3. The method of claim 2,
The clamp has a pressing portion in contact with the blank, wherein the pressing portion is a three piece automatic alignment tailored blank welding system made of copper. The method of claim 1,
And an unloader which is installed at a front end of the loading unit and absorbs the welded blank that has been welded and is taken out of the vacuum table. The method of claim 1,
The vacuum table is a three-piece automatic alignment tailor welded blank welding system made of copper is a portion supporting the end of the welding of the blanks. The method of claim 1,
And a locking device installed on the main frame and configured to fix the vacuum table when the vacuum table is located in the welding part.

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