WO2002051582A1

WO2002051582A1 - Installation for machining workpieces

Info

Publication number: WO2002051582A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/014814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Detlev Luthe; Heinz-Georg Niemann; Albert Hiller
Original assignee: Huf Tools Gmbh
Priority date: 2000-12-22
Filing date: 2001-12-14
Publication date: 2002-07-04
Also published as: WO2002051582B1; EP1343610A1; DE10064523A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation in which workpieces are conveyed on a conveyor belt (10) to different stations by means of a workpiece carrier. Working means for machining the workpiece shall be operational at these stations. To this end, the conveyor belt (10) comprises stoppers, which serve to stop the transported workpiece carriers for a defined period of time at the station for as long as the operation of the working means is required. Fixing means are also provided, which ensure an orientation of the workpiece with regard to the working means at each station. In order to create a universal installation that can be easily adapted to the respective conditions, the conveyor belt (10) is provided so that it is continuous, and the stations (10.1 to 10.10) are to be defined by standard frames (20), which are freely positioned underneath the conveyor belt. These standard frames (20) each comprise, in the top area, the fixing means and, on the side, coupling means (31) for counter-coupling means of a working frame. The working frame is combined with the working means, which are specific to the respective station (10.1 to 10.10), to form an independent machining unit. After coupling the working frame to the standard frame (20), the working means of the machining unit are located above the continuous conveyor belt.

Description

Plant for processing workpieces

The invention is directed to one of the types specified in the preamble of claim 1. “Processing” is not only to be understood as the course of a manufacturing stage of the workpiece, such as an assembly of the workpiece, but also captures the control and inspection processes that take place in a specific ner driving stage There are workpiece carriers on the conveyor track, with which the workpieces on which such machining is to be carried out are carried between at least two stations. Processing units are to be arranged on the conveyor track, which provide a tool for the defined machining of the workpiece at the desired stations Because the conveyor track continues to run, stoppers are provided in the area of each station, which stops the transported workpiece carrier for a defined process duration of its processing at the respective station. In addition, fixing agents are arranged at the stations at the factory Align the piece carrier and the workpiece inside it precisely with the work equipment. With this system, at least one group of machining steps can be carried out during the production of a workpiece between the blank and the finished product.

In the known system of this type (US Pat. No. 5,182,850), processing units are assigned to the continuous conveyor track exhibited, which are used as work equipment Robots and at the same time have the fixing means for the workpieces moving on the conveyor track. The station on the continuous conveyor track is created by arranging this processing unit at a specific point. The robots allow the assembly of workpieces from different components and are selected and positioned accordingly. Because the fixation means are firmly connected to the processing units, when the work means are changed, the fixation means must also be mounted in the area of the conveyor track, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. An exchange of the robots sitting on the processing units by manually operated processing units is not readily possible.

In systems of a different type, it is known (DE 197 29 369 A1) that depending on the required machining of a desired workpiece, complete modules for each operation are prepared, kept ready and stored in order to be able to assemble a wide variety of systems from them. Each module consists of an inseparable unit, its own conveyor track section and work equipment integrated with it. The components required to set up the system are connected to one another with their conveyor track sections. Each of these sections requires its own drive, which is complex. A change of work equipment requires the replacement of an entire component, because the change of work equipment would require the associated conveyor track section to be disassembled. Because a large number of different building blocks are required for the construction of the plants, such plants are expensive and difficult to adapt to the respective needs.

These disadvantages also apply to systems (DE 39 11 861 A 1) in which fixed work equipment, namely robots, are integrated at a specific point in a conveyor track section. An exchange of the work equipment is neither provided nor possible in an economical manner.

There are systems of another type (DE 36 25 787 C 2), in which the conveyor track is partially integrated into table frames, the table top of which is provided with detents. Depending on the needs, the various types of grid images are displayed Individual parts, the work equipment, fixative, stopper and the like. attached. Here the system is practically assembled from individual parts. This is more time-consuming than using prepared modules to set up a system. Separate drive means are required in each conveyor track section, which is complex.

The invention has for its object to develop a reliable, universal system of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, which can be easily and quickly converted to different processing of different workpieces. This is achieved according to the invention by the measures specified in claim 1, which have the following special meaning.

The continuous conveyor track is independent and is driven as a whole. In those places where stations are to be created, a standard frame is freely positioned below this continuous conveyor track. Each standard frame has the fixative for the workpieces in its head area and also has coupling means. The standard frames, together with the conveyor track, form an initially neutral, seamless standard conveyor system. This standard conveyor system permanently determines the location of the stations, but the work equipment can be changed. The standard frames are assigned a variety of different processing units, which consist of work frames with different work tools. These tools can be operated manually and / or automatically. The work frames have mating coupling means in a uniform arrangement pattern corresponding to the coupling means of the standard frames. The stations are created by selecting the processing unit that has the desired work equipment. The work frame of this selected processing unit is coupled to the associated standard frame. Only then will the desired system be created from the initially neutral standard conveyor system.

Such coupling or uncoupling of the processing units from the standard frames integrated in the standard conveyor system can, as proposed in claim 2, take place horizontally or, according to claim 3, vertically. The latter is especially for Interesting processing units that are equipped with different manually operated tools.

In this way, it is possible to quickly manufacture, change or replace any desired system by replacing a processing unit in the event of a defect. Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the following description and the drawings. The invention is shown in two exemplary embodiments in the drawings. Show it:

1, schematically, the top view of the finished continuous conveyor belt according to the invention, before your individualization to a system,

Fig. 2, in a plan view corresponding to FIG. 1, a first

Embodiment of the standard conveyor system created from this conveyor track after the standard frames have been positioned at the desired locations on the conveyor track,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of that shown in Fig. 2

Standard conveyor system on a larger scale compared to FIG. 2, the workpiece carrier transported on the conveyor track in use also being shown with a workpiece accommodated therein,

Fig. 4 is a view of the portion of the standard shown in Fig. 3

Conveying system, in section along the section line IV - IV of Fig. 2,

FIG. 5, in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, shows the complete system according to the invention, individualized for a specific application, which can be seen by supplementing the one shown in FIG. 2 Standard conveyor system using different types

Processing units at the different stations,

Fig. 6, a plan view of the section of the Invention already explained in connection with FIG. 3

Standard conveyor system with an initially uncoupled processing unit,

Fig. 7, in analogy to Fig. 4, the views of that shown in Fig. 6

Part of the standard conveyor system and the associated processing unit in front of their coupling, which is carried out horizontally,

8 + 9, in a representation corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 7, the coupled state of these two components of the system according to the invention,

10 + 1 1, in analogy to FIGS. 8 and 9, the enlarged top view or view of another section of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 5, namely at the point marked X where the coupled machining unit consists of a linear handling consists,

12 + 13, in analogy to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternative embodiment of this area of the system according to the invention,

14 + 15, corresponding to FIGS. 10 and 11, the enlarged top view and view of the section of the system according to the invention marked XIV in FIG. 5, where the processing unit consists of a Scara robot and an auxiliary unit connected to it. 16 + 17, in representations analogous to FIGS. 14 and 15, a modified embodiment of a processing unit designed as a Scara robot, which is arranged in the area marked XVI in the system according to the invention from FIG. 5,

18 + 19, in analogy to FIGS. 3 and 4, the top view or view of a preliminary stage for the production of a standard frame, which is an integral part of the invention

Standard conveyor system is

20 and 21 the standard frame already shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 after its assembly,

22 + 23 the top view or view of a work stand, which can be perfected by a corresponding selection of a certain work equipment to a processing unit, as e.g. 10 and 11 or in FIGS. 16 and 17,

24, in a decoupling position corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 7, the perspective illustration of a section of an alternative standard conveyor system according to the invention, which is produced from the conveyor track of FIG. 1 with a second exemplary embodiment of standard frames,

25 + 26 show some details of the coupling means acting vertically here between the standard frame on the one hand and the processing unit on the other, namely in perspective in FIG. 25 and in longitudinal section in FIG. 26 and

Fig. 27 shows the portion of the second shown in Fig. 24

Embodiment of the standard conveyor system according to the invention after the coupling has been completed. An essential part of the system according to the invention is a continuous conveyor track 10, which best results from the top view of FIG. 1. In the present case, this consists of two conveyor belts 11, which are guided around a section of a profile 12, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Instead of such pairs of conveyor belts, any other belt conveyor known per se could be used. In the present case, the conveyor track 10 is designed as an endless, ring-shaped circle. Alternatively, the conveyor track could also be linear with a defined start and end.

The conveyor track 10 can consist of several sections, but forms a continuous conveyor track which is driven as a whole. The conveyor track 10 of Fig. 1 stands independently on a frame, not shown. The conveyor track 10 serves, as can best be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, to transport a workpiece 13. However, this is done indirectly via a workpiece carrier 14 running on the conveyor belts 11, which is adapted to the conveyor track 10 used, and one this support 14 seat 15, which is designed according to the workpiece 13 to be transported. The workpiece 13 and the workpiece carrier 14 form a jointly movable structural unit on the conveyor track 10. The attachment 15 has a receptacle 16 for the workpiece 13. As a result, the workpiece 13 assumes a constantly defined position relative to the tool carrier 14.

The movement of the workpiece 13 results from the running of the conveyor track 10 in the sense of the transport arrow 17 indicated in FIG. 1. The workpiece 13 is to be machined at certain points marked 10.1 to 10.10 in FIG. 2. It is initially unclear what type of processing should be carried out at these points. This is done by placing standard frames, the basic structure of which can be seen in a first exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 18 to 21, at each of these points 10.1 to 10.10. As can only be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, these standard frames have fixing means 23 in their head region 21, which can be of any design. 3 and 4 show the location 10.4 of the path 10 of FIG. 2. In coordination with these fixing means 23, stoppers 24 are also provided, which are expediently fixed to the above-mentioned profiles 12 of the conveyor path 10 in this area. The stoppers 24 have the task, as best shown in FIG. 3 emerges to hold the workpiece carrier 14 at this point 10.4. For this purpose, the stopper 24, shown here as a longitudinally displaceable plunger, is transferred in FIG. 4, where it interacts with the edge of a plate belonging to the workpiece carrier 14.

The stopper 24 is positioned such that in the active position the fixing means 23 is exactly aligned with a fixing point 18 on the tool carrier which can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The fixing means 23 consists of a longitudinally displaceable pin which, in an effective position, moves into the fixing point 18, which is designed here as a receptacle, in the carrier 14 and holds the workpiece 14 in a defined position. The stopper 24 and the fixing means 23 are set to be effective and ineffective in coordination with one another. Each of these points 10.1 to 10.10 is, as I said, characterized by the arrangement of a standard frame 20 below the conveyor track 10 and, due to the aforementioned effectiveness of the stoppers 24 and fixing means 23, each proves to be a “station”, where this is indicated in the direction of arrow 17 of FIG Fig. 1 transported workpiece 13 is held in an exact position on the conveyor track 10 for a defined time.

The standard frame 20 can be designed in any way. In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the standard frame 20 has the shape shown in FIGS. 18 to 21 already mentioned. The frame 20 comprises a foot frame 25 on which sits a pair of vertical columns 26 which are stabilized against one another by connectors 27. For this purpose there is a frame supplement 28 composed of corresponding columns and connectors, which is shown separately in FIGS. 18 and 19 but shown in the assembled state in FIGS. 20 and 21. It is important that a base plate 29 is seated in this frame 20, which can be transferred to various alternative height positions, which are designated 29 'or 29 "in FIGS. 19 and 21. This base plate 29 carries the aforementioned fixing means 23 Their optional height position in the given frame 20 depends on the type of the fixing means 23 on the one hand and the workpiece 13 or the workpiece carrier 14 and its attachment 15. On the other hand, control means for the fixing means 23 are shown in the foot region 22 of such a standard frame 20. It is significant that this standard frame 20 on its two opposite sides Has coupling means 31 which cooperate with counter-coupling means 32 to be described in more detail.

The conveyor track 10 equipped with such standard frames 20 at the stations 10.1 to 10.10 forms a standard conveyor system 10 'shown in FIG. 2. As already mentioned, this system can be equipped with any work equipment at stations 10.1 to 10.10. These tools are part of a particular processing unit according to the invention 30.1 to 30, which in principle has the following basically identical structure.

Each processing unit initially comprises a work frame, of which a first exemplary embodiment, identified by 40, can be seen from FIGS. 22 and 23. The work frame 40 has a table shape. Under the table top 43 there are two shelves 41, 42 which can be transferred laterally from the work frame 40 into the extension positions 41 ', 42' marked by the dash and colon in FIG. 23. These shelves 41, 42 carry process units 44 which belong to the work equipment which are added to the work frame 40. 22, the uppermost process unit 44 can be recognized by the extended first floor 41 '. The work frame 40 is provided with the counter-coupling means 32 already mentioned, which allow a defined coupling position of the work frame 40 with one of the selected standard frames 20. How this is done can best be seen from FIGS. 6 to 9.

6 and 7 show the conditions explained at the first station 10.1 of the standard conveyor system 10 'of FIG. 2 when this system 10' has been added to a system shown in FIG. 5 for the purpose of machining a specific workpiece. 6 and 7, as already mentioned, the decoupling position of the standard frame 20 at this station 10.1 is shown in relation to a specific processing unit 30.1 assigned to it in this case. The station 10.1, as has already been emphasized, has the same appearance as the fourth station 10.4 already described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The coupling and counter-coupling means 31, 32 between the standard frame 20 and the work frame 40 act horizontally and are still disengaged in FIGS. 6 and 7. This work frame 40 is with a Provide hand lever press 33.1, which is located in a defined position on a boom 34 at a certain lateral and elongated distance 36, 3.7. The extension arm 34 is part of an attachment 35 mounted on the work frame 40. Thus, by means of this first working means 33.1, a first machining unit 30.1 is created on the work frame 40, which is neutral per se, which allows certain machining work to be carried out.

8 and 9 show the installation case of this first processing unit 30.1 with the standard frame 20 of the first station 10.1. The above-mentioned coupling means 3 1 and counter-coupling means 32 are engaged by horizontally intermeshing. 6 and 7, the horizontal course of the coupling of the coupling and counter-coupling means 31, 32 is illustrated by a horizontal arrow 58. Due to the defined distances 36, 37 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the working means 33.1 in FIGS. 8 and 9 assume a position that is exactly aligned with the location on the workpiece 13 of this station 10.1 to be machined, that in FIG. 9 with the vertical position line 38.1 is made clear. In this way, the standard conveyor system 10 'according to the invention at the station 10.1 is provided with the correct working means 33.1 in the exact position 38.1. In this way, the above-mentioned section of the individual system 10 "shown in FIG. 5 has become the standard conveyor system 10 'of FIG. 2. The operator 19 can operate the hand lever press 33.1 provided in this case. The attachment 35 of the work frame 40 can Carriers 39 for the necessary work accessories 45, for example rivet parts, are provided, and in the coupling case according to FIGS.

As has already been mentioned in the names of the figures, FIGS. 10 and 11 show the area of the individual system 10 ″ from FIG. 5 marked with X. Here are station 10.5 of the standard conveyor system 10 shown in FIG. 2 which is neutral per se 'Two work frames 40 are horizontally coupled to opposite sides of the standard frame 20. The work frame pair 40 forms a complex processing unit 30.5. The working means 33.5 here is a linear handling system with two columns 46, a running rail 47 connecting them and two running thereon an x- and y-axis movable tools 48, 48 ' Carriage can be moved on the rail 47, which in turn can be moved in height along the columns 46. The linear handling 33.5 allows the workpiece moving on the standard conveyor system 10 'to be lifted off the conveyor track and, alternatively or successively, transferred to the two processing points marked 38.5 on the one hand and 38.5' on the other on the two work frames 40. The active tool 48 places the workpiece 13 on the conveyor track 10 of the system 10 ″, from where it arrives at the next station, after completion of the machining at the points 38.5 and 38.5 ′, respectively. The process units are shown in FIG 44 to recognize both work frames 40 in the extended position of the rack bases 41, 42 described.

12 and 13 show a modified embodiment of the relationships shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to designate the corresponding components, which is why the previous description applies to this extent. It is only sufficient to deal with the differences. These essentially consist in the fact that only one work rack 40 is used here to be connected to a specific standard rack 20 of the desired station in the standard conveyor system 10 '. Here, too, the processing unit comprises a linear handling, which only has a running rail 47 with the relevant tool 48 carried over a column 46.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the conditions which result in the plant of FIG. 5 at the point marked XIV. This is about the machining operations of the workpiece 13 to be carried out at station 10.9 of FIG. 2. The machining unit 30.9 connected here to the standard frame 20 consists of a so-called Scara robot, which uses its tool to make 49 movements within the Boundary lines 51 in FIG. 14 enclosed working field. This work area 51 comprises a robot column 52 in a ring shape, which starts from the coupled work frame 40.

An auxiliary frame 50 is arranged in the longitudinal offset to the work frame 40 of this processing unit 33.9. In the present case, this auxiliary frame 50 consists of an object that matches the neighboring work frame 40 in turn can be fixed in position on the work frame 40 by coupling and counter-coupling means 31, 32. These coupling and counter-coupling means 31, 32 are those between the standard frame 20 and that on the narrow side of the

Work rack 40 analog. The auxiliary frame 50 is located, as the overlap of the

Working area 51 illustrated in FIG. 14, in the working area of tool 49. As has already been explained in the previous exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, two alternative processing points 38.9 and 38.9 'are provided. One processing point 38.9 is located on the table top of the work frame 40, while the other 38.9 'is positioned on the auxiliary frame 50. The process units 44 for the

Working means 33.9 and its tool 49 can, as shown in FIG. 14, on both

Racks 40, 50 can be integrated.

16 and 17 illustrate, as has already been stated in the description of the figures, the area of the system of FIG. 5 identified by XVI. In this case too, it is a Scara robot 33.2 which carries out the processing at station 10.2 of FIG 2, when it comes to machining the workpiece 13 to be treated on the installation 10 "of FIG. 5. Because of the analog working means, here are the ones already in FIGS. 14 and 15 The difference is essentially that the processing unit 30.2 lacks an auxiliary frame ^" and therefore the tool 53 there only needs to cover a smaller working area 51. There is only one processing point 38.2 at a defined location on the table top 43 of the work frame 40, where components are removed by the robot 33 and mounted on the workpiece 13. This can be seen from Fig. 17.

5 shows, a central computer 54 can be assigned to the system 10 ". This ensures data exchange between the various control means and process units 44. The individual movement and processing of the workpieces 13 in the system 10" can be easily changed and check.

As already mentioned, FIGS. 24 to 27 show an alternative embodiment of the standard conveyor system 10 ′ generated from the conveyor track 10 of FIG. 1 on the basis of a section 55 of the individual system created therefrom. 27 the When the assembled state is clearly illustrated, the structure which differs from the first exemplary embodiment can best be seen from this section 55 from FIG. 24. The same reference numerals as in the first exemplary embodiment are used to designate matching components. It is only sufficient to deal with the differences. In all other respects, the previous description applies.

24 shows a section of the conveyor track 10 already shown in FIG. 1, on which a workpiece carrier 14 is transported. A station is to be created at the point marked 10.11, which is why, as in the first exemplary embodiment, a standard frame 60 is positioned here, which has a lateral frame widening 56. This standard frame 60 also has in the head region the fixing means already described in connection with the first exemplary embodiment, which act on the workpiece carrier 14 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 24 and are therefore covered by it. The frame widening 56 protrudes laterally out of the conveyor track 10 and forms a base frame for a processing unit 30.11 specially designed here. In this second exemplary embodiment, too, the standard frame 60 placed under the conveyor track 10 thus forms a section of a standard conveyor system 10 ′ which is neutral per se, namely at a station 10.1 1.

A specific processing unit 30.1 1 has been selected from a large number of different processing units and is to be effective at station 10.1 1. In this exemplary embodiment, instead of the work tables 40 of the first exemplary embodiment equipped with feet, the processing units have only low attachments 63 which are coupled with the frame widening 56 mentioned. The attachments 63 are the “upper gesture” for the frame widening 56 that functions as “underframe”. However, this coupling does not take place horizontally, as in the first exemplary embodiment, but vertically, as can be seen from the movement arrows 57 in the details of FIGS. 25 and 26 is. Coupling and counter-coupling means 61, 62, the structure of which can best be seen from FIG. 26, serve this purpose.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 26, the coupling means 61 consists of an upstanding pin with a conical profile. The counter coupling means 62 is in Support feet 64 integrated from attachment 63 and in the present case simply consists of a hollow profile of these support feet 64. This hollow profile is of course adapted to the dimensions of the pins of the coupling means 61. In the vertical coupling 57, because of the conicity mentioned, the attachment 63 of the processing unit 30.11 is self-centered with respect to the frame widening 56 and thus with respect to the location of the fixing means for the workpiece carriers 14 transported on the conveyor track 10 in the standard frame 60.

FIG. 27 shows, but only in the area of the station 10.11, the finished coupling state between the processing unit 30.11 on the standard conveyor system 10 ′ explained in FIG. 24. 27, analogously to FIG. 5, shows a section of the system 10 "individualized in this way in the area of this station 10.11. In the present case, the working means 33.11 provided on the processing unit 30.11 consists of a linear handling, which in FIG 12 and 13. The working means 33.11 is aligned in the coupling case with the workpiece which is positioned on the workpiece carrier 14 already mentioned several times at a defined point on the conveyor track 10 by means of fixing means which cannot be identified in more detail.

In this second exemplary embodiment too, the standard frame 60 can be provided with shelves 59 which, as in the first exemplary embodiment, can accommodate process units. In the exemplary embodiment shown, these shelves 59 are arranged in the area of the frame widenings 56.

B e z u g s z e i c h e n l i s t e

10 conveyor track (Fig. 1)

10 'standard conveyor system (Fig. 2)

10 "system (Fig. 5)

10.1 first station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.2 second station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.3 third station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.4 fourth station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.5 fifth station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.6 sixth station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.7 seventh station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.8 eighth station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.9 ninth station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.10 tenth station of 10 '(Fig. 2)

10.1 1 station at 55 (Fig. 24)

11 conveyed goods (Fig. 1, 4)

12 profile (Fig. 4)

13 workpiece (FIG. 4)

14 workpiece carriers for 15 (Fig. 4)

15 attachment for 13 (Fig. 4)

16 inclusion in 15 for 13 (Fig. 4)

17 transport arrow (Fig. 1, 2, 3)

18 fixation point at 14, receptacle for 24 (Fig. 4)

19 operator (FIGS. 8, 9)

20 standard frame

21. Head area of 20 (Fig. 4)

22 foot area of 20 (Fig. 4)

23 fixing means, longitudinally movable pin (Fig. 4)

24 stoppers, longitudinally movable plunger (Fig. 4) 25 foot frames of 20 (Fig. 18, 19)

26 column of 20 (Fig. 18, 19)

27 connectors of 20 (Figs. 18, 19)

28 frame supplement (Fig. 18, 19)

29 base plate (uppermost position) (FIG. 19) 29 ′ alternative position of 29 (FIG. 19)

29 "alternative location of 29 (Fig. 19)

30.1 first processing unit for 10.1 (FIGS. 6 to 9)

30.2 second processing unit for 10.2 (Fig. 16, 17)

30.5 fifth processing unit for 10.5 (Fig. 10, 11)

30.9 ninth processing unit for 10.9 (Fig. 14, 15)

30.11 processing unit at 10.11 (Fig. 24)

31 horizontally effective coupling agents on 20

32 horizontally effective counter coupling means on 40

33.1 first tool from 30.1, hand lever press (Fig. 6 to 9)

33.2 second tool from 30.2, Scara robot (Fig. 16, 17)

33.5 fifth tool from 30.5, linear handling (Fig. 10, 1 1)

33.9 ninth work equipment from 30.9, Scara robot (Fig. 14, 15)

33.11 work equipment from 30.11, linear handling (Fig. 27)

34 booms from 33.1

35 essay on 40 at 30.1 (Fig. 7)

36 lateral distance from 33.1 to 40 (FIG. 7)

37 longitudinal distance from 33.1 to 40 (FIG. 6)

38.1 position line for 31.1 (Fig. 9)

38.2 job from 33.2 to 40 (Fig. 16) 38.5 job for 33.5 on 40 (Fig. 10)

38.5 'job from 48' to 40 '(Fig. 10)

38.9 job from 33.9 to 40 (Fig. 14)

38.9 'job from 33.9 to 50 (Fig. 14)

39 carriers for 45 to 30.1 (Fig. 8)

40 work rack from 30.1 to 30.9

40 'second work rack at 30.5 (Fig. 11)

41 first floor of 40 (retracted position, FIG. 23) 41 ′ extended position of 41 (retracted position, FIG. 23)

42 second floor of 40 (retracted position, Fig. 23) 42 'extended position of 42 (retracted position, Fig. 23)

43 tabletop of 40

44 process unit on 41 or 42

45 work accessories for 33.1, rivet part (Fig. 8)

46 column of 33.5 (Fig. 10, 1 1)

47 running track from 33.5 (Fig. 10, 11)

48 first tool from 33.5 (Fig. 10, 1 1) 48 'second tool from 33.5 (Fig. 10, 11)

49 tool from 33.9 (Fig. 14, 15)

50 auxiliary frame for 40 (Fig. 14, 15)

51 boundary line of the working field of 49 or 53 (FIGS. 14 and 16)

52 column of 33.9 (Fig. 14, 15)

53 tool from 33.2 (Fig. 17)

54 central computer of 10 "(Fig. 5)

55 section of the alternative system 10 "(FIG. 27)

56 frame widening of 60

57 vertical domes of 56, 63 (Fig. 25, 26)

58 horizontal dome arrow of 40, 20 (Figs. 6, 7)

59 bottom in 56 (Fig. 27)

60 standard frame (Fig. 24) vertically effective coupling means, pin (Fig. 26) vertically effective counter-coupling means, receptacle (Fig. 26) attachment from 30.11 (Fig. 24) support foot on 63 (Fig. 24)

Claims

Patent claims:

1.) System for assembling and/or testing workpieces (13) which are located in a workpiece carrier (14),

with a continuous conveyor track (10) for the workpiece carrier (14) and with at least two stations (10.1 to 10.10) for processing the workpieces (13) in the carrier (14),

with a processing unit that can be arranged on the conveyor track (10) and which positions work equipment (33.1 to 33.9) at the desired stations (10.1 to 10.10) for a defined processing of the workpiece (13),

with a stopper (24) arranged on the conveyor track (10), which stops the transported workpiece carrier (14) for a defined process duration of its processing at the station (10.1 to 10.10),

and with a fixing means (23) arranged in the station (10.1 to 10.10), which engages the workpiece carrier (14) and brings about a defined orientation of the workpiece (13) relative to the work equipment (33.1 to 33.9),

characterized,

that below the continuous conveyor track (10), which stands independently and is driven as a whole, a group of uniform standard frames (20) can be freely positioned at selectable points where changeable stations (10.1 to 10.10) are to be created,

that each standard frame (20) carries the fixing means (23) for the workpieces (13) in its head area (21) and has coupling means (31), that the standard racks (20) together with the conveyor track (10) form an initially neutral, seamless standard conveyor system which permanently determines the position of the changeable stations (10.1 to 10.10),

that the standard frames have a variety of different processing units. (30.1 to 30.9), which consist of work frames (40, 40') with different manually and/or automatically operated work equipment (33.1 to 33.9),

wherein the work frames (40, 40') have counter-coupling means (32) in a uniform arrangement pattern corresponding to the coupling means (31) of the standard frames (20),

and that the stations (10.1 to 10.10) are created by selecting one of the processing units and by coupling its work frame to the associated standard frame (20) and individualize the standard conveyor system (10') to the desired system (10").

2.) System according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means (31) on the one hand and the counter-coupling means (32) on the other hand are arranged on at least one frame side of the standard frame (20) or the work frame (40, 40 ').

and that the coupling and counter-coupling means (31, 32) allow horizontal coupling (58) or uncoupling of the individual processing units (30.1 to 30.9) from the standard frames (20) integrated in the standard conveyor system (10').

3.) System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one standard frame (60) has a lateral frame widening (56), which protrudes laterally from the neutral standard conveyor system (10') and serves as a base frame for a selectable processing unit (30.11) designed as an attachment (63),

wherein this processing attachment (63) in turn consists of an upper frame functioning as a low work frame with manually and/or automatically operated work equipment (33.1 to 33.9),

that the coupling means (61) are arranged on the top of the base frame (56) and the counter-coupling means (62) on the underside of the upper frame (63).

and that the coupling and counter-coupling means (61, 62) allow vertical coupling (57) or uncoupling of the individual processing attachments (30.11) from the base frames (56) of the standard frame (60) integrated in the neutral standard conveyor system.

4.) Plant according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the processing units (30.1 to 30.9) not only consist of work equipment (33.1 to 33.9) that is different from one another, but in some cases also consist of work frames (40, 40 ') that are different from one another.

5.) System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that control means for the fixing means (23) are arranged in the foot area (22) of the standard frame (20).

6.) System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the horizontally effective coupling means (31) are arranged on both opposite sides of the standard frame (20). and that each of these coupling means (31) serves to selectively connect a selected processing unit (30.1 to 30.9).

7.) System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an auxiliary unit can be connected to each processing unit (30.1 to 30.9).

and that the auxiliary unit in turn consists of an auxiliary frame (50) which can be connected to the work frame (40) of the processing unit (30.1 to 30.9) and which may have auxiliary work equipment.

.) System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the sides of the work frame (40) of the processing unit (30.1 to 30.9) counter-coupling means (32) for the standard frame (20) and / or connecting means for the auxiliary frame (50) are arranged.

9.) System according to claim 8, characterized in that the counter-coupling means (32) on the one hand and the connecting means on the other hand are designed to be identical to one another.

10.) Plant according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a process unit (44) is used to control the work equipment (33.1 to 33.9), and this process unit (44) in the work equipment (33.1 to 33.9) provided Processing unit (30.1 to 30.9) is integrated.

11.) Plant according to claim 10, characterized in that this process unit (44) is arranged in the work frame (40) of the processing unit (30.1 to 30.9).

2.) System according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the conveyor track (10) is provided with switches and the control means are provided for switch control

and that these control means are arranged in the foot area (22) of the standard frame (20) and/or the work frame (40) of the connectable processing unit (30.1 to 30.9).

13.) Plant according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in the work frame (40) several process units (44) and / or control means are arranged one above the other or next to one another.

14.) Plant according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that data is exchanged between the process unit (44) and the control means.

15.) Plant according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a central computer (54) is provided which communicates with the control means and / or the process units (44) of at least some of the processing units (33.1 to 30.9).