WO2002076643A1

WO2002076643A1 - Method and arrangement for removing impurities

Info

Publication number: WO2002076643A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000269
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markku Vanhala
Original assignee: Markku Vanhala
Priority date: 2001-03-27
Filing date: 2002-03-27
Publication date: 2002-10-03
Also published as: DE10296587T5; FI115387B; FI20010630A; FI20010630A0

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and arrangement for removing impurities from a space (9a) substantially separated from the surroundings, in which the impurities are removed through a suction unit (4) by means of a suction apparatus (1, 2, 3) connected to the space (9a) substantially separated from the surroundings. To achieve an efficient cleaning effect, replacement air is arranged to be led to the space (9a) separated from the surroundings through at least one port (10) arranged substantially opposite to the opening of the suction unit (4).

Description

METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR REMOVING IMPURITIES

[0001] The invention relates to a method for removing impurities from a space reserved for a machine tool and substantially separated from the surroundings, in which the impurities are removed through a suction unit by means of a suction apparatus connected to the space substantially separated from the surroundings. The invention also relates to an arrangement for removing impurities from a space substantially separated from the surroundings.

[0002] In different fields of industry, problems have arisen in situations, where operations take place in a space separated from the surround- ings. Examples of such situations are machining operations by different machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes and the like. Such machining operations quite often take place inside different types of protective structures, for instance a casing structure arranged around a milling machine. The problems arise from the impurities, such as chips and the like, generated by machining that accumulate at the machining point and around it. The problem is worsened by the fact that certain materials, for instance plastics, become charged during machining in such a manner that the chips fasten to the nearby surfaces and machine parts, some of which are very sensitive to impurities. Surfaces sensitive to impurities include the tool changer and laser measuring head, whose operation may be hampered by impurities. Often the result is also that the machining area and in the worst cases the entire inner surface of the casing structure is covered in chips and particles that fasten relatively tight to various sur aces.

[0003] This kind of fouling phenomenon is not only unaesthetic, but in the worst cases also even harmful to the machining operation unless the impurities are removed at regular intervals. In practice, cleaning is, however, difficult. Various suction solutions have been developed to eliminate the problem, but they do not work very well in practice. The problem is that the suction unit cannot be brought close enough to the object to be cleaned, since the suc- tion effect is as a whole quite short and the machined piece is moved during machining. In addition, problems are caused by the use of different robots in situations, for instance, where the machined piece is changed. The movement of the robot or the machined piece may prevent the suction unit from being moved close enough to the machining point and consequently, the suction ef- feet remains too weak.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a method and ar- rangement, by means of which the drawbacks of the prior art are eliminated. This is achieved by a method and arrangement of the invention. The method of the invention is characterized in that replacement air is led to the space separated from the surroundings through at least one port arranged substantially opposite to the opening of the suction unit. The arrangement of the invention is in turn characterized in that replacement air is arranged to be led to the space separated from the surroundings through at least one port arranged substantially opposite to the opening of the suction unit.

[0005] The advantage of the invention is above all its efficiency and simplicity, allowing the space separated from the surroundings to be cleaned efficiently and without high costs. Due to the simplicity, the reliability of the arrangement of the invention is also good. Another advantage is that by means of the invention, a rather messy work stage can be made quite clean, whereby the entire factory space looks better. [0006] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by means of the examples shown in the attached drawing, in which

Figure 1 shows a general view of a prior art solution, and

Figure 2 shows a general view of the solution of the invention.

[0007] Figure 1 shows a general view of a prior art solution. Refer- ence numeral 1 marks a blower, reference numeral 2 marks a filter unit and reference numeral 3 marks a receiver for impurities. Reference numeral 4 marks a suction unit in Figure 1. A cleaning unit, which can be arranged to the suction unit, if necessary, is marked with reference numeral 5 in the figure.

[0008] Reference numeral 6 marks a machine tool, which can be a milling machine, for instance. Reference numeral 7 marks the piece to be machined. Reference numeral 8 marks a machining table and reference numeral 9 a casing structure, by means of which the machine tool 6 and the piece 7 to be machined on the machining table 8 is limited to a space that is substantially separated from the surroundings. The space separated from the surroundings is marked by reference numeral 9a in Figure 1.

[0009] The effective area of suction is marked by curved lines IV in Figure 1. As seen from Figure 1 , it is difficult to make the effective area of suction extend to the machined object. The arrangement of Figure 1 shows exactly the drawbacks that are described in the beginning of the specification in connection with the description of the prior art.

[0010] The structure and operation of the suction apparatus de- scribed above is known to a person skilled in the art and, therefore, need not be described in more detail herein.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a general view of the solution of the invention. The same reference numerals are used for corresponding items in Figure 2 as in Figure 1.

[0012] In the application of Figure 2, the suction function is implemented as in the application of Figure 1. However, according to the essential idea of the invention, replacement air is led to the space 9a separated from the surroundings through at least one port 10 arranged substantially opposite to the opening of the suction unit 4. Thus, the essential matter of the invention is that the replacement air to the air sucked by the suction apparatus is led in a specific, controlled manner to the space limited by the casing structure, whereby an advantageous blow effect is achieved at a desired point, which together with the suction effect provides an efficient cleaning effect. [0013] The thus achieved blow effect of the replacement air is marked by diagrammatic line PV in Figure 2.

[0014] The flow direction of the replacement air flowing through the above-mentioned port(s) 10 can be adjusted according to the essential idea of the invention to obtain the desired cleaning efficiency. The adjustment of the replacement air flow can be implemented for instance using a flow control mechanism 11 at the port. The flow control mechanism 11 can be made up of a control grate arranged at the port 10, as shown in Figure 2. The control grate can be made of several sheet-like elements that can be turned together and/or separately to obtain the desired effect, in other words, to direct the incoming air flow to achieve the desired situation, in which said air flow moves impurities as effectively as possible towards the suction effect, simultaneously protecting the sensitive machine parts.

[0015] The cleaning effect achieved in the above-mentioned manner can further be improved by adjusting the suction unit. The adjustment of the suction unit can be implemented by means of a suitable adjustable unit 12, for instance. The adjustment can be such that the shape and/or direction of the suction effect is changed according to each situation to obtain the best possible cleaning efficiency for said situation.

[0016] The blow effect of the air flow produced by means of re- placement air can be improved by feeding blast air through the port 10. The amount of blast air should, however, not be large, since blast air must not dis- turb suction. Blast air can be obtained from the suction apparatus or from a separate blower. The use of blast air is needed for instance when the casing structure 9 is not tight enough.

[0017] The above embodiment is not intended to limit the invention in any way, but the invention can be modified freely within the scope of the claims. Thus, it is apparent that the application of the invention or its details need not be exactly as shown in the figures, but other types of details are possible. For instance, the port need not be as shown in the figure, and it can have a different shape. In addition, it should be noted that according to the basic idea of the invention, it is for instance possible to use several ports, for instance two, that are arranged at opposite corners of the space limited by the casing structure with respect to the opening of the suction unit.

Claims

1. A method for removing impurities from a space (9a) reserved for a machine tool (6) and substantially separated from the surroundings, in which the impurities are removed through a suction unit (4) by means of a suction apparatus (1, 2, 3) connected to the space (9a) substantially separated from the surroundings, characterized in that replacement air is led to the space (9a) separated from the surroundings through at least one port (10) arranged substantially opposite to the opening of the suction unit (4).

2. A method as claimed in claim ^characterized in that the flow direction of the replacement air flowing through the port (10) is adjusted to obtain the desired cleaning efficiency.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that suction generated by means of the suction apparatus (1 , 2, 3) is adjusted by adjusting the suction unit.

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that blast air is used as the replacement air.

5. An arrangement for removing impurities from a space (9a) reserved for a machine tool (6) and substantially separated from the surroundings, in which the impurities are arranged to be removed through a suction unit (4) by means of a suction apparatus (1 , 2, 3) connected to the space (9a) substantially separated from the surroundings, characterized in that replacement air is arranged to be led to the space (9a) separated from the surroundings through at least one port (10) arranged substantially opposite to the opening of the suction unit (4).

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the flow direction of the replacement air flowing through the port (10) is arranged to be adjusted by means of a flow control mechanism (11) arranged at the port (10).

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the suction unit is an adjustable unit (12).