WO2002096625A1 - Procede et appareil pour installer des inserts metalliques dans un article thermoplastique - Google Patents

Procede et appareil pour installer des inserts metalliques dans un article thermoplastique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002096625A1
WO2002096625A1 PCT/FI2001/000519 FI0100519W WO02096625A1 WO 2002096625 A1 WO2002096625 A1 WO 2002096625A1 FI 0100519 W FI0100519 W FI 0100519W WO 02096625 A1 WO02096625 A1 WO 02096625A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
insert
mounting
mounting base
plastic body
inserts
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2001/000519
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kai Asikkala
Original Assignee
Pmj Automec Oyj
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pmj Automec Oyj filed Critical Pmj Automec Oyj
Priority to PCT/FI2001/000519 priority Critical patent/WO2002096625A1/fr
Publication of WO2002096625A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002096625A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/47—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/474—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces said single elements being substantially non-flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/44—Joining a heated non plastics element to a plastics element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/912—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9121—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature
    • B29C66/91211—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature with special temperature measurement means or methods
    • B29C66/91212—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature with special temperature measurement means or methods involving measurement means being part of the welding jaws, e.g. integrated in the welding jaws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/912—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9121—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature
    • B29C66/91231—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature of the joining tool
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91421—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature of the joining tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91431—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature the temperature being kept constant over time
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/44—Joining a heated non plastics element to a plastics element
    • B29C65/46—Joining a heated non plastics element to a plastics element heated by induction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7858—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/7861—In-line machines, i.e. feeding, joining and discharging are in one production line
    • B29C65/7867—In-line machines, i.e. feeding, joining and discharging are in one production line using carriers, provided with holding means, said carriers moving in a closed path
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/74—Joining plastics material to non-plastics material
    • B29C66/742—Joining plastics material to non-plastics material to metals or their alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/843—Machines for making separate joints at the same time in different planes; Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/863—Robotised, e.g. mounted on a robot arm
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/961—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/34—Electrical apparatus, e.g. sparking plugs or parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3431—Telephones, Earphones

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method as defined in the preamble of claim 1. Moreover, the in- vention relates to an apparatus as defined in the preamble of claim 8.
  • Metal insert' refers to a metallic part designed to be mounted inside a thermoplastic body.
  • the metal insert may be e.g. a so-called threaded insert whose outer surface is provided with adhesion elements, such as grooves, to provide better adhesion between the insert and the plastic.
  • the threaded insert is provided with a hole with an internal thread for receiving a screw.
  • the thermoplastic body usually co - prises a pre-formed mounting socket or hole in which the insert is to be mounted.
  • the inner diameter of the mounting socket/hole is somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the insert .
  • thermoplastic body In prior art, a method and an apparatus for mounting metal inserts in a thermoplastic body are known.
  • the metal inserts are gripped e.g. by a gripping means of a robot and taken to the mouth of a mounting hole provided in the thermoplastic body and pressed lightly so that the insert goes to some depth into the mounting hole and remains there.
  • the thermoplastic body and the inserts are taken to an induction heating apparatus which heats only the metal inserts without heating the plastic body.
  • the inserts After the inserts have become sufficiently hot to melt the plas- tic in contact with them, the inserts are pressed further into the mounting holes to a suitable mounting depth. As the plastic and the inserts are cooling down, they are fastened to each other by an adhesion that holds the insert inside the plastic.
  • a problem with the prior-art method is that it is slow and therefore ill adapted for automated serial production.
  • a further problem is the large size of the induction heating apparatus, which requires a large floor area, with the result that the production line becomes undesirably long.
  • the induction heating apparatus needs a large power source.
  • a fur- ther problem is that when induction heating is used, the temperature of the inserts as well as other process parameters are difficult to control .
  • the object of the invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages.
  • a specific object of the invention is to disclose an affordable mounting method and apparatus that will make it possible to shorten the line length of the production line.
  • a further object of the invention is to accelerate the process of mounting the inserts.
  • An additional object of the invention is to disclose a method and apparatus in which the process parameters for the mounting of inserts can be better controlled than before.
  • the method of the invention is characterized by what is presented in claim 1.
  • the apparatus of the invention is characterized by what is presented in claim 8.
  • a mounting base having a good thermal conductivity and a mounting position for receiving an insert is provided.
  • the insert is placed in the mounting position on the mounting base.
  • the mounting base is heated so as to heat the insert.
  • the plastic body is placed on the mounting base against the insert so that the heated insert and the mounting hole in the plastic body are aligned with each other.
  • the plastic body is pressed downward toward the mounting base so that the insert sinks to a predetermined mounting depth into the mounting hole. Finally, the assembly of plastic body and insert is released from the mounting base.
  • the invention has the advantage that, by heating the inserts indirectly via the mounting base, the temperature of the inserts can be adjusted to a predetermined value more accurately than by the induction method.
  • the heating process can also be more easily controlled and regulated than before.
  • the mounting process is faster and the mounting costs for each insert are also lower, so this method allows cost savings to be made .
  • An apparatus operated according to the method of the invention requires less line length, so it saves floor area.
  • the assembly of plastic body and insert is heated before and/or after being released from the mounting base.
  • the insert is checked for mountability before being placed on the mounting base.
  • the insert and the plastic body are pressed against each other during the cooling phase to hold the insert exactly at the mounting depth.
  • an inspection is performed to ascertain whether the insert has been successfully mounted.
  • the tempera- ture of the mounting base is measured.
  • the mounting base is kept at a constant temperature.
  • the apparatus comprises a mounting base having a mounting position for receiving an insert; means for heating the mounting base; means for gripping the insert and moving and setting it to the mounting position on the mounting base; means for gripping the plastic body and moving it and placing it onto the mounting base against the insert so that the heated insert and the mounting hole in the plastic body are aligned with each other; means for pressing the plastic body downward toward the mounting base so that the insert sinks in the mounting hole to a predetermined mounting depth; and means for releasing the assembly formed by the plastic body and the insert mounted in it from the mounting base.
  • the apparatus comprises means for cooling the plastic body and the insert .
  • the apparatus comprises means for checking the insert for mountability before its being placed on the mounting base.
  • the apparatus comprises means for pressing the insert against the plastic body during the cooling phase. In an embodiment of the apparatus, the apparatus comprises means for performing an inspection to ascertain whether the insert has been successfully mounted.
  • the appa- ratus comprises means for measuring the temperature of the mounting base.
  • the means for gripping, moving and positioning the insert and/or thermoplastic body comprise at least one robot, such as a so-called xyzw-robot.
  • the apparatus comprises a first robot for gripping, moving and setting the inserts in a first working area; and a second robot for gripping, moving and setting the plastic bodies in a second working area adjacent to the first working area.
  • the apparatus comprises a feeder for feeding inserts to the working area.
  • the apparatus comprises a transfer gear arranged to move the mounting base horizontally back and forth between the first and the second working areas .
  • the apparatus comprises two or more adjacent transfer gears for moving two or more mounting bases independently of each other between the first and the second working areas .
  • the means for heating the mounting base are disposed in the first working area in conjunction with the transfer gear.
  • the means for pressing the insert against the plastic body during the cooling phase comprises a press device de- signed to hold the insert in the mounting hole at a predetermined mounting depth until the plastic has solidified.
  • the apparatus comprises two or more press devices.
  • the means for cooling the plastic body and the insert are disposed in conjunction with the press device.
  • the means for checking the insert for mountability comprise a mechanical vision system.
  • the means for performing an inspection to ascertain whether the insert has been successfully mounted comprise a mechanical vision system.
  • the apparatus comprises a conveyor, such as a pallet conveyor, for conveying plastic bodies through a working area.
  • the apparatus comprises a turning device for turning a plastic body upside down.
  • the mounting base comprises a number of mounting positions for receiving inserts.
  • the mount- ing base comprises a number of pins projecting from the mounting base and forming the mounting positions for receiving inserts .
  • Fig. 1 presents diagrammatic layout view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention
  • Fig. 2 presents the fingers of the gripper of a first robot for gripping the inserts
  • Fig. 3 presents a top view of an embodiment of the mounting base used in the method and apparatus of the invention
  • Fig. 4 and 5 present the apparatus of Fig. 1 at different phases of the method
  • Fig. 6 presents a side view of the mounting base in Fig. 2 with a transfer gear, shown in a heating station, ready to receive inserts,
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a step in the method wherein an insert held in the grip of the gripper of the robot is being inspected to determine its mountability
  • Fig. 8 presents the mounting base shown in Fig. 6, with inserts being set on it by a robot
  • Fig. 9 illustrates a step in the method wherein a plastic body held by the gripper of a robot is being placed onto inserts on a mounting base
  • Fig. 10 illustrates a step in the method wherein the robot has pressed the plastic body onto the inserts so that they are at the mounting depth in the mounting holes in the plastic body
  • Fig. 11 illustrates a step in the method wherein a plastic body provided with inserts on a mounting base is being simultaneously pressed and cooled in a press device
  • Fig. 12 illustrates a step in the method wherein a plastic body with inserts mounted in it is being inspected.
  • Fig. 1 presents an apparatus for mounting inserts which is used to mount metallic threaded inserts in mobile telephone casings made of a thermoplastic material .
  • the apparatus is implemented as an automatic robot cell which can be added to an automatic mobile telephone assembly line.
  • the apparatus is based on two adjacent HiSAC ® 1502 robot cells (manufactured by PMJ Automec Oyj , Virkkala, Finland) which have been modified so as to make them applicable for the mounting of inserts.
  • the apparatus comprises two robots, a first robot 7 and a second robot 8 , whose working areas are disposed adjacently, these areas being the working area I of the first robot 7 and the working area II of the second robot 8.
  • the robots 7 and 8 are conventional overhead xyzw-portal robots provided with grip- pers, the robots being shown in outline with broken lines in Fig. 1.
  • the first robot 7 is used for setting inserts 1 onto the mounting base 4 while the second robot 8 is used for handling the plastic casing 2.
  • the apparatus in Fig. 1 comprises two adjacent insert feeders 15, whose picking positions are within the first working area I.
  • two adjacent inserts 1 at a time are set on the mounting base 4, so the first robot 7 is provided with gripping fingers 20 like those presented in Fig. 2, having V-shaped gripping notches 21 for gripping at least two inserts 1 simultaneously.
  • the gripping action may be implemented using suction, in which case the gripper is a suction pad.
  • Separate feeders 15 are used for different types of insert .
  • Fig. 3 presents an example of a mounting base 4 on which the inserts 1 are set temporarily by the first robot 7.
  • the mounting base 4 comprises six metal pins 3 serving as insert mounting positions.
  • the pins 3 are fitted at a distance from each other such that the inserts 1 set on the pins 3 will be exactly aligned with the mounting holes 3 in the plastic body 2 (see also Fig. 9) .
  • the apparatus also comprises an inspection device 10 for checking the inserts 1, which is fixedly mounted near the picking positions of the feeders 15.
  • the inspection device 10 may consist of e.g.
  • the inspection device 10 may be connected to the first robot 7 so that the inspection device 10 is moved along with and close to the gripper. Thus, the insert can be inspected during the movement without a need to stop the movement.
  • the inspection device 10 may also be a suitable mechanical measuring device.
  • the apparatus comprises two transfer gears 16 and 17 operating between the first working area I and the second working area II, moving mounting bases 4 back and forth be- tween these areas I and II.
  • the left-hand ends of the transfer gears are provided with heating means 6, the function of which is to heat the mounting bases 4 and to keep them at a constant temperature and likewise, via the mounting bases, the inserts 1 on the mounting bases 4.
  • the apparatus may also comprise means 14 for measuring the temperature of the mounting base 4 (see Fig. 8) .
  • the other ends of the transfer gears 16, 17 are in the second working area II of the second robot 8, where the plastic casings 2 are handled.
  • the apparatus comprises a pallet conveyor 18 extending through the insert mounting cell and used to convey the plastic casings 2 into and out of the cell.
  • the pallets 22 carrying plastic casings 2 move on the pallet conveyor 18 through the working areas I and II of the robots so that the second robot 8 can grip a plastic casing 2 on the pallet.
  • the apparatus comprises two press devices 11 and 12 disposed on the second working area II, with cooling means 9 provided in conjunction with them.
  • the press device 11 (and 12) comprises a base plate 23, whose upper surf ce forms a stop face for the inserts .
  • the base plate 23 may be similar to the mounting base 4.
  • the press device 11 comprises a pressing element 24 provided with stoppers 25 for holding the plastic cas- ing 2 steady so that it cannot bend during the pressing operation.
  • the cooling means 9 may use e.g. a cold flowing medium for cooling the inserts.
  • the function of the press devices 11 and 12 is to perform fine adjustment of the location and position of the inserts 1 in the plastic casing 2 to ensure that they are right.
  • the apparatus comprises a second inspection device 13 for checking the mounting quality of each insert 1 mounted in the plastic casing 2.
  • the second inspection device 13 may consist of e.g. a me- chanical vision system based on pattern recognition.
  • the inspection device 13 is fixedly mounted in the working area II of the second robot 8.
  • the inspection device 13 may be so connected to the second robot 8 that the inspection device 13 will move along with it near the gripper.
  • the inserts can be inspected during the movement without a need to stop it.
  • the inserts are mounted by a kind of inverted process . Instead of setting hot inserts directly into a plastic body in the known manner, they are set on hot pins on a mounting base where they are heated, whereupon the casing in mounted onto the hot inserts.
  • the first robot 7 (not shown in Fig. 4, see Fig. 1) fetches the inserts 1 two at a time from the feeder 15 and passes them via the inspection device 10 (see Fig. 7) . Defective inserts are separated out.
  • the inserts 1 are set into the mounting positions, i.e. onto the pins 5 on the first mounting base 4, which is heated by a resistor heater ' 6 provided at the left-hand edge of the first transfer gear 16 (see also Fig. 6 and 8) .
  • the second robot 8 picks a first plastic casing 2 from a pallet 22 and, if necessary, turns the plastic casing upside down in a rotating device, a so-called flip unit 19.
  • the second robot 8 remains waiting until a first mounting base 4 is brought to the right-hand edge of the first transfer gear 16.
  • the flip unit or an equivalent manipulator can also turn the plastic cas- ings directly onto the pallet.
  • the first transfer gear 16 moves the mounting base 4 to the working area II of the second robot 8.
  • the second transfer gear 17 moves a second mounting base 4 to the left-hand edge, to the heating position in the first working area I .
  • the second robot 8 positions the first plastic casing 2 onto the heated inserts 1 (see Fig. 9) on the first mounting base 4 at the right-hand end of the first transfer gear 16.
  • the plastic casing 2 is pressed to the target depth, to a certain height Z, whereupon the inserts 1 are allowed to cool down and fasten to the casing while the casing 2 is being held fast (Fig. 10) .
  • the first robot 7 begins to "fill" the mounting base 4 on the second transfer gear 17 with the required inserts 1, in a manner corresponding to step 1. 6.
  • the second robot 8 lifts the first plastic casing 2, which has been placed on the first transfer gear 16 and which now has the inserts 1 fastened to it, to a first press device 11, which is provided with a cooling means 9 (see also Fig. 11) .
  • the press device 11 the plastic casing 2 and the inserts 1 are cooled and calibrated, in other words, pressed downward for a predetermined length of time with a predetermined force and to a predetermined dimension.
  • the aim is to accomplish a fine adjustment of the height position of the insert and to prevent the insert from rising off the casing while the plastic is solidifying.
  • the second robot 8 picks the second plastic casing 2 from a pallet 22 on the pallet conveyor 18 and, if necessary, turns the plastic casing in the flip unit 19.
  • the flip unit or an equivalent manipulator can also turn the plastic casings directly onto a pallet.
  • the second robot 8 remains waiting until the mounting base 4 'on the second transfer gear 17 is brought to the right-hand edge.
  • the second robot 8 places the second plastic casing 2 onto the inserts on the mounting base 4 on the second transfer gear 17.
  • the robot 8 presses the plastic casing 2 to the target depth Z and then waits until the inserts are cooled down and fastened.
  • the first robot 7 begins to "fill” the mounting base 4 on the first transfer gear 16 with the required inserts 1 in the same way as above.
  • step 11 the second robot 8 lifts the second plastic casing 2 from the mounting base 4 on the second transfer gear 17 to the second press device 12, where it will be cooled and calibrated.
  • the second robot 8 lifts the cooled first plastic casing from the first press device 11 via the inspection station 13 (see Fig. 12) to an assembly pallet. If the product is found to be defective in the inspection station 13, it will be separated out.
  • the cycle time of an insert mounting cell as presented in the example is about 6 seconds/plastic casing.
  • a cost saving of about 40% is achieved as compared with the prior-art method using induction heating.
  • the line length can be shortened. Whereas the prior-art apparatus re- quires a line length of 4.7 meters, the apparatus of the invention as described in the example requires a line length of only 3 meters. It has also been found in experiments that the new method can produce inserts requiring a higher extraction force to pull them out from the plastic body than in the prior-art process.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à un procédé et à un appareil servant à monter un insert métallique (1) dans un corps plastique (2) en matériau thermoplastique pourvu d'un trou de montage (3) ou similaire destiné à recevoir l'insert. Une base de montage (4) présentant une bonne conductivité thermique et une position de montage (5) pour recevoir l'insert est prévue. L'insert (1) est placé dans la position de montage (5) sur la base de montage (4). La base de montage (4) est chauffée, ce qui chauffe l'insert (1). Le corps plastique (2) est placé sur la base de montage (4) contre l'insert (1), pour que l'insert chauffé et le trou de montage (3) ménagé dans le corps plastique soient alignés l'un sur l'autre. Le corps plastique (2) est pressé vers le bas en direction de la base de montage (4), pour que l'insert (1) s'enfonce à une profondeur de montage prédéterminée dans le trou de montage (3). L'assemblage corps plastique (2) et insert (1) est alors détaché de la base de montage (4). Cet appareil comprend des moyens correspondants permettant de réaliser les étapes mentionnées ci-dessus de ce procédé.
PCT/FI2001/000519 2001-05-30 2001-05-30 Procede et appareil pour installer des inserts metalliques dans un article thermoplastique WO2002096625A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/FI2001/000519 WO2002096625A1 (fr) 2001-05-30 2001-05-30 Procede et appareil pour installer des inserts metalliques dans un article thermoplastique

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/FI2001/000519 WO2002096625A1 (fr) 2001-05-30 2001-05-30 Procede et appareil pour installer des inserts metalliques dans un article thermoplastique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002096625A1 true WO2002096625A1 (fr) 2002-12-05

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI2001/000519 WO2002096625A1 (fr) 2001-05-30 2001-05-30 Procede et appareil pour installer des inserts metalliques dans un article thermoplastique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2002096625A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI552850B (zh) * 2012-07-02 2016-10-11 兆陽真空動力股份有限公司 多站台埋釘機
DE102010008259B4 (de) 2010-02-17 2018-09-20 Henkel & Roth Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Warmeinbetten zumindest eines Metallteils in ein Kunststoffteil

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2230412A1 (de) * 1972-06-22 1974-01-10 Boellhoff & Co Verfahren zum waermedruckeinbau von befestigungselementen in kalte werkstuecke aus thermoplastischem kunststoff und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens
US3842482A (en) * 1972-02-16 1974-10-22 Armstrong Patents Co Ltd Metal fittings to thermoplastic components
US4136275A (en) * 1977-01-11 1979-01-23 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Electrically heated anchor insertion tool
US4455134A (en) * 1982-08-04 1984-06-19 C.E.M. Co., Inc. Thermal presses
US4488672A (en) * 1982-08-04 1984-12-18 C.E.M. Co., Inc. Thermal press having insert driving air biasing mechanism

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3842482A (en) * 1972-02-16 1974-10-22 Armstrong Patents Co Ltd Metal fittings to thermoplastic components
DE2230412A1 (de) * 1972-06-22 1974-01-10 Boellhoff & Co Verfahren zum waermedruckeinbau von befestigungselementen in kalte werkstuecke aus thermoplastischem kunststoff und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens
US4136275A (en) * 1977-01-11 1979-01-23 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Electrically heated anchor insertion tool
US4455134A (en) * 1982-08-04 1984-06-19 C.E.M. Co., Inc. Thermal presses
US4488672A (en) * 1982-08-04 1984-12-18 C.E.M. Co., Inc. Thermal press having insert driving air biasing mechanism

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102010008259B4 (de) 2010-02-17 2018-09-20 Henkel & Roth Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Warmeinbetten zumindest eines Metallteils in ein Kunststoffteil
TWI552850B (zh) * 2012-07-02 2016-10-11 兆陽真空動力股份有限公司 多站台埋釘機

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