WO2014082710A1

WO2014082710A1 - Method and system for providing a fixing means

Info

Publication number: WO2014082710A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/003419
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Lehmann; Eric-Peter Müller
Original assignee: Fischerwerke Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2012-11-29
Filing date: 2013-11-13
Publication date: 2014-06-05
Also published as: EP2926312A1; DE102012111556A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing a fixing means for fixing a component to an anchorage, wherein the fixing means comprises a dowel made of plastic. In order to avoid complex and expensive storage of the dowel, a method with the following steps is specified: a) providing a request and input unit (1) for input of information on the selection of the fixing means by a user (2); b) providing an expert system (4) for fixing means; c) requesting of information through the expert system (4) and inputting of information by the user (2); d) selecting the geometry of the dowel on the basis of the expert system (4); e) producing the dowel by additive 3D printing; f) providing the dowel.

Description

description

Method and system for providing a fastener

The invention relates to a method and a system for providing a fastening means.

Fastening means for securing a component to an anchoring base comprising a plastic anchor are well known. For example, there are plug-in dowels in which the fastener consists solely of the dowel and are easily plugged into a hole for mounting small loads. In addition, expansion dowels are known, which are inserted into a borehole, spread by a nail or screw-shaped fastening element in the borehole and pressed against the borehole wall. Other fasteners with a plastic dowel are, for example, cavity dowels, frame dowels and insulation dowels, which are each used for special applications with or without fastener. The choice of fastener is usually made by the user who selects the fastener depending on various parameters such as type of anchoring reason, type and thickness of the component to be fastened and the size of the loads occurring. Fastener dowels are typically injection molded by manufacturing industries, packaged and shipped through dealers or directly to the user. In order to cover a wide variety of applications, the most diverse dowels must be produced and kept in several sizes. For example, there are over thirty different versions of the fischer universal frame anchor that differ in diameter, length and design of a stop collar. The well-known "fischer S" dowel is offered in nine sizes, the "fischer SX" dowel in 12 variants. In order to offer the user the right dowel for the fastener for a particular application, therefore, a complex and expensive storage of a variety of dowels is necessary. The object of the invention is therefore to propose a method and a system for providing a fastening means which avoids this disadvantage.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a system having the features of claim 7.

The method according to the invention for providing a fastener with a plastic anchor for fastening a component to an anchoring base comprises the following steps a) to f): a) providing a query and input unit for inputting information for selecting the fastener by a user.

The query and input unit is arranged in particular on a system according to the invention for providing the fastening means and can be, for example, a screen and a separate keyboard, a touch-sensitive input mask on a screen, a so-called "touch screen" or a screen with a connected unit for voice input For example, if the user wants to use an expansible plug or a helical cavity plug, or alternatively, data about the existing anchoring ground and the component to be fastened can be interrogated an expert system for fasteners.

For the purposes of this invention, an "expert system" is a computer program that can assist people in solving more complex problems such as an expert by deriving recommendations for action from a knowledge base In this case, the expert system assists the user in selecting the fastening means For this purpose, the expert system can refer back to data for fasteners, for example stored in a database, which may be the geometry of the fasteners as CAD data, use cases, building material types and load values, as stored in the catalogs and building inspectorate approvals of the fastener manufacturers The system according to the invention has in particular for this method step Computer-based information system, which includes the expert system and the knowledge base, for example in the form of a database. c) retrieval of the information by the expert system and input of the information by the user.

The information is queried, for example, via a screen, a screen with an interactive input mask or via a screen form. A voice-based user guidance is also possible. The expert system queries the user for the information needed to select the dowel. For example, the expert system provides the user with a certain number of different basic types of dowels and the user himself selects the basic type from a list of predetermined variants that he considers most appropriate for his fastening problem. Alternatively, the expert system can be designed such that targeted information about the anchoring reason and the component to be fastened are queried in order to select in the next step d) the basic type of anchor required for the application. The information is then entered by the user into the expert system. The user can enter the information himself or indirectly, for example, by a trained operator of the system. d) Selection of the geometry of the anchor based on the expert system.

The selection of the geometry of the anchor is made on the basis of the expert system by means of the information entered by the user in step c). If the user has already selected a specific dowel in step c), this step is completed. The selection of the anchor can also be carried out independently by the expert system, independently of the user on the basis of the information entered in step c), the selection taking place, for example, via a structogram and / or by means of calculations. If, for example, a component is to be mounted on a concrete floor, the expert system selects, for example, via a structogram the most suitable for the building material concrete dowel basic type, in particular with regard to the most suitable for the application area of the dowel, which is stored in the knowledge of the information system In this case, the expert system determines or calculates the length of the tubular collar known from frame dowels that is necessary for the attachment, so that the dowel is used as a frame anchor in Through-hole mounting can be used to attach the beam. In this case, the length of the tubular collar can also be selected by the expert system from a predefined list or it can be designed individually. If, for example, the component to be fastened is 35 mm thick, the expert system selects the length of the tubular collar from a list, for example a length of 50 mm for components with a thickness of 31 mm to 50 mm. Alternatively, the expert system determines the individual length of the tubular section from the information entered: for the 35 mm attachment, a 35 mm long tubular section is selected.

If the component is to be fastened to a plasterboard instead of a concrete ceiling, for example, an anchor with a different expansion range, for example that of the plate anchor "fischer PD", is selected as the basic anchor type The expert system selects a dowel, whereby the system can be programmed in this way in that the user can confirm or correct the proposal or that the system proceeds directly to step e) e) Production of the dowel by additive 3D printing For this purpose, the system according to the invention has a 3D printer, with which the dowel of the fastening means Plastic, in particular made of polyamide, is meant by "3D printer" a device, which produces the dowel of the basic material plastic by additive procedure by successive adding and depositing material. The provision of expensive and geometrically inflexible injection molding tools is eliminated. The 3D printer receives the data required for printing from the information system. For example, the expert system selects a specific dowel which retrieves the data corresponding to the dowel, for example CAD data, from the knowledge store and feeds it via the information system to the SD printer, which uses this data to create the printout, ie the dowel. f) providing the anchor.

After production, the dowel is provided to the user. For this purpose, the system according to the invention has an output unit on which the dowel produced can be removed from the system by the user or an operator. Since 3D printers, unlike injection molding machines, work without prefabricated molding tools, dowels of any geometry can be produced. The user can thus print the optimized for the particular application dowel in any number. It is no longer necessary to stock a wide variety of dowels in larger quantities, since only the basic material required for 3D printing must be kept available. From the base material, the required and optimized for the application dowels are then produced as needed. The inventive method also allows a user to produce dowels in small quantities, so that he can use a dowel for low-volume applications, which is not economical to produce, for example, due to the low demand in the injection molding process, since the creation of its own injection mold for This anchor is uneconomical due to the low quantities. In method step f), the user can also be provided with information about the use of the fastening means via a separate printer which prints paper, for example as a printout on paper. The instructions may contain, for example, information on the diameter of the drill to be used, the drilling and anchoring depth, assembly instructions and details of the dowel produced, which are for example encoded and stored on the printed paper retrievable by the system according to the invention, so that repeatable on the basis of this information similar dowels can be made by the system when they are read via an input or reading device, such as a bar code scanner.

The method for providing a fastening means preferably comprises the further method step: g) Selection and / or provision of a fastening element for the fastening means.

Depending on the type of dowel may be necessary for attaching the component to the dowel a fastener that is associated with the fastener. Typically, the fastener is a screw, a nail or a screw nail. For example, an expansion dowel can be spread open and / or a component can be connected to the dowel with the fastening element. The selection of the Fastener is preferably also based on the expert system, but can also be made by the user.

The provision of the fastener can also be done by the user, for example by removing screws from a shelf, which is placed in a showroom of a shop, in which the system according to the invention is arranged. For this purpose, in this process step, the user can be provided with information on the selected fastening element, for example its name, its article number and its storage location, for example by printing on paper.

Alternatively, the provision may be made by the system according to the invention for providing the fastening means. The fastener can be stored for this purpose in certain quantities in a reservoir in the system. This is advantageous, for example, if the fastening element is made of metal and / or only a limited number of different fastening elements are provided for the fastening means.

Preferably, the fastener is made by selecting the geometry of the fastener based on the expert system by additive 3D printing with the 3D printer made of plastic, in particular polyamide. In the inventive system for providing the fastening means is preferably the 3D printer, with the dowel of the fastener in step e) of the method according to the invention is also used to provide the fastener and / or the output unit may preferably also be used to dispense the expansion element , Alternatively, a further 3D printer and / or a further output unit for producing and / or providing the fastening element can be present on the system according to the invention. Furthermore, it is preferred that the method according to the invention additionally comprises the following step: h) packaging of the fastening means. For this purpose, a unit for packing the fastening means can be provided on the system according to the invention. Optionally also a labeling unit be provided. For example, the fastener is placed in a bag or box, which is closed by a label sticker. The above-mentioned instructions for the dowel and / or the fastening element can be arranged on the label.

The method according to the invention preferably additionally comprises the following step: i) Payment or acknowledgment of the fastening means. For example, step f), the provision of the dowel, only when the user has paid the dowel, as is known from machines for drinks or cigarettes. A receipt can be created for the user over the amount paid, for example via a paper printer. Alternatively it can be provided that the user receives an invoice before or after the provision of the dowel, with which the user can pay for the fastening means at a separate cash register. It is also possible that the invoice is arranged on the packaging in method step h), for example with a barcode on a label sticker. For this purpose, the system according to the invention for providing a fastening means comprises a payment and / or acknowledgment unit.

The system according to the invention for providing a fastening means is preferably installed in or at the sales room, such that at least steps a) to f) take place in or at the sales room. In particular, the system is a type of "vending machine" known from cigarettes, beverages or confectionery.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the single FIGURE 1. The system shown schematically in Figure 1 for providing a fastening means not shown in detail for attaching a component to an anchoring base comprises a combined query and input unit 1 in the form of a touch-sensitive screen. The query and input unit 1 is used to query and input information for selecting the fastener For this purpose appear on the screen of the query and input unit 1 icons that guide the user 2 through various input masks, so that the information of the User 2 structured in the query and input unit 1 are entered. For example, the user 2 different dowels are displayed for selection and the user 2 can then select the most suitable for the application dowel on the query and input unit 1. Alternatively, certain information about the fastening problem can be interrogated via the interrogation and input unit 1, for example information about the anchoring base into which a dowel of the fastening means is to be introduced, and about the component to be fastened, which is to be fastened with the fastening means. For example, the user 2 is asked for the material of which the anchoring reason exists, whereupon he selects, for example, "concrete" in a selection field.

The input information is transmitted from the interrogation and input unit 1 to a computer-aided information system 3, which contains an expert system 4 with a knowledge memory 5. The expert system 4 is a computer program that assists the user 2 in selecting the most suitable fastener for his application. The expert system 4 uses data stored in a knowledge store 5, a database. The knowledge memory 5 contains, for example, information about the structure and the dimensions of certain dowels and data on their performance in different materials that can form the anchoring reason. Based on the information entered by the user 2 and the data stored in the knowledge memory 5, the expert system 4 selects the geometry of the most suitable for solving the mounting problem of the user 2 dowel. In addition, the expert system 4 selects a suitable screw for the application as a fastening element of the fastening means.

The data of the fastener selected by the expert system 4 is transmitted to the subsequent units of the fastener providing system. The system includes a 3D printer 6 for making the selected dowel. The information system 3 transfers the necessary CAD data from the knowledge memory 5 to the 3D printer 6, which produces the dowel made of polyamide successively in an additive manner. The base material for the production of the anchor, so the polyamide, is taken from a refillable magazine, which is located on the 3D printer. The system also includes a reservoir 7 with multiple compartments, in which screws of different lengths and different diameters are stored. The data from the expert system 4 as a fastener of the Fastener selected screw are transmitted from the information system 3 to the reservoir 7 and the selected screw is transported from the reservoir 7 to a packaging unit 8, in which also in the 3D printer 6 finished dowel is transported. With the data transmitted by the information system 3, a label with the geometrical data of the dowel as well as optionally with the price to be paid of the fastener provided is created in a labeling unit 9, a label printer. The finished printed label is also transported by the labeling unit 9 to the packaging unit 8. In the packaging unit 8, the dowel and the associated screw are packed in a bag and the bag is provided with the label.

The ready-packed fastener is transferred from the packaging unit 8 to an output unit 10 of the system, from which the user 2 can remove the bag.

The system also includes a paper printer 1 1 for outputting a paper printed manual for the user 2 with instructions for using the provided fastener. These instructions may include, for example, information on the borehole into which the anchor of the fastener is to be introduced, such as diameter and borehole depth, as well as installation instructions. In addition, an invoice for the fastener can be printed in addition to the instructions.

Optionally, the system includes a payment and acknowledgment unit 12 through which the fastener can be paid. Payment is made, for example, by cash or a credit card. In this case, removal of the fastening means from the dispensing unit 10 is only possible if the fastening means has been paid for by the payment and acknowledgment unit 12 and the payment and acknowledgment unit 12 releases the dispensing unit 10 after the payment transaction has been completed, so that the fastening means is provided by the user 2 can be removed. The payment and acknowledgment unit 12 will be used in the system, in particular, if the system is also to be operable from outside a sales room 13 in which the system is installed. The separation between the sales room 13 and the outside of the sales room 13 lying elements 1, 10, 1 1, 12, the system is marked in Figure 1 by the dashed line 14. In this case, the query and input unit 1, the paper printer 1 1, the payment and acknowledgment unit 12 and the Dispensing unit 10 accessible from outside the sales room, so that even after closing the sales room 13, for example, when the store to which the sales room 13 belongs, is closed after hours, the user 2, a fastening means can be provided by the system. Of course, the system according to the invention can also be arranged completely within the sales room 13. In particular, the elements of the system according to the invention are arranged in a common housing 15, such that only the query and input unit, the output unit 10, an output device of the paper printer 1 1 and if available the payment and acknowledgment unit 12 is accessible to the user 2.

The system can also be arranged completely within the sales room 13, so that the provided fastening means can be paid at a cash register located in the sales room and separate from the system. A payment and acknowledgment unit 12 arranged on the system is then not necessary. As a further alternative, the attachment means may comprise a plastic fastener which is printed and provided after selecting the geometry of the fastener with the 3D printer 6. In this case, the reservoir 7 can be omitted for fastening means.

Reference Number List Method and system for providing a fastener

1 query and input unit

2 users

3 information system

4 expert system

5 knowledge storage

6 3D printers

7 storage container

8 packing unit

9 labeling unit

10 output unit

1 1 paper printer

12 Payment and acknowledgment unit

13 sales room

14 dividing line

15 housing

Claims

claims

Method for providing a fastening means for fastening a component to an anchoring base, wherein the fastening means comprises a plastic anchor, comprising the following steps:

a) providing a query and input unit (1) for inputting information for selecting the fastening means by a user (2); b) providing a fastener expert system (4);

c) retrieving the information by the expert system (4) and inputting the information by the user (2);

d) Selection of the geometry of the anchor on the basis of the expert system (4);

e) production of the anchor by additive 3D printing;

f) providing the anchor.

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

g) Selection and / or provision of a fastening element for the fastening means.

A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the selection of the fastener based on the expert system (4).

A method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fastening element is made of plastic by additive 3D printing.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, additionally comprising the following step:

h) packaging the fastener.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, additionally comprising the following step:

i) Pay or acknowledge the fastener.

7. A system for providing a fastening means for securing a component to an anchoring base, wherein the fastening means comprises a plastic anchor, by means of a method according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following system components:

I. a query and an input unit (1) for querying and inputting the information in step c);

II. An information system (3) with the expert system (4) for step b);

III. a 3D printer (6) for performing step e); and

IV. An output unit (10) for providing the expansion anchor in step f).

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the 3D printer (6) also for providing a spreading element for spreading the expansion anchor and / or the output unit (10) for outputting the expansion element is usable.

9. System according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the system is placed in or at a sales room (13), such that at least the steps a) to f) take place in or at the sales room (13).

10. System according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the system comprises a payment and / or acknowledgment unit (12).