WO2016037791A1

WO2016037791A1 - Flexible workpiece carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2016037791A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/068604
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Rees
Original assignee: Reishauer Ag
Priority date: 2014-09-10
Filing date: 2015-08-12
Publication date: 2016-03-17
Also published as: EP3191376A1; CH710091A1; EP3191376B1

Abstract

A basket-like workpiece carrier for receiving a plurality of workpieces has a base element (4.1). A plurality of workpiece receptacles (3) for in each case one workpiece (2) are arranged thereon. Each workpiece receptacle comprises at least two positioning elements (6.1, 6.2) for positioning the workpiece. In order to adapt the workpiece receptacles to different workpieces, the distance between the positioning elements of each workpiece receptacle is variable. In order in this case to allow quick and easy adaptation, the workpiece carrier has a displacement element (5.1) which is displaceable horizontally with respect to the base element. The positioning elements interact with the base element and the displacement element such that a displacement of the displacement element in the longitudinal direction with respect to the base element brings about a simultaneous change in the distance between the positioning elements of several workpiece receptacles.

Description

TITLE

Flexible workpiece carrier

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a workpiece carrier for receiving a plurality of workpieces. The workpiece carrier can in particular be designed in the manner of a basket (for example as a metal basket or wire mesh basket) and is therefore also referred to below as a workpiece basket. STATE OF THE ART

In modern machining production, the individual processing machines were increasingly linked by appropriate automation technology. This meant that a very high degree of automation could be achieved in mass production. Now further automation steps are being taken in small and medium batch production. Particularly successful so-called Umstapelzellen be used. Here, stackable wire mesh baskets, sheet baskets and frame pallets are used for workpiece transport throughout the entire production process as a workpiece carrier. The adaptation to the respective workpieces is usually done by rigid inserts that can be permanently attached, but also changeable and pluggable. A leading supplier of this technology, Fischer-Draht GmbH (www.fischer-draht.de), offers the modular workpiece carrier system ClipFix-Logistics. Such a workpiece carrier comprises a flat base element in the form of a horizontally arranged perforated plate and a plurality of interchangeable workpiece holders, which are inserted into the openings of the perforated plate. There are a wide variety of workpiece holders for a wide variety of shapes and dimensions of the workpieces available. Each workpiece holder forms a rigid unit and comprises a single Positioning element (eg, a single vertically projecting pin or cone) or a plurality of spaced apart positioning elements (eg in the form of four vertically upwardly projecting pins). A similar solution with exchangeable workpiece holders is shown in DE 10 2011 108 725 B4 in FIGS. 19 to 21, wherein a wire grid serves as the basis here.

Although this technique has become relatively popular in small and medium batch production, relatively high costs and time are required for replacing the workpiece holders for adaptation to other workpieces, especially if this has to be done several times a day for all workpiece carriers in a transfer cell.

Although various adjustable workpiece holders have been proposed in the prior art; Examples can be found in DE 20 2012 004 576 Ul and DE 20 2007 009 638 Ul. There, however, each workpiece holder must be adjusted individually. This is very expensive for a large number of workpiece holders. In addition, the structure of this workpiece holders is relatively complicated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a workpiece carrier with a plurality of workpiece holders, which can be easily and quickly converted to different workpieces.

This object is achieved by a workpiece carrier according to claim 1. Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

It is therefore specified a (preferably basket-like) workpiece carrier for receiving a plurality of workpieces, which has

a base element defining a horizontal plane; and

a plurality of workpiece holders arranged on the base element for in each case one workpiece, each workpiece holder comprising at least two positioning elements for positioning the workpiece, wherein the positioning elements are arranged at a distance from one another. In order to adapt the workpiece holders to different workpieces, the horizontal distance of the positioning of each workpiece holder is mutually variable. In order to enable a simple and rapid adaptation, the workpiece carrier has a displacement element, which is arranged horizontally displaceable relative to the base element along a longitudinal direction. The positioning elements interact with the base element and the displacement element in such a way that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element along the longitudinal direction causes a simultaneous change in distance of the positioning elements of a plurality (preferably all) of the workpiece receptacles to one another.

Such a workpiece carrier is very simple. He can construct very flat. The adjustment of all workpiece holders can be done simultaneously by a single adjusting device which moves the displacement element relative to the base element. This allows a very quick and easy adjustment.

The positioning elements may be e.g. act around simple pins pointing in the vertical direction; but they can also be more complex elements, e.g. Centering jaws with complex contours such as step contours or conical areas, or with a mold adapted in any other way to specific types of workpieces.

Each workpiece holder preferably defines a centering center of the workpiece holder, and the positioning elements cooperate with the base element and the displacement element in such a way that the centering center of each workpiece holder remains unchanged with respect to the base element when there is a change in distance of the associated positioning elements. The centering center is understood to be the geometric center of the positioning elements. If, for example, all positioning elements of a workpiece holder in a first position of the displacement element have the same distance from the centering center of the workpiece holder, then the positioning elements preferably shift during a displacement of the displacement element such that the distance from the centering center changes by the same amount for all positioning elements that furthermore the distance from the centering center is identical for all positioning elements. In doing so, the shift extend in the radial direction along straight lines, which intersect the centering center, relative to the base element; but the displacement can also be in other straight or curved directions. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the positioning elements of each workpiece holder is displaceably guided both along the base element along a first guide direction and on the displacement element along a second guide direction, wherein the first guide direction and the second guide direction differ from one another. If both the first guide direction and the second guide direction extend obliquely to the longitudinal direction, a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element along the longitudinal direction causes a displacement of the respective positioning element both relative to the base element and with respect to the displacement element. The first and second guide directions can each run straight (linear) or gel irrimt. If both guide directions are straight, one can also express the above situation as follows: The first guide direction extends at a first angle to the longitudinal direction, and the second guide direction extends at a second angle to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first angle and the second angle differ.

The amount by which the positioning element shifts with respect to the base element along the first guide direction when the displacement element is displaced by a given amount along the longitudinal direction can easily be determined by the course of the second guide direction given the first guide direction or given a first angle or by selecting the second angle. Preferably, the first and the second angle are each between 15 ° and 75 ° (absolute value). The difference between the first and second angles is preferably between 15 ° and 165 °, more preferably between 30 ° and 150 °.

In preferred embodiments, each workpiece holder comprises at least three (preferably exactly three) positioning elements, which are arranged radially around the centering center of the workpiece holder and symmetrical with respect to this Centering are displaced. At least two (preferably exactly two) of the positioning elements are then preferably displaceably guided, in each case in the manner described above, both on the base element and on the displacement element. Each of these two positioning elements is thus both on the base member along an obliquely to the longitudinal direction (in the case of a linear displacement at a first angle to the longitudinal direction extending) associated first guide direction and on the displacement element along an obliquely to the longitudinal direction (in the case of a linear displacement in a second angle to the longitudinal direction) associated second guide direction slidably guided, wherein the associated first guide direction and the associated second guide direction differ (in particular the first angle and the second angle differ). As a result, a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element along the longitudinal direction causes a displacement of the respective positioning element relative to the base element along the first guide direction. The first guide directions and the second guide directions are then selected for the relevant positioning elements such that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element causes a displacement displacement of the positioning of the respective workpiece holder relative to the base member by a displacement of identical amount, in such a way the centering center of the workpiece holder remains unchanged relative to the base element.

Specifically, this can be achieved in that the first and second guide directions of two positioning elements in each case with respect to each other with respect to the displacement direction are mirror-symmetrical. In particular, it is preferred that for one of the two positioning elements the first angle has a value of 60 ° and the second angle has a value of 30 ° and that for the other of the positioning elements the first angle has a value of -60 ° and the second angle a Value of -30 ° has. In this case, therefore, the first guide directions of the two positioning elements enclose an angle of 120 ° to one another, while the second guide directions enclose an angle of 60 ° to one another. In this case, the third positioning element is stationary relative to the displacement element, in particular rigidly connected to the displacement element, but displaceable parallel to the longitudinal direction relative to the base element along a third guide direction. The leadership of the three Positioning elements should then cut in the center of the workpiece holder. In this case, for all three positioning elements with a displacement of the displacement element results in a purely radial displacement with respect to the center of the workpiece holder by the same amount, namely the amount of displacement of the displacement element.

These considerations can be readily generalized to other geometries with straight or curved guide directions and to more than three positioning elements per workpiece holder. In all such embodiments, it may be useful for one of the positioning elements of each workpiece holder to be stationary relative to the displacement element and to be displaceable relative to the base element.

In a simplified embodiment, one of the positioning elements of each workpiece holder is stationary relative to the base element, and another of the positioning elements of each workpiece holder is stationary relative to the displacement element and displaceable relative to the base element. In the simplest case, each workpiece holder thus has exactly two positioning elements, which are displaceable relative to each other according to the displacement of the displacement element. However, this arrangement has the disadvantage that the centering of each workpiece holder is not stationary with a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base member, but mitverschiebt to half the displacement of the displacement element.

For the base element and for the sliding element a variety of constructions can be used. For example, the base element may be plate-shaped, in particular be designed as a perforated plate, or the base element may have the shape of a wire grid. The same applies to the displacement element. The guides of the positioning elements on the base element and on the displacement element can be designed as a correspondingly designed slide guides. In some advantageous embodiments, both the base element and the displacement element are plate-shaped. These plates are arranged parallel to one another and displaceable parallel to one another. Preferably, the displacement element is arranged below the base element. A particularly simple and elegant guidance of the positioning elements can be achieved in this case by the base element having one or more first guide grooves for each workpiece holder and the displacement element having one or more second guide grooves for each workpiece holder. At least one of the positioning elements of each workpiece holder is then preferably displaceably guided both in one of the first guide grooves and in one of the second guide grooves. In this case, the first guide groove extends along the above-mentioned first guide direction, and the second guide groove runs along the said second guide direction. Thus, the first and second guide grooves extend in such a way that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element causes a displacement of the respective positioning element both relative to the base element and to the displacement element in the guide grooves. The first guide groove and the second guide groove intersect to advantage.

As already mentioned, it is preferred if the centering center of each workpiece holder remains unchanged during a displacement of the displacement element. In this case, this can be implemented as follows: Each workpiece holder in turn comprises at least three positioning elements, which are arranged radially around the centering center of the workpiece holder. At least two of the positioning elements are each displaceably guided both in an associated first guide groove and in an associated second guide groove, wherein the associated first and second guide grooves extend such that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element, a displacement of the relevant positioning both with respect to the base element also causes the displacement element. This guide is selected such that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element by a predetermined displacement causes a displacement of all positioning of each workpiece holder relative to the base member by an identical amount, the centering of the workpiece holder remains unchanged relative to the base member. For details, reference is made to the more general considerations above, which are independent of any particular embodiment of the base member and the sliding member. In other advantageous embodiments, the base element forms a wire mesh, which defines a horizontal plane, and the displacement element also forms a wire mesh and is arranged to be displaceable parallel to the base element. In this case, a displacement of the positioning elements relative to the base element can be achieved as follows: The base element has one or more first guide cylinders for each workpiece holder, and the displacement element also has one or more second guide cylinders for each workpiece holder. The guide cylinders are preferably formed by wire pieces of the wire grid. At least one of the positioning of each workpiece holder is slidably guided both on an associated first guide cylinder and on an associated second guide cylinder. In this case, the first guide cylinder extends along the above-mentioned first guide direction, and the second guide cylinder runs along the second guide direction. Thus, the associated first and second guide cylinder are such that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element causes a displacement of the respective positioning element both relative to the base member and relative to the displacement element on the guide cylinders. The relevant first guide cylinder and the respective second guide cylinder intersect to advantage with a vertical distance from each other.

Again, it is advantageous if each workpiece holder comprises at least three positioning elements, which are arranged radially around a center of the workpiece holder around. At least two of the positioning elements are then advantageously displaceably guided in each case both on an associated first guide cylinder and on an associated second guide cylinder, wherein the associated first and second guide cylinder extend such that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element both a displacement of the respective positioning causes the base member as well as against the displacement element, in such a way that a displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element by a predetermined displacement causes a displacement of all positioning of each workpiece holder relative to the base member by an identical amount, wherein the center of the Workpiece holder remains unchanged relative to the base element. For details, reference is again made to the more general considerations above, which are independent of a specific embodiment of the base member and the displacement member. It is also conceivable that the base element is plate-shaped, but the displacement element forms a wire mesh, or vice versa. In this case, the positioning elements are guided on guide cylinders of the wire grid and in guide grooves of the plate-shaped element. In a further advantageous embodiment, the positioning elements act together for their adjustment with rotation elements. The workpiece carrier in this case has a plurality of rotation elements which are rotatably arranged on the (preferably below the) base element such that a displacement of the displacement element along the longitudinal direction causes a simultaneous rotation of the rotation elements relative to the base element. Each rotating element is associated with a workpiece holder. The positioning elements of each workpiece holder cooperate with the base element and the associated rotation element in such a way that a rotation of the associated rotation element relative to the base element causes a change in distance of the positioning elements of the corresponding workpiece holder.

In order to convert the linear movement of the displacement element into a rotational movement of the rotation elements, it is preferred that at least one of the rotation elements has a toothing and that the displacement element is designed as a rack, which cooperates with the toothing of one of the rotation elements or with an intermediate gear.

In addition, in order to achieve a simultaneous rotation of all the rotation elements, it is advantageous if at least a part of the rotation elements is interconnected by gears such that a displacement of the displacement element along the longitudinal direction causes a simultaneous rotation of the rotation elements relative to the base element. In this case, the teeth of the individual rotation elements can mesh directly with each other, or it can be interposed between the rotation elements more gears. In concrete embodiments, the base element may be plate-shaped and have one or more first guide grooves for each workpiece holder. Each of the (preferably flat and gear-shaped) rotation elements may then have one or more second guide grooves. At least one of the positioning elements of each workpiece holder can then be displaceably guided both in one of the first guide grooves and in one of the second guide grooves, wherein the first and second guide grooves extend such that a rotation of the respective rotational element relative to the base element causes a displacement of the respective positioning element relative to the first Base element causes in the first guide grooves. It is advantageous if the relevant guide groove of the base member and the respective guide groove of the displacement element intersect.

In particular, the first guide grooves may run straight and extend outward in the radial direction, starting from the axis of rotation of the associated rotary element. The second guide grooves may be curved and in particular run in a circle segment.

Again, it is possible to move the positioning elements to each other such that the centering of each workpiece holder remains invariable, which then coincides with the axis of rotation of the associated rotary member. For this purpose, each workpiece holder comprises at least two (preferably at least three, more preferably exactly three) positioning elements, which are arranged radially spaced from the axis of rotation. Each of these positioning elements is displaceably guided both in an associated first guide groove and in an associated second guide groove, wherein the respective first and second guide grooves extend such that a rotation of the respective rotational element relative to the base element, a displacement of the relevant positioning relative to the base member in the associated causes first guide groove, in such a way that a rotation of the rotary member relative to the base member by a certain angular amount causes a shift of all positioning of the relevant workpiece holder relative to the axis of rotation by an identical amount. This can be achieved by a symmetrical arrangement of the first and second guide grooves relative to the axis of rotation. Instead of a plate-shaped base element, the base element can in turn also form a wire grid in the embodiment with rotary elements. In this case, the positioning elements are not guided in guide grooves, but on guide cylinders on the base element, as has already been described in more detail above.

Regardless of the design of the base member and the sliding element, it is preferred if the positioning elements cooperate with the base element and the displacement element in such a way that they maintain an invariable orientation in space as they change their distance. For this purpose, at least a portion of the positioning elements each have a guide element which is rotatably and slidably guided in an associated guide groove of the base member or the displacement element or on an associated guide cylinder of the base member or the displacement element, that the respective positioning in a change in distance an invariable orientation in Room keeps.

In order to achieve a simple and safe displacement of the displacement element relative to the base element, which also requires only a small force, it is preferred that the tool carrier has an adjusting element with thread, in particular in the form of a cylinder screw, to the sliding element by a screw connection with respect to the Move base element. Preferably, the screw is self-locking, ie, the compound is designed so that a linear force between the base member and the sliding element causes no rotation of the adjusting threaded. In order to enable a simple adjustment even when a plurality of workpiece carriers are stacked on one another, the adjusting element is preferably operable on a lateral side of the workpiece carrier. For example, the adjustment element can be a horizontally arranged screw which adjustably connects the base element and the displacement element, and this screw preferably has its screw head in a lateral edge region of the workpiece carrier. The adjusting element is preferably secured by a locking device with positive locking against unintentional adjustment. This securing device may in particular have an adjusting ring and at least one resilient pressure piece, wherein the adjusting ring is non-rotatably connected to the adjusting element, and wherein the resilient pressure piece is arranged such that it engages positively in the adjustment ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a workpiece carrier according to the invention in a perspective view;

2 shows the base element of this workpiece carrier;

3 shows a detail from FIG. 2 as a detailed view;

4 shows the displacement element of this workpiece carrier;

5 shows a detail from FIG. 4 as a detailed view;

6 shows a perspective partial sectional view of a single workpiece holder together with the adjusting mechanism via a threaded connection; 7 shows a horizontal section through the adjusting element with safety device and the components thus connected directly;

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the workpiece carrier of Fig. 1;

9 shows a second embodiment of an inventive

Workpiece carrier in perspective partial view;

10 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a workpiece carrier according to the invention in a perspective partial view;

11 is a partial perspective view of a single workpiece holder in

Exploded view according to the third embodiment;

Figures 12 and 13 a fourth embodiment of an inventive

Workpiece carrier in perspective partial views;

Fig. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of an inventive

Workpiece carrier in perspective partial view;

15 shows a stack of loaded workpiece carriers according to the first

Embodiment; and

16 shows a detail from FIG. 15 as a detailed view. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tool carrier in the form of a flexibly adjustable workpiece basket 1. The workpiece basket 1 has a plate-shaped, horizontally arranged base element 4.1 and also a plate-shaped, horizontally arranged displacement element 5.1. Parts of this workpiece basket are illustrated in Figures 2-7. An exploded view is shown in FIG. 8. The width of the workpiece basket is in the present example b = 400 mm and its length 1 = 600 mm. Other standard dimensions are 600 x 800 mm and 800 x 1200 mm. However, other dimensions can also be selected.

The base member 4.1 is connected on its one end face with a handle bar 20 and on its other end face with a Einstellgriffleiste 21. Both handles 20, 21 each have a recess 29.2 to take the workpiece basket for manual transport. The handles can be adjusted to the height of the workpiece by different height steps. By means of cylinder head screws 15.1 and countersunk screws 15.2, the grip strips are screwed.

Below the base member 4.1 two guide rails 22 are screwed thereto by means of cap screws 15.1. This guide rails 22 take the sliding element 5.1 slidably. The shorter displacement element 5.1 is displaceable relative to the longer base element 4.1 along a longitudinal direction by a longitudinal stroke. The longitudinal stroke is limited by the two gripping strips 20, 21.

In the workpiece basket, a plurality of workpiece holders 3 is formed. Each workpiece holder 3 is formed by three positioning elements 6.1, 6.2 in the form of clamping jaws to position a workpiece 2 in the workpiece basket 1. On the positioning 6.1, 6.2, a disc-shaped workpiece 2 can be stored with a vertical axis on the respective centering center 27.

The base element 4.1 and the displacement element 5.1 are preferably made of sheet metal made in which are formed by laser cutting openings. The openings in the base element 4.1 have the shape of guide grooves 11.1. Likewise, the openings in the displacement element 5.1 partly have the shape of guide grooves 11.2. At least part of the guide grooves 11.1, 11.2 are each arranged obliquely (angled) to the longitudinal direction. With its center line, each of the guide grooves 11.1 in the base element defines a first guide direction 31.1 and each of the guide grooves 11.2 in the displacement element has a second guide direction 31.2. The first and second guide directions 31.1 and 31.2 each extend mirror-symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry 32.1 or 32.2 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction. The guide grooves 11.1, 11.2 here have a straight course both in the base element 4.1 and in the displacement element 5.1. They can be seen particularly well in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. The center lines of the mirror-symmetrical guide directions 31.2 can intersect at the center of a centering bore 28.1, but they do not have to. In each case two positioning elements 6.1 each workpiece holder 3 are guided via a respective guide element 10.1, a cylindrical spacer sleeve 25, a disc 26 and a cylinder screw 15.1 both in the guide grooves 11.1 of the base member 4.1 and in the guide grooves 11.2 of the sliding element 5.1 slidably. The third positioning element 6.2 is screwed firmly to the sliding element 5.1 via a further guide element 10.1 and is displaceable in one of the guide grooves 11.1 of the base element 4.1 in the longitudinal direction. The guide elements 10.1 are designed here as blocks which run in a rotationally fixed manner in the guide grooves 11.1 of the base element and thus ensure the guidance with respect to the guide grooves 11.1. The guide in the guide grooves 11.2 of the sliding element takes place through the spacers 25th

In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 it is shown how the adjustment of the workpiece holder 3 by means of an adjusting element 8 is threaded. The adjusting element 8 is a cylinder screw and is twisted with an Allen key with a slight manual force. About the external thread of this cylinder screw 8 and a screwed on the sliding element 5.1 pad 7 with internal thread, the rotational movement of the screw is converted into a longitudinal movement of the displacement element 5.1.

With the displacement element 5.1 is also the hereby firmly connected positioning 6.2 moved. In addition, the two displaceable positioning 6.1 are moved synchronously over the respective spacer sleeve 25 in the associated, at an angle α - 60 ° to each other guide grooves 11.2 of the sliding element 5.1 and guided by the two at an angle ß = 120 ° to each other guide grooves 11.1 on the base element 4.1.

The angular positions of the first guide grooves 11.1 and the second guide grooves 11.2 are selected so that they guarantee a linearity between the displacement of the displacement element 5.1 and the displacement of the positioning elements 6.1 and that the centering 27 of the workpiece holder 3 remains unchanged during the displacement. For the guide grooves 11.2 in the sliding element 5.1 also curved grooves can be used, but then the above linearity is lost and thus a certain offset of the centering 27 of the workpiece holders 3 is formed. Overall, all the workpiece holders 3 are set to a desired setting diameter D when adjusting the adjustment 8 synchronously. If a relatively small pitch of the adjusting element 8 of e.g. 1 to 2 mm is selected, a relatively large displacement force can be achieved. This ensures that even with contamination or gumming through old coolant adjustment is feasible. Furthermore, the self-locking ensured in the thread of the adjusting element 8 a relatively secure holding the setting position. In addition, for this purpose, two resilient pressure pieces 24 are still provided in a brake pad 17, which engage in recesses on the outer circumference of a rotationally fixed to the adjusting element 8 adjusting ring 23. With the two resilient pressure pieces 24, the cylinder screw 8 is locked in a form-fitting manner in the positioning position. This and the self-locking in the thread of the cylinder screw 8 can be achieved in robust operation, a simple and time-limited backup of the positioning position.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 15 and 16, the workpiece basket RFID identification elements 18, recesses 29.1 for automatic transport and Lagefixierelemente 13.1; 13.2 have. The Lagefixierelemente are usefully integrated into the other basket elements and are to ensure the transverse and longitudinal position when stacking the workpiece baskets 1 (here: stack height H = 318 mm). A second exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. Here, only two positioning elements 6, 1, 6.2 are present per workpiece neck 3. One positioning element 6.1 is rigidly connected to the base element 4.1, and the other positioning element 6.2 is rigidly connected to the displacement element 5.1. This embodiment variant has a simpler structure, but in this case the centering center 27 of the workpiece holder 3 moves with half the displacement. Furthermore, only a low positioning accuracy can be achieved.

A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this case, the base element 4.2 and the displacement element 5.2 are realized as a wire mesh. In practice, wire baskets are widely used because they are light and inexpensive, as well as controlling the oil discharge from the machine and the contamination with these elements. The basic structure of this variant is similar to the first embodiment. Instead of the two laser-cut steel sheets, two wire meshes are used. Individual wire sections of the base element 4.2 are joined together with clamping and guide elements 30.1 to form a rigid grid, and wire sections of the displacement element 5.2 are likewise joined together with analog clamping and guide elements 30.2 to form a rigid grid. In each case a clamping and guiding elements 30.1 is rigidly connected to a clamping and guiding element 30.2 to a pair. These pairs are designed so that they allow a displacement of the displacement element 5.2 relative to the base element 4.2. For this purpose, in each case one of the clamping and guide elements 30.1, 30.2 of each pair relative to an associated, parallel to the longitudinal direction wire portion of the base member or the displacement element displaceable, while the other clamping and guiding element of the pair is rigidly connected by clamping with its associated wire section. Instead of clamping the individual wire sections of the base and displacement element 4.2; 5.2 with an associated clamping and guide and welding can be attached.

The wire sections partially form guide cylinder 9.1 or 9.2. The positioning 6.1, 6.2 are guided instead of guide grooves on these guide cylinders 9.1, 9.2. For this purpose, they are arranged on corresponding guide elements 10.2. These guide elements 10.2 have through holes which receive the guide cylinders 9.1, 9.2 slidably. The sliding element 5.2 is in turn with a Adjustment 8 connected in the form of a cylinder screw. As a result, all positioning elements 6.1, 6.2 can be adjusted synchronously in this exemplary embodiment as well.

The side walls of the wire mesh basket are advantageously formed per side by at least one fixed steel tube 19.2 for the base element 4.2 and a sliding steel tube 19.1 for the displacement element 5.2 in this embodiment.

A fourth exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this case, a plate-shaped base element 4.1 having the features described above is used. This is supplemented by a plurality of rotatable, externally toothed rotation elements 12, whose teeth are engaged with each other, and which are arranged under the base element 4.1. A first rotation element 12 is rotated with a sliding element in the form of a displaceable rack 16, wherein this rack 16 is in turn displaced with an adjusting element 8 in the form of a cylinder screw. So that a mutual blocking of the many identical, toothed rotation elements 12 does not occur, their centering centers 27 (which coincide with the respective bore 28.2 for mounting the axis of rotation) with different distances AI, A2, A3, A4, etc. are installed. Thus, the pattern of these centering centers 27 becomes irregular. Alternatively, however, regular patterns are feasible if more complex rotation elements 12 with segment gears are used. The toothing is then formed only at the contact points of two rotating elements 12 and otherwise the outside diameter is set back so far that no collision can occur. Similarly, oval gears can be used.

For synchronous adjustment of all positioning elements 4.1 guide grooves 11.1 and curved in the rotation elements 12 guide grooves 11.3 are arranged in the plate-shaped base element 4.1. As a result, a certain nonlinearity between the adjustment on the adjusting element 8 and the displacement movement of the positioning 6.1, 6.2 result. The repeatability is not negatively affected. An important advantage of this embodiment is that the proportion of sliding friction through the rotations can be substantially reduced and the very flat construction is still feasible. Fig. 14 illustrates a fifth embodiment which may be considered as a variant of the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, an auxiliary gear in the form of a small pinion 14 is installed between each two adjacent rotation elements. This allows a synchronous and the same direction rotation with regular arrangement of the centering.

All embodiments have the following advantages in common:

• With only one adjusting device, all workpiece holders are adjusted synchronously.

• Reliable repeat accuracy for centering disc and shaft gears with vertical axis position and other (especially) rotative parts etc.

• Very easy handling, versatile, short set-up times, i. the productivity is increased.

• Very robust and therefore durable.

• Very flat and easy to build.

• Lowest oil discharge.

• Verharzungen by coolant and deposits of grinding chips and grinding sludge have virtually no effect on the functionality of the positioning.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 workpiece basket, flexibly adjustable

2 workpiece, e.g. a spur gear

3 workpiece holder

4.1 base element, plate-shaped

4.2 Base element, wire mesh

5.1 sliding element, plate-shaped

5.2 Sliding element, wire mesh

6.1 Positioning element, movable with respect to base and displacement element

6.2 positioning, movable relative to the base element and stationary

displacement element

6.3 Positioning element, stationary on base element

6.4 Positioning element in conjunction with rotation element

7 logs with thread

8 adjusting element with thread, e.g. cylinder head screw

9.1 Guide cylinder on the base element, wire-shaped

9.2 Guide cylinder on the sliding element, wire-shaped

10.1 Guide element for plate-shaped base element

10.2 Guide element for wire-frame-shaped base and displacement element

11.1 Guide groove in the base element

11.2 Guide groove in the sliding element

11.3 Guide groove in the rotation element

12 rotating element, toothed

13.1 Position fixing element, transverse

13.2 Position fixing element, longitudinal

14 pinions, toothed

15.1 connecting element, e.g. cylinder head screw

15.2 connecting element, e.g. Senkschraube

16 rack

17 brake pad

18 identification element, e.g. RFID TAG

19.1 pipe, slidable

19.2 pipe, solid 20 handle bar

21 adjustment handle

22 guide rail

23 adjustment ring

24 resilient pressure piece

25 spacer sleeve

26 disc

27 centering center

28.1 Hole for positioning element 6.2

28.2 Bore for storage

29.1 Recesses for automatic transport

29.2 Recess for manual transport

30.1 Clamping and guiding element on the base element

30.2 clamping and guide element on the displacement element 31.1 first guide direction

31.2 second guiding direction

32.1 symmetry axis in the base element

32.2 symmetry axis in the displacement element

AI, ..., A4 distance between the axes of rotation

b Width of the workpiece basket

1 length of the workpiece basket

h height of the workpiece basket

D Setting diameter on the workpiece holder

H Height of the stacked workpiece baskets

a = 60 ° angle between guide grooves in the displacement element ß = 120 ° angle between guide grooves in the base element

Claims

1. workpiece carrier for receiving a plurality of workpieces, comprising:

a base element (4.1; 4.2) defining a horizontal plane; and a plurality of workpiece holders (3) arranged on the base element (4.1; 4.2) for each workpiece (2), each workpiece holder (3) comprising at least two positioning elements (6.1, 6.2; 6.3; 6.4) for positioning the workpiece (2) , wherein the positioning elements (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) are arranged at a distance from each other,

characterized,

in that the positioning elements (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) of each workpiece holder (3) have a variable horizontal distance from each other in order to adapt the workpiece holders (3) to different workpieces,

the workpiece carrier has a displacement element (5.1; 5.2; 16) which is arranged horizontally displaceable relative to the base element (4.1; 4.2) along a longitudinal direction,

and in that the positioning elements (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) interact with the base element (4.1; 4.2) and the displacement element (5.1; 5.2; 16) in such a way that a displacement of the displacement element (5.1; 5.2; 4.1; 4.2) causes a simultaneous change in distance of the positioning elements (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4) of several workpiece holders (3) to one another along the longitudinal direction.

2. workpiece carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that each

Workpiece holder (3) defines a centering center (27) of the workpiece holder (3), and that the centering center (27) of each workpiece holder (3) remains unchanged with a change in distance of the associated positioning elements (6.1, 6.2; 6.3; 6.4).

3. workpiece carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the positioning elements (6.1) of each workpiece holder (3) both on the base element (4.1, 4.2) along an oblique to the longitudinal direction extending slidably along the first guide direction and the second guide direction, so that a displacement of the displacement element (5.1, 5.2) relative to the base element ( 4.1; 4.2) along the longitudinal direction causes a displacement of the relevant positioning element (6.1) both with respect to the base element (4.1, 4.2) and with respect to the displacement element (5.1, 5.2).

4. workpiece carrier according to claim 3, characterized

that each workpiece holder (3) comprises at least three positioning elements (6.1, 6.2) which are arranged radially around a centering center (27) of the workpiece holder (3), and

in that at least two of the positioning elements (6.1) are displaceably guided both along the base element (4.1; 4.2) along an assigned first guide direction running obliquely to the longitudinal direction and on the displacement element (5.1; 5.2) along an associated second guide direction running obliquely to the longitudinal direction the assigned first guide direction and the associated second guide direction differ, so that a displacement of the displacement element (5.1, 5.2) relative to the base element (4.1, 4.2) along the longitudinal direction, a displacement of the respective positioning element (6.1) both relative to the base element (4.1, 4.2) as well as with respect to the displacement element (5.1, 5.2),

and that the first guide directions and the second guide directions are selected such that a displacement of the displacement element (5.1; 5.2) relative to the base element (4.1; 4.2) by a predetermined displacement a displacement of all positioning elements (6.1) of the respective workpiece holder (3) relative to the Base element (4.1; 4.2) effected by an identical amount, wherein the centering center (27) of the workpiece holder (3) relative to the base element (4.1, 4.2) remains unchanged.

5. workpiece carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that one of the positioning elements (6.2) each workpiece holder (3) relative to the Displacement element (5.1; 5.2) is stationary and displaceable relative to the base element (4.1; 4.2).

6. Workpiece carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the positioning elements (6.1) of each workpiece holder (3) relative to the base element (4.1) is stationary and that another of the positioning elements (6.2) each workpiece holder (3) relative to the displacement element (5.1) stationary and relative to the base member (4.1) is displaceable.

7. workpiece carrier according to claim 1, characterized

that the base element (4.1) is plate-shaped and that the displacement element (5.1) is also plate-shaped and is arranged displaceably parallel to the base element (4.1).

8. workpiece carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that below the base element (4.1) two guide rails (22) for displacing the displacement element (5.1) are arranged along the longitudinal direction.

9. workpiece carrier according to claim 7 or 8, characterized

in that the base element (4.1) has one or more first guide grooves (11.1) for each workpiece holder (3) and the displacement element (5.1) has one or more second guide grooves (11.2) for each workpiece holder (3) and

in that at least one of the positioning elements (6.1) of each workpiece holder (3) is displaceably guided both in one of the first guide grooves (11.1) and in one of the second guide grooves (11.2), the first and second guide grooves (11.1, 11.2) being such that a displacement of the displacement element (5.1) relative to the base element (4.1) causes a displacement of the respective positioning element (6.1) both relative to the base element (4.1) and to the displacement element (5.1) in the guide grooves (11.1, 11.2).

10. workpiece carrier according to claim 9, characterized each workpiece holder (3) comprises at least three positioning elements (6.1, 6.2) which are arranged radially around a centering center (27) of the workpiece holder (3),

in that at least two of the positioning elements (6.1) are displaceably guided both in an associated first guide groove (11.1) and in an associated second guide groove (11.2), wherein the associated first and second guide grooves (11.1, 11.2) extend in such a way that a displacement the displacement element (5.1) relative to the base element (4.1) causes a displacement of the relevant positioning element (6.1) both relative to the base element (4.1) and to the displacement element (5.1),

in such a way that a displacement of the displacement element (5.1) relative to the base element (4.1) by a predetermined displacement causes a displacement of all positioning elements (6.1, 6.2) of the relevant workpiece holder (3) relative to the base element (4.1) by an identical amount, so the centering center (27) of the workpiece holder (3) remains unchanged relative to the base element (4.1).

11. workpiece carrier according to claim 1, characterized

that the base element (4.2) forms a wire grid which defines a horizontal plane, and

that the displacement element (5.2) also forms a wire grid and is arranged displaceably parallel to the base element (4.2).

12. workpiece carrier according to claim 11, characterized

in that the base element (4.2) has one or more first guide cylinders (9.1) for each workpiece holder (3) and the displacement element (5.2) has one or more second guide cylinders (9.2) for each workpiece holder (3) and

in that at least one of the positioning elements (6.1) of each workpiece holder (3) is displaceably guided both on an associated first guide cylinder (9.1) and on an associated second guide cylinder (9.2), whereby the respective first and second guide cylinders (9.1, 9.2) run in such a way that a shift of the Displacement element (5.2) relative to the base element (4.2) causes a displacement of the relevant positioning element (6.1) both relative to the base element (4.2) and relative to the displacement element (5.2) on the guide cylinders (9.1, 9.2).

13. workpiece carrier according to claim 12, characterized

each workpiece holder (3) comprises at least three positioning elements (6.1, 6.2) which are arranged radially around a centering center of the workpiece holder (3),

in that at least two of the positioning elements (6.1) are displaceably guided in each case both on an associated first guide cylinder (9.1) and on an associated second guide cylinder (9.2), wherein the associated first and second guide cylinders (9.1, 9.2) run in such a way that a Displacement of the displacement element (5.2) relative to the base element (4.2) causes a displacement of the respective positioning element (6.1) both relative to the base element (4.2) and relative to the displacement element (5.2),

in such a way that a displacement of the displacement element (5.2) relative to the base element (4.2) by a predetermined displacement causes a displacement of all positioning elements (6.1, 6.2) of the respective workpiece holder (3) relative to the base element (4.2) by an identical amount, so the centering center of the workpiece holder (3) remains unchanged relative to the base element (4.2).

14. workpiece carrier according to claim 1, characterized

in that the workpiece carrier has a plurality of rotation elements (12) which are arranged rotatably on the base element (4.1) such that a displacement of the displacement element (16) along the longitudinal direction causes a simultaneous rotation of the rotation elements (12) relative to the base element (4.1),

that each rotation element (12) is associated with a workpiece holder (3) and

that the positioning elements (6.1) each workpiece holder (3) with so the base element (4.1) and the associated rotary element (12) cooperate such that a rotation of the associated rotary element (12) relative to the base element (4.1) causes a change in distance of the positioning elements (6.1, 6.2) of the corresponding workpiece holder (3) to each other.

15. workpiece carrier according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one of the rotation elements (12) has a toothing and that the displacement element (16) is designed as a rack, which cooperates with the toothing of one of the rotary elements (12) or with an intermediate gear.

16. workpiece carrier according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that at least a part of the rotation elements (12) is interconnected by teeth such that a displacement of the displacement element (16) along the longitudinal direction simultaneous rotation of the rotation elements (12) relative to the base element (4.1) causes.

17. workpiece carrier according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the base element is plate-shaped,

the base element has one or more first guide grooves for each workpiece holder (3),

that each of the rotation elements has one or more second guide grooves, and

in that at least one of the positioning elements of each workpiece holder (3) is displaceably guided both in one of the first guide grooves and in one of the second guide grooves, wherein the first and second guide grooves extend such that a rotation of the respective rotational element relative to the base element causes a displacement of the relevant positioning element causes the base member in the first guide grooves.

18. workpiece carrier according to claim 17, wherein each of the rotational elements about a associated rotational axis is rotatable, characterized in that each workpiece holder (3) comprises at least two positioning elements, which are arranged radially spaced from the axis of rotation, and

in that each of these positioning elements is displaceably guided both in an associated first guide groove and in an associated second guide groove, wherein the respective first and second guide grooves extend such that a rotation of the respective rotational element relative to the base element causes a displacement of the relevant positioning element relative to the base element in the associated first guide groove causes

in such a way that a rotation of the rotary element relative to the base element by a certain angular amount causes a displacement of all positioning elements of the respective workpiece holder (3) relative to the axis of rotation by an identical amount.

19. Workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning elements cooperate with the base element and the displacement element in such a way that they maintain a constant orientation in space with their change in distance.

20. workpiece carrier according to claim 19, characterized in that at least one

Part of the positioning each having a guide member which is rotatably and slidably guided in an associated guide groove of the base member or the displacement element or on an associated guide cylinder of the base member or the displacement element, that the respective positioning retains a fixed orientation in space with a change in distance.

21. Workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece carrier has an adjusting element (8) with thread in order to displace the displacement element (5.1, 5.2) by a screw connection relative to the base element (4.1, 4.2).

22. Workpiece carrier according to claim 21, characterized in that the Adjusting element (8) on a lateral side of the workpiece carrier is actuated.

Workpiece carrier according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the adjusting element (8) is designed to be self-locking, and that the workpiece carrier has an adjusting ring (23) and at least one resilient pressure piece (24), wherein the adjusting ring (23) rotatably with the adjusting element (23). 8) is connected, and wherein the resilient pressure piece (24) is arranged such that it positively engages in the adjusting ring (23) to secure the adjusting element (8) against inadvertent displacement.