WO2019215184A1

WO2019215184A1 - Station for machining panels

Info

Publication number: WO2019215184A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/061727
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Laur; Yannick REGIS
Original assignee: Fives Machining
Priority date: 2018-05-07
Filing date: 2019-05-07
Publication date: 2019-11-14
Also published as: FR3080788B1; FR3080788A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a station (1) for machining panels for the manufacture of aeronautical parts, comprising: - a pallet support (3) suitable for securing pallets (4); - a machining system (7) configured to machine a panel (5) mounted on a pallet (4); - a rack (11) for storing pallets; - a device for transferring (13) pallets, which device is configured to transversely transfer a pallet (4) between the support (3) and the rack (11).

Description

MACHINING STATION FOR PANELS

The present invention relates to the field of panel machining stations for the manufacture of parts for the aeronautical industry. More particularly, these stations operate a shrinkage of material in panels, usually aluminum, for the manufacture of parts intended for aeronautical applications, such as structural elements of an aircraft wing. Note that because of the destination of said workpieces in a panel, said panels are generally large, that is to say they measure between 5 and 20 meters long, 1 to 4 meters wide , for a maximum thickness of 400 millimeters. Said panels therefore generally have a weight of between 1 and 20 tons.

In addition, the present invention is advantageously intended for vertical table machining stations, that is to say that the panel to be machined is fixed on a support, called a pallet, which is oriented vertically with respect to the ground when material removal operations performed on the panel. The machining stations comprise a machining system, generally mobile, comprising one or more machining tools, these tools are often called pins, and generally orientable in order to perform removal of material operations on the panel. Material removal operations are, for example, milling, drilling, countersinking, etc.

Thus, because of the size and weight of the panels to be machined, it is necessary to have a machining station having large dimensions and generally of substantially rectangular shape. The space required for machining panels is all the more important that the panels to be machined are fixed on the pallet before it is mounted in the machining station. The pallet on which is mounted a panel is then introduced along the longitudinal axis of the machining station, thus making it mandatory to have a clearance greater than the length of the panel and / or the pallet in front of the opening by which pallets are introduced into the machining station.

Once the panel is machined, the evacuation is generally done by the same opening, because the other longitudinal end of the machining station is

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) closed by a wall, behind which are arranged devices for discharging material chips generated following machining operations.

It is thus understood that a machining station and the clearance allowing the transit of the panels requires a significant footprint, especially since this footprint has a longitudinal extension largely greater than its transverse extension, which complicates the development of factories comprising such machining stations.

Thus, the present invention aims to remedy at least the disadvantage mentioned above and to propose a new type of panel machining station for the manufacture of aeronautical parts comprising:

at least one pallet support on which a panel is able to be fixed;

a machining system configured to machine the panel mounted on the pallet, the pallet being carried by the support;

at least one pallet storage rack;

at least one pallet transfer device configured to transfer, transversely, the pallet between said support and said rack.

The pallet support can also be called a machining support.

Thus, having integrated in the machining station, a pallet transfer device and a storage rack to optimize the footprint of said station, but also allows better management of the flow of machined panels and to machine, while allowing a better security of the operators of said station.

According to a possible characteristic, the machining station comprises a fairing delimiting a machining zone in which are disposed, on the one hand, the machining system and, on the other hand, the pallet when the machining system is machined a panel fixed on the pallet.

The fact that the machining station comprises a fairing defining the machining area makes it possible to limit the projections of material chips and / or the dispersion of particles generated by the machining operations around the machining station. Indeed, these chips and particles can be dangerous for the operators of the machining station or the personnel of the factory. By elsewhere, the fairing also makes it possible to limit accidents, for example caused by broken tools, a tool break generating a projectile at high speed that could injure a person close to said station.

According to another possible feature, the fairing comprises a lateral opening allowing the passage of a panel, a pallet and the panel transfer device. This lateral opening is arranged on one of the sides of the fairing and extends longitudinally along one of the sides of the fairing.

According to another possible characteristic, the transfer device comprises at least one closure wall configured, at least in one position of said transfer device, to cooperate with the fairing of the machining station so as to close, totally or partially, the machining area. Thus, the cooperation of said at least one closing wall and said fairing, at the level of the lateral opening, makes it possible to close, totally or partially, the machining zone. This allows delimiting a closed volume that limits the dispersion of chips and particles out of the machining area.

According to another possible feature, said at least one pallet support is configured so that the pallet is oriented vertically when the machining system manufactures a panel fixed on said pallet.

According to another possible characteristic, the machining system comprises at least one pin, said at least one pin being oriented horizontally.

According to another possible feature, the machining station comprises a plurality of pallet storage racks and pallet transfer devices, said transfer devices and the storage racks being interposed relative to each other.

According to another possible feature, the machining station comprises a plurality of pallet carriers and pallet transfer devices which are arranged offset from one another. Thus, these elements are not arranged vis-à-vis to prevent collisions between the different elements of the machining station. According to another possible characteristic, said at least one pallet support comprises a frame, at least one actuator and a portion mounted on said frame. Said moving part of said pallet support comprises means for cooperation with a pallet.

The actuator may in particular be configured to actuate the cooperation means for fixing the pallet to the movable part and / or to release it from it.

According to another possible characteristic, said frame comprises slides in which the movable part can slide in order to perform a translational movement, for example rectilinear

According to another possible feature, said at least one support comprising a pivot connection for pivoting the cooperation means between a first and a second distinct position, said distinct positions being orthogonal to each other.

According to another possible characteristic, said movable portion is configured to move in translation and in rotation.

According to another possible characteristic, the transfer device comprises a carriage and a lifting table.

According to another possible feature, said at least one transfer device comprises a carriage equipped with a lifting table.

Said lift table being configured to cooperate with the support to transfer the pallet of the support to said lifting table or vice versa.

For example, the table may have a shape complementary to the shape of the mobile part of the support, in particular when the mobile part is in a transfer position. This makes it possible to position the table vis-à-vis the support of fate to ensure a simplified transfer of the pallet. For example, the table can be arranged to take the shelf by simple elevation and / or to put it on the cooperation means by simple downward movement.

In this way the transfer does not require additional transfer means between the support and the lift table. According to another possible characteristic, said transfer device is configured to move transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machining station. Said at least one transfer device moves for example from said at least one pallet support to at least one storage rack.

According to another possible characteristic, the lift table is configured to move in the main extension plane of the carriage, that is to say substantially horizontally, and orthogonal to the main extension plane of the carriage, that is to say say substantially vertically.

According to another possible feature, said lifting table comprises a translation assembly for translating a pallet to the surface of said table.

According to another possible characteristic, said translation assembly comprises at least one peg and rollers.

According to another possible characteristic, said translation assembly further comprises a chain, rollers and / or an actuator.

According to another possible characteristic, said carriage comprises an actuator, electrical or hydraulic, such as a jack.

According to another possible characteristic, said at least one storage rack comprises at least two pallet storage areas.

According to another possible feature, the pallet comprises a vacuum device for creating a vacuum between the panel and the pallet.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative purposes and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a machining station according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views taken from the machining station of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of pallet supports of a machining station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a pallet support of FIG. 4;

- Figure 6 is a top view of the pallet carrier of Figure 5;

FIG. 7 represents a schematic perspective view of several transfer devices of a machining station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a transfer device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 represents a schematic perspective view of a storage rack of a machining station of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10 to 17 illustrate the operation of a machining station of FIG. 1, more particularly the transfer of a pallet between the pallet supports and the storage racks.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from above of a panel machining station 1 for the manufacture of mechanical parts in the aeronautical field. The panels to be machined are generally aluminum panels having elongated shapes and weights of between 1 and 20 tons.

It will be noted that machining means any material removal operation, such as milling, drilling, countersinking, etc. It is all of these operations that makes it possible to manufacture parts for the aeronautical industry, such as structural components for an aircraft wing.

Said machining station 1 thus has an elongate shape and a longitudinal axis (not shown).

In addition, said station 1 comprises a fairing 3 which delimits a machining zone 5 and a loading / unloading zone 7 of panels, for example surmounted by a platform 9 allowing the operators to access said loading / unloading zone 7 in a secure manner. FIG. 2 is a view extracted from the machining station 1 of FIG. 1, the station 1 thus comprises, arranged in the machining zone 5, on the one hand, a machining system 11 configured to machine a panel mounted on a pallet and, on the other hand, a pallet 13 when the machining system 11 is machining a panel fixed on the pallet 13.

Note that the machining system 11 may be a gantry, one or more robots and / or any other means for machining a panel fixed on a pallet 13. Generally, the machining system 11 comprises one or more pins, equipped with tools, for performing various material removal operations on a panel (such as those mentioned above).

The machining system 11 is movable in translation, for example along the longitudinal axis of said station, to allow machining of the panel over its entire length, width, and thickness (or depth).

Note that in the embodiment shown, the pallet 13 and the panel are in a vertical position when the machining system 11 is machining the panel, but it is not excluded that the pallet and the panel are arranged horizontally or an intermediate position between these two extreme positions.

It will also be noted that the machining station 1 may comprise a control station, devices for evacuating material chips generated in the machining zone during the machining of a panel, ventilation systems, electrical power supplies. etc. This equipment will not be detailed further in the present application because known to those skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, said machining station 1 further comprises:

at least one pallet support on which a pallet is able to be fixed;

at least one rack 17 for storing pallets;

at least one pallet transfer device 19 configured to transfer, transversely, a pallet 13 between said at least one support 15 and said at least rack 17. Thus, the pallets are displaced from the pallet loading / unloading zone 7 at the machining zone 5 (and vice versa) transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machining station 1.

In the embodiment described, there is a plurality of pallet supports, transfer devices 19 and storage racks 17, but the number of these elements 15, 17 and 19 depends on the length of the pallet 13 and of the panel fixed on it (one can imagine for small pallets and panels that there is only one or two elements of each type).

More particularly, the transfer device 19 makes it possible to transfer a pallet 13 between the machining zone 5 and the loading / unloading zone 7 via a lateral opening 3a arranged in the fairing 3. Said opening 3a extends along the longitudinal axis of the machining station 1.

The transfer devices 19 further comprise at least one closure wall 191 configured to cooperate, at least in one position of said transfer devices 19, with the fairing 3 of the machining station 1 so as to close the opening 3a of the fairing 3. Thus, this cooperation between the closure wall 191 and the shroud 3 allows the machining zone 5 to be a substantially closed volume, thus avoiding that the dust and / or the material chips generated by the Machining operations do not reach the operators and / or disturb the operation of the different machines located around them. Note that the closure wall may be in one piece as in the embodiment described, but it may also be composed of several walls, fixed on each of said transfer devices 19, cooperating with each other and with the fairing to close the lateral opening.

In a not shown embodiment, the machining station 1 does not comprise a fairing and the transfer devices do not comprise a closure wall.

Thus, when the machining station 1 comprises a plurality of pallet supports, racks 17 and transfer devices 19, it is recommended, in order to prevent these elements which have moving parts from colliding, that : the pallet supports are offset with respect to the pallet transfer devices;

the storage racks 17 and the transfer devices 19 are interposed relative to one another, this also makes it possible to optimize the footprint of the loading / unloading zone 7.

Thus, a pallet support 15 (more particularly visible in Figures 4 to 6) comprises a frame 151 on which is mounted a movable portion 153 comprising means 155 for pallet cooperation. The frame 151 is a fixed part, generally fixed to the ground or to a structural part of the machining station 1.

The movable portion 153, for its part, is configured to move in translation along the frame. The movable portion 153 is slidably mounted on the frame 151, for example by means of rails or rails arranged in frame rails 151.

The engagement means 155 are pivotally mounted so that the engagement means 155 can move between a first and a second distinct position, said distinct positions being orthogonal to each other, such as a vertical position and a position horizontal (that is to say that if we consider that the cooperation means are located in a plane, this plane can take two extremal positions, vertical and horizontal).

More particularly, the movable part 153 comprises a hinged chisel 157, on which are arranged the cooperation means 155. It is the opening and closing of the chisel 157, for example under the effect of an actuator, which respectively allows passing said means 155 from a vertical position to a horizontal position and vice versa. Thus, it is understood that a pallet fixed on the movable portion 153 via the cooperation means 155 makes it possible to pivot the pallet 13 from a vertical position to a horizontal position (and vice versa).

In addition, the support 15 comprises one or more actuators 159 generating a force sufficient for the mobile part 153 to move in translation and / or a pallet 13 fixed on the movable part 153, by via the means of cooperation 155, pivots from one position to another.

Note that the cooperation means 155 are, in the embodiment described, hooks which cooperate with complementary forms arranged in a pallet 13, but these cooperation means 155 can take any form as long as the link pallet support, such as a pivot connection, allows the rotation or pivoting of the pallet 13. This rotation or pivoting allowing the pallet to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position (and vice versa).

A pallet transfer device 13, more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, comprises a carriage 193 configured to move between the pallet carriers and the storage racks 17.

In the embodiment described, the carriage 193 comprises wheels and moves on beams 195 acting as a support for moving said carriage 193. However, the transfer device 19 may comprise any means, such as an engine electrical and rack-and-pinion system, allowing the carriage 193 to perform a translation between the machining zone 5 and loading / unloading area 7, and more particularly between the pallet supports and the storage racks 17.

In addition, the carriage 193 of the transfer device 19 comprises a lifting table 199 (also called lifting platform) configured, on the one hand, to move in translation in the main extension plane of the carriage 193 (ie that is to say substantially in a horizontal plane) and, secondly, to have a movement orthogonal to the main extension plane of the carriage 19 (that is to say substantially in a vertical plane).

Said lifting table 199 comprises a translational assembly 201 for translating a pallet 13 disposed on the surface of said lifting table 199. The carriage 193 further comprises at least one actuator 197 allowing the translation of the lifting table 199 in the carriage 193 during the transfer phases of the pallet 13 between different areas of the rack 17.

More particularly, said translation unit 201 comprises: a movable pin 201a configured to cooperate with a pallet 13;

rollers 201b intended to be in contact with a pallet 13 when it is placed on the lifting table 199.

When a pallet 13 is disposed on the lifting table 199, the pin 201a of the lifting table 199 cooperates with a bore (not shown) provided in the pallet 13, while the rollers 201b undergo the (weight) constraints exerted by the pallet 13. Thus, the movement of the pin 201a, for example by means of a chain drive, thus makes it possible to move the pallet to the surface of the lifting table 199.

Figure 9, for its part, is a schematic view of a rack 17 pallet storage. Said rack 17 comprises a first and a second storage area, respectively 17a and 17b. Each of said storage areas 17a and 17b is defined by beams 171 forming a substantially horizontal plane, for example connected by spacers, allowing a pallet to be stored there. The storage areas 17a and 17b are located one above the other. More particularly, the storage area 17a, located in the lower position, serves to store the pallets intended to be sent to the machining area 5, as well as the pallets comprising a machined panel and which have been removed from the machining area 5. The other storage area 17b, located in the upper position, serves as the entry point of the pallets to be machined and the exit point of the pallets provided with a machined panel.

Note that fastening systems (not shown) are provided on the pallets so that the panel mounted on a pallet remains integral therewith. The fastening systems may be mechanical and / or be a vacuum device that creates a vacuum between the pallet and the panel mounted on said pallet.

In the case where the fixing of the panel on the pallet is performed by a vacuum, auxiliary devices for emptying can be provided on the various components of the machining station 1, for example at the racks 17, transfer devices 19 and / or pallet supports. The pallet can also be configured to maintain a vacuum between the panel and the pallet for at least transfer of the pallet between machining area 5 and loading / unloading area 7.

It will be noted that the actuator (s) mentioned above are, for example, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and / or electromagnetic, such as cylinders, but the actuator may be any other type of actuator or equivalent means making it possible to generate a sufficient force to move the element in question.

FIGS. 10 to 16 illustrate the operation of a machining station according to the invention in which there is transfer of a pallet carrying a machined panel from the machining zone 5 to the unloading / loading zone 7.

Thus, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the machining station 1 (that is, in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said machining station). The machining station 1 has a disposition corresponding to an arrangement when it has just machined a panel fixed on the pallet 13 in the machining zone 5.

The pallet support 15 carries a pallet 13 and the transfer device 19 is in a first position, called the retracted position. In this retracted position, the closing wall 191 of the transfer device 19 closes the lateral opening 3a arranged in the fairing 3. It will be noted that the machined panel fixed on the pallet 13 and the machining system 11 do not have been shown in Figures 10-17 for readability issues.

Thus, the transfer device 19, more particularly the carriage 193, moves, as illustrated in FIG. 12, toward the pallet support until the lifting table 199 of said device 19 is located below the pallet .

When moving the transfer device 19, the pallet holder is configured so that the pallet 13 carrying the machined panel passes from a first position, which is a vertical position (Fig. 11a), to a second position, which is a horizontal position (figure lie).

The passage of the pallet 13 from a vertical position to a horizontal position is more particularly detailed in Figures 11a to 1e.

Thus, the mobile part 155 of the support 15 moves in the direction of the storage rack 17 under the action of the actuator 159 (FIG. 11b), this allows subsequently to the pallet 13 to rotate without being obstructed by other elements arranged in the machining area 5 (such as the frame 151).

Then under the action of the actuators 159, the pallet 13, fixed to the pallet support 15 via the cooperation means 155, pivots. More particularly, the cooperation means 155 have two hooks arranged in a plane. One of the hooks is fixed on the movable part 153, while the other hook is secured to the chisel 157. The chisel 157 under the action of the actuators 159 opens and causes the lowering of the hook fixed to the chisel 157 ( see Figures 11c and 11d). The hook attached to the movable portion 153 remains fixed and thus the movement of the other hook causes the pallet to rotate. It is the connection between the pallet 13 and the hooks 155, which is pivot type, which allows the pallet 13 to pivot from a vertical position to a horizontal position. The pallet is rotated about an axis, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machining station 1, which is the axis of the pivot connection defined by the hook-pallet cooperation. Note that this pivoting of the pallet is also in the opposite direction and that when the chisel 157 closes, the cooperating means 155 and the pallet 13 pivots from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

It will also be noted that the tilting of the pallet is cantilevered and in the machining zone 5.

Once the pallet 13 is in a horizontal position, as illustrated in FIGS. 11e and 12, the carriage 193 of the transfer device 19 is situated below and opposite a part of the pallet 13.

There is then actuation of the elevating table 193 which rises (via an actuator) until it comes into contact with the pallet 13 and sufficiently raises the pallet 13 to free it from the means of cooperation. In addition, the pin 201a of the lifting table 193 cooperates with a bore formed in the pallet 13, while the rollers 201b of the lifting table 193 come into contact with the pallet 13, more particularly the face opposite to the face bearing the panel.

It will be recalled that the transfer devices 19 are arranged offset from the pallet supports 15, so the table lift 193 comes into contact with the pallet 13 in the free places of the pallet 13.

Once the pallet 13 is released from the cooperating means 155, there is actuation of the pin 201a, that is to say that the pin 201a is driven in translation, for example by a chain, which also results in translation the pallet 13. The presence of rollers 201b on the surface of the lifting table 199, taking a part of the load, minimizes the friction and the force required to move the pallet 13.

Thus, the pallet 13 is moved from one edge to the other of the lift table 199, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Subsequently, the lift table 199 lowers and the carriage 193 of the transfer device 19 moves towards the storage racks 17 through the side opening 3a (see Figure 15).

Once the carriage 193 is near the racks 17, the latter stops and the pallet 13 is translated at the edge of the lifting table 199. The lifting table 199 rises so that the lower part of the pallet 13 is located substantially at the same level as the storage area 17a, and more particularly at the level of the substantially horizontal plane defined by the beams 171.

The transfer device 19, more particularly the lifting table 199, performs a combination of horizontal and vertical movements which enable the device 19 to deposit the pallet 13 on the beams 171 defining the storage area 17a.

Once the pallet 13 carrying a machined panel has been deposited in the racks 17, the transfer devices 19 transfer, in the same manner as described above, even in the opposite direction, a pallet 13 'carrying a panel to be machined in the second zone. 17b to the pallet supports, located in the machining zone 5.

During the machining of a panel, a pallet carrying a panel already machined and stored in the first storage area 17a is transferred into the second storage area 17b via the transfer device 19. Moreover when a pallet carrying a machined panel is stored in the second storage area 17b, a handling system (not shown) transfers the machined panel to another part of the plant for further processing and positions a new panel to be machined on the pallet stored in said second storage area 17b. The panel to be machined, once fixed on the pallet, now unoccupied, disposed in the second storage area 17b. This pallet on which is fixed a new panel to be machined is preferably transferred to the first storage area 17a storage racks 17 before restarting the pallet transfer described above.

Note that the lift table 199 is configured to move in translation on the surface of the carriage 193 (that is to say in the main extension plane of the carriage 19 in a plane parallel thereto) makes it possible to moving pallets between the different storage areas 17a and 17b of the racks 17, while the closing wall 191 closes the lateral opening 3a.

Claims

1. Machining station (1) of panels for the manufacture of aeronautical parts comprising:

a pallet support (15) on which the panel is able to be fixed;

- a machining system (11) configured to machine the panel mounted on the pallet (13), the pallet (13) being carried by the support (15);

a rack (17) for storing pallets (13);

- A pallet transfer device (19) configured to transfer, transversely, the pallet (13) between said support (15) and said rack (17).

Machining station according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said pallet carrier (15) comprises:

a chassis (151);

at least one actuator (159);

a portion (153) movably mounted on said frame (151);

said movable part (153) comprising cooperation means (155) with a pallet.

3. Machining station according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said pallet carrier (15) comprises a pivot connection for pivoting the cooperation means (155) between a first and a second distinct position, said distinct positions being orthogonal. with each other.

4. Machining station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transfer device (19) comprises a carriage (193) and a lifting table (199), said lifting table being configured to cooperate with the support (15) for transferring the pallet (13).

5. Machining station according to the preceding claim, said lifting table (199) comprises a translation assembly (201) for translating a pallet (13) to the surface of said table (199).

6. Machining station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a shroud (3) defining a machining zone (5) in which is disposed, on the one hand, the system of machining (11) and, on the other hand, the pallet (13) when the machining system is machining a panel fixed on the pallet.

7. Machining station according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transfer device (19) comprises a closing wall (191) configured to cooperate, at least in one position of the device (19), with the fairing (3). ) of the machining station (1) so as to close, totally or partially, the machining area (5).

Machining station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pallet carrier (15) is configured so that the pallet is oriented vertically when the machining system (11) is machining a panel fixed on the pallet. pallet (13).

Machining station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pallet storage racks (17) and pallet transfer devices (19), said transfer devices (19). ) and the storage racks (17) being interposed relative to each other.

Machining station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pallet carriers (15) and pallet transfer devices (19) which are arranged offset by compared to others.