WO2021219154A1

WO2021219154A1 - Connection unit for a separation unit, and separation unit

Info

Publication number: WO2021219154A1
Application number: PCT/DE2021/100178
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco WERLING
Original assignee: Werling Marco
Priority date: 2020-04-28
Filing date: 2021-02-23
Publication date: 2021-11-04
Also published as: DE102020111593A1; EP4087696A1

Abstract

Additive methods, including in the field of metal processing, are considered to be known, reliably mastered methods. However, besides the printing process itself, further handling processes are necessary, for which there have thus far only been inadequate solutions. For example, a workpiece is generally built up on a base element of an assembly space. Such a base element, however, is intended to be re-used, and therefore has to be recovered after the construction process, although there may be metal connections between the workpiece and the base element. Because of the material used, handling in the field of metals in particular is difficult, however, and therefore ways must be found for separating the base element from the workpiece. A saw may be used to detach the workpiece from the base element and ensure such a separation. For a clean cut edge, however, a very defined mounting must be achieved and there must be sufficient space available to separate workpieces from the base element up to the full assembly space size. This is possible with the use of a saw, in particular a bandsaw, to which a connection unit having a base and a connector pin receivable without play in a connector sleeve can be clamped. Such a solution allows defined mounting and guidance of the workpiece beneath the saw and thus a minimal application of force.

Description

CONNECTING UNIT FOR ONE DISCONNECTING UNIT AND DISCONNECTING UNIT

The present invention relates to a connection unit for connecting a workpiece in the context of additive manufacturing with a saw carriage of a saw, as well as a separating unit for separating the workpiece from a base received on the connection unit.

The use of additive manufacturing methods is becoming increasingly important in industry. Far beyond pure prototyping, additive manufacturing machines are now also used for the regular production of workpieces, especially for parts that would be difficult or impossible to manufacture using conventional methods. The products with the production machines are also becoming more complex and larger. However, it must be ensured that the products can still be handled, even if their scope increases.

In known additive processes in the metal sector, it is provided that an installation space in the production machine has a lowerable base plate, which is alternately sprinkled with a metal powder and then lasered at the points intended for consolidation. In this way, the workpiece is built up layer by layer, with the base plate being regularly moved downwards so that the laser can be moved over the base plate at the same distance from the layer currently to be processed. For a secure stand and for optimal use of the installation space, provision is also generally made for the workpiece to be connected to the base plate via a workpiece base so that it is held in a defined manner in the installation space and does not fall out when the installation space is opened or during the movement position in the metal powder. As a result, however, after the additive manufacturing has been completed, the workpiece has to be separated from the base, and this from the base plate, which of course is to be used again.

A saw would generally be suitable for a separation, but it has been shown that known saws can only process a very limited workpiece size, while larger workpieces have to be solved by hand. In addition, the storage of the workpieces on the saw, again primarily due to the high weight of the metallic workpieces, is problematic, since the connecting means generally do not guarantee straight, play-free storage.

Against this background, the present invention is based on the task of creating a connection unit for connecting a workpiece in the context of additive manufacturing, which unit ensures safe handling on a separating unit, such as a saw. Another object of the invention is to propose a separating unit for connection to such a connection unit, which enables larger workpieces to be machined.

This object is achieved by a connection unit according to the features of independent claim 1 and by a separation unit according to the features of the independent claim 13. According to the invention it is provided that the connection unit consists essentially of a base which has a first connector pin which is designed for play-free connection to a first connector sleeve assigned to the saw carriage of a saw. For this purpose, the base can be more or less plate-shaped, but must be able to accommodate the workpiece from the installation space of the additive manufacturing machine in such a way that the workpiece is connected directly or indirectly to the base without play. The first connector pin achieves this in a particularly advantageous manner, since it protrudes on one side starting from the plate-shaped base and can thus be easily inserted into the first connector sleeve. It can be a more or less punctiform connection after a specific rotary position is not required for machining by the saw, or if this should be the case due to the design of the workpiece, it can easily be made by readjusting.

Due to the backlash-free connection of the connection unit to the saw carriage, the connection unit can be guided through the saw blade free of incorrect inclinations and a defined separation can be carried out between the workpiece and the connection unit.

For a fixation of the first connector pin in the first connector sleeve, the first connector pin can with some advantage have an inner cavity which is accessible through its free end. If in such a case the first connector sleeve has an opening at its inner stop, a locking bolt can be inserted through this opening into the inner cavity of the first connector pin, which holds the first connector pin in the first connector sleeve and prevents separation of these two connec tion element holds.

For this purpose, the inner cavity of the connector pin can also have latching means, such as a circumferential groove on the inside of the first inner cavity, into which counter-latching means of the latching bolt, such as, for example, disengageable ones and locking balls, which can preferably be fixed in their disengaged position, engage and secure the locking bolt so that it cannot be lost. An abutment of the locking bolt can in such a case be formed at its end protruding from the first connector sleeve, for example by a head of the locking bolt that strikes the bottom opening of the first connector sleeve, which has a ge smaller diameter than the abutment of the locking bolt . A springing or expansion of the abutment against the first connector sleeve, such as with a spindle, can also improve the snug fit of the connection and its durability.

However, it is possible that, due to the structural specifications of the installation space within the additive manufacturing machine, it is not possible to insert the connection unit into the installation space and to use it directly as a base plate. It is also conceivable that several different manufacturing machines with different base plates are in use. In such a case, the connection unit can mediate between the saw carriage and an adapter plate in that the connection unit has means for connection to an adapter plate. If a specific adapter plate with the workpiece is removed from the installation space, it can first be connected to the connection unit, which in turn can be fixed on the saw carriage in the manner described above. In such a case, suitable holders ittel the base ensure a non-positive and, in turn, play-free interaction with counter-holding means of the adapter plate.

In particular, it is advantageous if the adapter plate in turn comprises a second connector pin which, in terms of design, also largely corresponds to the first connector pin and, in turn, can be accommodated in a second connector sleeve of the base without play. In such a case, it can be particularly advantageous if the second connector sleeve opens on a side of the base facing away from the first connector pin and extends into the first connector pin, whereby the first connector Binder pin acts as a connector pin both in the direction of the saw carriage, but as a connector sleeve in the direction of the adapter plate.

This is particularly effective when the second connector sleeve has a larger inside diameter at its opening into the base than at its opening into the inner cavity. Insofar as the second connector pin is then inserted into the connector sleeve and in turn has a second inner cavity, wel cher preferably has at least approximately the same inner diameter as the first inner cavity, and additionally in the second inner cavity locking means, such as one on the inside of the second inside cavity circumferential groove, the locking bolt can engage from the opening of the first connector sleeve through the first connector pin and the second connector sleeve described in the second connector pin and connect the first connector sleeve to the second connector pin by the first connector pin in between is pinched.

The play-free mounting of the first connector pin in the first connector sleeve and the second connector pin in the second connector sleeve can be achieved in particular by a chamfer and / or a conical design of the respective connector pin and a corresponding shape of the respective connector. In addition, the connector pins can have at least one longitudinal groove which runs in the longitudinal direction of the connector pins towards the base or the adapter plate. Such a longitudinal groove, preferably several longitudinal grooves distributed over the circumference of the connector pins, reduces the friction between the outer surfaces of the connector pins and the inner surfaces of the connector sleeves, so that the rotational position of the connection unit to the saw carriage and / or the adapter plate to the connection unit can be readjusted and the separation is facilitated. The smaller the surfaces that meet one another, the less manufacturing inaccuracies cause play in storage. The connection unit described above, if necessary with an adapter plate, is used in conjunction with a saw as a separating unit. The saw is assigned a saw carriage which guides a workpiece received on it through the engagement of a saw blade. For this purpose, the saw carriage has a first connector sleeve, to which a connection unit can be fastened in the manner described above and mounted without play.

In this case, it is preferably provided that the first connector sleeve has a third inner cavity in which the first connector pin of the connection unit can be received. In this case, the third inner cavity advantageously runs from an opening of the connector sleeve to an opening on the bottom which is tapered in relation to the opening and which forms a receptacle for inserting the locking bolt. In such a configuration, the first connector sleeve consequently has a tapering through-opening into which the first connector pin, optionally with a second connector pin, is inserted from one side and the locking pin is inserted from the other side. With the locking bolt latching in an inner cavity of the first and / or second connector pin, the connection unit is connected to the saw carriage without play. The locking bolt can also have a Wi derlager for support on the first connector sleeve.

The saw can particularly advantageously be a band saw which is operated with an endless saw band. The endless saw band is guided around at least two deflection points, for which each deflection point preferably has a deflection disc. However, three deflection points are particularly preferably provided so that the returned saw band can maintain a greater distance in the area of the saw carriage. In this way, considerably larger workpieces can be separated from the connection unit.

The saw can particularly advantageously have a process control which controls the drive of the saw blade or the saw band. As an alternative or in addition, a sled advance can also be controlled. On the- This way it can be ensured that the saw is operated more slowly with high resistance and faster with low resistance.

It is also of particular advantage here if the process control is data-linked to a data memory in which design data of the workpiece are available that can be provided either by the additive manufacturing machine or in some other way. With this data, the process control can estimate how much material actually has to be sawed at the same time and in this way can adapt the advance and the speed of the saw band to the requirements, which optimizes the working speed and at the same time protects the operating resources.

The invention described above is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

Show it

Figure 1 shows a separating unit with an attached connection unit with a workpiece to be separated in a perspective view obliquely from above,

Figure 2 shows a detail of the separation unit according to Figure 1,

FIG. 3 shows a connection unit connected to a carriage bracket of a saw carriage in a perspective illustration, and FIG

FIG. 4 shows the connection unit with the carriage block according to FIG. 3 and an adapter plate in a perspective exploded view. FIG. 1 shows a cutting unit 1 designed as a portal saw, which has a band saw 2 which is operated in a portal 14. The portal has a passage for pushing through a workpiece 15 which is to be separated from a connection unit 16 with the saw band 11. For this purpose, the connection unit 16 is fixed on a saw carriage 4 without play. This is arranged longitudinally displaceably on a slide rail 3 and can move the workpiece 15 along this by the engagement of the saw band 11.

The saw band 11 is guided over a first deflection roller 12 and a second deflection roller 13, which are so large that a sufficient distance is kept free between the parallel sections of the saw band 11 to guide the workpiece through.

FIG. 2 shows a detail from the separating unit according to FIG. A carriage bracket 6, to which the connection unit 16 is fastened, is mounted on the saw carriage 4.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the connection unit 16 comprises a base 17, which is designed as a plate, and a first connector pin 18, which protrudes perpendicularly from the plate plane of the base 17. As a result, it is possible to mount the connection unit 16 with its base on the carriage bracket 6 in such a way that the base 17 is positioned perpendicularly with its plate plane. The first connector pin 18 rotated horizontally as a result can be pushed into the first connector sleeve 7 and is held in position with the aid of a locking bolt 8 pushed in from the opposite side, i.e. from the bottom of the first connector sleeve 7. For this purpose, the locking bolt 8 has an abutment 10 which is supported against the opening of the first connector sleeve 7 on the bottom side and prevents the first connector pin 18 from loosening. The connection unit 16 is thus held securely on the carriage bracket 6. The connections between the carriage block 6 and the connection unit 16, as well as an additional adapter plate 22 can be seen in FIG. First of all, the carriage block 6 itself has the first connector sleeve 7 into which the first connector pin 18 can be inserted. For this purpose, the first connector pin 18 is slightly conical in shape and has longitudinal grooves 20, so that the contact surface in the first connector sleeve 7, which corresponds to its inner surface, but has a smooth shape, is kept small. A bevel 19 at the tip of the first connector pin 18 ensures that it can be easily inserted and, in the first connector sleeve 7, also nestles against a corresponding inner cone. In the center of the first connector pin 18, a first inner cavity 21 is formed which expands in the direction of the base 17 and opens into a second connector sleeve on the side of the base 17 facing away from the viewer. In this second connector sleeve, a second connector pin 23, which in turn is also slightly conical, has a bevel 24 and 25 th longitudinal grooves distributed over its circumference, can be inserted and attached to the smooth inner surface of the two-th connector sleeve Place inside the first connector pin 18. The second connector pin 23 also has a central, second inner cavity 26, which, however, can optionally be designed as a blind hole. This has latching means in which the latching bolt 8 can be fastened with counter-latching means 9 in the form of detachable locking balls that can be fixed in the disengaged position. As a result, the first connector sleeve 7 and the first connector pin 18 are clamped between the locking pin 8 and the second connector pin 23 and thus held captive. A spring or a tensioning device in the area of an abutment 10 of the locking bolt 8 also ensures a secure and play-free storage.

A connection unit for connecting a workpiece in the context of additive manufacturing, which ensures safe handling on a cutting unit, such as a saw, and a cutting unit for connection to such a connection unit, which also enables larger workpieces to be processed, is thus described above. I REFER TO ENLIST

1 separation unit

2 band saw

3 slide rail

4 saw carriage

5 sled advance

6 sledge support

7 first connector sleeve

8 locking bolts

9 counter-locking means

10 abutments

11 saw band

12 first pulley

13 second pulley

14 portal

15 workpiece

16 Connection unit

17 base

18 first connector pin

19 bevel

20 longitudinal groove

21 first inner cavity

22 adapter plate

23 second connector pin

24 bevel

25 longitudinal groove

26 second inner cavity

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Connection unit for connecting a workpiece (15) in the context of additive manufacturing with a saw carriage (4) of a saw, comprising a base (17) with a first connector pin (18) for play-free to interact with a first connector sleeve assigned to the saw carriage (4) (7), wherein the base (17) has holding means for play-free connection with the workpiece (15).

2. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connector pin (18) has a first inner cavity (21) accessible through its free end for receiving a locking bolt (8).

3. Connection unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the first inner cavity (21) of the first connector pin (18) has locking means for interacting with counter-locking means (9) of the locking bolt (8).

4. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (17) is assigned an adapter plate (22) which has counter-holding means for alternative connection either to the installation space of an additive manufacturing machine or to the holding means of the base (17).

5. Connection unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the counter-holding means comprise a second connector pin (23), wel cher play-free in a second connector sleeve of the base (17) is taken up.

6. Connection unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the second connector sleeve is inscribed through the base (17) into the first connector pin (18).

7. Connection unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the second connector sleeve merges into a first inner cavity (21) of the first connector sleeve (7) via a conical section.

8. Connection unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the second connector pin (23) has a second inner cavity (26) for receiving a locking bolt (8) accessible through its free end.

9. Connection unit according to claim 8, as far as one of claims 2 or 3 is referenced, characterized in that the first inner cavity (21) and the second inner cavity (26) have at least approximately approximately identical inner diameters.

10. Connection unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the second inner cavity (26) of the second connector pin (23) has Rastmit tel for interacting with counter-locking means (9) of the locking bolt (8).

11. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connector pin (18) and / or the second connector pin (23) at its free end has a bevel (19, 24) and / or at least one in the direction of its longitudinal extension fende, longitudinal groove (20, 25).

12. Connection unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the first connector pin (18) and / or the second connector pin (23) has a plurality of longitudinal grooves (20, 25) which over the circumference of the first connector pin (18) and the second connector pin (23) are distributed.

13. Separating unit comprising a saw with a saw carriage (4) and a connection unit (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the saw carriage (4) has a first connector sleeve (7) with a third inner cavity for play-free acceptance of the first Connector pin (18) is assigned.

14. Separation unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the third inner cavity extends through the first connector sleeve (7) longitudinally and on its side facing away from the connection unit (16) has a reception for a locking bolt (8).

15. Separation unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking bolt (8) has an abutment (10) for support on the first connector sleeve (7) and counter-locking means for frictional engagement in locking means of the first inner cavity (21) and / or the second In has nenhohlraums (26).

16. Separating unit according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the saw is a band saw (2) with an endless saw band (11), the endless saw band (11) being deflected at at least two deflection points .

17. Separating unit according to claim 16, characterized in that the saw band (11) is deflected at three deflection points.

18. Separating unit according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the saw has a saw drive controlled by means of a process control and / or a slide drive controlled by means of a process control.

19. Separating unit according to claim 18, characterized in that the process control is data-connected to a data memory which has construction data of the workpiece and the saw drive and / or carriage drive are regulated as a function of the construction data.