WO2024079770A1 - Appareil automatisé pour raccordement structural d'éléments métalliques et procédé associé - Google Patents

Appareil automatisé pour raccordement structural d'éléments métalliques et procédé associé Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024079770A1
WO2024079770A1 PCT/IT2023/050226 IT2023050226W WO2024079770A1 WO 2024079770 A1 WO2024079770 A1 WO 2024079770A1 IT 2023050226 W IT2023050226 W IT 2023050226W WO 2024079770 A1 WO2024079770 A1 WO 2024079770A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
station
metal elements
operating
connection
operating station
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2023/050226
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Albert Ferro
Michele DATTOLI
Original Assignee
Dynamic Technologies S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dynamic Technologies S.P.A. filed Critical Dynamic Technologies S.P.A.
Publication of WO2024079770A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024079770A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
    • B23P19/001—Article feeders for assembling machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
    • B23P19/04—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P21/00—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P21/00—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control
    • B23P21/004—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control the units passing two or more work-stations whilst being composed

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns an apparatus for connecting, structurally and in an automated manner, two or more metal elements, by means of a chemical/physical connection thereof, according to certain brazing or, more generally, welding techniques.
  • the present invention also concerns the method for connecting these metal elements structurally and in an automated manner.
  • the present invention finds advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the sector of the production of components for process plant engineering in the automotive industry, for example applied to the structural connection of pipes, manifolds or similar components.
  • welding we mean a normalized method of chemical/physical connection between two metal elements, both of an autogenous type, in which a melting is carried out that involves the metal elements themselves (with or without filler material), and also of a heterogeneous type, in which the melting only involves the filler material.
  • a melting is carried out that involves the metal elements themselves (with or without filler material)
  • a heterogeneous type in which the melting only involves the filler material.
  • Such known apparatuses are normally of the “carousel” type, that is, provided with a plurality of operating stations disposed in series with each other, in which the metal components are, in sequence, loaded and reciprocally positioned according to a given pattern, brazed to each other, cooled and, finally, unloaded in order to be made usable in subsequent production or storage steps.
  • this type of known apparatuses can perform only one brazing sequence at a time, therefore they are limiting with regard to industrial productivity, in particular for productions intended for a large number of components joined together, in a unit of time.
  • Another disadvantage related to this type of known solutions is that, in the event of maintenance or malfunctions, even if not specifically on the brazing station, an interruption of the entire production line is necessary, until the end of the restoration interventions.
  • one purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated apparatus for the structural connection of metal elements, in particular, but not only, intended for the sector of the production of plants in the automotive sector, in which more than one brazing sequence at a time can be performed simultaneously, to the advantage of industrial productivity and production costs.
  • Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method that do not require an interruption of the entire production line, even in the event of maintenance or malfunctions.
  • Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method that can also be easily used for mixed, or in any case alternate, productions, or can provide for a possible operational reconversion of the brazing station to different types of chemical/physical connections, without involving the temporary production interruption of the entire production line.
  • the Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
  • an automated apparatus for the structural connection of metal elements, comprises at least a first operating station which in turn is provided with at least a first connection member which is configured to structurally connect the two metal elements to each other.
  • the apparatus also comprises at least a second operating station, which is provided with at least a second connection member.
  • the latter is configured to structurally connect the two metal elements to each other, for example according to soft or hard brazing techniques, known in the sector.
  • the apparatus comprises a loading/unloading station, in which there are provided movement means on which the metal elements to be connected are disposed. These movement means are configured selectively mobile at least toward the first operating station or toward the second operating station, so as to position the metal elements in cooperation with the first connection member or the second connection member, as a function of the operating conditions required.
  • Another advantage given by the solution according to the present invention is that by providing two independent and parallel operating stations, it is possible to manage mixed or, in any case, alternate productions, thus allowing the possibility of brazing together a first type of metal components and, in sequence or in alternation, a second type of metal components.
  • This solution can find advantageous application in optimizing subsequent production steps, in cases where the two types of metal elements are assembled together, or onto a third component or other structure.
  • the solution according to the present invention finds advantageous, but not exclusive, application in automated apparatuses for brazing metal components, for example even made of aluminum or copper, to create plants in the automotive industry sector, such as for example pipes, manifolds, or suchlike.
  • Another advantage of the solution according to the present invention is that any intervention to equip one of the two operating stations, for example for a reconversion in order to operate a different type of chemical/physical connection, as in the case of maintenance, does not require the production of the production line to be interrupted, to the advantage of production times and costs.
  • the movement means comprise at least one slider element, selectively sliding between the loading/unloading station and at least one of either the first operating station or the second operating station.
  • the loading/unloading station is created in an intermediate position between the first and the second operating station.
  • This intermediate lay-out position of the loading/unloading station, with respect to the operating stations, allows to optimize and standardize the movements of the movement means, further favoring operating times and the simplification of the apparatus.
  • the movement means can comprise a first slider element which slides between the loading/unloading station and the first operating station, in order to take the metal elements in correspondence with the first connection member; and a second slider element, independent from the first slider and configured to slide between the loading/unloading station and the second operating station, in order to take the metal elements in correspondence with the second connection member.
  • both the first operating station and also the second operating station comprise a corresponding cooling member, by means of which the metal elements structurally joined to each other are cooled.
  • the first slider element and the second slider element comprise corresponding positioning elements for the metal elements, so that these can be positioned reciprocally and univocally, directly in the loading station, thus guaranteeing their correct positioning in the corresponding operating stations and, therefore, during the connection step.
  • the positioning elements can be configured to pre-position the metal elements as a function of their dimensional specifications and reciprocal disposition. This solution advantageously affects the final quality of the component manufactured with the apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the first operating station, the second operating station and the loading/unloading station are integrated in a single frame.
  • the first connection member comprises a first connection machine and a first mobile support which is conformed to selectively move the first connection machine between a resting position, raised, and an operating position, lowered.
  • the second connection member comprises a second connection machine and a second mobile support which is conformed to selectively move the second connection machine between a resting position, raised, and an operating position, lowered.
  • connection machines are preferably brazing machines.
  • a method is provided for the structural connection of metal elements, provided with at least a first structural connection step performed in the first operating station by means of the first connection member, a second structural connection step performed in the second operating station by means of the second connection member, and a movement step, performed upstream of the first and second structural connection step, in which the metal elements are selectively moved, by means of the movement means, from the loading/unloading station, both toward the first station and also toward the second station.
  • the movement step advantageously comprises at least a first sliding sub-step, in which the first slider element slides between the loading/unloading station and the first operating station, in correspondence with the first connection member, and at least a second sliding sub-step, in which the second slider element slides between the loading/unloading station and the second operating station, in correspondence with the second connection member.
  • the metal elements are connected through brazing.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of an automated apparatus for the structural connection of metal elements, according to the present invention, in a first operating condition
  • - fig. 2 is a front view of the automated apparatus of fig. 1, in a second operating condition;
  • - fig. 3 is a front view of the automated apparatus of fig. 1, in a third operating condition.
  • an apparatus 10 comprises a loading/unloading station 11 and two operating or working stations, first 12 and second 13, respectively, which are adjacent, on opposite sides, to the central loading/unloading station 11.
  • the loading/unloading station 11, the first operating station 12 and the second operating station 13 are created within a single support frame 15, which also defines the overall positioning dimensions of the apparatus 10.
  • first slider element in this specific case a first slider, 16 and a second slider element, in this specific case a second slider, 17, which are substantially equivalent to each other and coupled sliding to a guide plane or member 19, which extends transversely between the first operating station 12 and the second operating station 13, passing through the loading/unloading station 11.
  • the first and second slider 16, 17 form movement means.
  • the guide plane 19 is also part of the movement means.
  • Each slider 16 and 17 is provided with a corresponding pair of sliding blocks 21 and 22, respectively, coupled sliding to the guide plane 19 in order to slide selectively along the latter, between the loading/unloading station 11 and the corresponding first 12 or second 13 operating station.
  • Each slider 16 or 17 also comprises a plurality of positioning elements 20, specifically conformed to support corresponding metal elements, for example corresponding metal pipes 50, for example made of aluminum or copper, of the type suitable to manufacture plant components in the automotive industry.
  • corresponding metal elements for example corresponding metal pipes 50, for example made of aluminum or copper, of the type suitable to manufacture plant components in the automotive industry.
  • corresponding positioning elements 20 we will refer to generic positioning elements 20, since these accessories of the solution according to the present invention can be conformed and/or positioned on each occasion with respect to the structure of the corresponding slider 16 or 17 as a function of the dimensional and positioning specifications of the metal pipes 50, in order to create the plant component provided in the corresponding production batch.
  • positioning elements 20 can be clamps shaped to measure and adjustable in height and depth, as well as adjustable at will, in order to achieve the correct spatial positioning of the corresponding metal tube 50.
  • Other examples of positioning elements 20, only shown schematically in the attached drawings, can be actuators or lever or pantograph mechanisms, which allow the specific positioning adjustments of the corresponding metal tubes 50, according to the reciprocal positioning pattern provided, for the plant component to be made.
  • first connection member 23 which is in turn defined by a first brazing machine 25 and a first mobile support 26, in this specific case a pantograph.
  • the latter is conformed to selectively move the first brazing machine 25 between a resting position, raised with respect to the guide plane 19, and an operating position, lowered, in which it disposes the first brazing machine 25 in cooperation with the corresponding first slider 16.
  • first cooling member 27 substantially consisting of a pair of first nozzles 29 suitable to blow a desired jet of cooling liquid toward the metal pipes 50 at the end of the brazing operations.
  • first nozzles 29 are mounted at the end of a corresponding pipe, not shown in the attached drawings, of the selectively moldable and shape memory type, so that the nozzles 29 can be oriented specifically toward the most critical zones to be cooled, and thus optimize their action on the metal pipes 50.
  • the first operating station 12 comprises a plurality of protection panels, of a substantially known type and not shown in the drawings for descriptive convenience, which are mounted on the support frame 15 so as to isolate the operating area of the first operating station 12 from an external waiting zone in which operators can be found who serve and control the operating steps of the apparatus 10.
  • a second connection member 30 which is in turn defined by a second brazing machine 31 and a second mobile support 32, also in this case a pantograph. The latter is conformed to selectively move the second brazing machine 31 between a resting position, raised with respect to the guide plane 19, and an operating position, lowered, in which it disposes the second brazing machine 31 in cooperation with the corresponding second slider 17.
  • a second cooling member 33 which also in this case substantially consists of a pair of second nozzles 35 suitable to blow a desired jet of cooling liquid toward the metal pipes 50 at the end of the brazing operations.
  • these second nozzles 35 are mounted at the end of a corresponding pipe, not shown in the attached drawings, of the selectively moldable and shape memory type, so that the nozzles 35 can be oriented specifically toward the most critical zones to be cooled, and thus optimize their action on the metal pipes 50.
  • the second operating station 13 comprises a plurality of protection panels, of a substantially known type and not shown in the drawings for descriptive convenience, which are mounted on the support frame 15 so as to isolate the operating area of the second operating station 13 from an external waiting zone in which operators can be found who serve and control the operating steps of the apparatus 10.
  • the loading/unloading station 11 is substantially defined by a loading compartment 36, open toward the outside and through which the operators, or automated manipulators, can safely carry out the operations of loading and unloading the metal pipes 50 to and from the corresponding first and second sliders 16 and 17.
  • suction hoods 37 are provided, suitable to draw the fumes generated during the brazing operating steps.
  • a control console 39 is also provided on the support frame 15, by means of which the operating steps of the apparatus 10 can be selectively commanded and managed.
  • the operation of the apparatus 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.
  • the apparatus 10 is prepared so that the first slider 16 is in a loading condition in the loading/unloading station 11.
  • the loading, or rather positioning, elements 20 are prepared and the metal pipes 50 to be subjected to brazing are loaded.
  • the second slider 17 is positioned in the second operating station 13 and it can be in a working condition with the second brazing machine 31 in an operating condition, that is, in a condition in which it is waiting for the corresponding metal pipes 50 to be loaded.
  • the first mobile support 26 takes the first connection machine, in this specific case a first brazing machine, 25 into its operating condition, lowered, so as to perform the desired brazing operations on the metal pipes 50.
  • the second mobile support 32 lifts the second connection machine, in this specific case a second brazing machine, 31 and the second nozzles 35 are driven to induce the desired cooling on the metal pipes 50, once they have been brazed.
  • the apparatus 10 At the end of these operations (fig. 3), while the first brazing machine 25 performs the desired brazing on the metal pipes 50 positioned on the first slider 16, the second slider 17 translates from the second station 13 to the loading/unloading station 11, from which the metal pipes 50 brazed to each other can be removed, manually or automatically. Once these have been unloaded, the apparatus 10 according to the present invention is in an operating condition which is equivalent and mirrors the one previously described and shown in fig. 1. Therefore, the following steps are equivalent to, and mirror, those described heretofore.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)

Abstract

Appareil automatisé (10) pour liaison structurale d'éléments métalliques (50) pourvu d'au moins une première station de fonctionnement (12) ayant au moins un premier élément de liaison (23).
PCT/IT2023/050226 2022-10-11 2023-10-10 Appareil automatisé pour raccordement structural d'éléments métalliques et procédé associé WO2024079770A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102022000020865 2022-10-11
IT202200020865 2022-10-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024079770A1 true WO2024079770A1 (fr) 2024-04-18

Family

ID=84943252

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2023/050226 WO2024079770A1 (fr) 2022-10-11 2023-10-10 Appareil automatisé pour raccordement structural d'éléments métalliques et procédé associé

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2024079770A1 (fr)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0277423A1 (fr) * 1986-12-05 1988-08-10 Gemcor Engineering Corp. Monture programmable et cellule d'assemblage
US4928372A (en) * 1989-04-07 1990-05-29 Ap Parts Manufacturing Company Process for manufacturing stamp formed mufflers
US20040055147A1 (en) * 2002-09-24 2004-03-25 Abid Ghuman Process line for a flexible manufacturing system
US20110125307A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-26 Craig Alexander Dickson Product assembly system and control software
DE102014102990A1 (de) * 2014-03-06 2015-09-10 Kuka Systems Gmbh Fertigungsstation
EP3819731A1 (fr) * 2018-07-04 2021-05-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki Ligne de production et procédé de fabrication de ligne de production
CN213916563U (zh) * 2020-11-26 2021-08-10 苏州悦贸金属制品有限公司 一种多工位分歧管钎焊机
CN214602391U (zh) * 2021-04-12 2021-11-05 天津宏华焊研机器人科技有限公司 转盘式旋转四工位高频感应钎焊机器人

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0277423A1 (fr) * 1986-12-05 1988-08-10 Gemcor Engineering Corp. Monture programmable et cellule d'assemblage
US4928372A (en) * 1989-04-07 1990-05-29 Ap Parts Manufacturing Company Process for manufacturing stamp formed mufflers
US20040055147A1 (en) * 2002-09-24 2004-03-25 Abid Ghuman Process line for a flexible manufacturing system
US20110125307A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-26 Craig Alexander Dickson Product assembly system and control software
DE102014102990A1 (de) * 2014-03-06 2015-09-10 Kuka Systems Gmbh Fertigungsstation
EP3819731A1 (fr) * 2018-07-04 2021-05-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki Ligne de production et procédé de fabrication de ligne de production
CN213916563U (zh) * 2020-11-26 2021-08-10 苏州悦贸金属制品有限公司 一种多工位分歧管钎焊机
CN214602391U (zh) * 2021-04-12 2021-11-05 天津宏华焊研机器人科技有限公司 转盘式旋转四工位高频感应钎焊机器人

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PLUMMER B E W: "HANDLING GEAR FOR BRAZING", WELDING AND METAL FABRICATION, IPC LTD. HAYWARDS HEATH, GB, vol. 60, no. 2, 1 March 1992 (1992-03-01), pages 78, 80, XP000270865, ISSN: 0043-2245 *

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0933161B1 (fr) Appareillage de soudage par points d'éléments de carrosserie de véhicules
JP3927540B2 (ja) 車体組付方法
EP0147910B1 (fr) Dispositif de mise en place et de maintien
KR20180074640A (ko) 로봇 핸들러를 구비한 성형 머신
WO2024079770A1 (fr) Appareil automatisé pour raccordement structural d'éléments métalliques et procédé associé
CN107717483B (zh) 电梯门板全自动化生产流水线
KR102025247B1 (ko) 다축제어 복합 cnc머신의 가공제어방법
CN104903021A (zh) 成型设备以及用于将工件输运到成型设备中的方法
CN210587625U (zh) 一种焊接头可移动的贯流风叶超声波焊接装置
CN219310551U (zh) 一种新型工程机械机罩骨架焊接变位机构
CN112719755A (zh) 一种铝板幕墙安装固定件及该安装固定件的制作方法
US3942703A (en) Machine for the successive welding of two header boxes in the two end plates of radiators
JP2001205485A (ja) 自動加工装置
CN114985866A (zh) 一种感应钎焊机
JP6710399B1 (ja) 縫製装置
GB2151991A (en) Vehicle assembly production line
CN110181213B (zh) 一种双重定位式高压燃油分配管的焊装配夹具
CA2634705C (fr) Appareil permettant l'usinage des flasques de passages de roues
CN110640368A (zh) 免点焊自动焊接机
CN210789654U (zh) 贯流风叶超声波焊接装置中的多工位基座
CN210789648U (zh) 一种多工位贯流风叶超声波焊接装置
JPH08309586A (ja) 熱切断加工装置
CN210789653U (zh) 贯流风叶超声波焊接装置中的移动式基座组
JP6603905B1 (ja) 縫製装置
US11975378B2 (en) Machine and method for the working of tubes