WO2001039925A1

WO2001039925A1 - Module for automatically machining work pieces and machining units

Info

Publication number: WO2001039925A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/011051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markus Langenbacher; Stefan Rosskopf; Andreas Kriegler
Original assignee: Teamtechnik Maschinen Und Anlagen Gmbh
Priority date: 1999-11-29
Filing date: 2000-11-09
Publication date: 2001-06-07
Also published as: DE19957382A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a module for automatically machining work pieces (an automatic module) comprising a first machining area (50), wherein work pieces can be automatically machined, and also comprising at leastone conveyor device (40) which can transport work pieces in and out of the first machining region (50). The invention is characterized in that a second machining area (70) is provided in order to machine work pieces by hand. The invention also relates to a machining unit comprising an automatic module according to the invention.

Description

Module for automatic machining of workpieces and machining systems

The present invention relates to a module for the automatic processing of workpieces transported in one direction (transport direction) (automatic module), with a first processing area in which the workpieces are processed automatically, and at least one transport device which moves the workpieces into and out of the first processing area transported this out. Furthermore, the invention relates to a machining system for machining workpieces, with at least two machining modules arranged in a row.

Modules for the automatic processing of workpieces, which are referred to below as automatic modules, are known and are used in so-called processing plants or production lines for the automatic processing of workpieces. det. A production line or a processing system usually consists of a large number of modules which are connected to one another in different geometries. For example, the modules can be arranged in two parallel rows, the ends of the two rows being connected to one another via so-called connection modules. In each of the modules, the workpieces are only transported in one direction. In addition, modules are also known, for example from DE 197 29 369 AI or DE 195 04 457 AI, which transport in two opposite directions, namely a forward and a return direction. This type of module combines two modules of the aforementioned type.

Depending on the type of machining of the workpieces, such a machining system includes modules for automatic machining, in which robots perform the machining, for example, and modules for manual machining that are ergonomically designed so that a person can machine the workpieces.

Since malfunctions in an automatic module usually have an effect on the workpiece flow of the entire processing system, additional modules for manual processing are usually provided for safety reasons, on which appropriate manual processing can then take place if an automatic module fails. Such additional "reserve" modules, however, make the processing system more expensive and, moreover, require significantly more floor space.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to create a module which enables a reduction in size of conventional processing systems and a reduction in the total costs without the availability of the entire processing in the event of a processing module failure.

This object is achieved with a module of the type mentioned at the outset in that a second processing area is provided for manual processing of the workpieces, the transport device transporting the workpieces into and out of the second processing area in the transport direction.

This has the advantage that if one module fails, processing can be carried out manually on the second processing area of the automatic module, so that the use of an additional reserve module in the processing system is not necessary. This leads to considerable cost savings and a reduction in the footprint required for the processing system.

Another advantage is that the manual processing area provided on the automatic module according to the invention can be additionally occupied if an increase in the total output of workpieces is desired. Here, too, it is not necessary to expand the system by installing an additional manual processing module.

The module according to the invention thus offers two additional functions with unchanged external dimensions, namely on the one hand ensuring availability in the event of failure of automatic modules by manual operation without additional modules in the processing system, and on the other hand parallel operation to increase the overall output. In a preferred development, the transport device comprises a straight main transport path and a secondary transport path leading therefrom, the workpieces reaching the first machining area via the secondary transport path. The transport device preferably comprises a controllable switch (also referred to as infeed or outfeed device) which, in a first operating mode, shuttles the workpieces from the main transport line for automatic processing to the secondary transport line. It is further preferred that the switch keeps the workpieces on the main transport route in a second operating mode, so that they reach the second processing area instead of the first processing area.

These measures have the advantage that they ensure the dual function of the automatic module with very little design effort. In particular, no additional transport routes or the like are to be provided, which would contribute to an enlargement of the entire module and thus also to a significant increase in the total costs.

In a preferred development, a frame is provided which has a substantially rectangular outline and carries the transport device, the main transport path extending from one side to the opposite side and adjacent to a rear side of the frame and the secondary transport path adjacent to one the back opposite the front runs. It is further preferred that the frame has a rear wall arranged on the rear side, which projects into the automatic module in a central section such that a longitudinal section of the Main transport route runs adjacent to the outer side of the rear wall, the second processing area being assigned to this longitudinal section. The rear wall in the middle section is very particularly preferably essentially U-shaped in plan view, an opening being provided in each of the two leg surfaces of the wall section, through which the main transport path extends.

These measures have the advantage that a spatial separation of the second processing area from the interior of the automatic module is possible in a relatively simple manner by the appropriate design of the rear wall. This ensures that the manual processing area can be very easily reached from the rear of the automatic module and that the first processing area is still closed towards the rear.

An automatic module according to the invention can be used in a processing system of the type mentioned at the outset instead of a conventional automatic module. Of course, several of the previous automatic modules can also be replaced by automatic modules according to the invention.

The use of the automatic module according to the invention in such a processing system significantly increases the flexibility and the availability of this system without significantly increasing the total costs. In an advantageous development, the processing system comprises a plurality of processing modules arranged in two rows, the two rows being connected to one another at their ends via a respective connection module, so that a rectangular system structure is obtained, at least one of the processing modules (access module) being designed in this way that it allows easy access to the area between the two rows. The access module preferably has a greater length than the other processing modules. The length of all processing modules is particularly preferably the same and the length of the access module is a multiple, preferably twice the length of the processing modules.

Further advantages and refinements of the invention result from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automatic module according to the invention from the front.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the automatic module shown in Figure 1; 3 shows a schematic illustration of the automatic module from FIG. 1 in a top view; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a processing system with several modules, wherein two automatic modules according to the invention are used.

In Fig. 1, a module for the automatic processing of workpieces (hereinafter referred to as automatic module) is designated by the reference numeral 10. The automatic module 10 comprises a frame 12, which is composed of various vertical and horizontal supports 13. The base area spanned by the vertical beams is rectangular. Usually, side walls 14 are provided on the supports 13 of the frame 12, which delimit an interior 16 of the automatic module. For reasons of clarity, the automatic module 10 is shown in FIG. 1 without a ceiling.

The front side 18 of the automatic module 10 is shown in the present exemplary embodiment for the sake of clarity without a door closing the interior. This door is opened for feeding parts into the interior 16, the feeding being able to take place, for example, via conveyor belts 20, as shown in FIG. 1. It goes without saying that other feeding options are also conceivable.

A handling device 30 is provided in the area of the conveyor belts 20, for example in the form of a robot arm 31, which can handle parts supplied via the conveyor belts 20. In any case, the aforementioned door is closed during operation of the robot arm. The automatic module 10 comprises a transport device 40, which is shown only schematically for the sake of clarity and enables transport in only one direction (transport direction), ie, for example, from the long side 15a to the long side 15b. The transport device 40 comprises a first transport path 42, which extends from one long side 15a to the opposite long side 15b of the automatic module 10. This first transport route 42 runs adjacent to the rear side 19 of the automatic module.

A second transport path 44, which is also part of the transport device 40, runs parallel to the first transport path 42 and adjacent to the front side 18 of the automatic module 10.

Both transport routes 42, 44 are designed so that pallets with workpieces to be machined can be transported on them.

To machine the workpieces, they are transported on the second transport path 44 into the effective area of the robot arm 31. This longitudinal section of the second transport path 44, referred to below as the machining area, is designated by the reference symbol 50 in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of the automatic module 10 shown, the first transport route 42 serves as the main transport route. This means that the transport of workpieces from upstream modules of a processing system and the transport into downstream modules takes place via this main transport route 42. In order to fulfill this function, the two side walls 14 have openings gene 17 through which the first transport route 42 extends. For the sake of clarity, only an opening 17 in the region of the long side 15b is shown in FIG. 1.

It goes without saying that the second transport path 44 can also take over the function of the main transport path 42. In this case, the openings 17 are to be arranged correspondingly offset.

In order to convey a workpiece from one transport route to another transport route, transfer devices (infeed and outfeed devices) are provided, which, however, are not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity. For example, one transfer device is provided adjacent to the long side 15a and another transfer device is adjacent to the long side 15b, i.e. that is, upstream and downstream of the processing area 50.

FIG. 1 also shows that the side wall 14 on the rear side 19 of the automatic module 10 is not designed as a flat wall surface, but rather has a side wall section 60 which is essentially U-shaped in plan view. This wall section 60 thus comprises a base wall surface 62 which is parallel to the rear wall 14. Furthermore, the wall section 16 comprises two inclined leg wall surfaces 64 which establish a connection between the base wall surface 62 and the rest of the rear wall.

The structure of the rear wall 14 can be clearly seen in FIG. 2. Thus, the rear wall 14 has two side rear wall sections 66a and 66b in addition to the wall section 60. Furthermore, the U-shaped design of the wall section 60 can be seen, in particular one of the leg wall surfaces 64 and the base wall surface 62. Both leg wall surfaces 64 have openings 68 which, viewed in the horizontal direction, are aligned with one another. The first transport section 42 extends through these openings 68, the longitudinal section of the transport section 42 shown in FIG. 2 lying between the two transfer devices.

Due to the special design of the rear wall 14, in particular the wall section 60, the shown longitudinal section of the first transport route 42 is from the outside, i.e. accessible from the rear of the automatic module 10. This region, which is delimited by the two leg wall surfaces 62 and the base wall surface 62, can thus be used for the manual machining of workpieces which reach this region on pallets via the first transport path 42. This manual processing area is designated in FIG. 2 with the reference symbol 70.

It goes without saying that the design of the rear wall 14, in particular of the wall section 16, can take place differently. It is only necessary to ensure that the manual processing area 70 is separated from the automatic processing area 50 by corresponding wall surfaces.

The above-described automatic module 10 is shown in plan view in FIG. 3. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in Figures 1 and 2, so that their repeated description is omitted. In any case, the automatic one can be clearly seen in FIG. 3 Processing area 50 and the manual processing area 70 spatially separated therefrom, which is supplied via the first transport route 42.

The automatic module 10 described above now works as follows:

The workpieces to be machined are transported to the automatic module 10 in storage on pallets via the first transport route 42. In a first operating mode (normal mode), this pallet is conveyed to the second transport path 44 via the transfer device or discharge device and then transported to the processing area 50, where the processing takes place via the robot arm 31. After completion of the processing, the pallet arrives via the second transfer device or infeed device again on the first transport path 42, from which the pallet is transported to a downstream module (not shown). In this operating mode, no pallets usually get into the processing area 70.

If an error occurs in the automatic processing area 50, for example because the robot arm 31 has failed, a control device (not shown) switches to a so-called emergency mode. Of course, this can also be done manually. In this mode, the pallets entering the automatic module 10 are no longer channeled onto the second transport path 44, but remain on the first transport path 42. They thus reach the processing area 70 so that manual processing of the workpieces can take place as a replacement for the automatic processing , An interruption in the entire system can thus be avoided. As soon as the fault has been remedied, the control device switches back to the first operating mode, so that the processing takes place again automatically.

In addition to the two operating modes described above, the automatic module 10 can also be operated in a third operating mode, which can be referred to as a parallel mode. In this parallel mode, for example, pallets are alternately sluiced onto the second transport path 44 or remain on the first transport path 42. Pallets thus reach both the automatic processing area 50 and the manual processing area 70, so that parallel processing is possible. This parallel mode is required, for example, if the application rate has to be increased.

You can either choose between the individual operating modes described or switch automatically depending on certain parameters.

4 shows a processing system which is designated by the reference symbol 80. This processing system 80 comprises a plurality of manual processing modules 90, in the present case four, a plurality of automatic processing modules 100, in the present case two, and at least one automatic module 10, in the present case two. The modules 10, 90, 100 are arranged in two rows running parallel to one another, the ends of which are connected to one another via so-called connection modules 105. The result is a rectangular system structure in which the pallets are transported clockwise and thus run through all processing modules. So far, such processing systems 80 have only included processing modules that have the same overall length to improve interchangeability. However, this often gave rise to the problem that access to the inside of this rectangular system structure, for example to carry out maintenance work on the automatic modules, was only possible with great effort. In order to overcome this problem, a so-called access module 106 is provided in the processing system shown in FIG. 4. This access module 106 is constructed in such a way that a person can easily get inside the system structure and thus also very quickly get to the manual processing areas of the automatic modules 10. This access module 106 has a length that is a multiple of the length of the processing modules 10, 90, 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the access module is twice as long as the other processing modules.

It is thus shown that in the automatic module according to the invention, by creating a further manual processing area, which, however, does not lead to an enlargement of the module itself, a more compact processing system can be set up, since manual reserve processing modules no longer have to be provided. In addition, the automatic module according to the invention increases the flexibility with regard to the output quantity of such a module, since if necessary, manual processing can also be carried out in addition to the automatic processing. These considerable advantages can be achieved without significantly increasing the design effort of the corresponding automatic module.

Claims

claims

Module for automatic processing (automatic module) of workpieces transported in one direction (transport direction) with

a first processing area (50) in which the workpieces are automatically processed, and

at least one transport device (40) which transports the workpieces in and out of the first processing region (50) in the transport direction, characterized in that a second processing region (70) is provided for manual processing of the workpieces, the transport device (40) the workpieces are transported in and out of the second processing area (70) in the transport direction.

2. Automatic module according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device (40) comprises a rectilinear main transport path (42) and an outgoing secondary transport path (44), the workpieces via the secondary transport path (44) in the first Access the processing area (50).

3. Automatic module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the workpieces reach the second processing area (70) via the main transport path (42).

Automatic module according to Claim 3, characterized in that the transport device (44) comprises a controllable switch which, in a first operating mode, guides the workpieces from the main transport line (42) to the secondary transport line (44) for automatic processing.

Automatic module according to claim 4, characterized in that the switch keeps the workpieces on the main transport path (42) in a second operating mode, so that they reach the second processing area (70) instead of the first processing area (50).

Automatic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a frame (12) is provided which has an essentially rectangular outline and carries the transport device (40), the main transport path (42) extending from one side (15a) to the opposite side (15b) and adjacent to a rear side (19) of the frame (12) and wherein the secondary transport path (44) runs adjacent to a front side (18) opposite the rear side (19).

Automatic module according to Claim 6, characterized in that the frame (12) has a rear wall (14) which is arranged on the rear side (19) and projects into the automatic module in a central section (60) such that a longitudinal section of the main transport route (42) runs adjacent to the outer side of the rear wall (14), where in the second processing area (70) is assigned to this longitudinal section.

8. Automatic module according to claim 5, characterized in that a control device is provided which switches in the event of a fault in the automatic processing from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

9. Automatic module according to claim 8, characterized in that can be switched manually between the first and the second operating mode via the control device.

10. Automatic module according to claim 4, characterized in that the switch in a third operating mode needs-controlled workpieces to the secondary transport route (44) or holds on the main route (42), so that workpieces get into both processing areas (50, 70) ,

11. Machining system for machining workpieces, with at least two machining modules arranged in a row, characterized in that at least one of the machining modules is an automatic module according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Processing system according to claim 11, characterized in that a plurality of processing modules are arranged in two rows, both rows at their ends via a respective connection module (105), so that there is a rectangular plant structure, and that at least one of the processing modules (Conditional access) (106) is designed to allow easy access to the area between the two rows.

13. Processing system according to claim 12, characterized in that the access module (106) has a greater length than the other processing modules.

14. Processing system according to claim 13, characterized in that the length of the processing modules is the same, and that the length of the access module (106) is a multiple, preferably twice the length of the processing modules.