Method and device for machining and/or producing a component and such a component

Abstract

A method for machining includes providing a component or a semifinished part which has a main body with a first surface and with a first surface coating provided on the first surface. The method also includes notching the component or the semifinished part on the first surface coated with the first surface coating. The method also includes severing, perforating or trimming the component or the semifinished part along the notch. At least a part of the first surface coating which is notched in the process is maintained along notch surfaces.

Claims

1. A method for machining and/or producing a component, comprising: providing a component or a semifinished part which has a main body with a first surface and with a first surface coating provided on the first surface, notching the component or the semifinished part on the first surface coated with the first surface coating, wherein after the notching has been completed the first surface coating remains present at least at a vertex of the notched first surface, and perforating the component or the semifinished part along the notch.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after the notching has been completed the first surface coating remains as a continuous uninterrupted layer from a first end that is upstream of an area where the notching took place, through the area where the notching took place, to a second end that is downstream of the area where nothing took place.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perforating the component or of the semifinished part is performed using a mechanical cutting process.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the component or the semifinished part has a second surface coating on a second surface situated opposite the first surface, and the component or the semifinished part is notched both on the first surface coated with the first surface coating and on the second surface coated with the second surface coating.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the notching on the first surface coated with the first surface coating and/or on the second surface coated with the second surface coating is performed to a depth of less than half of the thickness of the main body DG.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the notching is performed symmetrically in a notching direction.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the notching is performed by means of stamping, roll-stamping, rolling or knurling.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the notching is performed symmetrically on the first surface coated with the first surface coating and on the second surface coated with the second surface coating.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and/or second surface coating is selected from at least one zinc layer, at least one zinc-aluminum layer, at least one adhesive layer and/or at least one polymer layer.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a thickness of the main body (DG) amounts to at most 3 mm.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a layer thickness of the first surface coating (DOb1) and/or a layer thickness of the second surface coating (DOb2) amounts to at most 20 μm.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a layer thickness of the second surface coating along the notch surfaces amounts to between at least 20% and at least 30%, of the layer thickness of the second surface coating on a second surface of the component (DOb2) or of the semifinished part.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces and/or the layer thickness of the second surface coating along the notch surfaces defines a gradient.

14. A device for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 13.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the device is configured to perform at least one of the notching, severing, perforation, or trimming of the component or of the semifinished part in one working step.

16. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the notching on the first surface coated with the first surface coating and/or on the second surface coated with the second surface coating is performed to a depth of 10 to 40% of the thickness of the main body DG.

17. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a thickness of the main body (DG) amounts to between 0.5 and 2.5 mm.

18. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a layer thickness of the first surface coating (DOb1) and/or a layer thickness of the second surface coating (DOb2) amounts to at most 15 μm.

19. A component produced in accordance with a method as claimed in claim 1.

20. The component as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least a part of the first surface coating or of the second surface coating is maintained along notch surfaces.

21. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces amounts to between at least 20% and at least 30%, of the layer thickness of the first surface coating on a first surface of the component (DOb1) or of the semifinished part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a sequence of a method for machining and/or producing a component.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a sequence of a method for machining and/or producing a component.

(3) The embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. The figures illustrate only those aspects of the inventive method which are of interest here; all other aspects have been omitted for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, the same reference designations are used to denote identical elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(4) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing the method sequence of a method for machining and/or producing a component. It should be noted here that the method is basically suitable for machining or producing both semifinished parts and components. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, however, reference will only be made to the production or machining of a component. Analogous statements however also apply to the machining or production of semifinished parts.

(5) A component 1 is firstly provided. The component 1 is not restricted in terms of detail, and may for example be a sheet-metal component or a sandwich component. The component 1 comprises a main body 2. The main body 2 may be of single-layer or multi-layer construction. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the main body 2 is formed for example from a layer which is in particular a metal sheet with a thickness D.sub.G of up to 3 mm.

(6) The main body 2 has a first surface 3 and a second surface 4 situated opposite the first surface 3. A first surface coating 5 is provided on the first surface 3 and a second surface coating 6 is provided on the second surface 4.

(7) The surface coatings 5, 6 may be identical or different, that is to say may be of identical or different type and form, may lie loosely on the respective surface 3, 4, or may be cohesively connected to the corresponding surface 3, 4. Exemplary surface coatings comprise at least one zinc layer, at least one zinc-aluminum layer, at least one adhesive layer and/or at least one polymer layer.

(8) In the present example, the first surface coating 5 and the second surface coating 6 fully cover the corresponding first surface 3 and second surface 4. It is however also possible for the surface coating 5, 6 to be provided only in particular partial sections of the respective surface 3, 4, that is to say where the notching is to be performed. The first surface coating 5 has a layer thickness denoted by D.sub.Ob1 on the first surface 3 of the component 1. Said layer thickness is determined perpendicular to the first surface 3 of the component 1. The second surface coating 6 has a layer thickness denoted by D.sub.Ob2 on the second surface 4 of the component 1. Said layer thickness is determined perpendicular to the second surface 4 of the component 1. The layer thickness may be determined on the basis of photomicrographs.

(9) In a following method step, notching of the component 1 is performed on the first surface 3, coated with the first surface coating 5, so as to obtain a notch 8. The notching may be performed by means of a suitable tool, in particular by means of a stamping tool. Stamping tools are particularly highly suitable for maintaining, during the notching process, at least a part of the first surface coating 5, which is notched in the process, along the notch surfaces 7 that form. In other words, not only a region of the main body 1 but likewise the first surface coating 5 situated thereon is recessed during the notching process. The first surface coating 5 may in particular also be pressed into the notch 8. It is possible here that, as a result of the notching, the layer thickness of the first surface coating D.sub.Ob1, which is determined perpendicular to the first surface 3 of the component 1, is compressed. This has the result that a layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces B is smaller than the layer thickness of the surface coating D.sub.Ob1 on the first surface 3 of the component 1. The layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces B is determined perpendicular to the corresponding notch surfaces.

(10) The layer thickness of the first surface coating D.sub.Ob1 on the first surface 3 of the component 1 advantageously amounts to at most 20 μm, and is in particular at most 15 μm. In particular, the notching is performed such that the layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces B amounts to at least 20% and in particular at least 30% of the layer thickness of the first surface coating on the first surface of the component D.sub.Ob1. This is shown in the present example. It is furthermore possible for the layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces B to describe a gradient, and for example to decrease in the notching direction K.

(11) As shown by way of example in FIG. 1, the notching is performed symmetrically in the notching direction K, which is illustrated in the sectional view by the V-shape of the notch 8.

(12) If the notching is performed from one side of the component 1, as shown here, then it is preferable for the notch depth to be as great as possible. The notch depth, which is determined in the notching direction, may extend to a depth of less than half of the thickness of the main body D.sub.G, but may in particular extend to a depth of 90% of the thickness of the main body 1 D.sub.G.

(13) In a subsequent step, severing, perforation or trimming of the component is performed, for example by means of a mechanical cutting tool 10, along the notch 8 and for example in the notching direction K in FIG. 1. As a cutting tool 10, use may be made of all possible mechanical cutting tools, for example a rotary cutting tool, a shearing cutting tool, a notch fracture cutting tool, punching tool or guillotine blade, which permits severing, perforation or trimming of the component 1 with the desired shape. In the example illustrated here, a punching tool is used to produce a cylindrical aperture in the component 1. The resulting component 1 has the first surface coating 5 over a large partial region of the punched hole 11. Only in a small section of the punched hole are the surfaces of the main body 9 exposed. The function introduced by the first surface coating 5 is thus maintained even in the resulting component 1, and can even be extended to the cut regions in the component 1. Retroactive sealing or cumbersome reworking in order to increase the protective action of the component 1 or for aesthetic purposes or stability purposes is not necessary. Furthermore, depending on the first surface coating 5 used, it is also possible for additional functionality to be introduced into the notch 8 and thus also into the component obtained after the severing process. This would be the case for example if the first surface coating 5 were for example an adhesive coating. The adhesive characteristics would also be present on the notch surfaces 7 after the cutting process. Alternative functional coatings are colored paints, protective paints and the like. The method can be carried out without great technical effort, and permits the inexpensive production of highly functional and highly stable components with a short cycle time.

(14) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing the method sequence of a method for machining and/or producing a component.

(15) By contrast to the method illustrated in FIG. 1, the method illustrated in FIG. 2 differs in that notching is performed both on the first surface 3 coated with the first surface coating 5 and on the second surface 4 coated with the second surface coating 6, that is to say from oppositely situated sides of the component 1. The notches 8 and 12 are formed.

(16) The notching on the first surface 3 coated with the first surface coating 5 and on the second surface 4 coated with the second surface coating 6 is performed to a depth of in each case less than half of the thickness of the main body D.sub.G, in particular to a depth of 10 to 40% of the thickness of the main body D.sub.G. The notch tips that are formed are thus prevented from coinciding. The greater the depth to which the notch 8, 12 is formed, the larger the regions of the notch surfaces 7 that are covered with the respective surface coating 5, 6.

(17) The notching on the first surface 3 coated with the first surface coating 5 and on the second surface 4 coated with the second surface coating 6 is performed symmetrically. Thus, the notches 8 and 12 are of identical form in terms of shape and notch depth. In this way, the first surface coating 5 and the second surface coating 6 are introduced into the notch surfaces 7 of the respective notches 8, 12 and thus functionalize the notch surfaces 7 proceeding from both surfaces 3, 4 of the component 1. It is thus made more easily possible to functionalize as large a notch surface region as possible.

(18) In turn, during the notching process, not only a region of the main body 1 but likewise the first surface coating 5 and the second surface coating 6 situated thereon are recessed. It is furthermore possible here that, as a result of the notching, the layer thickness of the first surface coating D.sub.Ob1, which is determined perpendicular to the first surface 3 of the component 1, and the layer thickness of the second surface coating D.sub.Ob2, which is determined perpendicular to the second surface 4 of the component 1, are compressed. This has the result that a layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces B is smaller than the layer thickness of the first surface coating D.sub.Ob1 on the first surface 3 of the component 1. Likewise, a layer thickness of the second surface coating along the notch surfaces C is smaller than the layer thickness of the second surface coating D.sub.Ob2 on the second surface 4 of the component 1. The layer thicknesses of the first and second surface coatings along the notch surfaces B, C are determined perpendicular to the notch surfaces 7.

(19) It is also the case in the method illustrated in FIG. 2 that a component 1 with high functionality and chemical and mechanical stability is obtained, which eliminates the need for resealing or reworking of the cut regions after the severing process.

(20) The above description of the embodiments of the present invention serves merely for illustrative purposes and not for the purposes of restricting the invention. Various alterations and modifications are possible in the context of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention and of its equivalents.

(21) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the embodiments of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

(22) 1 Component 2 Main body of the component 3 First surface of the component 4 Second surface of the component 5 First surface coating 6 Second surface coating 7 Notch surface 8 Notch 9 Exposed surface of the main body 10 Cutting tool 11 Punched hole 12 Notch B Layer thickness of the first surface coating along the notch surfaces C Layer thickness of the second surface coating along the notch surfaces DG Thickness of the main body DOb1 Thickness of the first surface coating on the first surface DOb2 Thickness of the first surface coating on the first surface K Notching direction