Production line for machining at least one surface component and method for machining the at least one surface component in the production line

Abstract

A production line for machining a surface component with a first machining station and a second machining station is disclosed. The first machining station includes a separating device configured to separate a surface component along a machining path. The second machining station includes a bending/forming device configured to form and/or bend the surface component in a bending/forming position. The first machining station and the second machining station are sequentially arranged one directly after the other and/or linked together.

Claims

1. A production line to machine a metal sheet for assembly into a vehicle body comprising: a first machining station including at least one separating device configured to separate at least one surface component along at least a first machining path and a second machining path from the metal sheet, the first machining station including a first controller configured to actuate the at least one separating device, the first controller having a first data set and a second data set, the first controller executes the first data set to actuate the at least one separating device to separate the at least one surface component along the first machining path and the first controller executes the second data set to actuate the at least one separating device to separate the at least one surface component along the second machining path, with the second machining path different than the first machining path; a second machining station including at least one bending/forming device configured to form the at least one surface component in at least one forming position, the second machining station including a second controller configured to actuate the at least one bending/forming device, the second controller having a third data set and a fourth data set; wherein the first and second machining stations are sequentially arranged and/or linked together.

2. The production line according to claim 1, wherein the at least one separating device comprises a jointed-arm robot with the at least one separating tool.

3. The production line according to claim 2, wherein the at least one bending/forming device comprises a second jointed-arm robot with the at least one bending/forming tool.

4. The production line according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bending/forming device comprises a jointed-arm robot with the at least one bending/forming tool.

5. The production line according to claim 1, wherein the production line further comprises a third machining station including a forming device configured to flatly form a surface extension of at least one surface component.

6. The production line according to claim 5, wherein the third machining station is sequentially arranged immediately before the first machining station and/or linked thereto.

7. The production line according to claim 1 further comprising: the third data set configured to actuate the at least one controller for operating the bending/forming device so as to form the at least one surface component in at least one first bending/forming position; and the fourth data set configured to actuate the at least one controller for operating the bending/forming device so as to form the at least one surface component in at least one second bending/forming position; wherein the at least one first bending/forming position and the at least one second bending/forming position are different.

8. A method for machining at least one surface component in a production line according to claim 1, wherein the at least one separating device separates the at least one surface component along the at least one machining path.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one bending/forming device forms the at least one surface component in the at least one bending/forming position.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the forming device flatly forms at least a portion of a surface extension of the at least one surface component.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one separating device and the at least one bending/forming device machine the at least one surface component in a synchronized manner.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one separating device and the at least one bending/forming device machine the at least one surface component without temporary storage thereof.

13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising conveying the at least one surface component from the first machining station to the second machining station directly, immediately and/or without temporary storage thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

(2) FIG. 1 is a first production station of a production line with a separating device;

(3) FIG. 2a is a second production station of the production line with a bending/forming device;

(4) FIG. 2b presents a sectional view of the surface component 5 along section line A-A from FIG. 2a;

(5) FIG. 3 is another production station of the production line with a forming device;

(6) FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a method for machining at least one surface component in the production line.

(7) Mutually corresponding or identical parts are each labeled with the same reference numbers on the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the present disclosure or the following detailed description.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a first production station 2 of a production line 1. The production line 1 is designed for machining at least one surface component 5, for example a metal sheet for integration into a vehicle body. The surface component 5 includes a first surface component 5a and a second surface component 5b (not shown), for example which can be machined sequentially in the production line 1. The production line 1 exhibits at least one controller 11. The latter includes a first controller 11a, which is designed to actuate a separating device 4 of the first production station 2.

(10) The separating device 4 can be used to separate the surface component 5 along a machining path 6. In particular, separation machining with the separating device 4 imparts a predetermined contour to the surface component 5, e.g., an outer contour. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first production station 2 includes two or more separating devices 4, with which the surface component 5 is separated, thereby separating it along the machining path 6. The separating device 4 may be a first jointed-arm robot including a separating tool 7. In particular, the first jointed-arm robot is fitted with the separating tool 7, so that it can operate and move along the machining path 6. The separating tool 7 is designed as a laser tool for laser separating the at least one surface component 5.

(11) The first controller 11a exhibits a first data record 12 and a second data record 13, which differ from each other in terms of content. In particular, the first controller 11a is varyingly programmed with the first and second data records 12; 13. As a consequence, the first controller 11a can actuate the separating device 4 based on the first data record 12 to machine, in particular separate, the surface component 5, in particular the first surface component 5a, along a first machining path 6a (not shown). When the first controller 11a actuates the separating device 4 based on the second data record 13, the separating device 4 machines, in particular separates, the surface component 5, e.g., the second surface component 5b, along a second machining path 6b (not shown).

(12) The first and second machining paths 6a, 6b are varyingly designed. In particular, the first surface component 5a can be machined with the separating device 4 based on the first data record 12 to exhibit a contour different than the second surface component 5b machined with the separating device 4 based on the second data record 13. However, it is also possible for the same surface component 5 to be separation machined with the separating device 4 in the first machining station 2 initially based on the first data record 12 and subsequently based on the second data record 13.

(13) Programming the first controller 11a with the two different data records 12; 13 makes it possible to flexibly separation machine the surface component 5 with the same separating device 4. This enables a savings on costs for several different separating tools and/or machines. In addition, the process of manufacturing the surface component 5 in the production line 1, in particular in the machining station 2, can be flexibly and quickly changed.

(14) FIG. 2a shows a second machining station 3 of the production line 1. The machining station 3 exhibits a bending/forming device 8, with which the surface component 5 can be bent and/or folded in at least one bending/forming position 9. The bending/forming device 8 is designed as a second jointed-arm robot that exhibits a bending/forming tool 10. The bending/forming tool 10 is designed as a tong. As an alternative, the bending/forming tool 10 can also be designed as a stamp, with which pressure is exerted on the at least one surface component 5, forming the latter. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the second production station 3 exhibits two or more bending/forming devices 8, with which at least sections of the surface component 5 are formed and/or bent.

(15) FIG. 2b presents a sectional view of the surface component 5 along section line A-A from FIG. 2a. The surface component 5 is bent and/or formed in the bending/forming position 9, in particular bent over. The bending/forming position 9 lies on the already separated machining path 6 of the at least one surface component 5. For example, at least sections or the entire bending/forming position 9 can here extend along the machining path 6. The surface component 5 is shown bent along the machining path 6, in particular along the outer contour of the surface component 5. The bend preferably measures at least 40 degrees, in particular at least 60 degrees, in particular at least 80 degrees and/or at most 180 degrees relative to a surface extension of the surface component 5.

(16) The controller 11 includes a second controller 11b. The latter exhibits a third data record 14 and a fourth data record 15. In particular, the second controller 11b is varyingly programmed with the third and fourth data records 14; 15. The third data record 14 differs from the fourth data record 15 in terms of content. Based on the third data record 14, the second controller 11 actuates the bending/forming device 8, which forms and/or bends the surface component 5, in particular the first surface component 5a, in at least a first bending/forming position 9a. When the second controller 11b actuates the bending/forming device 8 based on the fourth data record 15, the surface component 5, for example the second surface component 5b, is bent and/or formed in at least a second bending/forming position 9b (not shown).

(17) The first bending/forming position 9a and the second bending/forming position 9b differ from each other. As a consequence, the first surface component 5a can be molded and/or bent in positions and/or in ways other than the second surface component 5b. However, it is also possible for the same surface component 5 to be formed and/or bent in the second machining station 3 initially based on the third data record 13 and subsequently based on the fourth data record 15.

(18) Programming the second controller 11b with the third and fourth data record 14; 15 makes it possible to flexibly and varyingly bend and/or form the individual surface components 5; 5a; 5b within the production line 1. This enables a savings in costs for building various forming/bending tools and/or machines, and the achievement of enhanced flexibility within the production line 1.

(19) The first machining station 2 shown on FIG. 1 and the second machining station 3 shown on FIG. 3 are arranged one directly after the other and/or linked with each other within the production line 1. In particular, the material flow of the surface component 5 from the first machining station 2 to the second machining station 3 is immediate and direct, in particular without temporary storage. For example, the at least one surface component 5 can be conveyed from the first machining station 2 to the second machining station 3 by means of conveying vehicles and/or conveyor belts, which interconnect the first machining station 2 and second machining station 3. The machining of the first surface component 5a with the separating device 4 in the first machining station 2 is synchronized with the machining of the second surface component 5b with the bending/forming device 8 in the second machining station 3. Synchronizing the process of machining the first and second surface components 5a; 5b and forgoing a temporary storage makes it possible to reduce the production time within the production line, and thereby save on production costs.

(20) FIG. 3 shows another machining station 22 of the production line 1. The additional machining station 22 includes a forming device 23, which is designed as a forming press. The surface component 5 is flatly formed and, as an additional option, pressed in its surface extension in the forming device 23. In particular, at least 70 percent, preferably at least 80 percent of the surface extension of the surface component 5 is formed and, as an additional option, pressed. It is also possible for the at least one surface component 5 to be formed and, as an additional option, pressed in the forming device 23 in its entirety, i.e., over 100 percent of the surface extension.

(21) The additional machining station 22 is arranged in the production line 1 immediately before the first production station 1. In particular, the additional machining station 22 is directly linked with the first machining station 2. In particular, the material flow of the surface component 5 between the additional machining station 22 and first machining station 2 is immediate and direct, in particular without temporary storage.

(22) For example, the surface component 5 can be conveyed from the additional machining station 22 to the first machining station 2 by means of a conveying vehicle and/or conveyor belts, which interconnect the additional machining station 22 and first machining station 2. The machining of the first surface component 5a with the forming device 23 in the additional machining station 22 is synchronized with the machining of the second surface component 5b with the separating device 4 in the first machining station 2 and/or is synchronized with the machining of an additional surface component with the bending/forming device 8 in the second machining station 3.

(23) FIG. 4 presents a flow chart of a procedural sequence for machining the surface component 5 in the production line 1, the machining stations 2; 3 of which are shown on FIGS. 1 and 2. The method includes the following procedural step. At block 16, the surface component 5 is machined in the production line 1 such that the separating device 4 separates the one surface component 5 along the at least one machining path 6.

(24) The method further includes the following optional steps, which can also be switched in terms of their sequence. At block 17, the surface extension of the surface component 5 is formed in the additional machining station 22.

(25) At block 18, the bending/forming device 8 forms and/or bends the surface component 5 in the at least one bending/forming position 9. At block 19, the separating device 4 and bending/forming device 8 and, as an additional option, the forming device 23 machines the surface component 5 in a synchronized manner. At block 20, the separating device 4 and bending/forming device 8 and, as an additional option, the forming device 23 machines the surface component 5 without temporary storage.

(26) At block 21 the the surface component 5 is conveyed from the first machining station 2 to the second machining station 3 directly, immediately and/or without temporary storage. At block 22, the surface component 5 is conveyed from the additional machining station 22 to the first machining station 2 directly, immediately and/or without temporary storage.

(27) While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.