SHRINK-CLAMPING COOLING DEVICE AND TOOL SHRINK-CLAMPING METHOD

Abstract

A shrink-clamping cooling device at least for an, in particular contour-independent, tempering of tool holders and/or tools, which were in particular heated previously, with at least one cooling container, which forms a receiving space for receiving at least one tool unit comprising a tool holder and a tool, and with at least one climate-control apparatus, which is configured for essentially tempering, preferably actively cooling, a cooling gas or cooling gas mixture, in particular cooling air, which is contained in the receiving space of the cooling container, and/or a cooling gas or cooling gas mixture, in particular cooling air, fed to the receiving space of the cooling container, for the purpose of cooling the tool unit.

Claims

1. A shrink-clamping cooling device at least for an, in particular contour-independent, tempering of tool holders and/or tools, which were in particular heated previously, with at least one cooling container, which forms a receiving space for receiving at least one tool unit comprising a tool holder and a tool, and with at least one climate-control apparatus, which is configured for essentially tempering, preferably actively cooling, a cooling gas or cooling gas mixture, in particular cooling air, which is contained in the receiving space of the cooling container, and/or a cooling gas or cooling gas mixture, in particular cooling air, fed to the receiving space of the cooling container for the purpose of cooling the tool unit.

2. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling gas or the cooling gas mixture in the cooling container and/or the cooling container itself can be pre-cooled and/or is pre-cooled by the climate-control apparatus.

3. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, comprising at least one revolution unit, which is configured to create an at least substantially even temperature distribution within the cooling container.

4. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling container is free of liquid-conducting components, liquid-sputtering components, liquid-spraying components, vapor-conducting components, vapor-sputtering components, and of vapor-spraying components.

5. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, comprising a holding device for holding at least two tool units, which is arranged at least partly in the receiving space of the cooling container, comprises at least two cycle places and is supported movably.

6. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 5, comprising a drive unit, which is configured to bring the holding device into a cycle place lay-in position or into a cycle place take-out position by a movement of the holding device.

7. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 6, wherein the drive unit is configured to move the cycle places of the holding device rotationally around a drive rotation axis of the holding device.

8. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 7, wherein the drive rotation axis of the drive unit is oriented vertically, and/or that the drive rotation axis of the drive unit is oriented at least substantially parallel to a tool rotation axis of tool units held in the holding device.

9. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 5, comprising a lay-in and/or take-out unit, which is realized separately from the holding device and is configured for laying the tool units into the cooling container and/or for taking the tool units out of the cooling container.

10. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 7, wherein the drive rotation axis of the drive unit is oriented horizontally, and/or that the drive rotation axis of the drive unit (30b) is oriented at least substantially perpendicularly to a tool rotation axis (34b) of tool units (18b) held in the holding device (28b).

11. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 10, wherein the holding device at the same time realizes a lay-in and/or take-out unit, which is configured for laying the tool units into the cooling container and/or for taking the tool units out of the cooling container.

12. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, comprising a condensation water catching device.

13. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, comprising at least one further cooling container, which is implemented separately from the cooling container and which forms a further receiving space for receiving at least one further tool unit.

14. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 13, wherein the climate-control apparatus is configured to cool the cooling gases or cooling gas mixtures contained in the cooling container and in the further cooling container independently from each other, and/or to control and/or regulate the feeding of the cooled cooling gases or cooling gas mixtures to the cooling container and to the further cooling container independently from each other.

15. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling container and/or the further cooling container comprise/comprises a movably supported tool unit put-up element for supporting at least one tool unit, which is configured to move a tool unit supported on the tool unit put-up element between a cooling position of the cooling container and a lay-in and/or take-out position of the cooling container.

16. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 13, wherein the cooling container and the further cooling container comprise closure elements, which are operable separately from each other.

17. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 16, wherein the cooling container and/or the further cooling container comprise/comprises a movably supported tool unit put-up element for supporting at least one tool unit, which is configured to move a tool unit supported on the tool unit put-up element between a cooling position of the cooling container and a lay-in and/or take-out position of the cooling container, and wherein the closure element of at least one of the cooling containers is connected to the respective tool unit put-up element of the allocated cooling container in a rotationally fixed manner.

18. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cooling container is assigned at least one temperature sensor, which is configured to sense a temperature of the cooling gas or of the cooling gas mixture within the cooling container and/or a temperature of a tool unit that is arranged in the cooling container.

19. The shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 18, wherein the cooling container comprises a closure element, which is controlled, in an at least semi-automated manner, depending on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

20. A system with a shrink-clamping cooling device, in particular a shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, and with a handling robot for an automated loading of the shrink-clamping cooling device with tool units and/or for a removal of tool units out of the shrink-clamping cooling device.

21. A shrink-clamping apparatus with an integrated shrink-clamping cooling device according claim 1, with at least one integrated induction heating unit for a thermal expansion of tool holders via inductive heating, and preferably with at least one integrated length measuring device for a length measurement of tool units.

22. The shrink-clamping apparatus according to claim 21, comprising at least one integrated further induction heating unit for a thermal expansion of tool holders via inductive heating, with the induction heating unit comprising a first induction coil device and the further induction heating unit comprising a second induction coil device that is implemented essentially different than the first induction coil device.

23. A tool shrink-clamping method with a cooling step, in which a tool holder, which was previously expanded thermally in a heating step, is cooled, preferably by means of a shrink-clamping cooling device according to claim 1, in a cooling container, which forms a receiving space for receiving at least one tool unit comprising a tool holder and a tool, and which contains an actively cooled cooling gas or cooling gas mixture, in particular cooling air.

24. The tool shrink-clamping method according to claim 23, wherein the cooling gas or the cooling gas mixture in the cooling container and/or the cooling container itself are/is pre-cooled prior to the cooling step, in particular before the tool unit that is to be cooled in the cooling step is laid into the cooling container.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0031] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings four exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. Someone skilled in the art will purposefully also consider the features separately and will find further expedient combinations.

[0032] It is shown in:

[0033] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a system with a shrink-clamping cooling device and a handling robot,

[0034] FIG. 2 a schematic perspective view of the shrink-clamping cooling device,

[0035] FIG. 3 a schematic flow chart of a tool shrink-clamping method, and

[0036] FIG. 4 a schematic perspective view of an alternative shrink-clamping cooling device,

[0037] FIG. 5 a schematic front view of a shrink-clamping apparatus with a second alternative shrink-clamping cooling device,

[0038] FIG. 6a schematic top view of a cooling container of the second alternative shrink-clamping cooling device with a tool unit in a cooling position,

[0039] FIG. 6b a schematic top view of the cooling container with the tool unit in a lay-in and/or take-out position,

[0040] FIG. 6c a schematic side view of the cooling container, and

[0041] FIG. 7 a schematic top view of a third alternative shrink-clamping cooling device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a system 40a with a shrink-clamping cooling device 42a. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42a is configured for a contour-independent tempering, preferably cooling, of previously heated tool units 18a. A tool unit 18a comprises a tool holder 10a and a tool 12a mounted in the tool holder 10a (see FIG. 2). The system 40a comprises a handling robot 44a. The handling robot 44a is configured for an automated loading of the shrink-clamping cooling device 42a with tool units 18a. The handling robot 44 is configured for an automated removal of tool units 18a out of the shrink-clamping cooling device 42a. The system 40a comprises a heating device 50a. The heating device 50a may be implemented as an induction heating device for heating tool holders 10a or as a hot-vapor cleaning device, for example for a cleaning of tool holders 10a. For the sake of better overview, no further details of the heating device are shown in FIG. 1. The handling robot 44a is configured for an automated loading of the heating device 50a with tool units 18a. The handling robot 44a is configured for an automated removal of tool units 18a out of the heating device 50a. The system 40a forms part of a multi-clamping and measuring and/or presetting station for tools 12a. The system 40a comprises a housing 52a. The housing 52a comprises a chimney 66a. The chimney 66a is configured for conveying heated cooling air away. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42a comprises a condensation water catching device 38a.

[0043] In FIG. 1, by way of example, the condensation water catching device 38a is allocated to the chimney 66a. Alternatively or additionally, the condensation water catching device 38a could be allocated to a climate-control apparatus 20a of the shrink-clamping cooling device 42a or to a cooling container 14a of the shrink-clamping cooling device 42a.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows the shrink-clamping cooling device 42a in a further, perspective view. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42a comprises the cooling container 14a. The cooling container 14a forms a receiving space 16a. The receiving space 16a formed by the cooling container 14a is configured for receiving a plurality of tool units 18a. The dimensions of the receiving space 16a are sufficient for receiving eight or more tool units 18a. The receiving space 16a is to a large extent enclosed by the cooling container 14a. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for the sake of overview and in order to provide an insight into the receiving space 16a, the side walls of the cooling container 14a are partly removed or made invisible. Advantageously the cooling container 14a encloses the receiving space 16a completely, with the exception of a lay-in and/or take-out opening 54a. The lay-in and/or take-out opening 54a can be closed. The cooling container 14a comprises a cover 56a, which is configured for closing the lay-in and/or take-out opening 54a.

[0045] The cooling container 14a is implemented so as to be free of components conducting a liquid. The cooling container 14a is implemented so as to be free of components sputtering a liquid. The cooling container 14a is implemented so as to be free of components spraying a liquid. The cooling container 14a is implemented so as to be free of components conducting a vapor. The cooling container 14a is implemented so as to be free of components sputtering a vapor. The cooling container 14a is implemented so as to be free of components spraying a vapor. The cooling container 14a is not suitable for being filled with a liquid. The cooling container 14a may, in particular all around, comprise a heat insulation (not shown), which—for example like in a refrigerator—reduces, preferably prevents as far as possible, a heat input from an environment of the cooling container 14a into the receiving space 16a. The heat insulation comprises for this purpose insulation elements known to someone skilled in the art, for example foam panels or vacuum panels.

[0046] The shrink-clamping cooling device 42a comprises the climate-control apparatus 20a. It is also conceivable that the shrink-clamping cooling device 42a comprises more than one climate-control apparatus 20a. The climate-control apparatus 20a is fixated to an outer side of the cooling container 14a. The climate-control apparatus 20a is arranged outside the receiving space 16a. The climate-control apparatus 20a is arranged on an upper side of the cooling container 14a. However, alternatively the climate-control apparatus 20a could also be arranged on another side of the cooling container 14a, separately from the cooling container 14a or even at least partly within the receiving space 16a. The climate-control apparatus 20a is configured for actively cooling a cooling gas or cooling gas mixture contained in the receiving space 16a of the cooling container 14a for a cooling of the tool units 18a supported in the receiving space 16a. The climate-control apparatus 20a is conductively connected to the receiving space 16a of the cooling container 14a via a cooling air feeding conduit and/or via a conduit for discharging heated air. The climate-control apparatus 20a is configured as an air-conditioning installation, preferably as a refrigeration device, for cooling air, in particular for generating a cooling air flow. In particular, the cooling air of the cooling air flow has a cooling temperature that is below room temperature, preferably below 15° C., advantageously below 10° C., especially advantageously below 7° C., preferentially below 3° C., and particularly preferentially above 0° C. in order to avoid freezing. Theoretically, temperatures below 0° C. are also possible. The climate-control apparatus 20a is configured for pre-cooling the cooling gas or the cooling gas mixture, preferably the cooling air, in the cooling container 14a, for example down to the cooling temperature. The air in the receiving space 16a is pre-cooled by the climate-control apparatus 20a, for example down to the cooling temperature. The climate-control apparatus 20a is alternatively or additionally configured for pre-cooling the inner walls of the cooling container 14a to the cooling temperature, preferably to bring them down to the cooling temperature.

[0047] The shrink-clamping cooling device 42a comprises a revolution unit 22a. The revolution unit 22a is configured to create an at least substantially even temperature distribution within the cooling container 14a. The revolution unit 22a is configured to keep the cooling air in the entire receiving space 16a approximately at the cooling temperature. The revolution unit 22a comprises two blowers 58a, 60a. The blowers 58a, 60a are arranged in the receiving space 16a. The blowers 58a, 60a are arranged relative to each other in such a way that they generate airflows which distribute and/or make circulate the cooling air evenly in the receiving space 16a. The blowers 58a, 60a are arranged on respectively different inner faces of the receiving space 16a. However, it is also conceivable that the blowers 58a, 60a at least section-wise protrude into a center of the receiving space 16a. The blowers 58a, 60a are arranged in a lower half of the receiving space 16a. However, alternatively an arrangement in an upper half of the receiving space 16a is also conceivable. The blowers 58a, 60a are connected to the climate-control apparatus 20a via feed and/or discharge conduits 62a.

[0048] The shrink-clamping cooling device 42a comprises a holding device 28a for holding at least two tool units 18a. The holding device 28a is arranged (completely) in the receiving space 16a of the cooling container 14a. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the holding device 28a comprises eight cycle spaces 24a, 26a. The holding device 28a that is shown in FIG. 2 by way of example is realized as a holding plate with cycle spaces 24a, 26a which are arranged in a ring-shape relative to one another. The cycle spaces 24a, 26a each have a receiving opening, in which respectively one tool unit 18a can positioned. The receiving openings of the cycle spaces 24a, 26a are adapted to the respective tool units 18a which are to be held. The cycle spaces 24a, 26a are fixated on a holding device base 64a. The cycle spaces 24a, 26a are mounted exchangeably on the holding device base 64a. The holding device 28a can be flexibly equipped with different cycle spaces 24a, 26a, which are preferably respectively adapted for defined tool units 18a. Alternatively it is conceivable that the entire holding plate is exchangeable or that different adapter inserts are insertable into the receiving openings of the cycle spaces 24a, 26a.

[0049] The holding device 28a is supported movably. The holding device 28a comprises a drive unit 30a. The drive unit 30a is configured to bring the holding device 28a into a cycle place lay-in position or into a cycle place take-out position by a movement of the holding device 28a, in particular of the cycle spaces 24a, 26a. The drive unit 30a is configured to move the cycle spaces 24a, 26a of the holding device 28a rotationally around a drive rotation axis 32a of the holding device 28a. The drive rotation axis 32a of the drive unit 30a is oriented vertically. The drive rotation axis 32a of the drive unit 30a is oriented parallel to a tool rotation axis 34s of tool units 18a or tool holders 10a held in the holding device 28a. The drive rotation axis 32a of the drive unit 30a extends centrally through the holding device 28a, in particular through an axis of gravity of the holding device 28a. The drive rotation axis 32a of the drive unit 30a is oriented perpendicularly to a plate plane of the holding plate. All cycle spaces 24a, 26a of the holding device 28a have approximately the same distance to the drive rotation axis 32a.

[0050] The shrink-clamping cooling device 42a comprises a lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is implemented separately from the holding device 28a. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is arranged (completely) in the receiving space 16a of the cooling container 14a. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is configured for laying the tool units 18a into the receiving space 16a of the cooling container 14a. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is configured for a positioning of the laid-in tool units 18a in a cycle place 24a, 26a of the holding device 28a. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is configured for taking the tool units 18a out of the receiving space 16a of the cooling container 14a. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is configured for a removal of the laid-in tool units 18a out of one of the cycle spaces 24a, 26a of the holding device 28a. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a, which is shown in FIG. 2 to give an example, is realized as a linear stroke unit. Alternative implementations of the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a, for example as a pivoting unit or as a multi-axial stroke unit, are of course conceivable. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is configured to transport tool units 18a between the holding device 28a and the lay-in and/or take-out opening 54a. It is conceivable that the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is implemented at least partly integrally with the cover 56a. For example, the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a could in a certain position, for example in a position in which the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is ready to receive a heated tool unit 18a, keep the lay-in and/or take-out opening 54a closed like a cover 56a. However, alternatively the cover 56a could of course also be implemented separately from the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a, opening only if the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a receives a tool unit 18a (from the handling robot 44a) or transfers a tool unit 18a (to the handling robot 44a).

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow chart of a tool shrink-clamping method with the shrink-clamping cooling device 42a. In at least one heating step 48a a tool holder 10a of a tool unit 18a, or something like that, is thermally expanded by heating. In the heating step 48a the heating is preferably brought about by an induction heating unit of a shrink-clamping apparatus or, alternatively, by a hot-vapor cleaning apparatus. In at least one method step 84a, the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a is brought into a ready-for-receiving position at or above the lay-in and/or take-out opening 54a. In at least one further method step 68a, the tool unit 18a, previously heated in the heating step 48a, is put onto the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a by the handling robot 44a. In at least one further method step 70a, the hot tool unit 18a is lowered into the receiving space 16a of the cooling container 14a by the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a. In at least one further method step 72a, the hot tool unit 18a is inserted into a first cycle place 24a of the holding device 28a by the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a. In a cooling step 46a, the tool unit 18a is evenly cooled by the cooling gas or cooling gas mixture, in particular the cooling air, which has been actively cooled by the climate-control apparatus 20a. Prior to the cooling step 46a, in particular prior to a laying-in of the tool unit 18a that is to be cooled in the cooling step 46a into the cooling container 14a, the cooling gas or the cooling gas mixture, in particular the cooling air, in the cooling container 14a is pre-cooled in the cooling container 14a by the climate-control apparatus 20a and the revolution unit 22a. During the cooling step 46a the holding device 28a is rotated one cycle place further on in a method step 74a. In at least one or several method step/s 76a, a next tool unit is inserted into the next cycle space 26a of the holding device 28a by the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a. These steps are repeated several times. After some (eight in the exemplary embodiment shown) rotation steps of the holding device 28a, the tool unit 18a, which has then cooled down, in the first cycle place 24a has made a full (360°) turn. In at least one further method step 78a the cooled tool unit 18a is taken out of the first cycle place 24a by the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a and is removed from the receiving space 16a via the lay-in and/or take-out opening 54a. In at least one further method step 80a, the handling robot 44a removes the cooled tool unit 18a out of the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a and inserts instead a further heated tool unit 18a into the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36a, which in its turn inserts said further heated tool unit 18a into the first cycle place 24a, which is now free. In at least one further method step 82a, the cooled tool unit 18a is transported by the handling robot 44a to a tool presetting and/or tool measuring apparatus (not shown), where it is at least measured.

[0052] In FIGS. 4 to 7 three further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The following descriptions and the drawings are limited essentially to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein regarding components having the same denomination, in particular regarding components with the same reference numerals, the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of FIGS. 1 to 3, may be referred to. For distinguishing between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a has been added to the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 7 the letter a has been substituted by the letters b to d.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows an alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42b in a perspective view. The alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42b comprises a cooling container 14b. The cooling container 14b has a lay-in and/or take-out opening 54b. The lay-in and/or take-out opening 54b can be closed by means of a cover that is not shown in FIG. 4. The alternative holding device 28b comprises a climate-control apparatus 20b. The climate-control apparatus 20b is fixated laterally on an outer side of the cooling container 14b. The alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42b comprises an alternative holding device 28b for holding at least two tool units 18b. The alternative holding device 28b is arranged (completely) in a receiving space 16b of the cooling container 14b. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the alternative holding device 28b comprises six cycle places 24b, 26b. The alternative holding device 28b is supported movably. The alternative holding device 28b comprises a drive unit 30b. The drive unit 30b is configured to move the cycle places 24b, 26b of the alternative holding device 28b rotationally around a drive rotation axis 32b of the holding device 28b. The drive rotation axis 32b of the drive unit 30b is oriented horizontally. The drive rotation axis 32b of the drive unit 30b is oriented perpendicularly to a tool rotation axis 34b of tool units 18b held in the holding device 28b. The drive rotation axis 32b of the drive unit 30b extends centrally through the holding device 28b, in particular through an axis of gravity of the alternative holding device 28b. The drive rotation axis 32b of the drive unit 30b is oriented perpendicularly to a wheel axis of the holding wheel.

[0054] The alternative holding device 28b is realized as an upright holding wheel with cycle places 24b, 26b are arranged around the circumference of the holding wheel. The alternative holding device 28b shown exemplarily in FIG. 4 is realized like a Ferris wheel. The cycle places 24b, 26b of the alternative holding device 28b are fixated on the holding wheel such that they are rotatable relative to the holding wheel. The cycle places 24b, 26b are fixated rotatably on the holding wheel in such a way that the tool units 18b received in the cycle places 24b, 26b are in each rotation position of the alternative holding device 28b oriented horizontally like the gondolas of a Ferris wheel. The alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42b comprises a lay-in and/or take-out unit 36b. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36b is configured for laying the tool units 18b into the cooling container 14b and for taking the tool units 18b out of the cooling container 14b. The lay-in and/or take-out unit 36b is implemented integrally with the alternative holding device 28b. The alternative holding device 28b forms at the same time the lay-in and/or take-out unit 36b.

[0055] In FIG. 5 a schematic front view of a shrink-clamping apparatus 100c is shown. The shrink-clamping apparatus 100c comprises a second alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42c. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42c is integrated in the shrink-clamping apparatus 100c. The shrink-clamping apparatus 100c comprises an induction heating unit 102c. The induction heating unit 102c is integrated in the shrink-clamping apparatus 100c. The shrink-clamping apparatus 100c comprises a further induction heating unit 106c. The further induction heating unit 106c is integrated in the shrink-clamping apparatus 100c. The induction heating unit 102c and the further induction heating unit 106c are configured for a thermal expansion of tool holders 10c via inductive heating at least of partial regions of the tool holders 10c. The induction heating unit 102c comprises a first induction coil device 108c. The further induction heating unit 106c comprises a second induction coil device 110c. The induction coil devices 108c, 110c comprise induction coils generating induction magnetic fields. The first induction coil device 108c and the second induction coil device 110c are implemented essentially differing from each other. The first induction coil device 108c is larger than the second induction coil device 110c. The first induction coil device 108c has a greater vertical extent than the second induction coil device 110c. The first induction coil device 108c comprises a tool unit receiving space that has a greater diameter than the tool unit receiving space of the second induction coil device 110c. The first induction coil device 108c is configured to generate a heating energy that is different, in particular greater, than a heating energy generated by the second induction coil device 110c.

[0056] The induction heating units 102c, 106c are arranged on opposite-situated sides of the shrink-clamping cooling device 42c. The induction coil devices 108c, 110c are respectively supported movably, in particular vertically movably, on a tower 114c, 116c of the shrink-clamping apparatus 100c. By the movement along the vertical extent of the respective tower 114c, 116c, the induction coil devices 108c, 110c can be put over tool units 18c, which are positioned in heating positions below the tower 114c, 116c, and/or can be removed from the tool units 18c positioned in the heating positions. The shrink-clamping apparatus 100c, in particular the shrink-clamping cooling device 42c, comprises a control and/or regulation device 118c. The control and/or regulation device 118c is at least configured for controlling the movements of the induction coil devices 108c, 110c along the towers 114c, 118c. The control and/or regulation unit 118c is at least configured for activating, deactivating, controlling and/or regulating the induction magnetic fields generated by the induction coil devices 108c, 110c.

[0057] The shrink-clamping apparatus 100c comprises a length measuring device 104c. The length measuring device 104c is configured for a length measuring of the tool units 18c, in particular the combination of a tool 12c and a tool holder 10c. The length measuring device 104c is integrated in the shrink-clamping apparatus 100c. The length measuring device 104c comprises a traversable length measuring element 120c. The length measuring element 120c is traversable vertically along a rail 122c of the length measuring device 104c.

[0058] The second alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42c shown in FIG. 5 comprises, side by side with a cooling container 14c that forms a receiving space 16c, a further cooling container 86c. The further cooling container 86c forms a further receiving space 112c. The further receiving space 112c is configured, like the receiving space 16c, for receiving exactly one tool unit 18c. The second alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42c shown in FIG. 5 comprises a second further cooling container 124c. The second further cooling container 124c forms a second further receiving space 126c. The second further receiving space 126c is configured for receiving exactly one tool unit 18c. The second alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42c shown in FIG. 5 comprises three cooling containers 14c, 86c, 124c. The cooling containers 14c, 86c, 124c are implemented to be completely separate from one another. The receiving spaces 16c, 112c, 126c are free of overlap with respect to one another. The receiving spaces 16c, 112c, 126c are embodied at least substantially as vertically oriented cylinders. However, other shapes of receiving spaces 16c, 112c, 126c are conceivable. The cooling containers 14c, 86c, 124c are arranged side by side in a row. The cooling containers 14c, 86c, 124c are arranged at identical levels with respect to one another. The cooling containers 14c, 86c, 124c are arranged in the shrink-clamping apparatus 100c beside the induction heating unit 102c and/or beside the further induction heating unit 106c. The cooling containers 14c, 86c, 124c are arranged centrally between the two induction heating units 102c, 106c of the shrink-clamping apparatus 100c. Undersides of the cooling containers are arranged substantially in a plane with undersides of the induction heating units 102c, 106c, such that advantageously, in a movement between the shrink-clamping cooling device 42c and the induction heating unit 102c, 106c, the tool units 18c need to be displaced only in a plane. For guiding the displacement movement slotted-link guidances are conceivable.

[0059] The shrink-clamping cooling device 42c comprises a climate-control apparatus 20c. The climate-control apparatus 20c is configured to cool the cooling gases or cooling gas mixtures contained in the cooling container 14c and the cooling gases or cooling gas mixtures contained in the further cooling containers 86c, 124c independently from each other. The climate-control apparatus 20c, in particular the control and/or regulation unit 118c, is configured to control and/or regulate the feeding of the cooling gases or cooling gas mixtures to the cooling container 14c and to the further cooling containers 86c, 124c independently from each other. Each receiving space 16c, 112c, 126c can be cooled, in particular by the climate-control apparatus 20c, independently from the other receiving spaces 16c, 112c, 124c.

[0060] The shrink-clamping cooling device 42c comprises at least one temperature sensor 98c. Preferably each cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c comprises at least one temperature sensor 98c of its own. A temperature sensor 98c is assigned to each cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c. The temperature sensors 98c are configured to sense a temperature of the cooling gas or cooling gas mixture within the respective cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c which the temperature sensor 98c is assigned to. The temperature sensors 98c are configured to sense a temperature of the tool unit 18c that is arranged in the cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c. The cooling container 14c comprises a gas outlet 130c, in particular an air outlet. The temperature sensor 98c is arranged at the gas outlet 130c. The temperature sensor 98c is arranged in a proximity of the gas outlet 130c, which is implemented of points having a distance of maximally 5 cm, preferably maximally 2.5 cm, from the gas outlet 130c. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42c comprises a temperature gauge unit 138c. The temperature gauge unit 138c is configured to indicate the temperatures measured in the cooling containers 14c, 86c, 124c by the allocated temperature sensors 98c. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the temperature gauge unit 138c comprises for each cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c a respective LED display comprising two LED lights which indicate whether the tool unit 18c in the respective cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c is still hot (red display) or already sufficiently cooled (green display).

[0061] The cooling container 14c comprises a closure element 94c. The further cooling container 86c comprises a further closure element 96c. The second further cooling container 124c comprises a second further closure element 128c. The closure elements 94c, 96c, 128c are configured to close the respective receiving spaces 16c, 112c, 126c such that they can be opened toward an outside. The closure elements 94c, 96c, 128c form openable covers for the receiving spaces 16c, 112c, 126c. The closure elements 94c, 96c, 128c are operable separately from one another. The closure elements 94c, 96c, 128c are separately actuatable by the control and/or regulation unit 118c for a triggering of opening and/or closing movements. The closure elements 94c, 96c, 128c are controlled, in an at least semi-automated manner, depending on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 98c. The control and/or regulation unit 118c initiates an opening movement of the closure element 94c, 96c, 128c as soon as the temperature has reached or gone below a (predeterminable) limit temperature, e. g. 25° C. or 20° C. or a room temperature. The control and/or regulation unit 118c initiates a closing movement of the closure element 94c, 96c, 128c as soon as a tool unit 18c has been brought into the cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c. The control and/or regulation unit 118c initiates a closing movement of the closure element 94c, 96c, 128c as soon as a tool unit 18c has been detected in a lay-in and/or take-out position 92c (cf. FIG. 6b) of the cooling container 14c, 86c, 124c or as soon as an operator requests a closing movement of the closure element 94c, 96c, 128c. Upon opening of the closure element 94c, 96c, 128c, the feeding of cooling gas and/or cooling gas mixture to the respective cooling container 14c is automatically stopped by the control and/or regulation unit 118c.

[0062] FIGS. 6a and 6b show schematic top views of the cooling container 14c. A tool unit 18c has been put into the cooling container 14c. In FIGS. 6a and 6b the tool unit 18c is in different positions of the cooling container 14c. In FIG. 6a the tool unit 18c is in a cooling position 90c. In FIG. 6b the tool unit 18c is in the lay-in and/or take-out position 92c. The cooling container 14c comprises a rotation-movably supported tool unit put-up element 88c. The tool unit put-up element 88c is configured for supporting exactly one tool unit 18c. The tool unit 18c has been put onto the tool unit put-up element 88c. The tool unit put-up element 88c is configured for moving, in particular rotating (cf. the double-arrow in FIG. 6a) the tool unit 18c supported on the tool unit put-up element 88c between the cooling position 90c and the lay-in and/or take-out position 92c. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42c comprises a revolution unit 22c. The revolution unit 22c comprises blowers 58c, 60c, which are implemented as nozzles (cf. also FIG. 6c). The blowers 58c, 60c are arranged on two opposite-situated sides of the tool unit 18c that is situated in the cooling position 90c. The revolution unit 22c, in particular the blowers 58c, 60c, is/are arranged in a positionally fixed manner relative to the cooling container 14c and/or the receiving space 16c.

[0063] The closure element 94c of the cooling container 14c is connected to the respective tool unit put-up element 88c of the cooling container 14c in a rotationally fixed manner. The closure element 94c is implemented as a half-pipe. The closure element 94c is implemented of a tinted acrylic glass, e. g. Makrolon. However, other shapes and materials of the closure element 94c are conceivable. Hence a rotation of the tool unit put-up element 88c in order to change a positioning of the tool unit 18c in the receiving space 16c at the same time results in an opening and closing of the receiving space 16c toward an outside. When the tool unit 18c is in the cooling position 90c, the closure element 94c is closed (cf. FIG. 6a). When the tool unit 18c is in the lay-in and/or lay-out position 92c, the closure element 94c is open (cf. FIG. 6b).

[0064] FIG. 6c shows a schematic side view of the cooling container 14c without the closure element 94c. It is conceivable that the shrink-clamping cooling apparatus 100c comprises handling elements like pneumatic cylinders (not shown), which are configured, for a laying-in, to move the tool unit 18c into the lay-in and/or take-out position 92c or, for a taking-out, to move the tool unit 18c away from the lay-in and/or take-out position 92c.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a third alternative shrink-clamping cooling device 42d in a top view. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42d comprises a cooling container 14d. The cooling container 14d forms a receiving space 16d. The receiving space 16d formed by the cooling container 14d is configured for receiving a plurality of tool units 18d (in the present case maximally three tool units 18d). The tool units 18d are cooled in the receiving space 16d. The receiving space 16d can be closed toward an outside by two closure elements 94d, 96d of the cooling container 14d. The closure elements 94d, 96d are controllable by a control and/or regulation unit 118d of the shrink-clamping cooling device 42d. The shrink-clamping cooling device 42d comprises a holding device 28d for holding a plurality of tool units 18d. The holding device 28d is arranged partly in the receiving space 16d of the cooling container 14d. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the holding device 28d comprises seven cycle places 24d, 26d. The holding device 28d, which is shown in FIG. 7 by way of example, is embodied as a holding plate, in particular as a rotatable tool unit put-up element 88d, with cycle places 24d, 26d arranged in a ring shape relative to one another. In a rotation of the holding device 28d, tool units 18d are successively introduced into the cooling container 14d. With each introduction of a tool unit 18d into the cooling container 14d, at the same time a further, already cooled tool unit 18d is removed from the cooling container 14d.

[0066] The shrink-clamping cooling device 42d comprises a take-out system 132d. The take-out system 132d comprises a slotted-link guidance 134d, along which the cooled tool units 18d, which have been removed from the cooling container 14d, are deflected from a rotation track of the rotatable holding device 28d and are diverted to a collection place 136d of the take-out system 132d. The holding device 28d comprises behind the slotted-link guidance 134d several cycle places 24d, 26d, which are arranged outside the cooling container 14d and are respectively loadable with a heated-up tool unit 18d. The cycle places 24d, 26d arranged outside the cooling container 14d and behind the slotted-link guidance 134d form a kind of storage, which can be filled with several tool units 18d simultaneously. In this way it is advantageously possible to augment user-friendliness, in particular as the operator does not need to put up each tool unit 18d successively at a distance corresponding to the cycle rate.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0067] 10 tool holder [0068] 12 tool [0069] 14 cooling container [0070] 16 receiving space [0071] 18 tool unit [0072] 20 climate-control apparatus [0073] 22 revolution unit [0074] 24 cycle place [0075] 26 cycle place [0076] 28 holding device [0077] 30 drive unit [0078] 32 drive rotation axis [0079] 34 tool rotation axis [0080] 36 lay-in and/or take-out unit [0081] 38 condensation water catching device [0082] 40 system [0083] 42 shrink-clamping cooling device [0084] 44 handling robot [0085] 46 cooling step [0086] 48 heating step [0087] 50 heating device [0088] 52 housing [0089] 54 lay-in and/or take-out opening [0090] 56 cover [0091] 58 blower [0092] 60 blower [0093] 62 feed and/or discharge conduit [0094] 64 holding device base [0095] 66 chimney [0096] 68 method step [0097] 70 method step [0098] 72 method step [0099] 74 method step [0100] 76 method step [0101] 78 method step [0102] 80 method step [0103] 82 method step [0104] 84 method step [0105] 86 further cooling container [0106] 88 tool unit put-up element [0107] 90 cooling position [0108] 92 lay-in and/or take-out position [0109] 94 closure element [0110] 96 closure element [0111] 98 temperature sensor [0112] 100 shrink-clamping apparatus [0113] 102 induction heating unit [0114] 104 length measuring device [0115] 106 further induction heating unit [0116] 108 first induction coil device [0117] 110 second induction coil device [0118] 112 further receiving space [0119] 114 tower [0120] 116 tower [0121] 118 control and/or regulation unit [0122] 120 length measuring element [0123] 122 rail [0124] 124 further cooling container [0125] 126 further receiving space [0126] 128 closure element [0127] 130 gas outlet [0128] 132 take-out system [0129] 134 slotted-link guidance [0130] 136 collection place [0131] 138 temperature gauge unit