Composite Workpiece, Method for Producing a Composite Workpiece, and System Consisting of a Composite Workpiece and a Detector Device

Abstract

A composite workpiece having at least one metallic cover layer and a non-metallic core layer is disclosed. The metallic cover layer and the non-metallic core layer are connected to one another, with one lying on top of the other. The metallic cover layer, in a marking region on a side facing toward the non-metallic core layer, includes a profile, in particular a surface profile, for marking the composite workpiece.

Claims

1. A composite workpiece comprising: at least one metallic cover layer; and a non-metallic core layer, wherein the metallic cover layer and the non-metallic core layer are connected to one another with one lying on top of the other, and wherein, in a marking region on a side facing toward the non-metallic core layer, the metallic cover layer comprises a profile for marking the composite workpiece.

2. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile is configured in such a manner that a detector device oriented onto the marking region and adapted for non-destructive material testing detects the profile.

3. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein a profile depth contributing to the formation of the profile amounts to less than 25% of a cover layer thickness.

4. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile is configured in the form of at least one of an alphanumeric character string, a barcode, and a QR code.

5. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marking region is arranged in a defined partial region of the composite workpiece.

6. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-metallic core layer is arranged between two metallic cover layers, and wherein, the marking region and both metallic cover layers comprise a profile on a side facing toward the non-metallic core layer.

7. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic cover layer has a layer thickness of between 0.1 mm and 0.7 mm.

8. A method for producing and detecting a composite workpiece, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one metallic cover layer and a non-metallic core layer; profiling on a surface of the metallic cover layer; connecting the metallic cover layer and the non-metallic core layer to form the composite workpiece, wherein, during the profiling, a side of the metallic cover layer which faces toward the non-metallic core layer in the composite workpiece is profiled at least in a marking region for marking the composite workpiece.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the profiling is performed by one of laser engraving, spark erosion and mechanical material removal.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the non-metallic core layer is converted into a state of flow to connect the metallic cover layer to the non-metallic core layer.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising reshaping the composite workpiece in the marking region.

12. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising using a detector device to identify the marking region of the composite workpiece.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the detector device is configured for one of eddy current testing, ultrasonic measurement, X-ray measurement.

14. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile is a surface profile.

15. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 3, wherein the profile depth contributing to the formation of the profile amounts to less than 15% of the cover layer thickness.

16. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 3, wherein the profile depth contributing to the formation of the profile amounts to less than 10% of the cover layer thickness.

17. The composite workpiece as claimed in claim 7, wherein the metallic cover layer is manufactured from one of a galvanized steel and an aluminum alloy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a method for producing a composite workpiece according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIGS. 2a to 2c show different composite workpieces according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a system consisting of a detector device and a composite workpiece according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference signs and are therefore generally also each named or mentioned only once.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a method for producing a composite workpiece 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, such a composite workpiece 1 should be processed further, in a manufacturing step subsequent to the production method, to form a semifinished product or to form a final product, such as e.g. to form a vehicle. In order to make it possible for the individual composite workpiece 1 to be traced back at a later point in time or to identify the respective composite workpiece 1 when manufacturing the final product and to treat it in a targeted manner depending on the respective type of the composite workpiece 1, it is advantageous if the composite workpieces 1 are provided with a marking. In this respect, the composite workpieces 1 comprise at least one metallic cover layer 2, e.g. consisting of an electrolytically galvanized steel or of an aluminum alloy, and a non-metallic core layer 3. Such composite workpieces 1 have the advantage that they can combine positive properties of the materials which are connected to one another in the composite workpiece. Thus, for example, the non-metallic core layer 3 in the composite workpiece 1 contributes to the fact that the composite workpiece 1 can be configured so as to be lighter than a solid metallic workpiece of the same shape and dimensioning.

[0028] In order to protect the marking from external influences, it is provided that the metallic cover layer 2 comprises a profile 5, in particular a surface profile, on a side facing toward the non-metallic core layer 3 in a marking region. Said profile 5, in particular surface profile, is preferably configured in such a manner that it can be read using a detector device 6 provided for non-destructive material testing. As a result, the marking is advantageously arranged in a non-accessible region and is protected by the metallic cover layer 2 itself. A further positive effect is that the marking can no longer be manipulated, since irreversible damage to the composite workpiece 1 would be necessary to change the profile 5, in particular the surface profile. In this respect, the profile 5, in particular surface profile, in the metallic cover layer 2 which is arranged on the side facing toward the non-metallic core layer is suitable as a forgery-proof marking.

[0029] For production, it is provided that firstly a metallic cover layer 2—in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 there are two metallic cover layers 2—and a non-metallic core layer 3 are provided. In this respect, it is conceivable, for example, that the metallic cover layer 2 is unwound from a coil for providing the metallic cover layer. Chronologically before the metallic cover layer 2 and the non-metallic core layer 3 are connected, it is provided that the profile 5, in particular the surface profile, is realized for example by an engraving, in particular a laser engraving, on a side of the metallic cover layer 2. Before the metallic cover layer 2 and the non-metallic core layer 3 are connected to one another, it is provided in particular that the metallic cover layer 2 is oriented in such a manner that the side with the profile 5, in particular surface profile, lies against the non-metallic core layer 3. For connection, the metallic cover layer 2 and the non-metallic core layer 3 are guided through a connecting apparatus 4. In this respect, it is preferably provided that the metallic cover layer 2 and the non-metallic core layer 3 lie on top of one another and are heated in such a way that the non-metallic core layer 3 changes into a state of flow. In this state of flow, the non-metallic core layer 3 can penetrate into and fill recesses or cutouts of the profile 5 in the metallic cover layer 2. Subsequently, the composite material 1 cools down and the non-metallic core layer 3 hardens.

[0030] FIGS. 2a to 2c show different composite workpieces 1 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 2a, the composite workpiece 1 comprises a single metallic cover layer 2 and a single non-metallic core layer 3. In FIGS. 2b and 2c, in each case a non-metallic core layer 3 is arranged between two metallic cover layers 2 in a sandwich construction. Whereas both metallic cover layers 2 in FIG. 2b comprise a profile 5, in particular a surface profile, it is provided for the embodiment in FIG. 2c that only one of the two metallic cover layers 2 comprises a profile 5, in particular a surface profile. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, it is provided in particular that the respective profiles 5, in particular surface profiles, are configured in a manner mirror-inverted in relation to the non-metallic core layer 3 which serves as the mirror plane.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a system consisting of a detector device 6 and a composite workpiece 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For identification, it is provided in this respect that the detector device 6 is guided up to the composite workpiece 1 and is arranged over the marking region or above the marking region. In particular, the detector device 6 faces toward that side of the metallic cover layer 2 which lies opposite the profile 5, in particular the surface profile. That is to say that the detector device 6 has to be selected in such a manner that it is able to identify and to detect the profile 5, in particular the surface profile, through the metallic cover layer 2 during measurement. By way of example, the detector device 6 for this purpose uses an eddy current, ultrasound or X-ray radiation. Furthermore, it is provided in particular that the profile 5, in particular the surface profile, is configured depending on the selected detector device 6, e.g. in terms of an aspect ratio of the recess which forms the profile.

[0032] The detector device 6 preferably comprises an evaluation device or is connected to such an evaluation device, wherein, with the evaluation device, the information detected by the detector device is decoded by means of data processing methods, such as e.g. a C scan or other imaging methods and also image analysis methods, and an information content of the marking can thereby be reconstructed again.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0033] 1 Composite workpiece

[0034] 2 Metallic cover layer

[0035] 3 Non-metallic core layer

[0036] 4 Connecting apparatus

[0037] 5 Profile, in particular surface profile

[0038] 6 Detector device