Production device, in particular assembly device, workpiece coordination device, shaping tool, shaping tool insert, quality control device or installation gage, having wear and/or manipulation identification

Abstract

A production device having wear and/or manipulation identification is provided. The production device is produced at least for the most part by additive production methods and has a surface. The production device may be constructed as an assembly device, in particular workpiece coordination device, shaping tool or auxiliary technical production device. According to the present disclosure there is provided at least in a region of the surface at least one signal layer which, in an initial state of the production device, is arranged at a predetermined depth below a surface termination layer of the surface and is covered externally by the surface termination layer of the surface. In this instance, the signal layer differs in a visually perceptible manner from the surface termination layer.

Claims

1. A positioning pin comprising: a surface subject to wear during sliding within a through-opening of a blank used to form a component; a plurality of adjacent signal layers disposed parallel to the surface; a surface termination layer comprising the surface and a predefined thickness, wherein the surface termination layer covers the plurality of adjacent signal layers such that each of the plurality of adjacent signal layers are arranged at a predetermined radial depth below the surface when the positioning pin is in an initial state, and each layer of the plurality of adjacent signal layers is visually distinct such that different degrees of radial wear of the surface along a length of the positioning pin are visually distinguishable.

2. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein the positioning pin is at least one of a workpiece coordination device, shaping tool, shaping tool insert, quality control device, and an installation gage.

3. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein each signal layer of the plurality of adjacent signal layers and the surface termination layer are visually distinct.

4. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein two mutually adjacent signal layers of the plurality of adjacent signal layers have different colors.

5. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein two mutually adjacent signal layers of the plurality of adjacent signal layers have different patterns.

6. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of adjacent signal layers includes a visually perceptible distinctive feature configured to visually differentiate each of the plurality of adjacent signal layers from the surface termination layer and a property of the visually perceptible distinctive feature changes within each of the plurality of adjacent signal layers according to a radial depth below the surface termination layer.

7. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein the surface termination layer has an external texture.

8. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein at least a proportion of the positioning pin is made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics material.

9. The positioning pin of claim 1, wherein at least one signal layer of the plurality of adjacent signal layers and the surface termination layer is formed by at least one additive production method.

10. The positioning pin of claim 9, wherein the at least one signal layer is formed by a 3D color printer.

11. A positioning pin comprising: a surface having a plurality of regions and subject to wear during sliding within a through-opening of a blank used to form a component; a plurality of signal layers arranged in each region of the plurality of regions of the surface; and a surface termination layer comprising the surface and a predefined thickness, the surface termination layer covering the plurality of signal layers arranged in each region when the positioning pin is in an initial state, wherein each layer of the plurality of signal layers is produced by at least one additive production method and is visually distinct such that different degrees of radial wear of the surface along a length of the positioning pin are visually distinguishable.

12. The positioning pin of claim 11, wherein a property of a visually distinctive feature of each layer of the plurality of signal layers changes within each of the plurality of signal layers according to a radial depth below the surface termination layer.

13. The positioning pin of claim 11, wherein a visually distinctive feature of each layer of the plurality of signal layers is at least one of a color, a pattern, and a texture.

14. The positioning pin of claim 11, wherein the surface termination layer has an external texture.

15. A positioning pin comprising: a surface having at least one region and subject to wear during sliding within a through-opening of a blank used to form a component; a first signal layer arranged in the at least one region of the surface; a second signal layer adjacent the first signal layer; and a surface termination layer comprising the surface and a predefined thickness, the surface termination layer covering at least one of the first signal layer and the second signal layer when the positioning pin is in an initial state such that the first and second signal layers are arranged at a predetermined radial depth below the surface termination layer, wherein the first and second signal layers are visually distinct such that different degrees of radial wear of the positioning pin is visually distinguishable, wherein the first signal layer, the second signal layer, and the surface termination layer have a visually distinct feature and are produced by an additive production method.

16. The positioning pin of claim 15, wherein the visually distinct feature is at least one of a different color and a different pattern.

17. The positioning pin of claim 15, wherein a property of the visually distinct feature changes within the first and second signal layer according to a radial depth below the surface termination layer.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a production device having a positioning pin according to the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a longitudinal section view of the positioning pin according to FIG. 1 in an unused state and in a used state;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view and a longitudinal section view of an alternative form of a positioning pin of a production device according to the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view and a longitudinal section view of an alternative form of a production device constructed as a shaping tool in an unused state and in a used state according to the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view and a detailed view of another alternative form of a production device constructed as a workpiece coordination device according to the present disclosure; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for producing the production device of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure.

(8) In the various Figures, components which are the same are given the same reference numerals, for which reason they are generally also only described once. The signal color mentioned in the following description naturally cannot be identified as such in the Figures, but can be perceived by black/white shading.

(9) The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

(11) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one form of a production device 10 according to the present disclosure having a positioning pin 12. The production device 10 may be constructed as an assembly device, in particular, a workpiece coordination device, shaping tool or auxiliary technical production device and is for the most part produced by an additive production method, that is to say, by a 3D printing method, from a thermoplastic plastics material, for example, from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer). The production device 10 contains a plurality of cylindrical positioning pins 12 (only one positioning pin 12 is shown in FIG. 1) which serve to comply with predetermined tolerances in the production of components. A surface of the cylindrical positioning pin 12 is part of a surface 14 of the production device 10.

(12) In order to prepare for the production, a circular through-opening 16 of a blank of the component which is intended to be produced, which opening is adapted to a diameter of the positioning pin 12, is pushed in the direction 18 indicated by an arrow onto the positioning pin 12 in order to precisely maintain a predetermined position. As a result of the operation of being pushed on, the positioning pin 12 is subjected to mechanical wear.

(13) FIG. 2 shows the positioning pin 12 according to FIG. 1 in an unused state (top of the figure) and in a used state (bottom of the figure) as a perspective view and as a longitudinal section. A signal layer 20 is provided in a region of the surface 14 of the production device 10, that is to say, in a region of the surface of the positioning pin 12. The signal layer 20 is covered externally by a surface termination layer 22 of the surface 14. The surface termination layer 22 has a predetermined layer thickness 24, whereby the signal layer 20 in the initial state of the production device 10 shown at the top in FIG. 2 is arranged at a predetermined depth below the surface termination layer 22. The predetermined layer thickness 24 of the surface termination layer 22 corresponds to a permissible wear depth.

(14) For clarification, in FIG. 2, the signal layer 20 and the surface termination layer 22 are illustrated in a significantly enlarged manner relative to the dimensions of the positioning pin 12. This applies accordingly to the following Figures.

(15) FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method according to the present disclosure for producing the production device according to FIG. 1.

(16) In a first step 56 for producing the production device 10, the construction of the production device 10 first takes place, with the exception of the region of the surface of the positioning pin 12, by the 3D printing method. In a following step 58 of the method, the signal layer 20, which has a material having a red signal color, is produced by the 3D printing method on the region of the surface of the positioning pin 12. In a subsequent step 60, the surface termination layer 22 is produced by the 3D printing method with the predetermined layer thickness 24 on the region of the surface of the positioning pin.

(17) As illustrated in FIG. 2, at the bottom, the wear which occurs during use of the production device 10 leads at one end of the positioning pin 12 to the layer thickness 24 of the surface termination layer 22 gradually decreasing until the signal layer 20 in a part-region is no longer covered externally by the surface termination layer 22.

(18) The signal layer 20 which has a material with, for example, a red signal color, visually differs in a clearly perceptible manner from the surface termination layer 22. An appearance of the signal layer 20 on the positioning pin 12 shows the user of the production device 10 in a direct manner that the permissible wear limit is reached.

(19) In an alternative form, the signal layer 20 may have as a visually perceptible distinctive feature with respect to the surface termination layer 22 within the signal layer 20 a gradient in the color saturation in the direction of the depth below the surface termination layer 22 so that at a small depth the red signal color appears more pale than at a greater depth. A semi-quantitative assessment of the present wear by the user can thereby be made possible.

(20) FIG. 3 shows an alternative form of a positioning pin 26 of the production device 10 according to the present disclosure according to FIG. 1 as a perspective view and as a longitudinal section.

(21) FIG. 3 shows the cylindrical positioning pin 26 of the production device 10 according to the present disclosure according to FIG. 1 in an unused state (top) and in a used state (bottom) as a perspective view and as a longitudinal section. In a region of the surface 14 of the production device 10, that is to say, in a region of the surface of the positioning pin 26, a large number of two signal layers 28, 30 is provided in contrast to the form according to FIG. 2.

(22) The two signal layers 28, 30 are arranged adjacent to each other parallel to the surface and differ from each other and individually in a visually perceptible manner from a surface termination layer 32 in that during the step of the method the two signal layers 28, 30 which each have a material having a different signal color are produced one after the other by the 3D printing method at predetermined layer thicknesses firstly on the positioning pin 26 and then on the signal layer 28 which has already been formed.

(23) The two signal layers 28, 30 are covered externally by the surface termination layer 32 of the surface. The surface termination layer 32 has a predetermined layer thickness 34, whereby each of the two signal layers 28, 30 in the initial state of the production device illustrated at the top in FIG. 3 is arranged at a predetermined depth below the surface termination layer 32. A spacing 36 from the surface termination layer 32 of the unused production device 10 as far as the first signal layer 28 corresponds to a permissible wear limit.

(24) In an alternative form, the two signal layers may also differ in a visually perceptible manner, instead of as a result of the two different colors, as a result of the fact that they have different patterns. The patterns may, for example, without being limited thereto, be constructed in a dotted and/or striped manner.

(25) In FIG. 4, one form of the production device according to the present disclosure for retention in a tool receiving member 39, which is constructed as a shaping tool insert 38, is illustrated schematically in an unused state (top of the figure) and in a used state (bottom of the figure) as a perspective view and as a longitudinal section. The shaping tool insert 38 is produced by a 3D printing method.

(26) A surface 40 of the shaping tool insert 38 is subjected during use to mechanical wear. In a central region of the surface 40 there is provided a signal layer 42 which has a material with, for example, a red signal color. The signal layer 42 is in an initial state covered externally by a surface termination layer 44 of the surface 40. The surface termination layer 44 has a predetermined layer thickness 46, whereby the signal layer 42 in the initial state of the shaping tool insert 38 shown at the top in FIG. 4 is arranged at a predetermined depth below the surface termination layer 44. The predetermined layer thickness 46 of the surface termination layer 44 corresponds to a permissible wear limit.

(27) A method for producing the signal layer 42 and the surface termination layer 44 corresponds to the method described for producing the form according to FIG. 2.

(28) The wear which occurs during use of the shaping tool 38 leads to the layer thickness 46 of the surface termination layer 44 gradually decreasing until the signal layer 42 in a part-region is no longer externally covered by the surface termination layer 44.

(29) As a result of the material with, for example, a red signal color, the signal layer 42 differs in a visually clearly perceptible manner from the surface termination layer 44. An appearance of the signal layer 42 on the surface 40 of the shaping tool insert 38 shows the user of the shaping tool insert 38 directly that the permissible wear limit has been reached.

(30) FIG. 5 is a perspective view and a detailed view of another alternative form of the production device according to the present disclosure constructed as a workpiece coordination device 48 (Part Coordination Fixture, PCF). The workpiece coordination device 48 is provided for component production in the automotive industry and serves to simulate a precise positioning of a component, in this possible form of a rear light, in a vehicle.

(31) The production device is produced for the most part by an additive production method, that is to say, by 3D printing with selective laser melting (SLM), for example, from an aluminum-containing metal powder. In other possible forms, the production device may be produced from a steel-containing metal powder or a plastics material.

(32) In order to discover undesirable manipulation in the workpiece coordination device 48 in a prompt manner, a signal layer (not illustrated) is provided in a region of the surface 50. The signal layer is covered externally by a surface termination layer 52 of the surface 50. The surface termination layer 52 has a predetermined layer thickness, whereby the signal layer, as already described for the other forms, in an initial state of the production device is arranged at a predetermined depth below the surface termination layer 52.

(33) In comparison with the above forms, the predetermined depth of the signal layer is selected to be very much smaller since in this production device it is primarily not the identification of a wear state which is important, but instead the prompt discovery of a manipulation of the production device.

(34) In order to produce the workpiece coordination device 48, the construction is first carried out with the exception of a region of the surface 50 by the SLM 3D printing method. In a following step of the method, the signal layer which in this potential form contains a copper-containing metal powder is produced by the SLM 3D printing method on the region of the surface 50. In a subsequent step, by the SLM 3D printing method, the surface termination layer 52 is produced from aluminum-containing metal powder with the predetermined layer thickness on the region of the surface 50. In this instance, the surface termination layer 52 is provided with an external texture 54 in the form of an undulating pattern.

(35) A disruption of the texture 54 of the surface termination layer 52 can be readily visually identified by a user of the production device so that slight manipulations can also be identified. The signal layer which is produced from the, for example, copper-containing metal powder, differs in a visually clearly perceptible manner from the surface termination layer 52. An appearance of the signal layer shows the user of the production device directly that an undesirable manipulation has been carried out on the production device. Furthermore, it is possible to distinguish between a slight manipulation, by which only the texture 54 of the surface termination layer 52 is interrupted, and a more significant manipulation, which brings about an appearance of the signal layer.

(36) The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.