Forming system and method for transporting work pieces in a forming system

Abstract

In a forming system in particular for metallic workpieces (31, 32) with several forming stations (21-23) a transport device (1) is provided with one or more rails (13) on which carriages (141, 142) can be moved. In a conventional mode of operation of the rails, it is provided that two carriages (141, 142) on the same rail (13) are moved by a varying distance relative to each other during the transport of a respective workpiece (31, 32) from one forming station (21-23) to another forming station (21-23), namely in particular are driven towards each other or away from each other with their distance relative to each other being increased or decreased. New production sequences can thereby be provided.

Claims

1. A forming system for metallic workpieces, as a press system, with several forming stations and with a transport device for transporting the workpieces, wherein the transport device has at least one rail, which carries at least two carriages that can be driven, relative to the rail, wherein the carriages are formed as part of a gripping apparatus or in each case carry at least one gripper, and wherein the at least one rail or the carriages can be moved at least in one transport direction in order to transport workpieces gripped by the gripping apparatus or the grippers from one forming station to another forming station, and wherein the system comprises a control apparatus which controls actuators that move the carriages, wherein the control apparatus is designed or programmed such that the carriages can be moved independently of each other, with the result that a) a first carriage of two carriages on the same rail moves a first workpiece from one forming station to another forming station in a first direction, and b) during a) or after completion of a), a second carriage of the two carriages on the same rail moves a second workpiece from one forming station to the other forming station in the direction contrary to the first direction, and wherein the first workpiece is fed from a first side of one or more first forming stations and the second workpiece is fed from a second side of one or more second forming stations, wherein a third forming station is arranged between the first and second forming stations, which third forming station is formed to join in each case a pair of one first and one second workpiece, and wherein in each case the first carriage on each rail grips the workpieces from the at least one first forming station and transports them in the direction of the third forming station, and in each case the second carriage on each rail grips the workpieces from the at least one second forming station and transports them in the direction of the third forming station.

2. The forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus is designed such that during a), the second carriage is not moved or such that during b), the first carriage is moved back in the direction contrary to the first direction.

3. The forming system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device has at least two rails which in each case carry at least two carriages that can be driven, relative to the rails, wherein the carriages of the two rails correspond to each other in pairs, wherein the rails can be moved towards each other in a closing direction to grip one or more workpieces, wherein the rails or the carriages in each case can be moved horizontally in a transport direction perpendicular to the closing direction in order to transport the workpieces from one forming station to another forming station, and wherein the rails can be moved away from each other in order to deposit the workpieces.

4. The forming system according to claim 3, wherein the rails can be raised in a vertical raising direction in order to raise the gripped workpieces and can be lowered in a direction contrary to the vertical raising direction in order to deposit the workpieces.

5. The forming system according to claim 3, wherein carriages corresponding to each other of the two rails are driven in parallel to each other.

6. The forming system according to claim 1, wherein, because of their design or connection to the rail, an in each case different maximum travel length, can be traversed by the at least two carriages on the same rail.

7. The forming system according to claim 1, wherein each of the carriages serves to grip several workpieces from different forming stations.

8. A forming system for workpieces comprising: a first forming station at a first end of the forming system; a second forming station at a second end of the forming system opposite the first end; a third forming station disposed between the first and second forming stations, the third forming station being adapted to join a first workpiece transported from the first forming station to a second workpiece transported from the second forming station; and a transport device for transporting the workpieces between the first, second and third forming stations, the transport device comprising: at least one rail extending between the first and second forming stations; a first carriage movably supported on the rail, the first carriage including a first actuator for driving the first carriage relative to the rail and a first gripper for gripping the first workpiece; a second carriage movably supported on the rail, the second carriage including a second actuator for driving the second carriage relative to the rail and a second gripper for gripping the second workpiece; and a controller for individually controlling the first and second actuators, the controller being adapted to move the first carriage independently of the second carriage such that the first carriage can move on the same rail toward and away from the second carriage between the first and third forming stations and the second carriage can move on the same rail toward and away from the first carriage between the second and third forming stations, with the result that the first and second carriages can be moved on the same rail by a varying distance relative to each other during the respective transport of the workpieces from one forming station to another forming station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is now explained in more detail with reference to embodiment examples. There are shown in

(2) FIG. 1 an embodiment example of a transport device of a forming system according to the invention in a perspective schematic diagram;

(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b an embodiment example of a transport device of a forming system according to the invention in a schematic representation;

(4) FIG. 3 a block diagram of the transport apparatus;

(5) FIG. 4 a first embodiment example of a carriage drive;

(6) FIG. 5 a second embodiment example of a carriage drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a transport device 1 which is provided in order to transfer workpieces 31, 32 (see FIG. 2) from a first forming station to a second forming station of a forming system (see FIG. 2).

(8) In FIG. 1, as well as in FIG. 2, a coordinate system is drawn in for orientation, wherein the z axis denotes the vertical and the x and y axes are the horizontal axes.

(9) On the transport device 1 represented in FIG. 1, bearing blocks 11 opposite each other are shown. Cross-members 12 are arranged on these bearing blocks 11, longitudinal members, called rails 13 in the following, are supported on the cross-members 12, and carriages are arranged such that they can be driven on the rails 13 and arranged in pairs opposite each other. In the embodiment example represented in FIG. 1, two carriages 141 and 142 arranged in pairs are provided.

(10) In each case two carriages 141, 142 opposite each other form a pair of carriages and can be driven independently on the rails 13 along the x axis, in particular in the direction towards each other and away from each other or also additionally in the same direction. On the sides facing each other, the carriages 141, 142 carry grippers 14g, which can be for example forked grippers or actively movable grippers, which grip the workpieces 31, 32.

(11) The rails 13 can be moved on the cross-members 12 simultaneously in the direction of the y axis, i.e. simultaneously horizontally towards each other in a closing direction and away from each other in an opening direction. Alternatively, the rails 12 can be moved horizontally completely independently of each other.

(12) The cross-members 12 can be driven simultaneously in the direction of the z axis, i.e. simultaneously vertically. Alternatively, the cross-members 12 can be driven vertically independently of each other. Thus the rails 13 can be moved vertically with the cross-members 12. The carriages 141 and 142 can thus be raised in a vertical raising direction in order to raise the gripped workpieces.

(13) In FIGS. 2a and 2b an embodiment example of the transport device 1 is represented with carriages 141 and 142, which are provided to transport workpieces between (in the present example) three forming stations 21 to 23 arranged one behind another.

(14) The carriages are moved towards each other and away from each other. Outer forming stations 21 and 22 are provided, between which an inner forming station 23 is arranged. The inner forming station 23 can be provided for example for the joining, the mating or the common processing of two workpieces 31, 32 which are fed from the outer forming stations 21 and 22 neighboring the inner forming station 23.

(15) Two different modes of operation are possible.

(16) The first mode of operation is explained first:

(17) In the first work cycle represented in FIG. 2a, the grippers 14g of the carriages 141 receive the workpiece 31 deposited in the forming station 21 and the grippers 14g of the carriages 142 receive the workpiece 32 deposited in the forming station 22. The carriages 141 and 142 are in first x positions x.sub.11 and x.sub.21. The rails 13 are located in first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.21. The cross-members 12 are in a first z position z.sub.1.

(18) In a second work cycle, the workpieces 31 and 32 are taken out of the forming stations 21 and 22 as the cross-members 12 are raised simultaneously to a second z position z.sub.2 which is higher than the first z position z.sub.1.

(19) In a third work cycle, the carriages 141 and 142 are driven on the rails 13 in the direction onto the forming station 23 and adopt second x positions x.sub.12 and x.sub.22. The carriages 141 and 142 are now arranged at the forming station 23. During the driving of the carriages 141 and 142 towards each other, the distance between the carriages is varied. This driving can take place in particular at the same time in the first mode of operation, i.e. such that both carriages are moved at the same time in an overlapping time segment. The rails 13 are located unchanged in the first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.21, the cross-members in the second z position z.sub.2.

(20) In a fourth work cycle represented in FIG. 2b, the workpieces 31 and 32 are deposited in the forming station 23 as the cross-members 12 are lowered back to the first z position z.sub.1. The grippers 14g of the carriages 141 still grip, from below, the workpiece 31 deposited in the forming station 23 and the grippers 14g of the carriages 142 still grip, from below, the workpiece 32 likewise deposited in the forming station 23. The workpieces 31 and 32 are arranged one above another in an overlap area 30 and can be joined together in this overlap area for example by forming. The overlap area 30 can be an area of partial overlap of the workpieces 31 and 32, but it can also be a complete overlap (which is not shown in the figure). The removal of the workpiece formed of the two workpieces 31 and 32 after the forming can be provided perpendicular to the transport direction of the carriages 141, 142.

(21) In a fifth work cycle, the rails 13 are driven apart and brought into second y positions y.sub.12 and y.sub.22, whereby the grippers 14g of the carriages 141 and 142 disengage from the workpieces 31 and 32.

(22) In a sixth work cycle, the carriages 141 and 142 are driven back in the direction onto the outer forming stations 21 and 22. The carriages 141 and 142 are again arranged at the outer forming stations 21 and 22 and adopt the first x positions x.sub.11 and x.sub.21. During this driving apart, the distance between the carriages 141 and 142 is likewise varied, namely increased in the present case. The driving takes place in particular all at once, i.e. there is at least one time segment in which both carriages 141 and 142 are moved. The rails 13 are located unchanged in the second y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.21, the cross-members 12 in the first z position z.sub.1.

(23) In a seventh work cycle, the rails 13 are brought into the first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.12, with the result that the grippers 14g of the carriages 141 and 142 grip, from below, new workpieces deposited in the outer forming stations 21 and 22.

(24) The first distance between the first position x.sub.11 on the one hand and the second position x.sub.12 on the other hand can be different from the second distance between the second position x.sub.21 on the one hand and the second position x.sub.22 on the other hand. In this case, the carriages 141 and 142 can be driven towards each other or away from each other at different speeds. Moreover, in a sequence of several forming stations there can be different distances between them. If several carriages are then moved in the same direction, this can take place by a varying distance (due to a different driving speed) because of the different distances between the forming stations. This can take place on one side or on both sides with in each case a plurality of carriages moved in the same direction which are moved towards each other in relation to each other.

(25) The second mode of operation of the transport device 1 with the carriages 141 and 142 according to FIGS. 2a and 2b is now explained:

(26) In a first work cycle, the grippers 14g of the carriages 141 receive the workpiece 31 deposited in the forming station 21. However, the grippers 14g of the carriages 142 do not yet receive the workpiece deposited in the forming station 22. The carriages 141 and 142 are in first x positions x.sub.11 and x.sub.21. The rails are located in first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.21. The cross-members are in a first z position z.sub.1.

(27) In a second work cycle, the workpiece 31 is taken out of the forming station 21 as the cross-members 12 are raised simultaneously to a z position z.sub.2 which is higher than the first z position z.sub.1.

(28) In a third work cycle, the carriages 141 are driven on the rails 13 in the direction onto the forming station 23 to the x position x.sub.12. The carriages 142 are not driven. During the driving of the carriages 141 towards the carriages 142, the distance between the carriages 141 and 142 is varied. The rails are located unchanged in the first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.21, the cross-members in the second z position z.sub.2.

(29) In a fourth work cycle, the workpieces 31 are deposited in the forming station 23 as the cross-members 12 are lowered back to the first z position z.sub.1. The grippers 14g of the carriages 141 still grip, from below, the workpiece 31 deposited in the forming station 23.

(30) In a fifth work cycle, the rails 13 are driven apart and brought into second y positions y.sub.12 and y.sub.22, whereby the grippers 14g of the carriages 141 disengage from the workpiece 31.

(31) In a sixth work cycle, the rails 13 are brought into the first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.12, with the result that the grippers 14g of the carriages 142 grip, from below, a workpiece 32 deposited in the outer forming station 22.

(32) In a seventh work cycle, the workpiece 32 is taken out of the forming station 22, as the cross-members 12 are raised simultaneously back to the second z position z.sub.2.

(33) In an eighth work cycle, the carriages 142 are driven on the rails 13 in the direction onto the forming station 23 and adopt a second x position x.sub.22. The carriages 141 are driven in the same work cycle, preferably at the same time as the carriages 142, namely from the inner forming station 22 to the outer forming station 21. The rails 13 are located in the first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.21, the cross-members in the second z position z.sub.2.

(34) In a ninth work cycle, the workpiece 32 is deposited in the forming station 23 as the cross-members 12 are lowered back to the first z position z.sub.1. The grippers 14g of the carriages 142 still grip, from below, the workpiece 32 deposited in the forming station 23. Now, the workpieces 31 and 32 are arranged one above another in the overlap area 30. In the case of the second mode of operation, this can be in particular a complete overlap.

(35) In a tenth work cycle, the rails 13 are driven apart and brought into the second y positions y.sub.12 and y.sub.22, whereby through the grippers 14g of the carriages 142 disengage from the workpiece 22.

(36) In an eleventh work cycle, the two workpieces 31 and 32 are mated in the forming station 23, thus by the die of the press.

(37) At the same time, the carriages 142 are driven back to the outer forming station 22 (position x.sub.21).

(38) Then, the first work cycle starts again, in which the rails 13 are simultaneously driven into the first y positions y.sub.11 and y.sub.21 in the direction towards each other. In the forming stations 21 and 22 new workpieces 30 and 31 are ready.

(39) FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the transport apparatus 1.

(40) A control apparatus 17 is connected, on the output side, to actuators 15, which can be for example electric motors with rotary output or linear output which are immovably connected to the cross-members 12, the rails 13 and carriages 14. Further, sensors, preferably position sensors, are provided which are connected, on the input side, to the cross-members 12, the rails 13 and the carriages 14 and are connected, on the output side, to inputs of the control apparatus 17. In this way, it is possible to use the transport apparatus 1 for different transport tasks without configuring the mechanical structure. Thus, for example, in the embodiment example described previously in FIG. 2 changes to the programming of the control apparatus 17 make it possible, with the same mechanical structure, to drive the carriages 141 and 142, optionally by a varying distance, also in parallel to each other.

(41) The programming of the control apparatus 17 can in particular bring about a simultaneous driving of the carriages 141 and 142 in the above-described way, thus by a varying distance (in the present case towards each other or away from each other). This driving can preferably even take place simultaneously, in particular because of the programming, i.e. the position of one carriage 141 corresponds to a predetermined position of the other carriage 142. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible to move the carriages 141 and 142 independently of each other, with the result that they need not necessarily be driven at the same time. However, as soon as one of the carriages is moved and the other is not, the distance between the carriages 141 and 142 varies.

(42) FIGS. 4 and 5 show embodiment examples of the drives of the carriages.

(43) FIG. 4 shows a carriage drive in which the carriage 14 is mounted on carriage guides 14f which are arranged spaced apart from each other on the rail 13. An electric drive motor 151, the output of which is formed as an output pinion 151r and cooperates with a toothed rod 13z arranged on the rail, is arranged on the carriage 14.

(44) FIG. 5 shows a carriage drive with a linear motor 16 which is arranged on the rail 13, wherein the stator of the linear motor 16 is rigidly connected to the rail 13 and the rotor of the linear motor 16 is rigidly connected to the carriage 14.

(45) Instead of a carriage drive with toothed rod and output pinion or with linear drive, a spindle drive or a toothed belt drive can also be provided. All named drives can in addition also be provided in any combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(46) 1 transport device 11 bearing block 12 cross-member 13 rail 13z toothed rod 14 carriage 14f carriage guide 14g gripper 15 actuator 16 sensor 17 control apparatus 21 to 23 forming station 30 overlap area 31, 32 workpiece 141, 142 carriage 151 drive motor 151r output pinion 152 linear motor