Method for unpacking a workpiece, unpacking apparatus and a processing apparatus having an unpacking apparatus of this kind

Abstract

A method for unpacking a workpiece, in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank, from a package, includes an automated cutting open step of a first package side of the package, and an automated sliding of the workpiece out of the package step on the first package side. An unpacking apparatus for unpacking a workpiece from a package, has a feed station for receiving a package in which a workpiece is arranged, a cutting-open station having a first cutting or sawing tool for the automated cutting open of a first package side of the package downstream of the feed station, and a slide-out station downstream of the cutting-open station. A relative movement can be produced between the package and the workpiece in an automated manner so that the workpiece slides out of the package on the first package side.

Claims

1. Unpacking apparatus (30) for unpacking an optical lens or an optical lens blank (2) as a workpiece (1), from a package (10), having: a feed station (40) for receiving a package (10) in which a workpiece (1) is arranged, a cutting-open station (60) having a first cutting or sawing tool (61) for the automated cutting open of a first package side (11) of the package (10) downstream of the feed station (40), and a slide-out station (70) downstream of the cutting-open station (60), by means of which a relative movement can be produced between the package (10) and the workpiece (1) in an automated manner, by virtue of which the workpiece (1) slides out of the package (10) on the first package side (11), wherein the first cutting or sawing tool (61) is arranged in a fixed location and the cutting-open station is configured so that the package (10) is guided past the first cutting or sawing tool (61) in the fixed location in an automated manner as the first package side (11) is cut open, and further wherein the slide-out station is configured so that the workpiece (1) slides out of the package (10) together with a package shell (15) in which the workpiece (1) is arranged.

2. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide-out station (70) has a pusher (71), which is configured to move into the package (10) on a second package side (12) situated opposite the cut-open first package side (11) and to push the workpiece (1) out of the package (10) on the first package side (11).

3. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting-open station (60) has a second cutting or sawing tool (62) for the automated cutting open of the second package side (12) of the package (10) downstream of the feed station (40).

4. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that a movement path (P) for the package (10) is formed between the first and the second cutting or sawing tool (61, 62).

5. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second cutting or sawing tool (62) is arranged in a fixed location.

6. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that a waste opening (32), through which cut-off parts of the package (10) can fall downwards, is formed in the region of or downstream of the first and/or the second cutting or sawing tool (61, 62).

7. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus has alignment elements (41), by means of which the package (10) is aligned in an automated manner before the first and/or the second package side (11, 12) are/is cut open.

8. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus has a transfer device (50) for transferring the package (10) from the feed station (40) to the slide-out station (70).

9. Method for unpacking an optical lens or an optical lens blank (2) as a workpiece (1), from a package (10) using an unpacking apparatus according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: a) automated cutting open of a first package side (11) of the package (10); b) automated sliding of the workpiece (1) out of the package (10) on the first package side (11).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that sliding out of the workpiece (1) is accomplished by pushing the workpiece (1) out on the first package side (11) by means of a pusher (71), which moves into the package (10) on a second package side (12) situated opposite the cut-open first package side (11).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the second package side (12) is cut open in an automated way before the pusher (71) is moved into the package (10).

12. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the cutting open of the first package side (11) comprises complete separation of the first package side (11), and/or cutting open the second package side (12) comprises complete separation of the second package side (12).

13. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the package (10) has a cuboidal outer covering (13), which forms the first and the second package side (11, 12).

14. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the workpiece (1) slides out of the package (10) together with a package shell (15) in which the workpiece (1) is arranged.

15. Optical lens or optical lens blank processing apparatus having an unpacking apparatus (30) for unpacking an optical lens or an optical lens blank (2) as a workpiece (1), from a package (10), and a lens processing machine (101), the unpacking apparatus having: a feed station (40) for receiving a package (10) in which a workpiece (1) is arranged, a cutting-open station (60) having a first cutting or sawing tool (61) for the automated cutting open of a first package side (11) of the package (10) downstream of the feed station (40), and a slide-out station (70) downstream of the cutting-open station (60), by means of which a relative movement can be produced between the package (10) and the workpiece (1) in an automated manner, by virtue of which the workpiece (1) slides out of the package (10) on the first package side (11), wherein the first cutting or sawing tool (61) is arranged in a fixed location and the cutting-open station is configured so that the package (10) is guided past the first cutting or sawing tool (61) in the fixed location in an automated manner as the first package side (11) is cut open, wherein the unpacking apparatus (30) is arranged upstream of the lens processing machine (101) along an automated conveying line (90), and unpacked workpieces (1) are transferred from the unpacking apparatus (30) to the lens processing machine (101) by means of the conveying line (90), wherein the lens processing machine (101) is from the following group: milling machines; lathes; grinding machines; polishing machines; coating machines; cleaning machines; film wrapping machines; and block-mounting machines.

16. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cutting or sawing tool (61) is driven in rotation or driven in a linear cutting movement by means of a reciprocating movement or a revolving movement.

17. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second cutting or sawing tool (62) is driven in rotation or driven in a linear cutting movement by means of a reciprocating movement or a revolving movement.

18. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 3, characterized in that the cutting-open station is configured so that the package (10) is guided past the second cutting or sawing tool (62) in an automated manner as the second package side (12) is cut open.

19. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting-open station is configured so that the package (10) is guided past the first cutting or sawing tool (61) by pushing it along a movement path.

20. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 18, characterized in that the cutting-open station is configured so that the package (10) is guided past the second cutting or sawing tool (62) by pushing it along a movement path.

21. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the package (10) is a cardboard box.

22. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the package shell (15) is a blister tray.

23. Unpacking apparatus (30) for unpacking an optical lens or optical lens blank as a workpiece (1), from a package (10), having: a feed station (40) for receiving a package (10) in which a workpiece (1) is arranged, a cutting-open station (60) having a first cutting or sawing tool (61) for the automated cutting open of a first package side (11) of the package (10) downstream of the feed station (40), and a slide-out station (70) downstream of the cutting-open station (60), by means of which a relative movement can be produced between the package (10) and the workpiece (1) in an automated manner, by virtue of which the workpiece (1) slides out of the package (10) on the first package side (11), wherein the first cutting or sawing tool (61) is arranged in a fixed location and the cutting-open station is configured so that the package (10) is guided past the first cutting or sawing tool (61) in the fixed location in an automated manner as the first package side (11) is cut open, characterized in that the unpacking apparatus (30) has a distance detection device upstream of the cutting-open station (60), by means of which the distance between the first and a second package side (11, 12) is detected, wherein the position of the first and/or the second cutting or sawing tool (61, 62) correlates mechanically or in an automated way with the detected distance.

24. Unpacking apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the unpacking apparatus (30) has a reader that reads out information data on the workpiece (1) in an automated manner from the package (10) before it is cut open, and said data are subsequently associated physically or logically with the removed workpiece (1).

Description

(1) Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of illustrative embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of selected subassemblies of an unpacking apparatus;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a different perspective view of the selected subassemblies of an unpacking apparatus according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view of the selected subassemblies of an unpacking apparatus according to FIG. 1 from above;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the selected subassemblies of an unpacking apparatus according to FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an unpacking apparatus;

(7) FIG. 6 shows an exploded illustration of a package illustrated in transparent form, of a removed package shell and of a lifted-out workpiece; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a package illustrated in transparent form with an internally arranged package shell and a workpiece.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a selected subassembly of an unpacking apparatus 30 in a perspective view obliquely from above. The same subassembly is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 from a second perspective obliquely from above, a view from above and in a side view. The same reference signs therefore correspond and FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are described jointly below. Such a subassembly of an unpacking apparatus 30 can be contained in an unpacking apparatus 30 according to FIG. 5 in order to unpack workpieces 1 from packages 10 according to FIGS. 6 and 7.

(10) The selected subassembly of an unpacking apparatus 30 according to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 shows an arrangement of various stations on a surface of a table 31, in particular with a flat table surface. A feed station 40 for receiving a package in which a workpiece is arranged is provided on the input side. Movable and fixed-location alignment elements 41, by means of which the package is aligned in an automated manner, are arranged here. The movable one of the alignment elements 41 is combined with a distance detection device 42, by means of which the distance between a first and a second package side of the package is detected. As soon as the package is namely clamped between the movable and the fixed alignment element 41 during alignment, the position of the linear motor by means of which the movable alignment element 41 is moved can be detected.

(11) As soon as the package is aligned with the alignment elements 41, a transfer device 50 takes over the package in order to move it, in particular slide it, along a movement path P from the feed station 40. For this purpose, the transfer device 50 has a suction holder, which is placed on the package from above in order to fix the package and is driven slidably along a linear slot in the table 31.

(12) A cutting-open station 60 is first of all arranged downstream of the feed station 40 along this movement path P. This has a first cutting or sawing tool 61 for cutting open a first package side of the package in an automated manner, and a second cutting or sawing tool 62 for cutting open an opposite second package side of the package in an automated manner. For this purpose, the first and the second cutting or sawing tool 61, 62 are arranged in a fixed location opposite and parallel to one another, in particular in such a way that the first and the second package side can be cut open simultaneously. The first and the second cutting or sawing tool 61, 62 are driven in rotation about respective tool axes, which are aligned coaxially in the present case. Irrespective of other technical features, this has the advantage of allowing the use of tools of identical construction, reducing stockholding for wearing parts and causing similar forces on the package, which can balance out.

(13) By fixing the distance between the first and the second cutting or sawing tool 61, 62, it is possible to determine where the package 10 is cut open. In this case, the position of the first cutting or sawing tool 61 correlates in an automated manner with the distance, determined by the stop elements 41, between the first and the second package side. The distance set between the first and the second cutting or sawing tool 61, 62 is always somewhat smaller than the distance between the first and the second package side, e.g. 10% less.

(14) In the present case, the movement path P runs between the first and the second cutting or sawing tool 61, 62, thereby enabling a package simply to be moved along the movement path P in order to be cut open. In the region of and downstream of the first and the second cutting or sawing tool 61, 62, it is possible to see in each case a waste opening 32, which is formed in the table 31 and through which the cut-off parts of the package can simply fall downwards.

(15) The transfer device 50 can be moved along the movement path P between the feed station 40, past the cutting-open station 60, to a slide-out station 70. This slide-out station 70 downstream of the cutting-open station 60 serves to produce a relative movement between the package and the workpiece in an automated manner, by virtue of which the workpiece slides out of the package on the first package side previously cut open. The transfer device 50 simultaneously forms for the slide-out station 70 a fixing device 72, by means of which the package 10 is fixed during the sliding-out process. For this purpose, the transfer device 50 simply remains in the region of the slide-out station 70 until the sliding-out process is complete. The package can then be fed directly to a waste bin by means of the transfer device 50.

(16) It can be seen that the slide-out station 70 has a pusher 71 with a concave end face, which is configured to move into the package on the second package side, the latter being situated opposite the cut-open first package side and likewise being cut open, and to push the workpiece out of the package on the first package side.

(17) After the workpiece has been pushed out of the package transversely to the movement path P, with or without an optional package shell, the transfer device 50 can move backwards to the feed station 40 again in order to pick up a new package with a workpiece.

(18) Provided downstream of the slide-out station 70 is an orientation tool in the form of a horizontally acting clamp, by means of which the workpiece is aligned again before being picked up mechanically. In the centre of this centering clamp there is a workpiece holder 80 having a suction holder, which is designed to pick up the workpiece mechanically after it slides out of the package. To pick up the workpiece, the workplace holder 80 moves upwards out of the table 31 through an opening 35 (at the bottom) in the table 31. A second workpiece holder (not illustrated) can be moved up to the workplace coaxially from above. If there is no package shell, the second workpiece holder may be sufficient on its own to carry the workpiece onwards to a target location. Whenever there is a package shell present, one of the two workpiece holders 80 will pick up the workpiece and the other will pick up the package shell. Identification of the respectively picked-up part enables the second workpiece holder either to move the workpiece to the target location or first of all to move the package shell to a waste bin on the way before it takes the workpiece from the first workpiece holder and moves it to the target location. The two workpiece holders 80 thereby form a separating device downstream of the slide-out station 70, by means of which parts of the package are removed from the workpiece.

(19) This separating device can have one or two balances, by means of which parts of the package and the workpiece are Identified in an automated manner from the weight. It would also be possible by this means to identify different package materials, wherein the separating apparatus can have at least two waste bins for separate disposal thereof. Each waste bin can be assigned a size reduction device, a shredder or a press.

(20) Finally, the unpacking apparatus 30 furthermore has a loading station 82, which is configured to place the workpiece downstream of the slide-out station 70 and the separating apparatus in a job tray of the kind that can be seen in FIG. 5.

(21) In accordance with the unpacking apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that said apparatus has a conveying line 90, in particular a conveyor belt, for transferring job trays 91 in a conveying direction F. This runs parallel to and in the same direction as the movement path. It is thereby possible to remove packages with workpieces from job trays 91 coming from an automated store, for example, on the Input side by means of unloading device 43. On the output side, the unpacked workpieces are then deposited in the empty job trays 91. During this process, the job trays 91 remain on the conveying line 90 for the entire time. The movement path is as it were a section of a bypass for the workpieces 1 relative to the conveying line 90.

(22) The table 31 can optionally have a stand 33. Moreover, the unpacking apparatus 30 can optionally have a cage 34. This can serve, in particular, to protect workers and to prevent unauthorized manual interference with the packages and/or workpieces.

(23) The unpacking apparatus 30 according to FIG. 5 can be part of a processing apparatus, wherein the unpacking apparatus 30 is arranged upstream of a processing machine 101 (only indicated as a reference numeral) along an automated conveying line 90, and unpacked workpieces 1 are transferred from the unpacking apparatus 30 to the processing machine 101 by means of the conveying line 90. In particular, the processing machine 101 can be from the group comprising milling machines, lathes, grinding machines, polishing machines, coating machines, cleaning machines, film wrapping machines, and block-mounting machines. Particularly in the area of lens and spectacle glass manufacture, a block-mounting machine is taken to mean a machine by means of which a workpiece to be processed is fixed on a holding piece, in particular by material bonding, in an automated manner.

(24) A package 10 (illustrated in transparent form) for holding a workpiece 1 can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the unpacked view in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the workplace 1 is an optical lens blank 2 having two opposite lens sides 3, 4, of which at least one can be of curved design. The optical lens blank 2 has a round lens circumference 5 with a lens diameter 6 of between 40 mm and 100 mm and Is composed of glass or transparent plastic. The lens thickness 7 is significantly less than the lens diameter 6. Optical lens blanks 2 of this kind are a typical starting material for processing to form spectacle glass, in particular a standard strength glass or an individual prescription glass.

(25) The package 10 has a cuboidal outer covering 13, which forms the first and the second package side 11, 12, of which at least one is cut open, as described above, in order to remove the workpiece 1 from the package 10. Here, it Is always the case that two opposite sides of the cuboidal outer covering 13 form the first and the second package side 11, 12, in particular Irrespective of how the package 10 is aligned. Preferably, only alignments in which the package 10 is aligned flat are used. As a result, the workpiece 1 can be aligned flat as it Is cut open and slides out, and it does not tip over. However, it Is also conceivable to cut open the package 10 while upright, with the result that the two opposite sides that are closest to each other can form the first and the second package side 11, 12.

(26) The package 10 is a cardboard box, in particular a folding box. In this case, it is irrelevant, in the cutting open of the first package side 11 in accordance with the invention, whether this is a simple package side or a lid. Instead of having to laboriously open the lid at a defined position, a first package side 11 is in all cases cut open or completely cut off on any side, thus enabling the workpiece 1 to be removed.

(27) Information data on the workpiece can be applied or printed on the package 10, e.g. text, codes, such as barcodes and/or QR codes, or an RFID chip.

(28) A package shell 15, which can be arranged within the package 10 together with the workpiece 1, can be seen as a further package component in FIG. 6. When the workpiece 1 is in the package shell 15, it is held at a distance from the first and the second package side 11, 12, as can be seen in FIG. 7. The package shell 15 is a blister tray made of plastic.

(29) In the case of an unpacking method according to the invention or with an unpacking apparatus 30 according to the invention, a workpiece 1 packed in a manner corresponding or similar to that in FIG. 6 can now be unpacked in a simple and, above all, automated manner. Through automated adaptations, this can be accomplished even with alternating packages 10 of different sizes. According to the method, unpacking can take place, in particular, as follows: As an option, the package 10 can be removed in an automated manner from a job tray before being cut open; As an option, the package 10 can be aligned in an automated manner before the first and/or the second package side 11, 12 area/is cut open; As an option, information data on the workplace 1 can be read out in an automated manner from the package 10 before it is cut open, and said data can subsequently be associated physically or logically with the workpiece 1 removed; Automated simultaneous cutting open of the first and the second package side 11, 12 of the package 10 with a cutting or sawing tool 61, 62 driven in rotation, wherein, while the first and the second package side 11, 12 are being cut open, the package 10 is thereby guided past the cutting or sawing tool 61, 62 in an automated manner by the package 10 being pushed along a movement path P; As an option, the cut-off parts can fall away downwards through a waste opening; Automated sliding of the workpiece 1 with the package shell 15 out of the package 10 on the first package side 11 by pushing the workpiece 1 out on the first package side 11 by means of a pusher 71, which moves into the package 10 on the second package side 12 situated opposite the cut-off first package side 11; Mechanically picking up the workpiece 1 after it has slid out by means of a workpiece holder 80 which has a gripper or a suction holder for this purpose; As an option, the workpiece 1 can be separated from the package shell 15 as it is picked up by means of the workpiece holder 80; As an option, the workpiece can be deposited in an automated manner in a job tray after sliding out; In this case, all the method steps between removal of the package 10 from the job tray and deposition of the workpiece 1 in the or some other job tray 91 can optionally be carried out in an automated manner.

(30) The invention is not restricted to one of the embodiments described above but can be modified in many different ways.

(31) All the features and advantages that emerge from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, may be essential to the invention both per se and in a very wide variety of combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(32) TABLE-US-00001 1 workpiece 2 optical lens/optical lens blank 3 first lens side 4 second lens side 5 lens circumference 6 lens diameter 7 lens thickness 10 package 11 first package side 12 second package side 13 outer covering 15 package shell 30 unpacking apparatus 31 table 32 waste opening 33 stand 34 cage 35 opening at the bottom 40 feed station 41 alignment element 42 distance detection device 43 unloading device 50 transfer device 60 cutting-open station 61 first cutting or sawing tool 62 second cutting or sawing tool 70 slide-out station 71 pusher 72 fixing device 80 workpiece holder 82 loading station 90 conveying line 91 job tray 101 processing machine F conveying direction P movement path