Thermal deburring machine having a movable supporting assembly

Abstract

A thermal deburring machine includes a first chamber part, a second chamber part, a closing device, at least one supporting assembly. The second chamber part is separate from the first chamber part, and the first and second chamber parts are configured to receive workpieces to be deburred. The closing device is configured to push the second chamber part and first chamber part together with respect to a closing direction. The supporting assembly is disposed in an annular manner about a transverse axis oriented perpendicularly to the closing direction, is movable relative to the closing device along the transverse axis, and is configured to absorb closing forces from the closing device.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising: a first part; a second part separate from the first part; a closing device configured to push the first part against the second part or push the second part against the first part, with respect to a closing direction; and at least one supporting assembly including a plurality of supports interconnected to form a closed ring that encircles a transverse axis oriented perpendicularly to the closing direction, the at least one supporting assembly movable relative to the first and second parts transversely to the closing direction and configured to absorb closing forces corresponding to the action of the closing device on the first or second part.

2. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closed ring is one of a closed, annular ring or closed, rectangular ring.

3. A thermal deburring machine comprising: a first chamber part; a second chamber part separate from the first chamber part, the first and second chamber parts configured to receive workpieces to be deburred; a closing device configured to push the first chamber part against the second chamber part or push the second chamber part against the first chamber part with respect to a closing direction; and at least one supporting assembly configured to absorb closing forces corresponding to the action of the closing device on the first or second chamber parts, the at least one supporting assembly including a plurality of supports interconnected to form a closed ring that encircles a transverse axis oriented perpendicularly to the closing direction, and the at least one supporting assembly being movable relative to the first and second chamber parts transversely to the closing direction.

4. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least two supporting assemblies that are movable relative to each other transversely to the closing direction.

5. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of supports includes a first rigid and a second rigid support, and wherein the at least one supporting assembly further includes: that interconnect the first and second supports.

6. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one supporting assembly has a higher bending stiffness in the direction of the transverse axis than in a direction perpendicular to the transverse axis.

7. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closing device is arranged in or on the first rigid support.

8. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least two tie rods are formed by a common sheet metal part of constant thickness that includes a bend so as to form a ring.

9. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sheet metal part has two ends, which are interconnected via a separate connection device.

10. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a frame having at least one transverse support that passes through the at least one supporting assembly in the direction of the transverse axis.

11. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 10, further comprising at least one guide rail fastened to the at least one transverse support, the at least one supporting assembly being movably guided on the at least one guide rail in the direction of the transverse axis.

12. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the first chamber part is fixedly connected to the transverse support, the first chamber part defines a cavity configured to receive the workpieces to be deburred, and the second chamber part configured to form a closed-off cavity together with the first chamber part.

13. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the closing device is arranged on a side of the at least one transverse support facing away from the first chamber part, and the closing device is supported on said transverse support or on the first chamber part.

14. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: precisely two supporting assemblies; and a linear drive configured to move the two supporting assemblies at the same time in opposite directions.

15. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the linear drive includes: a first screw drive; and a second screw drive, the first and second screw drives having opposite pitch directions, and being driven by a common motor.

16. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lifting device configured to move the second chamber part at least in the closing direction.

17. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second chamber part is graspable by the at least one supporting assembly by being moved in the direction of the transverse axis.

18. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second rigid support has an indentation corresponding to the second chamber part.

19. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one supporting assembly is movable transversely to the closing direction along a path which extends in a straight line or in a curved manner.

20. The thermal deburring machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least two tie rods are formed by two separate tie rods.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure will be explained in greater detail hereinafter on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of the supporting assemblies and the chamber parts with opened deburring chamber;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a partial sectional view of the thermal deburring machine according to the disclosure with closed deburring chamber;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a partial sectional view of the thermal deburring machine according to the disclosure, wherein the supporting assemblies are located in a middle position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the first support with the closing device;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a thermal deburring machine according to the disclosure;

(7) FIG. 5a shows the thermal deburring machine according to FIG. 5 from another viewing direction;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a front view of the supporting assembly of the thermal deburring machine according to FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 6a shows a perspective view of two mirror-image supporting assemblies according to FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment 30 of the supporting assembly;

(11) FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a swivel joint in quadruple shear;

(12) FIG. 9a shows a highly schematic illustration of a first path of the supporting assemblies;

(13) FIG. 9b shows a highly schematic illustration of a second path of the supporting assemblies; and FIG. 9c shows a highly schematic illustration of a second path of the supporting assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) FIG. 1 shows a side view of the supporting assemblies 30 and of the chamber parts 12; 13 with open deburring chamber. The remaining parts of the thermal deburring machine are not illustrated for the sake of clarity. Reference is made in this respect to FIGS. 5 and 5a, which show the complete machine.

(15) The first chamber part 12 is substantially cylindrical and consists of steel so that it can withstand the explosion pressure. Inside, there is a cavity, which can receive the workpiece 15. The workpiece 15 is illustrated purely by way of example as a cylinder. Any workpieces made of metal or plastic can be processed using the thermal deburring machine according to the disclosure, wherein a plurality of workpieces can be processed simultaneously. The first chamber part 12 is surrounded by a cooling jacket 16, through which a cooling liquid, for example water, can flow in order to dissipate the explosion heat.

(16) The workpiece or workpieces 15 is/are positioned loosely on the second chamber part 13 for loading of the thermal deburring machine. The second chamber part 13 is substantially plate-like and likewise consists of steel. Once the second chamber part 13 has been loaded, this is moved upwardly using the lifting device (no. 80; FIG. 5a) in the closing direction 73 until it bears against the stationary first chamber part 12. This movement is preferably performed over a controlled path, for example by means of an end switch for the second chamber part or by means of a path measurement system on the lifting device. The aforementioned movement in principle may have any path form. It is merely necessary for the second chamber part 13 to be freely accessible for loading at the start of the movement, wherein said second chamber part bears against the first chamber part 12 at the end of the movement.

(17) During the loading, the two supporting devices 30 are moved to the side in the direction of the transverse axis 11, so that they do not hinder the movement of the second chamber part 13. Here, the transverse axis 11 extends perpendicularly to the closing direction 73, wherein the closing direction 73 is defined by the direction of movement of the closing device illustrated in FIG. 4. In the case of thermal deburring machines having low operating pressures and small volumes of the deburring chamber, it is also possible for just a single supporting device 30 to be provided.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a partial sectional view of the thermal deburring machine 10 according to the disclosure with closed deburring chamber 17, wherein the plane of section contains the central axis 17a of the deburring chamber 17 and the transverse axis 11. The supporting assemblies 30 are located here in the position in which they can absorb the explosion forces, i.e. in a position in which they are arranged at the shortest possible distance.

(19) The deburring chamber 17 is preferably formed by a cavity, which is substantially circular-cylindrical with respect to the central axis 17a, which preferably extends parallel to the closing direction 73. A combustible gas mixture can be filled via a gas supply channel 19 into the deburring chamber 17, wherein the filling pressure by way of example is between 5 bar and 25 bar. This gas mixture is made to explode using the (highly schematically illustrated) ignition plug 18, whereby the pressure in the deburring chamber rises, for example by a factor of 17. As a result of this explosion, machining burrs are removed from the workpiece 15. The first and the second chamber part 12; 13 are held together against the explosion pressure by means of the supporting assemblies 30, such that the deburring chamber remains closed in a pressure-tight manner. The supporting assemblies 30 are exposed here to very high loads. Reference should also be made at this juncture to the seal 14 between the first and the second chamber part 12; 13, which seal can be formed in accordance with EP 1 837 111 B1, for example.

(20) The two supporting assemblies 30 are rotated relative to one another through 180 with mirror symmetry. They each comprise a first and a second rigid support 32; 33, which are held together by tie rods 34. The tie rods 34 may be formed here optionally by the sheet metal part 36 illustrated in the present case or by the separate tie rods illustrated in FIG. 7. Both embodiments have the common feature that the supporting assemblies 30 have a high bending stiffness with respect to a load in the direction of the transverse axis 11, such that they do not vibrate during the closing movement. Perpendicularly to the transverse direction 11, they have a low rigidity, such that the forces in the supporting assembly 30 are distributed uniformly.

(21) The second chamber part 13 rests on the two second supports 33. The first chamber part 12 is fixedly connected to the transverse supports 21, which are preferably fastened to the peripheral surface of the first chamber part 12. In the first support 32 there is arranged the closing device 70, of which both piston rods 71 move in the closing direction 73. The piston rods 71 are preferably supported here directly on the first chamber part 12. When the piston rods 71 are extended, the first support 32 in FIG. 2 moves upwardly. The second support 33 follows this movement via the tie rods 34, such that the second chamber part 13 is pushed against the first chamber part 12 until the seal 14 is tightly closed.

(22) In FIG. 2 the lifting table 82 of the lifting device can be seen, which lifting table is located below the support assemblies 30 in the closed state of the thermal deburring machine 10. The lifting table 82 comprises an extension arm 84, which for example can be provided in the form of an extruded aluminum profile. A centering disk 83 is fastened to the free end of the extension arm 84 and by way of example may be provided in the form of a circular plate. The second chamber part 13 has an adapted centering recess 85, by means of which it rests loosely on the centering disk 83 as the thermal deburring machine is loaded.

(23) In FIG. 2 the linear drive 50 can also be seen, by means of which the supporting assemblies 30 are set in motion. Instead of the screw drives 51; 52 illustrated in the present case, any other linear drive, for example a toothed belt drive, can be used. In contrast to the illustration, the linear drive 50 is preferably encapsulated, such that it is protected against ambient influences.

(24) The two supporting assemblies 30 are simultaneously moved in opposite directions by means of the linear drive 50, so that the effective mass forces acting on the frame 20 during the movement of said supporting assemblies are low. For this purpose, a first and a second screw drive 51; 52 are provided, of which the threaded spindles 53 have opposite pitch directions. The two threaded spindles 53 are interconnected for conjoint rotation via a coupling 56, such that they move synchronously. In the present case the threaded spindle 53 of the first screw drive 51 is driven by a motor (no. 57 in FIG. 5), in particular an electric motor. A bearing block 58 is arranged at each of the two ends of the threaded spindles 53, in which bearing block the assigned threaded spindle is rotatably mounted, preferably via a radial rolling bearing. The bearing blocks 58 are fixedly connected to the frame 20. Both threaded spindles 53 are in screwed engagement with an assigned nut 54, which is preferably formed as a recirculating ball nut. The nuts 54 are coupled in terms of movement to an assigned supporting assembly 30 via an assigned coupling part 55, which for example is plate-like. The supporting assemblies 30 are accordingly set in linear motion when the threaded spindles 53 are set in rotation.

(25) FIG. 3 shows a partial sectional view of the thermal deburring machine 10 according to the disclosure, wherein the supporting assemblies 30 are located in a middle position. The plane of section is the same as in FIG. 2.

(26) So that the second supports 33 of the supporting assemblies 30 can be moved without difficulty below the second chamber part 13, they are each provided with a recess 39, which ends in the middle region of the second support 33 by means of an insertion bevel 40. The depth 42 of the recess 39 is selected to be of such a size that there is some play between the recess 39 and the second chamber part 13 once this has been brought by the lifting device into abutment with the first chamber part 12. The supporting assemblies 30 can thus be moved toward one another without this movement being disturbed at the beginning by the second chamber part 13. Only when the insertion bevel 40 comes into contact with the second chamber part 13 is there a small amount of friction between the second chamber part 13 and the supporting assemblies 30. Once the supporting assemblies 30 have been fully driven together, the closing device is actuated. The seal 14 is thus compressed, such that it closes completely tight, even under the action of the explosion pressure.

(27) In the state shown in FIG. 3, in which the second chamber part 13, apart from the recess 39, rests slightly on the second support 33, the lifting table 82 is moved down, wherein the supporting assemblies 30 are then moved into their end position, in which they are arranged at the shortest possible distance. The length 41 of the recess 39 is selected here to be of such a size that the force transferred from the second chamber part 13 to the second support 33 acts centrally on the second support 33 in question, such that a bending load of the tie rods 34 is avoided.

(28) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the first support 32 with the closing device 70. The first support 32 preferably consists of steel and on the upper side has a planar support surface 44, on which the sheet metal part 36 rests, which forms the tie rod 34. The sheet metal part 36 also rests on a rounded portion 43 on the first support 32, which transitions without steps and kinks into the support surface 44. The rounded portions 43 are intended to minimize the load of the sheet metal part 36. The form described above is provided identically at the second support. The first and/or the second support 32; 33 can be composed from one or more parts.

(29) The closing device 70 is housed inside the first support 32 and comprises piston rods 71, which are movable in the closing direction 73. In the present case, two piston rods 71 are illustrated, wherein more or fewer piston rods 71 can be provided depending on the size of the thermal deburring machine. It should be noted that the closing device 70 in the present case comprises a total of four piston rods 71, specifically two for each of the two first supports 32.

(30) The piston rods 71 are driven hydraulically in the present case. For this purpose, they are received in a linearly movable manner in a circular-cylindrical cylinder space 72, which is adapted with very little play to the piston rods 71. The cylinder space 72 can be supplied with pressurized fluid, in particular hydraulic oil, via the fluid channels 74, such that the piston rods 71 extend in the closing direction 73. The return of the piston rods 71, which for example can be implemented by means of a spring or hydraulically, is not shown.

(31) Instead of the hydraulic drive of the piston rods 71, an electric drive can also be provided, for example with a screw drive, in particular with a planetary screw drive.

(32) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a thermal deburring machine 10 according to the disclosure, wherein FIG. 5a shows the same thermal deburring machine 10 from a different viewing direction.

(33) The frame 20 of the thermal deburring machine 10, which is composed of a multiplicity of frame supports 21, which are fixedly interconnected via connection brackets 23, can be seen. The frame supports 21 are formed in the present case as extruded aluminum profiles. However, the frame 20 is preferably produced from steel. Height-adjustable feet 26, via which the frame 20 stands on the supporting surface, are provided on the frame 20.

(34) The frame 20 in the present case comprises two transverse supports 22, which extend in the direction of the transverse axis 11, wherein they pass through the supporting assemblies 30. A guide rail 24 is fastened at the top on each of the transverse supports 22, on which guide rails a plurality of guide carriages are supported in a linearly movable manner, preferably with use of recirculating rolling elements. The guide carriages 25 are each fastened to an underside of an associated first support 32, such that the first supports 32 are guided in a linearly movable manner in the direction of the transverse axis 11.

(35) The lifting device 80, which comprises a linear module 81, which for example can be embodied in accordance with DE 197 38 988 B4, is additionally fastened to the frame 20. Said module comprises a table part, which can be set in a linear motion, which is oriented parallel to the closing direction 73, using an electric motor 86. The aforementioned extension arm 84 is fastened to the table part.

(36) FIG. 6 shows a front view of the supporting assembly of the thermal deburring machine according to FIG. 5.

(37) The two tie rods 34, between which the first and the second chamber part are arranged, are formed by a common sheet metal part 36. This is bent, preferably starting from a flat steel, i.e. a planar plate of constant thickness, to form a rectangular ring. This is adapted to the shape of the first and second support, such that it rests over its entire area on the supporting surfaces and rounded portions (no. 43; 44 in FIG. 4) of said supports. Side guides 45 are provided on the first and the second support 32; 33 in the region of the rounded portions, such that the sheet metal part 36 cannot slip down from the first and the second support 32; 33 in the viewing direction of FIG. 6.

(38) The two ends 37 of the sheet metal part 36 overlap one another, wherein they are penetrated by, for example, three screws 38, which are screwed into the second support 33, which is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2.

(39) FIG. 6a shows a perspective view of two mirror-image supporting assemblies 30 according to FIG. 6. Alternatively, two identical supporting assemblies 30 can also be used, which are rotated through 180 relative to one another with respect to the closing direction. The rectangular shape of the aforementioned recess 39 can be seen in the two second supports 33, which produce the contact with the second chamber part. Reference is made in this respect to the comments made in relation to FIG. 3.

(40) FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment 30 of the supporting assembly. This can be used in the thermal deburring machine according to FIG. 5 instead of the first embodiment 30.

(41) Instead of the sheet metal part, two separate tie rods 34 are provided, which are connected at their two ends to the first and the second support 32; 33 via swivel joints 46. In addition, the first and the second support 32; 33 are identical to the first embodiment of the supporting assembly, such that reference can be made in this respect to the comments provided above.

(42) The axes of rotation 47 of the four swivel joints 46 are parallel to one another and extend parallel to the transverse axis 11. Accordingly, the second embodiment 30 of the supporting assembly has a high bending stiffness in the direction of the transverse axis 11, wherein it is freely movable perpendicularly thereto. The associated advantages have already been discussed above.

(43) The axes of rotation 47 are each defined by a circular-cylindrical bolt (not visible), which penetrates the two fork legs 48 at the first and at the second support 32; 33 and penetrates the associated tie rod 34. The aforementioned bolt is subject to shear load at two locations in the present exemplary embodiment. Reference is therefore made to a swivel joint 46 in double shear.

(44) FIG. 8, by contrast, shows a swivel joint 46 in quadruple shear, in which the bolt 90 is subject to shear load at four locations, such that the swivel joint 46 can transfer greater forces. Here, a total of three or more fork legs 48 are provided at the first support 32 or at the second support 33, wherein, between these, there are arranged fork legs 91 of the tie rod. The bolt 90 passes through all fork legs 48, 91.

(45) At one end, the bolt 90 is secured by a stepped bore 92 against a change in position in the direction of the axis of rotation 47. At the opposite end, a securing screw 92 with recessed head and sleeve nut is provided for this purpose.

(46) FIG. 9a shows a highly schematic illustration of a first half of the supporting assemblies 30. The position of the stationary first deburring chamber 12 is indicated by a circle. The positions 93; 94 of the supporting assemblies 30 in the open and in the closed position are indicated in each case by a rectangle, wherein two supporting assemblies 30 are used in the present case.

(47) In the embodiment according to FIG. 9a the supporting assemblies 30 are each movable in rotation with respect to a center of rotation 95, wherein the centers of rotation 95 are arranged on the same side of the first deburring chamber 12.

(48) FIG. 9b shows an illustration similar to FIG. 9a. The sole difference lies in the fact that the centers of rotation 95 are arranged diagonally opposite in relation to the first deburring chamber 12.

(49) FIG. 9c shows an illustration similar to FIG. 9a. The sole difference lies in the fact that the circular rotational movement has been replaced by an arbitrarily curved movement, such that the two supporting assemblies 30 in the open position 93 bear directly against one another or are arranged at a short distance from one another. As a result, the overall width of the thermal deburring machine 10 is reduced.

(50) The shown movement path can be implemented by way of example by means of a four-bar linkage.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(51) 10 thermal deburring machine 11 transverse axis 12 first chamber part 13 second chamber part 14 seal 15 workpiece 16 cooling ring 17 cavity or deburring chamber 17a central axis of the deburring chamber 18 ignition plug 19 gas supply channel 20 frame 21 frame support 22 transverse support 23 connection bracket 24 guide rail 25 guide carriage 26 foot 30 supporting assembly (first embodiment) 30 supporting assembly (second embodiment) 32 first support 33 second support 34 tie rod 36 sheet metal part 37 end of the sheet metal part 38 connection means 39 indentation (on the second support) 10 insertion bevel 41 length of the recess 42 depth of the recess 43 rounded portion 44 support surface 45 side guide 46 swivel joint 47 axis of rotation 48 fork leg 50 linear drive 51 first screw drive 52 second screw drive 53 threaded spindle 54 nut 55 coupling part 56 coupling 57 motor 58 bearing block 70 closing device 71 piston rod 72 cylinder space 73 closing direction 74 fluid channel 80 lifting device 81 linear module 82 lifting table 83 centering disk 84 extension arm 85 centering recess 86 electric motor 90 bolt 91 fork leg on the tie rod 92 stepped bore 93 open position of the supporting assembly 94 closed position of the supporting assembly 95 center of rotation 35