HOT STAMPING SYSTEM FOR PRODUCTION OF A PARTS ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A hot stamping system of automotive parts to enable the production of the body in white and moving parts, which form the body of a car in a single production plant (1) from blanks. Said system consists of two by two operating groups (2 and 3) of equipment, namely: a group for the fixed parts and a group for the moving parts, each composed of production units (4), which are fed (5) with blanks, previously individually cut into the required dimensions (5) and inspected (6), for entry into the stamping tool (matrix) in accordance with the shape and dimensions of the part to be made in the respective unit, distributed (7) both to the group of fixed parts and to the group (3) of moving parts. Each of the production units comprises: a blank feed rack (8), two to three handling robots (9, 11 and 13), a Joule heating device (10), A press (12) with the tool (matrix) relative to the workpiece to be stamped, and a storage rack (14).

Claims

1) A hot stamping system for production of a parts assembly, characterized in that it allows the hot forming of the set of fixed and movable parts (body in white, body car or closures, which form the automobile body, in a single industrial plant (1); said system consisting of two groups (2 and 3) of operating equipment, one group (2) for the fixed parts and another group (3) for the moving parts; said groups (2 and 3) each composed by production units (4) (as many as necessary for production of the assembly) which are supplied (5) with blanks, previously cut individually into the required dimensions (5); after being inspected (6), rendered in conditions of entry into the stamping tool (matrix) in accordance with the shape and dimensions of the part to be made in the respective production unit (4), distributed (7) both to the group (2) of fixed parts and to the group (3) of moving parts.

2) The hot stamping system for production of a parts assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that in the groups (2 and 3) the production units (4) are each assigned for stamping of a type of part, according to its specifications and determined form.

3) The hot stamping system for production of a parts assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the production units (4) is composed of a blanks feeding rack (8), two handling robots (9 and 11) and a stamping unit formed by a Joule heating device (10) and a press (12) with the tool (matrix) relative to the part to be stamped.

4) The hot stamping system for production of a parts assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that in each production unit (4), after the first robot (9) has taken the blank off the feed rack (8) to arrange it in the heating device (10) and then, once the plate has been heated, removes the heated part and feeds the tool on the forming and cooling press (12) through icy water; once the part has been formed, the second robot (11) withdraws the shaped part from the press (12) and places it on a storage rack (13).

5) The hot stamping system for production of a parts assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the parts, both hot and cold, can be carried out by both robotic arms and dedicated conveying transfer systems, designed specifically for the applications; and, in the case of hot part moving, is constructed of material that supports temperature and radiation from the plate, without being damaged.

6) The hot stamping system for production of a parts assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating equipment (10) is arranged next to the press (12) occupying an area slightly larger than the workpiece to be heated.

7) The hot stamping system for production of a parts assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating device (10) heats the plate by Joule effect; it may reach heating rates up to 400 C./sec.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION TO THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the production process, showing the operating phases of production.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the production unit showing the equipment involved in the stamping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] According to these figures and their numerical references the object of this patent relates to a hot forming system for the production of the set of fixed and movable parts (body in white, body car or closures) that form the body of the automobile, stamped in a single production unit (1). This system consists of two groups (2 and 3) of equipment, one group (2) for the fixed parts and another group (3) for the moving parts. Said groups (2 and 3) each are composed by production units (4) (as many as necessary for production of the assembly) which are supplied (5) with blanks, previously cut individually into the required dimensions (5), after being inspected (6), rendered in conditions of entry into the stamping tool (matrix) in accordance with the shape and dimensions of the part to be made in the respective production unit (4), and are distributed (7) both to the group (2) of fixed parts and to the group (3) of moving parts.

[0020] In the groups 2 and 3, the production units (4), one for each part specification to be produced, are composed of a blank feed rack (8), two handling robots (9 and 11) and a stamping unit formed by a Joule heating device (10) and a press (12) with the tool (matrix) relative to the part to be stamped. In them, the first robot (9) feeds the heating device (10) by withdrawing the blank from the feed rack (8) and arranging it in the heating device (10). After the plate has been heated, this robot (9) removes the heated part and feeds the tool on the press (12) for form and shape as determined. Thereafter the second robot (11) removes the shaped part from the press (12) and places it on a storage rack (13).

[0021] The movement of both hot and cold parts can be performed both by robotic arms and by dedicated conveying transfer systems designed specifically for the applications and, in the case of hot part moving, constructed of material that supports temperature and radiation from the plate, without being damaged.

[0022] In the heating device 10, the heating takes place by the electric conduction process (Joule heating), which can reach heating rates of up to 400 C./sec. Its arrangement close to the press (12) occupies an area slightly larger than the part to be heated, thus obtaining a greater utilization of the area available for each of the production units (4).