Method for the determination of workpiece transport trajectories in a multiple station press

Abstract

A method for the determination of workplace transport trajectories in a multiple station press, comprises the steps of providing a set of constraints for the workplace transport trajectories, the constraints comprising at least pickup and deposit positions for a workplace in a plurality of stations of the multiple station press, providing machine properties of the plurality of stations and of at least one transfer device for transporting the workplace from a first of the plurality of stations to a second of the plurality of stations, providing information on a candidate workplace transport trajectory, simulating the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device based on the provided information for determining whether the candidate workplace transport trajectory conforms with the provided machine parameters, and displaying the result of the determination.

Claims

1. Method for the determination of workpiece transport trajectories in a multiple station press, comprising the steps of a) providing a set of constraints for the workpiece transport trajectories, the constraints comprising at least pickup and deposit positions for a workpiece in a plurality of stations of the multiple station press; b) providing machine properties of the plurality of stations and of at least one transfer device for transporting the workpiece from a first of the plurality of stations to a second of the plurality of stations; c) providing information on a candidate workpiece transport trajectory; d) simulating the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device based on the provided information for determining whether the candidate workpiece transport trajectory conforms with the provided machine parameters, such that it is physically possible to transport the workpiece along the trajectory; e) displaying the result of the determination; wherein f) electing a workpiece transport trajectory from said determined results; g) exporting said elected workpiece transport trajectory to a controller to control said multiple station press and one or more transfer devices that transport said workpiece between each station of said multiple station press; h) the workpiece transport trajectories and the candidate workpiece transport trajectory are parameterized by a plurality of positions of a plurality of axes as a function of an angle parameter; i) the workpiece transport trajectories and the candidate workpiece transport trajectory are partitioned into a plurality of segments, each of the segments including the axes positions for a continuous range of values of the angle parameter; and wherein j) the information on the candidate workpiece transport trajectory comprises a set of motional information and values of angle parameters relating to transitions between neighbouring segments of a set of segments of a trajectory template, the motional information at least comprising velocity information.

2. Method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing information on a press tool geometry of the plurality of stations and/or a workpiece geometry, wherein the simulation step includes a determination whether the candidate workpiece transport trajectory conforms with the provided press tool and/or workpiece geometry, such that it is physically possible to transport the workpiece along the trajectory.

3. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein a first of the segments relates to unloading a workpiece from a pickup position and wherein a second of the segments relates to loading a workpiece in a deposition position.

4. Method as recited in claim 3, wherein at least a third segment connects an end of the first segment to a start of the second segment and wherein at least a fourth segment connects an end of the second segment to a start of the first segment.

5. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information on the candidate workpiece transport trajectory comprises at least one shift parameter, wherein the shift parameter relates to a temporal offset of at least one segment of the candidate workpiece transport trajectory.

6. Method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one shift parameter comprises an unloading shift parameter and a loading shift parameter for delaying or forwarding a running through an unloading or a loading segment, respectively.

7. Method as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one shift parameter comprises a general motion shift parameter for delaying or forwarding a running through a complete succession of segments constituting the candidate workpiece transport trajectory.

8. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments comprise at least one velocity-to-velocity segment, the velocities at a beginning and at an end of the segment being predetermined and non-zero.

9. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information on the candidate workpiece transport trajectory comprises a motion scaling parameter, wherein the motion scaling parameter is a scaling factor for proportionally scaling a start and stop of segments in angle parameters.

10. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trajectory template comprises a plurality of segments chosen from the following types of segments: a) standstill-to-standstill; b) standstill-to-velocity; c) velocity-to-standstill; d) velocity-to-velocity; e) standstill-to-standstill with limited velocity.

11. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trajectory template comprises a first segment type, the trajectory of which being parameterized by a polynomial of a first order, and a second segment type, the trajectory of which being parameterized by a polynomial of a second order, the first order being different from the second order.

12. Method as recited claim 1, wherein the information on the candidate workpiece transport trajectory comprises a move in and/or a move out stroke of an unloading and/or a loading path.

13. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of stations is a servo press, wherein the machine properties of the plurality of stations comprise information on a maximum velocity, acceleration and/or maximum force allowed on the servo press.

14. Method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of providing information on a candidate servo press trajectory, wherein the simulation of the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device includes a simulation of the servo press operated according to the provided candidate servo press trajectory.

15. Method as recited in claim 14, wherein the information on the candidate servo press trajectory comprises at least one of the following: a) a deep draw height; b) a deep draw velocity profile; c) a deep draw energy profile.

16. Method as recited in claim 13, wherein the simulation of the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device includes a simulation of a dynamical model of the servo press, taking into account moving masses and corresponding inertia and a maximum slide velocity.

17. Method as recited in claim 13, wherein the simulation of the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device includes a simulation of an electrical model of the servo press, taking into account a maximum motor velocity, a maximum torque, a maximum current and/or power consumption.

18. Method as recited in claim 13, wherein the information on the candidate servo press trajectory comprises at least one parameter for adjusting the candidate servo press trajectory, wherein the parameter affects the trajectory in such a way that a deep draw velocity profile is unchanged.

19. Method as recited in claim 13, wherein the simulation of the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device comprises a simulation of energy management involving the plurality of stations and/or the at least one transfer device.

20. Method as recited in claim 19, wherein the multiple station press comprises a plurality of servo presses and wherein the simulation of energy management involves the plurality of servo presses.

21. Method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of generating a progression of current values for controlling operation of the servo press, based on the simulation of the servo press and preferably the at least one transfer device.

22. Method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of performing an optimisation process for determination of a workpiece transport trajectory minimising a total stress on the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device.

23. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for the determination of workpiece transport trajectories for implementing a method according to claim 1 when executed by a processor.

24. Arrangement comprising a) a multiple station press, b) at least one transfer device for transporting the workpiece from a first of the plurality of stations to a second of the plurality of stations c) a controller for the transfer device, wherein the controller accepts and stores a set of constraints for the workpiece transport trajectories, the constraints comprising at least pickup and deposit positions for the workpiece in a plurality of stations of the multiple station press, accepts and stores machine properties of the plurality of stations and of the at least one transfer device, accepts and stores information on a candidate workpiece transport trajectory, wherein the controller is adapted to simulate the plurality of stations and the at least one transfer device based on the stored information for determining whether the candidate workpiece transport trajectory conforms with the stored machine parameters, such that it is phvsically possible to transport the workpiece along the trajectory; the arrangement further comprises means for displaying the result of the determination: the workpiece transport trajectories and the candidate workpiece transport trajectory are parameterized by a plurality of positions of a plurality of axes as a function of an angle parameter; the workpiece transport trajectories and the candidate workpiece transport trajectory are partitioned into a plurality of segments, each of the segments including the axes positions for a continuous range of values of the angle parameter; and wherein the information on the candidate workpiece transport trajectory comprises a set of motional information and values of angle parameters relating to transitions between neighbouring segments of a set of segments of a trajectory template, the motional information at least comprising velocity information.

25. Method as recited in claim 13, wherein the machine properties of the plurality of stations comprise information on a maximum power consumption allowed for the servo press.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings used to explain the embodiments show:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a workpiece transport path from a first press to a second press;

(3) FIG. 2 the general setup of a graphical user interface of a software for running an inventive method;

(4) FIG. 3 the ToolGroup window of the graphical user interface;

(5) FIG. 4 the dialog for choosing a new template;

(6) FIG. 5 the MotionSpec region of the graphical user interface;

(7) FIG. 6 the effect of adjusting vertical lift;

(8) FIGS. 7, 8 the form to adjust the movement of the swivel axis and the effect of sample adjustments;

(9) FIG. 9 the composition of the workpiece path, indicating the segments of the A-axis;

(10) FIG. 10 the portion of the MotionSpec form relating to shifts;

(11) FIG. 11 the effects of applying a positive shift to the loading portion;

(12) FIG. 12 the effect of running a template at half speed in velocity of the axes;

(13) FIG. 13 the effect of running a template at half speed in acceleration of the axes;

(14) FIG. 14 the effect of applying a scaling factor;

(15) FIG. 15 the effect of applying a scaling factor on velocity of the axes;

(16) FIG. 16 the template generation dialog;

(17) FIG. 17 the effects of adjusting the vertical stroke;

(18) FIG. 18 a sample segment definition;

(19) FIG. 19 the Limits & Interference form;

(20) FIG. 20 the graphs displaying the interference with the upper die and the distance to the neighboring transfer device;

(21) FIGS. 21-24 samples of available charts;

(22) FIG. 25 a diagram depicting the press stroke of a servo press and the constraints imposed;

(23) FIG. 26 two different press strokes relating to different deep drawing heights;

(24) FIG. 27 two different press strokes relating to different operation speeds of the multiple station press; and

(25) FIG. 28 the simulated power consumption of two transfer devices.

(26) In the figures, the same components are given the same reference symbols.

(27) Preferred Embodiments

(28) The following symbols and abbreviations are used in this document:

(29) TABLE-US-00001 Fig. Designates drawings Figure Tab. Designates tables Table TCP Tool Center Point The Center of the Crossbar TG ToolGroup The recipe (all properties) to produce a certain part MotionSpec Motion The motion properties for one Specification transfer (roboBeam/roboFeeder) MotionTemplate Motion Template The base of a transfer motion UL Unloading The unloading section of the motion LO Loading The loading section of the motion UL-IN Unloading Side, Section of motion: move into Move In unloading position UL-OUT Unloading Side, Section of motion: move out of Move Out unloading position LO-IN Loading Side, Section of motion: move into Move In loading position LO-OUT Loading Side, Section of motion: move out of Move Out loading position

(30) The FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a workpiece transport path 3 from a first press 1 (left) to a second press 2 (right): A workpiece is unloaded from the first press 1, transported by the transport device to the second press 2 and loaded to the second press 2. The path 3 may be partitioned into an unloading section 3a, a loading section 3b and two intermediate sections 3c, 3d connecting the two sections mentioned before, as shown in the reference system of the lower (stationary) die. At the bottom of FIG. 1 the unloading section 3a is shown in the reference system of the upper (moved) die 1a of the first press 1. This is a reference system that is suitable for studying potential conflicts of the workpiece with the moved die.

(31) The FIG. 2 represents the general setup of a graphical user interface 10 of a software for running an inventive method. The screen is partitioned into a menu bar 11, a MotionSpec form 12, an item selector 13, a Limits & Interference form 14 as well as a section 15 for displaying charts, such as charts showing the position of certain device and/or geometric axes in angle coordinates. The layout of the forms as shown in FIG. 2 is unchangeable. The content of the forms is changed depending on the ToolGroup and the item that is selected, see below.

(32) The menu bar allows for accessing two functions, namely ToolGroup and Export. The

(33) Export function allows for exporting numerical data of motion or interference curves to files.

(34) Using the ToolGroup form, ToolGroups may be loaded, modified, created or saved. The corresponding form opens in a separate window after clicking the ToolGroup item in the menu bar. The FIG. 3 shows the ToolGroup window 20.

(35) The ToolGroup definitions are stored in respective folders, whereas ToolGroups may be exported to the press line controller by copying the respective folders to the corresponding place of the controller's file system.

(36) The ToolGroup defines the motion properties of the press line. The following quantities are defined: name description ID type (continuous/intermittent) line speed (parts per minute)

(37) The topmost field 21 of the ToolGroup window shows to the left ID and name of the actual ToolGroup. The right area allows saving and loading a TG. The middle field 22 below the topmost field 21 shows the properties of the actually loaded TG as listed above. The lower portion 23 of the form displays a list of available ToolGroups. TG may be loaded by double-clicking a TG in the list or pressing the Load button.

(38) The interface allows for the following actions: view and modify ToolGroup properties; load a ToolGroup, this includes loading the Motion Specification (MotionSpec) to all feeder items; save a ToolGroup to an existing ID (save changes) or to a new ID (create new TG)

(39) The item selector shown in FIG. 2 includes a number of radio buttons that represent the items which are available in the line. As soon as an item is selected, the forms for MotionSpec, Limits and Charts will show the actual state of the selected item. Thereafter, the parameters and properties related to the corresponding item will be ready to be checked or modified.

(40) Depending on customer or application requirements, the workpiece transport trajectories can be influenced on three different levels: first (highest) level: 25 parameters (MotionSpec); second level: 25+30=55 parameters (MotionSpec+TemplateGeneration); third (lowest) level: 10*5*4=200 Parameter (SegmentDefinition, Full Access).

(41) The MotionSpec form 12 of FIG. 2 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5. The MotionSpec defines the basic parameters of the motion. These parameters include: Positions for Unloading (UL) (3), Home (1) and Loading (LO) (6); Z-Strokes within the 4 sections (UL-IN 2, UL-OUT 4, LO-IN 5, LO-OUT 7); A-Axis Definition (value and timing for start and end of the motion within the 4 sections); Shifts: Delay to portions of the motion (UL, LO) or the total motion (Motion Shift); Template: the choice for the basis of the motion.

(42) The top-left area 12.1 shows whether the motion is valid or not. The state represents the summary of the limits, as described in more detail below.

(43) The middle section 12.2 shows the name of the template which is actually applied. By pressing the Choose-button a new template can be assigned to the MotionSpec.

(44) The form which opens, i. e. the TemplateViewer window 30 is shown in FIG. 4. It lists a number of available templates with their main characteristics. The template can be applied by double-clicking the template in the list or selecting the template and pressing the Open button.

(45) The main area 12.3 of the MotionSpec form is partitioned into a number of sections. They apply to the different sections of the motion.

(46) First of all, for the three positions Home (12.4), Unloading (12.5) and Loading (12.6) the TCP-coordinates are defined, by indicating the corresponding positions of the axes Y, Z, A and B (if applicable).

(47) Furthermore, for each of the four sections, UL-IN, UL-OUT, LO-IN and LO-OUT the following properties are defined: Stroke: The Z-Stroke defines the amount of vertical lift that is performed in the respective section. FIG. 6 shows an example for the move-in section of the unloading side (UL-IN). Amount of tilt and exact timing of the tilting motion in the A axis: For the timing definition, the point in time for start and end of motion needs to be set. The definition can be set by reference to a TPC-position (Y or Z) or by degrees of the cam angle. The form to edit the A-Axis definition appears as soon as the area of the section is clicked. It is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The illustrated sample shows the details of an A axis definition at UL-OUT. According to FIG. 7, the tilting motion is started as soon as Z=2.3 m is reached.

(48) According to FIG. 8, the tilting motion is ended as soon as Y=1.8 m is reached. In the shown sample (UL-OUT), the tilting angle can only be defined within the end definition. The tilting angle for the start of the motion is already defined by the A-Axis definition of the unloading position. The total A-Axis motion consists of 10 segments 40.1 . . . 40.10 as shown in FIG. 9. Shifts: The portion of the MotionSpec form 12 relating to shifts is shown in FIG. 10. Shifts allow to adjust the timing of the motion. Shifts at unloading and loading apply to the respective portion of the motion only. Motion Shift applies to the whole motion, i. e. the timing of all sections is changed synchronously. By applying a positive value, the respective portion is delayed by the specified amount of cam degrees. If a negative value is applied, the motion is shifted ahead of time. The FIG. 11 shows an example where a positive shift is applied to the loading portion. It can be seen that the motion 51 of the y axis and the motion 52 of the z axis are delayed in terms of cam degree. A similar shift will also be applied to further axes such as the swivel axis.

(49) Shifting is used to adjust the distance in between two neighboring transfers and to optimize the interference with the press. Shifting allows to change the timing (forward/delay) of a section (unloading/loading) of the motion. Shifting is performed without any change in the path with respect to the lower die. Shifting may involve a single or a group of segments. A smooth transition from the shifted section to a non-shifted section is accomplished with special segments (velocity-to-velocity). Motion Scaling: MotionTemplates are designed for a predefined target line speed. They can be used at this speed, or any speed lower than the target line speed. If MotionTemplates are used at a speed lower than the target line speed, the same motion is performed in greater time. Therefore the dynamics of the motion is reduced. The FIG. 12 shows a velocity plot of an example where a 15 SPM template is run at a line speed of 7.5 SPM (the cycle time is 8 s). As can be seen, the speed of each axis (the velocity 61 of the swivel axis, the velocity 62 of the y axis and the velocity 63 of the z axis) is of the original speed. As can be seen from the acceleration plot in FIG. 13, the acceleration is of the original acceleration (acceleration 71 of the swivel axis, acceleration 72 of the y axis and acceleration 73 of the z axis). MotionScaling allows separation of Feeder-Speed from Line-Speed. The amount of cam degrees used for motion is scaled according to a scaling factor. The start and stop of segments within the 360 of the cam are proportionally scaled. Since all segments are scaled proportionally, there is no change in the path with respect to the lower die. In principle, no shift-adjustment is required. The sections of interference (unloading/loading) are maintained during scaling. In order to retain the interference of the transport device and the workpiece with the press and the interference of two neighboring transport devices (or the workpieces carried by them), a fixed point is defined at the unloading side. The fixed point corresponds to the point in time where the two neighboring transport devices (or the workpieces carried by them, respectively) come closest to each other. The fixed point is held fixed in time when motion scaling is applied. In the context of motion scaling, the shift on the loading side is automatically determined based on the motion scaling parameter, and the temporal offset on the loading side is correspondingly adjusted.

(50) MotionScaling allows making use of enhanced dynamics when running at a line speed lower than the target line speed. By default, the motion is covering almost the full 360 of the cam and only little time is spend in home. By applying a scaling factor, the amount of cam degrees which is spent for motion can be decreased, see the acceleration plot of FIG. 14. The remaining cam degrees are spent at home in standstill. Due to the fact, that with an increased ScalingFactor the motion is performed in short time, the dynamics of each axis is increased. A scaling factor of 1.0 corresponds to the original timing. A scaling factor of 2.0 results in a motion which is performed in half of the time compared to the original motion. (the other half is spent in the home position). Any ScalingFactor above 1.0, e. g. between 1.0 and 3.0, can be applied, where the maximum is typically limited to TargetSpeed divided by LineSpeed due to the dynamical limits of the system. The velocity plot of FIG. 15 shows the result of running the 15 SPM template at 7.5 SPM when a ScalingFactor of 2.0 is applied. The dynamics is back at its original level.

(51) The motivation to apply MotionScaling is possible interference with the upper die. By reducing the amount of cam degrees which is spent in motion, the time of press interference (unloading and loading) is shortened with respect to the press motion. Therefore, the distance to the upper die is enhanced. As an example: A motion at 15 SPM shows problems with interference to the upper die. By reducing the LineSpeed to 12 SPM, a ScalingFactor of 1.25 can be applied. This will shorten the time required for unloading/loading by 25% and hopefully solves the interference problem.

(52) Within the MotionSpec form the following actions are available: view and modify the MotionSpec Properties; choose a MotionTemplate; load and save a MotionSpec.

(53) The described system provides the user with further means to adapt the workpiece transport trajectory. Namely, specific transitions between different segments of the trajectory may be adjusted. The FIG. 16 shows the corresponding template generation dialog. For each Position (Home, UL, LO) the following parameters are defined: StartAngle: the cam angle when the position is reached; RestAngle: the amount of cam degrees to remain in the position

(54) For each of the 4 sections (UL_IN, UL_OUT, LO_IN, LO_OUT) the following parameters are defined: Z_Lift: the cam angles spent for the total vertical movement; Z_Stroke: the cam angles spent for the vertical (straight) portion of the motion.

(55) The Z-Stroke 81 defines the delay of the start of the Y-Motion with respect to the start of the Z-Motion, whereas the Z-Lift 82 defines the total vertical movement. This is shown in FIG. 17.

(56) The motion within the press is dynamically optimized and maintained at all times. In each of the 4 sections (UL_IN, UL_OUT, LO_IN, LO_OUT) the condition of the Y-Axis when entering/leaving the press is defined: Y_TargetVelocity: velocity of Y-Axis when entering/leaving the press; Y_ApproachDistance; distance from unloading or loading position to reach target speed; Y_Accel: cam angles from unloading- or loading position to reach target speed.

(57) The motion of an axis is composed from a number of segments, the properties of which are adjusted by adjusting the parameters in the template generation dialog. All segments have a definition for their start and end angle on the 360 of the cam. Two neighboring segments have to maintain the same conditions (cam-angle, position, velocity, acceleration) at the point of contact. Several types of segments are foreseen in the described system, among these:

(58) TABLE-US-00002 StS Standstill to Standstill # parameters 2 start conditions end conditions accel- accel- further position velocity eration position velocity eration conditions StartPos 0 0 EndPos 0 0

(59) TABLE-US-00003 StV Standstill to Velocity # parameters 3 start conditions end conditions accel- accel- further position velocity eration position velocity eration conditions StartPos 0 0 EndPos endVelocity 0

(60) TABLE-US-00004 VtV Velocity to Velocity # parameters 4 start conditions end conditions further accel- accel- con- position velocity eration position velocity eration ditions StartPos StartVelocity 0 EndPos endVelocity 0

(61) TABLE-US-00005 StSV Standstill to Standstill, limited velocity # parameters 3 start conditions end conditions accel- accel- further position velocity eration position velocity eration conditions StartPos 0 0 EndPos 0 0 MaxVelo

(62) A sample segment definition is shown in FIG. 18. For each axis, the 360 operation cycle is described by a number of segments. Every segment is defined by the start and end angle and the corresponding position in axis coordinates (StartPos, EndPos). Depending on the segment type, further information such as StartVelocity and/or EndVelocity is provided. In addition to the two layers described before, the user has the possibility of changing the individual segment definitions and even to generate further segments for all axes. By doing so, the user has essentially full control over the definition of a candidate workpiece trajectory.

(63) As mentioned above, the top-left area of the MotionSpec form shows whether the motion is valid or not. The state represents the summary of the limits, as described in the following. The motion is checked respecting a set of limits. Only if all limits are within range, a motion is valid to be loaded to the machine. The Limits & Interference form shown in FIG. 19 displays the full list of limits that are checked. Limits that are hit are marked OffLimit (i. e. shaded) and the location of exceedance is specified.

(64) To run a part in production, it has to be verified that there is enough clearance to the upper dies as well as to the neighboring items. The interference charts allow checking the clearance on the unloading as well as on the loading side. The upper portion 91 of the form shown in FIG. 20 displays the interference to the upper die 93. The interference curve 92 of the selected item is shown in black color. The curve 94 for the neighboring item appears in grey color. Both curves 91, 92 are shown in the reference system of the upper die. The lower portion 95 of the form displays the distance to the neighboring item over the full cycle of 360 (curve 96). The lower, shaded area 97 adjacent to the zero line, corresponds to the distance which should not be underrun.

(65) In the Charts section various charts may be displayed. They help to graphically check details of the motion. Changes to properties in the MotionSpec are updated in the graphs in real-time. The user controls allow to zoom/un-zoom, print or save images, export curve data and many other functions which are accessible with a right mouse click in the chart area.

(66) Samples of available charts are shown in FIGS. 21-24. The FIG. 21 shows a YZ chart displaying the path 101 of the TCP of the motion. The FIG. 22 shows a Position chart displaying the position of each axis over the full cycle of 360, namely the position 111 of the Y axis, the position 112 of the Z axis, and the position 113 of the swivel axis. In the shown example, the further axes (A and B) are not used, i. e. constantly at 0. The FIG. 23 shows a Velocity chart displaying the velocity of each axis over the full cycle of 360, namely the velocity 121 of the Y axis, the velocity 122 of the Z axis, and the velocity 123 of the swivel axis. The FIG. 24 shows an Acceleration chart displaying the acceleration of each axis over the full cycle of 360, namely the acceleration 131 of the Y axis, the acceleration 132 of the Z axis, and the acceleration 133 of the swivel axis.

(67) Utilizing a servo press allows for variable stroke characteristics. Within the described system, the operation of the servo press is defined by manually set and automatically calculated parameters. These parameters include the following die-/part depending specifications: deep draw height; deep draw velocity profile; deep draw energy profile.

(68) A validation of the stroke performance takes into consideration mechanical and electrical models of the die, the press and its drive drain.

(69) The parameters for the dynamical model include: moving mass/inertias; maximum slide velocity; friction.

(70) The parameters for the electrical model of the motor and drive include: maximum motor velocity; maximum torque, current and power; electrical losses.

(71) The planning process respects the deep draw velocity profile as well as all the limits of the mechanical and electrical system. It aims at an optimized press opening for the automation by maximizing the slide velocity as long as the workpiece is outside of the deep draw process. It further provides quantification and visualization of safety margins with respect to mechanical/electrical limits. The deep draw velocity profile may be maintained independent from press or line speed.

(72) By generating a current profile as calculated from the dynamic model and providing that profile to the line, position lag due to current adjustments may be minimized.

(73) The FIG. 25 is a diagram depicting the press stroke 201 of a servo press and the constraints imposed. The Figure displays the press angle parameter on the horizontal axis and the actual position of the upper die on the vertical axis. As can be seen from the diagram, the maximum velocity is limited in the different phases of the operation cycle: In a first region 202 (about 270 to 45) the velocity is limited by the maximum speed of the motor as this is the region where the excentric bearing of the slide is near its upper dead point. The same is true in the region 203 of the lower dead point (i. e. around 180). In the adjacent regions 204, 205 (about 45 to 90 and about 200 to 270) the maximum velocity is limited by the mechanical properties of the slide and the guiding system of the slide. In the region 206 of the actual working of the workpiece (deep drawing, about 90 to 180) the maximum velocity is given by the allowed deep drawing velocity for a given workpiece, relating to the allowed forces on the workpiece. Changes in velocity, especially the braking required before contacting the workpiece, are limited by the motor torque.

(74) The FIG. 26 shows two different press strokes relating to different deep drawing heights, namely the press stroke 211 for a deep drawing height of 300 mm and the press stroke 212 for a deep drawing height of 200 mm.

(75) The FIG. 27 shows two different press strokes relating to different operation speeds of the multiple station press, namely the press stroke 221 for an operating speed of 18 strokes per minute and the press stroke 222 for an operating speed of 15 strokes per minute.

(76) The limits on velocity imposed by the deep drawing process, the slide motion and the motor are maintained over a change in cycle time. Therefore, with a lower cycle time, the stroke may be performed faster within the 360 of the operation cycle of the press without exceeding the limits. This is what is shown in FIG. 27.

(77) The system includes the complete press-line (all presses as well as all feeders). All elements have a common cycle time, presses may be operated in continuous mode or intermittently. The performance may be balanced over all items, i. e. the stress on the components (and the available safety margins) may be distributed in order to maximize the lifetime of the system. At the same time, performance is maximized over all components. Furthermore, energy management over the complete press line is possible.

(78) The FIG. 28 shows the simulated power consumption of two transfer devices. The curves 231, 232 show the power consumption of two transfer devices as a function of the press angle. This includes the power needed for all the axes of the respective transfer device. As can be seen from the Figure, the maximum consumption of each of the devices is slightly above 60 kW. In the given example, the devices are controlled in such a way that the sum of the consumption of both devices displayed by the curve 233 does not substantially exceed that maximum consumption, i. e. at the press angle one of the devices has a maximum consumption the consumption of the other device is close to a minimum value. As can be seen further from the Figure, there are sections in which the power consumption of a given device is negative, i. e. energy may be temporarily stored or fed back to the power supplying grid. Accordingly, by suitably controlling the transfer devices and meeting the constraints of the press transfer, the maximum consumption of a plurality of transfer devices may be even reduced compared to that of a single device.

(79) The invention is not restricted on the described embodiment. Numerous variations are possible, for example with respect to the parameters for parameterizing the workpiece or press tool trajectories or with respect to the properties of the user interface.

(80) In summary, it is to be noted that the invention provides for a method for the determination of workpiece transport trajectories in a multiple station press that facilitates the determination of workpiece transport trajectories that allow for high throughput.