SYSTEM FOR THE AUTOMATED PRODUCTION OF AMMUNITION

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for the automated production of ammunition which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case, an ignition element, a projectile and a propellant, comprising a plurality of production stations, in particular an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station and/or a projectile insertion station, for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the system, a plurality of quality control stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station, a propellant filling station, a projectile assembly station, a projectile marking station and/or a discharge station for transporting the produced ammunition out of the production process of the system, and a conveying device for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device defines a closed circulating conveying path which delimits an interior space enclosed by the conveying path and an exterior space delimited therefrom, wherein at least one, in particular a plurality, of the plurality of production stations is arranged in the interior space and/or the exterior space and acts on the conveying device from the inside and/or from the outside.

Claims

1. System (1) for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile (3) and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, in particular an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station (11) and/or a projectile insertion station (19), for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the system (1), a plurality of quality control stations (69), at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station (17), a propellant filling station (15), a projectile assembly station (21), a projectile marking station (23) and/or a discharge station (25) for transporting the produced ammunition (101) out of the production process of the system (1); and a conveying device (100) for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device (100) defines a closed circulating conveying path (29) which delimits an interior space (33) enclosed by the conveying path (29) and an exterior space (31) delimited therefrom; characterized in that at least one, in particular a plurality, of the plurality of production stations is arranged in the interior space (33) and/or the exterior space (31) and acts on the conveying device (100) from the inside and/or from the outside.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one of the plurality of production stations has a robotic system (35), the support base (37) of which is attached to a foundation, located next to the conveying path (29), of the interior space (33) and/or of the exterior space (31), wherein in particular the robotic system (35) is designed to act on at least one of the ammunition parts.

3. System (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support base (37) has a support column (39) and an extension arm (81) which extends over the conveying path (29) and is dimensioned in particular in such a way that access to the conveying device (100), in particular to the ammunition parts carried by the conveying device (100), from the underside or the upper side is permitted.

4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of production stations comprises an ammunition part loading device which loads the conveying device (100) in particular individually with the plurality of ammunition parts, wherein in particular the ammunition part loading device is designed to supply the respective ammunition part or the respective ammunition parts laterally, in particular horizontally, from the exterior space (31) and/or the interior space (33) to the conveying device (100).

5. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of the plurality of production stations are arranged in the interior space (33) and/or the exterior space (31) and act on the conveying device (100) carrying at least one of the ammunition parts from the outside and/or from the inside.

6. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying path (29) of the conveying device (100) has two linear sections (27) which extend parallel to one another and are connected by two diametrically opposite curved sections (43), in particular extending over substantially 180, in order in particular to form a racetrack-shaped conveying path profile.

7. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a shape of the closed circulating conveying path (29) is in the manner of a racetrack, in particular oval-shaped or circular.

8. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production station arranged in the interior space (33) and/or the exterior space (31) is arranged on the infeeding longitudinal side and/or the outfeeding longitudinal side of the closed conveying path (29).

9. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying path (29) serves at least in sections as a buffer zone (45) for the conveying devices (100), wherein the buffer zone (45) is formed in particular in the region of the curved sections (43).

10. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the event of a faulty manipulation in a production station the production process is interrupted and all ammunition components which are being processed are discharged separately.

11. System (1) for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, in particular an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station (11) and/or a projectile insertion station (19), for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the system (1), a plurality of quality control stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station (17), a propellant filling station (15), a projectile assembly station (21), a projectile marking station (23) and/or a discharge station (25) for transporting the produced ammunition (101) out of the production process of the system (1); and a plurality of conveying devices (100) for holding a plurality of the plurality of ammunition parts each and for transporting a plurality of the plurality of ammunition parts each to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations; characterized in that the plurality of conveying devices (100) can move independently of one another from, to and/or between the plurality of production stations.

12. System (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the plurality of conveying devices (100) each have an individual movement profile according to which the conveying devices (100) can move each from, to and/or between the plurality of production stations.

13. System (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the conveying devices (100) define a closed circulating conveying path (29) which delimits an interior space (33) enclosed by the conveying path (29) and an exterior space (31) delimited therefrom.

14. System (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, a conveying device (100) for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device (100) defines a conveying path (29); characterized by at least two propellant filling stations (15) arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F.

15. System (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least two propellant filling stations (15) are arranged at a distance in the conveying direction F in such a way that at least one conveying device (100) can dwell in a buffer position between the at least two propellant filling stations (15).

16. System (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the at least two propellant filling stations (15) and the conveying device (100) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the ammunition parts held by the at least two propellant filling stations (15) are filled substantially simultaneously.

17. System (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, such as a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, a conveying device (100) for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device (100) defines a conveying path (29); characterized in that one of the plurality of production stations is an ignition element insertion station (47), which inserts an ignition element (7) into the production process of the system (1) and inserts it into a case (3) in each case.

18. System (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that for insertion into the production process the ignition element insertion station (47) moves the ignition elements (7) laterally towards the conveying device (100).

19. System (1) according to either of claims 17 and 18, characterized in that the ignition elements (7) are supplied to the ignition element insertion station (47) aligned in a cassette (79) or as bulk material.

20. System (1) according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the ignition element (7) is inserted into the case (3) from below or from above.

21. System (1) according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that two ignition element supply stations (49) for loading the ignition element insertion station (47) with ignition elements (7) are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F, wherein in particular the ignition element insertion station (47) is arranged between the ignition element supply stations (49) in the conveying direction F.

22. System (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that the at least two ignition element supply stations (49) are arranged at a distance in the conveying direction F in such a way that at least one conveying device (100) can dwell in a buffer position between the at least two ignition element supply stations (49).

23. System (1) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized by a translationally mounted slide (51) for receiving a multiplicity of ignition elements (7) at the ignition element supply stations (49) and for transferring and fixing the ignition elements (7) to the ignition element insertion station (47).

24. System (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, namely a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, a conveying device (100) for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device (100) defines a conveying path (29); characterized in that one of the plurality of production stations is a fluid application station (53), in which a sealing compound is applied into an annular joint (55) between the case (3) and the ignition element (7) accommodated therein and/or between the case (3) and the projectile inserted therein, and the annular joint (55) is sealed and/or marked.

25. System (1) according to claim 24, characterized in that the conveying device (100) defines a closed circulating conveying path (29) which delimits an interior space (33) enclosed by the conveying path (29) and an exterior space (31) delimited therefrom, wherein the fluid application station (53) arranged in the interior space (33) and/or the exterior space (31) acts from the outside and/or from the inside via a robotic system (35).

26. System (1) according to one of claims 24 or 25, characterized in that the fluid application station (53) comprises at least one fluid applicator (57), in particular a plurality of fluid applicators (57), wherein in particular the number of fluid applicators (57) is adapted to a case capacity and/or the fluid applicators (57) are micro-dosing valves.

27. System (1) according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the fluid applicators (57) dispense a synthetic fluid, in particular a synthetic sealant.

28. System (1) according to one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the fluid applicators (57) dispense a plurality of drops of the fluid into an annular joint between the ignition element (7) and the case (3) during a circular movement.

29. System (1) according to one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that the drops are dispensed in a tact in the range from 3 Hz to 4000 Hz, in particular in the range from 50 Hz to 3500 Hz, in the range from 100 Hz to 3000 Hz, in the range from 250 Hz to 2000 Hz or in the range from 300 Hz to 1000 Hz.

30. System (1) according to one of claims 24 to 29, characterized in that the fluid is distributed uniformly, wherein an annular layer has a deviation of not more than 20 nl/mm of annular circumferential width, in particular not more than 1 nl/mm of annular circumferential width, preferably not more than 0.1 nl/mm of annular circumferential width.

31. System (1) according to one of claims 24 to 30, characterized in that the fluid is distributed uniformly with a plurality of drops, wherein in particular the annular layer comprises more than 0.2 drops/mm of annular circumferential width, in particular more than 1 drop/mm of annular circumferential width, preferably more than 2 drops/mm of annular circumferential width.

32. System (1) according to one of claims 24 to 31, characterized in that a nozzle which is fluidically connected to the micro-dosing valve and has an outlet diameter in the range from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular in the range from 0.1 mm to 3 mm or in the range from 0.2 mm to 0.1 mm, dispenses the annular joint lacquer.

33. System (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, in particular for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, a conveying device (100) for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device (100) defines a conveying path (29); characterized in that one of the plurality of production stations is a quality monitoring station (59), in which the case (3) and the projectile are monitored individually before assembly.

34. System (1) according to claim 33, characterized in that the quality monitoring station (59) is equipped with at least one optical detection device, such as a camera (61).

35. System (1) according to claims 33 to 34, characterized in that an optical camera (61) is directed at the case (3).

36. System (1) according to one of claims 33 to 35, characterized in that the optical camera (61) takes a plurality of images of each ammunition part of the conveying device (100) carrying ammunition parts, in order to evaluate a quality of the ammunition parts on the basis of the plurality of images.

37. System (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, in particular an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station (11) and/or a projectile insertion station (19), for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the system (1), a plurality of quality control stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station (17), a propellant filling station (15) a projectile assembly station (21), a projectile marking station (23) and/or a discharge station (25) for transporting the produced ammunition (101) out of the production process of the system (1); and a conveying device (100) for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device (100) defines a closed circulating conveying path (29) which delimits an interior space (33) enclosed by the conveying path (29) and an exterior space (31) delimited therefrom; characterized in that the conveying device (100) and the production stations are coordinated with one another in clock cycles and at least 2, 5, 10 or 12 ammunition parts per clock cycle are processed at the production stations to form an ammunition (101).

38. System (1) according to claim 37, characterized in that the conveying device (100) is forwarded to the next production station in a tact in the range from 10 h/min. to 60 h/min., in particular in the range from 20 h/min. to 50 h/min., preferably in the range from 25 h/min. to 35 h/min.

39. System (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, comprising: a plurality of production stations, in particular an ammunition part insertion station, preferably a case insertion station (11) and/or a projectile insertion station (19), for inserting at least one of the plurality of ammunition parts into the production process of the system (1), a plurality of quality control stations, at least one ammunition part processing station, for example a case forming station (17), a propellant filling station (15), a projectile assembly station (21), a projectile marking station (23) and/or a discharge station (25) for transporting the produced ammunition (101) out of the production process of the system (1); and a conveying device (100) for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from and/or between the plurality of production stations, wherein the conveying device (100) defines a closed circulating conveying path (29) which delimits an interior space (33) enclosed by the conveying path (29) and an exterior space (31) delimited therefrom; characterized in that the conveying path (29) comprises a rail (63) oriented in the direction of the interior space (33) and/or exterior space (31), which rail extends along the conveying path (29) and fixes a coupling interface (65) of the conveying device (100) in a provision position (67).

40. System (1) according to claim 39, wherein the rail (63) is produced from a material with a coefficient of sliding friction with respect to steel of less than 0.20, in particular less than 0.1 or less than 0.08.

41. System (1) according to one of claims 39 to 40, wherein the upper rail (63) is produced from a wear-resistant plastic, in particular from a thermoplastic polymer, wherein in particular the plastic is selected from the group consisting of PEEK, POM, Iglidur, PTFE, UHMWPE, PAI and mixtures thereof.

42. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a device for marking, in particular writing, lasing, embossing or printing, at least one of the ammunition parts, in particular all of the ammunition parts held by the conveying device (100).

43. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the production stations can be displaced in particular individually between a production position, in which the production stations can act on the ammunition parts and/or the conveying device (100), and a passive position, such as a maintenance position, in which the production stations are set back in relation to the ammunition parts and/or the conveying device.

44. System (1) according to claim 43, wherein the production stations (100) each comprise a drive for displacing the respective production station, wherein in particular the drive is independent of a respective production station-specific manipulation device for acting on the ammunition parts and/or the conveying device.

45. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device(s) (100) is/are mounted movably, in particular guided, on a rail (63) extending along the conveying path (29) and is/are held on the rail (63) by a holding force oriented in particular in the horizontal direction.

46. System (1) according to claim 45, wherein the conveying devices (100) are mounted removably on the rail (63), in particular by overcoming the holding force, in particular magnetic holding force, between the conveying device (100) and rail (63).

47. System (1) according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the rail (63) comprises at least one bearing and/or guide surface (83, 85) for the conveying device(s) (100), wherein in particular a guide surface (83, 85) oriented in particular in the horizontal direction provides the holding force, in particular magnetic holding force.

48. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device(s) (100) and a rail (63) extending along the conveying path (29), on which rail the conveying device(s) (100) is/are mounted movably guided in particular, form a magnetic levitation system.

49. Method for the automated production of ammunition (101), which consists of a plurality of ammunition parts, in particular a case (3), an ignition element (7), a projectile and a propellant, in particular by means of a system (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 41, wherein the method is designed in such a way that the system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 48 can carry out the method steps.

Description

[0094] Further advantages, features, and properties of the invention are explained by the following description of preferred embodiments of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0095] FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematic principle sketches of exemplary embodiments of a system according to the invention;

[0096] FIG. 3 shows a schematic principle sketch in greater detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention;

[0097] FIG. 4 shows a schematic principle sketch of a section of the system according to FIG. 3; and

[0098] FIGS. 5 to 19 show further schematic principle sketches of further sections of the system from FIG. 3.

[0099] In the present description of exemplary embodiments of the present inventions, a system 1 according to the invention, also called an assembly system 1 or laboratory system 1, is generally designated by the reference numeral 1, the conveying device 100 or the workpiece carrier 100 for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from, and/or between the plurality of production stations is generally designated by the reference numeral 100. The finished ammunition 101 is designated by the reference numeral 101.

[0100] According to the exemplary embodiments of the assembly system 1 according to the invention in FIGS. 1-3, the assembly system 1 comprises at least the following production stations: A case insertion station 11, which is designed to insert cases 3 into the conveying device 100; a projectile insertion station 13, which is designed to insert projectiles 5 into the conveying device 100; a propellant filling station 15, which is designed to fill cases 3 with propellant powder 9; an ignition element supply station 49 for supplying ignition elements 7 and an ignition element insertion station 47, in which the ignition elements 7 are inserted into the conveying devices 100; several quality monitoring stations 59 and quality control stations 69 for ensuring the quality of the ammunition 101 optically and/or tactilely, and a discharge station 25 for finally discharging the finished ammunition 101.

[0101] The conveying device 100 for holding the plurality of ammunition parts and for transporting the plurality of ammunition parts to, from, and/or between the plurality of production stations 11, 13, 15, 59, 59, 25 defines a closed circulating conveying path 29, which delimits an interior space 33 enclosed by the conveying path 29 and an exterior space 31 delimited therefrom. The conveying path 29 is constructed according to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1-3 from two parallel linear sections 27 connected by curved sections 43 to form a racetrack-shaped conveying path profile. The production stations 11, 13, 15, 59, 59, 25 are arranged laterally to the conveying path 29 in the interior space 33 (FIG. 1) or in the exterior space 31 (FIG. 2) of the conveying path 29.

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, schematic principle sketches of exemplary embodiments of a system 1 according to the invention are shown. FIG. 1 shows a system arrangement in which the ammunition components are introduced into the system 1 from the outside. FIG. 2 shows the reversed approach, in which the ammunition components are brought into the conveying devices 100 from the interior space 33. The principal production process is the same in both system arrangements according to FIGS. 1 and 2. Both system principles have the following production process: A conveying device 100 located in a buffer zone 45 is fed to the case insertion station 11 via a curved section 43. This is followed by a projectile insertion station 13, in which the projectiles 5 are fed to the conveying device 100. The entire conveying device 100 with the projectiles 5 and cases 3 located thereon is then subjected to an optical inspection at a quality monitoring station 59. In the subsequent stations, an ignition element 7 is first introduced into the system 1 via an ignition element supply station 49, then transferred with a slide 51 in an ignition element insertion station 47, and finally inserted into the rear of the case 3. After insertion, the ignited cases 3 are calibrated at a case forming station 17 and then sealed with ring joint lacquer at a fluid application station 53. The conveying devices 100 are then guided through a second curved section 43, followed by another linear section 27 with several production stations. Before the cases 3 are filled with propellant powder 9 at the propellant filling station 15, it is checked at a quality monitoring station 59 whether the ignition elements 7 have been properly received in the cases 3. After filling, the fill level is checked at a quality control station 69, in particular tactilely. The actual assembly of the projectile 5 and the case 3 takes place in two stages: first, the projectile 5 is only lightly placed on the case 3 at the projectile insertion station 19, and finally pressed into the case 3 in a subsequent step at the projectile assembly station 21. The finalized ammunition 101 is then checked at a quality monitoring station 59 and/or a quality control station 69 and finally discharged via a discharge station 25.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows a detailed representation of the system 1, showing a particular feature of the system 1. To increase production capacity or production safety, it is possible for the system 1 to have at least two propellant filling stations 15 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F. This special arrangement allows two conveying devices 100 to be filled with propellant powder 9 in one cycle. This has the effect that the propellant powder 9 has more time per cycle to trickle into the case 3, leading to increased dosing accuracy. Labor-intensive stations can generally be duplicated in the system 1 according to the invention so that the workload of one station is halved accordingly. An example of a labor-intensive step is the feeding and inserting of ignition elements 7 into the rear of the case 3. For this purpose, an exemplary embodiment of the system 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3, which has two ignition element supply stations 49 for loading the ignition element insertion station 47 with ignition elements 7 and are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F. In FIG. 3, the ignition element insertion station 47 is arranged between the ignition element supply stations 49 in the conveying direction F. This has the advantage that the production capacity can be significantly increased since operations can be carried out in parallel.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 4, which shows a detailed section from FIG. 3, several production stations after filling with propellant powder 9 are shown. As already described, after filling, the charge is measured by sensors. This is done at a quality control station 69, which can be equipped with tactile and/or non-contact sensors. After this quality control station 69, the projectile 5 is applied to the case 3 in two stages. The conveying device 100 can have an ammunition part receptacle 75 attached to it, in which the projectiles 5 are arranged, and possibly another ammunition part receptacle 75 for the cases 3, with the ammunition part receptacles 75 being pivotably mounted relative to each other, so that by a pivoting movement of one of the ammunition part receptacles 75 relative to the other at the projectile insertion station 19, the projectiles 5 can be placed on the cases 3. As a result, the projectile 5 is coaxially centered above the case 3 and is inserted into the case 3 by a multiple punch set in the projectile assembly station 21 with a linear movement, in particular simultaneously. A particular feature of the production process shown in FIG. 4 is that the pivoting movement at the projectile insertion station 19 is carried out by the ammunition part receptacle 75 of the motorless conveying device 100. The necessary activation or movement energy required to manipulate the conveying device 100 can be supplied from outside, for example by a motor 77. Furthermore, the conveying device 100 is designed with a coupling interface 65, in particular matched in terms of shape and/or aligned with respect to a motor-side coupling interface 65, so that the workpiece carrier 100 can move into the motor-side coupling interface 65 for connection to the motor 77. According to the embodiment of the conveying device 100 shown in FIG. 4, the coupling interfaces 65 are designed for form-fitting engagement as a tongue-and-groove system 73. Furthermore, a case forming station 17 is shown in FIG. 4, which fixes the projectile 5 not only by force but also by form with the case 3. This case forming process at the case forming station 17 is also called crimping. Before the ammunition 101 can be discharged at the discharge station 25, it must be checked for its geometric condition at a quality control station 69. This process is also called loadability control and is carried out in particular tactilely, with each finished ammunition 101 being pressed into a cavity representing the maximum permissible outer geometry, which is also called loadability control using a loadability gauge.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 5, which shows a detailed section from FIG. 4 and thus also from FIG. 3, several production stations up to the final discharge and transport in a discharge direction A are shown. The representation in FIG. 5 is tilted by about 45, showing a carrier base 37 and a support column 39. A robotic system 35 for discharging the ammunition 101 is mounted on the support column 39 according to FIG. 4. The discharge station 25 can serve to discharge rejects from the production process on the one hand and to place the finished ammunition 101 parallel on a conveyor belt and finally transport it in the discharge direction A on the other hand. Another production station of the system 1 according to the invention is a projectile marking station 23 according to FIG. 5, which consists only of a fluid applicator 57. This fluid applicator 57 of the projectile marking station 23, which is attached downstream of the loadability control, can apply various fluid connections and thus fulfill various purposes. It is conceivable that in addition to marking the ammunition 101 (e.g., tracer ammunition), a sealing medium (e.g., Hernon or Permabond) is also applied. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a medium is applied to the gap between the projectile 5 and the case 3, which makes the ammunition 101 more weapon-friendly and/or precise.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 6, which shows a further detailed section from FIG. 3, the ignition element insertion stations 47 and ignition element supply stations 49 arranged side by side in the conveying direction F are shown. According to the embodiment of the system 1 shown in FIG. 6, the ignition elements 7 are supplied aligned in a cassette 79 of the ignition element insertion station 47. The cassette 79 is adapted to the arrangement of the ammunition parts held by the conveying device 100, so that in particular the simultaneous insertion of multiple ignition elements 7 is simplified.

[0107] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a section of an assembly system 1 according to the invention with a parallel-acting propellant filling station 15. The system 1 shown in FIG. 7 has two propellant filling stations 15 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F. The propellant filling station 15 operates volumetrically according to FIG. 7, which has a positive effect on the productivity of the assembly system 1. The propellant filling station 15 serves to simultaneously fill cases 3 with propellant powder 9. This means that the filling of the cases 3 is carried out in one operation without a change of direction. The propellant filling station 15 is designed for small caliber ammunition, which typically fills the ammunition 101 with one- or two-base spherical, tubular, rod or flake-shaped powder. The two propellant filling stations 15 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F are part of a unit according to FIG. 7, which has two separate propellant filling stations 15 or units arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F, at which the propellant powder 9 is dispensed.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 8, which shows a detailed section from FIG. 3, several production stations, in particular the case insertion station 11 and the projectile insertion station 13 for inserting the ammunition parts, are shown. Here, the ammunition components are introduced into the conveying device 100 laterally via a robotic system 35 designed as a slide. The cases 3 are introduced into the conveying device 100 with the case mouth first in the case insertion station 11 according to FIG. 8. The case receiving cavities of the conveying device 100 are rotated so that the case 3 and the case receiving cavities are aligned, allowing the robotic system 35 to slide the cases 3 into the cavity from the side. The projectile insertion station 19 follows a similar principle. Here, however, the projectiles 5 are slid into the upper cavities of the conveying devices 100 by a robotic system 35. According to FIG. 8, a transfer station is located between the case insertion station 11 and the projectile insertion station 13, where a rail 63 oriented towards the interior space 33 extends along the conveying path 29 and has a coupling interface 65 designed analogously to a tongue-and-groove system 73 and can bring the conveying device 100 into a standby position via a motor 77.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 9, which shows a greatly enlarged and perspective detailed section of FIG. 3, an optical quality monitoring station 59 is shown. According to FIG. 9, the quality monitoring station 59 is equipped with 3 cameras 61. The cameras 61 are directed at both the case 3 and the projectile 5. Thus, it is possible to take multiple images of each case 3 and each projectile 5 and subsequently evaluate them mechanically, manually, or using artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, or machine learning.

[0110] Another feature of the system 1 according to the invention is the special type of sealing and/or marking of the annular joint 55 using fluid applicators 57 arranged side by side in the conveying direction F. According to the embodiment of the system 1 shown in FIG. 10, the fluid application station 53 has multiple fluid applicators 57, with the number of fluid applicators 57 being adapted to the case capacity and/or the number of cases 3 held by the conveying device 100. The robotic system 35 of the system 1 shown in FIG. 10 can perform a circular movement. These measures allow the fluid mass to be applied particularly efficiently and specifically and in the correct metered quantity. The fluid application station 53 of FIG. 10 can be equipped with sealing medium and/or color medium. The color medium is used in particular for recognition purposes in subsonic ammunition. The fluid applicators 57 dispense multiple drops of the fluid mass onto the annular joint 55 during a circular movement. According to a further exemplary embodiment, at least one fluid applicator 57 is designed as a valve that pulses drops onto the case 3. The conveying device 100 moves through the processing station with a defined speed profile within the station-specific total throughput time.

[0111] FIG. 11 shows a way to design at least parts of the system 1 modularly. An extension arm 81, consisting of a carrier base 37 and a support column 39, can be equipped with various end effectors. Possible modular end effectors that can be mounted on a support column 39 according to FIG. 11 include precise positioning devices, to which fluid applicators 57, quality monitoring stations 59, or other actuators such as motors 77 can be attached.

[0112] FIG. 13 shows another section in a perspective view of a system 1 according to the invention, focusing on a conveying device 100 arranged on a rail 63. The embodiment according to FIG. 13 differs from the previous embodiments in terms of the coupling of the conveying device 100 and the rail 63. As schematically indicated by the arrow with the reference sign M, there is a magnetic holding force oriented in the horizontal direction H between the conveying device 100 and the rail 63, which holds the conveying device 100 on the rail 63. According to the embodiment in FIG. 13, the conveying device 100 is free from a form-fit or locking engagement with the rail 63. The coupling is achieved by pairs of bearing and/or guiding surfaces 83, 87 and 85, 89 assigned to each other. The guiding surface 85 of the rail 63 is formed by a support 91 for the conveying device 100, namely for a bearing projection 93, which projects from the flat, magnetic bearing and/or guiding surface 87 and rests with its bearing and/or guiding surface 89 on the support 91.

[0113] FIG. 14 shows the section from FIG. 13 in a top view. It shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the system 1 according to the invention. The rail 63 and the guiding device 100 together form a magnetic levitation system, as evidenced by the narrow gap a between the opposing magnetic bearing and/or guiding surfaces 83, 87. Thus, the conveying device 100 is at least vertically supported by the bearing projection 93 on the support 91 and can otherwise float contact-free and friction-free in the area of the opposing bearing and/or guiding surfaces 87, 89 during a relative movement of the conveying device 100 relative to the rail 63.

[0114] FIGS. 15 and 16 relate to the same embodiment as FIGS. 13 and 14, with the conveying device 100 partially dismounted from the rail 63. The dismounting can be achieved according to the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 13-16 simply by overcoming the magnetic holding force (arrow M) between the conveying device 100 and the rail 63. For subsequent re-mounting of the conveying device 100 onto the rail 63, the conveying device 100 is essentially reintroduced to the rail in the opposite direction, in particular until the magnetic holding force M begins to pull the conveying device 100 towards the rail 63.

[0115] FIG. 12 shows another section of the system 1 according to the invention, namely a device 95 for marking, in particular labeling, lasering, embossing, printing, or the like, at least one of the ammunition parts. According to the embodiment in FIG. 12, the device 95 can be designed to mark all ammunition parts held by a conveying device 100 in one process step. For example, the device 95 is designed to be arranged immediately after the case insertion station 11 and/or to mark a case bottom with an individual identification that can be read by downstream production stations.

[0116] FIGS. 17-19 show a further exemplary embodiment of systems 1 according to the invention. The individual production stations, exemplified in FIGS. 17-19 by the case insertion station 11 and the projectile insertion station 13, can be individually movable between a production position, indicated by the reference sign (A), in which the production stations 11, 13 can act on the ammunition parts and/or the conveying device 100, and a passive position, indicated by the reference sign (B). The passive position (B) can also be understood as a maintenance position, in which the respective production station can be maintained, repaired, or subjected to other inspection or reworking measures.

[0117] As can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 18, 19 with FIG. 17, the projectile insertion station 13 is retracted in the passive position (B) compared to the production position (A), i.e., moved away from the rail 63 on which the conveying devices 100 with the ammunition parts are located. The individual stations each have their own drive 103, 105 for moving the respective production station 11, 13. It can be seen that the drives 103, 105 are independent of a respective production-station-specific manipulation device 97, 99 for acting on the ammunition parts or the conveying device 100. Both the electronic control and the mechanical power transmission components, such as gears, etc., can be designed independently of each other and in particular individually controllable.

[0118] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the figures, and the claims can be significant both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in various embodiments.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

[0119] 1 Assembly/Laboratory system [0120] 3 Case [0121] 5 Projectile [0122] 7 Ignition element [0123] 9 Propellant powder [0124] 11 Case insertion station [0125] 13 Projectile insertion station [0126] 15 Propellant filling station [0127] 17 Case forming station [0128] 19 Projectile insertion station [0129] 21 Projectile assembly station [0130] 23 Projectile marking station [0131] 25 Discharge station [0132] 27 Linear section [0133] 29 Conveying path [0134] 31 Exterior space [0135] 33 Interior space [0136] 35 Robotic system [0137] 37 Carrier base [0138] 39 Support column [0139] 43 Curved section [0140] 45 Buffer zone [0141] 47 Ignition element insertion station [0142] 49 Ignition element supply station [0143] 51 Slide [0144] 53 Fluid application station [0145] 55 Annular joint [0146] 57 Fluid applicator [0147] 59 Quality monitoring station [0148] 61 Camera [0149] 63 Rail [0150] 65 Coupling interface [0151] 67 Provision position [0152] 69 Quality control station [0153] 71 Carrier base [0154] 73 Tongue-and-groove system [0155] 75 Ammunition part receptacle [0156] 77 Motor [0157] 79 Cassette [0158] 81 Extension arm [0159] 83,85,87,89 Bearing and/or guiding surface [0160] 91 Support [0161] 93 Bearing projection [0162] 95 Device for marking [0163] 97,99 Manipulation device [0164] 100 Conveying device [0165] 101 Ammunition [0166] 103,105 Drive [0167] V, H Vertical direction or horizontal direction [0168] a Distance [0169] M Magnetic force [0170] F Conveying direction [0171] A Discharge direction