MECHANICAL DEVICE FOR SEPARATING A WORKPIECE PART FROM A SCRAP SKELETON

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 102024130 461.8, filed on October 21, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mechanical device for separating a workpiece part provided as a processing product of cutting processing of a plate-type workpiece, in particular a metal sheet, from a scrap skeleton provided as a further processing product of the workpiece cutting processing under the effect of gravity from a combined product consisting of the scrap skeleton and the workpiece part.

BACKGROUND

When processing sheet metal by cutting using a cutting device, for example a laser cutting device, the resulting products are sheet metal parts and a scrap skeleton that at least partly surrounds the sheet metal parts. To simplify removal of the processing products from the cutting device, the sheet metal parts are not completely cut away from the scrap skeleton during sheet metal cutting processing. Instead, microjoints or nanojoints are left between the scrap skeleton and the sheet metal parts, which allow the scrap skeleton and the sheet metal parts to be handled as a unit during unloading of the cutting device. It is also conceivable for sheet metal parts produced during sheet metal cutting processing to be held in the scrap skeleton due to thermal stresses arising or as a result of tilting after the cutting process. Separation of the sheet metal parts from the scrap skeleton takes place in a method step following the sheet metal cutting processing.

The prior art in this area is disclosed in JP 2000094057 A. The prior art relates to a mechanical assembly and to a method for sheet metal processing by punching. At a punching station of the mechanical assembly, sheet metal parts and a scrap skeleton are produced from a sheet metal panel, the sheet metal parts being connected to the scrap skeleton via microjoints after completion of the sheet metal punching processing. The combined product consisting of the scrap skeleton and the sheet metal parts connected thereto is moved to a separating station, where a plurality of pairs of rollers succeed one another in a direction of movement of the scrap skeleton and the sheet metal parts and are offset alternately upward and downward relative to one another and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the scrap skeleton and the sheet metal parts. A gap is formed between the rollers of each roller pair. Coming from the punching station, the scrap skeleton with the sheet metal parts passes through the gap past multiple roller pairs succeeding one another in the direction of movement. Due to the mutual offset of the roller pairs, the scrap skeleton with the sheet metal parts is bent multiple times as it passes through the roller pairs. At the same time, the scrap skeleton with the sheet metal parts is caused to vibrate perpendicularly to the direction of movement. As a result, the microjoints remaining between the scrap skeleton and the sheet metal parts during sheet metal punching processing break, and the sheet metal parts detached from the scrap skeleton fall onto a product deposit area arranged below the roller pairs of the separating station.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanical device for separating a workpiece part provided as a processing product of a cutting processing of a plate-type workpiece from a scrap skeleton provided as a further processing product of the workpiece cutting processing under an effect of gravity from a combined product comprising the scrap skeleton and the workpiece part. The mechanical device includes a holding device, a separating unit, and a product deposit area. The holding device is configured for immobilization, effective in a direction of gravity, of the combined product before separation of the workpiece part, and for immobilization, effective in the direction of gravity, of the scrap skeleton after separation of the workpiece part. The separating unit is configured to detach the workpiece part from the combined product immobilized by the holding device. The product deposit area is arranged at a vertical distance below the combined product immobilized by the holding device and is configured for deposition of the workpiece part detached from the combined product by the separating unit under the effect of gravity. The mechanical device further includes a distance-adjusting device configured to set the vertical distance between the product deposit area and the combined product immobilized by the holding device as a function of a geometry of the workpiece part detached from the combined product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter of the present disclosure will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. All features described and/or illustrated herein can be used alone or combined in different combinations. The features and advantages of various embodiments will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 shows a first construction of a mechanical device for separating sheet metal parts from a scrap skeleton resulting from sheet metal cutting processing according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a second construction of a mechanical device for separating sheet metal parts from a scrap skeleton resulting from sheet metal cutting processing according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 3 shows a third construction of a mechanical device for separating sheet metal parts from a scrap skeleton resulting from sheet metal cutting processing according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanical device for separating workpiece parts from a scrap skeleton which ensures orderly deposition of the workpiece parts separated from the scrap skeleton on a product deposit area of the mechanical device even when applications vary.

According to some embodiments, the mechanical device includes a holding device, a separating unit and a product deposit area. The holding device is configured for immobilization, effective in the direction of gravity, of the combined product before separation of the workpiece part and for immobilization, effective in the direction of gravity, of the scrap skeleton after separation of the workpiece part. The separating unit is configured to detach the workpiece part from the combined product immobilized by the holding device. The product deposit area is arranged at a vertical distance below the combined product immobilized by the holding device and is configured for deposition of the workpiece part detached from the combined product by the separating unit under the effect of gravity.

According to embodiments of the invention, the drop height for the workpiece parts separated from the scrap skeleton by the separating unit is set in an application-specific manner and as a function of the geometry of the workpiece parts. This inventive matching of the drop height for the workpiece parts to the geometry thereof enables the workpiece parts to be deposited in an orderly manner on the product deposit area under the effect of gravity, in particular to be stacked in an orderly manner. The downwardly falling workpiece parts are, for example, prevented from turning in an uncontrolled manner or from becoming inclined relative to the product deposit area or the workpiece parts are prevented from lying on top of one another in a disorderly manner on the product deposit area. Orderly deposition and the associated defined positioning of the workpiece parts on the product deposit area is particularly advantageous in cases where the product deposit area is unloaded automatically, for example using a robot. In addition, optimal setting of the drop height prevents damage to the workpiece parts deposited under the effect of gravity. Preferably, a minimum drop height is set for the workpiece parts.

One possible example of a criterion for determining drop height is the surface extent of the workpiece parts. According to some embodiments, the drop height for the workpiece parts detached from the scrap skeleton is determined and set as a function of the thickness of the workpiece parts. In trial applications of the mechanical assembly according to embodiments of the invention for separating sheet metal parts from a scrap skeleton, a drop height which is one millimeter to one centimeter greater than the sheet thickness has proven effective for the sheet metal parts.

According to some embodiments of the invention for application-related setting of the drop height for the workpiece parts detached from the scrap skeleton resulting from workpiece cutting processing. The distance-adjusting device can accordingly set just the vertical position of the holding device and of the combined workpiece part/scrap skeleton product immobilized thereon, or just the vertical position of the product deposit area, or both the vertical position of the holding device and the vertical position of the product deposit area.

For this purpose, according to some embodiments, a corresponding lifting device is provided as a distance-adjusting device.

Examples of possible lifting devices include a conventional chain hoist or a conventional rope hoist, by way of which the vertical position of the holding device and of the combined scrap skeleton/workpiece part product immobilized on the holding device can be set as a function of workpiece geometry, in particular as a function of workpiece thickness. In addition or alternatively, a height adjusting means of conventional construction, for instance a scissor lift mechanism, may be provided for the product deposit area. The height-adjustable product deposit area can be configured, for example, as a support table or as a conveyor belt. Options for a non-height-adjustable product deposit area are, for instance, a simple workpiece pallet or the supporting surface of the mechanical device according to embodiments of the invention.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance adjusting device comprises a spacer which is provided in the vertical direction between the holding device and a support structure, provided for the holding device, of the mechanical assembly according to embodiments of the invention and whose vertical dimensions can be varied.

In one advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the spacer between the holding device and the support structure thereof is configured as a compressed air bellows with variably adjustable vertical dimensions or as a spring bellows with variably adjustable vertical dimensions.

In the case of a further construction of the mechanical device according to embodiments of the invention, the separating unit has a vibration generator, by way of which the combined scrap skeleton/workpiece part product immobilized on the holding device is caused to vibrate vertically to detach the workpiece parts. In this case, the combined product is immobilized on the holding device in a manner effective not only in the direction of gravity but also in the opposing direction.

The vibration generator preferably acts on the holding device of the mechanical device according to embodiments of the invention.

According to some embodiments, a support structure is provided for the holding device to be caused to vibrate vertically. In order to prevent unwanted vibrations of the support structure and optionally of components connected to the support structure, the support structure is vibration-isolated as far as possible from the holding device by way of a spring damper device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer arranged between the support structure and the holding device forms the spring damper device. The spacer is variably adjustable in its vertical dimensions and is consequently also suitable for setting the drop height for the workpiece parts.

The separating unit can be used to set the drop height for the workpiece parts.

According to embodiments of the invention, a compressed-air bellows with variably adjustable vertical dimensions and/or a spring bellows with variably adjustable vertical dimensions are particular options for use as a spacer with a dual function.

The combined scrap skeleton/workpiece part product or the scrap skeleton alone are immobilized, preferably at the edge, by way of the holding device according to embodiments of the invention in a manner effective in the vertical direction. For this purpose, the holding device according to embodiments of the invention has at least one correspondingly configured holding member.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding device is provided with at least two holding members which are located opposite one another at a horizontal distance and which immobilize the edge of the combined product or the edge of the scrap skeleton in a manner effective in the vertical direction. To enable the holding device to be adapted to different formats of the combined product or of the scrap skeleton, the horizontal distance between the holding members is variably adjustable.

FIG. 1 shows a mechanical device 1 for separating workpiece parts in the form of sheet metal parts 2 from a scrap skeleton 3. The sheet metal parts 2 and the scrap skeleton 3 are processing products from sheet metal cutting processing using a laser cutting machine arranged away from the mechanical device 1 and not shown in the figures. During cutting processing using the laser cutting machine, microjoints 4 were left between the sheet metal parts 2 and the scrap skeleton 3 as well as between mutually adjacent sheet metal parts 2. Due to the microjoints 4, the sheet metal parts 2 and the scrap skeleton 3 in FIG. 1 form a combined product 5, which has been removed as a unit from the laser cutting machine and transferred to the mechanical device 1.

The combined product 5 consisting of the scrap skeleton 3 and the sheet metal parts 2 is immobilized on the mechanical device 1 in a manner effective in the direction of gravity by way of a holding device 6. The holding device 6 has a rigid base plate 7 and holding members configured as grippers 8. The grippers 8 grip the edge of the combined product 5, specifically the scrap skeleton 3, from below.

The horizontal distance between the grippers 8 can be variably adjusted in the direction of double-headed arrow 9 (horizontal adjustment direction) to adapt the holding device 6 to different combined product sizes. The grippers 8 are additionally adjustable in the direction of double-headed arrow 10 (vertical adjustment direction) relative to the base plate 7 of the holding device 6. By adjusting the grippers 8 in the vertical adjustment direction 10, the holding device 6 is adapted to varying thicknesses of the combined product. The grippers 8 are positioned in the vertical adjustment direction 10 in such a way that a gap 11 remains between the top side of the combined product 5 supported by the grippers 8 and the underside of the base plate 7 of the holding device 6, said gap having a width that is significantly smaller than the thickness of the combined product 5 and thus than the thickness of the sheet metal from which the combined product 5 was produced on the laser cutting machine.

Vibrators 12 of a vibration generator 13 are mounted on the top side of the base plate 7. In the exemplary case shown, unbalance exciters are provided as the vibrators 12. The vibration generator 13 forms a separating unit 14 together with the holding device 6.

The holding device 6 with the combined product 5 is caused to vibrate vertically by the vibration generator 13. As a result of vibration of the combined product 5, the microjoints 4 remaining between the individual parts of the combined product 5 break, and the sheet metal parts 2 are detached from the combined product 5 immobilized by way of the holding device 6. The sheet metal parts 2 detached from the combined product 5 fall under the effect of gravity onto a product deposit area arranged below the holding device 6. In FIG. 1, a pallet truck 15 of conventional construction is provided as the product deposit area.

In order for the sheet metal parts 2 detached from the combined product 5 to be deposited in an orderly manner on the pallet truck 15, a drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2 is set as a function of the geometry of the sheet metal parts 2 detached from the combined product 5. In the exemplary case shown, the drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2 is set as a function of the thickness of the sheet metal parts 2.

To set the drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2, the mechanical device 1 has a distance-adjusting device 16.

The distance-adjusting device 16 comprises two compressed air bellows 17, which are connected to a compressor 19 of the distance-adjusting device 16 provided with a pressure control unit 18.

The holding device 6 with the base plate 7 is supported on a support structure 20 of the mechanical device 1 in the direction of gravity via the compressed air bellows 17. The compressed air bellows 17 form spacers between the holding device 6 and the support structure 20. By applying a corresponding pressure to the compressed air bellows 17, the vertical dimensions of the compressed air bellows 17 and thus the vertical position of the holding device 6 and the drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2 immobilized on the holding device 6 as part of the combined product 5 are set to the desired value. As an alternative to the compressed air bellows 17, spring bellows of conventional construction with variably adjustable vertical dimensions would be conceivable.

During the vertical vibration of the holding device 6 generated by the vibration generator 13 to detach the sheet metal parts 2 from the combined product 5, the compressed air bellows 17 function as vertically elastic spring damper devices for vibration isolation of the support structure 20 relative to the holding device 6. The compressed air bellows 17 largely prevent the transmission of vertical vibrations from the holding device 6 to the support structure 20. Vibration isolation of the support structure 20 is of major importance inasmuch as the support structure 20, as a component of a higher-level automation unit of the laser cutting machine, is connected to further components of the automation unit.

After the sheet metal parts 2 have been detached from the combined product 5, the scrap skeleton 3 remains on the holding device 6. With the holding device 6 and the scrap skeleton 3 supported thereon, the support structure 20 moves into a position away from the pallet truck 15 loaded with the sheet metal parts 2. There, the grippers 8 are opened to deposit the scrap skeleton 3 on a scrap skeleton pallet provided for this purpose.

The pallet truck 15 is unloaded by an unloading robot. As a result of the orderly deposition of the sheet metal parts 2 on the pallet truck 15, the camera system of the unloading robot provided for part recognition is readily able to identify the sheet metal parts deposited on the pallet truck 25. The unloading robot can therefore reliably accept the sheet metal parts 2 from the pallet truck 15.

A mechanical device 30 as shown in FIG. 2 differs from the mechanical device 1 according to FIG. 1 in the technical arrangements for variable setting of the drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2 and for vibration decoupling of the holding device 6 from the support structure 20.

For variable setting of the fall height h for the sheet metal parts 2, the mechanical device 30 has a rope hoist 31 attached to the support structure 20 as a distance-adjusting device. Using a controlled drive 32 of the rope hoist 31, the separating unit 14 with the vibration generator 13 and the holding device 6 with the combined product 5 immobilized thereon is positioned in the vertical direction relative to the top side of the pallet truck 15 via the support structure 20 in such a way that the desired magnitude is obtained for the drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2. A corresponding chain hoist is also conceivable, instead of the rope hoist 31.

For vibration decoupling of the holding device 6, which is caused to vibrate vertically by way of the vibration generator 13, from the support structure 20 of the mechanical device 30, vertically elastic spring damper devices with spiral springs 33 are provided.

With a mechanical device 40 shown in FIG. 3, variable setting of the drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2 takes place by way of a height-adjustable support table 41. A pallet-like tabletop 42 is provided as a product deposit area for the sheet metal parts 2 of the combined product 5. The vertical distance between the tabletop 42 and the combined product 5 immobilized by way of the holding device 6 is set, as a function of the thickness of the sheet metal processed by cutting and the sheet metal parts 2, using a controlled height adjusting device 43 provided as a distance-adjusting device to a value at which orderly deposition on the tabletop 42 of the sheet metal parts 2 detached from the scrap skeleton 3 is ensured.

For vibration isolation of the support structure 20 relative to the holding device 6, in FIG. 3 a vertically elastic spring damper device with spring bellows 44 is provided.

The spring bellows 44 in FIG. 3 are not used to set the drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2. However, it is conceivable to combine the height-adjustable support table 41 shown in FIG. 3 with a distance-adjusting device 16 according to FIG. 1 or with a distance-adjusting device 31 according to FIG. 2. In this case, in order to set the optimal drop height h for the sheet metal parts 2, both the vertical position of the holding device 6 and the vertical position of the tabletop 42 of the support table 41 are set accordingly.

While subject matter of the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Any statement made herein characterizing the invention is also to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive as the invention is defined by the claims. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made, by those of ordinary skill in the art, within the scope of the following claims, which may include any combination of features from different embodiments described above.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.