Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-14
2003-09-09
Dunn, Tom (Department: 1725)
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
Reexamination Certificate
active
06617545
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and a device for machining of components particularly applied in the production of metal plates, preferably on laser welding of various metal platelike components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention mainly relates to a method for machining of at least one component consisting of a nonmagnetic material, in which the component is positioned on at least one clamping magnet arranged on a machining table. At least one clamping element consisting of a magnetic material is arranged on the component side averting the clamping magnet. Subsequently the clamping elements are activated, thus fixing the component by the aid of the clamping magnet in its position on the machining table. A device accordingly designed and built also belongs to the field of this invention.
In the method described herein above, it is known from prior art to connect the clamping element, for example in the form of a magnetizable steel plate, vertically adjustable with the machining table. If a nonmagnetic component to be machined is laid onto the component support of the machining table, the clamping element is moved down and pressed by means of activating the clamping magnets against the component to be machined. Subsequently a machining of the component fixed in this manner is possible. After machining, the clamping element is raised again so that the machined component can be passed on for further machining or transport. Here too, the configuration of a vertically adjustable clamping element calls for quite substantial space. The movable arrangement of the clamping element moreover burdens the design expenditure in the field of the machining table so that the space available in the area of the machining table is narrowed for other applications and machining possibilities.
Moreover, the invention relates to a method in which a first machining table is arranged in a charging position, and a second machining table in a machining position within the working area of a machining device. At least one component is positioned and fixed in a first step on the first machining table, whereupon the first machining table is shifted to the machining position and the second machining table to the charging position, using adjustment means for this purpose. At least one component is machined by the machining device and then taken away by the first machining table. At the same time, at least one component is arranged and fixed on the second machining table. Subsequently, both machining tables are so adjusted that they change their positions, i.e. the first machining table is positioned again into the charging position and the second machining table into the machining position. An appropriately configured device to execute this method is known.
Known from prior art as per DE 195 26 466 C1 is such a method and an appropriate device for cutting and/or welding of metal plates. In the known method, a multitude of machining tables are used which are transported in revolving a mode, running through a multitude of positions as described in the following. In a first position, a first component is positioned and fixed on the machining table. In a second position lying at a certain distance, a second component is so arranged on the machining table that it rests flush to the first component. In a third position, the two components are connected to each other by the aid of a machining device, sliding the machining table through the machining area of the machining device. In a fourth position, the finished component is taken-off from the machining table. Subsequently, the machining table is transported back to the first position, its home position. Though this method allows for a clearly defined flow of material from the first to the fourth position of the machining table, it calls for a very large space, particularly demanded by the transportation facility for transport of the machining tables.
In
FIGS. 22
to
24
of the attached drawing, other methods and devices known by prior art are shown which particularly illustrate the flow of material as well as the great demand for space required in each case.
FIG. 22
shows a machining table BT on which the two pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
are positioned in Step I. In Step II the machining table BT is shifted to a working area (shown in dotted lines) of a machining device BE with a field portal FP so that the two pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
can be welded to each other. In Step IV, the machining table BT is reset back to its home position and the finished product FP is taken-off in Step IV. Apart from a flow of material that crosses and/or runs opposite to itself, this configuration bears the disadvantage of a slow cycle time. For before it is possible to arrange new pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
on the machining table BT, it is first required to take-off the finished product FP.
FIG. 23
shows the course of another procedure which employs a second machining table BT
2
in addition to the aforementioned method. In Step I, the pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
are positioned and fixed on the machining table BT
1
arranged in the charging position, subsequently shifting the machining table BT
1
in Step II into the working area of the machining device BE. Then, in Step IV, the machining table BT
1
is reset back into its home position in which the finished product FP is taken-off in Step IV. In parallel thereto, but staggered in time, the same procedure runs with machining table BT
2
. Thus, the machining device can work more effectively, because two pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
can be processed to one finished product FP consecutively and almost without any time delay. But the disadvantages here too, are the great demand for space which is particularly needed by the much bigger configuration of the machining device. Other disadvantages result from the non-linear flow of material as well as due to the circumstance that the pre-blanks are laid-in and the finished blanks taken-off at different positions.
FIG. 24
, conversely, shows an arrangement composed of four machining tables BT
1
to BT
4
which are arranged on a circular machining platform. In a first position, the two pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
are positioned on the machining table BT
1
in Step I. In Step II, the platform is turned by 90° so that the machining table BT
1
is arranged in the working area of a machining device BE
1
. The machining of the two pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
takes place there.
By another rotation of the machining platform by 90°, another machining device BE
2
is reached which allows for any further machining of the just welded pre-products. By another turn in Step IV, the machining table gets into the take-off position in which the finished product is taken-off in Step V. By another rotation by 90° in Step VI, the machining table gets back into its home position and can be provided with another two pre-blanks VP
1
and VP
2
.
From the illustrated working mode, the relevant device evidences a substantial space demand, because the machining platform, in particular, must have a suitable diameter in order to be able to machine pre-blanks of a usual size with dimensions in a range from 1 to 5 m.
Moreover, this invention also relates to a method for the provision of components in which a first pile of components is arranged in a first take-up area and a second pile of components in a second take-up area. With a reclaimer device, the components are then reclaimed either from the first pile or from the second pile. A device suitable for the execution of this method also belongs to the field of this invention.
FIGS. 25 and 26
of the attached drawing show two devices for the provision of components for the execution of the generic method.
FIG. 25
shows two take-up areas identified as security areas SB
1
and SB
2
where pallets PA
1
and PA
2
can be positioned, for example by the aid of fork-lift trucks. Arranged on pallets PA
1
and PA
2
each are piles of equal pre-blanks VP. In the first Step I, the pallet PA
1
is shifted into the take-off area shown in dotted lines. F
Dunn Tom
Johnson Jonathan
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
Thyssenkrupp Technologies AG
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