阅读说明：本技术 移送板状的工件的移送装置和加工板状的工件的机器组件 (Transfer device for transferring plate-like workpiece and machine assembly for processing plate-like workpiece ) 是由 G·哈尼施 C·克诺贝尔 U·库普费尔施密特 P·沃茨克 N·舍丁 于 2021-06-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种移送装置(3),用于将板状工件在用于加工工件的机器组件(1)的功能单元(2)之外的位置和在功能单元(2)上的位置之间移送,所述移送装置(3)具有两个工件载体(6,7)且针对每个工件载体(6,7)具有一个运动轨(8,12)。在运动轨(8,12)的重叠区域中,工件载体(6,7)的运动轨(8,12)的一个轨车道设为共用轨车道(16)。其中每个工件载体(6,7)的运动轨(8,12)在运动轨(8,12)的重叠区域中附加于共用轨车道(16)还具有另一轨车道(17,18；29),所述另一轨车道与共用轨车道(16)沿移送方向(11)的横向方向在形成工件载体(6,7)的运动轨(8,12)的轨车道宽度(rt-(1),rt-(2))的情况下相互间隔开。本发明还涉及一种用于加工板状工件的机器组件(1),其具有功能单元(2)以及前述移送装置(3)。(A transfer device (3) for transferring plate-shaped workpieces between a position outside a functional unit (2) and a position on the functional unit (2) of a machine assembly (1) for machining workpieces, the transfer device (3) having two workpiece carriers (6, 7) and one motion rail (8, 12) for each workpiece carrier (6, 7). In the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12), one rail track of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) is provided as a common rail track (16). Wherein the movement rails (8, 12) of each workpiece carrier (6, 7) are in the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12)In addition to the common rail track (16), a further rail track (17, 18; 29) is provided, which, in a direction transverse to the transfer direction (11), has a rail track width (rt) of the movement rails (8, 12) forming the workpiece carriers (6, 7) with the common rail track (16) 1 ，rt 2 ) Are spaced apart from each other. The invention also relates to a machine assembly (1) for machining plate-shaped workpieces, comprising a functional unit (2) and the aforementioned transfer device (3).)

1. A transfer device for transferring plate-shaped workpieces, in particular sheet metal (4, 5), between a position outside a functional unit (2) and a position on the functional unit (2) of a machine assembly (1, 100) for machining the workpieces, having two workpiece carriers (6, 7) which are each designed for supporting a workpiece, having one movement rail (8, 12) for each of the workpiece carriers (6, 7),

wherein each of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) is movable in a transfer movement in a transfer direction (11) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) between a functionally remote position of the workpiece carrier (6, 7) and a functionally close position of the workpiece carrier (6, 7), wherein the functionally remote position of the workpiece carrier (6, 7) is assigned to a position of a workpiece supported by the workpiece carrier (6, 7) outside a functional unit (2) of the machine component (1, 100), wherein the functionally close position of the workpiece carrier (6, 7) is assigned to a position of a workpiece supported by the workpiece carrier (6, 7) on the functional unit (2),

wherein the movement track (8, 12) of each of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) extends in a transfer direction (11) and comprises two track lanes (9, 10; 13, 14) which extend in the transfer direction (11) with their longitudinal direction and which are at a track lane width (rt) forming the movement track (8, 12) in a transverse direction of the transfer direction (11)₁，rt₂) Are spaced apart from each other in the case of (1),

wherein the track lane width (rt) of the movement tracks (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7)₁，rt₂) Is differently dimensioned and is provided with a track having a larger track width (rt)₁) And a running rail (8) with a smaller rail track width (rt)₂) Of the other moving rail (12),

wherein the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) overlap one another in the transfer direction (11) in an overlap region of the movement rails (8, 12) which is spatially associated with the functional units (2) of the machine assembly (1),

wherein each of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) has a movement means forming a carrier lane width (pt) in a direction transverse to the transfer direction (11)₁，pt₂) Are spaced apart from each other in the case of (1),

wherein one of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) has a greater carrier lane width (pt)₁) And the other of the work piece carriers (6, 7) has a smaller carrier lane width (pt)₂) And the carrier lane widths (pt) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7)₁，pt₂) Track width (rt) of the moving rails (8, 9) adapted to the workpiece carriers (6, 7)₁，rt₂)，

Therein, with a larger carrier lane width (pt)₁) Is associated with a workpiece carrier (6) having a relatively large track width (rt)₁) With a smaller carrier track width (pt)₂) Is associated with a workpiece carrier (7) having a smaller track width (rt)₂) A moving rail (12) of the moving device,

wherein the movement means of each of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) comprises one of the tracks (9, 10; 13, 14) assigned in part to the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carrier (6, 7) and the other track (9, 10; 13, 14) assigned in part to the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carrier (6, 7), and the movement means is mounted on the tracks (9, 10; 13, 14) of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carrier (6, 7) so as to be movable in the transfer direction (11) for carrying out a transfer movement of the workpiece carrier (6, 7),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in the overlapping region of the movement tracks (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7), one of the track lanes of the movement tracks (9, 10; 13, 14) of the one of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) and one of the track lanes (9, 10; 13, 14) of the movement tracks (8, 12) of the other of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) form a common track lane (16) of the movement tracks (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7), the movement tracks (8, 12) of each of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) in addition to the common track lane (16) also comprise a further track lane (17, 18, 29), the further track lane (17, 18, 29) and the common track lane (16) form the workpiece carriers (6) in a direction transverse to the transfer direction (11), 7) track lane width (rt) of the moving rails (8, 12)₁，rt₂) Are spaced apart.

2. The transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that the common rail lane (16) of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) is configured as a guide lane, by means of which the workpiece carriers (6, 7) are guided in the transfer movement in the transfer direction (11).

3. The transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further track path (17, 18, 29) of the movement track (8, 12) of at least one of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) forms a bearing surface on its upper side facing the at least one workpiece carrier (6, 7), on which bearing surface the associated movement means of the at least one workpiece carrier (6, 7) are loosely supported in the transfer direction (11) and in a transverse direction of the transfer direction (11).

4. The transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) is spatially associated with a working region (15) of a processing unit which is provided as a functional unit (2) of the machine assembly (1) and is used for processing workpieces.

5. The transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for supporting the rail tracks (9, 10; 13, 14) of the movement rails (8, 9) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7), the transfer device has a carrying structure (21) which is arranged in the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) and which comprises at least one longitudinal carrying element (19, 20) and at least one transverse carrying element (24, 25), wherein the longitudinal carrying elements (19, 20) of the carrying structure (21) extend along the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) and the transverse carrying elements (24, 25) of the carrying structure (21) extend along the transverse direction of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7).

6. The transfer device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rail tracks (9, 10; 13, 14) of the movement rails (8, 9) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) each have a plurality of length sections which adjoin one another in the transfer direction (11) and are spaced apart from one another in terms of structure, of which length sections one length section each extends in the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7).

7. The transfer device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) there is provided a transfer device

A first further track lane (17) is provided, which forms a smaller track lane width (rt) with the common track lane (16) in a transverse direction of the transfer direction (11)₂) Are spaced apart in the case of (a),

a second further track lane (18) is provided in addition to the first further track lane (17), said second further track lane and the common track lane (16) forming a greater track lane width (rt) in the transverse direction of the transfer direction (11)₂) Are spaced apart.

8. The transfer device according to claim 7, characterized in that a covering device (26) is provided for the first further track lane (17), by means of which the first further track lane (17) can be covered on an upper side of the first further track lane (17) facing the workpiece carrier (6, 7).

9. The transfer device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover device (26) for the first further track (17) has a cover (27) which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (28) extending in the longitudinal direction of the first further track (17) into a functional position and into a non-functional position, wherein the cover (27) covers the first further track (17) on the upper side in the functional position and exposes the upper side of the first further track (17) in the non-functional position.

10. The transfer device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, in the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7), a further common rail lane (29) forms both the further rail lane of the movement rail (8, 12) of the one of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) and the further rail lane of the movement rail (8, 12) of the further workpiece carrier of the workpiece carriers (6, 7), in that the further common rail lane (29) can be fed by means of an adjusting device (31) in a direction transverse to the transfer direction (11) relative to the common rail lane (16) of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) to form a greater rail lane width (rt)₁) Or to form a smaller track lane width (rt)₂)。

11. The transfer device according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjusting device (31) for the further common rail track (29) has a feed mechanism (30) which is extendable and retractable in a direction transverse to the transfer direction (11), on which feed mechanism the further common rail track (29) is mounted and by means of which feed mechanism the further common rail track (29) can be fed in a direction transverse to the transfer direction (11).

12. A machine assembly for machining plate-shaped workpieces, in particular sheet metal materials (4, 5), having a functional unit (2) and having a transfer device (3) by means of which the workpiece can be transferred between a position outside the functional unit (2) and a position on the functional unit (2), characterized in that the transfer device (3) is configured according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The machine assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) extend in opposite directions starting from the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12), and the transfer movement for enabling the movement of the one of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) into the functionally close position and the functionally remote position is reversed with respect to the transfer movement for enabling the movement of the other one of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) into the functionally close position and the functionally remote position.

14. The machine assembly according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the machine assembly is configured for the separate machining of workpieces in that the functional unit (2) of the machine assembly has a machining device (22) for the separate machining of workpieces, and in that the overlapping region of the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) of the transfer device (3) is arranged in a working region (15) of the machining device (22) for the separate machining of workpieces, in which working region the workpieces supported by the workpiece carriers (6, 7) of the transfer device (3) are accessible to the machining device (22) for the separate machining.

15. The machine assembly according to one of the preceding claims, having a transfer device (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the carrying structure (21) of the transfer device (3) has two longitudinal carrying elements (19, 20) which extend along the movement rails (8, 12) of the workpiece carriers (6, 7) on both sides of a working area (15) of a machining unit provided as a functional unit (2) of the machine assembly (1) for machining workpieces, preferably for the divisional machining of workpieces.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a transfer device for transferring plate-shaped workpieces, in particular sheet metal, between a position outside a functional unit and a position on the functional unit of a machine component for processing the workpieces, having two workpiece carriers which are each designed for supporting a workpiece, having one movement rail for each of the workpiece carriers,

wherein each workpiece carrier is movable in a transfer movement in a transfer direction of the workpiece carrier between a functionally remote position of the workpiece carrier and a functionally close position of the workpiece carrier, wherein the functionally remote position of the workpiece carrier is assigned to a position of a workpiece supported by the workpiece carrier outside a functional unit of the machine component, wherein the functionally close position of the workpiece carrier is assigned to a position of a workpiece supported by the workpiece carrier on the functional unit,

wherein the movement track of each workpiece carrier extends in the transfer direction and comprises a track lane pair having two track lanes (bahnspurs) which extend in the transfer direction with their longitudinal direction and are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the transfer direction forming a track lane width of the movement track,

wherein the rail track widths of the movement rails of the workpiece carrier are dimensioned differently and are provided with one movement rail having a larger rail track width and one movement rail having a smaller rail track width,

wherein the movement rails of the workpiece carrier overlap one another in the transfer direction in an overlap region of the movement rails which is spatially associated with a functional unit of the machine component,

wherein each workpiece carrier has movement means which are spaced apart from one another in a direction transverse to the transfer direction forming a carrier lane width,

wherein one of the workpiece carriers has a larger carrier lane width and the other of the workpiece carriers has a smaller carrier lane width, these carrier lane widths of the workpiece carriers being matched to the rail lane width of the movement rails of the workpiece carriers,

wherein the workpiece carriers with the greater carrier lane width are assigned to the movement rails with the greater rail lane width and the workpiece carriers with the smaller carrier lane width are assigned to the movement rails with the smaller rail lane width,

the movement means of each workpiece carrier have one of the rail tracks which are assigned in part to the movement rails of the workpiece carrier and the other rail track which is assigned in part to the movement rails of the workpiece carrier, and the movement means are mounted on these rail tracks of the movement rails of the workpiece carrier so as to be movable in the transfer direction in order to carry out a transfer movement of the workpiece carrier.

The invention also relates to a machine assembly for machining plate-shaped workpieces, in particular sheet metal, having a functional unit and having the aforementioned transfer device, by means of which the workpiece can be transferred between a position outside the functional unit and a position on the functional unit.

Background

Such prior art is disclosed in DE 19859363 a 1.

The prior art relates to a sheet processing machine for processing different sheet specifications. A change table provided at the work cell of the sheet material processing machine is used for loading the work cell with sheet material to be processed and for removing processed sheet material from the work cell. In order to move between a position outside the working chamber and a position inside the working chamber, even during processing in the working chamber, the sheet material in question is supported on a drawer of the exchange table, which is provided as a work piece carrier. The exchange table comprises a total of three drawer parts for supporting the sheet material, which are arranged on two planes on the support structure of the exchange table. The entire drawer of the changing table can be moved in the direction of transport between a position outside the working chamber, which is remote from the processing position, and a position inside the working chamber, which is close to the processing position. Two small format drawers for supporting smaller format sheets are arranged next to one another on the support structure of the exchange table and are located above the large format drawer provided for supporting larger format sheets. The two small-sized drawer pieces have the same size and are respectively approximately half the width of the large-sized drawer piece along the transverse direction of the transferring direction. The longitudinal guide extending in the direction of transfer serves as a running rail along which the two small-format drawer parts and the large-format drawer part can run. For each drawer, two longitudinal guides are provided which are only defined for the drawer and on which the drawer is mounted so as to be movable with its edge extending in the direction of transport.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the application is to simplify the prior art in terms of construction.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a transfer device according to claim 1 and a machine assembly according to claim 12.

In the case of the invention, in the overlapping region of the movement tracks of the workpiece carriers, one track lane serves as a common track lane for the movement tracks of the two workpiece carriers. The common rail lane is constituted by one of the rail lanes of the one of the workpiece carriers and one of the rail lanes of the other one of the workpiece carriers. In order to carry out the transfer movement between the function-remote position and the function-close position, the workpiece carrier having the larger carrier lane width and the workpiece carrier having the smaller carrier lane width are supported on the common rail lane and are positioned functionally close to the common rail lane. In the overlap region of the rail-track pair, either the one workpiece carrier or the other workpiece carrier is arranged in a functionally close position.

The different dimensions of the width of the carrier track of the workpiece carrier follow the different dimensions of the width of the track of the movement path of the workpiece carrier. The different dimensions of the width of the carrier lane of the workpiece carrier are, according to the invention, particularly associated with the different dimensions of the extension of the workpiece carrier or of the support surface of the workpiece carrier provided for supporting the workpieces in the transverse direction of the transfer direction. In this case, the workpiece carrier with the larger carrier lane width is adapted to support a larger specification of workpieces than the workpiece carrier with the smaller carrier lane width can support.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following possibilities: the workpiece carrier is moved, in particular for different workpiece sizes, with a small structural effort between a position outside the functional unit and a position on the functional unit of the machine component for machining plate-like workpieces.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the machine assembly according to the invention is provided for over-dimensioning. The workpiece carrier, which has at least a greater carrier lane width, accordingly supports workpieces whose extent in the transfer direction is greater than the corresponding dimension of the working area of the machining unit, which is provided as a functional unit of the machine component.

Particular embodiments of the transfer device according to claim 1 and of the machine assembly according to claim 12 result from the dependent claims 2 to 11 and 13 to 15.

According to claim 2, the common rail track of the movement rails of the two workpiece carriers is advantageously also used for guiding the workpiece carriers in the transfer movement. The common rail track designed as a guide track can be, in particular, a profile track (profischiene). As a movement means on the workpiece carrier side, via which the workpiece carrier is supported for carrying out the transfer movement on the contour track, it is possible, for example, to consider running rollers which roll on the contour track with a concave running surface. Alternatively, guide shoes on the workpiece carrier side are also conceivable in particular, which are seated on a common contour track of the movement path of the workpiece carrier and together with the contour track form a sliding guide for the workpiece carrier.

The embodiment of the invention according to claim 3 is characterized by a simple design of the movement path of the workpiece carrier in addition to the further path of the common path. The cylindrical running roller can be supported as a movement means on the workpiece carrier side on the further rail track, which can be embodied as a flat rail.

As a functional unit of the machine assembly as an overlap region spatially associated with the movement paths of the workpiece carrier, a processing unit for processing plate-like workpieces can be considered according to claim 4. In this case, the overlap region of the movement paths of the workpiece carrier is arranged in the working region of the processing device of the processing unit. The machine assembly according to the invention has, in particular, a device for cutting the sheet material by means of a laser as a machining device. In addition or alternatively, the overlapping region of the movement paths of the workpiece carrier can also be spatially associated with a loading and/or unloading device provided for loading and/or unloading the workpiece carrier, for example.

According to claim 5, the transfer device according to the invention has a support structure for supporting the rail track of the movement rail of the workpiece carrier, which is arranged in the overlap region of the movement rail of the workpiece carrier. The carrier structure comprises at least one longitudinal carrier element and at least one transverse carrier element, wherein the longitudinal carrier element of the carrier structure extends along the movement path of the workpiece carrier and the transverse carrier element of the carrier structure extends in a transverse direction of the movement path of the workpiece carrier. The longitudinal support elements and/or the transverse support elements of the support structure can simultaneously also form the boundary of the functional units of the machine component, within which boundary the overlapping region of the movement rails of the workpiece carrier is arranged.

If the carrier structure is provided with two longitudinal carrier elements spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the movement track of the workpiece carrier and the spacing of the longitudinal carrier elements is adapted to the greater track width, the track lanes of the movement track with the greater track width bear on these longitudinal carrier elements. If the carrying structure has at least two transverse carrying elements which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the running rails, these transverse carrying elements of the carrying structure serve in particular for supporting the further rail track of the running rail having the smaller rail track width, which is provided in addition to the common rail track.

In a preferred embodiment of the machine assembly according to the invention, two longitudinal support elements of the support structure of the transfer device, which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the movement path of the workpiece carrier, delimit a working area of the processing device for processing, preferably dividing, the workpieces (claim 15).

In the case of a further inventive embodiment, at least one section of the overlapping region of the movement rails of the workpiece carrier is structurally separated from the remaining section of the movement rails (claim 6). The overlapping region of the movement path of the workpiece carrier thus forms a structural unit of the machine component concerned together with the functional unit on which the overlapping region is arranged, for example together with a processing unit whose working region is delimited by the carrier structure of the transfer device.

The further rail track provided in addition to the common rail track for forming the movement rails of the workpiece carrier can be implemented according to the invention in two different ways.

In the case of the inventive configuration of claim 7, in the overlapping region of the movement rails of the workpiece carrier, in addition to the common rail track, two further rail tracks are permanently provided. The first further track is spaced apart from the common track in a direction transverse to the transfer direction, forming a smaller track width. A second further rail track, which is arranged in addition to the first further rail track, forms a running rail with a greater rail track width together with the common rail track. The movement paths of the two workpiece carriers are each implemented by a total of three path lanes, wherein, perpendicular to the transfer direction, the common path lane and the second further path lane are located on the outside, and the first further path lane is arranged between the common path lane and the second further path lane.

The entire track can optionally be supported on the support structure of the transfer device, the common track is supported on a first longitudinal support element of the support structure, a second, further track for achieving a greater track width is supported on a further longitudinal support element of the support structure which is at a corresponding distance from the first longitudinal support element in the transverse direction of the transfer direction, and the first, further track for achieving a smaller track width is supported between the two longitudinal support elements on at least one transverse support element of the support structure.

Alternatively, in the case of the transfer device according to claim 10 of the invention, a further common rail lane is provided in the overlap region of the movement rails of the workpiece carriers, which further common rail lane forms both the further rail lane of the movement rail of the one of the workpiece carriers and the further rail lane of the movement rail of the further workpiece carrier. For this purpose, the further common-rail track can be fed by means of an adjusting device in a direction transverse to the transfer direction relative to the common-rail track of the movement rail of the workpiece carrier to form a larger or smaller track width.

In order to realize a movement path of the two workpiece carriers in the overlapping region of the movement paths, only two path lanes are required in this embodiment of the invention. In both feed positions, the further common rail track is effectively supported in the direction of gravity. For this purpose, a carrying structure of the transfer device may be used if necessary. In this case, it is possible in particular for the further common rail track to be supported on one longitudinal support element of the support structure when a larger rail track width is achieved and on one or more transverse support elements of the support structure when a smaller rail track width is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the machine assembly according to the invention, the overlap region of the movement paths of the workpiece carrier is spatially associated with a working region of the machining device for machining the workpiece, which working region is provided with a suction device for dirt resulting from the machining. The further common rail track of the movement rail of the workpiece carrier intersects a partition (schottky) of the suction device, which extends in the transverse direction of the rail track, wherein the further common rail track extends in the plane of the partition. In order that the further common rail track can nevertheless be fed in its transverse direction without affecting the function of the partition, the partition has in each case one static part and a moving part coupled to the further common rail track. In the adjustment region of the further common rail track, the stationary part of the partition is slotted to allow a feed movement of the further common rail track. The moving parts of the separating wall extend in the feed direction on both sides of the further common rail and carry out the feed movement of the further common rail. The static part and the moving part of the partition are combined to form a complete partition, independently of the feed position of the further common rail track. The partition of the suction device can thereby perform its entire function independently of the feed position of the further common rail track.

In an advantageous embodiment of the transfer device according to claim 7, a cover device is provided for the first further track arranged between the common track lane and the second further track lane, by means of which cover device the upper surface of the first further track lane can be protected from harmful external influences if required (claim 8). If the overlapping region of the track pairs is approximately in the working region of the processing device for processing workpieces and the workpiece carrier with the larger carrier track width and the workpieces supported on its upper surface are moved into the functionally adjacent position, the first further track which is disposed below the workpiece carrier and is not used in this operating state of the machine component is exposed to dirt resulting from the processing, in particular with its upper surface, during the processing of the workpieces. The first further track is covered by the cover device switched into the functional state.

According to claim 9, the covering device for the first further track has a covering hood which can be pivoted into the functional position and the non-functional position about a pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the first further track. In the functional position, the cover covers the first further track on the upper side. In the non-functional position of the cover, the upper side of the first further track is accessible, in particular for associated moving means which support workpiece carriers with a smaller carrier track width.

In a preferred embodiment of the transfer device according to claim 10, according to claim 11, an adjusting device is provided for the further common rail track, which adjusting device has a feed mechanism which can be extended and retracted transversely to the transfer direction, on which feed mechanism the further common rail track is mounted, by means of which feed mechanism the further common rail track can be fed transversely to the transfer direction. For supporting the telescopic feed mechanism of the adjusting device and for supporting the drive means of the telescopic feed mechanism, the support structure of the transfer device according to the invention can be used if necessary.

In the machine assembly according to the invention of claim 13, the workpiece carriers are moved in opposite directions from two functional remote positions, which are opposite each other in the overlapping region of the movement paths of the workpiece carriers, to a functional close position. In this way, short cycle times can be achieved for the transfer of the workpiece carrier. During the transfer of one workpiece carrier from the functionally close position to the functionally remote position, another workpiece carrier can be transferred from the functionally remote position to the functionally close position. In the case of an overlapping region of the movement paths of the workpiece carrier spatially associated with the machining unit, the short cycle times for the transfer of the workpiece carrier are combined with the short cycle times for machining the workpieces.

Claim 14 relates to a realistically particularly relevant design of the machine component according to the invention. According to the invention, a machine assembly having a functional unit for separating a sheet material by means of a laser is preferred.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below on the basis of an exemplary schematic diagram. The figures show:

fig. 1 shows a machine assembly for the separate machining of sheet metal by means of a laser, having a machining unit and a workpiece transfer device of a first type,

fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the machining unit of the machine component according to fig. 1, the workpiece transfer device being in a first functional state,

fig. 3 shows the arrangement according to fig. 2, with the workpiece transfer device in a second functional state,

fig. 4 shows the arrangement according to fig. 3, with the workpiece carrier of the workpiece transfer device provided for large-format sheet material in a functionally adjacent position,

fig. 5 shows the machine assembly according to fig. 1, with the workpiece carrier supporting the large-format sheet in the functionally adjacent position,

fig. 6 shows the machine assembly according to fig. 1, with the workpiece carrier supporting the small-format sheet material in the functionally closed position,

fig. 7 shows a machine assembly for the divisional machining of sheet material by means of laser light, with a machining unit and a second type of workpiece transfer device, which is in a first functional state,

fig. 8 shows the machine component according to fig. 7, the workpiece transfer device in a second functional state,

fig. 9 shows the machine assembly according to fig. 7, with the workpiece carrier of the workpiece transfer device supporting a large-format sheet material in a functionally adjacent position,

fig. 10 shows the machine assembly according to fig. 8 with the workpiece carrier of the workpiece transfer device supporting the small-format sheet material in the functionally closed position.

Detailed Description

According to fig. 1, a machine assembly 1 for the division machining of sheet metal by means of laser comprises a machining unit in the form of a laser machine tool 2 as a functional unit and also a transfer device 3. The sheet material, in particular the large-format sheet material 4 and the small-format sheet material 5, can be transferred by means of the transfer device 3 between a position outside the laser machine tool 2 and a position on the laser machine tool 2.

The laser machine 2 is provided with a conventional cladding, of which only two gates adjacent to the laser machine 2 are shown in fig. 1. The sheets 4, 5 are transferred between the inside and the outside of the envelope through a shutter provided with a jet guard.

In order to support the large-format sheet 4, a large-format workpiece carrier 6 is provided as a workpiece carrier of the transfer device 3. The small-sized workpiece carrier 7 of the transfer device 3 supports the small-sized plate 5. In fig. 1, the workpiece carriers 6, 7 are in the functional away (locked) position. The sheet material 4, 5 supported by the workpiece carriers 6, 7 is thus arranged outside the laser machine tool 2. Fig. 5 and 6 show the workpiece carrier 6, 7 in the functional close (full) position. In the functionally close position of the workpiece carriers 6, 7, the sheet metal 4, 5 is arranged on the laser machine tool 2 and is accessible for the parting process.

For large-format workpiece carriers 6, the transfer device 3 has a running rail 8, the running rail 8 having rail tracks 9, 10. The track paths 9, 10 of the running rails 8 are formed by guide rails which extend parallel to one another in a transfer direction 11, which is indicated schematically in fig. 1 by a dashed line, and which form a track path width rt perpendicularly to the transfer direction 11₁Are spaced apart from each other.

Correspondingly, the movement rail 12 for the small-format workpiece carrier 7 comprises rail-like rail tracks 13, 14 which extend in the transfer direction 11 and which form a rail track width rt perpendicularly to the transfer direction 11₂Are spaced apart from each other.

The running rails 8, 12 or rail track pairs 9, 10; track width rt of 13, 14₁，rt₂Is dimensioned differently, wherein the track width rt₁Is the greater track width, track width rt₂Is the smaller rail lane width.

For carrying out the transfer movement along the movement rails 8, 12, the workpiece carriers 6, 7 are provided with movement means in the form of running rollers. The two running rollers on the workpiece carrier 6 can be seen in fig. 4. In the remaining figures, the running rollers are hidden.

The running rollers on the workpiece carrier 6 have a track lane 9 which is partially associated with the running rail 8 and a track lane 10 which is partially associated with the running roller and which forms a carrier lane width pt perpendicular to the transfer direction 11₁Are spaced apart from each other. Carrier lane width pt₁Rt matched with width of track₁。

The running rollers of the workpiece carrier 7 are supported in part on the rail track 13 of the running rail 12 and in part on the rail track 14. In a direction transverse to the transfer direction 11, the running rollers of the workpiece carrier 7 form a track width rt matched to the running rail 12₂Width pt of carrier lane₂Are spaced apart from each other. Carrier track width pt of workpiece carrier 6₁Greater than the carrier track width pt of the workpiece carrier 7₂。

The overlapping region of the movement rails 8, 12 of the workpiece carriers 6, 7 comprises the working region 15 of the laser machine tool 2. In the overlap region, the movement rail 8 of the workpiece carrier 6 and the movement rail 12 of the workpiece carrier 7 overlap one another in the transfer direction 11.

Starting from the overlapping region of the movement rails 8, 12, the movement rails 8, 12 of the workpiece carriers 6, 7 extend in opposite directions. One of the workpiece carriers 6, 7 can be moved into the functionally close position and into the functionally remote position by means of a (first) transfer movement, and the other workpiece carrier 6, 7 can be moved into the functionally close position and into the functionally remote position by means of a (second) transfer movement, the first transfer movement being in the opposite direction to the second transfer movement.

In the overlapping region of the running rails 8, 12, a common rail track 16 is bothThe part of the rail 10 that is the movement rail 8 for the workpiece carrier 6 is also part of the rail 14 for the movement rail 12 for the workpiece carrier 7. A first further track lane 17, which is formed by a partial length of the track lane 13 of the running rail 12, forms a smaller track lane width rt perpendicular to the transfer direction 11 and the common track lane 16₂Are adjacent. A second further track 18, which is formed by a partial length of the track 9 of the running rail 8, and the common track 16 form a greater track width rt perpendicularly to the transfer direction 11₁Are spaced apart.

As is shown in particular by way of illustration in fig. 5, the machine assembly 1 can be used for over-dimensioning and, correspondingly, for the division machining of sheet metal, the dimension of which in the transfer direction 11 is greater than the corresponding extent of the working chamber 15 of the laser machine tool 2. In order that the region of the sheet metal 4 which is outside the working region 15 in fig. 5 can also be arranged in the working chamber 15 for processing, the common rail track 16 and a second further rail track 18 for the movement rail 8 of the workpiece carrier 6 extend beyond the cladding of the laser machine tool 2 into a position remote from the processing of the small-format workpiece carrier 7.

In the working region 15 of the laser machine tool 2, the common rail lane 16, the first further rail lane 17 and the second further rail lane 18 are formed by length sections of the rail lanes 10, 14, 13 and 9, which are structurally separated from the remaining lengths of the rail lanes 10, 14, 13 and 9.

The common rail lane 16 is used for supporting both the work carrier 6 transferred to the functionally close position in the working area 15 of the laser machine tool 2 and the work carrier 7 transferred to the functionally close position in the working area 15 of the laser machine tool 2.

Like the remaining length sections of the track lane 10 of the running rail 8 and of the track lane 14 of the running rail 12, the common track lane 16 is also embodied as a profile track. The running rollers in question on the workpiece carriers 6, 7 are supported with concave running surfaces on the common rail track 16. Due to the interaction of the contoured common rail track 16 with the concave running surfaces of the running rollers of the workpiece carriers 6, 7, the workpiece carriers 6, 7 are guided in the transfer direction 11 during the transfer movement.

The first further guideway 17 is used only for the transfer of the workpiece carrier 7 and for the functional positioning of the workpiece carrier 7. Accordingly, the second further track path 18 is used only for the transfer of the workpiece carrier 6 and for the functionally adjacent positioning of the workpiece carrier 6.

Just as the remaining length of the rail tracks 13 and 9, the first further rail track 17 and the second further rail track 18 are each also designed as a flat rail having a flat bearing surface arranged on its upper side, on which the associated running rollers of the workpiece carriers 6, 7 rest with a cylindrical running surface.

In the direction of gravity, the common rail track 16 and the second further rail track 18 are supported on longitudinal support elements 19, 20 of a support structure 21 of the transfer device 3. The longitudinal support elements 19, 20 of the support structure 21 also form the longitudinal boundary of the working region 15 of the laser machine tool 2. On the upper side of the longitudinal support elements 19, 20, a movement unit 23 of the laser machine tool 2, which is provided with a machining device, in more detail with a laser cutting head 22, can be driven in a conventional manner to move along the longitudinal support elements 19, 20.

The transverse support elements 24, 25 of the support structure 21 serve to support the first further track lane 17 in the direction of gravity, these transverse support elements 24, 25 being spaced apart from one another in the transfer direction 11.

As can be seen from fig. 2 and 3, the first further track lane 17 is provided with a cover device 26 in the working area 15 of the laser machine tool 2. The cover device 26 comprises a cover cap 27 which can be pivoted about a pivot axis 28, which is indicated schematically in fig. 2 and 3 by a dash-dot line and extends in the longitudinal direction of the first further track lane 17, into a non-functional position (fig. 2) and into a functional position (fig. 3). A motor drive of conventional construction is used to effect the pivoting movement of the cover 27.

In the non-functional position of the cover 27, the first further track 17 can be used for supporting or for transferring the workpiece carrier 7. In this case, the first further track path 17 is accessible on its upper side for the running rollers of the workpiece carrier 7.

In the functional position, the cover 27 covers the upper side of the first further track lane 17. The first further track lane 17 is thereby protected from harmful external influences on its upper side.

As long as the large-format workpiece carrier 6 is transferred to the working area 15 of the laser machine tool 2 and the large-format sheet material 4 supported on the upper side of the workpiece carrier 6 is cut by the laser cutting head 22 of the laser machine tool 2, the cover cap 27 of the cover device 26 is pivoted into the functional position. The respective operating state of the machine assembly 1 is shown visually in fig. 5. In fig. 4, the large-format workpiece carrier 6 is likewise moved to the functionally close position. For the sake of simplicity, the sheet 4 supported on the work carrier 6 for machining is not shown. During the cutting process of the large format sheet 4, the cover 27 pivoted into the functional position protects the first further track 17, in particular against dirt, such as slag and material particles, which have fallen off as a result of the processing.

As long as the small-format workpiece carrier 7 is moved into the working area 15 of the laser machine tool 2 and remains there for machining the sheet metal 5 supported on the upper side of the workpiece carrier 7, the cover 27 is always switched into the non-functional position. Fig. 6 shows the machine assembly 1 in this operating state.

The machine assembly 100 shown in fig. 7 to 10 differs from the machine assembly 1 according to fig. 1 to 6 in the embodiment of the overlap region of the movement rails 8, 12 of the workpiece carriers 6, 7.

In the case of the exemplary embodiments according to fig. 7 to 10, a common partial length of the rail tracks 10, 14 in the overlap region of the running rails 8, 12 is also provided as a common rail track 16. In fig. 7 to 10, the common rail track 16 is concealed by a longitudinal carrier element 20 of a carrier structure 21 of the transfer device 3. In contrast to the situation according to fig. 1 to 6, the common rail track 16 of the machine assembly 100 does not interact with two further rail tracks which are structurally spaced apart from one another, but instead interacts with the further common rail track 29.

According to fig. 8, the common rail track 29 is mounted on an extendable feed mechanism 30 of a machine-type adjusting device 31. By means of the adjusting device 31, the further common rail track 29 can be fed in the transverse direction of the transfer device 11 to form a larger rail track width rt₁(FIGS. 7, 9) or form a smaller track lane width rt₂(FIGS. 8, 10). An adjusting device 31 with a retractable feed mechanism 30 is also supported on the bearing structureThe structure 21 is supported, in more detail, on the longitudinal bearing elements 19 of the bearing structure 21.

Fig. 9 shows the machine assembly 100 in an operating state in which the large-format workpiece carrier 6 and the large-format sheet 4 are moved into the laser machine tool 2. The running rollers of the workpiece carrier 6 are supported in the region of the overlap of the running rails 8, 12 on a common rail track 16 and a further common rail track 29, the common rail track 16 and the further common rail track 29 forming in this case a greater rail track width rt in the transverse direction of the transfer direction 11₁Are spaced apart from each other.

In fig. 10, the small-gauge workpiece carrier 7 is in a functionally close position to the small-gauge sheet material 5 in the working area 15 of the laser machine tool 2. The running rollers of the workpiece carrier 7 are supported on the common-rail track 16 and the further common-rail track 29, wherein the further common-rail track 29 is fed by means of an adjusting device 31 perpendicularly to the transfer direction 11 into a position in which it forms a smaller track width rt with the common-rail track 16₂Are spaced apart.