U.S. patent application number 11/573135 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for forming tool and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to ECKOLD GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Sebastian Rotter, Bernhard Spies, Heiko Thaler, York Widdel.
Application Number | 20080016935 11/573135 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35241053 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080016935 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rotter; Sebastian ; et
al. |
January 24, 2008 |
Forming Tool and Method
Abstract
A method and a tool arrangement for deforming at least one
section of a less precisely positioned body by such an amount that
the section to be deformed lies in a more precisely defined
position with respect to the body. A tool arrangement includes at
least one retaining device and at least one forming die moveable in
the direction of the retaining device. The section (28) to be
deformed is arranged between the retaining device and the forming
die. In order to improve the quality of the deformed body, the
deforming movement of the forming die is controlled depending on
the position of the forming die without fixed counterpart holder in
a controlled manner such that the forming die is stopped in a
defined final position. With the tool arrangement, a drive for the
forming die is coupled to a control device such that the deforming
movement of the forming die is controlled depending on the position
of the forming die, without a fixed counterpart holder, in a
controlled manner such that the forming die is stopped in a defined
final position.
Inventors: |
Rotter; Sebastian;
(Sindelfingen, DE) ; Spies; Bernhard;
(Sindelfingen, DE) ; Thaler; Heiko; (Sindelfingen,
DE) ; Widdel; York; (Barsinghausen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
ECKOLD GMBH & CO. KG
Sperrluttertal
St. Andreasberg
DE
37444
|
Family ID: |
35241053 |
Appl. No.: |
11/573135 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
August 3, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/08415 |
371 Date: |
July 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/351 ; 72/372;
72/441; 72/453.01; 72/470 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 22/02 20130101;
B21D 39/031 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
072/351 ;
072/372; 072/441; 072/453.01; 072/470 |
International
Class: |
B21D 31/00 20060101
B21D031/00; B21D 22/21 20060101 B21D022/21 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 5, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 038 208.5 |
Claims
1. A method for deforming at least one section on a non-precisely
positioned body by an amount that the section to be deformed lies
in a more precisely defined position with respect to the body, by a
tool arrangement that has at least one retaining device and at
least one forming die movable in the direction of the retaining
device, the section to be deformed is arranged between the
retaining device and the forming die, comprising: positioning the
retaining device at the section to be deformed; deforming the
section to be deformed by a movement of the forming die in a
direction of the retaining device, the deforming movement of the
forming die being controlled in a controlled manner depending on a
position of the forming die, without a fixed counterpart holder,
such that the forming die is stopped in a defined final
position.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the forming die is driven
depending on the position of the forming die.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
position and the movement of the forming die is detected.
4. A method according claim 1, further comprising detecting a
correction value, which is an additional compensation movement of
the forming die.
5. A tool comprising: at least one retaining device and at least
one forming die moveable in a direction of the retaining device,
wherein a section to be deformed being arranged between the
retaining device and the forming die; a drive for the forming die
being coupled to a control device, the deforming movement of the
forming die being controlled based on a position of the forming
die, without a fixed counterpart holder, in a controlled manner
such that the forming die is stopped in a defined final
position.
6. The tool arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the forming
die is driven by an electromotive drive.
7. The tool arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the forming
die is driven by a hydraulic drive.
8. The tool arrangement according claim 5, wherein the control
device is coupled to a sensor device, which detects at least one of
the position and movement of the forming die and/or of the
retaining device.
9. The tool arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the sensor
device is integrated into the retaining device.
10. The tool arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the
retaining device comprises at least one moveable holding mechanism
that is prestressed in a direction of the section to be
deformed.
11. The tool arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the sensor
device is integrated into the holding mechanism.
12. The tool arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the sensor
device is integrated into a measuring device that is moveable
relative to the retaining device and is prestressed in a direction
of the section to be deformed.
13. The tool arrangement according claim 5, further comprising a
stamping tool moved through the retaining device.
14. The tool arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the forming
die is attached to a branch of an essentially L-shaped bracket, an
other branch of which is mounted on a base structure of the tool
arrangement.
15. A method of deforming a section between a retaining device and
a forming die, comprising: positioning the retaining device at the
section to be deformed; and driving the forming die in a direction
of the retaining device based on a position of the forming die.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the driving is a
hydraulic drive or electromotive drive.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein a position and/or
movement of the forming die is detected relative to the section to
be deformed.
18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising
determining a correction value which is taken into consideration in
a form of an additional compensation movement by the forming
die.
19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising
determining a distance between the retaining device and a section
to be deformed.
20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising reducing a
movement of the retaining device as soon as or before a holding
mechanism comes into contact for a first time with a body to be
deformed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a method for deforming at least one
section on a less precisely positioned body by such an amount that
the section to be deformed lies in a more precisely defined
position with respect to the body. The invention includes a tool
arrangement that has at least one retaining device and at least one
forming die movable in the direction of the retaining device. The
section to be deformed is arranged between the retaining device and
the forming die, with the following steps: the retaining device is
positioned at the section to be deformed; and the section to be
deformed is deformed by a movement of the forming die in the
direction of the retaining device, according to the preamble of
claim 1.
[0003] The invention also relates to a tool arrangement for
carrying out the method described above, with at least one
retaining device and at least one forming die moveable in the
direction of the retaining device. The section to be deformed is
arranged between the retaining device and the forming die,
according to the preamble of claim 5.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information
[0005] A method for deforming at least one section on a less
precisely positioned body by such an amount that its surface lies
in a more precisely defined position with respect to the body is
known from German printed patent specification DE 36 42 900 C2. The
known deforming method is carried out by a moveable retaining
device that has at least one fixed counterpart holder, holding
mechanism moveable and lockable with respect thereto and at least
one form block moveable in the direction of the counterpart holder
or counterpart holders. The counterpart holder or counterpart
holders, and the holding mechanism are provided facing the first
surface of the body and the form block or form blocks opposite them
are provided facing the second surface of the body. The known
method has the following steps: exact positioning of the
counterpart holder or counterpart holders in the area of the
section or sections to be deformed above the first surface of the
body; then placing the holding mechanism against the first surface
of the body in this area; subsequently locking the holding
mechanism in this position and bringing it into contact, and
finally a forming movement of the form block or form blocks until
they bear against the surface(s) of the section or sections to be
deformed on or at the counterpart holders.
[0006] Unexamined German application DE 199 27 101 A1 discloses a
method for mechanically joining two flat parts to be joined by
clinching without a cutting component by an active die with a
linear, striking or wobbling motion, a counterpunch, a fixed or
moveable female die and a holding-down clamp to prestress the parts
to be joined while forming a neck area and an undercut area. The
known method is characterized in that the counterpunch already
comes into active contact with the part to be joined on the female
die side before, during or immediately after the start of the
clinching operation and thus is used to compress the two parts to
be joined, so that, due to the reduced ironing, the part to be
joined on the male die side forms a thicker neck area and more
material is forced out of both parts to be joined from the
subsequent base area through the compression in the neck area and
the undercut area.
[0007] German printed patent specification DE 197 47 167 C2
discloses a method for the perforated joining of sheet-metal parts
lying flat one upon the other, in which sheet-metal parts are
jointly displaced out of the sheet-metal plane and squeezed under
the action of a deformation energy by a tool set comprising a male
die and a female die having an anvil. The known method is
characterized in that the deformation energy is fed through several
impulses to a mass striking the tool set in an accelerated
manner.
[0008] German printed patent specification DE 195 24 164 C1
discloses a method for positioning ready-shaped plate press parts
and a robot-guided tool and the production of screw connection
points on ready-shaped plate press parts of a vehicle bodywork to
compensate component part tolerances between the plate press part
and a bodywork part to be connected to it and a device for carrying
out the same. In order to ensure in a simple manner a precise
positioning and a compensation of component part tolerances of the
screw connection points on the plate press part, it is proposed for
the exact actual position of the plate press part within the work
space of an industrial robot in relation to it and the exact actual
contour according to the circumferential course to be determined.
This actual contour is compared to the stored data of a reference
model and superimposed as far as possible on the plate press part
to be machined.
[0009] From German printed patent specification DE 39 32 532 C2, a
tool unit is known for force-intensive deformation methods with two
tool elements and two pneumatic or hydraulic drives lying opposite
and acting in an opposite linear manner. The known tool unit is
characterized in that the two drives are housed in a common housing
and are arranged outside the force application line of the two tool
elements. Each tool element is held on a bracket, so that the
brackets arranged opposite one another are held so as to be
slidable in a linear manner along the joint housing of the drives
at the same time. Each bracket is connected to the moveable part of
the respective drive in a detachable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention creates an alternative deformation method and
an alternative tool arrangement to carry out the deformation
method.
[0011] The invention is attained with a method that the deforming
movement of the forming die is controlled in a controlled manner
depending on the position of the forming die without a fixed
counterpart holder such that the forming die is stopped in a
defined final position. In the deformation method known from German
printed patent specification DE 36 42 900 C2, the forming die is
always moved out of its starting position just until the forming
die with the section to be deformed bears against the counterpart
holder serving as a position-defined stop. The counterpart holder
forms a female die. This known method does not provide for the
movement of the forming die to be influenced. In contrast, the
distance-controlled deforming movement according to the invention
provides the advantage that the movement of the forming die can be
influenced in a targeted manner, in order, e.g., to take into
account errors in positioning and/or tolerances in the thickness of
the body to be deformed.
[0012] A preferred exemplary embodiment of the method is
characterized in that the forming die is driven depending on the
position of the forming die. It is thus possible to position the
forming die exactly. The drive is preferably an electromotive or
hydraulic drive that can optionally comprise a transmission.
[0013] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the method is
characterized in that the position and/or the movement of the
forming die are/is detected. The position of the forming die can be
detected, e.g., via a position sensing system. A position sensing
system of this type preferably comprises at least one sensor device
through which the position of the forming die and/or the retaining
device is detected relative to the section to be deformed or
relative to one another. The retaining device is preferably
positioned with the aid of the position sensing system. It is thus
possible to position the retaining device exactly on the body to be
deformed. This can be carried out, for example, by approaching in a
non-contact manner or with a contacting touch.
[0014] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the method is
characterized in that a correction value is determined which is
taken into consideration in the form of an additional compensation
movement by the forming die.
[0015] Furthermore, the invention is attained through a tool
arrangement with the features of claim 5. The tool arrangement is
characterized in that a drive for the forming die is coupled to a
control device through which the deforming movement of the forming
die is controlled in a controlled manner depending on the position
of the forming die without fixed counterpart holder such that the
forming die is stopped in a defined final position. This provides
the advantage that the forming die can be positioned exactly
without a fixed counterpart holder. The drive can be, e.g., an
electromotive or a servo-hydraulic drive.
[0016] A preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool arrangement is
characterized in that the forming die is driven by an electromotive
drive. Through the electromotive drive the forming die can be
stopped at any position with sufficient accuracy of position.
Optionally other drive systems with sufficient positioning accuracy
can also be used in the tool arrangement.
[0017] Another possible exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that the forming die is driven by a
hydraulic drive. This has the advantage that relatively large
forces can be applied to the forming die.
[0018] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that the control device is coupled
to a sensor device that detects the position and/or the movement of
the forming die and/or the retaining device. The coupling can
thereby be a mechanical coupling and/or an optical coupling and/or
another suitable coupling. The distance between the forming die and
the body to be deformed, for example, can be detected through the
sensor device. Furthermore, the distance between the retaining
device and the body to be deformed can be detected through the
sensor device. Moreover the distance between the forming die and
the retaining device can be detected through the sensor device.
Depending on the embodiment of the sensor device, it can be
additionally or alternatively detected when the forming die and/or
the retaining device come or comes into contact with the body to be
deformed.
[0019] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that the sensor device is
integrated into the retaining device. Preferably the retaining
device and the sensor device are integrated into a base structure
of the tool arrangement. The structure of the tool arrangement
according to the invention is thereby simplified.
[0020] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that the retaining device comprises
at least one moveable holding mechanism prestressed in the
direction of the section to be deformed. The holding mechanism,
which is also called a clamping holder, acts as a drawing cushion
and guarantees a planar deformation surface on the body to be
deformed.
[0021] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that the sensor device is
integrated into the holding mechanism. This makes it possible to
reduce the movement of the retaining device as soon as or before
the holding mechanism comes into contact for the first time with
the body to be deformed. The slower movement of the retaining
device provides the advantage that the retaining device comes to
rest more gently against the body to be deformed.
[0022] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that the sensor device is
integrated into a measuring device that is moveable relative to the
retaining device and is prestressed in the direction of the section
to be deformed. This makes it possible to reduce the movement of
the retaining device as soon as the measuring device comes into
contact for the first time with the body to be deformed. The slower
movement of the retaining device provides the advantage that the
retaining device comes to rest more gently against the body to be
deformed. This renders possible a leading, zero-force retraction of
the retaining device.
[0023] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that a stamping tool can be moved
through the retaining device. With the aid of the stamping tool at
least one through hole, which serves, for example, to accept an
attaching mechanism, can be produced in the section to be
deformed.
[0024] Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool
arrangement is characterized in that the forming die is attached to
one branch of an essentially L-shaped bracket, the other branch of
which is attached to a base structure of the tool arrangement. The
base structure and the bracket form deforming tongs. The retaining
device and the drive for the forming die are preferably integrated
into the base structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Further advantages, features and details of the invention
are provided by the description below in which different exemplary
embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing.
The features mentioned in the claims and in the specification can
thereby be essential for the invention in each case individually or
in any combination.
[0026] The drawings show:
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a tool
arrangement according to the invention with a forming die in its
starting position;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows the tool arrangement from FIG. 1 with the
forming die in the final position;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of a variant of
the tool arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a moveable
measuring sleeve, whereby the forming die is in its starting
position; and
[0030] FIG. 4 shows the tool arrangement from FIG. 3 with the
forming die in its final position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a tool
arrangement 1 that comprises a base structure 3. The base structure
3 of the tool arrangement 1 is attached to a robot 4 (industrial
robot) or to a robot arm so that the base structure 3 can be moved
via the robot 4 in different directions in the space.
[0032] An essentially L-shaped bracket 6 is attached to the base
structure 3 such that it can be moved to and fro in the direction
of a double arrow 7. The bracket 6 is driven by an electromotive
drive 8 that is integrated into the base structure 3 of the tool
arrangement 1. The bracket 6 has a branch 16 that is arranged
perpendicular to another branch 17 of the bracket 6. The free end
of the branch 16 of the bracket 6 is guided on the base structure 3
of the tool arrangement 4 so as to be moveable to and fro in the
direction of the double arrow 7.
[0033] An essentially circular cylindrical forming die 10 is
attached rigidly, i.e., not relatively moveable, on the free end of
the other branch 17 of the bracket 6. The forming die 10 extends
parallel to the branch 16 of the bracket 6. A spring-preloaded
clamping holder 12 is guided on the forming die 10 so as to be
moveable to and fro in the axial direction of the forming die 10.
The clamping holder 12 essentially has the form of a circular
cylinder jacket, the inside diameter of which is slightly larger
than the outside diameter of the forming die 10, so that the
forming die 10 and the clamping holder 12 can be displaced relative
to one another in the axial direction.
[0034] A retaining device 15 is attached to the base structure 3 of
the tool arrangement 1 opposite the forming die 10. The retaining
device 15 has a holder body 18 that is rigidly connected to the
base structure 3. The holder body 18 has essentially the shape of a
circular cylinder jacket that is arranged concentrically to the
forming die 10. A measuring sensor device 20 or a measuring system
is integrated into the end of the holder body 18 facing the forming
die 10, which measuring system comprises contact sensors and/or
distance sensors.
[0035] A spring-preloaded clamping holder 22 is mounted in the
holder body 18 so as to be moveable to and fro, which clamping
holder essentially has the form of a circular cylinder jacket, the
outside diameter of which is smaller than the inside diameter of
the holder body 18. One end of a stamping tool 24 is mounted in the
clamping holder 22, the other end of which stamping tool is mounted
in a stamping device 25 that is integrated into the base structure
3.
[0036] A body 27 with a section 28 to be deformed is arranged
between the forming die 10 and the retaining device 15. The section
28 to be deformed has a surface 29, which faces the forming die 10,
and a surface 30, which faces the retaining device 15.
[0037] In operation the tool arrangement 1, which is also called
deforming tongs, is brought into the starting position shown in
FIG. 1 with the aid of the robot 4. The bracket 6 with the forming
die 10 can be positioned exactly in the direction of the double
arrow 7 relative to the base structure 3 of the tool arrangement 1
via the electromotive drive 8 that is coupled to the integrated
position sensing system 20. The tool arrangement according to the
invention and the method according to the invention are used to
deform the section 28 to be deformed on the less precisely
positioned body 27 by such an amount that the surface 29 thereof,
and thus also indirectly its surface 30, comes to rest in a
precisely defined position with respect thereto.
[0038] The holder body 18 is brought into position by moving the
tool arrangement 1 with the aid of the measuring system 20, which
comprises distance or contact sensors, in the area of the surface
30 to be deformed of the body 27 made of sheet metal. This can be
carried out on the one hand by a non-contact approach to or by a
contact touching of the surface 30. Subsequently a
distance-controlled sliding movement of the bracket 6 and thus of
the forming die 1 is triggered towards the section 28 to be
deformed up to a final position determined with the aid of the
measuring system 20. A relative movement of the forming die 10 to
the spring-preloaded clamping holder 12 in the axial direction
thereby occurs at the same time.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows the final position of the forming die 10
determined with the aid of the position sensing system 20. FIG. 2
also shows that the holder body 18 is located resting on the
surface 30 of the section 28 to be deformed. The free end of the
forming die 10 is not abutting against a part of the retaining
device 15. The free end of the forming die 10 is resting against
only the section 28 to be deformed. The final position of the
forming die 10 shown in FIG. 2 is adopted in a distance-controlled
manner via the electromotive drive 8.
[0040] In order to compensate for an undesirable springing of the
bracket 6 and the associated impreciseness of the deforming depth
or embossing depth, a correction value can be determined based on a
characteristic curve and provided as an additional embossing depth.
In the deforming position of the tool arrangement 1 shown in FIG.
2, the surface 29 of the body section 28 to be deformed of the body
27 is in the defined final position. This defined final position is
obtained independently of the spring-mounted clamping holder 22.
The clamping holder 22 serves only as a drawing cushion that moves
together with the section 28 to be deformed against the spring
preloading force.
[0041] As the last process step, the section 28 deformed with
positional accuracy is pierced with the aid of the stamping tool
24.
[0042] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a similar exemplary embodiment as FIGS. 1
and 2 in diagrammatic form. Identical parts are provided with
identical reference numbers. In order to avoid repetition,
reference is made to the earlier description of FIGS. 1 and 2. Only
the differences between the two exemplary embodiments are discussed
in the following.
[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a
measuring sleeve 40 essentially shaped like a circular cylindrical
jacket is guided in a displaceable manner on the outer
circumference of the holder body 18 in the axial direction against
the preloading force of a spring. The spring-mounted measuring
sleeve 40 comprises an integrated position sensing system with
contact and/or distance sensors. The measuring sleeve 40 provides
the advantage that the traversing speed of the robot 4 can be
reduced as soon as the measuring sleeve 40 comes into contact with
the surface 30 of the section 28 to be deformed. The robot 4 can
thus be moved more slowly along the remaining traverse of the
holder body 18 up to the surface 30 of the section 28 to be
deformed, in order to make it possible for the rigid holder body 18
to come to rest gently against the surface 30 of the section 28 to
be deformed.
* * * * *