U.S. patent application number 13/759532 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-20 for apparatus and method for surface treatment of cylindrical elements.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mall & Herlan GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Mall & Herlan GmbH. Invention is credited to Johannes Linden, Bernd Ullmann.
Application Number | 20140047887 13/759532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47603261 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140047887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Linden; Johannes ; et
al. |
February 20, 2014 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF CYLINDRICAL
ELEMENTS
Abstract
The invention relates to a device (10) for treating surfaces of
cylindrical elements in several process steps, including a first
cleaning device (30) for removing residuals of a coolant and
lubricant used during draw wall ironing from a cylindrical element
produced through draw wall ironing so that a cleaned and pre-dried
cylindrical element is provided. The device includes a surface
treatment device (50) for treating at least one surface of the
cleaned and pre dried cylindrical element and a second cleaning
device (70) for cleaning the surface treated cylindrical
element.
Inventors: |
Linden; Johannes;
(Waldbronn, DE) ; Ullmann; Bernd; (Pfinztal,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mall & Herlan GmbH |
Pfinztal |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mall & Herlan GmbH
Pfinztal
DE
|
Family ID: |
47603261 |
Appl. No.: |
13/759532 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/40 ;
72/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 51/26 20130101;
B21D 22/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/40 ;
72/39 |
International
Class: |
B21D 22/30 20060101
B21D022/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2012 |
DE |
10 2012 201 815.8 |
Claims
1. A device for treating surfaces of cylindrical elements in
several process steps, comprising a first cleaning device for
removing residuals of a coolant and lubricant used during draw wall
ironing from a cylindrical element produced through draw wall
ironing so that the cleaned and pre-dried cylindrical element is
provided, and a surface treatment device for treating at least one
surface of the cleaned and pre dried cylindrical element; and a
second cleaning device for cleaning the surface treated cylindrical
element.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the surface treatment
device is configured for roughening and/or optically matting the at
least one surface, preferably for brushing the at least one
surface.
3. The device according to claim 1, further including an abrasion
removal device for preferably dry removal of abrasion generated
during surface treatment from the cylindrical element, in
particular through an air flow or air blast before cleaning the
cylindrical element.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning
device includes a pre-washing device for removing of residuals of
the coolant and lubricant and a drying unit for drying the
cylindrical element that has been cleaned from the coolant and
lubricant.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the pre-washing unit is
configured for etching the cylindrical element, in particular
through an acid treatment and/or a base treatment.
6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the drying unit is
configured for drying at least the surface to be treated to a first
degree of drying, preferably to a second degree of drying, wherein
at least no droplets form anymore at the surface provided for
surface treatment in the first degree of drying, and wherein the
second degree of drying is characterized in that no moisture is
sucked into a subsequent vacuum system.
7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the drying unit
includes an oven and/or a blower for drying.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical element
is a one-piece element that is closed at its base and made from
aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning
device is configured for washing and drying the surface treated
cylindrical element, in particular for washing and drying to
prepare a subsequent treatment of the cylindrical element.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning
device is configured for base treatment of the cylindrical
element.
11. The device according to claim 1, further including a trimming
device for trimming the cylindrical element, wherein the trimming
device is configured in particular for trimming the cleaned and
pre-dried cylindrical element before surface treatment.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes
plural first cleaning devices and/or plural surface treatment
devices and/or plural second cleaning devices respectively
configured for parallel operations.
13. The device according to claim 1, including a draw wall ironing
device for producing the cylindrical element.
14. A method for surface treatment of cylindrical elements is also
proposed, comprising: providing a cylindrical element that is
produced through draw wall ironing; removing residuals of a coolant
and lubricant from the cylindrical element, so that a cleaned and
pre-dried cylindrical element is provided; treating at least one
surface of the cleaned and pre-dried cylindrical element; and
cleaning the surface treated cylindrical element.
15. A computer including a memory stored with instructions, which
when executed by the computer cause a device having a first
cleaning device for removing residuals of a coolant and lubricant
used during draw wall ironing from a cylindrical element, a surface
treatment device for treating at least one surface of the cleaned
and pre dried cylindrical element; and a second cleaning device for
cleaning the surface treated cylindrical element, to: provide a
cylindrical element that is produced through draw wall ironing;
remove residuals of a coolant and lubricant from the cylindrical
element, so that a cleaned and pre-dried cylindrical element is
provided; treat at least one surface of the cleaned and pre-dried
cylindrical element; and clean the surface treated cylindrical
element.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn.119 to
German Patent Application No. 10 201 2 201815.8 filed on Feb. 7,
2012, which application is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a device and a method for surface
treatment of cylindrical elements through draw wall ironing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A process designated as draw wall ironing produces a
cylindrical element for example in the production of beverage cans
from a bowl that is generally produced from sheet metal through
deep drawing, wherein the bowl essentially has the dimensions of
the final product to be produced besides still requiring trimming
and necking.
[0004] Draw wall ironing reduces a wall thickness and the exterior
dimension of the bowl to form the cylindrical element. For process
reasons the draw wall ironing is performed "wet" which is different
from impact extruding and uses a cooling- and lubricating
agent.
[0005] During conventional processing a trimming of the free sheet
metal edge and a complex cleaning and drying of the produced
cylindrical element is performed subsequent to draw wall
ironing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
device and a method for surface treatment of cylindrical elements
in the context of draw wall ironing, wherein the device facilitates
at least one additional variant of surface treatment without
additional complexity.
[0007] In order to achieve the element a device for surface
treatment of cylindrical elements with a surface treatment in
several process steps is proposed including a first cleaning device
for removing residuals of a coolant and lubricant used for draw
wall ironing from a cylindrical element produced through draw wall
ironing so that a cleaned and pre dried cylindrical element is
provided, a surface treatment device for treating at least one
surface of the cleaned and pre dried cylindrical element and a
second cleaning device for cleaning the surface treated cylindrical
element.
[0008] Typically a surface treatment method like for example
brushing is being avoided if possible in known production methods
which use draw wall ironing since such processing generates a
sludge from the released material and the cooling and lubricating
agents, which sludge is only removable with great difficulty and
which necessitates an immediate and complex cleaning of the
processing machines since otherwise a failure of the machines would
have to be expected soon thereafter. A surface treatment like for
example brushing could also be performed after complete cleaning
and drying of the cylindrical element essentially at an end of the
conventional process before optional painting, wherein renewed
cleaning would be possible before painting or similar
finishing.
[0009] The invention provides the advantage that it avoids the
complex cleaning that was customary so far with little additional
complexity or at least substantially reduces the associated
complexity.
[0010] A method for surface treatment of cylindrical elements is
also proposed, including the following steps: providing a
cylindrical element that is produced through draw wall ironing,
removing the residuals of a cooling- and lubricating agent used for
draw wall ironing from the cylindrical element, so that a cleaned
and pre-dried cylindrical element is provided, treating at least
one surface of the cleaned and pre-dried cylindrical element and
cleaning the surface treated cylindrical element.
[0011] Additionally a computer program is proposed that includes
computer program devices which cause a computer to control a device
according to the invention to execute the method according to the
invention when the computer program is executed on the
computer.
[0012] The invention is based on the finding that it is sufficient
for avoiding or reducing the problems recited supra to combine a
partial cleaning (in the sense of a non-final cleaning) with a
subsequent rudimentary drying process in order to provide a desired
surface treatment. It can be stated that the surface treatment with
preceding limited drying is inserted between a first and a second
portion of a known two step washing method. However, it is
appreciated that the first and the second cleaning device are not
limited to only performing respective partial steps of a
conventional washing process. It is possible that processes which
are performed by the first and the second cleaning device overlap
with one another, thus particular method steps are performed
twice.
[0013] The invention requires an additional drying device in a
practical application in addition to the surface treatment device
compared to a conventional process, wherein the additional drying
device, however, only has to comply with reduced requirements and
overall requires more installation space. The advantages associated
with avoiding or at least reducing the problems recited supra,
however, justify this comparatively small increase in
complexity.
[0014] In order to simplify the language, the instant application
recites a cooling- and lubrication agent in conjunction with draw
wall ironing. It is appreciated that this initially does not have
to be a homogenous or single substance agent since a mix of
different agents (i.e. liquids) can be used. The term "cooling and
lubrication agent" furthermore does not have to be interpreted in
every case in a limited manner so that the agent is simultaneously
used for cooling and lubrication purposes. The term "cooling and
lubrication agent" eventually stands for the means which are used
for supporting or simplifying the process of draw wall ironing or a
process like deep drawing a bowl as an intermediary product which
may be performed before the draw wall ironing.
[0015] In this application the term "cylindrical element" initially
designates a beaker shaped element with a base and a sidewall,
wherein the cross-section is circular. The application, however, is
not limited to such configuration. It is also possible in the
context of the present invention that the cylindrical element is
either initially produced without a base or that the base is
removed during the process. Deviations from the circular
cross-section of the wall are not excluded as a matter of principle
either. It is furthermore appreciated that the base does not have
to be flat and can have some shaping.
[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the surface processing device
is configured for roughening or optically matting the at least one
surface, preferably for brushing the at least one surface.
[0017] The use of brushing for surface treatment is known for
example in a context with cans generated through flow pressing,
wherein an occurrence of abrasion in a context with "wet" draw wall
ironing and the "sludge" associated therewith thus made brushing
after draw wall ironing unattractive for process technology reasons
so far. In the context of the present invention, however, brushing
can be used largely circumventing a sludge formation after draw
wall ironing.
[0018] Thus, the present invention is not limited to brushing. For
example a laser treatment or a plasma treatment can also be used as
alternative and/or supplemental methods.
[0019] In an advantageous embodiment the device furthermore
includes an abrasion removal device for preferably dry removal of
abrasion that has been generated during surface processing from the
cylindrical element, in particular through an air flow or an air
blast before cleaning the surface treated cylindrical element.
[0020] Due to the pre drying performed before the surface
treatment, the abrasion generated during processing also remains in
a dry state which facilitates a simple removal, for example through
air impact. It is appreciated that the removal can also be
performed using another gas or gas mix.
[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the first cleaning device
includes a pre-washing unit for removing residuals of the cooling-
and lubrication agent and a drying device for drying the
cylindrical element which has been cleaned from the cooling and
lubricating agent.
[0022] For example when the cooling and lubricating agent includes
light soaps and oils, these can be removed with a respectively
adapted pre-washing unit, wherein a drying comes after this
removal. The agents used for pre-washing can be preferably removed
in a simpler manner from the surface for drying than this would be
the case for the cooling- and lubricating agents themselves.
[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the pre-washing unit is
configured for etching the cylindrical element, in particular
through acid treatment and/or a base treatment.
[0024] The "washing" of the cylindrical elements known from the
conventional method sometimes includes etching with an acid and/or
a base, wherein for example an acid treatment can be performed by
the pre-washing unit.
[0025] It is furthermore possible in the first and second cleaning
device to provide different treatments, for example a treatment
with an acid and a treatment with a base in different cleaning
devices in order to better separate the different treatments from
one another.
[0026] In an advantageous embodiment the drying device is
configured for drying at least the surface provided for surface
treatment up to a first degree of drying, preferably up to a second
degree of drying, wherein no additional droplets form at least at
the surface provided for surface treatment and wherein the second
degree of drying is characterized in that no humidity is sucked
into a downstream vacuum system.
[0027] A complete drying of the surface that is typically provided
for preparing a lacquering or coating is not required for preparing
the surface treatment. It has been found that generally already a
first degree of drying is sufficient for significantly reducing the
problems initially stated wherein no drops are formed anymore at
the cylindrical element. A stronger drying could mean for example
for a second degree of drying that also in a hypothetical
subsequent vacuum system no wetness or only insignificant wetness
is sucked in. A third degree of drying represents a level of
dryness in which removed particles, thus abrasion do not adhere to
one another anymore due to van-der-Waals-forces.
[0028] In the practical implementation a balance adapted to
particular conditions can be found between the desired or required
degree of dryness and a simpler abrasion removal associated
therewith and the complexity to achieve this degree of drying.
[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the drying unit includes an
oven and/or a blower for drying.
[0030] The drying unit can thus provide drying through a
combination of an air- or gas-flow and an oven impact (e.g.
convection, radiation and/or induction) or also only singular
means.
[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the cylindrical element is a
one-piece element that is closed at its base and made from aluminum
or an aluminum alloy.
[0032] Even though the invention is not limited to a cylindrical
element with a base made from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, this
constellation represents a preferred implementation.
[0033] Alternatively it is however also possible for example to
provide a cylindrical element made from steel sheet metal or tin
plated steel sheet metal, in particular to provide a surface
treatment through laser and/or plasma processing. A brushing of tin
plated steel sheet metal may only be performed up to a depth in
which it remains assured that the tin is not removed from the
surface.
[0034] In an advantageous embodiment the second cleaning device is
configured for washing and drying the surface treated cylindrical
element, in particular for washing and drying to prepare a further
processing of the cylindrical element.
[0035] Through dividing the cleaning steps in a first and second
cleaning device, it is possible to pull the cleaning steps ahead
which are required or desired for preparing the surface treatment,
wherein the remaining or eventually additional cleaning- or drying
steps are provided in a final step in the second cleaning
device.
[0036] In an advantageous embodiment the second cleaning device is
configured for a base treatment of the cylindrical element.
[0037] As stated supra providing the first and the second cleaning
device can be used to better separate different treatments from one
another (e.g. acid treatment in the first cleaning device and base
treatment in the second cleaning device). This way a protraction of
employed agents that can occur in a conventional cleaning device
can be avoided even better.
[0038] In an advantageous embodiment the device further includes a
trimming device for trimming the cylindrical element, wherein the
trimming device is in particular configured for trimming the
pre-dried cylindrical element before surface treatment.
[0039] The trimming device for desired trimming of the cylindrical
element can be provided at different stages in the process, wherein
preferably the trimming is performed before the surface
treatment.
[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the device includes plural
first cleaning devices and/or plural surface treatment devices
and/or plural second cleaning devices which are respectively
arranged for parallel operations.
[0041] The particular process steps in the different elements of
the device can use different times per cylindrical element, wherein
an optimum loading of the entire process chain is achievable
through respective operation of plural elements parallel to one
another.
[0042] In an advantageous embodiment, the device includes a draw
wall ironing device for producing a cylindrical element.
[0043] The invention can be used for a separate pre-fabrication and
supplying of cylindrical elements and also in a context where the
cylindrical elements are produced directly before further
processing them on site. This applies for producing a bowl, for
example by deep drawing from a piece of sheet metal which precedes
the draw wall ironing process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] The invention is subsequently described based on embodiments
with reference to appended drawing figures, wherein:
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device according to
the invention; and
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a method according to
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device 10 according to
the invention. The device 10 includes a draw wall ironing device
20, a first cleaning device 30, a trimming device 40, a surface
treatment device 50, an abrasion removal device 60 and a second
cleaning device 70.
[0048] The draw wall ironing device 20 is configured to receive a
blank also designated as bowl and to form a cylindrical element
from the blank through draw wall ironing. The cylindrical element
thus formed (sometimes also designated "pre form") is supplied by
the draw wall ironing device 20 to the first cleaning device
30.
[0049] The first cleaning device 30 includes a pre-washing unit 32
and a drying unit 34. Through the pre-washing unit residuals of
cooling- and lubricating agent which was used during draw wall
ironing are removed from the supplied cylindrical element, wherein
this removing also includes a treatment with an acid. The
cylindrical element thus sufficiently cleaned from cooling- and
lubricating agent is then dried by the drying unit 34 which
includes an oven and a blower (not illustrated) until a desired
degree of drying is achieved in which no more drops form at the
dried cylindrical element. After running through the first drying
unit 30, thus a cleaned and pre-dried cylindrical element is
provided which is provided to the trimming unit 40.
[0050] The trimming unit 40 is used to trim the cylindrical element
to a desired dimension, wherein the trimming assures in particular
that dimensional deviations generated through the draw wall ironing
with respect to the height of the cylindrical element are removed.
From the trimming device 40 the trimmed cylindrical element is
provided to the surface processing unit 50.
[0051] Through the surface treatment device 50, a treatment in the
form of brushing at least one of the surfaces of the cylindrical
element is provided so that the cylindrical element has a roughened
and/or optically more matt surface on the treated surface.
[0052] The abrasion particles released when brushing with the
surface treatment device 50 are removed by the abrasion removal
device 60 in a dry manner using an air flow, wherein the
cylindrical element thus cleaned from abrasion is subsequently
provided to the second cleaning device 70.
[0053] The second cleaning device 70, similar to the first cleaning
device 30 includes a washing unit 72 and a drying unit 74.
Differently from the first cleaning device 30, however, the second
cleaning device 70 is provided for a final and complete cleaning of
the cylindrical element, wherein in particular the drying unit 74
provides a molecular drying of the cylindrical element so that the
eventually cleaned and dried cylindrical element can be coated
and/or lacquered (not illustrated).
[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, trimming with the
trimming device 40 is done before the surface treatment with the
surface treatment device 50. It is appreciated that the process
sequence is not mandatory and the trimming can be easily done after
the surface treatment or at an earlier point in time (before the
first cleaning) or at a later point in time.
[0055] Some process steps or devices which are designated as
sequential in the embodiment, as this is the case during surface
treatment in the surface treatment device 50 and abrasion removal
in the abrasion removal device 60, can also be performed in
parallel or can be combined in a device quite well. In a combined
surface treatment and abrasion removal device, the abrasion
released during surface treatment would also be removed
simultaneously.
[0056] It is furthermore possible that different devices of the
device according to the invention jointly perform particular
functions. Thus, for example abrasion removal can be performed up
to a certain degree through the abrasion removal device 60, wherein
the remaining residual abrasion is removed by the second cleaning
device 70.
[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a method according to
the invention. The method includes providing 110 an element
produced through draw wall ironing, removing 120 of residuals of a
coolant and lubricant used during draw wall ironing from the
cylindrical element, so that a cleaned and pre-dried cylindrical
element is provided, processing 130 at least one surface of the
cleaned and pre-dried cylindrical element and cleaning 140 the
surface treated cylindrical element in this sequence.
[0058] The device 10 may include computer 80 in one or more of its
associated devices and units 20, 30, 32, 34, 40, 50, 60, 70, 72 and
74 or as a separate computer, including a memory 82 stored with
instructions, which when executed by the computer, performs the
method shown in FIG. 2.
REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS
[0059] 10 device
[0060] 20 draw wall ironing device
[0061] 30 first cleaning device
[0062] 32 pre-washing unit
[0063] 34 drying unit
[0064] 40 trimming device
[0065] 50 surface treatment device
[0066] 60 abrasion removal device
[0067] 70 second cleaning device
[0068] 72 washing unit
[0069] 74 drying unit
[0070] 80 computer
[0071] 82 memory
[0072] 110 providing
[0073] 120 removing
[0074] 130 treating
[0075] 140 cleaning
* * * * *