DE102018212928A1 - Device and method for conveying at least one semi-finished product and manufacturing system for the additive manufacturing of at least one component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for conveying at least one semifinished product (12) in a conveying direction (14), with at least one conveying roller (18) which can be driven and can therefore be rotated about an axis of rotation (16) and has an outer peripheral surface (20) which is to be conveyed in the conveying direction (14) by rotating the conveying roller (18) to convey the semifinished product (12) in the radial direction (34) of the conveying roller (18) in support system with the lateral surface (20) The axis of rotation (16) runs parallel to the conveying direction (14), the outer circumferential lateral surface (20) having at least one corrugation (28) running obliquely to the conveying direction (14).

Description

The invention relates to a device for conveying at least one semi-finished product according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a production system for the additive manufacturing of at least one component according to the preamble of claim 14. The invention also relates to a method for conveying at least one semi-finished product according to the preamble of claim 15.

Such devices, methods and manufacturing systems are already well known from the general prior art. The device is used to convey the at least one semifinished product, for example a fiber element. For this purpose, the device has at least one conveying element which can be driven and thereby rotated about an axis of rotation. The semifinished product is conveyed in the conveying direction by rotating the conveying element. The conveying element is designed, for example, as a conveying roller or conveying roller and has an outer circumferential lateral surface with or against which the semi-finished product to be conveyed is to be held in a support system. If the semifinished product is held in a support system with the outer circumferential surface while the conveying element is rotated about the axis of rotation, the semifinished product is conveyed in the conveying direction by means of the conveying element. Devices of this type are used, for example, in welding systems or welding devices or in 3D printers.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a device, a production system and a method of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the semifinished product can be conveyed in a particularly advantageous manner.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the respective independent claims. Advantageous refinements with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for conveying at least one semifinished product, for example as a fiber element or as another semifinished product, in a conveying direction, in particular precisely. Thus, the device for feeding the semi-finished product, that is, for example, for feeding the fiber in the conveying direction, can be used. The device has at least one drivable and thereby rotatable about an axis of rotation conveyor roller, which has an outer circumferential lateral surface. The outer circumferential surface is also referred to as the outer surface or outer surface. By means of the conveyor roller, the semi-finished product is to be conveyed in the conveying direction by rotating the conveyor roller. In other words, the semifinished product can be conveyed in the conveying direction by means of the conveying roller by rotating the conveying roller. To convey the semifinished product, the semifinished product is to be held in the radial direction of the conveyor roller in support system with or against the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor roller.

In other words, in order to convey the semifinished product in the conveying direction by means of the conveying roller, for example, in that the conveying roller is rotated about the axis of rotation, the semifinished product is or is to be held or held in support system with or against the outer circumferential lateral surface. If, for example, as part of a method for conveying the semifinished product, the semifinished product is held in a support system with the outer circumferential surface while the conveying roller is driven and thereby rotated about the axis of rotation, the semifinished product is conveyed in the conveying direction, in particular in the conveying direction, and is moved, for example, translationally pushed or pushed forward.

In order to be able to move, in particular push and / or pull, the semifinished product particularly advantageously in the conveying direction, the invention provides that the axis of rotation runs parallel to the conveying direction or coincides with the conveying direction. Furthermore, the outer circumferential lateral surface has at least one corrugation that runs obliquely to the conveying direction and thus obliquely to the axis of rotation and is also referred to as knurling, which has, for example, successive and spaced-apart ribs and recesses or grooves arranged along the conveying direction between the ribs. The ribs and the grooves run, for example, parallel to one another and / or the ribs and the grooves each run obliquely to the conveying direction and thus obliquely to the axis of rotation.

The semifinished product can be designed to be limp or dimensionally unstable or else rigid or intrinsically stiff and thus dimensionally stable. The semifinished product has, for example, a cylindrical outer surface, in particular a cylindrical outer outer surface. The semifinished product can have a longitudinal extension or a longitudinal extension direction. The semi-finished product can be designed as a rod or rod element and / or as a fiber element. The fiber element can have at least one or exactly one filament, or the fiber element has several filaments. The respective filament is for example a single fiber. The semi-finished product, in particular the fiber element, can be designed as a wire. The semifinished product can be formed from a plastic, so that the semifinished product, in particular the fiber element, is, for example, a plastic wire. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the semifinished product is formed from a metallic material, so that the semifinished product, in particular the fiber element, can be formed as a metal wire. The semifinished product can be a cylindrical semifinished product, in particular on the outer peripheral side. The semifinished product can have several, for example arranged next to one another and in particular individual filaments or fibers, so that the semifinished product, in particular the fiber element, can have at least or exactly one fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is also referred to as roving, so that the semi-finished product, in particular the fiber element, can be a roving. By means of the invention, any semi-finished product, in particular a cylindrical outer circumference, such as a filament, a roving, a wire, in particular metal wire, or another semi-finished product can be conveyed.

The invention is based in particular on the finding that, in conventional devices for conveying semi-finished products, the axis of rotation is perpendicular to an imaginary plane which is parallel to the conveying direction. According to the invention, however, it is now provided that the conveying direction and the axis of rotation run parallel to one another and thus perpendicular to a common, imaginary plane, as a result of which the semi-finished product, for example inherently rigid or dimensionally stable or also flexible and thus dimensionally labile, in a particularly advantageous manner and / or at least substantially continuously can be conveyed, in particular without slipping, that is to say an undesirable relative movement between the semifinished product and the conveying roller, also referred to as the conveying roller.

The feature that the outer circumferential lateral surface has the described corrugation or knurling means that the outer circumferential lateral surface is corrugated or knurled and is corrugated or knurled obliquely to the axis of rotation or obliquely to the conveying direction. As a result, when the semifinished product is held in the radial direction of the conveyor roller in support system with the outer circumferential lateral surface while the conveyor roller is driven and thereby rotated about the axis of rotation, a force pointing in the conveying direction is exerted by the conveyor roller on the semifinished product in a particularly advantageous manner , whereby the semi-finished product is conveyed in a particularly advantageous manner in the conveying direction.

The invention is also based on the following findings: Conventionally, there are technical problems in realizing an advantageous axial feed of, for example, round semifinished products, that is to say semifinished products which can be round, in particular circular, or oval on the outer circumference. The axial feed is to be understood to mean that the semifinished product or semifinished product is to be conveyed along its axial direction or along its longitudinal direction. Along its axial direction, however, the semifinished product can absorb no or only very slight compressive forces, especially when the semifinished product is limp or is conveyed in the limp state. The semifinished product is, for example, a wire, a filament or a fiber bundle. The semifinished product can be formed, for example, from at least or exactly one plastic or else from a metallic material. In other words, the semifinished product can comprise at least or exactly one filament, so that the semifinished product itself can be designed as a filament, in particular as a monofilament. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the semifinished product has at least or exactly one fiber bundle, also referred to as roving, which can comprise several filaments, for example arranged next to one another.

As part of the conveyance of the semi-finished product, it is unwound from a supply spool, for example, and conveyed, in particular pushed, to or into an extruder. By means of the extruder, the semi-finished product can be heated and thereby melted or plasticized and finally extruded, so that, for example, a liquid or pasty or plasticized melt, which is also referred to as melt, is formed from the initially solid semi-finished product. The melt is extruded in particular as a melt strand from the extruder and can, for example, be applied to a substrate in such a way that layers are produced from the melt and thus from the semi-finished product. The layers are stacked one on top of the other or one above the other and / or next to one another, as a result of which, for example, at least one component can be produced layer by layer or layer by layer. In this way, a generative production of the component, also referred to as additive production, can be realized. In other words, the device can be used in a generative manufacturing process, in the context of which the component is manufactured generatively or additively.

The semi-finished product usually has to be guided and conveyed at the same time so that it is pushed from the supply spool into the extruder. One for conveying the semi-finished product by means of the device The feed caused is usually not trivial, since the semifinished product can be a semifinished product which is not necessarily rigid or geometrically clearly defined, especially if the semifinished product is designed as a loose fiber bundle or as an oval semifinished product, in particular on the outer circumference. An advantageous advance of the semi-finished product can be achieved if an advantageous contact pressure on the semi-finished product remains at least substantially constant regardless of its shape or nature. By means of the contact pressure mentioned, the semifinished product is pressed, for example, against the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor roller and is thereby held in an advantageous support system with the outer circumferential surface. An advantageous feed and thus an advantageous promotion of the semifinished product, also referred to as a semifinished product, can be realized if an engagement length, along which the device interacts with the semifinished product and guides the semifinished product, and / or an exposure time, during which, for example, the device with the semifinished product cooperates and leads the semi-finished product when conveying, is as large or long as possible. In addition, advantageous funding can be realized if a potential, free kink length of the semi-finished product is kept as short as possible. The free kink length is understood to mean a length of the semifinished product, the semifinished product not being guided or supported along this length by means of the device. Especially in combination with a cutting unit, by means of which, for example, respective pieces are deflected from the semifinished product, the cutting unit, for example, dividing the semifinished product transversely to the conveying direction, a plurality of engagement points along the conveying direction are usually required. At the respective point of engagement, the device interacts with the semifinished product, in particular in such a way that a force for conveying the semifinished product, in particular in the following device, acts or is transmitted to the semifinished product at the point of engagement.

In conventional devices and methods, a semifinished product, for example, which is round on the outer circumference, is conveyed by pulling it onto an exit side. As a result, the semi-finished product is subjected to tension and does not have to be pushed or not just pushed. This behavior can be seen, for example, in the winding processes of metallic wires or cables. However, as can also be seen from the example of conventional welding processes, pure tensile stress is not always possible. Since a conventional feed unit for conveying, in particular for pulling, a semifinished product sits for technical reasons in front of one end of a nozzle through which the semifinished product is to be conveyed, a residual length inevitably remains, which extends from the feed unit to the nozzle tip. The semifinished product, for example in the form of a metal wire, must then be pushed along this remaining length by means of the feed unit.

In conventional additive manufacturing processes, a shaft and an opposing gearwheel are usually used, between which the semifinished product, for example in the form of a plastic wire, is clamped. A problem with this is that there is only a single point of engagement, which is due to the rotating shaft and gear. As soon as the semifinished product or semifinished product is too hard or too smooth, the semifinished product slips. Even if the diameter of the semifinished product, for example in the form of a filament, deviates or varies only minimally from a desired size, the contact pressure of the shaft and the gearwheel on the semifinished product is no longer sufficient to ensure an advantageous feed. Then the process must be stopped. By slipping through the semi-finished product, it is then rubbed off the gear at the point of engagement, because then a motor and gears continue to rotate. The semi-finished product is then thinned out at this point and has to be replaced completely, which requires the removal of the entire extruder. In order to bring about constant pressure on the semi-finished product, spring elements are usually installed, but this does not bring about any improvement in the case of smooth filaments or semi-finished products. In addition, the filament can easily slip due to the fact that it is only guided between two gear wheels or between the gear wheel and the shaft.

A second problem arises from the fact that respective axes of rotation of the gearwheel and the shaft or respective axes of rotation of wheels which are usually used for conveying the semi-finished product - as described above - run perpendicular to a plane which runs parallel to the direction of conveyance. This results in a distance from the point of engagement to the passage on a heated part of the extruder, along which the semi-finished product can buckle, in particular in the manner of an Eulerian buckling bar. For example, the filament is not guided along this path, so that the path can be, for example, the previously mentioned free kink length. In order to keep the distance or the kink length as short as possible, the wheels would have to be made very small, which in turn would reduce the point of intervention. Especially if the nozzle is clogged or the filament becomes too soft due to the action of heat, which can happen especially if the filament is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), for example, the filament kinks in this section and wraps around the wheels. Also then the process must be stopped and the extruder completely dismantled.

In order to keep the free kink length low, the wheels are made particularly small, for example. A contact pressure of the wheels used for driving and thus conveying the filament onto the filament is set by means of a spring and an adjusting screw, although the following problems can also arise here: Again, the wheels cannot exert a sufficiently large force on the Transfer filament, especially if the filament is smooth and / or hard. As soon as, for example, the nozzle through which the filament is to be conveyed is clogged, the filament rubs off at the point of engagement and must be replaced. In addition, only filaments that are clearly defined geometrically can be conveyed here. Fiber bundles get tangled in the feed because they are only pushed at a single point. This single point is the point of intervention. The friction in the remaining length of the extruder is so high that the fibers of the roving can block a feed.

As soon as the filament, for example in the form of a continuous fiber, is to be cut transversely to the conveying direction, further engagement points must be defined. If the fiber bundle is cut, for example, according to the wheels, which are in particular designed as gear wheels, the fiber bundle can only be passed passively through the fiber bundle that is conveyed. However, this does not work due to the lack of flexural rigidity of the fiber bundle, especially its fibers. If the fiber bundle is cut in front of the wheels in the conveying direction, an additional conveying unit must be used.

The above-mentioned problems and disadvantages can be avoided by means of the device according to the invention, so that the semifinished product, for example in the form of a filament or fiber element, can be conveyed particularly advantageously.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention - as has already been indicated above - the corrugation has a plurality of ribs which are successive or spaced apart along the conveying direction and which are spaced apart, for example, via the aforementioned depressions or grooves. The respective rib runs straight. In other words, the respective rib preferably has a straight course per se. This enables a particularly advantageous and, in particular, uniform power transmission from the device to the semifinished product, so that, for example, kinking and / or accumulation of the semifinished product can be avoided during conveying.

The feature that the ribs run straight means that, for example, a respective two-dimensional projection of the respective rib on an imaginary plane running parallel to the conveying direction has a straight or rectilinear course in the plane. However, the respective rib can be bent in the circumferential direction of the conveyor roller, since the rib winds, for example, around an imaginary, cylindrical surface, in particular the conveyor roller, or runs along this surface. As a result, for example, the respective shaft can roll, roll and / or slide particularly advantageously on the semifinished product.

In order to be able to implement a particularly advantageous feed of the semi-finished product, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the corrugation includes an angle with the conveying direction which is at least or exactly 30 °. This is to be understood in particular to mean that the aforementioned projection of the respective rib with the conveying direction or with a projection of the conveying direction onto the plane includes the aforementioned angle.

In order to be able to convey the semi-finished product particularly safely and sufficiently quickly, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the angle is at least or exactly 45 °. It was found that the steeper or larger the angle, the greater the feed, that is, the faster the speed at which the semi-finished product is conveyed along the conveying direction.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device has at least one support element, in particular at a distance from the conveyor roller, by means of which the semifinished product is to be held in a support system with or against the outer circumferential surface in an oblique or preferably perpendicular to the conveying direction. In this way, an undesired lifting of the semifinished product from the outer circumferential lateral surface can be reliably avoided, so that the semifinished product can be conveyed safely without undesired relative movements between the semifinished product and the conveyor roller.

In order to be able to promote the semifinished product in a particularly space-saving and cost-effective manner, the support element is designed as an at least non-rotatable and preferably stationary wall, so that the wall is preferably secured against rotation, in particular about a rotation axis running parallel to the rotation axis.

In order to be able to guide the semifinished product in a particularly precise and defined manner, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the wall has a receptacle that extends along the conveying direction, in particular in a straight line, in which to guide the semifinished product along the one that acts as a guide Recording can be at least partially recorded by means of the conveyor roller to be conveyed. In this way, for example, undesired movements of the semifinished product that run obliquely or perpendicular to the conveying direction can be reliably avoided.

In order to be able to convey the semifinished product particularly gently, so that, for example, excessive rubbing off of the semifinished product can be reliably avoided, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the support element is designed as a further roller, which is also referred to as a backup roller and around a parallel one to the axis of rotation extending and spaced from the axis of rotation further axis of rotation, in particular, for example, counter to the conveyor roller, is rotatable.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device has a second conveyor roller which can be driven and can therefore be rotated about a second axis of rotation spaced apart from the axis of rotation and parallel to the axis of rotation and has a second outer circumferential surface, by means of which the second conveyor roller rotates to convey the semi-finished product is to be conveyed in the radial direction of the second conveyor roller in the support system with or against the semi-finished product to be held in the conveying direction. The previous and following remarks on the first conveyor roller can, for example, also be readily transferred to the second conveyor roller and vice versa. The second outer circumferential lateral surface has at least one second corrugation that runs obliquely to the conveying direction. As a result, the semi-finished product can be particularly defined and safely conveyed in the conveying direction.

In order to convey the semifinished product safely, precisely, quickly and in the conveying direction without undesired relative movements between the conveying rollers and the semifinished product, it is provided in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention that the corrugations are in opposite directions. This means that the conveyor rollers are corrugated or knurled in opposite directions, so that the corrugations or their respective ribs run towards or away from one another along the conveying direction.

In order to realize a particularly advantageous feed of the semifinished product, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the device has a traction means which at least partially wraps around the conveyor roller, i.e. the first conveyor roller and preferably also the second conveyor roller, via which the conveyor roller can be driven and is therefore rotatable about the axis of rotation. If the traction means is thus driven, the respective conveyor roller is driven and thus rotated about its respective axis of rotation.

The traction device can be a chain. The traction means is preferably a belt which is designed as a toothed belt or preferably as a V-belt. The traction means is, for example, at least or exclusively frictionally and / or at least or exclusively positively coupled to the conveyor roller, so that, for example, undesired relative movements between the traction means and the conveyor roller can be avoided.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the device has a axis that runs parallel to the axis of rotation, that is to say the first axis of rotation and / or the second axis of rotation and that of the axis of rotation, in particular the first axis of rotation and / or the second axis of rotation, spaced drive axis of rotation comprises rotatable drive roller, which is preferably provided in addition to the first conveyor roller and in addition to the second conveyor roller. The traction roller is at least partially wrapped around by the traction means along its circumferential direction, so that the traction means can be driven by rotating the drive roller. If the drive roller is thus rotated, the traction means is driven thereby. As a result, the conveyor roller is driven.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the device has a drive wheel which is connected to the drive roller in a rotationally fixed manner and which is preferably designed as a gear wheel. The drive roller can be driven by means of the drive wheel and can thus be rotated about the drive axis of rotation. The drive wheel can, for example, be driven by a drive, in particular by an electric motor, so that the conveyor roller can be driven particularly advantageously via the traction means, the drive roller and the drive wheel.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a production system for the additive or additive manufacturing of at least one component from at least one semi-finished product. The production plant has at least one processing device for processing the semi-finished product and at least one device, in particular an inventive one Device according to the first aspect of the invention. The processing device is, for example, an extruder, by means of which the semi-finished product can be heated and thereby, for example, melted or plasticized and in particular extruded. By means of the extruder, for example, the melted or plasticized semi-finished product can be applied, in particular printed, to a substrate in such a way that layers are produced from the semi-finished product. The layers are arranged on top of one another or stacked on top of one another by means of the processing device, as a result of which the component is produced layer by layer, that is to say in layers.

By means of the device of the production plant, the semi-finished product is, in particular precisely, to be conveyed to the processing device by a conveying device, whereby the processing device can be supplied or supplied with the semi-finished product. In particular, the semi-finished product can be conveyed into the processing device by means of the device.

The device has at least one drivable and thereby rotatable about an axis of rotation and having an outer circumferential lateral surface, by means of which by rotating the conveying roller in order to convey the semi-finished product in the radial direction of the conveyor roller in support system with the outer circumferential lateral surface in the conveying direction promote is.

In order to be able to convey the semi-finished product particularly advantageously, the second aspect of the invention provides that the axis of rotation runs parallel to the conveying direction. Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface has at least one corrugation that runs obliquely to the conveying direction and thus obliquely to the axis of rotation. Advantages and advantageous configurations of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous configurations of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for conveying at least one semi-finished product in, in particular precisely, a conveying direction. In the method, the semifinished product is held in a support system with an outer circumferential lateral surface of at least one drivable and thereby rotatable about an axis of rotation and having the outer circumferential lateral surface having a conveyor roller, while the conveyor roller is driven and thereby rotated about the axis of rotation. As a result, the semifinished product is conveyed in the conveying direction by means of the conveying roller. In other words, the semifinished product is conveyed in the conveying direction by means of the conveying roller in that the conveying roller is driven and thereby rotated about the axis of rotation, in particular while the semifinished product is held in a support system with the outer circumferential surface or in a support system against the outer circumferential surface.

In order to be able to convey the semifinished product particularly advantageously in the conveying direction, it is provided according to the invention that the axis of rotation runs parallel to the conveying direction, the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller having at least one corrugation running obliquely to the conveying direction. Advantages and advantageous refinements of the first aspect of the invention and the second aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous refinements of the third aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without the scope of Leaving invention.

• 1 ausschnittsweise eine schematische Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform zum Fördern wenigstens oder genau eines Halbzeugs in eine Förderrichtung;
• 2 eine schematische Draufsicht einer Förderwalze der Vorrichtung;
• 3 ausschnittsweise eine schematische Draufsicht der Vorrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 4 eine schematische Perspektivansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;
• 5 eine weitere schematische Perspektivansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform;
• 6 eine weitere schematische Perspektivansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform;
• 7 ausschnittsweise eine schematische Draufsicht der Vorrichtung gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform.

The drawing shows in:

• 1 excerpts a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention according to a first embodiment for conveying at least or exactly one semi-finished product in a conveying direction;
• 2 a schematic plan view of a conveyor roller of the device;
• 3 Detail of a schematic plan view of the device according to a second embodiment;
• 4 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to a third embodiment;
• 5 a further schematic perspective view of the device according to the third embodiment;
• 6 a further schematic perspective view of the device according to the third embodiment;
• 7 Detail of a schematic plan view of the device according to the third embodiment.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows a section of a device in a schematic plan view 10 for conveying at least or exactly one present as a fiber element 12 trained semi-finished product in a 1 by an arrow 14 illustrated conveying direction. Show 1 and 2 a first embodiment of the device 10 , According to 1 The conveying direction runs perpendicular to the image plane of 1 and points from the image plane of 1 out. How particularly good looking 1 is recognizable is the fiber element 12 a semifinished product which has a direction of longitudinal extension coinciding with the conveying direction and is round, in particular circular, on the outer circumference. The fiber element 12 is formed, for example, from a plastic and / or can be a hard, soft and / or smooth outer semifinished product. To the fiber element 12 To convey in the conveying direction is an axial feed of the fiber element, which is also simply referred to as a semifinished product or filament 12 causes. The fiber element 12 can have at least or exactly one filament and thus, in turn or as such, be formed as a filament, in particular as a monofilament. It is also conceivable that the fiber element 12 is formed as a fiber bundle, also called roving, which has several individual fibers, that is to say filaments. In particular, the fiber element 12 be rigid and therefore dimensionally stable, so that the fiber element 12 is inherently rigid. It is also conceivable that the fiber element 12 is limp and therefore dimensionally unstable. This is also known as flexible.

The device 10 has at least or exactly one drivable and thereby about an axis of rotation 16 rotatable conveyor roller 18 on which an outer circumferential lateral surface 20 having. The conveyor roller 18 is, for example, rotatable on an in 1 only partially recognizable housing 22 the device 10 stored at least indirectly. The device 10 can also be a 1 drive shown particularly schematically 24 have, which is electrically operated, for example, and thus has at least or exactly one electric motor. The conveyor roller 18 can by means of the drive 24 driven and thus about the axis of rotation 16 relative to the housing 22 be rotated. By means of the conveyor roller 18 is by turning the conveyor roller 18 that for conveying the fiber element 12 in the radial direction of the conveyor roller 18 in support system with the outer peripheral surface 20 fiber element to be held 12 to promote in the direction of funding. In other words, around the fiber element 12 To convey in the conveying direction, the fiber element 12 in the radial direction of the conveyor roller 18 against the lateral surface 20 pressed or pressed and thus in support system with the lateral surface 20 held while the conveyor roller 18 about the axis of rotation 16 relative to the housing 22 is rotated. This will make the fiber element 12 conveyed in the conveying direction and thereby relative to the conveying roller 18 and relative to the housing 20 moved translationally.

In 1 illustrates a double arrow 26 that the feed roller 18 , in particular by means of the drive 24 , in a first direction of rotation or in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation about the axis of rotation 16 relative to the housing 22 and in particular also relative to the fiber element 12 is rotated or can be rotated about an axial feed of the fiber element 12 to effect and thus the fiber element 12 to promote in the direction of funding.

Now around the fiber element 12 It is particularly advantageous for the device to be able to convey in the conveying direction 10 provided that the axis of rotation 16 parallel to the conveying direction (arrow 14 ) runs. Thus the direction of conveyance and the axis of rotation run 16 perpendicular to a common, imaginary plane. In addition, the outer circumferential surface has 20 how particularly well when viewed together with 2 is recognizable, at least or exactly at an angle to the conveying direction and thus obliquely to the axis of rotation 16 running corrugation 28 on, which is also known as knurling or knurling. The corrugation 28 has several ribs 30 on which are spaced apart along the conveying direction. In addition, the corrugation shows 28 wells 32 on, which are also referred to as grooves. The wells 32 are along the conveying direction between the respective ribs 30 arranged and opposite the ribs 30 in the radial direction of the conveyor roller 18 set back. In other words, the ribs 30 in the radial direction of the conveyor roller 18 outwards opposite the depressions 32 sublime. Here is the radial direction of the conveyor roller 18 in 1 and 2 with a double arrow 34 illustrated. The radial direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the conveyor roller 18 whose axial direction is related to the axis of rotation 16 coincides. Out 2 is particularly recognizable that the ribs 30 and also the wells 32 each at an angle to the conveying direction (arrow 14 ) run. The ribs run here 30 as well as the wells 32 in itself straight. In addition, the corrugation closes, for example 28 an angle with the conveying direction which is at least or exactly 30 °, in particular at least or exactly 45 °.

The device further comprises 10 at least or exactly one from the conveyor roller 18 spaced support element 36 , by means of which the fiber element 12 in an oblique or in the present case running perpendicular to the conveying direction and in 1 by an arrow 38 illustrated support direction, which with the radial direction of the conveyor roller 18 coincides, in support system with the outer peripheral surface 20 is to be held or is being held. In the first embodiment, the support member 36 as a non-rotatable wall 40 of the housing 22 educated. Under the feature that the wall 40 is rotatable, it is understood that the wall 40 not about a parallel to the axis of rotation 16 extending axis of rotation and not about other other axes of rotation.

The wall 40 has a receptacle that extends along the conveying direction and acts as a guide 41 on, which is also referred to as a recess. In the recording 41 is for guiding the fiber element 12 that along the recording 41 by means of the conveyor roller 18 fiber element to be conveyed 12 at least or only partially recordable or recorded during conveyance.

The corrugation 28 can be designed as a knurling and thus be produced by the conveyor roller 18 , in particular the outer peripheral surface 20 is knurled. It is also conceivable that the corrugation 28 is designed as a toothing, in particular as a helical toothing. Then the ribs 30 Teeth of the toothing, so that the depressions 32 there are gaps between the teeth. In other words, for example, the conveyor roller 18 , in particular its outer peripheral surface 20 , helically toothed and thus with the obliquely to the conveying direction (arrow 14 ) running corrugation 28 Mistake.

3 shows a second embodiment of the device 10 , In the second embodiment, the device 10 a drivable and thereby about a distance from the axis of rotation and parallel to the axis of rotation 16 extending second axis of rotation 42 rotatable and a second outer peripheral surface 44 having a second conveyor roller 46 by means of which by rotating the second conveyor roller 46 that for conveying the fiber element 12 in the radial direction of the second conveyor roller 46 in support system with the second outer circumferential surface 44 fiber element to be held 12 is to be promoted in the direction of funding. The radial direction of the feed roller 46 coincides with the radial direction of the conveyor roller 18 together. The second outer circumferential surface also has 44 the conveyor roller 46 at least or exactly a second corrugation running obliquely to the conveying direction 48 on. The previous and following explanations on corrugation 28 can also easily on the corrugation 48 be transferred and vice versa.

How from 3 the conveyor rollers are particularly recognizable 18 and 46 corrugated in opposite or opposite directions, so that the corrugations 28 and 48 are opposite. This means that the corrugations 28 and 48 in the present by the arrow 14 illustrated conveying direction to run towards each other.

Out 3 together with 1 it can be seen that in the first embodiment a two-point roller feed of the fiber element 12 is provided. Two contacts are provided here. A first of the two contacts is a contact between the fiber element 12 and the conveyor roller 18 , and the second contact is a contact between the fiber element 12 and the support element 36 , Together with 3 it can be seen that a three-point roller feed is provided in the second embodiment. There is an additional third contact between the fiber element 12 and the second conveyor roller 46 , The respective contact is also referred to as a contact point or engagement point and is not necessarily strictly point-shaped or circular, but can have an elongated extension and in particular be linear.

Finally illustrate 4 to 7 a third embodiment of the device 10 , In the third embodiment, the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 provided, which are simply referred to as rollers. In the third embodiment, the support element 36 as another, third roller 50 formed which is parallel to the axes of rotation 16 and 42 trending and from the axes of rotation 16 and 42 spaced further, third axis of rotation 52 , in particular relative to the housing 22 , is rotatable.

How particularly good looking 7 the device comprises 10 according to the third embodiment, the conveyor roller in the present case 46 in the circumferential direction at least partially wrapping traction means in the form of a belt 54 , over which the conveyor roller 46 drivable and thus about its axis of rotation 42 is rotatable. The device comprises 10 one parallel to the axes of rotation 16 . 42 and 52 trending and from the axes of rotation 16 . 42 and 52 spaced and also referred to as the drive axis of rotation 56 rotatable drive roller 58 which at least partially along its circumferential direction from the belt 54 is entwined. Thus becomes the drive roller 58 this turns the belt 54 driven. The device also includes 10 a tensioning element designed as a further roller, that is to say as a tensioning roller 60 which in its circumferential direction is at least partially from the belt 54 is entwined. By means of the clamping element 60 becomes the belt 54 curious; excited.

The clamping element 60 is designed as a further roller, which around one of the axes of rotation 16 . 42 . 52 and 56 spaced axis of rotation 62 , in particular relative to the housing 22 , is rotatable. The conveyor rollers 18 and 46 , the backup roller 50 , the drive roller 58 and the tensioning element 60 are also referred to collectively as rolls. The strap 54 also wraps around the conveyor roller 18 , the backup roller 50 and the tensioning element 60 each at least partially so that the rollers are driven and thereby rotated when the belt 54 is driven. Here illustrate in 7 respective arrows 64 respective directions of rotation in which the rollers are rotated when the drive roller 58 and thus the strap 54 are driven. Arrows also illustrate 66 respective directions in which of the straps 54 is moved when the drive roller 58 rotated and thereby the strap 54 is driven. The rollers are at least indirectly rotatable on the housing 22 stored.

Like beyond 4 . 5 and 6 is recognizable is with the drive roller 58 a gear 68 non-rotatably connected. The gear 68 is, especially from the drive 24 , drivable and therefore around the axis of rotation 56 relative to the housing 22 rotatable. This will drive the drive roller 58 about the gear 68 from the drive 24 driven.

Overall, it can be seen that the device 10 at least or exactly five rollers in the form of the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 , the drive roller 58 , the tensioning element 60 and the backup roller 50 having. The device also includes 10 the strap 54 , The strap 54 spans all five rollers in a special way.

The fiber element 12 is designed, for example, as a filament and is also referred to as a semi-finished product. The drive roller 58 has exactly one degree of freedom, which is formed by the drive roller 58 relative to the housing 22 is rotatable. The drive roller 58 is therefore one over the gear 68 drivable or driven roller that rotates on itself. The conveyor rollers 18 and 46 represent fixed bearings and are knurled in opposite directions so that, for example, the corrugation 28 forms an angle of + 45 ° with the conveying direction while the corrugation 48 includes an angle of -45 ° with the conveying direction. Thus, for example, the conveyor roller 18 fluted to the right while the conveyor roller 46 is fluted to the left.

The respective conveyor roller 18 respectively 46 preferably has exactly one degree of freedom, which is formed by the respective conveyor roller 18 respectively 46 relative to the housing 22 is rotatable. While the drive roller 58 about the gear 68 directly from the drive 24 is driven, the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 are not directly driven and can only rotate on their own axis. It is particularly advantageous that the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 are grooved or knurled differently. While the outer circumferential lateral surface also referred to as the surface 20 , which is in engagement with the semi-finished product, is knurled in the positive + 45 ° direction, is the outer surface, also known as the surface 44 , which is in engagement with the semi-finished product, knurled or knurled in the negative, -45 ° direction. Depending on the direction of rotation, this can also be the other way round. This results in an axial force acting on the semi-finished product, which forces the semi-finished product along the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 promotes and in particular translationally, in particular relative to the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 , emotional.

The strap 54 also wraps around the back-up roll 50 , which is a floating bearing and preferably has exactly two degrees of freedom. The back-up roller preferably has 50 an outer peripheral surface 70 which is circular and preferably smooth. A first degree of freedom of the backup roller 50 consists in particular in that the backup roller 50 relative to the housing 22 is rotatable. The second degree of freedom of the backup roller 50 is that the backup roller 50 in a clamping direction relative to the housing 22 and especially relative to the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 is movable. This tensioning direction runs, for example, perpendicular to the conveying direction or in the radial direction of the respective conveying roller 18 respectively 46 ,

The clamping element 60 causes a belt tension, that is, a tension of the belt 54 , Because the backup roller 50 along the clamping direction relative to the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 can be moved with the help of the belt tension against the semi-finished product, which in turn against or in the knurled or corrugated conveyor rollers 18 and 46 is pressed. This creates a particularly advantageous friction between the semi-finished product and the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 , In other words, for example by means of the tensioning element 60 there will be tension on the belt 54 exercised. By means of this tension, the backup roller 50 pressed or pressed along the radial direction against the semifinished product, whereby the semifinished product against the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 is pressed or pressed.

In contrast to solutions in which the axes of rotation are perpendicular to a plane which is parallel to the conveying direction, the device can 10 a particularly large engagement length can be realized. The length of engagement can be increased at least almost arbitrarily. In other words, due to the fact that the axes of rotation of the rollers, which are also referred to as axes, are no longer horizontal but vertical, a free bending length of the semi-finished product can be kept particularly low. The strap 54 additionally spans the tensioning element designed as a tensioning and / or deflecting roller 60 , which preferably has exactly two degrees of freedom. A first of the degrees of freedom of the clamping element 60 is preferably that the clamping element 60 relative to the housing 22 and in particular can be shifted relative to the other rollers in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction or in the radial direction of the respective roller. This can reduce the tension of the belt 54 be adjusted as required. The second degree of freedom of the clamping element 60 is that the clamping element 60 in the third embodiment about the axis of rotation 62 relative to the housing 22 is rotatable. In other words, by means of the tensioning element 60 one on the strap 54 acting prestressing force and thereby a on the semi-finished product from the support roller 50 effective pressure can be set. The strap 54 should be tensioned so that the conveyor rollers 18 and 46 then when the strap 54 is driven, rotate in opposite or different directions or directions of rotation.

Overall, it can be seen that the device 10 Instead of only two gears, the described, particularly advantageous two-point roller feed and thus a particularly advantageous two-point roller bearing or the described and particularly advantageous three-point roller feed and thus a particularly advantageous three-point roller bearing, in particular with the opposite corrugations 28 and 48 are used, especially in combination with a belt 54 comprehensive belt drive, by means of which the rollers are driven. As a result, problems which arise with a punctual feed and an excessively long kink length can be avoided, so that a material from which the semi-finished product is formed and which can be processed can be chosen particularly flexibly. By varying the pretension of the belt 54 can be varied a contact pressure with which the semi-finished product by means of the support element 36 against the lateral surfaces 20 and 44 pressed, can be varied. Thanks to this variable contact pressure, the long, counter-knurled or corrugated conveyor rollers 18 and 46 which rotate in opposite directions and against or into which the semi-finished product is pressed, different materials can be processed particularly advantageously. This means that even very smooth, hard, shapeless and pliable half covers can be processed equally well.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

fiber element

14

arrow

16

axis of rotation

18

conveyor roller

20

outer circumferential surface

22

casing

24

drive

26

double arrow

28

knurl

30

rib

32

deepening

34

double arrow

36

support element

38

arrow

40

wall

41

admission

42

axis of rotation

44

outer circumferential surface

46

conveyor roller

48

knurl

50

supporting roll

52

axis of rotation

54

belt

56

axis of rotation

58

drive roller

60

clamping element

62

axis of rotation

64

arrow

66

arrow

68

gear

70

outer circumferential surface

Claims (15)

Device (10) for conveying at least one semi-finished product (12) in a conveying direction (14), with at least one drivable and thus rotatable about an axis of rotation (16) and having an outer circumferential surface (20), by means of which by rotating the Conveyor roller (18) for conveying the semi-finished product (12) in the radial direction (34) of the conveyor roller (18) in Support system with the lateral surface (20) to be held semi-finished product (12) in the conveying direction (14), characterized in that the axis of rotation (16) runs parallel to the conveying direction (14), the outer circumferential lateral surface (20) at least one Has corrugations (28) extending at an angle to the conveying direction (14). Device (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the corrugation (28) has a plurality of successive ribs (30) along the conveying direction (14), which in themselves run straight. Device (10) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the corrugation (28) forms an angle with the conveying direction (14) which is at least or exactly 30 °. Device (10) after Claim 3 , characterized in that the angle is at least or exactly 45 °. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one support element (36), in particular spaced from the conveyor roller (18), by means of which the semifinished product (12) extends in a support direction (38) which runs obliquely or perpendicular to the conveying direction (14) ) is to be held in a support system with the outer peripheral surface (20). Device (10) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the support element (36) is designed as an at least non-rotatable wall (40). Device (10) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the wall (40) has a receptacle (41) extending along the conveying direction (14), in which to guide the semifinished product (12) the semifinished product to be conveyed along the receptacle (41) by means of the conveying roller (18) (12) is at least partially recordable. Device (10) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the support element (36) is designed as a further roller (50) which is rotatable about a further axis of rotation (52) running parallel to the axis of rotation (16) and spaced from the axis of rotation (16). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drivable second roller which is rotatable about a second axis of rotation (42) spaced from the axis of rotation (16) and runs parallel to the axis of rotation (16) and has a second outer circumferential surface (44) (46), by means of which, by rotating the second conveying roller (46), the semifinished product (12) to be held for conveying the semifinished product (12) in the radial direction (34) of the second conveying roller (46) in support system with the second lateral surface (44) the conveying direction (14) is to be conveyed, the second outer circumferential lateral surface (44) having at least one second corrugation (48) running obliquely to the conveying direction (14). Device (10) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the corrugations (28, 48) are in opposite directions. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a traction means (54) which at least partially encircles the conveyor roller (18, 46) in the circumferential direction thereof, by means of which the conveyor roller (18, 46) can be driven and thereby about the axis of rotation (16, 42 ) is rotatable. Device (10) after Claim 11 , characterized by a drive roller (58) which is rotatable about a drive axis of rotation (56) which runs parallel to the axis of rotation (16, 42) and is at a distance from the axis of rotation (16, 42) and which is at least partially wrapped around by the traction means (54) along its circumferential direction , so that the traction means (54) can be driven by rotating the drive roller (58). Device (10) after Claim 12 , characterized by a drive wheel (68), in particular gear wheel (68), which is non-rotatably connected to the drive roller (58) and by means of which the drive roller (58) can be driven and can thus be rotated about the drive axis of rotation (56). Production plant for the additive manufacturing of at least one component from at least one semi-finished product (12), with at least one processing device for processing the semi-finished product (12), and with at least one device (10), by means of which the semi-finished product (12) in a conveying direction (14) the processing device is to be conveyed, whereby the processing device can be supplied with the semifinished product (12), the device (10) having at least one conveyor roller (18) which can be driven and can thus be rotated about an axis of rotation (16) and has an outer circumferential surface (20), by means of which by rotating the conveying roller (18) to convey the semifinished product (12) to be conveyed in the radial direction (34) of the conveying roller (18) in support system with the lateral surface (20) in the conveying direction (14) characterized in that the axis of rotation (16) runs parallel to the conveying direction (14), the outer circumferential surface (2nd 0) has at least one corrugation (28) running obliquely to the conveying direction (14). Method for conveying at least one semifinished product (12) in a conveying direction (14), in which the semifinished product (12) in support system with a outer circumferential surface (20) of at least one drivable and thereby rotatable about an axis of rotation (16) and having the outer circumferential surface (20) having conveyor roller (18) and conveyed by the conveyor roller (18) in the conveying direction (14) by the conveyor roller ( 18) driven and thereby rotated about the axis of rotation (16), characterized in that the axis of rotation (16) runs parallel to the conveying direction (14), the outer circumferential lateral surface (20) having at least one corrugation running obliquely to the conveying direction (14). 28).

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