DE102012006950A1 - Device for positioning a workpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for positioning a workpiece (2) in relation to a processing unit. The device comprises a stop (7) and an actuator (13) coupled thereto. Furthermore, the device has a controller (10) coupled to the actuator (13), which is designed to position the stop (7) by actuation of the actuator (13) at a stop position. In the apparatus it is provided that the stop (7) comprises a sensor (11) for detecting a proper abutment of the workpiece (2) on the stop (7), wherein for data exchange, the controller (10) and the sensor (11) connected to each other are, and that the controller (10) is formed so that when properly abutment of the workpiece (2) on the stop (7) a holding device (8) is activated, by means of which the workpiece (2) is fixed.

Description

The invention relates to a device for positioning a workpiece in relation to a processing unit. In particular, it relates to a device for positioning boards to be moved in an x-direction with respect to a processing unit.

In the prior art, elongated LED lights have recently been used to illuminate a cabin of passenger aircraft. To produce such LED lights, or any other products, elements or components, in particular elongated geometry, it is often necessary that the processed products, elements and / or components or assemblies such as circuit boards, in a processing unit to different Edits along their longitudinal extent edited, equipped and / or connected to each other. For the production and / or processing of the corresponding, in particular elongated, products, assemblies and the like., It is desirable if in particular the processing and / or assembly can be automated as much as possible / can.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a device with which a workpiece, in particular an assembly, in particular board of an LED light, processed in a simple and efficient manner and / or can be equipped. In particular, a device is to be specified which is universal and permits a comparatively accurate and at the same time reliable positioning of a workpiece.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the features of claims 2 to 6.

According to claim 1, an apparatus for positioning a workpiece with respect to a processing unit is provided. The device comprises a stop and an actuator, which is coupled to the stop and designed for displacement and positioning of the stop along a, in particular only, one-dimensional machining path of the workpiece. Under a coupling in this context is to be understood that the stop is movable with the actuator or on the basis of the actuator. The actuator is preferably a linear actuator, in particular comprising a linear motor and / or other drive and / or movement elements enabling a linear movement of the stop along the machining path.

Furthermore, the device comprises a programmable controller coupled to the actuator for its control and operation. The controller is designed to position the stop by appropriate control of the actuator at a respective given stop position along the one-dimensional processing path.

Furthermore, it is provided in the proposed device that the stop comprises a sensor. The sensor is designed to detect a proper abutment of the workpiece on the stop. For the purpose of data exchange, in particular for the exchange of sensor data between sensor and controller, the sensor and the controller are connected to each other, in particular via corresponding control and / or signal lines. The detection of a proper request can for example be used to initiate and / or release further process, processing and / or processing steps. By way of example, the sensor may be a sensor, in particular an inductive and / or capacitive sensor, in particular a proximity sensor, having at least one corresponding sensor unit.

Furthermore, the device comprises a holding device. The holding device is in particular designed for holding or fixing the workpiece in a workpiece guide, for example on a workpiece carrier, in particular on a workpiece conveyor belt or a workpiece guide rail. With regard to the holding device is provided in the proposed device that the controller is designed so that when properly abutment of the workpiece at the stop, which can be detected with the sensor, the holding device is activated, so that the workpiece, in particular on the workpiece carrier, is fixed.

By the proposed device workpieces can be processed in a simple manner and efficiently, especially when the machining requires a displacement of the workpiece to predetermined, in particular discrete, positions along the processing path. As already mentioned, workpieces, in particular circuit boards, in particular printed circuit boards for LED luminaires and others, can be processed and / or equipped or connected to one another. The processing unit may comprise one or more tools, in particular for processing and / or equipping the workpiece. In particular, soldering tools, milling tools, placement tools, clamping tools and the like., In automatic, semi-automatic and / or manual design, in question.

The processing unit can, as already mentioned, in particular a semi-automatic or fully automatic processing unit act. In particular, the processing unit may comprise semi-automatic and / or fully automatic processing tools.

The machining of the workpiece, in particular a circuit board or printed circuit board, can take place along a machining direction, in particular parallel to the machining path. The processing path can be set up, for example, so that the workpiece can be guided with its longitudinal direction parallel to the processing path. The machining direction or longitudinal direction, or the direction or orientation of the machining path, is also referred to below as the x-direction. The device may be designed such that the workpiece is displaceable in the x direction.

The actuator may in particular be an electric motor, hydraulic, pneumatic and / or magnetically operated or operable actuator. The device may comprise a rail, which may extend, for example, along the x-direction, in particular along the processing path, along which the actuator, and with this the stop is movable or displaceable.

The programmable controller may in particular be adapted to position the stop by actuating the actuator on at least one along the rail, or the x-direction, in particular processing path, predetermined stop position or travel position. At the predetermined stop position, it may be z. B. to act a position in which the workpiece for performing one or more, by z. B. the processing unit executed or auszuführender, processing steps to position.

The stop comprises a sensor for detecting a proper abutment of the workpiece on the stop. The controller and the sensor are interconnected for data exchange. A data exchange can in particular include the transmission of sensor data to the control unit. On the basis of the sensor data obtained from the sensor, the control unit can control, in particular activate or deactivate further processes and / or work steps.

In particular, the control is preferably designed such that, if the workpiece is abutted correctly against the stop, which can be detected, for example, by transmitting a corresponding sensor signal to the controller and / or by evaluating sensor signals by the controller, a holding device is activated. Activation of the holding device causes the workpiece to be fixed or locked by the holding device, for example by using suitable holding actuators and / or suction elements. The fixing or locking can in particular be such that the workpiece with respect to the rail, along which the actuator is movable, is held firmly. Furthermore, the holding device is preferably designed such that a displacement of the workpiece is avoided or prevented at least in the machining direction during at least one subsequent processing step.

In the context of the present application and the definition already given above, the term "x-direction" is understood to mean in particular a substantially horizontal direction, in particular transport direction of the workpiece, in particular along the processing path. An "automatic processing unit" may be a joining device for attaching a component to the workpiece. The "workpiece" can be, for example, a carrier, for example a housing designed as a profiled rail with pre-mounted circuit boards and / or printed circuit boards, at which one or more electronic assemblies arranged one behind the other in the x-direction, for example one or a plurality of boards or printed circuit boards and / or connecting / connecting elements between them, or are attached or should be.

The stop can, as already mentioned, be designed to be electromotively or otherwise automatically movable along the rail. The programmable controller may be configured such that one or more stop positions may be adjusted, i. H. that the stop can be positioned at several different stop positions along the processing path. In particular, it is thus possible that the stop is moved sequentially with respect to the workpiece along the x-direction from a predetermined stop position to the next. This allows the workpiece to be quickly and easily positioned relative to the machining unit by moving it all the way to the stop.

With the proposed device can be quickly, easily and reliably placed the workpiece in the proper position and held firmly there. It can be ensured that the machining unit processes a correct predetermined machining position on the workpiece or that the workpiece is machined at the respectively desired position. The proposed device is also particularly universal. Because of the programmable control, it is quickly and easily possible stop positions for the respective workpiece, in particular for variant-related different types and / or geometries, set. In embodiments, a machining position of the machining unit can correspond to each stop position. It is also possible that a stop position for a plurality of processing positions of the processing unit is used, in particular when the processing unit is designed to be movable with respect to the positioned workpiece. Furthermore, it is possible in particular for each processing position to be able to set its own or specific process parameters, in particular variant-dependent process parameters. The machining position can be, for example, a soldering position for an assembly, a soldering position for connecting a plurality of assemblies or any other machining positions.

The processing unit may, for example, comprise a soldering machine that can be moved in the z direction, preferably an automatic ironing machine, or be designed as such. The term "z-direction" is understood to mean a direction which runs perpendicular to the "x-direction". The z-direction is preferably a vertical direction, and in the x-direction is preferably a horizontal direction. X-, z- and, as mentioned below, a y-direction are preferably on axes of a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system. The processing unit may be mounted at a fixed position along the x-direction, and may be configured such that only machining in the z-direction needs to be performed for machining the workpiece.

In the embodiment of the processing unit as a soldering machine, this can include a cable feed device for automatic, manual or semi-automatic feeding of a cable. The cable is expediently a flat cable, but in special cases in particular also cables with a round cross section. This makes it possible to automatically attach a cable to the workpiece, in particular to a circuit board by means of the soldering machine.

According to one embodiment of the device, the stop, mounted transversely to the processing path movable. This makes it possible, in particular, to move the stop with respect to the workpiece from a "stop position" to a "non-stop position". In the "non-stop position" a movement of the workpiece in the machine direction, i. H. in the direction of the processing path, in particular x-direction, not hindered by the stop, so that the workpiece can be moved further in the machining direction. The "non-stop position" preferably takes the stop when the machining of the workpiece is completed and this is to be dissipated in the x-direction of the device.

The proposed device has proved to be particularly advantageous for workpieces which comprise a printed circuit board, in particular printed circuit board, and the machining unit is designed for machining the printed circuit board. Assembly and / or machining of the printed circuit boards, in particular mutual contacting, can be performed with the device, especially because of the comparatively simple, accurate and reproducible adjustable stop positions can be accelerated.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a stop cylinder, by means of which the stop attached thereto can be moved transversely to the one-dimensional processing path. Stop cylinders, which may be designed, for example, as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, have proved to be particularly advantageous for fast and precise movement of the stop.

The stop cylinder may be positioned in the non-stop position, for example, below the working plane or below the workpiece level, in particular when the machining of the workpiece is done from above. It is also possible that the non-stop position of the stop cylinder is otherwise set up. By way of example, the non-stop position may also be situated or defined laterally next to, behind or in front of, or offset from, the machining section, direction and / or workpiece or workpiece plane.

In the non-stop position of the stop cylinder, for example, can be used in addition to support further movement of the workpiece after processing. For this purpose, the stop cylinder may be formed, for example, as a roller, in particular as a driven roller.

It is also possible, however, that the stop is positioned laterally outside of the processing line by the stop cylinder in the non-stop position. In this case, the stop cylinder is preferably designed such that the stop for adjusting the stop position is moved in the direction of the processing path, such that the path of the workpiece, d. H. cut the machining section and stop. In particular, by a lateral displaceability of the stop can be achieved that the workpiece positioned by the stop located in the stop position at a respective predetermined position along the processing path, in particular locked, will or can be.

The stop may be, for example, a stop body attached to a free end of the stop cylinder. The stop body preferably has a stop surface which has a shape or geometry corresponding to the shape and geometry of the workpiece to be attached, or the workpiece surface to be abutted. In an example suitable for boards or a holding housing profile configuration, the stop surface may be formed planar. As such, the stop body may have a suitable shape and may be formed, for example and in particular as a cuboid, cylinder, plate and the like.

At, in and / or on the stop body, in particular within, d. H. In a recess or cavity of the stopper body, a trained to detect the proper concern of the workpiece sensor unit, at least one subunit of such a sensor unit, such as a sensor, proximity sensor and the like., To be included. Thus, the stopper body fulfills a dual function - on the one hand a stop function and on the other hand a protective and supporting function for the sensor unit or the subunit of the sensor unit.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a in the processing direction or movement direction of the workpiece, in particular parallel to the processing path, extending rail on which the actuator is arranged to be movable parallel to the machining direction or processing path. This means in particular that the rail can be used for the actuator as a running rail. The coupling of the actuator to a rail allows a comparatively simple, fast and precise movement and displacement of the actuator and thus the attack. In particular, sufficiently fast processing times and comparatively short positioning times can be achieved.

According to one embodiment, the actuator is further designed so that the stop, in particular the stopper body in and / or transversely to the machining direction of the workpiece is displaceable. It is particularly preferred, as already mentioned, that the stop, in particular stop body, is displaceable in and / or transversely to the machining path of the workpiece between a non-stop position and a stop position, ie. H. can be positioned by a transversely to the machining direction movement in a non-stop position or a stop position. Reference is made in particular to the above statements. By a sufficient mobility of the stop, in particular in a direction transverse to the machining direction, in particular transversely to the linear degree of freedom of movement of the actuator, d. H. For example, transversely to the rail, which can be mounted to move the actuator, the device can be particularly universal, especially for different types and geometries of workpieces, especially boards, are used. Furthermore, an advantageous flow of movement along the processing path can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment, the control is process-technically coupled to a further control of the processing unit and configured such that the processing unit is activated and / or activated or can be actuated or actuated, in particular manually or automatically, only when the workpiece is properly abutted on the stop and activated holding device is operable. This means in particular that the processing device can be activated when the workpiece is held firmly and properly aligned by means of the holding device. This can be ensured in particular that the machining of the workpiece, in particular using the processing unit, can only begin when firmly held, or clamped workpiece. Errors during processing can thus be avoided. The further control of the processing unit may be part of the controller for the actuator. However, it is also possible that the controller for the actuator is integrated in the control for the processing unit.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 a schematic perspective view of a device,

2 a detailed view according 1 .

3 a detailed view according 1 and

4 a block diagram.

At the in 1 The device shown is an automatic processing unit 1 by means of a (not shown here) drive in a vertical direction or z-direction automatically movable. At the processing unit 1 it may, for example, be a Bügellötautomaten, with the semi-automatic or automatically a flat cable can be attached to a predetermined mounting positions of a board. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to any Bügellötautomaten, instead can be used in any processing equipment and workpieces.

The device 1 is set up to a workpiece 2 to position for a processing or a processing step. In the present example, the workpiece comprises 2 an elongated U-profile 3 on which consecutive several boards equipped with light emitting diodes (LEDs) 4 are attached. The workpiece 2 is on a table 5 positioned or recorded. The table 5 is set up so that the workpiece 2 along the through the table 5 defined processing line or processing line, movable, in particular displaceable and / or manually slidable, can be positioned and moved. The movement of the workpiece 2 can take place in a transport, processing or x-direction, which in the present case is parallel to or coincides with the processing line.

Parallel to the workpiece 2 extends a guide rail 6 , on the electric motor by an actuator 13 movable a stop 7 is guided. As in particular in 2 can be identified, the attack can 7 , For example, by appropriate design of the actuator 13 , also be moved in z-direction. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that the stop 7 taking into account right-hand Cartesian coordinates in the y-direction, ie horizontally across the processing path or transversely to the course of the guide rail 6 can be designed to be movable. In both cases, it is possible in particular, the stop 7 to move by a corresponding movement in the y-direction or z-direction towards the processing path or away from the processing path in a stop position or a non-stop position.

The device further comprises a holding device 8th , The holding device 8th includes in the y-direction, ie horizontally transversely to the direction of movement of the workpiece or to the guide rail 6 movable jaws 9 , With the jaws 9 can the workpiece 2 with respect to the guide rail 6 and also on the table 5 supported machining unit 1 firmly held or locked or fixed.

4 shows a schematic block diagram of the device. The electromotive movable actuator 13 is with one to control the actuator 13 trained control 10 connected. In the control 10 it may be an electronic control unit having a computer, microcomputer or the like.

At or near the stop 7 is a sensor 11 attached, which is adapted to the proper concern and possibly the proper alignment of the workpiece 2 at the stop 7 capture.

At the sensor 11 it may be an optical sensor, for example a light barrier, an acoustic sensor, an inductive or capacitive sensor or the like. act. Basically, all sensors are suitable with which the concern and possibly the orientation of the workpiece 2 at the stop 7 can be detected or detected.

The control 10 is further adapted to the holding device 8th , in particular depending on signals from the sensor 11 to control. For controlling the holding device 8th is this with the controller 10 connected via appropriate control lines.

The device in the embodiment in particular the 4 includes another controller 12 , The further control 12 is for controlling the processing unit 1 coupled with this via appropriate control lines. The further control 12 essentially serves to control the automatic or possibly semi-automatic movement sequence of the processing unit 1 , The further control 12 and the controller 10 are linked together in terms of process technology. This can be done via an interface. It may also be that the controller 10 and the further control 12 integrated into a single computer.

The function of the device is as follows:
By means of the controller 10 can have several predetermined positions of the stop 7 with respect to the guide rail 6 be programmed. The stop moves according to the program 7 first in a first position. The workpiece 2 is, for. B. manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically, in the x-direction along the guide rail 6 emotional.

As soon as the workpiece 2 properly at the stop 7 is applied, the proper concern of the workpiece 2 from the sensor 11 detected, and a corresponding sensor signal to the controller 10 be passed on.

On the corresponding signal of the sensor 11 out through the control 10 in a further step, the activation of the holding device 8th , Due to the activation, the jaws grip 9 the workpiece 2 and fix it with respect to the guide rail 6 in the x, y and / or z direction.

After fixation of the workpiece 2 , is, for example, by the holding device 8th , a corresponding information to the further control 12 passed. Thereupon can with the further control 12 a predetermined automatic machining operation of the processing unit 1 be triggered and / or it can / can be released and possibly performed a manual and / or semi-automatic processing step.

It is also possible that the signal of the holding device 8th only an editing approval is granted. Depending on the processing mode, manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic triggering of the machining process can take place on the processing enable. For example, as a processing step, a stirrer unit to a processing position of a board 4 be lowered in the z-direction. At the processing position, for example, a flat cable can then be soldered in the ironing process.

Once the machining process by means of the processing unit 1 is completed, a corresponding information from the other controller 12 to the controller 10 to hand over. Then, by the holding device 8th effected fixation of the workpiece 2 solved. The stop 7 moves to the next position according to the program. As soon as the workpiece 2 by moving in the x-direction again in abutment with the stop 7 is, the aforementioned method steps can be performed again.

As soon as the stop 7 arrived at its last predetermined position and all the above method steps have been performed, this can be moved for example in the z-direction or in a y-direction from the processing and / or transport area of the workpiece. Then the machined workpiece 2 along the table 5 unobstructed by the stop 7 be removed by further movement in the x direction, for example, to a subsequent processing station.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

processing unit

2

workpiece

3

U-profile

4

circuit board

5

table

6

guide rail

7

attack

8th

holder

9

jaw

10

control

11

sensor

12

further control

13

actuator

Claims (6)

Device for positioning a workpiece ( 2 ) in relation to a processing unit ( 1 ), comprising a stop ( 7 ) and one for the displacement and positioning of the stop ( 7 ) along a one-dimensional machining path of the workpiece ( 2 ) with the stop ( 7 ) coupled actuator ( 13 ) a programmable controller coupled to the actuator for its control and operation ( 10 ), wherein the controller is designed to stop ( 7 ) by appropriate activation of the actuator ( 13 ) to be positioned at a respective given stop position, wherein the stop ( 7 ) a sensor ( 11 ) for detecting a proper abutment of the workpiece ( 2 ) at the stop ( 7 ), wherein for data exchange the controller ( 10 ) and the sensor ( 11 ) and the controller ( 10 ) is further designed so that when properly concerns the workpiece ( 2 ) at the stop ( 7 ) a holding device ( 8th ) is activated, by means of which the workpiece ( 2 ) is fixed. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is a circuit board ( 4 ), and the processing unit ( 1 ) is designed for processing of boards ( 4 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a stop cylinder, through which the stop ( 7 ) is movable transversely to the one-dimensional processing path. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an at least partially along the machining path (x) of the workpiece ( 7 ) running rail ( 6 ) on which the actuator ( 13 ) is arranged movable parallel to the machining direction (x). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator ( 13 ) is designed such that the stop ( 7 ) in and / or across the processing line (x) of the workpiece ( 2 ) is displaceable between a non-stop position and a stop position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller ( 10 ) with another controller ( 12 ) of the processing unit ( 1 ) is coupled in terms of process technology and designed so that the processing unit ( 1 ) only when the workpiece is properly seated ( 2 ) at the stop ( 7 ) and activated holding device ( 8th ) is activated and / or actuated.

Images