EP2185305A1

EP2185305A1 - Process for producing a ball cage of a joint

Info

Publication number: EP2185305A1
Application number: EP08786934A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus Stanik; Werner Harscher; Moshe Israel Meidar
Original assignee: MAG Powertrain GmbH
Current assignee: MAG IAS GmbH Eislingen
Priority date: 2007-09-04
Filing date: 2008-08-06
Publication date: 2010-05-19
Also published as: BRPI0816203B1; KR20100068371A; BRPI0816203A2; DE102007043746A1; US20100088874A1; DE102007043746B4; CN101827677B; WO2009030575A1; CN101827677A

Abstract

The invention provides a process for producing a ball cage (66: figure 9) of a joint (56: figure 9), said ball cage having an inner side (70: figure 9), an outer side (68: figure 9) and windows (74: figure 9) between the inner side and the outer side, in which process a blank (76) is clamped on a workpiece clamp (78) of a machine tool (10: figure 1), wherein a clamping region (80) of the blank is located outside a machining region, and the same machine tool machines the inner side, the outer side and the windows without the workpiece (76) being reset.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Manufacturing method for a ball cage of a joint

The invention relates to a manufacturing method for a Kugeikäfig a joint having an inner side, an outer side and windows between the inside and the outside.

Ball cages are teeth of joints, such as homokinetic joints, which serve to hold balls between a ball and a star.

From WO 2004/012888 Al a multi-spindle machine tool is known, which comprises a machine frame, a first spindle slide with a first Werkstückspϊndel and a second spindle slide with a second workpiece locker! comprises, wherein the first spindle slide and the second spindle slide are guided linearly displaceable on the machine frame. Furthermore, a tool receiving device is provided. On the machine frame, a first guide and a spaced second guide are arranged, on which both the first spindle slide and the second spindle slide are guided. The first workpiece spindle and the second workpiece spindle are arranged between the two guides.

The machine tool described in this document is in principle suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

WO 2005/089992 A1 discloses a method for producing profiled webs for joint parts, in which a cutting tool acts on the workpiece. It is a workpiece machining with the cutting tool in the relative forward process between the workpiece and the tool and a Workpiece machining performed with the same cutting tool in the subsequent forward driving process reverse.

From DE 10 2005 059 696 Al a method for producing a ball cage for a Gleichlaufdrehgeienk is known, soft an outer joint part with an inner cylindrical guide surface and a Gelenkinnentei! having an outer spherical guide surface and held in the ball cage for transmitting torque balls. There is provided a preformed annular benefit having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end surface and a second end surface, wherein the outer surface comprises a spherical surface and a conical surface. There is a soft machining of the conical surface to produce a conical flank, the spherical surface remains unprocessed initially. Subsequently, the soft-worked component is hardened. The spherical surface is hard-machined to produce a control surface, the conical flank remaining unprocessed.

DE 10 2005 015 649 A1 discloses a method for turning and microfinishing a workpiece, wherein a workpiece carrier removes the workpiece from a conveying device, clamps it for turning machining, the geometry of the workpiece being dimensionally stable and dimensionally stable and the workpiece being rotated is placed back on the conveyor after processing. It is a Feinstbearbeitungsvorrichtung provided and the turning and finishing takes place in the same setting.

From DE 100 56 132 C2, a method for machining hubs of homokinetic joints is known, in which both the outer contour serving as the cage track and the ball raceways are machined. The machining of the outer contour and the processing of the ball raceways are carried out at a constant clamping of the workpiece and the processing of the ball raceways is performed by a disc-shaped tool with perpendicular to the ball track rotation axis whose diameter is a multiple of the Kugeliaufbahnbreite. From EP 0 952 364 B2 a method for finishing of hardened ball cages, which are intended for constant velocity joints and which are provided with spherical inner and outer bearing surfaces and ball pockets for receiving torque-transmitting balls, is known. There is a hard turning of the ball cage to form the inner spherical ring-shaped bearing surface, a front-side contact surface and two the inner bearing surface limiting annular cylindrical clamping surfaces. The ball cage is clamped by means of the cylindrical clamping surfaces and the frontal abutment surface and there is a hard turning of the ball cage to form the outer spherical ring bearing surface and trainees in the ball pockets bearing surfaces for each one ball, which face each other in the axial direction.

The invention has for its object to provide a manufacturing method of the type mentioned, can be produced with the effective way ball cages high workpiece quality.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by the fact that a blank is clamped to a workpiece vice of a machine tool, wherein a clamping range of the blank is outside a processing range, and by the same machine tool, the inside, the outside and the window without re-clamping Workpiece are processed.

In the solution according to the invention, complete machining of the ball cage takes place on the same machine tool. For the individual processing steps no re-clamping of the workpiece. Umspannvorgänge lead in principle to different deformation of a workpiece and thus to the emergence of different stress states. This can lead to a reduction of the workpiece quality. In the solution according to the invention, the machining is carried out on a clamping so that the workpiece quality can be increased Furthermore, the complete machining is preferably carried out on a single machine tool. This allows the production to be carried out effectively. For example, it is no longer necessary to work on a contact surface, which serves as a reference for different processing methods. By clamping in a single workpiece clamp without reclamping a machine reference ("software reference") is determined as it were.

By the method according to the invention can be finished time and cost minimized ball cages high workpiece quality.

In particular, the clamping area is an area outside of contact surfaces of the ball cage with other joint parts. As a result, a machining of this clamping area is no longer necessary.

Usually ball cages have a ring area or cylinder area, which is suitable as a clamping range.

In particular, the workpiece is clamped over the workpiece clamp at the clamping area. It can also be an axial stop position to define a Axiaireferenz obtained.

It is particularly advantageous if the workpiece is held with a set clamping force on the workpiece clamp. This results in optimized processing options and high workpiece qualities can be achieved.

It is provided that the clamping force is adjusted so that the workpiece is held against rotation in the forces occurring, no workpiece vibrations occur and is not deformed by the clamping and in particular is not crushed. It is an optimization process that takes counteracting effects into account got to; the harder a workpiece is clamped, the lower the workpiece vibrations and the more torsionally it is held. However, a too large clamping force can lead to deformation and thus to a deterioration of the workpiece quality. By a controlled adjustment of the clamping force, an optimization process can be carried out here.

It is advantageous if clamping surfaces for clamping the workpiece are produced with increased static friction. As a result, a rotationally secure attitude can be achieved with minimization of the deformation of the workpiece.

An increased adhesive force can be achieved, for example, in that clamping surfaces of the workpiece clamp and / or the workpiece are or are coated with a material having high static friction.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for clamping surfaces (of the workpiece and / or the workpiece clamp) to be roughened, for example, by sandblasting.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the blank is a hardened blank. It can then be performed by hard finishing a complete machining (finishing) for the production of the ball cage. This can be made time-effective and cost-effective. When the workpiece leaves the machine tool, it is completely machined and usable,

In particular, a hard fine machining then takes place on the machine tool without re-clamping. It is a complete machining done without Umspannvorgänge.

It is favorable if the inner side machining takes place by grinding and / or turning and in particular hard turning. As a result, a high surface quality on the inside of the ball cage can be effectively achieved. For the same reason, it is favorable if the outer side machining takes place by grinding and / or turning and in particular hard turning.

It is possible that the inside processing and the outside processing takes place simultaneously or successively. The order of inside and outside editing is basically arbitrary.

In one embodiment, inner side machining and outer side machining are done with the same tool. This gives a time-optimized processing, since no tool-Umspannvorgang is necessary.

In particular, the tool has a first cutting edge for the inside machining and a second cutting edge for the outside machining. This allows the same tool to be used for both inside and outside machining.

In particular, the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are arranged offset in height relative to one another and also offset from one another transversely to the vertical direction. As a result, the second cutting does not interfere with the inner side machining.

The tool is designed such that the first cutting edge can be immersed in an inner space of the ball cage up to a maximum immersion depth, without another area of the tool touching the workpiece or a workpiece holder. By appropriate shape adaptation, the same tool can be used for both the inner side machining and the outer side machining.

It is also possible in principle for the inner side machining and the outer side machining to be carried out with different tools. In one embodiment, the tool is rotationally held in the inner side machining and the outer side machining and the workpiece is rotated. It is thus carried out a turning of the workpiece.

It can be provided that the workpiece clamp is arranged on a workpiece spindle which is displaceable in at least one direction. This results in optimized processing options.

It is advantageous if the workpiece spindle is a vertical spindle which has a longitudinal axis which is oriented vertically with respect to the direction of gravity. This results in an optimized chip discharge and it is possible, for example, to perform a Trockenbearbeϊtung.

It is favorable if the workpiece spindle is displaceable in the vertical direction. This allows a displacement movement between the tool and the workpiece, for example, to immerse a tool in an interior of the workpiece.

It can be provided that the workpiece and a tool are displaceable relative to each other in at least one horizontal direction relative to the direction of gravity. For example, the workpiece is over a corresponding workpiece locker! slidable in an X-direction perpendicular to a vertical Z-direction, and one or more tools are slidable in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction and the Z-direction. This results in extensive processing possibilities. By a shift in the X direction and Z direction, for example, a turning of the workpiece can be performed. By moving in the Y direction, effective window processing can be performed.

It is favorable if the workpiece machining is carried out as dry machining. This results in effective process performance optimized workpiece qualities. Basically, it is arbitrary whether the window processing is performed after the inner side machining or outer side machining. In order to prevent burrs on the manufactured component, it is favorable if the window processing is performed before the inner side machining and the outer side machining.

It is advantageous if a window processing via milling and / or grinding takes place. As a result, an optimized surface quality can be obtained in the range of ball contact points.

It can be provided that during the machining of a tool and the workpiece are rotated. In particular, the tool is rotated. The workpiece can also be rotated (the machining process is then in particular a rotary milling process) or rotated or swiveled in a finite angular range.

In one embodiment, a rotation axis of the tool and a rotation axis of the workpiece are parallel to each other. In particular, the workpiece is rotated and the tool is rotated.

It is then provided that the tool is rotated n times faster than the workpiece when the workpiece has n windows. This results in a synchronization of the tool with the workpiece with respect to the window to be processed.

It is also possible that a rotation axis of the tool and a rotation axis of the workpiece are perpendicular to each other. In particular, machining then takes place in which the tool is rotated and the workpiece is rotated or pivoted only in a finite angular range.

It is also possible that in the window machining, the workpiece is linearly displaced relative to the tool in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the tool. In particular, the workpiece is then not rotated. It can be provided that the blank, which is the basis of the manufacturing method according to the invention, is made of a tube, which is rolled and turned on an inner side and punched out of the window. The mentioned processing operations are in particular soft-machining operations.

It can be provided that the blank is hardened before being clamped in the machine tool. Hard machining operations are then performed on the machine tool.

The following description of preferred embodiments is used in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation of the invention. Show it ;

Figure 1 is a schematϊsche representation of an embodiment of a machine tool, on which the inventive method is feasible;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of steps for performing the method according to the invention;

Figures 3 (a), (b) is a schematic representation of a first embodiment for window processing; Fig. 3 (a) schematically shows a side view of the workpiece machining, and Fig. 3 (b) is a sectional view taken along the line b-b in Fig. 3 (a);

FIGS. 4 (a), (b) schematically show a second embodiment for window processing; Fig. 4 (a) schematically shows a side view of the workpiece machining, and Fig. 4 (b) is a sectional view taken along the line bb in Fig. 4 (a); FIGS. 5 (a), (b) schematically show a third embodiment of the invention

Window processing; Fig. 5 (a) schematically shows a side view of the workpiece machining, and Fig. 5 (b) is a sectional view taken along the line b-b in Fig. 5 (a);

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a tool for seitennnenseitenbearbeitung and outside machining;

FIGS. 7 (a) to (e) schematically show various intermediate steps for an inner section machining;

Figure 8 (a) to (c) different sub-steps for an outer side machining; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a homokinetic joint with a ball cage.

An embodiment of a multi-spindle machine tool, by means of which the method according to the invention can be carried out, is denoted as a whole by 10 in FIG. 1; it includes a machine frame! 12, via which the multi-spindle machine tool 10 (shown here as Zweispindler) aligned on a base positionable. On the machine frame 12, a first spindle slide 14 is guided linearly displaceably in a direction X on an attachment stand 13. This direction X is in particular a horizontal direction. In FIG. 1, it is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The first spindle slide 14 carries a first workbench spindle 16, on which a workpiece to be machined is rotatably fixable. The first workpiece spindle 16 is displaceably guided on the first spindle slide 14 in a transverse direction Z to the direction X, so that the distance of a workpiece held on the first workpiece spindle 16 relative to the machine frame! 12 is adjustable. An axis of rotation of the first workpiece spindle 16 about which a held workpiece is rotatable is parallel to the Z direction. Furthermore, a second Spindelschiitten 18 is provided, which is also guided linearverschiebich on the machine frame 12 in the X direction. This second spindle slide 18 holds a second workpiece spindle 20 which is held linearly displaceable on the second spindle slide 18 in the Z direction.

The two Werkstückspindein 16 and 20 are in particular aligned substantially parallel to each other.

For driving the first workpiece spindle 16 in its displacement movement along the Z-axis, a first drive 22 is provided. It may be, for example, a hydraulic drive, a Kugeigewindetrieb or a linear motor. A drive unit of the first drive 22 is seated on the first Spindelschiitten 14 and is moved along with this in the X direction.

For guiding the first workpiece spindle 16, the first spindle spout 14 has a guide device designated as a whole by 24, on which the first workpiece spindle 16 is displaceable in the Z direction driven by the first drive 22. The Z-direction is thereby aligned in particular vertically, that is parallel to the direction of gravity. The first workpiece spindle 16 and the second workpiece spindle 20 are then vertical spindles.

For moving the second workpiece spindle 20 relative to the second Spindelschiitten 18, a second drive 26 is provided which drives the linear displacement of the second Werkstückspindei 20 on a guide device 28 in the Z direction relative to the second Spindelschiitten 18.

At their lower ends, the workpiece spindles 16 and 20 are each provided with a workpiece holder 30, 32, on which the respective workpieces can be fixed rotatably about longitudinal axes 34, 36 of the respective workpiece spindles 16, 20. On the machine frame 12, a tool receiving device 38 is arranged pivotably about an axis B, wherein this pivot axis 40 is oriented transversely to the Z-direction and X-direction and in particular is oriented horizontally. The tool receiving device 38 comprises in a two-spindle machine tool a first tool holder 42 and a second tool holder 44, which are spaced from each other. The tool holders 42, 44 are seated on rotatably driven tool spindles 43, 45, so that the correspondingly held tools such as milling tools or drilling tools can be rotated about a spindle axis. At the same time, by means of respective tools, it is possible to process two workpieces, wherein a first workpiece is held on the first workpiece spindle 16 and a second workpiece is held on the second workpiece spindle 20.

The two tool holders 42 and 44 sit on a yoke-shaped

Rocker 46, which is pivotable about the pivot axis 40 (B-axis). To carry out the pivoting movement, a drive 47 is provided. Within a specific pivoting range, any pivoting of the tool receiving device 38 is adjustable so that, given a certain set pivot position, the respective workpieces held on the workpiece spindles 16 and 20 pass over the tool holders 38 and, in particular, the tool holders 42, 44 Tools are workable.

The tool holders 42, 44 are also displaceable in the Y direction; the rocker 46 is held on a displaceable carriage 49, which is displaceably guided on a guide device 51. The Y-direction is perpendicular to the X-direction and Z-direction.

For example, a constant velocity joint can be produced which has ball raceways in a journal and in a hub (see WO 2005/089992 A1). In particular, it is possible to carry out a soft milling, grinding or hard milling using appropriate tools. It is also possible to perform a hard turning operation.

For this purpose, appropriate additional equipment such as one or more rotating consoles with appropriate turning steel or additional spindles are provided, which are arranged in the region of the processing zone of the workpieces (not shown in the drawing).

It is also possible to carry out a subsequent machining of a workpiece by this, for example, first held on the first workpiece spindle 16 is processed with a first tool and then passed to the workpiece spindle 20 and then processed with a second tool.

On the machine frame 12, a pivoting space 48 is formed, so that the tool receiving device 38 is freely pivotable on the machine Gesteü 12 in a certain pivoting range. By this pivotal space 48 can also dissipate chips and the like.

The spindle slides 14 and 18 are guided displaceably in the X direction relative to the Z direction above the tool receiving device 38. For this purpose, a first guide 50 is provided, which in particular comprises a guide rail, which is arranged at a distance to the tool holder device 38 above this. Further, a second guide 52 is provided, which is arranged parallel spaced from the first guide 50 in particular at the same height in the Z direction over the tool receiving device 38 as the first guide 50. The second guide 52 in turn in particular comprises a guide rail. The two guides 50 and 52 are in particular arranged horizontally. The guides 50, 52 are seated on the attachment stand 13. It can also be provided that the guides 50, 52 are arranged offset in the Z direction, so as to stiffen, for example, a spindle slide in its height direction, if necessary.

In its region facing the guides 50, 52, the first spindle slide 14 is designed to be L-shaped or triangular in such a way that it comprises a first leg which is oriented along the first guide 50 and guided thereon. For example, two spaced guide shoes are provided to guide the first leg on the first guide 50 iinearverschieb- borrowed. A second leg is connected to the first leg, which is oriented transversely to the first leg and which is coupled to the second guide 52, for example by means of a guide shoe, to guide the second leg linearverschiebläch on the second guide 52.

Between the two legs sits on these the first Werkstückspindei 16 between the two guides 50 and 52nd

The contact surface of the first spindle slide 14 with the first guide 50 for linearly displaceable coupling thereto is larger than the contact surface for coupling to the second guide 52. For example, the first contact surface is formed over the two guide shoes, while for the second guide 52 only over the a guide shoe is formed.

The second spindle slide 18 also includes a first leg, which is oriented along the second guide 52 and is coupled to it, for example, via two guide shoes. Transverse to this first leg sits a second leg, which is coupled to the first guide 50 via a guide shoe. Thus, the second spindle slide 18 also has an L-shaped or triangular outer shape, the contact area with the second guide 52 being greater than with the first guide 50. The second workpiece spindle 20 is seated between the first leg and the second leg the two guides 50 and 52 and is the another workpiece spindle 16 facing with a free intermediate region between the two work spindles 16, 20th

In this case, the L-shaped or triangular shape relates to a cross-section in a projection onto the plane spanned by the two guides 50, 52, at least in the region of the coupling of the spindle slides 14 and 18 to these guides 50 and 52.

Such a multi-spindle machine tool is described in WO 2004/012888 Al. This application is expressly incorporated by reference.

The machine tool 10 has a control device 54, by means of which the movements and positions of the machine elements can be controlled. Via the control device 54, the inventive method can be performed.

An exemplary embodiment of a joint and in particular a homokinetic joint, shown in FIG. 9 in a (partial) explosion diagram and designated by 56, comprises a ball star 58 with ball raceways 60. The ball star 58 is non-rotatably connected to a drive shaft in one application.

The hinge 56 further includes a ball cup 62 in bell shape. In this Kugeilaufbahnen 64 are also formed. In one application, the ball socket 62 is rotatably connected to a wheel.

Between the ball shell 62 and the Kugeistern 58, a ball cage 66 is arranged. This ensures that the Kugein (not shown in Figure 9) are held. The grooves allow the hinge 56 to provide uniform (homokinetic) transmission at diffraction angles up to a limit angle. The balls run on the ball races 60 and 64 and contact parts of the ball cage 66. The corresponding surfaces are to be formed with high quality.

The ball cage 66 has an outer side 68, an inner side 70 which defines an inner space 72 in which the ball star 58 is positioned, and windows 74 between the inner side 70 and the outer side 68.

The production method of a ball cage according to the invention relates to the fine machining and thereby finishing a ball cage.

Starting point for the manufacturing method according to the invention is a ball cage blank, which is produced by soft machining. For example, such a ball cage blank is made from a tapped pipe piece, which is rolled and turned on Innenseiteer inside. Windows are made on this blank by punching. This is followed by hardening. On such a hardened blank, the manufacturing method according to the invention is carried out. (Alternatively, the manufacturing method according to the invention is carried out before curing.)

The manufacturing method according to the invention works as follows:

A hardened blank 76 (FIG. 2) is clamped on a workpiece clamp 78 of the workpiece holder 30 or 32. A clamping region 80 of the blank 76 is an annular region 82, which is also referred to as a cylindrical region, which is positioned at one end of the Rohiings 76 and a hollow cylindrical interior 84 has. The clamping area 80 is arranged and designed in such a way that in a manufactured joint 56 it does not touch any other joint parts (that is to say not the ball socket 62, the ball star 58 and the balls). There is then no further processing of the clamping area 80 is necessary. The workpiece clamp 78 has a chuck 86 which presses on an inner side of the annular region 82. The blank 76 is clamped thereby held on the workpiece clamp 78. The corresponding clamping force (or clamping force) is set in a defined manner so that the workpiece is held against rotation during machining. The clamping force is further adjusted so that the workpiece is not deformed and in particular not crushed. Furthermore, the clamping force is adjusted so that no vibrations of the workpiece can occur during machining.

The workpiece clamp 78 has a contact region 88 which, for example, is annular, and on which an outer side of the blank 76 can be applied for axial positioning.

Measures for increasing the static friction between workpiece clamp 78 and blank 76 can be provided. For example, a coating of clamping surfaces of the blank 76 and / or in particular of the workpiece clamp 78 takes place with a material that increases the static friction. It can also be provided that corresponding clamping surfaces are roughened, for example by means of sandblasting, in order to increase the static friction,

The finishing of the workpiece takes place in the same machine tool 10 without the workpiece being released from the workpiece clamping device 68. There is a complete machining without re-clamping. This ensures that, for example, an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a center line of the windows 74 optimally match each other. By the complete processing in one setting, the smoothness and life of a mitteis a ball cage according to the invention can be increased.

In the manufacturing method according to the invention, only one machine tool is used for the complete machining of the workpiece. It eliminates errors when re-tightening; with each new clamping of a workpiece, this is fundamentally deformed differently and different stress states occur on the workpiece. This can lead to a reduction lead the workpiece Quaütät. By machining the workpiece with the manufacturing method according to the invention, the workpiece quality is improved.

Furthermore, a processing of an Aniagefläche a! S reference surface for Umspannvorgänge in the method according to the invention is not necessary, since the processing is carried out in one setting without re-tensioning.

On the blank 76 is a hard fine machining in the machine tool 10 with a window processing (indicated by the Bezugszeϊchen 90 in Figure 2), an outer side machining (indicated by the reference numeral 92 in Figure 2) and a Innenseitenbearbeitung (indicated by the Bezugszeϊchen 94 in Figure 2) , Through the window processing, outer side machining and inner side machining takes place the Kompiettbearbeitung of the blank 76 to the ball cage 66 in its final shape, wherein at points of contact for balls and the other joint elements the necessary surface quality is produced.

Basically, the order of window processing, outside machining and inside machining is arbitrary. It is preferred that the window processing is carried out first and then the outer side machining and / or inner side machining to prevent burrs.

The hard finishing of the windows is in particular a grinding or milling with one or more rotating milling tools. In a first exemplary embodiment, which is shown schematically in FIG. 3 (a), the blank is rotated about a rotation axis 96. The axis of rotation 96 coincides with the longitudinal axis 34 and 36 of the corresponding workpiece holder 30 and 32, respectively. In the embodiment in which the corresponding workpiece spindle is a vertical spindle, the axis of rotation 96 is a vertical axis. A milling tool 98 having one or more corresponding blades 100 rotates about an axis of rotation 102 that is parallel to the axis of rotation 96. In this case, the angle in the B-axis B _{1x of} the corresponding tool holder 42 or 44 is zero degrees. The cutting edge 100 is designed in particular as an impact tooth.

The rotation of the corresponding workpiece spindle 16 or 20 and the corresponding tool spindle 43 and 45 are synchronized; the axes of rotation 96 and 102 are offset transversely to the axial direction. If the blank has n windows, then the blank rotates about the axis of rotation 96 n times slower than the milling tool 98, to allow the window _processing as hard _fine machining, ie f _t00! = n • f _w , where f _l00 ι is the rotational frequency of the milling tool 98 and f _{w is} the rotational frequency of the workpiece 76.

A machined window 104 is shown in FIG. 3 (b), wherein a milling profile is indicated by reference numeral 106. Also indicated is a track 108 of a corresponding blade. The profile 106 is curved. The same profile on opposite flanks can be achieved by corresponding forward and reverse rotation.

The machining process is a turning milling process.

In a second exemplary embodiment, which is indicated in FIG. 4, an axis of rotation 110 of a corresponding tool 112 is perpendicular to a rotational axis 114 of the workpiece 76. This is achieved in that the rocker 46 moves 90 ° relative to the starting position with B _n - 0 ° ° up

B _a = 90 ° is turned.

The tool 112 is rotated about the rotation axis 110. For window processing, the workpiece 76 is not rotated about the rotation axis 114, but pivoted only by a finite angle of rotation. By this method, a milling profile 107 can be produced (FIG. 4 (b)), which is less strongly curved than the milling profile 106.

In a third embodiment, which is shown schematically in Figure 5, the tool 112 is in turn pivoted by 90 ° to the pivot axis 40, that is, the angle B _a is 90 °.

The workpiece 76 is not rotated. It is shifted in the Y direction and the tool 112 is shifted in the Y direction. As a result, a milling profile 116 can be produced, which is aligned parallel to the Y direction.

One or more of the methods described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 can be combined on a workpiece.

By one or more of the described sub-steps, a complete processing of the window.

Inside and outside machining can be done simultaneously or sequentially by one or more tools.

In an embodiment example! the inner side machining and the outer side machining is performed by a common tool 118 (FIG. 6). This tool is clamped to the corresponding tool holder 42 and 44, respectively. It has a first cutting edge 120 for the inside machining and a second cutting edge 122 for the outside machining. The first cutting edge 120 and the second cutting edge 122 are spaced from each other with respect to a height axis 124, wherein the first cutting edge is located further forward. They are also spaced apart in a direction transverse to the height axis 124.

An outer profile 126 of the tool 118 is formed so that in the inner side machining by the first cutting edge 120 no other area of the Tool 118 touches the workpiece. Accordingly, a recessed area 130 is formed on a front side 128 of the tool 118, which lies below the first cutting edge 120 and above the second cutting edge 122. As will be described in more detail below, this allows immersion in the interior space 72 of the ball cage to be produced.

The tool 118 has a shank 132 for clamping to the corresponding tool holder. The shaft 132 is formed with high rigidity,

In the figures 7 (a) to (e) partial steps are indicated to the inner side processing. It is a hard turning. The cutting edges 120 and 122 are formed as turning steels.

It can also be used grinding tools.

The tool 118 is held against rotation. The workpiece 76 is rotated about the axis of rotation 114. The first cutting edge 120 is submerged by lowering the workpiece 76 over the Z-mobility of the corresponding workpiece spindle. By a synchronized X-movement of the corresponding workpiece spindle, the grinding or hard turning can be performed on the inside of the workpiece 76.

As can be seen from FIGS. 7 (d) and (e), the recessed area 130 on the outer profile 126 of the tool 118 allows the first blade 120 to be dipped into the clamping area 80 without the outer profile 126 contacting the workpiece.

After the hard fine machining by hard turning the inside, the outside is also machined by hard turning. This is indicated in FIGS. 8 (a) to (c). The workpiece 76 is lowered over the corresponding workpiece spindle. Via corresponding XZ movement of the workpiece locker! the outside processing takes place. The workpiece 76 is thereby rotated about the axis of rotation 114 and the tool 118 is held against rotation.

The recessed area 130, in turn, allows the tool 118 to not contact the corresponding workpiece holder (eg, 30).

The outer profile 126 of the tool 118 is thereby adapted to the shape of the workpiece and the shape of the tool holder.

The workpiece is lowered so far that over the tool 118 with the second cutting edge 122, the entire outer side is machined up to the clamping area via hard turning.

The inner side machining can also be done after the outer side machining. When using appropriate tools, it is also possible in principle that the inner side machining and the outer side machining takes place simultaneously.

The result of the manufacturing process according to the invention is a ball cage, which is completely machined and for which no post-processing (such as grinding or the like) is necessary. The hard fine machining takes place without re-clamping on a hardened blank.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the inner side machining, outer side machining and window machining takes place on a hardened blank via hard fine machining. In particular, the inner side machining and the Außenseitenbearbeϊtung is a hard turning or grinding. The window processing is a milling or grinding process.

The processing takes place in one clamping. As a result, the elements of the ball cage in their Toieranzlage can be optimally adapted. Clamping surfaces no longer need to be edited. You get a high workpiece quaütät with effective time-saving machining.

The machine tool described in WO 2004/012888 A1 and the machine tool XG of the Ex-CeII-O GmbH have high machine rigidity and are therefore particularly suitable for carrying out the production method according to the invention.

The editing of the windows is done in interrupted section. This can cause high vibration excitations on the tool and workpiece. By vibration-damping measures on the machine tool, the tool and the workpiece clamp can be counteracted.

The cutting process is preferably carried out in such a way that swarf nests are avoided, in particular on windows of the workpiece.

The workpiece can be processed dry, since no grinding of a support surface is necessary.

Claims

A ball cage manufacturing method of a joint having an inner side, an outer side, and windows between the inner side and the outer side, in which a blank is clamped to a workpiece fixture of a machine tool with a clamping portion of the blank outside a machining area, and through the same Machine tool the inside, the outside and the windows are processed without re-clamping the workpiece.

2. Manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping area is an area outside of contact surfaces of the ball cage with other joint parts.

3. Manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping area is a ring area.

4. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece is clamped over the workpiece clamp on the clamping area.

5. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece is held with a set clamping force on the workpiece clamp.

6. Manufacturing method according to claim 5, characterized in that the clamping force is adjusted so that the workpiece is held against rotation in the forces occurring, no workpiece vibrations occur and is not deformed by the clamping.

7. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that clamping surfaces are produced for clamping the workpiece with increased static friction.

8. Manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that clamping surfaces are coated or are, so that the static friction is increased.

9. Manufacturing method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that clamping surfaces are roughened.

10. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blank is a hardened blank,

11. Manufacturing method according to claim 10, characterized in that the processing of the blank takes place by hard fine machining.

12. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner side machining is carried out by grinding and / or turning.

13. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer side machining is carried out by grinding and / or turning.

14. Manufacturing method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the inner side machining and / or outer side machining takes place by hard turning.

15. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner side machining and the outer side machining take place simultaneously or sequentially.

16. Production method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner side machining and the outer side machining takes place with the same tool.

17. Manufacturing method according to claim 16, characterized in that the tool has a first cutting edge for the inner side machining and a second cutting edge for the outer side machining.

18. A manufacturing method according to claim 17, characterized in that the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are arranged offset in height to each other.

19. A manufacturing method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the tool is formed so that the first cutting edge is immersed in an interior of the workpiece up to a maximum immersion depth, without another portion of the tool touches the workpiece or a workpiece holder.

20. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the inner side machining and the outer side machining is performed with different tools.

21. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the Innenseätenbearbeitung and the outer side machining the tool is rotatably held.

22. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece clamp is arranged on a displaceable in at least one direction workpiece spindle.

23. Manufacturing method according to claim 22, characterized in that the workpiece spindle is a vertical spindle.

24. Manufacturing method according to claim 23, characterized in that the workpiece spindle is displaceable in the vertical direction.

25. Production method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece and a tool in at least one with respect to the direction of gravity horizontal direction are mutually displaceable.

26. Production method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece machining is carried out as dry machining,

27. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner side machining and outer side machining are performed after the window processing.

28. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a window machining via milling and / or grinding takes place,

29. Production method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the machining of a tool and the workpiece are rotated.

30. A manufacturing method according to claim 29, characterized in that a rotation axis of the tool and a rotation axis of the workpiece are parallel to each other.

31. Production method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the tool n-ma! is rotated faster than the workpiece if it has n windows.

32. Manufacturing method according to claim 29, characterized in that a rotation axis of the tool and a rotation axis of the workpiece are perpendicular to each other.

33. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the machining of the workpiece relative to the tool in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the tool is linearly displaced.

34. Manufacturing method according to claim 33, characterized in that the workpiece is held against rotation.

35. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blank is produced from a tube which is rolled and turned on an inner side and punched out of the window.

36. Manufacturing method according to claim 35, characterized in that the blank is hardened prior to clamping in the machine tool.

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