DE102004038922A1 - Method for joining plates through clinching involves working stroke by means of punch and die with movable die part which is moved sidewise whereby tool and outer diameter of point of joining is controlled during joining process - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves joining the plates, lying on top of one another, through clinching, whereby a working stroke by means of punch and die with movable die part, which is moved sidewise, is required. The tool and the outer diameter of the point of joining is controlled during the joining process. An independent claim is also included for the equipment for joining plates through clinching.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling of clinch connections and tools according to the preamble of Claim 1.

Clinched connections and tools are usually controlled in automated production processes by means of force-displacement measurement per joining point. Here, the maximum pressing force is taken from a certain way and compared after completion of the process with a predetermined tolerance band. The pressing force is dependent on the punch path, the material, the material thickness, the state of the punch and the die. This is in the EP 0642853 described. An important prerequisite for this is a mold with a closed die. Non-concentric tools, ie punch axis offset to the die axis, which can lead to cracks in the connection can not be detected. The handling of the analog measurement signals requires additional effort compared to digital signals, since they can not be guided by rotary feedthroughs in robotic applications, for example, but must be routed separately to the evaluation unit.

matrices with moving parts in the die, which when making the connection point pushed outwards are only partially suitable for this Type of surveillance. The presence or correct starting position of the moving parts for one optimal connection leaves Do not monitor yourself with this type. As a quality feature is used in matrices with moving parts of the outside diameter of the Joining point, which results after compression, used.

task the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive device the outside diameter of the joining point and checks the function of the tools and equipment during the process.

These The object is achieved by a device having the features of the claim 1 solved.

At the die at height moving parts, pushbuttons or proximity switches are mounted that the switching points are adjustable. So can different dot diameter be queried. The number of buttons depends on the number the moving parts. The buttons give signal when the moving Parts pushed outward by the radial pressure of the material until the undercut is optimal. At this point is the press stroke on end stop, resulting in a signal to the controller is reported. The buttons now each give a separate signal to the Control, which e.g. a PLC or robot controller can be. The evaluation of the signals in the control program provides information about the Quality of the joining point and the joining tool.

So can Easiest following errors can be detected without an additional Evaluation.

is The component removed and a button is still signal, means this that a movable part e.g. jammed or the return mechanism is defective is.

Give the buttons on the matrix signal before the end stop signal, this means that the inserted material is too thick, e.g. a component too much or too soft, resulting in an increase in the dot diameter leads.

Becomes in a joining process given no signal or only stroke end, it may be that the pressing force too small, the material thickness too thin (for example, only one component inserted), the stroke is not stopped or the punch is canceled.

is the punch is not concentric with the die, it means that at the narrowed point the material to be joined can tear. At the same time, the moving part at this point becomes first and further pushed outwards than the others.

Over a Time measurement of the control, which started from the first detected signal can and must switch the other signals in a certain time This error should be recorded and reported to the other signals too late come.

Consequently suffice Push buttons with simple standard digital signals and an existing one Control or a provided small controller to monitor the process and the data for store statistical evaluations.

alternative can Also, analog sensors are mounted for path measurement, which the Advantage that has over a setpoint specification of the control different point diameter monitored without mechanical adjustments can be.

Description:

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

It shows:

1 : Joining device in section before the pressing process

2 : Joining device at the completion of the pressing process on average

3 : Error case: punch and die not concentric, drawn in front of the joining process without components as plan view, punch in the cut

4 : Error: punch and die not concentric, drawn at completion of pressing without components as a top view, punch in the cut

5 : Joining device with stroke limitation and proximity switch

On a die body 1 become tactile elements 6 so attached that the actuators 8th through the moving parts 5 be operated when the moving parts 5 be pushed outwards. It becomes every moving part 5 a feeler element 6 mounted so that the switching distance eg by means of a spacer 7 is adjustable.

In initial position sh. 1 become the moving parts 5 by return elements 9 For example, pull springs in the direction of the central axis against a stop, so that the sensing elements are not actuated.

Will the enforced material 3 and 4 sh. 2 Now spread radially by means of the punch on the anvil, the moving parts are pushed evenly outwards. The stamp stroke sh. 5 is by means of a limitation 11 set so that at the stroke end the optimum compression is achieved and a probe element 10 a signal goes to the controller.

At this point, the tactile elements 6 set so that they signal here. Come all the signals of the probe elements 6 at the same time and the probe element 10 the stroke limiter is actuated, the control signal indicates that the joining process is in order.

After moving back the punch and removing the component, the moving parts become 5 by means of the return elements 9 pushed back inside and the feeler elements 6 are again unconfirmed.

Should have one or more moving parts 5 eg due to defective reset elements 9 or by jamming, for example due to contamination no longer return to their original position, remain one or more sensing elements 6 actuated.

By a program query of the signals after removal of the components 3 and 4 , is activated when the buttons are pressed 6 did not issue a release and issued an error message.

If a hub is triggered and the feeler elements 6 give signal before the stroke end by the probe element 10 is reported, the inserted total sheet thickness is too large, for example, a component inserted too much, or the material is too soft, so that the width of the material begins earlier and the dot diameter is greater than the set range.

If a stroke is triggered and no signal is sent through the sensing elements after a certain time has elapsed 6 u. 10 given, the pressing force is too low or the press unit mechanically defective.

If a stroke is triggered and after a time is only the signal of the probe element 10 given, the material thickness is too low, for example, only one or no component inserted or the punch is broken, so that no or too narrow width of the material takes place around the sensing elements 6 to press.

Is the stamp 2 not concentric to the template sh. 3 , become the moving parts 5 not at the same time and not pushed outwards sh. 4 , Do not give all the touch elements after a time has elapsed since the first signal 6 Signal, an error is reported by the controller. Should still all tactile elements 6 respond, is detected by a time measurement that the signals received at different times and thus an error message is issued.

1

die body

2

stamp

3

stamp-page material

4

die side material

5

portable part

6

button element

7

tuning plate

8th

actuator

9

Return element

10

button element

11

Stroke

12

cylinder

13

C-frame

Claims (16)

A method for joining superposed plates or plate sections by clinching, wherein in a working stroke by means of a punch and a die having movable die members that move in the wide crushing laterally as characterized in that the tool and the outer diameter of the manufactured joining point is controlled during the joining process. Method according to claim 1, characterized that the diameter of the joining point at every stroke is automatically controlled. Method according to claim 2, characterized that triggering the switch is timed becomes. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that each movable part 5 a digital signal is emitted. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the travel of the moving parts 5 is detected via analogue displacement measuring systems. Method according to claim 5, characterized that different point diameters are specified for monitoring can. Method according to claim 6, characterized that a concentricity the tools is detected. Method according to claim 7, characterized that the end positions of the punch stroke are detected. Method according to claim 8, characterized that processes the signals in an existing plant control and can be stored. Device for carrying out the method, characterized in that the movable die parts 5 one probe element each 6 actuate. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the feeler elements 6 are adjustable to different diameters. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the feeler elements 6 deliver digital signals. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeler elements 6 are designed as analog way measuring systems. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the feeler elements 6 in a sensor enclose the matrix radially. Device according to claim 14, characterized that the sensor is stretchable. Device according to claim 15, characterized that the sensor sits against rotation in a groove on the die circumference.