WO2010057704A1 - Device for electrochemically treating work pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for electrochemically treating work pieces, comprising a base device with a power supply, an electrolyte supply and a delivery device (10), and an exchangeable process cell (3), wherein the process cell (3) is designed in two parts with a top part (4) and a bottom part (5), wherein a work piece receptacle (6) for holding a work piece (7) is disposed in the bottom part (5), wherein an electrode (8) is disposed in the top part (4) and wherein standardized interfaces (9) are provided between the process cell (3) and the base device (2) for connecting and disconnecting the process cell (3) from the base device (2).

Description

 description

title

Device for the electrochemical machining of workpieces

State of the art

The present invention relates to a device for electrochemically machining workpieces which have a simple modular construction.

Devices for electrochemical machining (ECM devices) are from the

Prior art known in different embodiments. By means of ECM devices, an electrochemical machining of metal workpieces is carried out, wherein the workpiece is connected as an anode and the tool as a cathode to a voltage source. Between the workpiece and the tool, an electrolyte solution is passed, which takes charge transport in the working gap between the tool and the workpiece. Workpiece and tool are usually housed in a specially adapted device. Typically, the known ECM devices are designed to handle only one type of workpiece. In each case separate ECM devices are designed for different workpieces. To increase one

Application rate has also been proposed to simultaneously clamp a plurality of workpieces in a device. However, this requires a lot of mechanical engineering effort to ensure that all workpieces are processed with the same quality. Further, in the known ECM devices, the electrolyte solution flows over a surface of the lower part of the machine. As a result, guides, drives, etc., the machine and the device of the electrolyte solution are exposed during process processing, which can lead to increased wear. To protect the guides, etc., it has therefore been proposed to protect them, for example by means of bellows sheaths against the electrolyte solution. However, this is expensive and expensive such machines. Disclosure of the invention

The ECM device according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it is very easy and inexpensive to produce and allows a very fast conversion for different workpieces. The ECM device according to the invention has a modularized and for the most part standardized construction, in order in particular to enable rapid exchangeability for conversion to other workpieces. This is inventively achieved in that the device is a basic device and a replaceable

Process cell includes. The base device has a power supply, an electrolyte supply and a delivery device, which performs a delivery of an electrode. The replaceable process cell is formed in two parts with an upper part and a lower part, wherein in the lower part a workpiece holder for receiving a workpiece and in the upper part of a

Electrode is arranged. The process cell further comprises standardized interfaces to the base device for the delivery of the electrode, the electrolyte supply and a power supply. The electrode is e.g. connectable via a coupling with the feed device in the base device. Thus, according to the invention, standardized interfaces are formed between the process cell and the base device, so that a quick and easy change of the process cell is possible. As a result, the ECM device according to the invention can be quickly converted to a new workpiece. Thus, according to the invention, the basic device can be used for a plurality of different workpieces, wherein in each case only the process cell is exchanged.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

Preferably, the delivery device comprises a linear unit, with which a vertical and / or horizontal delivery of the electrode takes place. A coupling between the linear unit and the electrode is preferably executed positively and / or non-positively.

More preferably, the upper part and the lower part for the processing of

Workpiece a closed process cell. This allows the process cell for the machining of the workpiece is sealed so that the ECM machine outside the process cell is dry, ie, does not come in contact with an electrolyte solution. This results in great simplifications for the design of the basic device of the ECM device, since this does not come into contact with the electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution is selectively supplied and removed via a line system.

Preferably, the control of the basic device is designed such that, when the process cell is closed, it automatically carries out a process start and automatically terminates a process when the process cell is opened.

For this purpose, a circuit breaker with a first and second part is preferably provided in order to enable a start of the machine only when a contact between the two parts of the circuit breaker is made.

More preferably, the control of the basic device is designed such that after one end of a process, the process cell is automatically opened.

In order to ensure a particularly simple handling of the ECM machine, the process cell is preferably arranged in a front region of the ECM device. As a result, a faster workpiece change or possibly

Replacement of a depleted electrode can be achieved. It can also be ensured quickly and easily an exchange of a process cell.

Particularly preferably, the machine comprises a protective cover and / or a protective door with a protective screen, which can be opened manually or automatically. The protective cover or door protects an operator from engaging in the danger zone and the controller can be designed to automatically start the door closing process.

Particularly preferably, the workpiece holder of the process cell is designed only for exactly one workpiece. As a result, the ECM device according to the invention can be optimally designed for a workpiece. In particular, can then be dispensed with a tolerance compensation between multiple electrodes, as is necessary in a simultaneous processing of several workpieces. - A -

The standardized interface devices between the base device and the process cell are preferably by means of quick couplings, e.g. Bayonet locks oa, provided.

drawing

Hereinafter, an ECM device according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. In the drawing is:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of an ECM

Device according to an embodiment of the invention from the front,

Figure 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the ECM device from behind.

Embodiment of the invention

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an ECM device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1, the ECM device comprises two essential components, namely a basic device 2 and a process cell 3. The basic device 2 comprises a power supply, not shown, and a

Electrolyte supply, which are arranged under a protective cover 12. For stiffening the ECM device, the base device 2 further comprises a linkage 11. The protective cover 12 is, as indicated in Figure 1 by the arrow A, linearly lowered or raised by means of a linear unit 10 to at least partially cover the process cell 3 during the process , FIG. 1 shows the opened one

Position of the ECM device in which a workpiece change takes place, and Figure 2 shows the closed position of the ECM device, in which a machining of the workpiece takes place. For ease of handling, the process cell 3 is arranged in the front region of the base device 2. In the base device 2, a delivery device is further provided, which performs a delivery of an electrode relative to the tool. The delivery device can move the entire protective cover 12 together with the other components arranged therein via the linear unit 10. Alternatively, the feed device can also move only the electrode. In FIG. 1, the electrode is provided with the reference numeral 8 and the workpiece with the reference numeral 7.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the workpiece 7 is arranged in a workpiece holder 6. The process cell 3 is formed in two parts with an upper part 4 and a lower part 5. The workpiece holder 6 is arranged in the lower part 5 and the

Electrode 8 in the upper part 4. For the machining process, the process cell 3 is closed, wherein the upper part 4 is lowered onto the lower part 5. In this case, a closed process space can be obtained so that the electrolyte solution does not get outside the process space. As can be seen further from FIG. 1, a quick coupling 9 is arranged between the process cell 3 and the base device 2. The quick coupling 9 provides a connection both mechanically and electrically for the electrode 8 and also provides a connection for the electrolyte solution. Between the lower part 5 and a bottom portion 15 of the base device, there is also a quick connector, not shown, for closing the electric circuit and connecting a discharge line for the electrolytic solution. This makes it possible that the process cell 3 can be changed quickly. Thus, a quick and easy conversion of the ECM device, for example, to another workpiece or equipment with another electrode is possible. Furthermore, in the manufacture of the ECM device, a very high proportion of equal parts can be achieved since the base device 2 for each ECM

Device is the same and only customer-specific process cells 3 must be made. Since standardized connections are respectively provided between the process cell 3 and the base device 2, the ECM device has a modular structure, whereby a basic design of the ECM device according to the invention is improved. Furthermore, for example, new

Customer requirements are met, that constructive interventions in the ECM device are concentrated on the near area around the workpiece and each individual process cells are constructed.

The ECM machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in this case has a vertical feed, which is integrated in the base device 2. The vertical delivery can be transmitted via a standardized slide and the quick coupling 9 to the electrode 8.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the linkage 1 1 is further stiffened with a stiffening plate 13. The linkage 1 1 is fixedly mounted on the base plate 15 and the

Linkage 11 supports in particular guides 10a, 10b of the linear unit 10 from.

As further shown in Fig. 2, a circuit breaker 14 having a first part 14a and a second part 14b is provided at the rear of the ECM device. The first part 14a is attached to the protective cover 12 and the second part

14b is attached to the linkage 1 1. Only when a contact between the first and second parts 14a, 14b of the circuit breaker 14 is made, it is possible to start processing in the process cell 3. Thus, by means of the circuit breaker 14, a process start of the ECM device 1 can be defined.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a protective cover 12. It should be noted that the ECM device 1 may alternatively also have a door with an integrated protective screen, which must first be closed by an operator before the process can be started. The protective screen protects the operator from engaging in the danger zone of the process cell 3.

When the machining of the workpiece 7 in the process cell 3 is completed, the controller may determine that the protective cover 12 is automatically raised and at the same time the upper part 4 is also raised. As a result, an operator recognizes that machining of the workpiece has ended and can do so

Change workpiece.

Since the base device 2 and the process cell 3 including the electrode 8 and the workpiece holder 6 represent a mechanically self-sufficient unit, it is possible according to the invention that this unit is set and prepared outside of an ECM system. After installation of the unit in an ECM system then no adjustments are required. As a result, in particular the set-up and set-up time can be significantly reduced. While a unit is being prepared outside the ECM plant, a workpiece may be machined with another unit built into the ECM system. Another great advantage is that the ECM machine according to the invention outside the process cell 3 dry is because no electrolyte solution flows over the surfaces of the base device 2. The electrolyte solution used is deliberately removed via a line system (not shown) integrated in the lower region of the base device 2. Thus, a disadvantage of the open design used in the prior art can be avoided, since in particular guides and drives are not exposed to the electrolyte solution. In particular, can also be prevented according to the invention that elaborate Faltenbalglösungen be used for covers of guides, etc., which make such systems very expensive.

Claims

claims 1. Apparatus for electrochemical machining of workpieces, comprising a base device with a power supply, an electrolyte supply, and a delivery device (10), and - An exchangeable process cell (3), wherein the process cell (3) is formed in two parts with an upper part (4) and a lower part (5), wherein in the lower part (5) a workpiece holder (6) for receiving a workpiece (7) is arranged , wherein in the upper part (4) an electrode (8) is arranged and between the process cell (3) and the base device (2) standardized interfaces (9) for connecting and disconnecting the process cell (3) of the base device (2) are provided , 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the Delivery device comprises a linear unit, in particular to perform a vertical delivery. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper part (4) and the lower part (5) for the machining of the workpiece (7) form a closed process cell (3). 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a circuit breaker (14) having a first part (14 a) and a second part (14 b), wherein a machining of the workpiece (7) is only possible when a Contact between the first and second part of the circuit breaker (14) is made. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a controller is designed after completion of the Process to automatically open the machine. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process cell (3) is arranged in a front region of the machine. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine comprises a protective cover (12) and / or a protective door. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workpiece holder (6) is designed only for exactly one workpiece (7). 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interfaces for connecting the base device (2) with the process cell (3) comprises quick couplings.