CN114555295A

CN114555295A - Honing machine and method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece

Info

Publication number: CN114555295A
Application number: CN202080072802.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 奥利弗·贝; 迈克尔·佩茨基
Original assignee: Germany Green Machine Tool Co ltd
Current assignee: Germany Green Machine Tool Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-21
Filing date: 2020-10-21
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2040-10-21
Also published as: DE102019128351A1; EP3860804A1; EP3860804B1; US20220371149A1; CN114555295B; WO2021078775A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a honing machine and method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece, particularly for honing cylinder and bearing race bores in a cylinder crankcase.

Description

Honing machine and method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a grinding machine and a method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece, in particular cylinder bores and bearing race bores in a cylinder crankcase, having the features of the preamble of claim 1, a honing machine having the features of the preamble of claim 2, a honing machine having the features of the preamble of claim 4, a method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece, in particular cylinder bores and bearing race bores in a cylinder crankcase, having the features of the preamble of claim 8, a method having the features of the preamble of claim 9, a method having the features of the preamble of claim 10, and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 11.

Background

Cylinder-crankcase, commonly referred to as "crankcase" or "engine block", are components of internal combustion engines or combustion engines, e.g., used in personal or cargo vehicles, aircraft, marine vessels, and stationary facilities. The most common variants are multi-cylinder engines, the pistons of which are connected to a rotating crankshaft via connecting rods and which transmit the forces generated by the engine to the wheels, marine propellers, aircraft propellers, generators, etc.

A cylinder-crankcase is one example of a workpiece having orthogonally aligned apertures.

Within the engine block are a plurality of linearly aligned cylinder bores. The crankshaft is located down in an in-line or V-engine, and in a cylinder opposed engine, the crankshaft is located between the cylinders and against cylinder-crankcase bearings in the crankshaft bearing bores. The bearings are typically sliding bearings, sometimes roller bearings. To ensure high concentricity of the crankshaft, and thereby minimize the signs of undesired wear and vibration during operation, the crankshaft must meet stringent shape tolerance requirements. The size of the bearings and the position in the cylinder crankcase must also have a high degree of tolerance.

The relatively tight tolerances of the internal combustion engine and associated components of the cylinder crankcase result from the complex functioning of these components. The shape, size and surface topography of the cylinder bore determine to a large extent the wear, friction, oil usage and emission values of the internal combustion engine, as well as the performance and effectiveness based on friction. The compression chamber volume primarily affects the compression of the engine. Which in turn affects performance and, due to the combustion process, affects emissions values and engine sound.

Among other things, the precise location of the crankshaft relative to the piston or cylinder bore is important to mitigate wear of highly strained engine components. Specifically, these parts are the piston/piston bolts on the crankshaft, the connecting rod and connecting rod bearings, and the bearings of the crankshaft in the cylinder crankcase. The position of the bore axis not only functions as an absolute position in space, but also as an angular position or orientation. For example, in a control gear with a coupling, the crankshaft and the input shaft of the gear move together. This means that the exact coaxiality of the two shafts is crucial for a long service life.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a honing machine and a method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece (such as a cylinder crankcase as described above), wherein the bores in the workpiece can be machined with high precision in a short time and in a reliable manner completely by means of honing.

This task is achieved with a honing machine for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece, wherein the honing machine comprises:

a machine base and an in-machine transport system arranged on the machine base.

The transport system includes a turntable that rotates about a vertical turntable axis. The turret includes a plurality of workpiece inlets. The workpiece inlets are arranged at a radial distance from the axis of the turntable in a circumferential direction offset from each other such that the workpieces inserted into the workpiece inlets can be moved continuously along a circular path and through the various stations of the honing machine via rotation of the turntable. In other words, the turret moves the workpiece from one workstation to another along a circular path. The transport system facilitates rapid passage of workpieces between the various stations. The turntable may be designed as a lifting turntable. The turntable or its plate may be circular or have a different geometry, for example triangular or rectangular.

The in-machine transport system, in particular the turntable, can load and unload the workpiece access opening, for example, with a single loading station. Unlike conveyors, the workpieces may exit the honing machine at the same location where they entered. This simplifies the loading and unloading, in particular the coupling of the honing machine, to an external conveying system. The external transport system may be used with other honing machines and/or other processing machines to create a production line, if necessary.

To this end, at least one of the work stations is a vertical honing station comprising at least one vertical honing unit. The vertical honing unit comprises a honing spindle with a honing tool, wherein the spindle axis is aligned parallel to the turntable axis. Honing of vertically aligned bores is performed by relative movement between the workpiece and the honing spindle or honing tool that rotates about the spindle axis and translates along the spindle axis. This relative motion is typically oscillatory. The spindle typically rotates within the bore and moves back and forth along the bore axis.

The other station is a horizontal honing station comprising at least one horizontal honing unit. The horizontal honing unit comprises a honing spindle with a honing tool. Honing of horizontally aligned bores is performed by relative movement between the workpiece and the honing spindle or honing tool that rotates about and translates along the horizontal spindle axis. The relative motion is typically oscillatory. The spindle typically rotates within the bore and moves back and forth along the bore axis. However, when honing horizontally aligned bores, it may be configured that the honing tool rotates and only moves in and out of the bore in translation once. Typically, the honing holders of the tools are set to be oversized, meaning that their machining diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the hole being machined.

The honing machine further includes an actuator unit. The actuator unit is designed and arranged such that the actuator unit moves the workpiece for honing in the horizontal honing station.

The honing spindle of the horizontal honing unit can be arranged immovably in the honing machine, in particular during honing. It is also possible, however, that during honing, in addition to the movement of the workpiece, the honing spindle of the horizontal honing unit can also be moved, in particular in the opposite direction, to take part in the above-described relative movement between the workpiece and the honing spindle.

Movement of the workpiece by the actuator unit may reduce movement of the horizontal honing unit or, if the horizontal honing unit is not movable, only rotation of the honing spindle. This improves the accuracy of use of the honing spindle or honing tool during honing. This produces a more accurate overall result of the honing operation.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a honing machine having the features of the preamble of claim 1, in particular having the features of claim 1, wherein the machine interior transport system is designed to move the workpiece from the turntable for honing in the horizontal honing station. The honing is performed outside the turntable. The workpiece is transported in particular outside a circular path in which the turntable moves the workpiece. The workpiece may be rotated and aligned outside of the turntable. Means are usually provided for moving the workpiece from the turntable and also returning the workpiece to the turntable. The workpiece does not leave the honing machine during the movement of the turntable. The machining is usually performed outside the turret, but on the same machine base on which the turret is located.

Since the honing is performed outside the turntable, undesired vibrations and oscillations caused by the honing are not transmitted to the turntable or are minimized. Thereby, other workpieces on the turntable are also not affected by these vibrations or oscillations. This improves the accuracy during processing of the workpiece at the other work stations.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a honing machine having the features of the preamble of claim 1, in particular having the features of claim 1 or 2, wherein the horizontal spindle axis extends in the machining direction. The relative translational movement during honing occurs along an axis designated by the machine direction. The machine direction is parallel to a direction extending radially through the turret axis but spaced from the turret axis. In other words, the machine direction extends along a straight line that does not pass through the center of the turntable.

This means that the horizontal honing unit can be positioned and aligned more flexibly on the honing machine. For example, a plurality, in particular two, horizontal honing units can be placed adjacent to each other and/or parallel to each other on the honing machine. This produces a result of the acceleration of the overall process.

The object of the invention is furthermore achieved with a honing machine having the features of the preamble of claim 1, in particular having the features of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the horizontal honing station comprises a workpiece inlet, which comprises a rotation device with a rotation axis parallel to the turntable axis, by means of which the alignment of the workpiece can be changed. Honing in the horizontal honing station may be performed in a different alignment than in the vertical honing station.

This means that the horizontal honing unit can be positioned and aligned more flexibly on the honing machine. For a stationary workpiece or a workpiece that is securely positioned on the turntable in fixed alignment, the position and alignment of the horizontal honing unit will be dictated by the orientation or alignment of the workpiece.

For an advantageous construction of the honing machine, all work stations of the individual honing machines are arranged on a common machine base. The alignment of the turntable with at least one of all the workstations on the machine base improves the compactness and speed of the honing machine.

In a further advantageous variant of the honing machine, the honing machine comprises at least two vertical honing stations. At least one vertical honing station comprises a vertical honing unit which is movably arranged on a portal carriage via a slide. All vertical honing units can also be movably arranged on the portal carriage via slides. The use of multiple vertical honing stations and/or vertical honing units facilitates the simultaneous processing of multiple vertically aligned bores. The vertical honing station may also include a plurality of vertical honing units such that honing operations may be performed simultaneously in a plurality of vertically aligned bores in the workpiece in the vertical honing station. Thus, honing operations may be performed simultaneously in a plurality of vertically aligned bores in various workpieces in various vertical honing stations. Performing multiple honing operations simultaneously reduces the overall processing time of the honing machine.

At least one of the stations may be an empty station or a station for performing other machining operations, such as chamfering.

In another advantageous variant of the honing machine, the honing machine comprises four work stations. The first station is a loading and unloading station where the workpiece to be honed is placed on or removed from the turntable.

The second work station is designed as a first vertical honing station. In particular, the second work station may be used for pre-honing.

The third work station is designed as a horizontal honing station. Where a horizontal honing operation is performed.

The fourth work station is designed as a second vertical honing station. A fourth station may be used for final honing.

The direction of transport of the turntable is from the first work station to the second work station or, more precisely, from the third work station to the fourth work station. After the fourth station is completed, the workpiece is returned to the first station. The number of work stations and their respective design (i.e., as loading/unloading station, two vertical honing stations, one horizontal honing station) optimizes the overall processing time of the workpiece by operating as many simultaneous operations as possible, and also facilitates honing machines that are as compact and accurate as possible. In particular, such a division can advantageously integrate the movement or tilting of the workpiece in the horizontal honing station into the work cycle. This therefore applies to the acceleration of the workpiece while it is moving.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece according to the invention having the features of claim 8. The workpiece is moved in a horizontal honing station during honing. In particular, the honing spindle of the horizontal honing unit is held stationary at least in the direction of the relative translational movement.

The movement of the workpiece may reduce the movement of the horizontal honing unit or, if the horizontal honing unit is not movable, be limited to the rotation of the honing spindle or of a honing tool arranged at the honing spindle. This improves the accuracy of use of the honing spindle or honing tool during the honing process. This produces a more accurate overall result of the honing operation. The method steps described herein correspond in part to the structural design of the honing machine. The benefits listed herein also exist in the method steps.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method having the features of the preamble of claim 8, in particular having the features of claim 8, wherein for horizontal honing the workpiece is moved away from the turntable and the honing is performed outside the turntable, in particular wherein the workpiece is moved outside the circular path in which the turntable moves the workpiece.

Since the honing is performed outside the turntable, undesired vibrations and oscillations caused by the honing are not transmitted to the turntable or are minimized. Thereby, other workpieces located on the turntable are not affected by these vibrations or oscillations. This improves the accuracy of processing the workpiece at the other work stations.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method having the features of the preamble of claim 8, in particular having the features of claim 8 or 9, wherein the horizontal spindle axis extends in the machine direction. Relative translational movement during honing occurs along this axis. The machine direction is parallel to a direction extending radially through the turret axis but spaced from the turret axis. In other words, the machine direction extends along a straight line that does not pass through the turret axis.

This means that the horizontal honing units can be arranged and aligned more flexibly. For example, two horizontal honing units may be positioned adjacent and parallel to each other. It is also possible to position the horizontal honing unit and the gauging station adjacent and parallel to each other. This speeds up the overall process.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method having the features of the preamble of claim 8, in particular having the features of claim 8, 9 or 10, in which the alignment of the workpiece is changed before horizontal honing. The alignment of the workpiece may also be changed during and/or after horizontal honing.

This means that the horizontal honing units can be arranged and aligned more flexibly. In the case of immovable or securely positioned workpieces, the position and alignment of the horizontal honing unit will be dictated by the orientation or alignment of the workpiece.

Drawings

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the wording of the claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments on the basis of the figures. These illustrations show:

fig. 1 is a plan view of a honing machine of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a side view of the honing machine of the present invention shown in fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the honing machine of the invention; and

fig. 4 is a side view of the honing machine of the present invention shown in fig. 3.

In the following description and in the drawings, corresponding parts and elements have the same reference numerals. For purposes of clarity, not all reference numbers may be listed in any figure.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of a honing machine 10 of the present invention for performing a honing operation on orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece 12. The honing machine 10 includes a machine base 14, and a transport system 16 is located on the machine base 14. The transport system 16 includes a turntable 18 that rotates about a vertical turntable axis 20. Four workpiece inlets 22 are arranged on the turntable 18, wherein each workpiece inlet 22 can receive one workpiece 12. Rotation of the turntable 18 about the turntable axis 20 transports the workpiece 12 in a circular path. The workpiece 12 is then directed to various work stations. Four stations are represented by four workpieces 12. The station shown on the right side of fig. 1 is a horizontal honing station 24. The horizontal honing station 24 comprises a horizontal honing unit 26 comprising a honing spindle 28 with a honing tool. The honing spindle 28 or honing tool is aligned along a horizontal spindle axis 30. Thus, the horizontal honing operation is performed along the horizontal spindle axis 30.

The honing machine 10 further comprises an actuator unit 32 positioned on the machine base 14, which can move the workpiece 12 back and forth along the horizontal spindle axis 30 via a rail system. During operation, the workpiece 12 is moved radially away from the turntable 18 such that there is no longer direct contact between the workpiece 12 and the turntable 18, and the turntable is essentially vibrationally decoupled from the workpiece. This disconnection of the workpiece 12 prevents vibrations and oscillations from the horizontal honing operation from being transmitted through the workpiece 12 to the turntable 18 and thus to other workpieces 12 or workstations.

Prior to performing a horizontal honing operation on the workpiece 12, the workpiece 12 is aligned in the actuator unit 32 such that the horizontally aligned bores to be honed are arranged along the horizontal spindle axis 30. In the exemplary embodiment, the horizontal honing unit 26 is securely positioned on the machine base 14 such that the honing spindle 28 cannot move along the horizontal spindle axis 30. The honing spindle 28 or honing tool is only rotated during the horizontal honing operation. The workpiece 12 is moved back and forth along the horizontal spindle axis 30 via the actuator unit 32 while the honing spindle 28 or honing tool is rotated so that the honing operation can be performed on a bore that was previously aligned along the horizontal spindle axis 30. After completion of the horizontal honing operation, the workpiece 12 is returned to the workpiece entrance 22 of the turntable 18 and is conveyed to the next work station via rotation of the turntable 18 about its vertical turntable axis 20.

Each station may be a loading and unloading station, a vertical honing station, a gauging station or another horizontal honing station 24. For example, the work station indicated by the workpiece 12 on the left side in fig. 1 may be a loading and unloading station, and the work stations indicated via the workpiece 12 on the top and bottom of fig. 1 may be vertical honing stations having vertical honing units (not shown). In particular, the work station indicated by the workpiece 12 at the top of fig. 1 may be used for vertical pre-honing, while the work station indicated by the workpiece 12 at the bottom of fig. 1 may be used for vertical final honing. At least one of the work stations may also be a gauging station with which the honing operations performed at the respective bore can be evaluated and monitored. However, the measurement may also be performed with the measurement unit 34 at a workstation other than the measurement station.

The measuring unit 34 shown in fig. 1 is arranged on the machine base 14 via a slide, so that a rear measurement of the horizontal bore can be carried out, while, for example, the workpiece 12 is located in a workstation for vertical-shape honing (see above).

Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the honing machine 10 depicted in the present invention as illustrated in fig. 1. Obviously, for honing in the horizontal honing station 26, the work piece 12 is moved radially outwardly away from the turntable 18 in order to achieve the above-mentioned disconnection of the work piece 12 from the turntable 18. Further, the turntable 18 in this exemplary embodiment is a lifting turntable. This means that the turret 18 can be lowered after the transfer of the workpiece 12 into the next corresponding station. The workpiece 12 then remains in the respective work station and is no longer connected to the turntable 18. Thus, the turntable 18 is not the medium through which undesirable vibrations or oscillations generated in the various work stations can be transferred between the various workpieces 12 or work stations.

Fig. 3 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the honing machine 10 described herein. Here, like in the previous exemplary embodiment, four work stations indicated by four workpieces 12 are also shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the horizontal honing unit 26 is positioned on the machine base 14 such that the horizontal spindle axis 30 does not extend through the turntable axis 20. Therefore, the workpiece 12 must be aligned along the horizontal spindle axis 30 with its horizontally aligned aperture. This is done using a rotating device, which is not further explained herein.

In this exemplary embodiment, the horizontal honing unit 26 is movable by rails, such that the horizontal honing unit 26, and thus the honing spindle 28, can be moved back and forth along the horizontal spindle axis 30 with the honing tool. To perform the horizontal honing operation, the honing spindle 28 is lowered into the workpiece 12 or the bore of the workpiece 12 to be honed by moving the horizontal honing unit 26 after the workpiece 12 is aligned.

After the horizontal honing operation is completed, the workpiece 12 is again rotated by the rotating device (not shown) so that the honing operation can be evaluated and monitored by the measuring device 34. The rotating workpiece 12 and its alignment are shown in thin dashed lines in fig. 3. The measuring device 34 is also movably positioned along an axis on the machine base 14 via a track. Thus, horizontal honing and post-measurement can be performed at the same station. No separate workstation for post-measurement or post-monitoring of the horizontal honing operation is required. However, the measuring station may be provided as a workstation which only performs post-measurements.

Similar to the previous exemplary embodiments, each work station may be a loading and unloading station, a vertical honing station, a (additional) gauging station or another horizontal honing station 24.

Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of the honing machine 10 depicted in the present invention as shown in fig. 3. In the exemplary embodiment, the turntable 18 is also designed as a lifting turntable in order to prevent undesired oscillations or vibrations from being transmitted/propagated via the turntable 18.

Claims

1. A honing machine (10) for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece (12), in particular for honing cylinder and bearing race or camshaft bores in a cylinder crankcase, the honing machine (10) having:

a machine base (14);

at least one machine internal transport system (16), the at least one internal transport system (16) being arranged on the machine base (14), comprising a turntable (18), the turntable (18) rotating about a vertical turntable axis (20) and having a plurality of workpiece inlets (22), the plurality of workpiece inlets (22) being arranged offset from each other in a circumferential direction at a radial distance from the turntable axis (20) such that a workpiece (12) inserted into a workpiece inlet (22) can be moved continuously along a circular path and through the various work stations of the honing machine (10) via rotation of the turntable (18);

wherein at least one of the work stations is a vertical honing station comprising at least one vertical honing unit having a honing spindle designed for honing vertically aligned bores by a relative movement between the workpiece (12) and the honing spindle rotating about and translating along a spindle axis, wherein the spindle axis is aligned parallel to the turntable axis (20);

wherein another of the work stations is a horizontal honing station (24) comprising at least one horizontal honing unit (26), the horizontal honing unit (26) having a honing spindle (28), the honing spindle (28) being designed for honing bores aligned in a horizontal direction by means of a relative movement between the workpiece (12) and the honing spindle (28) which rotates about a horizontal spindle axis (30) and which translates along the horizontal spindle axis (30),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the honing machine (10) comprises an actuator unit (32), which actuator unit (32) is arranged and designed to carry out the honing by moving the workpiece (12) in the horizontal honing station (24), wherein in particular the honing spindle (28) of the horizontal honing unit (26) is immovably arranged in the honing machine (10) for carrying out the honing.

2. Honing machine (10) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the in-machine transfer system (16) is designed to: for the honing in the horizontal honing station (24), the workpiece (12) is moved away from the turntable (18) and the honing is performed outside the turntable (18), in particular wherein the workpiece (12) is moved outside the circular path in which the turntable (18) moves the workpiece (12).

3. Honing machine (10) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the horizontal spindle axis (30) extends in a machine direction parallel to a direction extending radially through the turret axis (20) but spaced from the turret axis (20) and along which relative translational movement occurs during the honing.

4. Honing machine (10) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to claim 1, 2 or 3,

characterized in that there are rotating means in the horizontal honing station (24) enabling the alignment of the work pieces (12) to be changed, so that the machining in the horizontal honing station (24) can be carried out in a different alignment than the work pieces (12) in the vertical honing station.

5. The honing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that all the work stations of the honing machine are arranged on the machine base (14).

6. The honing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the honing machine (10) comprises at least two vertical honing stations,

wherein at least one vertical honing station comprises a vertical honing unit which is movably arranged on a portal carriage via a slide, in particular wherein the honing units of all vertical honing stations are movably arranged on the carriage via a slide.

7. The honing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the honing machine (10) includes: a first workstation designed as a loading and unloading station;

the second station is a second station for the second station,

wherein the second workstation is a first vertical honing station, in particular for pre-honing;

a third working station for the second working station,

wherein the third workstation is a horizontal honing station (24); and

a fourth work station for carrying out the working of the machine,

wherein the fourth station is a second vertical honing station, in particular for final honing or other machining, wherein the transport direction of the turntable (18) is from the first station to the fourth station and back to the first station.

8. A method for honing orthogonally aligned bores in a workpiece (12), in particular for honing cylinder and bearing race bores in a cylinder crankcase, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

receiving the workpiece (12) at a turntable (18) that rotates about a vertical turntable axis (20); -continuously transferring said work pieces (12) between the various work stations along a circular path by rotation of said turret (18);

wherein at least one of the work stations is a vertical honing station in which vertically aligned bores are honed by a relative movement between the workpiece (12) and a honing spindle rotating about a spindle axis and translating along the spindle axis, wherein the spindle axis is aligned parallel to the turntable axis (20);

wherein another of the work stations is a horizontal honing station (24), in which horizontal honing station (24) bores aligned in a horizontal direction are honed by a relative movement between the workpiece (12) and a honing spindle (28) about a horizontal spindle axis (30) and along the horizontal spindle axis (30),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

for honing in the horizontal honing station (24), the workpiece (12) is moved, and in particular the honing spindle (28) of the horizontal honing unit (26) is held stationary at least in the direction of the relative translational movement.

9. According to the preamble of claim 8, in particular the method of claim 8,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

for horizontal honing, the workpiece (12) is moved away from the turntable (18) and honing is performed outside the turntable (18), in particular wherein the workpiece (12) is moved outside the circular path of the turntable (18) moving the workpiece (12).

10. According to the preamble of claim 8, in particular the method of claim 8 or 9,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the horizontal spindle axis (30) extends in a machine direction parallel to a direction extending radially through the turret axis (20) but spaced from the turret axis (20) and along which relative translational movement occurs during honing.

11. Method according to the preamble of claim 8, in particular according to claim 8, 9 or 10,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

altering the alignment of the workpiece (12) prior to horizontal honing.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the honing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, for performing the method.