EP1077112B1 - Device for clamping workpieces - Google Patents

Device for clamping workpieces Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1077112B1
EP1077112B1 EP00114959A EP00114959A EP1077112B1 EP 1077112 B1 EP1077112 B1 EP 1077112B1 EP 00114959 A EP00114959 A EP 00114959A EP 00114959 A EP00114959 A EP 00114959A EP 1077112 B1 EP1077112 B1 EP 1077112B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clamping
base element
workpiece
vacuum
workpieces
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00114959A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1077112A2 (en
EP1077112A3 (en
Inventor
Hugo Dipl.-Ing. Voss
Reinhard Dipl.-Ing. Heimann
Werner Brinkhaus
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Homag Bohrsysteme GmbH
Original Assignee
Gustav Weeke Maschinenbau GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gustav Weeke Maschinenbau GmbH filed Critical Gustav Weeke Maschinenbau GmbH
Publication of EP1077112A2 publication Critical patent/EP1077112A2/en
Publication of EP1077112A3 publication Critical patent/EP1077112A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1077112B1 publication Critical patent/EP1077112B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B11/00—Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders
    • B25B11/005—Vacuum work holders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B11/00—Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders
    • B25B11/005—Vacuum work holders
    • B25B11/007—Vacuum work holders portable, e.g. handheld
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B5/00—Clamps
    • B25B5/06—Arrangements for positively actuating jaws
    • B25B5/061—Arrangements for positively actuating jaws with fluid drive

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for clamping workpieces for cutting or non-cutting machining.
  • a processing station for workpieces made of wood, plastics, light metals or wood substitutes includes a machine tool with an at least three mutually perpendicular axes of the X, Y and Z axis, movable machining head.
  • the workpieces usually plate-shaped or strip-shaped, are adjusted to appropriate processing stations so that a collision of the adjusting and holding device with the editing tools is possible excluded.
  • vacuum clamping devices To adjust the most plate-shaped workpieces in any position in the X, Y-processing plane of the machine tool and hold, so-called vacuum clamping devices are used.
  • These vacuum chucks commonly referred to as vacuum blocks or suction clamps, comprise one or more basic elements, which have on their underside a lower, rarium sealed suction field for fixing on the top of a workpiece space of a machine tool. On its upper side a rarium sealed suction field is also provided, which serves for Saugspannen the workpieces.
  • two vacuum lines can be connected to these suction clamps, one of which is connected to the upper suction field and the other to the lower suction field.
  • the flexible arrangement of the suction clamps makes it possible to that workpieces of any geometry along their edges can be edited while the entire workpiece clamping device is not damaged. Furthermore, the workpiece is easily accessible.
  • suction clamping devices for the workpiece space of a machine tool, in particular for processing of plate-shaped workpieces made of wood or wood-like materials, are well known.
  • the suction clamps are thereby parallel to one another, transversely in the direction of one of the machining axes, e.g. the X-axis, adjustable bar positioned in the direction of the Y-axis positionable.
  • the basic elements With the help of the lower suction field, the basic elements are mounted on the beam of the machine tool.
  • the plate-shaped workpieces are fastened by means of the upper suction field on the upper, accessible side of the Saugspanners. Due to the two independent suction fields, the fixation of the basic elements on the beam and the clamping of the workpieces can be controlled separately.
  • the DE 1 161 519 relates to a vacuum mounting device for holding and aligning workpieces by means of a plurality of suction cups are arranged on mutually substantially parallel support arms, which are interconnected by a cross member, which is arranged opposite the workpieces adjustable pressure piece.
  • a cross member which is arranged opposite the workpieces adjustable pressure piece.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a device for clamping workpieces, which allows safe clamping of strip-shaped workpieces while ensuring safe and trouble-free accessibility.
  • a piston assembly is integrated into the base element, which has on its underside a lower, rarium sealed suction field for fixing on the top of a beam or on the workpiece space of a machine tool.
  • This piston assembly is equipped with a suitable for clamping of sheet-like workpieces made of wood, plastics, wood-like materials or light metals device.
  • the piston assembly is designed so that a workpiece between the mounting position in the upper end of the piston assembly and the top of the base member can be clamped.
  • the suction clamps can be arranged flexibly anywhere on the workpiece support, which provides good accessibility to the workpiece for machining, e.g. Milling, sawing, drilling, or non-cutting machining, e.g. Bending, gluing or the like allows.
  • the clamping device is also quickly positioned and safely mounted against slipping on the workpiece space of a machine tool.
  • the device for clamping workpieces at least two separately switchable vacuum circuits. If there are two separately connectable vacuum circuits, the sucking and fastening of the suction clamp can be done in a first step and the positioning of the workpiece on the device is independent of the attachment of the suction clamp and can be done in a separate step.
  • the device for clamping workpieces according to an advantageous embodiment, a piston assembly such that the mounting position in the bottom of the piston assembly with the side walls of the base member and the bottom wall of the base member forms an evacuable cavity.
  • This embodiment has the advantage that the piston assembly is movable by evacuating the cavity. For clamping the workpiece between the top of the base member and the means for clamping the workpiece thus no further energy source, such as compressed air, hydraulic or the like, is needed.
  • the vacuum supply for evacuation of the cavity in the bottom region of the base element is mounted.
  • the positioning of the vacuum feeder, e.g. consists of hoses, near the workpiece location and in the greatest possible distance from the workpiece clamping plane causes a largely undisturbed accessibility to the workpiece.
  • attachment of the vacuum feed in the bottom region of the base member is in conformity with conventional systems for clamping plate-shaped workpieces, which avoids expensive conversions of the workpiece space.
  • the vacuum supply to evacuate the cavity passes through the bottom wall of the base member.
  • a vacuum supply through the bottom wall of the base element and further by appropriately provided vacuum channels in the bar of the workpiece space avoid interference with the accessibility to the workpiece by vacuum hoses or the like completely.
  • the chip removal during machining is also not hindered by this.
  • Known in the art workpiece locations with bars, the suction ports and the air intake inhibiting or shut-off flow valves can be used without retrofitting.
  • the device for clamping workpieces on the Saugspanner is a clamping claw.
  • Clamps are well-known devices in the art for securely holding components of various geometries. Molded components can also be fixed well by Spannpratzen.
  • the clamping claw is rotatably mounted on the piston assembly. This, in turn, provides greater flexibility in the positioning of the workpiece.
  • the clamping claw is formed asymmetrically.
  • the more suitable part of the clamping claw can be selected for clamping and the other part remain unused or two workpieces, even of different geometry, can be clamped simultaneously.
  • the clamping claw has two different length clamping legs.
  • two workpieces are simultaneously tensioned and machinable, which is achieved by a different length of the clamping leg that depending on the geometry of the workpiece or workpieces of the respective suitable clamping leg can be assigned to the workpiece and thus the workpiece is kept very secure ,
  • the clamping claw is provided on its underside with an elastic coating.
  • This coating prevents slipping of the workpiece and reduces the risk of damage to the workpiece by hard parts of the clamping device.
  • the workpiece clamping device comprises a return spring for the piston assembly.
  • a return spring for the piston assembly By a return spring for the piston assembly, the clamping device, when the vacuum circuit for moving the piston assembly is not active, held in an open state. This means that workpieces can be easily inserted into the clamping device or can be removed from it.
  • the device for clamping workpieces comprises at least one adjustment stop for the workpiece.
  • an adjustment stop has the advantage that workpieces which are stepped on their non-machined side, for example, can be applied more easily and more firmly.
  • the adjustment stop for the workpiece is releasably attached to the device for clamping workpieces. This allows a suitable adjustment stop to be selected and used, depending on the geometry of the workpiece to be machined.
  • the base element consists essentially of plastic.
  • plastic for the base element enables cost-effective production of the base element and also has the advantage that the risk of damage to the machine tool or the tool in an unintentional collision with the base element is much lower than with harder materials, such as steel.
  • the footprint of the base member has one or more Justieranoeuvre.
  • This Justieranelle serve a precise alignment of the primitive.
  • the Justieranelle must be made extremely accurate to ensure proper alignment of the primitive on the machine tool. This offers a price advantage over the adjustment by means of larger areas of the actual bottom surface of the base element, which must then be made in total registration.
  • the base member in the workpiece-facing surface has a ventilation opening.
  • This vent serves to equalize the pressure in the evacuation of the cavity defined by the bottom wall, the side walls of the base member and the piston.
  • a positioning aid for the base element is attached to the base element. This positioning aid facilitates the positioning of the base element on the workpiece space of a machine tool.
  • the piston assembly consists of a piston rod and a piston plate.
  • the construction of the piston rod and piston plate piston assembly allows different geometries of the base member to be used by adjusting the shape of the piston plate.
  • the piston rod can be used as a stop for the workpiece and takes on the actual clamping device.
  • the piston plate serves to seal the cavity defined by the bottom plate of the base member, side walls of the base member and piston assembly, which is suitable for evacuation.
  • a sealing arrangement for sealing against the side walls of the base member is attached to the outside of the piston plate.
  • the sealing arrangement is designed so that it allows on the one hand a sliding of the piston assembly along the base element, on the other hand ensures a reliable sealing of the evacuable cavity.
  • a conventional sealing arrangement e.g. an O-ring, allows a relative to a seal by, for example, good tolerance comparatively cost-effective sealing of the cavity.
  • the device for clamping workpieces comprises a guide element for the piston rod.
  • a guide element By a guide element, the risk of tilting or twisting of the piston rod is reduced and allows a one-sided clamping of a workpiece in the arrangement.
  • the guide of the piston rod can serve to receive the return spring for the piston arrangement.
  • the guide element for the piston rod is mounted in the evacuable cavity of the base element. This offers the advantage of a compact design of the arrangement and also the least possible impairment of accessibility to the workpiece to be machined.
  • Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the device for clamping workpieces 50 is shown, wherein two different workpieces 33, 34 are tensioned.
  • the device comprises a base element 10, which can be mounted on the footprint 32 on the workpiece space via a bottom wall 17.
  • the attachment of the base element 10 on the workpiece space of a machine tool for the machining or non-cutting machining of workpieces, e.g. Drilling, milling, sawing or gluing and bending is done in the illustrated embodiment of the primitive via a series of suction openings at the top of a beam on the workpiece space of a machine tool, which interact with the vacuum devices 31 in the bottom region of the base element.
  • the vacuum supply 19 to the suction openings in the workpiece space, which corresponds to a first vacuum circuit is shown schematically.
  • This basic element can be evacuated in another (not shown) embodiment instead of directly via suction openings with valves on the beam of the machine tool, be evacuated via laterally mounted hoses. However, then caused by the hoses a certain impairment of accessibility to the workpiece.
  • a positioning aid 28 is attached to the base element 10 in the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment.
  • These Positioning aid serves to be able to align the base element on designated bar of the workpiece location of a machine tool in the X, Y plane. This process can be done either by hand or with the help of robots.
  • the basic element 10 is aligned by means of the alignment stops 27 on the workpiece space of the machine tool with respect to the horizontal.
  • a piston assembly 13 is integrated.
  • the piston assembly 13 consists of a piston rod 14 and a piston plate 15.
  • the piston rod 14 is guided through an opening in the installed position top of the base member.
  • the piston plate 15 is designed so that it substantially corresponds to the geometry of the bottom surface of the base member 10 and thus creates a kind of intermediate wall between the bottom wall of the base member 10 and the upper wall of the base member 10.
  • a sealing device 30 is circumferentially mounted on the side surface of the piston plate 15.
  • the sealing device 30 may be, for example, a rubber seal such as an O-ring. Of course, any other conventional seal in the art may be used which simultaneously allows the piston plate 15 to slide along the side wall of the base member 10.
  • a guide 12 is provided for the piston assembly 13 in the interior of the base member 10.
  • the attachment of a guide for the piston device 13 in the interior of the base member 10 causes the space between the base member 10 and the top of the piston rod 14 is not affected by additional guide elements. This simplifies the clamping of the workpiece in the device and accessibility to Workpiece is not limited by the guide device.
  • a return spring 25 is mounted in the guide device 12 for the piston device 13. This return spring 25 acts so that the piston assembly 13 is held by the return spring in a position which is characterized in that the distance between the top of the piston device 13 and top of the base member 10 is greater than a workpiece to be machined 33, 34.
  • a fastener 16 which may be, for example, a conventional screw, a clamping claw 20.
  • the fastener 16 is advantageously designed so that the clamping claw 20 can be fixed in any angular position and thus is extremely flexible in terms of clamping of the workpiece.
  • the clamping claw preferably has on its underside an elastic coating 21. This elastic coating serves to largely prevent slippage of the workpiece 33, 34 and also to protect the workpiece against damage by the clamping claw.
  • clamping jaw is asymmetrical and has a shorter clamping leg 22 and a longer clamping leg 23. This design increases the flexibility in terms of configuration and geometry of the workpieces 33, 34th
  • the apparatus further comprises one or more adjustment stops for the workpiece or workpieces.
  • This Justieranschlag 29 is not fixed to the base member 10 or the piston device 13 is connected. That allows one simple replacement of the Justieranschlags 29 depending on the geometry of the workpiece 33rd
  • a means for supplying the vacuum 24 is provided in the bottom wall of the base member 10.
  • this vacuum supply 24 is connected to a tube consisting of a vacuum line 18, which in turn establishes the connection to a second vacuum circuit of the machine tool.
  • the cavity 11 can be evacuated.
  • the base member 10 includes a ventilation opening 26.
  • air can flow into the cavity formed by the top of the piston plate 15, the side walls of the base member 10 and the upper wall of the base member 10 and thus for a Ensuring pressure equalization during piston movement.
  • Fig. 2 is a similar device for clamping workpieces as in Fig. 1 shown.
  • the vacuum supply to the defined by the bottom wall and side walls of the base member 10 and the piston plate 15 cavity is designed so that it passes through the bottom wall of the base member 10 and on the footprint 32 of the base member 10 with suction openings at the top of a beam on the workpiece space a Machine tool interacts, and so the connection between vacuum supply 18 and evacuable cavity 11 is made. This eliminates hoses on the workpiece table completely.
  • Fig. 3 is a plan view of a device for clamping workpieces, as in the Fig. 1 or 2 shown is shown.
  • the clamping claw 20 is in any angular position through the fastener 16, about one Screw, adjustable. This allows great flexibility in the clamping of a workpiece.
  • Fig. 1 Let's briefly describe the operation of the device for clamping workpieces in the following.
  • the Saugspanner which essentially corresponds to the base member 10 is placed on a space provided on a bar of a workpiece space of a machine tool is aligned by means of the adjusting means 27, 28. Subsequently, a first vacuum circuit is activated, so that the base member 10 is fixed by the vacuum spaces 31 and the vacuum supply 19 on the workpiece space of the machine tool.
  • the exact positioning of the base element 10 in the X, Y plane is done previously on the positioning aid 28th
  • clamping claw 20 can be brought by turning into a position corresponding to a the desired processing allows satisfactory accessibility to the workpiece.
  • a second vacuum circuit is activated via a vacuum supply 18, 24, so that the cavity formed by the lower wall of the base member, the side walls of the base member 10 and the piston plate 15 is evacuated.
  • a vacuum supply 18, 24 By connecting the second vacuum circuit, a second vacuum circuit is activated via a vacuum supply 18, 24, so that the cavity formed by the lower wall of the base member, the side walls of the base member 10 and the piston plate 15 is evacuated.
  • the piston assembly 13 is moved in the installed position down, against tilting or twisting guided by the guide member 12.
  • the workpiece or the workpieces 33, 34 clamped between clamping claw 20 and the top of the base member 10 and can be edited.
  • unintentional release of the workpiece which may also be a strip-shaped workpiece, is excluded.
  • the vacuum in the evacuated cavity 11 via the feeders 18, 24 is deactivated, the spring force of the return spring 25 can thus push the piston device 13 and the clamping claw 20 upwards and the workpiece can be removed from the device.
  • the essential aspect of the inventive device for clamping workpieces is that even strip-shaped components can be stretched, and still retain the benefits of clamping workpieces by means of suction, in particular the good accessibility to the workpiece.
  • no location-dependent EnergyzuWORK einen, such as for compressed air or hydraulic, necessary, but already widely used for clamping plate-shaped workpieces vacuum devices can also be used in the processing of strip-like components.
  • the system is completely tubeless and therefore very flexible.
  • the chips produced during machining can not be caught in the hoses for supply to the evacuation units.
  • the system offers a high degree of safety with regard to the attachment of the workpieces, since a vacuum interrogation can easily and reliably detect any faults. This in turn reduces the risk of accidents.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Jigs For Machine Tools (AREA)
  • Physical Vapour Deposition (AREA)

Abstract

The device consists of a base element (10) fastened to a working surface by a vacuum clamping device (19). The base element contains a piston unit (13), with one part projecting over the top of the base element when fitted. The part carries a clamping claw (20) for work pieces. The underside of the piston unit, and the side walls and base (17) of the base element define a hollow chamber (11), which may be evacuated. The clamping claw has two clamping arms (22,23) of different lengths, and an elastic coating (21) on the underside.

Description

Gebiet der ErfindungField of the invention

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken für spanende oder spanlose Bearbeitung.The invention relates to a device for clamping workpieces for cutting or non-cutting machining.

Zu einem Bearbeitungsplatz für Werkstücke aus Holz, Kunststoffen, Leichtmetallen oder Holzaustauschstoffen, gehört eine Werkzeugmaschine mit einem zumindest in drei senkrecht zueinander stehenden Achsen der X-, Y- und Z-Achse, verfahrbaren Bearbeitungskopf. Die Werkstücke, in der Regel plattenförmig oder leistenförmig, werden auf entsprechenden Bearbeitungsplätzen so justiert, daß eine Kollision der Justier- und Festhaltevorrichtung mit den Bearbeitungswerkzeugen möglichst ausgeschlossen ist.To a processing station for workpieces made of wood, plastics, light metals or wood substitutes, includes a machine tool with an at least three mutually perpendicular axes of the X, Y and Z axis, movable machining head. The workpieces, usually plate-shaped or strip-shaped, are adjusted to appropriate processing stations so that a collision of the adjusting and holding device with the editing tools is possible excluded.

Um die meist plattenförmigen Werkstücke in einer beliebigen Position in der X-, Y-Bearbeitungsebene der Werkzeugmaschine zu justieren und festzuhalten, werden sogenannte Vakuumspannvorrichtungen eingesetzt. Diese Vakuumspannvorrichtungen, allgemein als Blocksauger oder Saugspanner bezeichnet, umfassen ein oder mehrere Grundelemente, die auf ihrer Unterseite ein unteres, randlich abgedichtetes Saugfeld zur Fixierung auf der Oberseite eines Werkstückplatzes einer Werkzeugmaschine besitzen. An ihrer Oberseite ist ebenfalls ein randlich abgedichtetes Saugfeld vorgesehen, das zum Saugspannen der Werkstücke dient. An diesen Saugspannern sind in der Regel zwei Vakuumleitungen anschließbar, von denen die eine jeweils mit dem oberen Saugfeld und die andere mit dem unteren Saugfeld verbunden wird. Die flexible Anordnung der Saugspanner ermöglicht es, daß Werkstücke beliebiger Geometrien entlang ihrer Kanten bearbeitet werden können und dabei die gesamte Werkstückspannvorrichtung nicht beschädigt wird. Ferner ist das Werkstück rundum gut zugänglich.To adjust the most plate-shaped workpieces in any position in the X, Y-processing plane of the machine tool and hold, so-called vacuum clamping devices are used. These vacuum chucks, commonly referred to as vacuum blocks or suction clamps, comprise one or more basic elements, which have on their underside a lower, randlich sealed suction field for fixing on the top of a workpiece space of a machine tool. On its upper side a randlich sealed suction field is also provided, which serves for Saugspannen the workpieces. As a rule, two vacuum lines can be connected to these suction clamps, one of which is connected to the upper suction field and the other to the lower suction field. The flexible arrangement of the suction clamps makes it possible to that workpieces of any geometry along their edges can be edited while the entire workpiece clamping device is not damaged. Furthermore, the workpiece is easily accessible.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

In der Technik sind derartige Vakuumspannvorrichtungen für den Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine, insbesondere zum Bearbeiten von plattenförmigen Werkstücken aus Holz oder holzartigen Werkstoffen, gut bekannt. Die Saugspanner werden dabei auf zueinander parallelen, quer in Richtung einer der Bearbeitungsachsen, z.B. der X-Achse, verstellbaren Balken in Richtung der Y-Achse positionierbar aufgesetzt. Mit Hilfe des unteren Saugfeldes werden die Grundelemente auf dem Balken der Werkzeugmaschine befestigt. Die plattenförmigen Werkstücke werden mit Hilfe des oberen Saugfelds an der oberen, zugänglichen Seite des Saugspanners befestigt. Durch die zwei unabhängigen Saugfelder ist die Fixierung der Grundelemente auf dem Balken und das Spannen der Werkstücke getrennt steuerbar.In the art, such vacuum clamping devices for the workpiece space of a machine tool, in particular for processing of plate-shaped workpieces made of wood or wood-like materials, are well known. The suction clamps are thereby parallel to one another, transversely in the direction of one of the machining axes, e.g. the X-axis, adjustable bar positioned in the direction of the Y-axis positionable. With the help of the lower suction field, the basic elements are mounted on the beam of the machine tool. The plate-shaped workpieces are fastened by means of the upper suction field on the upper, accessible side of the Saugspanners. Due to the two independent suction fields, the fixation of the basic elements on the beam and the clamping of the workpieces can be controlled separately.

In der deutschen Patentschrift DE 44 04 513 C1 ist eine solche Vakuumspannvorrichtung beschrieben, bei der die Vakuumleitungen im Bereich der Werkstückauflage sicher und störungsfrei angeordnet sind. Dazu sind in den Balken in Längsrichtung zwei Vakuumkanäle angeordnet und jeder dieser Vakuumkanäle mit einer Längsreihe von Saugöffnungen an der Oberseite des jeweiligen Balkens über Strömungsventile verbunden. Gegenüber anderen Systemen, die zur Vakuumzufuhr flexible Schläuche verwenden, ist durch die in der DE 44 04 413 C1 beschriebenen Konfiguration eine Spannvorrichtung für plattenförmige Werkstücke geschaffen, die einen weitgehend störungsfreien Zugang zum Werkstück ermöglicht.In the German patent DE 44 04 513 C1 Such a vacuum clamping device is described in which the vacuum lines are arranged safely and smoothly in the area of the workpiece support. For this purpose, two vacuum channels are arranged in the beam in the longitudinal direction and each of these vacuum channels connected to a longitudinal row of suction openings on the upper side of the respective beam via flow valves. Compared to other systems, which use flexible hoses for vacuum supply, by the in the DE 44 04 413 C1 described configuration created a clamping device for plate-shaped workpieces, which allows a largely trouble-free access to the workpiece.

Zum Spannen von Leisten oder leistenähnlichen Bauteilen sind die bekannten Saugspanner jedoch nicht geeignet, da sich das Werkstück aufgrund seiner Geometrie nicht sicher mittels des oberen Saugfeldes auf den Saugspannern fixieren läßt. Leistenförmige Werkstücke werden daher meist über Vorrichtungen an der Werkzeugmaschine befestigt, die die Zugänglichkeit beeinträchtigende Teile, wie Hebel, Spindeln, Gestänge oder dergleichen, aufweisen.For tensioning strips or strip-like components, however, the known suction clamps are not suitable because the workpiece can not be securely fixed on the suction clamps by means of the upper suction field due to its geometry. Strip-shaped workpieces are therefore usually attached via devices on the machine tool, the accessibility impairing parts, such as levers, spindles, linkage or the like, have.

Die DE 1 161 519 betrifft ein Vakuum-Montagegerät zum Festhalten und Ausrichten von Werkstücken mit Hilfe mehrerer Saugnäpfe die an zueinander im Wesentlichen parallel verlaufenden Tragarmen angeordnet sind, die durch einen Querträger miteinander verbunden sind, dem ein gegenüber den Werkstücken einstellbares Druckstück angeordnet ist. Dabei saugen sich bei der Evakuierung die Saugnäpfe fest an den Werkstücken an, eines der beiden Werkstücke trägt dann über den auf ihm liegenden Saugnapf und den z.B. zwei Saugnäpfen verbindenden Querträger an das andere Werkstück.The DE 1 161 519 relates to a vacuum mounting device for holding and aligning workpieces by means of a plurality of suction cups are arranged on mutually substantially parallel support arms, which are interconnected by a cross member, which is arranged opposite the workpieces adjustable pressure piece. In the evacuation suck the suction cups firmly to the workpieces, one of the two workpieces then carries on the suction cup lying on it and the example connecting two suction cups cross member to the other workpiece.

Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken zu schaffen, die das sichere Spannen von leistenförmigen Werkstücken ermöglicht und gleichzeitig eine sichere und störungsfreie Zugänglichkeit gewährleistet.The invention has for its object to provide a device for clamping workpieces, which allows safe clamping of strip-shaped workpieces while ensuring safe and trouble-free accessibility.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch eine Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by a device for clamping workpieces with the features of claim 1.

Der Erfindung liegt der Gedanke zugrunde, die Vorteile von positionierbaren Saugspannern bei der Bearbeitung von leistenähnlichen Werkstücken nutzen zu können. Dazu wird in das Grundelement, das auf seiner Unterseite ein unteres, randlich abgedichtetes Saugfeld zur Fixierung auf der Oberseite eines Balkens oder auf dem Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine besitzt, eine Kolbenanordnung integriert. Diese Kolbenanordnung ist mit einer zum Spannen von leistenähnlichen Werkstücken aus Holz, Kunststoffen, holzähnlichen Materialien oder Leichtmetallen geeigneten Einrichtung ausgestattet. Die Kolbenanordnung ist so gestaltet, daß ein Werkstück zwischen dem in Einbaulage oberen Ende der Kolbenanordnung und der Oberseite des Grundelements gespannt werden kann.The invention is based on the idea to be able to use the advantages of positionable Saugspannern in the processing of strip-like workpieces. For this purpose, a piston assembly is integrated into the base element, which has on its underside a lower, randlich sealed suction field for fixing on the top of a beam or on the workpiece space of a machine tool. This piston assembly is equipped with a suitable for clamping of sheet-like workpieces made of wood, plastics, wood-like materials or light metals device. The piston assembly is designed so that a workpiece between the mounting position in the upper end of the piston assembly and the top of the base member can be clamped.

Diese Kombination aus Vakuumspannvorrichtung und Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Leisten bietet die Vorteile, die bei Vakuumspannvorrichtungen für plattenförmige Bauteile bekannt sind, auch für leistenförmige Bauteile. So können die Saugspanner flexibel an beliebigen Stellen der Werkstückauflage angeordnet werden, was eine gute Zugänglichkeit an das Werkstück für spanende Bearbeitung, z.B. Fräsen, Sägen, Bohren, oder spanlose Bearbeitung, z.B. Biegen, Anleimen oder dergleichen, ermöglicht. Die Spannvorrichtung ist ferner schnell positionierbar und sicher gegen Verrutschen auf dem Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine anzubringen. Durch das Vorsehen einer Einrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken mittels einer Kolbenanordnung, die ihrerseits in das Grundelement integriert ist, können auch Werkstücke, die keine plattenähnlichen Geometrien aufweisen, sicher gehalten werden.This combination of vacuum chuck and strip tensioning device provides the advantages that are known in vacuum chucks for plate-shaped components, even for strip-shaped components. Thus, the suction clamps can be arranged flexibly anywhere on the workpiece support, which provides good accessibility to the workpiece for machining, e.g. Milling, sawing, drilling, or non-cutting machining, e.g. Bending, gluing or the like allows. The clamping device is also quickly positioned and safely mounted against slipping on the workpiece space of a machine tool. By providing a means for clamping workpieces by means of a piston assembly, which in turn is integrated into the base member, workpieces that have no plate-like geometries can be held securely.

Die Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken mindestens zwei getrennt zuschaltbare Vakuumkreise. Sind zwei getrennt zuschaltbare Vakuumkreise vorhanden, kann das Ansaugen und Befestigen des Saugspanners in einem ersten Schritt geschehen und die Positionierung des Werkstücks auf der Vorrichtung ist unabhängig von der Befestigung des Saugspanners und kann in einem getrennten Arbeitsschritt geschehen.The device for clamping workpieces at least two separately switchable vacuum circuits. If there are two separately connectable vacuum circuits, the sucking and fastening of the suction clamp can be done in a first step and the positioning of the workpiece on the device is independent of the attachment of the suction clamp and can be done in a separate step.

Vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen sind durch die übrigen Ansprüche gekennzeichnet.Advantageous embodiments are characterized by the remaining claims.

So hat die Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken nach einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform eine Kolbenanordnung dergestalt, daß die in Einbaulage Unterseite der Kolbenanordnung mit den Seitenwänden des Grundelementes und der Bodenwand des Grundelements einen evakuierbaren Hohlraum bildet. Diese Ausführungsform besitzt den Vorteil, daß die Kolbenanordnung durch Evakuieren des Hohlraums bewegbar ist. Zum Spannen des Werkstücks zwischen der Oberseite des Grundelements und der Einrichtung zum Spannen des Werkstücks wird somit kein weiterer Energieträger, wie Druckluft, Hydraulik oder ähnliches, benötigt.Thus, the device for clamping workpieces according to an advantageous embodiment, a piston assembly such that the mounting position in the bottom of the piston assembly with the side walls of the base member and the bottom wall of the base member forms an evacuable cavity. This embodiment has the advantage that the piston assembly is movable by evacuating the cavity. For clamping the workpiece between the top of the base member and the means for clamping the workpiece thus no further energy source, such as compressed air, hydraulic or the like, is needed.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Vakuumzuführung zur Evakuierung des Hohlraums im Bodenbereich des Grundelements angebracht. Die Positionierung der Vakuumzuführung, die z.B. aus Schläuchen besteht, nahe des Werkstückplatzes und in möglichst großem Abstand zur Werkstückspannebene bewirkt eine weitgehend ungestörte Zugänglichkeit an das Werkstück. Zudem ist eine Anbringung der Vakuumzuführung im Bodenbereich des Grundelements in Konformität mit herkömmlichen Systemen zum Spannen von plattenförmigen Werkstücken, was teure Umrüstungen des Werkstückplatzes vermeidet.In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum supply for evacuation of the cavity in the bottom region of the base element is mounted. The positioning of the vacuum feeder, e.g. consists of hoses, near the workpiece location and in the greatest possible distance from the workpiece clamping plane causes a largely undisturbed accessibility to the workpiece. In addition, attachment of the vacuum feed in the bottom region of the base member is in conformity with conventional systems for clamping plate-shaped workpieces, which avoids expensive conversions of the workpiece space.

Vorzugsweise verläuft die Vakuumzuführung zur Evakuierung des Hohlraums durch die Bodenwand des Grundelements. Eine Vakuumzufuhr durch die Bodenwand des Grundelements und weiter durch entsprechend vorgesehene Vakuumkanäle in den Balken des Werkstückplatzes vermeiden eine Beeinträchtigung der Zugänglichkeit zum Werkstück durch Vakuumschläuche oder ähnliches vollständig. Die Späneabfuhr bei spanender Bearbeitung ist dadurch ebenfalls nicht behindert. In der Technik bekannte Werkstückplätze mit Balken, die Saugöffnungen und den Lufteinlaß hemmende oder absperrende Strömungsventile besitzen, können ohne Umrüstung weiterverwendet werden.Preferably, the vacuum supply to evacuate the cavity passes through the bottom wall of the base member. A vacuum supply through the bottom wall of the base element and further by appropriately provided vacuum channels in the bar of the workpiece space avoid interference with the accessibility to the workpiece by vacuum hoses or the like completely. The chip removal during machining is also not hindered by this. Known in the art workpiece locations with bars, the suction ports and the air intake inhibiting or shut-off flow valves can be used without retrofitting.

Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Einrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken auf dem Saugspanner eine Spannpratze. Spannpratzen sind in der Technik wohlbekannte Einrichtungen, um Bauteile verschiedenster Geometrien sicher festzuhalten. Leistenförmige Bauteile können durch Spannpratzen ebenfalls gut befestigt werden.According to a preferred embodiment, the device for clamping workpieces on the Saugspanner is a clamping claw. Clamps are well-known devices in the art for securely holding components of various geometries. Molded components can also be fixed well by Spannpratzen.

Bevorzugterweise ist die Spannpratze auf der Kolbenanordnung drehbar angebracht. Dies dient wiederum einer größeren Flexibilität bei der Positionierung des Werkstücks.Preferably, the clamping claw is rotatably mounted on the piston assembly. This, in turn, provides greater flexibility in the positioning of the workpiece.

Vorteilhafterweise ist die Spannpratze asymmetrisch ausgebildet. Somit kann abhängig von der Geometrie des zu bearbeitenden Werkstücks der geeignetere Teil der Spannpratze zum Spannen ausgewählt werden und der andere Teil unbenutzt bleiben bzw. es können gleichzeitig zwei Werkstücke, auch unterschiedlicher Geometrie, gespannt werden.Advantageously, the clamping claw is formed asymmetrically. Thus, depending on the geometry of the workpiece to be machined, the more suitable part of the clamping claw can be selected for clamping and the other part remain unused or two workpieces, even of different geometry, can be clamped simultaneously.

Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform besitzt die Spannpratze zwei unterschiedlich lange Spannschenkel. Durch die Verwendung zweier Spannschenkel sind zwei Werkstücke gleichzeitig spannbar und bearbeitbar, wobei durch eine unterschiedliche Länge der Spannschenkel erreicht wird, daß abhängig von der Geometrie des Werkstücks oder der Werkstücke der jeweils geeignete Spannschenkel dem Werkstück zugeordnet werden kann und somit das Werkstück sehr sicher gehalten wird.According to a preferred embodiment, the clamping claw has two different length clamping legs. By using two clamping legs two workpieces are simultaneously tensioned and machinable, which is achieved by a different length of the clamping leg that depending on the geometry of the workpiece or workpieces of the respective suitable clamping leg can be assigned to the workpiece and thus the workpiece is kept very secure ,

Vorteilhafterweise ist die Spannpratze auf ihrer Unterseite mit einer elastischen Beschichtung versehen. Diese Beschichtung verhindert ein Verrutschen des Werkstückes und vermindert die Gefahr von Beschädigungen des Werkstücks durch harte Teile der Spanneinrichtung.Advantageously, the clamping claw is provided on its underside with an elastic coating. This coating prevents slipping of the workpiece and reduces the risk of damage to the workpiece by hard parts of the clamping device.

Vorzugsweise umfaßt die Vorrichtung zum Spannen für Werkstücke eine Rückstellfeder für die Kolbenanordnung. Durch eine Rückstellfeder für die Kolbenanordnung wird die Spannvorrichtung, wenn der Vakuumkreis zur Bewegung der Kolbenanordnung nicht aktiv ist, in einem geöffneten Zustand gehalten. Das bedeutet, daß Werkstücke problemlos in die Spannvorrichtung eingelegt werden können bzw. aus ihr entnommen werden können.Preferably, the workpiece clamping device comprises a return spring for the piston assembly. By a return spring for the piston assembly, the clamping device, when the vacuum circuit for moving the piston assembly is not active, held in an open state. This means that workpieces can be easily inserted into the clamping device or can be removed from it.

Bevorzugterweise umfaßt die Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken mindestens einen Justieranschlag für das Werkstück. Ein solcher Justieranschlag bietet den Vorteil, daß Werkstücke, die auf ihrer nicht zu bearbeitenden Seite beispielsweise gestuft sind, leichter und fester angelegt werden können. Bevorzugterweise ist der Justieranschlag für das Werkstück lösbar an der Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken befestigt. Dies ermöglicht es, daß abhängig von der Geometrie des zu bearbeitenden Werkstücks ein geeigneter Justieranschlag ausgewählt und verwendet werden kann.Preferably, the device for clamping workpieces comprises at least one adjustment stop for the workpiece. Such an adjustment stop has the advantage that workpieces which are stepped on their non-machined side, for example, can be applied more easily and more firmly. Preferably, the adjustment stop for the workpiece is releasably attached to the device for clamping workpieces. This allows a suitable adjustment stop to be selected and used, depending on the geometry of the workpiece to be machined.

Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform besteht das Grundelement im wesentlichen aus Kunststoff. Die Verwendung von Kunststoff für das Grundelement ermöglicht eine kostengünstige Fertigung des Grundelements und bietet zudem den Vorteil, daß die Gefahr einer Beschädigung der Werkzeugmaschine oder des Werkzeugs bei einer unbeabsichtigten Kollision mit dem Grundelement weitaus geringer ist als bei härteren Materialien, wie beispielsweise Stahl.According to a preferred embodiment, the base element consists essentially of plastic. The use of plastic for the base element enables cost-effective production of the base element and also has the advantage that the risk of damage to the machine tool or the tool in an unintentional collision with the base element is much lower than with harder materials, such as steel.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform besitzt die Standfläche des Grundelements einen oder mehrere Justieranschläge. Diese Justieranschläge dienen einer exakten Ausrichtung des Grundelements. Bei Verwendung von solchen Justieranschlägen müssen nur die Justieranschläge äußerst maßgenau gefertigt werden, um eine genaue Ausrichtung des Grundelements auf der Werkzeugmaschine sicherzustellen. Dies bietet einen Preisvorteil gegenüber der Justierung mittels größerer Bereiche der eigentlichen Bodenfläche des Grundelements, die dann insgesamt paßgenau gefertigt sein muß.In a preferred embodiment, the footprint of the base member has one or more Justieranschläge. This Justieranschläge serve a precise alignment of the primitive. When using such Justieranschläge only the Justieranschläge must be made extremely accurate to ensure proper alignment of the primitive on the machine tool. This offers a price advantage over the adjustment by means of larger areas of the actual bottom surface of the base element, which must then be made in total registration.

Vorzugsweise besitzt das Grundelement in der dem Werkstück zugewandten Fläche eine Belüftungsöffnung. Diese Belüftungsöffnung dient dem Druckausgleich bei der Evakuierung des durch die Bodenwand, die Seitenwände des Grundelements und den Kolben begrenzten Hohlraums. Durch Anbringung der Belüftungsöffnung auf der oberen Wand des Grundelements, auf der in der Regel das Werkstück aufliegt, wird sichergestellt, daß Schmutz nur in begrenztem Maß in das Innere des Grundelements eindringen und unter Umständen die Funktionstüchtigkeit des Grundelements behindern kann.Preferably, the base member in the workpiece-facing surface has a ventilation opening. This vent serves to equalize the pressure in the evacuation of the cavity defined by the bottom wall, the side walls of the base member and the piston. By attaching the ventilation opening on the upper wall of the base member, which rests on the workpiece as a rule, it is ensured that dirt can penetrate only to a limited extent in the interior of the base member and may hinder the functionality of the base element.

Vorteilhafterweise ist am Grundelement eine Positionierhilfe für das Grundelement angebracht. Diese Positionierhilfe erleichtert die Positionierung des Grundelements auf dem Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine.Advantageously, a positioning aid for the base element is attached to the base element. This positioning aid facilitates the positioning of the base element on the workpiece space of a machine tool.

Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform besteht die Kolbenanordnung aus einer Kolbenstange und einer Kolbenplatte. Der Aufbau der Kolbenanordnung aus Kolbenstange und Kolbenplatte läßt es zu, daß verschiedene Geometrien des Grundelements durch ein Anpassen der Form der Kolbenplatte verwendet werden können. Die Kolbenstange kann als Anschlag für das Werkstück verwendet werden und nimmt die eigentliche Spannvorrichtung auf. Schließlich dient die Kolbenplatte der Abdichtung des durch Bodenplatte des Grundelements, Seitenwände des Grundelements und Kolbenanordnung definierten Hohlraums, der zur Evakuierung geeignet ist.According to a preferred embodiment, the piston assembly consists of a piston rod and a piston plate. The construction of the piston rod and piston plate piston assembly allows different geometries of the base member to be used by adjusting the shape of the piston plate. The piston rod can be used as a stop for the workpiece and takes on the actual clamping device. Finally, the piston plate serves to seal the cavity defined by the bottom plate of the base member, side walls of the base member and piston assembly, which is suitable for evacuation.

Vorteilhafterweise ist an der Außenseite der Kolbenplatte eine Dichtanordnung zur Abdichtung gegenüber den Seitenwänden des Grundelements angebracht. Die Dichtanordnung ist so ausgebildet, daß sie einerseits ein Gleiten der Kolbenanordnung entlang des Grundelements erlaubt, andererseits für eine zuverlässige Abdichtung des evakuierbaren Hohlraums sorgt. Das Verwenden einer herkömmlichen Dichtanordnung, wie z.B. eines O-Rings, ermöglicht eine gegenüber einer Abdichtung durch beispielsweise gute Toleranzhaltigkeit vergleichsweise kostengünstige Abdichtung des Hohlraums.Advantageously, a sealing arrangement for sealing against the side walls of the base member is attached to the outside of the piston plate. The sealing arrangement is designed so that it allows on the one hand a sliding of the piston assembly along the base element, on the other hand ensures a reliable sealing of the evacuable cavity. Using a conventional sealing arrangement, e.g. an O-ring, allows a relative to a seal by, for example, good tolerance comparatively cost-effective sealing of the cavity.

Bevorzugterweise umfaßt die Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken ein Führungselement für die Kolbenstange. Durch ein Führungselement wird die Gefahr eines Verkantens oder Verdrehens der Kolbenstange gemindert und ein einseitiges Einspannen eines Werkstücks in die Anordnung ermöglicht. Ferner kann die Führung der Kolbenstange der Aufnahme der Rückstellfeder für die Kolbenanordnung dienen.Preferably, the device for clamping workpieces comprises a guide element for the piston rod. By a guide element, the risk of tilting or twisting of the piston rod is reduced and allows a one-sided clamping of a workpiece in the arrangement. Furthermore, the guide of the piston rod can serve to receive the return spring for the piston arrangement.

Vorteilhafterweise ist das Führungselement für die Kolbenstange im evakuierbaren Hohlraum des Grundelements befestigt. Dies bietet den Vorteil einer kompakten Bauweise der Anordnung und zudem eine möglichst geringen Beeinträchtigung der Zugänglichkeit an das zu bearbeitende Werkstück.Advantageously, the guide element for the piston rod is mounted in the evacuable cavity of the base element. This offers the advantage of a compact design of the arrangement and also the least possible impairment of accessibility to the workpiece to be machined.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung rein beispielhaft anhand der beigefügten Figuren beschrieben, in denen:

Fig. 1.
ein Schnitt durch die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken ist;
Fig. 2
ein Schnitt durch die Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken in einer zweiten Ausführungsform ist; und
Fig. 3
eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken ist.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1.
is a section through the inventive device for clamping workpieces;
Fig. 2
a section through the device for clamping workpieces in a second embodiment; and
Fig. 3
is a plan view of the device for clamping workpieces.

Wege zur Ausführung der ErfindungWays to carry out the invention

In Fig. 1 ist eine erste Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken 50 dargestellt, wobei zwei verschiedene Werkstücke 33, 34 gespannt sind.In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the device for clamping workpieces 50 is shown, wherein two different workpieces 33, 34 are tensioned.

Die Vorrichtung umfaßt ein Grundelement 10, das über eine Bodenwand 17 auf der Aufstellfläche 32 auf dem Werkstückplatz angebracht werden kann. Die Befestigung des Grundelements 10 auf dem Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine zur spanenden oder spanlosen Bearbeitung von Werkstücken, z.B. Bohren, Fräsen, Sägen oder Kleben und Biegen, geschieht bei der dargestellten Ausführungsform des Grundelements über eine Reihe von Saugöffnungen an der Oberseite eines Balkens auf dem Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine, die mit den Vakuumvorrichtungen 31 im Bodenbereich des Grundelements wechselwirken. Die Vakuumzufuhr 19 zu den Saugöffnungen im Werkstückplatz, die einem ersten Vakuumkreis entspricht, ist schematisch dargestellt. Dieses Grundelement kann in einer anderen (nicht dargestellten) Ausführungsform statt direkt über Saugöffnungen mit Ventilen auf den Balken der Werkzeugmaschine evakuierbar zu sein, auch über seitlich angebrachte Schläuche evakuiert werden. Allerdings entsteht dann durch die Schläuche eine gewisse Beeinträchtigung der Zugänglichkeit zum Werkstück.The device comprises a base element 10, which can be mounted on the footprint 32 on the workpiece space via a bottom wall 17. The attachment of the base element 10 on the workpiece space of a machine tool for the machining or non-cutting machining of workpieces, e.g. Drilling, milling, sawing or gluing and bending is done in the illustrated embodiment of the primitive via a series of suction openings at the top of a beam on the workpiece space of a machine tool, which interact with the vacuum devices 31 in the bottom region of the base element. The vacuum supply 19 to the suction openings in the workpiece space, which corresponds to a first vacuum circuit is shown schematically. This basic element can be evacuated in another (not shown) embodiment instead of directly via suction openings with valves on the beam of the machine tool, be evacuated via laterally mounted hoses. However, then caused by the hoses a certain impairment of accessibility to the workpiece.

An das Grundelement 10 ist in der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Ausführungsform eine Positionierhilfe 28 angebracht. Diese Positionierhilfe dient dazu, das Grundelement auf dafür vorgesehenem Balken des Werkstückplatzes einer Werkzeugmaschine in X-, Y-Ebene ausrichten zu können. Dieser Vorgang kann entweder von Hand vorgenommen werden oder unter Zuhilfenahme von Robotern. Das Grundelement 10 wird mittels der Justieranschläge 27 auf dem Werkstückplatz der Werkzeugmaschine gegenüber der Waagerechten ausgerichtet.To the base element 10 is in the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, a positioning aid 28 is attached. These Positioning aid serves to be able to align the base element on designated bar of the workpiece location of a machine tool in the X, Y plane. This process can be done either by hand or with the help of robots. The basic element 10 is aligned by means of the alignment stops 27 on the workpiece space of the machine tool with respect to the horizontal.

In dieses Grundelement 10, das in der Fachsprache mit Saugspanner oder Blocksauger bezeichnet wird, ist eine Kolbenanordnung 13 integriert. Die Kolbenanordnung 13 besteht aus einer Kolbenstange 14 und einer Kolbenplatte 15. Die Kolbenstange 14 ist durch eine Öffnung in der in Einbaulage Oberseite des Grundelements geführt. Die Kolbenplatte 15 ist so gestaltet, daß sie im wesentlichen der Geometrie der Bodenfläche des Grundelements 10 entspricht und somit eine Art Zwischenwand zwischen Bodenwand des Grundelements 10 und oberer Wand des Grundelements 10 schafft. Um einen evakuierbaren Hohlraum 11 zu bilden, ist an der Seitenfläche der Kolbenplatte 15 umlaufend eine Dichteinrichtung 30 angebracht. Die Dichteinrichtung 30 kann beispielsweise eine Gummidichtung, wie ein O-Ring, sein. Es kann selbstverständlich auch jede andere in der Technik übliche Dichtung verwendet werden, die gleichzeitig ein Gleiten der Kolbenplatte 15 entlang der Seitenwand des Grundelements 10 ermöglicht.In this basic element 10, which is referred to in the jargon with suction clamp or vacuum blocks, a piston assembly 13 is integrated. The piston assembly 13 consists of a piston rod 14 and a piston plate 15. The piston rod 14 is guided through an opening in the installed position top of the base member. The piston plate 15 is designed so that it substantially corresponds to the geometry of the bottom surface of the base member 10 and thus creates a kind of intermediate wall between the bottom wall of the base member 10 and the upper wall of the base member 10. In order to form an evacuable cavity 11, a sealing device 30 is circumferentially mounted on the side surface of the piston plate 15. The sealing device 30 may be, for example, a rubber seal such as an O-ring. Of course, any other conventional seal in the art may be used which simultaneously allows the piston plate 15 to slide along the side wall of the base member 10.

Zur genaueren Führung der Kolbenstange 14 ist im Inneren des Grundelements 10 eine Führung 12 für die Kolbenanordnung 13 vorgesehen. Das Anbringen einer Führung für die Kolbeneinrichtung 13 im Inneren des Grundelements 10 bewirkt, daß der Raum zwischen Grundelement 10 und Oberseite der Kolbenstange 14 nicht durch zusätzliche Führungselemente beeinträchtigt wird. Dadurch vereinfacht sich das Einspannen des Werkstücks in die Vorrichtung und eine Zugänglichkeit zum Werkstück wird nicht durch die Führungsvorrichtung beschränkt.For more precise guidance of the piston rod 14, a guide 12 is provided for the piston assembly 13 in the interior of the base member 10. The attachment of a guide for the piston device 13 in the interior of the base member 10 causes the space between the base member 10 and the top of the piston rod 14 is not affected by additional guide elements. This simplifies the clamping of the workpiece in the device and accessibility to Workpiece is not limited by the guide device.

In der Führungsvorrichtung 12 für die Kolbeneinrichtung 13 ist eine Rückstellfeder 25 angebracht. Diese Rückstellfeder 25 wirkt so, daß die Kolbenanordnung 13 von der Rückstellfeder in einer Lage gehalten wird, die dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, daß der Abstand zwischen Oberseite der Kolbeneinrichtung 13 und Oberseite des Grundelements 10 größer als ein zu bearbeitendes Werkstück 33, 34 ist.In the guide device 12 for the piston device 13, a return spring 25 is mounted. This return spring 25 acts so that the piston assembly 13 is held by the return spring in a position which is characterized in that the distance between the top of the piston device 13 and top of the base member 10 is greater than a workpiece to be machined 33, 34.

An der Oberseite der Kolbenanordnung 13 ist mit einem Befestigungselement 16, das beispielsweise eine herkömmliche Schraube sein kann, eine Spannpratze 20 befestigt. Das Befestigungselement 16 ist vorteilhafterweise so gestaltet, daß die Spannpratze 20 in jeder beliebigen Winkelstellung fixiert werden kann und somit äußerst flexibel hinsichtlich des Spannens des Werkstücks ist. Um Werkstücke sicher spannen zu können, besitzt die Spannpratze vorzugsweise an ihrer Unterseite eine elastische Beschichtung 21. Diese elastische Beschichtung dient dazu, ein Rutschen des Werkstücks 33, 34 weitgehend auszuschließen und zudem das Werkstück gegen Beschädigungen durch die Spannpratze zu schützen.At the top of the piston assembly 13 is fixed with a fastener 16, which may be, for example, a conventional screw, a clamping claw 20. The fastener 16 is advantageously designed so that the clamping claw 20 can be fixed in any angular position and thus is extremely flexible in terms of clamping of the workpiece. In order to safely clamp workpieces, the clamping claw preferably has on its underside an elastic coating 21. This elastic coating serves to largely prevent slippage of the workpiece 33, 34 and also to protect the workpiece against damage by the clamping claw.

Die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Spannpratze ist asymmetrisch ausgebildet und besitzt einen kürzeren Spannschenkel 22 und einen längeren Spannschenkel 23. Diese Bauweise erhöht die Flexibilität hinsichtlich der Konfiguration und Geometrie der Werkstücke 33, 34.In the Fig. 1 shown clamping jaw is asymmetrical and has a shorter clamping leg 22 and a longer clamping leg 23. This design increases the flexibility in terms of configuration and geometry of the workpieces 33, 34th

Um die Anlage der Werkstücke 33, 34 zu erleichtern, umfaßt die Vorrichtung ferner einen oder mehrere Justieranschläge für das Werkstück oder die Werkstücke. Dieser Justieranschlag 29 ist nicht fest mit dem Grundelement 10 oder der Kolbeneinrichtung 13 verbunden. Das ermöglicht einen einfachen Austausch des Justieranschlags 29 abhängig von der Geometrie des Werkstücks 33.In order to facilitate the installation of the workpieces 33, 34, the apparatus further comprises one or more adjustment stops for the workpiece or workpieces. This Justieranschlag 29 is not fixed to the base member 10 or the piston device 13 is connected. That allows one simple replacement of the Justieranschlags 29 depending on the geometry of the workpiece 33rd

Weiterhin ist in der Bodenwand des Grundelements 10 eine Einrichtung zur Vakuumzufuhr 24 vorgesehen. In der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist diese Vakuumzufuhr 24 mit einer aus einem Schlauch bestehenden Vakuumleitung 18 verbunden, die wiederum die Verbindung zu einem zweiten Vakuumkreis der Werkzeugmaschine herstellt. Über diese kann der Hohlraum 11 evakuiert werden.Furthermore, in the bottom wall of the base member 10, a means for supplying the vacuum 24 is provided. In the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment of the invention, this vacuum supply 24 is connected to a tube consisting of a vacuum line 18, which in turn establishes the connection to a second vacuum circuit of the machine tool. About this, the cavity 11 can be evacuated.

Weiterhin umfaßt das Grundelement 10 eine Belüftungsöffnung 26. Bei einer Kolbenbewegung in Einbaulage nach unten kann durch die Belüftungsöffnung 26 Luft in den durch die Oberseite der Kolbenplatte 15, die Seitenwände des Grundelements 10 und die obere Wand des Grundelements 10 gebildeten Hohlraum einströmen und somit für einen Druckausgleich bei der Kolbenbewegung sorgen.Further, the base member 10 includes a ventilation opening 26. In a piston movement in installation position down through the ventilation opening 26 air can flow into the cavity formed by the top of the piston plate 15, the side walls of the base member 10 and the upper wall of the base member 10 and thus for a Ensuring pressure equalization during piston movement.

In Fig. 2 ist eine ähnliche Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken wie in Fig. 1 dargestellt. Die Vakuumzufuhr zu dem durch Bodenwand und Seitenwände des Grundelements 10 sowie Kolbenplatte 15 definierten Hohlraum ist jedoch so gestaltet, daß sie durch die Bodenwand des Grundelements 10 hindurch verläuft und an der Aufstellfläche 32 des Grundelements 10 mit Saugöffnungen an der Oberseite eines Balkens auf dem Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine wechselwirkt, und so die Verbindung zwischen Vakuumzuführung 18 und evakuierbarem Hohlraum 11 hergestellt wird. Dadurch entfallen Schläuche auf dem Werkstücktisch komplett.In Fig. 2 is a similar device for clamping workpieces as in Fig. 1 shown. The vacuum supply to the defined by the bottom wall and side walls of the base member 10 and the piston plate 15 cavity, however, is designed so that it passes through the bottom wall of the base member 10 and on the footprint 32 of the base member 10 with suction openings at the top of a beam on the workpiece space a Machine tool interacts, and so the connection between vacuum supply 18 and evacuable cavity 11 is made. This eliminates hoses on the workpiece table completely.

In Fig. 3 ist eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken, wie sie in den Fig. 1 oder 2 gezeigt ist, dargestellt. Die Spannpratze 20 ist in jeder beliebigen Winkelstellung durch das Befestigungselement 16, etwa eine Schraube, justierbar. Das ermöglicht eine große Flexibilität bei der Einspannung eines Werkstücks.In Fig. 3 is a plan view of a device for clamping workpieces, as in the Fig. 1 or 2 shown is shown. The clamping claw 20 is in any angular position through the fastener 16, about one Screw, adjustable. This allows great flexibility in the clamping of a workpiece.

Anhand von Fig. 1 sei im folgenden kurz die Wirkungsweise der Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken beschrieben. Der Saugspanner, der im wesentlichen dem Grundelement 10 entspricht, wird auf einen dafür vorgesehenen Platz auf einem Balken eines Werkstückplatzes einer Werkzeugmaschine gestellt wird mit Hilfe der Justiereinrichtungen 27, 28 ausgerichtet. Anschließend wird ein erster Vakuumkreis aktiviert, so daß das Grundelement 10 durch die Vakuumräume 31 und die Vakuumzuführung 19 auf dem Werkstückplatz der Werkzeugmaschine fixiert wird. Die genaue Positionierung des Grundelements 10 in der X-, Y-Ebene geschieht zuvor über die Positionierhilfe 28.Based on Fig. 1 Let's briefly describe the operation of the device for clamping workpieces in the following. The Saugspanner, which essentially corresponds to the base member 10 is placed on a space provided on a bar of a workpiece space of a machine tool is aligned by means of the adjusting means 27, 28. Subsequently, a first vacuum circuit is activated, so that the base member 10 is fixed by the vacuum spaces 31 and the vacuum supply 19 on the workpiece space of the machine tool. The exact positioning of the base element 10 in the X, Y plane is done previously on the positioning aid 28th

In der Regel werden mehrere solche Grundelemente auf dem Werkstückplatz einer Werkzeugmaschine aufgestellt. Anschließend daran wird das oder werden die Werkstücke in den durch die Rückstellfeder 25 offen gehaltenen Bereich zwischen Spannpratze 20 und Oberseite des Grundelements 10 eingelegt, gegebenenfalls unter Zuhilfenahme eines Justieranschlags 29. Die Spannpratze 20 kann dabei durch Drehen in eine Lage gebracht werden, die eine entsprechend der gewünschten Bearbeitung zufriedenstelltende Zugänglichkeit zum Werkstück ermöglicht.In general, several such basic elements are placed on the workpiece space of a machine tool. Subsequently, the or the workpieces are inserted into the area held open by the return spring 25 between clamping claw 20 and top of the base member 10, optionally with the aid of an adjustment stop 29. The clamping claw 20 can be brought by turning into a position corresponding to a the desired processing allows satisfactory accessibility to the workpiece.

Durch Zuschalten des zweiten Vakuumkreises wird über eine Vakuumzufuhr 18, 24 ein zweiter Vakuumkreis aktiviert, so daß der durch die untere Wand des Grundelements, die Seitenwände des Grundelements 10 und die Kolbenplatte 15 gebildete Hohlraum evakuiert wird. Dies führt dazu, daß die Kolbenanordnung 13 in Einbaulage nach unten bewegt wird, gegen Verkanten oder Verdrehen geführt vom Führungselement 12. Dadurch wird das Werkstück oder werden die Werkstücke 33, 34 zwischen Spannpratze 20 und Oberseite des Grundelements 10 gespannt und können bearbeitet werden. Solange das Vakuum im evakuierten Raum 11 sichergestellt ist, ist ein unbeabsichtigtes Lösen des Werkstücks, das auch ein leistenförmiges Werkstück sein kann, ausgeschlossen.By connecting the second vacuum circuit, a second vacuum circuit is activated via a vacuum supply 18, 24, so that the cavity formed by the lower wall of the base member, the side walls of the base member 10 and the piston plate 15 is evacuated. This results in that the piston assembly 13 is moved in the installed position down, against tilting or twisting guided by the guide member 12. Thus, the workpiece or the workpieces 33, 34 clamped between clamping claw 20 and the top of the base member 10 and can be edited. As long as the vacuum is ensured in the evacuated space 11, unintentional release of the workpiece, which may also be a strip-shaped workpiece, is excluded.

Zum Lösen des Werkstücks wird das Vakuum im evakuierten Hohlraum 11 über die Zufuhreinrichtungen 18, 24 deaktiviert, die Federkraft der Rückstellfeder 25 kann somit die Kolbeneinrichtung 13 sowie die Spannpratze 20 nach oben drücken und das Werkstück kann aus der Vorrichtung entnommen werden.To release the workpiece, the vacuum in the evacuated cavity 11 via the feeders 18, 24 is deactivated, the spring force of the return spring 25 can thus push the piston device 13 and the clamping claw 20 upwards and the workpiece can be removed from the device.

Der wesentliche Aspekt der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Werkstücken liegt darin, daß auch leistenförmige Bauteile gespannt werden können, und trotzdem die Vorteile des Spannens von Werkstücken mittels Saugspannern erhalten bleiben, insbesondere die gute Zugänglichkeit zum Werkstück. Darüber hinaus sind keine ortsabhängigen Energiezuführleitungen, etwa für Druckluft oder Hydraulik, nötig, sondern die zum Spannen von plattenförmigen Werkstücken bereits vielfach eingesetzten Vakuumvorrichtungen können auch bei der Bearbeitung von leistenähnlichen Bauteilen verwendet werden. In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist das System komplett schlauchlos und dadurch sehr flexibel. Die bei spanender Bearbeitung anfallenden Späne können sich zudem nicht in den Schläuchen zur Zufuhr an die Evakuiereinheiten verfangen. Schließlich bietet das System eine hohe Sicherheit hinsichtlich der Befestigung der Werkstücke, da eine Vakuumabfrage etwaige Störungen einfach und zuverlässig feststellen kann. Dies wiederum reduziert die Unfallgefahr.The essential aspect of the inventive device for clamping workpieces is that even strip-shaped components can be stretched, and still retain the benefits of clamping workpieces by means of suction, in particular the good accessibility to the workpiece. In addition, no location-dependent Energiezuführleitungen, such as for compressed air or hydraulic, necessary, but already widely used for clamping plate-shaped workpieces vacuum devices can also be used in the processing of strip-like components. In a preferred embodiment, the system is completely tubeless and therefore very flexible. In addition, the chips produced during machining can not be caught in the hoses for supply to the evacuation units. Finally, the system offers a high degree of safety with regard to the attachment of the workpieces, since a vacuum interrogation can easily and reliably detect any faults. This in turn reduces the risk of accidents.

Claims (20)

  1. Device for clamping workpieces (50) for cutting or non-cutting machining comprising: a vacuum clamping device and a base element (10) which can be attached to a working surface by the vacuum clamping device (19);
    - wherein a piston arrangement is attached in the base element (10) such that an element of the piston arrangement (13) in the installation position projects beyond the upper side of the base element (10) in the moved-out state of the piston arrangement (13); and a device for clamping workpieces (20) is attached to the element of the piston arrangement (13) projecting beyond the upper side of the base element (10) in the moved-out state of the piston arrangement (13), and in that the device comprises at least two vacuum circuits which can be connected separately; characterised in that a first vacuum circuit fixes the base element (10) to the working surface, and a second vacuum circuit clamps a workpiece (33, 34) between the device for clamping workpieces (20) and the upper side of the base element (10).
  2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the underside of the piston arrangement (13) in installation position forms a cavity (11), which can be evacuated, with the side walls of the base element (10) and the bottom wall (17) of the base element (10).
  3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that a vacuum supply (18) for evacuating the cavity (11) is attached in the bottom region of the base element (10).
  4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the vacuum supply (18) runs through the bottom wall (17) of the base element (10).
  5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device for clamping workpieces is a clamping shoe (20).
  6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the clamping shoe (20) is attached to be rotatable on the piston arrangement (13).
  7. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the clamping shoe (20) is designed to be asymmetrical.
  8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the clamping shoe (20) has two clamping limbs (22, 23) of different length.
  9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the clamping shoe (20) is provided with a resilient coating (21) on the underside.
  10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, also comprising a restoring spring (25) for the piston arrangement (13).
  11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, also comprising at least one adjusting stop (29) for the workpiece.
  12. Device according to claim 11, characterised in that the adjusting stop is attached releasably to the device.
  13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base element (10) is made essentially from plastic.
  14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that the base element (10) has a floor surface (17) with at least one adjusting stop (27).
  15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a ventilation opening (26) is provided in the surface of the base element (10) facing the workpiece.
  16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a positioning aid (28) for the base element is attached to the base element (10).
  17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the piston arrangement (13) consists of a piston rod (14) and a piston plate (15).
  18. Device according to claim 17, characterised in that a sealing arrangement (30) is attached to the outer side of the piston plate.
  19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, also comprising a guide element (12) for the piston rod (14).
  20. Device according to claim 19, characterised in that the guide element is attached in the cavity (11) which can be evacuated.
EP00114959A 1999-08-17 2000-07-19 Device for clamping workpieces Expired - Lifetime EP1077112B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19938851A DE19938851B4 (en) 1999-08-17 1999-08-17 Device for clamping workpieces
DE19938851 1999-08-17

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EP1077112A2 EP1077112A2 (en) 2001-02-21
EP1077112A3 EP1077112A3 (en) 2002-08-14
EP1077112B1 true EP1077112B1 (en) 2010-03-03

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AT (1) ATE459454T1 (en)
DE (2) DE19938851B4 (en)

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DE102005020801A1 (en) * 2005-04-28 2006-11-02 Reich Spezialmaschinen Gmbh Holding device for workpieces to be machined and vacuum clamping system with such a holding device
DE102007016457B4 (en) 2007-03-30 2013-04-25 J. Schmalz Gmbh Pneumatically actuated fixing device
DE102009032703A1 (en) * 2009-07-09 2011-01-13 Mtu Aero Engines Gmbh Device and method for arranging a component on a component carrier
DE102011012739A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2012-08-30 Michael Weinig Ag Clamping device for workpieces made of wood, plastic and the like
DE102014222423A1 (en) 2014-11-03 2016-05-04 Homag Holzbearbeitungssysteme Gmbh jig
DE202017102182U1 (en) * 2017-04-11 2018-07-12 Grünewald Treppenfertigung GmbH Device for holding a workpiece by means of negative pressure on a processing table
CN112045791A (en) * 2020-09-04 2020-12-08 安徽艾雅伦新材料科技有限公司 Cutting machine for wood-plastic floor production and working method thereof
DE102020132391A1 (en) 2020-12-07 2022-06-09 Ima Schelling Deutschland Gmbh clamping device
CN114536066A (en) * 2022-04-08 2022-05-27 江苏安全技术职业学院 Electric automatization rotatable drilling piece anchor clamps

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DE1161519B (en) * 1961-05-24 1964-01-16 Erwin Lothar Holland Merten Vacuum assembly device
US3476377A (en) * 1967-10-19 1969-11-04 Mattel Inc Sheet clamping couple
US5312094A (en) * 1993-01-21 1994-05-17 Zera Robert D Vacuum clamp
DE4404413C1 (en) * 1994-02-11 1995-01-19 Klessmann Ima Norte Maschfab Vacuum clamping device
US5899445A (en) * 1996-04-18 1999-05-04 Kimble; Alvin J. Locking ring vacuum clamping system with load/unload capabilities
US5883522A (en) * 1996-11-07 1999-03-16 National Semiconductor Corporation Apparatus and method for retaining a semiconductor wafer during testing
FR2763877B1 (en) * 1997-05-30 1999-08-27 Itb DEVICE FOR FIXING A FLAT PART BY AIR DEPRESSION OF THE VACUUM TABLE TYPE FOR A MACHINING CENTER

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Publication number Publication date
DE19938851B4 (en) 2005-04-07
DE19938851A1 (en) 2001-03-08
ATE459454T1 (en) 2010-03-15
DE50015876D1 (en) 2010-04-15
EP1077112A2 (en) 2001-02-21
EP1077112A3 (en) 2002-08-14

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