EP3609773A2

EP3609773A2 - Manufacturing station, manufacturing process and manufacturing plant

Info

Publication number: EP3609773A2
Application number: EP18720983.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Thorwarth
Original assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
Current assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
Priority date: 2017-04-11
Filing date: 2018-04-11
Publication date: 2020-02-19
Also published as: DE202017102155U1; WO2018189221A3; WO2018189221A2

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic manufacturing station (5) for workpieces (2), in particular for vehicle body parts, comprising a manufacturing zone (6) that is surrounded by a protective enclosure (7) and includes a plurality of program-controlled manufacturing robots (12), the workpieces (2) being delivered to the manufacturing station (5) from outside on production load carriers (11). The manufacturing station (5) further comprises a station-based conveying means (15) for conveying the production load carriers (11) within the manufacturing station (5), and a loading station (8) with a loading robot (17, 18) for transferring production load carriers (11) between an external conveying means (10) and the station-based conveying means (15).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Manufacturing station, manufacturing process and

manufacturing plant

The invention relates to a manufacturing station, a

Manufacturing process and a manufacturing plant with the features in the preamble of the independent claims.

Such an automatic manufacturing station is known from WO 2016/131961 AI. It has a manufacturing area with a workstation and several programmable manufacturing robots. The workpieces are the

From the outside, the production station is fed onto a workpiece carrier. This is solvable on an autonomous

Transport vehicle arranged and is driven by this in the manufacturing station and positioned at the workplace. The workpieces are machined on the workpiece carrier. The workpiece carrier is

designed workpiece-specific and can be changed.

From practice robotic gardens with multiple workstations and multi-stroke work processes are also known in which workpieces are processed by robots and handled and transported between the workstations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a

show improved production technology.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the independent claims.

The claimed manufacturing technique, i. the

Manufacturing station, the manufacturing process and a

Production plant as well as a subsidy and a

Production carriers have different advantages. The claimed production technology allows a

Decoupling of production stations and there running work processes and work cycles of one

Conveyor in the manufacturing plant, which the

Manufacturing stations with each other and with a

Logistics area connects. With the conveyor can wait times at manufacturing stations as well

Overcapacities of subsidies are avoided. The workpiece and production flow within one

Production plant can be improved and accelerated.

The automatic manufacturing station has one

Station-bound means of transport for transporting the Produktionsördersträger within the manufacturing station and their protective separation on. The station-bound transport is located in the manufacturing station and within its surrounding protective enclosure. At a loading station of the manufacturing station, a transfer of the Produktionsördersträger between an external

Subsidies and the means of transport take place.

The automatic manufacturing station can have several

Have jobs for a work sprozess on a workpiece with multiple steps and multiple work cycles. Within the preferably designed as a robot garden manufacturing area, the

Produktionsördersträger beside and along the

Workstations are transported. The

Produktionsördersträger can with the preferred

mehrtaktigen work or production process in the

Manufacturing area are moved and are for the

Work processes available on at least some jobs. The workpiece can be formed in one or more parts, preferably as a parts set of body parts. The workpiece can be fully or partially during the preferably multi-stroke work process of

They are taken from production production carriers by means of a production robot, processed and handled at the workstations and transported between workplaces. Any other required parts of the workpiece may be available on the Produktionsladungsträger and, if necessary, supplied by a manufacturing robot of the respective job and the local work sprozess. The work processes can be of any kind and number. At the end, the machined workpiece is returned to the

The product ion carrier is then returned, which then unloads with the workpiece from the means of transport and via the external conveyor or otherwise, e.g. via a shelf, can be transported on.

The means of transport is next to the jobs

arranged and preferably as a sequential

Transportation formed. The transport means can accommodate a plurality of product ion carriers, in particular in a row one behind the other. It has several

Receiving sites for each one Produktionsördersträger. The number of reception centers is equal to or greater than the number of jobs and / or equal to or greater than the number of working cycles in the workplace

Manufacturing station.

The transport is preferably designed as a linear conveyor. It can be a continuous conveyor or an intermittent conveyor. The

Means of transport has an adapted to the working cycles Transporttaktung or a correspondingly adapted steady transport speed. With his jobs It is located in the working area of production robots, which remove a part of the workpiece and can also feed into the work area located in their work area or the workpiece holder there.

The production carrier has its own

inventive meaning. He can with particular success in the claimed manufacturing station or manufacturing plant, but alternatively in other conventional

Manufacturing stations and manufacturing equipment, are used.

The production load carrier according to the invention serves for the transport and provision of workpieces in and on an automatic production station. He can do one

Support frame and one positioned and detachable

Have recorded workpiece carrier. Of the

Workpiece carrier can be positioned and adapted

Have receiving means for one or more workpieces.

The production load carrier can be flexible and also multifunctional. On the one hand, it can be adapted to several different workpieces in the type. He can thereby e.g. Parts kits of different vehicle or body types, record. This allows a

flexible production in the free mix in the

Manufacturing station and in the manufacturing plant. Of the

Production carriers may also be needed

Tools, devices or others in one

Manufacturing station to pick up and transport required components. As a result, a production station can be converted as needed and quickly.

The support frame can be attached to the station

Be adapted to transport and can this be a suitable guide means, preferably on his

Underside, exhibit. The production carrier can be equipped with a supporting floor and upright uprights at the two end faces. The stands can be equipped with positioning means for positionally accurate gripping and reloading with a loading robot. About the positioning means on the support frame, an exact position reference between the recorded workpieces and the support frame and the station-bound transport can be made. For this purpose are between the support frame and the

Workpiece carrier also has positioning means.

The removable from the support frame and changeable workpiece carrier can be designed in different ways. In one embodiment with its own inventive significance, the workpiece carrier is designed as a lattice girder and has a self-supporting lattice structure. On the upright boards of the grid structure can be adapted

Receiving means for one or more workpieces releasably and changeably attached. The lattice girder is

lightweight and highly flexible. He gets involved

adapt different types of workpieces quickly. In most cases, workpiece adaptations and

corresponding exchangeable receiving means especially in the central region of the workpiece or lattice girder required. The grid structure offers a variety of different arrangement and

Mounting options for such recording media.

The stands of the support frame may have a different width. On the one hand, this offers a high one

mechanical stability and positioning accuracy of the

Support frame and on the other hand, the possibility of workpieces with excess, in particular with an axial projection to accommodate the Produktionsladungsträger. Such

Overhangs, which are formed, for example, by longitudinal members of a floor assembly, can pass the narrow stand. The claimed floor-bound conveyor also has independent inventive significance. It can with

particular success in the claimed manufacturing station or manufacturing plant, but alternatively also in other, conventional manufacturing stations and manufacturing facilities are used.

The claimed floor-bound conveyor has a loading bridge with a adapted receiving area for a Produktionsladungsträger and a housing which surrounds this receiving area laterally and in a closed ring shape and against personal accesses from the outside, collision hazards and the like. shields. The enclosure is open at the top and allows for reloading of a production ion carrier through this top opening. The enclosure can be multi-part and adjustable in width. As a result, it can be adapted to different sizes of production ion carriers and also workpieces. Special advantages arise with the

aforementioned workpieces with excess, which also protrude beyond the Produktionsladungsträger edge.

The width adjustment of the enclosure can be done automatically and at a suitable location, e.g. at the charging station one

Production station done. This can be done at the

Charging station to be arranged an automatic adjusting device. The housing parts can for the adjustment of a guide and an automatically releasable lock

exhibit. At the loading station, a conveyor can also be positioned precisely over the enclosure.

At the charging station, a shield may be present, which may be located on the one hand above the enclosure and which together with the housing the

Working area of the loading robot and its danger area when reloading an production ionizing carrier for

Personal security shields. On the other hand, the Shield also laterally enclose the charging station and be present below the enclosure. It may have one or more closable access openings for the entrance of a conveyor. Within the shield can also be the width adjustment of the housing.

The conveyor may have its own drive. It can thus be used on a substrate e.g. rolling or hovering on an air cushion or otherwise moving. For this purpose, an on-board or engageable drive means, e.g. an AGV, be present. One

Conveyor can be designed as a trailer and attached to an AGV or can also be underrun and coupled with its loading bridge of an AGV in a tunnel. An engageable AGV can, if necessary, from

Uncoupled funds and used for other purposes. Several funds can be shared with each other

be detachable and form a conveyor train.

In the subclaims are further advantageous

Embodiments of the invention indicated.

The invention is illustrated by way of example and schematically in the drawings. In detail show:

Figure 1: schematically and partially a

Production plant with several

Manufacturing stations, a logistics area and a conveyor with

Conveyors and product load carriers,

Figure 2: a broken perspective view of a charging station on a

Production station for reloading

Production carriers,

Figures 3 and 4: a plan view and a side view

a subsidy with a

Produktlonsladungstrager and a width adjustable housing together with

Setting device,

FIG. 5: a perspective view of a

Conveyor with a

Product cladding load carriers and workpieces,

Figure 6: a perspective view of a

Loading bridge with an enclosure,

Figure 7: a support frame of a

Production carrier and

Figure 8: a workpiece carrier of a

Production load carrier. The invention relates to a manufacturing station (5) and a manufacturing method for workpieces (2). The invention further relates to a production plant (1) with several production stations (5) and a production process. The invention also includes a conveyor (10) and a

Production carriers (11). Of the

Production carrier is hereinafter referred to as PLT. The conveyor (10) and the PLT (11) may be part of a manufacturing station (5) and a manufacturing plant (1). They can belong to the station or plant delivery scope. You can alternatively join an existing one

Manufacturing station (5) or an existing one

Production plant (1) retrofitted or converted. The conveying means (10) and the PLT (11) each have independent and mutually independent inventive significance. They can also be used at other manufacturing stations and manufacturing facilities.

FIG. 1 shows, in a fragmentary schematic representation, an automatic production plant (1) which contains a plurality of automatic production stations (5). It can also have a logistics area (4). The

Production plant (1) may further comprise a conveyor (9). This can be one or more

Manufacturing stations (5) with the logistics area (4). If necessary, the conveying device (9) can connect some or all of the production stations (5) to one another.

The workpieces (2) can of any kind and

Be training. Preferably, it is

Body components, in particular metallic sheet metal parts. A workpiece (2) may be in one or more parts. Preferably, it is multi-part and as a parts set

educated . In the manufacturing plant (1) and in the manufacturing stations (5) any work processes on the workpieces (2) can be performed. Preferably, it is

Assembling and joining processes. From single

Body parts are formed joined parts groups, which are further supplemented with parts and larger

Body components are joined.

The workpieces (2) are located on PLTs (11), which are transported by the conveyor (9) with floor-bound conveying means (10) in the manufacturing plant (1) and fed to one or more manufacturing stations (5) and discharged therefrom. The PLTs (11) have a readable, individual identifier. They are for the

Controllers of the manufacturing plant (1) and the

Manufacturing stations (5) identifiable. Furthermore, there is an assignment to the likewise individualized

Workpieces (2) and their PLT (11). The formation of the PLTs (11) is explained below.

The conveyor (6) may be formed in any suitable manner. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, it consists of a fleet of autonomous floorbound conveyors (10) which automatically operate on programmed routes, especially loops or loops. The conveying means (10) can each receive and transport one or more PLTs (11) releasably and in a predetermined position. The funds (10) are programmatically directed by a Fleet Manager. They transport the PLTs (11) to and from the

Manufacturing stations (5).

FIG. 1 shows a series of production stations (5) linked to each other in terms of production and conveyance. The conveyor technology chain can over

intermediate shelves or via the conveyor (9) take place. The production station (5) has a production area (6) with a plurality of workstations (13) and with a plurality of program-controlled production robots (12). in the

Production area (6) is also located

Stationary transport means (15) for a

Transport of the PLTs (11) within the manufacturing station

(5). Furthermore, a memory (16) in the production area

(6) can be arranged. The manufacturing station (5) also has a charging station (8) explained below

Reloading PLTs (11) between a conveyor (10) and the station-bound transport means (15).

The manufacturing area (6) with the aforementioned components can be protected by safety technology. He can

on the outside of a protective partition (7), e.g. a protective fence with several controllable and supervised

Accesses, enclosed and shielded against unauthorized entry.

The manufacturing area (6) is e.g. designed as a robotic garden, with several local in the

Production area (6) distributed workstations (13) each have a workpiece holder is arranged. The

Manufacturing robots (12) are programmable

Industrial robot formed with multiple rotational and / or translational axes. You carry a possibly replaceable tool. in the production area (6) workpieces (2) or

Workpiece parts machined and handled. The

The following explanations refer to workpieces (2) and also apply accordingly to workpiece parts. One or more manufacturing robots (12) are to

trained and programmed, a workpiece (2) in

Manufacturing area (6) from and to a PLT (11) to load. One or more manufacturing robots (12) may further be configured and programmed to transport a workpiece (2) between the workstations (13). You can record a workpiece (2) from a workpiece holder with a gripping tool and on a

Workpiece holder of another workstation (13)

lay down .

In the manufacturing station (5) and in the manufacturing area (6), a work process on the workpiece (2) is carried out, which comprises several work steps and several work cycles. These are carried out at the workplaces (13).

The station-bound transport (15) is present singly or multiply. It is next to the jobs

(13) arranged. It also extends along the

Arrangement of jobs (13). The means of transport

(15) may be at the edge of the manufacturing area (6) or elsewhere.

The transport means (15) is preferably arranged on a lintel. It is designed as a sequential means of transport. It serves to accommodate and transport several PLTs (11), preferably in a closed row one behind the other. The transport means (15) has a plurality of receiving points (14) for a respective PLT (11). In the drawings, for clarity, only a part of the PLTs (11) on the means of transport (15)

shown.

The transport means (15) preferably has a finite transport or conveying path. It conveys the recorded PLTs (11) in a given direction. The

Transport means (15) is shown in the

Embodiments designed as a one-piece and over the length of the conveying path through conveyor. Alternatively, a transport means (15) into several conveyor sections be segmented.

The transport means (15) is shown in FIG

Embodiment as a linear conveyor with a straight

Extension formed. The means of transport (15),

In particular, the linear conveyor, the PLTs (11) preferably takes on its top. It can e.g. be designed as a belt or roller conveyor, Skidförderer, Hubshuttle or in any other suitable manner. In another embodiment, the transport means (15) may have an at least partially curved extension. It can also have an endless or annular closed conveyor track. The transport (15) can promote continuous or continuous or intermittent. It can be a to the

Working cycles in the production area (6) adapted

Transport ticking or a steady

Have transport speed. In this way, the transport progress of PLT's (11) can be adapted to the production ^¬ or work progress. The number of receiving points (14) of the conveyor (15) is preferably equal to or greater than the number of jobs (13) or equal to or greater than the number of work cycles in the production area (6).

The transport (15) is located with his

Receiving points (14) in the work area of at least some of the manufacturing robot (12). Through the coordinated transport progress or feed, the PLTs (11) can with the production or work progress of the

associated and previously discharged parts of the workpiece (2) are synchronously moved. On the PLTs (11), other parts of the

Workpiece (2) are located. They are available at the workplaces (13) as needed. A manufacturing robot (12) at a workstation (13) can remove a workpiece part from the PLT (11) and feed the workstation (13) and the local work process. If required, it can also cover workpiece parts from the work process on a PCT (11). The workpiece and part flow between the jobs (13) can also partially on the

Transport means (15) take place.

In the embodiments shown, a PLT (11) loaded with a workpiece (2) is fed to the transport means (15) at the loading station (8) on the input side by a loading robot (17) and on the first

Pickup point (14) deducted. Subsequently, a manufacturing robot (12) removes the workpiece (2) or parts thereof from this PCT (11) and brings it to the first workstation (13). The PLT (11) can in the

be completely or partially unloaded. The workpiece (2) is after completion of the first

Work step or work cycle at the workplace

(13) transported to the next job (13) and there again positioned on a workpiece holder and further processed. During the first working cycle, the PLT (11) can stop at the first receiving point (13) or can be slowly transported further, while still remaining in the working range of the

Production robot (12) is located and unloading

further workpiece parts and their supply to a

Job (13) allows.

With the further transport of the workpiece (2) or its parts between the jobs (13) and the PLT (11) in the row of receiving points (14) is further transported according to and is at the respective

Admission point (14) for the adjacent job (13) available. At the end of the working or production process and at the end of the conveying means (15), the workpiece (2) from the last workstation (13) by a manufacturing robot (12) on the PLT (11) at the possibly last receiving point

(14) reloaded.

A manufacturing station (5) may include other components. This can e.g. Be devices that are located at the workstations (13) and in the work area of the local manufacturing robot (12). such

Devices can e.g. Welding devices,

Applicators or the like. be. Furthermore, a manufacturing station (5), the said control, measuring and testing equipment for quality assurance and

Supply facilities for required media, e.g.

electrical energy, compressed air, hydraulic fluid, adhesives, powders or the like. To one

Manufacturing station (5) can also more

Be connected feeders for components or workpiece parts.

At the end of the conveyor (15), another

Loading robot (18) may be arranged. Here, a further charging station (8) may be arranged, but this is not absolutely necessary. The loading robot (18) can also deposit the loaded PLT (11) onto a deposit shown in FIG. 1 between adjacent production stations (3), from which point it can be picked up by a loading robot (17)

Folgestation taken and on the local

Station-bound transport (15) is loaded. The loading robots (17,18) are preferably within the

Protective separation (7) arranged. The manufacturing station (5) can according to Figure 1 a

Memory (16) with one or more memory locations, in particular in a series arrangement, for each one or a plurality of empty or with a workpiece (2) loaded PLTs (11). The memory can serve as a buffer for PLTs (11) with good quality workpieces. He can also pick PLTs (11) with workpieces (2) that are out of order and have been eliminated during a quality inspection. The memory (16) can be near the

Transport means (15), in particular at the

output side end, be arranged. It can be aligned transversely to the transport means (15).

The memory (16) can be arranged within the protective partition (7). It can be designed as a shelf storage, rotary storage or in any other way. The memory (16) can be located at an edge of the production area (6). He can be trained and arranged independently. He can alternatively or additionally in the

Be integrated means of transport (15).

The memory (16) is operated by a handling device. It can be filled and emptied and redeployed as needed. This handling device can be designed and arranged independently. It can e.g. also be the loader robot (18). This is e.g. arranged to increase its working range on an additional axis (19). This can e.g. a straight axis extending along the row of storage locations.

The PLTs (11) can be designed to be stackable. Here, e.g. empty PLTs (11) are stacked in a stack. It is also possible that PLTs (11) together with a recorded workpiece (2) are stacked on top of each other. When using stackable PLTs (11), the memory (16) can be simplified, the

Memory locations can be designed as reserved floor areas. The PLTs (11) can during stacking and stacking of the said handling device, a Manufacturing robot (12) or a loading robot (17,18) are handled.

The PLT (11) is shown in more detail in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8. In the other drawings, it is indicated schematically.

The PLT (11) has a support frame (39) and a workpiece carrier (40) detachably received therein. With a preferably form-locking positioning means (49), e.g. Locking pins and matching receiving openings, the workpiece carrier (40) exactly on the support frame (39)

be positioned and held. The workpiece carrier (40) has adapted receiving means (47) for one or more workpieces (2). The receiving means (47) may e.g. Stops, trough-shaped receptacles, socket pins,

Clamping or the like. be. The receiving means (47) can be received and fixed on the workpiece carrier (40) with suitable positioning and locking means in a predetermined exact position. The receiving means (47) can be solved and changed as needed.

Figure 7 shows a support frame (39). This has a support floor (41), which is e.g. like a frame or

can be formed plate-shaped. At the two

End sides of the support floor (41) are each an upright stand (43,44) arranged and fixed, the e.g.

is formed like a bow. The uprights (43,44) have an overhead crossbar, the distance

arranged above the support floor (41) and connected via feet with this. The stands (43,44) can

be arranged symmetrically on the support base (41). They can have a different width according to FIG. The workpiece (s) (2) are located in

Delivery condition preferably within the e.g.

rectangular support frame (39). In the course of the Manufacturing process can be a workpiece with oversize

arise, e.g. having a supernatant (3) shown in Figure 3. The narrower stand (44) offers on one or both outer sides a free space for such a projection (30), which thereby extends over the edge of the

Support frame (39) can extend out.

The supporting frame (39) has positioning means (45) for a loading robot (17, 18) and its gripper tool. The positioning means (45) are preferably on the uprights (43,44), in particular on the upper transverse webs,

arranged. The positioning means (45) may e.g.

Einweiser, gripping means for the positive and / or non-positive interaction with a gripping tool of the loading robot (17,18) or the like. be. About the

Positioning means (45) is the support frame (39) aligned exactly opposite a loading robot (17,18) and can be loaded from this with an exact position on a conveyor (10) or on the station-bound transport (15). About the positioning means (45,49) is also an exact position reference to the one or more

Workpieces (2) on the workpiece carrier (40).

The support frame (39) has a guide means (42) for the transport and the exact recording on the

station-bound means of transport (15). The

Guide means (42) is e.g. as a rail arrangement

formed, which with the roles of a. when

Roller conveyor trained transport (15) cooperates. The guide means (42) is preferably on the underside of the support frame (39), e.g. On whose

Supporting floor (41), arranged. The support frame (39) may be formed in the embodiment shown as Skid. The support frame (39) forms a dimensionally stable shell-like support frame for receiving the workpiece carrier (40). This lies on the flat support floor (41) and extends up to the front-side uprights (43,44), where it can also be guided. FIG. 5 shows this arrangement.

The workpiece carrier (40) can be designed in any suitable manner. It can be plate or frame-like or otherwise configured. He can do one

have rectangular plan or another suitable shape. in the shown and preferred and independently inventive embodiment of the workpiece carrier (40) is designed as a lattice girder. He has one

self-supporting grid structure (49). It forms the plate-like, openworked floor for the

Workpiece holder. The grid structure (49) is separated from each other e.g. formed at right angles intersecting lattice struts. These can be upright and thin-walled

Circuit boards of metal or the like be educated. The

Grid structure (49) may be surrounded on the outside by an outer frame (48). On the lattice struts or boards, the aforementioned receiving means (47) can be arranged, supported and secured in a suitable manner. The lattice girder (40) is received on the support floor (41) and between the uprights (43,44) of the support frame (39).

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate the formation of the

Conveying means (10). In Figure 1, the conveyor (10) is simplified and indicated schematically. The conveyor (11) has a loading bridge (27) with an adapted, e.g. in outline rectangular, receiving area (28) for a PLT (1). Furthermore, it has a

Receiving area (28) laterally enclosing and open at the top of housing (34) for protection against

Passenger access and against collision danger. The

Conveying means (10) can be seen in Figure 4 apparent

Have drive (32). Furthermore, the conveying means (10) a drive means (33), which in FIG. 1

is indicated schematically.

The housing (34) shown in Figures 3 to 6 can

be one-piece or multi-part. She makes one

upright sleeve-like collar enclosing the PLT (11) and the one or more workpieces (2) laterally and in a preferred closed ring shape. The housing (34) has an upright extension. It can e.g. are formed by massive or latticed and self-supporting walls. The walls may alternatively be flexible and e.g. be designed as a film or fabric, the over

Corner supports is guided and clamped. The height of the enclosure is adapted to the height of the PLTs (11) and the workpiece (2) and preferably protrudes a piece above this.

The enclosure (34) is shown in the

Embodiments designed in several parts and can be adjusted in their width. The enclosure (34) consists e.g. from two in plan view U-shaped

Housing parts (35,36), which overlap each other and which can be moved telescopically apart and back to each other for width adjustment. At this

Relative movement may be a Einhausungsteil (35) rigid and another housing part (36) movable, in particular linearly movable, on the conveyor (10) to be arranged. Alternatively, several or all of the housing parts (35, 36) can be movably arranged on the conveyor (10).

The conveyor (10) can be a guide (37) for the mutual guidance of the housing parts (35,36)

exhibit. Furthermore, the conveyor (10) a

Lock (38) for locking the movable

Housing parts (35,36) in one or more

Have relative positions. The lock (38) can between the Einhausungsteilen (35,36) and / or opposite the conveyor (10) act.

In all pull-out positions, the housing parts (35,36) have a mutual overlap, so that the

Housing (34) in all extract positions a ring-like closed shape around the receiving area (28). The width adjustment can be made in one or more directions, the number and arrangement of the

Housing parts (35,36) is adjusted accordingly.

The housing (34) is arranged at the top of the loading bridge (27). The loading bridge (27) points at

Receiving area (28) on a customized support means (29) for the positioned recording of a PLTs (11). The

Supporting means (29) is e.g. is formed as a plane lying frame or as a plate and has suitable positioning and locking means for positionally accurate receiving a PLTs (11), in particular its support frame (39), e.g. via the guide means (42), on. Below the loading bridge (27) or the support means (29) may be arranged an apron (30). The preferably circumferentially arranged

Apron (30) can complement the protective function of the housing (34) and extend downwards. In the shown

Embodiment, the support means (29) at a distance above the ground and the possibly existing drive (32) is arranged. In another embodiment with low lying support means (29), an apron (30)

omitted. In the embodiment shown, the conveyor (10) has a drive (32). This can be designed as a roller or wheel assembly. The e.g. freely rotatable rollers or wheels can at least partially around one

Rotate the vertical axis and allow steering movements. About the drive (32), the conveyor (10)

stand independently on the ground and move along it. Alternatively, the drive (32) a Be air cushion arrangement or another floating technique.

The drive means (33) is shown in FIG

Embodiment as a ground-based automatic, self-steering and driverless transport vehicle

formed, which is referred to as AGV or FTF. The autonomous drive means (33) can communicate with the fleet manager of the conveyor (9) and can

programmatically along a predetermined

Transport path, in particular a loop or a loop, run.

The drive means (33) may be releasably connected to the conveyor (10) and may be coupled and uncoupled thereto as needed. For this purpose, e.g. a flat AGV drive underneath the raised loading bridge (37) through a tunnel (31) shown in FIG. 6 and take it slowly after coupling. The coupling may e.g. through a

retractable dome or the like. respectively. If necessary, the drive means (33) can also be released again from the conveyor (10) and moved away from it. The

Conveying means (10) may be a braking device or a lock for securing the position in the uncoupled

Position have.

In another and not shown embodiment, a drive (32) in favor of support feet

omitted, wherein the drive means (32) underneath the raised loading bridge (27) and lift with a lifting means and charge and, if necessary, can settle again. In another embodiment, a conveyor (10) formed as a trailer and with a as

Towing vehicle designed drive means (33) are coupled. Furthermore, an embodiment is also possible, in which the conveying means (10) has an on-board and integrated drive means (33) in the form of its own traction drive. It is in the different embodiments It is also possible that a plurality of conveying means (10) are coupled together to form a conveyor train. You can have their own drive means or a common drive means (33).

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the above-mentioned

Charging station (8), one or more times at one

Manufacturing station (5) may be arranged. Of the

Loading robot (17,18) is arranged at the charging station (8) and is preferably protected within the protective separation (7) of the manufacturing station (5) or the manufacturing area (6).

The charging station (8) has a loading position (21), which can be arranged outside the protective separation (7). Here a conveyor (10) can be automatically positioned in a suitable manner, e.g. via navigation of its drive means (33), via a stakeout or the like .. An exact positioning is also a cooperating with the housing (34)

Positioning device (23) possible. On a rack of the charging station (8), this may be e.g. a mobile one

Positioning pin to be arranged in a

corresponding receptacle on the housing (34) attacks.

Figures 3 and 4 show this arrangement.

The loading position (21) and the parked conveyor (10) are located in the working area of the loading robot (17,18). This can e.g. raised on a pedestal

can be arranged and a PLT (11) between the

Funding (10) and the station-bound

Reload transport (15). The loading robot (17,18) can do this with its end effector and a suitable

Gripping tool from above through the upper opening of the

Einhausung (34) grab and the PLT (11) for loading and

Grasp and handle unloading. The charging station (8) may have a lateral shield (20). This can be done in different ways

be educated. The shield (20) may e.g. the

Charging station (8) and the loading position (21) laterally

enclose a ring, wherein on one or both sides of a controlled lockable and monitored access (22) for extending and retracting the conveyor (10) may be present. The vote (20) may go up above the

Conveyor (10) and its housing (34) addition

extend and collar the work and

When handling the handling area of the charging robot (17, 18), enclose it laterally at the charging station (8). Depending on

Safety requirements, the shield (20) can extend over the entire height. It can alternatively be omitted in the lower area and below the upper Einhausungsrandes. The charging station (8) may be an automatic adjusting device (24) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for the

Have width adjustment of the housing (34). The

Actuator (24) is e.g. arranged stationary and has a controllable actuator (25) and a

Adjusting means (26), which with at least one

movable housing part (36) cooperates for width adjustment. In the embodiment shown, one housing part (35) is rigidly arranged on the loading bridge (27), wherein the other housing part (36)

is movably mounted and guided and by the

Actuator (24) is moved. The actuator (25) is e.g. designed as horizontally arranged hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, which at the end of its piston rod an adjusting means (26) in the form of an optionally

has controllable driver. The actuator (20) is e.g. at a distance above the ground and the

Housing (34) arranged. At the edge of the mobile Einhausungsteils (36) is a counterpart to

Adjustment means (26), e.g. a recording for one

Mitnehmerdorn. FIG. 4 shows the starting position and the extended position of the housing (34).

The lock (38) for the housing parts (35,36) can be controlled automatically. It can e.g. of the

Actuator (24) or otherwise operated. To adjust the housing (34), the lock (38) is released and reactivated at the end of the adjustment. The lock (38) can be at the top of the

Housing (34) and outside the access of a worker. A width adjustment of the housing (34) may e.g. take place at a loading station (8) which is arranged at the end of a chain of production stations (5). Such a chain may e.g. for making and joining a subassembly of a chassis or a body, e.g. one or more side members are joined and form a projection (3). In the unfastened state find these parts of the workpiece (2) space in the interior of the PLTs (11) and in the receiving area (28) when driven together housing parts (35,36). After joining results in a workpiece (2) with oversize, which on the outer contour or the edge of the PLTs (11) and the receiving area (28) on the transport means (10) protrudes. The receiving area (28) is then increased by the aforementioned width adjustment and the pulling apart of the housing parts (35,36), so that the supernatant (3) according to Figure 3 finds room. The one or more projections (3) can in the above manner on the narrow stand (44)

pass by. After delivery of the workpiece (2) with oversize by another adjusting device (24) elsewhere the

Housing (34) again reduced in size and up the original size or any other desired measure. The automatic manufacturing plant (1) may have a plurality of adjusting devices (24) at different and arbitrarily suitable locations.

The aforementioned logistics area (4) is schematically indicated in FIG. He can have different functions and training. He can for one

Provision of PLTs (11) and conveying means (10) and possibly drive means (33) and of workpieces (2) and possibly of tools. Furthermore, a

Picking for the compilation of workpieces (2) and a loading device for the loading of PLTs (11) with workpieces (2) may be present. By means of a further charging device, the PLTs (11) can be loaded and unloaded onto the conveying means (10). In a modification, it is possible to have the provided and picked

To load workpieces (2) on PLTs (11), which are already connected to a conveyor (11) and transported by this. Furthermore, if necessary, tools can be loaded onto a PLT (11) and made available to a production station (5) as needed. You can by means of the manufacturing robot (12) and the

Transport means (15) in the production station (5)

be distributed.

Modifications of the shown and described

Embodiments are possible in various ways. In particular, the characteristics of the various

Embodiments and said variants are arbitrarily combined with each other, in particular also be reversed. An inventive PLT (11) can be used with a conveyor (10) without housing (34). Conversely, a conveying means (10) with an optionally

adjustable housing (34) can be used with another PLT. The transport means (15) can be designed and operate in a different way. In a complete discharge of a workpiece (2), for example, the unloading and

Loading point are summarized. The transport means (15) can be designed as a tower store in which the unloaded and stored PLTs (11) are rearranged in order to be ready in good time for loading with the workpiece (2) assigned to them. This can be done according to the FiFo principle. Instead of a tower memory, a turntable or other storage means can be used. In this modification corresponds to the number of recording or storage locations of the

Transport means (15) the number of jobs (13) or work cycles.

In a modification of the embodiment shown, the manufacturing area (6) may be an outsourced

Work site for a work step or sub-process that is needed only occasionally. The

illustrated embodiment is designed for a sequential workflow in a manufacturing station (5), wherein only a single conveyor line or a single conveyor track is present. For other types of

Production or work processes that deviate from a strict sequence and include parallel sections, the transport means (15) may be adapted accordingly and have parallel conveyor tracks or conveyor sections.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

1 production plant

2 workpiece, parts set

3 supernatant

4 logistics area

5 manufacturing station, cell

6 production area

7 protective separation

8 charging station

9 conveyor, Fleet

10 subsidies

11 product ion carriers PLT

12 production robots

13 job

14 pick-up point

15 means of transport, linear conveyors

16 memories, buffers

17 robotic power supply

18 robots unloading

19 driving axle

20 shielding

21 loading position

22 access

23 positioning device

24 adjusting device

25 actuator

26 adjusting means

27 loading bridge

28 recording area

29 proppant

30 apron

31 tunnels

32 drive

33 drive means, AGV

34 enclosure

35 housing part casing part

guide

lock

Support frame, skid

Workpiece carrier, lattice girder

support base

Guide means, rail

Stand wide

Stand narrow

Positioning means for loading robot lattice structure

receiving means

outer frame

Positioning agent for lattice girders

Claims

Automatic production station for workpieces (2), in particular for body components, which surrounds one of a protective partition (7)

Production area (6) with several

programmable manufacturing robots (12)

, wherein the workpieces (2) of the

Manufacturing station (5) on production carriers (11) are supplied externally, characterized

There is no such thing as the

Manufacturing station (5) a station-bound

Transport means (15) for transporting the

Production carriers (11) within the

Manufacturing station (5) and a charging station (8) with a loading robot (17,18) for reloading

Production carriers (11) between an external conveyor (10) and the

Station-bound transport (15).

Manufacturing station according to claim 1, characterized

There is no such thing as the

Manufacturing station (5) several jobs for a work process on the workpiece (2) with several steps and several work cycles

having .

Manufacturing station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

Transport means (15) receives a plurality and a plurality of receiving sites (14) for each one

Production carrier (11). Manufacturing station according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the

Transport means (15) extending along the work stations and with its receiving points (14) in the working area of the manufacturing robots

is located.

Production station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a loading robot (17, 18) within the

Protective separation (7) is arranged and an external conveyor (10) with an upwardly open

Housing (34) with a production load carrier (11) loads and unloads.

Production station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging station (8) is an automatic

Adjusting device (24) for adjusting an adjustable, in particular in the width

adjustable, housing (34) of an external

Conveying means (10). 7.) Manufacturing station according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the charging station (8) has a positioning device (23) for an external conveying means (10).

Manufacturing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging station (8) has a shield (20) for an external conveying means (10) and / or for a

Loading robot (17,18) has.

Floor-bound conveyor for the transport of workpieces (2), in particular for

Body parts, on one

Production carrier (11) from and / or to a manufacturing station (5), characterized

characterized in that the conveying means (11) has a loading bridge (27) with an adapted Recording area (28) for one

Produktionsladungsträger (11) and a den

Receiving area (28) laterally enclosing and open at the top housing (34) for protection against access to persons.

10.) conveying means according to claim 9, characterized

In addition, the enclosure (34) is adjustable in several parts and in its width.

11.) conveying means according to claim 9 or 10, characterized

In other words, the housing (34) has a plurality of housing parts (35, 36) which overlap one another and are adjustable relative to one another.

12.) conveying means according to claim 10 or 11, characterized

e, that the conveying means (10) has a guide (37) and a possibly controllable lock (38) for the housing parts (35, 36).

13.) conveying means according to any one of claims 9 to 12,

By this means that the

Conveyor (10) has a drive (32).

14.) conveying means according to any one of claims 9 to 13,

By this means that the

Conveying means (10) has a drive means (33).

15.) conveying means according to claim 14, characterized

in that the drive means (33) is designed as an on-board drive or as an on and off AGV.

16.) Conveying means according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that it e e n e c e e s that the

Loading bridge (27) on the receiving area (28)

having adapted support means (29) for the positioned receiving a Produktionenladungsträgers (11).

17.) conveying means according to any one of claims 9 to 16,

By doing so, that the

Housing (34) is arranged at the top of the loading bridge (27), wherein below the loading bridge (27) an apron (30) is arranged.

18.) conveying means according to any one of claims 9 to 17,

By doing so, that the

Enclosure (34) in height to an upper

Shield (20) is adapted to a loading station (8) of a manufacturing station (5). 19.) Product ionizing carriers for carriage and

Provision of workpieces (2), in particular body components, on an automatic

Manufacturing station (5), by

There is no such thing as the

Produktionsladungsträger (11) a support frame (39) and positioned therein and detachable

having received workpiece carrier (40), wherein the workpiece carrier (40) positioned and

has adapted receiving means (47) for one or more workpieces (2).

20.) Produktionsladungsträger according to claim 19, characterized e g e e n e c e s e s that the support frame (39) preferably on the underside of a guide means (42), in particular a rail arrangement for the

Transportation on a station-bound

Transport means (15) in a manufacturing station (5) having .

21.) product cladding charge carrier according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that e

Support frame (39) has a support floor (41) with upright, preferably different widths, stands

(43,44) has at its two end faces.

22.) Produktlonsladungstrager according to claim 19, 20 or 21, characterized in that e e n e c e e s that the

Supporting frame (39) positioning means (45) for a loading robot (17,18) and / or positioning means (49) for the workpiece carrier (40). 23.) Production carrier according to one of the claims,

19 to 22, characterized in that the workpiece carrier (40) acts as a lattice girder

is formed and a self-supporting

Lattice structure (49).

24.) Production carrier according to one of the claims,

19 to 23, characterized in that the grid structure (49) has lattice struts in the form of upright boards and for releasable and adjustable arrangement of receiving means (47) for one or more workpieces (2) is formed.

25.) Automatic production plant with several

Manufacturing stations (5) for workpieces (2),

in particular for body parts, wherein the

Manufacturing station (5) has a production area (6) with a plurality of programmable production robots (12) and the workpieces (2) of

There is no such thing as the

Manufacturing station (5) after at least one of Claims 1 to 8 is formed.

26.) Production plant according to claim 25, characterized

There are several ways to do this

Manufacturing stations (5) are interlinked.

27.) Production plant according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that it e e n e c e s that the

Production plant (1) an automatic

Having conveying device (9) for Produktionsladungsträger (11).

28.) Production plant according to claim 25, 26 or 27,

By doing so, that the

Production plant (1) an automatic

Conveying device (9) with conveying means (10)

which are formed according to at least one of claims 9 to 18.

29.) Production plant according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that e e n e c i e s that the

Production plant (1) has production production carriers (11), which are designed according to at least one of claims 19 to 24.

30.) Method for manufacturing workpieces (2),

in particular body components by means of its automatic manufacturing station (5), which surrounds one of a protective partition (7)

Production area (6) with several

programmable manufacturing robots (12)

, wherein the workpieces (2) of the

Manufacturing station (5) are fed externally on Produktionladungsträger (11), characterized

There is no such thing as the

Product ionic carrier (11) within the Manufacturing station (5) with a station-bound transport (15) are transported and the production load carrier (11) by means of a

Loading station (8) with a loading robot (17,18) between an external conveyor (10) and the station-bound transport (15) are reloaded. The method of claim 30, characterized

There is no such thing as an external

Conveying means (10) with an upwardly open

Housing (34) loaded with a production load carrier (11) of a loading robot (17,18) arranged within the protective partition (7) and

unloaded. A method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized

That an adjustable, in particular in the width adjustable housing (34) of an external conveyor (10) by an automatic control device (24) of the charging station (8) is adjusted. A method according to claim 32, characterized

There is no such thing as the adjustable

Enclosure (34) to different sizes of

Production carriers (11) and / or to

different sizes of workpieces (2)

is adapted, in particular of workpieces (2) with excess, which protrude beyond the production load carrier (11) edge. Method according to one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that the

Working area of the loading robot (17) and its

Danger area when reloading a

Production load carrier (11) for personal protection from the enclosure (34) together with one above the enclosure (34) at the charging station (8)

arranged shield (20) is shielded. 35.) Method according to claim 34, characterized

That is, within the shield (20), the width adjustment of the

Housing (34) takes place.