WO2006005353A1

WO2006005353A1 - Method and device for stacking individual items

Info

Publication number: WO2006005353A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/007453
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Russ; Ludwig Hanika; Stefan Mohr
Original assignee: Dronco Ag
Priority date: 2004-07-08
Filing date: 2004-07-08
Publication date: 2006-01-19

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for stacking individual items. According to said method, at least one individual item (4,5) is guided into a predefined and predefinable position on at least one support (6) which can move parallel to a bearing surface (14) of the individual item. The at least one moveable support (6) is drawn or pushed away from an initial position underneath the at least one individual item (4) until the at least one individual item (4) falls or is guided, as a result of gravity, through a gap (18) thus arising, into a predefined or predefinable individual item stacking position (17). The at least one moveable support (6) is then moved back into the initial position.

Description

Method and device for stacking individual bodies

description

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for stacking individual bodies.

The invention will be elucidated in the following using the example of plastic or synthetic resin-bonded abrasive bodies such as grinding wheels or cut-off wheels, but is not limited to this type of body. Many other similar metal or plastic bodies can also be combined into stacks in this way so that they can be packaged or transported more easily.

In the production of particularly plastic or synthetic resin-bonded abrasive articles such as grinding wheels or cut-off wheels, abrasive body blanks and intermediate bodies, in particular metallic intermediate disks (eg aluminum or steel disks), are combined into a so-called firing stack, in particular alternately lined up on an elongated tool and subjected to a heat treatment. After this process, the finished grinding wheels and the washers are separated again. Grinding and intermediate bodies are then sorted and collected separately. The grinding wheels are packed and transported away, the intermediate bodies being returned to the process again. For this purpose, the preferably disc-shaped grinding bodies and intermediate bodies are preferably bundled into stacks.

From EP 0 341 377 A2 a receiving and stacking device for punched from a material web discs with center hole is known. For mechanical recording and stacking of the discs here a finger is provided, which is lowered so far into the central hole of the disc with its lower end, that a radially expandable sleeve in the region of the center hole and the disc is clamped by widening of the sleeve on this. The disk is lifted with the finger and, when the cuff is released, released again and deposited at a predetermined location, for example a stack. The finger can also be successively placed on several discs with center hole to lift them. The device described in EP 0 341 377 A2 allows the stacking of slices differing their shape and size, provided they have a center hole. However, this requires a complex gripping device.

From DE 30 15 841 C2 a stacking device for flat articles is known with a supply conveyor for successively feeding individual articles to be stacked, a sensor for detecting the feeding of each einzel¬ NEN article, an end stop for stopping the supplied articles and two opposing upper and two mutually opposite lower bottoms, which are pivotable for each supplied article from a position bearing the article into a position releasing the article, and a dispensing device for dispensing the complete stack. By pivoting the upper floor, the articles are released on the lower floors that hold these items currently, possibly collect, and then release by pivoting down. Also this device is complex in its construction due to the multiple floors.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device for stacking individual bodies, by which the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially overcome or at least reduced.

This object is achieved with regard to the method having the features of patent claim 1 and with regard to the device having the features of patent claim 21. Advantageous embodiments and further developments result from the claims dependent on claim 1 and claim 21, respectively.

In the method according to claim 1 for stacking individual bodies, at least one individual body is guided into a predefined or predeterminable position on at least one support which is parallel to a support surface of the single body, the at least one movable support being from a starting position below the at least one individual body weggezo¬ gene or pushed away until the at least one individual body is due to gravity by a gap arising in at least one predetermined or predetermined single body stacking position falls or is steered, and will then moves the at least one movable pad back to the starting position.

With this method, it is preferable to be able to stack flat individual bodies such as thin components, panes or metal sheets. One or more movable documents may or may be completely or partially covered in the predetermined position by the at least one individual body. By Wegbewe¬ gene under the single body is then released in particular the entire theoreti¬ cal support surface of the single body so that it preferably falls without tilting down. If this is advantageous, provision may also be made for the individual body to rotate at least partially about an axis of rotation when falling. In order to direct the individual bodies to their individual body stacking position, special guidance devices can be provided. It is also possible in this way to guide successively falling individual bodies into different stacking positions.

The device according to claim 21 for stacking individual bodies, in particular for carrying out the method according to claim 1 or one of the dependent claim 1, comprises at least one parallel to a support surface of a single body movable base, at least one means for guiding the at least one single body in a predetermined or predeterminable position on the at least one parallel to the support surface of the single body movable pad and at least one Einzel¬ body stacking position is arranged in the effective direction of gravity below by pulling away or pushing away the movable pad under the at least one individual body resulting gap so that the at least one single body can fall or be steered by at least one single-body stacking position by the action of gravity

A main advantage of the method and the device according to the invention is that the individual bodies can be stacked very simply and at a high clock frequency without the aid of elaborate gripping or suction devices. In addition, it is possible to process individual bodies of different sizes. Due to the fact that the individual bodies fall or are guided to their stacking position due to gravity, the energy expenditure is relatively low. According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, the individual bodies are successively arranged, in particular in a transport direction one behind the other, to or onto which at least one movable base is transported.

In principle, a plurality of movable documents or positioning areas for a simultaneous stacking of several Einzelkörpersta¬ pel be provided in a device. The individual bodies can then be supplied either in several rows or they are fed one after the other in only one row and distributed by a corresponding device to the different positioning areas, each with at least one base.

In particular, individual bodies are preferably passed on to the at least one movable base in succession and fall or are deflected into the predetermined or predefinable single-body stack position or lugs until a predetermined or predefinable single-body stack height or single body number is reached. The individual body stack is then conveyed away.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a distance of the individual body is set in the transport direction during transport of the individual body to the at least one movable pad or is adjustable and / or the individual bodies are accelerated during transport to the at least one movable pad. The distance between the individual bodies is preferably increased during transport, so that the individual bodies can be piled up smoothly without the device being blocked. The individual bodies are preferably accelerated so that, independently of a transfer device, they can pass from a transport device into the positioning region, in which they are guided to the predetermined or predefinable position. It may be particularly advantageous if the individual bodies fall or slip or are thrown onto the least one moving base at a predetermined or predeterminable speed. Preferably, the individual bodies are accelerated so much that they shoot over the edge of a transport device away in the direction of the pad or are thrown. In the device according to the invention, at least one transport device is provided for transporting the individual bodies to the at least one movable base. The transport device may preferably comprise at least one height conveyor, in particular for setting or enlarging the distance between the individual bodies, and / or at least one conveyor belt or a transport chain or transport rollers, in particular for transporting and accelerating the individual bodies.

According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, the least one base in the transport direction by a predetermined or predeterminable angle, preferably between 10 ° and 30 ° to Horizon¬ talen inclined. The individual bodies can thus, supported by the effect of gravity, slip into the predetermined or predeterminable position on the base.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the at least one base comprises at least one grid or in the transport direction hinterereinan¬ arranged transverse bars or transverse tubes. The cross bars or cross tubes have as small a distance as possible from each other and can form a kind of comb, on which the individual bodies rest, through which they can not slip.

The grid or the cross bars or transverse tubes preferably act together via an angle bar with a device for moving the base parallel to the support surface of the single body, in particular at least one guide rail and / or guide roller and / or at least one guide carriage. With the help of the guide rail, roller or -schütten the pad can be moved from the initial position to an end position and back again.

According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, the individual bodies are guided by lateral guide elements into the predetermined or predefinable position on the at least one movable base. The guide elements may preferably protrude from the transport device to over the at least one pad, so that the individual body of the Transport device guided or thrown between the guide elements and led by the guide elements to reach the predetermined position on the substrate. Moreover, it is particularly preferred if the at least one individual body in the predetermined or predefinable position on the at least one movable base is stopped by a stop element arranged in front of the individual bodies in the transport direction.

It is particularly preferred if a distance between the lateral guide elements transversely to the transport direction and / or a position of the stop in the transport direction is manually or automatically, in particular simultaneously, adjustable or adjusted. The method can then advantageously be applied to individual bodies having different dimensions, in particular transversely to the transport direction.

In the device according to the invention, the at least one means for guiding the at least one individual body comprises at least two, in the transport direction extending guide elements. The guide elements are preferably designed as sheet metal or plastic walls which can extend substantially from the transport device to over the at least one base. Preferably, a distance transversely to the transport direction of the guide elements in the transport direction is reduced. As a result, individual bodies arriving at different locations of the transport device are also picked up between the guide elements and guided to the predetermined position. It is particularly preferred if a smallest distance 'of the guide element is at least greater than a maximum dimension of the individual bodies transversely to the transport direction, in particular approximately the same as the largest dimension of the individual bodies transversely to the transport direction. The smallest distance of the guide elements is preferably provided at least at or in the vicinity of the predetermined or predefinable position on the base.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one means for guiding the at least one individual body comprises at least one stop element, in particular a stop element with integrated Stoß¬ damper, which is arranged in the transport direction after the guide elements. According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, an adjustment device, in particular a central adjustment device, is provided in the device for setting the distance between the guide elements and / or for adjusting the position of the stop element, so that adaptation to individual bodies having different dimensions is undertaken can. The central adjusting device preferably comprises a disk with slide guides, wherein each of the slide guides interacts with at least one guide element and / or at least one stop element and wherein the slide guides each describe a predetermined arc, so that by turning the disk or Turntable all cooperating with a slotted guide elements or elements are simultaneously adjusted by a predetermined amount. According to a particularly preferred aspect, the central adjusting device also comprises a drive unit, in particular a gear motor or servomotor or servomotor or stepper motor, for rotating the disc with slotted guides. In this way, an automatic adjustment of the guide elements and the stop element also take place during the process.

According to a further particularly preferred aspect, the at least one base unit is moved by means of at least one drive unit from the starting position into an end position and back again into the starting position. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the movement takes place from the initial position to the end position and back to the starting position in a time interval of a few seconds, in particular less than 1 s. Preferably, the starting position and / or the end position of the at least one base and / or a width of the gap is adjustable transversely to the transport direction or is set.

For this purpose, the device preferably comprises at least one drive unit, in particular at least one linear motor or a pneumatic or hydraulic drive for moving the at least one base between a starting position and an end position and / or for setting the initial position and / or the end position of the base and / or for adjusting a width of the gap transversely to the transport direction. According to a further particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, the at least one individual body is guided into a predetermined or predeterminable position on at least two parallel to a support surface of the single body and relatively movable documents and the at least two movable documents from the starting position below the at least one individual body moves apart until the at least one individual body falls or is steered into a predetermined or predefinable single-body stacking position due to gravity and subsequently the at least two movable documents are moved back into the starting position. By using two mutually movable documents, the cycle time can be kept particularly short, since inter alia, the zu¬ to release the individual body zu¬ zurückzulegende way the documents is relatively short.

Preferably, the at least two documents synchronously, ie simultaneously and / or against each other, moved back and forth between the starting position and the end position.

The device preferably comprises at least two parallel to the support surface of the single body and movable relative to each other documents, wherein the at least two movable documents from the starting position under the at least one individual body are apart and to each other to move.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, at least one drive unit and at least one transmission unit, in particular a toothed belt, are provided for synchronously moving the at least two documents between in each case one initial position and one end position and / or for setting the starting position and / or End position of the base and / or for setting a width of the gap transversely to the transport direction.

It may also be preferred if at least two drive units, in particular electronically synchronized linear motors, are provided for synchronously moving the at least two underlays between in each case a starting position and an end position and / or for setting the initial position and / or the end position of the pad and / or for setting a width of the gap transversely to the transport direction.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method and the device according to the invention, a guide unit, in particular at least one vertically aligned feed mandrel, deflects the individual bodies into the predetermined or predefinable single-body stacking position. The guide unit can guide the individual bodies against their outer side. It is preferred if the guide unit, in particular at least one guide mandrel, can engage in an opening in the individual bodies and the individual bodies are guided along the at least one guide dome to the single-body post position. The individual bodies preferably have a central opening with which they are placed or placed on the guide pin when falling through the gap.

Preferably, the guide unit is designed so that they, in particular by moving parallel to the effective direction of gravity, the Einzelkörper¬ stack releases when the predetermined or predetermined stack height or Ein¬ zelkörperanzahl is reached. A guide pin, for example, can be driven out of a single-body stack via a pneumatic drive unit. When the single-body stack has been conveyed away, the guide mandrel is then pneumatically moved upwards in order to enable the placement of individual bodies falling through the gap.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, a device for determining the height of the individual body stack, in particular a light barrier, or a device for determining the number of individual bodies, in particular a counting unit, is also provided.

It is also particularly preferred if a conveying device, in particular a conveyor belt or conveyor rollers or a conveyor chain, is provided for the removal of the single-body stack.

According to a preferred aspect, at least one device is also provided for controlling and / or regulating the drive units and / or the transport units. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the method and also the device for stacking individual bodies which comprise at least one abrasive body, in particular a resin-bonded, preferably a substantially disc-shaped grinding body or at least one intermediate body, in particular a metallic, preferably a substantially disc-shaped intermediate body , intended. The abrasive body and intermediate body are stacked separately to form stacks, the intermediate bodies subsequently being returned to the processing process and the abrasive bodies being packaged for removal. The abrasive body and intermediate body preferably have a central opening.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, abrasive bodies or intermediate bodies are stacked one after the other in a stacking device, wherein the abrasive body and intermediate body have at least two different diameters and wherein prior to each stacking operation a spacing of the guide elements transversely to the transport direction and a position of the Anschlag¬ elements on the respective diameter is set.

It may also be particularly preferred if the individual bodies are sorted before stacking. If there are n groups of individual bodies and n ≥ 2 and if the individual bodies of different groups have a different center of gravity, the individual bodies are or are arranged in succession in at least one row in a transport direction, the individual bodies having at least one side at least The individual bodies are guided in the transport direction along at least one An¬ lagelinie over at least n-1 sorting areas, and tip individual bodies of at least one group, if the focus of these individual bodies in a sorting area not lies over at least one support surface of the sorting region, via a support surface edge, and the individual bodies of the other group (s) remain on the support surface.

The individual bodies may consist of the same or different materials, for example abrasive bodies and intermediate bodies in one Be abrasive grinding process. However, the method and also the device are not limited to this field of application. All kinds of individual bodies can be sorted which have at least two or more different centers of gravity, for example due to different widths. The individual bodies are preferably substantially disc-shaped, in particular round, but bodies of very different geometrical shapes can also be sorted by the method.

The sorting area is preferably a sorting area which can be designed as a full area or as a perforated, grid or net area. As a sorting region, here and below a region is designated in which a sorting process takes place, ie a group of individual bodies is sorted out from the remaining individual bodies. If only two different groups of individual bodies are to be separated, at least one sorting area should be provided. Accordingly, with n different groups, at least n-1 sorting areas would have to be provided in order to separate all groups from one another. In addition, further sorting regions can also be provided in order, for example, to sort several rows of individual bodies simultaneously.

This sorting process is fundamentally based on the fact that all individual bodies are pushed or transported over the sorting areas, wherein they preferably preferably rest at least partially on a support surface. The contact line or the distance between the contact line and the support surface edge is selected so that the individual bodies protrude beyond the support surface, if possible, only with a part of their base surface facing the sorting surface. If now the center of gravity of the individual body is not above a support surface, but in the part of the single body which projects beyond the support surface, the body, by its own weight and the effect of gravity over the support surface edge tilt.

The device for sorting individual bodies, where n groups of individual bodies are present and n ≥ 2 and wherein the individual bodies of different groups have a different center of gravity, preferably comprises at least n-1 sorting areas and at least one transporting device for moving in a transport direction behind each other in at least one row arranged single body on the n-1 Sorting areas, wherein in the n-1 sorting areas along the direction of transport at least one investment line is provided on which the individual body abut with one side or can be applied, and wherein at least one support surface is provided in each of the n-1 sorting areas at least partially atifliegen the individual body with a single body surface, so that when passing the n-1 sorting areas along the investment line individual body of at least one group, if the focus of this individual body is not above the at least one support surface of the sorting, tilt over a support surface edge and the individual bodies of the other group (s) remain on the support surface.

A major advantage of this method and this device is that the individual bodies can be separated or sorted automatically, very simply and with little equipment and energy expenditure. Compared to manual separation, personnel and thus costs can be saved. The Einzelkörper¬ units can be collected below the sorting area and supplied for further use, without special removal facilities are necessary. In addition, the method is suitable to sort individual body with any number of different widths.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, individual bodies of at least one group pass at least one sorting area on two sides resting on a support surface, the center of gravity of these individual bodies not lying above the support surface in the sorting area. This means, for example, that very large individual bodies are guided over the sorting area and leave it in the transport direction, smaller individual bodies tilting over the supporting surface edge if their center of gravity does not lie above the supporting surface and their size or width does not extend to the opposite supporting surface , In the apparatus, the at least one support surface is then designed such that individual bodies of at least one group pass the sorting region resting on two sides on a support surface, the center of gravity of these individual bodies not being above the support surface in the sorting region. For example, two support surfaces may be provided, one at or near the investment line and a second at a distance from the guide line and the first support surface. But it is also possible that the sorting region is designed as a sorting surface with a recess, so that on both sides of the recess, a support surface is formed transversely to the transport direction.

According to a further particularly preferred aspect, individual bodies of at least one group pass through at least one sorting area with its center of gravity above a supporting surface. In this case, at least the smallest individual body can be guided over the sorting area and leave it in the transport direction, since they rest stably on the support surface. A distance of the support surface edge from the investment line is then preferably selected such that individual bodies of at least one group pass through the sorting region with its center of gravity above the support surface.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one sorting region is tilted from the horizontal by a predetermined or predefinable angle, in particular between greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. In this case, the individual bodies can be separated or sorted particularly well, since the sorting process takes place exclusively via the position of the point of gravity and the size or width of the individual bodies. If all the individual bodies or the sorting area lie in the horizontal plane, depending on the size and design of the sorting area, a single body of incorrect width can inadvertently slip from the sorting area or the supporting surface due to external influences such as vibrations or unevenness. Such a wrong sorted single body would then be sorted out by hand.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the at least one contact line along the transport direction is preferably designed as at least one edge projecting on a sorting region. If the sorting region is inclined from the horizontal, then the edge is provided in particular on the side of the inclined sorting region facing the effective direction of gravity. The individual bodies then slip on the edge solely due to gravity, along which they are then guided over the sorting area. Thus, an accurate positioning of the individual body is ensured. In a very simple embodiment, in order to form the edge, the edge of a sorting area designed as a sorting area can be directed in the direction of the individual bodies. be bent or attached an appropriate component. In addition, it can also be provided that the contact lines or edges are designed to be adjustable. In this way, it is possible to guide or even move the row of individual bodies into different regions of a sorting area or between different sorting areas, for example to sort out different groups of individual bodies in succession.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, the individual bodies are guided away by means of at least one transport unit to the at least one sorting area and / or over the at least one sorting area and / or from the at least one sorting area. Thus, on the one hand, it is possible via a suitable transport unit to introduce the individual bodies only up to the sorting area, in which case the individual bodies are simply pushed over the or the sorting area (e) by the constantly supplied individual bodies. The individual bodies remaining after the sorting area can then be transported away by a further transport unit. On the other hand, a transport unit can be provided which selectively guides the individual bodies over the sorting area (s). This transport unit can be provided, for example, continuously for the onward transport, the transfer and the removal from the sorting area. In the apparatus according to the invention, the transport device then preferably comprises at least one transport unit, in particular a transport chain or a conveyor belt or transport rollers, for guiding the individual bodies to at least one sorting area and / or over at least one sorting area and / or at least away from a sorting area.

Preferably, at least one support surface is then formed by the at least one transport unit. In addition, a separate support surface or a separate support surface portion may be provided. It is also particularly advantageous if at least two transport units guide at least one group of individual bodies supported on at least two sides over at least one sorting area.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Shown schematically in each case:

1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a device according to the invention for stacking individual bodies, FIG.

2 shows a side view of the device according to FIG. 1,

3 shows a detailed view of the device according to FIG. 2 in a further method step,

4 shows a plan view of the central adjusting device of the device according to FIG.

5 shows an illustration of a central adjusting device,

6 shows an advantageous embodiment of a method for sorting individual bodies,

7 shows a further modified embodiment of a method according to FIG. 6,

8 shows a further modified embodiment of a method according to FIG. 6,

9 shows an advantageous embodiment of a device for sorting individual bodies,

10 shows a plan view of the device according to FIG. 9,

Corresponding parts and sizes are provided with the same reference numerals in FIGS.

1 and 2 show an advantageous embodiment of a device according to the invention. The device comprises a transport device 1, which consists of a vertical conveyor 2 and a transport unit 3 with conveyor belt. At the transport unit 3 closes in a Transport direction T a positioning 15 at. The positioning region 15 comprises two mutually movable supports 6 with a drive unit 7. The supports 6 are inclined in the transport direction T by an angle of approximately 10 ° to 20 ° from the horizontal. The device is in particular intended to stack individual bodies 4, 5 from a production process for grinding wheels 4, in particular grinding wheels and cut-off wheels. With the device are preferably abrasive 4 or intermediate body 5, which normally have different diameters, each sorted bundled into stacks and supplied for further processing or use. Abrasive body 4 and intermediate body 5 can be stacked in the device in each case one after the other or, if two devices connected in parallel are provided or the device has two transport devices 1 and two positioning areas 15, are stacked simultaneously. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the stacking of individual bodies 4, 5, which are grinding bodies 4, as an example. The device can also be used for intermediate body 5 and further, preferably flat single body.

The grinding bodies 4 reach the transport unit 3 in the transporting direction T via the elevator 2. The elevator 2 adjusts the distance between the grinding wheels 4 in the transporting direction T. By means of the transport unit, the grinding wheels 4 are then accelerated into the positioning region 15.

The positioning region 15 comprises guide elements 8, which are designed as lateral guide walls extending from the transport unit 3 to beyond the documents 6. From the transport unit 3, the accelerated grinding bodies 4 fall or "shoot" between the guide elements 8 and are guided by these to a predetermined or predeterminable position on the supports 6, wherein they are stopped by a stop element 9 in the desired position ,

The positioning region 15 further comprises a central adjustment device 10, with which a distance of the guide elements 8 transversely to the transport direction T and the position of the stop element 9, which is designed with an integrated shock absorber, can be adjusted. This allows the device to be be adjusted large individual body, which are then passed over the Leitele¬ elements 8 in the respective predetermined position, from which they are dropped onto a single-body stack 13. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, discs with diameters between 100 mm and 235 mm can be positioned and stacked. By way of example, the smaller abrasive bodies 4 and the larger intermediate bodies 5 can be stacked in temporal succession by switching the guide elements 8 and stop element 9. In the present embodiment, the adjustment with the central adjustment device 10 takes place manually via a turntable 11 with a handle 12 with integrated locking pin for fast and precise positioning and fixing of the turntable 11. However, it is also possible to provide a drive unit , which interacts with the turntable 11, for automatically adjusting the spacing of the guide elements 8 and the position of the stop element 9.

If the grinding body 4 rests on the supports 6 at the predetermined position, they are moved apart or parallel to a plane formed by a supporting surface 14 of the grinding wheel 4 transversely to the conveying direction T until the grinding body 4 no longer rests on the support 6, or a gap 18 is formed (see FIG 3), which is at least greater than the dimension of the grinding wheel 4 transversely to the transport direction. The grinding wheel 4 then falls downwards due to the action of gravity, the underlay 6 is moved backwards and a next grinding wheel 4 comes to rest on it. The underlays 6 are constructed from transverse bars which are arranged one behind the other in the transporting direction T (see also FIG. 4), which form a kind of comb. The cross bars are each connected via an angle bar 21 with a guide carriage 22. The guide dumps 22 can reciprocate transversely to the transport direction T on a rail 23. As a result, the documents 6 are moved apart and together. The guide carriages 22 and the documents 6 are driven by the drive unit 7, which synchronously drives both documents 6 via a toothed belt.

Below the underlay 6, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a guide unit, specifically a vertically aligned one

Guide pin 16, provided. The grinding wheels 4 and also the intermediate Kö _t per 5 have a central opening. With the central opening, the individual bodies 4, 5 drop on the guide mandrel 16 as they fall through the gap 18 and fall or slide along the guide mandrel 16 to a single-body stacking position 17, whereby they are guided very precisely into this position 17 by the guide pin 16 become. The single-body stack 13 or the single-body stacking position 17 is preferably arranged directly below the underlays 6, since the individual bodies 4, 5 travel only a very short distance and a high clock frequency can be realized. However, it may also be advantageous for certain applications to provide the individual body stacking position 17 at another location, in which case the individual bodies 4, 5 are replaced by a correspondingly changed (inclined or curved) guide pin 16 or a correspondingly different guide unit into the guide body Be directed position.

On the single-body stack 13 fall now as long as the abrasive body 4 until a predetermined height of the single-body stack 13 or a predetermined number of grinding wheels 4 is reached. The height can preferably be detected with a light barrier (not shown here), the number with a counting unit (not shown here). These data are preferably evaluated via a PLC of a control and regulating device. Once the desired height or number has been reached, the guide pin 16 is moved in the direction of gravity by means of a drive unit 19, in particular a pneumatic piston drive, while being pulled out of the single-body stack 13. The thus released single-body stack 13 can then be removed by means of a conveyor 20. Subsequently, the guide pin 16 is moved up again and generates a next Einzelkörper¬ stack 13 along this.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the positioning region 15. In this case, the lateral guide elements 8, which narrow in the transporting direction T to approximately the diameter of the grinding bodies 4, and the stop element 9 are clearly recognizable. By way of example, an abrasive body 4 is shown in the desired or predetermined position. The documents 6 are driven outwards in an end position so that the grinding body can fall down through the gap 18 that has been created. In an initial position of the grinding body is approximately in one half on each einet pad 6 (see FIG 2). In FIG 5, the central adjustment 10 is shown schematically. The guide elements 8 and the stop element cooperate with corresponding slide guides 24 in the turntable 11. By rotating the Dreh¬ disc 11 in the direction of arrow 25 about the pivot point D is the distance of the guide elements 8 and the position of the stopper 9 can be adjusted who are moved ^¬ by the elements 8, 9 mustard tours of the farm over the pens 24 simultaneously.

If different or different sized individual bodies 4, 5 result from a preceding process, which are to be stacked sorted, the apparatus for stacking individual bodies 4, 5 can preferably be combined with a device for sorting individual bodies according to FIGS become. The individual bodies 4, 5 are then sorted first and then fed separately into the stacking device.

6 shows an advantageous embodiment of a method for sorting individual bodies using the example of disc-shaped grinding wheels (grinding wheels and / or cut-off wheels) 4 and disc-shaped intermediate bodies (intermediate disks) 5 with different widths or diameters C transversely to a transport direction T and Thus, different center of gravity S. The intermediate bodies 5 thus form a group of individual bodies 4, 5 and in the example are slightly larger or wider than the grinding bodies 4, which represent a second group of individual bodies 4, 5. However, the device should not be limited to this application.

The individual bodies 4, 5 are arranged one after the other in a row in the transport direction T and are guided on one side along a contact line or edge 53 along the transport direction T via a sorting region 50 which serves as a sorting surface with a recess 51 and a support surface 52 is executed. The sorting area 50 is inclined at an inclination angle α from a horizontal plane E, which in this example should be approximately between 20 ° and 30 °. However, the inclination angle can be selected arbitrarily. Due to gravity, the individual bodies 4, 5 are automatically pressed against the contact line or edge 53, so that they all move in the same direction over the sorting region 50. The individual bodies are moved across the sorting area 50 in the devices according to FIG. 6 and FIG. postponed. In addition, the sorting region 50 may be inclined in the transport direction T (not shown here) in order to achieve a gravity transport of the individual bodies 4, 5.

The width of the recess 51 in the sorting region 50 transversely to the transport direction T is smaller than the width of the sorting region 50 or the sorting surface. The recess 51 has a predetermined distance A to the edge 53. The width B of the free surface 56 of the recess 51 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is equal to the width of the recess 51. If the individual bodies 4, 5 are subsequently moved along the edge 53 over the sorting region 50 in the transport direction T one after the other. the recess 51 ge leads, so tilt those individual body 4, 5 whose center of gravity S is above the free surface 56 of the recess 52 and whose over the free surface 56 standing part of the single body surface is smaller than the free surface 56 of the recess 51 and their Expansion transverse to the transport direction T is smaller than the width B of the free surface 56, by the force of Schwer¬ force over a support surface edge 57 in the recess 51 (see arrow) and fall through it.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the center of gravity S is the grinding body 4 and the intermediate body 5 is above the free surface 56. The larger intermediate bodies 5 are so large that the recess 51 rests on a support surface 52 on both sides and so on be transported across the recess 51 away. The partial area of the smaller abrasive bodies 4 which is above the free surface 56 is smaller or narrower than the free surface 56, so that they tilt over the support surface edge 57 into the recess 51 and fall through this onto a conveyor belt 54 which then the abrasive 4 removed in the direction of arrow.

FIG. 7 shows a further modified embodiment of the device or method according to the invention. Here, the distance A of the free surface 56 of the recess 51 to the edge 52 and the support surface edge 57 to the edge 53 and the width B of the free surface 56 is greater than in the imple mentation shown in Figure 6. In addition, is only on one side the recess 56 a support surface 52 is provided. The width B of the free surface 56 corresponds to the width of the recess transversely to the transport direction T. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the center of gravity S of the intermediate bodies 5 lies above the free surface 56, wherein the center of gravity S of the grinding bodies 4 lies above the support surface 52. The smaller grinding wheels 4 are thus guided over the sorting area 50 without tilting on the support surface 52. By contrast, the larger intermediate bodies 5 tip over the support surface edge 57 into the recess 51 through the action of gravity and fall through them onto a conveyor belt (not shown here, see FIG. 6).

Since in the exemplary embodiment only two different groups of individual bodies 4, 5 are separated, only one sorting area 50 is provided. However, the device may also comprise a plurality of differently designed sorting regions 50, for example sorting surfaces 50 with different widths or with respect to the free area, large recesses 51, which may have a different distance A from the edge 53. In this way, more than two different groups of individual bodies 4, 5 can then be sorted. In addition, recesses 51 can also be arranged transversely to the transport direction T next to one another and a plurality of edges 52 can be provided so that several rows of individual bodies 4, 5 can be sorted simultaneously. In addition, the width B of the recess 51 may be adjustable.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 6 in that two transport units 55 are provided, which guide the individual bodies 4, 5 to the sorting area 50 and lead across the sorting area 50. The transport units 55 also form the support surfaces 52 in FIG. 8. The individual bodies 4, 5 are sorted as described in FIG. 6, wherein the larger intermediate bodies 5 are transported away from the sorting area 50 by the transport units 55 and the smaller grinding bodies 4 pass through the recess 51 fall through. In this embodiment, the width B of the free surface 56 is not necessarily equal to the width of the recess 51, but is also determined by the width of the transport units 55 transversely to the transport direction, which at the same time the distance A of the free surface 56 or of the support surface edge 57 to the edge 53 pretend. In a simpler embodiment, only one transport unit 55 can be provided along the edge 53. For a more uniform guidance of the intermediate body 5 and grinding body 4 to the sorting region 50, it may also be advantageous to provide between the two transport units 55 a further transport unit (not shown here) which, at the beginning of the recess 51 or free surface 56, is transposed. port direction T ends.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show an advantageous embodiment of a device for sorting the individual bodies 4, 5. In FIG. 9, a side view of the erected device is shown in particular. The sorting region 50 is inclined from the horizontal plane E by an inclination angle α of approximately 20 °. About an adjusting device 58, the inclination angle α can be adjusted or adjusted in a predetermined range. A further adjusting device 59 makes it possible to set or adjust the width B of the free surface 56 in the sorting region 50. In the present example, the sorting region 50 is constructed from two overlapping segments 60, which are offset by the adjusting device 59 transversely to the transport direction T. other are displaced. One of the segments has the recess 51. Depending on how far the second segment 60 overlaps the segment 60 with the recess 51, the width B of the free surface 56 is smaller. Adjustment takes place manually in the present example, but an automatic adjusting device 59 can also be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 transport device 50 sorting area

2 elevators 51 recess

3 transport unit 52 support surface

4 wheels 53 edge

5 Z ooring body 54 Conveyor belt

6 documents 55 transport unit

7 drive unit 56 free area

8 Guide elements 57 Support surface edge

9 stop element 58, 59 adjusting device

10 central adjustment device 60 segments

11 turntable

12. Handle

13 single-body stacks A distance

14 contact surface B width (free area)

15 Positioner C Width (Single Body)

16 guide pin D pivot point

17 single-body stacking position E horizontal plane

18 gap S center of gravity

19 Drive unit T Transport direction

20 conveyor

21 angle bar

22 guide carriages

23 rail

24 Kulis s enführung

25 direction of rotation

Claims

claims

1. A method for stacking individual bodies, a) in which at least one individual body (4, 5) in a predetermined or predeterminable position on at least one surface parallel to a Auflageflä¬ (14) of the single body (4, 5) movable support (6) b) in which the at least one movable base (6) is pulled away or pushed away from an initial position under the at least one single body (4, 5), until the at least one individual body (4, 5) is moved by gravity resulting gap (18) falls or is steered into a predetermined or predefinable single-body stacking position (17), and d) in which subsequently the at least one movable base (6) is moved back into the starting position.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the individual bodies (4, 5) successively, in particular in a transport direction (T) arranged one behind the other, are transported to the at least one movable base (6).

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein as long as successively individual body (4, 5) are passed to the at least one movable base (6) and fall or be steered in the predetermined or specifiable single-body stacking position (17) until a predetermined or specifiable single-body stack height or Einzel¬ body number is achieved.

4. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, _ in which during transport of the individual bodies (4, 5) to the at least one movable base (6), a distance of the individual body (4, 5) in Trans¬ port direction (T) is set or is adjustable and / or in which during transportation of the individual bodies (4, 5) to the at least one movable base (6), the individual bodies (4, 5) are accelerated.

5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the single body (4, 5) with a predetermined or predetermined Speed on the least a moving pad (6) fall or slip or be thrown.

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the individual bodies (4, 5) dtirch lateral guide elements (8) in the predetermined or predeterminable position on the at least one bewegli¬ chen pad (6) are passed and / or in the predetermined or predeterminable position on the at least one movable base (6) by a in the transport direction (T) in front of the individual bodies (4, 5) arranged stop element (9) are stopped.

7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a distance of the lateral guide elements (8) transversely to Transport¬ direction (T) and / or a position of the at least one stop element (9) in the transport direction (T) manually or automatically, in particular at the same time, is adjustable or is set.

8. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one base (6) by means of at least one drive unit (7) from the initial position is moved to an end position and back to the starting position.

9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the movement from the initial position to the end position and back to the starting position in a time interval of a few seconds, in particular less than 1 s, takes place.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one single body (4, 5) in a predetermined or predetermined position on at least two parallel to a support surface

(14) of the single body (4, 5) and relative to each other movable Unterla¬ gene is guided and in which the at least two movable documents (6) from the Aus¬ gangslage under the at least one single body (4, 5) are moved apart until the at least one individual body (4, 5) due to

Gravity falls through a resulting gap (18) in a predetermined or predefinable single-body stacking position (17) or is steered and in which then the at least two movable documents (6) are moved back into the starting position.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two documents (6) are moved synchronously between the initial position and the end position to and fro.

12. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the starting position and / or the end position of the at least one base (6) and / or a width of the gap (18) transversely to the transport direction (T) is adjustable or is set.

13. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a guide unit, in particular at least one vertically aligned guide pin (16), the single body (4, 5) in the predetermined or predeterminable single-body stacking position (17) directs.

14. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the guide unit (16), in particular by moving parallel to the effective direction of gravity, the single body stack (13) releases when the predetermined or specifiable single-body stack height or Ein¬ zelkörperanzahl is reached.

15. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the released single-body stack (13) is conveyed away.

16. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the single body (4, 5) at least one abrasive body (4), in particular a resin-bonded, preferably a substantially disc-shaped grinding body (4) or at least one intermediate body (5 ), in particular a metallic, preferably a substantially disc-shaped intermediate body (5),

17. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the individual bodies (4, 5) have a central opening with which they fall on the guide pin (16) when falling through the gap (18). set or can be placed.

18. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in a stacking device at a time successive abrasive body (4) or intermediate body (5) are stacked, said abrasive body (4) and intermediate body (5) at least two ver¬ different diameters (C) and in which before each stacking operation, a distance of the guide elements (8) transversely to the Transpoϊtrichtung (T) and a position of the at least one stop element (9) on the respective diameter (C) is set.

19. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, are sorted before stacking in the individual body, a) where n groups of individual bodies (4, 5) are present and n ≥ 2 and b) wherein the individual bodies of different groups unterschiedli¬ chen Center of gravity (S), c) in which the individual bodies (4, 5) are arranged behind one another in at least one row in a transport direction (T), the individual bodies (4, 5) having at least one side at least one Anlage line (53) along the transport direction (T) abut or applied, d) in which the individual bodies (4, 5) in the transport direction (T) along the at least one investment line (53) over at least n-1 sorting areas (50) are performed , and e) in the single body (4, 5) of at least one group, when the

Center of gravity (S) of these individual bodies (4, 5) in a sorting area (50) not over at least one support surface (52) of the sorting region (50), tilt over a support surface edge (57) and the single body (4, 5) of the other group (n) remain on the support surface (52).

20. The method according to claim 19, in which the individual bodies (4, 5) of at least one group pass at least one sorting region (40) on two sides resting on a support surface (42), the center of gravity (S) of these individual bodies (4, 5) in the sorting region (40) does not lie above a support surface (42) or at least one sorting region (40) in the individual body (4, 5) of at least one group with its center of gravity (S) over a support surface (42) happen.

21. Device for stacking individual bodies, in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a) at least one support (6) movable in parallel to a support surface (14) of a single body (4, 5), b) at least one means (8, 9) for guiding the at least one individual body (4, 5) into a predetermined or predefinable position on the at least one parallel to the support surface (14) of the single body (4,

5) movable base (6), and c) arranged at least one single-body stacking position (17) in the effective direction of gravity below by pulling away or pushing away the movable base (6) under the at least one individual body (4, 5) resulting gap (18) is, so that's at least one

Individual body (4, 5) by gravity effect on the Einzelkör¬ perstapelposition (17) fall or can be steered.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least one transport device (1) is provided for

Transporting the individual body (4, 5) to the at least one bewegli¬ chen pad (6) and / or wherein the transport device (1) at least one elevator (2) and / or at least one conveyor belt (3) or a transport chain or transport rollers.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, wherein the least one base (6) in the transport direction (T) by a predetermined or predetermined angle, preferably between 10 ° and 30 ° to the horizontal, is inclined.

24. The device according to one or more of claims 21 to 23, wherein the at least one base (6) at least one grid or in the transport direction (T) successively arranged transverse rods or transverse tube and / or wherein the at least one base (6) via an angle strip (21) with a device for moving the base (6) parallel to the support surface surface (14) of the single body (4, 5), in particular at least one Führungs¬ rail (23) and / or guide roller and / or at least one Füh ^¬ approximately sled (22) cooperates.

25. The device according to one or more of claims 21 to 24, wherein at least one drive unit (7), in particular at least one linear motor or a pneumatic or hydraulic drive vorgese¬ hen for moving the at least one pad (6) between a starting position and a End position and / or for setting the starting position and / or the end position of the base and / or for setting a

Width of the gap across the transport direction.

26. The device according to one or more of claims 21 to 25, wherein the at least one means (8, 9) for guiding the at least one single body at least two, extending in the transport direction

Guiding elements (8).

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein a distance transversely to the transport direction (T) of the guide elements (8) in the transport direction (T) decreases and / or wherein a smallest distance of the guide elements (8) at least greater than ei¬ ne largest dimension of the individual body (4, 5) is transverse to the transport direction (T).

28. The device according to one or more of claims 21 to 27, wherein the at least one means (8, 9) for guiding the at least one single body (4, 5) at least one stop element (9), in particular a stop element (9) with integrated shock absorber , which is arranged in Trans¬ port direction (T) after the guide elements (8).

29. Device according to one or more of claims 21 to 28, wherein an adjusting device, in particular a Zentralverstelleinrich¬ device (10), for adjusting the distance between the guide elements (8) and / or for adjusting the position of the stop element (9) vorgese- hen is.

30. Device according to claim 29, wherein the central adjusting device (10), a disc (11) with Kulissen¬ guides (24), wherein each of the slide guides (24) cooperates with at least one guide element (8) and / or at least one stop element (9) and wherein the slotted guides ( 24) in each case write a predetermined arc, so that all the means (8, 9) cooperating with a sliding guide (24) are simultaneously adjusted by a given amount by turning the disc (11).

31. The apparatus of claim 29 or 30, wherein the Zentralverstelleinrichtung (10) a drive unit, in particular a geared motor or servomotor or servomotor or Schritt¬ motor, for rotation of the disc (11) with slide guides (24).

32. Device according to one or more of claims 21 to 31, wherein at least two parallel to the support surface (14) of the Einzelkör¬ pers (4, 5) and relatively movable documents (6) are provided and wherein the at least two movable documents ( 6) from the starting position under the at least one individual body (4, 5) are apart and auf¬ each other to be moved.

33. Device according to claim 32, wherein at least one drive unit (7) and at least one transmission unit, in particular a toothed belt, are provided for synchronously moving the at least two supports (6) between in each case a starting position and an end position and / or for adjusting the Aus¬ initial position and / or the end position of the pad and / or for setting a width of the gap (18) transversely to the transport direction (T).

34. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein at least two drive units, in particular electronically synchronized linear motors, are provided for synchronously moving the at least two supports (6) between in each case a starting position and an end position and / or for setting the starting position and / or End position of the base and / or for setting a width of the gap (18) transversely to the transport direction (T).

35. Device according to one or more of claims 21 to 34, wherein a guide unit, in particular at least one vertically aligned guide pin (16), is provided for directing the falling individual bodies (4, 5) into the predetermined or predefinable Einzelkörpersta- pelposition ( 17).

36. Device according to one or more of claims 21 to 35, wherein the guide unit (16) is designed to be movable parallel to the effective direction of gravity for releasing the single-body stack (13) when the predetermined or specifiable single-body stack height or Ein¬ zelkörperanzahl is reached.

37. Device according to one or more of claims 21 to 36, wherein a device for determining the single-body stack height, in particular a light barrier, or a device for determining the

Single body number, in particular a counting unit, is provided.

38. The device according to one or more of claims 21 to 37, wherein a conveyor (20), in particular a conveyor belt or conveyor rollers or a conveyor chain, is provided for transporting the Einzelkörpersta¬ pels.

39. Device according to one or more of claims 21 to 38, wherein at least one device for controlling and / or regulating the drive units (7, 19) and / or the transport units (2, 3) is provided.

40. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 21 to 39, comprising means for sorting individual bodies before stacking, a) where n groups of individual bodies (4, 5) are present and n ≥ 2, and b) wherein the individual bodies (4 , 5) of different groups have a different center of gravity (S), in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising c) at least n-1 sorting regions (50) and d) at least one transporting device for moving the individual bodies (4, 5) arranged one after the other in at least one row in a transport direction (T) over the n-1 sorting regions (50), e) wherein in the n-1 sorting regions (50) at least one contact line (53) is provided along the transport direction (T), at which the individual bodies

(4, 5) abut or can be applied with at least one side, and f) wherein at least one support surface (52) is provided in the n-1 sorting regions (50) on which the individual bodies (4, 5) are provided with at least one Single body surface at least partially rest, g) so that when passing the n-1 sorting regions (50) along the Anlage¬ line (53) single body (4, 5) of at least one group, if the center of gravity (S) of these single body (4, 5) not above the at least one support surface (52) of the sorting region (50), can tilt over a Stütz¬ surface edge (57) and the individual body (4, 5) of the other group (s) on the support surface (52) remain. , g) so that when passing the n-1 sorting regions (40) along the Anlage¬ line (43) single body (4, 5) of at least one group, if the center of gravity (S) of these individual bodies (4, 5) not over the at least a support surface (42) of the sorting region (40) lies over a support surface edge (47 ) and the individual bodies (4, 5) of the other group (s) can not tilt.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein at least one sorting region (40) is tilted by a predetermined or predefinable angle, in particular between greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °, from the horizontal (E) is.

42. Apparatus according to claim 40 to 41, wherein the at least one contact line (43) along the transport direction (T) as at least one of the sorting region (40) protruding edge (43) is formed.

43. Device according to one or more of claims 40 to 42, wherein the transport device comprises at least one transport unit (45), in particular a transport chain or a conveyor belt or Transportpor len, for guiding the single body (4, 5) to at least one Sor ¬ animal area (40) and / or at least one sorting area (40) and / or at least one sorting area (40) away and / or wherein the at least one transport unit (45) at least one Stützflä¬ surface (42).