ES3041642T3 - Tool and deburring method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool for machining an object, said tool comprising a plurality of fingers arranged in layers, said fingers being mutually interleaved within the layers. (Automatic translation using Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Tool and procedure for deburring an object

The invention relates to a tool for machining an object, which has a plurality of fingers arranged in layers, wherein the fingers are spaced apart from each other within the layers.

Burrs can be produced when machining workpieces. These edges, usually sharp, can cause injuries during component handling and/or impair subsequent process stages (e.g., edge alignment during powder coating, fit inaccuracies, etc.).

Burrs are removed from the component as part of the deburring process. Deburring typically requires a two-stage procedure. In the first stage, the primary burr is removed, followed by the secondary burr. The second stage is often necessary because the primary burr is not completely removed but rather reshaped. In addition to deburring, it is often necessary to further round the edges to meet other quality requirements.

Deburring and rounding machines have become widespread in the field of deburring and rounding the edges of 2D and sometimes 3D parts. These machines typically use a belt or disc sanding unit with sanding belts or discs to remove primary burrs, followed by secondary burr removal or edge rounding using deburring and rounding tools. Edge rounding is crucial as the radius increases. The quadratic relationship between radius and chip volume places considerable demands on the tools used. Doubling the edge radius quadruples the chip volume.

To achieve better edge rounding with a given tool and workpiece, the machine must be operated so that the rounding tools have the longest possible contact time (low feed rate) and approach the workpiece edges to the appropriate depth. Prolonged contact time and deep approach consequently lengthen machining times, increase tool wear, and cause unwanted heat input into the workpiece.

Furthermore, the low feed rate for edge rounding is not proportional to the primary burr removal. While primary burr removal can be achieved at feed rates between 1 and 10 m/min, intensive edge rounding requires feed rates between 0.2 and 0.5 m/min.

For deburring and edge rounding of 2D and sometimes 3D workpieces made of metallic materials with varying contours, the prior art primarily uses tools with abrasive materials consisting of a combination of abrasive fabrics and abrasive felts. In most applications, the main component of the abrasive materials is an abrasive agent on a substrate. To achieve adaptability of the abrasive materials to the contours of the workpiece, they are sometimes designed with grooves and ribs and are provided with soft interlayers or backing layers (e.g., abrasive felts, Tampico fiber). Depending on the machining principle or the machining unit, the tools can be designed as rollers, discs, or blocks.

Despite various tool configuration options (e.g., abrasive fabric grit size, abrasive felt density, etc.), removal rates have not been satisfactory to date, necessitating the use of low feed rates and deep approaches. These process parameters negatively impact the profitability of deburring and rounding processes.

Document JP 5945679 B2 shows a machining tool with spirally arranged machining fingers. For machining, the tool moves in the direction of the axis around which the spiral fingers are arranged.

US document 5,301,472 A, which forms the basis of the preamble of claim 1, describes a sanding tool for sanding wood.

Various arrangements of sanding fingers arranged along a roller are presented here.

The objective of the present invention is to specify a machining tool, preferably for deburring and/or edge rounding, of an object, which allows for higher feed rates with the same edge rounding or more intensive edge rounding with the same feed rate. It is also an objective to specify a method for deburring and rounding the edges of a workpiece in a single process step. This objective is achieved by the machining tool of claim 1, the method for removing secondary burrs according to claim 11, and the method for deburring and rounding according to claim 12.

Dependent claims specify advantageous improvements to the invention.

According to the invention, a tool for machining an object is specified. The tool has a large number of finger layers, each of which extends over a layer surface. Each finger layer has a plurality of fingers. Advantageously, each layer surface has at least three, and preferably at least five, fingers. The surface spanned by the fingers of the finger layer, preferably in an unflexed state, can be considered the layer surface. In this respect, the convex envelope of the fingers on the layer surface can be considered the spanned surface. According to the invention, the finger layers are arranged one behind the other such that the layer surfaces of adjacent finger layers overlap at least in certain areas. This may mean, although not necessarily, that the fingers also cross. This means that a projection of one finger layer in a direction perpendicular to the finger layer onto the adjacent finger layer overlaps or crosses the adjacent finger layer. Therefore, in this case, there is an area of the adjacent finger layer that is covered by the projection. The overlap of adjacent layers can be complete, although it does not have to be. For example, the block shape of the tool described below can have a complete overlap, while the disk and roller geometries of the tool described later typically only have a partial overlap. Preferably, the layer surfaces are flat. Advantageously, the finger layers do not cross even in the unflexed state of the fingers.

Each finger layer, according to the invention, comprises a plurality of fingers. These are designed so that they can be bent from an unbent state in a direction that lies on the layer surface of the corresponding finger layer, i.e., neither parallel to nor within the layer surface. For example, the direction in which the fingers can be bent may be perpendicular to the layer surface of the corresponding finger layer. Preferably, the direction in which a finger can be bent in each case may be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the finger and/or perpendicular to a surface of the finger in any position of the finger. The surface of the finger in this respect would preferably be its largest surface, i.e., the surface on which it lies flat. The unbent state of a finger is the state in which the finger lies entirely on the layer surface of the finger layer of which it forms a part. The finger can be understood, for example, as a flexible tongue.

According to the invention, the fingers are designed in each case to be flat and extend, in the unflexed state, on the surface of the finger layer of which they form part. The fact that the fingers are designed to be flat means, in this respect, that they are flat, i.e., that they have a greater extension, normally much greater, in the direction of the surface of the finger layer of which they form part than in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the layer.

The fingers of the same finger layer preferably extend parallel to each other in the unflexed state. Advantageously, the fingers are designed in an elongated manner, meaning they have a significantly greater extension in one direction on their finger surface than in the direction perpendicular to it. The direction in which the fingers have the greatest extension on the finger surface is hereafter referred to as the longitudinal direction of the corresponding finger. In such a configuration, the longitudinal directions of the fingers of the same finger layer are always parallel to each other in the unflexed state. Advantageously, the edges of the fingers of the same finger layer also run parallel to each other in the unflexed state. However, if the fingers have edges that are not straight in the unflexed state, it is still sufficient for the longitudinal directions to be parallel.

The extension of the fingers on the layer surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is called the finger width. The extension of the fingers perpendicular to the layer surface is called the thickness. Preferably, the length is greater than the width, and the width is greater than the thickness of the fingers.

According to the invention, immediately adjacent fingers of the same finger layer have a greater than zero distance between them in the unflexed state. Preferably, this distance is constant, i.e., it has the same value along the entire length of the fingers. The distance can be measured, for example, from the edge of one finger to the nearest edge of the adjacent finger. The arrangement of the fingers within a finger layer can therefore be considered comb-like. It is therefore preferable that the fingers are not produced from the finger layer by a single straight cut, but rather by removing a portion of the surface of the finger layer between adjacent fingers.

Advantageously, a working direction can be defined for the tool. This is the direction in which the tool moves during its intended use. In this respect, an intended movement could be, for example, a straight-edge movement, which occurs such that the fingers slide over the straight edge with their larger surface, preferably keeping the straight edge parallel to this larger surface of the fingers during the sliding motion. The fingers can then preferably bend away from the layer surface to which the working direction is parallel or tangential. The layer planes are then advantageously extended at an angle that does not tend to zero or perpendicular to the working direction.

The separation of adjacent fingers within the same layer gives them a high degree of flexibility. This allows the finger layers to be positioned immediately or with small gaps, one behind the other, without the need for backing material, such as felt, between the finger layers. This results in a high finger density, which translates into high sanding performance. This enables higher feed rates with the same edge rounding, or more intensive edge rounding at the same feed rate.

Advantageously, fingers in the same finger layer can bend elastically independently of one another from their unflexed state. The fact that fingers can bend independently from their flexed state means that applying a force to one finger that bends it does not cause other fingers in the same layer to bend. The fact that a finger can bend elastically from its unflexed state means that it essentially returns to its unflexed state when the force is removed. The result is a high degree of adaptability to any workpiece contour with a high finger density.

It should be noted that the tool, finger, and finger layer geometries described herein may represent an idealization, as many of the materials used for finger layers are plastically deformable to some extent in practice. Consequently, the tool or fingers may have or adopt shapes that deviate somewhat from the geometries described herein due to the manufacturing process or tool use. However, a person skilled in the art will undoubtedly be able to associate such deviated shapes with the geometries described herein, and these deviated shapes should therefore be considered covered by the protection.

The arrangement according to the invention allows the tool to be implemented without support material between the finger layers. Therefore, it is preferable that there be no material between the fingers of adjacent finger layers. Preferably, there is no material between the fingers of adjacent finger layers in the area where the fingers may bend.

The finger layers can be advantageously held together by a supporting structure arranged at one end of the fingers. The finger layers can be glued to this supporting structure, for example.

According to the invention, the fingers of at least some of the finger layers are arranged such that their projection onto an adjacent finger layer falls within the gaps between the fingers of the adjacent finger layer and/or alongside the fingers of the adjacent finger layer. The projection can advantageously be made in a direction with an angle that does not tend to zero or perpendicular to the layer surface of one of the corresponding finger layers, or in the direction in which the fingers can bend from their unbent state. A projection in the working direction is also possible. Advantageously, the projection and the finger layer onto which it is projected do not cross; that is, the projection advantageously falls entirely between the fingers of the respective adjacent layer. This arrangement can be used to increase the flexibility of the tool, since the bending of the fingers is not impeded by the adjacent finger layer. In an advantageous configuration of the invention, the fingers of all adjacent finger layers can be arranged offset from each other in this manner.

It can be advantageous for the distance between adjacent fingers in the same layer to be greater than the width of those fingers, that is, the spread of the fingers in the direction in which they are adjacent. If such layers of fingers are arranged as described above, so that the fingers of adjacent layers are offset from each other, this ensures that when bent, the fingers interlock with the fingers of the adjacent layer at a distance from these fingers, without rubbing against them.

In an advantageous configuration of the invention, the fingers of at least some of the finger layers can overlap with the fingers of adjacent finger layers. This overlap can therefore consist, in particular, of the projection of the fingers of the respective finger layer perpendicular to the finger layer onto the adjacent finger layer. The overlap can be total or partial for one or both fingers. In this way, the tool's strength can be increased. By combining this configuration with the previously described offset finger arrangement, the tool's strength can be flexibly adjusted.

In the case where adjacent layer fingers are arranged overlapping as described, it may be advantageous to provide a separation between the adjacent layers whose fingers are overlapping. For example, a spacer layer could be placed between each adjacent layer, its dimensions advantageously corresponding to the dimensions of the adjacent finger layers.

In the case of overlapping fingers as described above, the fingers of two, three, four, or more immediately adjacent finger layers can overlap in a projection perpendicular to one of these finger layers onto a common plane. This means that the fingers of the aforementioned two, three, four, or more finger layers can be positioned one behind the other perpendicular to the layer surface of one of these layers.

The tool's strength can also be adjusted by varying the spacing between adjacent finger layers. According to the invention, adjacent finger layers are either directly contiguous or separated by a distance of one, two, three, or more times the thickness of the finger layers. The distance between two finger layers is, in this sense, the separation between the layer surfaces of these finger layers, measured perpendicular to the layer surface. Preferably, the distance is measured at the point where the fingers are attached to the finger layers. This is particularly relevant for the roller-like arrangement of the layers described later, where adjacent finger layers can form an angle with each other that does not approach zero. In the case of a disc-like arrangement, the described distance is preferably measured at the inner edge of the layers, i.e., the edge facing the center of the disc. The finger layers are preferably flat in the unflexed state, so that the layer surfaces of the finger layers are therefore flat.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the finger layers can be inclined with respect to a direction in which the tool moves beyond the workpiece. This means that the finger layers can preferably form an angle, greater than 0° and less than 180°, with a line along which the finger layers are arranged one behind the other. Preferably, the layers can in this case form an angle greater than -45° and less than 45° with said line.

Preferably, each finger has at least one grinding or abrasive surface. This grinding and/or abrasive surface is preferably a surface of the corresponding finger that is parallel to the surface on which the corresponding finger extends.

Preferably, the fingers can be designed as an abrasive agent on a substrate. The abrasive agent can be applied to a support and used to form the sanding and/or abrasive surface.

If the fingers are designed to act as an abrasive agent on a substrate, the substrate can advantageously be made of cotton, polyester, or polycotton. However, the finger layers themselves can also be made of a sanding and/or abrasive material. In this case, it is not necessary to apply abrasive material to the fingers.

The abrasive and/or finger abrasive sanding material may advantageously have grain sizes greater than or equal to grain 12, preferably greater than or equal to grain 50, preferably greater than or equal to grain 100 and/or less than or equal to grain 320, preferably less than or equal to grain 240, preferably less than or equal to grain 150.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, adjacent finger layers can be designed such that they completely occupy a rectangular surface when stacked on top of one another. This embodiment can be manufactured particularly efficiently by trimming the two adjacent finger layers from a rectangular layer using a cutting line.

Advantageously, the finger length can be greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm, especially preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and/or less than or equal to 150 mm, preferably less than or equal to 120 mm, preferably less than or equal to 90 mm, preferably less than or equal to 70 mm, preferably less than or equal to 60 mm, especially preferably less than or equal to 50 mm. Advantageously, all fingers of the tool have the same length.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual fingers may in turn have indentations. In this respect, indentations may be made in the fingers that pierce them and extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fingers. Advantageously, several indentations may also be arranged one after another along a straight line, where the straight line may run parallel to the longitudinal axes of the fingers. Advantageously, several parallel indentations or several parallel rows of indentations may be provided in each finger.

The finger width, i.e., the spread of the fingers in the direction in which the fingers of the same layer are arranged side by side, may preferably be greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm, especially preferably greater than or equal to 7 mm and/or less than or equal to 20 mm, preferably less than or equal to 15 mm, especially preferably less than or equal to 10 mm. The thickness of the finger layers or of the fingers without abrasive agent, as applicable, is preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm and/or less than or equal to 2 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1 mm.

In an advantageous configuration of the invention, all the finger layers can be arranged parallel to one another, so that the surface covered by the finger layers is rectangular perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the fingers. Preferably, the entire tool is block-shaped in this case.

In this block-like configuration, the tool may advantageously have an extension greater than or equal to 50 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 70 mm and/or less than or equal to 100 mm, preferably less than or equal to 80 mm, in the direction in which the fingers of the same layers are arranged side by side. This extension will be referred to here as the tool width.

A depth or length of the tool, i.e., an extension of the tool in the direction in which the layers of fingers are arranged one behind the other, may preferably be greater than or equal to 50 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 60 mm and/or less than or equal to 80 mm, preferably less than or equal to 70 mm.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, referred to herein as the disc-shaped configuration, the finger layers can be arranged one behind the other along a closed circular line, wherein the layer surfaces are perpendicular to the circular line and the fingers are perpendicular to the surface of a circle described by the circular line, i.e., the plane in which the circle lies. In this configuration, the finger layers can be arranged on a circular ring-shaped support, wherein the individual fingers are positioned perpendicularly on a circular ring surface of the support.

In the case of a disc-shaped tool configuration, it may be advantageous to provide, in addition to the aforementioned finger layers, a large number of additional finger layers arranged along an additional closed circular line. This additional closed circular line may run concentrically to the circular line of the first finger arrangement and have a radius larger or smaller than that of the first circular line. Therefore, the additional finger layers may run inside or outside the first finger layer described. Preferably, the fingers of the additional finger layers are the same length as the fingers of the first finger layers and are arranged such that the ends of the additional fingers lie in the same planes as the ends of the fingers of the first finger layers. This configuration of the invention allows for more uniform machining, as the finger density decreases radially outward in the case of a disc-shaped arrangement. If a larger inner radius is selected for the arrangement of the first layers of fingers, the additional finger layers can be placed inside the arrangement of the first layers of fingers, with the number of additional finger layers being less than the number of first layers of fingers. This prevents an excessive increase in finger density in the radial direction towards the inside. Correspondingly, the additional finger layers could also be placed in greater numbers around the first layers of fingers, thus preventing a decrease in finger density towards the outside.

Advantageously, in the case of the disc-shaped arrangement, the tool can have a diameter in the plane of the circular line greater than or equal to 50 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 80 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 100 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 115 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 125 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm and/or less than or equal to 1500 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1000 mm, preferably less than or equal to 400 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm, preferably less than or equal to 200 mm.

In the case of the disc-shaped arrangement, the finger layers can have a width greater than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm and/or less than or equal to 100 mm, preferably less than or equal to 65 mm, preferably less than or equal to 60 mm, preferably less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably less than or equal to 40 mm in a direction in which the fingers of the same layers are arranged next to each other.

In an advantageous configuration, a large number of finger layers can be combined to form a block in each case. Advantageously, each block can have a depth greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 35 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 45 mm and/or less than or equal to 70 mm, preferably less than or equal to 55 mm, in the direction in which the finger layers are arranged one behind the other.

In another advantageous configuration of the invention, the finger layers can be arranged one behind the other along a closed circular line, where again the layer surfaces are perpendicular to the circular line and where the fingers extend longitudinally radially to an axis passing through the center of the circular line and perpendicular to the circular surface enclosed by the circular line. This tool configuration will hereafter be referred to as the roller configuration. The finger tips can be positioned on a common cylindrical surface. The finger points by which they are attached can also be positioned on a common cylindrical surface. The finger layers typically form an angle with each other about the aforementioned axis. The fingers can preferably be positioned against a cylindrical support structure.

A tool diameter in the roller-shaped configuration, measured between opposite finger tips with respect to the axis in the radial direction to the circular line or axis, may advantageously be greater than or equal to 50 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 100 mm, most preferably greater than or equal to 200 mm and/or less than or equal to 400 mm, preferably less than or equal to 300 mm.

A tool width, i.e., its extension in the direction perpendicular to the circular surface enclosed by the closed circular line or in the direction of the axis, may preferably be greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 100 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 500 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1,500 mm and/or less than or equal to 2,500 mm, preferably less than or equal to 2,000 mm, and most preferably less than or equal to 1,700 mm.

The tool's flexibility can be adjusted or varied in several ways. Firstly, flexibility can be influenced by the choice of finger layer profile or the finger itself. Secondly, the tool's adaptability can be influenced by arranging the fingers as described. Alternatively, gaps can be introduced, for example using spacers, in the finger base area, i.e., adjacent to the finger attachment, provided the fingers are sufficiently rigid. This allows for modification of the finger flexion length and, consequently, their rigidity.

In addition, to influence the stiffness of the elements, optionally laminated main finger layers can be used.

In an advantageous configuration of the invention, the outermost fingers of each finger layer can be beveled downwards towards the edge of the finger layer. Advantageously, the fingers can be shortened towards the edge. Advantageously, the fingers can also be tapered towards the edge. This configuration results in smoother engagement.

Advantageously, the tool according to the invention is a tool for deburring the edges of a metal workpiece and/or a tool for rounding the edges of a metal workpiece, i.e., a deburring or rounding tool.

According to the invention, a method is also specified for removing secondary burrs from one or more edges of a metal workpiece and/or for rounding one or more edges of a metal workpiece. In this respect, a tool as described above is moved along the edge to be machined, such that the layers of fingers rub against the edge. By this rubbing of the edge by the layers of fingers, a secondary burr is removed from the edge and/or the edge is rounded.

Preferably, the tool moves in a direction perpendicular to the edge to be machined. Preferably, the tool also moves in this direction in a direction that is not parallel to the finger layers in the unflexed state. Preferably, the direction may be perpendicular to the finger layers in the unflexed state.

According to the invention, a method for deburring and rounding one or more edges of a metal workpiece is also specified, wherein a tool, as described above, moves along the edge such that the finger layers rub against the edge. This rubbing of the edge by the finger layers removes a primary burr and rounds the edge. In this case as well, the tool advantageously moves in a direction perpendicular to the edge to be machined. Advantageously, the tool can also move in a direction perpendicular to the layer surfaces in the unbent state. The tool configuration according to the invention allows for both the removal of a primary burr and the rounding of the edge. The removal of the primary burr and the rounding can thus be performed in a single step.

Thanks to the invention, the tool removal rate is significantly increased compared to tools of the same size according to the prior art. As a result, more intensive edge rounding can be achieved in less time, improving production profitability. Furthermore, the increased throughput allows for the integration of process steps that are currently performed independently. For example, the primary deburring, secondary deburring, and edge rounding process steps can be combined into a single process thanks to the invention's high removal rate. This enables the design of entirely new machine configurations.

The following describes some optional advantageous configurations of the invention:

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein the layer surfaces are flat in the unflexed state.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein the finger layers enclose an angle, greater than zero degrees and less than 180 degrees, with a line along which the finger layers are arranged one behind the other.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein the fingers in each case have at least one sanding and/or abrasive surface that is parallel to the surface on which the corresponding finger is extended flat.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where the fingers are designed as an abrasive agent on a substrate, where the abrasive agent is applied to the sanding and/or abrasive surface.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where the fingers have cotton, polyester or polycotton as a substrate.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where the adjacent finger layers are designed in such a way that these finger layers completely occupy a rectangular surface when placed on top of each other.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

wherein a finger length in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fingers of the same finger layer are arranged next to each other and perpendicular to the direction in which the finger layers are arranged one behind the other is greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm, especially preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and/or less than or equal to 150 mm, preferably less than or equal to 120 mm, preferably less than or equal to 90 mm, preferably less than or equal to 70 mm, preferably less than or equal to 60 mm, especially preferably less than or equal to 50 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where a finger width in the direction in which the fingers of the same layer are arranged next to each other is greater than or equal to 1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm and/or less than or equal to 20 mm, preferably less than or equal to 15 mm, especially preferably less than or equal to 10 mm, preferably less than or equal to 7 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein the tool, in the direction in which the fingers of the same layers are arranged next to each other, has a width greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 70 mm and/or less than or equal to 100 mm, preferably less than or equal to 80 mm, preferably less than or equal to 65 mm, most preferably equal to 50 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where the tool, in the direction in which the finger layers are arranged one behind the other, has a depth greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and/or less than or equal to 70 mm, preferably less than or equal to 60 mm, most preferably equal to 55 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where a large number of additional finger layers are further arranged along an additional closed circular line or a segment of an additional circular line,

where the additional circular line is arranged concentrically to the aforementioned circular line and has a radius greater or less than the aforementioned circular line.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein the tool has a diameter greater than or equal to 50 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 80 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 100 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 115 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 125 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm and/or less than or equal to 1500 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1000 mm, preferably less than or equal to 400 mm, preferably less than or equal to 250 mm, preferably less than or equal to 200 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein the finger layers have, in the direction in which the fingers of the same layers are arranged next to each other, a width greater than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm and/or less than or equal to 100 mm, preferably less than or equal to 60 mm, preferably less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably less than or equal to 40 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein a large number of the finger layers are combined to form in each case a block that preferably has, in the direction in which the finger layers are arranged one behind the other, a depth greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 35 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 45 mm and/or less than or equal to 70 mm, preferably less than or equal to 55 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where a tool diameter in the radial direction to the circular line is greater than or equal to 50 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 100 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 200 mm and/or less than or equal to 400 mm, preferably less than or equal to 300 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention,

where a tool width in the direction perpendicular to the closed circular line is greater than or equal to 20 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 100 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 500 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1500 mm and/or less than or equal to 2500 mm, preferably less than or equal to 2000 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1700 mm.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein at least some or all of the fingers have at least one indentation.

Tool according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, wherein the tool is a tool for deburring and/or rounding the edges of a workpiece, preferably a metal workpiece, and/or is a deburring and/or rounding tool.

The invention will now be explained by way of example using a series of figures. Identical references indicate identical or corresponding features. The features shown in the examples can also be implemented independently of the specific example and can be combined across different examples.

They show:

Figure 1 shows a roller-shaped configuration of a tool according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a disc-shaped configuration of a tool according to the invention, Figure 3 shows a block-shaped configuration of a tool according to the invention, and Figure 4 shows a disc-shaped configuration of a tool according to the invention in a top view.

Figure 5 shows a disc-shaped configuration of a tool according to the invention with two rows in a top view,

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a finger arrangement in a tool according to the invention,

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a finger arrangement in a tool according to the invention,

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a finger arrangement in a tool according to the invention,

Figure 9 shows a process flow for deburring and edge rounding according to the prior art, Figure 10 shows an optional inclined position of the layers with respect to the direction of travel, and Figure 11 shows an optional configuration of the invention with beveled fingers on the edge.

Figure 12 shows an optional two-layer configuration of the invention with fingers having serrated edges, and

Figure 13 shows an optional configuration of a finger layer with slit fingers.

Figure 1 shows a roller-shaped configuration of a tool according to the invention in a full view and in an enlarged fragment. The tool has a large number of finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c, each of which extends over a layer surface. For the sake of clarity, only three of the finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c will be explicitly named below, although the figure itself shows a large number of additional finger layers to which what has been said regarding finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c applies accordingly.

Finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c are arranged one behind the other in such a way that they overlap the layer surfaces of adjacent finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c. In the roll shape shown in Figure 1, adjacent finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c form an angle that does not tend to zero with each other, meaning that the overlap is not complete.

Each of the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c has a plurality of fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c. For the sake of clarity, only fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c will be explicitly named, although the tool has a large number of additional fingers to which what has been said about fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c applies accordingly. In Figure 1, fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c are all the same length.

Fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c can be bent from an unflexed state in a direction perpendicular to the layer surface of the corresponding finger layer 1a, 1b, 1c. In Figure 1, fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c are in the unflexed state.

Fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c are designed in each case to be flat and extend, in the unflexed state shown, onto the surface of the corresponding finger layer 1a, 1b, and 1c. Fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of the same finger layer 1a, 1b, and 1c extend parallel to each other in the unflexed state. The longitudinal directions of fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of the same finger layer 1a, 1b, and 1c are therefore parallel to each other. Adjacent fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of the same finger layer 1a, 1b, and 1c are separated from each other by a distance greater than zero in the unflexed state.

In the roller-shaped configuration shown in Figure 1 of the tool according to the invention, the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are arranged one behind the other along a closed circular line. The layer surfaces of the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are in each case perpendicular to the circular line. The fingers 2a, 2b, 2c extend radially along an axis passing through a center of the circular line and perpendicular to the circle described by the circular line.

All finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are arranged against a common support structure 3. In this respect, fingers 2a, 2b, 2c of all finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are fixed at one end to the support structure 3. In the roller-shaped configuration of the tool according to the invention, as shown in Figure 1, the support structure 3 has a cylindrical shape about the axis, as a cylindrical axis, with respect to which fingers 2a, 2b, 2c extend radially in their longitudinal direction.

Figure 2 shows a disc-shaped configuration of a tool according to the invention. In the disc-shaped configuration of Figure 2, a large number of finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c, each extending over a layer surface, are arranged one behind the other along a circular line, such that the layer surfaces of adjacent finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c overlap. Due to the disc-shaped arrangement, the overlap is not complete. For the sake of clarity, only three of the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are referred to here, although the foregoing applies accordingly to the other finger layers.

Each of the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c features a plurality of fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c. For the sake of clarity, only three of the fingers 2a, 2b, 2c are addressed, although the above applies accordingly to the other fingers shown.

Fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c can be bent from an unbent state in a direction perpendicular to the layer surface of their corresponding finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c. Figure 2 shows the fingers in their unbent state. Fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c are designed to be flat and extend, in their unbent state, onto the layer surface of their corresponding finger layer 1a, 1b, and 1c. Also in this case, fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of the same finger layer 1a, 1b, and 1c extend parallel to each other in their unbent state and are all the same length. In the example shown in Figure 2, adjacent fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of the same finger layer 1a, 1b, and 1c also have a greater than zero separation from each other in their unbent state.

In the disk-shaped configuration shown in Figure 2, finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are arranged one behind the other along a closed circular line, with the layer surfaces of finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c being perpendicular to the circular line and fingers 2a, 2b, 2c being perpendicular to the surface of a circle described by the circular line. Finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are arranged on a supporting structure 3, which can have the shape of a flat circular ring in the disk-shaped configuration of Figure 2. The surface of the circular ring shape lies in the plane described by the closed circular line. Fingers 2a, 2b, 2c are arranged with one end against the supporting structure 3 and their longitudinal directions are perpendicular to the surface of the supporting structure 3. In use, the disc-shaped configuration can be moved along an edge of a workpiece by rotating the tool about an axis passing through the center of the closed circular line, and which is parallel to the longitudinal directions of fingers 2a, 2b, 2c.

Figure 3 shows a block configuration of a tool according to the invention. Again, the tool has a large number of finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c, of which only three layers 1a, 1b, 1c are named for clarity, although the same applies to the other layers shown. The finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are arranged one behind the other such that the layer surfaces of adjacent finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c overlap. In the block configuration, this overlap can be complete. Furthermore, in the block configuration, the layer surfaces of all finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c can overlap completely.

Once again, each of the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c has a plurality of fingers 2a, 2b, 2c, of which only three fingers 2a, 2b, 2c are addressed, although the above applies accordingly to the other fingers shown. Since all fingers 2a, 2b, 2c of all finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c have the same length in the example shown, the overall tool has an essentially cubic shape.

Also in the block-like configuration of the invention, fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of the finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c are each designed to be flat and extend, in the unflexed state, on the surface of the corresponding layer, which is flat in this case. Again, fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c can be bent from an unflexed state. The figure also shows fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c in the unflexed state in this instance.

Fingers 2a, 2b, 2c of the same finger layer 1a, 1b, 1c are extended parallel to each other in the unflexed state. Adjacent fingers 2a, 2b, 2c of the same finger layer 1a, 1b, 1c have a distance greater than zero between them in the unflexed state.

In the configuration shown in Figure 3, the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are arranged against a common supporting structure 3, which can have a rectangular shape in the block-like configuration of Figure 3. In the example shown, the fingers 2a, 2b, 2c of all the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c are perpendicular to the plane defined by the rectangle of the supporting structure 3.

Figure 4 shows another example of a disc-shaped configuration of the tool according to the invention shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a top view of the tool perpendicular to the plane of the circular line. The finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c extend radially from the center of the circular line. These finger layers are shown here as continuous lines, but they include the fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c described in Figure 2, which are not visible here. It can be observed that the density of the finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c, and therefore the density of the fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c, decreases from the inside out. To counteract the lack of homogeneity resulting from the density of the fingers, a disk-shaped workpiece can be designed, as shown in Figure 5. In this example, in addition to the finger layers 1a, 1b, 1c, a plurality of additional finger layers 1b, 1e, 1f are provided, arranged along an additional closed circular line with a smaller radius. Again, only three of the additional finger layers 1d, 1e, 1f are addressed, although a large number of additional finger layers are arranged along the inner circular line, to which what has been said regarding the finger layers 1d, 1e, 1f applies accordingly.

The additional closed circular line, along which the finger layers 1d, 1e, and 1f are arranged, is concentric to the first circular line mentioned and has a smaller radius. The two circular lines lie in the same plane. The inner arrangement of finger layers 1d, 1e, and 1f has fewer of these layers, so the finger density in the area of the inner finger layers 1d, 1e, and 1f is reduced compared to a configuration where the outer finger layers 1a, 1b, and 1c continued into the area where the inner finger layers 1d, 1e, and 1f are arranged, as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, the tool shown in Figure 5 allows for more consistent machining over a larger surface area than the tool with the same external dimensions shown in Figure 4.

Figures 6, 7, and 8 illustrate, by way of example, various possible arrangements of fingers and finger layers in the tool according to the invention. The fingers are shown schematically as straight lines. These straight lines can be considered, in this respect, as the baseline or attachment line of the finger corresponding to a supporting structure 3, or as the upper sides of the fingers at the finger end opposite the supporting structure 3. The finger layers are shown parallel to each other in Figures 6, 7, and 8, which occurs in both block and roller configurations. In a disc-shaped configuration of the tool, the finger layers in the representation of Figures 6, 7, and 8 would be at an angle to each other. However, since this angle is very small, it would be barely noticeable in the figures, and therefore Figures 6, 7, and 8 can also be considered applicable to the disc-shaped configuration.

Figure 6 shows a finger arrangement. Only fingers 2a to 2f are explicitly named in this case. The above also applies to the other fingers shown.

In Figure 6, the fingers of adjacent finger layers 1a to 1e are offset from each other. This means that fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of finger layer 1a are arranged in a projection onto adjacent finger layer 1b at the gaps between fingers 2d, 2e, and 2f of this adjacent finger layer. This projection is perpendicular to the layer surface of finger layer 1a or 1b. Correspondingly, in Figure 6, the fingers of all adjacent finger layers 1a to 1e are arranged in this projection at the gaps between the fingers or next to the fingers of the adjacent finger layer 1a to 1e.

Figure 7 shows a possible arrangement of fingers 2a to 2l in finger layers 1a to 1i. Fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c of finger layer 1a overlap in a projection onto the adjacent finger layer 1b in a direction perpendicular to its surface with fingers 2g, 2h, and 2i of this finger layer 1b. Correspondingly, the fingers of finger layer 1c also overlap with the fingers of finger layers 1a and 1b. Thus, fingers 2a to 2i of finger layers 1a to 1c are arranged one behind the other in a direction perpendicular to the layer surface of these finger layers.

Fingers 2j to 2l of finger layers 1d to 1f, which are adjacent to layers 1a to 1c, are arranged in a projection perpendicular to the layer surface of finger layers 1a to 1c or 1d to 1f in the gaps between the adjacent 1c layer. Furthermore, fingers 2j to 2l of layers 1d to 1f are arranged one behind the other, or overlapping, as described above for layers 1a to 1c. The fingers of layers 1g to 1i are, in turn, arranged behind fingers 2a to 2i of layers 1a to 1c, that is, overlapping them as described above. Therefore, they are arranged in the gaps between the fingers of layers 1d to 1f or alongside the fingers of these layers in the projection.

Figure 8 shows an arrangement of fingers 2a to 2f in the finger layers 1a to 1d. The fingers 2a to 2f of adjacent finger layers 1a to 1d fall in this respect back into the gaps between the finger layers 1a to 1d in each case adjacent in the projection, as shown in Figure 6.

In all figures, all fingers have the same width and spacing. This is optional but advantageous. While in figures 6 and 7 the finger width is equal to the spacing between neighboring fingers in the same layer, in the example in figure 8, fingers 2a to 2f are narrower than the spacing between adjacent fingers 2a to 2f in the same layer 1a to 1d. Thus, fingers 2d to 2f in finger layer 1b fall with a distance of 4 between fingers 2a to 2c in the adjacent finger layer 1a or 1c. This allows fingers 2d to 2f to bend without touching or colliding with fingers 2a to 2c in adjacent finger layers 1a to 1d.

Figure 9 shows an example flowchart for deburring and edge rounding a workpiece. In state Z1, the workpiece has a primary burr. A primary burr can be produced, for example, when stamping the workpiece from sheet metal or when stamping parts of the workpiece. The prior art now provides a step S1 in which the primary burr is removed. Primary burr removal can be carried out, for example, using a circulating belt with an abrasive surface. In many cases, this does not completely remove the primary burr but at least partially transforms it into so-called secondary burrs. Therefore, step S1 can lead to a state Z2 in which the workpiece has a secondary burr. A secondary burr removal step S2 must then be performed, leading to a deburred workpiece in state Z3. For many applications, it is necessary for the edges of the deburred workpiece to be rounded to a certain extent, for example, to prevent flaking of a coating that will be subsequently applied. Edge rounding is achieved by step S3 of the edge rounding process, which is applied to the deburred workpiece. The result of this step S3 is state Z4, in which the workpiece has rounded edges.

Figure 10 shows an optional tilted position of the layers with respect to the direction in which the tool moves during use. The upper partial image shows, in this respect, a top view as shown in Figure 6. The lower left partial image shows a cross-sectional view along the cutting line A-A drawn in the upper partial image, and the lower right partial image shows a cross-sectional view along the line B-B drawn in the upper partial image.

The tool's travel direction during use is perpendicular to the direction along which the fingers of the same layer are arranged side by side—that is, to the right or left in the partial image above. The cross-sectional views show that layers 1a to 1e are tilted at an angle other than 90° with respect to the travel direction. Adjacent layers 1a to 1d are tilted in opposite directions with respect to this angle. In the example shown, layers 1a, 1b, and 1c are tilted to the right, and layers 1d and 1e are tilted to the left.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the invention according to the form shown in Figure 6. The upper partial image shows the finger layer 1a to 1h from above, the middle partial image shows a side view of the finger surface, and the lower partial image shows the position of fingers 1a to 1h from above. The embodiment shown in Figure 11 differs from that shown in Figure 6 in that, in Figure 11, the outermost fingers 2a, 2d, 2g, and 2h of each finger layer are beveled downwards towards the edge of the finger layer. Therefore, the fingers are shortened towards the edge. The fingers can also be tapered towards the edge. This configuration results in smoother engagement.

Figure 12 shows, as an example, one embodiment of finger layers 1a to 1d, in which the finger layers have serrated edges. The basic shape of the finger layer corresponds to that shown in Figure 3, with the difference that the edges of fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c are serrated. Partial image A shows one of the finger layers 1A.

Partial figure 12B shows a starting layer from which finger layers 1a and 1b can be produced by trimming. For this purpose, a cutting line (optionally toothed in this case) is introduced into the layer, alternating between long toothed sections and short straight sections. In this way, two finger layers, 1a and 1b, are separated from the starting layer, each of which has elongated fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c.

Partial figure 12C shows a top view of the two finger layers 1a and 1b produced according to partial figure 12B, which are arranged one behind the other here as shown in figure 3. It can be seen that the layers intersect in this case in the area of their teeth in the projection. The fingers of the same layer 1a or 1b are arranged in each case with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other.

Figure 13 shows an example of an optional finger layer configuration 1a, in which each finger has grooves. This is achieved by creating three rows of grooves 5 arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal direction of fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c. The grooves run parallel to the longitudinal direction of fingers 2a, 2b, and 2c. In the example shown, finger layer 1a has five fingers, each with three rows of grooves, where each row has four grooves 5 arranged one behind the other.

The tool according to the invention can now be used in a process for removing secondary burrs from the edge of a metal workpiece, i.e., in step S2. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be used in step S3 for rounding the edge of a metal workpiece. The tool is moved along the edge of the workpiece in such a way that the layers of fingers touch the edge to be machined, thereby removing the secondary burr and/or rounding the edge.

The tool according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in a process where, in a single step, the primary burrs are removed from the tool edges and the edges are rounded. Thus, using the tool according to the invention, the workpiece can be machined from state Z1 to state Z4 in one step. The tool is moved along the edge so that the layers of fingers touch the edge, thereby removing the primary burrs and rounding the edge.

Claims (13)

1. Tool for machining an object, that presents a large number of finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c), each of which extends over a layer surface, wherein the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are arranged one behind the other in such a way that the layer surfaces of adjacent finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) overlap at least in certain areas, wherein each finger layer (1a, 1b, 1c) has a plurality of fingers (2a, 2b, 2c), wherein the fingers of the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) can be bent from an unbent state in a direction that lies on the layer surface of the corresponding finger layer (1a, 1b, 1c), wherein the fingers of the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are in each case designed to be flat and extend on the corresponding layer surface in the unbent state, where adjacent fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of the same finger layer (1a, 1b, 1c) are separated from each other by a distance greater than zero in the unflexed state, where The fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of at least some of the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are arranged, in a projection onto an adjacent finger layer of the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c), in the separations between the fingers or next to the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of this adjacent finger layer (1a, 1b, 1c), characterized by The adjacent finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are either directly contiguous with each other or separated from each other by a distance of one, two, or three times the thickness of the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c). 2. Tool according to the preceding claim, wherein the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of the same finger layer (1a, 1b, 1c) can be elastically bent from the unbent state independently of each other. 3. Tool according to one of the preceding claims, where there is no material between the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of the adjacent finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c). 4. Tool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of the same finger layer (1a, 1b, 1c) are extended in each case parallel to each other in the unflexed state, 5. Tool according to any of the preceding claims, where the distance between adjacent fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of the same layer is greater than a width of these fingers in a direction in which these fingers are adjacent. 6. Tool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of at least some of the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are arranged, in a projection onto an adjacent finger layer of the finger layers in a direction perpendicular to their surface, overlapping the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) of this adjacent finger layer (1a, 1b, 1c). 7. Tool according to the preceding claim, where the fingers of two, three, four or more of the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) overlap in a projection in a direction perpendicular to one of these finger layers onto a common plane. 8. Tool according to any of the preceding claims, where all the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are arranged parallel to each other and a surface covered by the finger layers is rectangular perpendicular to the layer surfaces. 9. Tool according to any of the preceding claims, where the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are arranged one behind the other along a closed circular line or a segment of a circular line, where the layer surfaces are perpendicular to the circular line and where the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) are perpendicular to the surface of a circle described by the circular line. 10. Tool according to any of the preceding claims, where the finger layers (1a, 1b, 1c) are arranged one behind the other along a closed circular line, where the layer surfaces are perpendicular to the circular line and where the fingers (2a, 2b, 2c) extend with their longitudinal direction radially to an axis passing through a center of the circular line and perpendicular to the circular line. 11. Procedure for removing secondary burrs on an edge of a workpiece and/or for rounding an edge of a workpiece, wherein a tool according to one of the preceding claims is moved relative to the workpiece along the edge so that the finger layers rub against the edge, thereby removing a secondary burr on the edge and/or rounding the edge by rubbing the finger layers against the edge. 12. Procedure for deburring and rounding an edge of a workpiece, wherein a tool according to one of the preceding claims is moved relative to the workpiece along the edge so that the finger layers rub against the edge, so that a primary burr is removed from the edge and the edge is rounded by the rubbing of the edge by the layers of fingers. 13. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the workpiece is a metallic workpiece.