Method and device for monitoring and/or controlling a flow-drilling and thread-forming process
AssigneeAltas Copco IAS GmbH
InventorsMichael Ludsteck, Manuel Guglhör
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device are provided for simplifying a flow-drill screwing process. Based on work performed during the process, a process variable E is formed. This variable is compared to analogously formed comparison values in order to be able to determine the proper or faulty running of the process.
Claims15
A method for monitoring or regulating a flow-drilling and thread-forming process in which a joining element having a threaded portion is driven with a rotational speed, a torque, and a feeding force over a penetration depth into and through a workpiece over a course of performing a joining process with the joining element, the method comprising:
- a) forming at least one process variable that is based on an energy expended for driving the joining element in the course of performing the joining process;
- b) comparing the at least one process variable to at least one comparison value that is based on an energy expended for driving a corresponding joining element in the course of performing a corresponding properly running joining process;
- and
- c) outputting a control or display signal dependent on the comparison in order to indicate a proper or faulty running of the joining process or to control the joining process depending on the comparison,
- wherein the joining process is subdivided into successive process steps, and at least one associated comparison value for each process step is stored in a controller;
- and
- wherein the at least one process variable is compared during a selected one of the successive process steps to the associated comparison value of the selected process step.
A joining device comprising:
- a control unit configured to control one or more components for performing a flow-drilling and thread-forming joining process in which a joining element having a threaded portion is driven with a rotational speed, a torque, and a feeding force over a penetration depth into and through a workpiece over a course of performing a joining process with the joining element, the control unit configured for:
- a) forming at least one process variable that is based on energy expended for driving the joining element in the course of performing the joining process;
- b) comparing the process variable to at least one comparison value that is based on an energy expended for driving a corresponding joining element in the course of performing a corresponding properly running joining process;
- and
- c) outputting a control or display signal dependent on the comparison in order to indicate a proper or faulty running of the joining process or to control the joining process depending on the comparison,
- wherein the joining process is subdivided into successive process steps, and at least one associated comparison value for each process step is stored in a memory and accessed by the control unit, and wherein the at least one process variable is compared during a selected one of the successive process steps to the associated comparison value of the selected process step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.