Production system, production module, method for operating and setting up a production line, and method for producing a workpiece

A production module, in particular a press module, designed for executing at least one production step in a method for producing a workpiece, and configured for integration into a modular production system with multiple production modules which are arranged successively in relation to one another along a production line, and which have production spaces for forming a production channel running along the production line, comprising:

• at least one manipulator unit;
• wherein:
• the manipulator unit comprises, upstream or downstream of the production module in the direction of the production line, a deposit system with at least one deposit unit for depositing a workpiece or a workpiece component;
• the deposit system is configured such that a workpiece or a workpiece component is, during the production process, transferable between a deposit position of the deposit unit and a production position in the production space of a production module;
• and
• for the execution of a production step, the production module is positioned directly downstream in a production direction (R) along the production line.

A production system comprising:

• a production module;
• and
• at least one, preferably at least two or more, modularly exchangeably populatable production module installation locations (P) which is/are each modularly exchangeably populatable with the production module;
• wherein the production module is designed for executing at least one production step in a method for producing a workpiece, and configured for integration into a modular production system with multiple production modules which are arranged successively in relation to one another along a production line, and which have production spaces for forming a production channel running along the production line, comprising:
• at least one manipulator unit;
• wherein:
• the manipulator unit comprises, upstream or downstream of the production module in the direction of the production line, a deposit system with at least one deposit unit for depositing a workpiece or a workpiece component;
• the deposit system is configured such that a workpiece or a workpiece component is, during the production process, transferable between a deposit position of the deposit unit and a production position in the production space of a production module;
• and
• for the execution of a production step, the production module is positioned directly downstream in a production direction (R) along the production line.

A production module, wherein the production module is a press module for the processing, in particular for the forming, of workpieces preferably composed at least partially of metal and is configured for modular integration into a production line which is in the form of a press line, and which has at least one production module installation location (P) in the form of a modularly populatable press module installation location (P), and which has multiple processing stations;

• comprising:
• an in particular peripherally closed press frame;
• at least one press plunger which is movably mounted on the press frame and which is designed for the processing of workpieces;
• a drive which, at one side, is coupled in terms of drive to the press plunger and, at the other side, is fastened to the press frame;
• a working space, which is assigned to the press plunger and which is formed within the press frame and which is configured for the processing of workpieces, as production space;
• and
• optionally a manipulator device for workpieces, which manipulator device comprises a first manipulator unit which is in particular fastened to the press frame and which has at least one first manipulator for workpieces.

A production system, in particular press line, comprising:

• at least two modularly exchangeable press modules, which are arranged along a processing line at corresponding press module installation locations (P) and which serve for the processing of workpieces, in particular for the formative processing of workpieces preferably composed at least partially of meta;
• wherein:
• each of the press modules comprises a press frame and a driveable press plunger movably mounted therein;
• each press plunger is assigned a working space which is designed for the processing of workpieces;
• the press modules are arranged successively in relation to one another such that the working spaces form a processing channel along the processing line;
• the press modules are arranged at processing positions, which are fixedly predefined for a respective operating mode, along the processing line;
• and
• at least one of the press modules, preferably each of the press modules, is integrated, as a unit which is exchangeable as a whole, into the processing line at the respective processing position at the corresponding press module installation location (P).

A method for setting up a production line, in particular a press line, which is modularly populatable with production modules, in particular press modules, of a production system, wherein at least one processing position which is modularly populatable with an exchangeable production module is set up for a production module, the method comprising:

• mechanically installing an exchangeable production module at the at least one modularly populatable production position by means of mechanical coupling elements for exchangeable replacement of a production module;
• and
• connecting the installed production module in terms of control technology to a master controller of the production line;
• and
• integrating the installed production module into an operating sequence along the production line.

A method for generating operating parameters for a production system having at least one modularly exchangeably populatable production module installation location (P), comprising:

• generating, on a test production module, or a test production system, an operating and/or control parameter dataset corresponding to a predefined operating mode, and optionally a predefined number and type of operating situations, and tools, in a test run;
• and
• performing at least one of the following:
• transmitting, optionally, for the configuration of the production module or production line of substantially identical construction to the test production module or to the test production line respectively and designed for production purposes, the generated operating and/or control parameter dataset directly to the production module or the production line respectively;
• or
• storing the generated operating and/or control parameter dataset in a buffer memory provided for transmission to the production module or to the production line respectively.