Daimler Chrysler Ag

Daimler Ag

Bernhard Nordmann

Uwe Habisreitinger

Wolfram Walter

Fritz Starzmann

Thomas Link

Michael Ostgathe

A method and a device for the automated application of a self-adhesive paint film to a three-dimensionally curved bodywork part, using a robotic application tool, the paint film being held ready in the form of a multi-layered film composite ready for picking up. After picking up has taken place, a protective strip on the adhesive side is removed from the film section, which is held taut, by means of a contact piece attached to the film composite on the end side and the adhesive side of the film section is thereby exposed. The paint film section is subsequently aligned above the body part to be covered, at a small distance from it, and is progressively pressed onto the bodywork part from the spaced-apart, taut position by means of a roller or doctor moving over the paint film. In order to be able to apply even large or curved paint film sections without creases and at justifiable tool costs, use is made of a rectangular film composite which protrudes on all sides over the bodywork portion to be covered and is secured on all four sides in a rectangular suction frame. As a result, during the application of the paint film, the latter is held under tensile stress in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. To simplify the tool, the protective strip on the adhesive side is removed from the paint film in a stationary manner.

Method and device for the automated application of paint film to bodywork parts

A method for manufacturing SMC components from an appropriately adapted amount of a fibrous reactive synthetic resin which is provided in the form of defined blanks of prepregs. The prepregs are placed in a defined position into a heated mold of a molding press, the heated resin/fiber mass is flow-molded in the closing mold to form the SMC component, said component is thermally cured and subsequently removed from the mold. Two different approaches are taken, one being intended for introducing the resin mass into the mold as multiple layers and the other for introducing the resin mass as a single layer.

Methods for assembling prepreg stacks having exact weight for producing SMC components

A method and an apparatus for automated application of paint film to bodywork parts () and to a paint film composite () which is suitable for automation. A paint film composite () which is suitable for automation is created and adhesively bonded onto the bodywork part () in an accurate position and without any bubbles or creases by means of a robot-controlled application tool that is appropriate for this purpose. To securely hold the film composite (), which has been picked up from a substrate, the suction grippers () which grip the ends are angled in mirror-image form, in order in this way to prevent the ends from becoming detached from the suction grippers. The lower protective strip () is then at least partially pulled off, thus exposing the adhesive face of the useful part () of the paint film. The film composite () is aligned in the correct orientation at a short distance from the bodywork part () and the useful part () of the paint film is wiped onto the bodywork surface ().

Method and apparatus for automated application of lacquered films to body parts, and automation-compatible lacquered film composite

A process and a production installation for producing shell-shaped, fiber-reinforced plastic parts are provided. The plastic parts can be produced efficiently, in an automated manner which is flexible with respect to the process and workpiece and is operationally reliable. A blank of the endless fiber mat corresponding to a workpiece is placed in an automated manner by industrial robots onto a clamping frame surrounding the female mold and is taken over by the clamping frame in a clamping manner and in such a way that it can slide after itself against a defined resistance. Wide-ranging accessibility required for this is created by a horizontally movable unit, comprising a female mold and a clamping frame, being temporarily moved completely out from the forming press and moved back again into the forming press after completion of loading.

Method and device for producing shell-shaped, plastic parts reinforced with fibre mats

Taping down tool and method for the automated, series application of adhesive tape, in particular on surface parts of vehicle bodies. The taping down tool comprises a mount for an adhesive-tape roll containing adhesive tape to be applied, an application roller for the application of adhesive tape, which has been pulled off from the adhesive-tape roll, and a holding device, which is arranged upstream of the application roller, for holding ready adhesive tape, which has been pulled off from the adhesive-tape roll, between two application processes, the holding device moreover serving for the pressing-on of held-ready adhesive tape on the surface to be covered, so as to initiate an application process, and, after a forwards movement of the taping down tool, adhesive tape, which has been pressed on by the holding device, being taken over by the application roller which can be extended essentially perpendicular with respect to the plane of the pressed-on adhesive tape in the direction of the adhesive tape and is used for the force-controlled pressing-on of the adhesive tape.

Adhesive application too and method for the automated and serial application of adhesive tape

A method for the automated, series application of a self-adhering protective film to a surface portion of vehicle body includes (1) readying of a film piece, pulled off from a supply roll, in a readying station in a stretched-out, fold-free state by at least one holding element; and (2) pulled off the film piece to the desired length from the supply roll, cutting off the film piece and holding on opposite edges, with the fold-free stretched-out state being retained and being transferred into the application station. The next film piece, which is pulled behind by the film piece is held stretched out in the fold-free state by the at least one holding element of the readying station. The film piece is applied to the body by lowering it in a positionally correct manner, by the at least one application robot, onto an associated surface portion of the body and is pressed onto the portion in a fold-free and bubble-free manner.

Method and device for applying a self-adhesive protective film to car bodies

In a method and apparatus for automatically applying self-adhesive protective sheeting to surface parts of vehicle bodies, a specific rectangular piece of protective sheeting in the form of stock roll is grasped on its non-adhesive side, using a robot-controlled tentering frame with suction legs, is drawn off and is cut off. Before the sheeting blank is laid on to the body, in the freely stretched-out state tear-off lines are perforated, preferably from the non-adhesive sheeting side, in the region of accessory parts by means of a perforating device guided along definite contour lines. Thereafter the protective sheeting, which is thus prepared and stretched out so as to be free of creases in the tentering frame, is lowered in the correct position onto the associated part by the handling robot and laid onto the surface part so as to be free of bubbles. The sheetings are subsequently pressed down in a brushing manner under an elastic brushing bar extending over the entire vehicle width. In the region of glued-over gaps in the vehicle body surface, the protective sheeting is severed and the cut edges are pressed down. In the region of accessory parts, protective sheeting parts are drawn off along the perforated tearing lines and openings are thus made in said regions in a manner appropriate for assembly.

Method and apparatus for applying self-adhesive protective sheeting to vehicle bodies

In an apparatus for the conveyance and positioning of a vehicle supported on its own wheels along a production line, the vehicle wheels of each vehicle side are assigned conveying systems, for example apron conveyors or drag-chain conveyors, by means of which the vehicles can be moved further on in strokes. So that the vehicles can be positioned and oriented accurately and efficiently in the longitudinal and transverse directions in an automation-compatible and type-flexible way, in each workstation, the two wheel tracks are assigned in each case a prismatic shaped wheel well which can accept variously sized wheels in the same position. The vehicle wheels are supported transversely displaceably therein. Furthermore, a wheel support is arranged at a distance from the wheel wells and can support the wheels of the other vehicle axle likewise so as to be transversely displaceable. The wheel supports cover the various center distances of all the vehicle types occurring in the production line. The same applies to the width of the rolling tracks, the wheel wells and the wheel supports. Each of the wheel wells and the wheel supports has a pair of movably guided centering edges which project above the rolling level of the rolling tracks and which can be laid against mirror-symmetrical sides of the vehicle tires and can be moved by means of a centering mechanism transversely to the conveying direction positively in synchronism and mirror-symmetrically to the center line of the production line.

Device for positioning vehicles standing on their own wheels in a manner which is suitable for automation and for vehicles of different types

Device and method for changing film rolls, with apparatus for holding a first film roll in a working position in which film can be pulled off and separated from the film roll as desired, and holding a second film roll in a standby position. The second film roll can be moved from the standby position into the working position, with the first film roll being removable from the working position by moving the second film roll.

Device and method for automatic changing of film rolls

A method and apparatus for cutting through protective film in the region of covered-over joints and beads of vehicle bodies includes a freely programmable industrial robot having at least five degrees of motional freedom. An operating arm of the robot has a cutting and pressing tool which includes a knife having a blade for cutting through the protective film in the region of covered-over joints and beads, and the pressing tool comprises a rotary brush or air nozzle for pressing down the cut edges. In another embodiment, an air nozzle which emits a diffuse hot-air current is provided for cutting through the protective film.

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Boeblingen, Germany

Bernhard Nordmann