Abstract: An imaging microwave probe (1) with at least one measuring tip (5) on a measuring arm (2), whereby at least one of the measuring lips (5) has an antenna (6) for the detection or emission of electromagnetic signals and the measuring tip is significantly smaller in the near field than the wavelength of the electromagnetic signals, a positioning device for positioning of an object (3) for measuring relative to the measuring tip (5) in at least one spatial dimension (X, Y, Z), with a signal processing device (7) in electrical connection to the antenna (6) for conversion of the sensor signal from the antenna to a measured signal with a reduced frequency suitable for analysis or for conversion of a coupling signal with reduced frequency into a signal for transmission from the antenna (6) are described.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus (2) for components (3), which has at least one movable loading station (20) designed as a tool magazine (13) and having reception points (39) with different tools (4, 5, 6, 7) for different component types A-I. The loading station (20) is connected to one or more machining stations (20, 22?) at which at least one machining device (23) and at least one handling device (24) for handling and releasing the components (3) from the tool (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) are arranged.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a central support element, fixed essentially vertically in a vehicle cabin to which the seats are fitted. The seat assembly includes connector bodies arranged at one end of the support element for fixing to a part of the cabin, the connector bodies permitting a displacement of the assembly along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A transport device and a method for transporting motor vehicle body parts (4) is provided. The transport device (49) includes a transportable frame (51) with at least one preferably bar-shaped supporting device (55) for receiving the parts (4) in a stack (5). The transport device (49) includes a loading device (56) which allows individual parts (4) to be put on the supporting device (55) at a loading position (47) and allows delivery of the stack (5) of parts to an unloading position (48) where the stack (5) of parts is pushed off the supporting device (55).

Abstract: A manufacturing plant (1) is provided for vehicle body parts (2, 3). The manufacturing plant includes a number of processing stations (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), which are situated one behind the other along a transfer line (22), and of a number of multiaxial robots (18, 19). In at least one processing station (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), one or more handling robots (18) for transporting parts is/are arranged on at least one axis of travel (20, 21). Next to the handling robot (18), one or more processing robots (19) is/are displaceably arranged on the same axis of travel (20). Working locations (11, 12) are arranged on both sides of a common axis of travel (20), whereby another common axis of travel can be provided on the rear side of the working locations.

Abstract: A laser device (6) and a corresponding operating method are provided. The laser device (6) is provided with a laser tool (7) including a laser lens system (13) with focussing and collimating lenses and, optionally, a divergent lens (35) and a connector (19) for an optical fiber (11) with a fiber decoupling point (12). The focal length (Ff) of the focussing lens (14) is altered by adjusting the optical separation (b) of the fibre decoupling point (12) from the collimating lens (15) by means of an adjuster device (21).

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for pressure welding, in particular for the friction welding or magnetic arc welding of workpieces (2, 3). The actual length of one or both workpieces (2, 3) and a potential length deviation (DELTA 1) from a target value is measured. If a length deviation exists, the target value of at least one parameter, in particular of the friction length, friction duration, arcing time or forge force is modified. A correction factor C, by which the length deviation (DELTA 1) is multiplied, is determined for this modification. The pressure welding device (1) includes a corresponding measuring unit (12) for determining workpiece lengths and length deviations. The controller (13) comprises an arithmetic unit (14) for setting and modifying target values, taking into account the correction factor C.

Abstract: A control method and to an industrial production installation (1) is provided, especially for manufacturing parts of unfinished vehicle bodies. The production installation (1) has one or more intelligent application components (3), especially multiple-axle robots (4), welding, gluing or chucking installations or comparable treatment installations, and at least one installation control (10). The installation control (10) controls the intelligent application components (3) by a web control system (2) by a Fast Ethernet data network (16). The intelligent application components (3) are provided with a respective web server (13) with at least one individual homepage (17) according to internet standard. Web control can also take place within the application components (3), the control elements (25) and the associated device elements (26) of the intelligent application components being interlinked via a web control system (2) and a Fast Ethernet data network (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a blowing device (4) for a laser system (1) used for separating or welding workpieces (17). The blowing device (4) has at least one nozzle assembly (5), which generates a gas stream (7) that is oriented at an angle to the laser beam (3). The blowing device also has an air supply (8) which, on one side of the nozzle, leads into the proximity of the nozzle opening (6) and which is provided for an air supply stream (10) that is fed to the gas stream (7) in an essentially parallel manner or at an apex angle. A second air supply (9) is arranged on the other side of the nozzle. Said second air supply leads into the proximity of the nozzle opening (6) and is provided for a second air supply stream (11) that is fed to the gas steam (7) in an essentially parallel manner or at an apex angle. A protecting glass (13), which is oriented toward the gas stream (7) in an essentially parallel manner, can be alternatively or additionally placed in the proximity of the nozzle opening (6).

Abstract: A method and device is provided for multistage calibration of multiple-axis measuring robots (6) and associated optical measuring devices (10), especially 3D sensors, in a measuring station (1) for workpieces (2), preferably the bodyshells of motor vehicles. Calibration occurs in a measuring cascade comprising at least three calibrating steps, whereby the optical measuring device (10) and the operating point (28) thereof, the manipulator (6) and the axes thereof and the allocation of the manipulator (6) with respect to the workpiece (2) are successively calibrated. The calibration device (47) includes a control and a calibration system (27) for the operating point (28), a calibration body (15) for the axes of the manipulator and a calibration device (12) for the allocation of the manipulator with respect to the workpiece.

Abstract: A flexible work station (1) and an operating method for processing, especially the joining and geometric welding of two or more different types of components (4, 5). The work station (1) has a component feed device (6, 7), one or more flexible processing places (2) with a plurality of movable and type-related positioning devices (14, 15) with a clamping device (16), as well as one or more processing devices (13) and at least one transport device (9). The transport device (9), which is preferably designed as a robot, has a plurality of replaceable and type-related gripping tools (10, 11), with which it transports the components (4, 5) from the component feed device (6, 7) to the positioning devices (14, 15). In the case of a change from one component to another, the gripping tool (10, 11) is changed as well, and the old gripping tool (10, 11) is laid down on a gripper rest (22) at or on the components (4, 5), which are just located on the positioning device (14, 15) or on the component feed means (6, 7).

Abstract: A flanging or hemming device (1) is provided with an external flanging unit (6) and/or an internal flanging unit (7) as well as a clamping device (3). The clamping device (3) has one or more leading pressing and clamping elements (71) which are movable or deformable and can be adjusted in accordance with the place or time and/or force with which they act on the workpiece or work-pieces (9). The pressing and clamping elements (71) are notably elastically deformable. They can also comprise a spring (72) or be fluidically pre-stressed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a handling device (36) for one or more clamping frames (14) for components (3), especially shells of vehicles, in processing stations (1). The handling device (36) has one or more rotatably driven connecting rods (10), which are mounted in a carriage (5) that can be moved by a motor along a transfer line (2) at one of their ends and have a holding device (13) for receiving the clamping frame (14) at their other ends. Two connecting rods (10), which are arranged in two coupled carriages (5) in the manner of a four-bar chain and are rotatable around parallel axes (11), are preferably present. The handling device preferably generates a feed movement of the clamping frames (14) which is essentially linear and is directed at right angles to the transfer line (2).

Abstract: A method for repairing/manufacturing an integrally bladed rotor for a turbine or turbo engine, in which, in the case of a repair, at least one vane section to be replaced is removed leaving a stub section to which a replacement vane section is to be welded, and, in the case of manufacturing, a carrier to be provided with vanes has stubs projecting over its peripheral surface, to each of which a vane is to be welded, includes the steps of: arranging an inductor around the front face of the stub section or stub; positioning a replacement vane section or vane at a small radial distance from and aligned with the stub section or stub; and welding the replacement vane section or vane to the stub section or stub, respectively, in a protective gas atmosphere by exciting the inductor with high-frequency current and moving the opposing heated part surfaces together.

Abstract: An interchangeable coupling is provided for removably fastening tools (2) to manipulators (3). The interchangeable coupling has two coupling parts (5, 6) with a form fit lock (7). The lock has several mobile balls (8) and a piston (11) for moving the balls. The coupling parts (5, 6) have corresponding cavities (9, 10). The cavities (9) in the tool side coupling part (5) are essentially cylindrical ball channels (30) with an oblique channel axis (31). In a locked position, these cavities (9) accommodate the blocking balls (8). The channel axis (31) preferably slopes from the robot-sided cavity (10) towards the tool side (2).

Abstract: A clamping device (1) is disclosed for one or several workpieces (2), especially bodywork parts. The clamping device (1) includes one or several clamps (4) which can be positioned on a clamping table. Several parts can be displaced along at least one axis. The clamps (4) comprise a positioning device (13) and a fixing device (10). The positioning device (13) has a height adjustment system (21) and/or angle adjustment system (22) and/or lateral adjustment system (4b). To allow for stepless adjustment over a wide range the positioning device (13) has a coarse adjustment system (43) and a fine adjustment system (44). The fixing device (10) can be configured as a clamping device (35) and simultaneously include the lateral adjustment system (4b).

Abstract: A process and a device are provided for determining the working voltage of welding current sources 25. The working voltage is determined partly outside the output terminals 23, 24 of the welding current source 25. The tap 2 is preferably performed on the wire electrode 16 or on the wire feed roller 17 of a wire electrode 16. The other tap 3, 4 may be performed on the workpiece 21, a workpiece connection 22 or on an output terminal 24 of the welding current source 25 or alternatively in the welding current source 25.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a wheel for a motor vehicle, in which a wheel spider and a rim ring are connected with one another by means of friction welding. At least one of these wheel parts consists of a magnesium alloy. The controlling of the speed of the start of the friction, of the friction and of the compression of the friction welding process, particularly of the deformation capacity, takes place as a function of physical characteristics of the magnesium alloy.

Abstract: Process and device for the friction welding of workpieces that consist of different materials or possess different material properties, especially different hardnesses and/or melting points. The workpieces are rotated over a limited angle of rotation of less than 1,080.degree., preferably 290.degree. to 430.degree., relative to one another during the friction process. The angle of rotation is controlled via the friction time and the switching off of the rotating drive. The more resistant workpiece is preferably rotated and is leveled off on its face before the friction welding.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for welding and/or cutting, especially for laser welding, with a welding head 7 and with a surrounding holding-down device 6 for pressing on a workpiece 4, 5 . The welding head 7 is fastened to the hand of a manipulator 2 by means of a mounting bracket 9 , wherein the welding device 1 has an equalizing device 13 with an at least uniaxial drag beating 14 for determining and correcting angle errors between the workpiece 4, 5 and the holding-down device 6 . The drag bearing 14 has one or more rails 15 and at least one beating cap 20 with a plurality of rolling bodies 16 arranged between them in an arc. The rails 15 are arranged on the mounting bracket 9, and the beating cap 20 is arranged on the holding-down device 6.