Patents Assigned to KUKA Systems GmbH
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Patent number: 8367970Abstract: A method and device (1) for laser machining vehicle bodies or body parts (2) uses a laser beam (14) that is guided from a laser source (13) to a remote laser tool (15) on a robot hand by a guiding device (16). The robot (4) maintains the laser tool (15) in a suspended manner over the tool (2), at a focal length (F) and at a contact free distance and guides it along a machining path (30). The laser beam (14) is deviated, by movement of the hand axis (IV, V, VI), about a variable deviation angle (?), and the laser source (13), whose power is variable, is controlled according to the movement of the laser beam. The beam deviation of the hand axis (IV, V, VI) can be superimposed on an offset movement of the robot (4).Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Kuka Systems GmbHInventors: Peter Rippl, Johann Hesse, Anton Englhard
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Patent number: 8365386Abstract: A framing device (1) and a method are provided for connecting disk-type bodies (6) to a frame (5) by a manipulator (2). A joining device (4) is associated with the manipulator (2), for joining individual frame parts (8, 9, 10, 11) to the disk-type body. The manipulator (2) guides the disk-type body (6) and inserts it into the frame parts (8, 9, 10, 11) provided, the frame parts being pressed against the disk edge (7) at the same time or one after the other.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Albert Vontz, Thomas Dobkowitz, Elisabeth Schärtl
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Patent number: 8365396Abstract: A changeover device (8) is provided for tenter frames (5,6,7) in a treatment station (1) for vehicle bodies. The changeover device comprises at least one frame store (9,10) that can be rotated about a rotational axis (11) and is arranged at a distance from a working point (39), and a transport device (17) provided with a guide (18) and a controllable towing device (28) for the tenter frames (5,6,7). The transport device (17) has a guide (18) on the bottom side, for transporting the tenter frames in a vertical position, and also comprises a bottom-side or lateral stabilizing device (64). A towing device (28) for the tenter frames (5,6,7) is arranged in the bottom region of the transport device (17) with at least one driven carriage (29,30).Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Kuka Systems GmbHInventors: Gerhard Kraus, Botho Kikut, Johann Maischberger, Thomas Sturm
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Publication number: 20130008012Abstract: A hemming device (2) and a hemming method are provided in which the hemming device (2) has a hemming bed (14) for a workpiece (3) and multiple hemming robots (8, 9) with hemming tools (20). The hemming device (2) is designed to hem inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3). The hemming robots (8, 9) lie on different sides of the hemming bed (14), and the hemming bed (14) is further designed and arranged for accessing inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3) from front and rear sides (15, 16). For this purpose, the hemming bed can have a section (19) for a rearward access to an inner lock seam (5) and a bedding for inner and outer lock seams (5, 6).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Johann Kraus, Wolfgang Fischer
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Patent number: 8076604Abstract: A plurality linkages, preferably a robot holding either a spot welder with welding guns or the workpiece. The plurality of linkages move a spot welder with open tongs toward a first spot weld position. The welding guns are then closed on the workpiece and welding is performed at the first spot weld position. While the welding is being performed, parts of the plurality of linkages are advanced toward a second weld position while the welding guns remained closed at the first spot weld position. When the welding at the first position is finished, parts of the linkages are already advanced towards the second position, and the remaining linkages are then advanced to the second position. This allows the linkages or robot to move faster from one spot weld position to another.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventor: Peter Rippl
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Patent number: 8057627Abstract: A method and device (1) are provided for applying laminated tapes (2, 3) with an adhesive tape (2) and a cover tape (3) on a surface (4). The tape application device (1) includes a frame (5), a tape winder (8) for the laminated tape (2, 3), a tape winder (9) for the pulled-off cover tape (3), a tape guide (14) and a pressure-exerting device (18) for pressing the adhesive tape (2) onto a surface (4). During application, the cover tape (3) is at some parts detached and guided away from the adhesive tape (2), wherein the adhesive tape (2) can be severed at the detachment point and can be pressed onto the surface (4) with two closely adjacent pressing elements (19, 20).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Frank Herz, Wolfgang Semmlinger, Jürgen Liepert
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Patent number: 8056200Abstract: 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. The selected Figure is FIG. 5.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Johann Hesse, Thomas Kollmar, Bruno Emerich, Roland Heck, Paul Geistdörfer, Ella Geistdöerfer, legal representative, Thomas Ziegler
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Patent number: 7975897Abstract: A friction welding machine (1) has two headstocks (5, 6), two spindles (8, 9) with a spindle drive (12, 13) and a workpiece holder (22). The first headstock (5) is arranged stationarily at the frame (2). The second headstock (6) is mounted axially movably at the frame (2) and is connected to a feed drive (25). The spindles (8, 9) have different sizes, the second spindle (9) and its spindle drive (13) being designed to be smaller and weaker.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Semmlinger, Otmar Fischer, Günter Zott, Rudolf Huber
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Patent number: 7906744Abstract: A method for machining workpieces (6) uses a moving laser beam (4), whereby the laser tool (3) is held at a separation above the workpiece (6) by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) with a manipulator hand (8) and moved along a given track in an offset movement. During the machining process an at least partly opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement. A device is provided for machining workpieces (6) with a moving laser beam (4). The laser tool (3) is held by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) and a device for generation of a opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Kuka Systems GmbHInventor: Peter Rippl
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Patent number: 7696452Abstract: A method for laser beam machining, in particular laser beam welding of bodywork components (14), with the aid of a remote laser head (3). The laser head is guided by a robot (5) including a multi-axial robot hand (7). During the welding process, the emitted laser beam (12) is guided along the welding path (19) on the component (14) by orientation modifications and with a variable irradiation angle beta. said orientation modifications only being produced by pivoting displacements (7) of the manipulator hand (7) about at least one of its hand axes IV, V, VI.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Peter Rippl, Anton Englhard, Martin Eberl
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Patent number: 7653977Abstract: A method and a system are provided for machining, especially for joining work pieces (2) in the shell of a body structure. The work pieces are transported in a continuous manner along a transfer line (3) by a conveyor (5) and are machined by several robots (7, 8) which are preferably arranged in a stationary manner on the transfer line. The robots (7, 8) are synchronized with the conveying movement of the workpieces (2). The movement and the position of the workpieces (2) are detected by a sensor system (13) which informs a control system (12) which controls the conveyors (5) and the robots (7,8). The machining system (1) can comprise a monitoring system (11) provided with an optical image detection system, which enables synchronization to be monitored and possibly retroactively adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Gerhard Wiedemann, Helmut Grieger, Larry Drake
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Publication number: 20090123264Abstract: A method and device is provided for multiaxial handling and guiding workpieces (9), particularly vehicle body subassemblies, in a processing station (2) relative to one or more processing devices (11). The workpieces (9) are placed on a supporting device (17) and, together with the supporting device (17), are handled by a number of multiaxially moving manipulators (15, 16) in common directions that are coordinated with one another, and are guided. The workpieces (9) are received by the manipulators (15, 16) together with the supporting device (17) at a receiving area (13) and are moved to a spatially separate processing area (14) and back again, whereby they are displaced relative to one or more processing devices (11) in the processing area (14) during the processing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2005Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: KUKA Systems GmbHInventors: Gerhard HARTMANN, Juergen RADLER
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Patent number: 7442899Abstract: A clamping device or system (1) is provided for body parts (8, 9), which have a component clamping contour (11), especially a component flange. The clamping device or system (1) has one or more clamping devices (2, 3), which have each a frame-like structure (12) with fixed and mobile clamping units (18, 19) arranged therein, which are present in a plurality of pairs. The clamping units (18, 19) have a strip-shaped design and are adapted to the course of the component clamping contour. Furthermore, the clamping device or system (1) has an adjusting device (21), which feeds the mobile clamping units (19) to the component clamping contour and actuates them together or in a controllable sequence.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventor: Thomas Sturm
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Publication number: 20080220955Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2006Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicants: Kuka Schweissanlagen GmbH, Kuka Systems GmbHInventors: Johann Hesse, Thomas Kollmar, Bruno Emrich, Roland Heck, Paul Geistdorfer, Thomas Ziegler
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Patent number: 7322510Abstract: A machining system and unit, especially a welding cell, is provided for use for the machining of workpieces (2), especially body parts of vehicles. The machining system has one or more machining stations (15, 16) with robots (18, 19, 20) and at least one rotation or turning station (5), which has at least two work stations (6, 7) for carrying out different operations simultaneously. The turning station (5) has at least two said multiaxially movable turning units (8, 9) arranged next to one another with said gripping tools (11, 12, 13). The working areas (10) intersect each other at the work stations (6, 7).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbHInventor: Gerhard Kraus