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Processing method and processing deviceRelated Patent Categories: Electric Heating, Metal Heating (e.g., Resistance Heating), Work HoldersProcessing method and processing device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070164009, Processing method and processing device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a United States National Phase application of International Application PCT/EP2004/003836 of Apr. 17, 2004 that claims the benefit of priority of German Application 203 06 257.4 filed Apr. 10, 2003, the entire contents of each application are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention pertains to a machining method and a machining device for components, especially motor vehicle body parts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Such machining devices are known from practice, e.g., as welding robots. They comprise a multiaxial transport means in the form of an articulated arm robot and a tool, e.g., a welding tool. Furthermore, it is known from practice in the case of machining stations for body parts, especially so-called geo stations or framing stations for tacking the body parts, that stationary or mobile lateral clamping frames, which may be equipped with a plurality of clamping tools, are used to clamp the components. However, these clamping frames can be attached to the vehicle body or the body parts only on the outside, so that only outer clamping is correspondingly possible. This must be taken into consideration in designing the body and in the concept of the manufacturing process. Moreover, the accessibility of the components for external welding robots or the like is limited. Clamping body parts on the inside is not possible. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The object of the present invention is to show a better machining technique. [0005] This object is accomplished by the present invention with a machining device for components, especially automobile body parts, which device has a multiaxial transport device and tools. At least one carrier is provided with one or more multiaxial machining units with a plurality of tools arranged at the transport means. [0006] A machining station may be provided for machining the components (for joining the body parts) with one or more of the machining devices arranged in the machining station. [0007] A method for machining cubic components, especially the automobile body parts, by means of the multiaxial transport means is provided in which the transport means introduces at least one carrier with one or more multiaxial machining units into the interior space of the component. The machining units carry out machining operations on the inside of the component. [0008] The claimed machining device and technology has the advantage that it has a multifunctional field of use. It forms a so-called multirobot, which can carry out a great variety of activities at different sites and especially joining, clamping or machining sites of the body parts. Moreover, it is possible as a result to carry out a plurality of joining processes on the inside of the vehicle body or the components. In particular, it is possible to clamp a vehicle body on the inside. [0009] The multirobot has the advantage that each machining unit with its tool, which may optionally be replaceable, is mobile and able to function independently and is freely programmable. As a result, many different functions can be carried out by the multirobot or the machining units thereof independently from one another. Moreover, this has the advantage that only a single clamping device, which requires only a different programming in case of a changeover to another type, is needed for all the vehicle bodies to be manufactured. [0010] The multiaxial machining units arranged at the multirobot can have a very large working range thanks to their freely selectable multiaxial nature. A correspondingly adapted shape of the carrier is also helpful for this. The use of small robots, preferably in the form of small articulated arm robots with six or more axes, is especially advantageous here, especially because standard components can be used for this embodiment of the machining devices. All the kinematic requirements can be satisfied even for a changeover to components of another type due to the highly flexible multiaxial nature with six or more axes, e.g., a seventh telescopic axis for the robot hand. Not even a change of location on the carrier is necessary in case of the small robots as according to the invention. A change in location and re-assembly on the carrier can be carried out as an alternative in case of simpler machining units. [0011] Furthermore, it is possible to equip a machining station, e.g., a geo station or a framing station, with one or more of these multirobots, which offers special advantages for the accessibility of the body parts. The clamping effort on the outside of the body parts can be reduced due to an inside clamping technique, which improves and facilitates the accessibility of the body to other machining or processing devices, e.g., welding robots or the like. Moreover, welding processes or other joining processes can be carried out on the inside of the body more easily and with better quality due to the multiaxial small robots. The multirobot can place the carrier with the small robots in a suitable manner in the interior space of the body. The small robots also have improved accessibility to hidden or hard-to-reach areas of components located on the inside, which are hardly accessible for a welding robot or the like that is arranged on the outside. The outside dimensions of the carrier and the small robots can be reduced such that they can be fed through openings in the component or in the body and placed in the interior space. [0012] In the working position, the carrier can be held by the transport means freely floating or additionally supported at the free end or at another suitable site. Firm support and guiding or mobile support with degrees of freedom in one or more directions or axes may take place. This permits the carrier and its small robots to be re-oriented into different positions. [0013] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] In the drawings: [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machining station with a multirobot; [0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the multirobot; [0017] FIG. 3 is a top view of the multirobot from FIG. 2; [0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of a small robot used as part of the multirobot; [0019] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the small robot; and Continue reading about Processing method and processing device... Full patent description for Processing method and processing device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Processing method and processing device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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