Method, furnace installation and system for the hot stamping of workpieces

Abstract

A system for the hot stamping of workpieces having a furnace installation, in which workpieces can be heated to a forming temperature, and a forming installation, in which the heated workpieces can undergo forming. A transfer device is provided for transferring workpieces from the furnace installation to the forming installation. The transfer device is arranged in a transfer space, which is delimited at least in certain regions by a housing and largely bridges the space between the furnace installation and the forming installation. Also provided is a method for the hot stamping of workpieces.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for the hot stamping of workpieces comprising:
 a) a furnace installation, in which workpieces can be heated to a forming temperature;   b) a forming installation, in which the workpieces which have been heated can undergo forming;   c) a transfer device for transferring workpieces from the furnace installation to the forming installation;   
       wherein
 d) the transfer device is arranged in a transfer space, which is delimited at least in certain regions by a housing and largely bridges a space between the furnace installation and the forming installation. 
 
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an access via which one or more workpieces can be introduced into the transfer space. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the access is designed as an access lock, by means of which the atmosphere of the transfer space remains separated from the surrounding atmosphere. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a temperature lock region is formed between the furnace installation and the transfer device. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the temperature lock region comprises a flow device, by means of which a fluid flow curtain can be produced in front of the furnace installation. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an outlet, via which a workpiece removed from the furnace installation can be transferred to the forming installation and which can be closed or opened by means of a gate unit. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transfer device is designed as an articulated-arm robot. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transfer device is designed as a suspended system. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more filler bodies are accommodated in the transfer space. 
     
     
         10 . A method for hot stamping workpieces the method comprising the steps of:
 a) heating the workpieces to a forming temperature in a furnace installation;   b) transferring the workpieces from the furnace installation to a forming installation,   c) forming the workpieces in the forming installation;   
       wherein
 d) the transferring of the workpieces takes place in a transfer space, which is delimited at least in certain regions by a housing and largely bridges a space between the furnace installation and the forming installation.