Method of controlling the temperature of the work area of a processing machine and machine tool

Abstract

A method of controlling the temperature of the work area of a processing machine, in particular a machine tool, is proposed, in which exhaust air is removed from the work area and purified and at least a portion of the purified exhaust air is returned to the work area as return air, wherein the temperature of the return air is controlled.

1 . A method of controlling the temperature of the work area of a processing machine, in particular a machine tool, comprising: 
 removing exhaust air from the work area;    purifying said removed exhaust air; and    returning at least a portion of the purified exhaust air to the work area as return air;    wherein the temperature of the return air is controlled.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the return air is adjusted.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature adjustment of the return air occurs after purification.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the return air is cooled.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the return air is fed through a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the temperature of the return air is measured before passage through the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the temperature of the return air is measured after passage through the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the temperature of the return air is measured by means of the heat exchanger for feeding into the work area.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust air is conducted in a loop.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the loop has one or more outlets.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the loop has one or more inlets.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein an inlet is provided at the work area.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein return air is introduced into the work area above the discharge of exhaust air in relation to the direction of gravity.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein return air is fed into the work area in such a manner that a downwardly directed flow can form at work area walls.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is measured in the work area.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the temperature at the workpiece and the temperature of the workpiece is measured.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is measured at the processing machine.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ambient temperature is measured.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas circulation of the work area is controlled with temperature adjustment of the return air.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a control variable is at least one of the work area temperature and the workpiece temperature.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature in the work area is controlled.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of a workpiece to be processed is controlled.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the control is performed on the basis of at least one of the variables of temperature of the purified exhaust air upon feeding into the work area and outside temperature.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein ambient air is fed in where needed.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein exhaust air is sucked out of the work area.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein exhaust air is fed through at least one filter for purification.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the return air purification process is conducted in multiple stages.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the purification process comprises a stage for the separation of chips from the exhaust air.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the purification process comprises a stage for the separation of dusts from the exhaust air.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the work area, at least one of a dry processing method and a processing method using minimal quantity lubrication is performed on workpieces.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of a workpiece is controlled before processing.  
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the temperature of a workpiece is controlled outside the work area and the workpiece is then transported into the work area.  
   
   
       33 . A machine tool, comprising: 
 a work area, in which workpieces are processable; and    a cleaning device for purifying exhaust air from the work area;    wherein, between the cleaning device and the work area, a conduit for return air is arranged via which the purified exhaust air is feedable into the work area.    
   
   
       34 . The machine tool according to  claim 33 , wherein the conduit for return air is coupled to a heat exchanger, by means of which the temperature of the return air, which is feedable into the work area, is adjustable.  
   
   
       35 . The machine tool according to  claim 33 , wherein a branching device is provided, via which a component current of the purified exhaust air is feedable to the work area as return air.  
   
   
       36 . The machine tool according to  claim 33 , wherein a control device is provided, by means of which the work area temperature is controllable.  
   
   
       37 . The machine tool according to  claim 33 , wherein a temperature control device is provided, via which the temperature of one or more workpieces is controllable.  
   
   
       38 . The machine tool according to  claim 37 , wherein a transport path is provided for transporting workpieces into the work area.