Method of and device for determination of penetration depth

1. A method for determining a depth of drilling in objects, comprising the steps using a processing machine having a control and evaluation unit associated with sensor means which form signals, measuring by the control and evaluation unit a path over which a resistance produced by an object to be processed counteracts a processing tool during its advance movement, based at least on measurements of a resistance proportional signal and an axial speed proportional signal; using the measured path for determination of a depth of drilling in the object; memorizing the determined drilling depth in the object; having the control and evaluation unit use the determined and memorized drilling depth in the object as an input for having the processing tool select a connecting element; and supplying the selected connecting element to the processing tool directly from a supply means which already stores corresponding connecting elements.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising using the determined path for generation of at least one signal selected from the group consisting of a penetration signal, a material thickness signal, and both.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising using the at least one signal selected from the group consisting of a penetration signal, a material thickness signal, and both, as an input signal for further processes.

4. A method as defined in claim 3 ; and further comprising performing at least one of said further processes as a visualization of the at least one generated signal selected from the group consisting of a penetration signal, a material thickness signal, and both of the object near the processing tool, as an input signal for further processes.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising using as the processing tool a tool selected from the group consisting of a chip-removing tool and a non-chip removing tool.

6. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising using as the processing tool a tool selected from the group consisting of a drill and a mill.

7. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising retaining without consideration load fluctuations within a path which is covered by the processing tool during its advance movement through an element selected from the group consisting of the object to be processed and a material composite.

8. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising using as the connection element a rivet with a rivet shaft length selected in correspondence with the at least one signal selected from the group consisting of a penetration depth, a material thickness and both.

9. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising generating a wear signal which corresponds to wear of the processing tool, with consideration of the resistance to the processing tool during covering the path.

10. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising generating a speed signal which determines a parameter of the processing tool selected from the group consisting of an advance speed and a rotary speed, based on a covered path and on the resistance counteracting the processing tool.

11. A method as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising using piezosensors for measuring the path.

12. A device for determination of a penetration depth, comprising a processing machine; a guiding carriage displaceably guided over at least one guide track; sensor means mounted on said guiding carriage; a signal amplification unit and a control and evaluation unit associated with said sensors and forming input signals of said control and evaluation unit from voltage signals generated by said sensors, said control evaluation unit being formed so as to provide measuring a path over which a resistance produced by an object to be processed counteracts a processing tool during its advance movement, based at least on measurements of a resistance proportional signal and an axial speed proportional signal, using the measured path for determination of a depth of drilling in the object, memorizing the determined drilling depth in the object, using the determined and memorized drilling depth in the object as an input for having the processing tool select a connecting element and supplying the selected connecting element to the processing tool directly from a supply means which already stores corresponding connecting elements.

13. A device as defined in claim 12 , wherein said processing machine is provided with at least one processing tool; and further comprising a processing-space and mounting robot associated with said processing machine, said control and evaluation unit generating output signals which provide an automatic taking from supply magazines of elements selected from the group consisting of connection elements, processing tools, and both.

14. A method for determining a depth of drilling in objects, comprising the steps using a processing machine having a control and evaluation unit associated with sensor means which form signals, measuring by the control and evaluation unit a path over which a resistance produced by an object to be an object to processed counteract a processing tool during its advance movement, based on sensing a resistance proportional signal and at least one axial speed proportional signal; using the measured path for determination of a depth of drilling in the object by using the resistance proportional signal and the axial speed proportional signal as input signals of said control and evaluation unit, calculating by the control and evaluation unit a depth proportional output signal, and defining at least a penetration depth signal by the output signal; memorizing the determined drilling depth in the object; having the control and evaluation unit use the determined and memorized drilling depth in the object as an input for having the processing tool select a connecting element; and supplying the selected connecting element to processing tool directly from a supply means which already stores corresponding connecting elements.