CA1232032A - Automatic welding apparatus - Google Patents
Automatic welding apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1232032A CA1232032A CA000477245A CA477245A CA1232032A CA 1232032 A CA1232032 A CA 1232032A CA 000477245 A CA000477245 A CA 000477245A CA 477245 A CA477245 A CA 477245A CA 1232032 A CA1232032 A CA 1232032A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- jig
- welding
- workpiece
- station
- jig table
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention provides an automatic welding apparatus, comprising a jig table for setting a workpiece, reciprocatable by conveying means extending in the front and rear directions bet-ween a welding station at the front and a setting station at the rear; a workpiece holding means at an upper portion of the welding station; additional welding means for applying additional welds to the workpiece held by the holding means arranged so that after temporary welds have been applied to the workpiece set on the jig table, the workpiece can be transferred to the holding means by an elevating movement of the jig table, and after the transfer of the workpiece, the jig table can be moved back to the setting station from the welding station; welding machines provided on the jig table so that during the advance movement of the jig table, temporary welds can be applied to the workpiece set on the jig table by the welding machines; elevating means for raising and lowering the conveying means so that during the reciprocating movement of the jig table, the conveying means can be moved up-wards and downwards.
The invention provides an automatic welding apparatus, comprising a jig table for setting a workpiece, reciprocatable by conveying means extending in the front and rear directions bet-ween a welding station at the front and a setting station at the rear; a workpiece holding means at an upper portion of the welding station; additional welding means for applying additional welds to the workpiece held by the holding means arranged so that after temporary welds have been applied to the workpiece set on the jig table, the workpiece can be transferred to the holding means by an elevating movement of the jig table, and after the transfer of the workpiece, the jig table can be moved back to the setting station from the welding station; welding machines provided on the jig table so that during the advance movement of the jig table, temporary welds can be applied to the workpiece set on the jig table by the welding machines; elevating means for raising and lowering the conveying means so that during the reciprocating movement of the jig table, the conveying means can be moved up-wards and downwards.
Description
1~3~
This invention relates to an automatic welding apparatus to be applied mainly -to a workups comprising a plurality of divided parts, and which is so operated that those parts are first formed into an integral unit with temporary welds and the integral unit is welded further so as to be formed in-to a lint-shed workups.
An apparatus of -this kind has been hitherto described in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication So 56 - 7473, which discloses a jig table for workups setting so provided as to 10 be reciprocatable by means of a conveying means extending in the front and rear direction, between a welding station at the front and a setting station at the rear. A first welding means for temporary welding and a second welding means for additional welding are so provided at the welding station as to be operable alternatively so that, after a workups set on the jig table is temporarily welded by the first welding means, the jig table is moved upwards so that the workups may be transferred to a work-piece holding means provided at an upper portion of the welding station, and after the transLerOf the workups, the jig table 20 is moved back to the setting station, and during the time the workups held by the holding means is further welded by the second welding means, and during the additional welding operation, a setting operation of the next workups on the jig table may be carried out at the setting station.
This type of apparatus, however, has -the disadvantage that the next additional welding operation on the next workups cannot be carried out until the following steps have been carried out: the completion of the additional welding operation, the jig table has been introduced in-to the welding station, and the them-30 purrer weld has been made on the earlier workups and the trays-for thereof to the holding means by elevation of the jig table has been carried out. It is desirable to decrease this time lag ~32~32 to improve productivity.
According to -the present invention there is provided an automatic welding apparatus, comprising a jig -table for setting a workups, reciprocatable by conveying means extending in the front and rear directions between a welding station at the front and a setting station at the rear; a workups holding means at an upper portion of the welding station; additional welding means for applying additional welds to the workups held by the hold-in means arranged so that after temporary welds have been applied to the workups set on the jig table, the workups can be transferred to the holding means by an elevating movement of the jig table, and after the transfer of the workups, the jig table can be moved back to the setting station from the welding station, welding machines provided on the jig table so that dun-in the advance movement of the jig table, temporary welds can be applied to the workups set on the jig table by the welding machines; and elevating means for raising and lowering the convey-in means so that during the reciprocating movement of the jig table, the conveying means can be moved upwards and downwards.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invent lion apparatus;
Fig. 2 is a front view, viewed from the left side in Foggily, of the same with the conveying means at an elevated post-lion and the jig body omitted for clarity;
Fig. 3 is a front view of an unloading means thereof;
Fig. 4 is a front view of a cam plate to be provided at a setting station;
Fig. 5 is a side view of the jig tablet and Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI
in Fig. 5.
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- In Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 1 denotes a jig table for workups setting, and numeral 2 denotes a conveying means for reciprocating the jig table 1 between a welding station B at the front and a setting station A a-t the rear. The jig table 1 is so constructed that a jig body 4 having a plurality of setting mom-biers swish as positioning pins, clamp members or the like for positioning and fixing the divided parts constituting a workups W is detachably and replaceable attached, through a replacement mechanism arranged to be operated by attaching and detaching cylinder 7 as explained in detail hereinafter, to a jig base 6 supported on a carrier 5. The conveying means 2 is so constructed that there are provided a pair of right and left side plates 8,8 extending in the front and rear directions between the two stay lions AHAB, and each of the side plates 8,8 is provided on its inside surface with a guide rail 9 and a conveying chain 10 ox-tending along the lengthwise direction thereof. The carrier 5 is provided between the two side plates 8,8 and is supported movably through guide rollers pa on a guide rail 9 on each side and is connected through a connecting member 5b to a chain 10 on each side so that, by reciprocation of each chain 10, -the carrier 5, and accordingly the jig table 1, may be given a reciprocating movement between the setting station A and the welding station B.
Additionally, in the illustrated example, the jig base 6 is tilt-ably supported on the carrier 5, and the cam plate 11 having a cam groove ha inclined downwards rearwardly and continued to each guide rail 9 is so provided tilt ably, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, at the setting station A as to be positioned inside the rear end portion of each side plate 8 so that, if the jig table 1 is returned to the setting station A under such a condition that each cam plate 11 is raised upright, each of protruded guide rollers aye provided on both sides of the rear end portion of the jig base 6 may be inserted into each cam groove ha, and lZ32~3~
thereby the jig base 6 may be tilted rearward and downwards about its pivot portion 6b, and as a result, a workups setting work to the jig body 4 at -the setting station A can be carried out easily by a worker in a comfortable posture.
At the time of replacement of the jig body (explained hereinafter), the jig table 1 is returned -to the setting station A from the welding station B in such a state that each cam plate 11 is laid down so that a pin Ed, which is moved with a lock cylinder 5c provided on the carrier 5, is brought into engagement with the jig base 6, as shown in Fig. 6, to keep the jig base 6 in its horizontal posture and carry out the replacement thereof.
Numeral fib denotes a cylinder for raising and lowering the cam plate 11.
Each conveying chain 10 is extended between a driving sprocket lo and idle sprockets lob provided on each side plate 8 so as to be driven in either forward and backward directions, and a pair of the driving sprockets Lyle provided on the two side plates 8,8 are interconnected through a synchronizing shaft lo so that the two sprockets Lyle may be synchronously driven by a driving motor lo provided on one of the two side plates 8,8.
At the foregoing welding station B, there is disposed a workups holding means 12 on an upper side thereof and two additional welding means 13 on both sides thereof. The holding means 12 is provided with clamp members aye for clamping the work-piece W, and these clamp members aye are so provided on an upper portion of a machine frame 14 built upright at the welding stay lion B and extended downwards. Each additional welding means 13 comprises an industrial robot having welding machines aye so that the workups W held by the holding means 12 may be given a pro-determined additional welding operation by the machines aye.
The jig -table 1 is provided with welding machines 15 loaded thereon so that when the jig table 1 is being advanced .
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to the welding station B, the workups W on the jig table 1 may be temporarily welded by the welding machines 15. In addition, there is provided an elevating means 16 for raising and lowering the conveying means 2 so that while the jig table 1 is being reciprocated between the -two stations AHAB, -the jig table 1 may be moved upwards and downwards.
Mode of operation will be explained in more detail with reference to -the illustrated example as follows:-A plurality of welding machines 15 are provided on the 10 jig body 4 of the jig table 1 at positions corresponding to rest pective temporary fixing positions of the divided parts keenest-tuning the workups W, and the elevating means 16 is composed of a pair of X-shaped link mechanisms that are so disposed as to be connected to the respective side plates 8,8 on both sides of -the conveying means 2.
In the illustrated example, there is provided a deli-very means 17 for delivering the workups W to which has been applied the additional welding operation at the welding station B
from the jig table to a discharging station C in front -thereof.
20 As shown in Fugue, the means 17 comprises a carrier aye support ted on guide rails 18,18 extending between the two stations BY
and a receiving member 17c for the workups W is so provided on the carrier aye through a cylinder 17b as to be movable upwards and downwards, and the carrier aye is connected through a con-netting rod 17d to the foregoing jig table 1 so that the carrier aye may be given a reciprocating movement between the discharge station C and the welding station B as a result of the reciprocal-in movement of the jig table 1 between the welding station B and the setting station _.
Next, the operation or the foregoing apparatus will be explained as follows:-First, the divided parts constituting the workups W
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are set on the jig table 1 located in the setting station A.
Thereafter, the conveying means 2 and the elevating means 16 are operated synchronously, and thereby the jig table 1 is advanced to the welding station B while being moved upwards, and at the same time, that is, during the movement of the jig table 1, the workups W is temporarily welded by -the welding machines 15 on the jig table.
By this operation, at the time of completion of -the advance movement of -the jig table 1, the jig table 1 reaches a predetermined workups transfer position, which meets the work-piece holding means 12 provided on the upper portion of the weld-in station B, and at the same time the temporary welding of the workups W is completed. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the time lag until either temporary welding or an upward movement of the jig table 1 to the workups -transfer position from the come pletion of the advance movement of the jig table 1 has occurred and the transfer of the workups W to the holding means 12 from the jig table 1 can be carried out with high efficiency.
After the completion of the transfer of the workups, the jig table 1 is returned -to -the setting station A by an opera-lion which is the reverse of the above, and at the same time the workups W held by the holding member 12 is given the additional welding operation, by the additional welding means 13, and during this welding operation the next workups W is set on the jig table 1 which has already returned to the setting station A.
The carrier aye of the delivery means 17 is moved with the returning means of the jig table 1 so as to be introduced into the welding station B to await completion of the additional welding operation, and the receiving member 17c of the discharging means 17 is moved upwards and downwards to receive the completely finished welded workups W thereon from the holding member 12.
After receiving the finished workups W, the jig table 3;~332 1 is again advanced to the welding station B in almost the same manner as above, and the carrier aye is delivered to the disk charge station C for the finished workups W to be unloaded therefrom, and at the same time the next workups W on the jig table 1 already subjected -to the temporary welding operation is transferred to the holding member 12. As the foregoing operations are repeated welding operations of the workups W can be carried out in succession one after the other.
In dependence on the kind or model of the workups W, it can often happen that -the -temporary welding thereof is not come pleated during the advance movement of the jig table 1. In that case, after completion of the advance movement of the jig table 1, the subsequent temporary welding of the unwelded portions thereof is carried out by the additional welding means Andy thereafter the workups W is transferred to the workups holding means 12. Even with this procedure, the time lag can be greatly shortened, in comparison with conventional apparatus, wherein the temporary welding operation begins after the completion of the advance movement of the jig table.
In order to accommodate a change of workups W to be welded, the jig body 4 of the jig table 1 and the workups hold-in member 12 should be replaceable with appropriate predetermined ones for the new workups. For this purpose, a replacement operation can be carried out with a lifting means, such as a crane or the like, but this is low in working efficiency.
Accordingly, in the illustrated example, respective replacing mechanisms for carrying out a replacement operation of the jig body 4 and the workups holding member 12 at a high efficiency are provided.
First, the replacement mechanism for the jig body 4 will be explained as follows:
- As shown infix. 5 and 6, the jig base 6 is provided ~2~2~
thereon with an elevating frame 19 which is movable upwards and downwards in relation to the jig body 4, and additionally there is provided a clamp member 20 which is so arranged that, when the elevating frame lo is lowered, it can be brought into engagement with -the jig Bud to press the enjoin body 4 for fixing it to the joy base Andy a guide member 21 which is so arranged that, when the elevating frame 19 is raised, it is brought into abut-mint with the joy body 4 for so supporting the joy body 4 that it is movable laterally.
A pair of front and rear L-shaped grooves 4b,4b ox-tending laterally are made in the lower surface portion of the jig body 4 so that there remain therein respective lower side tab portions aye, and a pair of the elevating frames 19 are disposed in front and rear relationship and extend in the lateral direction along the foregoing grooves 46,46. Also each of the elevating frames 19,19 is arranged to be movable upwards and downwards by a pair of right and left cylinders 7,7 attached to the jig base 6.
Additionally, each elevating frame 19 is provided there-on with pins lea insertable into each groove 4b. The foregoing clamp members 20 each comprise a long plate-shaped member facing an upper surface of the tab portion pa and attached to top port lions of the pins lea. Additionally, a plurality of firs-t guide rollers aye cooperating with the foregoing guide member 21 are pivotal supported thereon so as to face a lower surface of the tab portion pa, and each of second guide rollers 21b, which are arranged to be in abutment with the inner end edge of the tab portion pa, is pivotal supported on each pin lea so that the jig body 4 may be supported so as to be movable laterally by the first guide rollers aye with shake movements there-of in the front and rear directions being prevented by the second rollers 2lb.
In addition, the jig body 4 is arranged so as to be .'2326~32 supported on receiving seats Ed on the jig base 6, and be set in position by positioning pins 6c on the jig base 6 mounted in positioning openings 4c in -the lower surface thereof.
In the drawings, numeral Ed denotes a hook provided on a lateral side surface of the jig body 4, numeral 22 denotes a transformer for the welding machines 15 mounted on the jig base 6, and numeral 23 denotes a receiving base for jig replacement.
The operation of -the foregoing replacement mechanism will now be explained as follows:-In an ordinary case pressure is applied to the elevate-in frame 19, moving it downwards by a downward movement of the attaching and detaching cylinders 7. The clamp member 20 is brought: into engagement with the tab portion pa to push the jig body 4 downwards, and consequently the jig body 4 is fixed under the pressure thereof to the jig base 6 while the same is set in position by the positioning pins 6c.
When the jig body 4 is to be replaced because of a change in the kind of the workups W, the elevating frame 19 is raised by the attaching and detaching cylinders 7. The pressure fixing of the jig body 4 -to the tab portions pa by the clamp mom-bier 20 is released, and at the same time the guide member 21 on the elevating frame 19 is brought into abutment with the lower surface of the tab portion pa to support the same, and the jig body 4 is lifted upwards to leave the jig base 6 supported on the guide member 21. If the jig body 4 is raised to a position apart from the positioning pins 6c, it becomes laterally movable.
Thus, by the provision of a proper metallic member on the hook Ed of the lateral side surface of -the jig body, it can be pulled out simply onto the receiving base 23 on the lateral side thereof.
Thereafter, another jig body 4 is introduced into position on the guide member 21 through the receiving base 23, and the elevate in frame 19 is lowered in almost the same manner as above so ~.Z3~
that the jig body 4 may be fixed under pressure to the jig base 6 by the clamp member 20.
Next, the replacement mechanism for the workups hold-in means 12 will be explained as follows:-As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a rotary shaft 24 is provided horizontally on an upper portion of the foregoing machine frame 14, and a plurality of the workups holding means 12, for ins-lance, three units, are provided there around through a supporting member 25, and the rotary shaft 24 is made to be rotatable by means of an index means 26. The index means 26 comprises a rotation driving mechanism in which a rack 28 provided on the machine frame 14 and meshed with a pinion 27 on the shaft 24 is moved forwards and backwards by a cylinder 29, and a positioning means in which a stopper 31 provided on the machine frame 14 and directed toward an index plate 30 fixed on the rotary shaft 24 and having index grooves aye made at three circumferential pus-lions is movable into engagement and disengagement with any of the index grooves aye by a cylinder 32. Through the cooperation of the two mechanisms, the rotary shaft 24 is rotated through the desired predetermined angle, and consequently any desired one of the three workups holding means 12 is selected 'Jo be positioned at an operative position below the rotary shaft 24. Thus, a replacement of the workups holding means 12 when the kind of the workups W is changed can be carried out with high efficiency.
The foregoing elevating means 16 comprises a pair of X-shaped link mechanisms disposed on both sides. The X-shaped link mechanism on each side is so constructed that a pair of links 33, 34 cross one another in the form of X and are pivotal inter-connected at the crossing point 35 of the middle portions thereof.
In addition, these links 33,34 are pivotal attached at their upper ends to the side plate 8 on the side surface of the convey-in means 2, and at their lower ends to a stationary frame 36 ~3'~3;~
provided on the lower side thereof. An upper end pivot portion aye of the first link 33, which is one of the two links 33,34, is slid able horizontally along a guide portion 37 provided on the side plate 8, and a lower end pivot portion aye of the second link 34, which is -the other of the two links 33,34, can be moved along a guide portion 39 in the stationary frame 36 by means of a driving source 38 so that -the slide plate 9 can be moved upwards and downwards. Numeral 33b denotes a lower end pivot portion of the first link 33 and numeral 34b denotes an upper end pivot portion of the second link 34.
The guide portion 37 provided on the side plate 8 is so constructed that, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a movable frame 37b is movable horizontally along upper and lower guide rails aye provided on the side plate 8, and an upper end of the first link 33 is pivotal attached to the movable frame 37b.
The guide portion 39 provided on the stationary frame 36 is in the form of a long groove, and the lower end pivot portion aye of the second link 34 is in slid able engagement therewith through a movable member aye mounted on the same shaft. A piston rod aye extending from a cylinder constituting a driving source 38 is connected to the pivot portion aye.
The jig table is provided -thereon with the welding machines for applying the temporary welds to the workups set on the jig table, and additionally the conveying means for foci-prorating the jig table between the setting station and the weld-in station is movable upwards and downwards by the elevating means, so that the temporary welds and the elevation of the jig - table to the predetermined position can occur while the jig table is advanced to the welding station. Consequently, the time lag ; 30 from the completion of the additional welding operation to the - beginning of the next additional welding operation can be sub-staunchly shortened to result in an improvement in productivity, 1~3~3;~ .
as compared with prior art wherein the temporary welding of the workups and -the elevation of the jig table are carried out after the completion of the advance movement of the jig table.
This invention relates to an automatic welding apparatus to be applied mainly -to a workups comprising a plurality of divided parts, and which is so operated that those parts are first formed into an integral unit with temporary welds and the integral unit is welded further so as to be formed in-to a lint-shed workups.
An apparatus of -this kind has been hitherto described in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication So 56 - 7473, which discloses a jig table for workups setting so provided as to 10 be reciprocatable by means of a conveying means extending in the front and rear direction, between a welding station at the front and a setting station at the rear. A first welding means for temporary welding and a second welding means for additional welding are so provided at the welding station as to be operable alternatively so that, after a workups set on the jig table is temporarily welded by the first welding means, the jig table is moved upwards so that the workups may be transferred to a work-piece holding means provided at an upper portion of the welding station, and after the transLerOf the workups, the jig table 20 is moved back to the setting station, and during the time the workups held by the holding means is further welded by the second welding means, and during the additional welding operation, a setting operation of the next workups on the jig table may be carried out at the setting station.
This type of apparatus, however, has -the disadvantage that the next additional welding operation on the next workups cannot be carried out until the following steps have been carried out: the completion of the additional welding operation, the jig table has been introduced in-to the welding station, and the them-30 purrer weld has been made on the earlier workups and the trays-for thereof to the holding means by elevation of the jig table has been carried out. It is desirable to decrease this time lag ~32~32 to improve productivity.
According to -the present invention there is provided an automatic welding apparatus, comprising a jig -table for setting a workups, reciprocatable by conveying means extending in the front and rear directions between a welding station at the front and a setting station at the rear; a workups holding means at an upper portion of the welding station; additional welding means for applying additional welds to the workups held by the hold-in means arranged so that after temporary welds have been applied to the workups set on the jig table, the workups can be transferred to the holding means by an elevating movement of the jig table, and after the transfer of the workups, the jig table can be moved back to the setting station from the welding station, welding machines provided on the jig table so that dun-in the advance movement of the jig table, temporary welds can be applied to the workups set on the jig table by the welding machines; and elevating means for raising and lowering the convey-in means so that during the reciprocating movement of the jig table, the conveying means can be moved upwards and downwards.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invent lion apparatus;
Fig. 2 is a front view, viewed from the left side in Foggily, of the same with the conveying means at an elevated post-lion and the jig body omitted for clarity;
Fig. 3 is a front view of an unloading means thereof;
Fig. 4 is a front view of a cam plate to be provided at a setting station;
Fig. 5 is a side view of the jig tablet and Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI
in Fig. 5.
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- In Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 1 denotes a jig table for workups setting, and numeral 2 denotes a conveying means for reciprocating the jig table 1 between a welding station B at the front and a setting station A a-t the rear. The jig table 1 is so constructed that a jig body 4 having a plurality of setting mom-biers swish as positioning pins, clamp members or the like for positioning and fixing the divided parts constituting a workups W is detachably and replaceable attached, through a replacement mechanism arranged to be operated by attaching and detaching cylinder 7 as explained in detail hereinafter, to a jig base 6 supported on a carrier 5. The conveying means 2 is so constructed that there are provided a pair of right and left side plates 8,8 extending in the front and rear directions between the two stay lions AHAB, and each of the side plates 8,8 is provided on its inside surface with a guide rail 9 and a conveying chain 10 ox-tending along the lengthwise direction thereof. The carrier 5 is provided between the two side plates 8,8 and is supported movably through guide rollers pa on a guide rail 9 on each side and is connected through a connecting member 5b to a chain 10 on each side so that, by reciprocation of each chain 10, -the carrier 5, and accordingly the jig table 1, may be given a reciprocating movement between the setting station A and the welding station B.
Additionally, in the illustrated example, the jig base 6 is tilt-ably supported on the carrier 5, and the cam plate 11 having a cam groove ha inclined downwards rearwardly and continued to each guide rail 9 is so provided tilt ably, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, at the setting station A as to be positioned inside the rear end portion of each side plate 8 so that, if the jig table 1 is returned to the setting station A under such a condition that each cam plate 11 is raised upright, each of protruded guide rollers aye provided on both sides of the rear end portion of the jig base 6 may be inserted into each cam groove ha, and lZ32~3~
thereby the jig base 6 may be tilted rearward and downwards about its pivot portion 6b, and as a result, a workups setting work to the jig body 4 at -the setting station A can be carried out easily by a worker in a comfortable posture.
At the time of replacement of the jig body (explained hereinafter), the jig table 1 is returned -to the setting station A from the welding station B in such a state that each cam plate 11 is laid down so that a pin Ed, which is moved with a lock cylinder 5c provided on the carrier 5, is brought into engagement with the jig base 6, as shown in Fig. 6, to keep the jig base 6 in its horizontal posture and carry out the replacement thereof.
Numeral fib denotes a cylinder for raising and lowering the cam plate 11.
Each conveying chain 10 is extended between a driving sprocket lo and idle sprockets lob provided on each side plate 8 so as to be driven in either forward and backward directions, and a pair of the driving sprockets Lyle provided on the two side plates 8,8 are interconnected through a synchronizing shaft lo so that the two sprockets Lyle may be synchronously driven by a driving motor lo provided on one of the two side plates 8,8.
At the foregoing welding station B, there is disposed a workups holding means 12 on an upper side thereof and two additional welding means 13 on both sides thereof. The holding means 12 is provided with clamp members aye for clamping the work-piece W, and these clamp members aye are so provided on an upper portion of a machine frame 14 built upright at the welding stay lion B and extended downwards. Each additional welding means 13 comprises an industrial robot having welding machines aye so that the workups W held by the holding means 12 may be given a pro-determined additional welding operation by the machines aye.
The jig -table 1 is provided with welding machines 15 loaded thereon so that when the jig table 1 is being advanced .
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to the welding station B, the workups W on the jig table 1 may be temporarily welded by the welding machines 15. In addition, there is provided an elevating means 16 for raising and lowering the conveying means 2 so that while the jig table 1 is being reciprocated between the -two stations AHAB, -the jig table 1 may be moved upwards and downwards.
Mode of operation will be explained in more detail with reference to -the illustrated example as follows:-A plurality of welding machines 15 are provided on the 10 jig body 4 of the jig table 1 at positions corresponding to rest pective temporary fixing positions of the divided parts keenest-tuning the workups W, and the elevating means 16 is composed of a pair of X-shaped link mechanisms that are so disposed as to be connected to the respective side plates 8,8 on both sides of -the conveying means 2.
In the illustrated example, there is provided a deli-very means 17 for delivering the workups W to which has been applied the additional welding operation at the welding station B
from the jig table to a discharging station C in front -thereof.
20 As shown in Fugue, the means 17 comprises a carrier aye support ted on guide rails 18,18 extending between the two stations BY
and a receiving member 17c for the workups W is so provided on the carrier aye through a cylinder 17b as to be movable upwards and downwards, and the carrier aye is connected through a con-netting rod 17d to the foregoing jig table 1 so that the carrier aye may be given a reciprocating movement between the discharge station C and the welding station B as a result of the reciprocal-in movement of the jig table 1 between the welding station B and the setting station _.
Next, the operation or the foregoing apparatus will be explained as follows:-First, the divided parts constituting the workups W
~23Z~3Z
are set on the jig table 1 located in the setting station A.
Thereafter, the conveying means 2 and the elevating means 16 are operated synchronously, and thereby the jig table 1 is advanced to the welding station B while being moved upwards, and at the same time, that is, during the movement of the jig table 1, the workups W is temporarily welded by -the welding machines 15 on the jig table.
By this operation, at the time of completion of -the advance movement of -the jig table 1, the jig table 1 reaches a predetermined workups transfer position, which meets the work-piece holding means 12 provided on the upper portion of the weld-in station B, and at the same time the temporary welding of the workups W is completed. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the time lag until either temporary welding or an upward movement of the jig table 1 to the workups -transfer position from the come pletion of the advance movement of the jig table 1 has occurred and the transfer of the workups W to the holding means 12 from the jig table 1 can be carried out with high efficiency.
After the completion of the transfer of the workups, the jig table 1 is returned -to -the setting station A by an opera-lion which is the reverse of the above, and at the same time the workups W held by the holding member 12 is given the additional welding operation, by the additional welding means 13, and during this welding operation the next workups W is set on the jig table 1 which has already returned to the setting station A.
The carrier aye of the delivery means 17 is moved with the returning means of the jig table 1 so as to be introduced into the welding station B to await completion of the additional welding operation, and the receiving member 17c of the discharging means 17 is moved upwards and downwards to receive the completely finished welded workups W thereon from the holding member 12.
After receiving the finished workups W, the jig table 3;~332 1 is again advanced to the welding station B in almost the same manner as above, and the carrier aye is delivered to the disk charge station C for the finished workups W to be unloaded therefrom, and at the same time the next workups W on the jig table 1 already subjected -to the temporary welding operation is transferred to the holding member 12. As the foregoing operations are repeated welding operations of the workups W can be carried out in succession one after the other.
In dependence on the kind or model of the workups W, it can often happen that -the -temporary welding thereof is not come pleated during the advance movement of the jig table 1. In that case, after completion of the advance movement of the jig table 1, the subsequent temporary welding of the unwelded portions thereof is carried out by the additional welding means Andy thereafter the workups W is transferred to the workups holding means 12. Even with this procedure, the time lag can be greatly shortened, in comparison with conventional apparatus, wherein the temporary welding operation begins after the completion of the advance movement of the jig table.
In order to accommodate a change of workups W to be welded, the jig body 4 of the jig table 1 and the workups hold-in member 12 should be replaceable with appropriate predetermined ones for the new workups. For this purpose, a replacement operation can be carried out with a lifting means, such as a crane or the like, but this is low in working efficiency.
Accordingly, in the illustrated example, respective replacing mechanisms for carrying out a replacement operation of the jig body 4 and the workups holding member 12 at a high efficiency are provided.
First, the replacement mechanism for the jig body 4 will be explained as follows:
- As shown infix. 5 and 6, the jig base 6 is provided ~2~2~
thereon with an elevating frame 19 which is movable upwards and downwards in relation to the jig body 4, and additionally there is provided a clamp member 20 which is so arranged that, when the elevating frame lo is lowered, it can be brought into engagement with -the jig Bud to press the enjoin body 4 for fixing it to the joy base Andy a guide member 21 which is so arranged that, when the elevating frame 19 is raised, it is brought into abut-mint with the joy body 4 for so supporting the joy body 4 that it is movable laterally.
A pair of front and rear L-shaped grooves 4b,4b ox-tending laterally are made in the lower surface portion of the jig body 4 so that there remain therein respective lower side tab portions aye, and a pair of the elevating frames 19 are disposed in front and rear relationship and extend in the lateral direction along the foregoing grooves 46,46. Also each of the elevating frames 19,19 is arranged to be movable upwards and downwards by a pair of right and left cylinders 7,7 attached to the jig base 6.
Additionally, each elevating frame 19 is provided there-on with pins lea insertable into each groove 4b. The foregoing clamp members 20 each comprise a long plate-shaped member facing an upper surface of the tab portion pa and attached to top port lions of the pins lea. Additionally, a plurality of firs-t guide rollers aye cooperating with the foregoing guide member 21 are pivotal supported thereon so as to face a lower surface of the tab portion pa, and each of second guide rollers 21b, which are arranged to be in abutment with the inner end edge of the tab portion pa, is pivotal supported on each pin lea so that the jig body 4 may be supported so as to be movable laterally by the first guide rollers aye with shake movements there-of in the front and rear directions being prevented by the second rollers 2lb.
In addition, the jig body 4 is arranged so as to be .'2326~32 supported on receiving seats Ed on the jig base 6, and be set in position by positioning pins 6c on the jig base 6 mounted in positioning openings 4c in -the lower surface thereof.
In the drawings, numeral Ed denotes a hook provided on a lateral side surface of the jig body 4, numeral 22 denotes a transformer for the welding machines 15 mounted on the jig base 6, and numeral 23 denotes a receiving base for jig replacement.
The operation of -the foregoing replacement mechanism will now be explained as follows:-In an ordinary case pressure is applied to the elevate-in frame 19, moving it downwards by a downward movement of the attaching and detaching cylinders 7. The clamp member 20 is brought: into engagement with the tab portion pa to push the jig body 4 downwards, and consequently the jig body 4 is fixed under the pressure thereof to the jig base 6 while the same is set in position by the positioning pins 6c.
When the jig body 4 is to be replaced because of a change in the kind of the workups W, the elevating frame 19 is raised by the attaching and detaching cylinders 7. The pressure fixing of the jig body 4 -to the tab portions pa by the clamp mom-bier 20 is released, and at the same time the guide member 21 on the elevating frame 19 is brought into abutment with the lower surface of the tab portion pa to support the same, and the jig body 4 is lifted upwards to leave the jig base 6 supported on the guide member 21. If the jig body 4 is raised to a position apart from the positioning pins 6c, it becomes laterally movable.
Thus, by the provision of a proper metallic member on the hook Ed of the lateral side surface of -the jig body, it can be pulled out simply onto the receiving base 23 on the lateral side thereof.
Thereafter, another jig body 4 is introduced into position on the guide member 21 through the receiving base 23, and the elevate in frame 19 is lowered in almost the same manner as above so ~.Z3~
that the jig body 4 may be fixed under pressure to the jig base 6 by the clamp member 20.
Next, the replacement mechanism for the workups hold-in means 12 will be explained as follows:-As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a rotary shaft 24 is provided horizontally on an upper portion of the foregoing machine frame 14, and a plurality of the workups holding means 12, for ins-lance, three units, are provided there around through a supporting member 25, and the rotary shaft 24 is made to be rotatable by means of an index means 26. The index means 26 comprises a rotation driving mechanism in which a rack 28 provided on the machine frame 14 and meshed with a pinion 27 on the shaft 24 is moved forwards and backwards by a cylinder 29, and a positioning means in which a stopper 31 provided on the machine frame 14 and directed toward an index plate 30 fixed on the rotary shaft 24 and having index grooves aye made at three circumferential pus-lions is movable into engagement and disengagement with any of the index grooves aye by a cylinder 32. Through the cooperation of the two mechanisms, the rotary shaft 24 is rotated through the desired predetermined angle, and consequently any desired one of the three workups holding means 12 is selected 'Jo be positioned at an operative position below the rotary shaft 24. Thus, a replacement of the workups holding means 12 when the kind of the workups W is changed can be carried out with high efficiency.
The foregoing elevating means 16 comprises a pair of X-shaped link mechanisms disposed on both sides. The X-shaped link mechanism on each side is so constructed that a pair of links 33, 34 cross one another in the form of X and are pivotal inter-connected at the crossing point 35 of the middle portions thereof.
In addition, these links 33,34 are pivotal attached at their upper ends to the side plate 8 on the side surface of the convey-in means 2, and at their lower ends to a stationary frame 36 ~3'~3;~
provided on the lower side thereof. An upper end pivot portion aye of the first link 33, which is one of the two links 33,34, is slid able horizontally along a guide portion 37 provided on the side plate 8, and a lower end pivot portion aye of the second link 34, which is -the other of the two links 33,34, can be moved along a guide portion 39 in the stationary frame 36 by means of a driving source 38 so that -the slide plate 9 can be moved upwards and downwards. Numeral 33b denotes a lower end pivot portion of the first link 33 and numeral 34b denotes an upper end pivot portion of the second link 34.
The guide portion 37 provided on the side plate 8 is so constructed that, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a movable frame 37b is movable horizontally along upper and lower guide rails aye provided on the side plate 8, and an upper end of the first link 33 is pivotal attached to the movable frame 37b.
The guide portion 39 provided on the stationary frame 36 is in the form of a long groove, and the lower end pivot portion aye of the second link 34 is in slid able engagement therewith through a movable member aye mounted on the same shaft. A piston rod aye extending from a cylinder constituting a driving source 38 is connected to the pivot portion aye.
The jig table is provided -thereon with the welding machines for applying the temporary welds to the workups set on the jig table, and additionally the conveying means for foci-prorating the jig table between the setting station and the weld-in station is movable upwards and downwards by the elevating means, so that the temporary welds and the elevation of the jig - table to the predetermined position can occur while the jig table is advanced to the welding station. Consequently, the time lag ; 30 from the completion of the additional welding operation to the - beginning of the next additional welding operation can be sub-staunchly shortened to result in an improvement in productivity, 1~3~3;~ .
as compared with prior art wherein the temporary welding of the workups and -the elevation of the jig table are carried out after the completion of the advance movement of the jig table.
Claims (11)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An automatic welding apparatus, comprising a jig table for setting a workpiece, reciprocatable by conveying means extending in the front and rear directions between a welding station at the front and a setting station at the rear; a work-piece holding means at an upper portion of the welding station;
additional welding means for applying additional welds to the workpiece held by the holding means arranged so that after tem-porary welds have been applied to the workpiece set on the jig table, the workpiece can be transferred to the holding means by an elevating movement of the jig table, and after the transfer of the workpiece, the jig table can be moved back to the setting station from the welding station; welding machines provided on the jig table so that during the advance movement of the jig table, temporary welds can be applied to the workpiece set on the jig table by the welding machines; and elevating means for raising and lowering the conveying means so that during the reciprocating movement of the jig table, the conveying means can be moved upwards and downwards.
additional welding means for applying additional welds to the workpiece held by the holding means arranged so that after tem-porary welds have been applied to the workpiece set on the jig table, the workpiece can be transferred to the holding means by an elevating movement of the jig table, and after the transfer of the workpiece, the jig table can be moved back to the setting station from the welding station; welding machines provided on the jig table so that during the advance movement of the jig table, temporary welds can be applied to the workpiece set on the jig table by the welding machines; and elevating means for raising and lowering the conveying means so that during the reciprocating movement of the jig table, the conveying means can be moved upwards and downwards.
2. An automatic welding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jig table comprises a carrier which can be reciprocatable by the conveying means, a jig base provided on the carrier, and a jig body provided detachably on the jig base, and the jig base is provided thereon with an elevating frame which is movable upwards and downwards in relation to the jig body, and the elevating frame is provided with a clamp member which is so arranged that by lowering of the elevating frame, the clamp member can be brought into engagement with the jig body under pressure for fixedly pressing the jig body against the jig base, and a guide member so arranged that when the elevating frame is raised, the clamp member can be brought into abutment with the jig body for so supporting the jig body so as to be movable laterally.
3. An automatic welding apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the jig base is tiltably supported on the carrier, and a cam plate having a cam groove which is inclined downwards rearwardly and which can be brought into engagement with a protru-sion provided on a rear portion of a side surface of the jig base is so provided at the setting station as to be tiltable to be raised and be laid down so that when the came plate is in its raised position, the jig base may be inclined downwards and rear-wards at the setting station and the carrier is provided with a lock member which is so arranged that when the cam plate is in its laid down position the cam plate can be operated to hold the jig base in its horizontal position.
4. An automatic welding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotary shaft is horizontally provided above a machine frame constructed at the welding station, and a plurality of workpiece holding means are attached around the rotary shaft so that by turning the rotary shaft by means of an index means con-nected thereto, any desired one of the workpiece holding means may be selected to be brought to an operative position on a lower side of the rotary shaft, and thus the workpiece supported on the jig table can be transferred to the workpiece holding means selec-ted at the operative position.
5. An automatic welding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elevating means comprises a pair of X-shaped link mechanisms, and each mechanism comprises a pair of links cross-ing one another and interconnected pivotally at a crossing point of the middle portions thereof, and the two links are pivotally attached at their upper ends to the conveying means and at their lower ends to a stationary frame provided on a lower side thereof, and an upper end pivot portion of a first link, which is one of the two links, is movable horizontally along a guide portion pro-vided on the conveying means, and a lower end pivot portion of a second link, which is the other of the two links, is movable along a guide portion provided on the stationary frame by a driving source for raising and lowering the conveying means.
6. An automatic welding apparatus comprising: (a) a replaceable jig table; (b) conveying means for carrying said jig table between a setting station and a welding station; (c) temporary welding means mounted on said jig table for applying temporary welds to a workpiece while said jig table is being moved by said conveying means; (d) at least one holding means at said welding station for removing said temporarily welded work-piece from said jig table and holding said workpiece therein;
and (e) additional welding means positioned with respect to said holding means for permanently welding said workpiece while said workpiece is held by said holding means and said jig table is being returned to the setting station by said conveying means.
and (e) additional welding means positioned with respect to said holding means for permanently welding said workpiece while said workpiece is held by said holding means and said jig table is being returned to the setting station by said conveying means.
7. An automatic welding apparatus as set forth in claim 6, including elevating means coupled to said conveying means for raising and lowering said jig table, wherein said elevating means raises said jig table as it moves between said setting station and said welding station.
8. A welding apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said jig table comprises: (a) a carrier coupled to said conveyor means and moveable thereon; (b) a jig base mounted on said carrier; (c) a jig body detachably mounted on said jig base; and (d) elevating frame means for raising and lowering said jig body on said jig base, said elevating frame means including clamp means for clamping said jig body to said jig base when said elevating frame means is lowered and guide means for supporting said jig body on said jig base for the lateral movement thereof when said elevating frame means is raised.
9. An automatic welding apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said jig base is inclined with respect to the horizontal at the setting station, said jig base including a protrusion and wherein said apparatus includes a cam plate having a cam groove therein, said protrusion in said jig base extending into said cam groove, wherein when said cam plate is rotated to an upright position, said jig base is moved from the inclined position to a horizontal position, and wherein said carrier includes locking means to hold said jig base in the horizontal position.
10. An automatic welding apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least one holding means includes a plurality of holding means and wherein said apparatus includes a rotary shaft, said holding means being mounted on said rotary shaft and indexing means for rotating said shaft such that selected ones of said holding means can be positioned at the welding station.
11. An automatic welding appartus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said elevating means comprises a pair of X-shaped link means, each link means including first and second cross crossed link members pivotally coupled at the crossing point thereof wherein the first link member of each link means is pivotablly attached to said conveyor means at one end thereof and to a stationary frame at the other end thereof, and wherein the second link member of each link means has one end slidably mounted in a guide portion in said stationary frame and the other end mounted in a guide portion in said conveyor means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000477245A CA1232032A (en) | 1985-03-22 | 1985-03-22 | Automatic welding apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000477245A CA1232032A (en) | 1985-03-22 | 1985-03-22 | Automatic welding apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1232032A true CA1232032A (en) | 1988-01-26 |
Family
ID=4130103
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000477245A Expired CA1232032A (en) | 1985-03-22 | 1985-03-22 | Automatic welding apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1232032A (en) |
-
1985
- 1985-03-22 CA CA000477245A patent/CA1232032A/en not_active Expired
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| MKEX | Expiry |