EP0721020B1 - Installation for the surface treatment of metallic workpieces - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to improvements for surface treatment installations for metal parts. She is more particularly relating to supports for cylindrical parts intended to be immersed in phosphating, brightening, satin-finish, anodizing or other. It also concerns the installation using the supports.

In the surface treatment of metal parts, whether chemical or electrolytic, such as brightening or anodizing aluminum parts, these must be immersed in a bath treatment fluid such as phosphoric acid or acid sulfuric and then immersed in a rinsing bath.

The problem of retaining parts during transport from one treatment station to another, and holding in treatment baths and rinse arises. Indeed, the parts must be retained so safe so as not to fall during handling. Furthermore, in the in the case of electrolytic treatment, the electrical contact between the support and the workpiece must be reliably secured.

Thus, the device for retaining shaped metal parts tubular intended to undergo a track type surface treatment chemical or electrolytic, according to the invention, is characterized in that it consists of at least one support which includes two legs deformable substantially parallel and which are stressed in spacing by elastic means, said support being intended to be arranged in the cavity of said tubular part to be treated.

According to an additional characteristic, the support is a titanium part in the shape of a "U", while the end of each of the legs includes a central clearance to form two points of detention.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a succession of supports mounted in a peripheral titanium frame for constitute a handling cassette. So the peripheral frame includes a succession of support holder restraint systems, and each restraint is monobloc and is made of titanium to be formed by a base in the form of a "U" shaped profile, each of the longitudinal walls has a succession of projections to form two by two the retaining tabs of a succession of supports.

The invention also relates to the installation intended to use the device, the latter comprising a frame carrying means for displacement of the supply means, of the positioning means parts and approximation means allowing ie simultaneous approximation of the retaining tabs.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge of the description which will follow with regard to the appended drawings which are not given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of a part to be treated and intended to be retained by the device of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side exterior view.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of Figure 1.

Figures 4 to 6 show a support according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a side view.

Figure 5 is a side view of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a top view.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate how the installation is done of a part on its support.

Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 show an arrangement of several supports on the same retaining cassette.

Figure 10 is a top view.

Figures 11 and 12 are views respectively in section along XI-XI and according to XII-XII.

Figure 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating a detail.

Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of an installation using the cassettes of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a detailed view of one of the means of the installation.

Figures 16a, 16b and 16c illustrate how the approximation of the legs of the supports.

The parts intended to undergo the polishing treatment are, for example, aluminum caps intended for use in cosmetics or perfumes.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate such a plug bearing the reference (1) generally tubular in shape and comprising a peripheral wall (2) and a transverse wall (3) to form a cylindrical cavity (4) limited laterally and peripherally by the internal surface (5) of the wall peripheral (2) and the internal transverse surface (6) of the wall transverse (3).

This part (1) thus defined is intended to be retained for its surface treatment by a workpiece support (7) which according to the invention comprises two substantially parallel deformable legs (8a, 8b) which are stretched by elastic means which can be brought together against the action of these elastic means. In a mode preferred execution, each workpiece support (7) has the shape of a workpiece "U" shaped made of elastic metallic material. According to one characteristic of the invention, the U-shaped support is made in a flat titanium profile and constitutes in itself its elastic means by its own deformation.

Thus, the support (7) is configured so that in its free position (see figure 4) the two retaining tabs (8a, 8b) are spaced apart the distance (d1) between the two ends (9a, 9b) is greater the inside diameter (d2) of the part (1) to be retained, while they can be brought together by elastic deformation of the support, as illustrated in thin mixed lines.

Furthermore, note that the end of each of the legs restraint includes a central clearance (10) in the form, for example, of "V" thus forming two retaining points (11a, 11b) intended to grip on the internal surface (5) of the cylindrical cavity (4) of the piece to remember (1).

Thus (see Figures 7, 8 and 9), to set up the part (1) on its support (7), it suffices to bring the two retaining tabs (8a, 8b) by stressing them, by elastic deformation of the "U", towards each other, by an action F, and place the two ends (9a, 9b) at a distance (d3) less than the initial distance (d1), small enough that the two legs (8a, 8b) can be engaged in the cylindrical cavity (4) of part (1), as shown in Figure 8. Part (1) is then fully engaged on the support until the surface internal transverse (6) either resting on the retaining pins (11a, 11b) from the two ends (9a, 9b) of the retaining tabs (8a, 8b), like this is illustrated in Figure 9. It goes without saying that the part does not have to be (7) is fully engaged because it may indeed be only partially.

In an industrial context, there is, of course, no question of chemically or electrolytically treat each part individually and independent. Also, according to another characteristic of the invention, it an assembly is planned comprising several supports making it possible to process multiple parts simultaneously.

Thus, the retaining device according to the invention consists of a chassis in the form of a frame (20) carrying a succession of supports for forming a handling cassette (21).

Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate such an arrangement consisting therefore by a peripheral frame (20) advantageously shaped rectangular comprising a succession of support holder restraint systems (22) deposited parallel to each other as, for example, thirteen sets (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h, 22i, 22d, 22k, 221, 22m). The peripheral frame (20) is produced by means of a assembly of four titanium profiles in the shape of an "L" for him give its rigidity and in particular its mechanical resistance in torsion, namely, two longitudinal sections (23, 24) and two end sections (25, 26). All support holder retainer assemblies (22) are attached to profiles end (25, 26) to extend parallel to each other and to both longitudinal sections (23, 24). Each of the retainer assemblies (22) is monobloc, made of titanium, and is formed by a base (27) having the form a "U" shaped profile open at the ends (32a, 32b) of which each of the vertical longitudinal walls (29, 30) has a succession of projections to form two by two the retaining tabs (8a, 8b) of a succession of part supports (7).

Note that each retaining assembly (22) is fixed by the ends of its horizontal wall (290) to the end profiles (25, 26) by means of wall elements (32) projecting from the horizontal wall (33) of each end profile.

Each cassette can, for example, include thirteen sets retainer (22) each comprising twenty-five workpiece supports (7). With such a cassette it is therefore possible to move various of the simultaneous treatment (s) of several pieces, and in the example given, of the three hundred and twenty-five pieces of deductions on the cassette. Indeed, the outward elasticity of the ends of each of the supports allows the retention of all parts and the chassis can then be moved, handled, returned, stored and submerged as well horizontally than vertically in the treatment baths, without that no coin falls.

The invention also relates to the means used for the placement of parts on the cassette and the means used to their removal and the installation comprising these means.

Thus, the installation (100) includes a positioning station parts on the cassette (40), which station comprising means for displacement (41) allowing the stepwise displacement of the cassettes (21) supply means (42) for parts, positioning means parts (43) and approximation means (44) allowing the approximation of the retaining tabs, all of these means being carried by a frame (45).

The displacement means (41) are constituted, for example, by two continuous lateral bands (46a, 46b) on which the cassettes (21), said strips being driven in displacement by a electric motor (47).

The parts supply means (42) are, for example, constituted by a vibrating bowl (48) supplying a distribution assembly (49) inclined comprising two parallel walls (49a, 49b) between which accumulate and organize the parts to be treated according to rows and successive lines, the first of which is in abutment against a stop transverse (49c), and this parallel to the retaining assemblies which move step by step under the feeding means.

The positioning means (43) consist of a automaton (50) pivotally mounted on a support (51) to be able to take two positions, a workpiece gripping position (P1) in which it is inclined opposite the line of waiting pieces arranged in abutment in the supply means, and an installation position and for engaging the parts (P2) on the corresponding supports, position in which the automaton is substantially vertical to the right of the row of supports to be fitted with parts. The automaton includes at its end a mobile support (53) comprising a row of gripping fingers (52) in number equal to the number of parts to be fitted. Each of the fingers (52) includes suction means allowing the retention of parts by suction in order to take them from the line of waiting parts and to move and engage them on the corresponding supports.

Before placing the parts on the supports, the means of approximation (44) of the legs of the supports are brought into work to bring together. These means consist of two jaws produced by cylindrical profiles (55a, 55b) mounted at the end of swivel bicycles (56a, 56b) on a chassis (57) movable vertically. The approximation of the jaws being controlled, for example, by a ramp system (58).

The frame (45) with its displacement means (41) is extended upstream to receive the cassettes with the parts already treated, said cassettes therefore being placed upstream on the conveyor belts (46a, 46b) to be moved step by step and emptied of their parts. To this end, the cassettes (21) are placed upside down on the bands and between the cleats guide and positioning, and approximation means (44) identical to those already described are provided to bring the tabs of restraint of the restraint systems and thus release the falling parts by their own weights in a storage container (59).

The cassettes thus gradually emptied are then lifted and returned by turning means (60) to then be rested on the conveyor belts and be supplied again in parts to be treated.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the modes of realization described and represented as examples, but it includes also all technical equivalents and their combinations.

Claims (10)

1. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) intended to undergo a surface treatment of the chemical or electrolytic type, consisting of at least one support (7) having the shape of an elastically deformable U, which comprises two substantially parallel lugs (8a, 8b) which are acted on so as to separate them through the elastic deformation of the U, the said support being intended to be disposed in the cavity (4) of the said tubular piece to be treated, characterised in that it comprises at least one single-piece holding assembly (22) formed by a base (27) having the shape of a U-shaped profiled section, each of whose longitudinal walls (29, 30) has a succession of projections forming, in pairs, the holding lugs (8a, 8b) of a succession of supports (7).
2. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a succession of supports (7) mounted in a peripheral frame (20) in order to constitute a handling case (21).
3. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the peripheral frame (20) is produced by means of an assembly of four profiled sections, namely two longitudinal profiled sections (23, 24) and two end profiled sections (25, 26).
4. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to Claim 3, characterised in that the holding assembly (22) is fixed by the ends of its horizontal wall (290) to the end profiled sections (25, 26) by means of wall elements (32) projecting from the horizontal wall (33) of each end profiled section.
5. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to Claim 4, characterised in that the peripheral frame (20) comprises a succession of support-carrier holding assemblies (22).
6. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that all the support-carrier holding assemblies (22) are fixed to the end profiled sections (25, 26) so as to lie parallel between them and to the two longitudinal profiled sections (23, 24).
7. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end (9a, 9b) of each of the lugs (8a, 8b) comprises a central cutout (10) in order to form two holding tips (lla, 11b).
8. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the U-shaped support is produced as a flat profiled section and in itself constitutes its elastic means through its own deformation.
9. Device for holding tubular-shaped metallic pieces (1) according to Claim 8, characterised in that the U-shaped support is produced from an elastic metallic material such as titanium.
10. Installation (100) intended to use the device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a frame (45) carrying means (41) of moving the feed means (42), means of putting pieces (43) into place and bringing-together means (44) enabling the holding lugs (8a, 8b) to be brought together simultaneously.

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