EP1900450B1

EP1900450B1 - Method and associated oscillating apparatus for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section on a transfer and feeding disk or disks and/or chains for automatic machines

Info

Publication number: EP1900450B1
Application number: EP07017464A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudio Bernardinis
Original assignee: AWM SpA
Current assignee: AWM SpA
Priority date: 2006-09-12
Filing date: 2007-09-06
Publication date: 2012-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-06
Also published as: EP1900450A1; ITUD20060209A1; ES2379595T3; ATE546243T1

Abstract

A method and associated oscillating apparatus for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section, on a transfer and feeding disk or disks (2) and/or chains for automatic machines. The disk (2) with peripheral contoured teeth (3) is actuated by means of the shaft (1) and is allowed to oscillate angularly back and forth by means of an eccentric element (8). Said disk picks up individually a metal bar (4) from the hopper (5) and conveys it on command until it falls by gravity onto the feed chute (6) of the automatic machine.

Description

Field of application

The present invention relates to a oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus an to a method for facilitating the transverse insertion of steel and/or metal bars in general, having any cross-section, on a transfer and feeding disk or disks and/or chains for automatic machines, particularly for electric welding and/or automatic bending units, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2 and 11 and 12 respectively.
The invention is particularly advantagious for the unit for transverse feeding of single metal bars which are straight and/or bent and which have cross-sections of any size and a regular and/or irregular geometric shape (in the specific case, for steel bars with an enhanced surface, which are suitable to provide electrically welded metal nets and/or three-dimensional lattice-like cages used to reinforced concrete castings in the building sector and/or in the field of building prefabrication).
The invention consists in providing a mechanical transverse single bar feeder apparatus which is capable of oscillating alternately in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the toothed disk and is contoured for correct individual distribution of bars.
The aim of the invention is to facilitate transverse insertion on the perpendicular toothed feeder disk, provided with peripheral seats, each of which accommodates a profiled element, for a bar of any sort, even having an irregular cross-section, and to ensure at the same time that only one bar is contained in each of said seats, in order to avoid overlaps which would cause hindrances and stops of the automatic manufacturing machines.

Background art

In the background art, various systems and methods are known for feeding metal bars in a transverse direction in automatic production machines: for example, in machines for forming electrically welded metal nets and/or in machines for forming metallic lattice-like cages or structures used in the building sector.
For example, a method for feeding metallic bars in a transverse direction is known which uses at least one toothed disk which has, on its circumference, a plurality of recessed and contoured seats, which are suitable to accommodate only one profiled element for each seat and which, by rotating, releases one bar at a time for correct feeding of the automatic machine (in the case of electric welding to form metal nets).
Said seats are provided for specific sectional dimensions of the bars, so that as the sectional dimensions or geometric shapes of the bars vary, it may happen that two profiled elements (if they have a small diameter) may become inserted in a single seat, or a bar having an irregular cross-section might be unable to enter said seat by gravity.
This causes the interruption of the subsequent production step, with considerable economic damage due to failed production; manual intervention of the operator is furthermore necessary in order removed the hindering bar or to arrange it better within the seat of the single bar feeding toothed disk.
Moreover, it has been noted that the step for distribution and individual feeding of the bars in a transverse direction is interrupted even if the circumferential contoured seats of the feeder disk of the individual type are the type that is ideal for the cross-section of the profiled element, due to the accumulation of multiple profiled elements and to the poor positioning of the first profiled element at the seat of the transfer disk.
This drawback becomes particularly conspicuous with bars having irregular cross-sections (for example cross-sections of the oval type, so that if the profiled element arrives at the inlet of the seat of the rotating disk in a position in which its diameter is narrower, it is conveyed normally, but this does not occur if said profiled element arrives in a position in which its diameter is larger), stopping the feeding to the automatic machine.
These last drawbacks have been observed in automatic production machines which use metallic bars which have an enhanced outer surface of the Russian type.
EP 0 411 688 A1 describes an apparatus with conveyor means for the transport of bars, the apparatus being constituted by a so-said rack, followed by a chain conveyor means. The rack comprises a saw-teeth-shaped stationary bed, intersected by a set of mobile, also saw-teeth-shaped, rakes, and by a set of conical, motor-driven rolls, which are aligned with the chains of the conveyor unit.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides for an oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section as defined in claims 1 and 2.
Furthermore, the present invention provides for a method for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section as defined in claims 11 and 12.
The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the apparatus and method of the invention.
It has been thought to overcome the drawbacks observed in units for automatic feeding of metal bars individually which use for this purpose one or more rotating disks with circumferential seats for the individual transverse conveyance of said metal bars which have any kind of regular or irregular cross-section, having the following characteristics:

to facilitate individual gravity insertion of the straight (or variously bent) metal bar, which lies in an appropriately provided temporary magazine which contains multiple bars of equal cross-section, into the seats of the transverse disk, which turns on command in order to pick up and convey one bar at a time, the axis of rotation of said conveyor disk has been provided so that it can oscillate in an angular fashion;
The axis of said conveyor disk can oscillate (i.e., remain stationary and oscillate in an angular fashion) on command back and forth with respect to the ideal position of entry of the metal bar. The extent and frequency of said radial oscillation is adjustable on command depending on the mechanical, geometric, dimensional characteristics of the metal bars to be conveyed transversely and individually;
the angular oscillation of the axis of the transverse bar conveyor disk is provided by means of a mechanical eccentric device, which acts indirectly on the axis of rotation of the disk and in turn is actuated by another actuation unit for its rotation. In this case, the entire actuation and control assembly of the conveyor disk oscillates on command along the axis of said disk;
the alternating radial and/or orbital angular oscillation of the disk and therefore of the seat in position, which must accommodate in cross-section the metal bar to be conveyed laterally, facilitates its entry into the seat even if it is poorly positioned;
a similar result can be achieved by means of an oscillation generated by an adjustable mechanical eccentric unit, which acts directly on the entire unit for actuating and controlling the bar supporting rotating disk. In this case, the oscillation is not radial with respect to the axis of the disk but also moves said axis;
the same principle of the use of oscillation and/or vibration can be applied to the gravity bar conveyance and collection assembly before the lateral insertion of said bars on the rotating disk for individual conveyance. In this case, the oscillation and/or vibration is of the horizontal type in order to allow easier falling into the contoured seat of said disk;
the angular oscillation of the seat of the rotating bar conveyance disk or the oscillation of the entire actuation assembly of said disk occurs means which are known to the person skilled in the art, such as mechanical eccentric devices and/or magnetic and/or electronic and/or electromechanical devices;
the oscillating apparatus is advantageous and ensures that each contoured circumferential seat of the conveyor disk is occupied by a single metal bar, even if it has an irregular cross-section.

Summary of the invention

The aim of the invention is achieved by means of the method and the corresponding oscillation apparatus for facilitating the transverse insertion of steel and/or metal bars in general according to claims 1, 2, 11, and 12.
An object of the present invention is to avoid interruptions and jammings in the individual transverse feeding of straight and non-straight metal bars on automatic production machines, such as for example units for automatic electric welding to form metal nets suitable for the building sector and/or automatic machines for forming three-dimensional lattice-like metal cages and/or bar bending machines.
The applied method uses the oscillation and/or vibration of the rotating disk (which has circumferential seats), suitable for the individual lateral movement of the metal bars in order to feed the automatic machines, to facilitate the insertion of the bars in such seats. The oscillation or vibration is applied to the disk rotation shaft, so that the alternating oscillation occurs angularly with respect to the axis, forward and backward, or also in a rectilinear direction, causing the oscillation of the entire conveyor disk supporting unit. The same result is achieved also with a similar oscillation which is applied, simultaneously with the oscillation of the disk or not, to the unit for collecting or conveying metal bars while waiting for insertion on the seats of the rotating disk for the individual movement of the bars.
The alternating oscillation movement of the shaft of the rotating disk with circumferential seats is achieved by using methods which are known to operators in the field, such as a mechanical eccentric system which acts directly or indirectly on the axis of rotation of the individual transfer disk, in order to perform an angular oscillation, an electromagnetic system, an electromechanical system, an electronic system, acting on the control of the actuation motors, a pneumatic system acting with suitable actuators on command on said bar supporting rotating disk or on its rotation shaft and/or on the magazine; a vibration system applied to the bar supporting disk and/or to the bar collection unit ahead of the disk, a mechanical system for actuation of the disk, whose unit rested on elastic supporting springs is made to oscillate on command by suitable actuators in order to cause the oscillation or vibration of the bar receiving seat of the disk.
The invention achieves advantageously and automatically on command, and is adjustable as the mechanical and geometric characteristics of the metal bars to be conveyed vary, the function of picking up one bar at a time from the container by gravity, and conveys it laterally by means of at least one disk and/or chain which is arranged at right angles to said bars and has, on its circumference, a plurality of contoured seats which are suitable to receive one bar at a time.
The metal bar, which arrives from the container by gravity, is facilitated in entering the peripheral contoured seat of the underlying disk by virtue of the back-and-forth oscillation of said disk (in an angular direction with respect to the rotation of the disk or in another direction of oscillation). Said bar is conveyed on command, by virtue of the systems for automating and actuating the shaft on which the disk is mounted, from the position for falling from the upstream container (by turning the disk), to a position for unloading by gravity on an appropriately provided conveyance and feed chute of the automatic machine (for example an electric welding unit or a bending machine).
Another variation of the present invention is the possibility to use one or more chains which are particularly suitable, with teeth contoured for conveying metal bars, as a replacement of the contoured disks. The chain can oscillate back and forth in order to ensure the pick-up of a single profiled element per tooth from the upstream hopper, and unload on command one profiled element at a time onto the machine feed chute.
Of course, in relation to the sectional and geometric dimensions of the cross-section of the metal bars to be moved individually, it is necessary of course to provide for the replacement and/or adjustment of the disks and/or chains with others which have more appropriate seats in order to ensure the individual nature of the pick-up and lateral conveyance of said bars.
The invention is highly versatile in use, since the conveyor disk and/or the chain with the contoured seats are adapted and are suitable for many types of cross-section of the metal profiled element.
The present invention solves advantageously the drawbacks observed with current systems by using the oscillations or vibrations of the devices suitable to receive the metal bars and their lateral conveyance individually and in an assured manner in order to ensure feed continuously the automatic production machines without interruptions.

Brief description of drawings

Two embodiments according to the present invention are illustrated by way of preferred example in the three accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional front view of a first preferred embodiment of the unit for feeding metal bars individually, composed of an oscillation device with an eccentric element which acts on the rotation shaft of the lateral metal bar conveyor disk. The bar magazine with gravity unloading is visible above the disk, with contoured peripheral seats. The rotation on command of the contoured disk with suitable motion transmission means allows individual conveyance of the bars to the chute for evacuation or for use of the automatic machines;
Figure 2 is a partial side view of the eccentric oscillation device;
Figure 3 is a transverse sectional front view of three different examples of metal bars with an enhanced surface for use in the building sector;
Figure 4 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention, using a chain with particular teeth for conveying bars, which is actuated by virtue of two toothed disks.

As can be seen from the accompanying figures, a preferred embodiment is described of the oscillating apparatus for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars (4) of any cross-section on a disk (2) or disks for transfer and feeding for automatic machines (for example automatic electric welding assemblies, bending machines, et cetera).
The device for lateral transfer of the bars is the rotating disk (2), which is actuated on command by a suitable gear motor (9) and an extension (10) for motion transmission which is provided with suitable flexible articulations for transferring motion, even by virtue of successive elements, to the disk supporting axis (1). Said disk (2), or multiple disks mutually aligned and parallel disks if particularly long metal bars are used, has, on its circumference, hollow contoured seats (3) which are equidistant and have an irregular shape, which however is suitable to allow the insertion of the bar (4), and then its pickup by gravity, from an upstream position from a suitable magazine (5) which lies above said rotating disk. The disk turns about its own axis (1) and in its movement it entrains the individual profiled element from a pick-up position to a position for unloading onto an appropriately provided chute (6) by gravity, freeing the seat of the disk for another cycle.
It has been noted that sometimes, by varying the cross-section of the bars (4), (example 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) during continuous production, the step for the insertion of the bars by gravity on the respective contoured seats of the rotating disk becomes difficult indeed due to the tendency of said bars to become entangled inside the container (6), in the outlet proximate to the disk, preventing regular insertion: This is where the novelty of the present invention intervenes to solve the problem, by producing an oscillation of the disk (in this case an angular oscillation in the direction of rotation, back and forth) which is controlled and adjustable, with suitable mechanical means such as an electric motor (7) and an eccentric element (8) with an arm and/or linkage which acts on the shaft (1) that supports the disk for conveying the bars (4).
Of course, the oscillation of the disk can also occur in a different manner, for example by oscillating in an alternating manner the disk also in another direction which is different from the radial rotation direction, always using an eccentric device. The oscillation or vibration movement of the disk (2) can occur with other means which are known to the person skilled in the art (for example with the use of elastic springs which support the entire unit, or other equivalent solutions). The oscillation and/or vibration of the insertion seat (3) of the disk (2) increases the dimension of its access port and therefore facilitates the fall of the first overlying profile.
One possible variation to the present invention consists in using the oscillation or vibration (performed simultaneously or not) with the oscillation or vibration of the rotating disk, in moving with alternating jolts the metal bar magazine upstream. In this manner, by shaking the magazine, the alignment of the bars inside it is improved, thus sorting them with respect to the gravity outlet.
The second possible variation to the present invention consists in using one or more chains (12) with particular teeth for conveying metal bars (4). The chain is moved on command, by means of two toothed disks (13, 14), from a position for picking up the bars from the hopper (5) to a position for individual unloading onto the chute (6). To be certain of individual pickup for each tooth of the chain, said chain is moved back and forth alternately and repeatedly, by producing the angular oscillation of the driving toothed disk, in order to allow the exact insertion of the bar transversely on the seat of the tooth.
However, it is possible to apply other techniques which use oscillation and/or vibration of the conveyor disk and/or of the metal bars contained in the upstream magazine.
Of course, the invention is not limited to the example of embodiment described above, starting from which it is possible to provide other forms and other embodiments, and the details of execution may in any case vary within the scope of the invention as stated and claimed hereinafter.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

An oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section, on a transfer and feeding disk or disks and/or chains for automatic machines, said apparatus comprising:
one or more rotating disks and/or chains (2) for the transfer of metal bars (4), said disks and/or chains (2) being provided at the circumference thereof with contoured seats (3) which are suitable to accommodate transversely said bars (4), having any regular or irregular cross-section, to transfer them individually, by rotation, from a collection position to a release position, making them slide by gravity on an appropriately provided chute (6), characterized by

means (7, 8) devised to impart to said disks and/or chains (2) an alternating angular back-and-forth oscillation on command with respect to their axis of rotation, with adjustable extent and frequency, in order to increase the access opening of each seat (3) in relation to the requirements, thereby facilitating the entry of a single bar (4).
An oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section, on a transfer and feeding disk or disks and/or chains for automatic machines, said apparatus comprising::
one or more rotating disks and/or chains (2) for the transfer of metal bars (4), said disks and/or chains (2) being provided at the circumference thereof with contoured seats (3) which are suitable to accommodate transversely said bars (4), having any regular or irregular cross-section, to transfer them individually, by rotation, from a collection position to a release position, making them slide by gravity on an appropriately provided chute (6), characterized by

means devised to impart to said disks and/or chains (2) a straight alternating oscillation moving the entire actuation unit of said disks and/or chains (2) with adjustable extent and frequency, in order to increase the access opening of each seat (3) in relation to the requirements, thereby facilitating the entry of a single bar (4).
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means (7, 8) devised to impart to said disks and/or chains (2) an alternating angular back-and-forth oscillation include an eccentric device (8), which acts directly and/or indirectly on a rotation of a shaft (1) that supports the said disks and/or chains (2).
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said disk and/or chain (2) for transferring bars in a transverse direction works below a gravity bar magazine (5), from which it picks up one bar (4) at a time in order to move it on command to said chute (6), said gravity bar magazine (5) being fixed or also be allowed to oscillate or vibrate continuously or at intervals in order to facilitate the alignment of the bars (4) with respect to the underlying exit opening.
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the oscillations of the disks and/or chains (2) and/or of the container (5) for the bars (4) are provided by the same device or by two mutually independent distinct devices.
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the metal bars (4) are straight and/or bent and have various lengths, weights, dimensions and cross-sectional shapes (4.1, 4.2, 4.3).
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the oscillations at the disks (2) are provided by means of mechanical and non mechanical devices, such as for example electromagnetic, electronic, pneumatic actuators and the like.
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each contoured seat (3) is a peripheral hollow seat (3), the disk (2) with the peripheral hollow seats (3) being interchangeable with others which are provided in a similar manner or are different, with different peripheral seats (3) in relation to the diametrical dimensions of the bars (4) to be moved.
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in that each contoured seat (3) is a peripheral hollow seat (3), the disk (2) with the peripheral hollow seats (3) suitable to receive the bars (4) individually being of the type with a variable configuration, i.e., said seats (3) can be adjusted dimensionally by means of a second disk which rests against the main one and is provided with similar seats (3) but can be adjusted angularly and can be fixed to the first disk to increase or decrease the width of the bar receiving of the main disk.
The oscillating transfer and feeding apparatus according to one or more of claims 1 and 3 through 6, wherein the apparatus uses one or more chains (12) with particular contoured teeth which are suitable for the individual transverse conveyance of the metal bars (4), said chains (12) being actuated on command by two toothed pulleys (13, 14), in which the driving pulley imparts an alternating back-and-forth angular oscillation in order to facilitate the transverse insertion of the bars (4) in each tooth of said chain.
A method for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section, on a transfer and feeding disk or disks and/or chains for an automatic machine, the machine including one or more rotating disks and/or chains (2) for the transfer of metal bars (4), said disks and/or chains (2) being provided at the circumference thereof with contoured seats (3) which are suitable to accommodate transversely said bars (4), having any regular or irregular cross-section, to transfer them individually, by rotation, from a collection position to a release position, making them slide by gravity on an appropriately provided chute (6), characterized by the step of imparting to said disks and/or chains (2) an alternating angular back-and-forth oscillation on command with respect to their axis of rotation, with adjustable extent and frequency, in order to increase the access opening of each seat (3) in relation to the requirements, thereby facilitating the entry of a single bar (4).
A method for facilitating the transverse insertion of metal bars having any cross-section, on a transfer and feeding disk or disks and/or chains for an automatic machine, the machine including one or more rotating disks and/or chains (2) for the transfer of metal bars (4), said disks and/or chains (2) being provided at the circumference thereof with contoured seats (3) which are suitable to accommodate transversely said bars (4), having any regular or irregular cross-section, to transfer them individually, by rotation, from a collection position to a release position, making them slide by gravity on an appropriately provided chute (6), characterized by the step on imparting to said disks and/or chains (2) a straight alternating oscillation moving the entire actuation unit of said disks and/or chains (2) with adjustable extent and frequency, in order to increase the access opening of each seat (3) in relation to the requirements, thereby facilitating the entry of a single bar (4).
The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of imparting to said disks and/or chains (2) an alternating angular back-and-forth oscillation includes operating an eccentric device (8), which acts directly and/or indirectly on a rotation of a shaft (1) that supports the said disks and/or chains (2).