GB1094317A - Assembling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1,094,317. Machine tool details. P. H. DIXON. July 26, 1966 No. 33627/66. Headings B3B and B3N. A machine for securing screws S Figs. 1 and 2, into a workpiece W, comprises a work fixture 13, a pneumatically actuated screwdriver 12 carried by a bracket 30 pivoted to an arm 51 which is pivoted to a base 11 at 52, a screwretaining hopper 20, a screw conveyer 85, a screw-feeder 19, and a positioner 16 for aligning the screwdriver with the holes in the workpiece. Driver 12 is releasably secured to a bracket 29 by clamps 27, 28, the bracket being slidable on a rod 33 carried by bracket 30 Fig. 6. The driver frictionally holds screws S by fingers 42 and the fingers are moved towards and away from the workpiece by a rod 43. Bracket 29 is moved vertically by a pneumatic piston and cylinder 55, through levers 57, 59, 60 and a loss motion device 63, 65, 66. Air is supplied to the driver 12 and the piston 55 through a valve 76 actuated by a button 17 on a handle 15, and thence through lines 25, and 80 or 81 respectively. Hopper 20, Fig. 2, comprises a wheel 95 having scoops 96, which is rotated by a pawl 98 and ratchet 103, the pawl being secured to an arm 99 on lever 60 so that as the latter rocks, when piston 55 is actuated, wheel 95 is indexed. To insure against screws jamming in a slot 89 in the conveyer 85 a vibrating kicker 106 is provided Fig. 4, which is vibrated when lever 60 rocks, by a pawl 109, which ratchets over the teeth of a member 110. A transfer device 86 for carrying the individual screws from the end of conveyer 85 to fingers 42 comprises a block 115 Fig. 4, carrying fingers 116, mounted in a bracket 117 fixed to bracket 30. The fingers 116 are opened and closed by a member 130, and block 115 is moved by a member 141, and these members are actuated by piston 55 through levers 57 and 140 respectively. For causing fingers 42 to pick up a screw from fingers 116, a spring blade 160 on lever 60 Fig. 4, engages a lug 161 on rod 43 when lever 60 rotates clockwise, and lifts the rod and fingers 42 relative to driver 12. Fingers 116 are swung into position beneath the driver 12, blade 160 slips away from lug 161, rod 43 drops, fingers 42 jam down on the screw, and fingers 116 are opened. Positioner 16 comprises a resilient arm 170 Fig. 22, having a conical tip 172 which co-operates with hole 175 in the fixture surface 174 corresponding to the screwed holes in the workpiece, and is normally held out of such engagement by a pneumatic actuator 177. In operation, starting from the position of Fig. 6, piston 55 is retracted, fingers 116 are open, and a screw is held beneath the screwdriver blade 26 by fingers 42. The operator grasps handle 15 and swings the driver over a screwed hole in the workpiece and positioner 16 locates the driver. Button 17 is pressed, valve 76 is shifted, and the parts assume the Fig. 8 positions (not shown). Piston 55 rotates lever 57 clockwise, block 115 is lifted, thus moving fingers 116 away from fingers 42, and the driver moves towards the workpiece and into the position of Fig. 9 (not shown) whereupon the screw S is screwed into the workpieee.