GB2105234A - Work support including positionable work-tables - Google Patents

Work support including positionable work-tables Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2105234A
GB2105234A GB08127146A GB8127146A GB2105234A GB 2105234 A GB2105234 A GB 2105234A GB 08127146 A GB08127146 A GB 08127146A GB 8127146 A GB8127146 A GB 8127146A GB 2105234 A GB2105234 A GB 2105234A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
work
frame
axis
motor
pivoting
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08127146A
Inventor
Allan Michael Blackburn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde Material Handling UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lansing Bagnall Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lansing Bagnall Ltd filed Critical Lansing Bagnall Ltd
Priority to GB08127146A priority Critical patent/GB2105234A/en
Priority to JP50268482A priority patent/JPS58501420A/en
Priority to EP19820902684 priority patent/EP0087449A1/en
Priority to PCT/GB1982/000266 priority patent/WO1983000828A1/en
Publication of GB2105234A publication Critical patent/GB2105234A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
    • B25J9/0096—Programme-controlled manipulators co-operating with a working support, e.g. work-table
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q1/00—Members which are comprised in the general build-up of a form of machine, particularly relatively large fixed members
    • B23Q1/25—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports
    • B23Q1/44—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports using particular mechanisms
    • B23Q1/50—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports using particular mechanisms with rotating pairs only, the rotating pairs being the first two elements of the mechanism
    • B23Q1/54—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports using particular mechanisms with rotating pairs only, the rotating pairs being the first two elements of the mechanism two rotating pairs only
    • B23Q1/5406—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports using particular mechanisms with rotating pairs only, the rotating pairs being the first two elements of the mechanism two rotating pairs only a single rotating pair followed perpendicularly by a single rotating pair
    • B23Q1/5412—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports using particular mechanisms with rotating pairs only, the rotating pairs being the first two elements of the mechanism two rotating pairs only a single rotating pair followed perpendicularly by a single rotating pair followed perpendicularly by a single rotating pair
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q1/00—Members which are comprised in the general build-up of a form of machine, particularly relatively large fixed members
    • B23Q1/25—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports
    • B23Q1/64—Movable or adjustable work or tool supports characterised by the purpose of the movement
    • B23Q1/66—Worktables interchangeably movable into operating positions

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Workshop Equipment, Work Benches, Supports, Or Storage Means (AREA)

Abstract

A work-table (1) is used in conjunction with an industrial robot (2) which has a working region (7). The table (2) comprises a frame (12) carrying, one at each end, two work-tables (13) and (14) which can be rotated normal to their working surfaces and which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis. Only one work-table can be within the region (7) at any one time. An actuator (20) is provided for rotating the frame (12) about a vertical axis so as to interchange the positions of the tables.

Description

SPECIFICATION Work positioner including rotatable work-tables This invention relates to a work positioner which is primarily though not necessarily exclusively intended for use with an industrial robot. The invention is particularly intended to enable a manner of working in which a robot performs programmed operations on an item of work while a fresh item is prepared or loaded or unloaded from the work support at a location out of reach ofthe robot. The invention is particularly though not exclusively useful for use in conjunction with a robot which performs a welding operation.A presently preferred form of work positioner according to the invention comprises a frame mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, at least two work-tables each of which is rotatable about an axis normal to a workface of the respective table, a respective motor for rotating each work-table, a support which permits pivoting of the respective worktable about a horizontal axis, respective drive means for controlling the pivoting of each table, and actuating means for controllably pivoting the frame about its axis whereby the frame is movable to bring one table into a position formerly occupied by another of the work-tables.
Therefollowsa description oftheinvention in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a work positioner shown in conjunction with an industrial robot; and Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the work positioner shown in Figure 1.
In Figure 1 of the drawings is shown a work positioner 1 in conjunction with an industrial robot 2.
This industrial robot is mounted in a fixed position, though it can rotate about a vertical axis. By means of a first brachium 3 and a second brachium 4 it can move a fore arm 5 which at its distal end has a wrist 6 which can carry a tool, for example a welding head.
By means of the movements of the brachia 3 and 4 and the fore arm 5 the robot 2 can perform operations in a region shown by the shaded area 7. Robots ofthis general character are disclosed, for example, in British Patent Specification No. 2061872A.
Robots or manipulators of the kind shown in the aforementioned specification are quite versatile and useful but, as shown by Figure 1, they necessarily have a restricted region of operation. It is, of course, possible to use a robot adjacent a production line but if essentially only one task is to be performed by the robotthe use of a conveyorfortraversing workpieces past the robot is inconvenient and wasteful.
Certain operations, particularly welding, require rotation ofthe workpiece while the work is performed on it and may require pivoting ofthe workpiece about a horizontal axis because, for example, the welding tool cannot always reach the rear face of the workpiece.
One embodiment of the invention, which so far as it concerns construction of a work positioner is illustrated to the left-hand side of Figure 1, is intended to facilitate the simultaneous loading of a workpiece on to a work-table while another (usually similar) item of work is receiving treatment from a tool carried by a single robot. The main purpose of the work positioner shown in the left-hand part of Figure 1 is to provide two rotatable and tiltable work-tables each of which can be rapidly moved to occupy the position of the other. A more comples embodiment having more work-tables may be feasible.
The work positioner 1 is mounted on a base plate 8 which for convenience also carries the robot 2 and which rests on a floor 9. The work positioner 1 comprises a central column 10 which at its upper end carries a slew bearing 11 providing a vertical pivot axis for a frame 12. The frame 12 carries, one at each end, two rotatable work-tables 13 and 14. These are similar and in the following only one will be described in detail. The work-table 13 is mounted on a support 15 which carries a motor, preferably a stepping motor 16 which is connected by means of appropriate drive shafts and gearing to the table 13 to effect rotation thereof about an axis normal to and preferably centrally of the upper surface of the work-table 13.
One advantage of this arrangement of the support is that it may be mounted so as to be bodilytiltable and the drive for rotating the work-table can be made relatively simple. If for example the motor were to be mounted fixedly with reference to the frame 12, a much more complex drive would be necessary for maintaining rotation of the work-table while it was tilted.
The tables may be provided with slots through which the work fixtures can be bolted in the normal manner but it is also intended that the fixtures can be permanently secured to their tables with the latter mounted on their drive shafts by easily removable couplings so that the complete table and fixture can be changed for another different unit. This arrangement saves weight and allows an increase in the actual jobweightwhich can be handled bythetables.
It is also of use independently of the other features of the positioner.
The support 15 is, together with the table 13 that it carries, tiltable about a horizontal axis provided by a pivot 18 in a bracket 17 carried at the respective end of the frame 12. The support 15 is connected by means of a hinge coupling 24 and a precision screw 23 to afurther motor 19 mounted on the frame 12 which by rotation of the worm in the jack effects tilting of the support and thereby tilting of the table 13 about the horizontal pivot axis.
As indicated, a similar arrangement is provided for the table 14. The table 14 is rotated by the motor 16a and tilted by means of the motor 19a.
Although it is feasible to arrange for 360 rotation of the frame 12 about its vertical axis, in this embodiment of the invention an actuator 20 is provided for effecting pivoting of the frame 12 comprising a rack and pinion operated by a pair of pneumatic cylinders 21 and 22. The cylinder 21 causes pivoting of the frame for 180 about its vertical pivot axis to bring the table 13 into the position formerly occupied by the table 14 and converse operation ofthe cylinder 22 will pivot the frame in the reverse direction to restore the original positions of the work-tables. Thereby the robot may perform operations on the table 14 while the table 13 is loaded and vice verso. A screen 25 may be provided above the actuator 20 to protect the operator from arc flash and splatter.
Figure 2 illustrates the work positioner from above and particularly shows the disposition of the cylinder 21 and 22. It also shows the jacks 23 associated with the support 15 and frame 12, with respect to one work-table 14, a similar arrangement of parts (not shown) being provided for the other table.
Pneumatic pressure may be made available at the centre of each table by means of a coaxial line which extends axially of the work-table and is connected to a source by a flexible coupling.
The operation of the work positioner can be programmed in association with the welding operation of the robot so that an appropriatefaceoftheworkpiece located on the work-table being used, is positioned in the most suitable plane for the weld to be applied.
The invention is not limited to any feature set forth herein and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding we reserve the right to assert monopoly in any novel useful combination of features disclosed herein.

Claims (7)

1. Awork positionercomprising a frame mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, at least two worktables each of which is rotatable about an axis normal to a workface of the table, a respective motor for rotating each work-table, a respective support which permits pivoting of the respective work-table about a horizontal axis, respective drive means for controlling the pivoting of each table and actuator means for controllably pivoting the frame about its axis whereby the frame can be moved to bring one table into a position formerly occupied by another table and vice versa.
2. Awork positioner according to claim 1 in which the motor for each respective work-table is mounted on the suport.
3. A work positioner according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the drive means comprises a respective screw jack.
4. Industrial equipment comprising a base, an industrial robot manipulator which is mounted in a fixed position on the said base and which includes arms for carrying a tool movable in a definable region, in combination with a work positioner which is mounted in a fixed position relative to the robot and which comprises a frame mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, two work-tables each of which is rotat able about an axis normal to the workface ofthe table, the positioner being disposed such that only one of the worktables can be within said region at any one time, a respective motor for rotating each work-table, two supports, each of which carries a respective motor and work-table and which is mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis relative to the frame, a respec- tive drive motor coupled to each support for control ling the pivoting of the respective table, and actuator means for controllably pivoting the frame about its axis whereby the positions of the tables can be inter changed.
5. Industrial equipment according to claim 4 in which each motor is a stepping motor.
6. A work positioner according to any of claims 1 to 3 or industrial equipment according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which each work-table is removable from the respective support and is provided with a permanent work fixture.
7. A work-table which is provided with a permanent work fixture and is mounted on a support for rotation about an upright axis by means including an easily removable coupling.
GB08127146A 1981-09-08 1981-09-08 Work support including positionable work-tables Withdrawn GB2105234A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08127146A GB2105234A (en) 1981-09-08 1981-09-08 Work support including positionable work-tables
JP50268482A JPS58501420A (en) 1981-09-08 1982-09-08 Workpiece positioning device including rotatable worktable
EP19820902684 EP0087449A1 (en) 1981-09-08 1982-09-08 Work positioner including rotatable work-tables
PCT/GB1982/000266 WO1983000828A1 (en) 1981-09-08 1982-09-08 Work positioner including rotatable work-tables

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08127146A GB2105234A (en) 1981-09-08 1981-09-08 Work support including positionable work-tables

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2105234A true GB2105234A (en) 1983-03-23

Family

ID=10524378

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08127146A Withdrawn GB2105234A (en) 1981-09-08 1981-09-08 Work support including positionable work-tables

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0087449A1 (en)
JP (1) JPS58501420A (en)
GB (1) GB2105234A (en)
WO (1) WO1983000828A1 (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3526076A1 (en) * 1985-07-20 1987-01-29 Messer Griesheim Gmbh DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING AND EDITING, ESPECIALLY FOR WELDING WORKPIECES IN INTERCHANGEABLE TIMES
EP0263169A1 (en) * 1986-04-18 1988-04-13 Thermwood Corporation Robot with workpiece feeder and holder
FR2712221A1 (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-05-19 Comau Spa Device and method for changing the position of two work tables, in particular two work-holding tables intended for assembling groups comprising elements made of pressed sheet metal.
WO2010069377A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Abb Technology Ab A kit and a method
WO2014029690A1 (en) * 2012-08-24 2014-02-27 Thyssenkrupp System Engineering Gmbh Device for providing retaining and/or processing apparatuses and system
CN104191117A (en) * 2014-09-02 2014-12-10 洁定医疗器械（苏州）有限公司 Tool system for automatically welding pressure container jacket
EP2752379A4 (en) * 2011-08-30 2015-09-02 Yaskawa Denki Seisakusho Kk Conveyance device and robot system
WO2016202922A1 (en) * 2015-06-17 2016-12-22 Yaskawa Nordic Ab A robot cell comprising an industrial robot and a positioner
US20170057082A1 (en) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-02 Caterpillar Inc. Robot system assembly and a mobile platform thereof
CN108408140A (en) * 2018-01-24 2018-08-17 青岛正典生物科技有限公司 A kind of multi-functional bird's nest production equipment

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3735858A1 (en) * 1987-10-23 1989-05-03 Chiron Werke Gmbh DEVICE FOR MAKING FASTENING BORES OR VALVE BORES IN A BOWL OR A RIM OF A WHEEL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
DE19640098C1 (en) * 1996-09-28 1998-03-26 Siepmann & Co Gmbh & Co E Twin work table grinding machine
DE10020879B4 (en) * 2000-04-28 2006-01-19 Dipl.-Ing. Laempe Gmbh Device for the mechanical pre-machining and / or finishing of castings
JP6379491B2 (en) * 2014-01-10 2018-08-29 ブラザー工業株式会社 Machine Tools
CN104290011A (en) * 2014-10-09 2015-01-21 中国汽车工业工程有限公司 Robot automatic tool changing workpiece polishing device
CN116209546A (en) * 2020-09-23 2023-06-02 Abb瑞士股份有限公司 Positioning device and system

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE128031C (en) *
US1422140A (en) * 1920-08-06 1922-07-11 Niles Bementpond Co Car-wheel-boring machine
DE1527066A1 (en) * 1957-07-31 1970-01-08 Frank Dipl Ing Rudolf Rotary indexing table for automatic indexing table machines
FR1434132A (en) * 1964-08-06 1966-04-08 Derefa Etablissement Pour Le D Rotary workpiece support device
AT270506B (en) * 1967-07-31 1969-04-25 Micafil Ag Swivel turret for loading automatic machines, in particular stator winding machines
CH585083A5 (en) * 1973-08-27 1977-02-28 Maho Werkzeugmaschbau Babel
DE2940822C2 (en) * 1979-10-09 1983-04-28 Gerhard 7311 Notzingen Stark Machine tool with a movable processing table that interacts with a pallet changer

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0210463A1 (en) * 1985-07-20 1987-02-04 ABB Roboter GmbH Device for finishing and processing, especially for welding work pieces in alternate strokes
DE3526076A1 (en) * 1985-07-20 1987-01-29 Messer Griesheim Gmbh DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING AND EDITING, ESPECIALLY FOR WELDING WORKPIECES IN INTERCHANGEABLE TIMES
EP0263169A1 (en) * 1986-04-18 1988-04-13 Thermwood Corporation Robot with workpiece feeder and holder
EP0263169A4 (en) * 1986-04-18 1989-06-21 Thermwood Corp Robot with workpiece feeder and holder.
FR2712221A1 (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-05-19 Comau Spa Device and method for changing the position of two work tables, in particular two work-holding tables intended for assembling groups comprising elements made of pressed sheet metal.
WO2010069377A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Abb Technology Ab A kit and a method
EP2752379A4 (en) * 2011-08-30 2015-09-02 Yaskawa Denki Seisakusho Kk Conveyance device and robot system
WO2014029690A1 (en) * 2012-08-24 2014-02-27 Thyssenkrupp System Engineering Gmbh Device for providing retaining and/or processing apparatuses and system
CN104191117A (en) * 2014-09-02 2014-12-10 洁定医疗器械（苏州）有限公司 Tool system for automatically welding pressure container jacket
WO2016202922A1 (en) * 2015-06-17 2016-12-22 Yaskawa Nordic Ab A robot cell comprising an industrial robot and a positioner
US20170057082A1 (en) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-02 Caterpillar Inc. Robot system assembly and a mobile platform thereof
CN106476040A (en) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-08 卡特彼勒公司 Robot system component and its mobile platform
CN106476040B (en) * 2015-08-31 2021-07-13 卡特彼勒公司 Robot system component and moving platform thereof
CN108408140A (en) * 2018-01-24 2018-08-17 青岛正典生物科技有限公司 A kind of multi-functional bird's nest production equipment
CN108408140B (en) * 2018-01-24 2020-11-06 青岛正典生物科技有限公司 Multi-functional edible bird's nest production facility

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1983000828A1 (en) 1983-03-17
EP0087449A1 (en) 1983-09-07
JPS58501420A (en) 1983-08-25

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)