GB892771A - Improvements in or relating to machines for treating plate materials - Google Patents

Abstract

892,771. Suction work holders. VACUUM INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS Ltd. Oct. 14, 1960 [July 18, 1959], No. 24759/59. Class 60. A machine for treating plates, e.g. edge planing and shearing, includes a table incorporating at least one sucker head located to be engageable with the surface next the table of a plate applied to the table in which the sucker head is coupled to one end, of a piston rod the other end of which is coupled to a piston slidable in a cylinder, the piston rod penetrating a cover closing the cylinder at one end, the portion of the cylinder between the cover and the piston being connectable to a source of supply of operating fluid under pressure. The table 1 is formed with recesses 2 in which are located sucker heads 3, each head comprising a backing member having a wall 4, a resilient ring 5 and a clamping member 6 holding the ring 5 to the backing member. The head is attached to a hollow rod 7 penetrating a hole in the table co-axial with the recess 2; the rod 7 passes through a cylinder 8 and carries a piston 9 slidable in the cylinder. The interior of the rod 7 communicates with a pipe 10 connectable to evacuating means. The portions of the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston are connectable to a supply of pressure fluid by pipes 11, 12. In use, a plate is applied to the table, fluid is fed to the cylinders 8 to cause the sucker heads 3 to move out of the recesses, air pressure within the sucker heads is reduced so that the plate is gripped, and fluid is fed to the cylinders to provide the holding pressure. The thrust of the piston is greater in the downward direction than in the upward direction. The piston-cylinder may be single acting, upward movement of the piston being effected by spring means.