GB915351A - Improvements in or relating to feed mechanisms for power presses and like machines - Google Patents

Abstract

915,351. Feeding mechanism for presses. BLAKE, W. A., [trading as B.H.P. MACHINE TOOL CO.]. June 22, 1959 [March 20, 1958], No. 8893/58. Class 83 (4). A feed mechanism for a press of the type which includes a feed arm reciprocable between a pick-up point and a delivering point includes primary fluid-operated means adapted to reciprocate the feed arm, secondary fluidoperated means adapted to control the lifting and lowering of the feed arm at each of said points, control means being provided whereby the press is actuated to perform a working stroke upon the feed arm having effected a predetermined movement. The feed mechanism includes a mounting plate 10 located on or adjacent to the press so that the feed arm 11 may be reciprocated between the press tools and a feed table or magazine. The feed arm 11 is pivoted on a pivot head 12 which accommodates a spring 13 for urging the feed arm towards its lower or pick-up position. The feed arm may be provided at its operative end with a suction cup, a pair of gripper fingers or an electromagnet. The other end of the feed arm is adjustably secured to a link 15 attached to a main slide block 17 by means of a spring- loaded adjustable abutment 18. The slide block 17 is actuated to feed a workpiece to the press tools by a pneumatic double-acting motor 26 controlled through a valve 30 operated by a cam on the crank-shaft of the press. When the feed arm reaches its delivery position a cam 31 on the slide actuates the valve 30 to return the slide and feed arm to their initial positions. During the return movement of the slide a pivoted trigger cam 32 on the slide operates the press trip valve 33 controlling the clutch pedal of the press. A second air motor 35 is associated with the pivot head of the feed arm to raise the feed arm as it moves from the pick-up to the delivery positions. This motor is operated by a double-ended cam on the slide 17. The suction cup on the feed arm is operated from a vacuum producer 40 controlled through a valve 41 operated by stops 42 on the slide 17. A cam 46 on the slide 17 operates a valve 45 for controlling the movement of the magazine feed or rotation of the feed table in timed relationship with the movement of the feed arm. A manually-controlled master valve ensures that the feed arm comes to rest in the pick-up position. In a modification, the feed arm is provided with a pinion 50 (Fig. 6), which is operated by a rack 51 resiliently attached to the slide 17.