JP2004176122A - Workpiece alignment device, and workpiece alignment method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a workpiece alignment device in which the alignment of workpieces can easily be performed. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises an alignment table 31 provided with a plurality of pin insert holes 33 almost along the contour line of each workpiece W to be aligned, a pin fixing table 35 arranged so as to be located below the alignment table 31, a plurality of alignment pins 40 fixed to the pin fixing table 35 so as to correspond to the pin insert holes 33 and having tips formed so as to be the tapered ones with conical or truncated cone shape, and in which a part of each outer circumferential face on the base side is externally contacted with the contour line of each workpiece W, and a contact-separation mechanism 36 of relatively contacting and separating the alignment table 31 and the pin fixing table 35. The outer circumference of each workpiece W fed to the surface of the alignment table 31 is regulated by the alignment pins 40 projected from the pin insert holes 33, and the workpieces W are aligned by the space surrounded by the alignment pins 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a work aligning apparatus and a work aligning method, and particularly to a work aligning apparatus and a work aligning method suitable for automatically removing a plated work from a plating jig and automatically aligning the removed work.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In electrolytic plating, a plurality of workpieces (objects to be plated) are mounted on a predetermined plating jig, and electricity is supplied from an electrode (cathode) via the plating jig to perform plating.
The plating jig has a connection portion to the cathode and a number of power supply pins provided at the connection portion, and holds (holds) the work by the elastic force of the power supply pin (usually referred to as hooking). I have to.
[0003]
Although the work is usually hooked on the plating jig manually, a device that can automatically hook and remove the work has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a work is placed horizontally on an upper surface of a mounting table, and a plating jig is horizontally supported and arranged above the mounting table such that a power supply pin faces downward. Is placed on the side of the plating jig, a long open / close lever is inserted between the power supply pins from the switchgear side, and the open / close levers are simultaneously opened outward to push both power supply pins outward. The work can be held between the two power supply pins.
Conversely, after plating, the work after plating can be removed on the mounting table by simultaneously pushing and spreading the power supply pins.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-140398 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, although the work can be automatically hooked and removed automatically, after plating, the removed work has to be manually stored in a tray or the like.
In other words, when the work is hooked on the power supply pin of the plating jig, the work is sandwiched between the left and right power supply pins by at least two power supply pins, but the left and right power supply pins are bent or have elasticity. Since the workpieces are not uniform, when the workpiece is hooked on the plating jig, the workpieces are already in a non-aligned state. Therefore, even when the work is removed from the plating jig, the work is in the non-aligned state. Inevitably, it cannot be carried into a storage unit such as a tray in the state as it is.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a work alignment apparatus and a work alignment method that can easily align works.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a work alignment device according to the present invention includes an alignment table provided with a plurality of pin insertion holes substantially along a contour line of each work to be aligned, and an alignment table positioned below the alignment table. A plurality of pin fixing bases arranged, and a plurality of pin fixing bases are fixed to the pin fixing bases corresponding to the pin insertion holes, and the tip is formed in a tapered shape having a conical or truncated cone shape, and a part of the outer peripheral surface on the base side Has an alignment pin circumscribing the contour of the work, and a contact / separation mechanism for relatively moving the alignment table and the pin fixing base toward and away from each other. The outer circumference is regulated by the alignment pins protruding from the holes, and the alignment pins are aligned in a space surrounded by the alignment pins.
[0008]
In addition, a part of the plurality of alignment pins is located between two adjacently arranged works, and is formed as a dual-purpose alignment pin that is in contact with a contour line of both works.
Further, the work after plating held by the power supply pin of the plating jig is released from the power supply pin by pushing and opening the power supply pin from below by the opening / closing claw portion, and the stage portion located between the opening / closing claw portion is opened. A device for automatically removing a workpiece from a plating jig placed on the upper surface, and a suction transport device for sucking and transporting a plurality of workpieces placed on the stage unit and supplying the workpiece to a required position on the alignment table And characterized in that:
Further, the suction conveyance device also serves as a conveyance device for sucking and conveying the aligned work again and storing the work in the storage section.
[0009]
Further, the work alignment method according to the present invention uses the work alignment device, supplies a work onto the alignment table, and relatively moves the alignment table and the pin fixing table by the contact / separation mechanism. The alignment pin is projected from the pin insertion hole of the alignment table, and the work is regulated in the space surrounded by the alignment pin by regulating the outer periphery of the work by the alignment pin.
Further, the invention is characterized in that the workpieces aligned by the alignment pins are sucked and conveyed, and the workpieces are stored in the storage unit.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, hooking of a work on a plating jig and removal of the work from the plating jig by the power supply pin opening / closing device 10 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the opening / closing device 10, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.
Reference numeral 12 denotes a stage on which the work W can be placed on the upper surface. The stage portion 12 is formed in a strip shape so that a plurality of works W can be placed at predetermined intervals, and is fixed on a base 14 via a support rod 13. The stage units 12 are provided in a plurality of rows (seven rows in the illustrated example) in parallel.
The stage section 12 is provided narrower than the work W.
[0011]
15a is an opening / closing claw portion on one side, 15b is an opening / closing claw portion on the other side, and both opening / closing claw portions 15a and 15b are located on both sides of each stage portion 12. It is provided to be able to move toward and away from both outsides.
The opening / closing claw portions 15a and 15b are provided along the elongated stage portion 12, and also have a strip shape in plan view.
The upper end surface of the opening / closing claw portion 15 is located slightly below the upper surface of the stage portion 12.
[0012]
The opening / closing claw portion 15 extends downward, and the opening / closing claw portion 15a on one side of each row has, as shown in FIG. 2, a lower end fixed to one connecting piece 17 extending perpendicular to each row below each row. I have. Similarly, the opening / closing claw 15b on the other side of each row also extends downward, and the lower end is fixed to the other connecting piece 18 that extends perpendicularly to each row below each row.
As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the connecting piece 17 is connected to the end of the rod 20a of the air cylinder 20 via the mediating piece 19, and the other end of the connecting piece 18 is connected to the mediating piece 21. Is connected to the end of the rod 22a of the air cylinder 22 via the
[0013]
The air cylinders 20 and 22 are provided on the base 14 in opposite directions to each other, and when this air cylinder is driven, the opening / closing claw portion on one side is connected via the connecting piece 17 on one side and the connecting piece 18 on the other side. 15a and the opening / closing claw 15b on the other side are simultaneously moved toward and away from the corresponding stage 12. Although not shown, the connecting pieces 17 and 18 are guided via guides so as to move smoothly in a horizontal plane.
The opening and closing mechanism 23 of the opening and closing claw 15 is configured by the two air cylinders 20 and 22, the intermediate pieces 19 and 21, and the connecting pieces 17 and 18.
Note that an opening / closing mechanism that individually moves the opening / closing claw portions 15 in each row toward and away from each other may be used.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 25 denotes a plating jig, which is positioned above the opening / closing device 10 by a suitable transport mechanism or manually, and is horizontally supported by a supporting member (not shown) so that the power supply pin 26 faces upward. It is carried in as follows.
As shown in the figure, the stage section 12 and both open / close claw sections 15a and 15b of each row of the opening / closing device 10 protrude upward, but when the plating jig 10 is carried in, this protruding section is moved to the plating jig 25. Are set so as to be located between the corresponding power supply pins 26.
[0015]
It is configured as described above.
Next, the operation will be described.
3 to 6 are explanatory diagrams of a case where the work W is hooked on the power supply pins 26 of the plating jig 25.
As shown in FIG. 3, the plating jig 25 is set so as to be located above the opening / closing device 10.
Next, the opening / closing device 10 is raised (or the plating jig 25 is lowered), and the opening / closing claw portion 15 and the stage portion 12 enter between the corresponding power supply pins 26.
[0016]
Next, the opening / closing mechanism 23 is actuated, and the opening / closing claw portions 15a and 15b open both outwards with respect to the stage portion 12, and as shown in FIG. 4, the power supply pin 26 is pushed outwards against the elastic force. be opened.
As a result, the space above the stage section 12 is greatly opened.
In this state, the work W is suction-conveyed by a suction conveyance mechanism (not shown) and is placed on the upper surface of the stage unit 12. In this way, the workpieces W can be mounted on each stage unit 12 in each row at the same time.
[0017]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening / closing mechanism 23 operates to close the opening / closing claw portions 15a and 15b.
As a result, the power supply pin 26 elastically returns, sandwiches the work W on the stage 12 from both sides, and holds the work W by its elastic force.
Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing device 10 is relatively lowered with respect to the plating jig 25, so that the plating jig 25 with the work W hooked on the power supply pin 26 can be taken out.
[0018]
7 to 10 are explanatory diagrams of a case where the workpiece W is automatically removed from the plating jig 25 after plating.
As shown in FIG. 7, the plating jig 25 after plating is carried into a predetermined position above the opening / closing device 10 by an appropriate transport mechanism, and is horizontally supported by the support mechanism. Next, the opening / closing device 10 is raised relatively to the plating jig 25, and the stage portion 12 and the opening / closing claw portion 15 enter between the power supply pins 26 (FIG. 8).
[0019]
Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the opening / closing mechanism 23 is operated, and the opening / closing claw portions 15a and 15b are opened both outwards with respect to the stage portion 12, and the power supply pin 26 is pushed outwards against the elastic force. Push open. As a result, the holding of the work W is released, and the work W falls a small distance and is placed on the stage unit 12. Since the upper part of the stage unit 12 is largely open, the work W can be suctioned from above the stage unit 12 by a separate suction conveyance device (not shown), and the work W can be carried outside, for example, onto a tray.
Next, the opening and closing device 10 is relatively lowered, and the empty plating jig 25 can be taken out to the outside.
As described above, the work W can be automatically hooked on the plating jig 25, and the work W after plating can be easily removed from the plating jig 25 easily.
[0020]
Next, the work alignment device 30 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the alignment device 30, and FIG. 12 is a plan view thereof.
Reference numeral 31 denotes an alignment table, which is horizontally fixed on the upper side of the base 32. The alignment table 31 is provided with a plurality of pin insertion holes 33 substantially along the contour of each work W to be aligned.
In the illustrated example, the work W has a rectangular shape, and two pin insertion holes 33 are provided along each side of the work W.
Also, eight works W can be placed on the alignment table 31 in a row at a predetermined interval. The pin insertion holes 33 between the adjacent works W are shared by both works W.
[0021]
Below the alignment table 31, a pin fixing table 35 is provided so as to be vertically movable (to be able to move toward and away from the alignment table 31). That is, the rod 37 of the air cylinder 36 fixed to the base 32 is fixed to the pin fixing base 35, and the pin fixing base 35 moves up and down by driving the air cylinder 36. 38 is the guide rod. The air cylinder 36 and the like constitute a moving mechanism.
[0022]
The alignment pins 40 are fixed to the pin fixing base 35 upward. The alignment pin 40 is fixed on a plurality of pin fixing bases 35 corresponding to the pin insertion holes 33, and has a tapered tip having a conical or truncated cone shape. It is made to circumscribe the contour. Here, the contour refers to the contour of the projection unit from above the work W.
Reference numeral 42 denotes a vibrator attached to the base 32, which is operated by air. The vibrator 42 does not necessarily have to be provided.
[0023]
The alignment device 30 is configured as described above.
Subsequently, the operation and the work alignment method will be described together with reference to FIGS.
As described above, the workpiece W after plating is automatically removed from the stage 12 of the opening and closing device 10 (FIG. 9). At this time, since the power supply pin 26 is pushed and opened outward by the opening / closing claw 15, the space above the stage 12 is largely open.
As described above, the work W can be supplied and discharged from the open space by the suction conveyance device (not shown).
[0024]
One row of the work W after plating is sucked out of the stage 12 and taken out, transported to the alignment device 30 and supplied to the alignment table 31 (FIG. 13).
As described above, from the point in time when the workpiece W is held by the power supply pins 26 in the plating jig 25, the respective workpieces W cannot be said to be in an aligned state, and are illustrated in FIG. As described above, the direction of the work W varies. Since the direction of the work W is different, the overall position thereof is not largely deviated, and the outline thereof does not deviate from the corresponding pin insertion hole 33.
[0025]
In this state, the contact / moving mechanism, that is, the air cylinder 36 is driven to raise the pin fixing base 35, and the alignment pins 40 are projected above the alignment base 31 through the pin insertion holes 33.
The alignment pin 40 is formed in a tapered shape having a conical or truncated conical tip, and a part of the outer peripheral surface on the base side is circumscribed to the contour of the workpiece W. Even if the direction of the work W is shifted, the tapered surface of the tip of the alignment pin 40 abuts on the outer circumferential surface of the work W, and the work W is regulated by the tapered surface and aligned in the space surrounded by the alignment pin 40. It will be understood that By activating the vibrator 42, the works W can be more easily aligned. After the workpieces W are aligned in the space surrounded by the alignment pins 40, the workpieces W are suctioned again by the suction transport device, and can be aligned and stored in a storage unit such as a tray.
[0026]
In the above description, the work W is described as a plated component. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this, and the work W can be used for general work alignment that needs to be aligned and positioned.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, alignment of works can be easily performed.
In particular, the present invention can be suitably used for positioning and aligning a plurality of workpieces removed from a plating jig after plating.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a switchgear,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the opening / closing device, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show a work hooking method;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a state where a plating jig is set,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a state in which a power supply pin is pushed open by an opening / closing claw portion;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a work is held by a power supply pin by closing an opening / closing claw portion;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a state where the opening / closing device is lowered, and FIGS. 7 to 10 show a method of removing a workpiece after plating;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state where a plating jig is set.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a state where the opening / closing device is raised,
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a power supply pin is pushed open by an opening / closing claw portion so that a work can be taken out;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the opening / closing device is lowered.
FIG. 11 is a front view of an alignment device,
FIG. 12 is a plan view of an alignment device,
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of a state in which the workpieces are carried on the alignment table in different states,
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which works are aligned.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 opening / closing device 12 stage 14 base 15 opening / closing claw 17, 18 connecting piece 20, 22 air cylinder 23 opening / closing mechanism 30 alignment device 31 alignment base 33 pin insertion hole 35 pin fixing base 36 air cylinder 40 alignment pin

Claims (6)

An alignment table provided with a plurality of pin insertion holes substantially along the contour of each work to be aligned;
A pin fixing table disposed below the alignment table,
A plurality of pins are fixed to the pin fixing base corresponding to the pin insertion holes, and the tip is formed in a tapered shape having a conical or truncated cone shape, and a part of the outer peripheral surface on the base side circumscribes the contour of the work. idea,
Comprising a contact / separation mechanism for relatively moving the alignment table and the pin fixing table toward and away from each other,
A workpiece alignment device, wherein a workpiece supplied onto the alignment table is aligned in a space surrounded by the alignment pins, with an outer circumference regulated by the alignment pins protruding from the pin insertion holes. 2. A part of the plurality of alignment pins is located between two adjacently arranged works, and is formed as a dual-purpose alignment pin that is in contact with the contours of both works. The work alignment device according to the above. The work after plating held by the power supply pin of the plating jig is released from the power supply pin by pushing and spreading the power supply pin from below by the opening / closing claw portion, and the work piece is placed on the upper surface of the stage portion located between the opening / closing claw portion. A device for automatically removing the workpiece from the plating jig to be placed,
3. The suction transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising a suction transfer device that sucks and transfers the plurality of works placed on the stage unit and supplies the work to a required position on the alignment table. Work alignment device. 4. The work aligning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the suction transfer device also functions as a transfer device that sucks and transfers the aligned work again and stores the work in the storage unit. Using the workpiece alignment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Supplying a work on the alignment table,
The contact / separation mechanism causes the alignment table and the pin fixing table to relatively approach to each other so that the alignment pins protrude from the pin insertion holes of the alignment table. A work alignment method characterized by aligning in a space surrounded by pins. A work alignment method, wherein a work aligned by an alignment pin is sucked and transported, and the work is stored in a storage unit.

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