JP2007021629A - Pallet conveying method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pallet conveying method and apparatus, enhancing the conveying speed and positioning accuracy of a work. <P>SOLUTION: In this pallet conveying apparatus 10, a pallet 7 for placing a work 6 on machine tools 1 to 5 is conveyed along a predetermined track. The apparatus includes: a back pallet rail 11, a front pallet rail 12, lateral moving tables 21, 22, right and left pallet rails 23, 24, and right and left pallet feeding mechanisms 31, 32, wherein a rail switching process of stopping the lateral moving tables 21, 22 respectively in a relay position for connecting the right and left pallet rails 23, 24 to both end parts of the back pallet rail 11 or the front pallet rail 12 and a pallet conveying process in which one of the right and left pallet feeding mechanisms 31, 32 forwards the pallet 7 in synchronization with the operation of moving backward the pallet 7 by the other of the right and left pallet feeding mechanisms 31, 32 are performed in order, thereby conveying the pallet 7 extending over the back pallet rail 11, the front pallet rail 12 and the right and left pallet rails 23, 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pallet conveying method and apparatus for conveying a plurality of pallets on which a workpiece is placed on a machine tool in a predetermined track.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a production line, there is a transport device that transports a work on a conveyor and a transport destination machine tool performs predetermined processing on the work.
JP 2000-135647 A

  However, in such a conventional transport device, for example, when a heavy workpiece such as a stator is transported on a conveyor, the inertial force that acts on the workpiece when the workpiece is stopped is large. There is a problem that it is difficult to raise and it is difficult to position accurately through the stopper.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pallet transport method and apparatus capable of increasing the work transport speed and positioning accuracy.

  1st invention is a pallet conveyance method which conveys the pallet which mounts a workpiece | work with respect to a machine tool along a pallet rail, The left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism which advance or retract a some pallet along a pallet rail The left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism synchronize the operation of moving the pallet forward and the other of the left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism retreating the pallet. It is characterized in that it is transported by being sandwiched between the mechanism and the right pallet feeding mechanism.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pallet conveying apparatus that conveys a pallet on which a workpiece is placed on a machine tool on a predetermined track, and includes a left pallet feeding mechanism and a right pallet feeding mechanism that advance and retract a plurality of pallets along a pallet rail. The left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism synchronize the operation of moving the pallet forward and the other of the left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism retreating the pallet. It is characterized in that it is transported by being sandwiched between the mechanism and the right pallet feeding mechanism.

  According to the first and second inventions, each pallet moves while being sandwiched between the left pallet feeding mechanism and the right pallet feeding mechanism, so even a heavy workpiece is transported at high speed and stopped at a predetermined position. It is possible to increase productivity.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pallet carrying device 10 provided in a stator production line for producing a stator such as a motor, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same. In each figure, two axes X and Y orthogonal to each other are set, the X axis extends in a substantially horizontal lateral direction, and the Y axis extends in a substantially horizontal front-rear direction.

  In the stator production line, five machine tools 1 to 5 are arranged in a row in the X-axis direction. Each of the machine tools 1 to 5 sequentially performs various processes such as insertion of an insulating member, caulking of the lead wire of each phase coil, welding, and the like to the workpiece 6 conveyed by the pallet conveying device 10 to automatically perform a stator (not shown). Manufacturing.

  The pallet conveying device 10 circulates 11 pallets 7 and conveys the workpiece 6 to each machine tool 1 to 5 via each pallet 7. When machining each machine tool 1 to 5, the workpiece 6 passes through each pallet 7. Is held in place.

  The number of pallets 7 is not limited to this, and may be increased or decreased appropriately according to the number of machine tools 1 to 5.

  The pallet carrying device 10 includes a rear pallet rail 11 and a front pallet rail 12 that extend in parallel to each other on the gantry 9, and the two positions between the opposite ends of the rear pallet rail 11 and the front pallet rail 12 are opposed to each other. Left and right pallet rails 23 and 22, and left and right pallet rails 23 provided on the left and right movable bases 21 and 22 and connectable to respective end portions of the rear pallet rail 11 and the front pallet rail 12. 24 and left and right pallet feed mechanisms 31 and 32 that are mounted on the left and right moving platforms 21 and 22 and advance and retract the pallet 7 in the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the back pallet rail 11 or the front pallet rail 12, respectively.

  The pallet transport device 10 includes a rail switching process for stopping the left and right moving platforms 21 and 22 at the relay positions where the left and right pallet rails 23 and 24 are connected to both ends of the back pallet rail 11 or the front pallet rail 12, respectively. One of the left and right pallet feed mechanisms 31 and 32 sequentially performs an operation of moving the pallet 7 and an operation of the other of the left and right pallet feed mechanisms 31 and 32 to move the pallet 7 backward in synchronization with each other. It is transported across the back side pallet rail 11, the near side pallet rail 12, and the left and right pallet rails 23, 24.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rear pallet rail 11 includes two guide rails 11a and 11b extending in the X-axis direction. The front pallet rail 12 includes two guide rails 12a and 12b extending in the X-axis direction.

  The left pallet rail 23 includes two guide rails 23a and 23b extending in the X-axis direction. The right pallet rail 24 includes two guide rails 24a and 24b extending in the X-axis direction.

  The pallet 7 includes a pair of follower portions 7a and 7b. One follower portion 7a is slidably fitted to each guide rail 11a, 12a, 23a, 24a, and the other follower portion 7b is slidably fitted to each guide rail 11b, 12b, 23b, 24b. Thereby, the pallet 7 is supported so as to be movable along the rails 11, 12, 23, and 24.

  The pallet 7 has a workpiece support portion 7c in which the workpiece 6 is accommodated in the center thereof. The left and right ends of the pallet 7 are formed with contact surfaces 7d and 7f (see FIG. 2) extending in the Y-axis direction and extending in the vertical direction. When the contact surfaces 7d and 7f of the adjacent pallets 7 contact each other, the pallets 7 move together in the X-axis direction.

  Each pallet 7 is formed in the shape of a cross-shaped plate and is lightened. The contact surfaces 7d and 7f are respectively formed on the end surfaces of the left and right convex portions of each pallet 7, and the follower portions 7a and 7b are respectively formed below the front and rear convex portions.

  As the pallet movement locking mechanism 70 for locking the movement of the pallet 7, a locking groove 71 extending in the Y-axis direction is formed on each pallet 7, and each engagement is formed on the gantry 9 and the left and right moving tables 21 and 22. An air cylinder 73 that drives a pin 72 inserted into the stop groove 71 is provided.

  When the air cylinder 73 is extended by a controller (not shown), the pin 72 is inserted into the locking groove 71 and the movement of the pallet 7 is locked, while the air cylinder 73 is contracted and the pin 72 is engaged. The pallet 7 is freely moved by being pulled out from the stop groove 71.

  The left and right moving bases 21 and 22 are supported so as to be movable along rails 27 and 28 provided on the left and right mounts 25 and 26. The rail 27 includes two guide rails 27a and 27b extending in the Y-axis direction. The rail 28 includes two guide rails 28a and 28b extending in the Y-axis direction.

  The left and right moving bases 21 and 22 are moved in the Y-axis direction by a driving mechanism (not shown). As this drive mechanism, an air cylinder, a motor, etc. are used, for example.

  The controller controls the operation of the drive mechanism, and stops the left and right moving platforms 21 and 22 at two positions facing the both end portions of the back side pallet rail 11 and the near side pallet rail 12. Thereby, the left and right pallet rails 23 and 24 provided on the left and right moving bases 21 and 22 are connected to the respective ends of the back side pallet rail 11 and the front side pallet rail 12, and the pallet 7 is connected to the left and right moving bases 21 and 21. It is possible to move between 22 and the rear pallet rail 11 or the front pallet rail 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the left pallet feed mechanism 31 includes a feed pad 33 that contacts the contact surface 7f of the pallet 7, a feed block 34 to which the feed pad 33 is attached, and the feed block 34 in the X-axis direction. Guide rails 35a and 35b that are movably supported, a ball screw 36 that is screwed to the feed block 34, and a motor 37 that rotationally drives the ball screw 36 are provided. The rotation of the motor 37 is transmitted to the ball screw 36 via pulleys 38 and 39 and a belt 40.

  The feed pad 33 and the feed block 34 correspond to a feed member. In the present embodiment, the feed pad 33 and the feed block 34 are provided separately from each other, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be formed integrally with each other.

  The guide rails 35a and 35b are provided at the bottom of the box-shaped left moving table 21 and extend in the X-axis direction.

  In this embodiment, the guide rails 35a and 35b are provided as guide members for movably supporting the feed member. However, the guide rails 35a and 35b are not limited to this, and the guide is slidably inserted into the feed member as a guide member. A rod or the like may be provided.

  The right pallet feed mechanism 32 is configured in the same manner as the left pallet feed mechanism 31 described above.

  Since the left and right pallet feed mechanisms 31 and 32 are configured to move the feed block 34 via a ball screw 36 that is rotationally driven by a motor 37, acceleration / deceleration control of the motor 37 can control the workpiece even for a heavy workpiece. It is possible to increase both the conveying speed and the positioning accuracy.

  The controller synchronizes the operation in which one of the left and right pallet feeding mechanisms 31 and 32 advances the pallet 7 and the operation in which the other of the left and right pallet feeding mechanisms 31 and 32 moves the pallet 7 backward, The pallet 7 is held and moved in the X-axis direction all at once.

  The pallet conveying device 10 conveys each pallet 7 by the operation shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the operation of the pallet conveying apparatus 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the right pallet feed mechanism 32 feeds from the state in which the left moving base 21 on which the pallet 7 is not placed and the right moving base 22 on which the pallet 7 is placed are stopped against the pallet rail 12 on the front side. The operation of advancing the pallet 7 via the pad 33 and the operation of the left pallet feeding mechanism 31 retreating the pallet 7 via the feed pad 33 are performed in synchronization, and six pallets 7 are arranged between the respective feeding pads 33. The pallet transport process is performed by sandwiching them and moving them all at the same time in the X-axis left direction (arrow direction in FIG. 2).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the pallet 7 is removed from the right moving table 22, and the pallet 7 is conveyed from the front pallet rail 12 to the left moving table 21. From this state, the left and right moving bases 21 and 22 are respectively moved forward in the Y-axis (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3), and a rail switching process is performed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the left pallet feed mechanism is moved from the state in which the left moving base 21 on which the pallet 7 is placed and the right moving base 22 on which the pallet 7 is not placed are opposed to the back pallet rail 11 and stopped. The operation in which 31 moves the pallet 7 forward via the feed pad 33 and the operation in which the right pallet feed mechanism 32 moves the pallet 7 backward via the feed pad 33 are performed in synchronization with each other. The pallet 7 is sandwiched and moved simultaneously in the right direction of the X axis (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4), and the pallet transport process is performed.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the pallet 7 is removed from the left moving table 21, and the pallet 7 is conveyed from the back pallet rail 11 to the right moving table 22. When the left and right moving bases 21 and 22 are moved rearward in the Y-axis (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5) from this state and the rail switching process is performed, the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

  By performing the cycle leading to FIGS. 2 to 5 once, each pallet 7 is conveyed in the clockwise direction in FIGS.

  Each time the cycle leading to FIGS. 2 to 5 is performed once, the machine tools 1 to 5 are operated in a state in which the operation of the pallet conveying device 10 is stopped, and the machines are placed on the pallets 7 arranged on the back pallet rail 11. Various processes such as insertion of insulating members, caulking of lead wires of coils of respective phases, welding, and the like are performed on each workpiece 6 in parallel.

  When each of the machine tools 1 to 5 is operated, the pallet movement locking mechanism 70 locks the movement of each pallet 7 arranged on the back pallet rail 11 and holds each workpiece 6 in a predetermined position via each pallet 7.

  When the left and right moving platforms 21 and 22 are moved, the pallet movement locking mechanism 70 locks the movement of each pallet 7 mounted on the left and right pallet rails 23 and 24 and holds each pallet 7 in a predetermined position. Then, each pallet movement locking mechanism 70 locks the movement of the pallets 7 arranged at the both ends of the pallets 7 arranged on the front pallet rail 12, and holds each pallet 7 in a predetermined position.

  When each of the machine tools 1 to 5 is operated, the workpiece 6 is carried in and out of the pallet 7 on the front pallet rail 12.

  The pallets 7 can be transported in the counterclockwise direction as well as the above-described operation.

  Next, the operation and effect will be described.

  Each pallet 7 is supported by the back pallet rail 11, the front pallet rail 12, and the left and right pallet rails 23 and 24, and moves while being sandwiched between the left and right pallet feed mechanisms 31 and 32. However, it can be transported at high speed and stopped at a predetermined position, and productivity can be improved.

  By locking the movement of the pallet 7 with respect to the back side pallet rail 11 by the pallet movement locking mechanism 70, the pallet 7 can be positioned with high accuracy, and the processing accuracy performed by each of the machine tools 1 to 5 can be increased. The product quality will be improved.

  Note that the pallet transport device of the present invention is not limited to a structure in which each pallet is circulated along a square track as in the above-described embodiment, and may be a structure in which each pallet is reciprocated along a linear track. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

  The present invention can be applied not only to the stator production line but also to a pallet conveying method and apparatus provided in other production lines.

The perspective view of the pallet conveying apparatus which shows embodiment of this invention. The top view of a pallet conveyance apparatus similarly. The top view of a pallet conveyance apparatus similarly. The top view of a pallet conveyance apparatus similarly. The top view of a pallet conveyance apparatus similarly.

Explanation of symbols

1-5 Machine tool 6 Work piece 7 Pallet 10 Pallet transport device 11 Back side pallet rail 12 Front side pallet rail 21 Left moving table 22 Right moving table 23 Left pallet rail 24 Right pallet rail 31 Left pallet feed mechanism 32 Right pallet feed mechanism 33 Feed pad 34 Feed block 35a, 35b Guide rail 36 Ball screw 37 Motor

Claims (4)

In a pallet transport method for transporting a pallet on which a workpiece is placed on a machine tool in a predetermined path,
Using a left pallet feed mechanism and a right pallet feed mechanism that advance and retract a plurality of pallets along the pallet rail, one of the left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism advances the pallet, and the left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed A pallet conveying method, wherein the other of the mechanisms synchronizes with the operation of retracting the pallet and each pallet is sandwiched and conveyed between the left pallet feeding mechanism and the right pallet feeding mechanism. In a pallet transport device that transports a pallet on which a workpiece is placed on a machine tool in a predetermined path,
A left pallet feed mechanism and a right pallet feed mechanism that move a plurality of pallets forward and backward along the pallet rail. One of the left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism moves the pallet forward, and the left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed A pallet conveying apparatus characterized in that the other of the mechanisms performs the operation of retreating the pallet in synchronization, and each pallet is conveyed while being sandwiched between the left pallet feeding mechanism and the right pallet feeding mechanism.   A far side pallet rail and a near side pallet rail that extend in parallel to each other, a left side moving table and a right side moving table that move between two positions facing opposite ends of the far side pallet rail and the near side pallet rail, respectively, The left pallet rail and right pallet rail that can be connected to each end of the rear pallet rail and the front pallet rail provided on the moving base and right moving base, and the pallet mounted on the left moving base and right moving base The left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism that move forward and backward along the back pallet rail or the front pallet rail, respectively, and the left pallet rail and the right side with respect to both ends of the back pallet rail or the front pallet rail. Rail switching process for stopping the left moving platform and the right moving platform at the relay position where the pallet rail is connected, and the left pallet feed A pallet transporting step in which a movement of one of the right pallet feeding mechanism and the right pallet feeding mechanism and a movement of the left pallet feeding mechanism and the other of the right pallet feeding mechanism to retreat the pallet are performed in order. The pallet conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the pallet conveying device is circulated so as to circulate over the left pallet rail, the right pallet rail, the back pallet rail, and the front pallet rail.   The left pallet feed mechanism and the right pallet feed mechanism include a feed member that contacts the pallet, a guide member that supports the feed member so as to be movable in the extending direction of the pallet rail, and a ball screw that is screwed to the feed block, The pallet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a motor that rotationally drives the ball screw.

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