JP2893627B2 - Flexible transfer line - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a machining center and the like.
Multiple machine tools are arranged, and the transfer device
Flexible transfer that sequentially processes and processes objects
It is about lines .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a transfer apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 17 has been used to transport a workpiece to a processing station or the like of a machine tool. S1 to S3 are processing stations, 17 is a conveyor, 10 is a transfer device,
Each of the processing stations S1 to S3 is arranged with the laying pitch P constant. The transfer device 10 is a workpiece W
A transfer bar 11 provided with jigs 16 for placing and holding the workpiece W at a constant pitch P is movable in the reciprocating direction and the elevating direction with respect to the conveying direction of the workpiece W. Workpiece W by combination of operation
Is carried.

The transfer bar 11 is movable on rollers rotatably supported by one ends of a plurality of swing arms 15. The bending portion of the swing arm 15 is rotatably supported on a reference plane (not shown), the roller is rotatably supported at one end, and the other end is swingably supported by the lift bar 14. I have. When the swing arm 15a is rotated by the lift device 13 composed of a motor, all the swing arms 15 swing in synchronization, and the transfer bar 11 is moved up and down. Further, the transfer bar 11 is connected to the shift device 12, and the transfer bar 11 is moved forward and backward by driving the shift device 12. The shift device 12 includes a link mechanism and a cylinder (not shown), and moves the transfer bar 11 forward and backward regardless of the elevation of the transfer bar 11.

[0004]

A transfer device for transferring a workpiece W using a transfer bar 11 like the transfer device 10 described above can easily control the transfer of the workpiece W (driving of the transfer bar 11). However, there is a problem described below. In other words, if the pitches between the processing stations S1 to S3 are not the same, they cannot be used, and as a result, the flexibility in changing the machine tools and in the process knitting deteriorates. Furthermore, according to the cycle time of the machine tool with the longest cycle time, only in-line type transport that simultaneously transports workpieces of all machine tools can be performed,
When the processing of the workpiece is completed at each processing station, it can be used for independent type transport, in which the completed workpiece is unloaded and the next workpiece to be processed is loaded on each machine tool. Processing accuracy is not possible.
Machined with a short cycle time
The longest cycle time even when measuring workpieces
You have to wait until the machining of
If the cycle time of the entire waiting time becomes longer,
There is a problem.

[0005] Processing stations S1, S2, S3
Because the transfer bar 11 is always located below
Each processing station cannot be covered with a cover,
Is scattered over a wide area, and it is difficult to discharge the chips, the chips accumulate on the transfer bar 11, which causes poor holding of the workpiece W, and an extra load acts on the transfer device 10. Problems , such as
A posture change device for a workpiece such as a turntable
There was a problem that it was difficult to provide. And Also <br/>, can not be performed installation and commissioning of the installation and the transfer device 10 of all of the machine tool during the configuration of the production line is not completed, a problem that it takes a long time to start up the production line there were.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for loading and unloading a workpiece at a processing station.
A plurality of machine tools for processing the workpiece to be processed, in accordance with the divided processing steps of the workpiece, and at intervals along the transport direction of the workpiece, a plurality of the machine tools are arranged, and > From the machining station of the preceding machine tool to the next machine tool along the transfer direction of the workpiece between multiple machine tools
That sequentially transports the workpiece directly to the processing station
In the flexible transfer line , the transfer device
Is composed of a plurality of independent machine tool transfer devices.
Each of the plurality of transfer devices of each of the plurality of machine tools.
On a straight line connecting the engineering station, provided independent manner between the machine tool of the next step and the machine tool of the preceding process, the double
The number of transfer devices can be raised and lowered on the fixed member and the fixed member
An elevating member provided in the elevating member for elevating the elevating member
A lowering device, and a processing device for the pre-process provided on the elevating member .
A slide member of the length of substantially half the distance to the processing station of the next step from station, said slide member
And the processing station of the previous process and the processing station of the next process.
A slide device for reciprocating movement to and from the
And moving the slide member on the slide member in conjunction with the movement of the slide member.
A workpiece holding member that moves in the same direction as the direction parallel to the direction ,
A control device for controlling the slide device and the elevating device
And the control device is configured to process the workpiece during processing.
The slide member of the plurality of transport devices in the previous process
Between the processing station and the next processing station
Between the processing station of the previous process and the next process
The first distance from any of the processing stations
At the intermediate position as the initial position,
When transferring the workpiece, move the slide member to the initial position.
From the previous process in the direction opposite to the transfer direction of the workpiece.
Move backward toward the machining station, and
The workpiece holding member processes the lifting member
From below the workpiece at the machining position on the station
Operates so as to be raised to a position above the processing position
Then, the workpiece is removed from the processing station of the previous process.
Delivered to the workpiece holding member and then holding the workpiece
While holding the member in the upper position,
Moving the workpiece in the direction of transport of the workpiece
Forward toward the
The lifting / lowering member so that the workpiece holding member is in the upper position.
From the lower position to the lower position.
The crop is moved from the workpiece holding member to the processing stage of the next process.
Transfer the slide member to the initial
It is characterized by being moved backward to a position .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a processing station is provided.
A machine tool that processes workpieces that are carried in and out of
In accordance with the divided processing steps of the crop and
Multiple units are arranged at intervals along the transfer direction, and
Between the plurality of machine tools in the transfer direction of the workpiece.
From the processing station of the machine tool in the previous process
Sequentially transport the workpiece directly to the machining station of the machine tool
In the flexible transfer line to send,
Each machining station of multiple machine tools has its own
Holds the workpiece and can be moved up and down by an actuator
A plurality of jig devices are provided, and the transfer device is provided with a plurality of independent
It is composed of a transfer device between machine tools.
Each of the processing stations of the plurality of machine tools.
On the connected straight line, the machine tool of the previous process and the
Provided independently between machine tools, the plurality of transfer devices,
A fixing member, and processing of the pre-process provided on the fixing member.
Station to the next processing station
A slide member having a length substantially half the distance, and the slide portion
Material is processed in the previous process station and the next process
A slide device for reciprocating movement with the station;
Movement of the slide member while holding the workpiece
The slide member is moved on the slide member in conjunction with
Workpiece holding member that moves in the same direction as the moving direction
And the actuator and the slide of the jig device
A control device for controlling the device, the control device comprising:
When processing the workpiece, slides of the plurality of transfer devices are used.
The member is added to the processing station of the previous process and
Machining station between the machining station and the previous process
From the station and the processing station of the next process
Wait at the intermediate position as the initial position, which is approximately equidistant.
At the time of transporting the workpiece after the machining, the slide
Dissenting the conveying direction of the workpieces member from the initial position
Backward in the direction toward the previous processing station
In this retracted position, the jig device is moved to the processing position.
From the workpiece transfer position to the workpiece
From the processing station to the workpiece holding member
Then, the slide member is moved in the transfer direction of the workpiece.
Moved forward toward the next processing station.
In this forward position, the jig device is transported to the workpiece.
Raise the workpiece from the feed position to the processing position and
Received from the workpiece holding member to the processing station of the next process
And further moving the slide member to the initial position.
It is characterized by retreating.

[0008]

The operation of the present invention will be described below. However, the slide member and the workpiece holding member conveying device pressurized prior to step
Between the processing station and the next processing station
Approximately equidistant from any of these processing stations
At the initial position. First, drive the slide device to move the slide member in the direction opposite to the workpiece transfer direction.
Move backward . At the same time the workpiece holding member is also moved in the moving direction and the same direction of the slide member, is positioned on a machine tool processing station of the previous step. And after this
Drive the lifting device by the control device in the retracted position and move up and down
Raise the parts or mount the jig mounted on the machine tool
Lower the machine to the machining station of the previous process
Receiving the workpiece holding member in the workpiece conveyance device processing, which is held is completed passes.

Subsequently, the slide device is driven to move the slide member and the workpiece holding member forward in the workpiece transport direction. In this forward position, the control device
Drive the lifting device to lower the lifting member or
Processing the stay of the machine tool of the workpiece held by the workpiece holding member is raised a jig apparatus installed in work machine next step
Hand over to Then, the slide device is driven, the slide member is moved backward and returned to the initial position, and the transfer of the work is completed once, and thereafter , the transfer of the work is performed. One Dzu one between the above-mentioned transport device each machine tool, independently provided, the transport of the workpiece for the entire line is to be carried out.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a production line using the transfer device of the first embodiment. S1 to S3 are processing stations such as machine tools, which are arranged at intervals according to the processing steps of the workpiece, and 117 is a conveyor for supplying and unloading the workpiece W. A support table 118 is provided at each of the processing stations S1 to S3, and the transfer device 100 is fixed on the support table 118. The processing stations S1 to S3 are arranged, and the front and rear stations S1 to S3 are connected by a connecting member 119 to form a production line.

The transport device 100 will be described in detail. The transport device 100 is roughly divided into two devices, a slide device 1 for transporting the workpiece W and an elevating device 2 for loading and unloading the workpiece W. First, the slide device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the slide device of the transport device 100, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the AA direction in FIG. The slide device 1 is attached to an elevating member 101 which is moved up and down by an elevating device 2 to be described later.
A slide member 102 having a length that is approximately half the distance between the three (the workpiece transfer distance ) is supported movably in the left-right direction in FIG. A rack 107 is provided below the slide member 102, and a pinion 108 meshing with the rack 107 is rotatably supported by the elevating member 101. The movement of the slide member 102 is performed by rotating the pinion 108.

The rotation of the pinion 108 is performed by the following configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the servomotor 110 is fixed to the elevating member 101 with the shaft 110 a as its output shaft being coaxial with the center of rotation of the pinion 108. The shaft 110a passes through the elevating member 101 and is connected to a transmission shaft 120 rotatably supported in the pinion. Further, the transmission shaft 120 is connected to a speed reducer 121, and is connected to the pinion 108 via the speed reducer 121 so as to transmit the power of the servomotor 110.

A pair of sprockets 104 are rotatably supported by the slide member 102, and a chain 105 is hung over the sprocket 104. Both ends of this chain 105 are
1 and is supported by a chain fixing member 106 fixed to the
4 to be moved. Further, a work holding member 103 that is supported above the slide member 102 so as to be movable in the same direction as the movement direction of the slide member 102 and that holds and holds a work is fixed to the chain 105. Accordingly, the workpiece holding member 103 moves on the slide member 102 at the same speed as the movement of the slide member 102 in the same direction as the movement of the slide member 102 by the movement of the slide member 102. A double speed double mechanism that moves at twice the moving amount and twice the moving speed with respect to the movement of 102.

Next, the lifting device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. A fixing member 140 is fixed to a support table 118 provided in the processing stations S1 to S3. The above-described elevating member 101 is supported by the fixed member 140 so as to be able to ascend and descend via a pair of first and second links 141 and 142, respectively. One end of the first link 141 is swingably supported by a fixed member 140 by a pin, and a roller 141a is rotatably supported at the other end. The roller 141a is provided in the elongate hole 101a provided in the elevating member 101. Is engaged. On the other hand, one end of the second link 142 is swingably supported by the elevating member 101 by a pin, and a roller 142 a is rotatably supported at the other end. The roller 142 a is provided on the fixed member 140. It is engaged with the hole 140a. The first and second links 141 and 142 are connected to the pin 14 at the midpoint of each other.
The support member 3 is swingably supported at 3, and supports the load of the elevating member 101 by increasing or decreasing the angle of intersection of the first and second links 141 and 142.

The tip of the shaft 130a of the hydraulic cylinder 130 fixed to the fixing member 140 is
1 and the shaft 13 of the hydraulic cylinder 130
The elevating member 101 is moved up and down by expanding and contracting Oa. The drive of a hydraulic source (not shown) that drives the servomotor 110 and the hydraulic cylinder 130 described above is controlled by the control device 150.

[0016] The configuration of the following is a description of the operation of the conveying apparatus 100 of the first embodiment based on FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the operation of the transport device 100 is modeled. Now
The process will be described in three steps: a process of unloading the workpiece W from the processing station S1 by the transfer device 100 between the processing stations S1 and S2, a process of transporting the workpiece W from the processing station S1 to the processing station S2, and a process of loading the workpiece W into the processing station S2. I do. However, at first, the transfer device 100
As shown in FIG. 5A, the elevating member 101 is lowered, the slide member 102 is positioned at the center position of the symmetrical movement, and the work holding member 103 is moved to the work station S1, S2. It is assumed that it is at a position that does not interfere with the object W (hereinafter, this position is referred to as an initial position).

First, in the unloading step from the processing station S1, the control device 150 drives the servomotor 110 to move the slide member backward in the direction opposite to the workpiece transfer direction (rightward in the drawing). The workpiece holding member 103, which moves in conjunction with the movement of the workpiece 102, is placed immediately below the place where the machining station S1 holds the workpiece (FIG. 5).
(B) position). Subsequently, the controller 150 controls a hydraulic source (not shown) to
0, the shaft 130a is extended, and the machining station S
Position 1 is holding the workpiece W (processing position in FIG. 5)
The lifting member 10 is located at a higher position (the rising end face in FIG. 5C).
Ascend 1 Then, the workpiece W which has been processed and held in the processing station S1 is moved to the workpiece holding member 10.
3 and the workpiece is delivered and completed to complete the unloading process.

Subsequently, in the transfer process from the processing station S1 to the processing station S2, the servomotor 110 is driven by the control device 150 by the control device 150 while the elevating member 101 is kept ascending (upward end in FIG. 5). Member 10
2 the forward movement to the workpiece conveying direction (leftward direction), right above the position of where the processing station S2 to hold the workpiece W
The workpiece holding member 103 is moved to the position (position [D] in the drawing), and the transfer process is completed.

Next, in the step of loading the workpiece into the processing station S2, the control device 150 controls a hydraulic source (not shown) to contract the shaft 130 of the hydraulic cylinder 130,
Is lowered to the same height as the initial position (the lower end in FIG. 5E). Then, passing to the processing station S2 of the placed workpiece W of the workpiece holding member 103 Re name of loading step is completed. Then, the servo motor 110 is driven, the slide member 102 is moved backward and returned to the initial position (the position shown in FIG. 5A), and one transfer of the workpiece is completed. Is carried out.

As shown in FIG. 1, the above-described transfer device 100 is used for each of the processing stations S 1 to S 3 and the conveyor 1.
17 on the straight line connecting each processing station S1
To S3 and the conveyor 117 , so that the entire line is conveyed. Since the transport device 100 can be driven individually, the control device 1
Since the moving distance of the workpiece holding member 103 can be set arbitrarily by changing the moving distance of the slide member 102 according to 50, even in a production line having a different distance between processing stations (transport distance), it is possible to match the individual transport distance. By driving the workpieces in synchronization with each other, an in-line type workpiece can be transported. That is, since the movement of the slide member 102 is performed by the servomotor 110, the workpiece holding member 103 can be moved to an arbitrary position.
The transfer can be performed even if the distances from the initial position of 0 (see FIG. 5A) to the processing stations on both sides are not equal. That is, this indicates that the degree of freedom in the installation position of the transport device 100 is large. Further, since the slide device 2 is a double-speed and double-length mechanism, the length of the slide member 102 is approximately half the length of the laying pitch between the processing stations, so that a wide range of conveyance can be performed at a high speed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in a production line in which the processing stations S1 to S3 are arranged at intervals of the laying pitch P, the slide members 102 of the transfer device 100 are connected by connecting rods 180, and If the transfer device 100 is driven synchronously, it can be used as an inline type transfer device similar to the conventional one. Conversely, using the conveying apparatus 100 of the first embodiment alone, in order to be used as a loading and unloading device for a machine tool, since it is also used as an independent transfer device for a long cycle time most Engineering
Check machining accuracy while machining is still being performed on the machine
Machining is completed on a machine tool with a short cycle time
It is possible to carry out measurements, etc.
Body cycle time can be reduced.

As described above, the transfer device 100 of the first embodiment can be used as a transfer device of any production line, and can easily rearrange the processing stations, organize the processes, etc., and have the effect of having good flexibility. is there. In addition, the transfer device 100 is provided between the individual processing stations S1 to S3 and the conveyor 117, respectively.
Since it is provided independently adjacent to 1 to S3, a trial operation can be performed for each processing station even when all the processing stations are not installed when the production line is configured.

Further, the conveying apparatus during machining of the workpiece 100
Because is located between the processing stations, each processing stearate
A posture change device for a workpiece such as a turntable
It becomes easy to provide. This also reduces the effects of chips
Hard to receive, and cover the entire processing station with a cover.
Therefore, there is also an advantage that scattering of chips can be limited .

In the first embodiment, the slide member 102 is moved by a servomotor 110 provided on the elevating member 101 via a rack 107 and a pinion 108.
However, a driving device such as a motor does not need to be provided in the elevating member 101, and the following modifications are also possible. First, as shown in FIG. 7, a first modified example is such that the rack 107 and the pinion 10 of the transfer device of the first embodiment are used.
8 was abolished and the sub-rocket 10
4 is provided with a driving device 200 for rotating one of them. In the second modified example, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the conveying device of the first modified example, gears 104a fixed to the sprocket 104 and rotating together are provided.
With an endless chain 201.
In the third modification, as shown in FIG.
Drive device 20 for driving individual sprockets 104
The slide member 102 and the workpiece holding member 103 are moved by driving the driving devices 202 and 203 in synchronization with each other.

In the first embodiment, the work holding member 103 is moved by the double-speed double mechanism which moves in conjunction with the movement of the slide member 102. May be separately provided. Further, in the first embodiment, the lifting device 2 is performed by the hydraulic cylinder 130, but the lifting device 2 may be constituted by a servomotor, a ball screw mechanism, and the like. And this gives
If the elevating operation of the elevating member 101 can be accurately controlled, and the elevating operation of the elevating member 101 is also controlled in the process of transporting the workpiece W, the work can be performed between the processing stations having different heights for processing the workpiece W. Objects can be transported.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 10 shows a transfer device 200 according to the second embodiment.
It is the schematic which showed the production line using. S1-S
Reference numeral 3 denotes a processing station such as a machine tool, which is disposed at a predetermined interval in accordance with a processing step of a workpiece.
Is a conveyor for supplying and unloading the workpiece W placed on the pallet P, and 300 is a workpiece W placed on the pallet P
Is a jig device for positioning and holding.

A support table 118 is provided at each of the processing stations S1 to S3, and a transfer device 200 is fixed on the support table 118. The processing stations S1 to S3 are arranged, and the front and rear processing stations S1 to S3 are connected by a connecting member 119 to form a production line. The transport device 200 is the same as the transport device 100 of the first embodiment described above except that the lifting device 2 is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 1, the lifting member 101 is directly fixed to the support base 118. Conveyor device 1 for slide device 1
The configuration is exactly the same as 00. However, a positioning pin 103a is provided on the upper surface of the workpiece holding member 103, and fits into a positioning hole 150 provided in the center of the lower surface of the pallet P, which will be described later, to position the pallet P on the workpiece holding member 103. (See FIG. 12).

The jig device 300 is connected to each processing station S1.
, S3,..., S3, respectively, for positioning the workpiece W placed on the pallet P and transferring the pallet P from the workpiece holding member 103 of the transfer device 200. The jig device 300 will be described in detail.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the jig device 300 as viewed from a direction in which the workpiece W is transported in a direction perpendicular to the drawing. FIG.
3 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. In addition,
The pallet P used in the second embodiment has grooves 151 on both sides on which pawl portions 302 of a jig device 300 described later can be loosely fitted.
A groove 1 having a width equivalent to the width of the workpiece holding member 103 and extending in the transport direction of the pallet P is formed on the lower surface.
50a are formed. Further, a pallet positioning hole 150 into which the pallet positioning pin 103a is fitted is provided at a center position of the pallet P in the groove 150a.

The jig body 301 is centered on the transfer device 200.
The slide member 102 and the workpiece holding member 103 have a space where they can enter, and are provided with a claw portion 302 that fits loosely into a groove 151 provided on the side surface of the pallet P. That is,
The claw portion 302 is provided on the workpiece holding member 1 of the slide device 1.
In the state where the pallet P is placed on the pallet 03 (the position of the pallet P indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 12 and the state in FIG. 13), the groove 15
1 is loosely fitted to the claw portion 302 and the claw portion 302 is set at a height that does not interfere with the pallet P.

A hydraulic cylinder 303 is fixed to the center of the jig main body 301 so that the direction of movement of a shaft 306, which is the drive shaft of the hydraulic cylinder 303, is vertical. The transmission member 304 shown in FIG. 14 is horizontally fixed to the shaft 306 at the center thereof. FIG. 14 is a top view of the transmission member 304 as viewed from the BB direction in FIG. 12, and the transmission member 304 is an X-shaped plate member. A pallet support member 305 having a cylindrical shape is fixed to four ends of the transmission member 304 in a direction parallel to the four shafts 306. Further, the pallet support member 305
Positioning pins 305a are provided at the two diagonal tips.

Then, by driving the hydraulic cylinder 303 and moving the shaft 306 up and down, the pallet support member 305 fixed to the transmission member 304 is moved up and down. That is, by raising the pallet support member 305, the positioning pins 305a of the pallet support member 305 are fitted into the positioning holes 153 provided on the lower surface of the pallet P to position the pallet P. Tip surface and the jig body 30
The pallet P is held by the jig device 300 by sandwiching the pallet P by the one claw portion 302.
When the pallet P is carried in and out, the pallet support member 305 is lowered and retracted to a position where the pallet P does not interfere with the pallet P being carried in and out (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the drawing). Note that a space is provided below the jig main body 301 where the transmission member 304 enters when the shaft 306 is lowered.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 15 and 16 are model diagrams showing the operation of the transfer device 200. FIG. Now, it is divided into three steps: a step of unloading the workpiece W from the processing station S1 by the transfer device 200 between the processing stations S1 and S2, a step of transporting the workpiece W from the processing station S1 to the processing station S2, and a step of loading into the processing station S2. Will be explained. However, the transfer device 200 is the same as that shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the slide member 102 is at the initial position where the slide member 102 is located at the center of the symmetric movement as shown in FIG.

First, in the unloading step from the processing station S1, the slide member 102 is moved backward in the direction opposite to the work transfer direction (rightward in the drawing), and the work holding is moved in conjunction with the movement of the slide member 102. The member 103 is placed immediately below the place where the jig device 300 of the processing station S1 holds the workpiece W placed on the pallet P (FIG. 15B).
Position).

The hydraulic cylinder 303 of the jig 300 is driven to lower the pallet support member 305. Then
The contact between the groove 151 of the pallet P and the claw 302 is separated,
The pallet P descends. When the pallet support member 305 is further lowered, the lower surface of the pallet P is placed on the upper surface of the workpiece holding member 103, and is transferred from the pallet support member 305. At this time, the workpiece holding member 10
The positioning pin 103a provided on the upper surface of the pallet 3 is fitted into the positioning hole 150 provided in the groove 150a of the pallet P, and the pallet P is positioned on the workpiece holding member 103 (FIG. 14). [State of [C]). In addition,
The pallet P delivered to the workpiece holding member 103 is held at a height at which the groove 151 does not contact the claw 302. As described above, the workpiece is delivered from the jig device 300 to the transfer device 200, and the unloading process is completed.

Subsequently, in the transfer step from the processing station S1 to the processing station S2, the slide member 102 is moved forward in the work transfer direction (left direction in the drawing), and the work station S2 is directly below the place where the work W is held ( FIG.
The work holding member 103 is moved to the position [D].
At this time, since the groove 151 of the pallet P is not in contact with the claw 302 of the jig device 300, the pallet P can be moved in the workpiece transfer direction by the transfer device 200. Thus, the transporting step is completed.

Next, in the step of loading into the processing station S2, the hydraulic cylinder 303 of the jig device 300 is driven,
The pallet support member 305 is raised. Then, the tip surface of the raised pallet support member 305 contacts the lower surface of the pallet P, and lifts the pallet P. At this time, the positioning pin 305 provided at the tip of the pallet support member 305
By fitting a into the positioning holes 153 on the lower surface of the pallet P, the pallet P is positioned with respect to the jig device 300. Further, the pallet support member 305
Is lifted, the lifted pallet P is disengaged from the pallet positioning pin 103a and the pallet positioning hole 150, and the pallet P is delivered.

The pallet P is lifted by the pallet support member 305 to a position where the lower surface of the claw portion 302 loosely fitted into the groove portion 151 of the pallet P comes into contact with the lower surface of the groove portion 151 (position [E] in FIG. 16). By holding at this position, the pallet P is positioned and held on the jig device 300. Thus, the loading step is completed.
Then, the slide member 102 is moved backward to return to the initial position (the position shown in FIG. 16F), and one transfer of the workpiece W is completed. Thereafter, the transfer of the workpiece W is repeated. .

[0038] The conveying apparatus 200 has a respective processing stations S1~S3 and between conveyor 117 shown in Figure 10
Each of the processing stations S1 to S3 on the connected straight line
In addition, they are independently provided between the conveyors 117 so that the entire line is conveyed. The transfer device 200 of the second embodiment described above has the same effects as the transfer device 100 of the first embodiment. Further, by providing a device for transferring the workpiece W from the transfer device to the processing station, such as the transfer device 200 of the second embodiment, in the processing station (the jig device 300), the transfer device 20 is provided.
0 has the advantage that there is no need to provide a lifting device 2 for lifting and lowering the slide member 102.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, the flexi
The bull transfer line is equipped with multiple transport devices,
A process in which a plurality of transfer devices are arranged at intervals
On the straight line connecting the processing stations of
Independently installed between the machine tool and the next machine tool
Even if the laying pitch of each machine tool is not the same,
A production line can be configured, and only specific transfer devices can be extracted when changing machine tools or organizing processes.
And so on, and have high flexibility in constructing a production line . Also, when building a line before starting the production line
All the machine tools that make up the production line
There is no need to wait for the commissioning at each processing station unit
Since it can be performed, the start-up time of the production line can be shortened and the efficiency is high. Moreover, because it can adjust the conveying distance conveying apparatus does not require a high-precision positioning, such as conventional during installation of processing stations that constitute the production line, its
This makes the construction of the production line easier.

Further, the flexible transfer of the present invention
The line is the slide member of the transfer device during machining of the workpiece.
Is the processing station of the previous process and the processing station of the next process
To and from any of these processing stations
Since it is waiting at the initial position, which is approximately
There is no accumulation of chips generated during processing on the
No retention failure occurs. Also, during machining,
It is now possible to cover the perimeter of the
And the scattering of chips can be restricted. In addition, machining tools
Posture change device for turntables and other workpieces
It becomes easy to provide a location.

Further , the machine tools are arranged at equal pitches,
By connecting the slide members of each transport device and driving all the transport devices synchronously, in-line transport becomes possible.
Ri, also provided a conveyor and a loader or the like, can be conveyed in independent type if independently drive each conveying device
Cycle time to confirm machining accuracy
Cycling while the longest machine tool is still processing
Unloading a workpiece that has been processed by a short-time machine tool
Measurement, etc., and reduce the overall cycle time.
There is an effect that it can be shortened .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a production line using a transfer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a slide device of the transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from an AA direction in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating an elevating device of the transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a model diagram showing the operation of the transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an in-line type production line using the transfer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first modification of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second modification of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a third modification of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a production line using a transfer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating a transport device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a jig device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a side view as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG.

14 is a top view of the transmission member as viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a model diagram showing the operation of the transport device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a model diagram showing an operation of the transport device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an overall configuration diagram showing a conventional transport device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slide device 2 Elevating device 100 Conveying device 101 Elevating member 102 Slide member 103 Work holding member 104 Sprocket 105 Chain 107 Rack 108 Pinion 110 Servo motor 118 Support stand 130 Hydraulic cylinder 140 Fixing member 141 First link 142 Second link 151 Groove Reference Signs List 200 Conveying device 300 Jig device 302 Claw portion 303 Hydraulic cylinder 304 Transmission member 305 Pallet support member 306 Shaft P Pallet W Workpiece

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B23G 7/08 B23G 7/14 B23G 39/04 B65G 41/52 B65G 41/75

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A workpiece carried into and out of a processing station.
The machine tool that performs the machining of the workpiece is adjusted to the divided machining process of the workpiece, and is spaced along the transport direction of the workpiece.
A plurality of machine tools are opened, and a transfer device is provided between the plurality of machine tools along the transfer direction of the workpiece.
Processing the stay from the processing station of the machine tool in the next step
Flexible bets sequentially conveyed directly the workpiece Deployment
In the transfer line , the transfer device is
It is composed of a number of transfer devices between machine tools.
Each of the devices is connected to each of the machining stations of the plurality of machine tools.
On connecting the down straight, the front and machine tool process during machine tool of the next step provided independent manner, said plurality of conveying devices
Is provided with a fixing member and the fixing member so as to be able to move up and down.
An elevating member, an elevating device for elevating the elevating member,
Serial substantially sliding member half <br/> length of the distance is provided to the elevating member to the processing stations of the processing stations or <br/> et the next step of the previous step, the slide member of the previous step
Processing station and the next processing station
And a slide device for reciprocating between the
The slide member moves in parallel with the movement direction of the slide member in conjunction with the movement of the slide member.
A workpiece holding member that moves in the same direction One, the slide
Comprising a device and a control device for controlling the lifting device,
The controller is configured to process the plurality of workpieces during processing of the workpiece.
Move the slide member of the transfer device to the processing station
Between the process station and the next processing station and
Processing station of the process and the processing station of the next process
As an initial position that is approximately equidistant from any of the
Waiting at the intermediate position, when transferring the workpiece after finishing the machining
Moves the slide member from the initial position to the workpiece.
Processing station of the previous process in the direction opposite to the transport direction
In the retracted position.
Lowering the workpiece onto the work station
From the position below the workpiece at the machining position
To the upper position.
Holds the workpiece from the previous processing station
And then lift the workpiece holding member
While holding the slide member in the position,
Suited to the transport direction of the crop processing Stacy tio emission of the next step
The lifting member is moved in this forward position.
Moving the workpiece holding member from the upper position to the lower position
The workpiece is moved down to
Delivered from the object holding member to the processing station in the next process
Moving the slide member back to the initial position.
Flexible transfer line characterized by moving . 2. A work carried into and out of a processing station.
A machine tool that performs machining of the workpiece,
Align with the process and along the transport direction of the workpiece
, And a plurality of machine tools are provided by a transfer device.
Machine tool in the previous process along the transfer direction of the workpiece between machines
From the machining station of the next process
Flexible workpiece that sequentially transports the workpiece directly to the
In the transfer line, each processing of the plurality of machine tools is performed.
Each one is provided at a work station and holds the work
Equipped with multiple jig devices that can be raised and lowered by actuators
In addition, the transfer device is a transfer device between a plurality of independent machine tools.
And each of the plurality of transport devices is
On the straight line connecting the processing stations of the machine tool
Independent between the preceding machine tool and the next machine tool
And the plurality of transporting devices include a fixing member and the fixing member.
From the processing station of the previous process
Approximately half the distance to the processing station in the next process
Of the slide member and the slide member of the previous process.
Between the processing station and the next processing station
A slide device that reciprocates with
The slide member in conjunction with the movement of the slide member.
Parallel to the moving direction of the slide member on the
A workpiece holding member that moves in one direction;
Control device for controlling the actuator and the slide device
And the control device is configured to process the workpiece during processing.
The slide member of the plurality of transport devices in the previous process
Between the processing station and the next processing station
Between the processing station of the previous process and the next process
The first distance from any of the processing stations
At the intermediate position as the initial position,
When transferring the workpiece, move the slide member to the initial position.
From the previous process in the direction opposite to the transfer direction of the workpiece.
Move backward toward the machining station, and
Moving the jig device from the machining position to the workpiece transfer position
Lower the workpiece to the previous processing station
To the workpiece holding member from the
Moving the workpiece in the direction of transport of the workpiece
Forward toward the
The jig device from the workpiece transfer position to the processing position.
To lift the workpiece from the workpiece holding member
Delivery to the next processing station
Moving the guide member backward to the initial position.
And flexible transfer line.