JPH0220630A - Supply device for blank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stably supply blanks by providing a transfer means capable of stocking the blanks between positions supplying and disstacking the blanks and mounting respectively a lifter and a lift table to raise the blanks to both positions. CONSTITUTION:The transfer means 10 composed of a chain conveyor 11 is provided between a position C supplying the blanks W and a position P1 disstacking them, and the lifter 20 and the lift table 30 are arranged respectively at the supply position C and the disstack position P1. First, plural blanks W are supplied to the supply position C of the transfer means 10 and a 1st group of blanks is moved to the position P1 to be positioned. Further, a 2nd group of blanks is stocked through the lifter 20 and the lifter table 31, the 1st group is disstacked and supplied to the position P1 of the 2nd group. Since plural blanks W can be transferred by the combination use of the lifter 20 and the lift table 31 while keeping their shape, the blanks W are supplied stably.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a blank supply device. In particular, it is designed to be able to transport a plurality of stacked blanks and to stock a plurality of sets of the plurality of blanks.

[Prior Art] A blank supply device is installed in front of a press machine for automation, high-speed press processing, etc.

Such a blank feeding device is generally comprised of a transfer means, a disk feed means, and an intermediate conveyance means.

The transfer means horizontally transfers a plurality of blanks from the replenishment position to the distack position, and the distack feed means separates the uppermost blank from among the plurality of blanks at the distack position using suction means such as a vacuum cup. It is then delivered to intermediate conveyance means. Further, the intermediate conveyance means conveys the received single blank to the press machine, and is configured to feed the blank in pitches for boat fishing.

Here, the transfer means was configured to store a plurality of stacked blanks in a storage case (pallet) and transport the storage case from a predetermined position to a distack position. That is, after a plurality of blanks are arranged and stored in each of a plurality of storage cases, the storage cases are moved on rails or transported by a conveyor or the like.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional blank supply device described above had the following problems.

■ Since a storage case is used, the equipment becomes large, requiring a large installation space and a large economic burden.

Furthermore, not only is the work of storing a plurality of blanks in a storage case complicated and requires a lot of effort, but also large equipment and labor are required to transport the empty storage case.

■ The storage case itself is considerably larger than the bulk of multiple blanks. Also from this point of view, a large installation space is required, making it difficult to prepare a large number of storage cases.

- Therefore, a worker had to be assigned full-time to store a plurality of blanks in the storage case, and the storing work required skill. For this reason, it not only becomes a factor that inhibits full automation of the blank supply device, but also reduces the productivity of press processing.

■ In addition, it is extremely difficult to control the positioning of large storage cases to the distack position with high precision, and even if it is possible to achieve a reasonable positioning of the storage cases,
The stored blanks are easily misaligned in the storage case, resulting in poor positioning accuracy for delivery to the separation device, etc.
There is also a problem in that equipment damage may occur due to collision between the separation device and the blank.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to be able to transport a plurality of stacked blanks as one set and to stock three or more sets of blanks on a transport means. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a blank supply device that can perform the following.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention analyzes that the above-mentioned conventional problems are largely due to the function and structure of the transfer means, and provides a method for transferring a plurality of stacked blanks without straining one's back. It is formed so that three or more sets can be stocked on the transfer means.

That is, there is a transfer means that can transport a plurality of stacked blanks from a replenishment position to a distack position, and a transfer means that is capable of stocking a plurality of blanks between the replenishment position and a distack position, and a transfer means that is capable of storing a plurality of blanks at the replenishment position. a lifter formed to be able to levitate a plurality of blanks placed on the transfer means at the distack position; When transferring multiple blanks from the replenishment position to the stock position, the table lifter is operated to levitate the multiple blanks at the distack position, and when transferred from the stock position to the distack position, the table lifter is operated to levitate the multiple blanks at the distack position. The above object is achieved by a configuration including a control means for operating the lifter so as to cause the lifter to float.

[Operation] According to the present invention having the above configuration, the first set of stacked blanks is placed on the transfer means at the replenishment position,
Driving the Transfer Means to Transfer to the Stock Position Next, the second set of blanks placed on the transfer means at the replenishment position is transferred to the stock position. In this case, since the lift table of the first set of blanks is floated by the control means, the positions of the plurality of blanks do not shift, and the second set of blanks can be transported at any speed. Here, if the third set of multiple blanks is supplied to the supply position, three sets of multiple blanks can be placed on the transfer means and stocked.

Subsequently, after the first set of blanks is supplied to the intermediate conveyance means (press machine), the second set of blanks at the stock position is transferred to the distack position. In this case, since the lifter is operated and the third set of blanks at the replenishment position is floated from the transfer means, the second set of blanks can be transported to the distack position at high speed and stopped accurately.
With this, the third set of blanks will not collapse, and then the fourth set of blanks will not collapse.
Add multiple blanks of the set to the supply position.

By repeating the above procedure, three or more sets of stacked blanks can be stocked on the transfer means, and smooth blank supply can be achieved.

[Example] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment 8 of the blank feeding device according to the present invention will be described.
One example will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, in order to understand the usage and essential functional aspects of this apparatus, an outline of the blank supply apparatus in this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 3, the blank feeding device is roughly divided into disk feeding means 5 and intermediate conveying means 70.
Blanks W are supplied to the transfer press 1 one by one at a predetermined timing.

The distack feed means 5 includes a transfer means 10 for laterally transporting a plurality of blanks W from the replenishment position C to the distack center P1, a lifter 20 that can levitate the blanks W at the replenishment position C, and a lifter 20 for horizontally transporting the blanks W from the replenishment position C to the distack center P1.
Lift table 30 that can levitate, front stopper adjustment device! 40, a centering device 60 disposed opposite to this front stopper adjustment device 40 with the distack center P1 in between, a blank quantitative holding device 80 disposed above these devices 40, 60, a separation device 81, a separation device A suction device 82 and a two-sheet detection device 83 are capable of raising and lowering the uppermost single blank W magnetically separated at 81 along the distack center P1 and holding it on the conveyance line L.
When the two-sheet detection device 83 detects that the number of blanks W held in the suction device 82 is two or more, the two-sheet discharge a discharges the blanks W into a packet 85.
It is composed of a structure 84.

Further, the intermediate conveying means 70 transports a movable body 72 and a vacuum cup 74 that reciprocate at a constant stroke onto a conveying line L.
It consists of an elevating body 73 that moves up and down between the holding member 71 and a gripping jaw 75 that holds the blank W that has been adsorbed by the adsorption device 82, and each idle stage between the distack center P1 and the final idle stage center 25. Center P2. P3. It is formed so that the blank W can be conveyed at a predetermined pitch every P4.

Therefore, the blank W fed from the supply position C using the transfer means 10 is pushed upward in the figure by the lift table 30 and aligned by the cooperation of the front stopper adjustment device 40 and the centering device 60. Thereafter, it is held in a quantitative holding device 80 and separated one by one by a separating device 81. The separation device 81 of this embodiment is of a magnetic separation type using a magnet.

The uppermost blank W that has been magnetically separated is attracted by the vacuum force of the descending suction device 82 and pulled up onto the conveyance line. Here, the two-sheet detection device 83 is activated to check the number of blanks W being sucked. If there is only one sheet, the intermediate conveying means 70
The material is conveyed in pitch to a transfer press 1 (1a is a transfer feed means, 1b is a mold, and 1c is a bolster).

As is clear from the above explanation, in order to improve overall efficiency, reduce installation space, reduce equipment economy, and save labor in this feeding device, it is necessary for the transfer means 10 to load a plurality of blanks while stacking them. It is understood that it is extremely effective to form the blanks in such a way that they can be transported without collapsing and that multiple sets of these blanks can be stocked.

Here, as a characteristic technical matter related to the present invention, the lifter 20 and the lift table 30 are arranged in a certain relationship with the transfer means 10, and a control means for effectively operating the lifter 20 and the lift table 30 is provided. 100 are provided. These are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which briefly represent the gist.

1, a side view in FIG. 3, and a plan view in FIG.
2. It is formed from a caterpillar (registered trademark) type chain conveyor 11 that is endlessly wound and installed between driven pulleys 15, and each pulley 12.15 is connected to the fuselage via a bearing stand 13.16. Supported. These chain conveyor 1
1, as shown in FIG. 4, consists of three sets spaced apart with a certain gap in the width direction. Furthermore, row groups 17 extending parallel to the chain conveyor 11 are arranged on both sides. Here, the chain conveyor 11 is driven by a motor 14 shown in FIG. 2 (not shown in FIG. 3).

Furthermore, a rail 18 is disposed at a replenishment position C of the transfer means 10 in a direction perpendicular to the chain conveyor 11. This rail 18 is for placing and adding a plurality of stacked blanks W onto the transfer means 10.

Note that the handle 19 is for locking after adjusting the spacing between the rails 18.

In addition, the chain conveyor 11 and the roller group 17, which are the transfer means 10, can horizontally transfer the stacked plurality of blanks W added at the replenishment position C to the distack position P1, and also can transfer the plurality of stacked blanks W added at the replenishment position C to the distack position P1. It has enough strength and length to stock more than 1 set of blanks W.

Further, the lifter 20 is connected to the transfer means 10 at the replenishment position C.
This is to appropriately float the plurality of blanks above from above the transfer means 10, and is formed from a push-up table 31 and a cylinder device 23 (cylinder 24, rod 25, etc.). The push-up table 21 is divided into two, and each divided push-up table 12
As shown in FIG. 4, the chain conveyors 11 and 11 can be retracted upwardly in FIG. 3 through the gap between the chain conveyors 11 and 11. Handle 2
2 is used to enable adjustment of the width of each push-up table 12 and to lock it after adjustment.

On the other hand, the lift table 30 is made up of a table 31, a push-up bar 32, and a cylinder device 33, as shown in FIG. 3 and an enlarged FIG. It is formed. The push-up bar 32 is slidably guided by a bush 34. Here, lift table 3
0 is for floating the plurality of blanks W placed on the transfer means 10 at the distack position P1 from above the transfer means 10. However, it also has the role of pushing up the blank W to the upper quantitative holding device 80, and may be provided separately from the one for floating.

This triple 31 is also of a two-part type and can move in and out of the gap between the chain conveyors 11.

These transfer means 10, lifter 20, lift table 30
etc. are driven and controlled by the following control means 100 in a timely and appropriate manner.

The control means 100 includes a control circuit 101, a switch 102, a controller 103, a driver 104, and a switch box 105 shown in FIG.

The control circuit 101 includes a CPU, ROM, etc., and the CPU processes instructions, calculations, etc. A sequence program is stored in the ROM.

Further, the switch 102 is used to select which of the contact detector 108 and the stop position detector 107 should be used as a signal to stop the motor 14, and the selection is made by the control circuit 1.
01, and after the signal from the deceleration position detector 106 is input, the controller 103 switches from high speed to low speed (stepwise low speed or continuous low speed toward zero) and inputs a drive signal to the driver 104. It is something to do.

Each detector is arranged as follows.

That is, the deceleration position detector 106 is disposed at a position where a plurality of laterally transferred blanks are selected between the replenishment position C and the distack position P1. The stop position detector 107 is disposed close to the rear side (downstream side in the transport direction) of the deceleration position detector 106. Further, the contact detector 108 is
The blank W transferred laterally to the reference surface (front stopper) 41 of the pressing member 42 of the front stopper adjustment device 40 is provided at a position where it can be operated from the moment it comes into contact with it. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the actuating bar 45 rotatably attached to the pressing member 42 by a support shaft 43 is rotated and tilted by the impact force of the blank W, the operating position is set to the pressing position. The lower end of the 6 actuating bar 45 attached to the member 42 is connected to the transfer means 1 by a spring (not shown).
It is urged to protrude in the 0 direction. Its protrusion amount is
It is regulated by a limit pin 44.

Note that the reference surface (front stopper) 41 is the motor 14
By driving the gear mechanism 47, the male screw rotating body 4
8. Through screws 51 and the like, the position in the left and right direction in FIG. 5 is adjusted with good quantitative accuracy. The cylinder device 52 is configured to receive the collision force of the plurality of horizontally transferred blanks W.

Here, the functions of the control means 100 include: (1) moving the plurality of blanks W from the supply position ffc to the stock position (see Fig. 1);
When transferring from the stock position to the distack position P\1, the lift table 30 is operated so as to levitate the plurality of blanks W at the distack position P1 from the transfer means 10, and when transferred from the stock position to the distack position P\1, the lift table 30 is moved to the replenishment position C. It has a sequence function to operate the lift table so as to levitate a plurality of blanks W from the transfer means 10. This function is to prevent the other sets of blanks W from collapsing, except for one set of blanks W to be transferred.

■ Based on the signal from the contact detector 108, the transfer means 10
Function to stop.

This function is provided by the contact detector 108 and the switch 1 shown in FIG.
02, the controller 103, the driver 104, etc.

Here, such equipment and control circuit 101 are collectively defined as a first control means.

■ Based on the signal from the deceleration position detector 106, the transfer means 1
A function to reduce the transfer speed of 0 and stop the transfer means 10 based on the signal from the stop position detector 107.

This function includes a deceleration position detector 106, a stop position detector 107, a switch 102, and a controller 103 shown in FIG.
, driver 104, etc. Here, such equipment and control circuit 101 are collectively defined as second control means.

(2) A function of activating the second control means when a plurality of stacked blanks W are transferred laterally from the replenishment position C to the stock position.

This function selects the second control means to prevent stacked blanks W from collapsing if the transfer means 10 is suddenly stopped from a high speed.

(2) On the other hand, in the case of lateral transfer from the stock position to the de-stack position P1, a function of operating the first control means.

This function is for positioning the laterally transferred stacked blanks W at the distack position P1 with high precision.

That is, the number of stacked sheets, for example 200, is t.

Since it is extremely difficult technically, economically, and layout-wise to achieve blanking of n by controlling the speed and position of the transfer means 10, it is necessary to accurately position the reference plane (front stopper) 41 in advance. The idea is to mechanically and forcibly position the blank W by colliding it with the horizontally transported blank W.

■ A function to sequentially control other devices such as the centering device 60 and the front stopper adjustment device 40.

etc.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

(The first set is set at the distack position) This is the case where a plurality of stacked blanks W are supplied first.

First, the first set from the top of the rail 18 is added to the supply position C of the transfer means 10. However, as shown in FIG. 1, it may be placed onto the transfer means 10 from above using a crane or the like.

Here, when the switch in the switch box 105 is operated, the control circuit 101 forming the control means 100 is activated and the first control means is selected.

Specifically, in FIG. 6, in the initial case, NO is determined in block 200 and YES is determined in block 201.

Further, since the determinations in blocks 211 and 212 are also No, the motor 14 is driven at high speed by the first control means. The controller 103 is configured to slow up.

Therefore, in the first set, the reference surface (front stopper) 4 of the front stopper adjustment device 40 is moved by the transfer means 10.
1 (block 214). Here, the reference plane 41 includes the quantitative holding device 80 and the separation device 81.
The positioning has been adjusted in advance in relation to, etc.

Thereafter, when the first set comes into contact with the reference surface 41, the contact detector 108 is activated, and the first control means stops the motor 14 (block 21'5.216).

The plurality of blanks W of the first set are positionally regulated by the reference surface 41 and come to rest at accurate positions. In other words, the disk drive position fP
A predetermined positioning is performed for 1.

(When stocking the second set at the stock position) In the case of the first set described above, the transfer means 10 performed the "replenishment" and "supply" steps shown in FIG. 1 together, but in this step, Only ° replenishment is performed. In this case, the control means 100 operates the lift table 30 in relation to the first set and selects the second control means.

In FIG. 6, a YES determination is made at block 200. Subsequently, if the determination is No in block 201, the operator is instructed to add a second set (block 202); on the other hand, Y
If ES is determined, the distack position P is set in block 203.
It is determined whether there are multiple blanks W in 1. In this case, the first set of blanks W exists. Therefore, Y
Based on the ES judgment, the riffs 1 to 30 are operated (block 204), and the first set is slightly raised above the transfer means 10. Subsequently, the transport means 10 is driven at high speed by the first control means (block 205).

When the second set is transferred at high speed and reaches the slow town position, the deceleration position detector 106 is activated, and based on the signal, the controller 103 decelerates the motor 14 (block 2).
06,207). When the second set reaches the stock position, the stop position detector 107 is activated, and the first control means stops the transfer means 10 (motor 14) (block 209). At the same time, the lift table 30 is lowered. Ru.

Therefore, the second set of blanks W are stocked at the stock position without any hesitation, and the first set is also placed at the distack position P1.

Thus, if a new third set of blanks W is subsequently added to the replenishment position C, three sets of blanks W will be stocked at intervals on the transfer means 10 as a result.

Note that the accuracy of the stopping position of the blank W at the stock position may be rough. This is because in the distack feed means 5, as long as the positioning accuracy at the distack position P1 is achieved, the previous positions do not matter.

(When Distacking the First Set) In order to supply the first set at the distack position P1 to the upper fixed quantity holding device 80, the lift table 30 is operated in response to a YES determination in block 220 (block 211).

Specifically, without pushing up the table 31 and supplying the blank W to the quantitative holding device 80, it is stopped once the adjustment position detector 109 is activated.

At the adjustment position, the centering device 6o and the front stopper adjustment device 40 cooperate to apply a lateral pressing force to the plurality of blanks W, thereby performing final position adjustment of the plurality of blanks W (block 223).

After this, the table 31 is pushed up and a plurality of blanks W (
1st set) to the quantitative holding device 8o (block 224). Subsequently, in block 225, a plurality of magnets forming the separating device 81 are set.

Thereafter, the uppermost single blank W separated by the separating device 81 is adsorbed by the adsorbing device 82, delivered to the intermediate conveying means 70, and supplied to the press machine.

Here, a third set of blanks W exists at the supply position C of the transfer means 10, and a second set of blanks W exists at the stock position. There is no blank W at the distack position P1.

(When supplying the second set to the destack position) Move the 2M blank W in the stock position to the destack position P1.
If the blanks W are to be supplied to the supply position C, a YES determination is made in block 210, and it is confirmed in block 212 that the third set of blanks W is present at the supply position C.

In this supply process, the blank W in the stock position is
High speed transfer by control means, reference surface (front stopper) 4
1. Therefore, if the third set of blanks W at the supply position C is placed on the transfer means 101, if the transfer means 10 is suddenly stopped. Furthermore, since the third set of blanks W is not supported by the reference surface 41 or the like, the load may collapse.

In order to prevent this load from collapsing, the lifter 20 is attached to the block 213.
is activated to levitate the third set of blanks W from the transfer means 10, and then the transfer means 10 is driven (block 214). Thereafter, the second set is supplied to the distack position P in the same manner as the first set was supplied in blocks 215 to 218.
Supply to 1.

According to this embodiment, the transfer means 10 is formed to be able to stock three sets of a plurality of stacked blanks W, the lifter 20 is located at the replenishment position C, and the distack position HP 1
Since the structure includes a lift table 30 and a control means 100 for operating the lifter 20 and the lift table 30 according to the replenishment process and the supply process, a plurality of stacked blanks W can be moved to the destack position by a mechanical collision method. Accurate positioning to P1 and multiple blanks W
You can stock up on items without them collapsing. Therefore, the additional work for adding a plurality of new blanks to the distack position P1 can be significantly reduced, and the blanks can be smoothly supplied to the intermediate conveying means 70 and the press machine 1 without requiring a dedicated worker. Further, since the positions of the plurality of blanks W at the distack position P1 are accurate, damage to the quantitative holding device 80 etc. due to blank collision is not caused.

Furthermore, the adoption of the mechanical collision method makes it possible to accurately stop the blank W at the distack position P1, and the control means can be significantly simplified and costs are lower than in the feedback control method.

Furthermore, since the conventional storage case is eliminated and multiple stacked blanks W are transferred as they are, the equipment is simple, compact, and economical, and the entire blank feeding device is fully automated. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, since the structure is equipped with a first control means and a second control means including the respective detectors 106, 107, and 108, and can be transferred at high speed without collapsing, the lifter 20° lift table 30
．． In combination with the control means 100, stacked blanks W can be stocked and supplied even more quickly and accurately.

In the above embodiment, the transfer means 10 is formed to be able to stock three sets of stacked blanks W, but the number of stacked blanks W can be arbitrarily selected as long as it is three or more sets.

Further, although the first control means and the second control means are provided in a part of the control means 100 so that the replenishment process and the supply process are automatically operated, these first and second control means are omitted, The present invention is also applicable if the transfer means 10 is configured to be driven at an appropriate speed pattern by manual remote control or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the present invention includes a transfer means capable of mounting three or more sets of blanks, a lifter disposed at the replenishment position, and a lift table disposed at the distack position. Because of the double-contained structure, it is possible to transfer multiple stacked blanks W without collapsing while cleaning out the conventional pallet, and to stock three or more sets of blanks, thereby stably and smoothly supplying blanks to the press machine. It has excellent effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main parts of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control means, FIG. 3 is a side view of the entire system, and FIG. 4 is a view from the separation device side. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view centered on the disk center, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation. 5... Distack feed means, 10... Transfer means, 14... Motor, 20... Lifter, 30...
Lift table, 31...Table, 40...Front stopper adjustment device, 41...Front stopper (
Reference surface), 60... Centering device, 80... Steady state holding device, 81... Separation device, 70... Intermediate conveyance means, 100... Control means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A transfer means configured to be able to transfer a plurality of stacked blanks from a replenishment position to a destacking position and to stock a plurality of blanks between the replenishment position and a destacking position; a lifter formed to be able to levitate a plurality of placed blanks from the transfer means; and a lifter formed to be able to levitate a plurality of blanks placed on the transfer means at the destack position from the transfer means. The lift table and the lift table are operated to levitate the multiple blanks at the destack position when transferring multiple blanks from the supply position to the stock position, and the replenishment table is operated when transferring multiple blanks from the stock position to the destack position. A blank supply device comprising: control means for operating a lift table so as to levitate a plurality of blanks at a certain position.