JPH03228540A - Work processing device with multilayer stage type pallet housing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save the space without lowering the processing efficiency of work processing in a work processing device having a moving device for moving work pallets by forming a pallet housing device into a multilayer stage type housing structure. CONSTITUTION:A pallet 3 set in an arrangement place 6 is moved on an elevating member 2 by a driving roller 31 to be stored in a shelf 4. Next, the stored pallet 3 is lowered by the elevating member 2, and is passed through on the driving roller 31 and a conveyor 52 for waiting pallets by a pallet retracting device 7 to be retracted to a machining centre 5. The pallet 3, to which the processing treatment is performed, is delivered to the conveyor 52 for waiting pallets, and thereafter, it is moved to the arrangement place 6 to be released. Since the storage place of the pallet 3 consists of multilayer stages, worry about storage place is eliminated, and since storage in the shelf 4 and ejection is performed smoothly, the processing efficiency is not lowered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a workpiece processing apparatus for processing a workpiece for processing.

<Prior Art> As a conventional apparatus for processing a workpiece by automation, there is an apparatus shown in FIG. 6, for example. This consists of two machining tables (3') on which machining workpieces (30) are set, arranged in tandem, and both machining tables (3').
The processing is performed while shifting the three parts. To explain the process with reference to the same figure, first, a workpiece (30) for processing is processed on one processing table (3'), and during that time the next workpiece (30) is placed on position (B processing table (3D) by a crane. When machining of one machining table (workpiece (30) three positions above) is completed, shift the machining table (three of them to position (80), and set the machining completed workpiece (30). The crane removes the workpiece. At the same time, shift the processing tables (three located in position B) to the processing position and remove the workpiece (
30) Start processing. By repeating the same operation thereafter, the workpiece (30) can be processed efficiently.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, devices other than the above-mentioned devices include a machining center (5) for processing workpieces and a processing pallet (3) on which workpieces (30) for processing are set.
A standby station (one standby station) where the processing pallets (3) are arranged in a horizontal row, an unmanned trolley (9) for sending the processing pallet (3) to the machining center (5), a set of workpieces for primary processing, and a station for removing the processed workpieces. There is a device that includes a setup area (not shown) that performs these operations (simply referred to as setup).

As shown in the figure, the process of this device is as follows: In the machining center (5), while the - workpiece is being processed, the workpiece (30) for the next process is set on a pallet at position (A). Wait there. (These works (30
) has already been set up in the setup area. ) On the other hand, when the machining of the workpiece in the machining center (5) is completed, the pallet (3) carrying the processed workpiece is taken out to position (B), and the workpiece (30) for the next process is moved to position (A). The machine is transported from the position to the machining center (5). The pallet placed at position (B) is transported by an unmanned cart (9) to a waiting station (1'), and then transported to a setup area where processed workpieces are removed from the pallet (3). It will be. Standby station (1') position (C
) to (F) are pallets (3) on which workpieces (30) are set and are waiting for processing, and are sequentially transported to position (A) by the cart (9). Thereafter, the same process is repeated and the workpieces (30) are successively processed.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In the case of the latter apparatus, there is an apparatus that uses a number of machining centers (5) as shown in FIG. 8 in order to rapidly process a large amount of workpieces.

In this device, a configuration in which the setup area (6) is located in front of the machining center (5), or a configuration in which the setup area (6) is separate from the machining center (5) and concentrated in one place as shown in the same figure can be considered. However, in any case, in order to increase the efficiency of the processing, the processing step is carried out at the setup place (6
), the preparation of the workpiece is completed during the day, and the machining process at each machining center (5) is completed at night, which is an intensive processing process.

By the way, in this processing process, pallets for which setup was performed during the day or pallets for workpieces for which processing was completed during the night are temporarily stored in a standby station (one) until the next processing.

However, according to the conventional apparatus, as shown in FIG.
When it is necessary to process a large number of workpieces, it is necessary to secure a waiting station (one space) corresponding to the number of pallets of the workpieces, and the problem has been how to secure this space.

The present invention was devised in view of these problems.
The present invention aims to save space in a workpiece processing device without affecting its processing efficiency and storing pallets on which workpieces are set.

<Means for Solving the Problems> For this reason, the present invention provides a machining center for machining workpieces, and a method for setting the workpieces on a machining pallet or removing the workpieces from the machining pallet. a pallet storage device for storing the machining pallets, and between the pallet storage device side and the machining center side and between the pallet storage device side and the machining center side, the processing A workpiece processing device comprising a transfer device for moving pallets has a basic feature in that the pallet storage device has a multi-layered storage structure.

Further, the multi-layer storage structure of the conveying device is provided with an elevating body capable of loading the processing pallet, and by moving the elevating body loaded with the processing pallet, the pallet can be raised and lowered, and the pallet can be raised and lowered in the horizontal direction. A configuration may also be provided in which a transport device for moving the storage device and a storage shelf section disposed on the side of the transport device are provided. Further, a transfer device for moving the processing pallet between the pallet storage device side and the machining center side has a hooking claw for hooking on the pallet, and by hooking the hooking claw on the pallet, the processing can be carried out. By using a retraction mechanism capable of retracting the pallet to either side, the processing pallet can be moved smoothly and the processing efficiency of the entire apparatus can be significantly improved.

The machining center referred to here is a multi-purpose NC that performs various machining operations while automatically exchanging many types of tools.
It refers to a machine tool, and the field of processing is not limited in any way.

<Function> According to the above configuration, processing pallets are stored in a multi-layered three-dimensional storage device.

Further, there is provided a conveying device which is provided with an elevating body capable of loading a processing pallet, and which moves the elevating body loaded with the processing pallet to raise and lower the pallet and also move the pallet in a horizontal direction, and a side of the conveying device. If the processing pallet is provided with a storage shelf disposed in the storage device, the processing pallet is loaded on the elevating body and moved to the shelf of the storage device, and then stored.

In any case, since processing pallets are stored in a multi-tiered storage device, the space for storing pallets can be saved even in processing steps where a large number of pallets are used. Further, a transfer device for moving the processing pallet between the pallet storage device side and the machining center side has a hooking claw for hooking on the pallet, and by hooking the hooking claw on the pallet, the processing can be carried out. If the configuration uses a retraction mechanism capable of retracting the pallet to either side, the movement of the machining pallet between the storage device side and the machining center side is as follows:
This will be done under the guidance of the device. Therefore, the pallet can be smoothly moved without removing the transfer line.

<Example> Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a setup area (6) is provided for each machining center (5), and a pallet storage device is installed between the machining center (5) and the setup area (6). (1) is located, and the pallet transfer devices provided in each of the pallet storage equipment M (1) side and the machining center (5) side, and between the storage equipment (1) side and the setup area (5) ) The processing pallet (3) can be moved between the two sides.

The storage device (1) has a multi-story three-dimensional structure by being provided with a conveyance device equipped with an elevating body (2) and a storage shelf (4) arranged on the side of the conveyance device. It has become.

The conveying device includes an elevating means for elevating and lowering the processing pallet (3) loaded on the elevating body (2), and the pallet (
3) on the side of the storage shelf (4), or on the side of the storage shelf (4).
) the pallet (3) stored in the elevator (2) side,
It consists of a transfer means for each transfer.

In this embodiment, the elevating means has a configuration in which the loading pallet (3) is raised and lowered by raising and lowering the elevating body (2), and therefore, as shown in the same figure, there are Each of them has a guide roller (11) and a guide body (12) for raising and lowering using the support column (41) of the storage shelf (4) in the vertical direction of the conveyance device.

The elevating body (2) is provided so as to be movable up and down along the guide body (12) via the guide roller (11). In particular, there are two types of guide rollers (11): one (lla) provided at the upper and lower ends of the elevating body (2) and the other (llb) provided at the biased part of the main body. When the pallet (3) is transferred by the device, the former roller (l
In la), the elevating body (3) is moved in the Y direction (indicated by the arrow in the figure) by the guide body (12), and the latter roller (llb) is a guide plate (12) which is stretched and fixed from the guide body (12). 1
2b) also functions to prevent sideways movement in the X direction (indicated by arrows in the figure).

In addition, as a mechanism for actually raising and lowering the elevating body (2), a hoist (1) is provided that uses a hanging wire (13) and a hoist (1) that winds up or unwinds the wire (13) using a drive device (14).
5) is used in this embodiment. That is, the hoisting device is shown in FIGS. 1(c) and 1(d).
), the wire (13) is attached to the elevating body (2).
Via a pulley (16) provided on the upper part of the main body, one end of the pulley (16) is connected to the hoisting hoist (15), and the other end is connected to a column supporting the hoisting hoist (15). ) by rotating a hoist (I5) to wind up or unwind the wire (13), thereby raising and lowering the elevating body (2).

In this embodiment, the transfer means is 1:! : A so-called slide fork type structure as shown in FIG. 3 is used. This has a slide fork (21) to support the pallet (3) loaded on the elevating body (2), and this slide fork (21) is slid in a cantilevered manner toward the storage section. Therefore, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the elevating body (2) on which the processing pallet (3) is loaded uses the slide drive mechanism of the so-called double stroke method. Fork (2
1), a traverser (22), and a lifting platform (23) are made up of seven components. The slide drive mechanism includes a horizontally movable traverser (22) that engages with both the slide fork (21) and the lifting platform (23), and sprocket wheels (24) provided before and after the traverser (22). A cross chain (25) whose both ends are connected to the lifting platform (23) and the slide fork (21) and guided by the sprocket wheel (24), and a traverser (22) are connected to the lifting platform (23). Active mechanism (26) for immediate slide movement (sprocket member (27) on the traverser side and endless chain device (2) on the lifting platform side)
8), and this mechanism enables the slide fork (21) to be extended or shortened in the horizontal direction, and the processing pallet (3) on the fork (21) can be stored in the storage area. The pallets stored on the shelf (4) side or the storage shelf (4) are moved to the elevating body (2).
This makes it possible to transfer them to both sides.

The conveyance device of this embodiment operates as follows. When storing the processing pallet (3) on the shelf (4), the elevating body (2) loaded with the pallet (3)
is raised by hoisting the wire (13) of the hoist (15). When the elevating body (2) rises to the height of the shelf (4) to be stored, the slide fork (21) of the elevating body is extended to the shelf (4) and the loaded pallet ( 3) is deposited on the shelf (4), the storage is completed. In addition, when taking out the processing pallet (3) from the shelf (4), extend the slide fork (21) to the shelf (4) to receive the pallet (3), and then remove the fork (21). Elevating body (2
) The pallet (3) is lowered together with the elevating body (2) by unwinding the hoist (15), which completes the removal of the pallet (9). Although the conveying device has the above-mentioned configuration, it is of course possible to use another configuration. For example, as the transfer means 7, a technique has already been proposed by the applicant, as shown in FIG. A technology that drives the vehicle in the direction of travel, or as shown in FIG. It is also possible to use a technique in which the transfer is driven through the rails (29) in the transfer progressing direction.

The elevating body (2) actually receives the slide fork (21), the traverser (22), the elevating platform (23) used as the transfer means as described above, and the pallet as shown in FIG. A roller conveyor (31) with a roller structure,
It consists of an outer frame (20).

The roller conveyor (31) has the slide fork (
21) are provided perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the fork length and in parallel. In this embodiment, the conveyor (31
) is a lift type that can be raised and lowered using a hydraulic cylinder or the like, and the pallet (3) can be moved when it is raised. On the other hand, machining center (5)
A standby pallet conveyor (52) having a roller structure is provided near the pallet entrance/exit (51), and is formed to communicate with the roller conveyor (31),
Thereby, the processing pallet (3) can be transferred between the machining center (5) side and the elevating body (2) side.

The storage shelf section (4) is a space for storing processing pallets, has a three-dimensional structure with a plurality of floors, and is disposed on one or both sides of the transport device.

The machining center (5) is a multi-purpose NC machine tool for performing various types of processing on workpieces, and the above-mentioned elevating body (2)
It is located in the longitudinal direction of the roller conveyor (31) provided above. Further, as described above, in the machining center (5), a standby pallet conveyor (52) is installed near the pallet entrance/exit (51).
) is formed by contacting.

In this embodiment, the setup area (6) is the roller conveyor (
31) Located on the opposite side of the machining center (5) in the longitudinal direction.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the pallet storage device! (1
, ) side and the machining center (5) side, and between the storage device (1) side and the setup area (6) side.
The movement in 3) is performed by a pallet transfer device.

In this transfer device, the transfer mechanism between the pallet storage device (1) side and the machining center (5) side includes rollers of the roller conveyor (31) and the standby pallet conveyor (52), as described above. In addition to being connected to each other, especially in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. be. This device! (7) hooks the pallet hooking pawl (72) fixed to the screw piece (71) into the hooking groove provided on the processing pallet (3), and attaches both ends of the pallet hooking claw (72) fixed to the screw piece (71) to the hooking groove provided on the processing pallet (3), The retraction is performed by moving the screw piece (71) on the screw shaft (74) which is supported and screwed into the screw shaft (74). Therefore, in the device (7), the motor (75) that applies rotational force to the screw shaft (74) transmits the rotational force to the upper end of the elevating body outer frame (20) via the chino. Sprocket wheel (7)
6) are arranged coaxially with the screw shaft (74). Further, the hooking claw (72) is configured to be able to be raised and lowered by using a hydraulic cylinder mechanism, etc., thereby allowing the hooking claw (72) to be attached to and removed from the pallet hooking groove. ing. With such a configuration, during this period, the processing pallet (3) is not firmly fixed to the catch claw (72) but moves on the rollers.

On the other hand, a pallet transfer mechanism between the storage device (1) side and the setup area (6) moves a drive roller (not shown) communicating with the roller on the roller conveyor (31) to the setup area. (
6), and by driving this roller, the processing pallet (3) can be transferred between the setup area (6) side and the conveyance device side.

Note that the pallet transfer device may be a transfer mechanism between any of them or may have another configuration, and in the former, the rollers of the roller conveyor (31) and the standby pallet conveyor (52) are of a driven type, In the latter case, the elevating body (
A configuration similar to the retracting device (7) provided in 2) may be provided.

The steps of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described below.

First, in the setup area (6), the processing pallet (3) on which the workpieces for processing are set is moved onto the elevating body (2) by the drive roller (31) on the first setup area (6). and stored on the shelf (4) by the transfer means. Next, when processing is performed in the machining center (5), the pallet (3) stored on the shelf (4) is lowered by the transfer means and lifting means, and the pallet retracting device! (7) causes the pallet to pass over the roller conveyor (31) and standby pallet conveyor (52) and is drawn into the machining center (5). After the workpiece pallet (3) processed by the machining center (5) is delivered onto the standby pallet conveyor (52),
Either the workpiece is immediately moved to the setup area (6) for removal, or it is moved to the storage shelf (4) for temporary storage; in the latter case, the workpiece is removed from the pallet (3).
) are moved to the elevating body (2) by the retracting device (7), loaded thereon, and stored on the shelf (4) through the same process as above.

As described above, according to the apparatus of this embodiment, the storage space for the processing pallet (3) has a three-dimensional structure consisting of multiple floors, so the space of the entire apparatus can be saved and a large amount of workpieces can be processed. Even if you do that palette (3)
You no longer have to worry about where to store your items. In addition, by providing the above-mentioned conveyance device, storage in or removal from the storage shelf (4) can be performed smoothly, without reducing the processing efficiency of the entire device. Even if there is not enough space for the equipment, a single machining center (5) can perform a large amount of processing, thereby increasing processing efficiency. Further, a pallet retracting device (7) is provided, and the pallet (3) is firmly fixed by its hooking claw (72), so that when the pallet (3) is moving, it is effective to remove the moving line. Furthermore, even when the pallet (3) is waiting on the special pallet conveyor (52) and roller conveyor (31), the pallet (3) can be effectively prevented from jumping out from the waiting area by fixing it. There is no need to provide a stopper or the like to prevent the pallet from flying out, and therefore the pallet (3) can be moved smoothly.

In addition to the previous embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A configuration in which they are provided centrally in several locations is also conceivable.

In this embodiment, the pallet storage device W (1) and the machining center (5) have almost the same configuration as in the previous embodiment.
゛As shown in the figure, the machining center (5) and the pallet storage device (1) form a single cell, and a rail (8) is provided between each cell group and the setup area (6). An unmanned trolley (9) that can be loaded on a pallet is attached to the rail (8).
), the processing pallet (3) can be transported. According to this configuration, as described above, a single cell is formed by the pallet storage device (1) and the machining center (5), and by combining a plurality of the single cells, a large system can be easily constructed. There are benefits.

<Effects of the Invention> As detailed above, according to the workpiece processing device according to the present invention, the pallet storage device has a multi-layered storage structure, thereby saving space in the pallet storage area. This allows a large number of pallets to be stored in a very small amount of space, and even if the equipment does not have enough space, it is possible to process a large amount with one machining center, increasing processing efficiency. It is something to upload.

Further, it is sufficient to have a simple structure for the workpiece processing apparatus according to the present invention, and in particular, a reinforced steel structure for the knotlet storage apparatus is sufficient, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1(a) shows an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a front view of the device, FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of the device, and FIG. Cross-sectional side view of (a), same figure (d)
Figure 2 shows the previous figure viewed from the G direction, and the setup area is 1.
FIGS. 3 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention that is installed in a concentrated manner in one place (FIGS. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment of a transfer device used in the device according to the present invention) is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional workpiece processing device. In each figure, (1) is a pallet storage device, (1 is a standby station, (2) is an elevating body, (3) is a pallet with a guard, and (3) is a pallet storage device. is the processing table, (4) I is the storage shelf, (
5) shows the machining center, (6) ± setup area (7) shows the pallet pulling device, (8) shows the rail, and (9) shows the unmanned trolley. Fig. 1 (C) 1! Figure 1' Procedural amendment (voluntary) April 1990-!r date

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A machining center for machining a workpiece for machining, a setup place for setting the workpiece for machining on a machining pallet or removing the workpiece for machining from the machining pallet, and a machining center for machining the workpiece for machining; a pallet storage device for storing pallets; and a transfer device for moving the processing pallet between the pallet storage device side and the machining center side and between the pallet storage device side and the setup area side. 1. A workpiece processing apparatus characterized in that the pallet storage device has a multi-layered storage structure. 2. The work processing device described in the preceding paragraph is provided with an elevating body capable of loading the processing pallet, and by moving the elevating body loaded with the processing pallet, the pallet is raised and lowered and moved in the horizontal direction. The workpiece according to claim 1, wherein the pallet storage device has a multi-layered storage structure by providing a transportation device and a storage shelf disposed on a side of the transportation device. Processing equipment. 3. In the workpiece processing apparatus according to claim 1, a transfer device for moving the processing pallet between the pallet storage device side and the machining center side includes a hook hook for hooking the pallet. The workpiece processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece processing device has a retracting mechanism capable of retracting the pallet to either side by hooking the hooking claw to the pallet. .