JPS59134638A - Controller for transfer-machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed and claimed herein generally relates to control techniques and apparatus for operating transfer machines with improved efficiency. More specifically, the present invention enables each machining unit of the transfer machine to be activated to perform its own machining operation only when each part is located at its individual machining station. This invention relates to a transfer/7-syn controller. Still more particularly, the present invention provides a control system of the above type for transferring digital data through a transfer machine by shifting the focus through a shift register in synchronization with the movement of parts through the machine. Relates to those whose movements of parts are monitored.

As is well known in various manufacturing operations, a transfer machine is a machine or mechanical system configured to receive successive workpieces or parts and perform a series of individual machining operations on each part. be. During each part transfer cycle in a series of part transfer cycles, a transfer mechanism operates to move the part from the loading station to the first in the series of processing stations, to the last in the series to 7111 Este Noyo/. Move the part from the machining station to the unloading station, and move each of the other parts in the machine to -71 in the series of machining stations.
Move forward by 0 estate/. Following each transfer cycle, the transfer machine begins a blade unit cycle during which the parts advanced by the transfer mechanism are subjected to one of the individual machining operations by the processing units at each loe station. .

Transfer machines of the type described above find wide application in the machining of metal parts, especially when large part quantities are required. By placing a cutting tool to be axially moved in each machining station and by providing an electronic control unit to directly actuate the cutting tool and the transfer mechanism, the transfer machine can Multiple machining steps can be automatically applied to each part in a continuous part stream. However, if for some reason a part fails to enter the machine during a multi-part transfer cycle, the operating efficiency of the transfer machine can be significantly reduced. In the event of such a failure, the automatic and continuous operation of the transfer maso/is terminated. In this case the machine can only be operated manually or with the intervention of an operator. However, such operation can create gaps in the flow of parts moving through the processing station sequence. The creation of this gap, in turn, results in unnecessary wear and tear on the machining unit as the unit may start up during a work cycle when the part is not present at its own machining station.

Furthermore, if a machining unit performs a work cycle when a part is not at its machining station, the time required to machine a series of parts increases unnecessarily. in general,
Since each machining unit requires a different amount of time, or cycle time, to perform its respective machining operation, the time between two consecutive part transfer cycles must be greater than or equal to the longest such cycle time. It is easy to see that this is the case. The part is its processing station/
If the unit with the longest cycle time is activated when it is not present, it will take an unnecessarily long time before the next transfer cycle can begin.

Through the present invention, the applicant has made it possible to continue operating the transfer machine despite intermittent failures in the loading of parts into the transfer machine. Roughly speaking, the present invention limits the time between part transfer cycles to within the longest cycle time of the unit in which the part actually exists, and as long as the part is in the unit, it is possible to transfer the cycle to the processing unit following the part transfer cycle. This is something that can be done.

Applicant's invention can be implemented with relatively simple modifications to conventional transfer machine controls. However, this in no way limits the scope of the invention.

In the present invention, a receiving station is provided to receive parts within at least some parts receiving time in a series of parts receiving times, and a large number of processing operations are performed on the received parts at a predetermined processing operation. A transfer machining system is provided with selectively located processing units. A transfer device is provided for moving a given received part from the receiving station to each of the processing units in a predetermined order, so that a given received part is separated from a series of parts. During a transfer cycle, a part is moved from one of the processing units to another of the processing units. The digital code storage device receives and receives the digital code during each part transfer time, and the storage device receives and receives the first digital code if the part is received at the loading station during the part transfer time. If the part is not received at the loading station during the part transfer time, the storage device receives the second digital code. The storage device is provided with a number of separate digital code storage locations;
Each processing unit corresponds individually to one of the storage locations.

The receiver is synchronously associated with the movement of the picked part, so that at the end of a selected number of parts transfer cycles the digital code that was picked up by the receiver is shifted in the storage device by a shifting device, and the receiver is transferred to the picked part. The digital codes contained in a given memory location each contain a first or a second digital code, depending on whether the digital code is present in the processing unit corresponding to a given memory location. A selection actuator responsive to the contents of each of the memory locations causes the selected number of parts to be transferred to a given memory location at the end of a selected number of part transfer cycles if the first digital code is contained in the given memory location. The machining unit corresponding to the predetermined machining operation can perform the predetermined machining operation, otherwise the machining unit is prevented from performing the predetermined machining operation.

Preferably, the digital code storage in said device comprises a shift register with a number of locations for storing individual digital pinpoints, each of the bit storage locations containing one of the digital code storage locations. It is desirable to do so. Each of the first digital codes includes a digital bit of a second logic level, such as a logic 1 pin, and each of the second digital codes includes a digital pit of a second logic level, such as a logic D pin. includes.

Preferably, the shifting device also transfers digital data from one of the bit storage locations during one part transfer cycle.
It may be desirable to include a device for shifting a given one of focus. The processing unit corresponding to the first memory location precedes the processing unit corresponding to the second memory location in the aforementioned order of processing units.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each machining unit comprises a shaft-driven tool for making a predetermined cutting operation 1j in the metal part. The transfer apparatus for this type of embodiment includes, during each part transfer cycle, a received part that is moved from an input station to a first processing unit in the sequence of processing units, and a receiver that transfers the received part to the final force in said sequence. Move from the Loe unit to the unloading station/
The other receiver includes a moving bar structure operable to advance each picked part by one processing unit in the processing unit sequence. The preferred embodiment also includes a first or second logic level digital signal at the processing station (in the corresponding focus memory location) after the transfer cycle.
The selection actuator includes a device for activating or deactivating the processing unit after a part transfer cycle depending on which bits are involved.

If the part is picked up, the step of placing it in the first digital binary shift register during a given part receiving time p in a series of parts receiving 9 hours and loading it during the given parts receiving 9 hour period. If the part is not picked up at the station/station, placing a second digital focus in the shift register during a given part pick up time and placing the part in the transfer machine at a predetermined time interval. To each of the numerous blade stations provided, the receiver moves one of the picked parts between each of the processing stations and each of the numerous bit storage locations provided in the shift register. In a step of creating a single correspondence, the receiver transfers the first and second digital bits in the shift register to the respective lower stations of the transfer machine in a synchronous relationship with the movement of the picked parts. If the shifting stage and the first digital bit are included in the bit storage location corresponding to a given machining station at a given time-1, the receiver performs a predetermined machining operation on the taken part. activating a given one processing station at a given time to apply a second digital readout to a bit storage location corresponding to a given processing station at a given time; If the method is used, it can also be viewed as a method of flil-controlling the operation of the transfer machine, consisting of steps and forces that prevent activation of a given force at a given time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer muff in which a transfer operation or cycle can occur even when no parts or workpieces are present at the input station of the transfer machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a transfer machine of the above type in which a machining unit of the transfer machine is activated and a predetermined machining operation is performed during the machining unit cycle as long as the part is present in the machining unit during the machining cycle.・The purpose is to provide machines.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a transfer machine of the above type in which the length of the Kaloe unit cycle is limited to the time required for all machining units in which each part is present to complete its respective machining operation. It's about doing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a transfer system of the above type.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic control device for controlling the operation of 7/.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a transfer system for activating or preventing activation of respective machining units of a transfer machine during a force cycle according to digital data stored in a shift register at the beginning of the machining cycle.・Providing electronic control equipment for machines.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent by studying the following specification together with the drawings.

FIG. 1 will be explained. The figure shows a transfer machine 10' which is arranged to receive a flow of metal parts 12 and perform N types of machining operations on each part it receives according to a predetermined order. vinegar. Transfer machine 10 is equipped with a transfer bar or other part advancing structure 14 and is further provided with a transfer bar drive mechanism 16 for operating the transfer bar in successive part transfer cycles.

In addition, the transfer muff/10 has a transfer stay 7.
18, a carry-out station 20, and N types of processing units 22. Each machining unit 22 performs one of the above machining operations during a machining unit cycle;
It is located at one of N processing stations. The machining unit is arranged so that when the part 12 is continuously moved from the force a station 1 to the right eye station N, N types of machining operations are performed on the part 12 in the predetermined order. placed at each station.

Each machining unit 22 effectively comprises a machine tool with a mounting fixture 24, a spindle 26 and a spindle head 28. The mounting tool 24 is provided to selectively hold the component 12t;
The spindle 26 is arranged to drive a cutting tool, such as a milling, boring, or other conventional tool for performing metal cutting operations. The spindle head 28 of the machining unit 22 is movable relative to the component 12 held by the tool when the machining unit is attached, and the tool 30 can be controlled and fed into the component held. It should be understood that the particular shape of processing unit 22, as well as other components of transfer machine 10, will depend on the application of the transfer machine. Accordingly, FIG. 1 depicts each component of transfer machine 10 in a highly simplified and generalized manner.

FIG. 1 will be further explained. The figure shows the transfer
A controller 32, such as a programmable electronic controller, is shown coupled to each of the components of machine 10. Control device 32
are configured to operate the respective components of transfer machine 10 in synchronous relation to each other, so that the transfer machine continues alternating part transfer and processing unit cycles. Further, as explained below, controller 32 is configured to operate the respective components of the transfer machine in accordance with the present invention.

At the beginning of a part transfer cycle, the controller 32 directs the transfer bar wander 16 to lift the transfer par 14 upwardly. This allows the lifter 14 to remove all parts 12 present in the processing unit 22 or loading station 18.
is agreed to. The bar 14 then moves forward, thereby causing
The parts in transfer station 18 are transferred to processing station 1
The parts in the processing unit of station N are moved to the unloading station 20, and the parts in the unit of processing station m are moved to the unit in processing station m+1. m here
<N. The bar 14 is then lowered and then returned to its original position, completing the part transfer cycle.

After completing the part transfer cycle, controller 32 executes a processing unit cycle. During the machining cycle, part 1
All machining units 22 present are activated and feed their tools 30 into the part at a controlled feed rate. The tool 30 of the power unit is fed to a predetermined depth according to the machining operation to be performed by this unit.

Once all activated loe units have reached their respective depths, their spindles and tools are returned to their original positions, whereupon controller 32 performs another part transfer cycle. The controller 32 is configured to limit the duration of the Loe cycle to the time required by the activated units to complete their respective tasks.

After each part transfer cycle, during part pick-up time, the transfer station 18 becomes positioned to pick up parts for a subsequent part transfer cycle. During a part receiving period, controller 32 is responsive to both receiving and non-receiving parts at transfer station 18. After the transfer cycle, any parts present at the unloading station 20 are removed therefrom.

FIG. 2 will be explained. This figure shows a programmable controller 32 of the type currently used to control transfer machines or other processing systems and which can be adapted to operate transfer machine 10 in accordance with the present invention.

This type of controller 32 includes a processor 34 coupled to a power supply 36, a programming keyboard 38, and an input/output section 40. The keyboard 38 is used to enter a set of instructions into the processor 34 so that the controller 32 performs a defined sequence of logical operations as the transfer machine receives and processes a series of parts 12tl. It will be configured as much as possible. Depending on the result of each logical operation, a control signal is sent to the input/output section 4.
0 to the transfer machine 10, and also creates conditions for logical operations beyond. Other conditions of the logical operation pool are determined by signals coupled from the transfer machine to processor 34 via input/output section 40.

Such input signals indicate the state or condition of each component of the transfer machine at various times during successive transfer and processing cycles.

The controller 32 includes a controller, such as a Modicon 584, which receives a series of ladder-shaped commands. As is well known in the art, a ladder graphic is a graphical representation of some logical operation performed by a controller to generate control signals that operate transfer machine 10 in a particular manner. The ladder design has a number of horizontal lines known as rungs, each containing one or more logic elements or relay contacts. Each contact indicates the status of a transfer machine component, and the contacts are shown open or closed in a ladder diagram to indicate the true status of the transfer machine during operation. In addition to relay contacts, the rungs of the ladder-shaped figure may be provided with functional boxboxes such as timers or registers.

In a ladder diagram, power can only flow from left to right along the rungs. Therefore, the coil located at the right end of the crosspiece is activated when all of the crosspiece contacts are in the closed state at the same time. Alternatively, if a vertical path is provided between a coil rung and an adjacent rung, the coil is activated to create a power flow path that includes each rung segment.

Power can flow either upwardly or downwardly through such vertical paths. The various states indicated by the relay contacts in the ladder-shaped diagram are transferred continuously through each cycle of the part transfer and processing unit.
It will be apparent that as the machine 10 is operated, there will be constant changes. Therefore, the controller 32 repeatedly scans each relay contact in the ladder diagram over very short intervals. If one or more of the conditions that define activation or deactivation of the coil change, the state of the coil will change appropriately during just the next scan. Thus, when a condition defining a particular control signal is generated within the transfer machine, the control signal is immediately generated by the controller and coupled to the transfer machine.

The general rule for ladder-shaped costumes is that two vertical
Open contacts are indicated by parallel lines spaced apart by t, and closed contacts are indicated by vertical, spaced lines connected by diagonal lines. A coil whose contacts are coupled to a coil that is closed for only one scan upon activation can be indicated by placing an upwardly pointing arrow between two spaced vertical lines. As another rule, if activation of a coil causes a control signal to be coupled out of the controller 32, the coil may be indicated by a circle placed at the right end of the crosspiece. On the other hand, if the actuation of the coil merely provides a condition for further logical operation within the control device, the coil is displayed as a rectangle.

Transfer 77/Successive Part Transfer and Processing Unit A number of well-known or conventional commands are entered on the keyboard in a ladder diagram format for operating the respective components of transfer machine 10 during each cycle. 38 into the control device 32. One such type of ladder diagram is an interlock circuit, which generates a signal that is coupled to each processing unit 22 simultaneously, ensuring their uniform operation.

As with many other American ladder diagrams that may be included in the control unit 32, this type of interlock circuit has not had its respective standard form modified by the present invention and is therefore not included here. Not detailed. However, control device 3
Some of the other ladder figures included in Figure 2 are probably not conventional and will be described here in conjunction with Figures 6-5.

A number of other ladder diagrams, which are essentially conventional in the art, require modifications in view of the present invention;
This will be explained in connection with FIGS. 6 to 10.

FIG. 6 will be explained. The figure shows shift register 4
2 shows a ladder diagram connected to each plate 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54. Valley reference numerals 42a through +2a in FIG. 6 are used to indicate how each rung interacts with register 42, shifting data thereto, and placing data therein. Shift register 42 effectively encompasses one of the aforementioned functional boxes of controller 32 and provides N consecutive locations for storing digital data bits. If a particular digital data bit is placed into shift register 42 during a particular part transfer time, and if the data in shift register 42 is shifted or rotated once in response to each part transfer time. upon receipt of certain parts.

Subsequently, the particular data bit comes to the nth bit storage location after the nth transfer cycle. Also, if a part 12 is picked up at the loading station 18 during a particular part receiving time, then such part will be present at the nth load station in the sickle of the nth transfer cycle.

- From the above relationships, there are cases where the part 12 is received by the transfer machine 1o and one data bit is put into the shift register 42 during the part transfer time, and cases where the part 12 is received during the part transfer time. The data contained in shift register 42 can be stored at any given time if no reception is taken and a logical 0 is placed in the register, or if the register is shifted once in response to each transfer cycle. , indicating the presence or absence of the part 12 in the valley of the processing unit 22 of the transfer machine 10. Each board 44.46.4
By judicious selection of the contacts included in 8, shift register 42 can be operated in accordance with the above requirements.

FIG. 6 will be further explained. This figure shows the loading terminal of the shift register 42 coupled to the right end of the crosspiece 4B, and the crosspiece 48 is provided with a contact 48a. Contact 48a is closed by a signal indicating that a part is present at the receiving station 18, and then the receptacle 1 is placed in the register 42.
connected to the loading terminal. The parts are at the loading station
-6 otherwise contact 4H& will remain open and logic O
is connected to the input terminal of the register 42. Activation of contact 48a is performed at transfer station 1 during successive component transfer times.
It is synchronized with the presence or absence of parts received at 8.2 and also with the periodic shifts of register 420. Shift register 42 in response to each part transfer cycle
A shift or clock terminal of the register is coupled to rung 46 which is interconnected with rung 44 via a vertical path for shifting or cycling data within. The crosspiece 44 includes a forward transfer contact 44a that is closed when the transfer bar 14 advances during a transfer cycle, and a transfer bar return J contact 441 that is closed when the transfer bar 14 returns prior to the start of a transfer cycle. ).

Therefore, coil +4a is activated when a transfer cycle is initiated and each part 12 within transfer machine 10 is shifted by one processing station. coil 44
(l is used for contacts 4 ti a, 46 b in the crosspiece 46 so that the register 42 is shifted by the next shortcut at the beginning of the transfer cycle.

FIG. 6 will be explained once again. The figure shows crosspiece 52.5.
A shift register 42 is shown coupled to a shift register 42 shown in FIG. The crosspiece 52 is provided with a push button contact 52a that "makes all parts exist", and the crosspiece 54 is provided with a (-[punishment awakening source") contact 54a. By providing the crosspiece S2, for some reason, If a part is removed from a processing station of the transfer machine 10, but the part is not available at that processing station, the part is replaced at the LOE station, which is delayed by a number of transfer cycles. When the button is pressed, contact 52a closes and the logic 1 data
The bits are placed into all N bit storage locations of register 42. The movement of a replaced part to a subsequent processing station for completion of processing by transfer machine 10 is then effected by a logic 1 data bit in the shift register. The crosspiece 52 is also used to load a mating part into one of the egg stations of the transfer machine 10 without first placing the part at the loading station 1d.

FIG. 4 will be explained. The figure shows shift register 4
20 shows a ladder diagram used to give a warning when an error occurs in operation. The ladder diagram of FIG. 4 includes interconnected plates 56, 58, 60 as shown, with rung 56 including contacts 56a through 56e and rung 58 referring to contact 56a. Contact 56a is generally a transfer contact.
It is closed during machine 10 operation, but is opened at the end of a part transfer cycle if there is a logic one in the shift register 4204N bit memory location. Contact 56b is normally open during transfer machine operation. However, if a limit switch located at machining station N senses that a part is present at machining station N at the end of the transfer cycle, a signal is sent via input/output 40 to controller 32. is coupled to close contact 56b. When the transfer bar 14 advances and descends, respectively, the contacts 56c and 156a are closed, so the closing of the contacts 6tiC and 56(l indicates the occurrence of a transfer cycle. 1-Start/Return''+IIIJ
@Contact 56θ is normally in an open state.

From the logical condition defined by the crosspiece 56, the crosspiece 56 is
A coil 56f coupled to the right end of the shift register 42 is activated only when part 12 is present at processing station N and at the same time a logic zero data bit is contained in the Nth memory location of shift register 42. That should be obvious.

The occurrence of such a condition may occur at the same time that register 4
2 indicates a malfunction during operation. As a result, the coil 56f
activation couples a signal to transfer machine 10 to illuminate the shift register fault indicator light. This alerts the transfer machine operator that the parts present at processing station N cannot be properly machined. If a logic 0 is driven in the shift register 42 simultaneously with the movement of parts through the transfer machine, the '4;i'j[jJo Units are not activated to perform their respective bladework tasks.

coil? ) 6f is also activated by the contact in the crosspiece 58, a b a
Used as a. The coil 56f is activated by contact 56.
Regardless of whether 2L or J6A is held,
The 1 start/reset is thereby held until the 1filJ contact bae is actuated. The ladder 60 of FIG. 4, which does not contain any contacts, is connected to the control device 3.
It shows the flow of power to 2.

FIG. 5 will be explained. The figure shows a ladder diagram with an upper rung 62 and a lower rung 64 coupled to a coil 62a and a number of middle posts, the valleys of the middle posts containing a number of contacts. Similar to the contact point 64a of the lower crosspiece 64, the valley of the contact point of the intermediate column is connected by a straight path between the upper crosspiece 62 and the lower crosspiece 64, so if there are few contact points and one closes, the force will be reduced. A flow path is created and coil 62a is activated. contact 66a closes when a signal is coupled to controller 32 to indicate that no part is present at loading station 18;
The contacts of the gnn join station are closed by the presence of a logic 1 in the nth bit storage location of register 42. Therefore, activation of the coil 62 causes the transfer
The presence of one or more parts within the machine 1o is indicated.

FIG. 6 will be explained. The figure shows that all the components of the transfer machine 10 are automatic, and that the shift
The crosspieces 68 are interconnected to activate the coil 681 when the resistor 42 is operating without failure or error.
7o is shown. Contact 68a of crosspiece 68 is closed when all of the components of transfer machine 1o operate in an automatic manner, and contact b8b is closed when there is no emergency situation within transfer machine 1o. Contact 68CF'i remains closed unless transfer bar 14 malfunctions, contact 68CF'i
will remain closed unless there is a shift register failure. Contact 68θ is the reset push button contact, contact 6
8f is actuated by a pushbutton to select the automatic mode of transfer machine operation. After this type of scheme is selected, the coil t+ai is activated, where 1
No. 6 is connected to the automatic Manjii indicator light. Activation of coil 681 is also used as contact 70a of crosspiece 10, which closes transfer machine start-up, pushbutton contact d8f. Contact ti8g is closed to indicate that the main shaft of each n blade unit 22 is activated, and contact 68h is closed when the transistor machine is not activated in manual mode.

FIG. 6 will be further explained. In the figure, bars 72 to 7
8, the coil 72e of the crosspiece 72 is activated by the contact 72a,
72 (L, 76a, 761), activation of coil 72 indicates the beginning of a part transfer cycle. Contact 72
A is transfer machine 1 because the selection switch is activated.
Contact 72 (L) closes when the transfer machine is ready or ready for a transfer cycle. Contact 76a closes when the transfer machine is ready for the transfer cycle. The loading station structure used to place the parts is retracted to indicate that it does not interfere with the IJJ@ of the transfer bar 14.

Contact 761) is closed by activation of coil bza in FIG. 5, indicating the presence of one or more parts in either transfer machine 100) loading station 18 or one of the blade stations. By providing contact 76b, a part transfer cycle occurs when even one part is put through the transfer machine for the blade. However, if there are no parts to be machined, the transfer machine will not perform a part transfer cycle.

When coil 72θ is activated, contact 72c.

78a closes thereby creating a shunt across crosspiece 76. As the part transfer cycle progresses, transfer bar 1
Contact 721) opens when 4 moves forward, and contacts 74 & open when the transfer bar lowers, thereby completing the part transfer cycle.

FIGS. 7 through 9 are ladder diagrams that are included in the control device 32 to direct the operation of the n-th processing unit 22o located at the n-th station in successive processing unit cycles A. The ladder 16 chart in FIG. 7 will be explained. The diagram shows the mutually connected crosspieces dO182 to establish the conditions for starting the coil 80d, thereby placing the r61j control device of the nth processing unit in the "1 closed" state. To start coil 80d, the start/reset control must be activated to close contact bua and close contact 801) to indicate that the unit is not in an overload condition. Furthermore, the contact bOc must be closed by actuation of a main control relay, which is normally included in the control device 32.

When coil 80a is activated, contact 82a on crosspiece 82 closes and start/reset contact 80a is shunted. After the unit control starts, when the contact 82'l) is closed by the operation of the automatic/manual selection switch, the automatic/manual control coil 82
C will now be started.

The ladder diagram in FIG. 7 will be further explained.

The table defines the conditions for starting the coil 846, that is, starting the main shaft 26 of the n-th processing unit. 84, 86, 88 are shown interconnected for this purpose.

The contact 84a of the crosspiece b4 is closed by the "spindle start" push button, and the contact 84b is closed by the selection switch.
Closed by not selecting automatic operation. Contact dlc is closed by a signal from the interlock circuit described above, and is closed by activation of contact a+aa coil 8zC.

Contacts 84a, 841) are shunted by crosspieces 86.88, and contact 86a of crosspiece B6 is closed by a 1 spindle start signal coupled thereto from an interlock circuit.

The contact 88a is closed by a ``1 main glaze close'' signal received from the spindle starter included in each spindle 26, and the contact dab is closed when the coil δ4θ is activated. The power flow path is such that: (1) the interlock circuit in the controller 32 indicates that the spindle must be closed, or else the spindle is not in automatic mode and the manual pushbutton is operated; and 12) coil 84θ is activated;
Crosspiece 8 only when the main axis is shown to be closed to +S
It can be seen that it is generated through 8.

The crosspiece υO in FIG. 7 will be explained. The same nucleus is the nth JJ
To install the O unit, use the part 1z clamped to the fixture 24.
Similarly, the tool 300 of the tool 300 partial advance 6 of the %n sword loe unit is shown to activate the coil 90el.

To begin forward movement, contact 90a must be closed to indicate that the fixture is in the flange condition and there must be no critical condition. Furthermore, the coil 132
Q must be activated to close contact sob,
Also, a coil 98, which will be described later. By not activating C, the retention contact 90C must be kept closed.

Finally, to close contact 90a, a logic 1 data signal is placed in the nth memory location of shift register 42 in accordance with the present invention.
Bits must be included.

If the nth bit storage location contains a logic O, indicating the absence of a part at the nth processing station, contact 90111 remains open and coil 9013 is activated during the part-specific ecocycle that is about to begin. First, the tool 30 of the in-processing unit is not advanced.

Figure 8 will be explained. The figure shows No. 7JI] Engineering N
The installation of the same unit shows a ladder-shaped diagram in which rungs 92, 94, 96 are interconnected to control the rapid advance of the tool 30 of the knitting device, and also to control the feed of the tool to the parts clamped to the tool. . The tool advances rapidly as it crosses the air gap between the initial position of the tool and the clamped part. To rapidly advance the tool and then apply feed, one of contacts 94an-91 must close, otherwise contacts 92a, 92
1) must be closed. The contact 92a is
(Contact 921)
is closed by an automatic selection switch contact. Also, contacts 920 must be closed by actuation of coil 908. If the above conditions are met and the tool 30 of the nth machining unit is initially in the return position, a power flow path is created in the rapid advance coil 82f.

Contacts 928 are closed when coil 92f is activated.

Contact 92 is activated by the signal received from the rapid advance starter.
(If l is also closed, contact 94f is shunted. Thus, coil 92fO) Activation is performed while the tool 30 of the n7th JIl unit is moved from its return position.

To further sustain activation of coil 92f in conjunction with coil 96C, contacts 94a to 94El of crosspiece 94 are provided to shunt contacts 92a to 921). Contact 94
a is closed by a signal from the controller's interlock circuit indicating that all of the units must be present in the machining cycle, contact 941) places a logic 1 in the nth bit storage location of shift register 42. Closed if data bits are present. If a logical O is present in the nth bit memory location to indicate the absence of a part in the in-machining unit, the advancement and feeding of the tool 30 of the nth Loe unit cannot be sustained.

The crosspiece 94 will be further explained. The same nucleus shows contact 94C indicating an automatic selection switch. A contact 94 (L) is provided to prevent further advancement or feeding when the tool of the nth unit reaches its predetermined depth, and the tool to the J part unless the main 4126 of the nth machining unit is closed. A contact 948 is provided to prevent infeed.

The crosspiece 96 will be explained. The core has a contact 96a that is closed by feed No. 16 from the feed starter, and a coil 9.
The contact 1tib is closed by activation of 60.

The crosspiece 98 in FIG. 8 will be explained. The same nucleus is the nth iJ
Contact 98 that closes when the D unit is fully advanced
Indicates a. The controller 32 is informed of this type of condition by a signal injected to the controller from a limit switch in the nth unit, which is moved to the full extent of the unit's advance. The crosspiece 98 is further '/2
It is equipped with a timer function clock 981) configured to measure time up to the second. Therefore, 1/2 second after the n-th galoe unit moves forward completely, the retention coil 9 of the crosspiece 98
80 will be activated.

The crosspiece 100 in the ladder diagram of FIG. 8 will be explained. The nucleus has contact 1 which is closed when the nth machining unit returns to its initial position at the end of the machining unit cycle.
00a is shown. Since the contact 100b is closed by the above time, the coil 1000 is activated and the Loe unit is IJ! Display what has been returned. The contact 100a is Jn
Closed by a signal provided by a second limit switch on the blade unit, the second limit switch is adapted to generate a signal when the processing unit returns to its original position.

The ladder diagram in FIG. 9 will be explained. The diagram shows crosspieces 102 and 104 that create conditions for starting the coil 102θ.
, which causes the tool of the nth sword loe unit to return to its original position at the end of the sword loe unit cycle. Return of the tool can be initiated by the "unit return" pushbutton, contact 1t)2a is closed. However, when the tool of the nth machining unit reaches its predetermined depth, the return of the tool is automatically initiated by the contact 104a of the crosspiece 104.

The crosspiece 110 in the ladder diagram of FIG. 9 will be explained. The same core shows depth coil 11υe activated by activation of dwell coil 980 and by the released state of the previously mentioned unit return limit switch. However, during the current unit cycle, if there is no part in the nth processing unit, the unit will not be activated and the closure of contact 110a will also be prevented. Contact point 110a, 1 of Jutte, Sugi 11o
10b is shunted by crosspiece 108. Contact 1t18a
is closed by a signal from the controller's interlock circuit which causes the Kaloe unit to explode, and contact 1081) is closed by a logic 0 in the nth pit position of shift register 42. As shown in FIG. 9, by providing the crosspiece 1 (1B), even when the nth sword Loe unit 22 is not circulated during the machining cycle because there are no parts in the unit, the power flow path to the coil 110θ is maintained. - When the coil 11Ue is activated, the contact 112a is closed and a power flow path through the crosspiece 112 is created.

FIG. 10 will be explained. The figure shows a ladder diagram with a number of contacts connected in series, the valley contacts being closed when the depth coil 110θ of one loe unit 22 is activated. The activation of the coil 114a is as follows: )j
Indicates that the unit cycle has completed and that the parts transfer cycle can begin. As mentioned above, the various contacts of the crosspiece 114 corresponding to the machining unit without parts are as follows.
Since the ladder-shaped cloth shown in FIG. 9 is provided with a crosspiece, the processing cycle is started only once. The other contact valley of crosspiece 114 is closed when one of the machining units moving 1'r during a machining unit cycle completes its machining operation. Therefore, the duration of any given machining unit cycle is less than or equal to the longest cycle time of the unit actually operating during the machining cycle.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the transfer machine 10 is operated in accordance with the present invention by performing a number of logical operations, and that the results of a particular logical operation can be shifted and shifted depending on the state of the various components of the transfer machine.・You can see that it is determined by the contents of the register. Instead of performing a mathematical operation with an rff controller configured by incorporating a specific ladder diagram,
It will be readily apparent that a single line of logical operations can be performed by clever interconnection of individual standard electronic components such as Rr-to. Shift registers may also include standard hardware type components. The interconnection of parts of this type can be easily made logically to those skilled in the art by virtue of the above-described ladder diagram which clearly shows the various fill-in-one operations to be performed.

A further modification of the present invention is to use a suitably programmed digital calculator to perform safe logical operations.
, can be used.

Obviously, in view of the foregoing, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible and, therefore, within the scope of the disclosed inventive concept, may not be described in detail.
The invention may be practiced in other ways.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a generalized type of transfer machine, Fig. 2 is a Zoroku diagram showing a control device that directs the operation of the transfer machine shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 2 is a diagram illustrating a ladder suit that may be used to implement the control device of FIG. 2 operative in accordance with the invention; FIG. 10: Transfer Machine 22: Sword Roe Unit 1
2: Parts or Kaloe @ 32: City IJ1 wholesale equipment 18: Loading station 42: Shift register agent Asamura Akira 4 people

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A loading station for receiving a workpiece to be processed by the i-Lance 7A machine, and a selectively placed loading station for performing a predetermined processing operation on the workpiece. comprising a plurality of processing units and a transfer device for moving each of the workpieces from the loading station to each of the daily units in a predetermined order, and transferring the workpieces during the continuation of the transfer cycle; During each cycle, each workpiece is transferred to a subsequent processing unit of the blade unit, and a second digital code is received when the part is received at the loading station before the transfer cycle. a digital code storage device connected to the
the storage device receives a second digital code when a part is not received at the loading station before a transfer cycle; the storage device is provided with a number of separate digital code storage locations; Each of said machining units is individually associated with one of said storage locations and is associated with the occurrence of said workpiece transfer cycle so that at the end of any number of said transfer cycles no receiver is placed within said workpiece transfer cycle. the digital code contained in a given one of said memory locations when a workpiece is placed in a processing unit corresponding to said given memory location; The first digital
If the object is not fixed in a processing unit containing a code and corresponding to said given memory location, said second digital code is included, and said first digital code is included in said memory location. - if a code is included, the processing unit corresponding to said given memory location can perform its predetermined operation; and if said memory location also includes said second digital code; A transfer machine apparatus comprising a selection actuator responsive to the contents of said given memory location for causing a processing unit corresponding to said given memory location to remain inactive. (2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital code storage device includes a shift register having multiple locations for storing individual digital focus locations, each of the focus storage locations having a one of said digital code storage locations;
a code valley includes a first logic level digital focus and each of said second digital codes includes a second logic level digital focus, said shifting device and a device for shifting a given one of said digital focuses from a first one of said bit storage locations to a subsequent storage location in response to one of said bit storage locations. (3) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the shift at the beginning of any workpiece transfer period.
and means responsive to the contents of said shift register to enable operation of said transfer device during said optional load transfer period if said register contains at least one of the second logic levels. (4) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate at the second logic level at the same time that a workpiece is received in a 71IO,I unit corresponding to a particular one of the focus memory locations. comprising means for generating a signal after a workpiece transfer cycle if a digital bit of is contained in said particular one of said focus storage locations.