JPS5919650A - Automatic work exchange method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To extend the un-manned operation time by providing a shelf storing many works above and below it and on the right and left, taking an unmachined work from this shelf to fit to a machine tool, and returning a machined work to the vacant position of the shelf. CONSTITUTION:A work is set on a pallet 2 and the pallet is aligned in sequence on a work shelf 4. A lifter 6 is movably provided on rails 5, 5a in front of the shelf 4, and a support plate 10 is fitted on the bogie 8 of the lifter 6 through a lifting member 9, which is constituted so that an extension lever 11 is deformed by the movement of a rod 13 to raise or lower the support plate 10. The lifter 6 is moved in reciprocation between the front of the shelf 4 and the front of the machine tool, and the moving distance and sequence are stored in a numerical control section. The movement of the lifter 6, start and stop of lifting member 9 are performed by use of the numerical control section, thereby the fitting or removing of unmachined works and machined works can be performed precisely.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention is capable of automatically attaching or removing a plurality of workpieces arranged on a shelf to one or more machine tools in sequence, and automatically placing processed workpieces on the shelf in sequence. This invention relates to an automatic workpiece exchange method for the purpose of arranging workpieces in rows.

Conventionally, various structures of pallet changers that automatically attach and detach workpieces to machine tools are known, and each is in practical use, but most of them are dedicated pallet changers that are used as a set for each machine tool. Therefore, most of them are single-use changers that are one-to-one.Also, methods are being considered in which one changer can be used with two or more machine tools (or the workpiece is sent on a conveyor and transferred to the processing machine). In any case, a large number of 4 unprocessed products are stored in advance on the top, bottom, left and right sides of the machine tool shelf, and they are taken out one by one and attached to the machine tool, and the workpieces in the processing center are placed in the empty space on the shelf. The idea of an automatic selection changer has not yet been proposed.However, in field work, there is a constant demand for automation, and in order to improve the operating efficiency of expensive machine tools, continuous operation day and night is required. However, the mounting and removal of workpieces is often done semi-automatically (although the current situation requires a considerable amount of worker assistance, making it difficult to carry out fully automatic machining at night, etc.). However, according to this invention, a shelf is provided that accommodates a large number of workpieces on the top, bottom, left, and right sides, and two unprocessed products are taken out from the shelf and attached to the machine tool, and the processed workpieces are placed in the empty space of the shelf. By making it possible to return the number of workpieces to 5, the unmanned operation time can be significantly extended, which satisfies the above-mentioned request.For example, in order to unmannedly machine a workpiece that is machined at a rate of /hour for g hours. You only need to prepare at least 2/2 pieces on the shelf, and if one changer is compatible with one machine tool like this, the capacity of the shelf will be 232 pieces or more (3 tiers on the top and bottom) The purpose can be achieved by arranging 7.2 pieces horizontally on a shelf of Or maybe you can help.

That is, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. First, set 32 workpieces on the workbench/baren) J,
Arrange these pallets in order on the work shelf. For example, arrange 7.2 pieces in each stage of a three-tiered tank. Two rails Sa are laid in parallel on the front surface of the workpiece rack, and these rails 5.
The upper edge of 5a is movably constructed, and the rail! , left a extends to the front of the machine tools 7.7a-...7n.

The lifter 6 has a support plate 10 attached to the cart g via an elevating member 9. The elevating member W is, for example, as shown in FIG.
5 because the support plate 10 is moved up and down by deforming /. However, it is needless to say that the structure is not limited to this, and the lower surface of the support plate 10 may be directly supported, for example, by the rond end of an upright hydraulic cylinder.

The lifter is moved by a motor-driven wheel rolling on a rail, and first, the lifter is reciprocated between the front of the workpiece rack and the front of the machine tool in response to a manual signal. Numerical control unit for movement distance and order/4
I remember it. The numerical control unit/g has a control panel (switches and other necessary knobs installed) and a computer, and is connected to the lifter by a cable.The above-mentioned position can be stored, for example, at the leftmost end of the workpiece shelf and Transfer the uppermost workpiece onto the lifter, move the lifter to the front of the machine tool 7 as shown by arrow /3 in order to attach it to the machine tool 7,
After stopping in front of the machine tool 7, the movement of returning to the leftmost position of the machine tool shelf as shown by the arrow B is called a - cycle, and then the operation of returning to the leftmost position of the machine tool shelf as shown in the arrow B is called a - cycle. A second cycle of transporting the workpiece to the front of the machine tool 7a and returning it to the previous position is repeated in sequence until all stages of the workpiece shelf are reached, and the distance traveled and the time at which the workpiece is stopped are calculated. The height and workpiece receiving and receiving operations are memorized in sequence. Once the numerical values have been memorized and the machining time has been set, turn on the main switch (located in the numerical control section) and the following four automatic operations will begin. Since the workpiece is not attached to the machine tool at the beginning of the work, we will start with the workpiece attachment operation first, but since the same operation will be repeated from the second time onwards, we will explain the operation after the second time. .

There is a rotary table 7 that stops in front of the workpiece rack and is placed on the lid 6.
Fork 7g and /9 are installed in parallel via 7.

So when the height of 7 oct/g becomes a suitable height (fork/g, /9 is in upper and lower stages).

When the motor 20 is started, it is ejected in the direction of arrow 4 in Figure 1 (toward the workpiece 3 on the shelf), and the tip of the fork/g is inserted into the lower guide portion of the pallet λ.

Once properly inserted, the support plate 10 is lifted by the lifting member.
After raising it slightly, the fork can be retracted by 7g'll.

Once the Valentco has been placed on the fork/g rail as described above, the lifter is moved to the arrow 4S in FIG. 1 and stopped in front of the machine tool 7. Next, the motor 2/ rotates the turntable/7't1gO degree, and after the fork/7 and the barentco attached to the machine tool 7 are directly facing each other, the motor 22 is started and the pallet of the fork/cod machine tool 7 is rotated. Insert it below. Next, after lifting the lifting member 9 and removing the pallet 2 from the machine tool 7, the motor 2.2 is reversed and the pallet on which the workpiece is placed is removed from the support plate 1.
Move up to 0. Next, start the motor 20'ff again and rotate the rotary table 1gO degrees so that the fork ig'>faces the machine tool 7, then start the motor 20'ff and move the fork/g to the machine tool 7. It is made to protrude to the side and stopped above the pallet mounting position of the machine tool 7. Next, operate the lifting member 9 to lower the pallet 2 onto the machine tool, and attach the pallet to the machine tool using a predetermined latching method. Next, start moder 27, retract the fork/g, move the cart in the direction of arrow/A, and place it at a predetermined position on the workpiece shelf (
The machine is stopped at the workpiece placement position (for example, in front of the position where the four unprocessed crops were removed in the above), and the turntable/7 is rotated, and the workpieces and workpiece shelf are moved up and down by the lifting member. After facing the empty space, start the motor unit 2 and push the fork/9'lz (toward the workpiece shelf side, and when the workpiece reaches the empty space on the workpiece shelf, operate the lifting member. Lower the workpiece onto the shelf, then use the fork/9
'f, if it can be pulled onto the turntable, one cycle of the lifter will be completed. The movement of the lifter, the starting and stopping of each motor, and the raising and lowering of the elevating member in the above are all controlled by the numerical control unit/l.
Therefore, as long as the operation order is kept accurate, the movement of the four unprocessed crops, the removal of the processed workpiece, the attachment of the four unprocessed crops, etc. will be performed accurately based on the memory stored in advance. Therefore, it can be operated as a fully automatic pallet changer.The rotating position of the rotary table in the above explanation can be in front of the workpiece rack or in front of the machine tool. Although a motor is used, other power means (eg, pneumatic pressure) can also be used. The trolley g is moved by rotating the wheels by a motor 23, but the rail S
A rack 2S is installed on the rack 2S, and the rack 2S is engaged with the rack 2S, so the moving distance of the cart g can be accurately measured by the rotation of the pinion shaft. Therefore, if the cart is stopped when the stored numerical value and the actual travel distance match, the movement error of the cart can be extremely reduced. Core 1.2g is the pallet clamp arm.

That is, according to this invention, a lifter is moved back and forth between a workpiece shelf on which workpieces can be placed vertically and horizontally, and a machine tool, and the movement, attachment, and removal of the workpieces are controlled via the storage device. , it is possible to operate fully automatically for a long period of time, and it has the effect of being able to operate for 2 hours without an operator. Furthermore, since the workpieces are placed on several shelves, a large number of workpieces can be accommodated with a relatively small volume.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing arrangement 2 of the implementation device of the present invention;
The figure is a side view showing the relationship between the workpiece shelf and the lid. L...Workbench J...Pallet 3...Workpiece
K...Work shelf 5.5a...Rail B...
・Lifter 7.7a... Machine tool g... Cart 10... Support plate //... Telescopic rod 7.2... Hydraulic cylinder / 3... Ronde lL/,... Numerical control unit 17... Turntable/ g, /9...Fork patent applicant Taoguchi Koki Co., Ltd. agent Masatsugu Suzuki

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] l The workpiece is placed on a workpiece lifter set on a pallet and carried to the machine tool, and after being transferred onto the processed workpiece rough lifter, the unprocessed workpiece is attached to the machine tool and then The rear lifter is moved to the front of the workpiece shelf, the processed workpiece is transferred to a predetermined space on the workpiece shelf, and then the unprocessed workpiece is placed on the rough lifter on the workpiece shelf, and the above operation is repeated. Automatic workpiece changing method using a plurality of machine tools Automatic workpiece changing method 3 according to claim 1 The workpiece side has multiple stages, and the lifter is operated at each stage according to a preset program. The automatic workpiece changing method according to claim 1, wherein the lid moves up and down in a straight line between the workpiece shelf and the machine tool. method of exchange