JPS61192614A - Transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To dispense with a work stock device, by installing a transfer device, which connects a first conveyor unit to a pair of second conveyor units via a set of sliding type relay support block, interposingly between an overhead conveyor and a 2-operation section as the constitution. CONSTITUTION:In a transfer station 15, a work W1 is transferred to a support block 16 of a first conveyor unit 2, moved to the side of a base unit 1, and this work W1 is delivered to a support block 10a. This support block 10a is rotated by 180 deg., and the processed work received from a second conveyor unit 3a supported on the other side of the support block 10a is delivered to the support block 16 which goes back to the transfer station 15 and performs the delivery of the processed work and a new work. During this while, a slider 8 moves to the right and performs the delivery of an unprocessed work W1 and the processed work on the support block 10b and reception of the new work. Thus, delivery and reception of both these works are alternately carried whereby a stock device is no longer required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a transfer method suitable for use in combination with an overhead conveyor or the like.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

In the assembly process of relatively small electronic devices, workpieces are transported by an overhead conveyor, and during transport, the workpieces are unloaded from this conveyor and processed, and the processed workpieces are loaded onto the conveyor again for next processing. May be transported to the process. When using an overhead conveyor in this way 1 Normally, the running speed of the conveyor or the index time of an overhead conveyor that moves intermittently is adjusted to match the processing time of the workpieces, but when assembly consists of multiple processing steps, , it is difficult to match them for all processes, so in general, for processes where the processing time does not match the running speed of the conveyor or the index time, a stock device is provided for unprocessed workpieces and processed workpieces, and , a plurality of work stations are installed to perform processing.

Another method is to install two overhead conveyor systems, one for a supply line and another line for transporting processed workpieces to the next process.

However, as described above, the method of performing processing by providing a stock device for unprocessed workpieces and processed workpieces significantly worsens the space factor in one assembly process. Further, in the case where a separate line is provided in addition to the supply line, if there are a plurality of processes requiring two overhead conveyors, the conveyance line becomes complicated and equipment costs increase. It also reduces the operating rate of the overhead conveyor.

[Purpose of the invention]

This invention allows workpieces transported by a conveyor to be sequentially distributed to two work stations, and processed workpieces can be loaded onto the conveyor again, thereby eliminating the need for a stock device for unprocessed workpieces and processed workpieces. The purpose is to provide a method.

[Summary of the invention]

It has a slide body in which a pair of work support stands are rotatably provided at positions spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, and by sliding this slide body in the arrangement direction of the work support stands, the workpieces supported by the work support stands are moved. A base unit to be transported,
Nine work supports are installed on the sides of the center of this base unit, and are provided at the ends far away from this base unit, and the work supports provided at these ends are connected to the center of the base unit. a workpiece transfer head part that supports a workpiece supported by at least a workpiece support base provided at the end of the base unit and transports the workpiece to one of the pair of workpiece support bases of the base unit; A first conveyance unit having a first conveyance unit and a first conveyance unit having a first conveyance unit installed at both ends of the base unit at a distance equal to the distance from the center of the base unit to the distance between a pair of workpiece support stands provided on the base unit, and located far from the base unit. a workpiece support provided at a remote end; and a workpiece support provided at the end that is reciprocated between the workpiece support provided at the end and the end of the base unit, and supported by at least the workpiece support of the base unit. A transfer device is constituted by a pair of second transfer units each having a work transfer head that supports the workpiece and transfers it to the workpiece support table provided at the end. It is installed in a station, and the workpieces conveyed by the conveyor are sequentially distributed to two work stations via the first conveyance unit, the base unit, and the second conveyance unit, and the workpieces that have been processed at these work stations are transferred again to the conveyor. It is now possible to transport the vehicle by loading it onto the vehicle.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a transfer device that is an embodiment of the present invention. This transfer device is installed, for example, in the assembly process of color cathode ray tubes, especially in the test and adjustment process, and includes a base unit, a first conveyor unit (2) that connects the overhead conveyor that conveys the color cathode ray tube, and this pace unit (2). , a pair of 211th transmission units (
3a), (3b), and each of these units ■, ■, (
3a) and a control device 6) that controls the operations of (3b).

The base unit (2) has a slide body (2) that slides on the frame (0) by a drive device such as an air cylinder (not shown) along a pair of guides (2) installed on the frame (2). This gap 541 body (c) is driven by a rotary drive device (not shown).

A pair of rotary tables (1) that can be rotated independently are provided, and a pair of workpiece support stands (10a) and (10b) are provided on these rotary tables (2). The pair of workpiece support stands (10) are located at a certain distance apart in the sliding direction of the slide body (c), and when the slide body (c) stops at a stop position on one end side of the frame 0, one of the workpiece support stands (10) When the workpiece support stand (10b) is on the center part of the frame 0 and the slide body (3) is stopped at the stop position on the other end side of the frame (0), the other workpiece support stand (10a) is placed on the center part of the frame (0). The pair of workpiece support stands (10a), (
10b) are formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to their respective rotation centers, and are placed at positions 180' rotationally symmetrical with first and second transport units (2), (3a), (3b), which will be described later.
) workpiece support head (1) consisting of a vacuum chuck
1) and (12) are provided with a pair of workpiece support parts (13) having notches through which they can be freely inserted in the vertical direction.

The first transport unit (2) is installed on one side of the center of the base unit (2) so as to be orthogonal to this base unit (2), and is located far away from the base unit (14).
The end of the transfer station (1
5) is adjacent to.

On the end far away from the base unit (2), there are a workpiece support stand (10a), (10
A work support stand (16) having the same shape as the work support part (step 3) formed in b) is provided. Also, on the frame (14), a drive bag consisting of an air cylinder is installed along a pair of guides (17) installed on the frame (14)! 1 (18), a transport table (19) is provided which reciprocates between the workpiece support table (16) and the base unit (2). This work transfer table (
19) is attached with a work support head (11) consisting of a vacuum chuck that moves up and down and rotates by an air cylinder and a rotation drive device attached to the work transfer table (19).

When the workpiece (W) is transferred from the overhead conveyor to the workpiece support table (16) by the robot installed at the transfer station, the workpiece transfer table (19) The workpiece support head (11) is raised from the bottom and the workpiece supporter (11) is raised from the bottom.
The workpiece (W) transferred to 16) is suction-supported and placed on the workpiece support stand (
10a) or (10b), and by lowering the workpiece support head (11) and releasing suction, the workpiece is transferred onto the workpiece support portion (13) of this workpiece support table (10a) or (10b). Similarly, this work support stand (10a)
Alternatively, the workpiece (W) supported by (10b) is transported to the workpiece support table (16) and transferred onto this workpiece support table (16). In these cases, the rotatable workpiece support head (11) can arbitrarily change the orientation of the workpiece (W) suction-supported by the rotational drive of the rotary drive device.

The pair of second transport units (3a) and (3b) are spaced apart from the first transport unit (2) by a distance equal to the distance between the pair of workpiece supports (10a), (10b) of the base unit (2), respectively. It is installed on the other side of both ends of (2) so as to be orthogonal to the base unit (2).

Its structure is the same as that of the first transport unit (2) above, and a work support stand (21) is provided at the end far away from the base unit (2), and a pair of guides (21) are provided on the frame (22). 23), the driving bag 5 consisting of an air cylinder! According to (24), the above workpiece support stand (
A workpiece transfer table (25) is provided which reciprocates between the base unit and the base unit.

The 2111th sending units (3a) and (3b) are connected to a work station (26) installed adjacent to the far end of the base unit (2), that is, a test and adjustment station for a color cathode ray tube in this embodiment. W
) and for carrying out the processed workpiece (W) from this work station (26), and is located on both ends of the base unit (2) similarly to the first transport unit (2). The workpiece (W) supported on the workpiece support stand (10a) or (10b) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (21), and the processed workpiece (W) supported on this workpiece support stand (21) is transferred to the workpiece supporter (21). (IQa)
Or transfer it to (10b).

As shown in Figure 2, the control device (control device) has switches (28) and (29) that control the various operations and operations of each part of this transfer device, which will be described later, as well as switches (28) and (29) on its front surface, which will be described later, as well as its operating status at a glance. Each unit can be monitored at ω.

■, (3a), (3b) work support stand (10g)
, (10b), (16).

Display device t(2) in which LEDs are arranged corresponding to (21)
0) is provided.

Next, the operation of this transfer device will be explained based on FIGS. 3 to 5. (3-1) or 3 of this figure 3
-10) The figure shows each unit ■, ■, (3a), (
Figure 4 wA (7) (4-11) shows the preparation operation from the state where there is no work (W) in 3b) until the work (W) is supplied to the pair of work stages 1 (26) and (26). ft &N L (4-19) 1m C. Continuously supply workpieces (W) to each work stage 3 (26) that is performed after the above preparatory operations, or continuously supply workpieces (W) that have been processed. (5-20) or 5-29) in Figure 5 show the steady operation of unloading each unit.
, ■, all works (W) from (3a) and (3b)
This figure shows the operation of retrieving the paper and emptying it. Also in each of these drawings.

White circles indicate unprocessed workpieces, and dotted circles indicate processed workpieces. Note that the numbers in the operation description below correspond to the drawing numbers above.

(Preparatory operation) ω A robot installed at the transfer station (15) transfers the workpiece (vl) on the overhead conveyor to the workpiece support table (16) of the first transfer unit (2).

(2) The workpiece (wl) on the workpiece support stand (16) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (10a) located above the center of the base unit (2) by the workpiece transfer table (19).

■ Slide the slide body of the base unit ω toward one end of the base unit ■.

(4) Work support stand (10
Rotate a) by 180°. Further, the robot transfers the subsequent workpiece (w2) from the overhead conveyor to the workpiece support table (16) of the first transport unit (2).

■ Workpiece transfer table of the second transfer unit (3a) (
25), the workpiece (v) on the workpiece support stand (10a)
l) on the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transport unit (3a).
). In addition, the workpiece on the workpiece support stand (16) (
w2) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (10b) located above the center of the base unit ω.

■ Slide the slide body ■ of the base unit ω to the other end of the hese unit ■. In addition.

The workpiece (w,) on the workpiece support stand (21) is supplied to the work station (26).

■ Work support stand (10b) supporting work (w2)
Rotate 180m. Also, the robot transfers the subsequent workpiece (w3) from the overhead conveyor to the workpiece support stand (16) of the first transport unit (■).

■ Workpiece transfer table of the second transfer unit (3b) (
25), the workpiece (w) on the workpiece support stand (10b) is
2) on the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transport unit (3b).
). In addition, the workpiece on the workpiece support stand (16) (
v3) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (LOA) located above the center of the base unit ω.

■ Slide the base unit ■ slide body ■ to one end of the unit ■. Note that the workpiece (stool 2) on the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transport unit (3b)
is supplied to the work station (26), −
'The processed workpiece (wl) is transferred to the second transport unit (3
It is mounted on the workpiece support stand (21) in a).

(10) Work support stand (2
1) Transfer the above process completed work (su・) to 6-th: ″0t■
Then, transfer it to the 1-work support platform (LOa).

(Steady operation) (11) Processed work (vl) and unprocessed work (
The workpiece support stand (10a) supporting the V,) is rotated 180°. Further, the robot transfers the subsequent workpiece (IJ4) from the overhead conveyor to the workpiece support table (16) of the first transport unit (2).

(12) The workpiece transfer table (25) of the second transfer unit (3a) transfers the unprocessed workpiece (υ,) on the workpiece support stand (10a) to the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transfer unit (3a). Transfer. Further, the unprocessed workpiece (v4) on the workpiece support stand (16) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (iob) located above the center of the base unit ω.

The processed workpiece (S2) is transferred to the second transport unit (
3b) is mounted on the workpiece support stand (21).

(13) Slide the slide body (8) of the base unit ■ toward the other end of the base unit ■. Furthermore, the second
The unprocessed workpiece (V,) on the workpiece support stand (21) of the transport unit (3a) is supplied to the work station (26).

(14) Transfer the processed workpiece (vl) on the workpiece support stand (10a) located above the center of the base unit ω to the workpiece support stand (16) of the first transport unit (2).

Also, the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transport unit (3b)
Place the above processed workpiece (v2) on the workpiece support stand (10b)
Transferred to.

(15) After the robot transfers the processed workpiece (wl) on the workpiece support stand (16) to the overhead conveyor, the workpiece (V
, ) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (16). Also, the workpiece support stand (iob) of the base unit ω is rotated 180°.

(16) Transfer the unprocessed work (4) on the work support stand (10b) to the work support stand (3b) of the second transfer unit (3b).
21). Further, the unprocessed workpiece (V,) on the workpiece support stand (16) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (10a) located above the center of the base unit (2). Note that the processed workpiece (su) is mounted on the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transport unit (3a).

(17) Slide body (8) of base unit (g)
slide it toward one end of the base unit ω.

(18) Transfer the processed workpiece (v2) on the workpiece support stand (tab) located above the center of the base unit ω to the workpiece support stand (16). In addition, the processed workpiece (
w,) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (LOA).

(19) After the robot transfers the processed workpiece (S2) on the workpiece support stand (16) to the overhead conveyor, the workpiece (V
6) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (16). Also.

Work support stand of base unit ω ((o,) tt 1
Rotate 80'.

The arrangement of the workpiece (W) obtained by this operation is (4-1
1) Matches the placement of the workpiece (W) in the figure.

In this way, by repeating the operations from Figures (4-12) to (4-19), the unprocessed workpiece (W) is
is supplied to the work station (26), and the processed work (W) is carried out from the work station (26).

(Boiling operation) (20) (4-19) When the workpiece (W) is placed as shown in the figure, stop transferring the workpiece (V, ) from the overhead conveyor to the workpiece support table (16) by the robot. , the unprocessed workpiece (w,) on the workpiece support stand (10a) of the base unit (g) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transfer unit (3a), and It is assumed that the processed workpiece (Ij4) is mounted on the workpiece support stand (21) in 3b).

(21) Slide the slide body (■) of the base unit (■) toward the other end of the base unit (■). Further, the unprocessed workpiece (-) on the workpiece support stand (21) of the second transport unit (3a) is supplied to the work station.

(22) Transfer the processed workpiece (Wff) on the workpiece support stand (10a) located above the center of the base unit α) to the workpiece support stand (16). In addition, the processed workpiece (
ll! 4) is transferred to the workpiece support stand (iob).

(23) Work support stand of base unit ■ (10b
) rotate 180°. Also, the second transport unit (3a)
The processed workpiece (WS) is mounted on the workpiece support stand (21).

(24) Slide the slide body (8) of the base unit ■ toward one end of the base unit ■.

(25) Transfer the processed workpiece (v4) on the workpiece support stand (10b) located above the center of the base unit ω to the workpiece support stand (16). In addition, the second transport unit (3
The processed workpiece (WS) on the workpiece support stand (21) in a)
) onto the workpiece support stand (1()a).

(26) Rotate the workpiece support stand (10a) of the base unit ■ by 180 degrees.

(27) Slide the slide body ■ of the base unit ω toward the other end of the base unit ■.

(28) Transfer the processed workpiece (V,) on the workpiece support stand (10a) located above the center of the base unit (2) to the workpiece support stand (16).

(29) The robot transfers the processed workpiece (w,) on the workpiece support stand (16) to the overhead conveyor.

The above description of the operation is based on the case where the operation is started from the state where the slide body (2) of the base unit (2) is stopped at the other end of the base unit (2).

This operation can be started in the same way even when the slide body (2) is stopped at one end of the base unit (2). Also, regarding the opening operation, see Figure 5 (
5-20) Although the explanation has been made regarding the case where the process starts from the state shown in FIG. 4, this image display operation can be performed from any of the states shown in FIG.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 to 5, once the operation of this transfer device is started, the unprocessed workpieces and the processed workpieces are transferred to each unit ω, ■.

(3a) and (3b) Since they move together on top of each other, it becomes difficult to grasp their movements, but the control device! Display device installed in )! (3G) LEDs can be displayed in an on state for unprocessed workpieces (W), a flicker state for processed workpieces (W), and an off state when no workpieces exist, so that the trend can be easily monitored as described above. If the transfer equipment is configured as shown in the figure, it is possible to monitor the situation over time.

The workpieces (W) conveyed by the rad conveyor can be freely stored at two work stations (2
6), and the workpieces (W) that have been processed at these work stations (26) can be collected again on the above-mentioned overhead conveyor, and the workpieces (W) can be distributed to multiple processes using one system of overhead conveyor. Can be transported.

Next, other embodiments will be described.

In the above embodiment, the first and second transport units are installed on opposite sides of the base unit, but these transport units may be installed on the same side of the base unit.

Furthermore, these first and second transport units do not necessarily have to be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the base unit.
' Also, in the above embodiment, a case was described in which unprocessed workpieces are supplied to a work station and processed workpieces are collected at the same time. It may be used only to supply unprocessed workpieces to a work station, and to load processed workpieces directly from the work station onto an overhead conveyor.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The base unit is equipped with a slide body with a pair of workpiece support stands rotatably installed, and the first and second transport units that supply the workpieces to the two work stations are connected to this base unit, so that the unprocessed workpieces and the finished workpieces can be removed. Workpieces can be transported to multiple processes using a single conveyor system without requiring a workpiece stocking device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a transfer device which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control device thereof.
3(3-1) to 3-10) are explanatory views of the preparation operation of the transfer device. Figure 4 (4-11) or 4-1!1) is an explanatory diagram of steady operation, Figure 5 (5-20) or 5-29)
The figure is an explanatory diagram of the boiling operation. ■...Base unit ■...111th! Transport unit □ (3a), (3b)...Second transport unit
,. (4)...Control table! @...Sliding body-
...rotating table
5° (10a), (10b) = (16), (
21) - Work support stand (11), (12)... Work support head (13)... Work support department agent Patent attorney Inoue - Male Ji (
19), (25)... Workpiece conveyance table
゛(W)...Work Figure 1 Figure 3 〇-B) (3-7) (3-1P) (?-9
) (3-/θ) Fig. 4

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A means for loading and transferring a first workpiece to a first workpiece support provided on a first transfer path, and a means for transferring the first workpiece transferred by this means to a second transfer path. means for conveying and transferring the second workpiece to a second workpiece support provided in the first transfer path during the transfer by this means; a means for transferring the second workpiece to the third transfer path, and a means for transferring the first workpiece from the second transfer path to the first transfer path;
and a means for returning the transport to the transport route. (2) The transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the second and third transfer paths are respectively installed on opposite sides of the base unit. (3) The transfer method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second and third transfer paths are installed perpendicular to the base unit. (4) The transfer method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the pair of workpiece support stands has two workpiece support parts. (5) The transfer method according to item 4, wherein the workpiece support section is provided symmetrically with respect to the rotation center of the workpiece support table. (6) The transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece transfer tables of the second and third transfer paths have workpiece support heads that are movable up and down. (7) The transfer method according to claim 6, wherein the workpiece support head is rotatably provided on the workpiece transfer table.