WO2001019551A1

WO2001019551A1 - Equipment for optimising component assembly operations and completing the processing of assembled machine units

Info

Publication number: WO2001019551A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/000528
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fausto Berti
Original assignee: Meccanica E Attrezzature Di Berti Fausto E C. Snc
Priority date: 1999-09-14
Filing date: 2000-04-27
Publication date: 2001-03-22
Also published as: IT1310480B1; AU4308200A

Abstract

Equipment for optimising component assembly operations and completing the processing of assembled machine units; it comprises at least one load-bearing column (4), anchored on a base (6), which is duly equipped with at least one traverse anvil working in synchronisation with at least one punch (7) that may traverse along the beam and also slide vertically up and down.

Description

"Equipment for optimising component assembly operations and completing the processing of assembled machine units"

FIELD OF THE ART This invention falls within the field of the art pertaining to the assembly of components and processing of assembled machine units International classification of reference B 23 Q

STATE OF THE ART Different types of equipment for assembling components of machine units are known This equipment is generally designed for one specific type of machine unit and very complicated adjustments must be made to adapt it to machine units having a different format

The challenge is thus to develop a versatile system that may streamline assembly and test operations as well as auxiliary processing

It is also necessary to streamline the machine unit format change procedures, while ensuring that the operator may always work in conditions of utmost safety

DESCRIPTION The invention will now be explained through a detailed description of one of its possible applications Reference will be made to the schematic diagrams attached herein, solely for the purpose of providing an example

The diagram in figure 1 shows a front view of one set-up consisting of two load-bearing columns equipped with rotating mechanisms that are in turn fitted with brackets placed opposite each other to allow simultaneous execution of operations on machine units having different formats Figure 2 shows how an operating phase may be executed simultaneously on machine unit

I and a machine unit having a different format

It should be noted that the first operating phase, indicated with a vertical arrow pointing downward, is being carried out on both rotating mechanisms (3, 3'), whose opposing brackets already accommodate two other machine units (II, lla)

Figure 3 shows the situation at the end of the operating phase, when the punches (7) are raised and the rotating mechanisms (3) are positioned higher that the anvil to allow their rotation

Figure 4 shows the rotating mechanisms after they have completed a half turn, it may be noted that units II and lla are already positioned at the level of the punch above, which is aligned with the anvil below

It may be further noted that units III and Ilia, already prepared, are in the standby position

Figure 5 shows the same operating phase being carried out on units II and lla It may be noted that units I and la are removed while the punches are intervening

Like figure 3, figure 6 shows the rotating mechanisms positioned higher than the anvil and the punch above already in a raised position to allow their rotation

Like figure 4, figure 7 shows the rotating mechanisms after they have reversed by half a turn to convey units III and Ilia into the operating position The subsequent units IV and

IVa may likewise be seen in the standby position

Figures 8 to 18 are layout diagrams showing the positions of the individual rotating mechanism 3 around column 4 It is evident that rotating mechanism 3' will occupy analogous positions

In figure 8 the equipment is positioned as in figure 1 , but only rotating mechanism 3 on column 4 is shown

Unit II may be seen in the standby position Unit I is already placed on bracket 1 while bracket 2 is still unoccupied Figure 9 shows the placement of unit II on bracket 2, as was illustrated in figure 3

Figure 10 indicates the clockwise rotation of rotating mechanism 3 around load-bearing column 4

Figure 11 is a layout diagram of the positioning shown in figure 4 and it is in fact possible to note the presence of unit III in the standby position

Figure 12 illustrates the positioning shown in figure 5

Figure 13 illustrates the counterclockwise, reverse rotation of rotating mechanism 3, whose opposing brackets 1 and 2 accommodate units II and III

Figure 14 illustrates the positioning shown in figure 7 The presence of unit IV, ready to undergo processing, may also be seen in the standby position

Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 are layout diagrams showing further details of the opposing brackets on the rotating mechanisms

Figure 15 shows the hinges (10) that allow both brackets to revolve around a vertical axis

In figure 16 it may be noted that bracket 1 has turned by 90 degrees to remove unit I from the position under the press and place it in a position that is safe for the operator

Figure 17 illustrates the possibility, indicated by the arrows (14), of turning both supporting brackets also around a horizontal axis, hence they may be inclined or completely overturned for the application of component 16 on unit 1 when it is not under the press so that the operator may work in complete safety

Figure 18 illustrates unit 1 back under the press, as may be noted, it has been possible to apply component 16 on unit I

In the attached drawings, each individual part is marked as follows

(1) and (1 ') indicate the brackets carrying the unit being processed

(2) and (2') are brackets placed opposite the above

(3) and (3') indicate rotating mechanisms with two opposing brackets (4) and (4') indicate the fixed columns around which the rotating mechanisms with two opposing brackets may turn. It may be noted that the rotating mechanisms may also slide up and down along the fixed columns, as shown by arrows 18.

(5) indicates a fixed beam that joins load-bearing column 4 with the analogous load- bearing column 4'.

(6) indicates a fixed base to which the two load-bearing columns 4 and 4' are anchored.

(7) and (7') indicate the punches which, in addition to moving up and down, may traverse horizontally along the beam (5) in synchronisation with the anvils (8 and 8') below them.

(8) and (8') indicate anvils that are positioned at a fixed height on the base (6) but slide horizontally so as to remain constantly aligned in synchronisation with the punches (7 and 7') above them.

(9) indicates the horizontal axes allowing the rotation (14) of the brackets.

(10) indicates the vertical hinges for rotations 13 (opening) and 15 (closing) of the brackets.

(11) indicates the clockwise rotation of the rotating mechanisms around their respective load-bearing columns.

(12) indicates the counterclockwise reverse rotation.

(13) indicates the opening rotation of the brackets around their respective vertical hinges (10).

(14) indicates the rotation of the brackets around a horizontal axis to allow assembly operations on inclined or overturned units.

(15) indicates the closing rotation of the brackets.

(16) indicates a component applied on a unit in a safe position, not under the press.

(17) indicates the synchronised horizontal traverses of the punches above and anvils below. (18) indicates the vertical movements of the bracket-bearing mechanisms along their respective load-bearing shafts.

The figures clearly demonstrate the versatility of the equipment deriving from this industrial invention.

It is in fact evident that operations may also be performed simultaneously on both load- bearing columns. It is likewise evident that while an operation is being carried out on one unit placed on a bracket, another unit may be simultaneously placed on the opposing bracket.

Moreover, it should be noted that assembly operations may be performed with great ease and in safer conditions, when the bracket is not situated beneath the press. It is evident that the equipment deriving from this industrial invention may also be fitted with various types of tools for drilling, threading and complementary processes. It is evident that the rotational and transverse movements schematically illustrated in the figures may also be controlled by standard actuators, also those using numerical control. This industrial patent will thus cover equipment built with different structural proportions and technological features selected accordingly, but which incorporates the inventive principles of this system and has the characteristics substantially described, illustrated and included in the claims below.

Claims

1) Equipment for optimising component assembly operations and completing the processing of assembled machine units, CHARACTERISED IN that it comprises at least one load-bearing column 4, anchored on a base 6 which is duly provided with at least one traverse anvil 8 working in synchronisation with at least one punch 7 that may traverse on the beam and also slide vertically up and down

2) Equipment for optimising component assembly operations and completing the processing of assembled machine units, according to claim 1), CHARACTERISED IN that each load-bearing column is equipped with rotating mechanisms (3 and 3') fitted with brackets, the latter are placed opposite each other and are provided with vertical hinges 10 for opening and closing movements Said brackets are also provided with a horizontal rotation pin 14 in order to turn over and partially incline machine units being processed simultaneously

3) Equipment for optimising component assembly operations and completing the processing of assembled machine units, according to claims 1) and 2), CHARACTERISED IN that it allows operating cycles to be performed simultaneously with the loading and unloading of machine units having different formats

4) Equipment for optimising component assembly operations and completing the processing of assembled machine units, according to the above claims, CHARACTERISED IN that the working punches are always aligned with the anvils beneath them as their horizontal traverse 17 is simultaneous and synchronised