WO2018029614A2

WO2018029614A2 - Device for separating single bars from a bundle

Info

Publication number: WO2018029614A2
Application number: PCT/IB2017/054865
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe TAVELLI; Roland FONTI
Original assignee: Buffoli Transfer S.P.A.; Giti Service S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-08-11
Filing date: 2017-08-09
Publication date: 2018-02-15
Also published as: IT201600084716A1; WO2018029614A3

Abstract

A device (1) is described for separating single bars (2) from a bundle (5) of bars (2) and a bars loader (3) for machine tools comprising such a device (1), wherein the device (1) for separating bars comprises: a movable mechanical arm (4); at least one picking up means (9) associated with the mechanical arm (4), for picking up bars from a bundle of bars; at least one bars singularizing member (12) suitable for longitudinally sliding with respect to the mechanical arm (4) in order to couple thereto a single bar picked up by the at least one picking up means (9) and to move apart therefrom possible additional bars (2) picked up by the at least one picking up means. A method is further described for separating bars from a bundle of bars.

Description

Device for separating single bars from a bundle

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DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for separating single bars from a bundle of bars and to a bar loader for machine tools comprising such a device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device of the afore said type, able to separate and pick up a single bar from a bundle of long and thin bars.

Background Art

Machine tools for machining bars, such as also bar handling systems and bar assembling machines, need a bar loader, i.e. an apparatus able to correctly load bars in their inside. Usually, loaded bars are picked up from a bundle of bars. When the bars are long and thin, it is very challenging separating one from the bundle, since they are often overlapped one with another and it is very complex for a loader separating only one.

Hence, currently the bars are positioned on a conveyor belt and subjected to vibrations or are however shaken, in order to be separated. However, such a solution, in order to be effective, requires large bulk since the conveyor belt must have such a length to allow the bundle of bars to be detached and opened and to the bars to move away.

Some bar loaders, on the contrary, provide the presence of a movable plan that, by varying its own tilt, facilitate the bar separation from the bundle to be then individually loaded in the machine tool. However this solution is not effective since the tilt variation of the movable plan not always translates into the separation of a single bar from the bundle, whereby the operation has to be repeated several times before the loader is able to load a bar. Therefore such a solution is time consuming and, thus, poorly efficient.

Bar separators are further known that substantially combine the two afore described solutions, which however did not result in significantly better outcomes. Therefore, currently there are neither bar loaders nor bar separators able to separate a single bar from a bundle of long and thin bars, being at the same time effective, efficient and space-saving .

Consequently, also the corresponding known separating methods, which consist in providing vibrations, shakes or tilt changes to a bundle of bars, are slow and poorly effective .

Summary of the Invention

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for separating single bars from a bundle of bars, free from the afore mentioned drawbacks.

In detail, object of the present invention is to provide a device of the afore said type able to separate, effectively and efficiently, single bars, in particular bars provided with high flexibility, also from a bundle comprising long and thin bars, and to provide them one by one to a bar loader.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for separating bars from a bundle of bars, which is structurally and functionally simple as well as space-saving. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bar loader provided with a device for separating single bars of the afore said type.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for separating single bars from a bundle of bars which is effective and efficient.

These and further objects are obtained by a device for separating single bars from a bundle of bars, comprising means for picking up the bars and one or more singularizing members able to slide along the direction of extension of the bundle of bars, in practice longitudinally on a single bar picked up by the afore said picking up means, advantageously the first single bar picked up closer to the travel starting point of the afore said singularizing member, thus moving possible additional bars picked up by the picking up means away and correctly positioning the single bar.

More specifically the invention, according to a first aspect thereof, relates to a device for separating single bars from a bundle of bars, which device comprises a movable mechanical arm; at least one picking up means associated with the afore said mechanical arm for picking up bars from a bundle of bars; at least one bar singularizing member suitable for sliding longitudinally with respect to the afore said mechanical arm, in order to couple therewith a single bar picked up by the afore said at least one picking up means, advantageously the first bar held with respect to the position of travel starting point of the afore said singularizing member, and in order to move possible additional bars picked up by the afore said at least one picking up means away from the afore said mechanical arm, in practice by correctly positioning, and namely substantially in parallel, such a single bar with respect to the mechanical arm.

In practice, the afore said device can comprise a single picking up means associated with the afore said mechanical arm and extended substantially for its entire length or a plurality of picking up means arranged spaced one from each other and possibly also different one from each other, and however at least one picking up means suitable for picking up the bars and further picking up means suitable for picking up the bars, as it will be more evident in the following.

Substantially, in accordance with the invention, the at least one picking up means carries out a first selection of the bars by picking up one or more bars from the bundle of bars, wherein the picked up bars are arranged and at least partially held, substantially separated one from each other, along the mechanical arm, while the singularizing member, by sliding in parallel to the mechanical arm, carries out in practice a second selection of the picked up and partially held bars, by coupling a remaining portion of the afore said first single held bar to the mechanical arm and moving away therefrom possible additional picked up and partially held bars, thus unfitting it from the picking up means .

Such a device is at the same time effective, efficient and space-saving. In fact it doesn't need long vibrating platforms and thus large space requirements and can separate, reliably and with a succession of simple and quick operations, a bar from the bundle of bars, also when the bars are very long and thin and, thus, also particularly flexible as well as overlapped one to each other and interwoven in the bundle of bars.

The present device is further structurally simple and therefore cheap to implement.

Preferably, the afore said mechanical arm is movable along at least two directions which are perpendicular one to another and substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the bundle of bars.

Preferably, the afore said device comprises at least one detecting means for detecting the position of the afore said mechanical arm, in particular in relation to the bundle of bars, wherein the afore said at least one detecting means preferably comprises at least one proximity sensor, a camera or space scanning means.

In practice, according to what above, the afore said at least one means for detecting the position of the afore said mechanical arm can be mounted on board of the same mechanical arm, for example at the afore said at least one picking up means, or it can be provided at a preset fixed distance from the bundle of bars. In accordance with the invention, as many means for detecting the position of the afore said mechanical arm can be provided as the picking up means associated with the mechanical arm.

A device with such characteristics is thus also particularly accurate and reliable since the means for detecting the position allow continuously monitoring the position of the mechanical arm with respect to the bundle of bars that, upon picking up the bars, is variable with time as regard to shape and size.

Preferably, the afore said at least one means for picking up the bars is of magnetic, pneumatic or mechanical type .

Preferably, the afore said at least one means for picking up the bars comprises at least one magnet, this embodiment being particularly advantageous in case the bundle of bars is composed of bars in metal, particularly ferromagnetic material.

Preferably, the afore said device comprises at least one support on which the afore said at least one picking up means is housed, wherein the afore said at least one support is provided with a longitudinal recess forming a housing seat for the afore said single held bar, the afore said at least one picking up means, thus advantageously the afore said at least one magnet, being arranged in the afore said recess.

In addition to be a housing seat for the single held bar, the afore said recess initially promotes a limited number of bars, preferably one or more bars, from the bundle of bars to move closer to the afore said at least one picking up means, thus preferably to the afore said magnet. Substantially, the recess can preselect few bars on which the afore said at least one picking up means can be active, in order to help the singularizing member.

Preferably, the afore said at least one means for detecting the position is housed in the afore said at least one support, preferably at the afore said recess.

This way, thanks to the afore said at least one means for detecting the position, also a direct feedback on the good performance of the operations for picking up a single bar can be obtained.

Preferably, the afore said singularizing member comprises a sliding block suitable for sliding on a guide parallel to the afore said mechanical arm and integral therewith in order to position the first picked up bar parallel to the mechanical arm. This way the bar is ready to be loaded by the loader.

Preferably, the afore said sliding block is provided with a seat suitable for the sliding of a single bar. Advantageously, the afore said seat further aids the selection of a single bar, since additional bars are not allowed to slide in such a seat. Additional possible bars are thus moved away from the sliding of the sliding block.

Preferably, the afore said sliding block is driven by actuating means communicating with respective actuating means of the afore said mechanical arm. This way, when the picking up means picked up one or more bars and the mechanical arm has moved away from the picking up area, it is possible to command the sliding of the sliding block with consequent completion of the coupling of a single bar to the mechanical arm and removal of possible additional bars .

Preferably, the afore said device is further advantageously provided with at least one means for dissociating the separated bar, suitable for moving the bar separated from the bundle of bars away from the mechanical arm. It is preferably of the mechanical or pneumatic type.

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to a bar loader for machine tools comprising a device for separating bars as described and claimed .

Such a loader has all the advantages listed for the device for separating bars, i.e. it is efficient, effective and space-saving thanks to the characteristics of the device for separating the bars it includes.

Preferably, the afore said bar loader further comprises a device for preparing the bars, suitable for positioning one or more bars of a bundle of bars in a position forward with respect to the remaining bars of the bundle of bars. It serves to assist the device for separating the bars, causing just few bars are approached by the afore said at least one picking up means, advantageously the most protruding bars of the bundle of bars .

Preferably, the afore said device for preparing the bars comprises thrusting means suitable for operating on a limited portion of the bundle of bars.

Preferably, the afore said loader comprises one or more belts for supporting the bundle of bars, which belts are adjustable independently from one another, in order to allow the bundle to be lifted up or tilted on the horizontal plan, according to needs. In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for separating a single bar from a bundle of bars, which method comprises the following steps:

- moving a mechanical arm comprising at least one picking up member closer to the bundle of bars, wherein the afore said mechanical arm is substantially extended in the direction of extension of the bundle of bars; - picking up, by means of the afore said at least one picking up member, one or more bars from the bundle of bars ;

- moving the afore said mechanical arm away from the bundle of bars;

- sliding a singularizing member longitudinally with respect to the afore said mechanical arm, in order to essentially integrally couple with the afore said mechanical arm a first single bar picked up and at least partially held by the afore said at least one picking up means, by moving possible additional bars picked up and in case partially held by the afore said at least one picking up member away from the afore said mechanical arm;

- separating, from the afore said mechanical arm, the aforesaid single bar essentially integrally coupled therewith .

Preferably, the step of separating the afore said single bar from the mechanical arm is subsequent to a further step of moving the afore said mechanical arm away from the bundle of bars.

By long and thin bars, in the present context, mainly bars with length between about 1 m and about 10 m and thickness (width and/or height) between about 1 mm and 30 mm are meant. Such bars are as much challenging to be separated as higher their flexibility, due also to their length and thickness in addition to the material they are made of, for this reason the device of the present invention mainly relates to them, however, the device for separating bars of the present invention also operates with bars having different size, with pipes or other oblong elements .

Brief list of the figures

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident by the review of the following detailed description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments illustrated for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a bar loader according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a left perspective view of a device for separating bars according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 3 shows a detail in enlarged scale of the device of figure 2;

- figure 4 shows a detail of figure 3 from a right perspective ;

- figure 5a shows a front view of a support comprising picking up means and means for detecting the position of the device for separating bars of figure 2;

figure 5b shows a cross sectional view of the support of figure 5a; and

- figure 5c shows a perspective view from below of the support of figures 5a and 5b.

Detailed description of the invention

The following detailed description relates to a device for separating single bars from a bundle of bars and to a bar loader for machine tools comprising such a device.

With reference to figures 1 - 5, with the reference numeral 1 a device for separating bars according to the present invention is overall denoted and with reference numeral 3 a bar loader for machine tools is overall denoted .

The device 1 comprises a mechanical arm 4 movable along two directions perpendicular one to another and substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of a bundle 5 of bars 2 , which is positioned for loading the bars 2 . Such two perpendicular directions are, preferably, a horizontal and a vertical direction. In particular, the mechanical arm 4 moves horizontally until positioning above the bundle 5 and then vertically in order to descend on the bundle 5 at a distance suitable for picking up the bars 2 .

Both the horizontal and the vertical movements are generated by respective motors 6 and transmitted by respective gear pulleys 16 and racks 7 .

The mechanical arm 4 is provided with at least one support 8 suitable for housing at least one picking up means 9 for picking up bars 2 from the bundle 5 . Preferably, such a support 8 also houses at least one detecting means 10 for detecting the position of the mechanical arm 4 itself with respect to the bundle 5 , or however with respect to a bar 2 , for example a bar picked up by the picking up means.

The detecting means 10 for detecting the position of the mechanical arm 4 is therefore suitable for allowing the correct positioning of the mechanical arm 4 for picking up bars, and suitable for verifying the grip and the correct holding of a bar 2 picked up from the bundle 5 by the picking up means 9 . In other words, in accordance with the examples of the figures, the detecting means 10 control the vertical movement of the mechanical arm 4, whereas the horizontal movement of the mechanical arm 4 can be controlled by a preset numerical controlling system, or by the same detecting means 10 or else by a proper additional detecting means.

Preferably, the detecting means 10 for detecting the position of the mechanical arm 4 with respect to the bundle 5 comprises a proximity sensor or a camera or else space scanning means, and in accordance with the examples of the figures, the mechanical arm 4 is equipped with a plurality of supports 8 each one provided with a respective detecting means 10, however not being excluded the alternative of providing a position detecting means arranged at a preset fixed distance from the bundle of bars.

The picking up means 9 is suitable for picking up bars 2 from the bundle 5 of bars 2, once the mechanical arm 4 has reached the suitable position. It can be of magnetic type, in case the bars 2 to be picked up were metallic, in particular in ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, the picking up means 9 can be of pneumatic type, i.e. it can comprise suction cups that, by applying a slight vacuum, pick up a bar 2 from the bundle 5 and fasten it to the mechanical arm 4. The picking up means 9 could also be of mechanical type, i.e. comprise clamps, preferably spring clamps, having an end provided with a guide for the bars, that by surrounding a bar 2 it picks it up from the bundle 5 by securing it to the mechanical arm 4. Picking up means 9 of mixed type can also be provided, comprising for example magnets and sucking cups, arranged for example in the same support 8 , otherwise a plurality of supports 8 of different types can be provided to be used, for example some provided with magnets and other with sucking cups. In fact, as mentioned above, the picking means 9 can either be single and extended substantially for the entire length of the mechanical arm 4 or comprise a plurality of picking up means 9 spaced one from each other. Similarly, also the support 8 can be single and extended substantially for the entire length of the mechanical arm, or a plurality of supports 8 can be provided, which are spaced one from each other and consecutive, as shown in the examples of figures.

Whichever of the type of picking up means 9 is used, there is always the risk of picking up more than a bar 2 , also for this reason the support 8 in which the picking up means 9 are inserted is provided with a longitudinal recess 11 suitable for promoting few bars 2 moving closer to the picking up means 9 . In other words, the support 8 has funnel profile, i.e. tapered in order to let one or few bars 2 move closer to the picking up means 9 . This allows operating a sort of preselection, i.e. allows a large number of bars 2 to be prevented from being picked up by the picking up means 9 . The recess 11 , in addition, acts as housing seat for the picked up bar 2 or bars 2 .

However, such a feature is not enough to ensure the picking up and in particular the holding of a single bar 2 , therefore the device for separating bars according to the present invention provides the presence of at least one singularizing member 12 of bars 2 . It is suitable for longitudinally sliding on a single bar 2 picked up by the picking up means 9 , in order to move possible additional bars 2 picked up by the picking up means 9 away from such a bar 2, and in order to correctly position such a bar 2 with respect to the mechanical arm 4.

In other words, once the picking up means 9 picked up one or more bars 2, the singularizing member 12 is slid parallel to the mechanical arm 4 in order to intercept the picked up bars 2, but to allow just one of them to be inserted inside it and to be associated integrally to the mechanical arm 4. Therefore, the remaining bars 2 are moved away. In particular, the bar 2 picked up from the first picking up means 9 is associated with the mechanical arm 4, whereas the remaining bars 2 possibly picked up by the remaining picking up means 9, are moved away. In this regard, the singularizing member 12 is advantageously provided with a seat 13 promoting the sliding of a single bar 2, i.e. it is shaped in order to be substantially complementary to the profile of a bar 2. Such a seat 13 is suitable for sliding on the entire length of the bar 2.

Preferably, the singularizing member 12 comprises a sliding block suitable for sliding on a guide 20 parallel to the mechanical arm 4 and integral therewith, in order to position the selected bar 2 parallel to the mechanical arm 4.

Such a sliding block is driven by actuating means communicating with respective actuating means of the mechanical arm 4. This way the sliding block slides only after the mechanical arm 4 has been moved away from the picking up area, as better explained in the following. The sliding block actuating means is preferably an electric motor 14 which controls the movement of a chain 15, only partially depicted in figures, through gear wheels 17 . Such a movement allows the sliding block to slide longitudinally on the bar 2 and to position it correctly. In fact, once the end of a bar 2 has been inserted in the seat 13 , the sliding of the sliding block allows the entire selected bar 2 to be positioned correctly, i.e. picked up and held by all the picking means 9 .

In figure 2 the supports 8 are four, but their number can be changed in the designing step, depending on weight and length of the bars to be separated and/or user's specific needs.

As it can be seen in figures 5a, 5b and 5c, each support 8 houses only one picking means 9 and only one detecting means 10 , however they also vary depending on specific needs. Or rather a plurality of picking up means 9 and/or a plurality of detecting means 10 can be provided in each support 8 .

The picking up means 9 and the detecting means 10 can be further provided as arranged in separated supports 8 .

The device 1 for separating the bars 2 further comprises at least one means for dissociating the separated bar 2 , which is suitable for moving the bar 2 separated from the bundle 5 away from the mechanical arm 4 in order to deposit it in a loading area of the loader 3 of bars 2 . Such a dissociating means preferably comprises a lever 18 . When the separated bar 2 has been correctly positioned, i.e. when the detecting means 10 detect the presence of a bar 2 at each picking up means 9 and thus at each support 8 , the mechanical arm 4 , in conjunction with the separated bar 2 , is horizontally shifted towards a loading area of the loader 3. At this point the lever 18 is actuated and causes, by hitting the bar 2 from above, the same to dissociate from the picking up means 9 and be deposited in a proper area of the loader 3.

Of course the lever 18 could be replaced by any equivalent means, of mechanical or pneumatic type. For example, sending compressed air onto the bar 2 could be thought, in order to separate the latter from the mechanical arm 4 and thus deposit it on the loader 3. There could also be a countering element of the bar 2, i.e. a passive element on which the single picked up bar 2 hits during the displacement of the mechanical arm 4, thus detaching therefrom.

Such a loader 3 comprises, in addition to at least one device 1 for separating the bars 2, a device for preparing the bars, i.e. a device suitable for promoting the separation of one or few bars 2 in the area where the bars are picked up by the picking up means. Preferably, such a device for preparing the bars is suitable for positioning one or more bars 2 of a bundle 5 of bars 2 in a forward position with respect to the remaining bars 2 of the bundle 5 and, advantageously, comprises thrusting means suitable for operating on a limited portion of the bundle 5 of bars 2 not shown in the examples of the figures.

Alternatively or in addition to what above, the device for preparing bars can comprise one or more belts for supporting the bundle 5 of bars 2, which are independently adjustable, in order to allow the bundle 5 to be lifted or tilted on the horizontal plan. This way it is easier for the picking up means 9 to pick up a bar 2 at the most lifted end of the bundle 5.

Furthermore, still alternatively or in addition to what above and as shown in the examples of the figures, the device for preparing the bars can also comprise a tilted plan 19, that can be still or vibrating and facilitates the separation of bars 2 from the bundle 5, in particular by increasing its tilt.

The device for preparing bars therefore aids the device 1 for separating the bars, since it carries out a sort of pre-selection of the bars 2 from the bundle 5 upstream of the picking up of the bars 2, i.e. it helps causing only one or few bars 2 to be picked up or however able to be picked up by the picking up means 9.

Optionally, the device 1 can be further provided with means for retaining the bars 2, such as for example clamps, at least at the first picking up means 9. They have the aim of holding in place the picked up and separated bar 2, therefore they are activated only after the passage of the singularizing member 12. In other words, once the travel of the singularizing member 12 ended, the clamps are closed, to fasten the picked up bar 2 to the mechanical arm 4, to be then opened and to allow the dissociation of the bar 2 from the mechanical arm 4, before the step of depositing the bar 2 in the loader 3.

The operation of the device 1 for separating bars 2 from a bundle 5 according to the present invention can be summarized as follows.

A bundle 5 of long and thin bars 2 is positioned in a picking up area of a loader 3 of bars 2 for machine tools, which is provided with a device 1 for separating bars 2. The mechanical arm 4 of the device 1 is horizontally shifted until is placed at the bundle 5 , then vertically shifted until is placed in the picking up area, i.e. until the detecting means 10 , advantageously but not necessarily provided, control the stopping of the mechanical arm 4 . At this point the picking up means 9 are operated which, aided by the advantageously but not necessarily provided device for preparing the bars 2 , pick up one or more bars 2 . Then the mechanical arm 4 is lifted up by a preset amount and the singularizing member 12 is operated. In case the picking up means 9 picked up a single bar 2 , the singularizing member 12 would only serve to check and adjust the position of the bar 2 . In fact, by sliding on the overall length of the bar 2 , parallel to the mechanical arm 4 , it would optimize its position, i.e. it would cause the bar 2 to become accurately positioned with respect to each picking means 9 and thus secured to the mechanical arm 4 .

On the contrary if more probably the picking means 9 picked up more bars 2 also interwoven one to another, the singularizing member 12 would serve to untangle them, by selecting one and arranging it in suitable position. In fact, by making the sliding block slide on the track 20 , the coupling with the mechanical arm 4 of the bar 2 picked by the picking up means 9 closest to the position of travel starting point of the singularizing member is obtained, whereas possible other bars 2 held by the picking up means 9 in distal positions from the position of travel starting point of the singularizing member are removed from the picking up means 9 to fall on the bundle 5 of bars 2 . Furthermore, also the seat 13 of the singularizing member promotes the coupling of an entire single bar 2 to the mechanical arm 4, in particular allowing a single bar 2 to be inserted inside it. In practice, the sliding of the singularizing member along the track 20 allows the alignment of the portions of picked up bar 2, thus causing all the picking up means 9 to pick up and hold the same single bar 2. In fact, it could occur that a first picking up means 9 picks up a first bar 2 whereas a second picking up means 9 picks up a second bar 2 and additional picking up means 9 pick up additional bars 2. In such a case, the bar 2 closest to the position of travel starting point of the singularizing member is the selected bar, which advantageously is also the first one that fits in the seat 13 of the singularizing member 12. It is in fact aided by the singularizing member 12 to line up to the mechanical arm 4, i.e. to occupy all the picking up means 9 and thus all the supports 8, whereas the remaining bars 2 are displaced by the same singularizing member 12.

Once the singularizing member 12 ended its travel and the detecting means 10 confirm the presence of the bar 2 at each picking up means 9, possibly also upon a return travel of the singularizing member 12, it means that the bar 2 has been correctly loaded and thus the mechanical arm 4 is controlled to move towards an unloading area, for example by shifting firstly vertically upwards and then horizontally towards such an unloading area.

At this point, the means for dissociating the picked up bar 2 come into play and move the bar 2 away from the picking up means 9 and thus from the mechanical arm 4, in order to let it fall in a preset area of the bar loader 3, which loads it in a machine tool. The singularizing member 12 comes thus back to its starting position, i.e. the travel starting point.

The return of the singularizing member to such a starting position can occur before or after the dissociation of the bar 2 from the picking up means 9.

The device 1 for separating the bars 2 is thus ready for separating another bar 2 from the bundle 5.

The present invention also relates to a method for separating the bars 2 from a bundle 5. The method comprises the following steps of:

- moving a mechanical arm 4 comprising at least one picking up means 9 closer to the bundle 5 of bars 2, wherein the afore said mechanical arm is substantially extended in the direction of extension of the bundle of bars ;

- picking up, by the afore said at least one picking up member 9, one or more bars 2 from the bundle 5 of bars;

- moving the afore said mechanical arm 4 away from the bundle 5 of bars 2;

sliding a singularizing member 12 longitudinally with respect to the afore said mechanical arm 4, in order to essentially integrally couple with the afore said mechanical arm 4 a first picked up single bar 2 at least partially held by the afore said at least one picking up means 9, by moving possible additional picked up bars 2 in case partially held by the afore said at least one picking up means 9 away from the afore said mechanical arm;

- separating, from the afore said mechanical arm 4, the aforesaid single bar 2 essentially integrally coupled therewith .

Preferably the step of separating the afore said single bar 2 from the mechanical arm 4 is subsequent to an additional step of moving the afore said mechanical arm 4 away from the bundle 5 of bars 2 .

The field technician, in order to meet the contingent and specific needs, could make additional changes and variations to the device 1 for separating bars 2 from a bundle 5 , to the bar loader 3 and the method for separating bars 2 from a bundle 5 as all described and claimed, without departing from the protection scope of the present invention .

Claims

1. Device (1) for separating single bars (2) from a bundle (5) of bars (2), comprising: a movable mechanical arm (4); at least one picking up means (9) associated with said mechanical arm (4) for picking up bars (2) from a bundle (5) of bars (2); at least one bars singularizing member (12) suitable for longitudinally sliding with respect to said mechanical arm (4) in order to couple thereto a single bar (2) picked up by said at least one picking up means (9) and to move apart therefrom possible additional bars (2) picked up by said at least one picking up means ( 9 ) .

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical arm (4) is movable along at least two directions which are perpendicular one to the other and substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the bundle ( 5 ) of bars ( 2 ) .

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one detecting means (10) for detecting the position of said mechanical arm (4), wherein said detecting means (10) preferably comprises at least one proximity sensor, a camera, or space scanning means.

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one picking up means (9) is of magnetic, pneumatic or mechanical type.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said at least one picking up means (9) comprises at least one magnet .

6 . Device (1) according to claim 5, comprising at least one support (8) wherein said at least one picking up means (9) is housed, said at least one support (8) being provided with a longitudinal recess (11) forming a housing seat for the held single bar (2), said at least one picking up means (9) being arranged at said recess (11) .

7 . Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein said at least one detecting means (10) is housed in said at least one support (8), preferably at said recess (11) .

8 . Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said singularizing member (12) comprises a sliding block suitable for sliding on a guide (20) which is parallel to said mechanical arm (4) and integral therewith in order to position the held single bar (2) parallel to the mechanical arm (4) .

9 . Device (1) according to claim 8, wherein said sliding block is provided with a seat (13) suitable for the sliding of a single bar (2) .

10 . Device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said sliding block is driven by actuating means which communicate with respective actuating means of said mechanical arm (4) .

11 . Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one dissociating means for moving the single bar (2) separated from the bundle (5) of bars (2) away from said mechanical arm (4) .

12 . Device (1) according to claim 11, wherein said dissociating means is of mechanical or pneumatic type.

13 . Bars loader (3), comprising at least one device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14 . Loader (3) according to claim 13, further comprising a bar preparing device, suitable for positioning one or more bars (2) of a bundle (5) of bars (2) in a forward position with respect to the remaining bars (2) of said bundle (5) of bars (2), said bar preparing device comprising thrust means suitable for operating on a limited portion of the bundle of bars.

15. Method for separating a single bar (2) from a bundle (5) of bars (2), comprising the steps of:

- moving a mechanical arm (4) comprising at least one picking up means (9), closer to the bundle (5) of bars (2), wherein said mechanical arm (4) is substantially extended in the direction of extension of the bundle (5) of bars (2) ;

- picking up, by said at least one picking up means (9) one or more bars (2) from the bundle (5) of bars (2);

- moving said mechanical arm (4) away from the bundle

( 5 ) of bars ( 2 ) ;

- sliding a singularizing member (12) longitudinally with respect to said mechanical arm (4), in order to essentially integrally couple with said mechanical arm (4) a first picked up and at least partially held by said at least one picking up means (9) single bar (2), by moving possible additional bars (2) picked up and in case partially held by said at least one picking up means (9) away from said mechanical arm (4);

- separating from said mechanical arm (4) the afore said single bar (2), essentially integrally coupled therewith .

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the step of separating said single bar (2) from said mechanical arm (4) is subsequent to an additional step of moving said mechanical arm (4) away from the bundle (5) of bars