US 10,537,932 B2 · Transport method for transferring workpieces

Abstract

In a transport method for transferring workpieces between a plurality of successive stations of a processing device, especially a forming device, workpieces are in each case transported from one station to the respective next station of the processing device simultaneously by means of a plurality of gripping tools which are movable jointly in a transport cycle. In the event of a process disturbance, the transport cycle is suspended and the gripping tools with the workpieces are moved into a waiting position in which the workpieces are outside the operating range of processing tools of the stations of the processing device. Once the process disturbance has been eliminated, the transport cycle of the workpieces is resumed. By virtue of the movement of the gripping tools into a safe waiting position outside the operating range of the processing tools of the stations, consequent damage resulting from the process disturbance can be prevented.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A transport method for transferring workpieces between a plurality of successive stations of a processing device, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) transporting each workpiece from one station to a respective next station of the processing device simultaneously by a plurality of gripping tools which are movable jointly in a transport cycle,
b) in the event of a process disturbance, suspending the transport cycle and moving the gripping tools with the workpieces into a waiting position in which the workpieces are outside an operating range of processing tools of the stations of the processing device and,
c) once the process disturbance has been eliminated, resuming step a).

A transport apparatus for simultaneously transferring workpieces between a plurality of successive stations of a processing device, wherein the transport apparatus comprises:

a movably mounted gripping tool support on which there are arranged a plurality of gripping tools, each for gripping one workpiece,
a motor-driven gripping tool support drive for back and forth movement of the gripping tool support with the gripping tools between the stations of the processing device, and
a support controller for the gripping tool support drive, which controller is configured to control the movement of the gripping tool support and, as a result of a control command supplied thereto, to move the gripping tool support with the gripping tools into a waiting position by the gripping tool support drive,
wherein the gripping tool support drive and the support controller are configured to move the gripping tool support with the gripping tools with workpieces into the waiting position and to suspend the transport of the workpieces.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Transport method for transferring workpieces

Life of this patent

Transport method for transferring workpieces

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20