Automatic load table

An automatic load table for loading billets into a machine, the automatic load table comprising:

• a conveyor for advancing the billets in a feed direction;
• at least one riser assembly positioned adjacent the conveyor for moving the billets in a loading direction which is transverse to the feed direction onto the conveyor, wherein the at least one riser assembly comprises:
• a riser body defining a first plurality of steps, wherein a height of each one of the plurality of steps successively decreases when progressing in the loading direction towards the conveyor;
• a loading arm movable relative to the riser body, the loading arm defining a second plurality of steps;
• wherein the loading arm is movable relative to the riser body such that the loading arm advances the billets in the feed direction up the first plurality of steps;
• wherein the riser body is fixed;
• wherein each of the first plurality of steps defines upper-facing coplanar support surfaces, the support surfaces of each step defining a support plane for their respective step, the support planes of the first plurality of steps being parallel to one another;
• and
• wherein, in a raised position, the second plurality of steps extend transversely above each respective support plane of the first plurality of steps.

A method for feeding a billets into a machine, the method comprising:

• moving the billets along a loading direction through a plurality of loading segments;
• separating a single billet from a remainder of the billets at at least one of the loading segments by lifting the single billet away from the remainder of the billets positioned at the loading segment, wherein each loading segment includes a billet support portion and a ramped portion, wherein a height of each ramped portion successively decreases along the loading direction;
• wherein the step of moving is performed using a loading arm, the loading arm movable relative to a fixed riser body, the riser body defining the plurality of loading segments;
• wherein each billet support portion defines an upper-facing coplanar support surface, the support surface of each billet support portion defining a support plane for its respective billet support portion, each support plane of each billet support portion being parallel to each other support plane of each billet support portion;
• and
• wherein the loading arm defines a plurality of steps that, in a raised position, each extends transversely above each respective support plane of each respective billet support portion.