Honing machine for bearing rings and method for feeding such a machine with bearing rings

A method for feeding a honing station of a honing machine, the honing machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a honing tool;
• a honing station for holding a bearing ring in position with respect to the honing tool;
• a transfer mechanism for feeding the honing station with bearing rings, one after the other, the transfer mechanism comprising:
• a first transfer box, adapted to accommodate a bearing ring and movable in translation, in a to-and-fro movement with respect to the frame, along a first axis,
• the first transfer box including a bottom outlet opening,
• a second transfer box, adapted to accommodate a bearing ring and movable in translation, in a to-and-fro movement with respect to the frame, along a second axis parallel to the first axis,
• the second transfer box including a top inlet opening,
• a first driving mechanism for driving the first transfer box in translation along the first axis, and
• a second driving mechanism for driving the second transfer box in translation along the second axis, and
• a first bearing ring and for ejecting a second bearing ring from the honing station,
• wherein the second transfer box is located under and adjacent to the first transfer box, above the honing station,
• wherein the top inlet opening is vertically aligned with the bottom outlet opening of the first transfer box.
• the method comprising steps of:
• a) making the first bearing ring enter the inside volume of the first transfer box;
• b) letting the first bearing ring go, by gravity, from the inside volume of the first transfer box into the inside volume of the second transfer box;
• c) temporary holding the bearing ring within the inside volume of the second transfer box;
• d) moving the second transfer box along the second axis and using this movement of the second transfer box to eject the second bearing ring from the honing station;
• e) moving the first transfer box with respect to the second transfer box, along the first axis, and using this movement of the first transfer box to push the first bearing ring, within the inside volume of the second transfer box, towards a bottom outlet opening of the second transfer box;
• f) moving the second transfer box, along the second axis, to a position where the bottom outlet opening of the second transfer box is vertically aligned with the honing station;
• and
• g) letting the first bearing ring go, by gravity, from the inside volume of the second transfer box into the honing station.