Workpiece feeding apparatus, especially for machining equipment
AssigneeKarl M. Reich Maschinenfabrik GmbH
InventorsDietrich Hesler, Gerhard Gresser, Helmut Brandstetter
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Abstract
Apparatus for feeding workpieces through a machine employing a workpiece guide and at least one sensor for determining the dimensions of the workpiece. The workpiece guide applies pressure to the workpiece in accordance with the dimensions of the workpiece as determined by the sensor which includes one or more vertical or arcuate sensing members contacting the workpieces and moving in accordance with the dimensions thereof. Switches for controlling a driving motor of the workpiece guide are actuated by control cams responsive to the movements of the sensor.
Claims14
An apparatus for feeding a workpiece through a machine comprising conveyor means movably supporting a workpiece, sensing means arranged proximate to said conveyor means for contacting said workpiece to determine at least one dimension of said workpiece, first control means coupled to said sensing means and responsive to said sensing means, workpiece guiding means arranged in said machine at a level above said conveyor means and adjacent to said sensing means, said workpiece guiding means comprising drive means for moving said workpiece guiding means relative to said workpiece, and second control means coupled to said workpiece guiding means for cooperation with said first control means for controlling said drive means and thus the movement of said workpiece guiding means in accordance with the dimension of said workpiece as determined by said sensing means.
In a workpiece feeding apparatus, especially for machining equipment including adjustable workpiece feeding means, drive means operatively connected to said workpiece feeding means, as well as workpiece dimension sensing means and control means responsive to said workpiece dimension sensing means, said control means being operatively connected to said drive means to adjust said workpiece feeding means to a workpiece dimension representing position in response to said workpiece dimension sensing means, the improvement wherein said workpiece feeding means comprise adjustable workpiece guide means, said control means comprising first switch means operatively arranged to respond to said workpiece dimension sensing means when the latter move in a given direction, and second switch means operatively arranged to respond to said workpiece dimension sensing means when the latter move opposite to said given direction, said first and second switch means being operatively connected to said drive means for energizing the drive means to move said adjustable workpiece guide means directly into and out of its work position whereby direction reversal of the movement of the workpiece guide means on its way into the working position is avoided.
The apparatus according to calim 2, wherein said workpiece feeding means further include a feeding table, said workpiece dimension sensing means comprising sensing lever means, means journaling said sensing lever means in said apparatus in a position parallel to said feeding table, said first and second switch means of said control means comprising first and second switch members connected to energize and de-energize said drive means and first and second switch actuator means operatively associated with said sensing lever means for actuating said first and second switch means in response to tilting of said sensing lever means about said journaling means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.