Automatic process and aligning apparatus having a plurality of aligning stations
AssigneeEitel KG., Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik
InventorsHans-Georg Eitel, Waldemar Morlock, Dieter Ruf
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for automatically straightening elongated and at least partly rotationally symmetrical workpieces by applying a sequence of straightening strokes to a workpiece at each of a plurality of straightening stations to counteract a deformation until the measured instantaneous values of the deformation fall within a predetermined deformation tolerance. The depth of the straightening strokes is determined by the difference between the measured instantaneous values of the deformation and the mean of the maximum and minimum values of the deformation.
Claims14
A process for automatically straightening elongated and at least partly rotationally symmetrical workpieces, including the application of a sequence of straightening strokes to a workpiece at each of a plurality of straightening stations to counteract a deformation comprising the steps of:
- a. rotating the workpiece through a full revolution;
- b. detecting the maximum value and minimum value of deformation of said rotating workpiece;
- c. determining the mean value of the maximum and minimum deformation detected;
- d. again rotating the workpiece;
- e. sensing the instantaneous values of deformation during rotation of the workpiece;
- f. comparing the instantaneous values of deformation of the rotating workpiece with the mean value to detect a change of sign in the difference between said mean value and said sensed instantaneous values of deformation;
- g. positioning the deformation of said workpiece towards an element applying the straightening stroke when said change of sign is detected;
- h. comparing the instantaneous value of the positioned deformation to said mean value to determine whether a preset deformation tolerance is exceeded;
- i. applying a straightening stroke if said sign is positive and said deformation tolerance is exceeded, the first straightening stroke of the sequence having a depth of stroke such that the straightening element is brought close to or touching the workpiece and a susequent straightening stroke of the sequence having a depth of stroke increased from that of the previous straightening stoke by the latest measured difference between the instantaneous value of the positioned deformation and the mean value;
- and
- j. repeating steps (h) and (i) until the deformation tolerance is not exceeded.
An automatic straightening machine comprising a plurality of straightening stations for applying a sequence of straightening strokes to a workpiece at each of said straightening stations to counteract a deformation, a plurality of supports for receiving said workpiece, said supports being selectively movable into and out of operating position, means for applying a straightening stroke to said workpiece, said means being adjustable in the longitudinal direction of said workpiece and automatically actuated for engagement with said workpiece, a drive element for providing an adjustable length of stroke to said applying means, a plurality of devices for measuring deformation of the workpiece, and means responsive to said sensing device for automatically actuating said drive element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.