US 4,557,191 A · Multiple movement marking machine

Abstract

A marking device for printing identification marks on the surface of an object, for example a series of billets conveyed in succession on a roll table, is mounted for vertical and pivotal movement on the end of an upper arm. The upper arm is movable along a first axis in a horizontal plane to extend and retract the marking head assembly into and out of marking position. The upper arm is supported by a carriage which is also movable in a horizontal plane parallel to the roll table along a second axis angularly positioned relative to the first axis. The upper arm is movable relative to the carriage, and the carriage is movable on a beam to carry the upper arm together with the marking device to a preselected position with respect to the objects to be marked on the roll table. The main beam for supporting the carriage is fixed to a base by a pivotal mounting for pivotal movement of the main beam about a horizontal axis by operation of a lift cylinder to move the marking device in an arcuate path into and out of marking position. Thus the marking device is movable in a plurality of directions in a horizontal plane, as well as vertically and rotationally about a vertical axis and also movable in a lifting operation through an arcuate path.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Apparatus for supporting a marking device for movement into and out of position for marking the surface of an object which is one of a plurality of said objects being moved along a path relative to said apparatus comprising,

a base including in a generally horizontal reference plane,
a lower support member positioned on said base, said lower support member having a surface extending in a first plane generally above said base,
a carriage mounted on said lower support member for movement in a preselected first direction parallel with said first plane and said horizontal reference plane,
first drive means drivingly connected to said carriage for said movement of said carriage to a preselected position on said lower support member,
an upper support member supported by said carriage for movement relative to said carriage in a second plane parallel with and a predetermined distance from said first plane in a preselected second direction which is transverse with respect to said preselected first direction,
second drive means drivingly connected to said upper support member for said movement of said upper support member to a preselected position relative to said carriage on said lower support member,
a marking device mounted on said upper support member for movement in a preselected third direction which is perpendicular to said first and said second planes to a preselected position relative to said upper support member, and
means for selectively tilting said lower support member about a first axis which is parallel to said horizontal reference plane, said tilting being relative to said base to adjust a relative position of said marking device out of said path of said plurality of said objects.

5 more elements

Method for supporting a marking machine on a frame for movement into and out of position for marking the surface of an object which is at a fixed location relative to said frame, said object being one of a plurality of said objects being moved along a path relative to said frame to said fixed location for said marking and from said fixed location after said marking, said method comprising the steps of,

operably supporting said marking machine on said frame for movement into marking relation with said surface of said object at said fixed location to be marked,
moving said morking machine on said frame in a first direction toward said surface of said object and perpendicular thereto,
moving said marking machine on said frame in a second direction which is parallel to said surface and perpendicular to said first direction,
marking said surface of said object with said marking machine during said moving said marking machine in said second direction, and
angularly adjusting said marking machine on said frame after said marking to a stand-by position different from said position and out of said path of said plurality of said objects.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiple movement marking machine

Life of this patent

Multiple movement marking machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14