Flexible manufacturing unit
AssigneeWerner and Kolb Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH
InventorsHenning Genschow, Uwe Heisel, Joachim Schuster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a flexible manufacturing unit with at least two machine tools (1,2) and a transport device (9) movable in rectangular coordinates having receptacles for carriers (8) holding workpieces and for the tools (6). The invention consists in that the transport device (9) is numerically controlled, that the tools (6) are individually transportable between a tool buffer store (29) and the machine tools (1,2) and that tool magazines (5) integrated with the machine tools are provided, which tool magazines are also accessible for tool exchange during the working period of the machine tools (1,2). In this way, a rapid method of operation is possible which is independent of the cycle and permits free selection.
Claims17
Flexible manufacturing unit with at least two machine tools, a tool buffer store assigned to all machine tools, tool magazines, of which each is assigned to one machine tool adjoining it, and a single transport device for transporting tools and carriers, said transport device being movable in rectangular coordinates for individually transporting tools between the tool buffer store and the tool magazines and for the transport of work pieces fastened on the carriers, said unit being adapted to manufacture with random selection of tools and workpieces, said single transport device being developed in cross-portal construction and having a single gripping device for the tools and the carriers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.