Combination transfer/turnover machine

A combination transfer/turnover apparatus for transferring parts between first and second presses while inverting the part about a horizontal axis, said apparatus comprising a unit suspended from an overhead support structure between the two presses, said unit including:

• a movable carriage spaced above the floor;
• carriage drive means for moving the carriage along generally rectilinear horizontal and vertical paths during transfer of the parts between presses;
• a horizontally extending bar connected to the carriage and movable therewith;
• a first deposit station adjacent the first press;
• a second deposit station located between the first deposit station and second press;
• first transfer arm means carried on one end of the bar, said first transfer arm means for picking up a part from the first press and transferring it to the first deposit station;
• second transfer arm means located on the opposite end of the bar from the first transfer arm means, said second transfer arm means for picking up a part from the second deposit station and placing it in the second press;
• turnover means carried by the bar between the first and second transfer arm means, said turnover means for picking up a part at the first deposit station, inverting it and depositing it at the second deposit station;
• and
• said carriage drive means being suspended above the deposit stations and being operative to rectilinearly raise, horizontally rectilinearly move, and rectilinearly lower the first transfer arm, second transfer arm and third means during said picking up and depositing of said parts, for the transfer of said parts from the first machine, first deposit station, and second deposit station to the first deposit station, second deposit station, and the second machine, respectively

A method of transferring a part between a first machine and a second machine for performing sequential operations on the part, said method comprising:

• suspending a transfer apparatus from overhead support structure between the first and second machines, said apparatus including a horizontally and vertically moveable bar to which first and second transfer arms are connected at opposite ends and a turnover mechanism connected to the bar between the transfer arms;
• providing a first deposit station adjacent the first machine;
• providing a second deposit station between the first deposit station and the second machine;
• moving the bar towards the first machine until the first transfer arm is adjacent the first machine, the turnover mechanism is located above the first deposit station and the second transfer arm located above the second deposit station;
• inserting the first transfer arm into the first machine;
• lowering the bar;
• using the first transfer arm, said turnover mechanism and said second transfer arms to hold parts located in the first machine, respectively;
• lifting the bar and moving it towards the second machine;
• using the turnover mechanism to invert the part held by it as the bar travels towards the second machine;
• inserting the second transfer arm into the second machine;
• lowering the bar;
• and
• releasing the parts from the first transfer arm, the turnover mechanism and second transfer arm to deposit the parts in the first deposit station, second deposit station and second machine, respectively.