US 5,452,981 A · Automatic tool changer

Abstract

A production line which includes a shuttle conveyor extending between two work stations. A first transfer device for transferring a workpiece from one of the work stations to the conveyor and a second transfer device for transferring the workpiece to the second work station all equipped with workpiece gripping or supporting devices which may be rapidly changed when the line is shifted from the production of one form of workpiece to the production of another workpiece having a different configuration. Replacement workpiece gripping devices are supported adjacent the shuttle conveyor upon holding pedestals. Upon line changeover, the transfer devices locate their workpiece gripping devices upon empty holding pedestals and actuating devices on the pedestal release the gripping devices from their transfer devices. The empty transfer devices are then shifted and coupled to new workpiece gripping devices supported on other holding pedestals. The transfer device includes the ability for adjustment of the article engaging devices in three directions.

Claims22

Dependent claims

In a production line adapted to be changed over from production of panel-like workpieces of a first configuration to the production of panel-like workpieces of a second configuration, said production line including a first work station and a second work station, and workpiece handling means for transferring workpieces from said first station to said second station along a flow path, the improvement wherein said workpiece handling means comprises:

a bridge structure supported between said first and second work stations;
means for moving said bridge structure normal to the flow path between said first and second work stations;
independently operable power lift devices carried by said bridge structure;
shuttle conveyor means for reciprocally moving along the flow path, said shuttle conveyor means carried by said independently operable power lift devices to selectively raise and lower said shuttle conveyor means;
workpiece gripping means carried by said shuttle conveyor means, said shuttle conveyor means being extendable to position said workpiece gripping means into the first work station for engaging a workpiece disposed therein and for moving said workpiece from said first work station to said second work station and for positioning said workpiece therein, said bridge structure and power lift devices being movable in timed relationship to the movement of said shuttle conveyor means so as to transfer said workpiece from said first work station to said second work station.

2 more elements

In a production line adopted to be changed over from production of workpieces of a first panel-like configuration to the production of workpieces of a second panel-like configuration, said production line including a first work station and a second work station, and workpiece handling means for transferring workpieces from said first station to said second station along a flow path, the improvement wherein said workpiece handling means comprises:

a first elongated bridge member and a second elongated bridge member having first and second ends and extending longitudinally along said flow path between said first work station and said second work station, said first and second elongated bridge members extending parallel with respect to one another and parallel with respect to said flow path;
and
shuttle conveyor means supported from said first elongated bridge member and said second elongated bridge member for reciprocally moving a single end effector from a first end limit of travel extending along said flow path beyond said first end of said first elongated bridge member and said second elongated bridge member to a second end limit of travel extending along said flow path beyond said second end of said first elongated bridge member and said second elongated bridge member said single end effector for releasably connecting to at least one workpiece while unloading at said first work station, for transporting said at least one workpiece between said first and second work stations, and for loading said at least one workpiece at said second work station.

In a production line adapted to be changed over from production of workpieces of a first panel-like configuration to the production of workpieces of a second panel-like configuration, said production line including a first work station and a second work station, and workpiece handling means for transferring workpieces from said first station to said second station along a flow path, the improvement wherein said workpiece handling means comprises:

a first elongated bridge member and a second elongated bridge member for unloading said workpiece from said first work station, for shuttling said workpiece between said first and second work stations, and for loading said workpiece at said second work station, said first and second elongated bridge members extending parallel with respect to one another and parallel with respect to said flow path and having a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second work stations along said flow path and at least one end effector reciprocally movable along said longitudinal axis for connecting to said workpiece;
and
interchangeable, workpiece gripping means connectible to said end effector for selectively, releasably engaging said at least one workpiece during transport by said single means allowing automated changeover between production of said first and second panel-like configurations of workpieces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic tool changer

Life of this patent

Automatic tool changer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22