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US 6,637,097 B2Granted
System and method for processing elongate workpieces
OwnerToshiharu Miyanoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for processing elongate workpieces. The system consists of a first machining unit for performing a first processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a first location and a second machining unit for performing a second processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location. The system further consists of a first supply unit on which a plurality of elongate workpieces can be placed in a stored position. A transfer assembly engages an elongate workpiece in a stored position and selectively delivers an elongate workpiece engaged by the transfer assembly to one of the first and second locations.
Claims36
A system for processing elongate workpieces, said system comprising:
- a first machining unit for performing a first processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a first location;
- a second machining unit for performing a second processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- a first supply unit on which a plurality of elongate workpieces can be placed in a stored position;
- and
- a transfer assembly to engage an elongate workpiece in the stored position and selectively deliver an elongate workpiece engaged by the transfer assembly selectively to one of the first and second locations, the transfer assembly comprising first and second inclined surfaces which guide elongate workpieces moving under gravitational forces along the first and second inclined surfaces between the supply toward the first and second machining units.
2 more elements
A system for processing elongate workpieces, said system comprising:
- a first machining unit for performing a first processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a first location;
- a second machining unit for performing a second processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- a first supply unit on which a plurality of elongate workpieces can be placed in a stored position;
- and
- a transfer assembly to engage an elongate workpiece in the stored position and selectively deliver an elongate workpiece engaged by the transfer assembly selectively to one of the first and second locations,
- wherein the transfer assembly comprises a shuttle assembly which is vertically movable between a first position from where an elongate workpiece on the shuttle assembly can be delivered to the first location and a second position from where an elongate workpiece on the shuttle assembly can be delivered to the second location,
- wherein the transfer assembly comprises a first loading unit for directing elongate workpieces from the stored position to a holding position on the shuttle assembly,
- wherein the shuttle assembly comprises an elongate workpiece holder that is repositionable between a conveying position and a first transfer position,
- the system further comprising a first guide surface to which an elongate workpiece in the holding position can be delivered and guided toward the first location with the shuttle assembly in the first position.
6 more elements
A system for processing elongate workpieces, said system comprising:
- a first machining unit for performing a first processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a first location;
- a second machining unit for performing a second processing operation on an elongate workpiece that is situated at a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- a first supply unit on which a plurality of elongate workpieces can be placed in a stored position;
- and
- a transfer assembly to engage an elongate workpiece in the stored position and selectively deliver an elongate workpiece engaged by the transfer assembly selectively to one of the first and second locations,
- wherein the transfer assembly comprises a first guide surface which is inclined so as to guide elongate workpieces from the first supply unit toward the first location and a second guide surface which is inclined so as to guide elongate workpieces from the first supply unit toward the second location.
3 more elements
A method for processing elongate workpieces, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of elongate workpieces on a first supply unit;
- delivering a first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first location by causing the first elongate workpiece to move under gravitational force between the first supply unit toward the first location;
- performing a first processing operation on the first elongate workpiece at the first location;
- delivering a second elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location by causing the second elongate workpiece to move under gravitational force from the first supply unit toward the second location;
- and
- performing a second processing operation on the second elongate workpiece at the second location.
3 more elements
A method for processing elongate workpieces, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of elongate workpieces on a first supply unit;
- delivering a first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first location;
- performing a first processing operation on the first elongate workpiece at the first location;
- delivering a second elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- performing a second processing operation on the second elongate workpieces at the second location;
- removing the first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit;
- and
- blocking removal of another of the plurality of elongate workpieces from the first supply unit.
5 more elements
A method for processing elongate workpieces, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of elongate workpieces on a first supply unit;
- delivering a first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first location;
- performing a first processing operation on the first elongate workpiece at the first location;
- delivering a second elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- and
- performing a second processing operation on the second elongate workpiece at the second location,
- wherein the step of delivering the first elongate workpiece comprises delivering the first elongate workpiece to against a first inclined guide surface so that the first elongate workpiece moves against the first inclined guide surface under the force of gravity toward the first location.
4 more elements
A method for processing elongate workpieces, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of elongate workpieces on a first supply unit;
- delivering a first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first location;
- performing a first processing operation on the first elongate workpiece at the first location;
- delivering a second elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- performing a second processing operation on the second elongate workpiece at the second location,
- wherein the step of storing a plurality of elongate workpieces comprises storing a plurality of workpieces on an inclined feeding surface so that the plurality of elongate workpieces are urged by gravitational forces into an accumulated state one against the other;
- guiding the first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first workpiece holder;
- and
- repositioning the first workpiece holder to thereby direct the first elongate workpiece from the first workpiece holder toward the first location.
6 more elements
A method for processing elongate workpieces, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of elongate workpieces on a first supply unit;
- delivering a first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first location;
- performing a first processing operation on the first elongate workpiece at the first location;
- delivering a second elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- performing a second processing operation on the second elongate workpiece at the second location,
- wherein the step of storing a plurality of elongate workpieces comprises storing a plurality of workpieces on an inclined feeding surface so that the plurality of elongate workpieces are urged by gravitational forces into an accumulated state one against the other;
- guiding the first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first workpiece holder,
- directing a third elongate workpiece past the first workpiece holder to a second workpiece holder;
- and
- repositioning the second workpiece holder to thereby direct the third elongate workpiece from the second workpiece holder toward a third location.
7 more elements
A method for processing elongate workpieces, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of elongate workpieces on a first supply unit;
- delivering a first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first location;
- performing a first processing operation on the first elongate workpiece at the first location;
- delivering a second elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a second location that is vertically spaced from the first location;
- performing a second processing operation on the second elongate workpiece at the second location,
- wherein the step of storing a plurality of elongate workpieces comprises storing a plurality of workpieces on an inclined feeding surface so that the plurality of elongate workpieces are urged by gravitational forces into an accumulated state one against the other;
- guiding the first elongate workpiece from the first supply unit to a first workpiece holder;
- placing the first workpiece holder in a holding state
- directing the first elongate workpiece into a holding position on the first workpiece holder;
- changing the first workpiece holder from the holding state into a release state;
- and
- repositioning the first workpiece holder so that with the first workpiece holder in the release state the first elongate workpiece is directed toward the first location.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.