JP3646419B2 - Material transfer device and transfer method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for transferring an object to be processed in a manufacturing process, and in particular, to damage an object to be processed such as a ceramic molded body subjected to heat treatment such as sintering or binder removal or electrode forming. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transporting without any problem.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, a ceramic raw material powder or a powder obtained by adding an additive to the ceramic raw material is molded into a predetermined shape (hereinafter referred to as a workpiece) is placed in a heat treatment pod and heat treated in a heat treatment furnace. In the workpiece take-out step after this, the basket sent from the heat treatment furnace is reversed, and the workpiece subjected to the heat treatment in the basket is taken out by dropping into a predetermined container (receiving jig). The reversal of the heel may be performed manually, or may be performed automatically using a device such as a robot.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional take-out method as described above, when the heel is reversed and the work in the casket is dropped and taken out, the works come into contact with each other, or the work is in the receiving jig or already in the receiving jig. There is a problem in that it hits another workpiece falling on the surface, causing cracks or chipping. In particular, when the drop distance from the ridge to the receiving jig is large, the rate of occurrence of cracks and chips is high.
Careful and careful reversal of wrinkles by hand can reduce the incidence of cracking and chipping, but it is impractical due to reduced efficiency. Although it is possible to improve the apparatus so as to reduce the occurrence rate of cracks and chips, it is not practical because the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases as a result.
[0004]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides a workpiece transfer device and a transfer method that can be reliably taken out and transferred without damaging a workpiece while having a simple configuration. With the goal.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for transferring an object to be processed according to the present invention includes a container on which an object to be processed is placed, an upper part of which is opened (for example, a basket), the container being held, and one end pivotally supported. A container reversing mechanism having a mechanism for reversing the container by rotating the container, a belt conveyor provided with a cushioning material made of an elastic body under the conveying belt, and the container and the object to be processed by the container reversing mechanism. The belt is held in a position to be reached by reversing the belt so that the cushioning material is pressed against the object to be processed via the conveyor belt by rotating with one end pivotally supported. A conveyor reversing mechanism having a mechanism for reversing the conveyor, and a receiving jig that is provided on the conveying end side of the belt conveyor and receives the conveyed workpiece.
In such a configuration, the following operation is possible.
That is, with respect to the object to be processed placed on the container, the belt conveyor is reversed by the conveyor reversing mechanism, and the cushioning material is pressed against the object to be processed through the conveying belt. Then, while maintaining the pressing state, the object to be processed is reversed together with the container by the container reversing mechanism, and at the same time, the belt conveyor is re-reversed (reversed back) by the conveyor reversing mechanism. Thereafter, the container is removed and the object to be processed is left on the conveyor belt, thereby completing the transfer.
[0006]
In the above transfer device, the belt conveyor may have a tension release means for relaxing the tension of the conveyor belt. By loosening the tension, the cushioning material is not pushed back by the conveyor belt, so the pressing operation of the cushioning material through the conveyor belt is performed reliably.
[0007]
Further, in the above transfer device, a chute having a downward inclination angle such that the workpiece does not slide down due to gravity between the belt conveyor and the receiving jig, and vibration means (for example, a vibrator) for vibrating the chute, May be provided. In this case, only when the chute is vibrated, the workpiece is gradually slipped down and collected by the receiving jig.
[0008]
In the transfer apparatus, a lifting / lowering means for the receiving jig may be provided. The receiving jig can be lifted by such an elevating means, and the drop at the time of dropping of the workpiece can be reduced.
[0009]
Further, in the above transfer device, an end made of an elastic body, formed to have a predetermined length along the side edge of the conveying belt, protrudes toward the conveying belt surface side, and retreats from the conveying belt surface by a predetermined pressure. You may provide the guide plate which has a part. Such a guide plate moves backward during the pressing operation of the buffer material and does not get in the way, and after the object to be processed is transferred onto the conveying belt, the object to be processed falls from the side end of the conveying belt. To prevent.
[0010]
Further, in the above transfer device, it is provided at the lower part of the side end portion of the conveying belt adjacent to the cushioning material, and has a shape protruding from the surface of the cushioning material toward the conveying belt, and maintains the shape when not pressurized. In addition, a bank-like member made of a stretchable material that freely deforms when pressed may be further provided. Such a bank-shaped member inclines the side end of the conveyor belt on which the object to be processed is transferred, to prevent the object to be processed from dropping from the side end. Moreover, it deforms freely during the pressing operation of the buffer material, and absorbs changes in the dimensions of the container that accommodates the workpiece.
[0011]
On the other hand, the method for transferring an object to be processed according to the present invention includes an object stopping step of pressing a buffer material from above on an object to be processed placed on a container having an upper opening, and the object to be processed A reversing step for turning the whole object upside down on the conveyor belt while maintaining the pressing state by the object stopping step, and a reversing step for removing the reversed container upward and removing the reversed container. Leaving only the processed product on the conveyor belt. As a result, the object to be processed is inverted while being securely sandwiched between the container and the cushioning material via the conveying belt, and the object to be processed is transferred onto the conveying belt by removing the container.
[0012]
Further, in the processing object stopping step, the tension of the conveying belt may be loosened. Thus, the tension of the transport belt does not hinder the pressing operation of the buffer material, so that the buffer material is reliably pressed against the object to be processed through the transport belt.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a transfer device (hereinafter referred to as a work transfer device) for an object to be processed (ceramic molded body (work)) used for manufacturing a ceramic electronic component according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. This workpiece transfer device is used in a process of taking out a workpiece (hereinafter referred to as a workpiece) from a heat treatment furnace and transferring it to a receiving jig.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, the heel 2 on which the work 1 that has been subjected to the predetermined heat treatment in the previous process is placed is held by a heel holding jig 3. The scissor holding jig 3 includes a support base 11 on which the scissors 2 are placed and a chuck 12 that grips the scissors 2. The heel inversion mechanism 4 is a mechanism for inverting the heel holding jig 3 while holding the heel 2. The reversing mechanism 4 includes a shaft 13 that supports the support 11, a reversing drive motor 15 that applies a rotational force to the shaft 13 via a rotation transmission mechanism 14, and a clutch 16 that turns on and off the rotational force. Consists of. According to the rotation direction of the reverse drive motor 15, the reed 2 and the reed holding jig 3 are reversed in the direction of arrow A or re-reversed in the direction of arrow B.
[0015]
The belt conveyor 7 is pivotally supported on the base 18 by support means (not shown), and conveys the workpiece 1 to a predetermined position by the conveying belt 5. A buffer material 6 is provided at the lower part (inner side) of the conveyor belt 5. The buffer material 6 is an elastic body that can expand and contract, and is made of, for example, maltoprene having a hardness of 10 to 15 degrees. A tape having a low coefficient of friction, such as a Teflon tape, is attached to the surface of the cushioning material 6 in contact with the conveyor belt 5 for protection.
A conveyor reversing mechanism 8 for reversing the belt conveyor 7 includes a shaft 13 that supports a base 18, a reversing drive motor 15 that transmits a rotational force to the shaft 13 via a rotation transmitting mechanism 14, And a clutch 17 for turning on and off. The belt conveyor 7 reverses in the direction of arrow C or re-inverts in the direction of arrow D according to the rotation direction of the reverse drive motor 15.
[0016]
In addition to the driving pulley 20, the belt conveyor 7 includes a movable tension pulley 21 as a tension releasing means. When the tension pulley 21 is moved in the conveying direction of the conveying belt 5, the tension increases. Tension can be relaxed by moving in the direction opposite to the conveying direction.
The receiving jig 9 is a container that collects the workpiece 1 conveyed to a predetermined position by the belt conveyor 7.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the configuration between the belt conveyor 7 and the receiving jig 9 and the lifting mechanism 25 of the receiving jig 9 shown in FIG.
Although omitted in FIG. 1, a chute 22 is provided between the belt conveyor 7 and the receiving jig 9. The chute 22 is provided with guide portions 23 along both side edges, and has a relatively small downward inclination angle such that the workpiece 1 does not slide down naturally due to gravity. When the chute 22 is vibrated by the vibrator 24, the work 1 gradually slides down due to the vibration and gravity.
The receiving jig 9 can be raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 25. When receiving the workpiece 1 from the conveyor belt 5, the receiving jig 9 is raised to shorten the dropping distance of the workpiece 1 as much as possible so that the workpiece 1 is not damaged by the impact of dropping. As the elevating mechanism 25, a mechanism using a linear motor is used.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a guide plate 26 (not shown in FIG. 1) mounted on the base 18 and provided along the side edge of the belt conveyor 7. FIG. It is sectional drawing in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the belt 5 for conveyance of the base 18, the guide plate 26, etc. in the state which the conveyor 7 reversed and moved to the upper direction of the cage | basket 2. FIG. The guide plate 26 is made of, for example, spring steel having a thickness of 0.2 mm and rich in elasticity. The guide plate 26 is provided to prevent the work 1 from spilling down from the conveying belt 5. As shown in FIG. 4A, the guide plate 26 usually has a tip protruding from the surface of the conveying belt 5. The length of the protruding tip portion in the transport direction is shorter than the inner length of the flange 2 in the same direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the guide plate 26 is pushed into the cage 2, the leading end of the guide plate 26 moves backward from the surface of the conveyor belt 5, and the cushioning material 6 enters the inside of the cage 2. Can be held down.
[0019]
Next, in the workpiece transfer apparatus having the above-described configuration, the procedure for taking the workpiece 1 from the basket 2 sent from the previous process onto the conveyor belt 5 and further transferring it to the receiving jig 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.
(1) Wrinkle setting step First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 (a), the wrinkle 2 on which the work 1 sent automatically or manually from the previous step is placed is placed on the support base 11. Place and grip with chuck 12.
(2) Work stopping step Next, the belt reversing mechanism 8 is used to reverse the belt conveyor 7 in the direction of arrow C and move it above the reed 2. At the same time, the tension pulley 21 is moved to loosen the conveying belt 5. In this way, with the conveying belt 5 loosened, the cushioning material 6 is pressed against all the workpieces 1 in the basket 2 via the conveying belt 5 as shown in FIG. Due to the presence of the buffer material 6, the work 1 is in close contact with the conveying belt 5 without receiving excessive pressure.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the guide plate 26 is pushed backward relative to the flange 2 and does not prevent the workpiece 1 from being held down.
[0020]
{Circle around (3)} Reversing step Then, the belt conveyor 7 and the wrinkle holding jig 3 are reversed integrally while keeping the state in which the cushioning material 6 holds all the work 1 together with the belt 5. At this time, both the clutches 16 and 17 shown in FIG. 1 are in the “ON” state. The state after inversion is shown in FIG.
(4) Jig re-inversion step Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), only the eaves holding jig 3 is re-inverted and the eaves 2 are removed. The work 1 remains on the conveyor belt 5. Next, the tension pulley 21 is moved in the direction of arrow F to return to the original position, and a predetermined tension is applied to the conveying belt 5. As a result, the slack of the bite trace of the heel 2 is extended and the conveying belt 5 is stretched with a predetermined tension.
At this time, the guide plate 26 protrudes again from the conveying belt 5 to prevent the work 1 from spilling down, as shown in FIG. 4A (inverted upside down).
[0021]
(5) Conveying Step Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the belt conveyor 7 is started and the conveying belt 5 is run to convey the workpiece 1 to a predetermined position.
(6) Workpiece receiving process The work 1 conveyed to a predetermined position by the conveying belt 5 slides down the vibrating chute 22 by the vibrator 24 (FIG. 2), and rises to stand by the receiving jig 9 waiting. Is received without shock.
[0022]
Thus, in this invention, since the workpiece | work 1 in the cage | basket 2 is hold | maintained and handled between the cage | basket 2 and the buffer material 6, the workpiece | work 1 is not dropped or damaged.
[0023]
Next, a workpiece transfer apparatus according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of a workpiece transfer apparatus according to another embodiment. Since the workpiece transfer apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration around the belt conveyor 31, only the configuration around the belt conveyor 31 will be described. However, in this embodiment, the guide plate 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4) in the first embodiment is not necessary.
In FIG. 7, a bank-like member 32 is formed adjacent to the outer side of the cushioning material 6 installed at the lower part of the conveying belt 5 so as to incline both end portions of the conveying belt 32 upward.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the workpiece 1 transfer process. The buffer material 6 is made of a stretchable elastic body (for example, maltoprene having a hardness of 10 to 15 degrees), and the bank-like member 32 provided adjacent to both outer sides thereof is a stretchable elastic body (for example, a hardness of 10 to 15). The inner bank portion 33 made of maltoprene and an outer bank portion made of a stretchable elastic body (for example, neoprene rubber having a hardness of 25 degrees). As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8D, when not pressed by the ridge 2, the bank-like member 32 has a shape protruding from the surface of the cushioning material 6 toward the conveying belt 5. The buffer material 6 and the bank-like member 32 are attached on a common base 35.
[0024]
Next, in the workpiece transfer apparatus of the second embodiment having the above configuration, the procedure for taking the workpiece 1 from the basket 2 onto the conveyor belt 5 and further transferring it to the receiving jig 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain. The (1) 匣 setting process, (5) conveying process, and (6) work receiving process in the first embodiment are the same in this embodiment, so the description in the first embodiment is used here. 2) Work stopping process, (3) Reversing process, and (4) Jig re-reversing process will be described.
{Circle around (2)} Work Stopping Step With the reversing operation of the belt conveyor 31, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the cushioning material 6 moves onto the bag 2 on which the work 1 is placed. At this time, the tension of the conveyor belt 5 is relaxed. As shown in (b), when the cushioning material 6 is pressed against the ridge 2 together with the conveying belt 5, the bank-like member 32 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral portion of the ridge 2 and contracts and retracts. In this way, the buffer material 6 and the conveyor belt 5 are pressed against the entire workpiece 1 in the basket 2. At this time, even if there is some variation in the dimensions of the ridge 2 due to thermal deformation, the bank-like member 32 absorbs the variation, so that all the workpieces 1 in the ridge 2 can be reliably stopped.
[0025]
{Circle around (3)} Reversing Step Subsequently, when the belt conveyor 31 and the hook holding jig 3 are reversed together, the vertical relationship between the cushioning material 6 and the hook 2 is reversed as shown in FIG.
(4) Jig Re-Reversing Step Next, only the hook holding jig 3 is reversed again, and the hook 2 is removed as shown in (d) of FIG. The bank-like member 32 returns to its original shape with the withdrawal of the eaves 2 and protrudes to the surface side of the conveyor belt 5 so that both end portions of the conveyor belt 5 are inclined upward to form a bank-like or guide-like shape. . In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the conveying belt 5 is made to be a channel shape with both end portions directed obliquely upward. Thus, the work 1 exposed on the conveyor belt 5 is prevented from spilling from the side end. Therefore, when the work 2 is removed, even when the work 1 falls down due to vibration caused by the reaction force of the buffer material 6, it does not fall down and remains reliably on the conveyor belt 5.
[0026]
Thereafter, the conveyor belt 5 travels and the work 1 is carried to a predetermined position. The surface of the cushioning material 6 that comes into contact with the conveying belt 5 is attached with a tape having a low coefficient of friction such as a Teflon tape to protect the surface.
[0027]
In addition, although each said embodiment demonstrated regarding the process after taking out a workpiece | work from a heat processing furnace, it can implement similarly in another process. In short, the present invention can be applied to all cases where a workpiece is transported or taken in / out, and in that case, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Also, the workpiece can be similarly implemented even if it is of a type / material other than those related to ceramic electronic components.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention configured as described above has the following effects.
[0029]
A container reversing mechanism having a mechanism for reversing a container on which an object is placed and a conveyor reversing mechanism having a mechanism for reversing a belt conveyor provided with a cushioning material made of an elastic material at the lower portion of the conveyor belt are provided. Therefore, by reversing the belt conveyor, the cushioning material is pressed against the object to be processed through the conveying belt and stably held, and then the object is transferred onto the conveying belt by removing the container by turning it upside down. . Therefore, the processing object is not dropped during the transfer and the processing objects are not in contact with each other, and it is possible to reliably prevent the processing object from being cracked or chipped.
[0030]
Further, when the belt conveyor is provided with a tension releasing means for loosening the tension of the conveying belt, the cushioning material is not pushed back by the conveying belt by loosening the tension. Therefore, the pressing operation of the cushioning material through the conveying belt is reliably performed, and the processing object can be more reliably prevented from dropping or contacting.
[0031]
In addition, if a chute having a downward inclination angle is provided between the belt conveyor and the receiving jig so that the workpiece does not slide down due to gravity and the chute is vibrated by the vibration means, the chute is vibrated. For the first time, the workpiece is gradually slipped down and collected by the receiving jig. Accordingly, since the object to be processed does not fall vigorously, the impact at the moment when the object to be processed is collected by the receiving jig can be weakened and damage to the object to be processed can be prevented.
[0032]
In addition, when the lifting jig is provided in the receiving jig, the receiving jig can be raised to reduce a drop when the workpiece is dropped, so that the workpiece can be prevented from being damaged.
[0033]
In addition, when a guide plate made of an elastic body, protruding to the surface side along the edge of the conveying belt and having an end that recedes from the surface of the conveying belt by a predetermined pressure, is pressed against the cushioning material. During operation, the product is moved back and does not get in the way, and after the object to be processed is transferred onto the conveying belt, the side end of the conveying belt is lifted and the object to be processed falls from the side end of the conveying belt. To prevent. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of the transfer of the object to be processed and to prevent damage due to dropping.
[0034]
Also, a bank-like shape made of a material having a shape protruding from the surface of the cushioning material toward the conveying belt, maintaining the shape when not pressurized, and freely deforming when pressurized When the member is provided in the lower part of the side end portion of the conveying belt adjacent to the cushioning material, the bank-like member is inclined upward on the side end portion of the conveying belt on which the workpiece is transferred. Prevents the workpiece from dropping from the side edge. Further, since the buffer material is deformed freely during the pressing operation of the buffer material to absorb the change in the dimensions of the container that accommodates the workpiece, the workpiece is reliably pressed against the buffer material. Therefore, the certainty of the transfer of the object to be processed can be improved.
[0035]
In addition, a workpiece stopping step for pressing a buffer material from above through a conveyor belt on a workpiece placed in a container having an opening at the top, and a vertical state while maintaining the pressing state by the workpiece stopping step. A reversing step of reversing and placing the object to be processed together with the container on the conveying belt, and a step of removing the reversed container upward and leaving only the object to be treated on the conveying belt According to the method for transferring an object to be processed, the object to be processed is reversed while being securely sandwiched between the container and the cushioning material via the conveyor belt, and the object to be processed is removed by removing the container. It is transferred onto a conveyor belt. Therefore, it is possible to perform reliable transfer without damaging the object to be processed even though the number of delivery steps is small.
[0036]
In addition, if the tension of the conveyor belt is loosened in the processing object stopping step, the tension of the conveyor belt does not hinder the pressing operation of the cushioning material, so the cushioning material is reliably treated via the conveyor belt. Pressed against things. Accordingly, the object to be processed can be reliably held and transferred.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a main part of a workpiece transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a detailed configuration around a receiving jig in the same embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a configuration of a guide plate provided on a side edge of the conveyance belt in the embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the protrusion / retraction operation of the guide plate shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the main part in the workpiece transfer process in the embodiment in order of processes.
6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the main part in the work transfer process, following FIG. 5, in the order of the processes.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of a workpiece transfer apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the main part in the workpiece transfer process by the workpiece transfer apparatus of another embodiment of FIG. 7 in the order of steps.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work 2 匣 3 匣 Holding jig 4 匣 Reversing mechanism 5 Conveying belt 6 Buffer material 7, 31 Belt conveyor 8 Conveyor inverting mechanism 9 Receiving jig 21 Tension pulley 22 Chute 24 Vibrator 25 Elevating mechanism 26 Guide plate 35 Dyke-shaped member

Claims (8)

A container on which an object to be processed is placed, and an upper portion thereof is opened;
A container reversing mechanism having a mechanism for holding the container and reversing the container by rotating with one end pivotally supported;
A belt conveyor provided with a cushioning material made of an elastic body at the bottom of the conveyor belt;
The container reversing mechanism holds the conveyance belt at a position where the container and the object to be processed are to be reversed, and one end is pivotally supported so that the cushioning material is interposed via the conveyance belt. A conveyor reversing mechanism having a mechanism for reversing the belt conveyor so as to be pressed against the object to be processed;
A receiving jig which is provided on the conveying end side of the belt conveyor and receives the conveyed workpiece;
An apparatus for transferring an object to be processed. The apparatus for transferring an object to be processed according to claim 1, wherein the belt conveyor has tension release means for releasing the tension of the conveyor belt. A chute having a downward inclination angle such that a workpiece does not slide down due to gravity and vibration means for vibrating the chute are provided between the belt conveyor and the receiving jig. The apparatus for transferring an object according to 1. The apparatus for transferring an object to be processed according to claim 1, further comprising lifting means for lifting the receiving jig. A guide made of an elastic body, having a predetermined length along a side edge of the conveying belt, protruding toward the surface of the conveying belt, and having an end that is retracted from the surface of the conveying belt by a predetermined pressure. The apparatus for transferring an object to be processed according to claim 1, further comprising a plate. Provided at the lower portion of the side end of the conveyor belt adjacent to the cushioning material, having a shape protruding from the surface of the cushioning material toward the conveyor belt, maintaining the shape when not pressurized, and The apparatus for transferring an object to be processed according to claim 1, further comprising a bank-shaped member made of a stretchable material that freely deforms when pressurized. A processing object stopping step of pressing a cushioning material from above on a processing object placed in a container having an upper opening,
A reversing step in which the processing object is turned upside down while maintaining the pressed state by the processing object stopping step, and the processing object is turned down with the container on the conveyor belt;
Removing the inverted container upward and leaving only the object to be processed on the conveyor belt;
A method for transferring an object to be processed. 2. The method for transferring an object to be processed according to claim 1, wherein, in the object stopping step, the tension of the conveyor belt is relaxed.

Images