JPH0218928B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates generally to transfer machines for progressively moving a workpiece through a series of processing stations of a machine, and more particularly to the 1964 It is an improvement on transfer devices of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,155,241, issued Nov. 3, 1967;

The transfer device of the present invention, like prior art devices,
It is designed to be used primarily with a press, etc., and is particularly suitable for use with a press, etc. The transfer device of the present invention operates essentially the same as prior art transfer devices, but has a significant Changes and modifications are incorporated and additional features include the ability to lift and transport workpieces from one station to the next.
This feature of lifting and transporting the workpiece allows it to be integrated into all of the processing stations, or only at selected processing stations, allowing the workpiece to be moved straight and laterally from one station to the other. It is uniquely designed to be used in conjunction with other transfer devices that are simply sliding or indexing.

The transfer device of the present invention moves a pair of opposed elongated workpiece gripping blades back and forth in a horizontal plane by first actuator means. These Jyo blades are arranged on either side of a series of processing stations and parallel to these processing stations, and in use, they are first moved horizontally inward towards the processing stations so that these Engage with the work piece in the station. These jaw blades are then indexed horizontally along the row of stations by second actuator means to advance the workpiece one station at a time. After all the workpieces have been advanced one station, the Jyo blade is released by the first actuator means to release the workpieces and then retracted to the starting position by the second actuator means. Both actuator means are of mechanical links suitably interconnected to be actuated by a ram, which is a common component of the press, so as to move the workpiece gripping jaw blades in the operating sequence described above. It is a form. Each of the transfer links has a rocking shaft that swings back and forth during operation of the actuator means, and the rocking motion of the rocking shaft is transmitted to the workpiece gripping jaw blade via cam means and cam follower means. be done.

An operational link necessarily exists between
Easy to cause vibration during use. Such vibrations associated with operation are not a problem when the press operates at a low speed of about 7 or 8 times per minute, but when the press operates at a fairly high speed, it becomes noticeable and can sometimes be a problem. This can lead to destruction. A major part of the concept of the invention is that such undesirable and destructive vibrations are forestalled by a braking mechanism attached to and cooperating with the rocking shaft of one or both of the working links. It's about discovering things. Placing one or more brake mechanisms at specific locations on the transfer device
The press can be satisfactorily operated at speeds up to several times faster than it could be operated without a brake mechanism. The improved transfer device of the present invention therefore significantly increases and improves plate manufacturing capacity.

As suggested above, the transfer device of the present invention comprises:
Its basic concept is to operate within a single horizontal plane. The Jyo blades first move inwardly to grip the workpieces, then move laterally to simultaneously slide the workpieces to adjacent stations, and then move apart to remove the workpieces; Finally, it is retracted to the initial starting position. however,
Due to the shape of the workpiece or the nature of the forming operations performed on the workpiece, it is difficult to slide the workpiece along the station from one station to the next at some or all of the stations; Or it may even be impossible. Conversely, the workpieces are transferred to the forming dies of one or several or all stations in order to transfer the workpieces to the adjacent station and then drop these workpieces onto the station's dies after reaching the adjacent station. It may be necessary to lift it out of the way. It is a special feature of the invention that the workpiece gripping Jyo blade can be modified as desired to incorporate lifting and transport features into all or selected stations. Thus, the workpiece can be slid from one station to the next by straight lateral movement of the Jyo blade, or as required by the shape of the workpiece and the particular forming operation. Workpieces can be lifted from a station and dropped into an adjacent station. In other words, a lift-and-carry transport can be integrated into all stations, i.e. a lift-and-carry transport can be used in combination with a straight-lateral transport. .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reference numeral 10 designates a standard punch press, which includes a plurality of lower die members 13, reference numerals 15, 16. ,17,1
It has a die show 12 which is supported at a series of stations designated 8, 19, 20, and 22 (see FIG. 2). Workpiece 14 is formed by die member 13 associated with an upper die member (not shown) supported by a punch shoe 24 which is driven in the conventional manner by a power ram. A portion of the power ram is designated by reference numeral 26. Punch show 24 is Ram 2
The work piece 14 is moved downward by the power of
is formed, and after the forming operation is completed, the punch shoe is retracted by a ram.

For the particular press 10 and workpiece illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the flat disk-shaped workpiece 14 is placed at a loading station 15 manually or by suitable automated means, and at a first processing station 16. A hole 28 is formed in its center. A centrally located upright collar 30 is formed at the second station 17. Parallel spaced slots 32 are formed on each side of the workpiece 14 at a third processing station 18 and at a fourth processing station 19 the portion of the workpiece between the slots 32 is bent downwardly. to form a depending tab 34. 5th processing station 2
0, an opening 36 is punched between the tabs 34 on both sides of the workpiece 14. The completed workpiece 14 is removed from the removal station 2 manually or by suitable automated means.
taken out from 2.

The transfer device of the present invention has die shakes 12 on both sides and at one end of the series of processing stations 15-22.
mounted on the press 10 and presses all workpieces 14
The ram 26 is operatively connected to the ram 26 to simultaneously advance one station within the press on each operation. More particularly, during its operation, the transfer device moves elongate jaw blades 38 and 40 located on opposite sides of processing stations 15-22 into first gripping engagement with workpiece 14 and then into ram 26. advances or retracts the workpiece one station at a time in the press, and as the ram moves downward and the dies work together, the transfer device separates the jaw blades 38 and 40 to release the workpiece. The Jyo blades are then retracted to their initial or starting position.

In order to explain the transfer mechanism in more detail, we will first explain the second
Pay attention to the diagram. In FIG. 2, the Jyo blade 38
is supported by a pair of parallel, spaced apart rods 42 and 44 which extend laterally away from the stations 15-22 and within elongated bearings 46 and 48, respectively. It is installed so that it can freely move back and forth. Joe blade 40 is similarly supported by a pair of rods 50 and 52 which slidably operate within elongated bearings 54 and 56. These two Jyo blades 38 and 40 are located at processing stations 15-22.
The inner edges of these blades are arcuate as indicated by the reference numeral 58. These arcuate portions 58 are spaced apart to receive and shaped to match the periphery of the workpiece 14 within the station. These Jyo blades 38 and 40 are placed on either side of the series of stations 15-22,
Because the arcs 58 are spaced the same distance apart as the station, each arc 58 will cause the jaw blade support rods 42, 44, and 50, 52 to advance in the bearings 46, 48 and 54, 56, i.e., the station. It will be seen that as it moves inwardly, it mates with and comes into gripping engagement with the edges of the associated workpiece within the station. In practice, the Jyo blades 38 and 40 move toward each other at the beginning of the transfer motion into gripping engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece 14, and these Jyo blades move the workpiece by the means described in detail below. After advancing one station in the machine, it is separated or moved apart to remove the workpiece. jiyo blade 38
and 40 are rods 42, 44, and 50, 52
actuator means 57 respectively arranged at the outer ends of the
and 59 into gripping engagement with the workpiece 14 and into disengagement thereof.

More specifically, the actuator means 57 associated with the Jyo blade 38 are connected to the stations 15-
a horizontal rocking shaft 60 disposed parallel to and spaced laterally to one side of 22;
has. Shaft 60 is mounted for pivotal movement in spaced bearings 62 and 64 fixed on die show 12 . Upright swing arm 6 fixed to both ends of swing shaft 60
6 and 68 support the horizontal bar 70. rod 4
Two spaced apart rollers 72 and 74 at the rear or outer ends of the rollers 72 and 74 closely receive the transverse bar 70 therebetween. Similarly, spaced apart rollers 76 and 78 on the outer end portions of rod 40 closely receive the bar between them. Rotating the oscillating shaft 60 in the bearings 62 and 64 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. act to slide rods 42 and 44 inwardly within bearings 46 and 48 to bring jaw blade 38 into gripping engagement with workpiece 14. Conversely, when the rocking shaft 60 is rotated counterclockwise, the outer rollers 72 and 7
6 acts to retract the Joe blade 38 to release the workpiece 14.

Similar means are provided for moving the jyo blade 40 associated with the other actuator means 59 into and out of gripping engagement with the workpiece 14. A rocking shaft 80 disposed parallel to and spaced laterally to the other side of the stations 15-22 is mounted in spaced bearings 82 and 84 fixed on the die show 12. installed. Upright swinging arms 86 and 88 fixed to both ends of swinging shaft 80 have their upper ends connected to horizontal bar 90.
is connected to. Spaced rollers 92 and 94 of rod 50 sandwich crossbar 90, and corresponding spaced rollers 96 and 98 of rod 52 similarly sandwich and closely receive crossbar 90, so that The rocking motion of rocking shaft 80 acts to slide rods 50 and 52 back and forth in bearings 54 and 56 via rollers 92, 94 and 96, 98, so that jaw blade 40 slides back and forth on workpiece 14. The workpiece is moved into gripping engagement with and out of the workpiece.

In practice, the rocking shafts 60 and 80 are rotated simultaneously by the two actuator means 57 and 59 at the beginning of the transfer operation, thereby moving the jyo blades 38 and 40 to the processing stations 15 to 22.
is advanced from both sides to grip and engage the work piece 14. After the workpiece 14 has been advanced one station within the machine by the means detailed above, the rocker shafts 60 and 80 are simultaneously actuated again in opposite directions to remove the jyo blades 38 and 40 from the workpiece.

The means for swinging the swing shaft 60 is as follows:
It has a cam bar 100 attached to and movable vertically with the actuator bar 102. Actuator bar 102 is supported by and depends from punch shoe 24 at the corners of the punch shoe, as best shown in FIG. A cam bar 100 extends laterally spaced downwardly from the swing arm 66 along the side thereof, and a cam slot 104 of the cam bar 100 is rotatably mounted on and connected to the clutch arm 108. It receives a cam follower roller 106 located laterally of the clutch arm. Clutch arm 108 is loosely attached to swing shaft 60 on the outside of swing arm 66.
Terminal portions 110 and 112 of cam slot 104
is arranged vertically within the cam bar 100,
These end portions are laterally offset from each other and are connected by diagonal slot portions 114. As best shown in FIG. 2, the upper end portion 110 is positioned adjacent the outer edge of the cam bar 100, and the intermediate portion 114 is angled downwardly and inwardly toward the processing stations 15-22. , the lower end portion 112 is located adjacent the inner edge of the cam bar.

Clutch mechanism 115 releasably interconnects swing arm 66 and clutch arm 108 for interoperability with swing shaft 60. More specifically, the spring loaded clutch member 116
engages a pin 118 supported by and projecting laterally from the swing arm 66. When the ram 26 is at the lower end of its working stroke, i.e. in its lowest position, the cam follower 1
06 is located at or adjacent to the upper end of the cam slot 104, and is located at the upper end portion 110 of the slot.
is at the outer edge of the cam bar 100, the rocker shaft 60 is at the limit of its rocker movement in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. It is pulled back and separated from the workpiece 14. Retracting the ram 26, ie, moving the ram 26 upwardly within the press, pulls the cam bar 100 upwardly with the ram 26, causing the cam follower 106
moves downward within the cam slot 104.

During the initial backward movement of the ram 26, the upper die supported by the punch shoe 24 is moved to the stations 15-22.
When moving the workpiece 14 away from and over the workpiece 14, the cam roller 106 moves into the cam slot 1 without any effect on the transfer device.
04 through the straight upper end portion 110.
However, after the first backward movement of ram 26,
The cam follower 106 enters the slanted intermediate portion 114 of the cam slot 104 and as it passes through the intermediate portion 114 it moves toward the right side, ie, toward the stations 15-22, and moves through the clutch arm 108 and the swing arm 66 to the swing shaft 60. Turn it clockwise as shown in the drawing. This causes the horizontal bar 70 to swing in the direction of the stations 15-22, and the rod 4
2 and 44 are advanced in the manner described above to bring jaw blade 38 into gripping engagement with adjacent edges of workpiece 14.

The clutch member 116 is spring-loaded against the pin 118 with sufficient force so that the clutch arm 1 remains in place except in the event of a failure, such as would occur if one of the workpieces were to dislodge from its processing station.
08 and swing arm 66 are always moved together simultaneously to slidably actuate the associated jyo blade assembly. In the event of a failure as described above, clutch member 116 releases pin 118, allowing the ram to complete its retraction movement without any effect on the transfer device, thereby resuming normal operation of the device. during operation to avoid damage to the transfer device.

Conversely, the cam follower 106 is located at or adjacent the bottom of the lower slot portion 112 and the ram 26 is at the upper limit of its stroke within the press 10;
and if the ram moves downward in its working stroke,
The cam roller 106 passes through the cam slot 104 and performs the operations described above in reverse order, causing the rocker shaft 60 to rotate counterclockwise to retract and retract the jaw blade 38 from the processing stations 15-22. Remove from work piece 14.

The parts of the transfer system associated with the Jyo blade 40 on the other side of the processing stations 15-22 are similarly operated to move the Jyo blade into and out of gripping engagement with the workpiece 14. Two actuator means 57
and 59 are similar in construction and operation, it is not necessary to describe the mechanism for actuating the Jyo blade 40 in detail to fully understand the construction and operation of the transfer device as a whole. Suffice it to say that a cam bar 120 similar to cam bar 100 is mounted to and actuated by ram 26 adjacent the rear left corner of ram 26. Cam bar 120 has a cam slot (not shown) similar to cam slot 104, and a cam roller (not shown) of clutch arm 122, which is loosely attached to rocker shaft 80, moves within the cam slot to connect rocker shaft 80. and swinging arms 86 and 88, swinging the horizontal bar 90, and slidably operating the rods 50 and 52 associated with the horizontal bar to move the Jyo blade 40 to the rows of stations 15-22. to or from these stations. Clutch arm 122 is removably attached to swing arm 86 by clutch mechanism 123 for interoperability with swing arm 86. More specifically, clutch arm 122 supports a clutch member 124 which is normally spring loaded to engage and retain pin 126 of swing arm 86.
Therefore, when the clutch arm is moved laterally by the cam and the cam follower, the actuator means 59
is simultaneously moved to reciprocate the Jyo blade assembly as described above.

The workpiece 14 is attached to the jyo assembly (i.e., jyo blades 38, 40, rods 42, 4) when the jyo blade is advanced into gripping engagement with the work piece.
4, 50, 52, and bearings 46, 48, 54, 5
6) is progressively indexed from station to station within the press 10 by moving the press 6) a distance equal to the distance between adjacent stations parallel to the rows of stations 15-22. For this purpose, two bearings 46 and 48 are fixed to transverse bearings 128 and 130. These bearings 128 and 130 are secured to a shaft 132 which is mounted for reciprocating movement within bearing blocks 134 and 136. These bearing blocks are attached to a stationary plate 137 that is part of the die show 12.
(See Figure 1). Similarly, bearings 54 and 56 are supported by and secured to transverse bearings 138 and 140 which are secured to the shaft 142. Shaft 142 is mounted for reciprocating movement within bearing blocks 144 and 146 which are fixed on stationary plate 137. Shafts 132 and 142 are interconnected at one end thereof by a transverse bar 148, and a laterally outwardly extending lug 150 located approximately centrally on the transverse bar includes an actuator means generally designated by the reference numeral 152. It is rotatably and slidably connected to.

Actuator means 152 is connected to housing 160
It is rotatably supported by spaced apart bearings 156 and 158 mounted therein. A housing 160 is secured on die show 12 at one end of processing stations 15-22.
A vertical support 162 is integrally formed with the housing 160 at one end thereof. A vertical passage 164 is formed on the outside of this vertical support 162;
A sliding body 166 is housed in this passage so as to be able to move vertically in translation. A vertical cam slot 168 (see FIG. 2) of slide 166 connects to a cam follower roller 170 laterally disposed at one end of a swing arm 172 (see FIG. 4) connected to swing shaft 154 by a key 174. accept. As best shown in FIG. 2, the cam slot 168 has vertical upper and lower end portions 176 and 178 that are staggered with respect to each other and are interconnected by an angled intermediate portion 180. There is.

1 and 2, it can be seen that the actuator means 152 is located to the right of the stations 15-22, with the upper end portion 176 of the cam slot 168 being offset to the right of the lower end portion 178. . Thus, moving slider 166 upwardly within passageway 164 causes cam follower 17
0 is the diagonal middle portion 180 of the cam slot 168
When passing through the cam follower 170, the swing arm 172 and the swing shaft 154 are moved to the second
It acts to rotate counterclockwise as seen in the figure. Conversely, when the slider 166 is moved downward, the cam follower 170 moves into the cam slot 16.
8, it acts via this cam follower 170 to rotate the swing arm 172 and the swing shaft 154 in the clockwise direction. Of course, if the cam follower 170 is moved within the upper end portion 176 and lower end portion 178 of the cam slot 168, the swing arm 1
72 and rocking shaft 154, i.e. does not operate them.

The sliding body 166 is connected to the actuator bar 182
(see FIG. 1) and a striking block 184 attached to and extending laterally inwardly from the actuator bar to the ram 2.
6. The striking block 184 is
It extends laterally into a vertically elongated recess 186 formed in the outer surface of slide 166 so as to be longitudinally and laterally coextensive with slot 168 . In the striking block 184, the ram 26 is
When at the lower limit position of its stroke within 0, the recess 1
86 at the lower end. During the initial upward movement of the ram 26, the striking block 184 moves to the top of the recess 186 without having any effect on the actuation of the actuator means 152. after that,
Continuous upward movement of the ram 26 causes the slide 166 to be lifted within the passageway 164 through the striking block 184, and as the slide is moved upwardly within the passageway, the cam follower 170 is moved into the cam slot 16.
8 and rotate the swing arm 172 and swing shaft 154 in a counterclockwise direction in the manner described above. Conversely, when ram 26 moves downward on its actuation stroke, its initial movement has no effect on actuator means 152. This is because the striking block 184 simply passes through the recess 186 of the slide 166. However, when the striking block 184 reaches the lower end of the recess 186, the sliding body 166 is moved into the passage 1.
64 to move the cam follower 170 upwardly in the cam slot 168 and rotate the swing arm 172 and swing shaft 154 in a clockwise direction.

The rocking movement of the rocking shaft 154 is controlled by a clutch arm 188 (see FIGS. figure,
and FIG. 4) to the horizontal bar 148. A clutch mechanism, generally designated 192, at the upper end of clutch arm 188 connects clutch arm 188 to a swing arm 194 loosely connected to swing shaft 154 between the clutch arm and the adjacent end of housing 160. Connect to. The roller 196 of the lug 150 of the horizontal bar is the swing arm 1
94 within a vertical passageway 198. Therefore, when the rocking shaft 154 is rocked in the counterclockwise direction, the jyo assembly is moved from the clutch arm 1
88, clutch mechanism 192, swing arm 194,
Via the roller 196, the transverse bar 148, and the two shafts 132 and 142, the whole is moved to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. In practice, this movement occurs when the jaw blades 38 and 40 are in gripping engagement with the workpiece 14, and the diagonal intermediate portion 180 of the cam slot 168 causes this movement.
In this case, the Jyo assembly and work piece are at station 15.
It is sized to move a distance equal to the spacing between ~22 adjacent stations. Thus, complete rocking of the rocking shaft 154 advances all workpieces 14 one station within the press 10. On the contrary, the swing shaft 1
Rocking 54 in a clockwise direction causes the jyo assembly to be moved the same distance to the right as viewed in the drawing via the same linkage specifically mentioned above. In practice, this movement occurs when the Joe blade assembly is retracted, ie, away from the workpiece 14.

For a detailed explanation of the clutch mechanism 192, attention is now directed to FIGS. 3 and 4. Clutch member 200 is slidably mounted below roller 196 within passageway 198 such that a compression spring 202 housed between the bottom of the passageway and the clutch member moves the clutch member into a normally raised or extended position. to hold. If desired, the upper and lower end portions of spring 202 are retained in sockets 204 and 206 at the lower end of clutch member 200 and the bottom of passageway 198 to allow clutch member 200 to move into passageway 198.
It is good to help keep it within 98. The roller 208 supported by the clutch arm 188 is typically located in an arcuate recess 2 at the top of the clutch member 200.
10 and is tightly pressed into engagement therewith by a compression spring 202. In practice, spring 202 is provided with sufficient force to releasably connect clutch arm 188 and swing arm 194 to actuate them relative to each other by swing shaft 154. Clutch member 200 is pressed against roller 208. However, if the transfer device encounters some obstruction during its indexing operation, roller 208
In order to disengage the clutch arm 188 from the swing arm 194 by disengaging it from its seating surface or arcuate recess 210 against the elastic action of the ram 26, the mechanical part actuated by the ram 26 is free to move without driving the transfer device. complete, thereby avoiding damage to the transfer device.

Although only the clutch mechanism 192 is shown in detail in this application, the clutch mechanism 115 that connects the swing arm 66 and the clutch arm 108 and the clutch mechanism 123 that connects the swing arm 86 and the clutch arm 122 have a structure and a structure. Operation is clutch mechanism 1
It is the same as 92.

As suggested above, Jiyo Blade 38
Providing a braking mechanism on one or more links of the various linkages operating the press 10 and 40 eliminates the need for undesirable vibrations that could destroy these linkages during transfer operations. An important part of the inventive concept of the present invention is the finding that it can be operated at significantly higher speeds than other devices. Index actuator 1
It is most important to incorporate a brake mechanism into 52. This is because this actuator provides the greatest movement of the jyo assembly and associated components, and also because the greatest bulk and weight is involved in indexing movement of the jyo assembly and workpiece 14.
On the other hand, the linkages 57 and 59 that move the jyo assembly into and out of engagement with the workpiece 14 are designed to move relatively short distances, and the bulk and weight of the moving parts is significantly reduced. small. Thus, the brake mechanism shown herein is incorporated only into index actuator 152.
However, if necessary or desirable, a similar braking mechanism may be installed on actuator 57.
and 59.

More specifically, the brake mechanism includes a support portion 21 extending laterally outwardly from the housing 160.
2 and a plate brake member 214 extending laterally outwardly of the clutch arm 188, the plate brake member 214 being slightly laterally spaced from the support. An elongate brake housing 216 of generally rectangular cross section is slidably mounted within a correspondingly shaped opening 218 in support 212 . The brake member 214 overlaps a portion of the opening 218, and the brake housing 216 is formed with a recess 220 for receiving the overlapping portion of the brake member. Furthermore, the recessed portion 220 is
14 allows the brake member to swing freely on clutch arm 188 without directly interfering with housing 216. However, member 2
The rocking motion of 14 is damped by brake shoes 222 and 224 located in opposing sockets 226 and 228 on opposite sides of recess 220. These brake shoes are located in sockets 228
a compression spring 230 located within and housed between the bottom of the socket and the brake shoe 224;
The brake member 214 comes into contact with both sides of the brake member 214 due to the action of the brake member 214 .

In operation, the brake housing 216 is inserted into the opening 21 to absorb irregularities in the brake member 214.
It can slide freely back and forth within the spring 2.
30, the brake member 214 is connected to the clutch arm 1
88, the brake shoe 222
and 224 are always firmly pressed into engagement with the brake member 214. Brake shoe 222 and 2
The pressure that 24 exerts on the brake member 214 is equal to
That is, the specific interaction between the brake shoe and the brake member is prevented during the upward and downward movement of the slide 166, thereby eliminating any lost movement between the interconnected and relatively movable parts of the actuator means 152. , forcing the cam follower 170 into engagement with one side or the other of the cam slot 168. According to experience, this brake mechanism allows the press 10 to:
It is possible to operate at considerably higher speeds without causing undesirable and destructive vibrations of the transfer device. Furthermore, experience has shown that in relatively large and heavy transfer devices, the brake mechanism is
Although it is desirable to have all 52, a single brake mechanism associated with only the linkage 152 may be appropriate in relatively lightweight transfer devices.

The operation of the press 10 and the transfer device of the present invention in conjunction with the press will now be briefly described. FIG. 1 shows the transfer device with the press in its fully lowered position and in completed operation. Operation of the transfer device begins when the ram 26 is pulled upwards. This lifting action moves the cam bars 100 and 120 and the striking block 184 attached to the punch shoe 24 upward.
However, because of the rest area provided by the upper cam slot portion 110 of the cam slot 104 and the recess 186 of the slide 166, this initial movement does not activate the transfer device. The cam surfaces of the intermediate portions 114 of the cam slots of the two actuator means 57 and 59 contact cam followers mounted on the clutch arms 108 and 122 to urge the transverse bars 70 and 90 inwardly toward the stations 15-22. The first movement of the transfer operation begins when the Joe blades 38 and 40 are brought into gripping engagement with the workpiece 14. The forward indexing motion causes the resting area provided by the recess 186 of the slide 166 to hit the striking block 184.
It is done after passing. Blow block 184
does not reach the end of the recess and begin lifting slide 166 until Joe blades 38 and 40 have gripped workpiece 14. however,
As soon as slider 166 begins to rise, cam slot 168 forces cam follower 170 to the left as viewed in FIG. 2, causing clutch arm 188 and swing arm 194 to swing in the same direction. Swing arm 19
4 indexes the jyo assembly by driving the rollers 196 and the cross bar 148 to the left when rotating counterclockwise in the manner described above, so that the workpiece 14 gripped by the jyo assembly is indexed into the press 10. Move the stations one by one. The brake mechanism shown in Figure 3 is
It is a means for retaining roller 170 against cam slot 168 and also for controlling movement between other interconnected relatively movable parts of the actuator link that rock or vibrate the mechanism in use. This is a means to avoid this. Because the brake housing 216 is not fixed to a support, the brake pads 222 and 224 are in constant contact with the brake member 214. The forward transport of the workpiece is completed on the final stroke of the upward stroke of the ram 26.

After completing the pressing operation on the work piece, the ram 26
starts moving downwards and the movement of the transfer device is reversed. Cam bars 100 and 120 force the jyo assembly apart to separate jyo blades 38 and 40 from workpiece 14. The slide 166 is moved downwardly to move the cam follower 196 to the right as viewed in FIG. 2, returning the crossbar 148 and jaw assembly to the original starting position.

As indicated above, the lifting and transporting mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be incorporated into the transfer device as a special feature. In Figures 6 and 7, the lifting and transport mechanism is illustrated for only one station, but similar equipment may be installed for all stations or for any selected station, depending on the exigencies of the particular situation. It will be readily understood that it may be provided in several stations or at any location on the station. In cases where the shape of the workpiece makes it difficult or impossible to simply index it slidably, as in the device configurations described above,
Typically, equipment is required to lift and transport the workpiece 14 from one station to the next.

According to the invention, the lifting and transporting device comprises:
It has laterally spaced upright mounting brackets 232 and 234 which are attached by welding or the like to the jyo blade (here shown as jyo blade 40 for illustrative purposes). It will therefore be readily understood that whenever it is necessary to lift the workpiece 14 from the station, lifting devices are provided on both the jaw blades 38 and 40 facing each other. If a lifting device is used, the Jyo blade does not need to have a workpiece engagement arcuate cutout 58 at the station where the lifting device is mounted. In such cases, mounting brackets 232 and 234 are positioned rearwardly of the jyo blade and the portion of the jyo blade that extends forward of the brackets is designated by reference numeral 2.
A notch is made as shown at 36 to provide space for the work piece 14. Thus, Jiyo Blade 3
The lifting device supporting portions 8 and 40 serve merely as supports for the lifting device, rather than as jaws that engage and hold the workpiece 14.

The lifting device is shown at the processing station in alignment with bearing 54, with a third mounting bracket 238 secured to bearing 54 directly behind bracket 234, such as by welding. However, it will be readily understood from this that a suitable support for the bracket 238 will be provided on the shaft 142 if the lifting device is provided at another station.

The Joe blade 240 extends between the two front brackets 232 and 234 and between the rear bracket 238.
The portion of the Joe blade extending forward of the front brackets 232 and 234 is provided with a recess 242 at its leading edge for receiving the peripheral edge of the workpiece 14. Front mounting brackets 232 and 23
cam roller 2 spaced apart from
44 and 246 are free to rotate on pins 248 and 250. These pins 248 and 250 extend laterally to the rollers, and their protrusions are press-fit into appropriate openings in mounting brackets 232 and 234. roller 246
are positioned above and behind rollers 244, both rollers operating within a single cam slot 252 in the jaw blade 240. Cam slot 252 is straight, but slanted upward and rearward like rollers 244 and 246 and at the same angle. A third cam roller 254 is freely rotatably mounted and retained on a laterally extending pin 256 of the roller. The pin extension cuts into and is retained by rear mounting bracket 238. The roller 254 is attached to a rear mounting bracket 238 at the rear of the Joe blade 240.
within an L-shaped cam slot 258 along the As best shown in FIG. 7, cam slot 258 has an upper horizontal portion 260 and an upper horizontal portion 26.
0, and a vertical portion 262 extending downward from the rear end of the 0.

When using, please use Jyo blades 38 and 4.
0 moves to or from stations 15-22, cam rollers 244 and 246 move back and forth within cam slot 252, and cam roller 254 simultaneously moves from one section 160 to the other within L-shaped cam slot 258. Move to section 262. It is therefore noted that the Jyo blades 38 and 40 move in exactly the same manner as the aspect of the invention originally described. The only difference is that instead of engaging the workpieces with the workpiece receiving arcuate recess 58 and gripping them within this recess, these workpieces are
40 in the recesses 242, but the workpiece need not necessarily be gripped by these recesses.

At the beginning of a working cycle using the lift and transport mechanism, the Jyo blades 38 and 40 are retracted, ie, moved laterally away from the rows of workpieces 14, as shown in FIG. Cam rollers 244 and 2 associated with each mechanism
46 is located at the upper or outer end of cam slot 252, and cam roller 254 is positioned at the forward or inner end of horizontal cam slot 260 thereof. As the Joe blades 38 and 40 advance or move inward toward the row of workpieces 14, the mounting brackets 232 and 234 of each mechanism
These attached Jyo blades 38
and 40 to move the Jyo blade 240 to the workpiece 1 via the cam rollers 244 and 246.
4 to engage the recess 242 of the Jyo blade with the workpiece in the station. As the Joe blade 240 advances, the cam roller 254 moves rearward, ie, to the outer end of the horizontal cam slot 260. In practice, roller 254 abuts jaw blade 240 at the rearward end of cam slot 260 while recess 242 receives and interengages workpiece 14. At this time, the cam roller 25
4 prevents the Jyo blade 240 from advancing further. However, as the Joe blade 40 continues to advance toward the workpiece, the rear cam roller 254 moves downwardly within the vertical cam slot 262 while the front cam rollers 244 and 246 move within the angled cam slot 252. As a result, the Jyo blade 240 is moved vertically upwardly, as shown in FIG. Next, in conjunction with the opposing lifting mechanism, the jaw blade 240 lifts the engaged workpiece 14 out of the work slot.

After indexing or moving the workpiece 14 to an adjacent station in the press, the Jyo blades 38 and 40 are moved backward or horizontally outwardly in the manner described above and supported by the two opposed lifting mechanisms. This mechanism lowers the workpiece 14 into the station to which it was transferred. As each Jyo blade 38 and 40 moves horizontally away from the station, the associated Jyo blade 240 cannot move with it during the initial movement because it is held by the cam roller 254. However, the initial backward movement of the Joe blade 40 causes the vertical cam slot 262 to move downwardly on the rear cam roller 254 and the two front cam rollers 244 and 246 to move downwardly onto the inclined cam slot 252.
In order to move to the right within the center, the Jyo blade 240 is moved vertically downward. Front cam roller 24
4 and 246 reach the upper outer end of inclined cam slot 252 and rear cam roller 254 reaches the upper limit of vertical cam slot 262, roller 254 releases jyo blade 240 from jyo blade 40 during the backward movement. This is because roller 254 is positioned to move forward within horizontal cam slot 260. Thereafter, the Jyo blade 240 retreats together with the Jyo blade 40. Jyo blade 240 is pulled away from workpiece 14 as it begins to retract. During the final backward movement of the Jiyo blade 40, the Jiyo blade 24
0 is withdrawn in its entirety from its associated processing station and the movable parts of the lifting mechanism are returned to their original starting position.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the transfer device of the present invention mounted on a conventional press, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the transfer device itself, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of one cam bar and associated cam follower roller for actuating portions of the transfer device to move the transfer device in and out;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating a portion of the linkage mechanism for advancing workpieces within the press, particularly when operating the press at relatively high speeds when not equipped; 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3, and FIG.
The figure is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 shows a modified version of the lifting and conveying mechanism of the transfer device at the initial position, that is, the starting position, when the Jyo blade is removed from the workpiece. 7 is a schematic perspective view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the Jyo blade engaging the workpiece to lift or raise the workpiece within the processing station; FIG. 10... Press, 14... Processed piece, 15-22
...Station, 26...Ram, 38,40...
...Jyo blade, 57, 59... Actuator means, 60... Swinging shaft, 66... Swinging arm.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A workpiece transfer device for transferring a workpiece from station to station of a press, comprising a ram and a series of serial stations acting on the workpiece, the workpiece transfer device being connected to the ram and a first of said actuators, comprising opposed workpiece gripping jaw blades operatively connected to actuator means actuated by said ram;
A second actuator of the actuator is adapted to reciprocate the Jyo blade laterally relative to the processing station to engage and disengage the workpieces; The actuator of the actuator is operable to reciprocate the Jyo blade when the Jyo blade is engaged with a workpiece to transfer the workpiece to an adjacent station within the press; a workpiece transfer device, at least one having an oscillating shaft operatively connected to said jyo blade and driven by a cam transmission with a cam and a cam follower; Workpiece transfer device characterized in that it has braking means 214, 222, 224 for resisting. 2 a swinging arm 194 extending radially from the swinging shaft 154;
and extending radially from the rocking shaft 154
and a brake member 214 that can rotate integrally with the brake shoe 222, 224, and the brake member 214 is adapted to elastically and frictionally engage with the brake shoes 222, 224. A workpiece transfer device according to scope 1. 3 The fixed support portion 212 is connected to the brake member 214
A brake housing 216 is disposed adjacent to the fixed support brake 21 and is formed with a recess 220 for receiving the brake member 214.
Two movable brake shoes 222, 224 are slidably supported on the brake member 2.
14 in the brake housing, and the brake shoe is provided in the brake housing on both sides of the brake member 21.
4, and a spring means 230 is provided within the brake housing 216 for biasing one of the brake shoes 222, 224. A workpiece transfer device according to claim 1 or 2. 4 The swing shaft 154 is connected to the fixed housing 1
The housing 1 is rotatably supported within the housing 60.
60 has a surface disposed proximate said brake member 214, protruding from said surface a brake housing 216 slidably supported near said surface. The workpiece transfer device according to item 3.