A production line employing a multi-axis gantry robot

Abstract

This invention provides a production line employing a multi-axis gantry robot, which enables automated production operations at three machining centers requiring only a single person for supervision, thus reducing labor costs. The production line includes a workshop where, along one side of the width direction, a first machining center, a second machining center, and a third machining center are sequentially arranged. The first and second machining centers perform the same product processing steps, while the third machining center's processing steps are set according to actual needs. A double-arch gantry frame is installed along the other side of the workshop, with X-axis tracks mounted on the two crossbeams. A first three-axis robot and a second three-axis robot are supported on the X-axis tracks on both sides. Each of the first and second three-axis robots includes an X-axis drive module, a Y-axis module, a Z-axis module, and a robot end. The X-axis drive module drives the corresponding three-axis robot to move along the X-axis tracks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of CNC machining technology, specifically to a production line employing a multi-axis gantry robot. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technology, a workshop typically houses several machining centers, each requiring a different worker for oversight, resulting in high labor costs. To reduce these costs, when three machining centers are located in the same workshop, with two centers processing products using the same process and the third processing products using a different process, the company aims to assign only one person for oversight. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a corresponding production line. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a production line employing a multi-axis gantry robot, which enables automated production operations to be completed by a single person overseeing three machining centers, thereby reducing labor costs.

[0004] A production line employing a multi-axis gantry robot is characterized in that it includes a workshop, in which a first processing center, a second processing center, and a third processing center are sequentially arranged along a length region on one side of the width direction. The first processing center and the second processing center process the same product steps, while the third processing center processes the product steps according to actual conditions.

[0005] A double-arched gantry frame is installed on the other side of the workshop along the width direction. X-axis tracks are respectively set on the two crossbeams of the double-arched gantry frame. The first three-axis robot and the second three-axis robot are respectively supported on the X-axis tracks on both sides. The first three-axis robot and the second three-axis robot each include an X-axis drive module, a Y-axis module, a Z-axis module, and a robot end. The X-axis drive module drives the corresponding three-axis robot to move and work along the X-axis track.

[0006] The first three-axis robot is arranged corresponding to the first machining center and the second machining center;

[0007] The second and third axis robotic arms are arranged corresponding to the third machining center;

[0008] The workshop is equipped with a first feeding fixture, a first product conveyor belt, an electrical control box, a second feeding fixture, and a second product conveyor belt on the other side of its width.

[0009] The first feeding fixture and the first product conveyor belt are arranged in the areas corresponding to the first three-axis robot, the first machining center, and the second machining center.

[0010] The second feeding fixture and the second product conveyor belt are arranged in the areas corresponding to the second three-axis robot and the third machining center;

[0011] The first three-axis manipulator is specifically a three-station manipulator end, which includes three sets of gripper mechanisms around a cloth. The three sets of gripper mechanisms share a top plate, and a rotary cylinder is connected to the outside of the top plate. The rotary cylinder drives the top plate to rotate and switch the gripping position.

[0012] The second and third axis manipulators are specifically two-station manipulators, which include two sets of downward-protruding clamping cylinders arranged on both sides. The two sets of clamping cylinders share a mounting plate, and the mounting plate is externally connected to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft drives the mounting plate to rotate and switch the clamping position.

[0013] Its further features are:

[0014] The X-axis drive module of the first and second three-axis manipulators drives the three-axis manipulators to move along the X-axis track by rotating gears meshing with X-axis linear racks. Its structure is simple and reliable and has high control precision.

[0015] Both the first and second feeding fixtures include a support base and a product placement tray. The support base is equipped with a linear guide. The product placement tray is supported on the linear guide and moves along the linear guide. The upper part of the support base is equipped with a proximity switch, a hydraulic buffer, and a hard limit stop corresponding to the material feeding position. The product placement tray is connected to the output end of a drive cylinder. The drive cylinder drives the product placement tray to move forward. After being sensed by the proximity switch and stopped by the hard limit stop, the operator puts the new product into the product placement tray until it is full. Then, the drive cylinder drives the product placement tray again to form a reverse feeding station area along the linear guide.

[0016] The workshop is surrounded by a protective net for safe operation.

[0017] With this invention, three processing centers can sequentially complete product transfer and conveying through a material transfer mechanism constructed with two sets of three-axis robotic arms and a double-arch gantry frame. During this process, the first three-axis robotic arm grips two sets of products at a time on the first feeding fixture, while the other empty gripper mechanism is used to grip products already processed in the first processing center. Then, the new product is placed into the first processing center. Afterward, the first three-axis robotic arm moves to the pick-and-place position of the second processing center, retrieves the already processed products again, and simultaneously places the new product in. Finally, the first three-axis robotic arm places the product into the first... On the product conveyor belt, the second and third-axis robotic arms simultaneously grip a group of products at a time on the second feeding fixture. Another empty gripper mechanism is used to grip products that have already been processed in the third machining center. After that, the new product is placed into the third machining center, and then the second and third-axis robotic arms place the product onto the second product conveyor belt. The worker only needs to observe the product status on the first feeding fixture, the first product conveyor belt, the second feeding fixture, and the second product conveyor belt, and pick up and put away products in a timely manner. This allows the three machining centers to complete automated production operations with only one person in charge, which reduces labor costs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view (including a protective cover) of a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the present invention (with the machining center and protective cover removed);

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the manipulator end of the first three-axis manipulator of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the manipulator end of the second three-axis manipulator of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the feeding fixture of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] The names corresponding to the serial numbers in the diagram are as follows:

[0025] First machining center 10, second machining center 20, third machining center 30, flipping mechanism 40, support platform 41, clamping and flipping mechanism 42, lifting mechanism 43, double arch gantry frame 50, crossbeam 51, X-axis track 52, X-axis linear rack 53, first three-axis robot 60, gripper mechanism 61, top plate 62, rotary cylinder 63, second three-axis robot 70, clamping cylinder 71, mounting plate 72, horizontal flipping cylinder 73, rotating shaft 74, first feeding fixture 80, support seat 81, product placement tray 82, linear guide 83, proximity switch 84, hydraulic buffer 85, hard limit stop 86, drive cylinder 87, first product conveyor belt 90, workshop 100, protective net 101, electrical control box 110, second feeding fixture 120, second product conveyor belt 130. Detailed Implementation

[0026] A production line employing a multi-axis gantry robot, see... Figures 1-6 It includes a workshop 100, in which a first machining center 10, a second machining center 20, and a third machining center 30 are sequentially arranged along the length of one side of the width direction. The first machining center 10 and the second machining center 20 have the same product processing steps. The product processing steps of the third machining center 30 are set according to the actual situation, and can be the same as or different from those of the first machining center 10. In specific implementation, the product processing steps of the third machining center 30 are different from those of the first machining center 10, and are the subsequent processing steps of the first machining center 10.

[0027] In specific implementation, a flipping mechanism 40 is also provided on one side of the feeding position of the second processing center 20. It includes a support platform 41, a clamping and flipping mechanism 42, and a lifting mechanism 43. The clamping and flipping mechanism 42 flips the product placed on the support platform horizontally by 180°. It flips the product according to actual needs and then sends it into the second processing center (this mechanism can be omitted when flipping is not required).

[0028] A double-arched gantry frame 50 is installed on the other side of the width direction of workshop 100. X-axis rails 52 are respectively set on the two crossbeams 51 of the double-arched gantry frame 50. The first three-axis robot 60 and the second three-axis robot 70 are respectively supported on the X-axis rails 52 on both sides. The first three-axis robot 60 and the second three-axis robot 70 each include an X-axis drive module, a Y-axis module, a Z-axis module, and a robot end. The X-axis drive module drives the corresponding three-axis robot to move and work along the X-axis rail 52.

[0029] The first three-axis robot 60 is arranged corresponding to the first machining center 10 and the second machining center 20;

[0030] The second and third-axis robotic arm 70 is arranged corresponding to the third machining center 30;

[0031] On the other side of the width direction of workshop 100, there are arranged the first feeding fixture 80, the first product conveyor belt 90, the electrical control box 110, the second feeding fixture 120, and the second product conveyor belt 130;

[0032] The first feeding fixture 80 and the first product conveyor belt 90 are arranged in the area corresponding to the first three-axis robot 60, the first machining center 10, and the second machining center 20.

[0033] The second feeding fixture 120 and the second product conveyor belt 130 are arranged in the areas corresponding to the second three-axis robot arm 70 and the third machining center 30.

[0034] The first three-axis robot 60 has a three-station robot end, which includes three sets of gripper mechanisms 61 with a ring cloth. The three sets of gripper mechanisms share a top plate 62. The top plate 62 is externally connected to a rotary cylinder 63. The rotary cylinder 63 drives the top plate 62 to rotate and switch the gripping position.

[0035] The robotic arm of the second and third axis robot 70 is specifically a two-station robotic arm, which includes two sets of downward-protruding clamping cylinders 71 arranged on both sides. The two sets of clamping cylinders 71 share a mounting plate 72. The mounting plate 72 is externally connected to a horizontal tilting cylinder 73. The horizontal tilting cylinder 73 is also externally connected to a vertical rotating shaft 74. The horizontal tilting cylinder 73 rotates to switch the product's axial horizontal or vertical state for easy clamping. The rotating shaft 74 drives the mounting plate 72 to rotate and switch the clamping position.

[0036] In practice, the X-axis drive modules of the first three-axis robot 60 and the second three-axis robot 70 drive the three-axis robot to move along the X-axis track 52 by rotating gears meshing with the X-axis linear rack 53. The structure is simple and reliable and the control precision is high.

[0037] Both the first feeding fixture 80 and the second feeding fixture 120 include a support base 81 and a product placement tray 82. The support base 81 is provided with a linear guide 83. The product placement tray 82 is supported on the linear guide 83 and moves along the linear guide 83. The upper part of the support base 81 is provided with a proximity switch 84, a hydraulic buffer 85, and a hard limit stop 86 corresponding to the material feeding position. The product placement tray 82 is connected to the output end of a drive cylinder 87. The drive cylinder 87 drives the product placement tray 82 to move forward. After being sensed by the proximity switch 84 and stopped by the hard limit stop 86, the operator puts the new product into the product placement tray 82 until it is full. Then, the drive cylinder 87 drives the product placement tray 82 again to form a reverse feeding station area along the linear guide.

[0038] The perimeter of workshop 100 is equipped with a protective net 101, which is used for safety protection operations.

[0039] Its working principle is as follows: Three machining centers, connected by two sets of three-axis robotic arms and a material transfer mechanism built with a double-arch gantry, can sequentially complete the transfer and conveying of products. During this process, the first three-axis robotic arm grips two sets of products at a time on the first feeding fixture. The other empty gripper mechanism is used to grip products already processed in the first machining center. Then, the new product is placed into the first machining center. Afterward, the first three-axis robotic arm moves to the pick-and-place position of the second machining center, retrieves the already processed products again, and simultaneously places the new product in. Finally, the first three-axis robotic arm places the product into the first... On the product conveyor belt, the second and third-axis robotic arms simultaneously grip a group of products at a time on the second feeding fixture. Another empty gripper mechanism is used to grip products that have already been processed in the third machining center. After that, the new product is placed into the third machining center, and then the second and third-axis robotic arms place the product onto the second product conveyor belt. The worker only needs to observe the product status on the first feeding fixture, the first product conveyor belt, the second feeding fixture, and the second product conveyor belt, and pick up and put away products in a timely manner. This allows the three machining centers to complete automated production operations with only one person in charge, which reduces labor costs.

[0040] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0041] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A production line employing a multi-axis gantry robot, characterized by, It includes a workshop, in which a first processing center, a second processing center, and a third processing center are arranged sequentially along the length of one side of the workshop in the width direction. The first processing center and the second processing center have the same product processing steps, while the third processing center has the product processing steps set according to the actual situation. A double-arched gantry frame is installed on the other side of the workshop along the width direction. X-axis tracks are respectively set on the two crossbeams of the double-arched gantry frame. The first three-axis robot and the second three-axis robot are respectively supported on the X-axis tracks on both sides. The first three-axis robot and the second three-axis robot each include an X-axis drive module, a Y-axis module, a Z-axis module, and a robot end. The X-axis drive module drives the corresponding three-axis robot to move and work along the X-axis track. The first three-axis robot is arranged corresponding to the first machining center and the second machining center; The second and third axis robotic arms are arranged corresponding to the third machining center; The workshop is equipped with a first feeding fixture, a first product conveyor belt, an electrical control box, a second feeding fixture, and a second product conveyor belt on the other side of its width. The first feeding fixture and the first product conveyor belt are arranged in the areas corresponding to the first three-axis robot, the first machining center, and the second machining center. The second feeding fixture and the second product conveyor belt are arranged in the areas corresponding to the second three-axis robot and the third machining center; The first three-axis manipulator is specifically a three-station manipulator end, which includes three sets of gripper mechanisms around a cloth. The three sets of gripper mechanisms share a top plate, and a rotary cylinder is connected to the outside of the top plate. The rotary cylinder drives the top plate to rotate and switch the gripping position. The second and third axis manipulators are specifically two-station manipulators, which include two sets of downward-protruding clamping cylinders arranged on both sides. The two sets of clamping cylinders share a mounting plate, and the mounting plate is externally connected to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft drives the mounting plate to rotate and switch the clamping position.

2. A production line employing a multi-axis truss robot as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The X-axis drive modules of the first and second three-axis manipulators drive the three-axis manipulators to move along the X-axis track by rotating gears meshing with X-axis linear racks.

3. A production line employing a multi-axis truss robot as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first and second feeding fixtures include a support base and a product placement tray. A linear guide is provided on the support base, and the product placement tray is supported on the linear guide and moves along the linear guide. A proximity switch, a hydraulic buffer, and a hard limit stop are provided on the upper part of the support base corresponding to the material feeding position. The product placement tray is connected to the output end of a drive cylinder. The drive cylinder drives the product placement tray to move forward, is sensed by the proximity switch, and is stopped by the hard limit stop. The operator then places a new product into the product placement tray until it is full. After that, the drive cylinder drives the product placement tray again to form a reverse feeding station area along the linear guide.

4. The production line employing a multi-axis truss robot of claim 1, wherein: The workshop is surrounded by protective netting.

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