Automatic material transferring and storing platform for metal bar production and processing

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic material transferring and storing platform for metal rod production and processing, which comprises a double-layer material storing platform for completing material distribution and temporary storage of metal rods, and a transferring frame assembly for completing material transferring between the double-layer material storing platform. The double-layer material storing platform comprises an upper output layer and a lower storage layer, and the transferring frame assembly comprises a dynamic lifting mechanism. The dynamic lifting mechanism lifts the metal rods from the lower storage layer to the upper output layer, and the lifting speed of the dynamic lifting mechanism matches the output speed of the upper output layer. The double-layer material storing platform is used for material transferring, the temporary storage is lifted, the feeding speed is adaptively adjusted according to the processing speed of the rods, and the device has simple structure and ideal practical effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of bar material transportation technology, and in particular to an automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal bar production and processing. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional metal bar production, processing is typically done on a single machine with a simple rack next to it. The rack holds only about one ton of material. Workers manually move the material onto the rack using a crane, then manually lift one end and drag it into the feed end of the downstream processing equipment before starting the next processing step, such as straightening, stretching, or peeling. This process is labor-intensive, inefficient, and poses significant safety hazards. The small material storage capacity and low level of automation in feeding mean that current multi-stage automated processing technology for metal bars is unlikely to improve. Frequent material transfers, long handling and waiting times, low efficiency, and increased susceptibility to surface damage and safety issues further exacerbate the problem. Moreover, capacity increases still rely heavily on labor and equipment investment. With rising labor costs, it's difficult to reduce processing costs, impacting the profitability of the company and the entire industry.

[0003] For example, Chinese patent application number CN202011203238.6 describes an automatic bar loading device: including a hopper, a bar conveying module, a transfer module, a bar length identification module, and a bar lifting and loading module. The hopper stores bars in batches, and includes a storage box for storing the bars. The storage box has a discharge port, through which the bars are discharged one by one from the storage box. The bar conveying module and transfer module work together to transport and transfer the bars along a preset route. During the transfer process, the bar length identification module identifies the bars to determine if their length is qualified, rejecting unqualified bars. The bar loading process is controlled to avoid affecting the quality of the finished casting. Qualified bars are transferred to the bar lifting and loading module for loading with a suitable mold shell.

[0004] The above solution uses a storage box in conjunction with a conveying module and a transfer module to output the bar stock, achieving fully automated loading and saving labor costs. However, due to the different lengths and specifications of the bars, the processing speed of the bars varies during the loading process. The current automatic transfer and storage platform cannot match the feeding speed with the processing speed. If the feeding speed is too fast, it will cause material accumulation; if the feeding speed is too slow, it will reduce processing efficiency. Therefore, the entire operation process requires supervision by a dedicated person, and in most cases, manual assistance is still needed for feeding. Moreover, it cannot be operated in conjunction with downstream equipment. Especially for billets that do not meet the straightness requirements, operational failures will occur during the top feeding stage. The top feeding and feeding cannot be operated in an orderly manner, resulting in a chaotic and scattered billet scene. This makes it difficult to separate employees and feed materials, and may even easily cause equipment failures, posing significant safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the problem mentioned in the background art that the feeding speed of the storage mechanism is not matched with the bar processing speed in the prior art, this application proposes an automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal bar production and processing. It adopts a double-layer storage platform for material transfer, which increases the temporary storage capacity and adaptively adjusts the feeding speed according to the bar processing speed. The device has a simple structure and ideal practical effect.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal bar production and processing includes: a double-layer storage platform for distributing and temporarily storing metal bars; and a transfer frame assembly for transferring metal bars between the double-layer storage platforms. The double-layer storage platform includes an upper output layer and a lower storage layer. The transfer frame assembly includes a dynamic lifting mechanism that lifts the metal bars from the lower storage layer to the upper output layer. The lifting speed of the dynamic lifting mechanism matches the output speed of the upper output layer. The dynamic lifting mechanism can dynamically adjust the number of metal bars transferred each time based on the number of metal bars in the upper output layer. This allows the processing speed to reach the maximum actual mechanical performance, making reasonable use of mechanical efficiency. Furthermore, the temporary storage of the bars via the lower storage layer eliminates the need for frequent manual handling.

[0007] Furthermore, the lower storage layer includes several parallel first conveyor chains; the lower storage layer also includes a synchronous drive mechanism, which is connected in parallel to each of the first conveyor chains. The multiple first conveyor chains arranged in parallel form a chain conveyor belt, which gradually transports the metal bars to the transfer frame assembly. Simultaneously, the first conveyor chains can temporarily store a certain number of metal bars, allowing a certain number of metal bars to be moved to the lower storage layer by machine or operator, facilitating smooth transfer and processing.

[0008] Preferably, the dynamic lifting mechanism includes a dual-tower support frame, which comprises base towers located on both sides of the lower storage layer, with a lifting chain between the two base towers. An adaptive hopper mechanism is located at the bottom of the lifting chain. The dual-tower support frame supports the lifting chain to control the adaptive hopper mechanism's lifting movement. Because the two base towers are distributed on both sides of the lower storage layer, it can stably ensure that the adaptive hopper mechanism moves synchronously across the entire width of the lower storage tower, preventing the metal bar from tilting during lifting, which could cause a change in the center of gravity and affect lifting efficiency.

[0009] Preferably, the upper output layer includes several parallel second conveyor chains, which are parallel to the first conveyor chains and run in opposite directions. A photoelectric detector is installed on the side of the outermost second conveyor chain. The first conveyor chain transports the external bar stock into the automatic transfer storage platform, and then transports the metal bar stock to the dynamic lifting mechanism, which lifts it to the upper output layer. The second conveyor chains on the upper output layer transport the metal bar stock to the processing mechanism. The photoelectric detector can detect the quantity of metal bar stock on the second conveyor chains and provide real-time feedback to the industrial control computer to ensure that the adaptive hopper mechanism can adjust the lifting speed according to the processing speed of the processing mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the first conveyor chain includes a conveying end and a receiving end, and the adaptive hopper mechanism includes a hinged holding plate corresponding to the receiving end, with a swing drive component on the back of the hinged holding plate. The conveying end is the end point of the first conveyor chain's forward movement, while the receiving end is the initial position where the metal rod is initially placed into the first conveyor chain. The first conveyor chain transports the metal rod to the hinged holding plate, where the swing drive component controls the hinged holding plate to press down and receive the metal rod. The rod is then lifted to the upper output layer by a lifting chain. The structure is simple and the transportation effect is ideal.

[0011] Preferably, the hinged material receiving plate has a concave structure with a cavity inside, and an extension plate is installed within the cavity. The concave structure of the hinged material receiving plate prevents the bar stock from slipping and failing to complete the lifting process, thus ensuring stability when the metal bar stock enters the hinged material receiving plate. The extension plate extends from the cavity, increasing the area of ​​the hinged material receiving plate and enabling it to carry more metal bar stock in a single lift, thereby improving the working efficiency of the automatic material transfer and storage platform.

[0012] Preferably, the tail end of the extension plate is provided with an adaptive adjustment mechanism, which includes an ejection mechanism electrically connected to the photodetector. A flexible connecting plate is provided between the ejection mechanism and the tail end of the extension plate. The adaptive adjustment mechanism can change the ejection length of the ejection mechanism according to the feedback from the photodetector. The ejection length of the ejection mechanism determines the extension length of the extension plate, thereby changing the single-pass material holding capacity of the hinged material holding plate. This allows the dynamic lifting mechanism to automatically adjust the transfer amount according to the discharge speed of the upper output layer, thus ensuring that the automatic material transfer and storage platform operates according to the limiting performance speed of the processing mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, a material distribution mechanism is also provided at the end of the upper output layer away from the transfer frame assembly. This material distribution mechanism includes an inclined guide platform corresponding to the second conveyor chain. A tilting wheel is provided at the lower end of the inclined guide platform, and a drive motor is connected to the tilting wheel. A storage platform is provided on the side of the tilting wheel away from the inclined guide platform. The tilting wheel is used to flip the metal bars output from the second conveyor chain from the inclined guide platform to the storage platform, completing secondary material distribution. The tilting wheel is driven by the drive motor to rotate and transfer the metal bars one by one, further distributing the metal bars lifted by the dynamic lifting mechanism in a single operation. The entire device works in conjunction with the second conveyor chain to achieve the output of metal bars one by one.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1) A double-layer storage platform is used for material transfer, which increases the temporary storage capacity and adaptively adjusts the feeding speed according to the bar processing speed. The device has a simple structure and ideal practical effect. 2) The dual-tower support frame can stably ensure that the adaptive hopper mechanism moves synchronously in the width direction of the entire lower storage tower, avoiding the metal bar from tilting during lifting, which would cause a change in the center of gravity and affect the lifting efficiency; 3) The ejection length of the ejection mechanism determines the extension length of the extension plate, which in turn changes the single loading capacity of the articulated material holding plate, so that the dynamic lifting mechanism can automatically adjust the transfer amount according to the discharge speed of the upper output layer, thereby ensuring that the automatic material transfer storage platform works according to the limit performance speed of the processing mechanism. 4) Existing storage platforms still suffer from problems such as complex device structure, high failure rate, and high maintenance and upkeep costs, making them uneconomical for small and medium-sized factories. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a side sectional view of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the material turning mechanism in Example 3.

[0019] Figure Labels 100 Metal rods, 1 Double-layer storage platform, 2 Upper output layer, 21 Second conveyor chain, 3 Lower storage layer, 31 First conveyor chain, 311 Conveying end, 312 Receiving end, 32 Synchronous drive mechanism, 4 Transfer frame assembly, 5 Double tower support frame, 51 Base tower, 52 Lifting chain, 6 Adaptive hopper mechanism, 7 Swing drive component, 8 Extension plate, 81 Flexible connecting plate, 82 Execution ejection mechanism, 9 Bulk material mechanism, 91 Inclined guide platform, 92 Tilting wheel, 93 Drive motor, 94 Storage platform, 95 Fixed baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0021] Example 1 like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, an automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal rod production and processing includes: a double-layer storage platform 1 for distributing and temporarily storing metal rods; and a transfer frame assembly for transferring metal rods 100 between the double-layer storage platforms. The double-layer storage platform includes an upper output layer 2 and a lower storage layer 3. The transfer frame assembly 4 includes a dynamic lifting mechanism that lifts the metal rods from the lower storage layer to the upper output layer, with the lifting speed matching the output speed of the upper output layer. The lower storage layer includes several parallel first conveyor chains; the lower storage layer also includes a synchronous drive mechanism 32 connected in parallel to each of the first conveyor chains. The upper output layer includes several parallel second conveyor chains 21, which are parallel to the first conveyor chains 31 and run in opposite directions; a photoelectric detector is provided on the side of the outermost second conveyor chain.

[0022] The dynamic lifting mechanism can dynamically adjust the number of metal rods transferred each time based on the quantity of metal rods in the upper output layer. This allows the processing speed to reach the maximum actual mechanical performance, making reasonable use of mechanical efficiency. Furthermore, the lower storage layer provides temporary storage for the rods, eliminating the need for frequent manual handling. Multiple first conveyor chains are arranged in parallel to form a chain conveyor belt. This chain conveyor belt gradually transports the metal rods to the transfer frame assembly. Simultaneously, the first conveyor chains can temporarily store a certain number of metal rods, which can be moved to the lower storage layer by the machine or by operators, facilitating smooth transfer and processing. The first conveyor chains transport external rods into the automatic transfer storage platform. The first conveyor chains then transport the metal rods to the dynamic lifting mechanism, which lifts them to the upper output layer. The second conveyor chain on the upper output layer transports the metal rods to the processing mechanism. The photoelectric detector can detect the quantity of metal rods on the second conveyor chain and provide real-time feedback to the industrial control computer, ensuring that the adaptive hopper mechanism can adjust the lifting speed according to the processing speed of the processing mechanism.

[0023] The dynamic lifting mechanism includes a dual-tower support frame 5, which comprises base towers 51 located on both sides of the lower storage layer. A lifting chain 52 is disposed between the two base towers, and an adaptive hopper mechanism is disposed at the bottom of the lifting chain. The dual-tower support frame supports the lifting chain to control the adaptive hopper mechanism for lifting and lowering. Since the two base towers are distributed on both sides of the lower storage layer, it can stably ensure that the adaptive hopper mechanism moves synchronously in the width direction of the entire lower storage tower, avoiding the metal bar from tilting during lifting, which would cause a change in the center of gravity and affect the lifting efficiency.

[0024] The first conveyor chain includes a conveying end 311 and a receiving end 312. The adaptive hopper mechanism includes a hinged holding plate 6 corresponding to the receiving end, and a swing drive 7 is provided on the back of the hinged holding plate. The conveying end is the end point of the first conveyor chain, while the receiving end is the initial position where the metal rod is initially placed into the first conveyor chain. The first conveyor chain conveys the metal rod to the hinged holding plate, and the swing drive controls the hinged holding plate to press down and receive the metal rod. Then, the metal rod is raised to the upper output layer by the lifting chain. The structure is simple and the transportation effect is ideal.

[0025] The hinged material receiving plate has a concave structure with a cavity inside, and an extension plate 8 is installed inside the cavity. The operator can adjust the extension length of the extension plate according to the processing speed of the processing structure, thereby adjusting the material transfer speed.

[0026] In this embodiment, a double-layer storage platform and a transfer frame assembly are used to transfer and temporarily store metal bars. During operation, operators first use a crane to transport bundles of material to the lower storage layer of the storage platform, which can hold approximately 20 tons of material at a time. Workers cut the binding straps of the transported material. Then, the first conveyor chain on the lower storage layer rotates via a synchronous drive mechanism, causing the bundled metal bars to disperse in an orderly manner. These bars reach the transfer frame assembly, where a swing drive controls a hinged holding plate to scoop up several metal bars. Next, a dynamic lifting mechanism's lifting chain elevates the hinged holding plate to the upper output layer. The second conveyor chain on the upper output layer continues to rotate, further dispersing the metal bars and conveying them outwards.

[0027] Example 2 like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the tail of the extension plate is provided with an adaptive adjustment mechanism. The adaptive adjustment mechanism includes an ejection mechanism 82 electrically connected to the photodetector, and a flexible connecting plate 81 is provided between the ejection mechanism and the tail of the extension plate. The concave hinged material holding plate can prevent the bar from slipping and failing to complete the lifting, thus ensuring the stability of the metal bar when it enters the hinged material holding plate. The extension plate can extend from the cavity, increasing the area of ​​the hinged material holding plate and enabling it to carry more metal bars in one lift, thereby improving the working efficiency of the automatic material transfer and storage platform. The adaptive adjustment mechanism can change the ejection length of the ejection mechanism according to the feedback from the photodetector. The ejection length of the ejection mechanism determines the extension length of the extension plate, thereby changing the single loading capacity of the hinged material holding plate. This allows the dynamic lifting mechanism to automatically adjust the transfer capacity according to the output speed of the upper output layer, ensuring that the automatic material transfer and storage platform operates according to the limit performance speed of the processing mechanism.

[0028] Example 3 like Figure 4As shown in this embodiment, a material distribution mechanism 9 is also provided at the end of the upper output layer away from the transfer frame assembly. The material distribution mechanism includes an inclined guide platform 91 corresponding to the second conveyor chain. A tilting wheel 92 is provided at the lower end of the inclined guide platform. A drive motor 93 is connected to the tilting wheel. A storage platform 94 is provided on the side of the tilting wheel away from the inclined guide platform. A fixed baffle 95 is provided on the side of the storage platform away from the tilting wheel 92. The tilting wheel is used to flip the metal bars output by the second conveyor chain from the inclined guide platform to the storage platform, completing secondary material distribution. The tilting wheel is driven to rotate by the drive motor to transfer the metal bars one by one, further distributing the metal bars lifted by the dynamic lifting mechanism in a single operation. The entire device works in coordination with the second conveyor chain to achieve the output of metal bars one by one. In this embodiment, the turning wheel is a crescent wheel structure, which can turn one metal bar at a time. The material distribution mechanism can work with the adaptive hopper mechanism to complete the secondary material distribution, so that the metal bars can be output one by one according to the processing speed of the processing mechanism when they are output through the automatic material transfer and storage platform.

[0029] In addition to the above embodiments, within the scope disclosed in the claims and specification of this invention, the technical features of this invention can be reselected and combined to form new embodiments. These can be achieved by those skilled in the art without creative effort. Therefore, these embodiments not described in detail in this invention should also be regarded as specific embodiments of this invention and within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal bar production and processing, characterized in that, include: A double-layer storage platform is used for the sorting and temporary storage of metal bars. The transfer frame assembly completes the transfer of metal bars between the two-layer storage platforms; The double-layer storage platform includes an upper output layer and a lower storage layer. The transfer frame assembly includes a dynamic lifting mechanism that lifts the metal rods from the lower storage layer to the upper output layer. The lifting speed of the dynamic lifting mechanism is matched with the output speed of the upper output layer. The dynamic lifting mechanism includes a double-tower support frame, which includes base towers located on both sides of the lower storage layer, a lifting chain between the two base towers, and an adaptive hopper mechanism at the bottom of the lifting chain. The lower storage layer includes several parallel first conveyor chains; the upper output layer includes several parallel second conveyor chains, with a photodetector on the side of the outermost second conveyor chain; the first conveyor chains include a receiving end, and the adaptive hopper mechanism includes a hinged material holding plate corresponding to the receiving end, with a swing drive component on the back of the hinged material holding plate; the hinged material holding plate has a cavity, and an extension plate is provided inside the cavity, with an adaptive adjustment mechanism at the tail of the extension plate, the adaptive adjustment mechanism including an execution ejection mechanism electrically connected to the photodetector, and a flexible connecting plate between the execution ejection mechanism and the tail of the extension plate.

2. The automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal rod production and processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower storage layer also includes a synchronous drive mechanism, which is connected in parallel to each of the first conveyor chains.

3. The automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal rod production and processing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second conveyor chain is parallel to the first conveyor chain and runs in the opposite direction.

4. The automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal rod production and processing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first conveyor chain includes a conveyor end.

5. An automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal rod production and processing according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hinged material container has a concave structure.

6. The automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal rod production and processing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper output layer is also provided with a material dispersing mechanism at the end away from the transfer frame assembly. The material dispersing mechanism includes an inclined guide platform corresponding to the second conveyor chain. A tilting wheel is provided at the lower end of the inclined guide platform, and a drive motor is connected to the tilting wheel.

7. An automatic material transfer and storage platform for metal rod production and processing according to claim 6, characterized in that, A storage platform is provided on the side of the tipping wheel away from the inclined guide platform.

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