Ferrule automatic grinding process

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of ferrule grinding, and particularly relates to an automatic ferrule grinding process, which comprises the following steps: S1, feeding, ceramic ferrules are conveyed to a PC ferrule feeding machine through a spring tube by means of a vibrating disc, and the PC ferrule feeding machine inserts a certain amount of ceramic ferrules into corresponding PC grinding discs in an orderly manner; S2, PC ferrule grinding, a PC grinding disc with completed ferrules is gripped by a mechanical hand to a CCD visual inspection device for visual inspection and positioning, and then gripped to a grinding machine to complete grinding and cleaning to obtain a grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules; S3, conveying; S4, conversion; and S5, APC ferrule grinding. The present application realizes automatic operation of the whole process of feeding, disc loading, visual inspection and positioning, grinding and cleaning, conveying, PC to APC feeding and APC grinding and cleaning of ceramic ferrules, and greatly improves the processing efficiency of APC ferrules.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of ferrule grinding, and particularly relates to an automatic ferrule grinding process. BACKGROUND

[0002] The ferrule is a basic optical device in the optical communication industry, and according to the shape, the most common ones are cylindrical ferrules and square ferrules. In order to meet the preset optical indicators in the transmission process of optical signals, the end face of the ferrule is usually ground and polished.

[0003] In order to make the end faces of two optical fibers better contact, the end face of the ferrule of the optical fiber jumper is usually ground into different structures, and the common grinding methods mainly include PC and APC. PC is Physical Contact, and PC is micro-spherical grinding and polishing. The surface of the ferrule is ground into a slight spherical surface, and the optical fiber core is located at the highest point of the curvature. This can effectively reduce the air gap between the optical fiber assemblies, so that the end faces of the two optical fibers achieve physical contact. APC (Angled Physical Contact) is called beveled physical contact. The end face of the optical fiber is usually ground into an 8" bevel. The 8" bevel makes the optical fiber end face more compact, and reflects Q through the bevel angle of the optical fiber end face to the cladding instead of directly returning to the light source, thereby providing better connection performance.

[0004] The existing ferrule grinding process has low automation degree and cannot realize automatic conversion from PC to APC. Therefore, it is urgent to be improved. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application aims to solve the above technical problems and provides an automatic ferrule grinding process.

[0006] An automatic ferrule grinding process comprises the following steps:

[0007] S1, feeding: ceramic ferrules are conveyed to a PC ferrule feeding machine through a vibrating disc and a spring tube, and the PC ferrule feeding machine sequentially inserts a certain amount of ceramic ferrules into corresponding PC grinding discs;

[0008] S2, PC ferrule grinding: a mechanical hand grabs the PC grinding disc with the completed ferrule to a CCD vision detection device for vision detection and positioning, and then grabs the grinding machine to complete grinding and cleaning to obtain a grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules. It should be noted that the grinding machine is matched with an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and the number of grinding machines can be set according to the grinding accuracy requirements;

[0009] S3, conveying: a mechanical hand places the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules on a belt conveyor and conveys to a conversion station;

[0010] S4, conversion: through the collaborative robot on the conversion station, the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrule on the grinder is inverted to the PC to APC feeding machine, and through the PC to APC feeding machine, the corresponding PC ferrule is sequentially grabbed and inserted into the APC grinding disc;

[0011] S5, APC ferrule grinding: the collaborative robot grabs the APC grinding disc to the grinder to complete the grinding and cleaning to obtain the APC ferrule.

[0012] Preferably, in step S1, the PC ferrule feeding machine comprises a feeding mechanism, a grabbing mechanism, a PC grinding disc positioning assembly and a pressing assembly, the feeding mechanism comprises a feeding block and a reciprocating cylinder, the feeding block is provided with a feeding pipe and a pushing rod, the feeding pipe is connected with a spring pipe, and the pushing rod can send the ceramic ferrule out of the feeding block one by one under the action of the reciprocating cylinder, the grabbing mechanism comprises a precision sliding table, the precision sliding table is provided with a servo clamp, the precision sliding table can grab the ceramic ferrule sent out by the feeding mechanism one by one through the servo clamp and place the ceramic ferrule vertically above the ferrule station of the PC grinding disc positioning assembly, the PC grinding disc positioning assembly comprises a placing table, the placing table is provided with a drop-drop motor and a locking cylinder, the pressing assembly comprises a swing cylinder and a pressing cylinder, the pressing cylinder can swing above the PC grinding disc positioning assembly under the action of the swing cylinder, the output shaft of the drop-drop motor is connected with the center through hole of the PC grinding disc, and the drop-drop motor is used to drive the PC grinding disc to rotate to the next ferrule station each time on the placing table, the precision sliding table drives the servo clamp to insert the ceramic ferrule into the insertion slot of the PC grinding disc on the corresponding ferrule station, and the pressing cylinder is used to press the ceramic ferrule in the PC grinding disc, and the locking cylinder is used to push the thrust block on the PC grinding disc to lock the PC grinding disc.

[0013] Preferably, the precision sliding table is provided with an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module and a Z-axis linear module, the Y-axis linear module is slidably connected to the sliding block one of the X-axis linear module, the Z-axis linear module is slidably connected to the sliding block two of the Y-axis linear module, and the sliding block three of the Z-axis linear module is provided with a rotary cylinder, and the servo clamp is connected to the working end of the rotary cylinder.

[0014] Preferably, in step S4, the PC to APC feeding machine comprises a positioning carrier for inverting the PC grinding disc, an APC grinding disc positioning assembly and a spinning assembly, the positioning carrier is provided with a clamping shaft for clamping the PC grinding disc, and the positioning carrier is also provided with an unlocking assembly, the unlocking assembly is used to loosen the locking disc on the PC grinding disc, the APC grinding disc positioning assembly has the same structure as the PC grinding disc positioning assembly, and the spinning assembly has the same structure as the pressing assembly.

[0015] Preferably, the unlocking assembly comprises a lifting cylinder and a translation cylinder, the lifting cylinder is used to drive the translation cylinder to move up and down, and the translation cylinder releases the thrust block on the PC grinding disc through a push rod to open the push-on disc on the PC grinding disc.

[0016] Preferably, the drop-drop motor reaches the next ferrule working position every 36° of rotation.

[0017] Preferably, the collaborative robot is a four-axis robot.

[0018] Preferably, the model of the CCD visual detection device is RVvision1.01.

[0019] The present application also includes other steps or devices that can enable it to be normally implemented, all of which use conventional means in the art. In addition, steps or devices not specified in the present application, such as a vibrating disc, a spring tube, a ceramic ferrule, a PC grinding disc, an APC grinding disc, a CCD visual detection device, a grinder, a robot, a belt conveyor, a collaborative robot, a feeding mechanism, a reciprocating cylinder, a precision sliding table, a servo clamp, a drop-drop motor, a locking cylinder, a swing cylinder, a pressing cylinder, an unlocking cylinder, a translation cylinder, an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module, a Z-axis linear module, a lifting cylinder, and a translation cylinder, all use existing technologies in the art, and those skilled in the art can select them according to actual needs.

[0020] The feeding mechanism in the present application uses the same type of structure disclosed in patent document CN203471555U; the PC grinding disc and the APC grinding disc in the present application both use the grinding disc structure disclosed in patent document CN218254568U.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The present application realizes the automatic operation of the whole process of feeding, disc loading, visual detection positioning, grinding and cleaning, conveying, PC to APC feeding, and APC grinding and cleaning of ceramic ferrules, greatly improving the processing efficiency of APC ferrules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Fig. 1 The process flowchart of the present application in the embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 2 The device arrangement structure schematic diagram of the present application in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] Embodiment 1

[0027] AsFigs. 1-2 As shown, the application proposes a ferrule automatic grinding process, comprising the following steps:

[0028] S1, feeding: the ceramic ferrule is conveyed to the PC ferrule feeding machine 3 through the spring tube 2 by the vibrating disc 1, and the PC ferrule feeding machine 3 orderly inserts a certain amount of ceramic ferrules into the corresponding PC grinding disc;

[0029] S2, PC ferrule grinding: the PC grinding disc with the inserted ferrules is grabbed by the mechanical hand 4 to the CCD visual inspection equipment 5 for visual inspection and positioning, and then grabbed to the grinding machine 6 to complete grinding and cleaning to obtain the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules; it should be noted that the grinding machine in this step is matched with an ultrasonic cleaner, and the number of grinding machines can be set according to the grinding precision requirement;

[0030] S3, conveying: the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules is placed on the belt conveyor 7 by the mechanical hand 4 and conveyed to the conversion station;

[0031] S4, conversion: the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules on the grinding machine 6 is inverted by the collaborative robot 8 on the conversion station and placed on the PC to APC feeding machine 9, and the corresponding PC ferrules are orderly grabbed and inserted into the APC grinding disc by the PC to APC feeding machine 9;

[0032] S5, APC ferrule grinding: the APC grinding disc is grabbed by the collaborative robot 8 to the grinding machine 6 to complete grinding and cleaning to obtain the APC ferrule.

[0033] As Fig. 2As shown, in step S1, the PC ferrule feeding machine 3 includes a feeding mechanism 31, a grabbing mechanism 32, a PC grinding disc positioning assembly 33 and a pressing assembly 34. The feeding mechanism 31 includes a feeding block and a reciprocating air cylinder. A feeding pipe and a pushing rod are arranged in the feeding block. The feeding pipe is connected with the spring pipe 2. The pushing rod can send the ceramic ferrule out of the feeding block one by one under the action of the reciprocating air cylinder. The grabbing mechanism 32 includes a precision sliding table. A servo clamp is arranged on the precision sliding table. The precision sliding table can grab the ceramic ferrule sent out by the feeding mechanism 31 one by one to above the ferrule station of the PC grinding disc positioning assembly 33 and make the ceramic ferrule vertically face the ferrule station. The PC grinding disc positioning assembly 33 includes a placing table. A drop-drop motor and a locking air cylinder are arranged on the placing table. The pressing assembly 34 includes a swing air cylinder and a pressing air cylinder. The pressing air cylinder can swing to above the PC grinding disc positioning assembly 33 under the action of the swing air cylinder. The output shaft of the drop-drop motor is connected with the center through hole of the PC grinding disc. The drop-drop motor is used to drive the PC grinding disc to rotate to the next ferrule station each time on the placing table. The precision sliding table drives the servo clamp to insert the ceramic ferrule into the insertion slot of the PC grinding disc on the corresponding ferrule station. The pressing air cylinder is used to press the ceramic ferrule in the PC grinding disc. The locking air cylinder is used to push the thrust block on the PC grinding disc to lock the locking disc on the PC grinding disc.

[0034] Specifically, the precision sliding table is provided with an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module and a Z-axis linear module. The Y-axis linear module is slidably connected to the sliding block one of the X-axis linear module. The Z-axis linear module is slidably connected to the sliding block two of the Y-axis linear module. A rotating air cylinder is arranged on the sliding block three of the Z-axis linear module. The servo clamp is connected to the working end of the rotating air cylinder.

[0035] Please refer to Fig. 2 In step S4, the PC-to-APC feeding machine 9 includes a positioning carrier 91 for the inverted PC grinding disc, an APC grinding disc positioning assembly 92 and a spinning assembly 93. The positioning carrier 91 is provided with a clamping shaft for clamping the PC grinding disc. An unlocking assembly is further arranged on the positioning carrier 91. The unlocking assembly is used to loosen the locking disc on the PC grinding disc. The APC grinding disc positioning assembly has the same structure as the PC grinding disc positioning assembly. The spinning assembly has the same structure as the pressing assembly.

[0036] More specifically, the unlocking assembly includes a lifting air cylinder and a translation air cylinder. The lifting air cylinder is used to drive the translation air cylinder to move up and down. The translation air cylinder loosens the thrust block on the PC grinding disc through a lever, so that the locking disc on the PC grinding disc is opened.

[0037] In the embodiment, the drop-drop motor reaches the next ferrule station every 36° rotation. The collaborative robot is a four-axis robot. The model of the CCD visual inspection device is RVvision1.01.

[0038] It should be noted that:

[0039] The feeding mechanism 31 in the application adopts the same structure disclosed in the patent document CN203471555U.

[0040] The PC grinding disc and the APC grinding disc in the application adopt the grinding disc structure disclosed in the patent document CN218254568U.

[0041] The application realizes the automatic operation of the whole process of feeding, disc loading, visual inspection positioning, grinding and cleaning, conveying, PC to APC feeding, and APC grinding and cleaning of the ceramic ferrule, greatly improving the processing efficiency of the APC ferrule.

[0042] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the spirit and principle of the application shall be included in the protection scope of the application.

Claims

1. A ferrule auto-polishing process characterized by, It comprises the following steps: S1, feeding: the ceramic ferrule is conveyed to the PC ferrule feeding machine through the vibration disc and spring pipe, and the PC ferrule feeding machine inserts a certain amount of ceramic ferrules into the corresponding PC grinding disc; S2, PC ferrule grinding: the PC grinding disc with ferrules is grabbed by the mechanical hand to the CCD visual inspection equipment for visual inspection and positioning, and then grabbed to the grinding machine to complete the grinding and cleaning to obtain the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules; S3, conveying: the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules is placed on the belt conveyor by the mechanical hand and conveyed to the conversion station; S4, conversion: the grinding disc loaded with PC ferrules on the grinding machine is inverted by the collaborative robot on the conversion station and placed on the PC to APC feeding machine, the PC to APC feeding machine comprises a positioning carrier for inverting the PC grinding disc, an APC grinding disc positioning assembly and a spinning assembly, the positioning carrier is provided with a clamping shaft for clamping the PC grinding disc, and the positioning carrier is also provided with an unlocking assembly, the unlocking assembly is used to loosen the tight disc on the PC grinding disc, and the corresponding PC ferrule is sequentially grabbed and inserted into the APC grinding disc by the PC to APC feeding machine; S5, APC ferrule grinding: the APC grinding disc is grabbed by the collaborative robot to the grinding machine to complete the grinding and cleaning to obtain the APC ferrule.

2. The ferrule automatic polishing process as claimed in claim 1, wherein: In step S1, the PC ferrule feeding machine comprises a feeding mechanism, a grabbing mechanism, a PC grinding disc positioning assembly and a pressing assembly, the feeding mechanism comprises a feeding block and a reciprocating air cylinder, the feeding block is provided with a feeding pipe and a pushing rod, the feeding pipe is connected with the spring pipe, the pushing rod can send out the ceramic ferrules one by one from the feeding block under the action of the reciprocating air cylinder, the grabbing mechanism comprises a precision sliding table, the precision sliding table is provided with a servo clamp, the precision sliding table can grab the ceramic ferrules sent out by the feeding mechanism one by one above the ferrule station of the PC grinding disc positioning assembly through the servo clamp and make the ceramic ferrules vertically face the ferrule station, the PC grinding disc positioning assembly comprises a placing table, the placing table is provided with a drop-drop motor and a locking air cylinder, the pressing assembly comprises a swing air cylinder and a pressing air cylinder, the pressing air cylinder can swing above the PC grinding disc positioning assembly under the action of the swing air cylinder, the output shaft of the drop-drop motor is connected with the center through hole of the PC grinding disc, and the drop-drop motor is used to drive the PC grinding disc to rotate to the next ferrule station each time on the placing table, the precision sliding table drives the servo clamp to insert the ceramic ferrules into the insertion slot of the PC grinding disc on the corresponding ferrule station, the pressing air cylinder is used to press the ceramic ferrules in the PC grinding disc, and the locking air cylinder is used to push the thrust block on the PC grinding disc to lock the tight disc on the PC grinding disc.

3. The ferrule automatic polishing process as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The precision sliding table is provided with an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module and a Z-axis linear module, the Y-axis linear module is slidably connected to the sliding block one of the X-axis linear module, the Z-axis linear module is slidably connected to the sliding block two of the Y-axis linear module, the sliding block three of the Z-axis linear module is provided with a rotary air cylinder, and the servo clamp is connected to the working end of the rotary air cylinder.

4. The ferrule automatic polishing process as claimed in claim 2, wherein: In step S4, the APC grinding disc positioning assembly has the same structure as the PC grinding disc positioning assembly, and the spinning assembly has the same structure as the pressing assembly.

5. The ferrule automatic polishing process as claimed in claim 4, wherein: The unlocking assembly comprises a lifting cylinder and a translation cylinder, the lifting cylinder is used to drive the translation cylinder to move up and down, and the translation cylinder releases the thrust block on the PC grinding disc through a push rod to open the push-on disc on the PC grinding disc.

6. A ferrule automatic polishing process as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The drop-drop motor reaches the next plug core station every 36° of rotation.

7. A ferrule automatic polishing process as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The collaborative robot is a four-axis robot.

8. A ferrule automatic polishing process as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The model of the CCD visual inspection equipment is RVvision1.01.

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