An L-shaped automatic feeding work station suitable for limited space

Abstract

The application discloses an L-shaped automatic feeding work station suitable for limited space, which comprises a material separating mechanism, a material conveying mechanism, a turnover feeding mechanism and a clamping mechanism; the material separating mechanism is used for separating the bottom layer of aluminum profiles in a material frame; the material conveying mechanism is installed at the material outlet of the material separating mechanism and is used for conveying the separated layer of aluminum profiles to the positioning table and stopping; the turnover feeding mechanism turns the layer of aluminum profiles in the material conveying mechanism from the horizontal state to the vertical state and then tightly sticks to the lifting frame; the clamping mechanism is installed outside the turnover feeding mechanism and fixes the aluminum profiles on the lifting frame through a material clamp; wherein, the material separating mechanism, the material conveying mechanism, the turnover feeding mechanism and the clamping mechanism form an L-shaped space layout. The application can meet the automatic operation of the horizontal feeding and clamping of the aluminum profiles in the narrow space and limited space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aluminum profile production equipment technology, specifically an L-shaped automatic feeding workstation suitable for limited spaces. Background Technology

[0002] Aluminum and its alloys possess a range of excellent properties and have a wide range of applications. Industrial aluminum profiles, after extrusion molding, require surface treatment according to their intended use to meet specific requirements. This invention addresses the urgent need for artificial production methods of horizontal anodizing of aluminum profiles. Anodizing of aluminum profiles is a processing technique that artificially forms a protective oxide film on the surface of a substrate, giving it excellent wear resistance, weather resistance, and corrosion resistance.

[0003] To increase the throughput of a single anodizing process, aluminum profiles need to be clamped onto the lifting rack at certain intervals before processing. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the existing operation involves manually pushing the aluminum profile-laden rail frame along the track to the manual loading and clamping area. Two workers then remove the aluminum profile from the frame, lift it, and clamp it against the lifting rack. One profile is clamped at a time, requiring two workers to be on duty at each station during production. This results in significant waste of time and manpower and low work efficiency. Traditional production, considering the convenience of manual clamping and maximizing the rational use of space, arranges multiple manual clamping stations horizontally side-by-side in the loading and clamping production area, with adjacent stations only about 2 meters apart. Simultaneously, anodized aluminum profiles are typically 6 meters long, so the frame is conveyed longitudinally, creating a situation where the incoming material conveying direction is perpendicular to the loading direction. Each station's lifting rack has a rectangular pit to accommodate the lifting of the rack, reducing the intensity of manual loading. The limited space, confined area, and special materials of traditional aluminum profile loading and clamping operations increase the difficulty of automating and upgrading them. Summary of the Invention

[0004] After conducting research, we learned about the characteristics of traditional horizontal aluminum profile loading and clamping operations and the strong demand for automation upgrades. Since there is currently no automation solution for this traditional operation method, we propose an L-shaped automatic loading workstation suitable for limited spaces to meet the automation needs of horizontal aluminum profile loading and clamping operations in such confined spaces.

[0005] This invention is implemented according to the following technical solution:

[0006] An L-shaped automatic feeding workstation suitable for limited spaces includes a dismantling mechanism, a conveying mechanism, a flipping feeding mechanism, and a clamping mechanism. The dismantling mechanism is used to dismantle the bottom layer of aluminum profiles in the discharge frame. The conveying mechanism is installed at the discharge port of the dismantling mechanism and is used to move the dismantled layer of aluminum profiles along with the discharge rollers to the positioning table and stop. The flipping feeding mechanism flips the layer of aluminum profiles in the conveying mechanism from a horizontal state to a vertical state and then clamps it to the lifting frame. The clamping mechanism is installed on the outside of the flipping feeding mechanism and fixes the aluminum profiles to the lifting frame with clamps. The dismantling mechanism, the conveying mechanism, the flipping feeding mechanism, and the clamping mechanism form an L-shaped spatial layout.

[0007] In some embodiments, the material dismantling mechanism includes a transplanting roller mechanism, a positioning and lifting frame, and a vision robotic arm. The transplanting roller mechanism consists of a transplanting roller frame and a transplanting roller located within the transplanting roller frame. The positioning and lifting frame is integrally arranged within the transplanting roller frame and is used to lift the material frame. The vision robotic arm is installed on the left and right sides of the positioning and lifting frame and mainly includes a robotic arm and a vision camera installed at the end of the robotic arm. The vision camera detects the height of each layer of aluminum profile in the material frame. The positioning and lifting frame lifts the material frame according to the height detected, allowing the robotic arm to be inserted into the cross-section of the aluminum profile between the bottom first layer and the bottom second layer. The positioning and lifting frame descends, causing the bottom first layer of aluminum profile to contact the transplanting roller. Under the action of the transplanting roller, the first layer of aluminum profile is dismantled.

[0008] In some embodiments, the positioning lifting frame includes a lifting frame for supporting the material frame, a plurality of lifting motors, and a plurality of protrusions; the lifting frame is arranged in the transplanting roller frame; the bottom of the plurality of lifting motors is fixed to the ground, and the top is connected to the lifting frame for raising and lowering the lifting frame; the plurality of protrusions are arranged around the lifting frame for limiting the material frame on the lifting frame.

[0009] In some embodiments, the vision robotic arm further includes a frame fixed to the ground, the frame having a horizontal moving axis, the robotic arm being mounted on the horizontal moving axis, and the vision robotic arm and the vision camera on it being moved left and right by the horizontal moving axis.

[0010] In some embodiments, the material conveying mechanism includes a frame, a transfer roller, and a positioning platform mounted on the ground; the transfer roller is mounted on the frame and is at the same height as the transfer roller in the unloading mechanism; the positioning platform is mounted on the frame and located at the end of the transfer roller, and is used to stop the aluminum profile moving forward with the transfer roller.

[0011] In some embodiments, the positioning platform is a corner plate, and multiple contact sensors are installed on the vertical surface of the corner plate. After the aluminum profile touches the contact sensor, the controller controls the removal roller motor to stop working.

[0012] In some embodiments, the flipping feeding mechanism includes a horizontal moving shaft, a lifting shaft, a flipping arm, a flipping bin, and a rotating arm; the horizontal moving shaft is fixed on the base; the lifting shaft is fixed on the moving platform of the horizontal moving shaft; the front end of the flipping arm is mounted on the lifting shaft and can move up and down and back and forth following the lifting shaft and the horizontal moving shaft; the front end of the flipping bin is mounted on the end of the flipping arm, and the flipping bin can rotate around the flipping shaft through a connected flipping cylinder; the rotating arm is mounted on the end of the flipping bin, and the rotating arm can rotate around the rotating shaft through a rotating cylinder. The rotating arm rotates to a horizontal state, forming a 90-degree angle with the vertical flipping bin. The flipping bin rotates around the shaft to a horizontal state and lifts the first layer of aluminum profile to the position. The rotating arm rotates to a vertical state, the horizontal moving shaft moves, causing the flipping bin to move backward. At the same time, the flipping bin rotates again around the flipping shaft by 90°, so that the first layer of aluminum profile in the flipping bin is in a vertical state. The horizontal moving shaft moves, causing the flipping bin to continue to move backward until the first layer of aluminum profile is vertically attached to the lifting rack.

[0013] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism includes a six-station distributor, material transfer grippers, and a clamping supply system; the six-station distributor is mounted on a base via a housing for storing all necessary material clamps; the material transfer grippers are mounted on the housing via a bracket and close to the six-station distributor for transferring material clamps from the six-station distributor; the clamping supply system is mounted on the housing and close to the six-station distributor for clamping the aluminum profiles onto the lifting frame using the material clamps transferred by the material transfer grippers.

[0014] In some embodiments, the clamping and supplying system includes a clamping and supplying mechanism, a clamp opener for opening the clamps, a material distribution pusher, and a material supply bin. The clamping and supplying mechanism is a two-axis structure, consisting of a lifting shaft and a supply shaft. The lifting shaft is mounted on the housing, and the supply shaft is mounted on the lifting shaft. The clamp opener is mounted on the supply shaft and clamps onto the workpiece as the supply shaft moves forward. The material distribution pusher is mounted on the bracket and located below the material transfer jaws. The material supply bin is mounted on the material distribution pusher and is used to receive the clamps transferred by the material transfer jaws. The material distribution pusher pushes the lowest clamp in the material supply bin into the clamp opener.

[0015] In some embodiments, the six-station feeder includes a rotating mechanism, six support rods, and a lifting arm; the rotating mechanism is installed in the housing, and its rotating shaft extends out of the housing and is connected to a turntable located on the housing; the six support rods are arranged perpendicularly to the turntable and evenly spaced around the turntable, and each support rod is fitted with multiple material clamps; the lifting arm is installed on the side of the bracket near the six-station feeder and is used to lift the material clamps in the six-station feeder from the bottom, thereby bringing the topmost material clamp closer to the upper transfer gripper.

[0016] In some embodiments, the material transfer gripper includes a rotary cylinder, a rotary frame, and a pair of grippers; the rotary cylinder is mounted on the top surface of the support; the middle part of the rotary frame is mounted on the rotary cylinder; and the pair of grippers are mounted at both ends of the rotary frame for transferring the material clamps in the six-station feeder to the feeding bin.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0018] This invention's automated production line adopts a unique L-shaped layout, enabling the feeding, conveying, loading, and clamping of large-sized aluminum profiles in confined spaces, maximizing space utilization. The entire process, from unloading, conveying, flipping, clamping, opening, and clamping, is fully automated, eliminating human intervention and significantly improving production efficiency. In particular, the invention introduces a bottom-up discharge method for scattered materials, greatly simplifying auxiliary mechanisms and achieving excellent results. A unique four-axis flipping feeding robot with opening and closing arms enables synchronous flipping of the entire layer of material, completely changing the traditional single-piece flipping and loading method; the entire layer of material can be flipped in a single operation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are provided to further illustrate the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. Clearly, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0020] In the attached diagram:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the traditional manual material hanging process;

[0022] Figure 2 This is an overall layout diagram of the L-shaped automatic feeding workstation of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a plan view of the material dismantling mechanism and the material conveying mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the material dismantling mechanism and material conveying mechanism of the invention;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of the front section;

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of the rear;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping feeding mechanism and clamping mechanism of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the aluminum profile being clamped onto the lifting frame according to the present invention.

[0029] Attached diagram labels: 1-Disassembly mechanism, 2-Material conveying mechanism, 3-Tilting loading mechanism, 4-Clamping mechanism, 5-Material frame, 6-Lifting material rack, 7-Aluminum profile;

[0030] 101-Transplanting roller frame, 102-Transplanting roller, 111-Lifting frame, 112-Lifting motor, 113-Protrusion, 121-Frame, 122-Horizontal moving shaft, 123-Robotic arm, 124-Vision camera;

[0031] 201-Frame, 202-Exit roller, 203-Positioning table;

[0032] 301-Horizontal moving axis, 302-Lifting axis, 303-Tilting arm, 304-Tilting chamber, 305-Rotating arm, 306-Tilting axis, 307-Rotating axis, 308-Rotating cylinder, 309-Tilting cylinder, 310-Base;

[0033] 401-Six-station feeder, 402-Material transfer gripper, 403-Clamping and supply mechanism, 404-Clamping opener, 405-Material distribution pusher, 406-Material supply bin, 407-Box body, 408-Support, 411-Turntable, 412-Support rod, 413-Material clamp, 414-Rotating frame, 415-Gripper.

[0034] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] like Figures 2 to 8 As shown, an L-shaped automatic feeding workstation suitable for limited spaces includes a dismantling mechanism 1, a conveying mechanism 2, a flipping feeding mechanism 3, and a clamping mechanism 4. The dismantling mechanism 1 is used to dismantle the bottom layer of aluminum profiles 7 in the discharge frame 5. The conveying mechanism 2 is installed at the discharge port of the dismantling mechanism 1 and is used to move the dismantled layer of aluminum profiles 7 along with the discharge roller to the positioning table and stop. The flipping feeding mechanism 3 flips the layer of aluminum profiles 7 in the conveying mechanism 2 from a horizontal state to a vertical state and then clamps it to the lifting frame 6. The clamping mechanism 4 is installed on the outside of the flipping feeding mechanism 3 and fixes the aluminum profiles 7 to the lifting frame 6 with material clamps. The dismantling mechanism 1, the conveying mechanism 2, the flipping feeding mechanism 3, and the clamping mechanism 4 form an L-shaped spatial layout.

[0039] The following is a preferred embodiment of the dismantling mechanism described in the above embodiments:

[0040] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the material removal mechanism 1 includes a transplanting roller mechanism, a positioning lifting frame, and a vision robotic arm. The transplanting roller mechanism consists of a transplanting roller frame 101 and a transplanting roller 102 located in the transplanting roller frame 101. The positioning lifting frame is arranged as a whole in the transplanting roller frame 101 and is used to lift the material frame 5. The vision robotic arm is installed on the left and right sides of the positioning lifting frame and mainly includes a robotic arm 123 and a vision camera 124 installed at the end of the robotic arm 123. The vision camera 124 detects the height of each layer of aluminum profile 7 in the material frame 5. The positioning lifting frame lifts the material frame 5 according to the height of the detected point, so that the robotic arm 123 can be inserted into the cross section of the aluminum profile 7 between the bottom first layer and the bottom second layer. The positioning lifting frame descends so that the bottom first layer of aluminum profile 7 contacts the transplanting roller 102. Under the action of the transplanting roller 102, the first layer of aluminum profile 7 is separated.

[0041] A further embodiment: The positioning lifting frame includes a lifting frame 111 for supporting the material frame 5, multiple lifting motors 112 and multiple protrusions 113; the lifting frame 111 is arranged in the transplanting roller frame 101; the bottom of the multiple lifting motors 112 is fixed to the ground and the top is connected to the lifting frame 111 for raising and lowering the lifting frame 111; the multiple protrusions 113 are arranged around the lifting frame 111 for limiting the material frame 5 on the lifting frame 111.

[0042] A further embodiment: The vision robotic arm also includes a frame 121 fixed to the ground, on which a horizontal moving axis 122 is provided. The robotic arm 123 is mounted on the horizontal moving axis 122, and the vision robotic arm 123 and the vision camera 124 on it are driven to move left and right through the horizontal moving axis 122.

[0043] The following is a preferred embodiment of the material conveying mechanism described in the above embodiments:

[0044] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the material conveying mechanism 2 includes a frame 201, a transfer roller 202, and a positioning table 203 installed on the ground; the transfer roller 202 is installed on the frame 201 and is at the same height as the transfer roller 101 in the unloading mechanism 1; the positioning table 203 is installed on the frame 201 and is located at the end of the transfer roller 202, and is used to stop the aluminum profile 7 that moves forward with the transfer roller 202.

[0045] A further solution: The positioning stage 203 is a corner plate, and multiple contact sensors are installed on the vertical surface of the corner plate. After the aluminum profile 7 touches the contact sensor, the controller controls the removal roller motor to stop working.

[0046] The following is a preferred embodiment of the above-described flipping feeding mechanism:

[0047] like Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown, the tilting and feeding mechanism includes a horizontal moving shaft 301, a lifting shaft 302, a tilting arm 303, a tilting bin 304, and a rotating arm 305. The horizontal moving shaft 301 is fixed on the base 310. The lifting shaft 302 is fixed on the moving platform of the horizontal moving shaft 301. The front end of the tilting arm 303 is mounted on the lifting shaft 302 and can move up, down, forward, and backward along with the lifting shaft 302 and the horizontal moving shaft 301. The front end of the tilting bin 304 is mounted on the end of the tilting arm 303, and the tilting bin 304 can rotate around the tilting shaft 306 through a connected tilting cylinder 309. The rotating arm 305 is mounted on the end of the tilting bin 304. The rotating arm 305 can rotate around the rotating shaft 307 via the rotating cylinder 308. The rotating arm 305 rotates to a horizontal state, forming a 90-degree angle with the vertical tilting chamber 304. The tilting chamber 304 rotates around the shaft to a horizontal state and lifts the first layer of aluminum profile 7 to the position. The rotating arm 305 rotates to a vertical state, and the horizontal moving shaft 301 moves to drive the tilting chamber 304 to move backward. At the same time, the tilting chamber 304 rotates again around the tilting shaft 306 by 90°, so that the first layer of aluminum profile 7 in the tilting chamber 304 is in a vertical state. The horizontal moving shaft 301 moves to drive the tilting chamber 304 to continue to move backward until the first layer of aluminum profile 7 is vertically attached to the lifting rack 6.

[0048] The following is a preferred embodiment of the clamping mechanism described in the above embodiments:

[0049] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the clamping mechanism includes a six-station feeder 401, a material transfer gripper 402, and a clamping supply system. The six-station feeder 401 is mounted on the base 310 via a housing 407 and is used to store all the required clamps 413. The material transfer gripper 402 is mounted on the housing 407 via a bracket 408 and is close to the six-station feeder 401, and is used to transfer the clamps 413 in the six-station feeder 401. The clamping supply system is mounted on the housing 407 and is close to the six-station feeder 401, and is used to clamp the aluminum profile 7 onto the lifting frame 6 using the clamps 413 transferred by the material transfer gripper 402.

[0050] A further embodiment: The clamping and supply system includes a clamping and supply mechanism 403, a clamp opener 404 for opening the clamps 413, a material distributor 405, and a material feed bin 406; the clamping and supply mechanism 403 is a two-axis structure, namely a lifting shaft and a supply shaft, the lifting shaft is mounted on the housing 407, and the supply shaft is mounted on the lifting shaft; the clamp opener 404 is mounted on the supply shaft, and the clamp opener 404 moves forward with the supply shaft to clamp onto the workpiece; the material distributor 405 is mounted on the bracket 408 and located below the material transfer gripper 402; the material feed bin 406 is mounted on the material distributor 405 and is used to receive the clamps 413 transferred by the material transfer gripper 402, and the material distributor 405 pushes the lowest clamp 413 located in the material feed bin 406 into the clamp opener 404.

[0051] A further embodiment: The six-station feeder 401 includes a rotating mechanism, six support rods 412, and a lifting arm; the rotating mechanism is installed in the housing 407, and the rotating shaft of the rotating mechanism extends out of the housing 407 and is connected to the turntable 411 located on the housing 407; the six support rods 412 are perpendicular to the turntable 411 and are evenly spaced around the turntable 411, and each support rod 412 is fitted with multiple material clamps 413; the lifting arm is installed on the side of the bracket 408 near the six-station feeder 401, and is used to lift the material clamps 413 in the six-station feeder 401 from the bottom, thereby bringing the topmost material clamp 413 closer to the upper transfer gripper 402.

[0052] A further embodiment: The material transfer gripper 402 includes a rotary cylinder, a rotary frame 414 and a pair of grippers 415; the rotary cylinder is mounted on the top surface of the bracket 408; the middle part of the rotary frame 414 is mounted on the rotary cylinder; the pair of grippers 415 are mounted at both ends of the rotary frame 414 for transferring the material clamp 413 in the six-station feeder 401 to the feeding bin 406.

[0053] The main workflow of the L-shaped automatic feeding workstation of this invention is: unloading --- conveying --- flipping loading --- clamping; the specific process is as follows:

[0054] (1) Material dismantling: The material frame is manually hoisted to the lifting frame by a crane for positioning and fixing. The vision camera on the vision robot takes pictures of the front and rear ends of the material frame and analyzes and judges whether the aluminum profile is improperly placed. At the same time, it provides the height data of each layer. The lifting frame lifts the material frame according to the analysis results, so that the vision robot can insert into the aluminum profile section between the first and second layers. At this time, only the first layer of aluminum profile is left in the material frame. The lifting frame descends so that the first layer contacts the transfer roller. Under the action of the transfer roller, the first layer of material is dismantled.

[0055] (2) Conveying: The first layer that has been split is moved forward with the transfer roller to the positioning platform and stops, and the positioning information is given. The transfer roller is arranged at the right end of the lifting frame and is at the same height as the transplanting roller. The end of the transfer roller is fixed with a positioning platform.

[0056] (3) Tilting and feeding: The tilting and feeding mechanism moves forward and opens the rotating arm ---- The tilting chamber rotates around the axis to a horizontal state and lifts the first layer that has reached the position ---- The rotating arm closes, leaving the first layer in the tilting chamber ---- The tilting and feeding mechanism moves backward, and at the same time the tilting chamber rotates around the axis again by 90°, so that the first layer in the tilting chamber is in a vertical state ---- The tilting and feeding mechanism continues to move backward until the first layer is vertically attached to the lifting frame.

[0057] (4) Clamping: The six-station feeder stores all the required clamps. The clamps are transferred from the six-station feeder to the feed bin through the material transfer claws. The bottom clamp of the feed bin is pushed into the clamp opener by the feed pusher. The clamp opener moves forward with the assistance of the clamping supply and the claws rest against the aluminum profile on the lifting rack.

[0058] As can be seen from the above, the present invention proposes an L-shaped automatic feeding workstation suitable for limited spaces, in order to meet the automated operation of horizontal feeding and clamping of aluminum profiles in such a small space.

[0059] (1) Propose an L-shaped layout: In view of the compact layout of the existing manual operation production line, and considering the large length-to-width ratio of the aluminum profile material, an L-shaped automatic material conveying layout for aluminum profiles is provided by utilizing the existing aluminum profile conveying channel. The material frame is placed on the positioning and lifting frame and does not enter the loading area. The aluminum profile is conveyed longitudinally to the loading area along the length of the material frame by the conveying roller, and then horizontally loaded to the lifting frame by the robot arm. This solves the problem of narrow horizontal space and the inability to automatically load materials when the existing production line conveying channel is perpendicular to the clamping direction.

[0060] (2) Automatic material unloading: Aluminum profiles are placed in the material box. In order to achieve the goal of automation and saving manpower, it is necessary to be able to automatically take out the aluminum profiles and send them to the loading and clamping area. Considering the characteristics of the material box, materials and stacking, this invention innovatively proposes a method of outputting the whole layer from the bottom. Before unloading, the cross-sectional data is given by the vision camera to guide the vision robot arm and the positioning lifting frame to work together. It can realize the first whole layer of aluminum profiles in the material box from the bottom and transport them to the loading and clamping area through the conveying roller. At the same time, the vision system equipped on the robot arm can conveniently detect whether the stacking order of aluminum profiles meets the requirements, which solves the problem of the pad plate hindering the unloading.

[0061] (3) Automatic feeding and clamping: The existing aluminum profile feeding and clamping is done manually. During operation, two workers stand at the corresponding workstations, take the aluminum profiles out of the material frame, lift them and place them against the lifting frame, and clamp them with clamps. Each clamping process is one piece. During production, each workstation requires two workers to be on duty at all times. Generally, there are more than one workstation, so the demand for manpower is very large. Therefore, this invention provides a robotic arm that can automatically feed and clamp. The stacked aluminum profiles that have been destacking are transported to the feeding area by the conveyor rollers. The entire structure is flipped by the flipping feeding mechanism and moved until it is against the lifting frame. The aluminum profiles are clamped by the automatic clamp supply and clamp opener, replacing manual operation and enabling the production line to be unmanned from material transportation to feeding and clamping.

[0062] In summary, the automated production line of this invention adopts a unique L-shaped layout, which enables the feeding, conveying, loading, and clamping of large-sized aluminum profiles in confined spaces, maximizing space utilization. The entire process, from unloading, conveying, flipping, clamping, opening, and clamping, is fully automated, eliminating human intervention and significantly improving production efficiency. In particular, the invention introduces a bottom-up discharge method for scattered materials, greatly simplifying auxiliary mechanisms and achieving excellent results. The unique four-axis flipping feeding robot with opening and closing arms enables synchronous flipping of the entire layer of material, completely changing the traditional single-piece flipping and loading method; the entire layer of material can be flipped in a single operation.

[0063] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0064] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features found in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are also within the scope of protection of this invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the embodiments described above, those skilled in the art can use them in combination based on known technical solutions and the technical problems to be solved by this application.

[0065] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An L-shaped automatic feeding workstation suitable for limited spaces, characterized in that, include: The material dismantling mechanism is used to separate the bottom layer of aluminum profiles in the material discharge frame; The material conveying mechanism is installed at the discharge port of the disassembly mechanism and is used to move the disassembled layer of aluminum profile along the removal roller to the positioning table and stop. The flipping feeding mechanism flips one layer of aluminum profile in the material conveying mechanism from a horizontal state to a vertical state and then attaches it to the lifting material rack. A clamping mechanism is installed on the outside of the flipping and feeding mechanism to fix the aluminum profile on the lifting frame through a clamp; The dismantling mechanism, conveying mechanism, flipping and loading mechanism, and clamping mechanism form an L-shaped spatial layout. The dismantling mechanism includes: The transplanting roller mechanism consists of a transplanting roller frame and transplanting rollers located within the transplanting roller frame; The positioning and lifting frame is integrally arranged in the transplanting roller frame and is used to lift the material frame; The vision robotic arm is installed on the left and right sides of the positioning and lifting frame. It mainly includes the robotic arm and a vision camera installed at the end of the robotic arm. The vision camera detects the height of each layer of aluminum profile in the material frame. The positioning and lifting frame lifts the material frame according to the height of the detection point, so that the robotic arm can be inserted into the cross section of the aluminum profile between the bottom first layer and the bottom second layer. The positioning and lifting frame descends so that the bottom first layer of aluminum profile contacts the transfer roller. Under the action of the transfer roller, the first layer of aluminum profile is separated. The flipping and feeding mechanism includes: The horizontal moving axis is fixed to the base; The lifting shaft is fixed on the moving platform of the horizontal moving shaft; The tilting arm, whose front end is mounted on the lifting shaft, can move up and down and back and forth following the lifting shaft and the horizontal moving shaft. The tilting chamber is mounted at the end of the tilting arm, and the tilting chamber can rotate around the tilting axis via a connected tilting cylinder. A rotating arm is installed at the end of the tilting chamber. The rotating arm can rotate around the rotating axis via a rotating cylinder. When the rotating arm rotates to a horizontal state, it forms a 90-degree angle with the vertical tilting chamber. When the tilting chamber rotates around the axis to a horizontal state, it lifts the first layer of aluminum profiles to the position. When the rotating arm rotates to a vertical state, the horizontal moving shaft moves and drives the tilting chamber to move backward. At the same time, the tilting chamber rotates 90° around the tilting axis again, so that the first layer of aluminum profiles in the tilting chamber is in a vertical state. The horizontal moving shaft moves and drives the tilting chamber to continue to move backward until the first layer of aluminum profiles is vertically attached to the lifting rack. The clamping mechanism includes: The six-station feeder is mounted on the base via a housing and is used to store all the necessary clamps. The material transfer gripper is mounted on the housing via a bracket and is close to the six-station distributor, and is used to transfer the material clamps in the six-station distributor. A clamping and supplying system is installed on the housing and close to the six-station distributor. The material clamps used to transfer the material transfer claws clamp the aluminum profiles onto the lifting material rack. The clamping and supply system includes: The clamping and feeding mechanism is a two-axis structure, consisting of a lifting shaft and a feeding shaft. The lifting shaft is mounted on the housing, and the feeding shaft is mounted on the lifting shaft. A clamp opener for opening the material clamp is installed on the supply shaft. The clamp opener moves forward with the supply shaft and clamps onto the workpiece. The material distribution pusher is installed on the bracket and located below the material transfer gripper; The feeding bin is installed on the distributing pusher and is used to receive the material clamps transferred by the material transfer claws. The distributing pusher pushes the lowest material clamp in the feeding bin into the clamp opener. The six-station feeder includes: A rotating mechanism is installed in the housing, and the rotating shaft of the rotating mechanism extends out of the housing and is connected to a turntable located on the housing; Six support rods are arranged perpendicularly to the turntable and evenly spaced around the turntable, and each support rod is fitted with multiple material clamps. The lifting arm is installed on the side of the bracket near the six-position feeder and is used to lift the material clamps in the six-position feeder from the bottom, thereby bringing the topmost material clamps closer to the upper transfer gripper. The material transfer gripper includes: A rotary cylinder is mounted on the top surface of the bracket; A rotating frame, the middle of which is mounted on the rotating cylinder; A pair of grippers are installed at both ends of the rotating frame to transfer the material clamps in the six-station feeder to the feeding bin; The positioning and lifting frame includes: The lifting frame used to support the material frame is arranged in the transplanting roller frame; Multiple lifting motors, with their bottoms fixed to the ground and their tops connected to the lifting frame, are used to raise and lower the lifting frame; Multiple protrusions are arranged around the lifting frame to limit the material frame on the lifting frame; The vision robotic arm also includes a frame fixed to the ground, on which a horizontal moving axis is provided. The robotic arm is mounted on the horizontal moving axis, and the vision robotic arm and the vision camera on it are moved left and right by the horizontal moving axis. The material conveying mechanism includes: A rack installed on the ground; The transfer roller is mounted on the frame and is at the same height as the transfer roller in the unloading mechanism; A positioning table, mounted on the frame and located at the end of the transfer roller, is used to stop the aluminum profile moving forward with the transfer roller.

2. The L-shaped automatic feeding workstation suitable for limited spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning platform is a corner plate, and multiple contact sensors are installed on the vertical surface of the corner plate. After the aluminum profile touches the contact sensor, the controller controls the removal roller motor to stop working.

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