A flexible automated production line

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of flexible production line technology and discloses a flexible automated production line, including a base plate. A barcode scanner and a loading dock are mounted on the upper side of the base plate. A ground rail is installed on the upper side of the base plate, and a traveling platform is slidably connected to the upper side of the ground rail. CNC machining centers are evenly distributed on the outer side of the ground rail. A transfer platform is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate, serving as a temporary material transfer buffer. A storage docking mechanism is provided between the ground rail and the transfer platform. The CNC machining centers and the storage docking mechanism are interconnected by barriers to form independent areas. This invention decouples logistics scheduling from processing execution, enabling the production line to quickly respond to changes in production plans and flexibly adapt to multi-variety, small-batch production tasks. Simultaneously, due to efficient and precise material supply, the waiting time for CNC machining centers is significantly reduced, and the utilization rate of the traveling platform is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of flexible production line technology, specifically a flexible automated production line. Background Technology

[0002] As the manufacturing industry moves towards multi-variety, small-batch, and customized production, traditional rigid automated production lines, due to their difficulties in changing products and fixed layouts, are no longer able to adapt to rapidly changing market demands. Flexible automated production lines have emerged to address this need, their core being the use of programmable and reconfigurable equipment units to enable rapid switching between different products or processes.

[0003] Currently, common flexible production lines typically consist of independent machining centers (such as CNC), material handling systems (such as conveyor belts and AGVs), and loading / unloading devices. However, such systems still face several bottlenecks in practice: First, the flow of materials between processing equipment often relies on pre-set fixed-path conveyor lines or manual intervention, lacking flexibility and making it difficult to respond in real time to changes in production rhythm. Second, the storage and supply of workpieces and cutting tools are usually separated from the processing area, and the material changing and tool changing processes still require significant manual intervention or complex specialized machinery, affecting overall efficiency. Furthermore, the lack of efficient coordination and buffering mechanisms between the various units of the production line means that when a piece of equipment needs maintenance or fixture replacement, the entire line may face the risk of shutdown, and equipment utilization needs to be improved.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a flexible automated production line solution with higher integration, a more compact layout, and a closer integration of material flow and information flow. This solution should enable the automatic and flexible flow of workpieces between processing, inspection, and temporary storage stations, and integrate automated management functions for workpieces and cutting tools, thereby reducing manual intervention and improving production flexibility and overall equipment efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible automated production line to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a flexible automated production line, comprising a base plate, a barcode scanner and a loading dock on the upper side of the base plate, a ground rail installed on the upper side of the base plate, a traveling platform slidably connected to the upper side of the ground rail, CNC machining centers evenly distributed on the outer side of the ground rail, a transfer platform fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate, the transfer platform serving as a temporary material transfer buffer zone, a storage docking mechanism provided between the ground rail and the transfer platform, and the CNC machining centers and the storage docking mechanism being interconnected by barriers to form an independent area;

[0007] The loading dock includes a loading platform, a loading mechanism, and a transport trolley. The loading platform is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate, the loading mechanism is installed on one side of the loading platform, and the transport trolley is provided on one side of the loading mechanism. The transport trolley can move automatically.

[0008] The storage docking mechanism includes a storage rack, a material picking component, and a material feeding component. The storage rack is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate. The storage rack can store workpiece trays and tool trays. The material feeding component is provided on the side of the storage rack near the ground rail, and the material picking component is provided on the side of the storage rack near the transfer table.

[0009] Furthermore, the barcode scanning station includes a material rack and a workbench. The workbench is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate, and material racks are fixedly installed on both sides of the workbench.

[0010] Furthermore, the feeding mechanism includes a feeding frame, a support plate, a moving block, a lead screw, a connecting frame, a lifting cylinder, and a guide rail. The feeding frame is fixedly installed on the inner side of the feeding platform. The support plate is fixedly connected to the side of the feeding frame near the feeding platform. The lead screw is rotatably connected to the support plate. A servo motor is fixedly installed at one end of the lead screw. The moving block is threadedly connected to the outer side of the lead screw. The connecting frame is fixedly connected to the upper side of the moving block. Multiple sets of lifting cylinders are fixedly connected to the upper side of the connecting frame. The guide rail is fixedly installed on the upper side of the support plate. A slider is fixedly installed on the connecting frame, and the slider slides on the guide rail.

[0011] A servo motor mounted on the loading frame drives a lead screw to rotate. A moving block, threaded with the lead screw, moves axially accordingly. This moving block, via a connecting frame, drives multiple sets of lifting cylinders mounted on it to move synchronously. During this process, a slider on the connecting frame slides along a guide rail to ensure smooth movement. When the lifting cylinder moves directly below the target workpiece tray or tool tray, its piston rod extends, lifting the workpiece tray.

[0012] Subsequently, the entire loading mechanism transfers the workpiece tray or tool tray to a ready-to-go transport trolley. This transport trolley is capable of automatic movement, carrying the workpiece tray away from the loading dock and into the enclosed production area defined by the fencing.

[0013] Furthermore, the ground rail includes a track and a rack, with the track fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate and the rack fixedly installed on the track.

[0014] Furthermore, the accompanying platform includes a platform body, a robotic arm, a first fixture, a second fixture, a workpiece rack, a tool rack, a drive unit, and a placement platform. The platform body is located on the upper side of the track. The robotic arm is installed at the center of the inner side of the platform body. The platform body is provided with a left operating area and a right operating area. The tool rack and the first fixture are installed on the inner side of the left operating area, and the second fixture and the workpiece rack are installed on the inner side of the right operating area. Placement platforms are installed on the inner sides of both the left and right operating areas. The drive unit is installed at the bottom of the platform body, allowing it to move on the ground track.

[0015] Furthermore, the driving component includes a guide wheel, a motor, a gear, and a sliding block. The motor is fixedly connected to the inner side of the platform, and the gear is fixedly connected to the lower output end of the motor. The gear meshes with a rack. The sliding block is fixedly connected to the bottom side of the platform and slides on the track. The guide wheel is rotatably connected to the bottom of the platform and rolls on the track.

[0016] The traveling platform, as a mobile processing unit, operates autonomously on a ground track. Its drive mechanism consists of a motor that drives a gear that meshes with a rack fixed beside the track to provide power, while guide wheels and sliding blocks ensure smooth operation.

[0017] When a CNC station needs to be loaded or the traveling table needs to be replenished, the traveling table moves to the designated docking point of the storage docking mechanism. The feeding component of the storage docking mechanism, according to instructions, retrieves the corresponding workpiece tray or tool tray from the storage rack and moves it to the docking point.

[0018] The docking part of the feeding assembly smoothly places the workpiece tray or tool tray onto the placement platform of the accompanying table through the aforementioned extension action.

[0019] Furthermore, both the material handling component and the feeding component are displacement mechanisms;

[0020] The displacement mechanism includes a gantry frame, an X-axis displacement component, a Y-axis displacement component, and a docking component. The gantry frame is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate. An X-axis displacement component is installed at the bottom of the gantry frame. A Y-axis displacement component is provided on the X-axis displacement component. A docking component is provided on the Y-axis displacement component. The Y-axis displacement component moves linearly on the X-axis displacement component and the gantry frame. The docking component moves linearly on the Y-axis displacement component.

[0021] Furthermore, the X-axis displacement component includes a second guide rail, a second sliding block, a second rack, a second motor, and a second gear. A fixed platform is installed at the bottom of the gantry frame, and the second guide rail is installed on the fixed platform. The second sliding block is slidably connected to the upper side of the second guide rail, and a support platform is fixedly connected to the upper side of the second sliding block. The second motor is fixedly installed on the support platform, and the second gear is fixedly connected to the lower output end of the second motor. The second rack is fixedly connected to the fixed platform, and the second gear meshes with the second rack.

[0022] Furthermore, the Y-axis displacement component includes a Y-axis frame, a third motor, a first pulley, a transmission belt, and a sliding assembly. The third motor is fixedly connected to the bottom of the Y-axis frame, and the output end of the third motor is fixedly connected to the Y-axis frame. The first pulley is rotatably connected to both the upper and lower ends of the Y-axis frame. The output end of the third motor is fixedly connected to the lower first pulley. The outer sides of the two sets of first pulleys are connected to a transmission belt. The sliding assembly is fixedly connected to the upper side of the Y-axis frame, and the sliding assembly slides on the gantry frame.

[0023] Furthermore, the docking component includes a housing, a fourth motor, a second pulley, a mounting bracket, a third gear, a third rack, a first docking plate, a sprocket, a chain, a moving plate, a moving wheel, and the second docking plate. A linear guide rail is fixedly connected to the Y-axis frame, and a connecting platform is slidably connected to the linear guide rail. The housing is fixedly connected to the connecting platform, and a mounting bracket is fixedly connected to the inner side of the housing. A fourth motor is fixedly connected to the inner side of the mounting bracket, and a third gear is rotatably connected to the inner side of the mounting bracket. A second pulley is fixedly connected to the output end of the fourth motor and one side of the third gear. A linkage belt connects the two sets of second pulleys. The belt has a rack three on its upper side, a docking plate one fixedly connected to the upper side of the rack three, the docking plate one sliding on the mounting frame, a sprocket rotatably connected to the docking plate one, a chain meshing on the outer side of the sprocket, a moving wheel rollingly connected to the inner side of the docking plate one, a moving plate rotatably connected to one side of the moving wheel, a docking plate two fixedly connected to the upper side of the moving plate, two sets of sprockets and chains arranged symmetrically about the center of the docking plate one, one end of the chain fixedly connected to the mounting frame, and the other end fixedly connected to the docking plate two, and the connecting platform fixedly connected to the transmission belt.

[0024] The material handling assembly (a displacement mechanism) moves to the top of the transfer platform. Its docking component performs the disk-grabbing action: motor four drives gear three to rotate via pulley two and a linkage belt. Gear three "travels" along a fixed rack three, pushing docking plate one to extend horizontally. At the same time, the meshing transmission of the sprocket and chain drives docking plate two to move in tandem, so that both are precisely inserted into the bottom of the workpiece disk or tool disk on the transfer platform to complete the gripping.

[0025] After the workpiece or tool tray is gripped, the X-axis and Y-axis displacement components of the displacement mechanism work together. Motor 2 drives gear 2 to mesh with rack 2, enabling the entire mechanism to move laterally (X-axis) along the gantry frame; Motor 3 drives the docking component to move vertically (Y-axis) along the Y-axis frame via a transmission belt, thereby accurately storing the pallet in the designated storage location of the storage rack.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a flexible automated production line with the following advantages:

[0027] 1. In traditional production lines, material handling often relies on fixed paths or each processing unit carries a large amount of material, leading to rigid scheduling or excessive load on mobile units. This invention centralizes the buffering, management, and distribution functions of materials into a storage and docking mechanism through a process of "receiving at a transfer station—unified management by a central storage mechanism—on-demand delivery to mobile workstations." This allows the workstations, as the core execution units, to carry only what is needed for the current process, rather than carrying all materials for extended periods, making them lighter and more mobile. The central control system can dynamically and in real-time allocate workpieces and tools to the workstations through the storage and docking mechanism based on the processing progress of each CNC machining center and the position of the workstations. This design decouples logistics scheduling from processing execution, enabling the production line to quickly respond to changes in production plans and flexibly adapt to multi-variety, small-batch production tasks. Simultaneously, due to the efficient and precise material supply, the waiting time for CNC machining centers is significantly reduced, and the utilization rate of the workstations is improved.

[0028] 2. This invention, through a storage docking mechanism with automatic docking function, achieves overall storage and batch transfer of palletized materials, greatly improving material turnover efficiency and simplifying system operation. Traditional solutions typically rely on robotic arms to pick up workpieces or tools one by one from shelves or conveyor lines, which is inefficient and complex. The core advantage of this invention lies in the storage docking mechanism's ability to store and transport standardized workpiece and tool trays as a whole. Both its picking and feeding components employ a displacement mechanism integrating three-axis displacement and a dedicated docking component. This docking component, through a precise gear, rack, and sprocket chain linkage mechanism, can automatically and smoothly pick up and place the entire pallet from the storage rack or transfer table in one go, and can directly move it to the docking point with the accompanying table for batch transfer of the entire pallet (e.g., placing it on the placement table). This design eliminates the tedious and time-consuming steps of a robotic arm picking up and placing materials one by one from the pallet onto the accompanying table. After the accompanying table receives the entire pallet of materials, the robotic arm can easily redistribute the materials (e.g., placing workpieces into the workpiece rack) during movement or while serving the CNC. This not only significantly shortens the turnaround time of materials in the core logistics links, but also simplifies the interaction logic between the accompanying station and the storage mechanism, improving the reliability and operating cycle of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the barcode scanner of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the loading dock of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the feeding mechanism of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the CNC machining center of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the ground track of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the ground track of the present invention from another angle;

[0036] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 7 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the accompanying platform of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the transfer platform of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the storage docking mechanism of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the displacement mechanism of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the displacement mechanism of the present invention from another angle;

[0042] Figure 14 For the present invention Figure 12 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0043] Figure 15 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the docking component of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 16 This is an exploded three-dimensional structural diagram of the docking component of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 17 This is an exploded three-dimensional structural diagram of the docking component of the present invention from another angle.

[0046] In the diagram: 1. Base plate; 2. Scanning station; 21. Material rack; 22. Workbench; 3. Loading dock; 31. Loading platform; 32. Loading mechanism; 321. Loading frame; 322. Support plate; 323. Moving block; 324. Lead screw; 325. Connecting frame; 326. Lifting cylinder; 327. Guide rail one; 33. Transport trolley; 4. Enclosure; 5. Ground rail; 51. Track; 52. Rack one; 6. CNC machining center; 7. Traveling table; 71. Platform body; 72. Robotic arm; 73. Fixture one; 74. Fixture two; 75. Workpiece rack; 76. Tool rack; 77. Drive unit; 771. Guide wheel; 772. Motor one; 773. Gear one; 774. Sliding block one; 78. Placement platform; 8. Storage docking mechanism; 81. Storage rack; 82. Material picking group Components; 83. Feeding assembly; 9. Transfer table; 10. Displacement mechanism; 101. Gantry frame; 102. X-axis displacement component; 1021. Guide rail two; 1022. Sliding block two; 1023. Rack two; 1024. Motor two; 1025. Gear two; 103. Y-axis displacement component; 1031. Y-axis frame; 1032. Motor three; 1033. Belt pulley one; 1034. Transmission belt; 1035. Sliding group; 104. Connecting component; 1041. Housing; 1042. Motor four; 1043. Belt pulley two; 1044. Mounting bracket; 1045. Gear three; 1046. Rack three; 1047. Connecting plate one; 1048. Sprocket; 1049. Chain; 10410. Moving plate; 10411. Moving wheel; 10412. Connecting plate two. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] Example

[0049] Please see Figures 1-17 A flexible automated production line includes a base plate 1, a barcode scanner 2 and a loading dock 3 on the upper side of the base plate 1, a ground rail 5 installed on the upper side of the base plate 1, a traveling platform 7 slidably connected to the upper side of the ground rail 5, CNC machining centers 6 evenly distributed on the outer side of the ground rail 5, a transfer platform 9 fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate 1, the transfer platform 9 serving as a temporary material transfer buffer zone, a storage docking mechanism 8 between the ground rail 5 and the transfer platform 9, and the CNC machining centers 6 and the storage docking mechanism 8 being interconnected by a barrier 4 to form an independent area.

[0050] The loading dock 3 includes a loading platform 31, a loading mechanism 32, and a transport trolley 33. The loading platform 31 is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate 1. The loading mechanism 32 is installed on one side of the loading platform 31. The transport trolley 33 is provided on one side of the loading mechanism 32. The transport trolley 33 can move automatically.

[0051] The storage docking mechanism 8 includes a storage rack 81, a material picking component 82, and a feeding component 83. The storage rack 81 is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate 1. The storage rack 81 can store workpiece trays and tool trays. The feeding component 83 is provided on the side of the storage rack 81 near the ground rail 5, and the material picking component 82 is provided on the side of the storage rack 81 near the transfer station 9.

[0052] Furthermore, the barcode scanner 2 includes a material rack 21 and a workbench 22. The workbench 22 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate 1, and the material rack 21 is fixedly installed on both sides of the workbench 22.

[0053] Furthermore, the feeding mechanism 32 includes a feeding frame 321, a support plate 322, a moving block 323, a lead screw 324, a connecting frame 325, a lifting cylinder 326, and a guide rail 327. The feeding frame 321 is fixedly installed on the inner side of the feeding platform 31. The support plate 322 is fixedly connected to the side of the feeding frame 321 near the feeding platform 31. The lead screw 324 is rotatably connected to the support plate 322. A servo motor is fixedly installed at one end of the lead screw 324. The moving block 323 is threadedly connected to the outer side of the lead screw 324. The connecting frame 325 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the moving block 323. Multiple sets of lifting cylinders 326 are fixedly connected to the upper side of the connecting frame 325. The guide rail 327 is fixedly installed on the upper side of the support plate 322. A slider is fixedly installed on the connecting frame 325 and slides on the guide rail 327.

[0054] A servo motor mounted on the loading frame 321 drives the lead screw 324 to rotate. The moving block 323, threadedly engaged with the lead screw 324, moves axially accordingly. The moving block 323, via the connecting frame 325, drives multiple sets of lifting cylinders 326 mounted on it to move synchronously. During this process, the slider on the connecting frame 325 slides along the guide rail 327 to ensure smooth movement. When the lifting cylinder 326 moves directly below the target workpiece tray or tool tray, its piston rod extends, lifting the workpiece tray.

[0055] Subsequently, the entire loading mechanism 32 transfers the workpiece tray or tool tray to the standby transport trolley 33. The transport trolley 33 is capable of automatic movement, carrying the workpiece tray away from the loading dock 3 and into the enclosed production area defined by the enclosure 4.

[0056] Furthermore, the ground rail 5 includes a track 51 and a rack 52. The track 51 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate 1, and the rack 52 is fixedly installed on the track 51.

[0057] Furthermore, the accompanying platform 7 includes a platform body 71, a robotic arm 72, a first fixture 73, a second fixture 74, a workpiece holder 75, a tool holder 76, a drive unit 77, and a placement platform 78. The platform body 71 is located on the upper side of the track 51. The robotic arm 72 is installed at the center of the inner side of the platform body 71. The platform body 71 is provided with a left operating area and a right operating area. The tool holder 76 and the first fixture 73 are installed on the inner side of the left operating area, and the second fixture 74 and the workpiece holder 75 are installed on the inner side of the right operating area. The placement platform 78 is installed on the inner side of both the left and right operating areas. The drive unit 77 is installed at the bottom of the platform body 71, and the platform body 77 can move on the ground track 5.

[0058] Furthermore, the driving component 77 includes a guide wheel 771, a motor 772, a gear 773, and a sliding block 774. The motor 772 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the platform 71, and the gear 773 is fixedly connected to the lower output end of the motor 772. The gear 773 meshes with the rack 52. The sliding block 774 is fixedly connected to the bottom side of the platform 71 and slides on the track 51. The guide wheel 771 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the platform 71 and rolls on the track 51.

[0059] The accompanying platform 7, as a mobile processing unit, operates autonomously on the ground track 5. Its drive unit 77's motor 772 drives the gear 773, which meshes with the rack 52 fixed beside the track 51 to provide power. The guide wheel 771 and the sliding block 774 ensure smooth operation.

[0060] When a CNC workstation needs to be loaded or the traveling table 7 needs to be replenished, the traveling table 7 moves to the designated docking point of the storage docking mechanism 8. The feeding component 83 of the storage docking mechanism 8 takes out the corresponding workpiece tray or tool tray from the storage rack 81 according to the instruction and moves it to the docking point.

[0061] The docking part 104 of the feeding assembly 83 smoothly places the workpiece tray or tool tray onto the placement platform 78 of the accompanying table 7 through the aforementioned extension action.

[0062] Furthermore, both the material handling component 82 and the feeding component 83 are displacement mechanisms 10;

[0063] The displacement mechanism 10 includes a gantry frame 101, an X-axis displacement component 102, a Y-axis displacement component 103, and a docking component 104. The gantry frame 101 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate 1. The X-axis displacement component 102 is installed at the bottom of the gantry frame 101. The Y-axis displacement component 103 is provided on the X-axis displacement component 102. The docking component 104 is provided on the Y-axis displacement component 103. The Y-axis displacement component 103 moves linearly on the X-axis displacement component 102 and the gantry frame 101. The docking component 104 moves linearly on the Y-axis displacement component 103.

[0064] Furthermore, the X-axis displacement component 102 includes a guide rail 1021, a sliding block 1022, a rack 1023, a motor 1024, and a gear 1025. A fixed platform is installed at the bottom of the gantry 101, and the guide rail 1021 is installed on the fixed platform. The sliding block 1022 is slidably connected to the upper side of the guide rail 1021. A support platform is fixedly connected to the upper side of the sliding block 1022. The motor 1024 is fixedly installed on the support platform. The gear 1025 is fixedly connected to the lower output end of the motor 1024. The rack 1023 is fixedly connected to the fixed platform, and the gear 1025 meshes with the rack 1023.

[0065] Furthermore, the Y-axis displacement component 103 includes a Y-axis frame 1031, a third motor 1032, a first pulley 1033, a transmission belt 1034, and a sliding assembly 1035. The bottom of the Y-axis frame 1031 is fixedly connected to the third motor 1032, and the output end of the third motor 1032 is fixedly connected to the Y-axis frame 1031. The first pulley 1033 is rotatably connected to both the upper and lower ends of the Y-axis frame 1031. The output end of the third motor 1032 is fixedly connected to the lower pulley 1033. The outer sides of the two sets of first pulleys 1033 are connected to the transmission belt 1034. The upper side of the Y-axis frame 1031 is fixedly connected to the sliding assembly 1035, which slides on the gantry frame 101.

[0066] Furthermore, the docking component 104 includes a housing 1041, a fourth motor 1042, a second pulley 1043, a mounting bracket 1044, a third gear 1045, a third rack 1046, a first docking plate 1047, a sprocket 1048, a chain 1049, a moving plate 10410, a moving wheel 10411, and a second docking plate 10412. A linear guide rail is fixedly connected to the Y-axis frame 1031, and a connecting platform is slidably connected to the linear guide rail. The housing 1041 is fixedly connected to the connecting platform. The mounting bracket 1044 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the housing 1041. The fourth motor 1042 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the mounting bracket 1044. The third gear 1045 is also rotatably connected to the inner side of the mounting bracket 1044. The output end of the fourth motor 1042 and one side of the third gear 1045 are both fixedly connected to the second pulley 1043, and the two sets of second pulleys 1043 are connected for transmission. The device has a linkage belt, and a rack 1046 is provided on the upper side of the gear 3 1045. A docking plate 1 1047 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the rack 3 1046. The docking plate 1 1047 slides on the mounting frame 1044. A sprocket 1048 is rotatably connected to the docking plate 1 1047. A chain 1049 is meshed on the outer side of the sprocket 1048. A movable wheel 10411 is rotatably connected to the inner side of the docking plate 1 1047. A moving plate 10410 is rotatably connected to one side of the movable wheel 10411. A docking plate 2 10412 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the moving plate 10410. Two sets of sprockets 1048 and chains 1049 are arranged symmetrically about the center of the docking plate 1 1047. One end of the chain 1049 is fixedly connected to the mounting frame 1044, and the other end is fixedly connected to the docking plate 2 10412. The connecting platform is fixedly connected to the transmission belt 1034.

[0067] The material handling assembly 82 moves to the top of the transfer platform 9 via the displacement mechanism 10. Its docking component 104 performs the disk-grabbing action: the motor 1042 drives the gear 1045 to rotate via the pulley 1043 and the linkage belt. The gear 1045 "walks" along the fixed rack 1046, pushing the docking plate 1047 to extend horizontally. Simultaneously, the meshing transmission of the sprocket 1048 and the chain 1049 drives the docking plate 10412 to move in tandem, allowing both to precisely insert into the bottom of the workpiece disk or tool disk on the transfer platform 9, completing the gripping process.

[0068] After the workpiece or tool tray is gripped, the X-axis displacement component 102 and the Y-axis displacement component 103 of the displacement mechanism 10 work together. The second motor 1024 drives the second gear 1025 to mesh with the second rack 1023, realizing the movement of the entire mechanism along the transverse X-axis of the gantry frame 101; the third motor 1032 drives the docking component 104 to move perpendicularly along the Y-axis frame 1031 through the transmission belt 1034, thereby accurately storing the pallet into the designated storage position of the storage rack 81.

[0069] The specific usage and function of this embodiment are as follows:

[0070] The workpiece tray containing the blank workpiece or the tool tray containing the cutting tool is placed on the loading platform 31 of the loading dock 3 by manual or external system.

[0071] The loading mechanism 32 is activated to perform the tray-lifting action. Its working process is as follows: a servo motor mounted on the loading frame 321 drives the lead screw 324 to rotate. The moving block 323, threadedly engaged with the lead screw 324, moves axially accordingly. The moving block 323, through the connecting frame 325, drives multiple sets of lifting cylinders 326 mounted on it to move synchronously. During this process, the slider on the connecting frame 325 slides along the guide rail 327 to ensure smooth movement. When the lifting cylinder 326 moves directly below the target workpiece tray or tool tray, its piston rod extends, lifting the workpiece tray.

[0072] Subsequently, the entire loading mechanism 32 transfers the workpiece tray or tool tray to the standby transport trolley 33. The transport trolley 33 is capable of automatic movement, carrying the workpiece tray away from the loading dock 3 and into the enclosed production area defined by the enclosure 4.

[0073] The transport trolley 33 transports the workpiece tray or tool tray to the transfer platform 9 for placement. The transfer platform 9 serves as a temporary material transfer buffer. Once the workpiece tray or tool tray is placed there, the material handling component 82 of the storage docking mechanism 8 is activated.

[0074] The material handling assembly 82 moves to the top of the transfer platform 9 via the displacement mechanism 10. Its docking component 104 performs the disk-grabbing action: motor 1042 drives gear 1045 to rotate via pulley 1043 and a linkage belt. Gear 1045 travels along a fixed rack 1046, pushing docking plate 1047 to extend horizontally. Simultaneously, the meshing transmission of sprocket 1048 and chain 1049 drives docking plate 10412 to move in tandem, allowing both to precisely insert into the bottom of the workpiece or tool disk on the transfer platform 9, completing the gripping process.

[0075] After the workpiece or tool tray is gripped, the X-axis displacement component 102 and the Y-axis displacement component 103 of the displacement mechanism 10 work together. The second motor 1024 drives the second gear 1025 to mesh with the second rack 1023, realizing the movement of the entire mechanism along the transverse X-axis of the gantry frame 101; the third motor 1032 drives the docking component 104 to move perpendicularly along the Y-axis frame 1031 through the transmission belt 1034, thereby accurately storing the pallet into the designated storage position of the storage rack 81.

[0076] The accompanying platform 7, as a mobile processing unit, operates autonomously on the ground track 5. Its drive unit 77's motor 772 drives the gear 773, which meshes with the rack 52 fixed beside the track 51 to provide power. The guide wheel 771 and the sliding block 774 ensure smooth operation.

[0077] When a CNC workstation needs to be loaded or the traveling table 7 needs to be replenished, the traveling table 7 moves to the designated docking point of the storage docking mechanism 8. The feeding component 83 of the storage docking mechanism 8 takes out the corresponding workpiece tray or tool tray from the storage rack 81 according to the instruction and moves it to the docking point.

[0078] The docking part 104 of the feeding assembly 83 smoothly places the workpiece tray or tool tray onto the placement platform 78 of the accompanying table 7 through the aforementioned extension action.

[0079] The robotic arm 72 on the accompanying table 7 can place the material on the workpiece tray or tool tray onto the workpiece holder 75 or tool holder 76.

[0080] After the accompanying platform 7 obtains the material, it travels to the target CNC machining center 6. The robotic arm 72 at the center of its platform 71 uses clamp 73 or clamp 74 to grip the workpiece tray, tool tray or workpiece holder 75 or tool holder 76 on the placement platform 78, so as to load and unload materials or change tools on the CNC machining center 6.

[0081] During the processing, the accompanying table 7 can carry the workpiece tray and tool tray away to other CNC machining centers 6 to perform loading and unloading tasks, or to the storage docking mechanism 8 for material exchange. At the same time, the robotic arm 72 places the processed material on the empty workpiece tray and the replaced tool on the empty tool tray. The workpiece tray or tool tray is removed by the storage docking mechanism 8 and placed on the transfer table 9. The transport trolley 33 then moves it to other processes, realizing parallel processing and logistics, which greatly improves equipment utilization.

[0082] Throughout the process, the barcode scanner 2 uses an external scanner to identify the materials, and the information is uploaded to the central control system. The identified materials are placed on the loading platform 31. At the same time, the control system coordinates the actions of the transport trolley 33, the accompanying platform 7, each CNC machining center 6, and the storage docking mechanism 8, and dynamically optimizes the material flow path according to the production plan to achieve intelligent, flexible, and automated operation of the entire production line.

[0083] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A flexible automated production line comprising a base plate (1), characterized in that: A barcode scanner (2) and a loading dock (3) are provided on the upper side of the base plate (1). A ground rail (5) is installed on the upper side of the base plate (1). A traveling platform (7) is slidably connected to the upper side of the ground rail (5). CNC machining centers (6) are evenly distributed on the outer side of the ground rail (5). A transfer platform (9) is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate (1). A storage docking mechanism (8) is provided between the ground rail (5) and the transfer platform (9). The CNC machining centers (6) and the storage docking mechanism (8) are connected to each other through a fence (4) to form an independent area. The loading dock (3) includes a loading platform (31), a loading mechanism (32), and a transport trolley (33). The loading platform (31) is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate (1). The loading mechanism (32) is installed on one side of the loading platform (31). The transport trolley (33) is provided on one side of the loading mechanism (32). The transport trolley (33) can move automatically. The storage docking mechanism (8) includes a storage rack (81), a material picking component (82), and a material feeding component (83). The storage rack (81) is fixedly installed on the upper side of the base plate (1). The storage rack (81) can store workpiece trays and tool trays. The material feeding component (83) is provided on the side of the storage rack (81) near the ground rail (5), and the material picking component (82) is provided on the side of the storage rack (81) near the transfer table (9). The ground rail (5) includes a track (51), and the accompanying platform (7) includes a platform body (71), a robotic arm (72), a first fixture (73), a second fixture (74), a workpiece rack (75), a tool rack (76), a drive unit (77), and a placement platform (78). The platform body (71) is provided on the upper side of the track (51). The robotic arm (72) is installed at the center of the inner side of the platform body (71). The platform body (71) is provided with a left operating area and a right operating area. The tool rack (76) and the first fixture (73) are installed on the inner side of the left operating area. The second fixture (74) and the workpiece rack (75) are installed on the inner side of the right operating area. The placement platform (78) is installed on the inner side of both the left and right operating areas. The drive unit (77) is installed at the bottom of the platform body (71). The platform body (71) can move on the ground rail (5) through the drive unit (77). The material handling component (82) and the feeding component (83) are both displacement mechanisms (10); The displacement mechanism (10) includes a gantry (101), an X-axis displacement component (102), a Y-axis displacement component (103), and a docking component (104). The gantry (101) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate (1). The X-axis displacement component (102) is installed at the bottom of the gantry (101). The Y-axis displacement component (103) is provided on the X-axis displacement component (102). The docking component (104) is provided on the Y-axis displacement component (103). The Y-axis displacement component (103) moves linearly on the X-axis displacement component (102) and the gantry (101). The docking component (104) moves linearly on the Y-axis displacement component (103). The Y-axis displacement component (103) includes a Y-axis frame (1031) and a transmission belt (1034). The docking component (104) includes a housing (1041), a fourth motor (1042), a second pulley (1043), a mounting bracket (1044), a third gear (1045), a third rack (1046), a first docking plate (1047), a sprocket (1048), a chain (1049), a moving plate (10410), a moving wheel (10411), and a second docking plate (10412). The Y-axis frame (1031) has... A linear guide rail is fixedly connected, and a connecting platform is slidably connected to the linear guide rail. A housing (1041) is fixedly connected to the connecting platform. A mounting bracket (1044) is fixedly connected to the inner side of the housing (1041). A motor (1042) is fixedly connected to the inner side of the mounting bracket (1044). A gear (1045) is also rotatably connected to the inner side of the mounting bracket (1044). A pulley (1043) is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor (1042) and one side of the gear (1045). The two sets of pulleys... A drive belt is connected between pulleys two (1043). A rack three (1046) is provided on the upper side of gear three (1045). A docking plate one (1047) is fixedly connected to the upper side of rack three (1046). The docking plate one (1047) slides on the mounting bracket (1044). A sprocket (1048) is rotatably connected to the docking plate one (1047). A chain (1049) meshes with the outer side of the sprocket (1048). A movable wheel (104) is rolled on the inner side of the docking plate one (1047). 11) A moving plate (10410) is rotatably connected to one side of the moving wheel (10411). A docking plate two (10412) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the moving plate (10410). Two sets of sprockets (1048) and chains (1049) are arranged symmetrically about the center of docking plate one (1047). One end of the chain (1049) is fixedly connected to the mounting frame (1044), and the other end is fixedly connected to docking plate two (10412). The connecting platform is fixedly connected to the transmission belt (1034).

2. A flexible automated production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode scanner (2) includes a material rack (21) and a workbench (22). The workbench (22) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate (1), and the material rack (21) is fixedly installed on both sides of the workbench (22).

3. A flexible automated production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding mechanism (32) includes a feeding frame (321), a support plate (322), a moving block (323), a lead screw (324), a connecting frame (325), a lifting cylinder (326), and a guide rail (327). The feeding frame (321) is fixedly installed on the inner side of the feeding platform (31). The support plate (322) is fixedly connected to the side of the feeding frame (321) near the feeding platform (31). The lead screw (324) is rotatably connected to the support plate (322). A servo motor is fixedly installed at one end of the lead screw (324). A moving block (323) is threadedly connected to the outer side of the lead screw (324). A connecting frame (325) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the moving block (323). Multiple sets of lifting cylinders (326) are fixedly connected to the upper side of the connecting frame (325). A guide rail (327) is fixedly installed on the upper side of the support plate (322). A slider is fixedly installed on the connecting frame (325). The slider slides on the guide rail (327).

4. A flexible automated production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ground rail (5) includes a rack (52), and a track (51) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate (1). The rack (52) is fixedly installed on the track (51).

5. A flexible automated production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving component (77) includes a guide wheel (771), a motor (772), a gear (773), and a sliding block (774). The motor (772) is fixedly connected to the inner side of the platform (71). The gear (773) is fixedly connected to the lower output end of the motor (772). The gear (773) meshes with the rack (52). The sliding block (774) is fixedly connected to the bottom side of the platform (71). The sliding block (774) slides on the track (51). The guide wheel (771) is rotatably connected to the bottom of the platform (71). The guide wheel (771) rolls on the track (51).

6. A flexible automated production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The X-axis displacement component (102) includes a second guide rail (1021), a second sliding block (1022), a second rack (1023), a second motor (1024), and a second gear (1025). A fixed platform is installed at the bottom of the gantry frame (101), and the second guide rail (1021) is installed on the fixed platform. The second sliding block (1022) is slidably connected to the upper side of the second guide rail (1021). A support platform is fixedly connected to the upper side of the second sliding block (1022), and the second motor (1024) is fixedly installed on the support platform. The second gear (1025) is fixedly connected to the lower output end of the second motor (1024), and the second rack (1023) is fixedly connected to the fixed platform. The second gear (1025) meshes with the second rack (1023).

7. A flexible automated production line according to claim 6, characterized in that: The Y-axis displacement component (103) includes a third motor (1032), a first pulley (1033), and a sliding assembly (1035). The bottom of the Y-axis frame (1031) is fixedly connected to the third motor (1032). The output end of the third motor (1032) is fixedly connected to the Y-axis frame (1031). The upper and lower ends of the Y-axis frame (1031) are rotatably connected to the first pulley (1033). The output end of the third motor (1032) is fixedly connected to the lower pulley (1033). The outer sides of the two sets of first pulleys (1033) are connected to a transmission belt (1034). The upper side of the Y-axis frame (1031) is fixedly connected to the sliding assembly (1035), which slides on the gantry frame (101).

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