A stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system and feeding method

Abstract

This invention provides a stacked sheet workpiece feeding system and method, including a transfer table, a transfer and lifting unit, a magnetic slitting unit, a transfer unit, a pick-up unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The transfer table has a double-layered surface. The transfer and lifting unit achieves continuous workpiece transport through double transfer plates. The magnetic slitting unit generates a repulsive magnetic field to achieve damage-free slitting. The transfer unit attracts and transfers the slitting workpieces to the pick-up unit. The detection unit monitors the workpiece's arrival status in real time. The control unit coordinates the operation of all components. This system features high automation and continuity. Magnetic slitting eliminates workpiece adhesion, avoiding mechanical damage. Optimized structural layout reduces footprint, ensuring feeding accuracy and reliability, and adapting to diverse workpiece requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated processing equipment technology, specifically to a multi-workpiece feeding system and feeding method. Background Technology

[0002] In automated production lines, automated feeding of stacked sheet workpieces (such as steel plates and silicon steel sheets) is a key step in improving production efficiency. Current technologies suffer from low efficiency, high labor intensity, and high safety risks in manual feeding. Automated feeding devices mainly employ methods such as mechanical scraping separation, high-pressure air blowing separation, or direct vacuum adsorption lifting. However, when dealing with thin sheet workpieces or stacked workpieces with oil films or electrostatic adsorption on their surfaces, they generally suffer from the following drawbacks: mechanical scraping easily causes scratches on the workpiece surface; air blowing separation is affected by air pressure fluctuations, leading to unstable separation; and vacuum adsorption causes simultaneous "double-sheet" or "multiple-sheet" picking due to negative pressure between adjacent workpieces. Specifically, when the suction cup contacts the surface of the top workpiece and a vacuum is drawn, the air in the tiny gaps between adjacent workpieces is rapidly expelled, forming a sealed space below atmospheric pressure. Under the influence of external atmospheric pressure, the lower workpiece will adhere tightly to the top workpiece. If there is an oil film on the workpiece surface or electrostatic adsorption, this negative pressure effect will be further enhanced, causing multiple workpieces to be lifted simultaneously, ultimately resulting in material jamming and shutdown of subsequent processing equipment or product scrapping. Furthermore, traditional devices lack real-time detection and feedback mechanisms, making it impossible to dynamically adjust the slicing effect, further reducing the reliability of material feeding. Therefore, how to achieve efficient and non-destructive single-piece separation of thin, easily adhered workpieces, while improving the continuity of the feeding process, is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a high-efficiency, non-destructive, continuous stacking sheet workpiece feeding system and method for single-piece separation.

[0004] This invention is implemented as follows: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a stacked sheet workpiece feeding system, including a transfer table, a transfer and lifting unit, a magnetic sheet separating unit, a transfer unit, a pick-up unit, a detection unit, and a control unit; The transfer table includes a first table surface and a second table surface, the second table surface being surrounded by a fixed frame and located directly above the first table surface; The material transfer and lifting unit is installed on the first platform and is used to carry multiple stacked thin sheet workpieces and transfer them to the second platform after one transfer. The magnetic segmentation unit is mounted on the second platform and forms a repulsive magnetic field in the height direction; the magnetic segmentation unit is also provided with mounting posts for mounting the detection unit; The transfer unit is located directly above the second platform. After the stacked sheet workpieces are transported to the second platform, they are adsorbed and moved upward. Under the action of the repulsive magnetic field, the adsorbed sheet workpieces and adjacent sheet workpieces generate a repulsive force to achieve separation. After the transfer unit moves upward to the target height, it continues to move horizontally to transfer the sheet workpieces to the picking unit. The part-retrieving unit is located adjacent to the second table surface and is used to temporarily store single workpieces and pick up single workpieces and transfer them to the processing position. The detection unit is disposed on the material transfer unit and the mounting column, and is used to detect when the workpiece arrives at the part taking unit; The control unit is electrically connected to the material transfer and lifting unit, the material transfer unit, the detection unit, and the part removal unit, respectively, and is used to control the coordinated operation of each unit.

[0005] Furthermore, the material transfer and lifting unit includes a slide rail device, a first material transfer plate, a second material transfer plate, a front and rear drive mechanism, a lifting drive mechanism, and a sensor; The slide rail device is disposed on the first platform, and the first transfer plate is disposed on the slide rail device and has multiple comb-shaped first ribs and first through slots. Any two adjacent first ribs are separated by a first through slot. The front and rear drive mechanism is disposed on the first transfer plate and drives the first transfer plate to slide back and forth along the slide rail device. The second transfer plate is movable up and down and includes multiple comb-shaped second ribs and second through slots. Any two adjacent second ribs are separated by a second through slot, and the height of the second ribs is lower than that of the first ribs. The lifting drive mechanism is connected to the second transfer plate and is used to drive the second transfer plate to lift vertically to realize the transfer of the thin workpiece and push it to the second platform. The sensor is installed on the first platform, near the second transfer plate, and is used to sense the positioning of the first transfer plate. When the second transfer plate is in its lowest position, it is arranged side by side with the first transfer plate. When the first transfer plate moves forward to the first state, the second ribs are inserted into the first through slots one by one, and the two transfer plates are fitted together. When the second transfer plate is raised, the second ribs disengage from the first through slots, the two transfer plates separate and the transfer is completed, and the first transfer plate moves backward to the second state.

[0006] Furthermore, the magnetic segmentation unit includes a tooling plate and magnetic segmentation columns; The tooling plate is mounted on the second platform and has a workpiece receiving hole through which the workpiece can pass. The magnetic splitting column is mounted on the tooling plate and close to the edge of the workpiece receiving hole. Its sidewall can contact the thin workpiece. The magnetic splitting column includes at least two magnetic column sections in height. The same magnetic pole of two adjacent magnetic column sections is fixedly connected, thereby forming a repulsive magnetic field in the height direction at the connection point. When the transfer unit adsorbs the thin workpiece and moves it upward along the sidewall of the magnetic splitting column, under the action of the repulsive magnetic field, the adsorbed thin workpiece and the adjacent thin workpiece generate a repulsive force and achieve separation.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes multiple guide limit posts and mounting slots; The edge of the workpiece receiving hole is also provided with multiple outwardly extending arc-shaped mounting holes; The mounting groove is erected on the tooling plate and has an overall arc-shaped structure. The bottom is hollowed out and communicates with the arc-shaped mounting hole. The side wall has an axial opening with an angle of 30° to 60° and is adjacent to the workpiece receiving hole. The outer diameter of the guide limiting post matches the inner diameter of the mounting groove, so that the guide limiting post can be inserted and inserted tightly into the mounting groove, and a portion of its surface is exposed through the axial opening as a guide surface for the lifting and lowering of the workpiece. The bottom of the guide limiting post passes through the first platform, forming a lifting and lowering guide limit for the workpiece.

[0008] Furthermore, the tooling plate is provided with fixing rods around its perimeter to limit the tooling plate, and one of the fixing rods on one side is fixed to the adjacent fixing rod by a positioning pin to achieve detachable installation.

[0009] Furthermore, the material transfer unit includes a three-axis material transfer robot and multiple suction cups; the end of the three-axis material transfer robot is provided with an X-connecting plate and a Y-adjusting plate that are detachable from each other, and the suction cups are detachably installed at different positions on the X-connecting plate and the Y-adjusting plate to accommodate thin sheet workpieces of different shapes and sizes.

[0010] Furthermore, the part-retrieving unit includes a part-retrieving platform and a part-retrieving robotic arm; wherein, the part-retrieving platform is disposed adjacent to the second table surface, and the part-retrieving robotic arm is located above the part-retrieving platform for gripping single thin sheet workpieces placed on the part-retrieving platform and transferring them to the processing position.

[0011] Furthermore, the detection unit includes an ultrasonic signal transmitter and an ultrasonic signal receiver, one of which is disposed on the mounting column and the other is disposed at the end of the transfer unit; when the transfer unit transfers the workpiece past directly above the mounting column, the ultrasonic signal transmitter emits a positioning signal, the ultrasonic signal receiver receives the positioning signal and feeds it back to the control unit, the control unit determines that the thin workpiece has arrived according to the positioning signal and controls the picking unit to pick it up.

[0012] Secondly, the present invention also provides a method for feeding stacked thin sheet workpieces, using the above-mentioned stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system, comprising the following steps: S1. Transfer and Lifting Steps: Place the stacked sheet workpieces 8 on the transfer and lifting unit (first transfer plate). The control unit controls the front and rear drive mechanisms to drive the first transfer plate forward until the two transfer plates are engaged (first state). Then, control the lifting drive mechanism to drive the second transfer plate to lift from the height of the first table to the height of the second table. During the lifting process, the stacked sheet workpieces are transferred from the first transfer plate to the second transfer plate to complete the transfer. The first transfer plate returns to the starting position (second state) for reloading. S2. Slicing and Single-Piece Transfer Steps: The control unit controls the three-axis transfer robot of the transfer unit to move above the second table, uses suction cups to pick up the stacked thin sheet workpieces and move them upwards. The thin sheet workpieces pass by or approach the magnetic slicing unit, and under the repulsive magnetic field of the magnetic slicing unit, adjacent two thin sheet workpieces are sliced. After the transfer unit moves upwards to the target height, it continues to move horizontally to transfer the thin sheet workpieces to the picking unit. S3, Detection Feedback Step: Use the detection unit to detect whether the transfer unit has placed the sheet workpiece in the picking unit, and send the detection signal to the control unit; S4. Next station feeding step: The control unit controls the picking unit to pick up the sheet workpiece according to the detection signal and transfer it to the next processing station; S5. Cyclic Steps: Repeat steps S2 to S5 until all the currently stacked sheet workpieces are removed. Then, the control unit controls the transfer and lifting unit to reset and repeats steps S1 to S6 for continuous feeding.

[0013] The present invention has the following advantages: 1. High degree of automation and continuity in material feeding: The transfer and lifting unit achieves continuous conveying of stacked workpieces through dual transfer plates (the first transfer plate pushes and the second transfer plate lifts). After the workpiece is removed, the first transfer plate can be immediately reset for feeding, reducing waiting time. The second loading plate is lifted and works with the transfer unit and the magnetic slitting unit to slit the workpieces. The transfer unit then transfers the thin workpieces to the picking unit, which then moves the workpieces to the processing position. Throughout the process, each unit is electrically connected to the control unit, which enables full-process collaborative control, ensuring the automation and continuity of the process.

[0014] 2. Achieve efficient and damage-free material transfer: The first and second transfer plates are fitted into the through slots by comb-shaped ribs (e.g., the first rib is inserted into the second through slot), and the height of the second rib is lower than that of the first rib, so as to achieve seamless support of stacked workpieces and avoid the risk of workpiece slippage, collision or displacement in traditional push-type transfer; the front and rear drive mechanisms and the lifting drive mechanism are independently controlled. The first transfer plate immediately resets and loads material when the second transfer plate is lifted, reducing mechanical interference. At the same time, the sensor monitors the positioning status in real time to avoid equipment collision caused by malfunction.

[0015] 3. Guiding and Segmentation Synergy: The guiding and limiting post forms an arc-shaped guiding surface through an axial opening of 30°-60°, which works in conjunction with the magnetic segmentation post to guide the vertical lifting and lowering of the workpiece, ensuring that the edge of the workpiece is in full contact with the magnetic field surface and improving the success rate of segmentation.

[0016] 4. Non-destructive segmentation: The magnetic segmentation unit generates a repulsive magnetic field in the height direction. During the process of the transfer robot adsorbing and lifting the workpiece, the repulsive force of the magnetic field separates the stacked workpieces. This can effectively eliminate the negative pressure effect between adjacent workpieces and the adhesion caused by oil film and static electricity. It avoids the surface scratches caused by traditional mechanical scraping segmentation and overcomes the instability of air blowing separation affected by air pressure fluctuations.

[0017] 5. Optimize the overall structural layout: The transfer table adopts a double-layer tabletop (the first tabletop carries the transfer and lifting unit, and the second tabletop installs the magnetic segmentation unit), realizing the layered utilization of space and reducing the equipment's footprint; each unit is modularly designed, which facilitates maintenance and upgrades.

[0018] 6. Ensuring Feeding Accuracy and Continuity: The detection unit monitors the workpiece's position in real time via an ultrasonic signal transmitter and receiver, feeding back signals to the control unit to trigger the pick-up action, avoiding jamming caused by positioning deviations. The pick-up unit's robotic arm, in conjunction with a temporary pick-up table, ensures stable transfer of individual workpieces to the processing position, reducing the risk of offset during transport.

[0019] 7. Wider adaptability: The transfer unit adopts a three-axis transfer robot and a detachable X / Y adjustment plate. The suction cup can be flexibly adjusted according to the shape and size of the workpiece, and is compatible with various workpieces such as round, rectangular and irregular shapes. The tooling plate is detachable and installed through the fixing rod and positioning pin. When changing the receiving hole of different specifications of workpieces, only one side fixing rod needs to be removed to pull out the tooling plate, shortening the maintenance time. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding system of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a left view of the material transfer unit and the part picking unit of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical connection between the control unit and each unit of the present invention.

[0024] Figure label: 1. Transfer table; 11. First table surface; 12. Second table surface; 121. Fixing rod; 2. Transfer and lifting unit; 21. Slide rail device; 22. First transfer plate; 221. First rib; 222. First through slot; 23. Second transfer plate; 231. Second rib; 232. Second through slot; 24. Front and rear drive mechanism; 25. Lifting drive mechanism; 26. Sensor; 3. Magnetic segmentation unit; 31. Tooling plate; 311. Workpiece receiving hole; 312. Installation... 313. Column mounting; 314. Guide and limiting column; 32. Magnetic segmentation column; 321. Magnetic column section; 4. Transfer unit; 41. Three-axis transfer robot; 411. X-connecting plate; 412. Y-adjusting plate; 413. Three-axis servo motor; 42. Suction cup; 5. Picking unit; 51. Picking platform; 52. Picking robotic arm; 6. Detection unit; 61. Ultrasonic signal transmitter; 62. Ultrasonic signal receiver; 7. Control unit; 8. Thin sheet workpiece. Detailed Implementation

[0025] refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a stacked sheet workpiece feeding system, including a transfer table 1, a transfer and lifting unit 2, a magnetic sheet separating unit 3, a transfer unit 4, a part picking unit 5, a detection unit 6, and a control unit 7; The transfer table 1 includes a first table surface 11 and a second table surface 12. The second table surface 12 is surrounded by four fixing rods 121 and is located directly above the first table surface 11, used to limit the tooling plate 31. The material transfer and lifting unit 2 is installed on the first table 11 to carry multiple stacked thin sheet workpieces 8 and transfer them to the second table 12 after one transfer; specifically, it includes: slide rail device 21, first transfer plate 22, second transfer plate 23, front and rear drive mechanism 24, lifting drive mechanism 25 and sensor 26. The slide rail device 21 is mounted on the first platform 11, and the first transfer plate 22 is mounted on the slide rail device 21 and has multiple comb-shaped first ribs 221 and first through slots 222. Any two adjacent first ribs 221 are separated by a first through slot 222. The front and rear drive mechanism 24 is mounted on the first transfer plate 22 and drives the first transfer plate 22 to slide back and forth along the slide rail device 21 to switch between the first state and the second state. The second transfer plate 23 can move up and down and includes multiple comb-shaped second ribs 231 and second through slots 232. Any two adjacent second ribs 231 are separated by a second through slot 232 (the second through slot 232 is set to reserve space for the bottom of the guide limiting post 313 to be fixed). The comb-like structure realizes the engagement and separation with the two transfer plates. Through the cooperation of the first through slot 222 and the second rib 231, the stable support and positioning of the sheet workpiece 8 during the transfer process is ensured, and the height of the second rib 231 is lower than that of the first rib 221; effectively improving the transfer efficiency and avoiding the sheet workpiece 8 from shifting or colliding with the second transfer plate 23 during the transfer process. The lifting drive mechanism 25 is connected to the second transfer plate 23 and is used to drive the second transfer plate 23 to lift vertically to realize the transfer of the sheet workpiece 8 and push it to the second table 12; the sensor 26 is installed on the first table 11, near the second transfer plate 23, to sense the position of the first transfer plate 22. When the second transfer plate 23 is in its lowest position, it is arranged side-by-side with the first transfer plate 22. When the first transfer plate 22 moves forward to the first state, the second ribs 231 are inserted into the first through slots 222 one by one, and the two transfer plates are engaged. When the second transfer plate 23 is raised, the second ribs 231 disengage from the first through slots 222, the two transfer plates separate and the transfer is completed, and the first transfer plate 22 moves backward to the second state. The dual-drive independent control design can reduce the risk of mechanical interference and shorten the transfer cycle to improve overall production efficiency.

[0026] The magnetic segmentation unit 3 is installed on the second platform 12, specifically including: a tooling plate 31 and a magnetic segmentation column 32; wherein, the tooling plate 31 is installed on the second platform 12 and is provided with a workpiece receiving hole 311 through which the workpiece can pass, a mounting column 312 for the installation of the detection unit, multiple guide and limiting columns 313 and mounting groove 314. The workpiece receiving hole 311 has multiple outwardly extending arc-shaped mounting holes on its edge. The mounting groove 314 is erected on the tooling plate 31, with an overall arc-shaped structure, a hollow bottom that communicates with the arc-shaped mounting holes, and an axial opening on its side wall. The angle of the axial opening is 30°–60° and it is adjacent to the workpiece receiving hole 311. The outer diameter of the guide limiting post 313 matches the inner diameter of the mounting groove 314, allowing the guide limiting post 313 to be inserted and inserted tightly into the mounting groove 314. A portion of its surface is exposed through the axial opening, serving as a guide surface for the lifting and lowering of the thin workpiece 8. The bottom of the guide limiting post 313 passes through the first platform 11, forming a lifting and lowering guide limit for the thin workpiece 8. This design ensures effective exposure of the guide surface of the guide limiting post 313 to meet guiding requirements while avoiding excessively large openings that could lead to unstable fixing of the guide limiting post 313 or spatial interference with components such as the workpiece receiving hole 311 and the magnetic dividing post 32.

[0027] The tooling plate 31 is mounted inside the fixed rod 121 and is limited by the inner wall of the fixed rod 121. The connection between one fixed rod 121 and the adjacent fixed rod 121 is made detachable by a positioning pin 122. When the tooling plate 31 needs to be replaced, the positioning pin 122 can be removed to remove the fixed rod 121 on one side and pull out the tooling plate 31 for quick replacement. After replacement, the removed fixed rod 121 is installed and the positioning pin 122 is passed through the connection between the two adjacent fixed rods 121 and the tooling plate 31 to fix the fixed rod 121 and the tooling plate 31, thus ensuring the stability of the components during the operation of the feeding system.

[0028] The magnetic segmentation column 32 is mounted on the tooling plate 31 and close to the edge of the workpiece receiving hole 311. Its sidewall can contact the thin workpiece 8. The magnetic segmentation column 32 includes at least two magnetic column sections 321 in height. The same magnetic pole of two adjacent magnetic column sections 321 is fixedly connected, thereby forming a repulsive magnetic field in the height direction at the connection.

[0029] The transfer unit 4 is located directly above the second table 12 and includes a three-axis transfer robot 41 (part of the three-axis servo motor 413 is shown in the figure) and multiple suction cups 42. The end of the three-axis transfer robot 41 is provided with an X-connecting plate 411 and a Y-adjusting plate 412 that are detachable from each other. The suction cups 42 are detachably installed at different positions on the X-connecting plate 411 and the Y-adjusting plate 412 to accommodate thin sheet workpieces 8 of different shapes and sizes. After the multiple thin sheet workpieces 8 to be stacked are transported to the second table 12, the thin sheet workpieces 8 are adsorbed and moved upward. Under the action of the repulsive magnetic field, the adsorbed thin sheet workpieces 8 and adjacent thin sheet workpieces 8 generate a repulsive force to achieve separation. After the transfer unit 4 moves upward to the target height, it continues to move horizontally to transfer the thin sheet workpieces 8 to the picking unit 5.

[0030] The part-picking unit 5 is arranged adjacent to the second table 12 and includes a part-picking table 51 and a part-picking robotic arm 52. The part-picking table 51 is arranged adjacent to the second table 12, and the part-picking robotic arm 52 is located above the part-picking table 51. It is used to grab the single sheet workpiece 8 placed on the part-picking table 51 and transfer it to the processing position.

[0031] The detection unit 6 is located on the transfer unit 4 and the mounting column 312, and includes an ultrasonic signal transmitter 61 and an ultrasonic signal receiver 62. One of them is located on the mounting column 312, and the other is located at the end of the X-connecting plate 411. When the transfer unit 4 transfers the sheet workpiece 8 to pass directly above the mounting column 312, the ultrasonic signal transmitter 61 emits a positioning signal, the ultrasonic signal receiver 62 receives the positioning signal and feeds it back to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 determines that the sheet workpiece 8 has arrived in position based on the positioning signal and controls the picking unit 5 to pick it up.

[0032] The control unit 7 is electrically connected to the material transfer and lifting unit 2, the material transfer unit 3, the detection unit 6, and the part picking unit 5, respectively, and is used to control the coordinated operation of each unit to improve efficiency.

[0033] This embodiment also provides a method for loading stacked thin sheet workpieces, using the above-mentioned stacked thin sheet workpiece loading system, including the following steps: S1. Transfer and Lifting Steps: The stacked sheet workpieces 8 are placed on the transfer and lifting unit 2 (first transfer plate 22). The control unit 7 controls the front and rear drive mechanism 24 to drive the first transfer plate 22 forward until the two transfer plates are engaged (first state). Then, the lifting drive mechanism 25 is controlled to drive the second transfer plate 23 to be lifted from the height of the first table 11 to the height of the second table 12. During the lifting process, the stacked sheet workpieces 8 are separated from the first transfer plate 22 and transferred to the second transfer plate 23 to complete the transfer. The first transfer plate 22 returns to the starting position (second state) for reloading. S2, Slicing and Single-Piece Transfer Steps: Control unit 7 controls the three-axis transfer robot 41 of transfer unit 4 to move above the second table 12, and uses suction cup 42 to adsorb the stacked thin sheet workpieces 8 and move them upward. The thin sheet workpieces 8 pass through or approach the magnetic slicing unit 3, and under the repulsive magnetic field of the magnetic slicing unit 3, adjacent two thin sheet workpieces 8 are sliced. After the transfer unit 4 moves upward to the target height, it continues to move horizontally to transfer the thin sheet workpieces 8 to the picking unit 5. S3, Detection feedback step: Use detection unit 6 to detect whether the transfer unit 4 has placed the sheet workpiece 8 into the picking unit 5, and send the detection signal to control unit 7; S4. Next station feeding step: Control unit 7 controls part picking unit 5 to pick up thin sheet workpiece 8 according to detection signal and transfer it to the next processing station; S5. Cyclic Steps: Repeat steps S2 to S5 until all the currently stacked sheet workpieces 8 are removed. Then, control unit 7 controls the transfer and lifting unit 2 to reset and repeats steps S1 to S6 for continuous feeding.

[0034] The feeding system and feeding method provided by this invention have the following beneficial effects: 1. High degree of automation and continuity in material feeding: The transfer and lifting unit achieves continuous conveying of stacked workpieces through dual transfer plates (the first transfer plate pushes and the second transfer plate lifts). After the workpiece is removed, the first transfer plate can be immediately reset for feeding, reducing waiting time. The second loading plate is lifted and works with the transfer unit and the magnetic slitting unit to slit the workpieces. The transfer unit then transfers the thin workpieces to the picking unit, which then moves the workpieces to the processing position. Throughout the process, each unit is electrically connected to the control unit, which enables full-process collaborative control, ensuring the automation and continuity of the process.

[0035] 2. Achieve efficient and damage-free material transfer: The first and second transfer plates are fitted into the through slots by comb-shaped ribs (e.g., the first rib is inserted into the second through slot), and the height of the second rib is lower than that of the first rib, so as to achieve seamless support of stacked workpieces and avoid the risk of workpiece slippage, collision or displacement in traditional push-type transfer; the front and rear drive mechanisms and the lifting drive mechanism are independently controlled. The first transfer plate immediately resets and loads material when the second transfer plate is lifted, reducing mechanical interference. At the same time, the sensor monitors the positioning status in real time to avoid equipment collision caused by malfunction.

[0036] 3. Guiding and Segmentation Synergy: The guiding and limiting post forms an arc-shaped guiding surface through an axial opening of 30°-60°, which works in conjunction with the magnetic segmentation post to guide the vertical lifting and lowering of the workpiece, ensuring that the edge of the workpiece is in full contact with the magnetic field surface and improving the success rate of segmentation.

[0037] 4. Non-destructive segmentation: The magnetic segmentation unit generates a repulsive magnetic field in the height direction. During the process of the transfer robot adsorbing and lifting the workpiece, the repulsive force of the magnetic field separates the stacked workpieces. This can effectively eliminate the negative pressure effect between adjacent workpieces and the adhesion caused by oil film and static electricity. It avoids the surface scratches caused by traditional mechanical scraping segmentation and overcomes the instability of air blowing separation affected by air pressure fluctuations.

[0038] 5. Optimize the overall structural layout: The transfer table adopts a double-layer tabletop (the first tabletop carries the transfer and lifting unit, and the second tabletop installs the magnetic segmentation unit), realizing the layered utilization of space and reducing the equipment's footprint; each unit is modularly designed, which facilitates maintenance and upgrades.

[0039] 6. Ensuring Feeding Accuracy and Continuity: The detection unit monitors the workpiece's position in real time via an ultrasonic signal transmitter and receiver, feeding back signals to the control unit to trigger the pick-up action, avoiding jamming caused by positioning deviations. The pick-up unit's robotic arm, in conjunction with a temporary pick-up table, ensures stable transfer of individual workpieces to the processing position, reducing the risk of offset during transport.

[0040] 7. Wider adaptability: The transfer unit adopts a three-axis transfer robot and a detachable X / Y adjustment plate. The suction cup can be flexibly adjusted according to the shape and size of the workpiece, and is compatible with various workpieces such as round, rectangular and irregular shapes. The tooling plate is detachable and installed through the fixing rod and positioning pin. When changing the receiving hole of different specifications of workpieces, only one side fixing rod needs to be removed to pull out the tooling plate, shortening the maintenance time.

[0041] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that the specific embodiments described are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Equivalent modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the spirit of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system, characterized in that: It includes a transfer table, a transfer and lifting unit, a magnetic slitting unit, a transfer unit, a part picking unit, a detection unit, and a control unit; The transfer table includes a first table surface and a second table surface, the second table surface being surrounded by a fixed frame and located directly above the first table surface; The material transfer and lifting unit is installed on the first platform and is used to carry multiple stacked thin sheet workpieces and transfer them to the second platform after one transfer. The magnetic segmentation unit is mounted on the second platform and forms a repulsive magnetic field in the height direction; the magnetic segmentation unit is also provided with mounting posts for mounting the detection unit; The transfer unit is located directly above the second platform. After the stacked sheet workpieces are transported to the second platform, they are adsorbed and moved upward. Under the action of the repulsive magnetic field, the adsorbed sheet workpieces and adjacent sheet workpieces generate a repulsive force to achieve separation. After the transfer unit moves upward to the target height, it continues to move horizontally to transfer the sheet workpieces to the picking unit. The part-retrieving unit is located adjacent to the second table surface and is used to temporarily store single workpieces and pick up single workpieces and transfer them to the processing position. The detection unit is disposed on the material transfer unit and the mounting column, and is used to detect when the workpiece arrives at the part taking unit; The control unit is electrically connected to the material transfer and lifting unit, the material transfer unit, the detection unit, and the part removal unit, respectively, and is used to control the coordinated operation of each unit.

2. The stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material transfer and lifting unit includes a slide rail device, a first material transfer plate, a second material transfer plate, a front and rear drive mechanism, a lifting drive mechanism, and a sensor; The slide rail device is disposed on the first platform, and the first transfer plate is disposed on the slide rail device and has multiple comb-shaped first ribs and first through slots. Any two adjacent first ribs are separated by a first through slot. The front and rear drive mechanism is disposed on the first transfer plate and drives the first transfer plate to slide back and forth along the slide rail device. The second transfer plate is movable up and down and includes multiple comb-shaped second ribs and second through slots. Any two adjacent second ribs are separated by a second through slot, and the height of the second ribs is lower than that of the first ribs. The lifting drive mechanism is connected to the second transfer plate and is used to drive the second transfer plate to lift vertically to realize the transfer of the thin workpiece and push it to the second platform. The sensor is installed on the first platform, near the second transfer plate, and is used to sense the positioning of the first transfer plate. When the second transfer plate is in its lowest position, it is arranged side by side with the first transfer plate. When the first transfer plate moves forward to the first state, the second ribs are inserted into the first through slots one by one, and the two transfer plates are fitted together. When the second transfer plate is raised, the second ribs disengage from the first through slots, the two transfer plates separate and the transfer is completed, and the first transfer plate moves backward to the second state.

3. The stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic segmentation unit includes a tooling plate and magnetic segmentation columns; The tooling plate is mounted on the second platform and is provided with a workpiece receiving hole through which the workpiece can pass and a mounting column for mounting the detection unit. The mounting post is located on one side of the workpiece receiving hole; the magnetic segmenting post is mounted on the tooling plate and close to the edge of the workpiece receiving hole, and its sidewall can contact the thin workpiece. The magnetic segmenting post includes at least two magnetic column sections in height, and the same magnetic pole of two adjacent magnetic column sections is fixedly connected, thereby forming a repulsive magnetic field in the height direction at the connection point. When the transfer unit adsorbs the thin workpiece and moves upward along the sidewall of the magnetic segmenting post, under the action of the repulsive magnetic field, the adsorbed thin workpiece and the adjacent thin workpiece generate a repulsive force and achieve separation.

4. The stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes multiple guide limit posts and mounting slots; The edge of the workpiece receiving hole is also provided with multiple outwardly extending arc-shaped mounting holes; The mounting groove is erected on the tooling plate and has an overall arc-shaped structure. The bottom is hollowed out and communicates with the arc-shaped mounting hole. The side wall has an axial opening with an angle of 30° to 60° and is adjacent to the workpiece receiving hole. The outer diameter of the guide limiting post matches the inner diameter of the mounting groove, so that the guide limiting post can be inserted and inserted tightly into the mounting groove, and a portion of its surface is exposed through the axial opening as a guide surface for the lifting and lowering of the workpiece. The bottom of the guide limiting post passes through the first platform, forming a lifting and lowering guide limit for the workpiece.

5. The stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tooling plate is provided with fixing rods around its perimeter to limit its movement. The fixing rod on one side is fixed to the adjacent fixing rod by a positioning pin to enable detachable installation.

6. The stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material transfer unit includes a three-axis material transfer robot and multiple suction cups; the end of the three-axis material transfer robot is provided with an X-connecting plate and a Y-adjusting plate that are detachable from each other, and the suction cups are detachably installed at different positions on the X-connecting plate and the Y-adjusting plate to accommodate thin sheet workpieces of different shapes and sizes.

7. The stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The part-retrieving unit includes a part-retrieving platform and a part-retrieving robotic arm; wherein, the part-retrieving platform is disposed adjacent to the second table surface, and the part-retrieving robotic arm is located above the part-retrieving platform for gripping single thin sheet workpieces placed on the part-retrieving platform and transferring them to the processing position.

8. The stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection unit includes an ultrasonic signal transmitter and an ultrasonic signal receiver, one of which is disposed on the mounting column and the other is disposed at the end of the transfer unit. When the transfer unit transfers the workpiece over the mounting column, the ultrasonic signal transmitter emits a positioning signal, the ultrasonic signal receiver receives the positioning signal and feeds it back to the control unit. The control unit determines that the thin workpiece has been positioned based on the positioning signal and controls the picking unit to pick it up.

9. A method for feeding stacked thin sheet workpieces, employing a stacked thin sheet workpiece feeding system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Transfer and Lifting Steps: The stacked sheet workpieces are placed on the first transfer plate. The control unit controls the front and rear drive mechanisms to drive the first transfer plate forward until the two transfer plates are engaged. Then, the lifting drive mechanism is controlled to lift the second transfer plate from the height of the first table to the height of the second table. During the lifting process, the stacked sheet workpieces are transferred from the first transfer plate to the second transfer plate to complete the transfer. The first transfer plate returns to the starting position for reloading. S2, Slicing and Single-Piece Transfer Steps: The control unit controls the three-axis transfer robot of the transfer unit to move to the top of the second table, uses a suction cup to pick up the stacked thin sheet workpieces and move them upwards. The thin sheet workpieces pass through or approach the magnetic slicing unit, and under the repulsive magnetic field of the magnetic slicing unit, adjacent two thin sheet workpieces are sliced. After the transfer unit moves upward to the target height, it continues to move horizontally to transfer the sheet workpiece to the pick-up unit; S3, Detection Feedback Step: Use the detection unit to detect whether the transfer unit has placed the sheet workpiece in the picking unit, and send the detection signal to the control unit; S4. Next station feeding step: The control unit controls the picking unit to pick up the sheet workpiece according to the detection signal and transfer it to the next processing station; S5. Cyclic Steps: Repeat steps S2 to S5 until all the currently stacked sheet workpieces are removed. Then, the control unit controls the transfer and lifting unit to reset and repeats steps S1 to S6 for continuous feeding.

Images