Automatic tooling change equipment and production line

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the field of automated processing technology, and specifically relates to an automatic tooling changeover device and production line. The automatic tooling changeover device mainly includes a main frame, a tooling hopper, a transfer mechanism, and a handling mechanism. The main frame is configured to correspond to the tooling positioning seats on the production line and restricts the material replenishment / discharge positions. The tooling hopper has a rotating position and multiple tooling positions for placing tooling. The transfer mechanism is used to transfer the tooling hopper between the replenishment positions and the turnover hopper. The handling mechanism is installed on the main frame and has a clamping module suitable for clamping tooling. The handling mechanism is used to clamp tooling through the clamping module and move it between the tooling positioning seats, rotating positions, and tooling positions. This structure enables automated tooling changeover, thereby shortening changeover time and improving production line capacity and equipment utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automated processing technology, and specifically relates to an automatic tooling change equipment and production line. Background Technology

[0002] During product manufacturing, to meet customers' personalized needs, some components may vary in size, angle, and position, necessitating frequent production changes based on orders. For automated production lines, this requires changing tooling. However, large quantities and frequent changes can lead to significant wasted time, reduced capacity, and lower equipment utilization. Therefore, improving tooling changeover efficiency to increase equipment utilization is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0003] Therefore, in view of the above shortcomings, this utility model is proposed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an automatic tooling change equipment and production line to at least partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] The first aspect of this utility model provides an automatic tooling changing device, comprising:

[0006] The main frame is set with tooling positioning seats corresponding to the production line, and restricts the material feeding position;

[0007] A tooling hopper, which is provided with a rotating position and multiple tooling positions for placing tooling;

[0008] A transfer mechanism for transferring the tooling silo between the replenishment location and the turnover warehouse;

[0009] A transport mechanism is installed on the main frame, and the transport mechanism is provided with a clamping module. The clamping module is adapted to clamp the tooling. The transport mechanism is used to clamp the tooling through the clamping module and transport it between the tooling positioning seat, the rotating position and the tooling position.

[0010] The automatic tooling changing device provided by this utility model also has the following additional technical features:

[0011] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the conveying mechanism is a three-axis conveying mechanism.

[0012] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the three-axis conveying mechanism includes an X-axis adjustment component, a Y-axis adjustment component, and a Z-axis adjustment component connected in sequence. The clamping module is mounted on the Z-axis adjustment component and can adjust the spatial position based on the X-axis adjustment component, the Y-axis adjustment component, and the Z-axis adjustment component.

[0013] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the X-axis adjustment assembly includes two X-direction lead screw and slider modules, both of which are installed on the main frame and are respectively located at both ends of the Y-direction of the feeding position; the Y-axis adjustment assembly includes a Y-direction lead screw and slider module, with both ends of the Y-direction lead screw and slider module respectively located on the slider of the X-direction lead screw and slider module.

[0014] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the conveying mechanism is further provided with a visual positioning module, which is adapted to assist the clamping module in positioning.

[0015] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the tooling hopper is formed as a material frame with an open top, and multiple material positions are arranged in an array within the material frame, one of which is the wheel position, and the remaining material positions are the tooling positions.

[0016] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, a protective cover is also included, which is disposed on the outside of the main frame and restricts the inlet and outlet corresponding to the material replenishment position.

[0017] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the transfer mechanism is an automated guided vehicle.

[0018] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, a controller is also included, which is electrically connected to the conveying mechanism, the visual positioning module, and the clamping module respectively.

[0019] The second aspect of this utility model also provides a production line, including the tooling automatic changing equipment described in any one of the above.

[0020] The automatic tooling changeover equipment provided by this utility model consists of a main frame, a tooling hopper, a transfer mechanism, and a handling mechanism. The main frame defines a replenishment position for the transfer mechanism containing the tooling hopper to dock. Rotating positions and tooling positions are provided on the tooling hopper to facilitate the handling mechanism with a clamping module to move tooling between the tooling positioning seat, rotating positions, and tooling positions, thereby achieving automated and rapid tooling changeover. Compared to traditional manual or semi-automatic changeover methods, the automatic tooling changeover equipment provided in this embodiment can shorten changeover time, thereby improving capacity and production line utilization. Furthermore, automated changeover avoids the risks of incomplete changeover and material mixing associated with manual changeover. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the tooling automatic changing equipment according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the middle section;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Top view.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] 100 - Automatic tooling changer; 200 - Production line; 201 - Tooling positioning seat;

[0027] 10-Main frame, 20-Tooling hopper, 30-Transfer mechanism, 40-Handling mechanism, 41-X-axis adjustment assembly, 42-Y-axis adjustment assembly, 43-Z-axis adjustment assembly, 44-Clamping module, 50-Vision positioning module, 60-Protective cover, 70-Controller. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0029] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0030] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0031] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "over," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" would subsequently be oriented as "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptors used in the text will be interpreted accordingly.

[0032] The first aspect of this utility model provides an automatic tooling changer 100, which is applied to a production line 200 and can realize the rapid automatic change of tooling for the production line 200, shorten the changeover time, and thus improve the production capacity and production line utilization rate.

[0033] Reference Figure 1-3The tooling automatic changing equipment 100 provided in this embodiment mainly includes a main frame 10, a tooling hopper 20, a transfer mechanism 30, and a handling mechanism 40. The main frame 10 is set corresponding to the tooling positioning seat 201 of the production line and restricts the material replenishment position. The tooling hopper 20 is provided with a rotating position and multiple tooling positions for placing tooling. The transfer mechanism 30 is used to transfer the tooling hopper 20 between the replenishment position and the turnover warehouse. The handling mechanism 40 is installed on the main frame 10 and is provided with a clamping module 44. The clamping module 44 is suitable for clamping tooling. The handling mechanism 40 is used to clamp tooling through the clamping module 44 and transport it between the tooling positioning seat 201, the rotating position, and the tooling positions.

[0034] Specifically, the main frame 10 can be constructed according to the conveyor belt of the production line 200, or the main frame 10 can be formed as a support mechanism for the conveyor belt. The production line 200 is provided with a tooling positioning seat 201. The main frame 10 encloses and defines a feeding position, which is located on the side of the production line 200 and adjacent to the tooling positioning seat 201.

[0035] The tooling hopper 20 is equipped with a rotary table and multiple tooling slots for placing tooling. These tooling slots can be used to place tooling that is about to be replaced or tooling removed from the assembly line 200. The rotary table is a special tooling slot that is empty when the tooling automatic changing device 100 is not in the changing state. In the changing state, it is used to place the first tooling removed from the assembly line 200, thus initiating the tooling replacement cycle.

[0036] The transfer mechanism 30 is the conveying mechanism of the tooling silo 20. It travels between the replenishment location and the turnover warehouse. It is suitable for transporting the tooling silo 20, which carries the tooling to be replaced, from the turnover warehouse to the replenishment location. It is also used to transport the tooling silo 20, which has been replaced and carries the replaced tooling, from the replenishment location to the turnover warehouse.

[0037] The conveying mechanism 40 is mounted on the main frame 10. It has a clamping module 44 that can clamp the tooling and can move the tooling between the tooling positioning seat 201, the rotary position and the tooling position.

[0038] Based on the above structure, the tooling automatic changing equipment 100 in this embodiment has the following operation flow: the transfer mechanism 30 transports the tooling hopper 20 to the replenishment position, the transfer mechanism 30 picks up the tooling on the tooling positioning seat 201 of the production line 200 and moves it to the rotating position. At this time, the tooling positioning seat 201 vacates a position. Then, the tooling is picked up from the tooling position and moved to the vacated position in the tooling positioning seat 201. Then, the tooling on the tooling positioning seat 201 is picked up and moved to the vacated tooling position. The above cycle is repeated until all tooling is completed. Then, the tooling in the rotating position is moved to the last vacated tooling position. Finally, the tooling hopper 20 with the production change completed is transported to the turnover warehouse by the transfer mechanism 30.

[0039] The automatic tooling changeover device 100 provided by this utility model consists of a main frame 10, a tooling hopper 20, a transfer mechanism 30, and a handling mechanism 40. The main frame 10 defines a replenishment position for the transfer mechanism 30, which carries the tooling hopper 20. A rotating position and a tooling position are provided on the tooling hopper 20 to facilitate the handling mechanism 40, equipped with a clamping module 44, to move the tooling between the tooling positioning seat 201, the rotating position, and the tooling position, thereby achieving automated and rapid tooling changeover. Compared to traditional manual or semi-automatic changeover methods, the automatic tooling changeover device 100 provided in this embodiment can shorten changeover time, thereby improving production capacity and production line utilization. Furthermore, automated changeover avoids the risks of incomplete changeover and material mixing associated with manual changeover.

[0040] In some embodiments, the conveying mechanism 40 is a three-axis conveying mechanism 40. The three-axis conveying mechanism 40 has a simple structure and is a mature product. It can be applied to the tooling automatic change equipment 100 of this embodiment through simple modification, thereby improving the production efficiency of the tooling automatic change equipment 100.

[0041] Of course, in other embodiments, the handling mechanism 40 may also be a robotic arm with a gripping module 44.

[0042] The gripping unit can be configured as a vacuum adsorption mechanism or as a gripper structure driven by a cylinder. The specific configuration can be selected according to actual needs, and there are no restrictions here.

[0043] In some embodiments, the three-axis transport mechanism 40 includes an X-axis adjustment component 41, a Y-axis adjustment component 42, and a Z-axis adjustment component 43 connected in sequence. The clamping module 44 is mounted on the Z-axis adjustment component 43 and can adjust its spatial position based on the X-axis adjustment component 41, the Y-axis adjustment component 42, and the Z-axis adjustment component 43.

[0044] Specifically, the main frame 10 is roughly U-shaped, with the assembly line 200 as its base, and both ends of the bottom extending perpendicular to the assembly line 200 to form the two side walls of the U-shaped structure. The open space enclosed by the U-shaped structure of the main frame 10 is the material replenishment position. The three-axis conveying mechanism 40 is constructed with the conveying direction of the assembly line 200 as the Y-direction, the direction perpendicular to the Y-direction in the horizontal plane as the X-direction, and the vertical direction as the Z-direction. Furthermore, both the tooling positioning seat 201 and the material replenishment position are located on the XOY plane constructed by the three-axis conveying mechanism 40, thus enabling rapid production changeover through positional changes of the clamping unit.

[0045] In some embodiments, the X-axis adjustment assembly 41 includes two X-axis lead screw and slider modules, both of which are mounted on the main frame 10 and are respectively located at both ends of the Y-axis of the feeding position; the Y-axis adjustment assembly 42 includes a Y-axis lead screw and slider module, with both ends of the Y-axis lead screw and slider module respectively located on the slider of the X-axis lead screw and slider module.

[0046] The X-axis lead screw and slider module mainly includes an X-axis lead screw and slider structure and an X-axis drive motor connected to the lead screw. There are two X-axis lead screw and slider modules, and the lead screws of the two modules are respectively set along the two side walls of the U-shaped structure of the main frame 10. The Y-axis lead screw and slider module includes a Y-axis lead screw and slider structure and a Y-axis drive motor connected to the lead screw. The two ends of the Y-axis lead screw and slider structure are respectively set on the sliders of the two X-axis lead screw and slider modules. The Z-axis lead screw and slider module mainly includes a Z-axis lead screw and slider structure and a Z-axis drive motor. The Z-axis lead screw and slider structure is vertically installed on the slider of the Y-axis lead screw and slider structure, and the clamping module 44 is installed on the slider of the Y-axis lead screw and slider structure. Thus, when the two X-axis drive motors drive synchronously, the Y-axis lead screw and slider module can move along the X-axis; when the Y-axis drive motor drives, the Z-axis lead screw and slider module can move along the Y-axis; and when the Z-axis drive motor drives, the clamping module 44 can move along the Z-axis, thereby realizing the movement of the clamping module 44 in the XYZ directions.

[0047] In some embodiments, the conveying mechanism 40 is further provided with a visual positioning module 50, which is adapted to assist the gripping module 44 in positioning. Specifically, the visual positioning module 50 may include a camera. In this embodiment, the visual positioning module 50 is used to position the tooling positioning seat 201, the rotary table, and the tooling position, thereby realizing automatic tooling changeover.

[0048] In some embodiments, the tooling hopper 20 is formed as a material frame with an open top, and multiple material positions are arranged in an array inside the material frame, one of which is a rotating position and the rest are tooling positions.

[0049] In this embodiment, the tooling hopper 20 is configured as an open material frame, with multiple spaced material positions formed within it by a partition structure. One material position is a rotating position, and the remaining positions are tooling positions. Optionally, the material positions are numbered according to their arrangement, with the rotating position being position number 1. This provides protection for the tooling during transport, preventing damage from impacts.

[0050] In some embodiments, a protective cover 60 is also included, which covers the outside of the main frame 10 and restricts the inlet and outlet corresponding to the material replenishment position. This embodiment provides protection for the production line 200 and the conveying mechanism 40 by providing the protective cover 60, and also effectively prevents dust accumulation.

[0051] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism 30 is an automated guided vehicle (AGV). The AGV is a pre-built structure, which can be easily modified and applied to the tooling changer 100 of this embodiment to improve the production efficiency of the tooling changer 100.

[0052] In some embodiments, a controller 70 is also included, which is electrically connected to the conveying mechanism 30, the visual positioning module 50 and the gripping module 44 respectively, and realizes automated control of the conveying mechanism 30, the visual positioning module 50 and the gripping module 44 through the controller 70.

[0053] Specifically, the controller 70 can acquire the position information obtained by the visual positioning module 50, and drive the X-axis drive motor, Y-axis drive motor and / or Z-axis drive motor in the conveying mechanism 40 to adjust the position of the clamping module 44 and drive the clamping module 44 to clamp the tooling. Then, the conveying mechanism 40 is driven again to adjust the position of the clamping module 44 and the tooling to a suitable position and then drive the clamping module 44 to put down the tooling. This cycle is repeated to realize the tooling change.

[0054] In this embodiment, the automatic tooling changeover equipment 100 can be automated through the controller 70. Optionally, the controller 70 can be mounted on the protective cover 60.

[0055] The second aspect of this utility model also provides a production line, including an automatic tooling changer 100 as described above. The structure of the automatic tooling changer 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since the production line of this embodiment includes the automatic tooling changer 100 in all the above embodiments, it also has at least the beneficial effects of all the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A tool autochange device, characterized by include: The main frame is set with tooling positioning seats corresponding to the production line, and restricts the material feeding position; A tooling hopper, which is provided with a rotating position and multiple tooling positions for placing tooling; A transfer mechanism for transferring the tooling silo between the replenishment location and the turnover warehouse; A transport mechanism is installed on the main frame, and the transport mechanism is provided with a clamping module. The clamping module is adapted to clamp the tooling. The transport mechanism is used to clamp the tooling through the clamping module and transport it between the tooling positioning seat, the rotating position and the tooling position.

2. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, The transport mechanism is a three-axis transport mechanism.

3. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by, The three-axis conveying mechanism includes an X-axis adjustment component, a Y-axis adjustment component, and a Z-axis adjustment component connected in sequence. The clamping module is mounted on the Z-axis adjustment component and can adjust its spatial position based on the X-axis adjustment component, the Y-axis adjustment component, and the Z-axis adjustment component.

4. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by The X-axis adjustment assembly includes two X-direction lead screw and slider modules, both of which are mounted on the main frame and are respectively located at both ends of the Y-direction of the feeding position; the Y-axis adjustment assembly includes a Y-direction lead screw and slider module, with both ends of the Y-direction lead screw and slider module respectively located on the slider of the X-direction lead screw and slider module.

5. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, The conveying mechanism is also equipped with a visual positioning module, which is adapted to assist the gripping module in positioning.

6. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The tooling hopper is formed as a material frame with an open top. Multiple material positions are arranged in an array within the material frame, one of which is the wheel position, and the remaining material positions are the tooling positions.

7. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, It also includes a protective cover, which is installed on the outside of the main frame and restricts the inlet and outlet corresponding to the material replenishment position.

8. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, The transfer mechanism is an automated guided vehicle.

9. The tool autochange apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by, It also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the conveying mechanism, the vision positioning module and the gripping module respectively.

10. A production line, characterized in that, Includes the tooling automatic changing equipment as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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