An automated feeding system based on machine tools

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of machine tool loading technology, and discloses an automatic loading system based on a machine tool, including a ground rail, a loading machine, and a hopper. The hopper contains several pallet assemblies. The loading machine includes a frame, a lifting seat, and a slide table. A connecting arm is provided on the slide table, with its inner end rotatably connected to the slide table. A fork is rotatably mounted on the outer end of the connecting arm. A first rotational power source is provided on the slide table to drive the connecting arm to rotate, and a second rotational power source is provided on the outer end of the connecting arm to drive the fork to rotate. The bottom of each pallet assembly has a positioning seat for docking and positioning with the machine tool's worktable. This utility model has the advantages of convenient and stable use, reduced machine tool waiting time, and improved workpiece processing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of machine tool loading technology, and in particular to an automatic loading system based on machine tools. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of machining technology, machine tool processing is a common processing method. Machine tool processing requires mounting the workpiece onto the machine tool's worktable, waiting for the machine to process it, and then removing the processed workpiece from the worktable. During the process of mounting and removing the workpiece, the machine tool is in a waiting state, thus affecting its processing efficiency. Furthermore, for some large and heavy workpieces, manual loading and unloading is very laborious, sometimes requiring multiple people to work together, resulting in high labor costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, this utility model provides an automatic feeding system based on machine tools that is easy to use, reduces machine tool waiting time, and reduces manual labor.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An automatic feeding system based on a machine tool includes a ground rail, a feeding machine slidably connected to the ground rail, and a hopper located on one side of the ground rail. The hopper contains several pallet assemblies for storing workpieces. The feeding machine includes a frame that can slide along the ground rail in the X direction, a lifting seat that can slide along the frame in the Z direction, and a slide table that can slide along the lifting seat in the Y direction. A connecting arm is provided on the slide table, the inner end of which is rotatably connected to the slide table, and a fork is rotatably provided on the outer end of which. A first rotational power is provided on the slide table to drive the connecting arm to rotate, and a second rotational power is provided on the outer end of which is provided to drive the fork to rotate. The bottom of each pallet assembly has a positioning seat that docks with and positions itself on the machine tool's worktable. When the frame moves along the ground rail to a preset position, the fork removes a pallet assembly from the hopper and transfers the pallet assembly to the corresponding machine tool. The positioning seat at the bottom of the pallet assembly is connected and positioned with the machine tool's worktable.

[0005] By adopting the above technical solution: the workpiece is pre-installed on each pallet assembly in the hopper. When the machine tool needs to load, the sliding sleeve, connecting arm, and fork move to pick up a pallet assembly, and then move it along the ground rail to the corresponding machine tool, transferring the pallet assembly (with the workpiece) to the machine tool's worktable. The positioning seat at the bottom of the pallet assembly directly docks with the worktable for positioning. After the workpiece is processed, the pallet and workpiece are directly transferred to the hopper, and at the same time, another pallet assembly in the hopper is picked up and loaded onto the machine tool's worktable. This automatic loading and unloading system loads and unloads the workpiece and pallet assembly as a whole. Since the pallet assembly and the worktable are standardly docked, the loading and unloading efficiency of the workpiece is greatly improved, the waiting time of the machine tool during the loading and unloading process is reduced, and the processing efficiency of the machine tool is effectively improved.

[0006] Preferably, the ground rail has slide rails on both sides, and the bottom of the frame has a sliding seat slidably connected to the slide rails. The ground rail has racks parallel to the slide rails, and the sliding seat has a first motor with gears meshing with the racks. The first motor drives the gears to move along the racks, enabling switching between different machine tools.

[0007] Preferably, the bottom of the sliding seat is provided with a roller brush wheel and a grease injection pipe for supplying lubricating grease to the roller brush wheel. A rotary joint is provided between the roller brush wheel and the grease injection pipe, and the side of the roller brush wheel contacts the tooth surface of the rack. The grease injection pipe is connected to the roller brush wheel through the rotary joint, ensuring sufficient lubricating grease on the rack during movement, ensuring lubrication of the gear and rack, and reducing wear.

[0008] Preferably, sensors are installed at both ends of the ground rail, and sensing plates are installed on the sliding seat at positions corresponding to the sensors. When the sensor detects the sensing plate, the first motor stops moving. The sensing plates, in conjunction with the sensors, serve as safety limiters.

[0009] Preferably, anti-collision seats are provided at both ends of the slide rail on the ground rail, and shock-absorbing blocks are provided on the anti-collision seats. In the event of sensor failure, the shock-absorbing blocks will collide with the slide seats to limit the impact force and provide overall safety protection.

[0010] Preferably, the frame is configured as a gantry frame, and the frame is equipped with a lifting mechanism for driving the Z-axis movement of the lifting seat. The lifting mechanism includes a vertically distributed Z-axis lead screw and a second motor that drives the Z-axis lead screw to rotate. A Z-axis lead screw seat is fixed on the lifting seat, and the Z-axis lead screw passes through the Z-axis lead screw seat to form a threaded connection. The gantry frame has high strength and good stability. The rotation of the Z-axis lead screw driven by the second motor drives the Z-axis lifting seat to move up and down in the Z-axis direction.

[0011] Preferably, the lifting base is equipped with a translation mechanism for driving the slide table to move in the Y direction. The translation mechanism includes a Y-axis lead screw and a third motor for driving the Y-axis lead screw to rotate. The slide sleeve is equipped with a Y-axis lead screw seat, and the Y-axis lead screw passes through the Y-axis lead screw seat to form a threaded connection. By driving the rotation of the Y-axis lead screw through the third motor, stable Y-axis translation of the slide sleeve is achieved.

[0012] Preferably, the lifting seat is located on the front side of the frame, and the rear side of the frame has Z-axis distributed slide rods with counterweights on the slide rods. The upper end of the frame has a connecting seat with a sprocket on it. The counterweights have a chain on them, and the other end of the chain passes over the sprocket and connects to the lifting seat. The counterweights are slidably mounted on the slide rods, stabilizing the counterweight and reducing wear between the Z-axis lead screw and the Z-axis lead seat.

[0013] Preferably, the outer end of the fork carriage is provided with a U-shaped groove, and the top surface of the fork carriage is provided with first limiting pins on both sides of the U-shaped groove. The bottom surface of the pallet assembly is provided with a first pin seat that matches the first limiting pin. When the fork carriage extends into the bottom of the pallet assembly and engages with the first pin seat through the first limiting pin, the positioning seat is located within the U-shaped groove. The U-shaped groove is used to avoid the positioning seat and at the same time facilitates the fork carriage to enter the bottom sides of the pallet assembly.

[0014] Preferably, the inner end of the top surface of the fork is provided with a second limiting pin, the bottom of the pallet assembly is provided with a second pin seat corresponding to the second limiting pin, the side of the pallet assembly is provided with a chip for storing workpiece processing information, and the inner end of the top surface of the fork is provided with a card reader for reading chip information. When the second limiting pin and the second pin seat are engaged, the card reader reads the chip information.

[0015] Therefore, this utility model has the beneficial effects of being easy and stable to use, reducing machine tool waiting time, and improving workpiece processing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the present utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the feeding machine and the ground rail.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the meshing of a gear and a rack.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the frame, lifting seat, and sliding sleeve.

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 3 A magnified view of part A in the diagram.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the fork frame structure.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the tray assembly.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the silo structure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial technical effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0026] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Features specified as "first" or "second" may expressly or implicitly indicate that at least one of those features is included.

[0027] like Figures 1-8 An automatic feeding system based on a machine tool is shown, including a ground rail 1, a feeding machine 2 slidably connected to the ground rail 1, and a hopper 3 located on one side of the ground rail 1. The hopper 3 is provided with several pallet assemblies 4 for storing workpieces. The feeding machine 2 includes a frame 21 that can slide along the X direction of the ground rail 1, a lifting seat 22 that can slide along the Z direction of the frame 21, and a slide table 23 that can slide along the Y direction of the lifting seat 22. The slide table 23 is provided with a connecting arm 24, the inner end of which is rotatably connected to the slide table 23, and the outer end of which is connected to the slide table 23. The machine tool is equipped with a fork 25 for rotation. A first rotational power source 26 for driving the connecting arm 24 to rotate is provided on the slide table 23. A second rotational power source 27 for driving the fork 25 to rotate is provided at the outer end of the connecting arm 24. The bottom of the pallet assembly 4 is provided with a positioning seat 41 for docking and positioning with the machine tool's worktable. When the frame 21 moves along the ground rail 1 to a preset position, the fork 25 removes a pallet assembly 4 from the hopper 3 and transfers the pallet assembly 4 to the corresponding machine tool. The positioning seat 41 at the bottom of the pallet assembly 4 is connected and positioned with the machine tool's worktable. In some embodiments, the first rotational power source 26 and the second rotational power source 27 are either a rotary cylinder or a geared motor.

[0028] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the ground rail 1 has slide rails 11 on both sides, and the bottom of the frame 21 has a sliding seat 211. The sliding seat 211 is slidably connected to the slide rails 11. The ground rail 1 has racks 12 distributed parallel to the slide rails 11. The sliding seat 211 has a first motor 212, and the first motor 212 has gears 213 that mesh with the racks 12. The bottom of the sliding seat 211 has a brush wheel 214 and a grease injection pipe 215 that provides lubricating grease to the brush wheel 214. A rotary joint 216 is provided between the brush wheel 214 and the grease injection pipe 215. The side of the brush wheel 214 contacts the tooth surface of the rack 12. Sensors 13 are provided at both ends of the ground rail 1. The sliding seat 211 has a sensing plate 216 at the corresponding position of the sensor 13. When the sensor 13 detects the sensing plate 216, the first motor 212 stops moving. Anti-collision seats 14 are provided at both ends of the slide rail 11 on the ground rail 1, and shock-absorbing blocks 15 are provided on the anti-collision seats 14. In some embodiments, the sensor 13 is a proximity sensor or a proximity switch.

[0029] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the frame 21 is configured as a gantry frame, and the frame 21 is equipped with a lifting mechanism 221 for driving the lifting seat 22 to move in the Z direction. The lifting mechanism 221 includes a vertically distributed Z-direction screw 222 and a second motor 223 for driving the Z-direction screw 222 to rotate. A Z-direction screw seat is fixed on the lifting seat 22, and the Z-direction screw 222 passes through the Z-direction screw seat to form a threaded connection. The lifting seat 22 is equipped with a translation mechanism 231 for driving the slide table 23 to move in the Y direction. The translation mechanism 231 includes a Y-direction screw 232 and a third motor 233 for driving the Y-direction screw 232 to rotate. A Y-direction screw seat is provided on the sliding sleeve, and the Y-direction screw 232 passes through the Y-direction screw seat to form a threaded connection.

[0030] The lifting seat 22 is located on the front side of the frame 21. The rear side of the frame 21 is provided with Z-direction distributed slide rods 28. The slide rods 28 are provided with counterweights 281. The upper end of the frame 21 is provided with a connecting seat 282. The connecting seat 282 is provided with a sprocket 283. The counterweights 281 are provided with a chain 284. The other end of the chain 284 passes around the sprocket 283 and is connected to the lifting seat 22.

[0031] like Figures 6-8As shown, the outer end of the fork 25 is provided with a U-shaped groove 251. The top surface of the fork 25 has first limiting pins 252 on both sides of the U-shaped groove 251. The bottom surface of the pallet assembly 4 has a first pin seat 42 adapted to the first limiting pins 252. When the fork 25 extends into the bottom of the pallet assembly 4 and engages with the first pin seat 42 through the first limiting pins 252, the positioning seat 41 is located within the U-shaped groove 251. The inner end of the top surface of the fork 25 is provided with a second limiting pin 253. The bottom of the pallet assembly 4 has a second pin seat 43 corresponding to the second limiting pin 253. The side of the pallet assembly 4 has a chip 44 for storing workpiece processing information. The inner end of the top surface of the fork 25 has a card reader 254 for reading information from the chip 44. When the second limiting pin 253 engages with the second pin seat 43, the card reader 254 reads the information from the chip 44. In some embodiments, the chip 44 is an RFID chip, and the card reader is an RFID card reader.

[0032] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the principle of this utility model is as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 9 As shown, Figure 2 Two machine tools are located on one side of the central ground rail, and a material hopper is located on the other side. Multiple pallet assemblies are installed in the hopper, each holding a workpiece to be processed. When a machine tool needs to load a pallet, the sliding sleeve, connecting arm, and fork move to pick up one pallet assembly, which then moves along the ground rail to the corresponding machine tool. The pallet assembly (with the workpiece) is then transferred to the machine tool's worktable (a commonly used exchangeable worktable can be selected). The positioning seat at the bottom of the pallet assembly directly mates with the worktable for positioning. After the workpiece is processed, the pallet assembly and workpiece are transferred together to the hopper, while another pallet assembly is picked up from the hopper and loaded onto the machine tool's worktable. This automatic loading and unloading system treats the workpiece and pallet assembly as a single unit for loading and unloading. Because the pallet assembly and worktable are standardly aligned, the loading and unloading efficiency is greatly improved, reducing the machine tool's waiting time during loading and unloading, and effectively increasing the machine tool's processing efficiency.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by up, down, left, right, inner end, outer end, one end, and the other end are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of more clearly describing the technical solution of this utility model, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0034] Although specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein, they are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic feeding system based on machine tools, characterized in that, It includes a ground rail (1), a feeder (2) slidably connected to the ground rail (1), and a hopper (3) located on one side of the ground rail (1). The hopper (3) is provided with several pallet assemblies (4) for storing workpieces. The loading machine (2) includes a frame (21) that can slide along the X direction of the ground rail (1), a lifting seat (22) that can slide along the Z direction of the frame (21), and a slide table (23) that can slide along the Y direction of the lifting seat (22). The slide table (23) is provided with a connecting arm (24). The inner end of the connecting arm (24) is rotatably connected to the slide table (23). The outer end of the connecting arm (24) is rotatably provided with a fork (25). The slide table (23) is provided with a first rotational power (26) to drive the connecting arm (24) to rotate. The outer end of the connecting arm (24) is provided with a second rotational power (27) to drive the fork (25) to rotate. The bottom of the pallet assembly (4) is provided with a positioning seat (41) that docks and positions with the worktable of the machine tool. When the frame (21) moves along the ground rail (1) to the preset position, the fork (25) takes out a pallet assembly (4) from the hopper (3) and transfers the pallet assembly (4) to the corresponding machine tool. The positioning seat (41) at the bottom of the pallet assembly (4) is connected and positioned with the worktable of the machine tool.

2. The automatic feeding system based on machine tools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ground rail (1) is provided with slide rails (11) on both sides, and the bottom of the frame (21) is provided with a sliding seat (211). The sliding seat (211) is slidably connected to the slide rail (11). The ground rail (1) is provided with a rack (12) that is parallel to the slide rail (11). The sliding seat (211) is provided with a first motor (212). The first motor (212) is provided with a gear (213) that meshes with the rack (12).

3. The automatic feeding system based on a machine tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the sliding seat (211) is provided with a roller brush wheel (214) and a grease injection tube (215) for providing lubricating grease to the roller brush wheel (214). A rotary joint (216) is provided between the roller brush wheel (214) and the grease injection tube (215). The side of the roller brush wheel (214) is in contact with the tooth surface of the rack (12).

4. The automatic feeding system based on a machine tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, Sensors (13) are provided at both ends of the ground rail (1). A sensor plate (217) is provided on the sliding seat (211) at the corresponding position of the sensor (13). When the sensor (13) detects the sensor plate (217), the first motor (212) stops moving.

5. The automatic feeding system based on a machine tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, Anti-collision seats (14) are provided at both ends of the slide rail (11) on the ground rail (1), and shock-absorbing blocks (15) are provided on the anti-collision seats (14).

6. An automatic feeding system based on a machine tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The frame (21) is configured as a gantry frame, and the frame (21) is provided with a lifting mechanism (221) for driving the lifting seat (22) to move in the Z direction. The lifting mechanism (221) includes a vertically distributed Z-axis lead screw (222) and a second motor (223) that drives the Z-axis lead screw (222) to rotate. A Z-axis lead screw seat is fixed on the lifting seat (22), and the Z-axis lead screw (222) passes through the Z-axis lead screw seat to form a threaded connection.

7. The automatic feeding system based on a machine tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lifting seat (22) is provided with a translation mechanism (231) for driving the slide (23) to move in the Y direction. The translation mechanism (231) includes a Y-direction screw (232) and a third motor (233) for driving the Y-direction screw (232) to rotate. The slide (23) is provided with a Y-direction screw seat, and the Y-direction screw (232) passes through the Y-direction screw seat to form a threaded connection.

8. The automatic feeding system based on a machine tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lifting seat (22) is located on the front side of the frame (21). The rear side of the frame (21) is provided with Z-direction distributed slide rods (28). The slide rods (28) are provided with counterweights (281). The upper end of the frame (21) is provided with a connecting seat (282). The connecting seat (282) is provided with a sprocket (283). The counterweights (281) are provided with a chain (284). The other end of the chain (284) passes around the sprocket (283) and is connected to the lifting seat (22).

9. The automatic feeding system based on machine tools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer end of the fork (25) is provided with a U-shaped groove (251). The top surface of the fork (25) is provided with first limiting pins (252) on both sides of the U-shaped groove (251). The bottom surface of the pallet assembly (4) is provided with a first pin seat (42) that is adapted to the first limiting pin (252). When the fork (25) extends into the bottom of the pallet assembly (4) and cooperates with the first pin seat (42) through the first limiting pin (252), the positioning seat (41) is in the U-shaped groove (251).

10. An automatic feeding system based on a machine tool according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fork (25) has a second limiting pin (253) at the inner end of its top surface. The bottom of the pallet assembly (4) has a second pin seat (43) at the corresponding position of the second limiting pin (253). The side of the pallet assembly (4) has a chip (44) for storing workpiece processing information. The inner end of the top surface of the fork (25) has a card reader (254) for reading information from the chip (44). When the second limiting pin (253) and the second pin seat (43) are engaged, the card reader (254) reads the information from the chip (44).

Images