Crane-assisted workpiece clamping system

Abstract

Crane-assisted workpiece clamping system for loading and unloading production or machine tools, characterized in that a movable and positionable carriage (1) is installed on the crossbeam (2) of a bridge crane, characterized in that the carriage (1) is equipped with 4 cable drums which are actuated by means of a central geared motor (3) or individual motors for 4 support cables (4) for a lifting movement, and the support cables (4) are connected to a mounting plate (5) to which a horizontally moving gripper (6) is mounted, wherein the carriage and the mounting plate (5) are aligned to each other by means of centering pins (9) and mounting sleeves.

Description

[0001] Workpieces must be fed to and secured on the worktables of production or machine tools for processing. Standard pallets with zero-point clamping systems are typically used for this purpose to minimize machine downtime. The pallets also allow for the integration of diverse production machines and manufacturing processes without costly changeover times.

[0002] For semi- or fully automated production processes, pallet storage systems are currently used at the machines, requiring a significant amount of expensive floor space. It therefore makes sense to create a central pallet storage area and handle the pallets using the overhead crane already present in most factories. This would eliminate the need for individual pallet storage systems, freeing up valuable floor space for other purposes and making better use of the space currently unused above the machinery.

[0003] German patent application DE 27 42 240 A1 discloses a handling device that is supplied with a workpiece by a crane. The handling device comprises two lifting devices that can raise the workpiece to a height required for (turning) machining. Simultaneously, rotation of the tool is possible. If necessary, the lifting devices can also be moved longitudinally along a lathe or other workbenches, so that the workpiece can be moved accordingly (see description: page 4: second paragraph and figures).

[0004] German patent application DE 1 920 804 A discloses a frame movable outside the floor plan of a grinding machine and a gripping device movable on fixed tracks relative to it for grasping and lifting rollers at the stacking station, for inserting a roller into the setting blocks of a roller grinding machine, and for performing the reverse operation, see description: page 3: 2nd paragraph andFig. 5.

[0005] German patent application DE 11 2016 004 230 discloses a conveying device of the portal crane type, with a horizontally arranged support and a running body that runs along the support, as well as with a lifting body that is movably carried in an upward-downward direction relative to the running body, and with an attachment section that is carried on a lower area of ​​the lifting body in order to attach a transport object to it, see claim 1 and Fig. 1.

[0006] To avoid the existing technical and economic shortcomings, the invention provides for equipping the bridge crane, which is present in many factories, with a device for changing pallets.

[0007] Fig.Figure 1 shows the basic solution of the pallet and workpiece changing system with the lifting and lowering elements for loading the machines from above. The carriage (1), which is attached to the trolley of the bridge girder, is moved on the crossbeam (2) of the crane by means of rollers. The carriage contains four cable drums, each driven either individually by a motor or by a central geared motor (3). In the latter case, the cable drums are coupled by means of gears or toothed belts to ensure synchronous winding and unwinding of the support cables (4). The support cables are connected to a mounting plate (5). This mounting plate also supports the horizontally movable grippers (6) for handling the zero-point plate (7) with the workpiece (8) attached to it. The gripper movements can be generated electrically or pneumatically.To ensure a basic positioning of the zero point plate, the carriage and the mounting plate are aligned relative to each other using centering bolts (9) and mounting sleeves.

[0008] Positioning between the zero-point plate (7) and the zero-point clamping plate (10) is achieved using the clamping pins (11) and the opposing clamping cups (12). The zero-point clamping plate is mounted on the machine table (13). The end positions between the carriage and the support plate, as well as between the zero-point plate and the zero-point clamping plate, are automatically determined by sensors.

Claims

[1] Crane-assisted workpiece clamping system for loading and unloading production or machine tools, characterized by , that a movable and positionable carriage (1) is installed on the crossbeam (2) of a bridge crane, characterized by , that the carriage (1) is equipped with 4 cable drums which, by means of a central geared motor (3) or individual motors, actuate 4 support cables (4) for a lifting movement, and the support cables (4) are connected to a receiving plate (5) to which a horizontally moving gripper (6) is mounted, wherein the carriage and the receiving plate (5) are aligned to each other by means of centering bolts (9) and receiving sleeves. [2] Crane-assisted workpiece clamping system according to claim 1, characterized by , that a zero point plate (7) is used to secure the workpiece (8). [3] Crane-assisted workpiece clamping system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by, that the positioning of the carriage (1) to the mounting plate (5) is carried out by means of 4 centering bolts (9). [4] Crane-assisted workpiece clamping system according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the positioning of the zero point plate (7) to the zero point clamping plate (10) is carried out by means of 4 clamping pins (11) and 4 opposing clamping pots (12).

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