Transport unit for part former

Abstract

To change a position of a workpiece with one die and another die of the next process which is different from the one die.SOLUTION: A transport unit for a part former includes: a pair of holding members which receives and holds a workpiece, which is processed by one die, including a fixed die, and a movable die which moves to one side in one direction relative to the fixed die to press the workpiece to the fixed die, and extruded from the fixed die to the other side in the one direction; a support member supporting the holding members; a rotary member which rotates the support member with its rotation axis direction set to an intersection direction intersecting the one direction; a main part supporting the holding parts, the support member, and the rotary member; and a movement member which moves the main part from a receiving position where the holding members receive the workpiece from the one die to a processing position where the workpiece held by the holding members may be processed by another die in the next step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer unit for a part former. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a multi-stage parts former in which a material is pressure-formed from rough to fine using a die and a punch that moves back and forth opposite the die to form a molded product with a hole. In the process following the process in which the hole is formed by forward or backward extrusion within the punch or die, a hole inspection cage pin is provided to detect any breakage or chipping of the punch within the formed hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Application No. 2002-5607 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, when a part former, a multi-stage forging device, is used to process a product, a supplied material is cut to a certain size, and the cut workpieces are transported sequentially between multiple dies consisting of fixed and movable dies, and a pressing force is applied in one direction between each fixed die (die) and movable die (punch) to finally form the workpiece into a product. Such a part former is equipped with a transport unit that transports the workpiece processed by one die to another die for the next process.

[0005] Conventionally, a transfer unit transfers a workpiece from one die to another without changing its orientation, i.e., the workpiece is pressed from one direction by each die in a predetermined orientation.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to change the posture of a workpiece between one die and another die in a subsequent process relative to the one die. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The transport unit for a part former described in the first aspect is characterized by comprising: a pair of gripping members that receive and grip the workpiece processed by a die having a fixed die and a movable die that moves to one side in one direction relative to the fixed die and presses the workpiece against the fixed die; a support member that supports the gripping members; a rotating member that rotates the support members around a rotation axis that intersects with the one direction; a main body that supports the gripping members, the support member, and the rotating members; and a moving member that moves the main body from a receiving position where the gripping members receive the workpiece from the one die to a processing position where the workpiece gripped by the gripping members can be processed by another die in a next process.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the rotating member rotates the support member that supports the gripping member, with the intersecting direction intersecting with the one direction as the rotation axis direction. Furthermore, the moving member moves the main body from a receiving position where the gripping member receives and grips the workpiece pushed out from the fixed die of one die to a processing position where the workpiece gripped by the gripping member can be processed by another die in the next process. This makes it possible to change the posture of the workpiece between one die and the other die in the next process relative to the first die.

[0009] The transport unit for a part former described in the second aspect is characterized in that, in the transport unit for a part former described in the first aspect, the intersecting direction, which is the rotation axis direction of the support member, and the opposing direction in which the pair of gripping members face each other are the alignment direction in which the one mold and the other mold are lined up.

[0010] With the above configuration, the cross direction, which is the rotation axis direction of the support member, and the opposing direction in which the pair of gripping members face each other are the alignment direction of the dies. This reduces the number of control directions compared to when the rotation axis direction of the support member and the opposing direction in which the pair of gripping members face each other are different from the alignment direction in which one die and another die are aligned, making it possible to change the posture of the workpiece as intended.

[0011] The transport unit for a part former described in the third aspect is characterized in that, in the transport unit for a part former described in the first aspect, the intersecting direction, which is the direction of the rotation axis of the support member, is the movement direction in which the main body is moved by the moving member.

[0012] With the above configuration, the number of control directions is reduced compared to when the rotation axis direction of the support member is different from the moving direction in which the main body moves due to the moving member, and the posture of the workpiece can be changed as desired.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the transport unit for a part former is the transport unit for a part former of the second aspect, characterized in that the rotating member includes a link whose base end is attached to the support member and extends on the opposite side of the fixed mold as viewed in the arrangement direction.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the link, the base end of which is attached to the support member, extends on the side opposite the fixed die when viewed in the direction in which the dies are arranged, thereby making it possible to prevent the link from interfering with the fixed die.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the transport unit for a part former is the transport unit for a part former of the second aspect, characterized in that the main body supports the support member movably in the direction of the rotation axis of the support member and includes a biasing member that biases the gripping member supported by the support member toward the workpiece.

[0016] According to the above configuration, even if the dimensions of the workpiece vary in the direction of the rotation axis of the support member, the gripping member can grip the workpiece.

[0017] The transport unit for a part former described in a sixth aspect is the transport unit for a part former described in the fifth aspect, characterized in that the pair of gripping members receive and grip the workpiece that bulges in opposing directions when the movable mold presses the workpiece against the fixed mold.

[0018] According to the above configuration, even if the degree of expansion of the workpiece varies in the opposing direction, the pair of gripping members can grip the workpiece due to the biasing force of the biasing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the transport unit for a parts former of the present invention, the posture of the workpiece can be changed between one die and another die in the next process relative to the one die. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 5A to 5E are diagrams showing the shapes of workpieces machined by each die provided in the part former in the transport unit for the part former according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a mold for machining a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, showing the mold in an open state. FIG. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are side views of dies that machine a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, illustrating a process in which a movable die moves toward a fixed die. [Figure 4] This is a side view of a mold that processes a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former in this embodiment, showing the state in which the workpiece is pressed into the fixed mold as the movable mold moves toward the fixed mold. [Figure 5]This is a side view of a mold used to process a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former in this embodiment, showing the state in which the extension member of the movable mold comes into contact with the pressing member of the fixed mold as the movable mold moves toward the fixed mold. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view of a mold for machining a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, showing the mold in a clamped state. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a side view of a mold for machining a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, showing a state in which the mold is opened and the workpiece is pushed out. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a die for machining a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, showing an extension member and a pressing member provided in the die. [Figure 9] (A)(B) A front view and a plan view of a mold for processing a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former in this embodiment, showing the state in which the workpiece is pressed into the fixed mold as the movable mold moves toward the fixed mold. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are a front view and a plan view of a mold for machining a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, showing the mold in a clamped state. [Figure 11] 1 is a plan view of a mold for machining a workpiece transported by a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, showing a state in which the mold is opened and the workpiece is pushed out. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view of the transport unit for the part former according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the transport unit receives a workpiece. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a side view of the transport unit for the part former according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a workpiece is rotated. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a front view of a transport unit for a part former according to the present embodiment, showing a state in which the transport unit receives a workpiece. [Figure 15]FIG. 2 is a front view of the transport unit for the part former according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a workpiece is rotated. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a side view of another mold for machining a workpiece transported by the transport unit for the part former according to the present embodiment, showing the mold-open state of the other mold. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] An example of a transport unit for a part former and a mold for machining a workpiece transported by the transport unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 16. Arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical direction, i.e., the up-and-down direction of the transport unit for the part former and the mold, arrow W shown in each figure indicates the width direction of the transport unit for the part former and the mold, is perpendicular to arrow H and indicates the horizontal direction, and arrow D shown in each figure indicates the depth direction of the transport unit for the part former and the mold, is perpendicular to arrows H and W and indicates the horizontal direction.

[0022] The drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships between elements, ratios, etc. shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0023] The mold used to process the workpiece transported by the part former transport unit in this embodiment is composed of a movable die and a fixed die, and is used to process a cylindrical metal workpiece into a brake hose fitting as a product. Here, the part former is a horizontal multi-stage forging device that cuts the supplied material to a set size, sequentially transports the cut workpiece between multiple opposing movable and fixed dies, and is a horizontal press machine that applies pressure to the workpiece with the movable and fixed dies to form the product.

[0024] In this embodiment, the movable die and the fixed die are arranged facing each other in the depth direction, and the movable die moves toward the rear and front in the depth direction. Furthermore, multiple dies are provided, and the multiple dies are arranged in the width direction. That is, a transport unit provided in the part former for transporting a workpiece from one die to another moves the workpiece in the width direction so that the workpiece machined by the die in the previous process can be machined by the die in the next process.

[0025] (Processing process from workpiece to brake hose fitting) 1(A) to 1(E) show the workpieces machined in each process in order from left to right on the page. Arrows H, W, and D in Fig. 1 indicate the direction of the workpiece when machined by the part former die. The following explanation of the shape of the workpiece will be given using the direction when the workpiece is machined by the part former die.

[0026] For the workpieces in each process, the shape of the workpiece as viewed from above is shown in the vertical center of the paper, the shape of the front part of the workpiece in the depth direction as viewed from the front side in the depth direction is shown at the top of the paper, and the shape of the back part of the workpiece in the depth direction as viewed from the back side in the depth direction is shown at the bottom of the paper.

[0027] FIG. 1(A) shows a workpiece 200 before machining, which has a cylindrical shape extending in the depth direction.

[0028] 1(B) shows workpiece 210 after workpiece 200 has been machined in multiple steps, and workpiece 210 includes a spherical portion 210a and a rectangular parallelepiped portion 210b connected to spherical portion 210a. Specifically, spherical portion 210a and rectangular parallelepiped portion 210b are aligned from the front side to the back side in the depth direction.

[0029] 1(C) shows workpiece 220 after workpiece 210 has been machined. Workpiece 220 includes an oblate spherical portion 220a and a rectangular parallelepiped portion 220b connected to oblate spherical portion 220a. Specifically, oblate spherical portion 220a and rectangular parallelepiped portion 220b are aligned from the front side to the back side in the depth direction. Furthermore, oblate spherical portion 220a is formed with a pair of circular flat portions 220c facing up and down.

[0030] 1(D) shows workpiece 230 after workpiece 220 has been machined. Workpiece 230 includes an oblate spherical portion 230a and a rectangular parallelepiped portion 230b connected to oblate spherical portion 230a. Specifically, oblate spherical portion 230a and rectangular parallelepiped portion 230b are aligned from the front side to the back side in the depth direction. A pair of circular recesses 230c recessed in the vertical direction are formed in oblate spherical portion 230a.

[0031] 1(E) shows a product 240 obtained after workpiece 230 has been machined through multiple steps. Product 240 includes an oblate spherical portion 240a and a rectangular parallelepiped portion 240b connected to oblate spherical portion 240a. Specifically, oblate spherical portion 240a and rectangular parallelepiped portion 240b are aligned from the front to the back in the depth direction. Further, oblate spherical portion 240a has a through-hole 240c formed therethrough in the vertical direction.

[0032] (Configuration of mold 10 for parts former) Next, a description will be given of a mold 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "mold 10") for a part former that processes a workpiece 210 to produce a workpiece 220. As shown in FIG. 2, the mold 10 includes a movable mold 10a and a fixed mold 10b that are arranged to face each other in the depth direction. A driving force is transmitted from a driving source (not shown) to the movable mold 10a, which moves in the depth direction, thereby pressing the workpiece 210 against the fixed mold 10b, thereby processing the workpiece 210. Note that FIG. 2 shows the mold 10 in an open state.

[0033] [Mobile type 10a] The movable die 10a is a so-called punch, and is disposed on the front side in the depth direction relative to the fixed die 10b, as shown in Fig. 2. The movable die 10a includes a main body 12, a pressing pin 14, a biasing member 16, and a pair of extension members 18. The pressing pin 14 is an example of a pressing member.

[0034] -Main body 12, pressing pin 14, biasing member 16- As shown in Figure 2, the main body 12 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the depth direction, and the main body 12 is formed with a hollow portion 12a extending in the depth direction, a top surface 12b facing the back side of the main body 12 in the depth direction, and a communication hole 12c connecting the top surface 12b and the hollow portion 12a.

[0035] The pressing pin 14 extends in the depth direction, and an expanded diameter portion 14a, which is expanded in diameter relative to the general portion, is formed at the base end of the pressing pin 14 on the front side in the depth direction. Specifically, the pressing pin 14 extends on a center line CL01 extending in the depth direction of the mold 10. The expanded diameter portion 14a of the pressing pin 14 is disposed in the hollow portion 12a, and the pressing pin 14 extends from the expanded diameter portion 14a to the rear side in the depth direction, passes through the communicating hole 12c, and protrudes from the top surface 12b toward the fixed mold 10b.

[0036] Furthermore, a curved contact surface 14b (see FIG. 9(B)) is formed at the tip of the innermost depth direction of the pressing pin 14. This contact surface 14b conforms to the outer shape of the workpiece 220 when viewed from above.

[0037] The biasing member 16 is a so-called compression coil spring and is disposed in the hollow portion 12a so as to extend in the depth direction. Specifically, the biasing member 16 is disposed in a compressed state on the near side in the depth direction relative to the enlarged diameter portion 14a of the pressing pin 14. As a result, the biasing member 16 biases the pressing pin 14 so that the pressing pin 14 protrudes from the top surface 12b.

[0038] -Extension member 18- 2, a pair of extension members 18 are provided and attached to the top surface 12b of the main body 12. Specifically, the pair of extension members 18 are arranged to face each other on both sides in the up-down direction with the center line CL01 therebetween.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 8, the extension member 18 includes a main body 18a attached to the top surface 12b and a protruding portion 18b that protrudes from the main body 18a toward the rear in the depth direction and has a triangular shape when viewed from the width direction. Furthermore, an inclined surface 18c that is inclined with respect to the depth direction is formed on the protruding portion 18b. Specifically, the inclined surface 18c is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the width direction so that the portion on the front side in the depth direction when viewed from the width direction is closer to the center line CL01 than the portion on the rear side in the depth direction. Note that Fig. 8 shows the extension member 18 disposed on the lower side. The inclined surface 18c is an example of another inclined surface.

[0040] [Fixed type 10b] The fixed mold 10b is a so-called die, and is disposed on the rear side in the depth direction relative to the movable mold 10a, as shown in Fig. 2. The fixed mold 10b includes a main body 32, an ejector pin 34, a pressing member 36, a biasing member 38 (see Fig. 9(A)), a holding member 40 (see Fig. 9(B)), and a biasing member 42 (see Fig. 9(B)). The ejector pin 34 is an example of a biasing member.

[0041] -Main body 32, ejector pin 34- As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 32 is formed with a rectangular recess 32a that is open toward the front in the depth direction. The recess 32a has a pair of opposing surfaces 32c that face each other in the vertical direction and a pair of opposing surfaces 32d that face each other in the width direction (see FIG. 9(B)). Furthermore, a through-hole 32f extending in the depth direction is formed in the bottom 32e of the main body 32 on the far side in the depth direction. This through-hole 32f penetrates a cavity 48 formed between the bottom 32e of the main body 32 and a base (reference numeral omitted) and the recess 32a of the main body 32, has a rectangular shape when viewed in the depth direction, and extends on a center line CL01. As will be described in detail later, a rectangular parallelepiped portion 210b of the workpiece 210 is adapted to be inserted into the through-hole 32f.

[0042] The ejector pin 34 extends in the depth direction, and an expanded diameter portion 34a, which is larger in diameter than the general portion, is formed at the base end of the ejector pin 34 on the rear side in the depth direction. Specifically, the ejector pin 34 extends on the center line CL01. The expanded diameter portion 34a of the ejector pin 34 is disposed in the hollow portion 48, and the ejector pin 34 extends from the expanded diameter portion 34a to the front side in the depth direction, passes through the through hole 32f, and protrudes from the bottom portion 32e toward the movable mold 10a. The ejector pin 34 is movable in the depth direction, and when the workpiece 220 machined by the mold 10 is pushed forward in the depth direction, a driving force is transmitted from a driving source (not shown) to the ejector pin 34, which moves the ejector pin 34 from the rear side to the front side in the depth direction.

[0043] -Pressing member 36, biasing member 38- As shown in Fig. 2, a pair of pressing members 36 are provided and are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction in the recess 32a of the main body 32. Specifically, the pair of pressing members 36 are arranged to face each other on both sides in the vertical direction with the center line CL01 between them. When viewed in the width direction, the pressing member 36 has a rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction. When the mold is opened, the base end of the pressing member 36 contacts the opposing surface 32c of the main body 32.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, an opening 36a is formed at the base end portion of the pressing member 36, which is open on the opposing surface 32c (see FIG. 2) side. Furthermore, a pressing surface 36b protruding toward the center line CL01 and a stepped surface 36c sandwiching the pressing surface 36b in the width direction and recessed relative to the pressing surface 36b are formed at the tip end portion of the pressing member 36. Furthermore, an inclined surface 36d inclined relative to the depth direction is formed at the base end portion of the pressing member 36 so as to form the opening 36a. Specifically, the inclined surface 36d is inclined relative to the depth direction as viewed in the width direction so that the rear portion in the depth direction is farther away from the center line CL01 than the front portion in the depth direction when viewed in the width direction. Note that FIG. 8 also shows the extension member 18 disposed on the lower side.

[0045] 9A, the main body 32 is further formed with an opposing surface 32g that faces the stepped surface 36c of the pressing member 36 in the vertical direction, and a biasing member 38 is disposed between the stepped surface 36c and the opposing surface 32g. The biasing member 38 is a so-called compression coil spring and is disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction. As a result, the biasing member 38 biases the pressing member 36 so that the base end of the pressing member 36 comes into contact with the opposing surface 32c of the main body 32, as shown in FIG.

[0046] In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the biasing member 38 biases the pressing member 36 so that the base end of the pressing member 36 contacts the opposing surface 32c of the main body 32, thereby positioning the pressing member 36 at an allowable position that allows the workpiece 210 moving in the depth direction to face the pressing member 36 in the up-down direction. Meanwhile, when the movable mold 10a moves toward the back in the depth direction, the inclined surface 18c of the extension member 18 presses the inclined surface 36d of the pressing member 36. As a result, the pressing member 36 moves to a pressing position (see FIG. 6) where the pressing surface 36b presses the spherical portion 210a of the workpiece 210 from both the up-down direction and the down-down direction. The up-down direction is an example of another intersecting direction.

[0047] - Holding member 40, biasing member 42 - 9(A) and 9(B), a pair of holding members 40 are provided and are arranged to face each other in the width direction in the recess 32a of the main body 32. Specifically, the pair of holding members 40 are arranged to face each other on both sides in the width direction with the center line CL01 therebetween. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(A), the holding members 40 extend in the width direction when viewed from the depth direction.

[0048] Furthermore, an expanded portion 40a expanding in the vertical direction is formed at the base end portion of the holding member 40, and an opposing surface 32h opposing the expanded portion 40a in the width direction is formed on the main body 32. Furthermore, a curved contact surface 40b that contacts the workpieces 210, 220 is formed at the tip portion of the holding member 40 and extends in the depth direction. Specifically, when viewed from the depth direction, the contact surface 40b follows the oblate spherical portion 220a of the workpiece 220. In other words, when viewed from the depth direction, the contact surface 40b follows the outer shape of the workpiece 220.

[0049] In addition, a biasing member 42 is disposed between the opposing surface 32d formed on the main body 32 and the base end portion of the holding member 40. The biasing member 42 is a so-called compression coil spring and is disposed so as to extend in the width direction. As a result, the biasing member 42 biases the holding member 40 so that the expanding portion 40a of the holding member 40 comes into contact with the opposing surface 32h of the main body 32.

[0050] (Action of mold 10) Next, a machining operation when the die 10 is used to machine the workpiece 210 (see FIG. 1(B)) into the workpiece 220 (see FIG. 1(C)) will be described.

[0051] [Mold open state] When the mold 10 is in an open state, as shown in FIG. 2, the movable mold 10a is disposed on the front side of the fixed mold 10b in the depth direction and is spaced apart from the fixed mold 10b.

[0052] In this state, in the movable mold 10a, the biasing member 16 biases the pressing pin 14 so that the pressing pin 14 protrudes from the top surface 12b. Furthermore, in the fixed mold 10b, the biasing member 38 (see FIG. 9(A)) biases the pressing member 36 so that the base end of the pressing member 36 contacts the opposing surface 32c of the main body 32. Furthermore, the ejection pin 34 protrudes into the recess 32a of the main body 32.

[0053] Then, a transport unit (not shown) that moves the workpiece 210 from the mold of the previous process to the mold 10 of the next process places the workpiece 210 on the front side in the depth direction of the ejector pin 34, as shown in Fig. 2. When the workpiece 210 is placed, the movable mold 10a moves toward the back side in the depth direction by a driving force from a driving source (not shown).

[0054] [Mold clamping and pushing process] When the movable mold 10a moves toward the rear in the depth direction, the tip of the pressing pin 14 comes into contact with the spherical portion 210a of the workpiece 210, as shown in Fig. 3. The depth direction is an example of one direction.

[0055] 4, when the movable mold 10a moves further back in the depth direction, the pressing pin 14 presses the workpiece 210 into the recess 32a of the main body 32. As a result, the spherical portion 210a of the workpiece 210 comes into contact with the edge of the through-hole 32f of the main body 32, and the rectangular parallelepiped portion 210b of the workpiece 210 is inserted into the through-hole 32f. Furthermore, the ejection pin 34 is pressed by the workpiece 210 and moves further back in the depth direction.

[0056] In this state, when viewed from the width direction, the spherical portion 210a of the workpiece 210 is disposed between the pair of pressing members 36 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the depth direction and the vertical direction, as shown in Figures 9(A) and (B), the spherical portion 210a of the workpiece 210 is sandwiched between the pair of holding members 40 in the width direction, and the curved contact surfaces 40b of the holding members 40 contact the spherical portion 210a of the workpiece 210 (see Figure 9(A)). The width direction is an example of a cross direction.

[0057] [Mold clamping and pressing process] 5, when the movable mold 10a moves further toward the rear in the depth direction, the tip of the pressing pin 14 remains in contact with the spherical portion 210a of the workpiece 210, compressing the biasing member 16. The biasing force of this biasing member 16 presses the workpiece 210 against the main body 32 of the fixed mold 10b, restricting movement of the workpiece 210 in the depth direction.

[0058] Furthermore, the protruding portion 18b of the extension member 18 enters the opening 36a of the pressing member 36 (see FIG. 8), and the inclined surface 18c of the extension member 18 comes into contact with the inclined surface 36d of the pressing member 36.

[0059] [Mold clamping and pressing process] As the movable mold 10a moves further toward the rear in the depth direction, the inclined surface 18c of the extension member 18 presses the inclined surface 36d of the pressing member 36, and as shown in FIGS. 6, 10(A), and 10(B), the pair of pressing members 36 move vertically toward each other. As a result, the pressing surfaces 36b of the pair of pressing members 36 press the spherical portion 210a from both the vertical and horizontal directions, causing the spherical portion 210a to plastically deform from a spherical shape to an oblate spheroid by expanding in the width and depth directions. In this way, the workpiece 210 (see FIG. 1(B)) is machined into a workpiece 220 (see FIG. 1(C)) having an oblate spheroid portion 220a with a flat portion 220c facing vertically.

[0060] 10(A) and 10(B), the oblate spherical portion 220a of the workpiece 220 is sandwiched between the pair of holding members 40 in the width direction, as viewed from the depth direction and the up-down direction, and the curved contact surfaces 40b of the holding members 40 are in contact with and follow the oblate spherical portion 220a of the workpiece 220. Specifically, as the spherical portion 210a expands from its spherical shape in the width direction and the depth direction, the pair of holding members 40 move in the width direction against the biasing force of the biasing member 42, moving away from each other while maintaining contact with the spherical portion 210a.

[0061] This maintains contact between the contact surfaces 40b of the holding members 40 and the oblate spherical portions 220a of the workpiece 220. Furthermore, the biasing force of the biasing members 42 presses the pair of holding members 40 against the workpiece 220, maintaining the posture of the workpiece 220.

[0062] [Mold opening and extrusion process] When the workpiece 210 is machined into the workpiece 220, the movable die 10a moves toward the front in the depth direction by a driving force from a driving source (not shown), and the movable die 10a returns to its initial position as shown in Fig. 7. Then, the biasing member 38 (see Fig. 9(A)) biases the pressing member 36 so that the base end of the pressing member 36 contacts the opposing surface 32c of the main body 32. As a result, the pressing member 36 returns to the allowable position.

[0063] Furthermore, the ejector pins 34 of the fixed mold 10b move toward the front in the depth direction by a driving force from a driving source (not shown), and the workpiece 220 is pushed out from the fixed mold 10b. Here, a pair of holding members 40 shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) sandwich the workpiece 220 pushed out from the fixed mold 10b by the ejector pins 34 from the width direction, thereby maintaining the posture of the workpiece 220. Then, the workpiece 220 pushed out from the mold 10b is gripped by the gripping members 62 of the transport unit 60. In this manner, the workpiece 220 is delivered to the transport unit 60.

[0064] (Transport unit 60) Next, the transport unit 60 that transports the workpiece 220 pushed out from the fixed die 10b to the die 110 (see FIG. 16) for the next process will be described.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the transport unit 60 has a pair of gripping members 62 that grip the workpiece 220 pushed out from the fixed die 10b from both sides in the width direction.

[0066] Specifically, as shown in Figures 12 and 14, the conveying unit 60 comprises a main body 90, a gripping member 62, a support unit 66 that supports the gripping member 62, a rotating member 70 that rotates the support unit 66, and a moving member 96 that moves the main body 90.

[0067] [Main body 90] The main body 90 is integrally formed and has a rectangular base portion 90a extending vertically when viewed in the width direction, and an extension portion 90b extending downward from the front portion of the base portion 90a in the depth direction, as shown in Fig. 12. When the main body 90 of the transport unit 60 is positioned at a receiving position where it receives the workpiece 220 from the mold 10, the extension portion 90b is arranged at the front side of the fixed mold 10b in the depth direction, as shown in Fig. 12.

[0068] 14, the extension portions 90b are provided as a pair spaced apart in the width direction when viewed from the depth direction. A support unit 66 that supports the gripping member 62 is attached to the lower end portion of the extension portion 90b.

[0069] [Support unit 66, gripping member 62] As shown in Figures 11 and 14, a pair of support units 66 are provided, one on each side in the width direction, sandwiching the workpiece 220 extruded from the fixed mold 10b. The support unit 66 includes a shaft portion 66a extending in the width direction, a C-ring 66b attached to the base end portion (the portion away from the center line CL01) of the shaft portion 66a, and an expanded diameter portion 66c formed at the tip end (the end portion on the center line CL01 side) of the shaft portion 66a and having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 66a. Furthermore, the support unit 66 includes a biasing member 66d that biases the expanded diameter portion 66c toward the workpiece 220. The shaft portion 66a is an example of a support member.

[0070] A through-hole (not shown) through which the shaft 66a passes is formed in the extension 90b of the main body 90, and the shaft 66a is supported in the through-hole so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the shaft 66a is supported in the through-hole so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, with the rotation axis direction being the width direction, and so as to be movable in the width direction. The width direction is an example of the rotation axis direction.

[0071] The biasing member 66d is a so-called compression coil spring, and is disposed between the expanded diameter portion 66c and the extending portion 90b. Specifically, the biasing member 66d is disposed in a compressed state, and biases the expanded diameter portion 66c toward the workpiece 220.

[0072] The gripping members 62 are plate-shaped members whose thickness direction is the width direction, and are provided as a pair facing each other in the width direction, and are attached to the tip portions (portions on the center line CL01 side) of the enlarged diameter portions 66c. The width direction is an example of the facing direction.

[0073] 12, the gripping member 62 has an arcuate surface 62a formed around the rotation center CL02 of the shaft portion 66a when viewed from the width direction. Specifically, when the main body 90 is placed at a receiving position where it receives the workpiece 220 from the mold 10, the arcuate surface 62a is formed clockwise from an upper portion in the vertical direction with respect to the rotation center CL02 to a far portion in the depth direction with respect to the rotation center CL02 of the shaft portion 66a.

[0074] [Rotating member 70] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the rotating member 70 includes a link unit 72 and an operating unit 76 that operates the link unit 72.

[0075] -Link unit 72- As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, a pair of link units 72 are provided, and are arranged on both sides in the width direction with the workpiece 220 extruded from the fixed mold 10b between them. Specifically, the link unit 72 includes a first link 72a, one end of which is attached to the shaft portion 66a, and a second link 72b, one end of which is rotatably attached to the other end of the first link 72a. When the main body 90 is positioned at a receiving position where it receives the workpiece 220 from the mold 10, the first link 72a is positioned in its initial position and is arranged to extend from one end to the front side in the depth direction, as shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the base end of the first link 72a is attached to the shaft portion 66a and extends to the opposite side of the fixed mold 10b when viewed in the width direction.

[0076] In this state, the second link 72b is disposed in its initial position and extends upward in the vertical direction from one end. Here, the C-ring 66b described above is attached to a portion of the shaft portion 66a on the outer side in the width direction (the side away from the center line CL01) of the first link 72a, as shown in FIG.

[0077] -Operating Unit 76- 12 and 14, the operating unit 76 includes a rod 76a extending in the width direction and having the other ends of the second links 72b rotatably attached to both ends thereof, and a cantilever link 76b having one end rotatably attached to the longitudinal center of the rod 76a. The operating unit 76 further includes an operating part 76c that rotates the cantilever link 76b.

[0078] When the transport unit 60 is disposed at a receiving position where it receives the workpiece 220 from the mold 10, the cantilever link 76b is disposed at its initial position and is disposed so as to extend from one end to the far side in the depth direction, as shown in Fig. 12. Furthermore, the other end of the cantilever link 76b is rotatably attached to a shaft 92 formed on a base part 90a of the main body 90.

[0079] The operating part 76c also includes a cylindrical rod 78 inserted into a through-hole (reference numeral omitted) extending in the vertical direction and formed in the base part 90a of the main body 90, and a large-diameter part 80 attached to the upper end of the rod 78 and having a larger diameter than the rod 78. When the transport unit 60 is placed at the receiving position, the lower surface of the large-diameter part 80 contacts the upper surface of the base part 90a of the main body 90 in the vertical direction.

[0080] The rod 78 is also formed with a notch 78a to avoid interference with the shaft 92 that constitutes the rotation axis of the cantilever link 76b, and a through-hole 78b (see FIG. 14) through which the cantilever link 76b passes and which penetrates in the depth direction. The rod 78 is further provided with a pin 78c that crosses the through-hole 78b in the width direction, and this pin 78c is inserted into an elongated hole 77 that is formed in the cantilever link 76b, extends in the extension direction of the cantilever link 76b, and penetrates in the width direction.

[0081] In this configuration, as shown in Figures 13 and 15, a driving force is transmitted from a driving source (not shown) to the moving part 76c, which moves upward a predetermined distance, and the lower surface of the large diameter part 80 of the moving part 76c moves away from the upper surface of the base part 90a of the main body 90. As the moving part 76c moves upward, the pin 78c that crosses the elongated hole 77 formed in the cantilever link 76b also moves upward. As the pin 78c moves upward, the cantilever link 76b rotates clockwise about the shaft part 92, and one end of the cantilever link 76b moves upward.

[0082] As one end of the cantilever link 76b moves upward, the other end of the second link 72b moves upward, and as the other end of the second link 72b moves upward, one end of the second link 72b also moves upward. As one end of the second link 72b also moves upward, the other end of the first link 72a moves upward, and the first link 72a rotates around the shaft 66a. Specifically, as viewed in the width direction, the shaft 66a rotates clockwise. As the shaft 66a rotates clockwise, the gripping member 62 rotates clockwise.

[0083] [Moving member 96] The moving member 96 moves the main body 90 in the width direction from a receiving position where the gripping member 62 receives the workpiece 220 pushed out from the fixed die 10b of the die 10 to a processing position where the workpiece 220 gripped by the gripping member 62 can be processed by the die 110 in the next process. This moving member 96 is configured by combining known mechanisms such as cams and links (not shown). In this way, the direction in which the main body 90 is moved by the moving member 96 is the width direction.

[0084] (Function of the transport unit 60) Next, a description will be given of the transport operation in which the workpiece 220 pushed out from the fixed die 10b of the die 10 is transported to the die 110 (see FIG. 16) for the next process using the transport unit 60. The die 110 is disposed adjacent to the die 10 in the width direction, and as shown in FIG. 16, includes a movable die 110a and a fixed die 110b.

[0085] [Gripping process] When the main body 90 of the conveying unit 60 is positioned at a receiving position where it receives the workpiece 220 from the mold 10, the extension portion 90b of the main body 90 is positioned on the front side of the fixed mold 10b in the depth direction, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the lower surface of the large-diameter portion 80 of the movable portion 76c contacts the upper surface of the base portion 90a of the main body 90 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the first link 72a, the second link 72b, and the cantilever link 76b are positioned in their respective initial positions. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 14, the workpiece 220 is pushed out of the fixed mold 10b, and the pair of gripping members 62 grip the workpiece 220 between them. Specifically, a pair of gripping members 62 are biased by the biasing force of biasing member 66d to both ends of the width direction of oblate spherical portion 220a of workpiece 220, whose flat portion 220c faces in the vertical direction, so that the pair of gripping members 62 grips workpiece 220.

[0086] [Width direction movement and rotation process] When the pair of gripping members 62 grip the workpiece 220, the moving member 96 moves the main body 90 in the width direction. Specifically, the moving member 96 moves the main body 90 to a processing position where the extension portion 90b of the main body 90 is positioned on the front side of the fixed mold 110b in the depth direction.

[0087] Here, while the main body 90 is moving, the transport unit 60 rotates the workpiece 220 held by the pair of gripping members 62. Specifically, the transport unit 60 rotates the workpiece 220, with the flat surface 220c facing the up-down direction, so that the flat surface 220c faces the depth direction.

[0088] The process of rotating the workpiece 220 will be described below. While the main body 90 is moving, the moving part 76c receives a driving force from a driving source (not shown) and moves upward by a predetermined distance, as shown in Figures 13 and 15, and the lower surface of the large diameter part 80 of the moving part 76c separates from the upper surface of the basic part 90a of the main body 90.

[0089] As the movable portion 76c moves upward, the pin 78c that crosses the elongated hole 77 formed in the cantilever link 76b also moves upward. Furthermore, as the pin 78c moves upward, the cantilever link 76b rotates clockwise around the shaft portion 92, and one end of the cantilever link 76b moves upward.

[0090] When one end of the cantilever link 76b moves upward, the other end of the second link 72b moves upward, and when the other end of the second link 72b moves upward, one end of the second link 72b also moves upward.

[0091] As one end of the second link 72b moves upward, the other end of the first link 72a moves upward, and the first link 72a rotates clockwise around the shaft 66a, causing the shaft 66a to rotate clockwise when viewed in the width direction.

[0092] The clockwise rotation of the shaft 66a rotates the gripping member 62. Specifically, the arcuate surface 62a of the gripping member 62 passes through the portion where the fixed molds 10b, 110b of the molds 10, 110 and the gripping member 62 are closest in the depth direction when viewed from the width direction, and the gripping member 62 rotates clockwise.

[0093] By rotating the gripping member 62, the workpiece 220 rotates so that the flat surface portion 220c of the workpiece 220 faces the depth direction.

[0094] In this state, the workpiece 220 held by the holding members 62 is placed on the front side in the depth direction of the fixed mold 110b of the mold 110, as shown in FIG.

[0095] (Configuration and Function of Mold 110) The mold 110 is aligned with the mold 10 in the width direction. In other words, the alignment direction of the mold 10 and the mold 110 is the width direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, the movable mold 110a of the mold 110 is provided with a cylindrical pressing pin 120 extending toward the back in the depth direction. Specifically, the pressing pin 120 extends on a center line CL11 extending in the depth direction of the mold 110. The width direction is an example of the alignment direction of the molds 10 and 110.

[0096] Furthermore, the fixed mold 110b of the mold 110 is provided with a cylindrical pressing pin 130 that extends toward the front in the depth direction. Specifically, the pressing pin 130 extends on a center line CL11 that extends in the depth direction of the mold 110. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the pressing pin 130 is the same as the outer diameter of the pressing pin 120, and is smaller than the outer diameter of the circular flat portion 220c of the workpiece 220.

[0097] Then, by moving the movable mold 110a toward the rear in the depth direction, the pressing pin 120 and the pressing pin 130 clamp the oblate spherical portion 220a of the workpiece 220, thereby machining the workpiece 230 (see Figure 1 (D)) having a recess 230c.

[0098] (summary) As described above, in the transport unit 60, the rotating member 70 rotates the support unit 66 that supports the gripping member 62, with the rotation width direction as the axial direction. Furthermore, the moving member 96 moves the main body 90 in the width direction from a receiving position where the gripping member 62 receives the workpiece 220 pushed out from the fixed die 10b of the mold 10 to a processing position where the workpiece 220 gripped by the gripping member 62 can be processed by the mold 110 for the next process. This makes it possible to change the posture of the workpiece 220 between the mold 10 and the mold 110 for the next process relative to the mold 10.

[0099] Furthermore, in the transport unit 60, the opposing direction in which the pair of gripping members 62 face each other is the width direction in which the mold 10 and the mold 110 are aligned, and the rotation axis direction of the support unit 66 (shaft 66a) is the width direction in which the molds 10 and 110 are aligned. This reduces the number of directions to be managed compared to when the rotation axis direction of the support member differs from the alignment direction in which one mold and another mold are aligned, making it possible to change the posture of the workpiece 220 as intended.

[0100] Furthermore, in the transport unit 60, the rotation axis direction of the shaft 66a is the width direction in which the main body 90 is moved by the moving member 96. This reduces the number of control directions compared to when the rotation axis direction of the shaft differs from the direction in which the main body is moved by the moving member, making it possible to change the posture of the workpiece 220 as intended.

[0101] In the transport unit 60, the base end of the first link 72a is attached to the shaft 66a and extends to the opposite side from the fixed mold 10b when viewed in the width direction, thereby preventing the first link from interfering with the fixed mold.

[0102] Furthermore, in the transport unit 60, the main body 90 supports the shaft portion 66a so as to be movable in the width direction, and the biasing member 66d biases the enlarged diameter portion 66c so as to bias the gripping member 62 supported by the shaft portion 66a toward the workpiece 220. This allows the gripping member 62 to grip the workpiece 220 even if the dimension of the workpiece 220 in the width direction varies.

[0103] In the transport unit 60, the gripping member 62 grips the oblate spherical portion 220a of the workpiece 210, which is formed by the spherical portion 210a expanding in the width direction. Here, the biasing member 66d biases the expanded diameter portion 66c so as to bias the gripping member 62, which is supported by the shaft portion 66a, toward the workpiece 210. This allows the gripping member 62 to grip the workpiece 220 even if the degree of expansion of the workpiece 220 in the width direction varies.

[0104] While the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, the rotational axis direction of the shaft portion 66a and the opposing direction in which the pair of gripping members 62 face each other are the same as the juxtaposition direction in which the mold 10 and the mold 110 are aligned, but the rotational axis direction and the opposing direction may be different from the juxtaposition direction. However, in this case, the effect achieved by juxtaposing the rotational axis direction and the opposing direction as the juxtaposition direction will not be achieved.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the rotational axis direction of the shaft portion 66a is the movement direction in which the main body 90 is moved by the moving member 96, but the rotational axis direction may be a direction different from the movement direction. In this case, however, the effect achieved by making the rotational axis direction the movement direction is not achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 10. Mold (an example of a mold) 10a Mobile 10b fixed type 60 Transfer unit (an example of a transfer unit for a parts former) 62 Gripping member 66a Shaft portion (an example of a support member) 66d biasing member 70 Rotating member 72a First link (example of a link) 90 Main Unit 96 Moving parts 110 Mold (an example of another mold) 210 Work 220 Work 230 Work

Claims

1. a pair of gripping members that receive and grip the workpiece that has been machined by a die that includes a fixed die and a movable die that moves in one direction relative to the fixed die to press the workpiece against the fixed die and that has been pushed out from the fixed die to the other side in the one direction; a support member that supports the gripping member; a rotating member that rotates the support member with a direction intersecting the one direction as a rotation axis direction; a main body supporting the gripping member, the support member, and the rotating member; a moving member that moves the main body from a receiving position where the gripping member receives the workpiece from the one die to a processing position where the workpiece gripped by the gripping member can be processed by another die in a next process; A transport unit for a parts former.

2. The intersecting direction, which is the rotation axis direction of the support member, and the opposing direction in which the pair of gripping members oppose each other are set to an arrangement direction in which the one mold and the other mold are arranged side by side.

2. A transport unit for a parts former according to claim 1.

3. The intersecting direction, which is the rotation axis direction of the support member, is a moving direction in which the main body is moved by the moving member.

2. A transport unit for a parts former according to claim 1.

4. the rotating member includes a link having a base end attached to the support member and extending in a direction opposite to the fixed die when viewed in the arrangement direction; 3. The transport unit for a parts former according to claim 2.

5. the main body supports the support member so as to be movable in a rotation axis direction of the support member; a biasing member that biases the gripping member supported by the support member toward the workpiece; 3. The transport unit for a parts former according to claim 2.

6. The pair of gripping members receive and grip the workpiece that bulges in opposing directions when the movable die presses the workpiece against the fixed die.

6. A transport unit for a parts former according to claim 5.

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