Apparatus and method for collecting products, in particular metal products, from a processing machine - Patents.com

Abstract

The device (10) is for collecting products, in particular metal products (11), from a processing machine (12) which is provided with a zone (13) for transferring the metal products (11) from a processing plane (14) to a zone outside the processing machine (12).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for collecting products, particularly metal products, such as clamping members, from a processing machine, such as a clamping moulding machine.

[0002] Although the invention will be described with particular reference to collecting clamp members from a clamping machine, the invention may also be used to collect other metallic or non-metallic molded or unmolded parts. [Background technology]

[0003] It is known to exist clamping and forming machines that are configured to produce clamping members and / or formed articles of various shapes and sizes from one or more rolls or pre-cut bars of metal material.

[0004] Such clamping members and / or profiles are used in particular for forming reinforcing elements in the construction sector.

[0005] Such machines also typically have a transfer zone with a downwardly sloping surface that conveys the clamping members and / or profiles towards the lower part of the machine, where they can then be picked up by a forklift, worker, or other pick-up vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, collecting the clamp members discharged from the machine is an inefficient and irregular operation which requires the clamp members to be loaded onto a forklift or the like and transported away from the operating area around the machine.

[0007] Thus, known clamping member collection processes may require the use of bulky collection means which may interfere with the machine's operating area, typically require the power cable to be laid on the ground, and may require the use of more space than necessary for proper operation.

[0008] There is therefore a need for an improved apparatus or method for collecting products, particularly metal products, such as clamping members or profiles, from processing machines that overcomes at least one of the shortcomings of the art.

[0009] In particular, an object of the invention is to realize an efficient and not too bulky device for collecting products, in particular metal products, such as clamping elements, from processing machines, which can be transferred directly to a forklift or other means of transport, avoiding picking up said products from the ground or in any case from a very low position, or avoiding other intermediate operations.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to realize a simple device for collecting products which makes it possible to avoid the placement of power cables or other bulky elements in the working area of ​​the machine and which does not interfere with the working area.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to realize a device for collecting products which has a high degree of stability and can therefore be used with various types of metal products, both in terms of shape and size.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for collecting products that is independent of the processing machine to which it is interlocked and is therefore immune to vibrations transmitted, for example from machines or the like.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to develop an effective and simple method for collecting product from a processing machine.

[0014] Applicant has researched, tested and devised the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to attain these and other objectives and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The invention is set forth in the independent claims, which specify its particular features, while the dependent claims present further configurations of the invention or variants of the main solution proposed herein.

[0016] In view of the above objectives, the present invention relates to a device for collecting products, in particular metal products, from a processing machine comprising a transfer zone for transferring said metal products from a processing plane to a zone external to said processing machine.

[0017] The apparatus comprises at least one device for collecting the metal products suspended from a portable support structure, the collecting device comprising one or more arms configured to pick up the metal products directly from the transfer zone of the machine and transfer them to a forklift or other transport or moving means.

[0018] In particular, the collection device is movable along an upper cross member of the portable support structure to transition from a rest position to an operative position directly opposite and cooperating with a transfer zone of the processing machine.

[0019] The apparatus includes collection equipment suspended from the support structure which is highly efficient, not bulky, does not require cables or power lines on the ground, can be positioned in the correct operational transfer position without getting in the way of personnel, is versatile to accommodate any type of clamping member or profile of any shape and size, and is economical in terms of both construction and operating costs.

[0020] Metal products can be transferred from said transfer zone of the machine directly to a forklift truck or other means of transport, avoiding picking them up from the ground or other intermediate operations.

[0021] The portable support structure also provides the apparatus with high stability, allowing it to be used for metal products of various weights and types.

[0022] Moreover, the apparatus is completely independent of the processing machinery with which it is interlocked to collect the product and is therefore not susceptible to mechanical or other vibrations.

[0023] In another aspect of the invention, the portable support structure includes at least two posts and a cross member, and the collection device is suspended from the cross member.

[0024] In another aspect of the invention, the collection device includes a support movable along a substantially vertical guide connected to the cross member.

[0025] In another aspect of the invention, the guide is movable along the cross member in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0026] In another aspect of the invention, the collection device includes multiple sections articulated by a rotating pin, the multiple sections configured to allow the collection device to assume multiple positions with different inclinations.

[0027] In another aspect of the invention, the support structure comprises at least a first side zone in which the collection device can be taken offline, ie, inactive.

[0028] In another aspect of the invention, the support structure comprises at least a second side zone where the metal products can be unloaded directly onto the forklift or other transport or transfer means.

[0029] In another aspect of the invention, the support structure comprises one or more elements for cantilever-supporting one or more of the collection devices.

[0030] In another aspect of the invention, the collection tool is a robot and is connected to a control unit, which allows automation of the device.

[0031] In another aspect of the invention, the height of the support structure is variable.

[0032] In another aspect of the invention, the support structure includes an overhead rail conveyor that carries one or more of the collection devices and is configured to collect the metal products from a first loading zone located near the transfer zone, unload the metal products at an unloading zone located near the forklift or other transport or moving means, and then return toward the transfer zone.

[0033] In another aspect of the invention, the overhead rail conveyor is circular and substantially defined by at least a pair of cross members of the support structure connected to each other by a curved section.

[0034] Another object of the invention is a method for collecting metal products from a processing machine, comprising collecting said metal products directly from the transfer zone of said processing machine by means of one or more forks provided on at least one collecting device suspended from a portable support structure of a collecting device, and transferring said metal products from said collecting device to a forklift or other transport or transfer means, preferably without placing said metal products on the ground and creating an obstruction in the working area and without requiring a subsequent collection step.

[0035] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following disclosure of embodiments, which are given by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for collecting metal products from a processing machine for processing metal products, such as clamping members. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of the device with the collection tool in an offline or non-operating position. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is another front view of the collection device in an in-line or operative position. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is another elevational view of the process of transferring metal products to a forklift truck. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is another side view of the device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a variant of the device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The words and terminology used in the disclosure of this application and the figures in the accompanying drawings, even though disclosed, are intended to illustrate and explain the present invention only, because their functions are merely illustrative and do not limit the present invention itself, and the protection scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.

[0038] For ease of understanding, the same reference numbers are used in each of the figures to refer to the same common elements, where possible. It should be noted that elements or features of one embodiment can be easily combined or incorporated in other embodiments without the need for detailed description.

[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to possible embodiments of the invention, one or more of which are shown in the drawings by way of example only, and the language and terminology used herein is also for purposes of illustration only.

[0040] With reference to the accompanying drawings (see FIG. 1 etc.), the present invention relates to an apparatus 10 for collecting metal products 11 from a processing machine 12 comprising a transfer zone 13 or pulpit for transferring the metal products 11 from a processing plane 14, for example from a clamping mould, to a zone outside the processing machine 12 for transfer to a forklift 29 (FIGS. 4 and 5) or other transport or transfer means, for example a conveyor belt.

[0041] Obviously, said processing machine 12 is equipped with suitable transport means for conveying the processed metal products 11 towards zone 13 (see arrow A).

[0042] The device 10 comprises at least one device 15 for collecting the metal products 11 suspended from a support structure 16, said device 15 comprising one or more arms 17 arranged to pick up the metal products 11 directly from the transfer zone 13. If the metal products 11 to be picked up are, for example, square or rectangular clamping elements, said one or more arms 17 thrust into said clamping elements from the zone 13. The forks of a forklift 29 likewise thrust into the clamping elements transferred by the arms 17.

[0043] The arm 17 may also be part of a fork or gripper or other system depending on the nature and shape of the metal items to be collected.

[0044] The support structure 16 is a portable structure (see Figure 2 etc.) and comprises at least two pillars 18 and a cross member 19 from which the collecting device 15 is suspended so that during the operation of picking up the metal products 11 the collecting device 15 remains elevated and does not touch the ground in order to operate at the desired height.

[0045] The collection device 15 comprises a support 20 movable along a substantially vertical guide 21 connected to a cross member 19. This support 20 can be raised and lowered along the guide 21 manually by an operator P or an actuator device for raising and lowering the support 20 can be provided, which actuator device is for example actuated by the operator P. Said guide 21 is also movable along said cross member 19 in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0046] The collection device 15 may further include multiple parts 22, 23 connected by joints or rotating pins 24, 25, and these multiple parts 22, 23 are configured to change the inclination of the arm 17 relative to the transport zone 13, thereby changing the inclination of the arm 17 relative to the metal product 11 to be picked up.

[0047] The above-mentioned parts 22, 23 can be rotated by means of suitable actuators commanded by the operator P or manually.

[0048] By using the above-mentioned sections 22, 23 and by making the above-mentioned arm 17 of an appropriate length, the collection device 15 is configured to pick up the metal products 11 directly from the inclined surface 26 formed in the above-mentioned transfer zone 13.

[0049] In figures 1 and 3 the collecting device 15 is shown in an in-line operating position, i.e. in a position in which it is able to pick up the metal products 11. Advantageously, however, the support structure 16 comprises at least a first side zone 27 in which the collecting device 15 can be taken off-line, i.e. in an inoperative state, so that it does not interfere with the operating area of ​​the processing machine 12 (see figure 2). The collecting device 15 can be transferred from the side zone 27 to the operating position by sliding said guide 21 along the cross member 19, in particular for example from the situation in figures 2 to the situation in figures 1 and 3 or vice versa. Said guide 21 can be arranged to be slidable along the cross member 19 by an actuator provided for the collecting device 15 or manually.

[0050] The support structure 15 may further comprise a second side zone 28 (see FIG. 4) in which the metal products 11 can be directly unloaded onto a forklift 29 or other means of transport or transfer.

[0051] The first lateral zone 27 and the second lateral zone 28 can be arranged on either side of the support structure 15 .

[0052] To allow efficient use of the device 10 in processing machines 12 of variable dimensions, in particular with respect to the height of the processing plane 14 and the transfer zone 13, the height H of the support structure 15 can be variable, for example in the range of about 2400 to about 3000 mm. The height H can be set during the design stage or the columns 18 can be made fully or partially telescopic.

[0053] The collection device 15 may be robotic and connected to a control unit 30 (FIG. 3), which may be located on the support structure 16 or elsewhere, even remotely from the collection device 15. Such a robotic collection device 15 naturally allows for a high degree of automation of the collection of the metal products 11, for example by an anthropomorphic robot equipped with an arm 17 and suspended from a crosspiece 19. Such an arm 17 may be part of a gripper system provided on the robot, which picks up the metal products 11 and places them on a collection bin, on a forklift 29 or on another transport or collection or transfer system.

[0054] The support structure 16 can further comprise an element 31 (see FIG. 5) for cantilever support of the collecting device 15, which makes it possible to avoid any interference with the working area of ​​the processing machine 12 and with the forklift 29. The support structure 16 can, for example, comprise columns 18 with a framework different from that shown above. It is also possible to provide several of the above-mentioned elements 31 for cantilever support, for example when several collecting devices 15 are used.

[0055] In Fig. 6 a variant 10' of the device is shown diagrammatically in plan view, in which the support structure 16' is provided with an overhead rail conveyor of substantially annular shape, which is constituted, for example, by two cross members 19' connected to each other by a curved section 32. Along this conveyor one or more collection devices 15 can move from a loading zone 33 of the metal products 11, located in said zone 13 of the processing machine 12, to a discharge zone 34 of said metal products 11, arranged on a forklift 29 or other transport or moving means. Said one or more collection devices 15 can then return towards the loading zone 33. Said one or more collection devices 15 can for example be moved along said conveyor in the direction R by suitable actuation means. In order to improve the operating efficiency of the device 10' and to maximise the available space, the loading zone 33 and the discharge zone 34 are arranged on both sides of the support structure 16' and thus on both sides of the overhead rail conveyor.

[0056] Thus, the device 10, 10' is extremely compact, efficient and simple, allowing the collection device 15 to pick up the metal products 11 directly from the transfer zone 13 of the processing machine 12 and transfer them to a forklift 29 or other transport means. The device 10 is suspended on a support structure 16, in particular a portable support structure 16, and does not require power cables or the like on the ground, thus providing an area reserved for the operation of the device 10 that does not further interfere with the operating area of ​​the processing machine 12.

[0057] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions can be made to the individual parts or steps of the apparatus and method for collecting metal products described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0058] Furthermore, although the invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can achieve many other equivalent configurations of a device for collecting metal products having the characteristics described in the claims, all of which fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0059] The purpose of the parenthetical signs in the accompanying claims is only to facilitate reading and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection provided in the particular claim itself.

Claims

1. A device (10, 10') for collecting products, in particular metal products (11), from a processing machine (12), comprising: the processing machine (12) comprises a transfer zone (13) for transferring the metal product (11) from a processing plane (14) to a zone outside the processing machine (12); said device (10, 10') comprises at least one device (15) for collecting said metal products (11) suspended from a portable support structure (16, 16'); The device (15) comprises one or more arms (17) configured to pick up the metal products (11) directly from the transfer zone (13) and transfer them to a forklift (29) or other means of transport or movement.

10. An apparatus (10, 10') comprising:

2. The support structure (16) comprises at least two columns (18) and a cross member (19); The collecting device (15) is suspended from the cross member (19).

2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

3. The collecting device (15) comprises a support (20) movable along a substantially vertical guide (21) connected to the cross member (19).

3. The device (10, 10') according to claim 2.

4. The guide (21) is movable along the cross member (19) in a substantially horizontal direction.

3. The device (10, 10') according to claim 2.

5. The collection device (15) includes multiple sections (22, 23) connected by rotating pins (24, 25).

2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

6. The support structure (16) comprises at least a first side zone (27), The collection device (15) can be taken offline, i.e., inactivated, in the first side zone (27); 2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

7. the support structure (16) comprises at least a second side zone (28) in which the metal products (11) can be unloaded directly onto the forklift (29) or other transport or transfer means; 2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

8. The support structure (16) comprises one or more elements (31) for cantilever-supporting one or more of the collection devices (15).

2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

9. The collection device (15) is automatic and connected to a control unit (30).

2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

10. The height (H) of the support structure (16) is variable; 2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

11. the support structure (16') includes an overhead rail conveyor (19', 32) for carrying one or more of the collection devices (15); the overhead rail conveyors (19', 32) are configured to collect the metal products (11) from a first loading zone (33) located near the transfer zone (13), to unload the metal products (11) at an unloading zone (34) located near the forklift (29) or other transport or moving means, and then return towards the transfer zone (13); 2. The device (10, 10') according to claim 1.

12. The overhead rail conveyor is circular and substantially consists of at least one pair of cross members (19) connected to each other by a curved section (32).

12. The device (10, 10') according to claim 11.

13. A method for collecting products, in particular metal products (11), from a processing machine (12), comprising: the processing machine (12) comprises a transfer zone (13) for transferring the metal product (11) from a processing plane (14) to a zone outside the processing machine (12); collecting said metal products (11) directly from said transfer zone (13) by means of one or more arms (17) provided on at least one collecting device (15) suspended from a support structure (16, 16') of a device (10, 10') for collecting said metal products (11); transferring said metal products (11) from said collecting device (15) to a forklift (29) or other means of transportation or movement; A method comprising:

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