Spacer supply device for carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spacer supply device included in equipment for loading carbide inserts onto a shaft for PVD coating. The present invention relates to a spacer supply device for carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating, the device comprising: a spacer supply unit that supplies spacers to predetermined positions (correct positions) to alternately engage with carbide inserts when loading the carbide inserts onto a shaft in main equipment; and a spacer alignment unit that aligns the spacers in predetermined positions such that the spacers supplied from the spacer supply unit are supplied in "correct positions". Therefore, the spacer supply device for carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating according to the present invention can increase work efficiency by aligning the spacers in "correct positions" by using an alignment plate and a guide without tangling the spacers when loading carbide inserts onto a shaft compared to a conventional configuration, and can produce cost-competitive main equipment.

Description

Spacer feeder for carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating

[0001] The present invention relates to a spacer supply device, and more particularly, to a loading process in which spacers are alternately inserted into a shaft together with the carbide insert to uniformly coat the carbide insert supplied to a coating furnace for PVD coating. The present invention relates to a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, which supplies the spacers required for the loading process.

[0002]

[0003] In general, cutting tools are mainly used for cutting ferrous, non-ferrous metals, and non-metallic materials, and are tools that are usually mounted on machine tools to perform cutting to process a workpiece into a desired shape.

[0004] Carbide inserts used in cutting tools are alloys formed by mixing diamond powder or carbide powder with metal powders such as iron (Fe), tungsten (W), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), copper-tin (Cu-Sn), zinc (Zn), copper-zinc (Cu-Zn), and silver (Ag), and then sintering the mixture.

[0005] The molding step prior to sintering involves placing a mixed powder into a rectangular cavity and performing a primary pressurized molding. The resulting mixture is then placed into a carbon mold cavity and a puncher is used to apply high pressure to form a cutting tip. By sintering the insert tip formed into a specific shape, a diamond insert tip or insert tip is completed.

[0006] The sintered carbide inserts go through an inspection step and a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating step to become finished products.

[0007] The applicant filed a patent application in 2019 for a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading and unloading device for PVD coating (Application No. 10-2019-0042848). The application relates to a spacer supply device that alternately inserts spacers together with carbide inserts into a shaft during a loading process in which carbide insert products loaded on a pallet are inserted into a shaft using a gripper and supplied to a coating furnace.

[0008] In the above application, there was a problem that the spacers stacked in the intermediate supply box were separated and supplied using compressed air in a configuration that supplied the spacers, and the entanglement phenomenon was not completely resolved, which resulted in a decrease in supply efficiency and an equipment stoppage accident, thereby affecting work efficiency.

[0009] Therefore, in order to solve these problems, the applicant invented a spacer supply device that is coupled to a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating (hereinafter referred to as “main device”).

[0010]

[0011] An object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, which is configured to accurately supply a spacer to be inserted together with a carbide insert during a loading operation by being coupled to the carbide insert loading device for PVD coating.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, which comprises a spacer supply unit and a spacer alignment unit.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the spacer supply unit is configured to supply spacers to a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as “fixed position”) in order to alternately fit the carbide inserts when loading the carbide inserts onto a shaft in the main body equipment.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating, the spacer supply unit comprising an upper supply box configured to load a large quantity of spacers by being located at the upper portion of the spacer supply device, and an intermediate supply box configured to load a certain quantity of spacers transferred and supplied from the upper supply box.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating, which comprises a supply pipe for loading a large quantity of spacers and transporting them downward, a supply cylinder for adjusting the transport amount by pushing up an appropriate amount, and a hinge for adjusting the inclination of the supply cylinder in the up and down directions.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, which comprises a vibrator and a brush so that the intermediate supply box loads a certain amount of spacers supplied from the upper supply box and supplies them again to the spacer alignment section.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the vibrator is configured to vibrate the intermediate supply box so that the spacers, which are transported and supplied to the intermediate supply box and piled up, can be smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove of the alignment plate through the vertical hole of the spacer alignment guide.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the brush is configured to rotate and sweep the sliding surface and the surface of the vertical groove of the guide by combining a conical brush at one end of the shaft, and the brush is configured to be driven by a brush motor at the other end of the shaft.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the brush is installed horizontally and perpendicularly to the intermediate supply box, so that the spacer can be smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove of the alignment plate.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the spacer aligning unit is configured to align the spacer in a predetermined posture so that the spacer supplied from the spacer supply unit is supplied in the 'fixed position'.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the spacer aligning unit includes an alignment plate formed to position a spacer supplied from the spacer supply unit in an alignment groove, and a guide formed to be positioned on an upper portion of the alignment groove to insert the spacer into the alignment groove.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the alignment grooves are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of a disk-shaped alignment plate so that supplied spacers can be loaded one by one, and the alignment plate is configured to rotate forward and reverse by a servo motor connected to the bottom.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, in which a plurality of spacers scattered in a vertical groove are easily loaded into an alignment groove by compressed air supplied through air holes formed on the left and right sides of the guide.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the guide is detachably coupled to the lower end of the intermediate supply box having a perforated bottom, and a plurality of spacers supplied by forming vertical grooves having the same curvature as the circumferential curve of alignment grooves formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the alignment plate are respectively loaded into the alignment grooves.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, wherein the vertical groove of the guide has a vertical surface on the outside and an inclined sliding surface that is wider at the top and narrows toward the bottom on the inside, so that the spacer can be easily loaded into the alignment groove of the alignment plate while standing upright vertically.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, in which a rail is configured to move an intermediate feeder forward and backward so that the guide and alignment plate can be replaced from time to time according to the shape and size of the spacer.

[0027]

[0028] To achieve this purpose, the spacer supply device of the present invention is characterized in that it is configured to be coupled to a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating, and to accurately supply a spacer to be inserted together with a carbide insert during a loading operation.

[0029] Another feature of the present invention is that it comprises a spacer supply unit and a spacer alignment unit.

[0030] Another feature of the present invention is that the spacer supply unit is configured to supply the spacer to a fixed position so as to alternately fit the carbide insert when loading the carbide insert onto the shaft in the main body equipment.

[0031] Another feature of the present invention is that the spacer supply unit is configured to include an upper supply box located above the spacer supply device and configured to load a large quantity of spacers, and an intermediate supply box that loads a certain quantity of spacers transferred and supplied from the upper supply box.

[0032] Another feature of the present invention is that the upper supply box is configured to include a supply pipe located at the upper portion of the spacer supply device for loading a large quantity of spacers and transporting them downward, a supply cylinder for adjusting the transport amount by pushing up an appropriate amount, and a hinge for adjusting the inclination of the supply cylinder in the up and down directions.

[0033] Another feature of the present invention is that the intermediate supply box is configured to include a vibrator and a brush to load a certain amount of spacers supplied from the upper supply box and supply them again to the spacer alignment section.

[0034] Another feature of the present invention is that the vibrator is configured to vibrate the intermediate feed box so that the spacers that are transported and supplied to the intermediate feed box can be separated and smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove of the alignment plate through the vertical hole of the spacer alignment guide.

[0035] Another feature of the present invention is that the brush is configured such that a conical brush is coupled to one end of the shaft to rotate and sweep the sliding surface of the guide and the surface of the vertical groove, and the brush is configured to be driven by a brush motor on the other end of the shaft.

[0036] Another feature of the present invention is that the brush is installed horizontally and perpendicularly to the intermediate supply box, so that the spacer can be smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove of the alignment plate.

[0037] Another feature of the present invention is that the spacer alignment unit is configured to align the spacer in a predetermined position so that the spacer supplied from the spacer supply unit is supplied to the 'fixed position'.

[0038] Another feature of the present invention is that the spacer alignment unit is configured to include an alignment plate formed to position a spacer supplied from the spacer supply unit in an alignment groove, and a guide formed to be positioned on an upper portion of the alignment groove to insert the spacer into the alignment groove.

[0039] Another feature of the present invention is that the alignment grooves are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of a disk-shaped alignment plate so that the supplied spacers can be loaded one by one, and the alignment plate is configured to be capable of forward and reverse rotation by a servo motor connected to the bottom.

[0040] Another feature of the present invention is that the guide is configured such that multiple spacers scattered in the vertical grooves are easily loaded into the alignment grooves by compressed air supplied through air holes formed on the left and right sides.

[0041] Another feature of the present invention is that the guide is detachably coupled to the lower end of the intermediate supply box having a perforated bottom, and a plurality of spacers are configured to be inserted into the alignment grooves, each of which is formed with vertical grooves having the same curvature as the circumference curve of the alignment grooves formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the alignment plate.

[0042] Another feature of the present invention is that the vertical groove of the guide is configured such that the outer side is a vertical surface and the inner side forms an inclined sliding surface that is wider at the top and narrows toward the bottom, so that the spacer can be easily inserted into the alignment groove of the alignment plate while standing vertically.

[0043] Another feature of the present invention is that the guide and alignment plate are configured with rails to move the intermediate feeder forward and backward so that they can be replaced from time to time depending on the shape and size of the spacer.

[0044]

[0045] As described above, the spacer supply device of the carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating according to the present invention improves the problems of the conventional spacer supply device by combining a configuration of a vibrator and a brush in the intermediate supply box to apply vibration so that the accumulated spacers are separated and aligned in the vertical groove of the guide and then swept again by the brush to facilitate upright alignment in the index pocket, thereby facilitating the separation and supply processes of the spacers, thereby improving the success rate of the index pocket and increasing the operating rate of the equipment, thereby improving work efficiency and producing excellent products in terms of quality.

[0046]

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating equipped with a spacer supply device according to the present invention.

[0048] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a spacer supply unit of a spacer supply device according to the present invention.

[0049] Figure 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the intermediate supply box of the spacer supply unit according to the present invention.

[0050] Figure 4 is a plan view and a front view schematically showing the intermediate supply box of the spacer supply unit according to the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the intermediate supply box, guide, and alignment plate of the spacer supply device according to the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing a vibrator and a brush coupled to an intermediate supply box of a spacer supply device according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 7 is a drawing schematically showing the process in which the guide and space of the spacer supply device according to the present invention are aligned upright on the alignment plate.

[0054] Figure 8 is a drawing schematically showing the detailed configuration of a guide of a spacer supply device according to the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a combined photograph and detailed structure of a vibrator that provides vibration to an intermediate supply box of a spacer supply device according to the present invention.

[0056]

[0057] The present invention can have various modifications and embodiments, and specific examples are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the description of the invention.

[0058] However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0059] The terms and words used in this invention are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Based on the principle that the concepts of terms can be appropriately defined to best explain the invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the invention.

[0060]

[0061] Specific features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the attached drawings.

[0062] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the entire spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating equipped with a spacer supply device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the spacer supply part of the spacer supply device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the intermediate supply box of the spacer supply part according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view and a front view schematically showing the intermediate supply box of the spacer supply part according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the intermediate supply box, guide and alignment plate of the spacer supply device according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a drawing schematically showing a vibrator and a brush coupled to the intermediate supply box of the spacer supply device according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a drawing schematically showing a process in which the guide and space of the spacer supply device according to the present invention are vertically aligned on the alignment plate, FIG. 8 is a drawing schematically showing a detailed configuration of the guide of the spacer supply device according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a drawing schematically showing the detailed configuration of the guide of the spacer supply device according to the present invention. This is a drawing showing the combined photo and detailed structure of a vibrator that provides vibration to the middle feed box of a spacer feed device.

[0063]

[0064] The spacer supply device of the present invention is a device required in the process of loading a carbide insert onto a shaft, coupled to a carbide insert loading device for PVD coating (hereinafter referred to as “main device”). Therefore, the spacer supply device (10) of the present invention includes, in addition to the configuration described below, a system (gripper, pallet) for transporting carbide inserts and spacers, a pallet transport unit for transporting them, a carbide insert supply and recovery unit, a loading unit, a loading shaft grip unit, a loading operation unit, a frame capable of mounting each component of the above-described main device, and a controller (not shown) for controlling each component of the main device.

[0065] The main body equipment combined with the spacer supply device of the present invention is a configuration required for the 'loading operation' of inserting a carbide insert from a pallet into a shaft.

[0066] The above loading operation refers to the operation of inserting carbide inserts and spacers alternately into a shaft so that the spacers are positioned between the carbide inserts to uniformly coat the surface of the carbide inserts.

[0067] This loading operation first involves transporting a pallet loaded with a carbide insert from a pallet loading area to a predetermined location (where the gripper can grip the carbide insert) by a pallet transport unit.

[0068] In the next step, the carbide insert gripped by the carbide insert supply gripper is supplied to the carbide insert stay, and on the other side, the spacer supplied from the spacer supply device of the present invention is supplied to the spacer stay.

[0069] In the next step, the carbide insert and spacer are gripped from the carbide insert stay and spacer stay by the carbide insert gripper and spacer loading gripper of the loading operation unit, respectively, and are inserted alternately into the shaft of the loading unit. At this time, the loading unit pushes the shaft, which is placed along the arc of the cylindrical rotor, to a vertical state so that the loading operation can be performed. In addition, the loading shaft grip unit is configured such that the upper and lower shaft grips, which hold the shaft vertically, are coupled to the same drive shaft, and the two shaft grips are opened and closed to prevent the carbide insert and spacer inserted into the shaft from free falling and are gradually lowered by the loading elevator. The shaft with the carbide insert and spacer inserted in this way is placed along the arc of the cylindrical rotor of the loading unit.

[0070]

[0071] Referring to FIG. 1, the spacer supply device (10) of the carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating according to the present invention is configured to include a spacer supply unit (11) and a spacer alignment unit (12).

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the spacer supply unit (11) of the spacer supply device (10) according to the present invention is configured to supply the spacer (10.1) to a fixed position in order to alternately fit the carbide insert when loading the carbide insert onto a shaft in the main body equipment.

[0073] The spacer supply unit (11) of the spacer supply device (10) according to the present invention is configured to include an upper supply box (11.1) and a middle supply box (11.2).

[0074] The upper supply box (11.1) according to the present invention is configured to include a supply pipe (11.11) located at the upper portion of the spacer supply device (10) for loading a large quantity of spacers (10.1) and transporting them downward, a supply cylinder (11.13) for adjusting the transport amount by pushing up an appropriate amount, and a hinge (11.14) for adjusting the inclination of the supply cylinder (11.13) in the up and down directions.

[0075] The intermediate supply box (11.2) according to the present invention is configured to load a certain amount of spacers (10.1) supplied from the upper supply box (11.1) and supply them again to the spacer alignment unit (12), including a vibrator (11.22) and a brush (11.23).

[0076] At this time, the intermediate supply box (11.2) has a detection sensor (not shown) that checks the remaining amount of spacer and operates the supply cylinder (11.3) to supply a certain amount of spacer.

[0077] The vibrator (11.22) of the present invention is configured to vibrate the intermediate feeder (11.2) so that the spacers (10.1) that are transferred and supplied to the intermediate feeder (11.2) are separated and smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove (12.21) of the alignment plate (12.2) through the vertical hole (12.11) of the guide (12.1) of the spacer alignment part (12).

[0078] The brush (11.23) of the present invention is configured such that a conical brush (not shown) is coupled to one end of the shaft to rotate and sweep the sliding surface (12.14) of the guide (12.1) and the surface of the vertical groove (12.11), and the brush is configured to be driven by a brush motor (11.231) of the other end of the shaft. In addition, the brush (11.23) is installed horizontally and perpendicularly to the intermediate supply box (11.2), so that the spacer (10.1) can be smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove (12.21) of the alignment plate (12.2).

[0079] At this time, the vibrator (11.22) and brush (11.23) operate vibrating and brushing simultaneously to allow the spacer (10.1) to be aligned upright in the alignment groove (12.21).

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the spacer alignment unit (12) of the spacer supply device (10) according to the present invention is configured to vertically align the spacer (10.1) so that the spacer (10.1) supplied from the spacer supply unit (11) is supplied to the 'fixed position'.

[0081] The spacer alignment part (12) of the spacer supply device (10) according to the present invention is configured to include an alignment plate (12.2) configured to load a spacer (10.1) supplied from the spacer supply part (11), and a guide (12.1) positioned on the upper portion of the alignment groove (12.21) so as to insert the spacer (10.1) into the alignment groove (12.21).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the alignment grooves (12.21) of the spacer supply device (10) according to the present invention are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the disk-shaped alignment plate (12.2), so that the supplied spacers can be loaded one by one.

[0083] In addition, the alignment plate (12.2) of the present invention is configured to be capable of forward and reverse rotation by a servo motor (12.3) connected to the lower portion.

[0084] In addition, the alignment grooves (12.21) of the present invention are configured to form a circle in a row along the circumference of about 40, although there is a difference depending on the size of the spacer and alignment plate to be loaded, at the edge of the alignment plate (12.2).

[0085] At this time, the alignment plate (12.2) rotates forward and backward by a servo motor so that the alignment grooves into which spacers are sequentially loaded reach the position (fixed position) where the spacer gripper holds them.

[0086] The guide (12.1) of the present invention is configured so that multiple spacers scattered in the vertical groove (12.11) are easily loaded into the alignment groove (12.21) by compressed air supplied through the air holes (12.12) formed on the left and right sides.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 7, the guide (12.1) of the spacer supply device (10) according to the present invention is coupled to the lower end of the intermediate supply box (11.2) so as to be attachable and detachable, and a plurality of spacers supplied are configured to be loaded into the alignment grooves (12.21) respectively by forming vertical grooves (12.11) having the same curvature as the circumference curve of the alignment grooves (12.21) formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the alignment plate (12.2). The vertical groove (12.11) of the above guide is configured such that the outer side is a vertical surface and the inner side forms an inclined sliding surface (12.14) that is wider at the top and narrows toward the bottom, so that the spacer can be easily inserted into the alignment groove (12.21) of the alignment plate (12.2) while standing upright, and compressed air is intermittently sprayed from an air fitting (12.13) having air holes (12.12) formed on the left and right sides as described above, so that the spacer can be easily inserted into the alignment groove (12.21) while standing upright.

[0088] The alignment plate (12.2) and guide (12.1) of the spacer supply device (10) according to the present invention are configured to be replaced periodically depending on the shape and size of the spacer. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a detachable bolt (12.22) is coupled to the center of the rail (11.21) and the alignment plate (12.2) so that the intermediate supply box (11.2) can move forward and backward.

[0089] At this time, when the alignment plate (12.2) and guide (12.1) are replaced, the remaining spacers of the intermediate feeder (11.2) are configured to be returned to the chute (13.1) and recovery tank (13.2) of the spacer return unit (13) and then transferred to the upper feeder again.

[0090] [Experimental Example 1]

[0091] The results of a comparative experiment between the applicant's prior invention (Patent No. 10-2167065: vibrator not applied) and the present invention (vibrator applied) are as follows.

[0092] [Table 1] Measurement of spacer insertion success rate according to vibrator application

[0093] Number of rounds of experiments Total number of rounds of experiments Success Failure Failure factor Remarks % of rounds of experiments % of rounds of experiments Axis jammed Equipment Stopped 12022.11.02.1,43139327.51,03872.508Not Applied 22022.11.09.10,0722,58125.67,49174.4122532022.11.10.4,8171,42429.63,39370.462242022.12.28.1,45957139.188860.950Applied 52022.12.28.1,86271238.21,15061.85062022.12.29.1,27155443.671756.410

[0094] The applicant of the present invention tested the insertion success rate of the alignment groove (index pocket) of the above two inventions a total of 6 times (non-applied / applied), and as a result, the prior art invention without the vibrator showed a success rate of 25.6 to 29.6% (average 27.5%), while the present invention with the vibrator applied showed a success rate of 38.2 to 43.6% (average 40.3%), which is an increase of 12.8% compared to the invention without the vibrator.

[0095] Additionally, when analyzing the factors that led to insertion failure, a total of 184 retries were required due to shaft jamming, and the main body equipment stopped a total of 15 times. In contrast, the present invention had a total of 11 shaft jams, and no main body equipment stopped at all.

[0096] Accordingly, it can be said that the vibrator (11.22) applied to the present invention has a very high effect of separating the spacers (10-1) gathered in the intermediate supply box as intended by the applicant and aligning them upright in the alignment groove (12.21).

[0097] The main body equipment to which the spacer supply device of the carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating according to the present invention described above is combined is operated in the following order.

[0098] A. Loading operations and spacer supply

[0099] 1. Supply of carbide inserts

[0100] A. The superhard insert is transferred to a predetermined position where it is held by the gripper in the pallet transfer section.

[0101] B. The gripper of the carbide insert supply and recovery unit grips the carbide insert, transports it, and places it on standby at the position (stay) where the carbide insert gripper grips it.

[0102] 2. Spacer supply

[0103] a. Load the spacer into the upper feeder.

[0104] B. The above spacer is transferred to the intermediate feeder by the feed cylinder of the upper feeder.

[0105] D. Insert it into the alignment groove of the alignment plate using the guide at the bottom of the intermediate feeder.

[0106] - At this time, the spacer is vertically aligned in the vertical hole of the guide by the vibration of the vibrator coupled to the intermediate supply box and the brushing of the brush, and compressed air is intermittently injected through the air holes formed on the left and right sides to vertically align the spacer in the alignment groove.

[0107] A. The above alignment plate is gradually rotated to wait at the position (fixed position) where the spacer gripper is gripped.

[0108] 3. Prepare for loading operation

[0109] A. The shaft pusher of the loading section vertically pushes the shaft placed in the groove of the rotating body to the loading working position.

[0110] B. Next, the upper shaft grip of the loading shaft grip holds the shaft in a vertical position, and the lower shaft grip waits in an open position.

[0111] 4. Loading task

[0112] A. The carbide insert gripper and spacer gripper of the loading operation section rotate left and right to grip the waiting carbide insert and spacer, respectively, and insert them alternately into the shaft.

[0113] B. The alignment plate into which the spacer of the spacer supply device according to the present invention is loaded gradually rotates by a minute angle to place the spacer at a position (fixed position) where the spacer gripper is gripped.

[0114] 5. Replacement of alignment plate and guide

[0115] A. Rotate the supply pipe upward using the hinge of the spacer supply section to secure working space.

[0116] B. Move the intermediate feeder backward using the rail.

[0117] A. Remove the detachable bolt at the center of the alignment plate and replace the alignment plate.

[0118] A. Remove and replace the guide combined with the intermediate supply box.

[0119] Ma. Again, use the rails to advance the intermediate supply box.

[0120] Bar. Rotate the upper feeder again using the hinge to align the feed tube and the middle feeder.

[0121]

[0122] The spacer supply device of the carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating according to the present invention has the following features.

[0123] The conventional spacer supply device is configured to separate spacers accumulated in an intermediate supply box by compressed air, and thus the separation operation of spacers falling through a supply pipe is not smooth, which causes a decrease in the success rate of an index pocket and causes shaft jamming and equipment stoppage. Therefore, the present invention improves the above-described problem by combining a configuration of a vibrator and a brush in an intermediate supply box to apply vibration to the intermediate supply box, so that the accumulated spacers are separated, aligned in the vertical groove of a guide, and then swept by a brush again, thereby facilitating upright alignment in an index pocket.

[0124] Accordingly, the present invention improves the success rate of index pockets by facilitating the separation process and supply process of the spacer, and increases the operating rate of the equipment, thereby improving work efficiency and producing a product with superior quality.

Claims

1. Regarding a spacer supply device included in equipment for loading a carbide insert onto a shaft for PVD coating (hereinafter referred to as “main equipment”), The spacer supply device (10) of the carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating is characterized in that it includes a spacer supply unit (11) configured to supply spacers (10.1) that are alternately fitted with the carbide inserts when loading the carbide inserts in the main body equipment to a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as a “fixed position”), and a spacer alignment unit (12) that aligns the spacers (10.1) in a predetermined posture so that the spacers (10.1) supplied from the spacer supply unit (11) are supplied to the “fixed position.” 2. In claim 1, A spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating, characterized in that the spacer supply unit (11) includes an upper supply box (11.1) configured to load a large number of spacers (10.1) located at the upper portion of the spacer supply device (10), and an intermediate supply box (11.2) configured to load a certain quantity through a supply pipe (11.11) connected to the upper supply box.

3. In claim 1, A spacer supply device for a carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating, characterized in that it comprises a vibrator (11.22) configured to vibrate by being coupled to the intermediate supply box (11.2), and a brush (11.23) installed horizontally and perpendicularly to the intermediate supply box (11.2).

4. In claim 3, A spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating, characterized in that the above vibrator (11.22) is configured so that the spacer (10.1) supplied from the upper supply box (11.1) can be smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove (12.21) of the alignment plate (12.2) through the vertical hole (12.11) of the guide (12.1).

5. In claim 4, A spacer supply device of a carbide insert loading equipment for PVD coating, characterized in that the brush (11.23) rotates and sweeps the sliding surface (12.14) of the guide (12.1) and the surface of the vertical groove (12.11) so that the spacer (10.1) can be smoothly aligned upright in the alignment groove (12.21) of the alignment plate (12.2).

Images