Workpiece transfer system for stamping press
First Claim
1. In a transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press having a left side, a right side, a front side and a back side, and including at least one elongate bar having a series of workpiece grippers mounted thereon for engaging workpieces at the successive die stations, a primary support arrangement adapted for mounting adjacent said stamping press, two elongate support beams mounted on said primary support arrangement and positioned on first and second opposite sides of said stamping press during use of said transfer system, and two mounting heads mounted on each support beam and horizontally movable on their respective support beam, the improvement wherein each mounting head is independently movable on its respective support beam and is selectively connectible by means of one of said at least one elongate bar to either the other mounting head mounted on the same support beam for the purpose of transferring said workpieces in a left-right flow direction relative to said press or an opposing one of the mounting heads mounted on the other support beam for the purpose of transferring said workpieces in a front-back flow direction relative to said press, and wherein each mounting head includes a coupling for detachably connecting one of said at least one bar to the mounting head, a vertical transport mechanism for moving said coupling vertically, and a lateral transport mechanism for moving said coupling in a front-back direction relative to said press, and wherein said transfer system also includes longitudinal transport drive systems for moving each of said mounting heads in a left-right direction relative to said press.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press employing elongate bars with workpiece grippers mounted thereon. Two elongate support beams are mounted on vertical primary supports on opposite sides of the press. Two mounting heads are mounted on each beam and are horizontally movable thereon. Each head is independently movable and is connectible by one elongate bar to either the mounting head on the same beam or to an opposing mounting head mounted on the other beam, the choice dependent on the workpiece flow direction.
15 Citations
31 Claims
- 1. In a transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press having a left side, a right side, a front side and a back side, and including at least one elongate bar having a series of workpiece grippers mounted thereon for engaging workpieces at the successive die stations, a primary support arrangement adapted for mounting adjacent said stamping press, two elongate support beams mounted on said primary support arrangement and positioned on first and second opposite sides of said stamping press during use of said transfer system, and two mounting heads mounted on each support beam and horizontally movable on their respective support beam, the improvement wherein each mounting head is independently movable on its respective support beam and is selectively connectible by means of one of said at least one elongate bar to either the other mounting head mounted on the same support beam for the purpose of transferring said workpieces in a left-right flow direction relative to said press or an opposing one of the mounting heads mounted on the other support beam for the purpose of transferring said workpieces in a front-back flow direction relative to said press, and wherein each mounting head includes a coupling for detachably connecting one of said at least one bar to the mounting head, a vertical transport mechanism for moving said coupling vertically, and a lateral transport mechanism for moving said coupling in a front-back direction relative to said press, and wherein said transfer system also includes longitudinal transport drive systems for moving each of said mounting heads in a left-right direction relative to said press.
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11. A transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press having left and right sides, a front side, and a back side, said transfer system comprising:
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a substantially horizontal support beam adapted for placement adjacent one of the sides of the press;
a supporting structure for said support beam, which is adapted for mounting on said supporting structure;
at least one mounting head mounted on said support beam for horizontal movement along said support beam, the or each mounting head including a coupling for detachably connecting an elongate bar to the mounting head, said bar being adapted to mount a series of workpiece holders for engaging workpieces at the successive die stations, a lateral transport mechanism for moving said coupling in a front-back direction relative to said press, and a vertical transport mechanism for moving said coupling vertically;
said transfer system also having a longitudinal transport drive system for the or each mounting head capable of moving the or each mounting head independently of any other mounting head, if any, in a left-right direction relative to said press. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A carriage apparatus for use in a transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press having a left side, a right side, and front and back sides, said carriage apparatus comprising:
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a primary carriage body adapted for mounting on a horizontally extending support beam for substantially horizontal movement along said support beam in a left-right direction relative to said press;
a primary drive mechanism adapted for moving said carriage body selectively in said left-right direction, said primary drive mechanism including a carriage drive motor mounted on said carriage body;
a secondary support body mounted for vertical movement on said carriage body;
a secondary drive assembly connected to said secondary support body and adapted to move said secondary support body vertically relative to said carriage body;
a horizontally extending, elongate support member mounted for substantially horizontal movement on said secondary support body in a front-back direction relative to said press and having an inner end that can be moved away from secondary support body and towards the stamping press during use of the apparatus, a coupling being provided at said inner end for connecting an elongate bar having a series of workpiece holders mounted thereon; and
a power drive system connected to said elongate support member and adapted to move said elongate support member horizontally relative to said secondary support body. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A carriage apparatus for use in transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press having a left side, a right side, and front and back sides, said carriage apparatus comprising:
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a primary carriage body adapted for mounting on a horizontally extending support for substantially horizontal movement on said support in a left-right direction relative to said press during use of the carriage apparatus;
a secondary support body mounted for vertical movement on said carriage body;
a secondary drive assembly connected to said secondary support body and adapted to move said secondary support body vertically relative to said carriage body;
a horizontally extending, elongate support member mounted for substantially horizontal movement on said secondary support body in a front-back direction relative to said press and having an inner end that can be moved away from secondary support body and towards the stamping press during use of the apparatus, a coupling being provided at said inner end for connecting an elongate bar having a series of workpiece holders mounted thereon; and
a belt drive assembly adapted to move said elongate support member horizontally relative to said secondary support body, said belt drive assembly including a drive belt connected to said elongate support member, a drive motor mounted on said secondary support body at a location spaced above said elongate support member, and a drive pulley operatively connected to said drive motor for rotation thereby and engaging said drive belt, said drive pulley being rotatable about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said elongate support member. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification