Manufacturing processes using machine tools

• US 4,237,598 A
• Filed: 04/27/1972
• Issued: 12/09/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1965
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Molins PLC Grafton Court Winterhill Childs Way Milton Keynes MK6 1AF
• Original Assignee: John C. Smith Jr, Molins PLC
• Inventors: Williamson, David T. N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Application Number:
  US05/248,198
• Time in Patent Office: 3,148 Days
• Field of Search: 340/172.5, 29/563, 29/564, 29/33 R, 29/33 P, 29/568, 29/26 A, 214/16.4 A
• US Class Current: 483/4
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 41/00 Combinations or associations of metal-working machines not directed to a particular result according to classes B21, B23, or B24 B23Q37/00, B23Q39/00 take precedence; features relating to operations performed, if the different metal-working operations are of the same kind, see the subclass for the kind of operation, e.g. punching B21D, welding B23K, grinding B24B; features relating to technically specified combinations of different metal-working operations B23P23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 7/1426 with work holders not rigidly fixed to the transport devices B23Q7/005, B23Q7/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4189 characterised by the transport system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5107 Drilling and other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5124 with means to feed work intermittently from one tool station to another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5136 Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53013 Computer input
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53039 with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53048 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53052 including position sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/534 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/10 Process
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/12 with means to regulate operation by means of replaceable information supply [e.g. , templet, tape, card, etc. ]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/123 Replaceable information comprising tool location
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/13 with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/165 Plural machine tools, e.g., flexible manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/175 Plural matrices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/179 Direct tool exchange between spindle and matrix

Abstract

A system comprising a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools in which different workpieces are each subjected to appropriate selected machining operations on selected machine tools in a selected order by appropriate delivery of common form pallets loaded with the workpieces. Transporters deliver pallets between the machine tools, a storage rack, and work-setting stations where workpieces, automatically delivered in bins from a bin store, are loaded on pallets. Tool magazines are delivered between a rack and the machine tools by transporter. Transport and machining operations are computer controlled, and monitors feed back signals indicative of location of pallets, tool magazines, and bins in the system.

Claims

1. In a manufacturing system, a machine tool, comprising:

(a) a housing,

(b) a spindle rotatably mounted in the housing,

(c) a plurality of tool modules adapted to be connected one at a time to the spindle,

(d) ready-access storage means located at a position in close proximity to the spindle for retaining a relatively small number of said modules and for presenting said modules seriatim to the spindle,

(e) bulk storage means located at a position remote from the spindle and ready access storage means for retaining a relatively large number of said modules,

(f) means for transferring predetermined modules from said bulk storage means to said ready-access storage means to form a queue of said modules in said ready-access storage means for presentation seriatim to the spindle, and

(g) control means connected to said transferring means and having a programmed memory of the modules that will be needed at the spindle within a short time and the order in which they will be needed, said control means being adapted to control said transferring means to introduce the said needed modules from the bulk storage means to the ready-access storage means in the necessary order.