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Method and apparatus for automatically supplying and removing pallets of a pallet magazine to and from the working space of a machine tool

  • US 4,533,034 A
  • Filed: 08/11/1982
  • Issued: 08/06/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of automatically moving pallets which can each carry a workpiece between a support member and a pallet magazine which has endless chain means, a plurality of said pallets resting loosely on and being moved by said chain means, comprising the steps of:

  • loading a workpiece to be machined on each said pallet of said pallet magazine as it passes a loading station, said chain means then carrying the loaded pallets from said loading station to a separating mechanism;

    causing said separating mechanism to produce a predetermined spacing in the direction of movement of said chain means between successive said pallets passing it, said chain means thereafter carrying the pallets to a pick-up station;

    utilizing a slide mechanism to lift each said pallet at said pick-up station off said chain means and move it to and place it on said support member, and simultaneously utilizing said slide mechanism to pick up a said pallet previously placed on said support member and to place it back on said chain means at a location therealong which is spaced in said direction of movement of said chain means from said pick-up station, said chain means then carrying such pallet to an unloading station;

    causing a clamping mechanism of a machine tool to pick up the workpiece supported by said pallet on said support member;

    causing said machine tool to perform a machining operation on the workpiece held by said clamping mechanism;

    causing said clamping mechanism to return the workpiece to said pallet on said support member before such pallet is moved from said support member by said slide mechanism;

    removing the machined workpieces from said pallets on said chain means as said pallets pass said unloading station, and thereafter moving the unloaded pallets from a location on said chain means downstream of said unloading station to a location on said chain means upstream of said loading station.

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