Pallet supply apparatus for machine tool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pallet supply apparatus for at least one machine tool arranged along a predetermined arranging line, the apparatus having a plurality of pallet supports, each pallet support being capable of supporting a pallet, comprising:
- a first row of pallet supports disposed along a line including at least one pallet exchange station which is disposed immediately in front of said machine tool;
means for exchanging pallets between said machine tool and said pallet exchange station;
a second row of pallet supports disposed in parallel with said first row of pallet supports and placed at a predetermined distance from said first row;
guide means in parallel with said two rows and disposed therebetween; and
a pallet carrier movable along said guide means and movable at a right angle to said guide means, the pallet carrier having means for lifting a pallet from beneath, or lowering a pallet onto one of said pallet supports of said first and second rows when said pallet carrier arrives at a point under the pallet.
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Abstract
An apparatus for supplying a pallet to a machine tool has two rows of pallet supports and a pallet carrier between the two rows. The two rows of pallet supports consist of one or more modules so that a change of the number of pallet supports can be easily achieved. The pallet carrier moves along and at a right angle to the two rows, and can be positioned under a desired pallet. The pallet carrier lifts the desired pallet and transfers it to the machine tool by only linear movement.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pallet supply apparatus for at least one machine tool arranged along a predetermined arranging line, the apparatus having a plurality of pallet supports, each pallet support being capable of supporting a pallet, comprising:
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a first row of pallet supports disposed along a line including at least one pallet exchange station which is disposed immediately in front of said machine tool; means for exchanging pallets between said machine tool and said pallet exchange station; a second row of pallet supports disposed in parallel with said first row of pallet supports and placed at a predetermined distance from said first row; guide means in parallel with said two rows and disposed therebetween; and a pallet carrier movable along said guide means and movable at a right angle to said guide means, the pallet carrier having means for lifting a pallet from beneath, or lowering a pallet onto one of said pallet supports of said first and second rows when said pallet carrier arrives at a point under the pallet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16)
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14. A pallet supply apparatus as claimed in clai 13, wherein at least one of said plurality of pallet support modules comprises:
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the first unitary row which is immediately in front of said machine tool; and the second unitary row which is immediately in front of a different machine tool. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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15. A pallet supply apparatus as claimed in clai or 13, wherein said plurality of pallet support modules comprise at least one additional module which does not face a machine tool, and wherein each pallet support of said first unitary row of said additional module faces each pallet support of said second unitary row and the number of pallet supports of said first unitary row is the same as the number of pallet supports of said second unitary row.
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19. A pallet supplying apparatus for transferring a pallet between at least one machine tool and a pallet storage area, comprising:
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at least one pallet support module arranged along a line which is adjacent to said machine tool, said module, comprising; a first unitary row of pallet supports disposed along said line; a second unitary row of pallet supports disposed in parallel with said first unitary row of pallet supports and placed at a predetermined distance from said first unitary row, said predetermined distance being the same for each pallet support module; and joining means for joining another pallet support module to each end of said module, said each end being an end in the same direction as the direction in which said first and second unit rows are extended; and a pallet carrier disposed between a first row which is constructed by an arrangement of at least one said first unitary row along said line, and a second row which is constructed by an arrangement of at least one said second unitary row along said line, being movable in parallel with said line, comprising; means for lifting one pallet resting on one pallet support of said first or second row and lowering said one pallet onto another pallet support; and guiding means for guiding said lifting means at a right angle to said line.
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20. A pallet supply apparatus for transferring a pallet between at least one machine tool arranged along a predetermined arranging line, and a pallet storage area having a plurality of pallet supports, each pallet support being capable of supporting a pallet, comprising:
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at least one pallet support module arranged in parallel with said line which module is adjacent to said machine tool, said module having; a first unitary row of pallet support disposed along said line; a second unitary row of pallet supports disposed in parallel with said first unitary row of pallet supports and placed at a predetermined distance from said first unitary row, said predetermined distance being the same for each pallet support module; joining means for joining another pallet support module to each end of said module, said each end being an end in the same direction as the direction in which said first and second unitary rows are extended; and guide means in parallel with said first and second unitary rows and disposed therebetween; and a pallet carrier movable along said guide means and movable at a right angle to said guide means, the pallet carrier having; means for lifting a pallet form from beneath, or lowering a pallet onto one of said pallet supports of a first and a second row, each of these rows constructed by an arrangement of at least one said first or second unitary row, when said pallet carrier arrives at a point under the pallet.
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Specification