Processing station for workpieces, especially vehicle bodies, in a transfer line

• US 5,400,944 A
• Filed: 11/03/1993
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KUKA Schweissanlagen + Roboter GmbH
• Original Assignee: KUKA Schweissanlagen + Roboter GmbH
• Inventors: Sturm, Thomas, Meyer, Heinz, Maischberger, Johann, Zimmer, Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramsey, Kenneth J.
• Application Number:
  US08/146,049
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 228/49.8, 228/49.1, 228/49.6
• US Class Current: 228/49.6
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/02 Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a processing station (1) for workpieces, especially vehicle bodies (2), in a transfer line (3). Changeable clamping frames (5, 6) are kept ready in magazines (7, 8), and the magazines (7, 8) are arranged on both sides in front of and/or behind the work station (29) in relation to the direction of the transfer line (3). At least one processing device (4) is arranged at the work station (29) on the side of the transfer line (3). The magazines (7, 8) are preferably designed as rotatable and upright drum magazines and are connected in pairs by a common transport device (10). The old clamping frame (5) can thus be moved from the work station (29) into one magazine (7, 8) and a new clamping frame (6) can at the same time be brought to the work station (29) by one movement.

Claims

1. Processing station for workpieces comprising:

a transfer line having a work station with processing devices;

magazines for changeable clamping frames, said magazines being arranged adjacent to said transfer line, on both sides of said transfer line, positioned adjacent to said work station, each magazine being formed as a drum frame which is rotatable around one of a horizontal and vertical axis, said drum frame receiving a plurality of clamping frames wherein one clamping frame is in a plane extending in parallel to said transfer line in a resting position;

a feed device; and

a transport device for moving clamping frames back and forth between said magazine and said feed device, said feed device being displaceable at right angles with respect to said transport device, said transport device moving in a plane parallel to said transfer line.

2. Processing station according to claim 1, wherein said transport device is common to pairs of said magazines, said transport device moving each old clamping frame from said work station into a magazine and bringing a new clamping frame to said work station from another magazine by one movement.

3. Processing station according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said magazines include a plurality of loading stations for clamping frames, at least one of said loading stations being not occupied.

4. Processing station according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said transport device has guides extending along said transfer line and towing devices for said clamping frames.

5. Processing station according to claim 4, further comprising a frame for receiving said clamping frames and positioning means for the accurate positioning and fixation of said clamping frame, in relation to the workpiece, said frame and said positioning means being arranged at said work station.

6. Processing station according to claim 5, wherein said frame is arranged displaceably, to move at right angles to said transfer line.

7. Processing station according to claim 6, wherein said frame and one or more of said processing devices are arranged on a common slide, said common slide being displaceable at right angles to said transfer line.

8. Processing station according to claim 5, further comprising an operating material supply unit including one or more couplings for connecting said clamping frames, said operating materials supply unit being arranged in an area of said work station.