Patent ID: 11919152
Assignee: TRUMPF MASCHINEN AUSTRIA GMBH & CO. KG
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 18:
19. The method for conveying flat components (3) according to claim 15, comprising the following steps:
clearing a pick-up location (25) for component stacks (45) underneath the conveyor section (37) by moving all or individual ones of the conveyor elements (38) of the conveyor section (37) into the storage unit (40) of the feed unit, which is arranged at a front face of a support structure (35);
moving the vacuum gripper (1) to a component stack (45) by means of the guiding structure (36), which component stack (45) comprises components (3) of dimensions required for further processing;
adjusting the vacuum gripper (1) into a working width required for gripping the components (3) and into a working position (31) by pivoting support part elements (7) about the bearing assembly (28) by means of the actuating assembly (29), wherein the vacuum gripper (1) only engages partially;
applying a vacuum to the suction elements (4, 4′) for picking up the component (3), and lifting the component (3) by moving the vacuum gripper (1) in the y-direction of the feed unit (32), wherein the vacuum gripper (1) is pivoted about the hinge axis (41) at the support arm (6);
successively moving the conveyor elements (38) of the conveyor section (37) under the component (3), which is in an angled position above the support structure (35), by extending the conveyor elements (38) from the storage unit (40) of the feed unit;
cutting off the vacuum at the vacuum gripper (1) when the conveyor elements (38) of the conveyor section (37) have completely moved under the component (3), and transferring the component (3) to the conveyor section (37) for further conveying of the component (3).