Patent ID: 6666119
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: B23B,Y10T

Abstract:
A loading apparatus for sequential loading bars in a rotating spindle of a machine tool, by means of a pusher, the loading apparatus comprising an alignment device for alignment of an end of each loaded bar on an axis of a spindle of a machine tool, said alignment device further comprising jaws having bearing surfaces able to define a cylindrical support around the bars, and supported by a mechanism allowing their counter-displacements, wherein said mechanism for displacement of the laws of the apparatus further comprises:a drive element; a control device for control of the drive element that controls the drive element as a function of the surpassing of a predetermined threshold for vibrations in the bar and at least one of a diameter of the bar to be loaded in the machine tool and a diameter of the pusher in a part capable of being engaged in the jaws; and a functional unit for determining at least indirectly the value of the diameter inscribed in the jaws, wherein the functional unit includes: a first functional sub-unit, made up of a position indicator which defines a reference position and a sensor able to produce a signal of detection of the position indicator, said position indicator and sensor being disposed so as to be movable with respect to one another upon displacement of the jaws and cooperating only in a selected position of these jaws corresponding to a predetermined inscribed diameter; a second functional sub-unit, made up of an element bearing a plurality of position indicators which are disposed at a predetermined pitch and a further sensor for detecting one of these indicators able to produce a signal for each individual indicator, the element and the said farther sensor, being disposed so as to be movable with respect to one another upon displacement of the jaws and such that the pitch between the indicators corresponds to a known value for displacement of the jaws, and in so doing, to this end, the emitting of two consecutive signals by the said further sensor indicates the displacement of the jaws by a predetermined value; a third functional sub-unit, for producing a signal dependent upon the direction of displacement of the jaws; and a fourth functional sub-unit, for using the signal of detection of the reference position as well as consecutive signals relating to the displacement of the jaws by a predetermined value and of the signal indicating the direction of displacement of these jaws, and this in such a way as to produce a signal reflecting the actual position of the jaws and thus the value of the diameter inscribed between the jaws.