Patent ID: 7785062
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
1. A separating device for separating a top workpiece from one of several stacks of such workpieces stacked one upon another and transferring the workpiece into a transfer position, the separating device comprising: a manipulating device supported on a standing surface and having a gripping mechanism for gripping and removing the top workpiece from one stack and conveying the workpiece from a pick-up position into the transfer position, the manipulating device being operable to move the gripping mechanism along at least a first, horizontal axis denoted as an X-axis and along a second, vertical axis denoted as a Y-axis so as to position the gripping mechanism above the stack and then lower the gripping mechanism to grip the top workpiece, the manipulating device having two positioning recesses spaced apart in the X-axis direction, and wherein a third, horizontal axis denoted as a Z-axis is mutually perpendicular to the X- and Y-axes; and a carrier support for supporting stacks of workpieces, the carrier support having first and second stacking shafts spaced apart in the X-axis direction for respectively supporting first and second stacks of workpieces; the carrier support having a first pair of positioning projections spaced apart in the X-axis direction and a second pair of positioning projections spaced apart in the X-axis direction, the first and second pairs of positioning projections being spaced apart in the Z-axis direction; the first pair of positioning projections being engageable in the positioning recesses when the carrier support is in a first orientation, which places one of the stacking shafts in a reference position enabling the gripping mechanism to grip the top workpiece in the stack of workpieces disposed therein; the second pair of positioning projections being engageable in the positioning recesses when the carrier support is in a second orientation that is rotated 180° relative to the first orientation about a vertical axis passing through a center point of the carrier support, the second orientation placing another of the stacking shafts in the reference position.