Patent ID: 6684488
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: B23Q,B25J,Y10T

Abstract:
A line of manufacturing units for carrying out a sequence of machining operations on a set of workpieces, which are fed in, in succession, at one loading end of the line and proceed along the line up to an unloading end of the line,in which said line comprises means for transfer of the workpieces from the loading end to a first unit of the line, from each unit to the next one in the line, and from the last unit in the line to the unloading end, wherein said transfer means include: a fixture made up of a plurality of horizontal supporting and guide beams, which are set in a superelevated position with respect to the floor on which the line is set, said beans extending in a longitudinal direction of the line, each one of which in a position corresponding to a space comprised between one manufacturing unit and another adjacent one; a transfer device mounted on each of the aforesaid supporting and guide beams, said device comprising: a first mobile slide, which can move along the respective supporting and guide beam in the longitudinal direction of the line; a vertical upright mounted upon said first mobile slide; pick-up means, which are mounted on a bottom end of said vertical upright and which can be oriented about a vertical axis; motor means for controlling the first slide and said pick-up means of each transfer device; and control means designed for controlling the motor means of each transfer device of the line independently of one another, but according to a sequence co-ordinated together.