Indexer for operating workpieces

A method and apparatus for changing pallets delivered to a machining center. Different workpieces are connected or attached to different pallets. A first workpiece corresponding to a first pallet is delivered to or near an indexer or indexer assembly and the indexer is moved into an engaged position and performs a work operation on the first workpiece. The indexer is then moved to a disengaged position and the first pallet and the first workpiece are exchanged or switched out with a second pallet having a second workpiece. The indexer is then moved to an engaged position and works the second workpiece and when completed, the indexer moves to the disengaged position and the second workpiece is exchanged or switched out with a third pallet having a third workpiece. The indexer system of this invention can quickly and cost-effectively cycle through different pallets and thus different workpieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for changing pallets, such as pallets delivered to a machining center.

Discussion of Related Art

In some conventional axis plate assemblies, pallets are locked to baseplates that are integrated with, part of or located near machining centers. Some conventional axis plate assemblies rigidly connect a workpiece to a bearing housing and after the workpiece has been worked, the workpiece must be dismantled from the bearing housing and a new workpiece then must be installed on the bearing housing.

Many conventional axis plate assemblies have a solid connection between the workpiece and the bearing housing or the rotating assembly. After an operation has been performed on the workpiece, at least a portion of the axis plate assembly needs to be dismantled or broken down to remove the worked workpiece.

There is an apparent need for an indexer assembly that can be quickly and cost effectively changed out so that a worked or spent workpiece can be replaced with an unworked or new workpiece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method and apparatus of this invention allow a pallet system to deliver and quickly exchange or change out different plate assemblies or pallets that each have different attached or secured workpieces that need to be worked. An indexer is movably mounted with respect to a workpiece, a baseplate and/or a pallet. In an engaged position of the indexer, a first workpiece is worked. In a disengaged position of the indexer, the first workpiece that has been worked is removed, exchanged or changed out with a second workpiece that requires work. The indexer can then be moved to the engaged position so that the second workpiece is worked. The indexer can cycle through engaged positions and disengaged positions and shuttle systems can deliver so that multiple workpieces corresponding to multiple pallets can be worked efficiently.

In some embodiments of this invention, the indexer quickly and effectively moves into different positions with respect to the axis plate assembly and/or any element or component that is part of or connected to the axis plate assembly. The indexer of this invention can have many different elements and/or method steps that allow the indexer to quickly move from the engaged position to the disengaged position and then back to the engaged position.

In some embodiments of this invention, the indexer needs to be out of the way in order to exchange, change out and/or swap out the pallets, such as from the axis plate assembly. In the engaged position, which can be at the end of a pallet change, a controller having a preloaded program can run the indexer in order to operate or perform work on the workpiece. After the workpiece has been worked, a shuttle or other similar device can remove the pallet with the worked workpiece and replace it with a new pallet with a new workpiece to be worked. The shuttle can be operated throughout multiple cycles of the indexer operating between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2show a front view and a top view, respectively, of an indexer or indexer assembly, according to one embodiment of this invention. As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the terms indexer and indexer assembly are intended to each relate to a machine, a system and/or an apparatus that can operate a workpiece, for example, mounted within an axis plate assembly, and the terms are intended to be interchangeable with each other.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, for example, pallet30is attached, secured, connected and/or otherwise fixed in position with respect to baseplate40. In some embodiments of this invention, workpiece50is secured and/or otherwise detachably mounted in a fixed position and/or an operable position, for example to pallet30and/or baseplate40, so that a machining center or another suitable tool can perform work on workpiece50. In some industries, this type of operation or work is known as indexing fixturing.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, indexer20can be moved and then fixed in position with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50. In some embodiments of this invention, as indexer20moves toward and/or engages with driver35, driver25engages with and locks the relative movement of driver35with respect to driver25, and in an engaged position of indexer20with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50, indexer20can run a preloaded program or operate driver25which is engaged with driver35, so that work can be performed on workpiece50. As indexer20moves away from and/or disengages with driver35, driver25releases from the engaged position with respect to driver35and thus stops the operation or work being performed on workpiece50.

With movement of indexer20with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50, it is possible to engage and perform an operation on workpiece50and then disengage, switch out or exchange a first workpiece50with a second workpiece50, such as by using different pallets30. In some embodiments of this invention, each separate workpiece50is mounted to one corresponding pallet30and/or baseplate40. This arrangement allows indexer20to move away from pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50so that a first workpiece50can be switched out with a second workpiece50, and then allows indexer20to move toward pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50to engage driver35and thus perform work and/or another suitable operation on the second workpiece50. It is possible for indexer20to continue engagement and disengagement cycles and thus working on and exchanging further workpieces50, in a similar manner. This invention also allows for a relatively quick change out of different workpieces50, for example, by switching out or exchanging different pallets30and/or baseplates40that already have mounted corresponding workpieces50, such as unworked workpieces50.

In some embodiments of this invention, indexer20is an indexing machine manufactured by Haas Automation Inc. In other embodiments of this invention, indexer20can be an indexing machine manufactured and/or supplied by any other suitable manufacture or supplier of indexers or other similar systems and/or machines.

In some embodiments of this invention, a method for changing pallets30delivered to a machining center, a pallet system, a pallet changer and/or any other similar or suitable apparatus and/or method for changing pallets30, includes fixing a first pallet30with respect to baseplate40. Pallet30can be fixed, secured, attached, releasably attached and/or otherwise have a constant or a fixed position with respect to baseplate40. In some embodiments of this invention, an axis plate assembly, such as those known in the industry, can be used to mount, secure and/or otherwise fix a relative position of workpiece50with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or the axis plate assembly. Any suitable fastener and/or securing system can be used to secure, mount and/or otherwise fix a position of pallet30directly and/or indirectly to baseplate40.

In some embodiments of this invention, indexer20is movably mounted with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50and/or any other suitable structural member. According to some embodiments of this invention, indexer20can be mounted on any one or more suitable bearings, bearing systems, rails, tracks and/or any other suitable support structure that allows indexer20to be moved with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, indexer20can move such as in a horizontal direction from left to right, for example, so that indexer20can move towards or away from pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50and/or any other suitable connected or related structural member. According to some embodiments of this invention, driver25is attached, secured and/or otherwise mounted directly or indirectly to indexer20, and driver35is attached, secured and/or otherwise mounted directly or indirectly to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50. Driver25and/or driver35can comprise any suitable drive, drive element and/or drive system that can engage with each other to form an engaged connection between driver25and driver35, and that can also disengaged from each other to form a disengaged connection between driver25and driver35.

In some embodiments of this invention, indexer20moves a distance or far enough towards driver35so that driver25engages with driver35and releasably and lockingly holds and/or secures driver25directly and/or indirectly with respect to driver35. In the engaged position, such as of driver25with respect to driver35, a controller communicating with indexer20can run from a preloaded program an operation or can be operated to perform work and/or an operation on workpiece50which is operably fixed or mounted with respect to pallet30. After indexer20operates to perform work on a first workpiece50, the first workpiece50can be switched out with a second workpiece50, and then indexer20can operate to perform work on the second workpiece50. Indexer20can continue to operate to perform work on further workpieces50which can be exchanged or switched out easily with the apparatus and method according to this invention. In some embodiments of this invention, a shuttle system and/or a pallet system such as an automatic pallet system can be used to exchange or switch out different pallets30and/or workpieces50.

In some embodiments of this invention, after indexer20operates to perform work on workpiece50, driver25is disengaged from or with respect to driver35. In the disengaged position of drivers25and35, indexer20is moved away from driver35and thus disengages the connection or engagement between driver25and driver35. In the disengaged position of drivers25and35, any suitable pallet changing system can exchange or change out a previous pallet30with a subsequent or next pallet30. After pallets30are exchanged, indexer20can then again move towards driver35and engage driver25and driver35, so that indexer20can perform another or subsequent operation to work on or modify workpiece50.

In some embodiments of this invention, indexer20is movable or moves in a direction, such as a horizontal direction as shown inFIG. 1. According to some embodiments of this invention, indexer20is mounted directly and/or indirectly on or with respect to a frame, a structure and/or any other suitable apparatus and/or any component of a method that allows indexer20to be moved with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50. In some embodiments of this invention, indexer20moves along bearing22, such as shown inFIGS. 1 and 7. In some embodiments of this invention, air cylinders or pneumatic cylinders are connected or attached to indexer20and/or any suitable structural element or frame part of or connected to indexer20. In other embodiments of this invention, indexer20can be mounted in any other suitable manner, such as mechanically, electrically, electromechanically, magnetically and/or with any other element, system and/or method that allows indexer20to move with respect to pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50.

According to some embodiments of this invention, movement of indexer20moves and lockingly engages driver25with respect to driver35. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, lock element45engages with and holds and/or locks driver25to driver35. Lock element45can be engaged, for example, by moving indexer20towards driver35. Lock element45can be disengaged, for example, by moving indexer20away from driver35. Lock element45can have any suitable configuration, such as a lock pin or a locator pin configuration, such as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, and/or can have any other suitable dimensions, configuration and/or design that allows driver25to engage with driver35and also that allows driver25to disengage with driver35. In some embodiments, lock element45can have an overall tapered shape, such as a cup shape or a conical shape, and such shapes can assist with alignment of driver25as it moves toward and engages with driver35.

FIGS. 8-10show one embodiment of driver35according to this invention. As shown, driver35comprises drive plate36which can be secured, attached and/or otherwise mounted directly to and/or indirectly with respect to the axis plate assembly and/or workpiece50. In some embodiments of this invention, each pallet30has a corresponding workpiece50and the different pallets30are exchanged or switched out to deliver or provide different workpieces50. Any other suitable driver35can be used to accomplish the same result of allowing indexer20to operate and engage driver35and thus to move or work on workpiece50.

FIGS. 11 and 12show one embodiment of driver25according to this invention. As shown, driver25comprises drive plate26which can be secured, attached and/or otherwise mounted directly to and/or indirectly with respect to indexer20, for example. In some embodiments of this invention, indexer20moves in different ways or directions to engage or disengage driver25with respect to driver35, which can allow a shuttle system and/or a pallet delivery system to exchange or change out different pallets30and thus feed different workpieces50.

FIGS. 8-10show one embodiment of drive plate35having two bores37that lockingly and engagingly accommodate lock element45.FIGS. 11 and 12show one embodiment of drive plate25having two bores27that engagingly accommodate lock element45. As indexer20moves towards pallet30, baseplate40and/or workpiece50, each lock element45engages within bores37and27and thus lockingly holds or engages drive plate35to drive plate25.FIGS. 8-12show bores27and37, on opposing sides offset from 180° apart, such as with about a 15° offset, and the offset allows driver25to connect with driver35in only one position, such as only one rotational position. Bores27and37and/or lock element45can have any other suitable dimension, configuration, shape and/or design that allows engagement and disengagement between driver25and driver35, particularly as indexer20moves as described.

Drivers25and35can have a drive plate shape such as shown inFIGS. 8-12. In other embodiments of this invention, drivers25and35can have any other suitable design, dimension and/or shape that allows engagement and disengagement between driver25and driver35, particularly as indexer20moves as described.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details are set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described in this specification and in the claims can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of this invention.