Patent GB-854972-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to work-positioning mechanism
Inventor: RANNEY NEIL J
IPC: B63B9/00
Filed: 1957-04-09
Abstract: 854,972. Machine-tool details. WEAN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION. April 9, 1957, No. 11510/57. Class 83 (3). [Also in Group XXXI] Apparatus for positioning work 16, Fig. 11, to be machined, comprises a track 121 along which a work-carrier 10 moves to a machining- station, and means at the station for accurately positioning the carrier. As shown, the work is a hull and the carrier a self-propelled wheeled vehicle movable between machining-stations, at which the wheels 106, Fig. 27, are retracted by hydraulic-jacks 108 rotating eccentric bearings 109 for the wheel axles. This lowers the carrier until shoes 133, 133a thereon seat on rails 132, Fig. 32, at least one of which is of V-shape to position the carrier laterally of the track. Tapered clamps 126, rotated between opposite abutments 127 on the carrier by hydraulic jacks 125, locate the carrier lengthwise of the track and clamp it against the rails, which are adjustable vertically by wedges 138. A cam 130 operates a switch 131 controlling a light &c. when the carrier has been positioned axially. The wheels are then retracted and a switch 134 operated by the carrier to indicate that it is approaching the rails; clamp 126 then clamps the carrier and a switch 136, operated by a cam 137 on the shaft of the clamp, indicates that this has been done. The front-wheels 106 are driven, through chains 115, 118, Fig. 28; by an hydraulic motor 120 supplied by a pump 141, which is driven by an electric motor close to a seat 148 on the carrier for the operator. A shoe 142 (Fig. 29, not shown), bears on a conductor-rail between rails 121 one of which is engaged by the return shoe. A guide 146, guides shoe 142 on and off the conductor rail when the carrier is being placed on or removed from the track. Non- rotatable spring-pressed plungers 15 support the hull 16 on the carrier and have bevelled ends 17, Fig. 36, for engagement by a screwoperated pin 21, to limit their travel when the hull is engaged by overhead hydraulic clamps 152, Fig. 45, supported by a stationary structure 154, 159, at the machining station. The hull is fixed at its ends to structures by which it is adjusted between opposite pairs of upright columns 50, 26, on the carrier, a gauging- beam 76, Fig. 16, on the carrier facilitating adjustment of the hull. The front structure comprises plates 44, Fig. 11, bolted in openings 45 in the hull and bearing on the ends of an axle 36 of adjustable length, which is clamped in half-bearings 27, Fig. 9, on the columns 26 by pivoted clamps 29 operated by screws 31 engaging nuts 32 on trunnions 33. An endgauge and an adjusting-screw 47 with each plate 44 co-operate with members 48, 49 on the columns 26 to adjust the hull laterally of the carrier. The rear structure comprises a plate 59 fixed in an opening 60, Fig. 46, in the hull, by arms 61, clamps 62 engaging a part 63 of the hull, clamps 65 and screws 67. A wedge 69, Fig. 7, at one side of the plate and engaging one side of the opening 60, forces the other side 72 of the plate against the adjacent side of the opening. A pair of arms 73 projecting from the plate are secured by clamps 56 against screw-jacks 51 on the columns 50, by which the rear of the hull may be adjusted vertically. Horizontal adjustment is by screw-jacks 52 which engage an arm 75 of plate 59, the adjustment being checked by an end gauge 93, Fig. 21, in an arm 86 on the beam 76, and engaging a plate 92 on the hull. Vertical adjustment is correct when a pin 91 enters a hole in the plate. A slope-gauge 94, Fig. 24, on beam 76, provides a surface for controlling the milling of the edge of an opening in a sloping part of the hull, as by hydraulically-fed milling-heads 153, Fig. 45. A surface gauge 103 is carried by a further arm on beam 76.