Patent GB-1440992-A (GB)
Title: Parts handling device
IPC: B29C53/00
Filed: 1973-08-21
Abstract: 1440992 Reciprocating conveyers PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY Inc 21 Aug 1973 [22 Aug 1972] 39641/73 Heading B8A [Also in Division B3] A workpiece handling device 10 for moving workpieces from a loading rack 11 to a work device 13 and for moving finished workplaces from the work device to an unloading rack 12 comprises a support structure 33, workpiece loading means 58, workpiece unloading means 59, the loading and unloading means being spaced apart along an elongated arm, and pivotable links 39, 40 being provided for connecting the arm at two locations with the support structure, the links and arm pivotably mounting the loading and unloading means on the support structure for movement along relatively offset cyclical paths 63, 64 between the work fixture and the loading rack and the workpiece and the unloading rack, motor means 52 for moving the loading and unloading means and decelerator means 54 for absorbing part of the inertia of the loading and unloading means. In an embodiment the device 10 is attached to a friction welding machine having a clamp 13 for a non-rotatable workpiece 17 and a rotatable support 21 for a rotatable workpiece 20. The device includes a base plate 25, secured to a structure 33 mounted on the machine table 34, side plates 26, 27 welded to the base plate, support plates 28, 29 screwed to the side plates 26, 27 and a pair of arms 31, 32 mounted between the plates 28, 29 by link assemblies 39, 40. A structure 45 secured to the plate 28 supports a motor 52 for moving the arms 31, 32, a limit switch assembly 53 and a dashpot 54. The arms 31, 32 which straddle the clamp 13 each carries a pair of workpiece holding jaws 58, 59, the jaws 58 together forming loading jaws and jaws 59 together forming unloading jaws, the jaws 58 moving in a path 63 and the jaws in a path 64. The link assemblies 39, 40 each includes a pair of links one on each side of the pair of arms 31, 32 and pins 78, 114 extending across the arms. The end of the link 113 of the assembly 40 pivoted to the plate 28 and adjacent the structure 45 is connected by a splined shaft to the motor 52 to rotate the said link 13 and cause oscillation of the arms 31, 32 and thus of the jaws 58, 59. Switches 53 are controlled by a member rotated by the motor and a cam carried by the member causes a plunger to be pushed into the dashpot. In operation with the parts in the position of Figs. 1 and 2, a workpiece 17 is clamped in clamp 13 and a workpiece 20 is held in the rotating holder 21. After friction welding is completed the welded assembly is released from the holder 21 and the table 34 is moved away from the holder, the jaws of the clamp 13 then being retracted. A kickout lever 67 lifts the assembly from the clamp 13. The motor 52 is then started to make one revolution to move the jaws 58, 59; the jaws 59 picking up the welded assembly and placing it on a rack 12 along which it rolls to a container or belt and the jaws 58 picking up a workpiece 17 from a rack 11 and depositing it in the clamp 13. The switches 53 control operation of the clamp 13 and of the motor 52 and the dashpot slows the arms 31, 32 as they approach rest position. Magnets may be provided in the jaws 58, 59 and the device may be used with machine tools instead of a friction welder.