Patent GB-877490-A (GB)
Title: An automatic programing device for a machine or apparatus
IPC: G05B19/04
Filed: 1958-02-11
Abstract: 877,490. Lathes; machine-tool details. AMERICAN STEEL FOUNDRIES. Feb. 11, 1958 [Feb. 28, 1957], No. 4437/58. Class 83 (3). An automatic programming device for a machine comprises three mutually-insulated groups of contacts each arranged in one or more levels, the contacts of each level of the first group AA being connected together and to means for initiating a function of the machine, those of the second group BB being insulated from one another and connected to means for terminating the functions, and those of the third group CC being connected to a plurality of contacts of a switch means, which latter contacts are sequentially energized by means responsive to the energization of the function terminating means and the switch means including means for interconnecting any contact of one group with any contact of another group. A vertical boring mill has a rotatable table 22, a vertically movable rail 28, an angularly adjustable reciprocable ram 36, a turret slide 38, on a saddle 32, and a side head 43 carrying a ram 42. The table is rotatable at different speeds through change-speed gearing and clutches. A shaft 52, Fig. 2B, from the table drive rotates gearing 50 controlling the turret slide 38. The turret slide is moved vertically by a shaft 56 and horizontally by a shaft 58, through magnetic clutches, at speeds determined by torque motors 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 rotating rack-andpinion gear-shifting means. A rapid-traverse motor 80 and a slow-speed positioning motor 82 are also provided. The operations are preselected by a plugboard 94, Fig. 2C, and the operations are energized or de-energized by a multi-bank sequence switch controlled by horizontal and vertical stop rod assemblies 98, 100, on the saddle 32 and the slide 38 associated with switches 136, 144 mounted on the rail 28 and the saddle 32. The contacts in the board 94 are arranged in levels in three groups AA, BB, CC constituted by levels D, E, G, H, J, K, M, N and P; A and C; and B, F, I, L, O and Q. Relays, shown to the right of Fig. 2C, are connected to the contacts of the " function " levels in Group AA. The contacts of the " energizing " levels in Group BB are insulated from one another, and are connected to a plurality of switches. The contacts of the " sequence " levels in Group CC are connected to the banks of the sequence switch, so that columns of these contacts may be connected to corresponding contacts of the several banks. The contacts in levels R and T are insulated from one another and are connected to a table speed selector and a tool feed selector. The contacts in a level U are connected to relays for controlling turret indexing, table-stopping, table reversing, tool dwell (for one revolution of the table), cyclehoming, table-starting, and a coolant pump 196. The contacts of level S are electrically connected in a plurality of vertical series to enable repeated use of any switch in the assemblies 98, 100. The contacts of levels A and C are connected to the switch assemblies 144, 136 and the level B to one bank of the sequence switch. Arcing of the switch banks is prevented by switching off the current thereto before the wipers are moved. The plug-board may have a removable portion 120a, Fig. 5, which can be set up as shown to produce a sample workpiece as shown in Fig. 4, and then placed over a fixed part of the board. A three-position manual selector switch enables the operator to operate the machine step-by-step during setting-up. A switch 102 is operated by the turret to signal completion of indexing by a motor 191. Any stop dog and switch maybe used more than once, and movements may be repeated any number of times, in the same cycle. A lamp is illuminated whenever the machine is operating automatically. Provision is made for the operator to step the switches round rapidly or, by introducing a time delay relay, at a slower pace. When the turret slide and a side head are to be used together, separate programmes 94T, 94S, Fig. 8, are provided, the boards being linked together to synchronize the cycles. The programming means may be applied to a milling machine, a lathe, a press or welding equipment.