Patent GB-1400208-A (GB)
Title: Loading and unloading device for a machine tool
IPC: B24B41/06
Filed: 1972-09-05
Abstract: 1400208 Grinding; workpiece transferring TOYO BEARING MFG CO Ltd 5 Sept 1972 [21 Oct 1971] 41049/72 Headings B3D and B3B [Also in Division B8] A workpiece transfer apparatus for a machine tool, such as a grinding machine, comprises a loading element 4e for receiving the first of a group of workpieces P from a first shoot 3, a distributing member 7 for receiving the workpiece from the loading element and positioning it on a support means 1 in a machining position, the loading element and distributing member being in the form of levers so that the workpiece moves along arcuate paths to the support means, and, after machining, the workpiece is moved along an arcuate path by the distributing member and is pushed out of the distributing member and into a second shoot 6 by the loading member. The loading member is mounted on a pivot 8 on one side of the first shoot 3 and has a slot 4b for receiving the first workpiece, the slot being between a pusher 4c and a member 4a which retains the remainder of the workpieces while the loading member is moved about its pivot 8 and carries the first workpiece along an arcuate surface 5a of a guide member 5. The distributing member 7 has a main piece 10 which is mounted on a pivot 9 on the second shoot 6 and has a fulcrum 11 between opposed fingers 12, 12a which are urged together by a spring 14 to positions determined by stops 13, 13<SP>1</SP>. The distributing member is movable between an upper position, in which the finger 12 engages an adjustable stop 17 and Woves relative to the main piece 10 and can receive a workpiece from the loading member, to a lower position in which the finger 12<SP>1</SP> abuts a stop 171 and moves away from finger 12 so that the workpiece is pressed on the support 1 by finger 12 during machining. In between the two positions, the workpiece is gripped between a hardened pad on the lower finger and a pair of hardened rollers on the upper finger. The loading member 4e and distributing member 7 are secured to their respective pivots 8, 9 which, in turn, are secured to arms 18, 28 resiliently connected to the pistons 21, 30 of cylinders 19, 29 supplied with fluid pressure under the control of solenoid-operated valves 38, 41 and switches 50 ... 53. In operation, the first workpiece is received in the slot 4b of the loading member 4e and conveyed along arcuate path 5a to be received between the fingers 12, 12<SP>1</SP> of the distributing member 7 which are opened by the stop 17, the pusher 4c having pushed a previously-machined workpiece from between the fingers into the second shoot 6. The distributing member 7 rocks about its pivot 9 so that the fingers grip the workpiece and deposit it on the support 1, the fingers being opened by the stop 17<SP>1</SP> so that finger 12 presses the workpiece against the support. The member 4a prevents further movement of the workpieces until the loading member is returned to its upper position so that the next workpiece can enter the slot 4b. After the workpiece has been machined, the distributing member is rocked upwardly so that the fingers again grip the workpiece and carry it upwardly so that the pusher 4c of the loading member can eject the finished workpiece from between the fingers into the second shoot so the next workpiece is moved to a position between the fingers. Out-of-contact switches 46, 47 stop the apparatus if a new workpiece is not present at the loading member or a finished workpiece does not pass along the second shoot.