Patent GB-1386833-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for the removal of formed articles from an article forming machine
IPC: B21J13/08
Filed: 1972-06-05
Abstract: 1386833 Article-extracting apparatus RIMROCK CORP 5 June 1972 [14 June 1971] 26061/72 Heading B8H Apparatus for use with a die casting machine 10 for extracting formed articles therefrom comprises a main support housing 22 from which extend weldments 20 (only one of which is shown) which are attached to the bars 15 provided in the machine 10, an extractor head assembly H, which includes an assembly 62 which carries clamping jaws 65, being pivotally connected to the support housing 22 by means of a support arm 32 pivotally connected at a bolt 35 to a driving arm 37 which is pivotally connected to the housing 22, a stabilizer arm 33 extending between the head assembly H and an idler arm 42 pivotally connected to the housing 22. The extractor head assembly H is moved from the full line position in Fig. 1 to its position inside the machine 10 shown in dash-dot lines on retraction of a ram 49 which is pivotally connected between the housing 22 and a support member 56 rigidly attached to the driving arm 37, extractor head H moving linearly. Extension of the ram 49 moves the extractor head H back to its original position outside the machine 10. In operation of the apparatus when the head assembly H is moved into the machine 10 the idler arm 42 strikes a cam 94 which actuates a limit switch 95 thus causing a clamp mechanism (64) which bears the jaws 65 to be extended laterally by a mechanism (68), Fig. 3 (not shown), the jaws grip the article 97 and after a time delay the mechanism (68) is retracted and a solenoid control valve (not shown) is operated to cause the ram 49 to retract the assembly H from the machine 10. The arm 42 operates the limit switch to its opposite position which causes the actuation of means to rotate the assembly 62 downwardly relative to a support housing 60 thereby moving the jaws 65 and article 97 to a position where they lie directly above the surface, e.g. of a conveyer, on to which they are to be placed. The extend mechanism (68) is extended thus moving the jaws 65 further downwardly with respect to the assembly 62. The jaws are then operated to release the article and then the mechanism (68) is retracted and the assembly 62 rotated back to its original position, the whole apparatus then being ready for a further article extraction operation. The means by which the assembly 62 is caused to rotate relative to the support housing 60 comprises a fluid operated safety lock assembly (137), Figs. 8,9 (not shown), which is unlocked prior to a ram (136) being operated, the said ram having its piston-rod (139) connected to a clevis (141) on the assembly 62. The extractor head assembly H also includes a boom 70 which extends beyond the clamping jaws 65 and carries at its outermost end a spraysensor assembly 72. Sensors 92, which are in the form of springs through which a current is passed, contact all portions of a formed casting as they are moved past it, and if a part of the casting is missing the circuit which includes the sensors 92 is not completed which causes operation of the die casting machine 10 to be halted. Mounted adjacent the sensors 92 is an arrangement of air 78 and spray 80 nozzles which are used to spray the die during retraction of the head assembly H.