Patent GB-676421-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic feeding device and control means therefor
IPC: B23Q7/00
Filed: 1948-10-12
Abstract: 676,421. Transfer of rods between grinding machines. STEVENS, A. H. (Crucible Steel Co. of America). Oct. 12, 1948. No. 26533/48. Class 78 (i). [Also in Group XXIII] Apparatus for feeding elongated section of tubular stock into operative engagement with a, first device for performing a manufacturing operation thereupon comprises:- a stationary guide member, an input rack for delivering said sections successively onto said guide member, mechanism for feeding from said guide member consecutively said sections into operative engagement with said device including a first reciprocating piston movable in feed and return strokes and mechanism for controlling the reciprocation of said piston including means for initiating one type of such strokes in response to the movement of the section by said device to a preselected position relative to said stationary guide member. Fig. 1. General. Metal sections roll down input tray 21 and are pushed consecutively along guide rail 21a by pneumatic piston 30 to rough centreless grinder 20. The grinder abrades the rod and delivers it along guide member 23 and on to the extension 23b thereof whence it is pushed over and discharged by ejecter 23a onto rack 24. The sections roll down rack 24 onto guide rail 24a and are pushed consecutively by piston 26 (which is similar to piston 30) to fine centreless grinder 25 which delivers them to guide member 27 whence they are pushed by ejecter 28 onto storage tray 29. Fig. 5. Piston 30 (or 26). Reciprocating piston operates pusher 39 through rod 31 and arm 40 so that the pusher 39 pushes a rod along guide member 21a to the grinder 20. On rod 31 are fixed balls 37 and 38 which strike switches 35 and 36 respectively so that the pusher 39 automatically reciprocates and pushes the sections one by one to the grinder on the right. Fig. 8. Ejecter 23a (or 28). After being ground, the section is delivered by the grinder on to extension 23b which is pivoted at 50a to the frame 43a and is normally positioned horizontal as shown. The section strikes a switch (51, Fig.1) to initiate the extension of pneumatic piston 43 so that the piston rod 43c thereof extends and tips extension 23b so that the section runs down to the right on to the rack 24 (Fig. 1). A ball 43d on the piston rod strikes roller 52a of switch 52 to cause the automatic retraction of the piston rod. Fig. 10. Timing of pusher 39. Pistons 30 and 43 are operated as described in Specification 676,422, air entering at 32c to control valves 32 and 46 respectively each of which are operated by its pair of bleeder valves, 33 and 34, 47 and 48 respectively. When switch 60 is turned to position 59 the operation of the piston is governed by balls 37 and 38 striking switches 35 and 36 so that timer 54 is included to delay the withdrawal piston stroke by any required amount to allow for time of grinding. When switch 60 is turned to the position 61 the governing switches are now 68 and 36, and switch 68 (see Fig. 1) is set to be operated by a section as it is delivered by the grinder or by the pneumatic piston so that the next section is pushed forward into the grinder as the last leaves.