Patent GB-1480976-A (GB)
Title: Automatic operator for an automatic transfer line
IPC: C25D17/28
Filed: 1975-06-02
Abstract: 1480976 Conveying systems EXPERIMENTKONSTRUKTOR I TEKHNOLOGICH INST AVTOMOBII PROMYSHLEN 2 June 1975 23823/75 Heading B7N In an hydraulically operated, automatically controlled, conveying system, e.g. an arrangement for controlling the movement &c. of an automatic operator 1 with grab 2 carrying articles 6 to be plated along rails 3 between different baths 10 in an electroplating line, the system includes a programme drum 22 which is rotated in steps to move pins defining the addresses of successive baths into position per co-operation with sets of ramps 11, each set defining a particular bath position. The drum 22 is supported for rotation in supports 25, 28 which are mounted on columns 26, 31 coupled by crosspiece 42 to an hydraulic cylinder 44 which can move the drum transverse to the direction of its length. When operations commence the drum is in its extreme left position and cylinder 44 is actuated to move the drum to the right. During this movement a driving member 33 co-operates with a cam to rotate the drum through one division of dividing plate 32 to present a line of holes 23 in the drum to a series of control push rods and address push bars 51, 52 &c. The next address is defined by the position of two absent holes in the group of holes defining the address so that two address push bars 52 are moved to the right pushing pressure strip 58 to the right and moving two corresponding address pins 57 (only one shown disposed at right angles to its actual position) to positions where they can be engaged by the set of ramps at the addressed station. The pressure plate operates slide valve 59 cutting off the fluid supply to valve 48 which controls the position of cylinder 18 driving the grab 2 so that this is held in its existing upper or lower position. Holes 23<SP>11</SP> on the drums now set slide valve 48 so that when valve 59 re-opens at the next stop the grab is moved to the position required by the valve setting. Holes 23<SP>1</SP> set the position of valve 46 controlling direction of operator movement and towards the end of the pressure strip movement slide valve 61 opens to supply drive fluid to an hydraulic drive motor 14 via partly opened brake slide valve 60 so that the operator starts to move to its new address, the speed increasing as final movement of the pressure strip opens the brake valve completely. At the address the ramps depress the address pins moving the associated push bar housings to the left so that the pressure strip is also moved to the left by the springs of valves 59-61. Movement of valve 61 applies the operator brake and closure of valve 60 stops the operator. Valve 59 now supplies pressure fluid via set valve 48 to valve 47 controlling raising or lowering of the grab 2. As the grab moves slide valve 66 is actuated to apply fluid to cylinder 44 to move the drum to its extreme left position. When the grab reaches its upper or lower position the slide valve is again actuated to recommence the cycle by applying fluid to cylinder 44 to start moving the drum assembly to the right. The time spent at each station is controlled by controlling the speed of movement of the drum to the right by means of slide valve 68 having a slide rod 67 which co-operates with holes on the drum and when actuated determines the rate at which fluid leaves the under piston space in valve cylinder 44 and hence the time before movement to the next bath is commenced. Other valves like valve 68 can be switched in to alter the time period.