Patent GB-1426099-A (GB)
Title: Programming method and circuit for controlling manipulator  and press ram movement in a forming machine
IPC: B25J9/16
Filed: 1973-06-06
Abstract: 1426099 Automatic control of forging EUMUCO A G FUR MASCHINENBAU 6 June 1973 [9 June 1972] 27087/73 Heading G3N In an automatically controlled forging press in which a manipulator (13), Fig. I (not shown) advances the workpiece 10 [vehicle axle] between stationary (11) and reciprocating (12) square cross section rams, data for forge control pertinent to each section 17,18,19, 18' or 17' of the workpiece is stored when the manipulator position corresponds to the entry of the section to the area between the hammers, the storage being maintained until the next section enters the forging area. For programming, each row 1,2 ---- 20 of contacts in an array 20 corresponds to a section of the workpiece and connections to contacts in the row are made a) from manipulator position coder (30), Fig. 5 (not shown) via column (21) to define the manipulator position at which the section corresponding to the row commences [no connection, as in row 1, corresponding to zero postion]. b) from counter (40) via column 22 to define the lowest position reached by hammer 12. c) from counter (41) via column 23 to define hammer uppermost position d) from counter (43) via contacts 24 defining whether the workpiece, held in rotation tongs (14), Fig. 1, is to be rotated through 45 degrees or 90 degrees at each forging position [no connection representing no rotation]. e) from counter 45 via contacts 25 to indicate whether 1, 2 or 3 repetitions of a forging stroke are to be made at each position and f) from bi-stable trigger (47) via contact 26, connected to any row, such as that corresponding to section 18 Fig. 3, where no forging is required. Connections can be made to any contact in the appropriate row. The manipulator position corresponding to the end of a forging operation is fed from column 21 to programme end row 27. A plurality of interchangable boards 28, supporting the array and having plug in devices 30 may be provided. A coding means (not shown), such as a line grid attached to rails (15) Fig. 1 supporting the manipulator supplies a signal corresponding to manipulator position. Operation At entry of a particular workpiece section into the forging area, indicated by coincidence of manipulator actual position with the distance fed from coder (30) to the row defining the section, clock pulse generator (38) is enabled, and, in sequence provides timing signals (T 2 ), enabling counter (40) to count up until its count reaches the value corresponding to the connections between the row, and column 22, whence via NOR (31), timing signal T3 is enabled so that counter (41) counts up, counter (40) storing the desired value for lowest position of hammer 12. The process iterates until all counters (40,41, 43, 45) and bistable trigger (47) store all the data required to forge the section, such data being used until coder (30) indicates arrival of the next section at the forging area, whence all stored data is cancelled, and a set for the next section stored as above, there being a NOR (31) for each row of the array 20.