Conveyors: power-driven – With means to facilitate working – treating – or inspecting... – Means to convey a palleted load back and forth between an...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-10-30
Bidwell, James R. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
With means to facilitate working, treating, or inspecting...
Means to convey a palleted load back and forth between an...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308815
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a rotatable pallet changer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rotatable pallet changer for use with an automatic machining center. Further, the present invention relates to a rotatable pallet changer and automatic machining center system. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for using the same.
It is, of course, generally known to provide automatic machining centers which employ a bed which is movable in a horizontal plane in two dimensions. Further, it is known to employ an automatic pallet changer employing a workpiece positioned on the pallet and having a draw plate for up and down motion of a pallet resting on the draw plate. Such a receiver is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,214. Parts being machined in the automatic machining center are fixed to the pallet by an operator.
Such machining centers have a vertically sliding door for closing off an entrance in the machining center enclosure. At the beginning or end of the machining center, the pallet is either moved into or out of the machining center by the automatic pallet changer. When the pallet is outside the enclosure, then it is accessible for a worker to either remove or mount the workpiece being machined.
Further, it is generally known to provide a pallet changer to automatically move first and second pallets into or out of the machining enclosure of the machining center. Such a pallet changer is previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,514, for example, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In the '514 patent, first and second pallets are employed such that a worker may be working with one of the pallets while the pallet is outside the machining center while the other pallet is inside the machining enclosure. The pallets can then be automatically exchanged.
Finally, it is generally known to provide an automatic pallet system whereby an automatic pallet changer is provided having first and second tracks provided side-by-side, with each track having a respective pallet associated with it. A chain-like horizontal loop is provided between the two tracks. A single dog is provided on the chain for ultimately engaging with the two pallets. Thus, one pallet is pulled out of the machining center enclosure and, thereafter, the second pallet is brought into the enclosure as the chain continues rotation.
However, these known pallet systems having tracks side-by-side only allow a worker to change the machined part on one track on one side of the pallet changer. If the worker wants to change the pallet on the other track, the worker must move his location to the other side of the pallet changer to do so. This causes a worker to waste time and energy moving from one side of the pallet changer to the other.
A need, therefore, exists for an improved pallet changing apparatus, system and method whereby the pallet changer rotates and a worker needs only to stand on one side of the pallet changer to change the pallet on either track.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a rotatable pallet changing apparatus, a system and a method of using the same. The rotatable pallet changer allows a worker to stand on a single side and change workpieces on pallets on tracks situated side by side.
To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a rotating automatic pallet changing apparatus for automatically moving a pallet into and out of a machining center is provided. The apparatus has a rotatable bed having a first and a second pallet thereon. A powered linear drive unit is provided. The powered linear drive unit has a carriage that moves along a longitudinally extending carriage guide wherein the carriage is capable of engaging and selectively moving the first or second pallet.
In an embodiment, at least one set of tracks on the rotatable bed is provided.
In an embodiment, a dog extends from the carriage capable of engaging the first pallet or the second pallet.
In an embodiment, a first pin associated with the rotatable bed is provided for engaging the first pallet and locking the first pallet to the rotatable bed.
In an embodiment, a locking means associated with the rotatable bed is provided for locking the rotatable bed.
In an embodiment, a second pin associated with the rotatable bed is provided for locking the second pallet to the rotatable bed.
In an embodiment, a powered engagement means associated with the powered linear drive unit is provided for engaging the carriage to the first pallet or to the second pallet.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a rotatable pallet changing system is provided. The system has an automatic pallet changer having a rotatable bed having a first pallet and a second pallet thereon. A powered linear drive unit has a carriage that moves along a longitudinally extending carriage guide. The carriage is capable of engaging and selectively moving the first pallet or the second pallet. A machining area has a platform capable of receiving the first pallet or the second pallet. A control means associated with the system is provided for selectively cycling the first pallet and the second pallet into and out of the machining area.
In an embodiment, a sensor is capable of indicating the position of the rotatable bed.
In an embodiment, a door separates the automatic pallet changer and the machining area. A door driving means moves the door into an open position or a closed position.
In an embodiment, a motor is provided for rotating the rotatable bed.
In an embodiment, the control means controls the rotation of the rotatable bed and determines whether the first pallet or the second pallet is in a position to be loaded into the machining area. The control means further controls the engagement of the carriage to the first or second pallet. The control center controls the movement of the carriage along the longitudinally extending carriage guide thereby moving the first pallet or the second pallet into and out of the machining area.
In an embodiment, the control means controls movement of the door.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of changing a pallet in an automatic machining system is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a rotatable bed having a first and a second pallet thereon; placing a first workpiece on the first pallet; and providing a machining area adjacent the rotatable bed, the machining area having a platform capable of receiving the first pallet or the second pallet.
In an embodiment, the bed is rotated such that the first pallet aligns with the platform contained in the machining area.
In a embodiment, a powered linear drive unit is provided having a carriage which moves along a longitudinally extending carriage guide wherein the carriage is capable of engaging the first pallet or the second pallet. The first pallet is engaged with the carriage. The carriage and the first pallet are moved off of the rotatable bed and onto the platform contained in the machining area.
In an embodiment, a second workpiece is placed on the second pallet.
In an embodiment, the first pallet is removed from the machining area and is placed onto the rotatable bed. A locking pin is provided associated with the rotatable bed capable of locking the first pallet to the rotatable bed. The locking pin is engaged to the first pallet. The bed is rotated such that the second pallet aligns with the platform contained in the machining area.
It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a rotatable pallet changing apparatus, a system and a method that has two side-by-side tracks.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a rotatable pallet changing apparatus, a system and a method that rotates and allows one pallet to be fed into a machining center while another is worked on or changed by a worker.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a rotatable pallet changing apparatus, a system and a method that alternately feeds two parts to be machined into a m
Bidwell James R.
Midaco Corporation
Patents +TMS, P.C.
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