Turning – Process of turning
Patent
1981-08-26
1984-07-10
Vlachos, Leonidas
Turning
Process of turning
74469, 82 27, 414 4, 414728, 414735, B23B 1500
Patent
active
044585667
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a loader apparatus for machine tools, and more particularly to a flexible loader apparatus for machine tools to be built therein or separately installed to be associated therewith to automatically supply workpieces thereto or to automatically extract machined workpieces therefrom, as well as to a method for the use thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
It has hitherto been known to use industrial robots, etc. to automatically feed workpieces to machine tools or to extract machined workpieces therefrom in order to achieve a continuous machining operation with the machine tools. However, it is a wellknown fact that this procedure has several disadvantages.
That is, in the conventional industrial robots, in order to prevent a wrist member mounted to the end of an arm and a hand member mounted to the wrist member, from relative movement therebetween so that the wrist member can perform an operation independently of the hand member, the arm must be provided near the wrist member with a differential gear. However, this makes the construction near the wrist member complicated, large and heavy so that problems arise with regard to maneuverability, safety and reliability. Further, since such industrial robots are required to be installed separately from the machine tools additional floor space is required for the robots and they may interfere with an operator's work such as the exchange of cutting tools, etc. Further the operational range of the robot partially overlaps with that of the operator so that questions in terms of safety in operation arise. Moreover, although it is necessary to alter the operation of the robot according to the shape, dimensions, etc. of a workpiece to be machined, the procedure for changing the robot's operation is very complicated and usually takes a considerable amount of time to achieve, even when carried out by a person familiar with the task.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible loader apparatus for machine tools which allows the automatic feed or removal of workpieces to or from machine tools.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flexible loader apparatus for machine tools which has excellent maneuverability, and exhibits a high degree of safety and is also high in reliability.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flexible loader apparatus for machine tools which requires a relatively small area for installation and does not interfere with the work to be carried out by an operator, such as the exchange of cutting tools, etc.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a double hand device in a flexible loader apparatus for machine tools which allows the automatic supply of workpieces to the machine tool and the withdrawal of machined workpieces therefrom to be achieved very quickly.
It is one of the other objects of the present invention to provide a method for the use of the flexible loader apparatus for machine tools according to the present invention which allows a rapid change in its operation within a relatively short period of time.
In accordance with the present invention a flexible loader apparatus for machine tools is provided which comprises a base adapted to be built in a headstock of the machine tool or mounted near a main spindle thereof, or mounted on a stand to be installed near the machine tool on a suitable foundation, slides mounted to the base so as to be shiftable in a direction in parallel with the axial line of the main spindle, an arm mounted at its base end to the slide at its one end so as to be rotatable about the axial line of the slide, a wrist member mounted to the arm at its free end so as to be rotatable about an axial line in parallel with the axial line of the main spindle, a hand member mounted to the wrist member so as to be rotatable about an axial line orthogonal to the axial line of the main spindle, a pair of finger members mounted to the hand member generally in a direction orthogon
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Ikegai Tekko Kabushiki Kaisha
Kearns Jerry
Vlachos Leonidas
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