Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Shaping one-piece blank by removing material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-01-30
Briggs, William (Department: 3722)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Shaping one-piece blank by removing material
C082S001110, C408S0010BD, C409S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178615
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sequentially feeding and automatically machining products having a long length. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus by which various articles, especially long products, can be automatically machined in sequence to perform cutting, boring, end-notching, welding, or other machining processes at preset sites on the product, while the product is being advanced in the longitudinal direction.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Steel materials such as shaped steel is often used as a structural material or the like. Generally, these types of steel materials are in many cases, transported and carried in containing a length that is longer than necessary from the manufacturers. Therefore, it is common practice that the longer length steel materials are cut into necessary lengths by using torches or the like. Thereafter they are notched at their end portions of each steel piece, followed by machining processes such as boring at necessary locations.
However, since conventional approaches for machining have all been manual work, poor workability and longer working time are involved thereby increasing the cost.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for sequentially feeding and automatically machining long length articles or products such as shaped steel, such that the product is automatically fed and machined for cutting into required dimensions, boring, end-processing, or other machining processes in sequence.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method for sequentially feeding and automatically machining long length products comprises a leading-end machining step, an intermediate machining step, and a final machining step. The first and second conveyor lines each have a vise in proximity to a machining area and are provided on both sides of the machining area so that the products are successively and automatically machined at preset sites, while being advanced on the conveyor lines by a propulsion mechanism. The leading-end machining step is a step for moving the propulsion mechanism to a preset initial position on the first conveyor line, and then transferring the product toward the propulsion mechanism located on the first conveyor line. In this state, the product is gripped by the first conveyor line vise and a leading end side of the product is cut to a specified dimension. The intermediate machining step is a step releasing the product from the vise and advancing the product to a preset distance by the propulsion mechanism against a conveying force of the first conveyor line so that the machined part of the product is fed to the second conveyor line while a to be machined target site of the product is set within the machining area. In this state, the unmachined part of the product is gripped by the first conveyor line vise and a preset machining process is carried out on the to be machined target site. Further iteration then occurs for a series of the above described operations and for a preset number of times.
The final machining step feeds the tailing end of the product into the machining area by the propulsion mechanism against a conveying force from the second conveyor line. Thereafter the product is gripped by the second conveyor line vise and with the propulsion mechanism having retreated, the apparatus carries out a preset final machining process.
Generally, long length products are often provided in sizes a little larger than their specified dimensions. since the product is typically advanced by referencing the tailing end of the product, this would adversely affect the advancing precision such that positioning precision for the machining target sites of the product could not be attained. Accordingly, advancing the product by referencing the leading end of the product makes it possible to set even shorter than specified product into machining positions with high precision except for the machining of the tailing end.
Accordingly, a method for sequentially feeding and automatically machining long length products according to the present invention comprises an initial position setting step instead of the aforementioned leading end machining step. The initial position setting step is for transferring the product by the conveyor lines toward the propulsion mechanism located on the first conveyor line until the product comes into contact therewith. Thereafter a stopper is made to protrude into the machining area, and the product is advanced by the propulsion mechanism against the conveying force of the first conveyor line until the product comes into contact with the stopper so as to plunge the stopper. In this state, the resulting position of the propulsion mechanism is taken as an initial position.
The product may be any long material without any particular limitations as to shape, and applicable to, for example, the machining of shaped steel. The type of machining may be any one of various machining processes, including cutting, boring, notching, welding, and the like.
Further, according to the present invention, there can be provided an apparatus for sequentially and automatically machining a long length product at preset sites thereof after longitudinally advancing and then stopping the product. The apparatus comprises first and second conveyor lines made from roller conveyors and provided on both sides of a machining area. The conveyors are capable of conveying the product in a forward direction and its reverse direction. The apparatus also includes a propulsion mechanism provided on the first conveyor line on the product feed side so as to contact the tailing end of the product and having enough propulsive force to advance the product forward toward the machining area against the conveying force of the conveyor line. First and second vises are also provided in proximity to the machining area of the first and second conveyor lines and they are able to grip the product. Further, a machining apparatus is provided in proximity to the machining area and is capable of carrying out a plurality of different types of machining processes of the product. The apparatus also includes a controller which is capable of setting in advance the distance corresponding to a plurality of to be machined target sites on the product and the types of machining processes for the individual target sites. The controller can also drive and control the first and second conveyor lines, the propulsion mechanism, the first and second vises, and the machining apparatus.
The reason that the conveyor lines are made from roller conveyors is to advance. the product smoothly against the conveying force of the conveyor lines. The rollers of the conveyor lines may be operated either in a way that all the rollers are driven or in a way that part of them are driven with the remaining rollers being free.
Generally, when the product is machined on the conveyor lines, the product needs to be positioned not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the widthwise direction. The longitudinal positioning can be achieved by starting to feed the product from a correct initial position and then controlling the feed distance with a high precision. The widthwise positioning can be achieved by aligning the product widthwise with the use of a widthwise adjustment mechanism comprising a pair of pinching members and a drive mechanism. For example, the adjustment mechanism can include a combination of an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a motor, and a feed screw mechanism. In this arrangement, if the roller conveyor line is tilted widthwise, the product placed on the line will move downward from the tilt by its own weight, so that the product can be widthwise aligned and positioned naturally. This arrangement allows the construction of the apparatus to be simplified greatly.
The propulsion mechanism may be a system incorporating a rack and pinion or ball and screw or other like propelling means, which however would involve complex construction arrangements as well as incr
Miya Yasuhiro
Ohnishi Shinobu
Briggs William
Ohnishi Shinobu
Smith Patent Office
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