Metal working – Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for... – Common reciprocating support for spaced tools
Patent
1990-02-12
1992-03-10
Briggs, William
Metal working
Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for...
Common reciprocating support for spaced tools
29791, 219 8624, B23Q 3155
Patent
active
050939777
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for the automatic processing of differently shaped workpieces which has a controlled tool-changing capability. The tool changing device of the present invention is particularly useful for the spot-welding of parts or workpieces.
Previous tool-changing devices typically consist of a frame having several different tools which are brought into use alternatively accordingly to the operational steps in an existing program or processing routine. Several of these devices can be arranged and interconnected by intermediate conveyors one after the other which transport the parts to be processed to the devices, thereby forming a production line.
An object of the present invention is to develop an improved processing and tool-changing device which provides for a quick change of the complete set of tools in the device as well as in the workpiece receiving fixture. The present invention, provides a device having an improved adaptability to accommodate different workpieces and wherein a quick tool change and an optimum adjustment of the tools outside the production line can be made in an economical manner, even under operating conditions.
Preferably, the tool-changing device comprises a lower frame and a plurality of tool frames which are of identical construction and are placed onto the lower frame. Fortunately many identical parts can be used in the tool-changing device of the present invention even though it is capable of accommodating workpieces of very different shapes. Alternately, the tool frames can be displaced on the lower frame along a longitudinal guide into a central working position. In this central working position, the workpieces are fed to the tool frame and are processed by the variety of tools arranged in the tool frame. If there is a workpiece of a different shape or if a workpiece of the same type is to be processed in another manner, the current tool frame is moved to one side and a different tool frame which is now required is displaced from the other side into the central working position. By this design, it is possible, in the case of workpieces of considerably different shapes or requiring varying processing operations, to change the tools very quickly. Moreover, if a plurality of these devices are arranged one after the other in a production line or even if devices of this type are used at various locations or by various manufacturers, the same lower frames and the same tool frames can always be used with the result that the manufacturing costs are considerably reduced.
Preferably, the individual tool frames are equipped only with different tools enabling one to adjust the tools externally thereby reducing the adjustment time needed during production. Positioning new tools or arranging them in conjunction with a new part no longer needs to be done in the production line Also, the tool frames can be easily exchanged by means of a crane or a fork lift truck, since, in contrast to previous tool changing devices, the frame and the tools are completely separate.
The present invention is especially useful in spot-welding operations using electrode holders or production sequences with low counterpressure. Pinning is appropriate when working with large pressures. Although the present invention, in principle, can be used for parts of the most varied orders of magnitude, it is especially useful in the case of medium-sized parts.
In contrast to the present tool-changing devices which are designed as a unit, and in particular such devices used for welding, the lower frame, the tool frames and the conveying mechanism of the present invention can be reused and are fully reutilized. For example, after an initial production run, it is possible for tool frames having the tools fixed therein to be removed and used later for a production run for spare parts without any modification.
The tool frames in the present invention are moved into the working position over the central section of the lower frame by a displacing unit. A var
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patent: 4593850 (1986-07-01), Arigaehl
patent: 4670961 (1987-07-01), Fontaine et al.
patent: 4893398 (1990-01-01), Zimmer
patent: 4926539 (1990-05-01), Muller et al.
patent: 4946089 (1990-08-01), Baulier et al.
"Widerstands-Schweissen", Vortrage der 4. Stuttgarter Sondertagung, Widerstands-Schweisstechnik 1960, pp. 13-19.
W. Stanley, "Resistance Welding, Designing, Tooling, and Applications", McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1950, pp. 110-113.
Arbesmeier Bernhard
Muller Karl H.
Riedl Volker
Audi AG, Postfach 220
Briggs William
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