DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other features and objects of this invention are better understood from the following detailed description taken in view of the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automated pallet changer, in an engaged or clamped position, according to one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the automated pallet changer, as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the automated pallet changer, as shown in FIG. 1, but without the pallet and the machine table or frame shown in phantom lines;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of an automated pallet changer, in a disengaged or unclamped position, according to one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the automated pallet changer, as shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the automated pallet changer, as shown in FIG. 4, but without the pallet and the machine table or frame shown by the phantom lines;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an automated pallet changer, with an engaged or clamped position shown in solid lines and with a disengaged or unclamped position shown in phantom lines, according to one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the automated pallet changer, as shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a side view of the automated pallet changer, as shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a keeper element, according to one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 11 is a front view of the keeper element, as shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the keeper element, taken along line 12-12, as shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a method and apparatus for automatically changing pallets, according to one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 14 is a front view of a pallet delivery mechanism, according to one embodiment of this invention; and
FIG. 15 is a side view of the pallet delivery mechanism, as shown in FIG. 14.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In certain embodiments according to this invention, automated pallet changer 40 comprises receiver 30, such as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In many 5-axis machining centers or machines, frame 25 or another suitable structure, such as a rotatable table, a rotatable machine table and/or a rotatable bed, is attached to or otherwise fixed with respect to a machine that can rotate frame 25 about five different axes, each of the X, Y, Z, A and C axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,307, issued to Van Horssen, on Apr. 3, 2001, describes background technology associated with conventional 5-axis machining centers, and its entire teachings and the teachings of the references cited therein are incorporated into this specification by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,307.
FIG. 2 shows workpiece 24, which can have any suitable size and/or shape, attached to, connected to, or otherwise fixed with respect to pallet 35, with any suitable mechanical or structural connection. Workpiece 24 can be positioned or moved about the five different axes. Thus, it is possible to machine or otherwise perform an operation on workpiece 24, for example by moving a spindle or other referred to as vertical machining centers. However, the apparatus and method according to this invention can accommodate a spindle or any other machine tool that operates in any suitable position other than a vertical position.
In certain embodiments of this invention, frame 25 can comprise any structural element and/or device that attaches to, connects to and/or is otherwise fixed with respect to receiver 30 of this invention. Receiver 30 can have a plate shape or any other suitable shape and/or dimensions that accommodate pallet 35 or another similar structural member, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
In some embodiments of this invention, pallet 35 is detachably attached with respect to frame 25. FIGS. 1-3 show pallet 35 in an engaged position or a clamped position with respect to base 32 of receiver 30. FIGS. 4-6 show pallet 35 in a disengaged or an unclamped position with respect to base 30. FIGS. 7-9 show pallet 35 both in the engaged position, in solid lines, and in the disengaged position, in phantom lines.
FIGS. 1 and 4 show keeper 50 moveable with respect to base 32. As shown in the engaged position of FIGS. 1 and 2, edge portion 51 of keeper 50 interferes with at least a portion of pallet 35. Keeper 50 can be mounted in a moveable position with respect to receiver 30 using any other suitable mechanical, magnetic and/or electrical device.
FIG. 2 shows two rails 38, each connected to pallet 35. FIG. 1 shows, for example, a fastener used to connect rail 38 to pallet 35. Any suitable mechanical connection or integration, such as by molding, can be used to connect or fix rail 38 with respect to pallet 35.
As shown in FIG. 2, contact portion 36 interferes with edge portion 51, which engages and maintains the position of pallet 35 with respect to receiver 30.
In certain embodiments of this invention, keeper 50 can be moved with respect to base 30, between the engaged position and the disengaged position, to attach and detach, respectively, pallet 35 with respect to receiver 30 and thus with respect to frame 25. In one embodiment according to this invention, keeper 50 can be moved between the engaged position as shown in FIG. 1 and the disengaged position as shown in FIG. 4. Any other suitable mechanical device can be used to accomplish the movement of keeper 50 with respect to receiver 30.
In certain embodiments according to this invention, activation element 60 operates keeper 50 between the engaged position and the disengaged position. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, activation element 60 comprises pushrod 61 moveable with respect to base 32, between the engaged position and the disengaged position. In the disengaged position, for example as shown in FIG. 4, pushrod 61 contacts clevis 63 which is moveably mounted with respect to base 32. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, clevis 63 is connected to lever arms 65, 66. In certain embodiments of this invention, each of lever arms 65, 66 is pivotally connected at opposing ends to keeper 50 and clevis 63. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, angle 67 between arms 65, 66 is less than 1800.
By moving pushrod 61 from the engaged position shown in FIG. 1 to the disengaged position shown in FIG. 4, the length of bias element 55 is changed, such as reduced, thus allowing clevis 63 to move towards bias element 55. Lever arms 65, 66 can be sized and positioned so that moving clevis 63 with respect to body 32 also operates or moves keeper 50 between the engaged position and the disengaged position. Thus, by moving pushrod 61, it is possible to mechanically move keeper 50 with respect to receiver 30.
Pallet 35 is engageable with base 32. As shown in the engaged position of FIGS. 1 and 2, keeper 50 interferes with at least a portion of pallet 35. As shown in the disengaged position of FIGS. 4 and 5, keeper 50 is moved to clear contact or prevent interference with pallet 35. In certain embodiments of this invention, edge portion 51 of keeper 50 extends beyond a surface of base 32, to form the interference engagement with contact surface 36. Any other suitable interference fit and/or mechanical connection can be used to operate pallet 35 between the engaged position and the disengaged position with respect to receiver 30.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, bias element 55 normally urges keeper 50 into the engaged position. Thus, in such embodiments, when activation element 60 is not activated, pallet 35 remains in the engaged position with respect to receiver 30. Any other suitable bias element, such as a spring, a dampener and/or other force-urging member can be used in lieu of or in addition to the spring shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, arm 80 can be used to operate activation element 60. In one embodiment according to this invention, arm 80 is mounted with respect to rail 38 which can be moveably mounted to engage with and move pallet 35 with respect to frame 25. Any other suitable mechanical and/or electromechanical device can be used to operate and thus move activation element 60 between the engaged position and the disengaged position. Arm 80, such as shown in FIG. 15, can be a part of robot 85 or a similar robotic device that is controlled to operate activation element 60. Arm 80 can be any suitable structure or element that cooperates with activation element 60. For example, arm 80 can move relative to receiver 30, in a controlled manner.
When in the disengaged position, robot 85 can be operated to lift, move and/or detach pallet 35 from or with respect to receiver 30. Robot 85 can move along track 87, such as shown in FIG. 13, to move or transport pallet 35. Robot 85 can also be programmed and/or controlled to not operate activation element 60 and thus to leave pallet 35 in the engaged position and mounted or fixed with respect to receiver 30.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, pads 34 can be used to prevent frictional wear between pallet 35 and receiver 30. In certain embodiments of this invention, pneumatic air and/or a brush device can be used to clean or remove particles from pad 34, for example before engaging pallet 35 with receiver 30.
As shown in FIGS. 1-6, one or more pins 31 can be used to locate and/or fix a position of pallet 35 with respect to receiver 30.
In one embodiment of the method for attaching and detaching pallets 35 with respect to frame 25 of 5-axis machine 20, an active pallet 35 is automatically detached from frame 25. Robot 85 and/or controller 75 are programmed and/or used to move the detached active pallet 35 to storage facility 70. Robot 85 and/or controller 75 then move an idle or inactive pallet 35 from storage facility 70 and automatically attach the inactive pallet 35 to frame 25.
Controller 75 can be programmed to operate robot 85 in any suitable manner required to attach or detach pallet 35 with respect to receiver 30. A controller of 5-axis machine 20 can send a control signal or other control information to robot 85 and/or controller 75. For example, robot 85 and/or controller 75 can receive a set of instructions for moving each active and/or inactive pallet 35.
In certain embodiments according to this invention, robot 85 operates or moves at least one rail 38 or other suitable structural element used to attach or detach pallet 35 with respect to receiver 30.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
Patent Application
20080067035
