Abstract:
A feed mechanism suitable for a coining press comprising two or more feed members which are adapted to reciprocate along respective longitudinal axes and which reciprocate in synchronism so that each in turn feeds a workpiece from an associated feed station to a work station which is common to all of the feed members. Preferably, each feed member is adapted so as to feed workpieces one at a time from the feed station to the work station and back to a separate unloading station associated with the feed member, the feed station and unloading station for each feed member lying on the same side of the work station. Further each feed member is preferably a plate with a hole therethrough to receive a workpiece in the form of a flat blank, and the blank is worked on through the hole at the work station and is withdrawn in the hole to the unloading station where it is removed by a blast of air. Most simply, the workpiece is blown downwards and falls from the hole, a shutter being provided below the feed plate at the work station which opens in synchronism with the movement of the feed plate to allow the workpieces to be so removed.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a reciprocating feed mechanism of the kind which is suitable for feeding individual blanks between the dies of a coining press and which comprises a reciprocating slide carrying a pair of gripper arms adapted to grip and release the individual blanks. The slide and gripper arms are each operated through a separate linkage mechanism by a respective cam surface on cam means common to both linkage mechanisms, and a sliding connection is provided in the linkage mechanism, operating the gripper arms which is such as to allow reciprocation of the slide and gripper arms independently of actual operation of the gripper arms. Each of the blanks which is to be carried is picked-up by the gripper arms at a loading station where the blank lies on a horizontal support surface and is held in the correct position for gripping by the action of a vacuum pump which evacuates air from an aperture in the support surface directly beneath the blank.