Abstract:
A system for machining and/or assembling workpieces which are carried by generally rectangular pallets comprising self-steering wheel devices moving across a floor, wherein each pallet (21) is provided with devices or blocks (27) acting as a support for vertical-axis rotatable drive devices driven by a motor or geared motor (46) on the pallet, and one or more of which are designed to co-operate, according to a multiplicity of combinations, with lateral, mechanically biased, steering and support guide means which are partially integral with the floor (39) and impart rectilinear or curved, play-free movement, dependent on the support/guide combination for the pallet, which determines whether the spatial orientation of the latter is maintained or modified as it changes direction.
Abstract:
Eine maschinelle Anordnung (3, 4) zum Bewegen von Werkstücken und/oder von Bearbeitungsresten einer Werkstückbearbeitung umfasst einen Ladegutträger (5) sowie einen Ladegutträgerantrieb (7). Teil des Ladegutträgerantriebes (7) ist eine Schubkette (21), die von einem an dem Ladegutträger (5) gelagerten Ketten- Antriebsrad (1 1 ) beaufschlagt wird. Infolge dieser Beaufschlagung nimmt das Ketten-Antriebsrad (11) den Ladegutträger (5) in eine Zielposition mit. Dabei bewegt sich das Ketten- Antriebsrad (11) gemeinschaftlich mit dem Ladegutträger (5) relativ zu einem Kettenwiderlager (46), an welchem die Schubkette (21) abgestützt ist. Eine maschinelle Anordnung (1) zum Bearbeiten von Werkstücken macht von einer maschinellen Anordnung (3, 4) der vorstehenden Art Gebrauch.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a loading and unloading device for a machine tool (5). A travelling loading unit (1) can be coupled to a machine tool (5) by at least one securing device (10). One part of securing device is mounted on machine tool and another interacting part is fixed to loading unit and can be decoupled once more from machine tool after loading or unloading.
Abstract:
In prior art devices of this kind, the signal strips mounted in front of each stopping place are fixed in place so that the transport trolley is braked before each stopping place and brought slowly up to the stopping place. This delays unnecessarily the progress of the trolleys when the programme does not call for stops at one or more of the stopping places. The arrangement of switchable signal strips (40) at the stopping places concerned, as disclosed by the invention, enables this disadvantage to be overcome and system throughput to be considerably improved. Power for the signal-strip drive unit (46) is supplied through the trackway supports (10) which are designed as hollow-section rails (12a, 12b). This measure, which simplifies installation, can also be used for powering other functional units in the system. The preferred field of application is in vehicles with flexible track or assembly networks in industrial manufacturing facilities.
Abstract:
The present invention is a new manufacturing system which is small one that can mount on a desk and the like. The inventors call it a DTF (Desk Top Factory) such as to mean a small factory. In the present application is described what "DTF" aims at and two main items are described in this report. 1) A manufacturing system having an automatic guided pallet (what is called "AGP") as an automatic transport system. This AGP system is in harmony with an advantage of conventional two transfer systems of manufacturing lines that is, a flow shop type (what is called "assembly line"), which is suitable for a mass-manufacturing, has the advantage of being able to minimize the distance transferred between each process in the system and a job shop type (there is much to need a batch working) has an advantage of enabling traffic (go and return) between each process. The present invention develops an Automatic Guided Pallet (AGP) that is suitable for one-by-one operation and can traffic (go and return) between each process. The present system can be used in a flexible manufacturing system where the volume of production is relatively low and there are a wide variety of products to be made. 2) A manufacturing line design support system. One embodiment is that firstly, an operator inputs system design requirements of a manufacturing line design such as a working time of each process, an operating rate, plant and equipment cost and the like, furthermore, the weight (importance) of each of the above requirements is inputted. Secondly, the system outputs some candidates, respectively. Finally, the system allows the construction of the optimum manufacturing line by simulations.
Abstract:
A powered pallet assembly (10) for use on two intersecting trackways (11 and 13). The pallet assembly (10) includes: a pallet frame (23) having an upwardly facing surface (12) formed for support of a load thereon; a first plurality of load-supporting wheels (16a, 16b) rotatably mounted to frame (23) for movement of pallet assembly (10) in a first direction on the first trackway (11); a second plurality of load-supporting wheels (18a, 18b) rotatably mounted to frame (23) for movement of pallet assembly (10) in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the second trackway (13) intersecting the first trackway (11); a power drive assembly carried by pallet frame (23) and coupled to drive at least one wheel of first wheels (16a, 16b) and coupled to drive at least one wheel of second wheels (18a, 18b). The first wheels (16a, 16b) are mounted to the frame (23) in a manner which causes them to be disengaged from a second trackway (13) when the pallet (10) is supported for movement on the second trackway (13) by second wheels (18a, 18b), and the second wheels (18a, 18b) are mounted to the frame (23) in a manner which causes them to be disengaged from the first trackway (11) when pallet (10) is supported on the first trackway (11) by the first wheels (16a, 16b). A method of operating the trackway-based pallet assembly also is disclosed.
Abstract:
Proposed is a transport system comprising a branched rail network on which autonomous workpiece carriers in the form of trolleys can move. The system exhibits a high degree of safety in non-regulation operational situations. Several independent devices are used for this purpose, but designed to function particularly well together. One embodiment includes a signal-processing logic circuit based on a microprocesser (10), the logic circuit monitoring for plausibility the flow of trolley movement data and external signals and halting the trolley if necessary. In a second embodiment, the tilting front end (13) of the trolley is designed as a two-stage buffer, the first buffer state (34) being produced by a light impact, the second (35) by a hard (non-regulation) impact. Another embodiment calls for the trolley to be fitted with a shock sensor (24) responsive to a hard (non-regulation) impact. Another embodiment calls for an energy-consumption monitoring device (40) which determines the amount of energy taken from the batteries during a particular time interval T and compares it with a pre-determined threshold value (46), halting the trolley if the threshold value (46) is exceeded for too long a period of time.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a transport system that is provided with at least one product carrier (6) which can be moved along a running path (2) by means of a linear motor drive device (5, 3, 4) that is provided with a primary part (3) and a secondary part (4). The aim of the invention is to improve the transport system in such a way that basically any number of product carriers can be moved along the running path (2) independently from each other and can be used in a versatile manner for transporting completely different objects or workpieces. The product carrier (6) is provided with an essentially planar base plate (7) for transporting objects. The primary part is allocated to the base plate (7) and the secondary part (4) is allocated to the running path (2).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a loading and unloading device for a machine tool (5). A travelling loading unit (1) can be coupled to a machine tool (5) by at least one securing device (10). One part of securing device is mounted on machine tool and another interacting part is fixed to loading unit and can be decoupled once more from machine tool after loading or unloading.