GB1350043A - Apparatus for gripping and transferring work pieces from one work station to another work station of a press - Google Patents

Abstract

1350043 Feeding work in presses INNOCENTI MECCANICA SpA 14 Jan 1972 [16 Jan 1971] 1921/72 Heading B3Q Work 104 is moved between press-stations by a gripper 6, 6<SP>1</SP> mounted on an axiallymovable feed-bar 2, the gripper being mounted on a carriage 5 movable laterally of the feed bar 2 in a vertically movable slide 4. As shown, a number of gripper units are mounted on a feedbar 2 on each side of the discs 102, 103, the bars 2 being driven by a unit (106), Fig. 1 (not shown), at the end of the press 100. Each gripper unit includes a housing 107, 108 fixed to the bar 2 and having vertical parts 3, 3<SP>1</SP> along which the slide is moved by a connecting rod 12 fixed adjustably, Fig. 6 (not shown), to a gear 10. A pinion 8a driving the gear 10 is mounted on a splined shaft 8 driven by the unit (106), and a further splined shaft 9, through worm-gearing 9a, 9b, drives a vertical splined shaft 14 for moving the carriage 5 and operating the gripper. Both movements are effected by a pack 16 which is coupled to the carriage for moving the latter and uncoupled for operating the gripper, the rack being driven by a pinion 15 on the shaft 14. A lost-motion connection is provided between a grooved collar 17 fixed to the rack and the inner ends of bell-crank levers 18, 18<SP>1</SP> on the carriage. The outer ends 21, 21<SP>1</SP> of the levers 18, 18<SP>1</SP> being constrained against outward movement by tracks 23 in the slide 4, the carriage is thus coupled, through the connection 17, 18, 18<SP>1</SP>, to the rack 16 until the outer ends 21, 21<SP>1</SP> reach the outer, radiused parts 22, 22<SP>1</SP> of the tracks. The carriage 5 now stops with co-operating abutments 4a, 24 on the carriage and slide in contact. Springs 19 expand the bell-crank levers 18, 18<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 3 (not shown), permitting continued movement of the rack for operating a toggle linkage 28, 28<SP>1</SP> to close the jaws 6, 6<SP>1</SP> on the work. The gripped work is now raised from the die 102 by vertical movement of the slide 4, transferred by movement of the feed bar 2 and lowered at the next station. Release of the gripper is by snap-action of a return spring 29 as permitted by a lost-motion connection between a slot 25 in the rack 16 and a central pin 26 of the toggle linkage 28, 28<SP>1</SP>.