An apparatus and a method for delivering a workpiece to and from a machine table. The apparatus includes a rotatable plate and a pallet. The workpiece is detachably mountable to the pallet. The rotatable plate is movable with respect to the pallet. The pallet is movable along a pallet carriage. A screw is movably mounted within the screw housing and the screw housing is connected to the pallet. A driver is attached to the screw and moves the screw within the screw housing and the driver operates to engage the screw and move the pallet in a linear direction to and from the machine table.
B23Q 7/02 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting by means of drums or rotating tables or discs
B23Q 7/14 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting co-ordinated in production lines
A method and apparatus for changing pallets delivered to a machining center. Different workpieces are connected or attached to different pallets. A first workpiece corresponding to a first pallet is delivered to or near an indexer or indexer assembly and the indexer is moved into an engaged position and performs a work operation on the first workpiece. The indexer is then moved to a disengaged position and the first pallet and the first workpiece are exchanged or switched out with a second pallet having a second workpiece. The indexer is then moved to an engaged position and works the second workpiece and when completed, the indexer moves to the disengaged position and the second workpiece is exchanged or switched out with a third pallet having a third workpiece. The indexer system of this invention can quickly and cost-effectively cycle through different pallets and thus different workpieces.
B23Q 7/14 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting co-ordinated in production lines
A method and apparatus for changing pallets delivered to a machining center. Different workpieces are connected or attached to different pallets. A first workpiece corresponding to a first pallet is delivered to or near an indexer or indexer assembly and the indexer is moved into an engaged position and performs a work operation on the first workpiece. The indexer is then moved to a disengaged position and the first pallet and the first workpiece are exchanged or switched out with a second pallet having a second workpiece. The indexer is then moved to an engaged position and works the second workpiece and when completed, the indexer moves to the disengaged position and the second workpiece is exchanged or switched out with a third pallet having a third workpiece. The indexer system of this invention can quickly and cost-effectively cycle through different pallets and thus different workpieces.
B23Q 7/14 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting co-ordinated in production lines
4.
Delivery system and receiver for moving workpieces
A method and apparatus for delivering and retrieving workpieces to and from a machine table. This invention also relates to an apparatus for receiving at the machine table workpieces which are delivered to and retrieved by the delivery system. Carriers move along a conveyor without a loading arm rotating with respect to a supply table and also without the supply table rotating with respect to the loading arm. The receiver has pivot arms that act in a scissor-like manner to open and close an opening that lockingly engages a connector connected to a pallet.
B65G 37/00 - Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes
B65G 17/12 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of individual load-carriers fixed, or normally fixed, relative to traction element
B65G 17/34 - Individual load-carriers having flat surfaces, e.g. platforms, grids, forks
5.
Delivery system and receiver for moving workpieces with spreader
A method and apparatus for delivering and retrieving workpieces to and from a machine table. This invention also relates to an apparatus for receiving at the machine table workpieces which are delivered to and retrieved by the delivery system. Carriers move along a conveyor without a loading arm rotating with respect to a supply table and also without the supply table rotating with respect to the loading arm. The receiver has pivot arms that act in a scissor-like manner to open and close an opening that lockingly engages a connector connected to a pallet.
B23Q 7/16 - Loading work on to conveyorsArranging work on conveyors, e.g. varying spacing between individual workpieces
B23Q 7/04 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting by means of grippers
B23Q 7/10 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting by means of magazines
B23Q 7/14 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting co-ordinated in production lines
A rotary pallet device for delivering a pallet to an automated machine, such as a CNC vertical machining center. A pallet is mounted to a retractable slide. The retractable slide is movably mounted with respect to a rotatable platform. An operator or worker accesses one or more stations, each with a rotatable door that at least partially houses a receiver for a pallet and/or a workpiece.
B65G 37/00 - Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes
B65H 1/00 - Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
B23Q 15/00 - Automatic control or regulation of feed movement, cutting velocity or position of tool or work
B23Q 7/14 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting co-ordinated in production lines
An automatic machining system having one or more pallets each mounted with respect to a moveable bed, for transporting one or more workpieces to and/or from an automated machine tool, for machining each workpiece. According to this invention, a driver shaft and a driven shaft can be longitudinally aligned with respect to each other, so that there is no need for a gear system and/or a transmission device, for transferring power from a driver shaft to the driven shaft.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
8.
Pallet changer and system and method for using the same
A pallet changer and a system and a method for using the same attach, secure and/or connect a part and/or pallet assembly to a receiver assembly for machining the part. A groove and/or a pull post of the pallet assembly is insertable between a first wedge arm and a second wedge arm in an interior of the receiver assembly. Springs within the interior of the receiver assembly exert forces against the first wedge arm and the second wedge arm to maintain the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm in a first position within the interior of the receiver assembly. A key and/or a cam moves and/or rotates to move the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm from the first position to a second position. A first tapering on the pallet assembly engages and/or corresponds to a second tapering on the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm to secure and/or to attach the pallet assembly to the receiver assembly in the second position. A first plate attached to the interior of the receiver assembly prevents the cam from rotating the first wedge arm within the interior of the receiver assembly. A second plate connected to a passage of the receiver assembly prevents the key from being removed from the receiver assembly with the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm in the first position.
B23P 19/00 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
Machines and machine tools, namely pallet systems comprising multiple pallets, a shuttle, a receiver, and a pallet changer which may be an accessory to vertical/horizontal machining cutters; dust collection systems comprising a pedestal with a built-in vacuum system, fixturing tables and grinder guards
Machines and machine tools, namely pallet systems comprising multiple pallets, a shuttle, a receiver, and a pallet changer which may be an accessory to vertical/horizontal machining cutters; dust collection systems comprising a pedestal with a built-in vacuum system, fixturing tables and grinder guards
