DE102007001817A1 - LCA-slide e.g. for automotive sector, has frame made of aluminium or steel and has several parts arranged on rails and slide down by gravitational forces - Google Patents

Abstract

The LCA-conditioning slide has a frame made of aluminium or steel and has several parts arranged on rails and slide down by gravitational forces. A vibration system is provided which supports sliding in a confined space under protection.

Description

The Slide has been designed to keep the work of operators in the field to facilitate industrial automation, taking special Attention is directed to the automotive sector. With these Machinery becomes the work cycle in the different areas, which consists of an industrial enterprise, accelerates, at the same time the workload for the operators in presenting the different components, from which in this case a motor vehicle is reduced.

The Slide consists of a frame made of aluminum or stainless steel profile and is on the floor attached. Within the frame are calibrated rails mounted, that act as guides when slipping elements. The slide the elements loaded by the operator can be controlled by a vibration system supports which will be at the lead is mounted, whereby the weight (gravity) of the elements exploited becomes.

in the End area of the slides where a gripper removes the elements Separating rollers, which have the task, each one element in to lower the unloading zone.

In In some installations, a delivery device is provided in the unloading zone (Pick and place) mounted, which has the task of receiving the element of the chute to optimally present it to the gripper of the robot.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHUTE

each This slide consists of a demand-dependent predetermined number of "tracks" in which the individual Parts are running. The number of lanes per slide depends on the ergonomic nature and size of each part as well the predetermined number of parts per slide in the conception phase be set off.

One example for a slide with 3 tracks is shown in Figure 4.1.1.

Via an interface (PROFIBUS), which is connected to one or more modules, different electrical and pneumatic components are installed and routed on each track of the slide. Before the element arrives at the exit station at the end of the run, it passes the following points:
the proximity switch, which transmits a command to the controller, which is then converted to a light signal (visual impulse) to indicate to the operator that the equipment is emptying so as to avoid production stoppage,
the vibrator, which is manually operated by a pressure switch each time the operator loads the machine with new parts, or automatically, in order to facilitate the sliding of the parts into the unloading zone,
Blocking rollers used to allow the machine to bring only a single part at a time into the picking position, thus preventing irregularities in picking by the picker;
the proximity switches for the presence of the part in a position in front of the first blocking roll and in an intermediate position between the two rolls to automatically enable the separation of the first part from the subsequent parts;
the proximity switch for the presence of the part in the picking position, which gives the signal to the gripper that the part is correctly positioned in the picking zone.

In Some systems require another roller for special purposes To install elements with which there are difficulties on the part of the gripper could. In some installations it is also necessary the proximity switches, which have a limited reading area, through photocells with a larger reading area to replace.

To this enumerated Components that differ without distinction on every web of all systems are to be added those components and equipment that for one proper safe and automatic operation of these equipment are required.

When First is the memory device to highlight, with their help it possible is, with appropriate software commands of everyone on each lane of the Plant existing electrical and pneumatic equipment to remotely control and on the pneumatic lines and special Signal cable ends.

Finally are still available: a pushbutton to be operated by the operators to vibrate the machine and a pillar of light, the are to be accommodated in the loading zone of the plant.

Now, since the various components of the system are described, will a standard operating cycle described.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CHUTE

As a starting condition, consider the situation in which the chute is completely empty. Of course, the flashing light installed in the rear section of the system clearly shows a flashing white light Provisional functional condition of the machine until the tracks of the system are full enough.

By manual or automatic control of the solenoid valves, be the metering rollers operated so that all metering rollers of the different webs in the rest position The bars have extended.

Of the Operator for The loading of the chute can thus start with the parts to fill for the the machine is designed. This is done from the rear, accessible from the outside Section. To favor sliding and whenever the parts are not without their own weight (gravity) slip down, the operator sets by pressing the pressure switch or the software by remote control the vibrators in operation, which are on the lanes of the facility, causing them with them activated solenoid valves are activated.

So the parts come down at a speed that is optimal Cyclic cycle allows, where meet them when going through the first proximity switch (the for the Vacant), which is electrically connected to the flashing light to indicate the filling the machine is connected.

In A few seconds the parts reach the vicinity of the sensor for the first Blocking roller resting with raised rod in rest position located.

Of course, judges The positioning of the rollers and the proximity switches for each system the ergonomic nature of each part. There is So rolls that are the parts from above and others that you see from below block and in some cases can the rollers are also located laterally to the sliding direction of the part. The proximity switches On the other hand, they are positioned to send the signal to the position of the Parts on the tracks clearly transferred to the controller, so that further steps of the machine cycle can be.

Of the Sensor, which is located immediately in front of the blocking rollers, transmits the signal to the presence of the part, whereby the solenoid valve responds, which controls the roller and thus the command to lower the Rod of the roller gives, so that the part can happen.

The Part exposed to vibration comes closer and gets in between the two blocking rolls. No sooner has the sensor over the second Roller perceived the presence of the part, gets the first Roll the command to extend the rod to all other parts The server is just about to handle. Immediately, the rod lowers the second roller to allow the part in the position to from which it can take the gripper, d. H. in the position that indicated by the signal coming from the sensor at the rear of the track sent to the control station. This signal for presence is also transferred to the gripper, which terminates the removal of the other parts from the machine of the work area and now takes this part, allowing the system to to start a new work cycle.

As already said, it has for some plants due to the special nature of the gripper for necessary proved to install another blocking roll, which is located in Regarding the last sensor located on the web. This roller will controlled directly by the gripper, so that is the gripper that the Signal to lower or lift the rear roller of the track, so that the part can be removed correctly.

Claims (1)

In the case of the LCA slide the inventor wants the uniqueness the simplification of mass supply of parts (increased capacity) slipping (sliding) of parts (elements) on rails their own weight (gravity) and the support of sliding through a Place the vibration system in a confined space under protection. The Number of rails, also called tracks, and thus the size of the slide is of the shape, size and planned quantity dependent on the respective elements and is specially adapted to the requirements.