With Means To Feed Work Intermittently From One Tool Station To Another Patents (Class 29/563)
  • Patent number: 11724896
    Abstract: One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include a method of moving materials using an end-of-arm tool comprising aligning the end-of-arm tool over a payload, wherein the end-of-arm tool comprises an undercarriage in a retracted position, a plurality of clamp plates in an extended position, and one or more vacuum cups; lowering the end-of-arm tool towards the payload; engaging the payload with the one or more vacuum cups; engaging the payload with the plurality of clamp plates; and raising the payload into the interior of the end-of-arm tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Robogistics LLC
    Inventors: David Hayes, Tony Hannon, James C. Caraway, Salahuddin Wyatt-Khan
  • Patent number: 11550302
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for setting up and/or reconfiguring an industrial plant, in particular for the manufacture of motor vehicles or sub-assemblies thereof. The method includes providing a plurality of mobile processing stations, each mobile processing station comprising a palletisable platform and at least one interface unit provided on the palletisable platform and configured for the coupling of the mobile processing station with one or more further adjacent mobile processing stations; arranging mobile processing stations according to a pre-set layout; and coupling at least one interface unit of each mobile processing station with the at least one interface unit of one or more further mobile processing adjacent stations thereto. Each interface unit includes at least one of the following: an electrical and/or electronic coupling device; a fluidic coupling device; and a mechanical coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Denny Monti, Antonino Polimeni, Marco Verger, Diego Biancardi
  • Patent number: 11541769
    Abstract: Provided is a robot system. The robot system includes a guide rail, a slider configured to move along the guide rail, a first source disposed the slider to move together with the slider, a rotation arm configured to rotate by the first driving source, and a vehicle service robot installed the rotation arm to move by the rotation arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hoseong Kwak, Seukwoo Ryu
  • Patent number: 11389915
    Abstract: A machine for making screwdriver bit sockets includes a feeing unit and a rotary unit located beside the feeding unit. The rotary unit includes a feeding area, a put-in area, a pressing area and a ready area. The rotary unit includes a disk rotatably connected to a base. Multiple holding units are connected to the disk and moved to one of the feeding area, the put-in area, the pressing area and the ready area when the disk rotates. A feeding arm is located beside the pick-up area and the feeding area to move the sockets from the pick-up area to the holding units. A pressing unit located above the pressing area to press a screwdriver to a socket. A pick-up arm picks up the sockets from the holding units. A control unit electrically controls the rotary unit, the feeding arm, the pressing unit and the pick-up arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Ji-Fen Meng
  • Patent number: 10875136
    Abstract: A machine tool system includes: a machine tool for machining a workpiece set on a table using a tool attached to a spindle; and a robot for gripping the workpiece. The robot is installed on the table and performs a setting operation for setting the workpiece on the table and a clamping operation for clamping the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rikizou Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10870160
    Abstract: To provide a wire electric discharge machine which suppresses the machining speed and machining precision from declining, as well as enabling flexible handling in relation to the shapes of various workpieces, and the generation of sludge and gases which varies accompanying the progression of wire electric discharge machining. A wire electric discharge machine that performs electric discharge machining on a workpiece by causing a wire electrode and the workpiece to relatively move, includes an articulated robot, and a suction mechanism provided to a wrist leading end of the articulated robot, and suctions machining waste and gas generated by wire electric discharge machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Meguru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10739231
    Abstract: A data measuring device includes a communicating part capable of communicating with a plurality of numerical control devices which control a plurality of machine tools through communication cables, a physical data measuring part which measures physical data relating to operations of drive shafts of the machine tools corresponding to the numerical control devices which communicate with the communicating part through such numerical control devices, and a destination determining part which successively determines a numerical control device which should be the destination of the communicating part. The communicating part successively switches the destination so as to communicate with the numerical control device which should be the destination determined by the destination determining part, when the physical data measuring part measures the physical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Ogawa, Junichi Tezuka
  • Patent number: 10668618
    Abstract: A machine tool system includes: a machine tool that machines a workpiece by using a tool attached to a spindle; and a plurality of robots installed inside a machining space of the machine tool and adapted to grip the workpiece and move the workpiece in conformity with the machining performed by the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rikizou Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10501208
    Abstract: A gantry system for processing an aircraft includes a gantry receiving a fuselage of the aircraft having a gantry frame with an arched member. The gantry system includes first and second locating arms extending between inner and outer ends movably coupled to the gantry frame. The gantry system includes a bracket assembly having a first locating arm bracket pivotably coupled to the first locating arm, a second locating arm bracket pivotably coupled to the second locating arm, and a head assembly bracket with a head assembly coupled thereto having an end effector for processing the fuselage. The head assembly is variably positionable by the first and second locating arms moving along the gantry frame for positioning the end effector relative to the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James Grady Whitlaw, John Eric Miller, Jairo A. Diaz, Matthew H. Mellin
  • Patent number: 9919398
    Abstract: A machining system with a configuration in which working machines, including a machine tool such as a lathe, are configured to be disposed in a line and multiple working machines perform operations on one work in order such that practical utility of the machining system is enhanced. The machining system includes a base; and multiple working machine modules which are mounted on the base and are arranged in an arrangement direction, and has a configuration in which each of the multiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn out from the base along a track extending in an intersecting direction intersecting with the arrangement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI MACHINE MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Mizuta, Toshifumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9919397
    Abstract: There is provided a flexible manufacturing system that can reliably place a workpiece that isn't defective piece in a state where the workpiece will be machined again. After a pallet is conveyed to a standby position and before machining of the workpiece attached to the pallet is started, controllers determines whether machining of the workpiece with a corresponding machining device is possible. When it is determined that machining is possible, the controller starts machining with the machining device. When it is determined that machining is impossible, the controller make a conveyor convey the pallet from the standby position to a pallet storage room, and stores the machining status information on the conveyed pallet as the machining-waiting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Maseki, Tatsuhiko Inagaki, Takaaki Sugiura, Kazuhiro Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 9715082
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens drive ring which moves a movable lens group along an optical axis, a first inputter including an actuator and generating a first rotational input, a second inputter which generates a second rotational input, a power transmission clutch including a first input member, a second input member and an output member, wherein the first input member is rotatable and is associated with the first inputter, the second input member is rotatable and is associated with the second inputter, and the output member is rotatable and is associated with the lens drive ring; and a load controller. When the second rotational input, which is generated by the second inputter, is applied to the second input member to thereby cause the first input member to rotate, the load controller exerts a rotational load on the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Kogure, Masahiko Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9365021
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for layered manufacturing using dispenser robots. The system for layered manufacturing may comprise a plurality of dispenser robots configured to dispense one or more materials. The one or more materials may be layered one on top of another to form a plurality of products. The system may also comprise a moving unit configured to enable movement of the plurality of dispenser robots in relation to the plurality of products. The plurality of dispenser robots may include a plurality of holders configured to grip and release piece of materials. Additionally, the system may comprise one or more attachment units configured to attach the one or more materials to the plurality of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel Judge Villamar
  • Patent number: 9280150
    Abstract: A numerical controller obtains a position of each driving shaft of a machine performing determination of a feeding speed, interpolation and coordinate conversion according to a relative instruction path and an instruction speed of a tool tip point relative to a work instructed to a processing program. When determining the feeding speed, a reference point is provided on a tool or a table, a translation speed of the reference point viewed from a mechanical coordinate system is set to an observation target speed, a reference feeding speed is obtained so that the observation target speed is a predetermined reference speed, and the smaller of the reference feeding speed and the instruction feeding speed is set to the feeding speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Sato, Naoki Nakamura, Takeshi Tsuda, Shunro Ono
  • Patent number: 8959750
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame defining an input station, an output station, and first and second machining stations. Respective first and second workpiece holders in the first and second machining stations can retain a workpiece therein. A first pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the input station and the first machining station and carries at least one machining tool and a first grab, and a second pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the first and second machining stations and the output station and carries at least one machining tool and second and third grabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Emag Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Schuster
  • Patent number: 8925180
    Abstract: A processing machine that combines the functions of mounting press and grinding for metallographic analysis and includes a main frame at least one shaft and a drive device horizontally mounted on the main frame. A mounting press unit and a grind unit are mounted on the main frame. The grind unit including a base secured on the main frame and linearly corresponds to the mounting press unit and the corresponding line parallel to the at least one shaft. The grind unit includes a headstock slidably mounted on the at least one shaft the and reciprocally moved on the at least one shaft to selectively align with the base of the grind unit and the mounting press unit when the drive device is operated. A control unit disposed in the grind unit for controlling the mounting press unit and the grind unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Top Tech Machines Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Liang Yang, Hsin-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 8789264
    Abstract: A feeding apparatus for feeding metal strips in a feeding direction includes a plurality of reciprocating members on which feed pins inserted inside through-holes of the metal strips are provided and a driving means that converts up-down movement of a press apparatus to reciprocal movement in the feeding direction to reciprocally move the reciprocating members. In a predetermined half cycle of an up-down movement of the press apparatus, the driving means moves first reciprocating members in the feeding direction in a state where the feed pins have been inserted into the through-holes and returns other reciprocating members in the opposite direction in a state where the feed pins have been lowered, and in the remaining half cycle, the driving means raises and lowers the feed pins of the reciprocating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hidaka Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Morishita, Toshiyuki Nanaarashi
  • Patent number: 8789269
    Abstract: A modular manufacturing facility and method of construction includes a plurality of service and equipment modules which are readily sized and oriented to be packaged, shipped to a desired location, assembled and connected to local resources to form a fully operational assembly or build facility substantially or wholly independent of any resident building structure at the selected site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Comau, Inc.
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, David Reid, Daisy Red
  • Patent number: 8740522
    Abstract: A shaping machine system including a shaping device and a computer is provided. The shaping device includes at least one jig mount body configured for mounting a jig; a shaping tool support body configured for supporting a shaping tool; a first drive device configured for rotating the shaping tool; and a second drive device configured for driving the shaping tool support body or the at least one jig mount body or changing a posture of the shaping tool relative to the workpiece. The computer is configured for controlling the first and second drive devices according to predetermined shaping data. The computer includes a jig position measuring unit configured for measuring a position of the jig; a position error detecting unit configured for detecting a position error of the jig, and a shaping data correcting unit configured for correcting the predetermined shaping data according to a jig position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Suyama, Ryo Sato, Yoshimitsu Asahina, Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8732937
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting teeth in workpieces, wherein, in a roughing operation, a substantially uncut blank receives rough teeth using a cutting tool having cutting teeth. Operation teeth are produced, the tooth width of which is defined by the spacing between the flanks of the teeth and is greater than the target dimension. In a subsequent deburring operation, a chamfer is incorporated into the end face edge of the tooth flanks, accompanied by the removal of an end face burr. Lastly, in a smoothing operation, the tooth width of the teeth is brought to the target dimension by machining the tooth flanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Profilator GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erich Prock, Marcel Sobczyk
  • Patent number: 8733221
    Abstract: A groove machining apparatus for an insulating spacer includes a cutting blade that is removably fixed to a rotation shaft rotatable around a horizontal axis and movable in a right-left direction and in an up-down direction and mounts for a cassette that are fixed in a loading/unloading position opposing an entrance through which the cassette can be loaded/unloaded and in a working position 180 degrees apart from the loading/unloading position and facing the cutting blade, respectively, on a rotary table. The apparatus includes positioning devices that are respectively located in the vicinity of the mounts to position and fix the cassette to the mounts, and a clamping device that corresponds to the cassette in the working position and presses opposing edges in a front-back direction of a plurality of insulating spacers aligned on the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kogyo Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140059822
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling camera modules to flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs) includes a number of trays, a surface mounting device used in surface mount technology (SMT) for PCBs, and a hot pressing device. Workpieces, each of which includes a flexible PCB (FPCB) and a lens module positioned on the FPCB, are received in the trays. Each tray is sent to the surface mounting device. The surface mounting device loads and pastes a stiffener onto a FBCB, opposite to a lens module. The hot pressing device hot presses each stiffener to the respective workpiece, which is received in each tray sent from the surface mounting device, to fixedly secure the stiffener to the respective workpiece to form a camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: WEN-CHANG CHEN, SHIN-WEN CHEN, YU-TSAN CHENG, YU-SHU LIN, CHIEN-LIANG CHOU, ZUO-QING YAO
  • Patent number: 8656576
    Abstract: A machining unit with a work piece changing unit. The work piece changing unit has a cover which can swivel around a rotational axis, and opens and closes the working room of the machining unit for work piece changing processes. The work piece changing unit has at least two lifting and lowering work piece carriers separated by the cover. The work piece carrier remains in the working room during the machining by the machining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Grob-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred J. Höbel
  • Publication number: 20140017880
    Abstract: Front side laser scribing and plasma etch are performed followed by back side grind to singulate integrated circuit chips (ICs). A mask is formed covering ICs formed on the wafer, as well as any bumps providing an interface to the ICs. The mask is patterned by laser scribing to provide a patterned mask with gaps. The patterning exposes regions of the semiconductor wafer, below thin film layers from which the ICs are formed. The semiconductor wafer is then etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to advance a front of an etched trench partially through the semiconductor wafer thickness. The front side mask is removed, a backside grind tape applied to the front side, and a back side grind performed to reach the etched trench, thereby singulating the ICs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Wei-Sheng LEI, Brad Eaton, Madhava Rao Yalamanchili, Saravjeet Singh, Ajay Kumar
  • Publication number: 20140017881
    Abstract: In embodiments, a hybrid wafer or substrate dicing process involving an initial laser scribe and subsequent plasma etch is implemented for die singulation. The laser scribe process may be used to cleanly remove a mask layer, organic and inorganic dielectric layers, and device layers. The laser etch process may then be terminated upon exposure of, or partial etch of, the wafer or substrate. In embodiments, a multi-plasma etching approach is employed to dice the wafers where an isotropic etch is employed to improve the die sidewall following an anisotropic etch. The isotropic etch removes anisotropic etch byproducts, roughness, and/or scalloping from the anisotropically etched die sidewalls after die singulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Brad EATON, Saravjeet SINGH, Wei-Sheng LEI, Madhava Rao YALAMANCHILI, Tong LIU, Ajay KUMAR
  • Publication number: 20130340242
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame defining an input station, an output station, and first and second machining stations. Respective first and second workpiece holders in the first and second machining stations can retain a workpiece therein. A first pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the input station and the first machining station and carries at least one machining tool and a first grab, and a second pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the first and second machining stations and the output station and carries at least one machining tool and second and third grabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Markus SCHUSTER
  • Patent number: 8590135
    Abstract: A method for loading and unloading a machining machine for machining boards that includes for loading the machining machine, the changing table is loaded with a board to be machined, whereby the board is separated from the first storage place and is deposited on a changing table. The changing table is conveyed together with the board to the machining machine. For unloading the machining machine, the changing table is conveyed together with a machined board to the second storage place and is then unloaded, wherein the machined board is separated from the changing table and deposited on the second storage place, wherein the unloading of the changing table includes conveying the changing table and the machined board to an unloading place in an area above the second storage place and the machined board is separated from the changing table at the unloading place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bystronic Laser AG
    Inventors: Stefan Jost, Jürg Zimmerli, Jürg Messer
  • Patent number: 8573908
    Abstract: A machining center wherein improved workability of a control board, a widened movable zone of a column and a reduced installation space are achieved. The machining center includes a column movably supported on a column sliding portion in an X-axis direction, a work table movably supported on a table sliding portion in a Z-axis direction, a main spindle head slidably supported on the column in a Y-axis direction, and an automatic tool changer disposed at an inner side of the column sliding portion. The control board is arranged at an opposite side of the automatic tool changer and is provided in parallel with a side surface of a front portion of a table sliding portion and is arranged side by side with an openable/closable door for an operator provided on a side surface of a cover in a vicinity of a rear end portion of the side surface of the table sliding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Mitsui Seiki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Imanishi, Yasukazu Yamaguchi, Yasutaka Uchimura, Masanao Kato
  • Patent number: 8571697
    Abstract: An apparatus for machining the ends of a component includes a plurality of work stations, and a transport mechanism for moving the component along a path to the plurality of work stations. The transport mechanism is positioned to be inboard of the ends of a component. At least one of a first work station or a second work station of the plurality of workstations includes a first fixturing portion for holding a first end, and a first machine for carrying out machine operations on the first end. The first fixturing portion and the first machine are movable in a direction transverse to the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Progressive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Chandler, David Lee Johnson
  • Patent number: 8561284
    Abstract: A machining device has a machine head capable of displacement along at least three translation axes X, Y, Z for machining an immobile part fixed above the machining head. The machining head is maintained in a constant orientation by at least three articulated connecting rods. Two connecting rods define together with the machining head and with a first Y carriage, on which they are articulated, an deformable articulated parallelogram in the XZ plane. Another connecting rod is articulated on the machining head and on a second Y carriage and the second Y carriage is capable of displacement along Y on a second X carriage capable of displacement along X. The relative movement along X of the Y carriages results in a displacement in the Z direction. Several devices can be positioned in a plurality of tunnels, these tunnels being arranged so as to share several things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Andre Greffioz, Michel Vives
  • Patent number: 8561290
    Abstract: Work line module comprises a plurality of machines (103-106) having a plurality of working functions and non-work facility (107, 108) such as a conveying machine can cooperate so as to produce a necessary amount even if the necessary amount is varied. A plurality of work machines (103-106) for mechanically working a workpiece (124) and non-work facility (107, 108) for processing the workpiece (124). One work machine (106) is a multifunction furnishing machine having a function of measuring the workpiece (124) in addition to a function of mechanically working the workpiece (124). A conveying machine (109) having robots (185-187) for conveying the workpiece (124) between the work machines (103-106), and between the work machines (103-106) and the non-work facility (107, 108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsugumaru Yamashita, Noritaka Fujimura, Kenichiro Hirao
  • Publication number: 20130255066
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame defining first and second upper machining stations horizontally offset from each other and first and second lower transfer stations underneath the first and second upper machining stations. First and second spindles have respective workpiece grabs and are displaceable vertically on the frame between upper positions in the respective machining stations and lower positions in the respective transfer stations. A workpiece conveyor extending through the transfer stations can transport workpieces into and out of the transfer stations. A holder carrying tools is displaceable horizontally on the frame between the machining stations. A chip deflector has first and second parts movable between catch positions underneath the respective first and second machining stations and parked positions not underneath the respective first and second machining stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Martin KRIEG
  • Patent number: 8505894
    Abstract: A machine tool (11) according to the present invention includes a table (49) having a pallet mount on which a pallet for a workpiece to be mounted thereon is mounted, a pallet station (17) provided on the side of the machine tool and having a pallet rest for a pallet to be placed thereon, and a pallet carrying device (19) arranged between the table (49) and a column (23). The pallet is carried between the table (49) and the pallet station (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Muneo Takahashi, Toshiyuki Kusakari
  • Publication number: 20130168372
    Abstract: Provided is a metal ring manufacture method and a metal ring metal device capable of manufacturing a plurality of metal rings at good efficiency without damaging the metal rings. The metal rings (R) are detached from a drum retaining unit (16) by a metal ring holding unit (28) with the arrangement state thereof being maintained; thereafter, each metal ring (R) clamped in the arrangement state by a pair of fingers (45, 46) of a metal ring clamping unit (29) is delivered sequentially in the arrangement direction by a ring delivering unit disposed in the second finger (46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazushige Nakatsuka, Akihiro Nemoto, Akinori Higuchi, Katsuyuki Nakajima, Seiichi Sasaki, Nobuyuki Kouda, Kanomi Hayashi, Satoru Saito
  • Patent number: 8473091
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a machine tool is adapted to detect whether or not an NC program is stopped at an end of a block and whether or not a rotation of a handwheel for a manual pulse generator is stopped and restarted when both a manual pulse mode and a single block mode are selected. The NC program is accordingly automatically restarted from the next block in conjunction with the restart of the handwheel rotation. The operator thus can restart an operation of an NC unit only by rotating the handwheel when the operation is automatically stopped at the end of a block of the NC program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Nagano
  • Patent number: 8382081
    Abstract: For machining a workpiece the workpiece is fixed in a first gripping device of a machining device in order to make at least one element. Next the workpiece is transferred to the second gripping device of the machining device, where the workpiece is fixed by means of the element in the second gripping device of the machining device, while the first gripping device remains connected to the machining device. The element comprises a dovetail-shaped mounting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Auto-Cell B.V.
    Inventors: Gerhardus Van de Vosse, Willem Frederik Gerrit Jan Lenselink
  • Patent number: 8381388
    Abstract: A method for handling a stator bar at a braze station including: lifting the stator bar from a platform, wherein the stator bar is in a substantially horizontal orientation on the platform; turning the stator bar from the horizontal orientation to an orientation at least 45 degrees from horizontal; aligning an upper end of the bar with a brazing station and positioning a lower end of the bar in a pit; turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, and returning the stator bar to a horizontal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Robert Schumacher, Yu Wang, Vincenzo Sofia, Alan Michael Iversen, Jeffrey Michael Breznak
  • Publication number: 20130025104
    Abstract: A system includes a first sensor positioned at a first location that senses a pallet identifier associated with a transfer pallet. A component is associated with the transfer pallet. A second sensor positioned at a second location remote from the first sensor senses the pallet identifier associated with the transfer pallet. A marking machine proximate to the second location marks the component with a component identifier associated with component unique birth data based on the pallet identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Richard H. Snyder, II, Arland L. Glosette, Donald Rethman, David M. Minton
  • Patent number: 8355812
    Abstract: A shaping machine system is presented. The shaping machine system includes a shaping device including at least one jig mount body for mounting a jig for supporting a workpiece, a shaping tool support body for supporting a shaping tool for shaping the workpiece, a first drive device for rotating the shaping tool, and a second drive device for driving at least one of the shaping tool support body, the jig mount body, or to change a posture of the shaping tool relative to the workpiece. The shaping machine system also includes a computer including an input unit for receiving a jig selection, a shaping tool selection, a shape data reading unit for reading shape data representing a shape of the workpiece after shaping, a shaping data producing unit for producing shaping data for controlling the first and the second drive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Suyama, Ryo Sato, Yoshimitsu Asahina, Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8301302
    Abstract: A fully automated method is performed on a structure having a confined space. The structure has a location that is identifiable from within the confined space and from outside the confined space. A first robotic system moves a first end effector inside the confined space such that the first end effector is positioned over the location. A first vector corresponding to the location is generated. A second robotic system moves a second end effector outside the confined space such that the second end effector is positioned over the location. A second vector corresponding to the location is generated. The first and second vectors are used to move the first and second end effectors to a new location such that the first and second end effectors are in working opposition. The first and second end effectors perform a synchronous operation at the new location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, David H. Amirehteshami
  • Patent number: 8240454
    Abstract: Provided is a flexible machining facility using a sub-pallet, which can quickly satisfy the increasing or decreasing of units or other required specifications. It The machining facility includes a machine tool (1) having a pallet changer (47) for changing main pallets (39), a plurality of sub-pallets (3) for a workpiece to be mounted thereon, a setup station (5) for carrying the sub-pallet (3) and mounting and dismounting a workpiece on and from the sub-pallet (3), a sub-pallet stocker (7) for carrying the sub-pallet (3) thereon, and a sub-pallet conveyor system (9) for conveying the sub-pallet (3) and configured to include sub-pallet carrying parts of the machine tool (1), setup station (5), and sub-pallet stocker (7) in a workable area thereof. The sub-pallet (3) can be used to convey and machine a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kikkawa, Masahiro Shirone, Yasuo Sudo, Aritomo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8151437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for green machining bevel gears, including a CNC machining station for gear cutting a wheel blank (K2). The machining station includes a tool spindle which is used to receive a gear cutting tool and a work piece spindle which is used to receive the gear blank (K2). The machining station also relates to a machining station which operates in a vertical manner. The device also comprises a vertical processing station having a tool holder and a work piece spindle which is used to receive a work piece blank (K1). The machining station mechanically forms a functional unit together with the pre-machining station, wherein the work piece blank (K1) undergoes green machining in the pre-machining station, and is transferred as a gear blank (K2) to the first machining station after the first green machining where it is cut into a gear. The machining station and the pre-machining station are linked together in terms of data and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Klingelnberg GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmuth Müller, Joachim Thomas, Karl-Martin Ribbeck, Burkhard Schneider, Dietmar Loh
  • Patent number: 8136214
    Abstract: A machining apparatus (1) for machining rotation-symmetrical workpieces (10), comprising a machine frame (4), which has a vertical front face (11), further comprising at least one vertical workpiece spindle (2) that is arranged on the front face (11) and can be driven rotatorily, comprising at least two tool holders (3 and 3a), which are arranged on the front face (11) displaceably horizontally and vertically by means of compound slides (5 and 5a), further comprising a conveyor (9) for workpieces (10), and a loading and unloading device (13), wherein the workpieces (10) can be transported by the conveyor (9) in a direction parallel to the front face (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: EMAG Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Hessbrüggen
  • Patent number: 8127425
    Abstract: A gear production plant has, along a gear production path, a station for preparing a number of blanks; a cutting station, where respective teeth are cut on the blanks to obtain a number of semifinished parts; a heat treating station, where the toothed semifinished parts are carburized or nitrided; and a finish station for finish machining the heat treated semifinished parts; the plant also having a check station located along the production path, downstream from the heat treating station or the finish station, and which houses an optical measuring unit for non-destructively determining the effective carburized or nitrided case depth on the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AVIO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Salvatore Milletari, Giulio Barbato
  • Patent number: 8114001
    Abstract: A workpiece processing plant comprises several machine tools which are arranged in opposite rows. The rows define a free space between each other. A loading and unloading device is provided which comprises a girder above the machine tools and above the free space. Rails are provided on the upper side of the girder. A loading and unloading unit configured as a multiple-axis robot is displaceable along the rails, the loading and unloading unit comprising several arms which are articulated to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: MAG IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Moshe Israel Meidar, Thomas Bayha, Ralf Haug
  • Patent number: 8096041
    Abstract: Method for quality control of mechanical pieces, such as screws, pins, pivots and similar, intended for mass-production mechanical industries such as automobile and household appliances industries and similar, by means of an apparatus comprising in casings a plurality of operation stations and a piece-holder table which is pitched revolving to convey the pieces to the operation stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dimac S.R.L.
    Inventor: Carlo Agrati
  • Patent number: 8091191
    Abstract: A complete machining center has a horizontal machine bed (1) with a vertical-axis trunnion (2) pivotal horizontally with computer-coordination proximate a first-end portion (3) and a traveling tool column (4) with computer-coordinated horizontal X and Y axes and vertical Z tool travel on a compound slide (6) proximate a second-end portion (5) for horizontal access of a cutting tool (12) on the traveling tool column to work pieces on a work-piece rotator (10) and for horizontal access of the cutting tool to work pieces on a vertical-axis milling table (38), either of which are positioned on the horizontally pivotal vertical-axis trunnion (2). A work-piece changer (31) is provided for optionally manual or computer-coordinated work-piece setup, setup reversing and finished-work-piece removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Anju Nelson, Daniel Nelson
  • Patent number: 8091201
    Abstract: A unique tubular work piece is disclosed along with a novel method and apparatus for manufacturing tubular work pieces from sheet metal stock lighter and stronger structures with less waste and less cost than prior methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Middleville Tool & Die Co, Inc
    Inventors: Douglas M Johnson, Robert L Middleton, Sr., Robert L Middleton, Jr., Robert E. Leedy, John A. Nobel
  • Patent number: 8082643
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a vertical support frame defining two machining stations spaced apart in a direction, holders in the stations for rotating respective workpieces each about a respective station axis, and a transfer device for loading rough workpieces into the holders and for taking finished workpieces out of the holders. A single machining tool can be shifted in the direction between one position engaging the workpiece in one of the stations and out of engagement with the workpiece in the other of the stations and another position engaging the workpiece in the other station and out of engagement with the workpiece in the one station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Emag Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Hegener, Roland Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7975362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device for covers (20), wherein processing stations are embodied as individual processing stations (47) provided with, respectively, one tool for one cover. Several of said stations work in parallel for the simultaneous processing of several covers. If need be, stations can also be used wherein several tools form groups which are functionally separate from each other. As a result, the processing precision and production speed of the objects can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Soundronic AG
    Inventors: Peter Gysi, Marcel Oberholzer