By Gripper And/or Endless Chain Patents (Class 72/422)
  • Patent number: 7434444
    Abstract: A frame rail pulling apparatus for realigning a frame rail of a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base, backing plate, side sway adapter, eye hook and fasteners. The base includes a platform with openings therein, cylinder, and side supports which distribute pressure equally from the cylinder to the openings in the platform. The backing plate has openings therein and is positioned adjacent to a first side of the base. The backing plate distributes pulling pressure over a greater area of the frame rail to prevent additional damage to the rail during realignment. The side sway adapter has a center opening and peripheral/end openings and is positioned adjacent to a second side of the base. The eye hook has a top portion and a shaft, wherein the shaft is positioned through the center opening of the side sway adapter and attaches to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher L. Browning
  • Patent number: 7398665
    Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, whilst gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Envases (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Salz Goiria
  • Patent number: 7383715
    Abstract: To improve a bending apparatus for flat material parts, comprising a bending device at which the flat material part is positioned in an insertion plane prior to bending and remains in the insertion plane during bending, and a handling device having handling axes for picking up the flat material part from a feed position, inserting it into the bending device for bending, taking it out of the bending device and placing it in a deposit position, so that the bending apparatus requires as little constructional expenditure as possible, it is proposed that the handling device comprise a positioning axis, that the positioning axis have a greater positioning accuracy than the handling axes, that, when positioning the flat material part in at least one bending position relative to a bending line of the bending device, the positioning axis be aligned parallel to the insertion plane and parallel to a direction extending transversely to the bending line, and that, with handling axes rigidly secured, the flat material part
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Publication number: 20080127708
    Abstract: An automatic swaging machine including a conveyor system for moving tubes into position for swaging a clamping apparatus to secure the tubes adjacent a swaging station to receive a swaging tool releasing a clamping apparatus during the swaging operation, reclamping the tools after swaging to remove the swaging tool from the ends of the tubes and moving the tubes with the conveyor system into a receiving receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Tuan Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080121010
    Abstract: A manipulator of a metal sheet (4) is disclosed, comprising pickup means (8) for picking up the metal sheet, which pickup means (8) is connected to a rack (3) associable with a first pinion (1) and an operating head (9). The manipulator comprises at least a second pinion (2) and the first (1) and the second (2) pinions are arranged along the movement path of the metal sheet (4); at least one between the first (1) and the second (2) pinions are each time engaged with said rack (3) to move the rack from one part to the other of the operating head (9) (FIG. 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Salvagnini Italia S.p.A
    Inventors: Claude Battheu, Gianfranco Venturini
  • Patent number: 7373797
    Abstract: In a process for bending workpieces, particularly pipes, wires, bars, semi-finished products, sheet metal or the like, with at least one bending device, at least one robot is to pick up the workpiece to be shaped and feeds it to the at least one bending device for shaping, in particular bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Rosenberger Ag
    Inventor: Gerhard Rosenberger
  • Patent number: 7350389
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an automated handling device for handling a forged piece during a forging press. A method in accordance with an implementation of the present invention involves positioning the workpiece between two tools in a predetermined shaping position in at least one working region of a shaping machine (positioning step), particularly one that operates percussively, moving the tools of the shaping machine relative to one another and shaping the workpiece between the tools during at least one shaping step, holding the workpiece in its shaping position by at least two handling devices during each shaping step, and thus also when the tool(s) strike the workpiece, and automatically controlling or regulating by mutual coordination the motions and positions of at least two handling devices by use of at least one control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Langenstein & Schemann GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Reissenweber, Harald Barnickel, Lothar Bauersachs
  • Patent number: 7237421
    Abstract: The invention concerns a conveying device for sheet steel plates and for moving several sheets (1, 1?) inside or through a working zone (W; 50) wherein the sheets are machined. The inventive feeding device comprises first and second sheet feeders (10, 11; 20) which feed the sheets in controlled manner to the working zone (W) so that the sheets are machined with positional accuracy. The first sheet feeder (10, 11) is located on an input side of the tool zone and the second sheet feeder (20) is located on an output side of the tool zone. The two sheet feeders (10, 20; 11; 20) are mutually synchronized in their movements (x, y) when feeding forward the sheet (1), the sheet driven by the synchronous movement being maintained by the two sheet feeders. The invention provides the advantages of increased speed and safety. It is possible to increase the speed without the sheet being deformed or losing its flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventor: Gerd Von Allwoerden
  • Patent number: 7237417
    Abstract: A preshaping method for massive forming processes is proposed in which a fixed blank is deformed by at least one roll moving continuously forward along a predetermined contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Müller Weingarten AG
    Inventor: Axel Wittig
  • Patent number: 7210328
    Abstract: A metal sheet folding device, particularly a folding press, comprising a table beam stationarily arranged on a machine frame, and a press beam arranged on the machine frame in guide arrangements with a driving device. The press beam is adjustable in relation to the table beam. Furthermore, provision is made for a sheet depositing/positioning device for at least one metal sheet plate or at least one workpiece for intermediately positioning the latter for carrying out a gripping operation with the gripping device of a handling system. The device is supported on the machine frame preferably on the table beam and adjustable in a linear guide arrangement in the direction of the longitudinal expanse of the table beam over at least part of the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Johann Strasser
  • Patent number: 7201032
    Abstract: A metal sheet-receiving system for receiving parts and feeding a metal sheet-folding machine, particularly a folding press comprising at least one manipulator for seizing and moving metal sheet parts with a gripper head fitted with gripping means; an electronic controlling device for controlling the movements of the manipulator; as well as a measuring system for determining the position of the metal sheet parts. The measuring system is formed by an optoelectronic measuring device, particularly an image acquisition means, and a transillumination platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Pfitzner
  • Patent number: 7150176
    Abstract: A vehicle frame attachment apparatus encompasses a vehicle frame and efficiently distributes the holding or pulling forces involved in aligning a vehicle frame. The frame attachment apparatus includes a vise and a containment mechanism that secures the vehicle frame within the vise. In one embodiment, the vise includes an opposable member and a set of grasping digits that conform to bends in the vehicle frame. An alignment device may be connected to the vise to exert a pulling force and thereby align the vehicle frame. The disclosed vehicle frame alignment apparatus is easy to deploy, and reduces the risk of damaging a vehicle or injuring an alignment technician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Desmond R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7082803
    Abstract: A hand transport section holds and transports a workplace grip hand for gripping and positioning a workpiece. The hand transport section mounts the workpiece grip hand on a hand mount so as to set the workpiece on a lower die. The hand transport section releases the workpiece grip hand and retracts. The hemming device hems the workpiece with the lower die and an upper die located above the lower die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Hario, Yasuyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7047785
    Abstract: A transferring device usable in installations for cutting and/or bending metal bars, particularly bars intended for concrete reinforcement. The device comprises one or more gripping pliers movable along mutually orthogonal axes of an overhead traveling crane arrangement. Each set of pliers is carried by an articulated wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: OSCAM Spa
    Inventors: Lorenzo Peruzzo, Stefano Peruzzo
  • Patent number: 7040133
    Abstract: A transmission device for a tube bending machine include a first power means and a second power means mounted on the sliding seat to drive the sliding seat as well as a workpiece securely connected to the sliding seat to move. The second means has a second motor alternately connected to the clutch so that the transmission power is selectively transmitted to drive the sliding seat when required. Therefore, transmission of workpiece is smooth and the processing work to the workpiece is accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Ying Lin Machine Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Kun Hu
  • Patent number: 7036350
    Abstract: A device for producing cut-out and/or shaped workpieces, especially for producing rotors and stators of a generator or electric motor, with at least one cutting device and/or at least one shaping device, at least one gripping device for picking up and setting down raw material and/or finished workpieces and at least one transfer device, at which at least one gripping device can travel and be driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Dommer, Helmut Elsaesser, Gerhard Pick, Wolfgang Muehlhaeuser, Joerg Voegele
  • Patent number: 7028524
    Abstract: A wall has a fixed support plate and a die face. A transfer housing and an air cylinder have a cylindrical rod horizontally secured to the support plate. The housing and air cylinder are laterally reciprocable upon the rod. Fingers have lower free ends for receiving a workpiece to be cold forged and delivering the workpiece to a die. The fingers have an upper follower. The follower is vertically reciprocable to move the fingers between an expanded orientation for releasing the workpiece and a contracted orientation for retaining the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Omni-Lite Industries International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Brown, Michael Kenneth Walker
  • Patent number: 7010951
    Abstract: A feeding mechanism of a pipe bending machine is equipped with several auxiliary hydraulic cylinders in addition to an original power source for providing power to feed a pipe; the auxiliary hydraulic cylinders are joined to an auxiliary fixing member at output rods thereof, which fixing member is displaceable along a toothed locating rod secured on the bending machine, and is equipped with an engaging device capable of releaseably engaging the toothed locating rod to fix the fixing member in position; thus, the feeding mechanism can feed a pipe with increased force output when the fixing member is made unmovable along the locating rod by the engaging device, and when the auxiliary hydraulic cylinders operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Chiao Sheng Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Tsung Wang
  • Patent number: 7004000
    Abstract: A thin walled body such as a container is gripped at a holding station and tooling is engaged to deform the wall of the body at a predetermined zone. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by means of co-ordinated movement of the tooling (typically by means of rotation about a tooling axis) prior to engagement with the wall zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Envases (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Salz Goiria
  • Patent number: 6964185
    Abstract: A bending apparatus for bending and transporting an aluminum metal sheet. The bending apparatus includes a central retaining portion that has gripping elements mounted on the central retaining portion for retaining an aluminum metal sheet. There is also included a bending mechanism that is mounted to the central retaining portion. The bending mechanism is capable of axial movement in relation to a central axis of the central retaining portion for imparting a curvature to an aluminum metal sheet. There is also included a method of stretch forming an aluminum metal sheet including the steps of heating an aluminum metal sheet in an oven, transferring the heat of an aluminum sheet to a hot forming tool, bending the heated aluminum sheet during the transfer step to conform the sheet to a shape of the hot forming tool, and then placing the bent metal sheet in the hot forming tool and forming an A-shaped part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Kruger, John E. Carsley, Nelson T. Brinas
  • Patent number: 6938454
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for folding sheet bars, particularly sheet metal bars, comprising a folding press with two press beams, which are adjustable in relation to each other and provided with folding dies, whereby the folding press is fed by means of an automated manipulating system. The manipulating system has three hinged arms connected via pivoting devices to form an arrangement of hinged arms. A first hinged arm is swivel-mounted on a swivel axle extending in a swivel device parallel to a guide track of a linearly displaceable chassis. A second and a third swivel axles supporting the hinged arms are arranged extending parallel to the swivel axle of the swivel device. A gripping system and a seizing device for picking up the sheet bars are arranged in another end area of the hinged-arm arrangement. A positioning device assures that the sheet bar is correctly positioned for the folding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Hagen Strasser, Helmut Theis, Thomas Bongardt, Georg Wünsch
  • Patent number: 6898956
    Abstract: A metal ring loading and unloading apparatus is capable of loading and unloading a metal ring quickly and highly accurately for increased efficiency. The metal ring loading and unloading apparatus has a moving unit 41 slidably movable along a rail 48 which extends from a loaded ring placement unit 8 to an unloaded ring placement unit 11. On the moving unit 41, there are mounted a loaded ring delivering unit 9 for holding and delivering a metal ring W on the loaded ring placement unit 8 and an unloaded ring delivering unit 10 for removing the metal ring W from support rollers 3, 4 and delivering the metal ring W to the unloaded ring placement unit 11. The loaded ring placement unit 8 has a pressing unit for radially pressing the metal ring W to deform the metal ring W into a substantially elliptical shape. The loaded ring delivering unit 9 has a loaded ring gripping unit 26 for gripping the metal ring W deformed by the pressing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideshi Sato, Yuji Narusaki, Kiyonori Okano, Minoru Tomizawa, Masao Nitta, Yoshiharu Watabe
  • Patent number: 6799450
    Abstract: A method of stretch forming an aluminum metal sheet that includes the steps of placing an aluminum metal sheet in a hot forming tool, forming a shaped part at an elevated temperature, removing the hot shaped part from the forming tool, and thereafter transferring the hot shaped part to a cooling fixture. The transfer and removal steps are performed at a speed that is variable based on a correlation of the temperature and strength of the aluminum metal sheet and the speed at which the hot shaped part may be transferred without distortion of its shape due to inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Nelson T. Brinas, Edward Frank Ryntz
  • Patent number: 6722178
    Abstract: An automatic bending system includes an automatic bending press (46) including a pair of bending tools (48, 50) cooperating with each other, and an automatic manipulator (10) including a head (26) movable in a work space and provided with a toolholder member (29) intended to receive at least two take-up members (32, 34, 38, 42) independent from each other. The head (26) is rotatable about a first axis (28) and the toolholder member (29) is provided with tool attachment seats (30) arranged on opposite sides of said first axis (28) and rotatable about a second common axis (36) orthogonal to the first axis (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Katsuhide Ito, Paolo Ariagno, Stefano Vergano
  • Publication number: 20040050136
    Abstract: The invention concerns a digitally controlled machine for bending, forming, folding or coiling a bar, said machine comprising in standard manner a frame, a rotary bending tool to produce bends in different planes, wherein a bar is moved along an unwinding axis and brought through a bending shank borne by the frame then through the bending tool (3) whereof the digital axial movement, perpendicular to the unwinding axis is transmitted from a motor (5) by means of a lathe (2). The invention is characterised in that: the bending tool (3) is borne by a standard conical tool support (1); and the lathe is combined with means automatically unclamping the jaws (6) of the pliers when the lathe reaches the end of its digital axial stroke away from the bending station, and automatically clamping said jaws when the lathe begins its digital axial movement in the opposite direction, bringing it closer to the bending station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Joel Etienne
  • Patent number: 6463781
    Abstract: A system for drawing an outer cylinder of a rubber bush comprising an inner cylinder serving as a shaft member, the outer cylinder disposed around the inner cylinder and a rubber elastic body interposed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, comprising first and second turning tables each having at least two piling portions on which the rubber bushes to be drawn are piled up in a vertical direction; first and driving apparatuses for bringing up the rubber bushes piled up on the piling portion of the first and second turning tables to a predetermined robot grasping position; a drawing apparatus having a die for drawing the outer cylinder of the rubber bush; a robot apparatus for grasping and transferring the rubber bush located at the robot grasping position to set the same to a predetermined position of the die; a control apparatus for controlling the robot apparatus such that the rubber bushes from the piling portion of one of the first and second turning tables are sequentially transferred to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Watanabe, Osamu Nakai
  • Patent number: 6377871
    Abstract: An integrated die cast system is provided comprising a die casting machine, a servo-controlled ladle, a servo-controlled sprayer, a pick and place robot, an integrated controller, and a programming pendant. The die casting machine includes a die casting machine controller. The servo-controlled ladle includes a molten material ladle and a servo-motor arranged to cause the ladle to transfer molten material to an injection chamber of the die casting machine. The servo-controlled sprayer includes a sprayer assembly and a servo-motor arranged to orient the sprayer assembly proximate a die cavity of the die casting machine. The pick and place robot is arranged to access a die cavity of the die casting machine. The integrated controller is in communication with the die-casting machine controller, the servo-controlled ladle, the servo-controlled sprayer, and the pick and place robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Motoman, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. DeCamp, Alan G. Livingston, Scott D. Colwell
  • Patent number: 6234465
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping metal concrete forms. The clamping apparatus includes a clamp body (10) and wedge (20). The clamp body includes two opposed sides (16) and (18) that define a tapered slot for receiving the wedge therebetween. The clamp body also includes an opening or mouth (12) that is operative to receive one or more work pieces which may be clamped together with the apparatus. The wedge is operative to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the clamp body. As the wedge slides between the first and second position within the slot, a front upper surface (22) of the wedge is operative to urge the work pieces against a jaw surface (15) of the clamp body that bounds the upper portion of the mouth. Also as the wedge slides toward the second position, the upper side wall portions (34) and (36) of the wedge slide adjacent a narrower portion of the slot (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Elias A. Sutton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6192297
    Abstract: A method for moving metal sheets of a working area by an antropomorphous robot comprises a) taking of preselected fixed input data that identify the geometry in the space of components of a working island; b) taking, comprising from a machine tool, preselected variable input data comprising dimensions and shape of a preselected metal sheet to be handled and a sequence of working preselected metal sheets; c) processing the fixed and variable input data on a processing unit in order to generate automatically output data that identify a preselected trajectory of the metal sheet to be handled and d) transfer the output data to a control unit of the robot in order to drive said robot to move the metal sheet along the preselected trajectory so as to handle said metal sheets selected by type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Salvagnini Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Marobin
  • Patent number: 6125683
    Abstract: A hemming system includes a hemming machine having upper and lower dies moveable between an open spaced apart position and closed hemming position. The upper die includes an engager operative for engaging a part thereon. A robot having a moveable arm with an end effector including lower and upper engagers on lower and upper surfaces thereof; the robot arm being operable to pick up a first part with the lower engager, place the part on the lower die and clear the hemming machine. The hemming machine is operable to close the upper and lower dies to hem the first part. The engager on the upper die is operable to engage the first hemmed part on the upper die as the dies are opened. The robot arm is operable to pick up a second part with the lower engaging means, place the part on the lower die, raise, and engage the first hemmed part on the upper engaging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Tesco Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Toeniskoetter
  • Patent number: 6115907
    Abstract: A device for tensioning shaped parts, with a frame and a plurality of tensioning elements which are formed by a holding part and a clamping part. The holding part abuts the shaped part pointwise and a clamping part pushes the shaped part in the direction of the surface normal against the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Roland Beyer
  • Patent number: 6109089
    Abstract: A universal gripping device for gripping and holding L-shaped and T-shaped workpieces comprises a main support on which are mounted a pair of opposed gripping members and an actuator for moving one of the gripping members toward and away from the other one for gripping and releasing a workpiece. A secondary support is rotatably coupled to the main support and has second and third pairs of gripping members and associated actuators mounted thereon. The three pairs of gripping members collectively define a generally T-shaped workpiece-receiving space for receiving T-shaped and L-shaped workpieces. By rotating the secondary support relative to the main support, the angle between the gripping members can be changed for accommodating workpieces of various shapes, and the movable gripping members permit different workpiece thicknesses to be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael David Farney, Gary D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6008481
    Abstract: A heated state-deciding apparatus and a thermocouple provided for a transport robot for detecting the temperature of a billet being transported by the transport robot, and a deciding member for deciding whether or not the billet is heated to be in a predetermined solid phase state on the basis of the detected temperature. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently and accurately decide whether or not the solidus rate of the metal billet is good or bad, and it is possible to improve the productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyonobu Mizoue, Hisao Hirono, Takashi Idegomori, Shigenori Kimijima, Osami Ito, Kenji Ohwada, Hiroshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 5988855
    Abstract: An operating method for a working area comprising an anthropomorphous robot enslaved to a bending press for working a metal sheet comprises a) detecting fixed input data formed by geometric positions in space of the robot, of the press and at least of one feeding unit, b) the definition of variable input data formed by thickness of the metal sheet, height, angle and direction of each bend, length and orientation of each bend, position of a bending tool, c) processing the above-mentioned data in a processing unit by an algorithm based on the solutions of the inverse kinematics in order to automatically generate cycles of feeding, bending and unloading of said metal sheet and d) the transfer of the cycles to a control unit of the robot so as to drive the bending press to start a complete productive working cycle of a finished metal sheet starting from the metal sheet to be bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Salvagnini Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Marobin
  • Patent number: 5987958
    Abstract: Several methods and subsystems are disclosed for aligning a workpiece as it is being loaded into a die space of a bending apparatus, and for performing sensor-based control of a robot as it moves a workpiece from one location to another within a bending apparatus environment. A backgaging mechanism is provided with finger gaging mechanisms having force sensors for sensing forces in directions perpendicular to and parallel to a die. In addition, a robot gripper sensor is provided for sensing either or both of shear forces and normal forces created by movement of a workpiece being held by the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignees: Amada Company, Ltd., Amada America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Kerry L. Elkins, Anne Marie Murray, Robert H. Sturgas, Jr., Kensuke Hazama
  • Patent number: 5979214
    Abstract: A bending machine (1) for bending the edges (3) on sheet-like workpieces (2). The workpieces (2) can be grasped by clamping jaws (12) located on a manipulator (11) and supplied to a tool (6) and a mount. The manipulator (11) is located and supported above the processing plane and the workpiece support (4). The clamping jaws (12) can, in addition to being movable transversely or perpendicular to the tool (6), are also movable parallel thereto, and can rotate about an axis (15) running perpendicular to the workpiece plane. The workpieces (2) can be held in any position and then conveyed, without the need for additional conveying, transfer and removal devices, because all of these functions can also be performed by the manipulator (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: EHT Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Fetsch, Hermann Kaltenbach, Walter Pfleiderer
  • Patent number: 5950485
    Abstract: The system for producing bent sheet-metal articles comprises a bending machine (80) having a punch (84) and a die (86) which cooperate with each other and define a bending space, and a manipulator (64) having a movable head (76) which can grip a piece of sheet metal and place it in the bending space. Each piece to be bent has its own gripper and the head (76) of the manipulator (64) has rapid-attachment means for gripping and releasing the gripper associated with each piece. A table for defining the position of a piece to be bent, a manipulator for gripping and moving a piece of sheet metal by means of a floating head, a bending machine comprising an auxiliary structure for measuring the relative displacement of the punch and the die, and a device for automatically replacing tools of the bending machine are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignees: Amada Company, Limited, Crea S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Sartorio
  • Patent number: 5950484
    Abstract: In order to improve a bending center comprising a bending unit, a loading device with a feed table for receiving a sheet-metal part to be inserted, and a manipulator arrangement, with which the sheet-metal part can be gripped, moved as well as rotated, in such a manner that handling of the sheet-metal part is as error-free as possible with loading times which are as short as possible it is suggested that the loading device have a sensor, with which the position of the sheet-metal part relative to a defined insertion position into the bending unit can be determined, and that the loading device have a control which controls the manipulator arrangement handling the sheet-metal part with respect to the movement in the first and second directions as well as the rotation about the axis of rotation on the basis of the position of the sheet-metal part determined by the sensor in such a manner that the manipulator arrangement inserts the sheet-metal part into the bending unit in the exactly defined insertion position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5894754
    Abstract: The system for producing bent sheet-metal articles comprises a bending machine (80) having a punch (84) and a die (86) which cooperate with each other and define a bending space, and a manipulator (64) having a movable head (76) which can grip a piece of sheet metal and place it in the bending space. Each piece to be bent has its own gripper and the head (76) of the manipulator (64) has rapid-attachment means for gripping and releasing the gripper associated with each piece. A table for defining the position of a piece to be bent, a manipulator for gripping and moving a piece of sheet metal by means of a floating head, a bending machine comprising an auxiliary structure for measuring the relative displacement of the punch and the die, and a device for automatically replacing tools of the bending machine are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignees: Amada Company, Limited, CREA S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Sartorio
  • Patent number: 5865056
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for executing a bending process on a workpiece plate is provided wherein a rear edge of the workpiece plate is place in contact with stop members of a back gauge unit. Simultaneous with input of target value of bending dimensions, a controller provides drive units of the stop members with operative amounts for achieving front/rear directional positioning of the stop members and a gradient angle of a horizontal surface a stop surface corresponding to the target value. In response to the effective value of the operative amount, the drive units are activated to cause stop members to be moved to predetermined positions. After executing a trial bending of a workpiece plate, bending dimensions at two arbitrary bent portions of the processed workpiece plate are measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Toyokoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiju Nagakura
  • Patent number: 5857377
    Abstract: The system for producing bent sheet-metal articles comprises a bending machine (80) having a punch (84) and a die (86) which cooperate with each other and define a bending space, and a manipulator (64) having a movable head (76) which can grip a piece of sheet metal and place it in the bending space. Each piece to be bent has its own gripper and the head (76) of the manipulator (64) has rapid-attachment means for gripping and releasing the gripper associated with each piece. A table for defining the position of a piece to be bent, a manipulator for gripping and moving a piece of sheet metal by means of a floating head, a bending machine comprising an auxiliary structure for measuring the relative displacement of the punch and the die, and a device for automatically replacing tools of the bending machine are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: Amada Company, Limited, CREA S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Sartorio
  • Patent number: 5771735
    Abstract: A support arm assembly for a pipe bending machine, including one or more linear ledges arranged along the arm; a mandrel including a piece for intercepting the ledges through a click (106) switching between a raised rest position and a lowered working position by the displacement of an eyelet, in which it can slide, having raising edges (105) against which click (106) is loaded, under the actuation of an air cylinder, under the control of means that also control the opening/closing of the pipe carrier gripper (16) of the mandrel; and angular ledge dowels with a sense cut (200) being provided on the periphery of the mandrel, cooperating with a spring-loaded locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: C.M.L. Costruzioni Meccaniche Liri S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Caporusso, Marcio Caporusso
  • Patent number: 5761951
    Abstract: The mechanical hand (16) comprises, on one hand, a zone (46) for the support and sliding of a panel or slab (SP) in a horizontal working plane (WP) and, on the other hand, a handling gripper (36) which can move horizontally along and across the whole range of said supporting and sliding zone (46). The gripper (36) has a lower jaw (40) located below the working plane (WP). The support and sliding zone (46) is defined by retractable members consisting of an array of vertically moving pillars (48) with each of which are associated positive control means for causing them to perform selectively a travel independently of that of the other pillars between a raised position in which one of its upper support and sliding surfaces is in the working plane (WP), and a lowered position in which the surface is at a level which is lower than that of the lower jaw (40) of the gripper (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Antonio Codatto
  • Patent number: 5761940
    Abstract: Several methods and subsystems are disclosed for aligning a workpiece as it is being loaded into a die space of a bending apparatus, and for performing sensor-based control of a robot as it moves a workpiece from one location to another within a bending apparatus environment. A backgaging mechanism is provided with finger gaging mechanisms having force sensors for sensing forces in directions perpendicular to and parallel to a die. In addition, a robot gripper sensor is provided for sensing either or both of shear forces and normal forces created by movement of a workpiece being held by the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignees: Amada Company, Ltd., Amada America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Anne Marie Murray, Robert H. Sturges, Jr., Kensuke Hazama
  • Patent number: 5727415
    Abstract: A folding press is disclosed having a frame supported by a fixed base; a fixed beam and a ram beam supported by the frame, the ram beam being movable relative to the fixed beam; a pair of folding blades attached to the beams for folding a sheet of metal; and manipulation means for grasping the sheet of metal and introducing the sheet of metal between the folding blades, the manipulation means being attached to the ram beam. The folding blades are so disposed as to produce a horizontal working stroke relative to the fixed base, and the manipulation means comprises a plurality of arm members rotatable in relation to each other. In operation, the manipulation means grasps a sheet of material and introduces it between the blades while maintaining the sheet of material in a substantially vertical position relative to the fixed base, thereby minimizing folding errors caused by a horizontal disposition of the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Aliko Automation Oy
    Inventor: Hannu Alitalo
  • Patent number: 5660071
    Abstract: A drawing device including a drawing block and a traction device, where the traction device includes two drive belts and an automatic engagement device. This automatic engagement device includes an auxiliary traction device propelled with power by the traction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Trefimetaux
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Sauvonnet, Jean Lemire, Lionel Robbe, Jean Chouvel, Bruno Ceccacci
  • Patent number: 5642291
    Abstract: A system for the creation of commands and control signals for a complete operating cycle of a robot manipulator device of a sheet metal bending installation by simulating the operating environment, in which various parts of the sheet metal bending installation are presented to the user on a video display in a simplified form and on a reduced scale. The video display and a keyboard are connected to a central processor unit and permit the creation of a complete sequence of signals usable for controlling the operation of the bending installation, and permits the presentation of the simulation of the movement of the parts of the installation on the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited of Japan
    Inventors: Gianpaolo Prunotto, Marco Prada
  • Patent number: 5640876
    Abstract: A locking pliers pulling system for tensioning or hanging a workpiece comprises a set locking pliers to be secured to the workpiece linked to a pulling device via an adapter. The adapter is threaded into the hollow adjustment barrel of a set of locking pliers of the type commonly referred to as Vise Grips.RTM.. The puller adapter is an integral component comprising a threaded, elongated shank portion, coaxial follower portion and a coaxial eye portion. The shank is adapted to screw into the adjustment barrel of the locking pliers. The follower portion extends from a first end of the shank portion to engage the locking link of the pliers, within the adjustment barrel. The eye portion extends from an opposite end of the shank portion to mate with a puller. The puller may be a winch, cable puller of the type commonly referred to as a "come-along", a slide hammer or the like. The eye promotes self centering of the link between the puller to the pliers. The eye may be oval or may define a narrowing slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Freddie B. Erwin
  • Patent number: 5613397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the fixing of a vehicle to an automobile body straightening bench. A car body rim (5) is fixed to a beam that extends from the automobile body straightener by means of two clamp jaws (3, 4) at each point of fixation. The clamp jaws (3, 4) are at their respective outer ends linked by a pair of scissor arms (3a, 3b; 4a, 4b). These are pivotally connected at two opposed connection points (6a, 6b). The two scissor arms (3a, 3b) for one of the clamp jaws (3) are linked by a first yoke (7), which is rotatably mounted in the scissor arms (3a, 3b). In the middle of the first yoke (7) there is a boring (7a) in which at least one threaded bolt (8) is driven. The scissor arms (4a, 4b) are linked by a plate (9) that is arranged to form a holding-up tool against the upper side (2a) of said beam (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Uno Liner System Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Uno Johansson
  • Patent number: 5555763
    Abstract: In front of a bending machine is arranged a unit of a 5-axis control robot provided with a work hand at an end thereof, for loading work to the bending machine and unloading a bent work from the bending machine. A single-work taking-up device takes up only a single work from stacked works. Therefore, the work loading and unloading device is low in cost and requires a short program preparation and teaching (setup) time. The work loading and unloading device may be moved to any desired position and is provided with a work hand having a double-work take-up detecting device and an upper hand accessible to a bent work without interference with the punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Amada Metrecs Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kazunori Takeshita