DE2112850A1 - Method for selecting a tool and tool selection arrangement - Google Patents

Description

DR-ING. DIPL.-ING. M. »C. OIPL.-PHVS. DR. DIPL.-PHYS.

HÖGER - LEGAL RIGHT- GRIESSBACH - HAECKER

PATENT LAWYERS IN STUTTGART

A 38 690 m

a - f 1

March 15, 1971

Ex-CeIl-O Corporation Post Office Box 386
Detroit, Michigan 48232. USA

Method for selecting a tool and tool selection arrangement

The invention relates to a method for selecting a tool and an arrangement for carrying out this method. In particular, the present invention relates to the automatic selection of a particular tool which is located on or has been placed on an endless conveyor or a conveyor belt; the invention can

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particularly useful in conjunction with a belt-controlled Machine tool or similar arrangements are used.

Automatic tool selection arrangements are already known per se, the tool selection being made by that tool holders are used that have rings that are spaced around them in a coded sequence or that individually coded tools are used. Such Arrangements can, for example, in U.S. Patent 352,929 be removed; In the long run it has proven to be disadvantageous that when coded tool holders are used j when changing a tool in the tool holder the rings also had to be changed. Coded Tools themselves have different shafts, whereby it is difficult to read them out uniformly. You are from for this reason not desired.

Another system is described in U.S. Patent 3,173,203. There are also tools for use in automatically controlled machine equipment is selected, using special keys and key or measuring cartridges. In such a system, the key cartridge becomes in accordance with the key inserted in the cartridge coded, then the cartridge that is a specific tool receptacle is assigned to the conveyor, which takes tools in its interior, from an electronic one Key cartridge reader is read. An advantage over

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What is above the ring system is that the cartridges do not have to be changed when the tool is in a special one Tool container is exchanged on the conveyor. On the other hand, however, the keys can still be lost an exact alignment is difficult, which is necessary in practice between the cartridge and the reading unit is.

There are thus no effective tool selection methods and tool selection arrangements. In addition, the known arrangements relatively complicated and therefore also expensive.

The invention has the. The task set to avoid the disadvantages of the known arrangements and a simple and effective one To create a method for the selection of tools in which the tools can be precisely identified and precise alignment at a tool removal station is also possible.

To solve this problem, the invention is based on one Method for selecting a tool and consists in that tools provided with a code number at a loading position on a conveyor and the code number of the tool on an identification switch that is linked to each of the tool positions on the conveyor is in operative connection, is set that the conveyor is moved such that the ones located on it

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Successive tool positions through a tool removal station run that one after the other in the sequence, like the assigned tool positions through the tool removal station run, the identification switches are evaluated or released for interrogation and that the movement of the conveyor is then stopped when the identification switch assigned to a desired tool is evaluated.

An arrangement for performing this method consists of an endless conveyor, preferably in the form of a Conveyor belt, which carries a large number of tool positions or places where tools are introduced or are located. Due to the movement of the conveyor belt, the tool positions run in a repeated sequence on one at a time stationary tool loading or receiving station and on a stationary removal station. The tools that are at the tool loading station. on the Transporter placed or brought in certain arrangements on this, with an identification or identification number provided, which is set simultaneously in one of a plurality of identification switches, each one are assigned to a specific tool position on the conveyor; this setting happens when the respective Feed dog tool position is located at the tool loading station.

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Furthermore, lamps are provided which are in operative connection with the respective individual identification switches and which then light up when the assigned tool position is on the conveyor in the tool loading station, so that it is possible in this way, the tool identification number of the The tool that is currently on the conveyor - in the tool loading station - must also be set to the correct identification switch. Finally, there are also selection switches that are coordinated with the movement of the conveyor and synchronized with it and the effect of which is such that they are each assigned to a single identification switch that is assigned to the tool position on the conveyor that is currently moving through the tool removal station, evaluate or release for a query and that the transporter can stop in good time at the tool removal station when the identification switch, which is assigned to the tool position that holds the desired tool, is evaluated or released for query. "

If, for example, a special identification switch is evaluated or released for interrogation when it indicates that a tool has arrived at the tool removal station, which is in accordance with a machining process must be used with a programmed program, a control arrangement for the machine stops in ■ which the program is entered, the tool transporter in such a way that the recognized or identified tool -the tool removal station is ready for use.

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The mode of operation is such that tools provided with a specific identification number or code number are inserted into individual tool positions or locations on an endless conveyor belt, from where they can then be selected again for use. A separate identification switch, which is assigned to a specific tool position on the conveyor, is set to the coded identification number representing the tool. If the transporter is moved, selection switches are closed one after the other in accordance with the movement of the transporter, so that identification switches that are always read and assigned to certain tool positions on the conveyor belt are evaluated or released for an interrogation. At the same time, a lamp is arranged next to each identification switch, which is also assigned to a specific tool position on the conveyor, the selection switch arrangement also containing arrangements that illuminate the lamp next to the identification switch when it is assessed or released for query. By evaluating the respective identification switch, which, as already mentioned, corresponds to a certain position on the transporter, the transporter is then braked and finally stopped when the identification switch that bears the code number of the desired tool has finally been queried.

Further advantages and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims. The following will be based on the figures, the method according to the invention as well as

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construction and mode of operation of an arrangement for carrying out the method explained in more detail. It shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a tool selection arrangement according to the invention for performing the method according to the invention while

Pig. 2 schematically shows a circuit diagram of part of a in Pig. 1 illustrates the tool selection arrangement shown.

Like in Pig. 1, there is the tool selection arrangement 10 from an endless tool conveyor 12, for example in the form of a moving belt, which is driven by a motor 14 is driven, which in turn is controlled by a control arrangement. The tool selection arrangement further comprises an identification switch 18, a rotary selector switch 20 and a gear reduction assembly 22, which, like also best of all the pig. 1 can be taken, in series between the tool conveyor 12 and the control arrangement switched for the machine.

More precisely, the tool transporter 12 consists of an endless loading belt or a type of paternoster on which Tool positions 24 are available at which tools, not shown in the drawing, are provided in a programmed machining processes can be used. The indicated by the arrow 28 next to the conveyor

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The loading station is the stationary tool position or tool station. The tool position 30 is the tool removal position. The transporter 12 itself can of the usual Be kind.

The conveyor 12 is driven by a motor 14 at a relatively high speed, the motor 14 being on Control impulses of the control arrangement 16 reacts and can be stopped quickly to a tool position 24 on the conveyor precisely to the stationary tool removal position 30 as a result of an electronic command from the control arrangement 16 to align with the motor 14.

The gear reduction assembly 22 is designed so that its output shaft 39 makes one complete revolution for each complete revolution or for one complete revolution of the continuous conveyor 12. Actuated or The coaster assembly 22 is driven by the shaft 34 synchronously with the conveyor 12, the shaft in each case makes one revolution between each tool position 24 on the conveyor belt. The rotary selector switch 20 is shown in FIG. 2 is shown in more detail and consists of two separate sections 36 and 38. Each section 36 and 38 of the selector switch 20 has a multiplicity of individual contacts, as well as a rotatable tap, which via the contacts of the shaft 32 so is moved that a contact separation between contact arm and the respective contact has been made before the next contact is touched.

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The switch section 36 has contacts 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 and a rotating contact arm 52. Similarly, the switch section 38 has separate contacts 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 and a contact arm 66. As shown, additional contacts, for example a total of 32 contacts, can be provided on both switch sections 36 and 38. Like Pig. 2, the contact arm 52 of the switching section 36 of the rotary switch 20 is connected directly to ground 70. The contact arm 66 of the switching section 38 is connected to ground 70 via an electrical energy source 68 of, for example, 6.3 volts.

In operation, the switch 20 is synchronized with the tool feeder 12 in such a way that each tool position 24 on the feeder 12 is assigned a contact. The contact arms 52 and 66 are rotated simultaneously, the contact arm 52 always with a tool position of the conveyor 12 at the tool removal point 30 and the contact arm 66 | is always assigned to a tool position of the conveyor 12 at the tool loading station 26. As a result, the contact arms 52 and 66 are always angularly separated from one another by a number of selector switch contacts that is equal to the number of tool positions on the conveyor between the stationary tool loading station 26 and the stationary tool removal position 30.

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The portion 36 of the rotary selector switch 20 is provided to a particular identification setting switch within the identification switch assembly 18, that of a tool position is assigned on the conveyor belt in the tool position to bring into a standby position. The subsection 38 of the switch 20 is intended to light up a lamp on the identification switch arrangement 18 which is assigned to the setting switch, which in turn is assigned to the tool position on the conveyor belt 12, which is in the tool load position.

As mentioned, the identification switch assembly 18 has setting switches, each for a tool position are assigned on the conveyor belt 12. In Fig. 2 only six of these switches are shown in more detail, although there are it is obvious that there can also be more than six setting switches, depending on the number of tool positions on the conveyor belt 12 or according to the respective number of contacts in the rotary selector switch 20. It is therefore possible to also use additional setting switches via lines 75 with the identification switching arrangement 18 to connect.

Each of the setting switches 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 shown in FIG. 2 represent a decimal number in binary code and , in the present exemplary embodiment, have 20 output lines 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 , 102, 104,

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106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 and 122, which connect the identification switching arrangement 18 to the control arrangement 16. Each individual setting switch is in the form of a rotatable wheel, wherein the first setting switch comprises four conductors and in binary code provides the 10 000er point or a first identification number, the second four conductors of the second wheel shaped Einstellschal- M ters illustrate a second, in binary code The third, fourth and fifth groupings of four output conductors represent decimal third identification numbers or the 100's digit, fourth identification numbers or a 10's digit and a fifth identification number or digit, encoded in binary code. represents the 1 digit.

Likewise are the twenty conductors between the identification switch assembly 18 and the control arrangement 16 for the machine are divided into five groups, each Group is assigned to a digit or a tool identification number and an encrypted in a binary code "

Represents decimal number. For example, the conductor 84, based on the binary system, represents a "one" signal, the Conductor 86 represents a "twos" signal, conductor 88 a "Quad" signal and conductor 90 an "eight" signal. As a result and in accordance with a binary coded decimal system and depending on whether each A signal is or is not present on the individual conductors 84, 86, 88 and 90, can in this way due to corresponding

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Encryption a number between 0 and 9 from the first Digit. Similarly, a number between 0 and 9 can be used by the second, third, fourth and fifth Digit or '. Place the other groupings of four conductors between the identification switch assembly 18 and the control arrangement 16 extend.

Each of the dial switches 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 is, as already stated above, connected in parallel to the other switches, but opposite them by means of diodes 77, which are arranged in each of the twenty individual lines that come from the individual switches. To this Output lines 84 to 122 are alternately used by the setting switches, the particular one being used Setting switch grounded by the contact arm 52 of the selector switch 20 and thus added to the query.

The energy for the setting switches in the identification switching arrangement 18 supplied by the control arrangement 16, but can in certain cases also directly from the Contact arm 52 originate, in which case the grounding is then made on the control unit 16.

Thus, in operation, when the contact arm 52 contacts the contact, the identification switch 72 is over the conductors 84 to 122 are connected to the control arrangement 16, so that the control arrangement 16 for the machine can interrogate the switch 72

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and can determine which tool is in the tool position on the conveyor at the tool removal point 30. If this tool does not correspond to the tool that is required or desired by the control unit 16, then the contact arm 52 continues and touches the next contact 42, the identification switch 74 then being grounded and an interrogation of the switch 74 by the control unit μ 16 can be done. The interrogation of the individual identification switches is continued by the control system 16 for the system until the desired tool identification number is found in one of the identification switches, at which point the control system stops the motor 14 and thus also the conveyor 12, with the identified and found Tool is located in a tool container at the tool receiving station 30.

The setting of the identification switches 72 to 82 takes place in that the is designed in the form of a conveyor belt Transport dog 12 is moved so that an empty tool point on the transport dog 12 next to the arrow 28 at the tool " loading parts is brought, then the desired tool, which has a five-digit identification number can wear etched or hammered, inserted into the empty tool point and the identification switch that the The tool position on the conveyor 12 in position 26 corresponds to the number set on the tool is located which has been inserted at this point.

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The setting switches having setting wheels, which can be designed in the usual form, are operated by hand Turn each individual adjustment wheel to set the corresponding decimal number. There is every decimal digit or any possible position that the setting wheel can assume with the four decimal numbers encoded in the binary code Output conductors' connected, while the output conductors for all five digit positions of each setting switch are connected in parallel to the twenty output conductors 24-122. As already mentioned, each setting switch is separate from the others via separate diodes 77 in the lines of the respective switch, as shown in Fig. 2, isolated.

To select the respective setting switch, the one is assigned to a specific tool position on the conveyor at the tool loading point 26, is on each identification setting switch on the identification switch assembly 18 a separate lamp is attached, which only lights up when the special one assigned to this switch The tool point is in the loading position 26.

The lamps 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 and 134 that each Identifying switches 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 associated with them are best shown in FIG. Like the drawing can be taken, each lamp is connected to ground with its one connection and with its other connection Lines 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 of section 38 of the

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Selector switch 20 connected. As soon as the contact arm 66 of the section 38 of the rotary switch 20 runs over the respective contact, the lamp connected to this contact will light up due to the energy which is supplied to it by the voltage source 68. It is therefore practically impossible that the identification or identification number of a tool inserted at position 26 in a tool receiving point on the conveyor μ is set on an identification setting switch or assigned to one which does not correspond to the special tool position into which the tool has been introduced is, corresponds.

In the present system, the motor, when a desired tool, its code number is first in the switch has been entered, is recognized in the tool position 24 at the position 30, to approximately one tenth of its normal transport speed reduced, then a cam wheel 136 closes on the shaft 34, which, as initially already mentioned, is driven by the conveyor 12, a limit switch 140, at the moment at which I the tool position, which has the recognized and identified tool, is exactly localized. This from the Camshaft 136 and the limit switch 140 formed proximity sensors is arranged or switched so that it only comes into effect when the control arrangement 16 has a certain Has detected the tool position which provides the required tool at the tool receiving or removing position 30.

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One complete revolution of the cam wheel 136 takes place when the conveyor moves from a tool position moved to another tool position, i.e. that in the event that 32 tool positions 24 on the conveyor are provided, the cam wheel 136 executes 32 complete revolutions when the conveyor 12 or the conveyor belt .12 makes one revolution or one revolution. In addition, the shaft 34 also makes thirty-two complete revolutions, which are transmitted to the reduction gear 22 when the conveyor belt 12 makes one revolution. In contrast, however, makes the output shaft 39 of the reduction gear also only one revolution for one complete revolution of the Transporter 12.

The mode of operation of this entire tool selection arrangement is such that it is required for a particular machining operation Tools are inserted or attached in the tool positions 24 of the conveyor 12 by the fact that the positions 24 can run past the point 26 and individual, specific tools in each tool position at the point 26 and at the same time the code number, the identification number or the code number that is etched into the tool, sets in a separate identification switch associated with the identification switch assembly 18, each a light on the corresponding switch lights up.

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A belt 142 or another arrangement, which for example can also be a numerical tool control or a computer, contains a machining program and is read out by the control arrangement 16, the motor 14 being started, which in turn rotates the conveyor 12. From the numerical control belt 142 or other arrangement, the control unit is provided with a code number for a particular tool which must be selected at station 30 in order to carry out a first machining operation. As the conveyor rotates or the conveyor belt revolves, the contact arm 52 also runs over each of the contacts of the rotary switch section 36, so that each of the identification setting switches is interrogated one after the other.

If an identification switch is found whose set digit corresponds to the digit of the tool which is required by the rule arrangement - this correspondence can be made by a comparison arrangement within the rule arrangement in which the digit sequence from the band 142 and the digit sequence of the identification switch are entered -, then the control arrangement emits an output signal to the motor 14 , which has the effect that the tool position on the conveyor 12 with the required tool is located at the point 30. The motor 14 then decelerates its speed and stops itself as well as the transport dog 12 at the moment when the cam wheel 136 indicates the exact location of the selected tool position at the station 30 by closing the limit switch 140 .

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The tool of the tool station 30 is then from one of the Tool selection arrangement assigned processing machine used and can for a "certain processing operation are then returned to the transporter at point 30. The belt 142 then moves to a new one —Tool selection digit sequence, whereupon the transporter knows φ It runs and at the same time the rotary switch 20 synchronously touches -t-rubs, -his-eitiMieues tool is selected for a second machining operation. This process is repeated like this long until a complete machining program has run.

The described method of coded tool selection has a number of advantages over known techniques on. For example, it is not necessary to use rings or keys that need to be replaced when others different tools are used in the tool positions 24; in addition, there are no critical alignment problems in the present invention, since the ™ transporter is electronically precisely stopped. Farther All switches used are hermetically sealed, so that difficulties resulting from contamination of the contacts with oil or dust during the machining operations are cleared away.

Of course it is possible to use any more or less encrypted signal in accordance with the present Invention to use the signal when

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desired, the contact arm of the rotary selector switch also directly
can be fed.

It is also possible to change the coding of the setting switches to any binary, decimal or
to use binary-plus-3 or another coding scheme when coding the identification circuit structures. Even
it is possible to use a photoelectrically operating or using light or laser beams operating proximity switch to indicate the position of the conveyor 12 exactly; Finally, identification arrangements other than switches in the form of rotary knobs can also be used to indicate the tool positions on the conveyor 12.

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Claims (10)

OR-INS. ' DIPL.-ING · M. SC. DIPL.-PHVS. OR. DIPl-. -PHYS. HÖGER - LEGAL RIGHT-GRIESSBACH - HAECKER PATENT LAWYERS IN STUTTGART A 38 690 m a - fl March 15, 1971 Claims ! Method for selecting a tool, characterized in that that the tool provided with a code number is placed on a conveyor at a loading station v / ird and the code number of the tool on an identification switch with each of the tool positions is on the conveyor in operative connection, is set that the conveyor is moved such that the on i & the tool positions located in it consecutively run through a tool removal station that one after the other in the sequence, like the assigned tool positions the tool removal station is running, the identification switches are evaluated or released for interrogation and that the movement of the conveyor is stopped when the identification switch assigned to a desired tool Is evaluated. 10 9 8 5 1/0938 A 38 690 m
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3/15/1971 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the special identification switch that is assigned to a tool is also specified, which is located on the conveyor at the loading position. 3. The method according to claim 1 and / or 2, characterized marked ή is characterized in that the identification switches consist of adjusted wheel switches, each switch is adjusted with an etched on the tool Dezimaleοde number and the tool in the tool position on the conveyor at the location the loading position is introduced. 4. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for successive Evaluation of the identification switch a selector switch is used, which is synchronized with the movement of the The conveyor carries out one revolution for each revolution of the conveyor. " 5. Tool selection arrangement for performing the method according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterized in that a conveyor (12) with a plurality of tool positions (24) is provided for receiving tools, that the conveyor (12) with its tool positions is movable through a tool loading station (26) and through a tool removal station (30) that 109851/0938 A 38 690 m ** - a - fl 15.3.1-971 - 3— Identification arrangements for recognizing each tool. position on the feed dog (12) and with the feed dog (12) operatively connected selection arrangements (20, 36, 38) are provided and that a special identification arrangement (18) each assigned to the tool position of the conveyor at the tool removal station (30) is, can be assessed or released for query. 6. Tool selection arrangement according to claim 5 »characterized in that that comparison arrangements for comparing a desired tool code number and the tool code • Number of the tool that is located at the tool removal station (30) is located, with the aid of the associated selection arrangements (20, 38, 36) are provided, and that braking arrangements (16, 14, 34, 136, 140) are provided that stop the conveyor (12) when the desired tool at the tool removal station (30) as a result of the identity between the tool code number of the tool at the removal station (30) and the desired tool are provided. 7. tool selection arrangement according to claim 5 and / or 6, characterized in that the identification arrangements (18) to identify the tool in every tool position on the conveyor from a separate, binary-coded, there is a decimally adjustable setting wheel, which each of the tool positions on the conveyor (12) in Active connection is assigned. 109851/0938 A 38 690 m
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3/15/1971 8 * Tool selection arrangement according to one or more of claims 5-7 »characterized in that display arrangements are provided, which on the identification arrangements (18) the special setting switch, which a certain tool position on the conveyor
is assigned, show, such that the possibility of setting a different identification switch than
of the switch, which is assigned to a special tool position, to the code number of the tool in the
special tool position is reduced. 9. Tool selection arrangement according to one or more of claims 5-8, characterized in that synchronously with
the conveyor (12) operated selection switching arrangements (20, 38, 36) are provided, each of the
Then evaluate the identification switch (18) or release it for delivery when the tool position assigned to this switch on the conveyor passes the tool removal station (30). 10. Tool selection arrangement according to one or more of the claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the stop arrangements for stopping the conveyor (12) when it is reached of a certain desired tool at the factory 109851/0938 A 38 690 m
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3/15/1971 zeugausgäbestation from a limit switch (140) and consist of a cam (136) rotating synchronously with the conveyor (12), which activates the limit switch each time then closes when a tool position (24) is on the conveyor (12) in the tool removal station . (30) is located. ' 109851/0938 Lee rs e i t e