Parts transfer system having three orthogonal movement axes wherein the part lifting and lowering mechanism moving along the third axis is actuated by the motion of the grippers in closing and opening along the first axis

摘要

An improvement in a system for transferring parts between work stations wherein the system has part grippers movable along three orthogonal axes, the first being the opening and closing movements of the grippers, the second being the transfer movement of the grippers between stations and the third being the lifting and lowering movements of the grippers at a station. The improvement resides in the mechanism which effects movements along the first and third axes. This mechanism includes two linearly movable bushings connected with a lost motion and separated by a compression spring with the first bushing being movable by the action of a cam. In their closing movement, the grippers are moved by the bushings until the second bushing is stopped by an abutment. A set of levers is connected between the bushings and the grippers and continued movement of the first bushing while compressing the spring after the second bushing is stopped, transforms the gripping movement of the grippers along the first axis to movement of the grippers along the third axis to lift the part in process. This mechanism, including the grippers, is mounted on a carriage which effects movement of the grippers along the second axis.