Sheet material loader/unloader for machine tools
US6606531B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H1/00
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A machine tool installation includes a machine tool with a work support table, and a workpiece guidance system. Adjacent the machine tool is a sheet material loader and unloader with a frame, a platform supported on the frame for vertical movement, and a sheet material gripper mounted on the frame for movement from a position forwardly of the frame to a retracted position. A sheet pickup depends from the platform to engage the top sheet of a stack of sheets disposed therebelow. A computer control operates the elements to move a workpiece on the work support table to a position adjacent the platform, and the gripper moves the workpiece onto the lowered platform. The sheet pickup engages a sheet and the platform is moved upwardly to move the engaged sheet to a position above the plane of the work support table which is moved thereunder, and the sheet gripper deposits the sheet on the work support table.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.