EP1748855B1 - Device for the stepped displacement of workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for the stepped displacement of workpieces inside a press (2) or similar processing equipment is provided. The device includes at least one or two gripper rails (4) that can be displaced back and forth in the direction of a longitudinal extent thereof and in the feed direction, the rails being displaced transversely in relation to one another in order to engage workpieces. To execute a gripping movement, the gripper rail (4) includes levers (5) that run at an angle and in opposite directions to one another, whereby the ends of the levers that face away from the gripper rail can be displaced towards or away from one another. Pivoting arms (11), which together with the levers (5) form scissors or half scissors type drives, are hinged on the levers (5) to guide the resultant transverse movement. A scissors drive of this type permits a parallel displacement of the gripper rail (4), even where space is limited, without the use of a drive that protrudes beyond the longitudinal extension of the gripper rails (4).

Description

The invention relates to a device for the stepwise displacement of workpieces, in particular within a press, with at least one or two reciprocating in the feed direction for the feed and return movement, gripper parts or gripping areas for detecting the workpieces having gripper rail (s) for detecting the workpieces and to move in the feed direction then again in the initial position is adjustable, and at the / the gripper rail (s) attack at least two parallel or mirror synchronous to each other in the plane of movement, in a plane parallel thereto or in an oblique plane pivotable lever and in a device with two parallel gripper rails these levers of a gripper rail in opposite directions to those of the other gripper rail are pivotable.

Such a device with two parallel gripper rails is made DE 102 06 773 C1 known, which is cited in this document further prior art concerning such gripper rails. This device has proven particularly in such presses, in which the gripper rails between the press rests these are arranged outstanding in their longitudinal direction and in the feed direction of the workpieces. It is advantageous that only the gripper rails and the workpieces detected therefrom and optionally located on the gripper rails gripper or gripper parts, so relatively small masses must be moved.

However, presses are also known in which the spacings of the press stands are too small to allow the gripper rails to protrude between these uprights. In such presses so the gripper rails must be arranged within the interstices of the press stand and also reciprocated, so that only a limited space is available for the drive for these movements of the gripper rails.

Although already pressing with such gripper rails are known in which the movements of the gripper rails transverse to their longitudinal extent within the distances of the press stand, but this requires drives that are located outside the press outline and due to the running outside of the press outline movements special protective measures for the Operators and moreover safety distances. In this case, transversely to the feed movement and the longitudinal extent of the rails arranged, perpendicular to the gripper rails from the Presseumriss outstanding linear drives are known which not only require the aforementioned safety distances, but also complicate the accessibility and the possibility of observation of the sequence of gripping and feed movements, as a user must be in a correspondingly large distance from the gripper rails.

There is therefore the object to provide a device of the type mentioned, in which the one or more drives of the gripper rails, in particular the drives for the gripping movements itself no transverse to the outline of the press outward movements must perform around the gripper rail or the gripper rails to be able to adjust in gripping motion and in the opposite direction. This task also applies to a device with only one gripper rail, on which corresponding Grippers for workpieces are arranged.

To solve this problem, the device defined at the outset is characterized in that the two pivotally hinged to the gripper rail hinged lever with their ends facing away from the gripper rail or regions on parallel to the extension direction of the gripper rail to each other or wegbewegbaren sliding parts and attack for the outward and Movements of the gripper rail transversely to its longitudinal extent, the distance of these sliding parts changeable and the gripper rail is forcibly guided transversely to its longitudinal direction.

The drive for the transverse movement of the gripper rail thus initially causes a movement parallel to this gripper rail namely on the sliding parts. As a result, the lever is pivoted, whereby this parallel movement of the sliding parts is converted via the lever in a transverse movement of the gripper rail. By approaching or removing the gripper rail remote from the ends of the lever using the sliding parts so the gripper rail can be adjusted as desired parallel to itself, with a positive guide ensures the correspondingly accurate parallel adjustment. Movements for an adjustment drive taking place transversely to the longitudinal extent of the gripper rail can therefore be avoided, so that the drive and the levers can be arranged within or largely within the outline of the press stand, for example between two such press stands, so that not only none above the outline the press stand transverse movements to this outline, but the drive can also be largely accommodated within this outline of the press or at least within the usual outline of protective doors on such presses.

The levers and the drive of the sliding parts can thus at least partially within the outline of stands of the press, in particular between two press stands, which are adjacent to each other in the feed direction, may be arranged. Thus, a space-saving arrangement not only of the gripper rails, but also their drive within the press is possible, which also facilitates the operator's observation and control.

In addition, it is expedient if the drive for the advancing movements of the gripper rail or gripper rails in the longitudinal direction thereof is at least partially disposed within the outline of the stator of the press. Thus, the gripper rails can be moved after the detection of workpieces in their longitudinal direction without the required drive over the outline or layout of the press must protrude considerably. Depending on the choice of the drive, it can also be located completely within the outline or outline of the press.

An effective and space-saving forced guidance for the transverse movement of the respective gripper rail can be achieved by pivoting arms are articulated to the levers between their points of attack on the gripper rail and the respective sliding part, with their end facing away from the articulation point and the gripper rail on displacement or stationary bearings are pivotally mounted, and that the distance of the sliding part on the one hand and the sliding element or bearing on the other hand, for the transverse adjustment or during the transverse adjustment of the gripper rail is variable or enlarged. The respective lever is thus stabilized with a swivel arm, so that the adjustment of Sliding parts for changing their respective distances to a safe and precise parallel adjustment of the gripper rail leads.

A further development can provide that the pivot arm crosses the lever at the joint pivot point and also acts on the gripper rail via a joint, the pivot points of the lever and pivotally mounted thereto pivot arm on the gripper rail with respect to their distance when adjusting the gripper rail transversely to him itself is changeable analogously to the distance of the displacement part and the displacement element. In this case, therefore, the gripper rail is practically detected by one or two scissors and adjusted transversely to itself, while in the case in which the swivel arm is not enough to the gripper rail can be spoken of a "half-scissors". Compared with a scissor-type arrangement of lever and swivel arm, the "half-scissors" have the advantage that a joint close to the hoop rail can be saved.

To simplify the sequence of movements, it is expedient if the lever arm and the gripper rail remote from the articulation point of the pivot arm stationary and adjacent thereto, located on the sliding part pivot point of the lever relative thereto - parallel to the longitudinal extent of the gripper rail - is adjustable. In this way, an adjustment can be avoided or possibly formed as a stationary part or bearing on which the corresponding pivot arm must perform only pivotal movements. Correspondingly simple, the entire kinematics in the transverse adjustment of the gripper rail by changing the distance of the sliding parts for the corresponding pivoting of the lever.

The two sliding parts of the two acting on a gripper rail lever can be moved away from each other for adjusting the gripper rail closer to these sliding parts and for the - opposite - gripping movement wegbewegbar and the articulation points of the pivot lever in particular be stationary.

With such an arrangement of the lever and the pivot arms and their respective joints so practically enough the displacement of the sliding parts to change their mutual distance to adjust the gripper rail perpendicular to this sliding movement. Thus, this entire kinematics and drive assembly can be accommodated in a small space and thereby at least largely within the outline of press rests to save space.

The gripper rail or gripper rails can be moved after the detection of workpieces in their longitudinal direction - ie in the feed direction - that the remote from the gripper rail pivot points of the lever and the pivot arms are adjustable by means of slides on a parallel to the gripper rail guide and that for this adjusting movement, for example, a spindle motor or working cylinder or a linear drive are provided. A slide is understood to mean a part which engages with a counter guide on a guide and thereby engages in this guide and / or engages around the guide. With an effective parallel to the extension of the gripper rail drive, such as a spindle motor, the entire arrangement of gripper rail, lever, swivel arm and their articulation points including sliding parts can be adjusted to perform the desired feed movement of the gripper rail and their back adjustment.

For the opposite movement of the sliding parts - for the transverse adjustment of the gripper rail - may have a two opposing threaded portions having spindle and the sliding parts opposing thread having spindle nuts, which engage the respective threaded portions of the spindle, and the spindle may have a single drive motor. For the transverse adjustment of a gripper rail, therefore, despite the two levers and the sliding parts actuating them, when using an opposing spindle, a single drive motor suffices, so that this drive can be space-saving and inexpensive.

The carriages, which have the articulation points of the levers and the pivot arms facing away from the gripper rail and belong to a gripper rail, can be coupled together or in particular connected via a connecting rod, so that a single feed drive can suffice for each gripper rail, which can jointly adjust these coupled carriages ,

A particularly expedient refinement of the invention, which is particularly advantageous for receiving larger masses or weights, may be that the pivoting arm acting on the respective lever can be moved in a plane which runs obliquely to the plane in which the levers are movable. This results in a tensile or compressive loading of the pivot arms, whereby the bending stiffness of the entire lever and Schwenkarm arrangement can be increased, so that heavier rails and / or heavier workpieces and / or lighter levers and / or pivot arms are made possible.

In this case, the one or more pivot arms relative to the plane of movement the lever extending obliquely upwards or obliquely downward regardless of whether the plane of movement of the lever is arranged horizontally or also obliquely upwards or obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal plane. It is important for the stiffening of the scissors or half-scissors drive that the ends of the pivot arms facing away from the levers and the adjacent ends of the levers are arranged at different heights and the pivot arms approach the levers in the direction of the common joint. This results in good stiffening of the levers and pivot arms, with an arrangement of the end of the pivot arm above the end of the lever making the pivot arm a tension rod and, when placed below the end of the lever, a push rod.

It should be noted that the drive devices for the gripper rails can be mounted on vertical guides or threaded spindles and moved up and down, so that the gripper rails detected objects can also be raised and / or discontinued. In this case, a lifting unit may be provided for each press stand, which makes it possible to carry out an overstroke upwards or downwards with respect to the transport plane, wherein a pneumatic mass balance can be provided. The front and rear lifting units in the feed direction can be connected to a basic cross member, on which the feed drive for the gripper rails can be mounted.

Especially when combining one or more of the above-described features and measures results in a device with gripper rails, which can be accommodated together with their drive in a small space, the drive for the transverse movements of the gripper rails acts parallel to these and via pivot lever and forced guides in corresponding Transverse movements of the gripper rails is converted. As a result, transversely to the gripper rails arranged and moving drives can be avoided.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht einer nur teilweise und mit Umrissen gezeichneten Presse, zwischen deren Ständern eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum schrittweisen Vorschieben von Werkstücken angeordnet ist, die auch höhenverstellbar ist,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht der Anordnung gemäß Fig.1, wobei Ständer der Presse oder dergleichen Bearbeitungsmaschine in Umrissen bezüglich ihres Querschnitts erkennbar sind und schwenkbare Hebel sowie zu deren Führung dienende Schwenkarme für die Bewegungen der Greiferschienen quer zu ihrer Längserstreckung an zwischen dem Ständern befindlichen Traversen gelagert sind, wobei zwei jeweils aufeinander zu und voneinander wegbewegbare Greiferschienen vorgesehen sind,

Fig. 3

in vergrößertem Maßstab eine der Fig.2 entsprechende Darstellung einer Greiferschiene mit ihrem Antrieb, der wie die Greiferschiene selbst zwischen zwei in Längsrichtung der Greiferschiene benachbarten Ständern der Presse oder gleichen untergebracht ist,

Fig. 4

eine der Fig.3 entsprechende Darstellung nach einer Verschiebung der Greiferschiene und ihres Verstellantriebs in ihrer Längserstreckungsrichtung,

Fig. 5

eine der Fig.4 entsprechende Darstellung nach einer Verstellung der Greiferschiene von der Mitte der Presse weg nach außen hin,

Fig. 6

eine der Fig.5 entsprechende Darstellung nach Verschieben der nach außen verstellten Greiferschiene in die der Fig.3 entsprechende Position,

Fig. 7

eine der Fig.3 entsprechende Darstellung eines abgewandelten Ausführungsbeispiels, bei welchem die Verstellung und Führung der Verstellbewegung der Greiferschiene quer zur ihrer Längserstreckung beziehungsweise parallel zu sich selbst mit Hilfe zweier sich kreuzender Hebel durchführbar ist,

Fig. 8

eine der Fig.7 entsprechende Darstellung nach der Verstellung der Greiferschiene von der Mitte der Presse weg (und damit von einer nicht dargestellten spiegelsymmetrisch angeordneten weiteren Greiferschiene ebenfalls weg),

Fig. 9 bis 14

Stirnansichten der Vorrichtung an einer Presse mit unterschiedlicher räumlicher Anordnung der Hebel und der Schwenkarme, wobei diese gegenüber den Bewegungsebenen jeweils unterschiedliche Winkel haben.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows in partly schematized representation:

Fig. 1

a front view of a drawn only partially and contoured press between the uprights a device according to the invention for the gradual advancement of workpieces is arranged, which is also adjustable in height,

Fig. 2

a plan view of the arrangement according to Fig.1 , wherein stands of the press or the like processing machine in outline with respect to their cross-section are recognizable and pivoting levers and their guide serving pivot arms for the movements of the gripper rails are mounted transversely to its longitudinal extent at located between the uprights trusses, wherein two each movable toward and away from each other Gripper rails are provided,

Fig. 3

on an enlarged scale one of Fig.2 corresponding representation of a gripper rail with its drive, which is housed like the gripper rail itself between two adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the gripper rail uprights of the press or the same,

Fig. 4

one of the Figure 3 corresponding representation after a displacement of the gripper rail and its adjustment in their longitudinal direction,

Fig. 5

one of the Figure 4 corresponding representation after an adjustment of the gripper rail from the middle of the press away to the outside,

Fig. 6

one of the Figure 5 corresponding representation after moving the outwardly adjusted gripper rail in the Figure 3 appropriate position,

Fig. 7

one of the Figure 3 corresponding representation of a modified embodiment in which the adjustment and guidance of the adjustment of the gripper rail is transversely to its longitudinal extension or parallel to itself by means of two intersecting levers feasible,

Fig. 8

one of the Figure 7 corresponding representation after the adjustment of the gripper rail away from the center of the press (and thus also away from a mirror-symmetrically arranged further gripper rail, not shown),

Fig. 9 to 14

End views of the device on a press with different spatial arrangement of the lever and the pivot arms, which in each case have different angles relative to the planes of movement.

In the exemplary embodiments described below, parts that match or correspond to one another are also identical, even if they have different designs or different structural designs Reference numbers provided.

A device generally designated 1 is used in particular for stepwise advancement of workpieces not shown within an only partially shown or indicated press 2, in which the workpieces are subjected to an additional machining operation after each feed movement or after a feed step.

For a better understanding especially the 3 to 8 are the centers of the press 2 between their press dies 3 indicated by dash-dotted lines, the longitudinal center with LM and the transverse center are marked with QM.

Analogous DE 102 06 773 C1 The device 1 has two parallel, also parallel to the longitudinal center LM, in their longitudinal direction and thus movable in the feed direction and retractable gripper rails 4 on which in a manner not shown, but known manner gripper parts or gripper areas are provided for detecting the workpieces. It is through Fig. 3 to 8 at the same time indicated that a device 1 could also be provided with only one gripper rail 4, if this has corresponding gripper or gripper parts for the workpieces.

For detecting such workpieces, the respective gripper rail 4 is parallel to itself, in the case of two gripper rails 4 to each other and to release again opposite movable, while for advancing the already mentioned movements in the longitudinal extension direction of the gripper rails 4 are provided.

When comparing the Fig.2 . 3 and 4 one recognizes the gripper rail 4 first in a left and then in a right position.

When comparing the Figure 5 and 6 can be seen an opposite feed movement of the gripper rail 4, the opposite Figure 3 and 4 also wegverstellt parallel to itself from the longitudinal center LM and thus has released one or more workpieces.

In all embodiments, the gripper rails 4 each engage two parallel or mirror-synchronous to each other in the respective plane of movement, in a plane parallel thereto or in a tiltable lever 5 to pivot, wherein in a device 1 with two parallel gripper rails 4 according to FIG of a gripper rail 4 in opposite directions to those of the other gripper rail 4 are pivotable, as in Fig.2 is recognizable.

In the Fig. 2 to 8 It is shown that the two hinged to the gripper rail 4 pivotally hinged lever 5 pivotally attack with their the gripper rail 4 opposite ends or areas on parallel to the extension direction of the gripper rail 4 toward or away movable sliding parts 6, wherein the comparison of Fig. 4 and 5 or 3 and 6 makes it clear that for the reciprocating movements of the gripper rails 4 transversely to its longitudinal extent or parallel to itself, the distance of these sliding parts 6 is variable, wherein the respective gripper rail 4 is also forcibly guided in a manner to be described laterally to its longitudinal direction.

Are the two sliding parts 6 of the two levers 5 a Gripper rail 4 arranged at the greatest possible distance from each other, the gripper rail of the longitudinal center LM of the press is the next, so takes their gripping and conveying position.

In contrast, the sliding parts 5 according to Figure 5 and 6 or 8th Approaching each other, whereby the lever 5 are pivoted accordingly, the gripper rail 4 is in its longitudinal center LM farthest position in which any workpieces are released. By adjusting the displacement parts 6 from the greatest possible distance to each other to be so folded the two already in the starting position slightly inclined lever 5, thereby moving the gripper rail 4 of the center LM parallel to itself, since the two levers 5 and their sliding parts 6 symmetrically are arranged to each other and dimensioned consistently.

Here are the lever 5 and the drive to be described 7 for the sliding parts 6 almost completely within the outline of the stator 3 of the press 2 and between two longitudinally adjacent press stands 3, which are adjacent to each other in the feed direction. Thus, the drive 7 and the cooperating with him lever 5 requires no space outside the floor plan of the press. 2

Also, the drive 8 for the feed movements of the gripper rail 4 or gripper rails 4 in the longitudinal extension direction is according to 2 to 8 at least partially disposed within the outline of the stator 3 of the press 2, wherein the low in Fig.2 recognizable supernatant can be accommodated in any case within the usual outlines of located on such presses 2 guard doors.

For the already mentioned forced operation of the movement of the gripper rails 4 parallel to itself pivot arms 11 are hinged articulated again on the levers 5 between the articulated points of attack 9 on the gripper rail 4 and the articulated points of attack 10 on the respective sliding part 6, with their this pivot point 12th and the gripper rail 4 opposite end are pivotally mounted on sliding elements or stationary bearings 13. The distance between the sliding part 6 on the one hand and the displacement element or bearing 13 on the other hand is changeable and / or enlargeable for the transverse adjustment or during the transverse adjustment of the gripper rail 4, as is the comparison of Fig. 4 and 5 or 7 and 8 illustrates.

In the embodiments according to 2 to 6 In this case, the pivot arm 11 extends only between its pivot point 12 and the bearing 13, which results in a relatively simple kinematics with the aid of the lever mechanism, consisting of lever 5 and pivot arm 11. Practically, this arrangement corresponds to a "half scissors", which allows effective transverse adjustment of the gripper rail 4.

In the embodiment according to Figure 7 and 8th is shown that the pivot arm 11 crosses the lever 5 at the joint pivot point 12 and also acts on the gripper rail via a hinge 14, wherein the articulation points 9 and 14 of the lever 5 and pivotable thereto the pivot arm 11 on the gripper rail 4 with respect to their distance Adjusting the gripper rail 4 transversely to itself analogously to the distance of the sliding part 6 and the displacement element or bearing 13 is variable, as is the comparison of Fig. 7 and 8th clarified. In the away from the center LM outward position according to Figure 8 the joints 14 of the pivot arms 11 are similar to each other as the sliding parts 6 of the lever 5. It is in This case in the arrangement of lever 5 and pivot arm 11 to "real" scissors, that is, in the embodiment according to Figure 7 and 8th the gripper rails 4 are adjustable and positively guided by scissor drives transversely and parallel to themselves.

It is advantageous that the lever and the gripper rail 4 facing away, located on the bearing 13 pivot point of the pivot arm 11 as well as the articulation points 9 of the lever 5 are fixed to the gripper rail, so in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 to 6 only the located at the respective sliding part 6 articulation point 10 of the lever 5 must be adjusted.

The two sliding parts 6 of the two acting on a gripper rail 4 lever 5 are thus for adjusting the gripper rail 4 closer to these sliding parts 6 toward each other and for the gripping movement of two gripper rails 4 from each other or apart. The articulation points on the bearings 13 of the pivot lever 11 remain stationary in an advantageous manner.

It has already been mentioned that the gripper rails 4 after the detection of workpieces, ie in the position, for example, according to Fig.2 and 3 in their longitudinal direction in the position according to Figure 4 are movable. This can be done in the embodiments in that the respectively remote from the gripper rail 4 articulation points 10 of the lever 5 and the articulation points or bearings 13 of the pivot arms 11 by means of slide 15a on a parallel to the gripper rail 4 arranged guide 15 are adjustable and that for this adjustment For example, a spindle motor 8 with the threaded spindle 8a and 8a by the rotation of the threaded spindle axially adjustable, with the or the carriage 15a directly or indirectly connected spindle nut 8b or instead Working cylinder or other linear drive are provided. One recognizes when comparing the Figure 3 and 4 or 7 and 8th clearly how the spindle nut 8b is axially displaced relative to the spindle 8a by the motor 8, depending on the position of the gripper rail 4 together with the carriage 15a detected by it.

For the opposite movement of the sliding parts 6 for generating the transverse movement of the gripper rail 4 parallel to itself in the embodiments, a two opposing threaded portions having spindle 16 and the sliding parts 6 opposing thread having spindle nuts 17 are provided on which the respective threaded portions of the spindle 16 rotatable attack, wherein for the spindle 16, a single drive motor 7 is sufficient to move both sliding parts 6 toward or away from each other.

The guide 18 of the adjustable by means of the spindle nuts 17 sliding parts 6 can be clearly seen in the 2 to 8 , It is also clear that this guide 18 and thus the displacement of the sliding parts 6 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extent of the gripper rails 4.

The carriages 15a, which have the articulation points 10 of the levers facing away from the gripper rail 4 and the bearings 13 with the articulation points for the pivot arms 11, retain their mutual distance during their displacement, as illustrated by the comparison of the individual figures, and can therefore be coupled together or be connected via a connecting rod, which may be arranged on the traverses 19 having their guides 15. Thus, a feed drive 8, in the exemplary embodiment with the spindle 8a, is sufficient for each gripper rail 4 and its carriages 14.

In the 9 to 14 is shown in different arrangements that the arm 5 acting on the respective pivot arm 11 is located in a plane and is movable, which extends obliquely to the plane in which the levers 5 are located and are pivotable.

Figure 9 shows an example in which the relatively massive levers 5 are arranged horizontally and can be pivoted in a horizontal plane to actuate the gripper rails 4 accordingly, while the pivot arms 11 extend obliquely upward.

Figure 10 shows an analog arrangement, but the pivot arms 11 extend from its point of articulation on the lever 5 obliquely downwards.

In case of Figure 9 form the pivot arms 11 tension rods, while in the embodiment according to Figure 10 Compressive rods are, but they improve the resilience and the bending stiffness of the holder of the gripper rails 4 in both cases.

In all embodiments according to 9 to 14 In this case, the helix angle between lever 5 and pivot arm 11 is an acute angle whose vertex is arranged in or on the articulation point 12 of the pivot arm 11 on the lever 5.

Figure 11 and 12 shows examples in which the lever 5 are in turn arranged obliquely to a horizontal plane and movable, wherein according to Figure 11 the lever 5 from the sliding parts 6, starting from the gripper rail obliquely upwards and in Figure 5 are arranged opposite. Nevertheless, in both cases Also, the pivot arms 11 in turn arranged obliquely to these levers 5 and their planes of movement. According to Figure 11 the pivot arms 11 extend obliquely downwards from their articulation points 12 and are pressure rods, while they are in accordance with Figure 12 starting from the articulation points 12, starting obliquely upwards relative to the lever 5 and forming tension rods.

Also the Figure 13 and 14 are examples of obliquely arranged lever 5, wherein Figure 13 an example in which the associated, arranged obliquely opposite the levers 5 pivot arms are obliquely upward levers 5 tension bars, while the reverse arrangement according to Figure 14 obliquely to the gripper rails downwardly extending lever 5, where underlying oblique pivot arms 11 act as pressure rods.

In all embodiments, therefore, the pivot arms 11 extend with respect to the plane of movement of the lever 5 obliquely upwards or obliquely down regardless of whether the plane of movement and the course of the lever 5 is arranged horizontally or obliquely upwards or obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal plane. The pivot arms 11 obtained by this inclination relative to the levers 5 so a double function in which they cause a precise guide in the adjustment of the gripper rails 4 parallel to itself and in addition stiffen the self-formed by them and the levers 5 support system for the gripper rail 4 ,

Especially in the Fig.1 As well as FIGS. 10 to 14, it can also be seen that the drive devices 7 and 8 with the carriages 14 and their guides as well as the traverse 19 are mounted on vertical supports 21 fastened to the uprights 3 and can be moved up and down by means of threaded spindles 20 and threaded nuts.

Thus, the gripper rails 4 can be adjusted in height, so perform lifting and lowering movements.

The device 1 for the stepwise displacement of workpieces within a press 2 or a comparable processing device has at least one or two in their longitudinal direction and in the feed back and forth movable gripper rails 4, which are adjustable for detecting workpieces transversely to themselves. For this gripping movement, the gripper rail 4 obliquely extending to it and in opposite directions movable lever 5, the gripper rail facing away from each other or away from each other wegbewegbar, being guided to guide the resulting transverse movement of the levers 5 pivot arms 11, which are articulated with the levers 5 together form a pair of scissors or half scissors. By means of such a scissors drive, therefore, the adjusting movement of the gripper rail 4 parallel to itself can also be carried out in the smallest space and without a drive projecting beyond the longitudinal extent of the gripper rails 4.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus (1) for the stepwise movement of workpieces, particularly within a press (2), having at least one or two gripper rail or rails (4) which are movable back and forth in the direction of advance for the advance and return movement and which comprise gripper parts or gripper regions for holding the workpieces, and which is or are adjustable for holding the workpieces and moving them in the direction of advance and then back into the original position, while at least two levers (5) that are pivotable in parallel or in mirror synchronism with one another in the plane of movement, in a plane parallel thereto or in a plane at an angle thereto, act on the gripper rail or rails (4) and in an apparatus having two parallel gripper rails (4) these levers (5) of the one gripper rail (4) are pivotable in the opposite direction to those of the other gripper rail (4), characterised in that the two levers (5) pivotably jointed to the gripper rail (4) act, with their ends or regions remote from the gripper rail (4), pivotably on sliding parts (6) which are movable towards or away from one another parallel to the direction of extension of the gripper rail (4), and for the back and forth movements of the gripper rail (4) at right angles to their longitudinal extension the spacing of these sliding parts (6) is variable and the gripper rail (4) is guided forcibly at right angles to the direction of longitudinal extension thereof.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the levers (5) and the drive (7) of the sliding parts (6) are arranged at least partly inside the contour of stands (3) of the press (2), in particular between two press stands which are adjacent to one another in the direction of advance.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the drive for the advance movements of the gripper rail (4) or gripper rails (4) is arranged in the direction of longitudinal extent thereof at least partly inside the contour of the stands (3) of the press (2).
4. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, jointed to the levers (5) between the points of attack (9) thereof on the gripper rail (4) and to the respective sliding part (6), are pivot arms (11) which are pivotably secured by their end remote from the articulation point (12) and gripper rail (4), to sliding elements or fixed bearings (13), and in that the spacing of the sliding part (6) on the one hand and of the sliding element or bearing (13) on the other hand is variable or capable of being enlarged for the transverse adjustment or during the transverse adjustment of the gripper rail (4).
5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pivot arm (11) intersects the lever (5) at the common articulation point (12) and also acts on the gripper rail through a joint (14), the articulation points (9, 14) of the lever (5) and of the pivot arm (11) pivotably attached thereto on the gripper rail (4) being variable in its spacing as the gripper rail (4) is adjusted at right angles to itself analogously to the spacing of the sliding part (6) and the sliding element or bearing (13).
6. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the articulation point of the pivot arm (11) remote from the lever and the gripper rail (4) is fixed in position and the adjacent articulation point (10) of the lever (5) located on the sliding part (6) is movable relative thereto.
7. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the two sliding parts (6) of the two levers (5) acting on a gripper rail (4) are movable towards one another in order to move the gripper rail (4) closer to these sliding parts (6) and are movable away from one another for the gripping movement and the articulation points (13) of the pivot levers (11) are, in particular, fixed in position.
8. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the gripper rail (4) or gripper rails (4) are movable in their direction of longitudinal extent, after gripping workpieces, by the fact that the articulation points (10) of the levers (5) and of the pivot arms (11), remote from the gripper rail (4) in each case, can be moved by means of slides (15a) along a guide (15) arranged parallel to the gripper rail (4) and that a spindle motor or working cylinder or linear drive is provided, for example, for this adjusting movement.
9. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that for the movement of the sliding parts (6) in opposite directions a spindle (16) is provided, having two oppositely directed threaded portions and on the sliding parts (6), spindle nuts (17) are provided having oppositely directed Threads, on which the respective threaded portions of the spindle (16) engage, and the spindle (16) has a single drive motor (7).
10. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the slides (14) of a respective gripper rail, comprising the articulation points (10) of the levers (5) remote from the gripper rail (4), are coupled to one another or, in particular, are connected via a connecting rod and a single advance drive (8) is provided for each gripper rail (4).
11. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the pivot arm (11) acting on the respective lever (5) is movable in a plane that extends diagonally to the plane in which the levers (5) are movable.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the pivot arm or arms (11) extend or extends diagonally upwards or diagonally downwards, relative to the plane of movement of the levers (5), irrespective of whether the plane of movement of the levers (5) is arranged horizontally or also diagonally upwards or diagonally downwards relative to a horizontal plane.
13. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drive devices for the gripper rails are mounted on vertical supports (21) and/or threaded spindles (20) and are movable up and down.

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