GB2068148A - Improvements in or relating to method of and/or apparatus for manufacturing articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The same or different articles are sequentially manufactured according to a predetermined program in apparatus comprising cutting, punching, folding and forming machines having adjustable parts. Each machine is controlled according to the size of stock material supplied to it so that the adjustable parts of that machine are adjusted and then operated to perform the desired operation on the particular stock material in position on that machine. The articles may be cabinets for white goods and control is by a microcomputer or programmable computer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to method of and/or apparatus for manufacturing articles This invention relates to methods of and/or apparatus for manufacturing articles and has been devised particularly though not solely for use in manufacturing casings or cabinets for white goods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide methods of and/or apparatus for manufacturing articles which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in a method of sequentially manufacturing a succession of articles from sheet material, successive articles being the same or different according to a predetermined program said method comprising the steps of using programmed selecting means to select a particular size of stock material for each article to be made, using transport means to transport said selected stock material to a first operational station, locating the blank automatically at that station, causing a signal to be passed to that operating station, causing that signal to trigger adjustment means to adjust the selection and positioning of desired operating means at that station, causing said desired operating means to carry out a first series of operations on the selected stock material, causing said selected stock material to be moved to and located at a next operation station, causing a signal to be passed to that station to trigger further adjustment means to adjust the selection and position of further desired operating means of that station, causing said further desired operating means to carry out a second series of operations on the selected stock material and repeating said required steps at such further stations as are necessary to complete the cutting, punching, folding and forming of the blank into a desired shape and form and discharging the resulting article.

In a further aspect the invention consists in apparatus for manufacturing a succession of articles from sheet material, successive articles being the same or different according to a predetermined program said apparatus comprising means to provide a stock of stock material, programming means operable to adjust the apparatus to manufacture articles according to said predetermined program said programming means being adapted in use to transmit signals to trigger operation of other parts of the apparatus, stock selecting means which on being triggered by said programming means select stock material of a desired size for each article to be made, transport means connected to said programming means and on which said stock selecting means place the stock material in a desired disposition, a plurality of operating stations connected to said programming means and each having operating means and adjusting means to adjust the selection and positioning of said operating means and receipt of a signal from said programming means.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective drawing showing generalized apparatus according to the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of modified apparatus for manufacturing articles constructed according to the invention, Figure 3 is an elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, Figure 4 is a cross section of track and moving member constructed -according to the invention, Figure 5 is a side view of a construction of Fig. 4 showing clamping means according to the invention, Figure 6 is a plan view of a further modified apparatus according to the invention, Figure 7 is an elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 6, Figure 8 is a diagrammatic sketch of a notcher used in the apparatus of Figs. 6 and 7, Figure 9 is a series of sketches showing the article formed on the apparatus of Figs. 6 and 7, Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing the control of the apparatus of Figs. 6 and 7, Figure 11 is a plan view of an alternative roll stock material supply, Figure 12 is a elevation of the construction of Fig. 11, and Figure 13 is a relay ladder diagram for part of the sequence shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings an apparatus for manufacturing white goods specifically a clothes dryer is illustrated. A plurality of particular sizes of stock material e.g.

differently sized blanks of sheet material, preferably prefinished sheet steel are provided, the blanks being delivered on castored tables, the blanks 1 being delivered on castored tables 2 and a plurality of different sized blanks are positioned one size being positioned at 3 and a further size at 4. A feeding means comprising an overhead system 5 and a powered trolley means having suction cups 6 is provided to lift a blank, for example, from pile 3 onto a conveyor 7, the conveyor having either belts 8 or powered rollers (not shown) to deliver a blank placed thereon by the suction cups 6. The blanks are delivered to a first operational means 11 comprising a notching apparatus, the notching apparatus having a frame 12 and a plurality of notching means 13, the notching means 13 being positioned on bases 14.Each base 14 is movable and has actuating means so that such notching means can be moved to a desired position determined e.g. by stops both longitudinally and transversely of a blank passing therethrough. A plurality of stops are provided extendible or withdrawable by pneumatic rams so that the stop is ineffective when withdrawn but effective when extended.

In addition the notching apparatus has locating means arranged to locate each blank in a desired position relative to the notching means. Such locating means preferably comprise a plurality of stops and guides arranged to guide each blank to a desired stop and the means then being arranged to provide a force to hold the blank against that stop or those stops. A plurality of extendible and withdrawable stops may be provided. Selected notching means are automatically positioned as will be described further later and when in position and a blank is in position selected ones thereof are operated to cause notching of the blank at desired dispositions. The blank is then passed to a press 20, the press being arranged for example to provide an aperture 21 in the blank 22, or other press operations may be carried out in any main way.Again however guide and stop means are provided to guide the blank into position in the press 20. Following the press 20 is an inverting means 23 comprising a rotating member 24 which has lifting means arranged to lift a blank 22, turn the blank 180 and then feed the blank back onto the belts 8. The blank is then passed to roll means 30, the roll means being arranged to flange or otherwise form the sides of the blank. The blank is then passed to folding means 40, the folding means having fluid actuating rotating plates 41 at either end arranged to fold parts 42 and 43 of the blank at right angles to the main part of the blank. The blank is then passed to a further press means 50 in which apertures 21 (made by press 20) is provided with a flange.The apparatus is then passed to further folding means 60 in which the parts 61 and 62 are folded at right angles to the part of the blank containing the aperture 21. The blank is then changed in disposition to a vertical disposition as shown at station 70.

Rotatable drums 80 and back sheets for the dryer are provided by either a single set of apparatus shown generally at 90, or by a duplicated set of such apparatus. In such apparatus a roll of strip, preferably prefinished sheet steel, is shown at 91. This strip is straightened at 92 and the sheet is then fed to a means 93 in which the sheet is advanced by an advancing means to cause press or cutting means to operate on the sheet sequentially to result in a finished back sheet having required holes and notches and folds therein to match up with the blank 21, 22 produced from the other production line. The advancing means preferably comprise a stepping motor driving one of a pair of rollers between which the sheet is inserted.The stepping motor can then be instructed in the known way to drive the rollers to positions which are accurately determined in relation to the leading edge of the sheet. The formed casing now has other components manually assembled therein such components including drums 80, motors and all other equipment and finally the back sheet necessary to complete the dryer.

The dryers are finally enclosed in a package ing 100 being fixed with staples from staple gun 101. The dryer is inverted on a pad 102 and then reinverted on pad 103 so that the finished dryer rolls off conveyor 104 and is packaged as shown at 105.

The sequence of operation is controlled by, for example, electronic means and preferably a micro computer is provided which is programmed to select a required blank either from pile 3 or pile 4 and delivered onto the belt 8. The programming then causes desired notching means 13 to be actuated, desired pressing operations to be carried out at 20 and so on, each operational machine being instructed to position and/or actuate its tools according to the size of the blank selected and the required operations to be performed.The programmable control system may comprise for example a microprocessor based controller or a micro-computer including a control base into which data is fed and from which instructions are given to a series of microprocessors each of which controls an operational machine or group of machines so that desired operations are carried out according to the blank size when that blank arrives at the various stations or which determines the supply of parts or the particular testing operations to be carried out and the eventual path of the appliance made from that blank, e.g. if faulty that it be passed to a reworking section rather than to the packing section.

Clearly other blank sizes could be provided and different apparatus produced so that in any line adjacent articles being produced may be of different sizes and have different operations carried out thereon. The advantages of this are considerable.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5 of the drawings, a modified form of apparatus is shown therein, but again desired to make cabinets or casings for white goods. A storage and transfer arrangement is provided, the storage being substantially as above described and comprising a table 201 on which blanks of sheet metal are positioned. If desired a plurality of such tables may be provided for example, another table 202 on the opposite side (shown without any blanks thereon) and similar tables may be positioned displaced further to one or both sides of the centre line 203 of the apparatus if more than two sizes of blanks are to be catered for.A transfer mechanism 204 is provided comprising a series of pneumatic cups 205 mounted on a carriage 206, the carriage 206 being transversed by a motor 207 and traversing mechanism 208 and being arranged to lift a blank off one of the piles of blanks positioned on table 201 or 202 and to deposit that blank in a central position and to make that deposit accurately in relation to the desired datum points on the blank e.g. a side or preferably a corner and in relation to travelling members now to be described.

Referring now additionally to Figs. 4 and 5, a frame 201 work is provided comprising transverse members on which is mounted an angle member 211 The angle member 211 carries tracks 213 and 214 disposed one above the other. These tracks preferably comprise linear bearing tracks and mounted on the tracks is at least one and preferably two travelling members 215. The travelling members carry sliding members 216 which slide or move over the tracks 213 and 214. It is to be noted that the tracks 213 and 214 are arranged one above the other so that the width of the track and travelling members 215 is quite narrow so that there is little inhibition of the operation of operating means shortly to be described.The intention is that the blanks are clamped to the travelling members 215 by clamp means shown in Fig. 5 where a sheet 220 is positioned in relation to an anvil 221 fixed to the travelling member 215 and a toggle clamp has a clamping member 222 which holds the sheet 220 to the anvil 221. Such toggle member is arranged so that when in the released position all the parts of the toggle member are below the level of the sheet 220. This is so that the carriage or travelling member 215 may be returned below a sheet 20 to a starting position to pick up a new sheet.

The toggle comprises a toggle clamp 223 pivoted on a pivot 224 and actuated by toggle links 225 and 226. The member 226 carrying a pin 227 and pivoting on a pivot 228. The members 225 and 226 are connected by a pin 229 and the members 223 and 225 are connected by a pin 230. The pin 227 is in use interconnected with a piston and cylinder arrangement fixed to the frame 210 at the starting position, i.e. at position 231 in Fig. 2. This piston and cylinder arrangement actuates the pin 227 to move it from position 232 to position 233 in Fig. 5 both actuating the clamp. in the usual way the toggle goes over centre to lock clamp into position. To release the clamp a ramp is provided on the frame 210 such ramp pressing against the pin 227 in the direction of the arrow 234 to release the toggle and thus release the clamp and move the members to the positions shown in the pecked line in Fig.

5.

Positioned along the track members 213 and 214 are operating stations and for example three operating stations are provided station 240 at which punches are provided, station 241 at which further punches are provided and station 242 which comprises a roll former to form the sides of the blank to the desired shape.

To drive the travelling member or members 215 an electric motor 217 and control mechanism therefore are provided. The electric motor drives a winch arrangement 218 connected by an endless cable or chain 219 to the travelling member 215 so that by operating the electric motor forward and in reverse the travelling members are in turn moved forward or in reverse The electric motor 217 is controlled by a control circuit which supplies energy thereto so that the travelling member and consequently the blanks supported thereon to be moved and stopped accurately in position.Accordingly the electric motor is preferably a printed circuit motor such as is supplied by Printed Motors Inc. of New York and the control therefor is such that preferably the motor will accelerate from zero speed to full speed in a short time for example 0.1 of a second and which can accurately control the motor to stop at precise points with limits of for example 0.1 mm. Such circuits including servo amplifiers are known and are not further described herein. A suitable servo amplifier is a TPA/1-13840 supplied also by P.M.I.

The circuit also includes a micro-computer and feed back sub circuits to indicate to the micro-computer that an instruction has been carried out.

Alternative motors and numerical control circuits are sold as units under the trade mark FANUC.

The use of the apparatus shown in Figs. 2 to 5 will be clear from the foregoing. The blanks are positioned on the tables 201, 202 or otherwise as desired and automatic control provided by the use of micro-processors or otherwise and the mechanism 204 actuated to pick up a desired blank, i.e. a blank from one of the piles on 201 or 202 and place it accurately in position on the travelling members 215. Whether only one travelling member or more than one is used will depend on the size of the blanks which it is required to accommodate and two spaced apart travelling members connected by a link and preferred.

Also since the travelling members 215 are centrally disposed the edges of the sheet will probably require some support but such support need only be a fixed support on which the blanks slide in use and to limit the edges of the blanks from free movement it may be desirable to provide slots or channels having open mouths facing inwardly, i.e. towards each other with the edges of the blanks being run in these slots to restrain movement thereof When the blank has been accurately positioned the clamping mechanism is actuated by the piston and cylinder arrangement to clamp the blank to at least one travelling member. However clamps may be provided for example. one at each end of the blank to accurately hold the blank in position and in particular to restrain the blank from sideways, movement as well as against end movement.

If two clamps are used then preferably two travelling members are used with a clamp on each travelling member. Following clamping the electric motor is then actuated to move the blank rapidly to a position where either or both of the punch series 240 and 241 are actuated but preferably automatic means are provided to enable selective operation of punches in either or both of groups 240 and 241 to be operated. This means that a series of punches can be placed across the width of the apparatus but only selected ones of these operated to give the desired punching or pressing or other operations on the blank.

This is a matter of selection by the user. After a desired series of operations have been carried out when the blank is stopped at one position, the blank is moved by accelerating the electric motor then slowing it down under the control so that the blank is again stopped with a further portion under the punches 240 or 241 or both and again further punches or the same punch is operated to carry out further operations. During such movement feed back elements associated with the motor indicate to the micro-processor that instructions are being or have been carried out. The process is repeated as necessary and then the blank is moved by energizing the electric motor to move the blank through the roll press 242 after which further operations may be carried out for example, folding of the sides of the blank and other necessary operations carried out.Thus the tracks 213 and 214 may be extended as desired. After the necessary operations have been completed, the toggle clamp or clamps is or are released by actuation of the pin 227 by the ramp as above referred to and the clamps then folded to the position shown in pecked lines of Fig. 5 and the travelling members and the clamps are returned to the starting position to pick up a next l,lanlc The next blank will of course by this tlme have been collected from its pile and will he positioned relative to the track so that when the travelling members arrive the blank is clamped thereon and the process repeated.

The construction has the considerable advantage that rapid acceleration, accurate positioning of the blank and rapid return of the carriage can be effected.

A -construction similar to that of Figs. 2 to 5 but shown in more detail is shown in Figs 6 to 11. Thus in Figs. 6 and- 7 at a destacking station, again a plurality of stacks of blanks referenced 301, 302, 303 and 304 is provided picked up again by suction cups 305 mounted on a carrier 306. The carrier 306 is mounted on wheels 307 and the wheels run in tracks 308. A series of pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies 309 and 310 are provided and a selected piston and cylinder assembly is operated to stop the suction cups over the appropriate stack. Thus a selected stop 310 is shown extended to stop the suction cups at stack 303.

At a next station which is the first operational station, notching means 311 is provided having four similar notchers of which referenced 313 is fixed in position two of which, 312 and 314, are movable both laterally and longitudinally by adjustment means e.g. piston and cylinder assemblies 316 and 317 and one of which 315 is not movable longitudinally but is movable laterally by the pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 318.

Each notcher is a swing arm notcher as shown in sketch view in Fig. 8 in which a frme 251 carries a pivotal arm 252 on which are mounted notching tools 253 which coact on the frame 251. The pivotal arm 252 and tools 253 are moved by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 255 acting through a pressure member 256 return of the pivotal arm 252 is effected by a spring (not shown).

At the next station a roll former 320 has a fixed row of formers 321 and a movable row 322, the latter being movable laterally by adjustment means e.g. the piston and cylinder arrangement 323. A conveyor 324 is provided simply for the purpose of ensuring that partly rolled material is not stopped in the roll former, in other words once the roll former is initiated to cause traverse of a blank therethrough, the roll forming is completed (in the absence of stoppages) the formed material delivered onto the conveyor 324. At the next station a folder 325 is provided having folding plates 326 arranged to fold the ends of the blank, these plates being actuated by piston and cylinder arrangements 328 and 329 and being adjustable as to distance apart by adjustment means 373 which moves movable folder head 332. Clamp means 330 are provided to clamp the blank in position during folding.

An outfeed conveyor 331 is provided.

The operations carried out on a blank are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9 where a blank 340 is notched at 341, roll formed on the sides 342, deposited on the conveyor 324 in the fully formed condition 343 and at the folding station 325 the ends 344 are folded up before delivery to the outfeed Referring now to Fig. 10 the logic in the form of a flow diagram for a computer or microcomputer controlling operation of the machines shown in Fig. 6 and 7 to produce the article shown in Fig. 9 is shown. In this flow chart a master station 350 is provided which controls not only the apparatus shown in Fig. 6 and 7 but which may also be used to control other machinery through control lines 351. Such a master station comprises a computer or a section of a computer or a micro-computer or similar controller but may also simply comprise a series of settable relays.A keyboard 352 is provided and a visual display unit 353 which can be programmed to indicate to a user as to the state of the machinery being controlled and/or the programming of articles to be manufactured.

It is a feature of the present invention that a succession of articles may be made from sheet material successive articles being the same or different according to a predetermined program. Such program is set up in the master control 350 so that a series of signals are forwarded to the machines under control and the flow chart will describe the manner in which these signals control the various machines shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Thus the master controller programmes the control sequence under column 361. The system of control necessitates control in dual form.

Firstly, because each machine, i.e. destacker, notcher, roll former, conveyor, folder,and outfeed conveyor has no room to deliver a blank on which that particular machine has performed its operation until there is a clear space to receive that blank then each later machine has to indicate to the machine ahead of it that it is clear and ready to receive a further blank. Thus each machine includes sensing and signalling devices e.g. microswitches to indicate when operations have been carried out and each micro-switch is connected to the control column and/or the machine ahead of it to given an appropriate disgnal on operations. Thus the destacker column 362 awaits a call from the notcher column 363 which in turn awaits a call from the roll former column 364 and which in turn awaits a call from the folder column 365 and this in turn awaits a call from the outfeed column 366.In additon of course as stated above, the master control 350 issues instructions through the control column 361 as to the size of blank to be selected and for example, since the stop 310 is shown as operating the next selection will be from stack 303.

Suitable computer hardware may comprise an OMRON SYSMIC M1 or a GOULD MODI CON 484 programmable controller or a PRO LOG 7000 series microprocessor system using industrial 1 /Oh cards to give the required control.

Programming may be effected direct from the flow diagram of Fig. 10 and Fig. 13 shows a sample program for part of the notcher column 363 devised for Gould Modicon 484 programmable controller the programming language being a relay ladder diagram.

Thus wait indicator relay 0020 is energized through start switch 1020 or "presses up" switch 1039 and normally closed roll form call switch 0050 and is maintained in the energized condition by contacts 0020. Relay 0020 is de-energized on roll form call switch 0050 being opened through operation of "call notcher" relay 0050 in the roll former column 364. The roll former call contacts 0050 are at the same times closed by the call notcher relay 0050 energizing relay 0021 to indicate "roll former call acknowledged'' and to start the conveyor motor when automatic switch 1011 emergency stop switch 1013 and (normally closed) switch 1021 remains closed. Alternative switching of 0021 relay is effected by manual switch 1012 and 0021 remains energized through contacts 0021 untii the "sheet gone" contacts 1021 are opened.The "sheet gone" contacts are of course mechanically actuated by the absence of a sheet from, for example, a suitably placed microswitch.

In addition normally open contacts 1021 energize relay 0022 which causes operation of the clamping mechanism which clamps the sheet in part and if a "gauge up" switch 1022 indicates the sheet to be correctly positioned contacts 0022 maintain the relay 0022 energized and consequently either relay 0023 or 0024 is energized depending on whether switch 0013 or 0014 is instructed by the program to be closed or whether manual switch 0023 or 0024 is operated. As a result the notching tools are moved to the wide or narrow position accordingly. The remaining operating sequences are programmed in a similar manner, the Gould controller being adapted to be programmed in the above way.

The operation of the entire sequences shown on the flow diagram of Fig. 10 is as follows: Starting with the outfeed column 366 the programmer instructs the outfeed to wait until a sheet has gone off the outfeed conveyor 331 and this is actuated by a microswitch or other sensing and signalling device on the outfeed conveyor. When this microswitch op erases the folder column 365 Is called to advise that the outfeed conveyor can receive a further blank arid when a further blank is fed from the folder the microswitch will be closed indicating a sheet present which is fed back to the wait terminal causing the outfeed conveyor to prevent further messages being sent to the folder until that sheet has gone and the process is repeated.At the folder a similar system is provided of the folder being instructed to wait before performing its further operations and when an outfeed call is received the conveyor is operated to feed a further blank onto the folder, the blank is positioned accurately by operating the traveller. the equipment receives a signal from the control column 361 indicating whether the incoming sheet is short or long and as a result the moving folder head 332 is moved by piston and cylinder assembly 333 to adjust the position of the moving folder to the required situation. When the head reaches its desired position a signal is sent back indicating whether the folder head is in the long position or the short position and the conveyor is then run to run a sheet into position when the sheet has reached the gauge i.e.

predetermined position, clamps on the carriage are actuated to hold the sheets in the correct position, the operation of the clamps is checked and the folding piston and cylinders 328 and 329 are then operated to fold the ends of the sheet into position, as a result there is a further check indicating that the folds have been made and the folds are then moved downwardly, the machine records whether the folds are down, the clamps are then removed and checked to show that they are up and a signal is then sent back instructing the folder to wait pending the receipt of a further outfeed call.

In addition after the conveyor has delivered a blank to the folder a roll former call goes out to the roll former which has been waiting in accordance with its instructions, when the call has been received from the folder, the roll form motor is turned on, the conveyor motor is turned on, the signal is sent from the control line 361 to indicate whether the incoming sheet is wide or narrow, signals are sent to move the roll form head to wide or narrow, the position of the roll form head is checked as to whether it is wide or narrow and at this stage a call is sent to the notcher to indicate that the roll former is delivering a blank and by the time the notcher is ready the roll former will be free.Eventually the sheet leaves the forming rolls, a check is made, for example by a microswitch that this is the position and the roll form motor is turned off the conveyor motor is turned off and instructions given to the roll form to wait for a further folder call.

On receipt of a call the notcher column 363 which has been waiting for a further call, calls on the conveyor 324 to indicate whether its sheet has gone from it or whether the sheet is still on it, and if the sheet has gone the conveyor is positioned to hold the sheet accurately relative to the notching devices and an indication is given from the main controller as to whether the incoming sheet is narrow or wide or some other dimension and the machine is instructed to move the presses to the wide position or to the narrower position and these positions are checked before the machine is instructed as to whether the incoming sheet is long or short and the presses are moved to the long or short positions which positions are checked by indicating whether the presses are in the long or short position.

The conveyor is called to run and the destacker is called to deliver a further sheet.

When the sheet has reached the engaged position the selected presses or notching devices are operated, an indication is given that the selected notching positions are in the down or operative position are then caused to move upwardly, the gauge clamp is moved out of engagement and indication is given as to whether the presses or up or down and if up a signal is sent back to the notcher to ceases operations and wait.

On a call to the destacker being given the destacker which has been waiting receives this signal, causes the cups to move to the selected position, it is checked that there is no sheet on the cups, the selected size of sheet stop, i.e. stop 310 is indicated, the carriage is caused to move out till it reaches that stop i.e.

has reached gauge, the cups are cuased to moved down, the cups indicated whether they have touched the sheet when they do a vacuum is applied to the cups, the cups are moved up a signal given indicating that the cups are up, the carriage travels inwardly and when in position the cups are moved downwardly, vacuum release operated and an indication given that the sheet has dropped.

When this occurs the signal is passed to the destacker instructing it to wait until a further notcher call is given. The control forwards both signals which indicate sheet size to each of the machines in turn when that signal is required at that machine and accordingly the sequence here is that the control is instructed to wait until a destacker call is received then questions whether automatic selection is desired, the master is asked to indicate the size of the next sheet to be selected an indication is given that the destacker is ready, the master gives answer as to the size to be selected, the selector switches are operated accordingly and instructions passed to the destacker so that destacker is ready to select a further sheet and deliver it.

It will be seen that by suitably programming the main controller the individual control for this line will automatically actuate the machine positioning the notching devices, the width of roll forming, the distance apart of the folders in a manner such that adjacent sheets can be formed differently by the changes being made sufficiently quickly so that different sizes can be next to each other without materially delaying flow through the equipment.

The above describes a supply of blanks from a series of stacks of blanks. However it may be desirable to supply these blanks from rolls and in Figs. 11 and 12 there is shown an apparatus whereby the blanks may be supplied from rolls of stock material. Thus two rolls 401 and 402 of different sizes are mounted on stands and the material is supplied through straightening devices 403 and 404. In addition such a straightening device could include a measuring roll arranged so that when a required length of material has been delivered from one or other rolls 401 or 402 a guillotine 405 is operated the guillotine feeding the cut sheet to a conveyor 406. If found necessary the rolls 403 and 404 may be reversed through a short distance after a cut has been made by the guillotone 405, so that the next feed may be from a different roll without operation of the guillotine being interferred with.

Claims (23)

1. A method of sequentially manufacturing a succession of articles from sheet material, successive articles being the same or different according to a predetermined program said method comprising the steps of using programmed selecting means to select a particular size of stock material for each article to be made, using transport means to transport said selected stock material to a first operational station, locating the blank automatically at that station, causing a signal to be passed to that operating station, causing that signal to trigger adjustment means to adjust the selection and position of desired operating means at that station, causing said desired operating means to carry out a first series of operations on the selected stock material, causing said selected stock material to be moved to and located at a next operational station, causing a signal to be passed to that station to trigger further adjustment means to adjust the selection and position of further desired operating means of that station, causing said further desired operating means to carry out a second series of operations on the selected stock material and repeating said required steps at such further stations as are necessary to complete a plurality of operations selected from cutting, punching. folding and forming of the blank into a desired shape and form and discharging the resulting article.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 which includes the step of fixing each blank of stock of material to a travelling member in a position determined by locating a reference on the blank in a fixed disposition relative to a datum on the travelling member.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said step of selecting a particular size of stock material includes the steps of supplying stock material from a plurality of rolls of different widths and cutting a particular size of stock material from a selected roll for each article to be made.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which includes the step of selecting said particular size of stock material by selecting a blank from a selected one of a plurality of stacks of differently sized blanks, the blanks in each stack being of the same size.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes the steps of performing at different stations on the stock material one or more of the operations of notching, pressing, cutting, roll forming to alter the transverse profile thereof, and folding.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 which includes the step of notching and is effected by use of a swinging arm notching device.

7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes the step of using a computer or microprocessor interconnected to the apparatus at each station to cause said signals to be passed to the stations.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 which includes the step of programming said computer or microprocessor by including therein software which is associated with the hardware thereof and enables the desired program to be implemented.

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes the steps of positioning said stock material in a punching machine or press, at a selected station, gripping the sheet material so that it can be moved by moving means over accurate distances relative to the leading edge of the stock material, automatically moving the stock material to a first position, actuating selected one or ones of a group of punches and/or presses to cause apertures or shapes to be.formed in the sheet of material, automatically moving the sheet of material by use of said moving means to a further disposition causing further actuation of selected ones of said punches or coining tools or presses to cause further operations to be carried out on the sheet of material and continuing the process until all required steps have been carried out at that station on the stock material.

10. A method of sequentially manufacturing a succession of articles from sheet material when constructed, arranged and operable substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

11. Apparatus for manufacturing a succession of articles from sheet material, successive articles being the same or different according to a predetermined program said apparatus comprising means to provide a stock of stock material, programming means operable to adjust the apparatus to manufacture articles according to said predetermined program said programming means being adapted in use to transmit signals to trigger operation of other parts of the apparatus, stock selecting means which on being triggered by said program ming means select stock material of a desired size for each article to be made, transport means connected to said programming means and on which said stock selecting means place the stock material in a desired disposition, a plurality of operating stations connected to said programming means and each having operating means and adjusting means to adjust the selection and positioning of said operating means and receipt of a signal from said programming means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means to provide a stock of stock material comprises a plurality of stack beds each adapted to carry a differently sized blank of sheet material.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said stock selecting means have actuating means actuable on an appropriate signal being received from said programming means to select a particular sized blank and place said blank in said desired disposition.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wheren said means provide a stock of stock material comprises a plurality of mountings for rolls of stock material of different widths, stock feeding means to feed stock material from a selected roll and cutting means to cut the fed material to a selected length for each article to be made.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein said transport means comprises a travelling member or members a track for said travelling member or members, clamping means which in use clamp the sheets in said desired position on said travelling member or members, actuating means controlled by energy control means, said actuating means in use moving said travelling member or members and stock material thereon to desired positions relating to said operating stations along said track, said operating means at said operating station performing in use and on an appropriate signal being received from said programming means performing desired operations on said stock material selected from notching, punching, pressing, roll forming and folding, the construction and arrangement being such that in use said actuating means are automatically actuated by said energy control means on receipt of an appropriate signal from said programming means In a manner such at accurate positioning of said stock material relative to said operating means at said operating stations is effected to enable desired operations to be carried out on the stock material.

16 Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said actuating means include an electric motor and said energy control means include an energy control circuit arranged to accelerate the driving motor at a high rate to move the sheet and to stop the blank at the desired positions with considerably accuracy.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said track comprises a linear bearing track.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein said clamping means comprise one or more toggle clamps actuable to clamp by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement and actuable to be released by running over a ramp or other release means.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18 wherein said operating means includes notching means comprising a frame and a plurality of swinging arm notching shears adjustable in position on said frame and arranged so that in use and on an appropriate signal being received from said programming means selected ones of said notching shears can be automatically positioned in relation to a reference point on the stock material to cause notches to be made therein.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19 including said adjusting means comprising for at least any size operating station tool selection means operable on receipt of an appropriate signal from said programming means to select an appropriate tool or tools forming part of said operating means for actuation, leaving other tool or tools at that station inhibited from actuation on receipt of an actuating signal from said programming means.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 20 wherein said adjusting means for at least one said operating station comprise shifting means operable on receipt of an appropriate signal from said computing means to shift the position of individual tools forming part of said operating means.

22. Apparatus for manufacturing a succession of articles from sheet material when constructed arranged and assembled substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.