Device and method for replacing machining inserts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10035201-B2
Application number	US-201415034677-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2014
Priority date	Nov 8, 2013
Publication date	Jul 31, 2018
Grant date	Jul 31, 2018

Abstract

The invention relates to a replacement device ( 1 ) for replacing machining inserts ( 900 ) on a tool ( 800 ) comprising a body ( 810 ) and a head ( 820 ) carrying at least one machining insert ( 900 ), each insert being held on the head ( 820 ) by a screw. The device ( 1 ) comprises:
a positioner ( 50 ) including a holder element ( 59 ) suitable for holding the body ( 810 ) of the tool; a screwdriver station with a screw gun ( 60 ) suitable for tightening and loosening the screws, the positioner ( 50 ) being suitable for moving the tool relative to the screwdriver station; a grip device ( 70 ) suitable for picking up and putting down an insert ( 900 ); a conveyor ( 500 ) having a plurality of receptacles ( 510 ) for inserts, and having distributed along it a first station ( 100 ) with the grip device ( 70 ), a second station ( 200 ) with a turning mechanism ( 20 ) for turning the inserts around, a third station ( 300 ) with an unloading mechanism ( 30 ) for unloading the inserts, and a fourth station ( 400 ) with an insert feed mechanism ( 40 ); a transport mechanism ( 80 ) suitable for moving the grip device ( 70 ) between the positioner ( 50 ) and the first station ( 100 ) of the conveyor ( 500 ); and a control center ( 600 ) suitable for automatically controlling one or more of the mechanisms and devices and/or the conveyor of the replacement device ( 1 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A replacement device for replacing machining inserts on a tool comprising a body and a head carrying at least one machining insert, said at least one insert being held on said head by a screw, comprising:
a positioner including a holder element suitable for holding said body of said tool;
a screwdriver station with a screw gun suitable for tightening and loosening said screws, said positioner being suitable for moving said tool relative to said screwdriver station;
a grip device suitable for picking up and putting down said insert;
a conveyor having a plurality of receptacles for inserts, a first station with said grip device, a second station with a turning mechanism for turning said inserts on themselves, a third station with an unloading mechanism for unloading said inserts, and a fourth station with an insert feed mechanism being distributed along said conveyor;
a transport mechanism suitable for moving said grip device between said positioner and said first station of the conveyor; and
a control center suitable for automatically controlling one or more of the mechanisms and devices and/or the conveyor of said replacement device.

2. The replacement device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said positioner is a hinged arm having an end provided with said holder element.

3. The replacement device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said conveyor is a turntable for turning about an axis of rotation, with said first station, second station, third station, and fourth station being distributed around the turntable.

4. The replacement device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said first, second, third and fourth stations are arranged at corners of a square centered on the axis of rotation of said turntable, and said turntable has four insert receptacles arranged at corners of a square, such that when one of said receptacles is facing any one of said stations, each of the other three receptacles is facing another one of said stations.

5. A method of replacing one or more machining inserts on a tool having a body and a head carrying at least one machining insert, each insert presenting at least one edge and a hole, and being held on said head by a screw passing through said hole, the method comprising the following steps:
a) providing a positioner having a holder element suitable for receiving said body of the tool, and placing the body in said holder element;
b) using said positioner to position said head so that the screw holding an insert that presents a blunt edge is in alignment with the main axis of a screw gun, and then unscrewing the screw with said screw gun;
c) using a grip device to pick up said insert;
d) providing a conveyor having a plurality of receptacles for inserts and having distributed therealong a first station with the grip device, a second station with a turning mechanism for turning inserts on themselves, a third station with an unloading mechanism for unloading inserts, and a fourth station with a feed mechanism for feeding inserts;
e) using a transport mechanism to move said grip device between the positioner and the first station, and then using said grip device to put said insert down on the receptacle that is facing said first station;
f) performing steps g), h), l) if said insert presents at least one sharp edge, or performing steps i), j), k), l) if said insert does not present any sharp edges;
g) causing said conveyor to move so to bring said receptacle from the first station to said second station and then using the turning mechanism to cause said insert to turn on itself so as to position said sharp edge in a position of said blunt edge;
h) causing said conveyor to move so as to return said receptacle from said second station to said first station;
i) causing said conveyor to move so as to bring said receptacle from the first station to said third station, and then using an unloading mechanism to remove the insert from the receptacle on which said insert is to be found, so that the receptacle is empty;
j) causing said conveyor to move so as to bring said receptacle from the third station to said fourth station, and then using a feed mechanism to place a new insert on said receptacle;
k) moving said conveyor so as to bring said receptacle from said fourth station to said first station;
l) using the grip device to take hold of said insert, and then using said transport mechanism to transport the grip device from the first station to the positioner, and then placing the insert on its location on the head in such a manner that the hole in the insert is in line with the rod of the screw gun; and
m) placing a screw in said hole and then using the screw gun to screw the insert onto the head of the turntable.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said conveyor is a turntable for turning about an axis of rotation and having said first station, said second station, said third station, and said fourth station distributed around the turntable.

Assignees

• Snecma

Inventors

• Hebuterne Damien
• Baron Philippe
• Lecomte Janvier
• Yondo Ange

Classifications

• Y10T29/534

  Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus · CPC title

• B23P19/06

  Screw or nut setting or loosening machines · CPC title

• B23C2210/165

  Fixation bolts · CPC title

• B23C5/20

  with removable cutter bits or teeth {or cutting inserts} · CPC title

• B23P19/001

  Article feeders for assembling machines (screws or nuts being carried by a disposable strip or disc B25B23/045) · CPC title