“ROTARY TILTING UNIT FOR TRANSFER MACHINES”

The present invention relates to a rotary tilting unit for transfer machines. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a transfer machine provided with at least one of the above units.

In other words, the present invention refers to the field of special machine tools and in particular to transfer machines with reference, for example, to the field of machining by removing chips from an object. Therefore, the present invention can refer, not limitedly, to the automotive field as well as to the medical field or to other fields in which steel, aluminum or other metallic material is machined.

Generally, the term transfer machine means a machine provided with several machining stations in which the object is transported along a (circular) path so that it passes through all the stations so as to perform different machinings per station, reducing the machining cycle. In other words, by means of the transfer machines it is possible to reduce the “bottlenecks” which could occur in different machining lines.

Nevertheless, it is known that transfer machines still have problems related to the positioning of the object with respect to the tool.

For example, the known transfer machines include that the retaining means of the object are further arranged for a movement thereof before the latter is machined by the machine. Therefore, the object can be free to move on two axes while the tool is free to move on three axes so as to obtain the necessary machining.

Whether the positioning of the object occurs during transport from one station to another, or whether such a positioning occurs once the machining station is reached, it is inevitable that slowdowns or possible "bottlenecks" can be created as a function of which position the object must assume with respect to the tool. In other words, the Applicant underlines how the known type of transfer machines are still subject to high set-up times between one machining station and another or in the station itself.

Furthermore, if the transfer machine is to be modeled so that the distances between one station and the other are suitable for the set-up of the object, there would still be high cycle times or excessive dimensions of the transfer machine.

Therefore, the technical task of the present invention is to provide a rotary tilting unit and a transfer machine capable of overcoming the drawbacks which have emerged from the background art.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a rotary tilting unit and a transfer machine which allow further reducing the machining times of the objects.

A further object of the present invention further being that of providing a rotary tilting unit and a transfer machine which allow eliminating the set-up times related to the object.

In other words, it is an object of the present invention to machine the object without orienting the object itself with respect to the tool before or during the machining. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to move the object only between one machining station and the other, eliminating the "bottlenecks" which could be generated due to the configuration of the object.

The specified technical task and objects are substantially achieved by a rotary tilting unit and a transfer machine comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

In particular, the technical task and the specified objects are achieved by a rotary tilting unit for transfer machines comprising a tool, configured to machine an object, and a tool orientation system.

The orientation system comprises a tool movement device configured to translate the tool along an extension axis thereof, translation means configured to translate the tool along a first movement axis and a second movement axis and rotation means configured to rotate the tool about a first rotation axis, orthogonal to the first and second horizontal movement axes, and to perform a tilting movement of the tool about a second rotation axis arranged along the tool movement device.

Advantageously, the rotary tilting unit allows the tool to perform movements on five degrees of freedom, thus allowing machining an object which does not require any particular set-up.

In other words, the rotary tilting unit allows the tool to be moved in a particularly large working volume, allowing it to reach different areas of the object to be machined. Thereby, it is not necessary to move and orient the object with respect to the tool, effectively eliminating the set-up times which would otherwise be necessary to allow the tool to reach different areas of the object.

Furthermore, the technical task and the specified objects are achieved by a transfer machine comprising a conveyor having a plurality of retaining means for objects to be machined and defining a circular movement line for the objects within the transfer machine, and a plurality of machining stations arranged along the circular movement line. One or more of said machining stations comprises a respective rotary tilting unit referred to above.

Advantageously, the object transported in the transfer machine through the different machining stations does not need to be configured to be machined by a specific tool and it is therefore possible to reduce the machining times as well as eliminate the set-up times with respect to the known type of transfer machines.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative and thus non-limiting description of an embodiment of a rotary tilting unit and a transfer machine. Such a description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of mere, and thus non-limiting, indication, in which: figures 1A-1 D are diagrammatic depictions of different views of the rotary tilting unit object of the present invention; figure 2 is an exploded view of the rotary tilting unit of the present invention; and figure 3 is a diagrammatic depiction of a transfer machine object of the present invention.

With reference to the accompanying figures, numeral 100 indicates as a whole a rotary tilting unit for transfer machines 1000.

The rotary tilting unit 100 comprises a tool 13 configured to machine an object, not shown, for example a machining by removing chips from the object.

The term "object" refers to any component to be machined, generally made of steel, aluminum or other metallic material.

Preferably, but not limitedly, the rotary tilting unit 100 and therefore the transfer machine 1000 are applicable to the machining of objects for the automotive field as well as for the medical field.

The rotary tilting unit 100 further comprises an orientation system of the tool 13. The orientation system is advantageously configured to move the tool 13 along five degrees of freedom, as will become clearer from the following description, to machine the object in all directions without moving the object itself during or before the machining or during the transport thereof to a machining station 1001 .

The orientation system comprises a movement device 5 of the tool 13 configured to translate the tool 13 along an extension axis “Z” thereof.

As depicted in the accompanying drawings, the movement device 5 comprises a linear actuator 11 configured to translate the tool 13 along the extension axis “Z”. In other words, the movement device 5 (i.e., the linear actuator 11 ) is configured to move the tool 13 to and from the object to be machined. Therefore, the tool 13 is configured to move inside the movement device 5 so as to reach or move away from the object.

The orientation system further comprises translation means configured to translate the tool 13 along a first movement axis "X" and a second movement axis "Y".

In other words, the translation means are configured to move the tool 13 along a plane facing the object to be machined.

In figure 3, such a plane is depicted as a plane in which the first movement axis "X" is horizontal and in which the second movement axis "Y" is vertical. With respect to where the rotary tilting unit 100 is located in the transfer machine 1000, the first and second movement axes "X" and "Y" can have different orientations.

As depicted, for example, in the accompanying drawings, the translation means comprise a first plate 2 and a second plate 3.

The first plate 2 is configured to translate the tool along the first movement axis "X".

The second plate 3 is configured to translate the tool along the second movement axis "Y".

Preferably, the first and second plates 2, 3 have respective holes 2a and 3a for the passage of the tool 13 through the plates 2, 3.

In other words, the first 2 and the second plate 3 are arranged so as to surround the tool 13 (i.e., the movement device 5) and are configured to move the tool 13 in a space delimited by the holes 2a and 3a.

Preferably, and as depicted in the accompanying drawings, the rotary tilting unit 100 (i.e., the orientation system) further comprises a base plate 1 also having a respective hole 1a for the passage of the tool 13 through the base plate 1 itself. The hole 1 a defines an effective movement area of the tool 13. As depicted in the accompanying drawings, the tool 13 extends beyond the hole 1 a; in other words, the tool is arranged beyond the base plate 1 on the opposite side with respect to the first 2 and the second plate 3. Preferably, the first plate 2 is located below the second plate 3 as depicted in the accompanying drawings.

In such a configuration, the base plate 1 comprises first guides 2b on which the first plate 3 slides and the first plate 2 comprises second guides 2c on which the second plate 3 slides, as depicted in the accompanying drawings.

Alternatively, the second plate 3 is located below the first plate 2.

In such a configuration, the base plate 1 comprises first guides 2b on which the second plate 3 slides and the second plate 3 comprises second guides 2c on which the first plate 2 slides.

In other words, the base plate 1 comprises first guides 2b on which the first plate 2 or the second plate 3 slides while the first plate 2 and the second plate 3 are slidingly coupled to each other by means of the second guides 2c.

The first 2 and the second plate 3 comprise respective actuators 7 and 8 configured to translate along the first and second movement axes "X" and "Y"

As depicted in the accompanying drawings, the first actuator 7 is configured to move the first plate 2 along the first installed guides 2b while the second actuator 8 is configured to move the second plate 3 along the second guides 2c.

In other words, the first 7 and second actuator 8 are configured to move the first plate 2 and the second plate 3 on the respective guides (2b and 2c) as a function of how the plates are mounted on each other.

Preferably, each actuator 7 and 8 is provided with a motor, a reducer and a screw RS which allow moving the plates 2 and 3 on the respective guides 2b and 2c.

The orientation system further comprises rotation means configured to rotate the tool 13 about a first rotation axis "A" orthogonal to the first "X" and to the second movement axis "Y".

Preferably, the rotation means comprise a third plate 4 configured to rotate about the first rotation axis "A".

Preferably, the third plate 4 comprises a toothed wheel 4a (or pinion) and a respective actuator 9 configured to interact with the toothed wheel 4a to rotate about the first rotation axis "A". Preferably, the actuator 9 is provided with a motor, a reducer and a pinion which engages the toothed wheel to rotate it.

Preferably, the third plate 4 is structured so as to insert at least partially in the hole 3a of the second plate 3 (or in the hole 2a of the first plate 2, based on which of the two is above the other) allowing a rotation of the tool 13 within the area defined by the holes 2a and 3a (i.e., delimited by the hole 1 a).

Preferably, in a possible configuration of the rotary tilting unit 100, the extension axis "Z" and the first rotation axis "A" can coincide.

Furthermore, the rotation means are configured to perform a tilting movement of the tool 13 with a rotation about a second rotation axis "B" arranged along the movement device 5 of the tool 13. Preferably, the second rotation axis "B" is orthogonal to the extension axis "Z" of the tool 13.

Preferably, as depicted in figure 2, the rotation means comprise pins 14 arranged along the movement device 5 to perform the tilting movement of the tool 13 about the second rotation axis "B".

Preferably, the pins 14 are arranged at a predetermined height of the movement device 5 with respect to the toothed wheel 4a to perform the tilting movement about the second rotation axis "B".

Preferably, the pins 14 are arranged at a height from the toothed wheel 4a between 50 mm and 150 mm.

Even more preferably, the pins 14 are arranged at a height of 100 mm from the toothed wheel.

In other words, the movement device 5 has the aforesaid pins 14 which are hinged to a plate on which the movement device 5 is mounted to perform, as for example depicted in figure 3, the tilting movement. Preferably, the movement device 5 (i.e., the rotation means) is provided with an actuator 10 configured to lever the movement device 5 itself so as to perform the tilting movement about the second rotation axis "B". In other words, the actuator 10 pushes the movement device 5, causing it to rotate about the pins 14.

Preferably, the sequence of movements achievable by the rotary tilting unit 100 is such that the "Z" axis is the advancement axis of the hole in the object from which the chip is to be removed.

In figure 2, the axes "X", "Y", "Z", "A" and "B" have been depicted, while in figure 3 the respective movements and rotations of the tool 13 have been indicated overall with the symbols "X1", "Y1", "Z1 ”, “A1 ” and “B1 ”, i.e., the five degrees of freedom of the tool 13.

Advantageously, the rotary tilting unit 100 allows the tool 13 to be moved so as to perform machinings in a volume "V" greater than that which can be reached by the known tools.

In particular, it is possible to orient and move the tool 13 on five degrees of freedom so as to reach different areas of the object to be machined. In other words, unlike the tools of the known art, which are generally movable only on three degrees of freedom and which therefore require orienting the object to reach different areas thereof, the rotary tilting unit 100 allows movements and orientations of the tool 13 of greater scope with reference to an area where the object itself is placed. In particular, the movement device 5, the translation means and the rotation means allow the tool 13 to be moved for the above five degrees of freedom, allowing greater freedom of orientation and movement thereof.

Advantageously, the rotary tilting unit 100 allows fast and effective machinings to be performed without the need to move the object before or during the chip removal operation.

Therefore, the rotary tilting unit 100 advantageously allows reducing the working times within a transfer machine 1000. Advantageously, it is possible to maintain certain tolerances with the rotary movement of the tool 13 and the other movements imparted by the rotary tilting unit 100, ensuring an effective movement and machining.

Preferably, the rotary tilting unit 100 is connected or connectable to a control unit, not shown in the accompanying drawings, which controls the various configurations thereof so as to perform the specific movements of the tool 13 along the different degrees of freedom.

The present invention further relates to a transfer machine 1000.

The transfer machine 1000 comprises a conveyor 1002 having a plurality of retaining means 1003 for objects to be machined.

The conveyor 1002 further defines a circular movement line for the objects within the transfer machine 1000.

As depicted in the accompanying drawings, the retaining means 1003 are made in the form of clamps, making the conveyor itself simple from a constructional point of view.

The transfer machine 1000 further comprises a plurality of machining stations 1001 arranged along the circular movement line.

One or more of the machining stations 1001 comprises a respective rotary tilting unit 100 as described above.

Preferably, along the circular movement line, there are several machining stations 1001 each provided with a special rotary tilting unit 100.

Since the retaining means 1003 are made in the form of clamps, the rotary part of the machine becomes very simple and when the object is stationary the other movements are made only by the tool 13 (since it is moved by the rotary tilting unit 100).

Preferably, each rotary tilting unit 100 of the transfer machine 1000 is configured to perform one or more operations on the object so that, once it has passed through several machining stations 1001 , the complete chip removal operation desired is performed.

Since only the rotary tilting units 100 (i.e., the tools 13 of each machining station 1001 in which present) move to perform the machining, the different stations can be brought closer together and the machining times for each station reduced in order to obtain a continuous production of objects.

Thereby, the cycle times on the single object are significantly reduced compared to those of the known type of transfer machines.

Preferably, the transfer machine 1000 comprises a control unit, not shown in the accompanying drawings, configured to control one or more of the rotary tilting units 100 present in the transfer machine 1000. In other words, the control unit is configured to control the individual movements and rotations of the different tools 13 through the rotary tilting unit 100 in order to ensure the correct performance thereof to avoid slowdowns, "bottlenecks" and ensure a high production of machined objects.

Advantageously, the present invention is capable of overcoming the drawbacks which have emerged from the background art.

Advantageously, the present invention allows reducing the machining times of objects with respect to the transfer machines of the known type. Advantageously, the present invention allows the set-up times related to the object to be eliminated.

Advantageously, the present invention allows obtaining a continuous production line without "bottlenecks", which allows increasing the production of machined objects.

In particular, each rotary tilting unit 100 is capable of performing one or more specific operations on the object and, since the object must only be transported in the transfer machine without further movements thereof to prepare it for machining, it avoids slowdowns during transport or once the object has reached the machining station 1001 .

Furthermore, since the rotary tilting unit 100 allows the tool 13 to be moved over five degrees of freedom, each rotary tilting unit 100 is capable of performing even complex operations on the object. Furthermore, the division of the operations on each rotary tilting unit 100 allows obtaining the aforesaid continuous production which further ensures high production volumes of machined objects.