Transport Apparatus Having Gripping Tongs

Abstract

In a transport apparatus for transferring workpieces in a multi-station forming device, gripping tools are arranged on a gripping tool support which is movable back and forth between the stations of the forming device. The gripping tools are each assigned a gripping tool drive, which is arranged on the gripping tool support, for individual operation of the gripping tools for gripping or releasing a workpiece. The gripping tools each have two tong arms which are movable linearly towards one another and away from one another by means of the respective gripping tool drive. The gripping tool drives are each configured to be electrically or hydraulically servo-controlled.

1 . A transport apparatus for transferring workpieces in a forming device comprising at least two stations, having a gripping tool support which is movable back and forth between the stations of the forming device and on which there are arranged at least two gripping tools, configured as gripping tongs, each for gripping one workpiece, wherein the gripping tools are each assigned a gripping tool drive, which is arranged on the gripping tool support, for individual operation of the gripping tools for gripping or releasing a workpiece, wherein the gripping tools each have two tong arms which are movable linearly towards one another and away from one another by means of the respective gripping tool drive, and the gripping tool drives are each configured to be electrically or hydraulically servo-controlled. 
     
     
         2 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tong arms are each arranged on a respective tong carriage which is slidably mounted in a tong body; the tong carriages are each kinematically connected to a respective toothed rod; and the toothed rods are in engagement with a motor-drivable drive pinion, the tong carriages and accordingly the tong arms being movable in opposite directions by means of the drive pinion. 
     
     
         3 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the tong arms are arranged on the tong carriages so as to be adjustable relative thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the gripping tool drives has a servo motor having a rotary encoder for opening and closing the gripping tools. 
     
     
         5 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the gripping tool drives are assigned a gripping tool controller which is configured to control the opening and closing movements of the individual gripping tools individually. 
     
     
         6 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the gripping tool controller is configured to control the clamping force of the individual gripping tools individually. 
     
     
         7 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the gripping tool controller is configured to recognise and signal a process disturbance caused by an empty gripping tool or by a workpiece incorrectly inserted into the gripping tool. 
     
     
         8 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the gripping tools are equipped with a four-point holding arrangement for the workpieces being gripped, which four-point holding arrangement is formed by tong shoes. 
     
     
         9 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the gripping tool drives has a servo motor having a rotary encoder for opening and closing the gripping tools. 
     
     
         10 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the gripping tool drives are assigned a gripping tool controller which is configured to control the opening and closing movements of the individual gripping tools individually. 
     
     
         11 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the gripping tool drives are assigned a gripping tool controller which is configured to control the opening and closing movements of the individual gripping tools individually. 
     
     
         12 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the gripping tool drives are assigned a gripping tool controller which is configured to control the opening and closing movements of the individual gripping tools individually. 
     
     
         13 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the gripping tool controller is configured to recognise and signal a process disturbance caused by an empty gripping tool or by a workpiece incorrectly inserted into the gripping tool. 
     
     
         14 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the gripping tools are equipped with a four-point holding arrangement for the workpieces being gripped, which four-point holding arrangement is formed by tong shoes. 
     
     
         15 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the gripping tools are equipped with a four-point holding arrangement for the workpieces being gripped, which four-point holding arrangement is formed by tong shoes. 
     
     
         16 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the gripping tools are equipped with a four-point holding arrangement for the workpieces being gripped, which four-point holding arrangement is formed by tong shoes. 
     
     
         17 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the gripping tools are equipped with a four-point holding arrangement for the workpieces being gripped, which four-point holding arrangement is formed by tong shoes. 
     
     
         18 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the gripping tools are equipped with a four-point holding arrangement for the workpieces being gripped, which four-point holding arrangement is formed by tong shoes. 
     
     
         19 . The transport apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the gripping tools are equipped with a four-point holding arrangement for the workpieces being gripped, which four-point holding arrangement is formed by tong shoes.