Material feeding apparatus with gripping member linkage and method of operation

摘要

A gripper type material feeding apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus includes a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism.

主权项

1. An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first gripper mechanism comprising a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece; a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism; and a first programmable controller for controlling the actuation of the first release actuator; wherein the second pivot axis of the first release connecting link is movable in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction opposite to the first direction; wherein the first release actuator is reversible; and wherein the reversible first release actuator comprises a rotary actuator and a driving member.