SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND PROCESSING A VARIETY OF PART SHAPES USING ROBOTIC TENDING

摘要

A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

主权项

1. What is claimed is a method of using a robotic tender for tending a CNC machine, comprising the steps of:
providing a part gripping jaw configured to grip a part, said part gripping jaw comprised of at least a left jaw and a right jaw, said jaws having a first side and a second side, with each of said jaws having defined therein a part gripping profile on said first side, configured to grip a part when at least said left and right jaws are activated; providing a robotic arm with an EOAT configured to engage said left and said right jaws, with said EOAT capable of moving said left and right jaws together or apart, in order to grip a part in said part gripping profile; placing a part to be machined in a position for pickup by said robotic arm engaging said part gripping jaw with said EOAT; moving said left and right jaws to an engagement position by said EOAT; placing said part gripping jaw inverted over said part; moving said left and right jaws into a securing position by action of said EOAT, thereby gripping said part; lifting said part by movement of said robotic arm; inverting said part gripping jaw with gripped part; moving said part gripping jaw and gripped part to a vise of said CNC machine, and engaging said part gripping jaw with attached part in said vise by activation of said vise; disengaging said EOAT from said part gripping jaw and removing said EOAT from said CNC machine; and processing said part in said CNC machine.