Apparatus for automatic execution of machining operations, such as welding

Claim 2

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, such as welding, by controlling individual partial movements of a tool, relative to a workpiece, along each of a pair of mutually perpendicular coordinates in a coordinated manner such that the total movement of the tool along the workpiece comprises plural individual closed path movements periodically repeated at different points along the workpiece, said apparatus comprising, in combination, carriage means automatically movable relative to the workpiece and automatically displaceable between different points on the workpiece at which individual closed path movements are formed; guide members extending longitudinally of one of said coordinates and guiding said carriage means for movement along said one coordinate; said carriage means including two first elements at least one of which is positively connected with the workpiece; two second elements, each movable along a respective one of the coordinate, on said carriage means; and a tool mounted on one of said second elements; said second elements imparting superimposed movements to said tool in accordance with the desired closed path movements.

Claim 3

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 1, in which one of said second elements is operable to effect movement of said tool longitudinally of said guide members and the other of said second elements is operable to effect movement of said tool transversely of said guide members; and adjustable components connected with said second elements and serving, during machining at a point of the workpiece, for pre-adjustment of the coordinates for the next machining point of the workpiece; said adjustable components comprising respective bushings each connected to one of said second elements, respective rods, each extending through one of said bushings, with one of said rods being connected to said tool for movement of the latter, first brake means operatively associated with said rods and mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the associated rods, second brake means operatively associated with said bushings and third brake means each fixed to a respective second element and operable on the associated rod.

Claim 4

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 1, including analog means operatively associated with said elements and controlling the partial movements of said tool.

Claim 5

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 1, including numerical means operatively associated with said elements and controlling the partial movements of said tool.

Claim 6

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 1, including analog means operatively associated with said elements and serving, during a machining operation at one point of the workpiece, to pre-adjust the apparatus in accordance with the coordinates for the succeeding machining point.

Claim 7

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claiM 1, including numerical means operatively associated with said elements and serving, during machining at one point of the workpiece, for pre-adjustment of the coordinates for the next machining point on the workpiece.

Claim 8

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 1, including a template serving as a control member for movement of said carriage means and for relative movements of said tool; said template being engageable by said at least one element.

Claim 9

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, such as welding, by controlling individual partial movements of a tool, relative to a workpiece, along each of a pair of mutually perpendicular coordinates in a coordinated manner such that the total movement of the tool along the workpiece comprises plural individual closed path movements periodically repeated at different points along the workpiece, said apparatus comprising, in combination, carriage means movable relative to the workpiece; guide members extending longitudinally of one of said coordinates and guiding said carriage means for movement along said one coordinate; said carriage means including two first elements at least one of which is positively connected with the workpiece; two second elements, each movable along a respective coordinate, on said carriage means; a tool mounted on one of said second elements; said second elements imparting superimposed movements to said tool in accordance with the desired closed path movements; means for fixing said carriage means relative to the workpiece includes a centering bolt spaced a relative short distance from the particular machining area, and a guide element, engageable with said guide members and permitting movement of said carriage means along only said one coordinate, said guide elements being positioned remote from said centering bolt.

Claim 10

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, such as welding, by controlling individual partial movements of a tool, relative to a workpiece, along each of a pair of mutually perpendicular coordinates in a coordinated manner such that the total movement of the tool along the workpiece comprises plural individual closed path movements periodically repeated at different points along the workpiece, said apparatus comprising, in combination, carriage means movable relative to the workpiece; guide members extending longitudinally of one of said coordinates and guiding said carriage means for movement along said one coordinate; said carriage means including two first elements at least one of which is positively connected with the workpiece; two second elements, each movable along a respective coordinate, on said carriage means; a tool mounted on one of said second elements; said second elements imparting superimposed movements to said tool in accordance with the desired closed path movements; means for fixing said carriage means relative to the workpiece includes a centering bolt spaced a relative short distance from the particular machining area, and a guide element, engageable with said guide members and permitting movement of said carriage means along only said one coordinate, said guide elements being positioned remote from said centering bolt.

Claim 11

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 8, in which said first elements include a base table movable along said one coordinate and a bolt table mounted on said base plate for movement along said one coordinate; said second elements including a longitudinal table mounted on said base table for movement along said one coordinate and a transverse table mounted on said longitudinal table for movement along the other coordinate; a control shaft rotatably mounted on said base table; a plurality of control disc cams mounted on said control shaft and having cam peripheries coordinated with the desired movements of said bolt table, said longitudinal table, said transverse table and said centering bolt; and respective cam followers operatively connected to said bolt table, said longitudinal table, said transverse table and said centering bolt and each engaged with a respective one of said control disc cams.

Claim 12

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 9, including springs each interacting between two tables of a pair to maintain said cam followers engaged with said control disc cams.

Claim 13

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, as claimed in claim 9, including an eccentric rotatably mounted in said transverse table and supporting said tool, the rotation of said eccentric imparting an additional stirring movement to the tool and imposed on the tool movement effected by the control disc cams.

Claim 14

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, such as welding, by controlling individual partial movements of a tool, relative to a workpiece, along each of a pair of mutually perpendicular coordinates in a coordinated manner such that the total movement of the tool along the workpiece comprises plural individual closed path movements periodically repeated at different points along the workpiece, said apparatus comprising, in combination, carriage means movable relative to the workpiece; guide members extending longitudinally of one of said coordinates and guiding said carriage mEans for movement along said one coordinate; said carriage means including two first elements at least one of which is positively connected with the workpiece; two second elements, each movable along a respective coordinate, on said carriage means; a tool mounted on one of said second elements; said second elements imparting superimposed movements to said tool in accordance with the desired closed path movements; said two second elements comprise a longitudinal table movably mounted on one of said first elements for movement along said one coordinate and a transverse table movably mounted on said longitudinal table for movement along the other coordinate; a pair of fixed standards aligned along said one coordinate; first and second spindles rotatably mounted in said fixed standards and extending parallel to said one coordinate; said first spindle constituting a longitudinally displaceable threaded spindle driving said longitudinal table which is movable between said standards; said second spindle constituting a draw spindle driving said transverse table in a direction parallel to said other coordinate, and respective cam discs each operatively associated with a respective spindle and the associated table and serving as respective additional control members for superimposing periodical reciprocation on the associated tables.

Claim 15

Apparatus for automatic execution of repetitive machining operations, such as welding, by controlling individual partial movements of a tool, relative to a workpiece, along each of a pair of mutually perpendicular coordinates in a coordinated manner such that the total movement of the tool along the workpiece comprises plural individual closed path movements periodically repeated at different points along the workpiece, said apparatus comprising, in combination, carriage means movable relative to the workpiece; guide members extending longitudinally of one of said coordinates and guiding said carriage mEans for movement along said one coordinate; said carriage means including two first elements at least one of which is positively connected with the workpiece; two second elements, each movable along a respective coordinate, on said carriage means; a tool mounted on one of said second elements; said second elements imparting superimposed movements to said tool in accordance with the desired closed path movements; said two second elements comprise a longitudinal table movably mounted on one of said first elements for movement along said one coordinate and a transverse table movably mounted on said longitudinal table for movement along the other coordinate; a pair of fixed standards aligned along said one coordinate; first and second spindles rotatably mounted in said fixed standards and extending parallel to said one coordinate; said first spindle constituting a longitudinally displaceable threaded spindle driving said longitudinal table which is movable between said standards; said second spindle constituting a draw spindle driving said transverse table in a direction parallel to said other coordinate, and respective cam discs each operatively associated with a respective spindle and the associated table and serving as respective additional control members for superimposing periodical reciprocation on the associated tables.