Apparatus for transporting and positioning sheet metal plates

Claim 1

Apparatus for transporting and positioning sheet metal plates and the like at a sheet metal plate shearing machine including a shearing table, comprising a carrier for movably supporting the plate for movement to and from the shearing machine, a device mounted on said carrier for effecting upward and downward movement and turning movement relative to the shearing table, a gripping member secured to said device for movement therewith, said gripping member including at least one electromagnetic plate having a planar surface arranged to face the plate to be transported, said planar surface having an annular boundary edge defining the outer boundary of said surface, an annular groove formed in said planar surface adjacent to and spaced inwardly from said annular edge, an annular sealing lip positioned within and extending around said annular groove, said sealing lip protrudes outwardly from said planar surface and forms with said surface located within said sealing lip a suction space, a bore extending through said plate and opening through said planar surface to said suction space, vacuum producing equipment connected through said bore to said suction space, a switch for operating said electromagnetic plates, a control valve for operating said vacuum producing means and means for actuating said switch and control valve together.