DESC:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to step feeding of raw materials to a machine tending automated system, more particularly to a system and a method for feeding components to an automated handling system.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Invarious manufacturing industries, particularly those involving metalworking, it is essential to have efficient and automated systems for handling raw materials.The demand for increased productivity, reduced manual labor, and higher precision has led to the development of advanced technologies in machine tending to handle raw materials. Machine tending refers to the process of loading and unloading workpieces/raw materials to and from machines, ensuring a seamless production flow.
[0003] Traditionally, machine tending involved manual labor or basic automation systems to feed raw materials. However, with advancements in robotics and automation, there is a need for a more versatile and adaptable system that can handle a variety of raw material shapes and sizes. This challenges associated with loading raw materials, particularly those with cylindrical and regular polygon shapes, into machine tending systems, ensuring both efficiency and flexibility in production processes.
[0004] Existing machine tending systems often face limitations in handling diverse raw material shapes efficiently. The need for frequent changeovers and complex setups hinder the productivity of the system. Additionally, bulk loading processes are often time-consuming, leading to reduced overall productivity of the machine tending system.
[0005] The existing systems use pallets, step feeders, conveyors to transfer raw materials/components.The existing systems also use robot or customized system to scan for component edge and pick from a custom designed pallet.
[0006] However, there remains a need for a system and a method for feeding components of different shapes to an automated handling system.
SUMMARY
[0007] In view of a foregoing,an embodiment herein provides a system for feeding one or more components to an Automated Handling System (AHS). The system includes a First Step Feederincluding an Input Chuteand a First Block, a First Step Feeder Slab, a Component Holding Plate, a First Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder, a Second Step Feeder including a Second Block, a Second Slab, a Component Holding Plate, one or more Stoppers, a Second Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder, a V Block and a Pusher Cylinder. The first step feeder block automatically transfers the one or more components linearly to the second step feeder by automatically lifting the one or more components from the first step feeder by performing a cylinder forward stroke using the first step feeder lifting cylinder associated with the first block. The second step feeder lifting cylinder automatically transfers a component from the second step feeder to the V block by performing a cylinder forward stroke using the Second Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder associated with the Second Step Feeder.The pusher cylinder is positioned in any of a first side or a second side of the V block, transfers the component from the V block to the AHS in any of a first direction or a second direction, when a tooling of the AHS is at a component pick position.
[0008] In some embodiments, the pusher cylinder is positioned in any of a left side or a right side of the V block to transfer the component to the AHS.
[0009] In some embodiments, the pusher cylinder is configured to transfer the component in any of a left direction or a right direction to enable the AHS to pick the component.
[0010] In some embodiments, the first step feeder accommodates N number of components that needs to be delivered to the second step feeder.The first step feeder including the first step feeder slab accommodates the one or more components for lifting and transferring to the second step feeder.
[0011] In some embodiments, the second step feeder includes a stopper that avoids overflowing of components while transferring the one or more components from the first step feeder to the second step feeder and avoids lifting of more than one component to the V block, and a second slab that accommodates the one or more components that are linearly arranged for lifting a component to the V block.
[0012] In some embodiments, the first step feeder block includes a component holding plate that blocks the one or more components resting at the first step feeder slab of the first step feeder.
[0013] In some embodiments, the second step feeder include fixed plates positioned on both sides of the second step feeder to hold the equipment for the movable plates, and the movable plates are adjusted according to the length of the components.
[0014] In some embodiments, the V block delivers the one or more components to the AHS, and used as a buffer station for keeping the one or more components that are flipped from any of first side machine operations to second side machine operations.
[0015] In some embodiments, the system includes an output gravity chute that receives a finished product from the AHS.
[0016] In an aspect, an embodiment herein provides a method for feeding one or more components to the Automated Handling System (AHS).The method includes (i) automatically transferring one or more components linearly to a second step feeder by automatically lifting the plurality of components from a first step feeder using a first step feeder block by performing a cylinder forward stroke using a first step feeder lifting cylinder associated with the first step feeder block, (ii) automatically transferring a component from the second step feeder to a V block using a second step feeder lifting cylinder by performing a cylinder forward stroke, and (iii) transferring the component from the V block to the AHS using a pusher cylinderin any of a first direction or a second direction when a tooling of the AHS is at a component pick position.
[0017] The system and method eliminate the designing of pallets, by transferring the one or more components using gravity and step feeding. The system and method reduce usage of additional mechanical systems thereby reducing energy consumption. The system eliminates the need for scanning the edges of the component so it directly serves component to the AHS thereby eliminating the scanning sequence.
[0018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for feeding one or more components to an Automated Handling System (AHS) according to the embodiments herein;
[0021] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 with a pusher cylinder in a first direction according to some embodiments herein ;
[0022] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary side view of the system of FIG. 1 with the pusher cylinder in the first direction according to some embodiments herein;
[0023] FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate exemplary views of the system of FIG. 1 with the pusher cylinder in a second direction according to some embodiments herein;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a process of feeding the one or more components with first side to the Automated Handling System (AHS) using the system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein;
[0025] FIGS. 4A-4C are flowcharts that illustrate a process of feeding the one or more components with first side and second side to the Automated Handling System (AHS) using the system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein;
[0026] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate exemplary views of a first step feeder of the system of FIG. 2A that holds the one or more components in cylindrical shapes with different dimensions according to some embodiments herein;
[0027] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate exemplary views of a first step feeder of the system of FIG. 2A that holds the one or more components in hexagon shapes with different dimensions according to some embodiments herein;
[0028] FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate exemplary views of the system of FIG. 1 for feeding one or more components from a first step feeder to a second step feeder and from the second step feeder to a V block according to some embodiments herein;
[0029] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate exemplary views of a pusher cylinder that delivers the componentto the AHS with the pusher cylinder in a first direction according to some embodiments herein;
[0030] FIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate exemplary views of a pusher cylinder that delivers the componentto the AHS with the pusher cylinder in a second direction according to some embodiments herein;
[0031] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate exemplary views of the system of FIG. 1 for and flipping of the component from a first side to a second side by AHS and feeding the one or more components to the AHS with a pusher cylinder according to some embodiments herein; and
[0032] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that illustratesa method for feeding the one or more components to the Automated Handling System (AHS) according to some embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0034] As mentioned, there remains a need for a system and a method for feeding one or more components to an automated handling system.Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly, FIG. 1 through FIG.10, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, preferred embodiments are shown.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for feeding one or more components to an Automated Handling System (AHS) 118 according to some embodiments herein. The system 100 includes a first step feeder 102, a first step feeder block 104, a first step feeder lifting cylinder 106, a second step feeder 108, a second step feeder lifting cylinder 110, a second step feeder block 112, a V block 114, a pusher cylinder 116, an output gravity chute 120, and the AHS 118. The first step feeder 102 receives one or more components in a bulk quantity loaded by an Operator. The one or more components may be a solid or a hollow raw material. In some embodiments, a shape of the one or more components can be any of a cylindrical shape, a polygonal shape, a hexagonal shape, or a square shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the one or more components can be in any of a regular shape or an irregular shape. In some embodiments, the first step feeder 102 can be a gravity chute to store the one or more components.
[0036] The first step feeder block 104 is used to lift and transfer the one or more components from the first step feeder 102 to the second step feeder 108. In some embodiments, the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 transfers the one or more components placed over the first step feeder block 104. The one or more components are enabled by the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 with a forward or downward stroke. When in operation, the first step feeder block 104 automatically transfers the one or more components linearly to the second step feeder 108 by automatically lifting the one or more components from the first step feeder 102 by performing a forward stroke using the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 associated with the first step feeder block 104. The first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 may perform any of a forward stroke or a downward stroke. In some embodiments, the first step feeder block 102 transfers the one or more components to the second step feeder 108 with the forward stroke of the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106. Due to an angle of repose in the first step feeder 102,the one or more components at the rear position moves to the front position of the first step feeder 102 when the first step feeder lifting cylinder106 reverses during the downward stroke. In some embodiments, the second step feeder 108 enables the second step feeder block 112 to place at least one component.
[0037] The second step feeder lifting cylinder 110 automatically transfers the at least one component from the second step feeder block 112 to the V block 114 by performing a forward stroke. Each forward stroke of the second step feeder 108 enables the second step feeder 108 to provide one component to the V block 114. The V block 114 is configured to hold the component for pick and place operations by the AHS 118. The pusher cylinder 116 is positioned in any of a first side or a second side of the V block 114, transfers the component from the V block 114 to the AHS 118 in any of a first direction or a second direction, when a tooling of the AHS 118 is at a component pick position. The pusher cylinder 116 is positioned in any of a left side or a right side of the V block 114 to transfer the component to the AHS 118. In some embodiments, the pusher cylinder 116 is configured to transfer the component in any of a left direction or a right direction to enable the AHS 118 to pick the component. The system 100 checks whether tooling of the AHS 118 at a position to pick the component. In some embodiments, the AHS 118 picks the component and delivers it to a machine that performs a first machining operation on a first side of the component and a second machining operation on a second side of the component. The output gravity chute 120 is configured to hold or transfer one or more finished products placed by the AHS 118.
[0038] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the system 100 of FIG. 1 with the pusher cylinder 116 in a first direction according to some embodiments herein. The system 100 includes the first step feeder 102, the first step feeder block 104, the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106, the second step feeder 108, the second step feeder lifting cylinder 110, the V block 114, the pusher cylinder 116, and the output gravity chute 120. The first step feeder 102 receives the one or more components in bulk quantity loaded by an operator. The first step feeder 102 accommodates N number of components that needs to be delivered to the second step feeder 108. In some embodiments, the forward stroke of the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 is 200 millimeters (mm) and the second step feeder lifting cylinder 110 is about 50 millimeters (mm),which both may vary based on the requirement.
[0039] In some embodiments, the system 100 includes one or more mechanical stoppers that adjusts the delivery length of the pusher cylinder 116 from the V block 114 to the AHS 118 based on specific requirements.While using other equipment is like linear actuator(s), servo motor with ball screw or other required accessories available in the market, instead of pusher cylinder 116 with the one or more mechanical stopper(s), the length of delivery can be achieved without the one or more mechanical stoppers. In some embodiments, the number of components loaded to the input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 at a time is 115 to 457. In another embodiment, the number of components loaded to the input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 at a time is 74 to 372. In some embodiments, the first step feeder 102 provides 01 (one) to 11 (eleven) components to the second step feeder 108 during each cylinder forward stroke of the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106. The numbers components can vary based on design and is not restricted to the above-mentioned quantities.
[0040] In some embodiments, after completing the first machining operation, the AHS 118 picks the component from the first machine, the AHS 118 turns the tooling and places the component with the second side on the V block 114. The pusher cylinder 116 delivers the component with the second side to the AHS 118 for further machining operations. In some embodiments, the AHS 118 may be a Single Axis or Multi Axes Gantry (or Gantries), or Robot(s).In some embodiments, the components may be a solid or a hollow raw material with cylindrical or regular polygonal shapes.
[0041] In a working example,with concept of Angle of Repose µs = tanFs, Co efficient of Static Friction for Metal on Metal (µs) is about 0.15 to 0.6 which results Fs = 8.5? to 30?. Hence, at an angle greater than or equal to 30?,steel components may slide on its own weight.Thus, the system 100 is designed for 30? inclination and surface may be oiled to make the components slide easily.
[0042] In some embodiments, the system 100 further includes fixed plates on both the sides of the second step feeder 108 to hold the equipments for the movable plates. In some embodiments, the system 100 further includes movable plates to adjust a length of the component. In some embodiments, the system 100 includes a box for mounting solenoid valves and wiring accessories.
[0043] The system 100 transfers the one or more components using gravity and step feeding. Hence the system 100 reduces the usage of additional mechanical systems thereby reducing energy consumption. The system 100 does not scan for edges and can directly serve to component to the AHS 118 thereby eliminating the scanning sequence and its time by the robot or customized system.The system 100 can accommodate different shapes of the one or more components (e.g., cylindrical, and hexagonal or any regular polygonwith different dimensions).
[0044] The system 100 feeds the one or more components in two steps to reduce the manual intervention during Automatic Material Handling Work Cell Operation,which increases the throughput of the system and eliminates use of Geared Motor systems available in the market. The V block 114 of the system 100 is used for both delivering the one or more components to the AHS 118 and used as a buffer station for keeping the one or more components that are flipped from any of first side machine operations to second side machine operations.
[0045] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary side view of the system 100 of FIG. 1 with the pusher cylinder 116 in the first direction according to some embodiments herein.The system 100 includes an input gravity chute/first step feeder 102, a second step feeder 108, a V block 114, the first step feeder lifting cylinder106 and the output gravity chute 120.The functionalities of the above components are described in FIG. 2A. The system 100 further includes a component holding plate 204, and a First Step Feeder Slab 206.The first step feeder block 104 is used to lift and transfer component from the first step feeder 102 to the second step feeder 108 during the forward stroke of the First Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder 106. The component holding plate 204 is used to block the components resting at the back of the block so that the first step feeder lifting cylinder106 may not get stuck during the reverse stroke. The First Step Feeder Slab 206 is used to hold the component in such a manner that only one column of components is present at the block during lifting.The first step feeder lifting cylinder106 is used to deliver component from the first step feeder 102 to the second step feeder108. The component holding plate 204 holds the one or more components which are adjacent to the components that are delivered to the second step feeder 108.The component holding plate 204 avoids blocking of first step feeder lifting cylinder106 during each cylinder return stroke. The First Step Feeder Slab 206 is attached to the input gravity chute/first step feeder102 that is used to hold the component in such a manner that only one column of components is present at the block during lifting.
[0046] FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate exemplary views of the system 100 of FIG. 1 with the pusher cylinder 116 in a second direction according to some embodiments herein. The functions and explanations of the system 100 are explained above.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a process of feeding the one or more components with first side to the Automated Handling System (AHS) 118 using the system 100 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein. At a step 302, the first step feeder 102 of the system 100 receives the one or more components in bulk quantity loaded by an Operator. At a step 304, the system 100 checks whether the first step feeder 102 is empty or not. If the first step feeder 102 is empty, it goes to the step 302. At a step 306, if the first step feeder 102 is not empty, the first step feeder 102 provides one or more components to a second step feeder 108 of the system 100 during the forward stroke of the First Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder 106. Due to the property of angle of repose, the one or more components automatically align themselves at the top of the first step feeder block 104 while the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 comes down during the return/reverse stroke.At a step 308, the second step feeder 108 provides one component to a V block 114 of the system 100 during the Second Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder 110 forward stroke of the second step feeder 108. The V block 114 is configured to hold the component of both cylindrical or any regular polygon, for pick and place operations by the Automated Handling System (AHS) 118. At a step 310,the system 100 checks whether tooling of the AHS 118 is at a position to pick the component or not. If the tooling of the AHS 118 is not in the pick position of the component,it goes to the step 310. At a step 312,if the tooling of the AHS 118 is in the pick position of the component,a pusher cylinder 116 of the system 100 delivers the component with first side to the AHS 118.The pusher cylinder 116 is communicatively connected to the AHS 118. At a step 314, the system 100 checks whether the V block 114 is empty or not. If the V block 114 is not empty, repeat the step 310. At a step 316,if the V block 114 is empty, the system 100 checks whether the second step feeder 108 is empty or not. If the second step feeder 108 is not empty, it goes to the step 308. If the second step feeder 108 is empty, it goes to the step 304.
[0048] In some embodiments, the AHS 118 picks the component and delivers it to a machine that performs machining operation(s) on the first side of the component. In some embodiments, the AHS 118 places a finished product in an output gravity chute 120 of the system.
[0049] FIGS. 4A-4C are flowcharts that illustrate a process of feeding the one or more components with first side and second side to the Automated Handling System (AHS) 118 using the system 100 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein.At a step 402, an input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 of the system 100 receives one or more components in bulk quantity loaded by an Operator. At a step 404, the system 100 checks whether the first step feeder 102 is empty or not. If the first step feeder 102 is empty, it goes to the step 402. At a step 406, if the first step feeder 102 is not empty, the first step feeder 102 provides one or more components to a second step feeder 108 of the system 100 during the forward stroke of the First Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder 106. Due to the property of angle of repose the components automatically align themselves at the top of the block 202 while the cylinder comes down during the return/reverse stroke. At a step 408,the second step feeder 108 provides one component to a V block 114 of the system 100 during the forward stroke of the Second Step Feeder Cylinder110. The V block 114 is configured to hold the componentof both cylindrical and regular polygon shapes for pick and place operations by the AHS 118. At a step 410,the system 100 checks whether tooling of the AHS 118 at a position to pick the component with first side or not. At a step 412, if the tooling of the AHS 118 is not in the pick position of the component with first side,the system 100 checks whether the component in the V block 114 is available for a first machining operation, and to be picked by AHS 118.If the component in the V block 114 is available for the first machining operation of the AHS 118, repeat the step 410. If the component in the V block 114 is not available for the first machining operation of the AHS 118, it goes to a step 418. At a step 414, if the tooling of the AHS 118 is in the pick position of the component with first side,a pusher cylinder 116 of the system 100 delivers the component with first side to the AHS 118. The pusher cylinder 116 is communicatively connected to the AHS 118.The AHS 118 picks the component and delivers it to a machine that perform the machining operation(s) on the first side of the component.
[0050] At a step 416,after completing the machining operation on the first side, the AHS 118 turns the tooling and places the component with second side on the V block 114 and goes to a step 420. At the step 418,if the component in the V block 114 is not available for the first machining operation of the AHS 118, the system 100 checks whether the component in the V block 114 is available for a second machining operation of the AHS 118. If the component in the V block 114 is not available for the second machining operation, the system 100 alerts the operator about an error occurrence. At the step 420, if the component in the V block 114 is available for the second machining operation, the AHS 118 turns the tooling at a position to pick the component with second side.At a step 422,the system 100 checks whether the tooling of the AHS 118 at the position to pick the component with second side or not. If the tooling of the AHS 118 is not in the pick position of components with second side, repeat the step 420. At a step 424, if the tooling of the AHS 118 is in the pick position of components with second side, the pusher cylinder 116 delivers the component with second side to the AHS 118.
[0051] At a step 426, the system 100 checks whether the V block 114 is empty or not. At a step 428, if the V block 114 is not empty, the system 100 checks whether the component in the V block 114 is available for the second machining operation of the AHS 118. If the V block 114 is empty, it goes to a step 432.If the component in the V block 114 is available for the second machining operation of the AHS 118, it goes to a step 420. At a step 430, if the component in the V block 114 is not available for the second machining operation of the AHS 118, the system 100 checks whether the component in the V block 114 is available for the first machining operation of the AHS 118. If the component in the V block 114 is not available for the first machining operation of the AHS 118, the system 100 alerts the operator about the error occurrence. If the component in the V block 114 is available for the first machining operation of the AHS 118, it goes to the step 410. At a step 432, the system 100 checks whether the second step feeder 108 is empty or not. If the second step feeder 108 is not empty, it goes to the step 408. If the second step feeder 108 is empty, it goes to the step 404.
[0052] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate exemplary views of the first step feeder 102 of the system 100 of FIG. 2A that holds the one or more components in cylindrical shapes with different dimensions according to some embodiments herein. FIG. 5A shows the input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 that holds up to 78 numbers of components with F32millimeter (mm)shafts (i.e., the raw material) in cylindrical/circle shape. FIG. 5B shows the input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 that holds 362 numbers of components with F16mm shafts in cylindrical/circle shape. FIG. 5C shows the input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 that holds up to 306 numbers of components with F17.2mm shafts in cylindrical/circle shape.
[0053] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate exemplary views of the first step feeder 102 of the system 100 of FIG. 2A that holds the one or more components in hexagon shapes with different dimensions according to some embodiments herein. FIG. 6A shows the input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 that holds 146 numbers of components with across flat 24mm hex nuts (i.e., the raw material) in hexagon shape. FIG. 6B shows the input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 that holds 107numbers of components with across flat 27mm hex nuts in hexagon shape.
[0054] FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate exemplary views of a system 100 of FIG. 1 for feeding the one or more components from the First Step Feeder 102 to the Second Step Feeder 108, and from the Second Step Feeder 108 to the V block 114 according to some embodiments herein.The system 100 includes an input gravity chute/first step feeder 102, a second step feeder 108, a V block 114, a pusher cylinder 116 and an output gravity chute 120. The input gravity chute/first step feeder 102 holds the one or more components in bulk quantity loaded by an Operator as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C show the first step feeder 102 that provides one or more components to the second step feeder 108 in each forward stroke of theFirst Step Feeder Lifting Cylinder 106.The first step feeder block 104 is attached to the first step feeder Lifting Cylinder 106 to transfer the components to the second step feeder 108. The component holding plate 204 holds the components which are adjacent components that are delivered to the second step feeder 108. The component holding plate 204 avoids blocking of the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 during each cylinder return stroke. The First Step Feeder Slab 206 is attached to the input gravity chute/first step feeder block 104 to hold the component in such a manner that only one column of components is present at the block during lifting.
[0055] FIGS. 7D and 7E show the second step feeder 108 that provides one componentto the V block 114each Second Step Feeder Lifting cylinder 110 forward stroke of the second step feeder 108 enables. The second step feeder 108 further includes a stopper 702, a second slab 704 and a second step feeder lifting cylinder 110. The stopper 702 is used to avoid overflowing of component one over the other while transferring from the first step feeder 102 to the second step feeder 108 and used to avoid lifting of two components to the V block 114. The second slab 704 is attached to the second step feeder 108 that is used to hold the component in such a manner that only one component is present at the block during lifting.The second step feeder lifting cylinder 110 is used to lift one component from the second step feeder 108 and deliver it to the V block 114. The V block 114 is configured to hold the components for different shapes (e.g., cylindrical, and hexagonal) for pick and place operations for the Automated Handling System (AHS) 118. The system 100 checks whether tooling of the AHS 118 at a position to pick the component. The pusher cylinder 116 is communicatively connected to the AHS 118.
[0056] FIG. 7F shows the component delivered to the V block 114 from the second step feeder block 112. FIG. 7G shows the second step feeder lifting cylinder 110 returning to the original position with a backward stroke, and the next component will be placed over the second step feeder block 112 due to gravity. In some embodiments, the V block 114 can be in a shape ranging from, but not limited to 90 degrees to 120 degrees. The shape of the V block 114 may be modified based on the shape of the component. Components in cylindrical shape may be adaptable to the V block 114 in any shape ranging from 90 degrees to 120 degrees.FIG. 7H shows the component of hexagonal shape in the V block 114 that is delivered from the second step feeder block 112 by the second step feeder lifting cylinder 110. Components in hexagonal shape may be adaptable to the V block 114 in a shape with 120 degrees.
[0057] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate exemplary views of the pusher cylinder 116 that delivers the component to the AHS 118 with the pusher cylinder 116 in the first direction according to some embodiments herein. In some embodiments, the pusher cylinder 116 delivers the component to the AHS 118 on one or more sides (i.e., a first side or a second side). In some embodiments, the pusher cylinder 116 delivers the first side of the component to the AHS 118. In some embodiments, the AHS 118 picks the component and delivers it to a machine that performs a first machining operation on the first side of the component and a second machining operation on the second side of the component. in some embodiments, the output gravity chute 120 holds and transfers a finished product(s) placedby the AHS 118.
[0058] FIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate exemplary views of the pusher cylinder 116 that delivers the componentto the AHS 118 with the pusher cylinder 116 in the second direction according to some embodiments herein. The functions and explanations are explained above.
[0059] The delivery of the Component by the Pusher Cylinder 116 to the AHS 118 provides a specified delivery length 802 of the Component,which is same and repeatable irrespective of the length of the component from the previous operations such as Cutting, Sawing, Machining, and the like. In some embodiments, the specified delivery length 802 is a specified distance of rod. The delivery of the component with the specified delivery length 802 enables the AHS 118 to place the component in the machine with position repeatability irrespective of the component length.
[0060] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate exemplary views of the system 100 of FIG. 1 for feeding the componentto the Automated Handling System (AHS) 118 with the pusher cylinder 116 and flipping of the component from the first side to the second side according to some embodiments herein. FIG. 9A shows the AHS 118 that picks the component from a machine that performs a first operation, flips and and delivers it to the V block 114. After taking the finished component from the first machine (first side is shown as checkered side of the round component in FIG. 9A), the AHS 118 turns the tooling 910 and picks the component with second side (second side is shown as uncheckered side of the round component in FIG. 9B) from the V block 114 for the second machining operation of the AHS 118. FIGS. 9B and 9C show the AHS 118 that turns the tooling 910 at a position to pick the component with second side for the second machining operation of the AHS 118. FIG. 9D shows the pusher cylinder 116 that delivers the component with second side to the AHS 118.
[0061] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for feeding one or more components to the Automated Handling System (AHS) 118 according to some embodiments herein.At a step 1002, the one or more components are automatically transferred to the second step feeder 108 linearly using a first step feeder block 104, by automatically lifting the one or more components from the first step feeder by performing a forward stroke using the first step feeder lifting cylinder 106 associated with the first step feeder block 104. At a step 1004, the component from the second step feeder 108 is automatically transferred to the V block 114 using a second step feeder lifting cylinder 110 by performing a forward stroke.At a step 1006, the component from the V block 114 is transferred to the AHS 118 in any of a first direction or a second direction when a tooling of the AHS 118 is at a component pick position using the pusher cylinder 116.
[0062] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for feeding plurality of components to an Automated Handling System (AHS) (118), wherein the system (100) comprises:
characterized in that,
a first step feeder block (104) that automatically transfers the plurality of components linearly to a second step feeder (108) by automatically lifting the plurality of components from a first step feeder (102) by performing a forward stroke using a first step feeder lifting cylinder (106) associated with the first step feeder block (104);
a second step feeder lifting cylinder (110) that automatically transfers a component from the second step feeder (108) to a V block (114) by performing a forward stroke; and
a pusher cylinder (116) that is positioned in any of a first side or a second side of the V block (114), transfers the component from the V block (114) to the AHS (118)in any of a first direction or a second direction, when a tooling of the AHS (118) is at a component pick position.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pusher cylinder (116) is positioned in any of a left side or a right side of the V block (114) to transfer the component to the AHS (118).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pusher cylinder (116) is configured to transfer the component in any of a left direction or a right direction to enable the AHS (118) to pick the component.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pusher cylinder (116) delivers the component to the AHS (118) with a specified delivery length (802) of the component that is same and repeatable irrespective of the length of the component from previous operations.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first step feeder (102) accommodates N number of components that needs to be delivered to the second step feeder (108), wherein first step feeder (102) comprises a first step feeder slab (206) that accommodates the plurality of components for lifting and transferring to the second step feeder (108).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second step feeder (108) comprises a stopper (702) that avoids overflowing of components while transferring the plurality of components from the first step feeder (102) to the second step feeder (108) and avoids lifting of more than one component to the V block (114), and a second slab (704) that accommodates the plurality of components that are linearly arranged for lifting a component to the V block (114).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first step feeder block (104) comprises a component holding plate (204) that blocks the plurality of components resting at the first step feeder slab (206) of the first step feeder (102).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second step feeder (108) comprise fixed plates that placed on both the sides of the second step feeder (108) to provide the component to the V block (114), and movable plates that adjust the length of the components.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the V block (114) delivers the plurality of components to the AHS (118), and used as a buffer station for keeping the one or more components that are flipped from any of first side machine operations to the second side machine operations.

10. A method for feeding plurality of components to the Automated Handling System (AHS) (118), wherein the method comprises:
automatically transferring, using a first step feeder block (104), a plurality of components linearly to a second step feeder (108) by automatically lifting the plurality of components from a first step feeder (102) by performing a forward stroke using a first step feeder lifting cylinder (106) associated with the first step feeder block (104);
automatically transferring, using a second step feeder lifting cylinder (110), a component from the second step feeder (108) to a V block (114) by performing a forward stroke;
transferring, using a pusher cylinder (116), the component from the V block (114) to the AHS (118) in any of a first direction or a second direction when a tooling of the AHS (118) is at a component pick position.

Dated this 13th September 2024

Signature of the Patent Agent:

Name:BalaArjunKarthik
IN/PA–1021