FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to design and development of loading and unloading
device for F-blade blank of steam turbine on machine bed.
More particularly, the invention relates to development of loading and unloading device
of F-blade blank of bigger weights on particular machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
HMC machines for machining of steam turbines blade need centering operation before
holding in 5-axis milling operation. So, this operation is very important before 5-axis
milling operation because in centering operation there are 3 main operations-
1- Facing: for blank length maintaining between head stock and tail stock on 5-axis
machines
2- Step milling: for holding in the job adaptor
3- Both side centering: for center to center aligning of blank
In HMC machines, the fixture is designed in such way that it holds the blank tightly
by hydraulic clamping and this hydraulic unit situated in the upper & lower parts of
the fixtures. Upper part of the fixture is projecting out and this portion is hindering
in the way of sling during loading and unloading of heavy blanks by magnetic lifter
where the lower part does not create any hindrance in loading and unloading of
blanks.
Existing fixtures for centering operation are open from upper part and can be loaded
and unloaded by magnetic lifter directly due to no obstacles in the sling way. But
during emergency these limited fixtures were not sufficient to feed all 5-axis
machines. So there was need for new fixtures for centering operation to feed all 5-
axis machines.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
1. The object of the present invention is to design and develop loading and
unloading device for F-blade blank of steam turbine (more than 20 kg) on HMC
machines before centering operation.
2. A further object of the invention is to develop loading and unloading device for
big F-blade blank of steam turbine which will remove the limitation of heavier
barrier of blanks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
Detailed drawing of developed loading and unloading device
Fig 1 (A) - Top view of developed loading and unloading device
Fig 1 (B) - Right side view of developed loading and unloading device
Fig 1(C) - Front view of developed loading and unloading device
Fig 2 - Top, Right and Front view of sub assembly section 1 of the new device
Fig 3 - Top, Right and front view of sub assembly section 2 of the new device
Fig 4 - Top, Right, Front and 3D view of sub assembly section 3 of the new device
Fig 5A - Previous loading and unloading system - Front view
Fig 5B - Previous loading and unloading system - Side view
Fig 6A - Detailed drawing of modified loading and unloading device - Front View
Fig 6B - Detailed drawing of modified loading and unloading device - Front View

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The length of device is to take over the upper portion of fixture so that means on
both sides and slings not fouling and upper portion of fixture which is coming out is not
an obstacle.
Section-1 as shown in fig- 2 is to stop slipping of blank in length on one side during
lifting and also for keeping in mind of blank reference stopper so that it can easily
rotate and give reference to blank and this can detach from blank by sliding.
Section- 2 as shown in fig -3 is made for keeping blank between rest of fixture and
also for lifting blank from middle. Side loose strip is for supporting L-shape strip. L-
shape strip is coming out easily by sliding and side strip by loosening nut after keeping
blank on fixture rests.
Section -3 as shown in fig- 4 is for supporting blank on other side, in which 1 strip in
the middle of cage is to stop slide in length, side strip to stop side slipping and bottom
strip for lifting blank and this can detach from blank by sliding.
Also all upper bolts are for tightening during loading/ unloading of blank and loosening
after loading/ unloading of blank.

Reference Numerals
1- Fixture rest for blank
2- Blank
3- Magnet
4- Stopper for blank
5- Sling
6- Fixture portion coming in the way of blank
7- Modified setup showing the loading/ unloading device
7A - Sliding portion (left) - section 1
7B - Sliding portion (central) - section 2
7C- Sliding portion (Right) - section 2
8- Side hook for lifting device
9- Round bar for supporting all 3 sections

10- Strip to stop side movement of blade in sub-assembly section 2
11- Nut for strip tightening
12- Bolts for tightening
13-Rings for sliding

14- Strip to stop blank
15- L-shaped strip for support of blank in section fig 3
16-Hole in strip (10) a for fitting with L-shaped strip (15) during holding of blank (fig
3)
17-Cage for holding blank (fig 4)
18- Middle strip to stop blank slip in length (fig 4)
19- Welded nuts
20-Side strip of case
21- Bottom strip of cage

WE CLAIM
1. A loading and unloading device (7) comprises:
a rectangular structure consisting of round bar (9) for supporting 3 sections of sub-
assembly, section 1 on the left side, sub-assembly section 2 in the middle and sub
assembly section 3 on the extreme right, the device having plurality of side hook (8)
for lifting the unit by sling (5), characterized in that the sub-assembly section 1,
section 2 and section 3 can slide on the round bar (9) longitudinally by means of
rings (13) attached on it, wherein the section 1 sub-assembly comprising strip (14)
which stop blank (2) slip in length during loading and unloading;
Section 2 sub assembly of the device comprising L-shaped strip (15) for support of
blank (2) which fits into the hole (16) of the member (10) which stop side
movement of blank thus gripping and holding the blank (2) during lifting;
Section 3 sub-assembly comprising of structures which from cage (17) for holding
and gripping the blank (2) properly wherein the middle strip (18) stop blank slip in
length, the side strips (20) to stop side slipping and bottom strips (21) for lifting
blank and detach from blank by sliding; Wherein the device comprising sub-
assembly 1, sub-assembly 2 and sub assembly 3 for loading and unloading blanks of
various blank sizes easily and properly on rest (01) against the stopper reference
(4).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the round bars are made of steel and
joined to each other by welding.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-assembly section 1, 2 and 3
can slide through the round bar (9) longitudinally.

ABSTRACT

A loading and unloading device (7) comprises:
a rectangular structure consisting of round bar (9) for supporting 3 sections of sub-
assembly, section 1 on the left side, sub-assembly section 2 in the middle and sub
assembly section 3 on the extreme right, the device having plurality of side hook (8)
for lifting the unit by sling (5), characterized in that the sub-assembly section 1,
section 2 and section 3 can slide on the round bar (9) longitudinally by means of
rings (13) attached on it, wherein the section 1 sub-assembly comprising strip (14)
which stop blank (2) slip in length during loading and unloading;
Section 2 sub assembly of the device comprising L-shaped strip (15) for support of
blank (2) which fits into the hole (16) of the member (10) which stop side
movement of blank thus gripping and holding the blank (2) during lifting;
Section 3 sub-assembly comprising of structures which from cage (17) for holding
and gripping the blank (2) properly wherein the middle strip (18) stop blank slip in
length, the side strips (20) to stop side slipping and bottom strips (21) for lifting
blank and detach from blank by sliding; Wherein the device comprising sub-
assembly 1, sub-assembly 2 and sub assembly 3 for loading and unloading blanks of
various blank sizes easily and properly on rest (01) against the stopper reference
(4).