Claims:We claim:
1) An automatic machine (200) for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine, said machine comprising:
a) a frame (20) comprising a plurality of extruded channels (202) configured and coupled in closed or open sections;

b) a system for movement along y-axis (40) comprising a robotic arm (402), an arm table (404), at least one bearing (406), at least one guide rod (408), a plurality of guide rod supports (410), a pneumatic actuator (412), a push plate (414) and at least three sensors (420), said robotic arm (402) coupled to the arm table (404) on its one side and said at least one bearing (406) coupled to the arm table (404) on its other side, each of said plurality of guide rod supports (410) mounted on either ends of the frame (20), said at least one guide rod (408) adapted to pass through the at least one bearing (406) and supported at either ends by means of the plurality of guide rod supports (410), said push plate (414) coupled to the robotic arm (402) proximal to its one end, said pneumatic actuator (412) adapted to mount on the frame (20) and piston of the pneumatic actuator (412) coupled to the push plate (414), each of said at least three sensors (420) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (412) and at a predetermined position in between the extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (412);

c) a system for movement along z-axis (60) comprising a pneumatic actuator (602), a pneumatic actuator support plate (604), a push plate (606), at least one bearing (608), at least one guide rod (610) and at least a pair of sensors (614), said pneumatic actuator support plate (604) adapted to mount against the robotic arm (402) at its extreme end, said pneumatic actuator (602) adapted to mount against the pneumatic actuator support plate (604) and piston of the pneumatic actuator (602) attached to the push plate (606), said at least one bearing (608) adapted to mount against the pneumatic actuator support plate (604), said at least one guide rod (610) adapted to pass through the at least one bearing (608) and coupled to the push plate (606), each of said at least pair of sensors (614) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (602);

d) a gripper system (80) comprising a pneumatic actuator (802), a pair of gripper fingers (804), a pair of work piece holding pads (806), a pair of springs (808) and at least a pair of sensors (810), said pneumatic actuator (802) adapted to mount on the push plate (606) of the system for movement along z-axis (60), each of said pair of gripper fingers (804) adapted to couple to each of pair of jaws of the pneumatic actuator (802), each of said pair of work piece holding pads (806) adapted to elastically couple with each of the pair of gripper fingers (804) through each of the pair of springs (808), each of said at least pair of sensors (614) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (802);

e) a gravity feeder system (100) comprising a slide plate (1002), a fixed guide support (1004), a moveable guide support (1006), at least one adjustable rod (1008), at least one adjustable rod support (1010), a dead weight (1012), a dead weight clamp (1014), a pusher (1020), a pushrod (1022), a pushrod support (1024), a stoppers support (1026), a left side stopper (1028), a right side stopper (1030), a pneumatic actuator (1032), a guide block (1034) and at least a pair of sensors (1052), said slide plate (1002) attached with the fixed guide support (1004) on one side face and the at least one adjustable rod support (1010) on other side face adapted to mount in slanting position on the
frame (20), said moveable guide support (1006) placed on the slide plate (1002) and adjustably coupled to the at least one adjustable rod support (1010) through the at least one adjustable rod (1008), said dead weight (1012) attached with the pusher (1020) in a slot provided at its bottom end and the dead weight clamp (1014) at its top end, placed on the slide plate (1002) in such a way that the dead weight clamp (1014) mounts over the fixed guide support (1004) in sliding position and exerts a pushing force over the raw material blanks with the help of the pusher (1020), said pushrod support (1024) and said stoppers support (1026) provided with steps (St1) adapted to insert below the slide plate (1002) in such a way that the pushrod support (1024), the stoppers support (1026) and the slide plate (1002) are on same plane and locked in position, said left side stopper (1028) and said right side stopper (1030) adjustably mounted over the stoppers support (1026) with the help of plurality of slots (S1) provided therein, said pushrod (1022) placed on the pushrod support (1024) and said guide block (1034) adapted to mount on the pushrod support (1024) encompassing the pushrod (1022), said pneumatic actuator (1032) adapted to mount on the frame (20) and piston of the pneumatic actuator coupled to the pushrod (1022) facilitates in pushing the raw material blanks on to the stoppers support (1026), each of said at least pair of sensors (1052) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (1032); and

f) a programmable logical controller system (120) in two way communication with the pneumatic actuators (412, 602, 802, 1032).

2) An automatic machine (200) for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the finished product is dropped in a tray (140) positioned below the gripper system (80) on the frame (20) while the robotic arm (402) is retracting from the CNC machine.

3) An automatic machine (200) for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stopper holder (1018) coupled with a stopper (1016) adapted to couple to the fixed guide support (1004) proximal to its bottom end such that said stopper (1016) arrests the movement of the dead weight (1012).

4) An automatic machine (200) for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pusher (1020) facilitates in pushing the raw material blank last in a batch to a predetermined position on the slide plate (1002) in front of the pushrod(1022).

5) An automatic machine (200) for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said moveable guide support (1006) is adjustable depending on various heights of the raw material blanks.

6) An automatic machine (200) for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said left side stopper (1028) and said right side stopper (1030) are adjustable depending on various widths of the raw material blanks.

7) An automatic machine (200) for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pushrod clamp (1038) coupled with the pushrod (1022) rubs against a pushrod positioning cylinder (1040) adapted to mount on the frame (20) while pushing the raw material blank on to the stoppers support (1026) thereby arresting the play of the pushrod (1022).

8) A method of loading raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine using an automatic machine (200), said method comprising the steps of:
a) stopping of CNC machining cycle, opening of the CNC machine door and simultaneously unclamping of a fixture holding the finished product inside the CNC machine;
b) moving forward of a robotic arm (402) of a system for movement along y-axis (40) inside the CNC machine;
c) moving down of a push plate (606) of a system for movement along z-axis (60);
d) holding of the finished product by a pair of work piece holding pads (806) of a gripper system (80);
e) moving up of said push plate (606) of said system for movement along z-axis (60);
f) moving backward of said robotic arm (402) starts simultaneously a pushrod (1022) pushes the raw material blank on to a stoppers support (1026) and retracts, moving forward of the raw material blank next in a batch to a predetermined position on a slide plate (1002) in front of the pushrod (1022) as a result of push exerted by a pusher (1020) of a dead weight (1012), stopping of said robotic arm (402) above a tray (140) while moving backward thereupon releasing of said pair of work piece holding pads (806) and dropping of the finished product in said tray (140);
g) moving backward of said robotic arm (402) further to home position;
h) moving down of said push plate (606) of said system for movement along z-axis (60);
i) holding of the raw material blank by said pair of work piece holding pads (806) of said gripper system (80);
j) moving up of said push plate (606) of said system for movement along z-axis (60);
k) moving forward of said robotic arm (402) and stopping above said fixture inside the CNC machine;
l) moving down of said push plate (606) of said system for movement along z-axis (60);
m) releasing of said pair of work piece holding pads (806) of said gripper system (80) thereby placing the raw material blank on said fixture;
n) moving up of said push plate (606) of said system for movement along z-axis (60);
o) moving backward of said robotic arm (402) to the home position and simultaneously holding of the raw material blank by said fixture inside the CNC machine;
p) closing of the CNC machine door and starting of machining cycle; and
q) repeating of said steps a to p in sequence until all the raw material blanks in said batch are machined.

9) A method of loading raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine using an automatic machine (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pair of work piece holding pads (806) adapts to the shape of the finished product while holding.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a machine for loading raw material and unloading finished product from a CNC machine. Particularly, the present invention relates to the machine to perform said function without any human intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Generally, the loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine happens manually by machine operator. The machine operator has to be attentive at the machine for all the time to replace the finished product with new raw material for the next cycle. The replacement of finished product with new raw material manually for every cycle involves a lot of cycle time.

Therefore, there is felt a need for development of an automatic machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the present invention is to develop a machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine without any human intervention.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a machine which can load raw material and unload finished product from a CNC machine in minimum cycle time.

One more object of the present invention is to develop a simple and compact machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine having less number of components.

Still another object of the present invention is to develop a machine which can utilize same gripper mechanism for holding raw material and finished product.

Yet one more object of the present invention is to develop a machine which can use gravity principle for feeding of raw material.

Further another object of the present invention is to develop a machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine which operates through use of programmable logical controller.

Still one more object of the present invention is to develop a machine which can accommodate raw material of different sizes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a machine which can load raw material and unload finished product from side of a CNC machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In accordance with the present invention an automatic machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine is provided, the machine comprising:
i) a frame (20) comprising a plurality of extruded channels (202) configured and coupled in closed or open sections;
ii) a system for movement along y-axis (40) comprising a robotic arm (402), an arm table (404), at least one bearing (406), at least one guide rod (408), a plurality of guide rod supports (410), a pneumatic actuator (412), a push plate (414) and at least three sensors (420), the robotic arm (402) coupled to the arm table (404) on its one side and the at least one bearing (406) coupled to the arm table (404) on its other side, each of the plurality of guide rod supports (410) mounted on either ends of the frame (20), the at least one guide rod (408) adapted to pass through the at least one bearing (406) and supported at either ends by means of the plurality of guide rod supports (410), the push plate (414) coupled to the robotic arm (402) proximal to its one end, the pneumatic actuator (412) adapted to mount on the frame (20) and piston of the pneumatic actuator (412) coupled to the push plate (414), each of the at least three sensors (420) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (412) and at a predetermined position in between the extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (412);
iii) a system for movement along z-axis (60) comprising a pneumatic actuator (602), a pneumatic actuator support plate (604), a push plate (606), at least one bearing (608), at least one guide rod (610) and at least a pair of sensors (614), the pneumatic actuator support plate (604) adapted to mount against the robotic arm (402) at its extreme end, the pneumatic actuator (602) adapted to mount against the pneumatic actuator support plate (604) and piston of the pneumatic actuator (602) attached to the push plate (606), the at least one bearing (608) adapted to mount against the pneumatic actuator support plate (604), the at least one guide rod (610) adapted to pass through the at least one bearing (608) and coupled to the push plate (606), each of the at least pair of sensors (614) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (602);
(iv) a gripper system (80) comprising a pneumatic actuator (802), a pair of gripper fingers (804), a pair of work piece holding pads (806), a pair of springs (808) and at least a pair of sensors (810), the pneumatic actuator (802) adapted to mount on the push plate (606) of the system for movement along z-axis (60), each of the pair of gripper fingers (804) adapted to couple to each of pair of jaws of the pneumatic actuator (802), each of the pair of work piece holding pads (806) adapted to elastically couple with each of the pair of gripper fingers (804) through each of the pair of springs (808), each of the at least pair of sensors (614) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (802);
(v) a gravity feeder system (100) comprising a slide plate (1002), a fixed guide support (1004), a moveable guide support (1006), at least one adjustable rod (1008), at least one adjustable rod support (1010), a dead weight (1012), a dead weight clamp (1014), a pusher (1020), a pushrod (1022), a pushrod support (1024), a stoppers support (1026), a left side stopper (1028), a right side stopper (1030), a pneumatic actuator (1032), a guide block (1034) and at least a pair of sensors (1052), the slide plate (1002) attached with the fixed guide support (1004) on one side face and the at least one adjustable rod support (1010) on other side face adapted to mount in slanting position on the frame (20), the moveable guide support (1006) placed on the slide plate (1002) and adjustably coupled to the at least one adjustable rod support (1010) through the at least one adjustable rod (1008), the dead weight (1012) attached with the pusher (1020) in a slot provided at its bottom end and the dead weight clamp (1014) at its top end, placed on the slide plate (1002) in such a way that the dead weight clamp (1014) mounts over the fixed guide support (1004) in sliding position and exerts a pushing force over the raw material blanks with the help of the pusher (1020), the pushrod support (1024) and the stoppers support (1026) provided with steps (St1) adapted to insert below the slide plate (1002) in such a way that the pushrod support (1024), the stoppers support (1026) and the slide plate (1002) are on same plane and locked in position, the left side stopper (1028) and the right side stopper (1030) adjustably mounted over the stoppers support (1026) with the help of plurality of slots (S1) provided therein, the pushrod (1022) placed on the pushrod support (1024) and the guide block (1034) adapted to mount on the pushrod support (1024) encompassing the pushrod (1022), the pneumatic actuator (1032) adapted to mount on the frame (20) and piston of the pneumatic actuator coupled to the pushrod (1022) facilitates in pushing the raw material blanks on to the stoppers support (1026), each of the at least pair of sensors (1052) mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator (1032); and
(vi) a programmable logical controller system (120) in two way communication with the pneumatic actuators (412, 602, 802, 1032).

Typically, the finished product is a machined blade.

In accordance with the present invention a method of loading raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine using an automatic machine (200), said method comprising the steps of:
(i) stopping of CNC machining cycle, opening of the CNC machine door and simultaneously unclamping of a fixture holding the finished product inside the CNC machine;
(ii) moving forward of a robotic arm (402) of a system for movement along y-axis (40) inside the CNC machine;
(iii) moving down of a push plate (606) of a system for movement along z-axis (60);
(iv) holding of the finished product by a pair of work piece holding pads (806) of a gripper system (80);
(v) moving up of the push plate (606) of the system for movement along z-axis (60);
(vi) moving backward of the robotic arm (402) starts simultaneously a pushrod (1022) pushes the raw material blank on to a stoppers support (1026) and retracts, moving forward of the raw material blank next in a batch to a predetermined position on a slide plate (1002) in front of the pushrod (1022) as a result of push exerted by a
pusher (1020) of a dead weight (1012), stopping of the robotic arm (402) above a tray (140) while moving backward thereupon releasing of the pair of work piece holding pads (806) and dropping of the finished product in the tray (140);
(vii) moving backward of the robotic arm (402) further to home position;
(viii) moving down of the push plate (606) of the system for movement along z-axis (60);
(ix) holding of the raw material blank by the pair of work piece holding pads (806) of the gripper system (80);
(x) moving up of the push plate (606) of the system for movement along z-axis (60);
(xi) moving forward of the robotic arm (402) and stopping above the fixture inside the CNC machine;
(xii) moving down of the push plate (606) of the system for movement along z-axis (60);
(xiii) releasing of the pair of work piece holding pads (806) of the gripper system (80) thereby placing the raw material blank on the fixture;
(xiv) moving up of the push plate (606) of the system for movement along z-axis (60);
(xv) moving backward of the robotic arm (402) to the home position and simultaneously holding of the raw material blank by the fixture inside the CNC machine;
(xvi) closing of the CNC machine door and starting of machining cycle; and
(xvii) repeating of the steps (i) to(xvi) in sequence until all the raw material blanks in the batch are machined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1(a) illustrates a perspective view of an automatic machine mounted on side of a CNC machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 1(b) illustrates an isometric view of an automatic machine of figure 1(a);

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a frame of figure 1(b);

Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a system for movement along y-axis of figure 1(b);

Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a system for movement along z-axis of figure 1(b);

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a gripper system of figure 1(b);

Figure 6(a) illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a gravity feeder system of figure 1(b) from one view angle;

Figure 6(b) illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a gravity feeder system of figure 1(b) from other view angle;

Figures 6(c) and 6(d) illustrate an isometric view of a pushrod support and a stoppers support respectively of figure 6(b);

Figures 6(e) and 6(f) illustrate an isometric view of a left side stopper and a right side stopper respectively of figure 6(a); and

Figure 6(g) and 6(h) illustrates an isometric view of a guide block of figure 6(a) and a pushrod of figure 6(b) respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
A preferred embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the invention. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

Figure 1(a) illustrates a perspective view of an automatic machine mounted on side of a CNC machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1(b) illustrates an isometric view of an automatic machine of figure 1(a).

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic machine 200 for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine comprising a frame 20, a system for movement along y-axis 40, a system for movement along z-axis 60, a gripper system 80, a gravity feeder system 100, a programmable logical controller system 120 and a tray 140.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a frame.

The frame 20 comprises a plurality of extruded channels 202, a plurality of L clamps 204 and a plurality of allen screws 206. The plurality of extruded channels 202 are configured in closed or open sections, to form a square or rectangular shape at each closed section. Said configured plurality of extruded channels 202 are held in position by means of locking the plurality of L clamps 204 to the plurality of extruded channels 202 through the plurality of allen screws 206. Typically, the plurality of extruded channels 202 are made of aluminum, plastic or any light weight load bearing material.

Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a system for movement along y-axis.

The system for movement along y-axis 40 comprises a robotic arm 402, an arm table 404,
a plurality of bearings 406, a pair of guide rods 408, a plurality of guide rod supports 410, a pneumatic actuator 412, a push plate 414, a pair of L clamps 416(not show in the figure), a pair of C clamps 418, three sensors 420(not shown in the figure) and a plurality of allen screws 422.

The robotic arm 402 is adapted to mount against the arm table 404 and held in position by means of the plurality of allen screws 422 passing through the arm table 404 and the robotic arm 402. The robotic arm 402 is further firmly held in position against the arm table 404 by placing the pair of C clamps 418 over the arm table 404 encompassing the robotic arm 402 and locked in position by means of the plurality of allen screws 422. The plurality of bearings 406 are adapted to mount against the arm table 404 and held in position by means of the plurality of allen screws 422 passing through the arm table 404 and the plurality of bearings 406. The plurality of guide rod supports 410 are mounted on the frame 20 and locked in position by means of the plurality of allen screws 422. The pair of guide rods 408 are adapted to pass through the plurality of bearings 406 and supported at either ends by means of passing through the plurality of guide rod supports 410. The pneumatic actuator 412 is coupled to the frame 20 through mounting of the pair of L clamps 416 on the pneumatic actuator 412 and the frame 20. The push plate 414 is mounted against the robotic arm 402 by means of the plurality of allen screws 422 and coupled to piston of the pneumatic actuator 412. Out of three sensors 420, two sensors are mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator 412 and one sensor is mounted at a predetermined position in between the two sensors on the cylinder of the pneumatic actuator 412 to communicate the point of time, when piston of the pneumatic actuator 412 reaches its extreme positions and the predetermined position to the programmable logical controller system 120.

The to and fro movement of the robotic arm 402 along y-axis is indicated by a reference numeral Y.

Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a system for movement along z-axis.

The system for movement along z-axis 60 comprises a pneumatic actuator 602, a pneumatic actuator support plate 604, a push plate 606, a plurality of bearings 608, a pair of guide rods 610, a pair of L clamps 612, a pair of sensors 614 (not shown in the figure) and a plurality of allen screws 616.

The pneumatic actuator support plate 604 is attached to the robotic arm 402 by means of the plurality of allen screws 616. The pneumatic actuator 602 is placed beside the pneumatic actuator support plate 604 and clamped to the pneumatic actuator support plate 604 through the pair of L clamps 612 and the plurality of allen screws 616. The plurality of bearings 608 mounted against the pneumatic actuator support plate 604 and locked in position by means of the plurality of allen screws 616. The pair of guide rods 610 are adapted to pass through the plurality of bearings 608 and coupled to the push plate 606. Piston of the pneumatic actuator 602 is also coupled to the push plate 606. Each of the pair of sensors 614 is mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator 602 to communicate the point of time, when piston of the pneumatic actuator 602 reaches its extreme positions to the programmable logical controller system 120.

The to and fro movement of the push plate 606 along z-axis is indicated by a reference numeral Z.

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a gripper system.
The gripper system 80 comprises a pneumatic actuator 802, a pair of gripper fingers 804, a pair of work piece holding pads 806, a pair of springs 808(not shown in the figure) and a pair of sensors 810(not shown in the figure). The pneumatic actuator 802 is mounted above the push plate 606 and locked in position by means of the plurality of allen screws 616. The pneumatic actuator 802 facilitates in opening and closing of a pair of jaws. Each of the pair of gripper fingers 804 are coupled to each of the pair of jaws of the pneumatic actuator 802. Each of the pair of work piece holding pads 806 are elastically coupled to each of the pair of gripper fingers 804 through each of the pair of springs 808. Each of the pair of sensors 810 is mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator 802 to communicate the point of time, when piston of the pneumatic actuator 802 reaches its extreme positions to the programmable logical controller system 120. The position of the pair of sensors 810 can be adjusted along the length of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator 802 depending on the width of raw material blanks.

Figure 6(a) illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a gravity feeder system from one view angle.

Figure 6(b) illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a gravity feeder system from other view angle.

Figures 6(c) and 6(d) illustrates an isometric view of a pushrod support and a stoppers support respectively of figure 6(b).

Figure 6(e) and 6(f) illustrates an isometric view of a left side stopper and a right side stopper respectively of figure 6(a).

Figure 6(g) and 6(h) illustrates an isometric view of a guide block of figure 6(a) and a pushrod of figure 6(b) respectively.

The gravity feeder system 100 comprises a slide plate 1002, a fixed guide support 1004, a moveable guide support 1006, a pair of adjustable rods 1008, a pair of adjustable rod supports 1010, a dead weight 1012, a dead weight clamp 1014, a stopper 1016, a stopper holder 1018, a pusher 1020, a pushrod 1022, a pushrod support 1024, a stoppers support 1026, a left side stopper 1028, a right side stopper 1030, a pneumatic actuator 1032, a guide block 1034, a stopper clamp 1036, a pushrod clamp 1038, a pushrod positioning cylinder 1040, a pushrod positioning cylinder mounting block 1042, a L clamp 1044, a stopper plate 1046, a plurality of allen screws 1048, a plurality of nuts 1050(not shown in the figure) and a pair of sensors 1052 (not shown in the figure).

The slide plate 1002 is an angular plate adapted to mount in slanting position on the frame 20. The slide plate 1002 is fixed to the frame 20 at proximal top and bottom end by means of the plurality of allen screws 1020. The fixed guide support 1004 is coupled to the slide plate 1002 on its one side face by means of the plurality of allen screws 1048. The pair of adjustable rod supports 1010 is coupled to the slide plate 1002 on its other side face. The moveable guide support 1006 is placed on the slide plate 1002 and the pair of adjustable rods 1008 adapted to pass through the moveable guide support 1006 and the pair of adjustable rod supports 1010 such that the moveable guide support 1006 is held at any specified position on the slide plate 1002 by means of the plurality of allen screws 1048. The position of the moveable guide support 1006 on the slide plate 1002 is adjustable depending on the size of the raw material blanks through loosening or tightening of the plurality of allen screws 1048 provided in the pair of adjustable rod supports 1010 as shown in the figure 6. The dead weight 1012 is provided with a slot at its bottom end for coupling the pusher 1020. The dead weight 1012 attached with a dead weight clamp 1014 adapted to mount over the fixed guide support 1004 mating with surface of the slide plate 1002, exerts a pushing force over the raw material blanks through sliding over the fixed guide support 1004 with the help of the pusher 1020. The pusher 1020 also facilitates in pushing the last raw material blank in a batch to a predetermined position on the slide plate 1002. The stopper holder 1018 is coupled to the fixed guide support 1004 near to its bottom end and a stopper 1016 adapted to couple to the stopper holder 1018 to arrest the movement of the dead weight 1012.

The pushrod support 1024 and the stoppers support 1026 are provided with steps St1 at their one end, adapted to insert below the slide plate 1002 and locked in position such that the pushrod support 1024, the stoppers support 1026 and the slide plate 1002 are on same plane. The pushrod support 1024 and the stoppers support 1026 are provided with plurality of slots S1 therein for locking and adjustment purposes of the left side stopper 1028 and the right side stopper 1030. The left side stopper 1028 and the right side stopper 1030 are rods of rectangular cross section with a space S2 provided in each of them to accommodate the pair of gripper fingers 804. The left side stopper 1028 and the right side stopper 1030 are adjustably mounted over the stoppers support 1026 by means of the plurality of allen screws 1048 and the plurality of nuts 1050. The left side stopper 1028 is adjustably coupled to the pushrod support 1024 through the stopper clamp 1036. The stopper plate 1046 is coupled to the right side stopper 1030. The pushrod 1022 is a right angled rectangular block and the guide block 1034 is provided with a space S3 in between therein. The pushrod 1022 is placed over the pushrod support 1024 and the guide block 1034 is mounted on the pushrod support 1024 encompassing the pushrod 1022. The pneumatic actuator 1032 is mounted on the frame 20 and piston of the pneumatic actuator 1032 is coupled to the right angled projection of the pushrod 1022. The pushrod clamp 1038 is attached at right angled projection of the pushrod 1022. The L clamp 1044 is mounted on the frame 20 and the pushrod positioning cylinder mounting block 1042 is coupled to the L clamp 1044. The pushrod positioning cylinder 1040 is mounted on the pushrod positioning cylinder mounting block 1042 in a freely rotatable condition by means of a cylindrical pin. The pushrod clamp 1038 rubs against the pushrod positioning cylinder 1040 while the pushrod 1022 pushes the raw material blank
on to the stoppers support 1026 to arrest the play of the pushrod 1022. Each of the pair of sensors 1052 is mounted at extreme ends of cylinder of the pneumatic actuator 1032 to communicate the point of time, when piston of the pneumatic actuator 1032 reaches its extreme positions to the programmable logical controller system 120.

The to and fro movement of the pushrod 1022 along the plane of the pushrod support 1024, the slide plate 1002 and the stoppers support 1026 is indicated by a reference numeral X.

The method of working of the automatic machine 200 is explained in sequence of steps of operation as follows:
Operation No. Description of Operation
(i) CNC Machining cycle stops and immediately after that Air blow happens for 3 sec to blow away chips produced during machining of a raw material blank.
(ii) CNC machine door opens and simultaneously fixture inside the CNC machine holding the finished product (Blade) unclamps.
(iii) The robotic arm 402 of the system for movement along y-axis 40 moves forward and go inside the CNC machine.
(iv) The push plate 606 of the system for movement along z-axis 60 moves down.
(v) The pair of work piece holding pads 806 of the gripper system 80 holds the finished product (Blade).
(vi) The push plate 606 of the system for movement along z-axis 60 moves up.
(vii) The robotic arm 402 of the system for movement along y-axis 40 starts moving backward. Simultaneously, the pushrod 1022 pushes the raw material blank on to the stoppers support 1026 and retracts. The raw material blank next in the batch comes to the predetermined position in front of the pushrod 1022 on the slide plate 1002 because of the push exerted by the pusher 1020 of the dead weight 1012. The robotic arm 402 while retracting stops above the tray 140 and then releasing of the pair of work piece holding pads 806 happens thereby dropping the finished product (Blade) in the tray 140.
(viii) The robotic arm 402 further moves back to home position and simultaneously air blow happens for 3 sec inside the CNC machine.
(ix) The push plate 606 of the system for movement along z-axis 60 moves down.
(x) The pair of work piece holding pads 806 of the gripper system 80 holds the raw material blank.
(xi) The push plate 606 of the system for movement along z-axis 60 moves up.
(xii) The robotic arm 402 moves forward and stops above the fixture inside the CNC machine.
(xiii) The push plate 606 of the system for movement along z-axis 60 moves down.
(xiv) The pair of work piece holding pads 806 of the gripper system 80 releases the raw material blank and places it on the fixture.
(xv) The push plate 606 of the system for movement along z-axis 60 moves up.
(xvi) The robotic arm 402 moves backward to the home position and simultaneously the fixture inside the CNC machine holds the raw material blank.
(xvii) CNC machine door closes and machining cycle starts
(xviii) The operations 1 to 17 are repeated in sequence until all the raw material blanks in the batch are machined.

The operations 1 to 18 occurs systematically in sequence by two way communication between the pneumatic actuators (412, 602, 802, 1032) and the programmable logical controller system 120.

TEST RESULTS:
In manual method, the production capacity is 172 blades per week whereas in automated method, the production capacity increased to 187 blades per week showing an increase of 15 blades per week. CNC machine utilization increased from 91.1% in manual method to 93.01% in automated method.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS:
An automatic machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine has several technical advantages including but not limited to the realization of:
• a machine for loading of raw material and unloading of finished product from a CNC machine without any human intervention;
• a machine which can load raw material and unload finished product from a CNC machine in minimum cycle time;
• a simple and compact machine having less number of components;
• a machine which utilizes same gripper mechanism for holding raw material and finished product;
• a machine which uses gravity principle for feeding of raw material; and
• a machine that can accommodate raw material of different sizes.

Although the invention has been described herein above with reference to the embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein above. It is to be understood that modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.