GB1015712A - A method and apparatus for orienting screws and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

1,015,712. Screw driving machines; machine tool details. June 2, 1964 [March 6, 1963; Jan. 9, 1964], Nos. 8905/63 and 977/64. Headings B3B and B3N. Screws, pins, dowels, and the like, oriented randomly lengthwise, are fed into a sensing position where they are tilted in one direction or another, so that the final orientation of all screws &c. is the same. A screw driving machine comprises a base 2, a column 4, a head 6 carrying a spindle 8 reciprocated by pneumatic means 12, a bowl feeder 14 connected to a screw orienting means 16 by a feed pipe 18, and actuating means 24 for the means 16. Orienting means 16 comprises a channel 30 formed between walls 32, a pusher 38 slidable in the channel, and a block 34 having an aperture 36 through which the screws fall, and pass to a collet 20. Pusher 38 has a notch 40 therein which, in its retracted position is aligned with an aperture in wall 32, the other wall having a metal strip 44 thereon. Pusher 38 is connected to spindle 8 by a Bowden cable 46, and a linkage 48, and is reciprocated in synchronism therewith. In operation, bowl 14 is loaded with screws which pass into pipe 18 and enter notch 40. If the unslotted end of the screw is leading, it will abut strip 44, and will be pushed into aperture 36 as shown in Fig. 5 (not shown). If, however, the slotted end is leading, the screw will rotate until the slot engages strip 44, and the screw will be pushed into aperture 36, as shown in Fig. 5 (not shown). The screws may be urged towards strip 44 by tilting means 16, or compressed air may be introduced into channel 30. In a modification, pusher 38 is cut away at its forward end, and a replaceable plate is screwed to the wall of channel 30, and abuts the recessed face of the pusher, to accommodate shorter screws. Strip 44 may be replaced by a groove or a rebate to allow cone pointed, or headed, screws to be handled. In a further modification, screws which are out of balance about a longitudinal mid-point as opposed to screws which have different end slopes are handled. This is done by providing a platform to which the screws are fed from the hopper; and a sloping block, to which the screw is pushed. At each end of the block is located a feed tube whereby the screws falling off the block are conveyed into a single tube. If the heavier end of the screws is to trail, a means for reversing the screws is provided. The sloping block may be replaced by a platform accurately balanced at its mid-point.