A reciprocating table assembly includes a frame, a table, and a bearing assembly for rotatably mounting the table to the frame. A cylinder assembly rotates the table at a pivot point by extending and retracting a piston rod from the cylinder. Three sensors sense which position the table is in its rotational path and signal the piston rod to either extend or contract at the appropriate time.
A dual cylinder pivotal work piece holding device includes a fixture pivotally mounted on a frame. A crank arm drives the fixture about a pivot axis. First and second cylinders have rods pivotally connected to the crank arm at a drive point offset from the fixture pivot axis. The rods form an oblique angle with each other and a controller is provided for extending and retracting the rods in a coordinated cycle so that at least one of the rods is moving at any instant during rotation of the fixture.
A robotic positioner for use with an automated processing system, such as an automated welding system, for example, includes a base, a support structure rotatably supported on the base, and at least one work surface supported on the support structure suitable for supportably engaging a workpiece. The support structure extends from the base at an angle relative to vertical, and the work surface extends at an angle relative to the support structure. In operation, a workpiece is secured onto a work surface while in a generally horizontal load/unload position. The support structure and work surface thereon is then rotated into an inclined work position relative to horizontal that is adjacent the automated processing system. Thereafter, the work surface is rotated with the support structure back to the generally horizontal load/unload position so that the workpiece can be removed and another loaded. A robotic positioner having two or more work surfaces can have one work surface in the load/unload position while another is in the work position. Additionally, the work surfaces can be rotatably supported on the support structure, such as by a rotatable platform.
The welding apparatus has a positioner (1) provided with workpiece supporting means (11) which is rotatable about a first central axis (Ca) and is pivotable up and down about a second central axis (Cb) crossing the first central axis (Ca). A welding robot (2) includes a robot body (20) mounted on the workpiece supporting means (11). Therefore, even when the workpiece supporting means (11) operates, it is possible to prevent a torch (3) carried by the robot body (20) from positionally deviating relative to a workpiece (W) supported on the work supporting means (11).
