Carlson, Don F.;

Integrated buffing and grinding system

The present invention provides an integrated buffing and grinding system. The system includes a first conveyor for transporting an article to a grinding station. The article is grasped by a robot and brought into and out of contact with an abrasive surface of a sanding device. The article is then transferred by the robot to a second conveyor. The article travels along the second conveyor to a shuttle assembly. The article is then transferred by the shuttle assembly to a moveable table of a buffing device. The moveable table moves the article into and out of contact with a buffing wheel of the buffing device. The article is then transferred by the moveable table to the shuttle assembly. The shuttle assembly transfers the article to the second conveyor. The article travels along the second conveyor to an unloading station where it is unloaded.

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What is claimed is:

1. An integrated finishing system for performing multiple finishing operations, comprising:

first conveyor means for transferring a plurality of articles from a loading station to a first work station in series;

first pallet means for supporting an article upon said first conveyor means;

at least one first stopping means located along said first conveyor means at said frist work station for stopping said first pallet means to allow said articles to be removed from said first conveyor means;

a first finishing device at said first work station;

robot means at said first work station for individually removing stopped said articles from said first conveyor means and guiding each of said articles into and out of engagement with said first finishing device;

second conveyor means spaced adjacent said first work station for transferring articles to a second work station and from said second work station to an unloading station in series;

a second finishing device at said second work station;

second pallet means for supporting the finished article upon said second conveyor means;

at least one second stopping means located along said second conveyor means opposite said first work station for stopping said second pallet means and allowing finished articles to be loaded on said second pallet means, said robot means transferring each of the finished articles from said first work station to said second pallet means upon said second conveyor means at said second stopping means; and

shuttle means for transferring a predetermined number of said articles between said second finishing device and said second conveyor means.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 including means for removing moisture from the articles on said first conveyor means prior to reaching said first work station.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 including first stopping means for stopping said first pallet means at the loading station to allow an arrticle to be loaded on said first pallet means.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 including a moveable table which operatively cooperates with said shuttle means for transferring said articles between said shuttle means and said second finishing device and having clamping means for removeably clamping said articles to said moveable table.

5. An integrated finishing system for performing multiple finishing operations, comprising:

first closed loop conveyor means for transferring a plurality of articles from a loading station to a first work station in series;

first pallet means for supporting an article upon said first conveyor means;

at least one first stopping means located along said first closed loop conveyor means at the loading station and first work station for stopping said first pallet means;

a first finishing device at said first work station;

second closed loop conveyor means spaced adjacent said first closed loop conveyor means for transferring articles to a second work station and from said second work station to an unloading station in series;

a second finishing device at said second work station;

second pallet means for supporting the finished article upon said second closed loop conveyor means;

at least one second stopping means located along said second closed loop conveyor means opposite said first work station for stopping said second pallet means;

robot means at said first work station for individually removing the stopped articles from said first closed loop conveyor means and guiding each of said articles into and out of engagement with said first finishing device and loading finished articles on said second pallet means of said second closed loop conveyor means at said second stopping means; and

shuttle means for transferring a predetermined number of said articles between said second finishing device and said second closed loop conveyor means.

6. An integrated finishing system for performing multiple finishing operations, comprising:

a first closed loop conveyor to transfer a plurality of articles from a loading station to a first work station in series;

a first pallet means for supporting an article upon said first closed loop conveyor;

at least one first stopping means located along said first closed loop conveyor at the loading station and first work station for stopping said first pallet means;

a first finishing device at said first work station;

a second closed loop conveyor spaced adjacent said first closed loop conveyor for transferring articles to a second work station and from said second work station to an unloading station in series;

a second finishing device at said second work station;

second pallet means for supporting finished articles upon said second closed loop conveyor;

at least one second stopping means located along said second closed loop conveyor opposite said first work station for stopping said second pallet means;

robot means at said first work station for individually removing the stopped articles from said first pallet means and guiding each of said articles into and out of engagement with said first finishing device and loading the finished articles upon said second pallet means stopped by said second stopping means upon said second closed loop conveyor; and

shuttle means for transferring a predetermined number of said second pallet means having finished articles between said second finishing device and said second closed loop conveyor.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6 including a moveable table which operatively cooperates with said shuttle means and said second finishing device for transferring said second pallet means between said shuttle means and said second finishing device and having clamping means for removably clamping said second pallet means to said moveable table.