Basic Types Of Transfer Machining And Its Advantages

Types Of Transfer Machining

There are three basic types of transfer machining and their explanations are given below:

INLINE TRANSFER MACHINES:

in this arrangement, several machining heads are arranged across the straight line on the sides at a pitch of nearly 1 meter and components flow in the middle of two rows of machines along guide rails.

If space does not permit the machines, instead; a straight line could be arranged in L-shape, square or rectangular pattern.

The conveyor for transferring components could either run over, under, or around the transfer machine.

The work may be loaded either manually or automatically onto the machine, and it is transferred by equal pitch movements from station to station where it is located through dowels and clamped.

The work can be presented to the machining head in any desired position by using turntables or turnover devices at the appropriate points on the bed.

All types of machining operations are carried out at various stations and the chips produced are removed so that these do not foul or dog the working parts.

Coolants need to be supplied in huge quantities. In case of jam up of components; an automatic safety device operates and all machines come to a stop.

Such an arrangement is very popular in the automobile industry.

ROTARY INDEXING TABLE TRANSFER MACHINES:

in this case, work is transferred around a circular line, thereby giving a more compact arrangement and saving the floor space.

The machining heads are arranged around the periphery, precise indexing is used for transferring components from a fixed station of machining heads.

This type of arrangement is usually small in size, there maybe 4 to 17 stations depending on the size of a component.

This is due to a limitation of the size of a table, which can be held and rotated in a base, such that it can maintain sufficient rigidity for the components and overall accuracy.

This type of arrangement is best suited for the automatic assembly of a product.

DRUM TYPE TRANSFER MACHINES:

In this case, work fixtures are fastened to the outside surface or periphery of the drum, and workstations are positioned radially around the circular path at an equal interval.

As the work hangs from the fixture, the clamping arrangement must be fool-proofed and efficient. Like circular indexing arrangement, this too cannot be big in size.

ADVANTAGES OF USING TRANSFER MACHINING

1. It can handle very heavy components and components of an extremely awkward size and shape. No manual handling of work is involved except for loading and unloading.
2. Operator fatigue is practically eliminated and the need for operators can also reduce.
3. The output is considerably increased; the speed of output can be easily varied to ensure balanced production with other departments.
4. Considerable floor space is saved by the elimination of inter-operation sacking and the close grouping of a machine.
5. Control of the work passing through the shop is simplified.
6. It is flexible and can be arranged to suit modifications in the design of the components.
7. The plant can be disassembled and rebuilt to suit other workpieces if the component for which it is already designed becomes obsolete the life of the cutting tool may be considerably extended.
8. The alignment of work at each station is simplified and automatized.
9. An overall economy is obtained if the production warrants the use of this type of equipment.
10. Greater overall accuracy is obtained because the work is integrated with the fixture throughout.