WO2009007572A1

WO2009007572A1 - Rotary device for transferring and indexing metal objects comprising contactless drive means.

Info

Publication number: WO2009007572A1
Application number: PCT/FR2008/051108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Malinie; Grégory Geisse
Original assignee: Sabatier
Priority date: 2007-07-11
Filing date: 2008-06-19
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Also published as: FR2918652A1; FR2918652B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotary device (1) for transferring and indexing metal objects (O) comprising a weld having a first rotational-drive means (5) mounted on a rotation shaft (2), and means (8) of indexing said metal objects which are secured to said first rotational-drive means (5), and means (5) of detecting the position of one said weld on said metal objects. According to the invention, said metal object indexing means (8) are free to rotate about an axis (9) secured to said first rotational-drive means (5) and collaborating with second rotational-drive means (26, 27) in order to make said indexing means (8) themselves rotate on themselves and sustain this rotation without contact with said indexing means at the same time as said first rotational-drive means rotates about said shaft.

Description

ROTARY DEVICE FOR TRANSFER AND INDEXATION OF METALLIC OBJECTS, COMPRISING MEANS

TRAINING WITHOUT CONTACT

The present invention relates to the field of the manufacture of metal objects and in particular metal containers and packaging such as cans and boxes of various shapes, symmetrical or not.

Such containers and packaging are used in industry in many formats for the packaging of food products or industrial products such as paints, oils, solvents and various chemical products or others.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a rotary device for transferring and indexing metal objects such as boxes and cans having means for driving said objects in rotation on themselves.

Transfer and indexing devices are particularly useful on manufacturing lines of said metal objects of the aforementioned type. These lines traditionally comprise different forming stations and / or machining to produce a package from a cylindrical metal shell.

The cylindrical shells used to make the packages are obtained by welding two opposite edges of a metal plate, usually tinplate, square or rectangular for example. From such a cylindrical shell, it is possible to produce packaging of various shapes and symmetry of revolution or not and regular or not thanks to multiple mechanical tools shaped and automatically controlled to provide a particular shape to the ferrule basic metal.

However, it is for the operations of deformations (stamping, rolling, crimping ...) of the basic cylindrical shells or for the operations finishes (setting up a loop, painting, closing ...) of the packaging made, the weld constitutes a zone of fragility that should be spared. In addition, the position of the weld must be taken into account, especially for operations such as the coating of packaging and the establishment of loops. This is the reason why the shells and the packings made must be oriented with respect to the position of the weld at each of the forming stations and / or machining of the production line.

To determine the position of the weld on the ferrules and metal packages manufactured, the various positions of the manufacturing lines, or at least part of them comprise means for detecting the welding and indexing the position of the shell or of the package relative to the tools depending on the position of the weld. These means traditionally comprise an optical cell for detecting the weld and a rotary table or turntable on which the shell or the package is held, for example by magnets.

Such indexing means, however, perform only on manufacturing lines where the forming and / or machining stations are positioned one after the other and the metal objects moved step-by-step between stations, also one after the other.

On the other hand, on more complex production lines, in particular incorporating forming carousels able to process with a very high speed a plurality of substantially simultaneous objects, the indexing means mentioned above are not suitable because they generate too much slowing down of carousels and therefore production rates.

This problem is all the greater when it is necessary to detect the position of a weld on a shell or packaging during manufacture and to index its position between two carousels working at substantially identical speeds, with the risk of accumulation of obj ects between the two carousels and therefore the risk of blockage or deterioration of production tools.

This is why the object of the present invention is to provide a device for transferring and indexing metal objects including a metal ferrule or packaging adapted to solve the indexing problems encountered in particular with the manufacturing systems comprising carousels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a transfer and indexing device which can be installed and used on any type of metal packaging production line from cylindrical shells.

Another object of the invention and to provide a transfer and indexing device that can simultaneously support a plurality of metal objects to detect the position of a weld and index accordingly the position of the package between two tools forming and / or machining.

Another object of the invention is finally to provide a device for transferring and indexing reduced size to facilitate its integration into lines and existing production systems of metal objects.

The various objects of the invention described above are achieved by a rotary device for transferring and indexing metallic objects comprising a weld, in particular ferrules and / or metal packages, comprising:

a first rotational drive means mounted on a rotation shaft adapted to be rotated by appropriate means for rotating said metal objects around said shaft, and

indexing means of said metal objects, secured to said first rotary drive means for gripping said metal objects in a first position and then holding them up to a second position during a rotational movement of said first rotary drive means, and

means for detecting the position of a said weld on said metal objects,

According to the invention, this device for transferring and indexing metallic objects is characterized in that said means for indexing said metal objects are each rotatably mounted on an axis integral with said first drive means. rotation and cooperate with second rotating drive means adapted to initiate a proper rotation of said indexing means on themselves around said axis simultaneously with the rotational movements of said first means for driving in rotation about said shaft and for maintain this rotation without contact with said indexing means.

The transfer and indexing device according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that it simultaneously allows the transfer, the detection of a weld and the indexing of a plurality of metal objects with respect to this weld. without reducing the production rates of the production line on which the device is implemented.

This is enabled by the various indexing means carried and driven in rotation by a first rotary drive means whose rotational speed is chosen according to the rate of production to be respected on the production line, but also mobile in rotation on themselves by the second rotary drive means which makes it possible to detect the weld on each metal object and to index the position of the object and with respect to the weld during the transfer between two successive positions of the manufacturing line without slowing down or stagnating objects.

In addition, the rotational drive of the indexing means by the second rotary drive means is achieved without contact and without motorized drive means. This greatly simplifies the structure of the device, its maintenance and its maintenance. In addition, the wear of the indexing means and the second drive means is almost zero due to the absence of contact between these parts. Finally, it also reduces the overall size and cost of manufacture and use of the device of the invention.

According to a first preferred feature of the device of the invention, said indexing means and said second rotation drive means comprise magnetic means capable of maintaining a rotation without contact at constant speed of said indexing means.

These magnetic drive means comprise, for example, preferably magnets mounted in. each other on said indexing means and on said second drive means in rotation and in opposition of polarity.

Thus, thanks to the use of magnetic drive means such as magnets the construction, maintenance and maintenance of the device of the invention are particularly easy and their costs reduced.

Complementarily and in accordance with another preferred feature of the invention, said second rotary drive means comprise a friction pad adapted to contact the periphery of said indexing means to initiate a rotation thereof on them - even during a rotational movement of said first drive means in rotation.

Such a friction pad makes it possible to very simply put the indexing means in rotation on themselves batches of the start of the rotation of the first rotation drive means which carries said indexing means.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device of the invention, said indexing means comprise at least one substantially circular piece having a drive face facing said second means for driving in rotation and a contact face opposite to said driving face, said contact face being magnetized to block said metal object against said contact face by magnetic attraction.

Still according to the invention, said second rotational drive means are fixed on at least one support substantially tangent to the periphery of said first rotary drive means and mounted on a fixed frame so that said second drive means in rotation are positioned at least partially opposite said indexing means.

Preferably, said first drive means is constituted by a circular plate. The choice of such a drive plate allows a uniform distribution of the indexing means substantially at the circumference of said plate, but also a transfer of the metal objects and a rotation drive of the indexing means smoothly, with fluidity .

In a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, said support of said second rotational drive means consists of a ring portion substantially concentric with said first rotary drive means, and preferably having a portion located opposite said indexing means.

Still according to the invention, said means for detecting the position of a said weld on said metal objects are integral with said first rotational drive means and comprise at least one photoelectric cell positioned substantially adjacent to each said means of indexing.

Still according to the invention, the transporting and indexing device comprises movable means for stopping the rotation of said indexing means on themselves, in particular movable shoes capable of being actuated substantially simultaneously with the detection of a said vsoudurc on said metal objects by said welding detection means for come into contact with said indexing means to stop their own rotational movement and thus index the position of the objss with respect to the position of the weld.

The other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following detailed description of the invention, given in a nonlimiting manner with reference to the appended figures among which:

- Figure 1 shows in perspective a transfer and indexing device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 represents a partial top view of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view along the axis III-III of the device of the invention shown in Figure 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section along axis IV-IV in FIG. 3, the detail of the connection between the main driving plate in rotation and an indexing means of the device according to the invention,

FIG. 5 schematically represents an operating kinematic of the device of the invention in cooperation with two turrets or carousels for forming metal objects.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the present invention relates to a device 1 for transferring and indexing metal objects O such as ferrules made of tinplate and traditionally used in industry for the realization of boxes and. metal packaging for food or other purposes.

The device 1 comprises firstly a vertical rotating shaft 2 coupled at its lower end 3 to a motor (not shown in the figures) by any suitable rotational coupling means such as gears or belt transmission. for example. Of course, the location of the coupling of the shaft 2 to the motor may be located at the upper end 4 of the rotation shaft 2 without affecting the operation of the device 1 and constitutes an equivalent variant embodiment of the device of FIG. the invention.

On the rotation shaft 2 is mounted a circular plate 5 threaded on said shaft 2 and secured thereto to be rotated by said shaft. The connection between said shaft 2 and said plate 5 can be achieved by any means or technique known in the field of assembly and in particular welding, interlocking force or not, mechanical coupling (gears, bayonets, ... etc. ).

The circular plate 5 constitutes a first rotational drive means for carrying out the transfer of metal objects O between two forming stations of a production line of metal boxes or packages, in particular between two forming towers 6, 7 capable of to support a plurality of metal objects O simultaneously as shown schematically in Figure 5. To perform this transfer, the circular plate 5 supports on its periphery indexing means of said metal objects O.

These indexing means are constituted preferably and as shown in detail in Figure 4 by indexing discs 8 rotatably mounted on the circular plate 5 of the device. Each indexing disc 8 has for this purpose a cylindrical axis 9 formed of material with the disc and oriented perpendicular to the disc 8.

This axis 9 allows the mounting and the rotation of the disk 8 on the circular plate 5 in openings 1 0 opening pierced in the thickness of the plate 5 at the periphery thereof as shown in Figure 1.

A preferred method of securing the disks is shown in detail in FIG. 4 and described hereinafter.

A ball bearing January 1 is housed in a lining 1 2 formed in each of the orifices 10 opening out of the circular transfer plate 5. From Preferably, the countersink 1 2 made in each of the orifices 10 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the outer ring Ha of the ball bearing 1 1 so as to allow a wedging of the bearing 1 1 in each of the orifices 10.

Furthermore, each ball bearing January 1 is maintained in each of the orifices 10 of the plate 5 by a wedge 13 fixed to the plate 5 by three screws 14 distributed at 120 ° from each other around the holes 10 for fixing the indexing discs 8 (see Figure 1).

Preferably, said shims 13 also include a substantially central orifice 1 5, in order to allow the passage of the axis 9 of the indexing disks 8 as will be described hereinafter, and a countersink 16 coaxial with said orifice 15 and of internal diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the outer ring H of the ball bearing 1 1 to allow the interlocking of each said wedge 13 sut a said bearing 1 1 so as to trap the latter enters the amamages 12, 16 respective of the transfer plate 5 and the shim 13.

The indexing discs 8 are in their abutment by their axis 9 in the inner ring l l b of the ball bearings 1 1. The axis 9 of the disks 8 comprises for this purpose a shoulder 9a forming an abutment limiting the insertion depth of the axis 9 relative to the bearing 1 1 so as to provide a spacing sufficient to prevent friction between the disks 8 and blocking wedges 13. The locking of the disks 8 on the bearings 11 is finally ensured by means of a screw 17 housed in a blind bore coaxial with the axis 9 of the disks 8 and a bearing washer 18 on the inner ring 1 lb ball bearings 1 1.

Thus the indexing discs 8 are rotatably mounted relative to the transfer plate 5 which is itself integral in rotation with the drive shaft 2 of the device. The indexing discs 8 are preferably made of stainless steel, although other construction materials, in particular metal, can be envisaged.

Said disks 8 are moreover magnetized, either in their mass if they consist of steel, or by integration of magnets in their body, in order to allow the attraction and the blocking of metal objects O to be transferred and indexed against a lower face 8a, preferably flat, opposite to the upper face 8b carrying the axis of rotation 8 of the disks.

In addition, the indexing discs 8 also have on their upper face 8b magnets 19 inserted for example into holes formed in the mass of the discs 8 over the entire peripheral edge thereof. These magnets 19 form, in cooperation with other magnets carried on a part of the transfer device 1 situated opposite said disks 8, means for non-contact rotation drives of the indexing disks on themselves, as will be described. thereafter.

In addition to the indexing disks 8, the device also comprises wedging means 20 to facilitate the positioning of said metal objects O to be transmitted vertically above said indexing disks 8 when they are taken over by the device. 1 and to wedge them during their rotational transfer to prevent any rocking movement of said metal objects O with respect to the surface 8a of the indexing discs 8.

These locking means are, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in particular, constituted by notches or cuts 20 sensiblemen t semi-circular formed in a plate 21 integral with the rotation shaft 2, said notches or cuts 20 being positioned exactly in line with the indexing discs 8, the diameter of the plate carrying the cutouts being substantially equal to the gyration diameter of the indexing discs 8, that is to say the diameter of the circle passing the center of the axis of rotation 9 of each of the indexing discs 8. The transfer and indexing device 1 of the invention also comprises a stabilization frame 22. This frame 22 comprises a horizontal transversal bar 221 threaded by an orifice drilled in the middle on the rotation shaft 2 of the device and carried to each of these ends by two pillars 222, 223. To allow free rotation of the rotation shaft 2 relative to the frame 22, the connection between said bar 221 and said rotation shaft 2 is formed by a ball bearing 23 forming spacer between the shaft 2 and the hub defined by the orifice 221 0 of enfilemen t of the bar 221 on said shaft 2.

The frame 22 allows a patt to stabilize the transfer device 1 and indexing, in particular to maintain the rotation shaft 2 thereof in its axis and avoid any unbalance effect during rotational movements of the circular plate 5 and secondly fix and support second rotating drive means for rotating said indexing discs 8 about their own rotation axis 9 relative to the plate 5.

To perform the latter function, the frame 22 comprises a portion 202 in the form of an angular sector whose apex is at the level of the rotation shaft 2 and whose median is formed by the longitudinal axis of the bar 221 of the frame. The portion 224 is preferably made of material with said bar 221. On the straight edges of the angular sector of the frame are screwed two straight crosspieces 225, 226 at the end of each of which is fixed, perpendicularly, a sleeve 24 for suspending a portion of ring 25 substantially coaxial with the plate 5 of trans rotational fertility. A third sleeve 24 for supporting said crown portion 25 is attached directly to the transverse bar 221 of the frame near one of the pillars 222.

As can be seen in detail in FIG. 2, said crown portion e

25 has an inner diameter very slightly greater than the outer diameter of the plate 5 and is fixed to the lower ends of said sleeves 24, for example by screwing. The length of said sleeves 24 and the thickness of said crown portion 25 are advantageously selected from so that, once attached to the lower end of said sleeves 24, the lower face of said crown portion 25 is flush with the upper surface 8b for driving said indexing discs 8 mounted free to rotate on the plate 5.

The ring portion 25 also bears on its lower surface means for driving said indexing discs in rotation. These drive means comprise first, as is more readily visible in Figure 3, a friction pad 26. This pad is fixed, for example by gluing or screwing on the underside of the crown portion 25 of such so that the indexing discs 8 come into contact at their periphery 8c with said shoe 26 during the rotation of the transfer tray 5 of the device 1.

Thus, by the effect of the friction of the shoe 26 together with the rotation of the plate 5, the indexing discs 8 can be rotated about their own axis of rotation 9 with respect to the plate 5.

To maintain this proper rotation of the discs 8 once Jc contact removed between the shoe 26 and the periphery 8c of indexing discs 8, contactless drive means formed of magnets 27 inserted and glued into the underside of the portion of crown 25 so that said magnets 27 are located opposite the magnets 19 placed on the upper face 8b, also called drive face, indexing discs 8.

The magnets 19 of the indexing discs 8 and the magnets 27 on the underside of the crown portion 25 are preferably of the same type, for example neodymium-iron-boron, and are placed in opposition of the polarities opposite each other. others to maintain the rotation of the discs on themselves. The driving torque thus obtained between the crown portion 25 and the indexing discs 8 is of the order of 1 N.mu., which makes it easy to drive the discs 8 in rotation on themselves even when those on their underside 8a, there is a metal object O for the transfer between two forming stations of a manufacturing line for example.

The rotation of the indexing discs 8 on themselves by means of a friction pad 26 and magnets 27 carried on the fixed crown portion of the device 1 and co-operating respectively with the peripheral flank 8c of the discs. indexing 8 and the magnets 19 placed on the upper side 8b thereof is intended to enable the detection of metal objects O ^r formed from a welded sleeve to the position of the S solder on said objects and consequently, to index the position of the objects O simultaneously to the rotational transfer of the objects by the plate 5 of the device.

To detect a said weld S on the metal objects O carried by the indexing disks 8, the device of the invention comprises appropriate detection means 28 positioned on the transfer plate 5 near each of the indexing disks 8 , which are four in the embodiment shown in the figures.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, in particular FIGS. 2 and 3, the detection means 28 comprise a flexible blade 281 on which are mounted an optical fiber 282 and a ball stop 283. The assembly formed of these three elements 281, 282, 283 makes it possible, when an object and metal O is carried by an indexing disc 8, to contact the outer surface of this object O so as to have a constant distance between the body of the object O and . the optical fiber 282.

The flexible blade 281 is fixed to the transfer tray 5 and extends perpendicularly thereto downwardly so that the ball stopper 283 and the end of the optical fiber 282 are positioned below the the lower face 8a of the indexing disks 8, and oriented to be in contact with the surface of a metal object O carried by the disk 8 in the vicinity during operation of the device 1. These detection means 28 are electrically connected to a management unit and. control device (not shown in the figures) which feeds and integrates the signals received from said detection means 28 to determine the detection of a weld S on a metal object O carried by a disk 8.

Operating in cooperation with the detection means 28, means 29 for stopping the rotation of the indexing discs 8 are also mounted on the transfer plate 5 near each of the indexing discs 8 to prevent the proper rotation of the discs. indexing discs on themselves substantially simultaneously with the detection of the position of the weld S on a metal object O carried by an indexing disc 8.

These stop means 29 may also be of different shapes. However, in the example shown in the figures, said stop means comprise a pneumatic cylinder 291 cooperating with a friction shoe 292 of the brake lining type mounted on a flexible blade 293, the assembly being mounted under the plate 5 of FIG. transfer and electrically connected to said device for managing and controlling the transfer and indexing device 1.

Thus, when the management and control device receives a signal corresponding to the detection of the weld S on a metal object O carried by an indexing disc 8, the control device simultaneously sends an electrical signal towards the means of stop 29 placed next to this indexing disc 8. The friction pad 292 then pivots instantly under the action of the cylinder 291 to come against the outer peripheral side 8c of the indexing disc 8, thus instantly stopping its own rotation , the friction force of the shoe 292 being greater than the driving torque generated by the magnets 19, 27 respectively on the crown portion 25 and on the driving face 8b of the indexing disc 8. Thus, as soon as a weld S is detected on a said metal object O, the position of the latter is directly indexed and fixed by the stop means 29.

The operation of the indexing and transfer device 1 of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

The device 1 of the invention is particularly designed to be placed on a machine for manufacturing metal objects such as packagings or boxes between two forming turrets as shown in FIG.

The device of the invention 1 placed between the turrets has the function of indexing the position of the metal objects with respect to their welding between the first turret and the second turret, which respectively comprise different forming tools, for example six bending tools. 61 on the first turret and six expansion tools 71 on the second turret in the example shown in Figure 5.

The indexing of the metal objects O between the two turrets is necessary in particular to prevent manufacturing defects that may result from the action of the expansion tools of the second turret on the welding of metal objects O and in particular breaks in the welding.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5, metal objects O to be shaped, in this case cylindrical ferrules, are presented at the entrance of a first forming turret comprising six curling tools 61 of the objects arranged regularly on the surface. periphery of said first turret at a spacing of 60 ° around the central axis of rotation of the turret.

The feeding of each of the curling tools of the turret is via an input turnstile 30 with three notches 31 for driving a metal object O regularly distributed at 120 ° from each other. The turning diameter of the turnstile 30 is equal to half of that of the turret, the tourniqviet 30 and the turret being positioned relative to each other so that respective girations are tangent to each other. In addition, the input turnstile 30 and the first turret each follow a turn in the opposite direction, in the direction of the arrow Fl for the turnstile 30 and in the opposite direction along the arrow F2 for the first turret.

Furthermore, the rotational speeds of the turnstile 30 and the first turret are adjusted so that a notch 31 of the turnstile corresponds with a turret bending tool at each rotation of the turnstile and the turret.

Thus, O metal objects are shown and supported in one. first time by the entry turnstile 30 in each of the curling stations of the first turret, as and respective rotations of the turnstile and the turret according to the arrows F1 and F2. During rotation of the F2 turret, the O objects are flanged on their upper flange.

The objects O then leave the 1st turret after curling and are then supported by the indexing and transfer device 1 of the invention, which is positioned substantially tangentially to said first turret and second forming turret shown on FIG. figure

5.

The metal objects O, held from below by each of the curling tools of the first turret, are magnetically attracted when passing over them indexing discs 8 of the indexing device, the latter being four in number. in the illustrated embodiment (see FIGS. 3 and 5), being carried and driven in rotation by the transfer plate 5 of the device. The lenses O are then plated and magnetically blocked against the lower face 8a of the disks 8.

The transfer tray 5 of the device 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow F3 by the shaft 2 which itself is driven by a motor. using a pinion and a belt (not shown in the figures), thereby ensuring a mechanical synchronization of the indexing device and transfer 1 relative to the two forming turrets.

In practice, the average speed of rotation of the plate 5 in industrial operation is of the order of 550 to 600 revolutions per minute.

The gyration performed by the four indexing discs 8 under the drive of the transfer tray 5 is tangent to the peripheral circular paths of each of the two forming turrets in order to obtain a good correspondence of the four indexing discs with respect to six forming tools of the two turrets and thus operate a coordinated and secure transfer of metal objects O between the two turrets.

After taking care of the metallic objects O at the output of the first turret, the indexing disks 8 of the indexing and transfer device 1, rotated by the transfer plate 5 around the shaft 2 of the device 1, come into contact with their peripheral flank 8c with the friction pad 27 fixed on the crown portion 25 fixedly secured to the frame 24 of the device 1. This peripheral friction of the discs 8 on the pad 27 causes the indexing discs 8 to rotate about themselves around their own axis 9. In other words, the discs 8 roll and are guided against the pad 27 according to the rotation of the board 5.

Still following the rotation of the transfer plate 5, the indexing discs 8 then lose contact with said friction pad 27 but their own rotation is then maintained simultaneously with the rotation of the plate 5 by the magnetic flux of the magnets 19, 27 mounted in opposition respectively to the upper drive face 8b of the discs 8 and to the lower face of the crown portion 25 secured to the frame 24 of the device 1.

Thus the clean rotation movement of the discs 8 carrying the metal objects C) is maintained without mechanical contact between the discs. 8, subjected to the rotation of the plate 5 around the shaft 2, and the crown portion 25 fixed and secured to the frame 24 as described above.

This maintenance of the own rotation of the indexing discs 8 makes it possible simultaneously to transfer metal objects O between the turrets, to detect the weld S on the body of said objects and to index the position of the objects relative to this object. solder before release for support by the second turret.

The detection of the weld on the O objects and their indexing are carried out as follows.

During the clean rotation of the indexing discs 8, the metal objects O magnetically carried by said discs 8 are also rotated on themselves. The ball stop 282 of the detection means 28 then rolls against the surface of said objects O and the optical fiber 283 of said detection means diffuses a light beam at the right of this surface.

When the light beam meets the weld of the metal object O, the amount of light reflected by the surface of the metal objects C) and sensed by the optical fiber 283 suddenly varies. This sudden variation in the amount of reflected light corresponds to a sudden variation of electrical signal transmitted by the optical fiber, which variation is detected by the management and control device of the indexing and transfer device and interpreted as a detection signal of the welding.

Said management and control device then sends an electrical actuation signal to the stop means 29 of the disk 8 carrying the object O whose weld has been detected. The pneumatic cylinder 291 of the stop means then causes ic pivoting of the friction pad 292 and its contact against the periphery 8c of the indexing disc 8 and stopping the rotation thereof, thus allowing the indexing of the object O. Once the welding of the metal objects O has been detected and the proper rotation of the corresponding indexing discs 8 stopped by the stop means 29, the metal objects O are brought to the inlet of the second forming turret for expansion there. . Said objects are then detached indexing disks 8 and extracted indexing device 1 from below through a spring system mounted on the second turret, and then rotated in the direction of the arrow F4 by said turret.

After expansion on this second turret at one of the six forming stations thereof, the metal objects O lined and expanded are extracted from the second turret by an outlet turnstile 32 identical to the input turnstile 30 feeding the first turret, the output turnstile 32 in a rotational movement along arrow F5 in the opposite direction to that of the second forming turret.

The metal objects O are then transferred to other forming stations, machining or finishing to complete the realization.

Thus the transfer and indexing device 1 of the present invention has the advantage of providing a drive solution indexing discs 8 by magnetization, and therefore without direct contact with the discs, which improves the service life components since there is no or little friction and more causes no torque once the disks blocked by the stop means, thereby improving the indexing accuracy of the metal objects trans ferred between two turrets for forming and / or machining of a line for manufacturing metal cans.

Claims

1. Device (1) for rotating and indexing metal objects (O) comprising a weld, in particular ferrules and / or metal packages, comprising: - first means (5) for rotating in shape plate for performing the transfer of objects (O) between two stations, this plate (5) being mounted on a rotation shaft (2) adapted to be driven by a motor and being able to support a plurality of objects (O) and rotate them around the shaft (2),

a plurality of indexing discs (8) of the objects (O), each mounted free to rotate on the plate (5) about an axis (9),

means for detecting (28) the position of a weld on the objects (O), positioned on the plate (5) close to each of the indexing disks (8), characterized in that:

- The shaft (2) is mounted to rotate freely relative to a frame (22) which is fixed to a crown portion (25), flush contactless indexing discs (8),

the crown portion (25) carries a friction pad (26) with which the indexing discs (8) come into contact at their periphery (8c), so that, by the effect of the friction of the shoe (26), together with the rotation of the plate (5), the indexing discs (8) can be rotated about their own axis (9), - the crown portion (25) carries magnets (27) located opposite magnets (19) carried by the indexing discs (8) on their peripheral edge, so as to maintain the proper rotation of the indexing discs (8), once the contact with the shoe (26) has been removed,

means (29) for stopping the rotation of the indexing discs (8) in cooperation with the detection means (28) to stop the own rotation of the indexing discs (8) substantially simultaneously with the detection by the detection means (28) for welding the object (O).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indexing discs (8) are magnetized to allow the attraction and blocking of objects (O).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the indexing discs (8) are magnetized to allow the attraction and blocking of objects (O) against their lower contact faces (8a).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the magnets (19) are carried on the upper face (8b) of the indexing discs (8) and the magnets (27) located on the face lower portion of the crown (25).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises setting means (20) for positioning the objects (O) in line with the indexing discs ( 8).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the crown portion (25) has an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the plate (5).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the frame (22) comprises a transverse bar (221) carried by two pillars (222, 223) and a portion (224) in the form of angular sector , on the edges of which are screwed two crosspieces (225, 226) at the end of each of which is fixed perpendicularly a suspension sleeve of the crown portion (25).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the friction pad is fixed on the frame face (22) comprises a transverse bar (221) carried by two pillars (222, 223) and a portion (224) in the form of angular sector, on the edges of which are screwed two crosspieces (225, 226) at the end of each of which is fixed perpendicularly a suspension sleeve of the crown portion (25).