Braking Solution for a Hydraulically Driven Linear Pallet Changer Mechanism

Abstract

The use of machining centres is predominant in the case of small and medium size batch manufacturing, their advantages being materialised in high productivity. The productivity is owed, mainly, to the small auxiliary times consumed with the tool and material change, times which are served by the automatic tool changer system and the automatic pallet changer. The purpose of this article researches aims to determine the kinematic parameters of an hydraulically driven linear pallet changer in two cases (when the deceleration is carried out through a throttle and when the deceleration is made through a new solution). Thus, an experimental set-up, which matches an hydraulically driven linear pallet changer, was designed and built. The experiments aimed toward using a classic braking method of hydraulic cylinders and a new two-stage braking with counter-pressure limitation.