Pallet (technology)
As a pallet in are machine tools exchangeable workpiece carrier designated.
purpose
In machine tools with a pallet changer, they replace the fixed clamping surface of the machine table . The workpiece or fixture is then clamped directly onto the pallet. This means that setup outside the machine is still possible while machining is in progress ( parallel to production ). The set-up time and thus the idle times of the machine can be reduced considerably and productivity increased.
nature
With the execution of the machine table as a pallet, the increasing demand for interchangeability of tool carriers is met. By using standardized pallets with a uniform interface, the pallets can be exchanged between several machines. Since the workpiece does not have to be reclamped when changing the machine, the manufacturing accuracy is increased (elimination of the transmission tolerances). Pallets are used in particular in milling machines , boring mills , machining centers (BAZ), flexible manufacturing cells (FFZ) and flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). Pallets are usually designed in a rectangular, square or circular shape and, similar to machine tables, are provided with T-slots, trapezoidal grooves or threaded holes for clamping the workpiece or the device.
If more than two pallets are used on a machine, the machine must be equipped with a pallet storage system. The most common forms are circular storage systems, linear storage systems and shelving systems.
literature
- Manfred Weck: Machine Tool Manufacturing Systems Volume 1 - Machine types, designs and areas of application . VDI Verlag, 1991, ISBN 3-18-401095-3
- Božina Perović: Types of modern manufacturing systems . Springer Verlag, 1992, ISBN 3-540-55252-9