An adjustable robotic arm for injection molding machines

Abstract

This utility model discloses an adjustable robotic arm for injection molding machines, including a base. A support column is fixedly installed at each of the four corners of the upper end of the base. Two slide rails are fixedly installed at the upper end of each support column. A lead screw is movably connected within each slide rail. A first motor is fixedly installed at the front end of each slide rail. The output end of the first motor is fixedly connected to the front end of the lead screw. A sliding plate is threadedly connected to the middle of the outer surface of both lead screws. A cover is fixedly installed at the lower end of the sliding plate, aiming to solve the problem of products easily slipping off. The key technical point is: an adjustable robotic arm for injection molding machines. The gripper plate of this utility model is L-shaped, and its surface is made of a high-friction material such as rubber or textured metal to ensure sufficient friction when contacting the bottom and sidewalls of the molded product, preventing the product from slipping.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a robotic arm, and more specifically, to an adjustable robotic arm for an injection molding machine. Background Technology

[0002] Adjustable injection molding machine robots are automated devices specifically designed for injection molding processes. They are flexibly adjustable to accommodate the handling needs of products of different sizes, shapes, and weights. These robots can be seamlessly integrated with injection molding machines to perform a series of operations, such as removing finished products from the mold, transporting and placing them in designated locations, thereby improving production efficiency, reducing manual intervention, and ensuring consistent product quality.

[0003] A search revealed Chinese patent document CN 112277269 A, which discloses a robotic arm for an injection molding machine with adjustable gripping spacing and its usage method. Regarding the aforementioned prior art, the following drawbacks exist in its use: During operation, this device uses an elastic sheet in conjunction with a contact plate to clamp and hold the side of an object for fixed transport. Because the elastic sheet has a certain degree of elasticity and deformation capability, when the robotic arm encounters vibration or sudden acceleration changes (such as starting, stopping, or turning) during transport, the object may slip or even fall off due to the rebound force of the elastic sheet, leading to product damage and reduced stability.

[0004] Therefore, a new solution is needed to address this problem. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an adjustable robotic arm for injection molding machines, which aims to solve the technical problem of products easily falling off.

[0006] The above-mentioned technical objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: an adjustable injection molding machine manipulator includes a base, a support column fixedly installed at each of the four corners of the upper end of the base, two slide rails fixedly installed at the upper end of the support column, a lead screw movably connected inside each of the two slide rails, a first motor fixedly installed at the front end of the slide rail, the output end of the first motor fixedly connected to the front end of the lead screw, a sliding plate threadedly connected to the middle side of the outer surface of the two lead screws, a cover fixedly installed at the lower end of the sliding plate, two meshing gears movably connected inside the cover, a rotating rod fixedly inserted at the front end of the gears, a second motor fixedly installed at the front end of the cover, the second motor fixedly connected to the rotating rod, a support arm fixedly installed on the outer surface of each of the two rotating rods, a gripper plate fixedly installed on the lower side of the opposite face of each of the two support arms, a fixing plate fixedly installed at both ends of the cover, an electric cylinder fixedly installed on the opposite back of each of the two fixing plates, and a positioning plate fixedly installed on the opposite face of each of the two electric cylinders.

[0007] The present invention is further configured such that the gripper plate is L-shaped.

[0008] The present invention is further configured such that the positioning plate is located behind the support arm.

[0009] The present invention is further configured such that the sliding plate and the base maintain a parallel positional relationship.

[0010] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0011] The second motor starts, driving the rotating rod to rotate, which in turn drives two meshing gears to rotate, which in turn drives the two support arms and the gripper plate to rotate until the gripper plate contacts the bottom of the molded product. The gripper plate is L-shaped and its surface is made of a high-friction material such as rubber or textured metal to ensure sufficient friction when contacting the bottom and side walls of the molded product, preventing the product from slipping. Two electric cylinders are activated, pushing the positioning plate forward until it abuts against the rear side of the support arm, providing additional support for the support arm and effectively preventing the product from falling off the gripper plate. This ensures that the product can be firmly gripped and transported under various conditions, significantly enhancing the stability and safety of the gripping process and reducing the risk of product slippage due to vibration or other factors. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the robotic arm of this utility model;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the orthographic structure of the robotic arm of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the support arm and gripper plate of this utility model.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Support column; 3. Slide rail; 4. Lead screw; 5. First motor; 6. Slide plate; 7. Cover; 8. Gear; 9. Rotating rod; 10. Second motor; 11. Support arm; 12. Grab plate; 13. Fixing plate; 14. Electric cylinder; 15. Positioning plate. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0017] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "top / bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0018] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "equipped with," "set up / connected," "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] An adjustable robotic arm for injection molding machines, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the device includes a base 1. A support column 2 is fixedly installed at each of the four corners of the upper end of the base 1. Two slide rails 3 are fixedly installed at the upper end of each support column 2. A lead screw 4 is movably connected inside each of the two slide rails 3. A first motor 5 is fixedly installed at the front end of each slide rail 3. The output end of the first motor 5 is fixedly connected to the front end of the lead screw 4. A sliding plate 6 is threadedly connected to the middle side of the outer surface of the two lead screws 4. A cover 7 is fixedly installed at the lower end of the sliding plate 6. Two meshing gears 8 are movably connected inside the cover 7. A rotating rod 9 is fixedly inserted at the front end of each gear 8. A second motor 10 is fixedly installed at the front end of the cover 7. The second motor 10 is fixedly connected to the rotating rod 9. A support arm 11 is fixedly installed on the outer surface of each of the two rotating rods 9. A gripper plate 12 is fixedly installed on the lower side of the opposite face of each of the two support arms 11. A fixing plate 13 is fixedly installed at both ends of the cover 7. An electric cylinder 14 is fixedly installed on the opposite back of each of the two fixing plates 13. A positioning plate 15 is fixedly installed on the opposite face of each of the two electric cylinders 14.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the gripper plate 12 is L-shaped. The main function of the gripper plate 12 being L-shaped is to enhance the clamping force and stability. The L-shaped design allows the gripper plate 12 to provide more contact area and clamping points when clamping objects, thereby more effectively fixing the objects and preventing them from sliding or falling off during transportation.

[0022] like Figure 1As shown, the positioning plate 15 is located behind the support arm 11. Its main function is to assist in positioning and fixing the object. After the robot grips the object, the positioning plate 15 can be moved back and forth by the push of the electric cylinder 14, closely fitting the rear of the object, thereby providing additional support and fixation. This design helps to further prevent the object from shaking or falling off during handling, especially when encountering vibration or sudden acceleration changes, which can significantly improve the stability and reliability of the robot.

[0023] The skateboard 6 and the base 1 are kept in a parallel position.

[0024] Working principle: The injection molding machine is located on the base 1 and below the gripper plate 12. The PLC controller controls the two first motors 5 to start synchronously. It is electrically connected to the external power supply through the external control switch group. The two first motors 5 drive the two lead screws 4 to rotate synchronously, which drives the slide plate 6 to move to the predetermined position in the slide rail 3. After the injection molding is completed, the finished product is ejected upwards by its own ejector pins for demolding.

[0025] At this point, the bottom surface of the molded product and the surfaces of the two L-shaped gripper plates 12 are on the same horizontal plane. The second motor 10 starts, driving the rotating rod 9 to rotate, which in turn drives the two meshing gears 8 to rotate one counterclockwise and one clockwise, thereby driving the two support arms 11 and the gripper plates 12 to rotate until the gripper plates 12 contact the bottom of the molded product. The gripper plates 12 are L-shaped, and their surfaces are made of high-friction materials such as rubber or textured metal to ensure sufficient friction when contacting the bottom and side walls of the molded product, preventing the product from slipping. This design of the gripper plates 12 is compatible with the injection molding machine, ensuring that the product fits tightly against the bottom and side walls of the molded product during demolding.

[0026] Support process: To further enhance stability, two electric cylinders 14 are activated. When the electric cylinders 14 are activated, they push the positioning plate 15 forward until it abuts against the rear side of the support arm 11, providing additional support for the support arm 11 and effectively preventing the product from falling off the gripper plate 12.

[0027] After the gripping is completed, the first motor 5 and the second motor 10 work together to move the product to the designated location and release it.

[0028] In summary, the L-shaped design of the gripper plate 12 can conform to the bottom and side walls of the molded product, increasing the stability and accuracy of gripping. The surface of the gripper plate 12 is made of a frictional material, which effectively prevents the product from slipping or falling off during handling. The design of the electric cylinder 14 and the positioning plate 15 further enhances the stability and adaptability of the robot, ensuring that the product can be firmly gripped and handled under various conditions, significantly enhancing the stability and safety of the gripping process, and reducing the risk of product slippage due to vibration or other factors.

[0029] It is worth noting that the first motor 5 and the second motor 10 disclosed in the above embodiments are both servo motors, specifically the Panasonic MINAS A6 series, the electric cylinder 14 is specifically the Festo EGC series, the PLC controller is the Siemens S7-1200 series, and the external control switch group and external power supply control the operation of the first motor 5, the second motor 10, and the electric cylinder 14 adopt the methods commonly used in the prior art.

[0030] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of this utility model's concept are protected. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principle of this utility model should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An adjustable robotic arm for an injection molding machine, comprising a base (1), characterized in that: A support column (2) is fixedly installed at each of the four corners of the upper end of the base (1). Two slide rails (3) are fixedly installed at the upper end of the support column (2). A lead screw (4) is movably connected inside each of the two slide rails (3). A first motor (5) is fixedly installed at the front end of the slide rail (3). The output end of the first motor (5) is fixedly connected to the front end of the lead screw (4). A sliding plate (6) is threadedly connected to the middle side of the outer surface of the two lead screws (4). A cover (7) is fixedly installed at the lower end of the sliding plate (6). Two meshing gears (8) are movably connected inside the cover (7). The front end of the gear (8) A rotating rod (9) is fixedly connected to the cover (7). A second motor (10) is fixedly installed at the front end of the cover (7). The second motor (10) and the rotating rod (9) are fixedly connected. A support arm (11) is fixedly installed on the outer surface of each of the two rotating rods (9). A gripper plate (12) is fixedly installed on the lower side of the opposite face of each of the two support arms (11). A fixing plate (13) is fixedly installed at both the left and right ends of the cover (7). An electric cylinder (14) is fixedly installed on the opposite back of each of the two fixing plates (13). A positioning plate (15) is fixedly installed on the opposite face of each of the two electric cylinders (14).

2. The adjustable injection molding machine robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gripper plate (12) is L-shaped.

3. The adjustable injection molding machine robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning plate (15) is located behind the support arm (11).

4. The adjustable injection molding machine robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slide plate (6) and the base (1) maintain a parallel position relationship.

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