A composite material prepreg sheet sorting system

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of composite prepreg sorting system, belong to the technical field of composite material, solve the problem of great labor intensity, low efficiency, easy to make mistake in prior art manual sorting.The present application includes automatic unloading unit, suction cup unit, manipulator unit and control unit;Suction cup unit is set in the lower part of manipulator unit, and manipulator unit is set in the side of automatic unloading unit;Control unit is used to control automatic unloading unit to cut, suction cup unit adsorbs prepreg and manipulator unit moves;Suction cup unit includes suction cup, vacuum joint, valve island, vacuum generator and vacuum pipeline.The present application can realize the intelligent sorting of composite prepreg, improve sorting efficiency and accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of composite material technology, and in particular to a composite material prepreg sheet sorting system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's aerospace industry, the demand for high-performance composite materials is increasing. Prepreg, as a key raw material for composite materials, directly impacts the performance and safety of aircraft components through its production efficiency and product quality. After automated layout and cutting, the prepreg sheets are manually sorted and classified. This sorting method suffers from high labor intensity, low efficiency, and susceptibility to errors, especially in mass production where the limitations of manual sorting become more pronounced. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on the above analysis, the present invention aims to provide a composite prepreg sheet sorting system to solve the problems of high labor intensity, low efficiency and easy error in manual sorting.

[0004] The objective of this invention is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A composite prepreg sheet sorting system includes an automatic feeding unit, a suction cup unit, a robotic arm unit, and a control unit;

[0006] The suction cup unit is located at the lower part of the robotic arm unit, and the robotic arm unit is located on one side of the automatic feeding unit; the control unit is used to control the automatic feeding unit to cut the material sheet, the suction cup unit to pick up the material sheet, and the movement of the robotic arm unit;

[0007] The suction cup unit includes a suction cup, a vacuum connector, a valve island, a vacuum generator, and vacuum tubing.

[0008] Furthermore, the suction cup unit also includes a frame, with the valve island disposed on the upper part of the frame and the suction cup disposed on the lower part of the frame.

[0009] Furthermore, multiple suction cups are provided; each of the multiple suction cups is connected to the valve island through the vacuum connector and the vacuum pipeline.

[0010] Furthermore, the vacuum generator is disposed in the valve island.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a material box unit; the material box unit is disposed at one end of the automatic feeding unit; the control unit controls the extraction and storage of the material pieces in the material box unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the material box unit includes multiple stacked material boxes, and a slide rail is provided at the bottom of each material box.

[0013] Furthermore, the robotic arm unit includes a robotic arm body, a base, a connecting frame, and a connecting plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting frame is disposed at the end of the robot body; the connecting plate is disposed on the connecting frame and connected to the suction cup unit.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a ground rail, which is disposed at the lower part of the robotic arm unit; the robotic arm unit moves along the ground rail to realize the sorting and storage of prepreg sheets.

[0016] Furthermore, the automatic feeding unit includes an automatic feeding machine, a feeding platform, and a sorting platform; the automatic feeding machine is located at one end of the feeding platform, and the sorting platform is located at the other end of the feeding platform.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention can achieve at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0018] (1) The intelligent sorting system for prepreg flakes of this utility model is completed by a robotic arm for cutting, sorting and receiving, which improves the sorting efficiency of flakes, increases the automation level of composite material production, realizes unmanned operation, and ensures the accuracy and reliability of sorting.

[0019] (2) This utility model adopts a vacuum adsorption suction cup structure to realize the picking and placing of various composite prepreg sheets, solving the difficulty of sheet sorting failure caused by improper picking and placing during the sorting process, and meeting the requirements of efficient composite material sorting. The vacuum generator is set inside the valve island to provide vacuum suction for the suction cup. In traditional systems, each suction cup needs to be connected to a vacuum source, control valve and atmospheric passage separately, resulting in messy pipelines and easy leakage; the valve island, through the internal integrated air passage, only needs a few main pipes to connect to the vacuum source and the atmosphere to distribute to each suction cup, reducing the number of pipelines and joints, and reducing the risk of leakage. There is no need to wire each solenoid valve separately, saving installation space and cost, and also facilitating later maintenance, realizing the precision of suction cup action, the efficiency of system operation and the convenience of maintenance.

[0020] (3) The material box unit adopts a three-dimensional storage method to save space. The material box is in the form of a multi-layer drawer, which can be pulled out from both ends, making it convenient for the material pieces to be placed and for the operator to collect the material from the other end. It can realize the sorting of multiple batches of material pieces.

[0021] In this invention, the above-described technical solutions can be combined with each other to achieve more preferred combinations. Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the following description, and some advantages may become apparent from the specification or be learned by practicing the invention. The objectives and other advantages of this invention can be realized and obtained from the content specifically pointed out in the text and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a composite prepreg sheet sorting system;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic feeding unit structure;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup structure;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the robotic arm unit;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the material box unit structure.

[0028] Figure label:

[0029] 1-Automatic feeding unit, 11-Automatic feeding machine, 12-Feeding platform, 13-Sorting platform, 2-Suction cup unit, 21-Frame, 22-Suction cup, 23-Vacuum connector, 24-Valve island, 25-Vacuum generator, 3-Robot arm unit, 31-Robot arm body, 32-Base, 33-Connecting frame, 34-Connecting plate, 4-Ground rail, 5-Material box unit, 51-Automatic storage frame, 52-Material box, 53-Slide rail. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the present invention and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] A specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, a composite prepreg sheet sorting system is disclosed, including an automatic feeding unit 1, a suction cup unit 2, a robotic arm unit 3, and a control unit;

[0032] The suction cup unit 2 is located at the lower part of the robotic arm unit 3, and the robotic arm unit 3 is located on one side of the automatic feeding unit 1; the control unit is used to control the automatic feeding unit 1 to automatically cut the material sheet, the suction cup unit 2 to pick up the material sheet, and the movement of the robotic arm unit 3.

[0033] The suction cup unit 2 includes a suction cup 22, a vacuum connector 23, a valve island 24, a vacuum generator 25, and vacuum tubing.

[0034] Specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, the automatic feeding unit 1 includes an automatic feeding machine 11, a feeding platform 12, and a sorting platform 13. The automatic feeding machine 11 is located at one end of the feeding platform 12. The sorting platform 13 is located at the end of the feeding platform 12 away from the automatic feeding machine 11. During operation, the prepreg is laid flat on the feeding platform 12, and the automatic feeding machine 11 cuts the prepreg according to the system program. The cut prepreg is then transferred to the sorting platform 13 for easy sorting without affecting further cutting. The feeding platform 12 and the sorting platform 13 share a power unit and conveyor belt, enabling them to operate in tandem.

[0035] The suction cup unit 2 is mounted on the robotic arm unit 3. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the suction cup unit 1 includes a frame 21, a suction cup 22, a vacuum connector 23, a valve island 24, a vacuum generator 25, and vacuum tubing.

[0036] The frame 21 is assembled using rectangular aluminum tubing and sheet metal panels, connected by riveting and bolting. Suction cups 22 are located at the lower part of the frame 21, and the valve island 24 is located at the upper part. Multiple suction cups are provided, each connected to the valve island via vacuum connectors and vacuum tubing. A vacuum generator 25 is located inside the valve island 24 and provides vacuum suction for the suction cups 22.

[0037] The valve island, through multiple integrated solenoid valves, can simultaneously or individually control the vacuum generation, maintenance, and release of each suction cup. For example, each valve island 24 can connect to 48 vacuum lines and control them independently, significantly reducing pipeline length. In traditional systems, each suction cup requires a separate connection to a vacuum source, control valve, and atmospheric passage, resulting in messy and leak-prone piping. The valve island, with its internally integrated air passages, requires only a few main pipes connecting to the vacuum source and atmosphere to distribute air to each suction cup, reducing the number of pipes and joints and lowering the risk of leakage. Eliminating the need for separate wiring for each solenoid valve saves installation space and cost, facilitates later maintenance, and achieves precise suction cup movement, high system efficiency, and convenient maintenance.

[0038] Robotic arm unit 3 is the motion unit of the material sorting system, and it is located on one side of the unloading platform 12 and the sorting platform 13. Figure 4 As shown, the robotic arm unit 3 includes a robotic arm body 31, a base 32, a connecting frame 33, and a connecting plate 34. The robotic arm body 31 is a device with a large load capacity, long reach, and high-precision control. The base is mounted on the ground rail 4, enabling linear movement of the robotic arm unit 3. The connecting frame 33 is located at the end of the robotic arm body 31. The connecting plate 34 is mounted on the connecting frame 33 and connected to the suction cup unit 22.

[0039] The ground rail 4 is located at the bottom of the robotic arm unit 3. The length direction of the ground rail 4 is the same as the length direction of the unloading table 12 and the sorting table 13. The robotic arm unit 3 can move along the ground rail to realize the sorting and storage of prepreg sheets.

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, the material box unit 5 includes an automated storage frame 51, material boxes 52, and slide rails 53. The material box unit 5 is installed on one side of the sorting table 13. To save space, an automated storage method is adopted. The material boxes 52 are drawn in and out using a drawer-like design, which can be pulled out from both ends for easy placement of material sheets and for operators to retrieve materials from the other end. The material boxes 25 are installed inside the automated storage 51 and adopt a multi-layer structure (4-8) to achieve sorting of multiple batches of material sheets. The material boxes 52 are drawn in and out using slide rails 53, and a motor provides power to the slide rails 53.

[0041] The control unit is a dedicated operating system developed based on the WinCC platform and uses the control system of Siemens TIA Portal 1500 series PLC. The control unit is used to control the automatic cutting of material sheets by the feeding unit 1, the suction cup unit 2 for adsorbing material sheets, the movement of the robotic arm unit 3, and the extraction and storage of material sheets by the material box unit 5.

[0042] The usage method of this embodiment is as follows:

[0043] (1) The prepreg is laid on the unloading platform 12 and the dwg or dxf file is sent to the control system;

[0044] (2) The automatic feeder 11, control unit and material box unit 5 receive the task and automatically define the material box number according to the material sheet drawing number category;

[0045] (3) The automatic feeder 11 completes the cutting of the prepreg sheet in the first window and conveys the cut sheet to the sorting table 13;

[0046] (4) Robot unit 4, carrying suction cup unit 2, moves to sorting table 13 and sucks away all the qualified pieces within a certain distance of the platform; those that do not meet the requirements are placed to one side.

[0047] (5) The automatic feeder 11 continues to cut the material pieces, and the cut material pieces are transported to the sorting table 13;

[0048] (6) The suction cup unit 2 places the material piece according to the material box number below. After the material piece is placed, the suction cup unit 2 moves out, the material box unit 5 automatically replaces the material box 52, and the robot arm unit 4 moves to the top of the material box 52 to continue placing the material piece.

[0049] (7) Repeat the above steps; the suction cup unit 2 and the material box unit 5 place the material pieces into the corresponding material box 52, and sort the batch of material pieces in turn.

[0050] Compared to the existing technology of manual sorting of prepreg sheets, which is inefficient and prone to errors, the intelligent sorting system for prepreg sheets in this embodiment uses a robotic arm to complete the cutting, sorting and receiving of materials, which improves the sorting efficiency of the sheets, increases the automation level of composite material production, realizes unmanned operation, and ensures the accuracy and reliability of sorting.

[0051] As an improvement to this embodiment, the control unit receives the layout dwg or dxf file from the automatic feeding unit 1, and uses an algorithm to fit the position of each material piece and the corresponding suction cup 22. The suction cup that meets the adsorption requirements is bound to the material piece information and the corresponding material box information. The suction cup picks up the material piece of this layout and puts it into the material box corresponding to the batch number of the material piece, thereby realizing further intelligent sorting.

[0052] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite prepreg sheet sorting system, characterized in that, It includes an automatic feeding unit (1), a suction cup unit (2), a robotic arm unit (3), and a control unit; The suction cup unit (2) is located at the lower part of the robotic arm unit (3), and the robotic arm unit (3) is located on one side of the automatic feeding unit (1); the control unit is used to control the automatic feeding unit (1) to cut the material sheet, the suction cup unit (2) to adsorb the material sheet, and the robotic arm unit (3) to move; The suction cup unit (2) includes a suction cup (22), a vacuum connector (23), a valve island (24), a vacuum generator (25), and a vacuum pipeline.

2. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction cup unit (2) also includes a frame (21), the valve island (24) is disposed on the upper part of the frame (21), and the suction cup (22) is disposed on the lower part of the frame (21).

3. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple suction cups (22) are provided; all of the multiple suction cups (22) are connected to the valve island (24) through the vacuum connector (23) and the vacuum pipeline.

4. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum generator (25) is located in the valve island (24).

5. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a material box unit (5); the material box unit (5) is disposed at one end of the automatic feeding unit (1); the control unit controls the extraction and storage of the material pieces in the material box unit (5).

6. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The material box unit (5) includes multiple stacked material boxes (52), and the lower part of the material box (52) is provided with a slide rail (53).

7. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The robotic arm unit (3) includes a robotic arm body (31), a base (32), a connecting frame (33), and a connecting plate (34).

8. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connecting frame (33) is located at the end of the robot body (31); the connecting plate (34) is located on the connecting frame (33) and connected to the suction cup unit (2).

9. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a ground rail (4), which is located at the lower part of the robotic arm unit (3); the robotic arm unit (3) moves along the ground rail (4) to realize the sorting and storage of prepreg sheets.

10. The composite prepreg sheet sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic feeding unit (1) includes an automatic feeding machine (11), a feeding platform (12) and a sorting platform (13); the automatic feeding machine (11) is located at one end of the feeding platform (12) and the sorting platform (13) is located at the other end of the feeding platform (12).

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