Abrasive Article Attachment with Shear-Release Hook-and-Loop Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic systems face challenges in reliably attaching and detaching abrasive articles during industrial operations, leading to potential damage to substrates and inefficiencies due to inconsistent attachment and detachment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system utilizing a hook and loop coupling mechanism with a shearing motion to improve the attachment of abrasive articles, ensuring stable coupling during pickup and easy removal when needed, without significantly increasing cycle time or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic system uses a traditional attachment mechanism for abrasive articles, then the system structure remains simple, but the attachment reliability is poor and articles may detach during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses a movable arm with actuators that can dynamically adjust between pickup, attachment, and detachment positions. The arm moves between these positions to enable reliable attachment while maintaining simple overall system structure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated attachment mechanism with a movable arm acts as an intermediary between the robotic system and abrasive articles. This intermediary component provides reliable attachment through controlled motion and actuation without requiring complex integration throughout the entire robotic system.
2Reliability
If a robotic system uses a strong attachment mechanism to ensure reliable pickup, then attachment reliability improves, but the ability to easily detach articles for replacement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism dynamically adjusts its state based on operational needs. During pickup, actuators engage to provide strong attachment. During replacement, the arm repositions and actuators disengage to enable easy detachment. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between strong attachment and easy release.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism operates in periodic cycles: attach during pickup operations, hold during grinding operations, and detach during replacement operations. This periodic switching between attachment and detachment states allows the system to achieve both reliable pickup and easy replacement.
3Productivity
If the robotic arm moves quickly to improve productivity, then production speed increases, but the precision of article placement and control during abrasive operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system uses dynamic speed adjustment through actuators. The arm can move quickly during transit between locations to maintain high productivity, then slow down during pickup and placement operations to ensure precise article positioning and maintain manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the reliability and efficiency of abrasive operations by ensuring consistent attachment and easy detachment of abrasive articles, reducing substrate damage and improving process control.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling between the article and the tool comprises a hook and loop system
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic system for modifying a surface is presented. The system includes a motive robot arm with an arm movement mechanism. The system also includes a tool coupled to the arm movement mechanism. The tool is configured to removably couple to an article configured to contact the surface. The system also includes a first actuator that causes the arm movement mechanism to move the tool into a pickup position with respect to the article. The system also includes a second actuator that causes a shearing motion, during an article attachment step, between the article and the tool. The coupling between the article and the tool comprises a hook and loop system.