Abrasive Belt Changing Station for Sanding Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for changing abrasive belts in robotized cells for sanding and finishing metal workpieces are time-consuming and costly, requiring precise installation that prolongs processing times.
Innovation Solution
A changing station for abrasive belts that includes a supporting base with a bearing plane and retaining means, such as movable retaining elements and a tensioning element, which allow for quick and precise installation of abrasive belts onto the sanding head, facilitated by a robotic arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If precise installation of abrasive belts is performed manually, then installation accuracy is improved, but processing time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The abrasive belt automatically positions itself on the bearing plane and around the retaining elements through the tensioning element's automatic tensioning action, eliminating the need for manual positioning and alignment operations while ensuring precise installation
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical positioning operation is replaced by an automated mechanical system comprising the bearing plane, retaining elements, and tensioning element that automatically install the abrasive belt with precise positioning through coordinated mechanical movements
2Productivity
If automated robotic arm is used for abrasive belt installation, then labor costs are reduced, but installation precision and safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized changing station serves as an intermediary device between the robotic arm and the abrasive belt installation process, providing a controlled environment with bearing plane and retaining elements that ensure precise and safe installation while being operable by the robotic arm
Solution Approach 2:
The installation process is segmented into distinct functional zones: the bearing plane for positioning, the retaining elements for securing, and the tensioning element for final tensioning, allowing the robotic arm to perform simple pick-and-place operations while the segmented mechanism ensures precision
3Reliability
If frequent abrasive belt changes are performed, then machining quality is maintained, but processing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple abrasive belts are pre-loaded onto the bearing plane in sequence before the changing operation begins, allowing the robotic arm to simply transfer belts from the bearing plane to the sanding head without complex installation procedures, enabling rapid belt changes while maintaining machining quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system efficiently discards worn abrasive belts and recovers the bearing plane and retaining elements for immediate reuse with new belts, minimizing downtime during belt changes and maintaining high processing efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The changing station (1) for abrasive belts comprises: at least one supporting base (2) comprising one bearing plane (3) for at least one abrasive belt (4) applicable to a sanding head (T); retaining means (5, 7, 8) for the abrasive belt (4) associated with the bearing plane (3) and comprising one pair of retaining elements (5) spaced apart from each other and movable between a retaining position, wherein they are substantially protruding with respect to the bearing plane (3) and said abrasive belt (4) is positioned around them and is held on the bearing plane (3), and a release position, wherein they are substantially retracted with respect to the bearing plane (3) to release the abrasive belt (4); and thrust means (6) of the retaining elements (5) from the release position to the retaining position, the retaining elements (5) being adapted to be moved from the retaining position to the release position due to the action of the sanding head (T).