Active Workpiece Pallet Assembly for Flexible Sheet Metal Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine arrangements for processing sheet metal lack flexibility and efficiency in moving workpieces and processing products within the working area, particularly in integrating support elements for machining movements and material flow.
Innovation Solution
An active workpiece pallet with a movably guided support element, driven by a separate support drive, allows for infeed movements relative to the pallet frame and processing device, enabling machining movements and material flow through the work area, with a transfer device for moving the pallet between positions outside and inside the working area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a passive workpiece pallet with rigidly attached support rails is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the flexibility and efficiency in moving workpieces and processing products within the working area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed to be movable relative to the pallet frame through a drive mechanism, transforming the static rigid structure into a dynamic adjustable system. This allows the support element to change position within the working area, enabling flexible movement of workpieces and processing products while maintaining structural stability through controlled motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet system is divided into separable components: the pallet frame and the movable support element. This segmentation allows the support element to be independently positioned and adjusted relative to the frame, providing flexibility in material flow and machining operations without requiring the entire pallet structure to be complex.
2Productivity
If an active workpiece pallet with movable support element and separate support drive is implemented, then the functionality and efficiency are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support element with drive mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions workpieces for machining, transports processing products within the working area, and enables flexible material flow. This multi-functionality justifies the added drive system complexity by consolidating several operations into a single integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The active workpiece pallet system enables automated positioning and movement of workpieces and products without requiring external intervention during machining operations. The drive mechanism autonomously manages the support element's position, improving productivity by reducing manual handling and enabling continuous automated processing.
3Ease of operation
If the support element is movably guided on the pallet frame with a separate support drive, then machining movements and material flow are facilitated, but the ease of operation and maintenance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is designed as a separate, modular unit attached to the pallet frame, distinct from the support element itself. This segmentation allows the drive mechanism to be independently accessed, inspected, and maintained without requiring disassembly of the entire pallet structure, thereby facilitating easier repair while enabling complex machining movements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the active workpiece pallet is used for both transfer movements and feed movements, then the versatility is increased, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active workpiece pallet system is designed to perform both transfer movements (moving the entire pallet in and out of the working area) and feed movements (positioning the support element relative to the frame). This dual functionality is achieved through a coordinated control system that manages the drive mechanism for different operational modes, increasing versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through integrated control.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
A machine arrangement (1) for processing plate-like workpieces, in particular sheet metal, comprises a processing device with a working area (3) in which a workpiece is accessible for processing by the processing device. A workpiece pallet (9), which has a pallet frame and a support element (14), is designed as an active workpiece pallet in that the support element (14) of the workpiece pallet (9) is movably guided on the pallet frame of the workpiece pallet (9) in a feed direction (15) and in that a support drive is provided for the support element (14). By means of a transfer device, the workpiece pallet (9) can be arranged on a support frame (27) of the machine arrangement (1) with a frame-side position in the working area (3) of the processing device.On the workpiece pallet (9) transferred to the frame-side position in the working area (3) of the machining device, the support element (14) of the workpiece pallet (9) can be driven by the support drive with a feed movement relative to the pallet frame of the workpiece pallet (9) in the feed direction (15) and can thus be moved relative to the working area (3) of the machining device.