Adjustable Workpiece Holder Unit for Sheet Metal Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiving units for workpieces, particularly sheet metal parts, face challenges in flexibility due to differing behaviors of magnetic and vacuum suction cups, leading to potential premature collision and inadequate holding force, especially with thin or complex parts, requiring frequent retooling and special solutions.
Innovation Solution
The receiving unit incorporates modular holding elements with adjustable guides and stop mechanisms, allowing magnetic and vacuum suction cups to be positioned correctly to avoid collisions and ensure secure holding, with magnetic cups using a reciprocating piston for attraction and vacuum cups providing deformation paths for sealing, enabling flexible pickup of various workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum suction cups are positioned closer to the workpiece to avoid bending thin sheet metal parts, then holding stability is improved, but the sealing lip cannot contact the workpiece surface properly, reducing holding force
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum suction cups are designed with movable mounting positions along the vertical axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of their position relative to the workpiece. This enables the sealing lip to properly contact the workpiece surface while maintaining adequate deformation path, resolving the contradiction between holding stability and holding force
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving unit is divided into multiple segments: magnetic suction cups at one position and vacuum suction cups at adjustable positions. This segmentation allows each type of holding element to be optimally positioned for its specific function, with vacuum cups adjustable to achieve proper sealing contact independent of the fixed magnetic cup position
2Force
If vacuum suction cups are positioned further from the workpiece to provide deformation path for sealing, then holding force is improved, but thin sheet metal parts may bend or be pushed away by the deformation force
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable mounting position of vacuum suction cups allows optimization of the deformation path length. By positioning the vacuum cups at the appropriate distance, sufficient deformation path is provided for sealing while controlling the deformation force to prevent workpiece bending or pushing away
Solution Approach 2:
Different holding elements are positioned at different locations: magnetic suction cups at a fixed position and vacuum suction cups at adjustable positions. This local differentiation allows each element to exert force optimally - magnetic cups provide stable attraction without deformation, while vacuum cups provide controlled sealing deformation at their optimized position
3Device complexity
If holding elements are rigidly arranged in one plane, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flexibility to accommodate various workpiece types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum suction cups are mounted on adjustable mechanisms that allow movement along the vertical axis, transforming the rigid fixed-position arrangement into a dynamic adjustable arrangement. This maintains structural simplicity while enabling adaptation to different workpiece types and sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving unit combines multiple types of holding elements (magnetic and vacuum suction cups) with different positioning capabilities, creating a universal system that can handle various workpiece types including ferromagnetic parts, non-ferromagnetic parts, thin sheet metal parts, and complex shaped parts
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
This solution enhances flexibility and stability in picking up diverse workpieces, reducing the need for constant retooling and improving the efficiency of sheet metal processing by ensuring secure holding without bending or pushing away parts, thus optimizing machine uptime and handling of complex parts.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic suction cups, i.e. using a magnetic principle of action
Implementation Method 2
vacuum suction cups
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The assembly (20) has a receiving module (23) that accommodates the received workpiece (13). Several holding elements (21,22) are located at the side of receiving module. The distance between the holding elements of receiving module and the accommodated workpiece is adjusted. An independent claim is included for sheet metal working machine.