Workpiece Positioner with Arcuate Ribs for Compact Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece positioning apparatuses lack a balance of minimal size, low weight, and high structural strength, particularly in minimizing the space required for workpiece rotation.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece positioning apparatus featuring a main positioner body with spaced-apart end plate members, tubular structural members, co-planar panel sections, reinforcing ribs with arcuate side edges, and workpiece support arms with turntables, allowing for compact, lightweight, and high-strength operation, along with a method for rotating workpieces between processing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional workpiece positioning apparatus structures are used, then structural strength is sufficient, but weight is excessive and compact size is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner body is divided into multiple discrete components including end plate members, tubular structural members, panel sections, and reinforcing ribs. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for strength-to-weight ratio while maintaining overall structural integrity through their interconnected framework design
Solution Approach 2:
The positioner body employs a composite construction combining tubular structural members with panel sections and reinforcing ribs. This composite approach creates a lightweight yet high-strength structure where each material component contributes specific properties, achieving optimal balance between weight reduction and structural strength
2Area of stationary object
If larger positioning apparatus is used, then structural stability is improved, but space required for workpiece rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from a solid monolithic structure to a three-dimensional framework composed of tubular members and panel sections. This dimensional transformation allows the structure to achieve required stability through spatial distribution of structural elements rather than relying on increased overall footprint, thereby minimizing the space required for workpiece rotation
3Volume of moving object
If compact design is implemented, then space usage is minimized, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular structural members and reinforcing ribs utilize curved and arcuate geometries that provide superior structural efficiency compared to straight linear elements. These curved forms distribute stresses more effectively within the compact volume, maintaining high structural strength while minimizing the overall size of the positioner body
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece positioner is includes a main positioner body including first and second end plate members. The main positioner body also includes a pair of tubular structural members extending between and interconnecting the end plate members, a number of substantially co-planar panel sections disposed between the first and second end plate members, and a number of spaced-apart reinforcing ribs interspersed between the panel sections, the reinforcing ribs also disposed between and interconnecting the tubular structural members. Each of the reinforcing ribs has two opposite side edges, each formed with an arcuate outline shape. The workpiece positioner may also include two or four workpiece support arms attached to the main positioner body, where each of the support arms may have a workpiece-supporting turntable mounted thereon, and may further include first and second shield members attached to the respective tubular members.A method of operating a workpiece processing machine is also described.