Autonomous Manipulator Coating Supply System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed devices on processing machines can only accommodate a limited number of coating materials due to space and complexity constraints, making it difficult to provide a variety of coating materials to the machine.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a storage device and a mobile, autonomous manipulator, such as a 6-axis robot, that transfers coating materials between the storage device and the feed device, allowing for the supply of any number of coating materials without the need for them to be stored on the processing machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If feed devices are designed to accommodate multiple coating materials on the processing machine, then the variety of coating materials that can be supplied increases, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coating material storage function from the processing machine itself and places it in a separate storage device. The manipulator serves as an intermediary to transfer coating materials between the storage device and the feed device on the processing machine. This separation allows the processing machine to maintain a simple feed device while still having access to multiple coating materials stored externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator acts as an intermediary element between the storage device and the feed device. It automatically transfers coating materials between these two components, eliminating the need for complex manual handling mechanisms and reducing the overall system complexity while enabling versatile coating material supply.
2Adaptability or versatility
If feed devices are designed to accommodate multiple coating materials on the processing machine, then the variety of coating materials that can be supplied increases, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coating material storage function from the processing machine's feed device and relocates it to a separate storage device. This extraction allows the feed device on the processing machine to remain compact and simple, while the storage device can be positioned externally to provide unlimited coating material variety without consuming space on the processing machine itself.
3Productivity
If coating materials are stored on the processing machine, then quick access is possible, but the space and complexity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator is designed to automatically transfer coating materials between the storage device and the feed device without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains quick access to coating materials while reducing the complexity of the supply system by eliminating the need for manual handling and complex control mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a supply system for supplying a coating material to a feed device for feeding a coating material to a processing machine, wherein the supply system comprises: a storage device designed to store at least one coating material, and a manipulator designed to transfer coating material between the feed device and the storage device.