Autonomous Packaging Material Handling Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current consumable material handling devices lack efficient automation and user-friendly operation, particularly in handling packaging materials, leading to increased operator burden and reduced productivity in production and packaging processes.
Innovation Solution
A consumables handling device equipped with an autonomous handling unit, mobility unit, connecting means application unit, and advanced sensor and computing systems, enabling partial or full autonomy in transporting and connecting packaging materials, and integrating with production and packaging machines to reduce operator intervention and enhance automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of consumable materials is used, then operator control and flexibility are maintained, but operator burden increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is designed to autonomously perform consumable material handling tasks including transport, positioning, and connection. The device serves itself by automatically detecting consumable positions, navigating to production machines, and executing handling operations without continuous human intervention, thereby reducing operator burden while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling operations are replaced with an autonomous mobile robot system equipped with sensors, processors, and automated mechanisms. The robot uses optical sensors, cameras, and computer vision algorithms to detect and track consumable materials, replacing human visual inspection and manual positioning with automated electronic systems
2Extent of automation
If autonomous handling units are introduced, then productivity and automation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is designed as a multi-functional autonomous system capable of performing multiple tasks: navigating to different production machines, detecting various types of consumable materials, transporting different sizes of consumables, positioning materials precisely, and executing different handling operations. This universal design consolidates multiple specialized devices into one versatile platform, managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous handling device is divided into distinct functional modules: mobility unit with drive mechanisms, sensor unit with detectors and cameras, handling unit with grippers and positioning mechanisms, and control unit with processor and memory. This modular segmentation allows independent development, testing, and maintenance of each subsystem, managing overall device complexity through structured decomposition
3Extent of automation
If connecting means application unit is added to automate consumable connection, then automation extent increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means application unit is integrated into the autonomous handling device, merging the consumable transport function with the connection function into a single unified system. The device combines handling mechanisms with adhesive application capabilities, allowing it to both transport consumable materials and automatically connect them to production machines without requiring separate connection equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The handling device applies connecting means such as adhesive tape to consumable materials in advance during the transport phase, before the materials reach the production machine. This preliminary action ensures that consumables are pre-prepared for immediate connection and installation, streamlining the overall automation process and reducing on-site operation complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a consumable-material handling device for transporting and/or handling at least one consumable material (12a; 12b), in particular packaging material, comprising at least one at least partially autonomous handling unit (14a; 14b), which is at least provided for handling the consumable material (12a; 12b). According to the invention, the machine tool comprises at least one, in particular at least partially autonomous, mobility unit (16a; 16b), on which the handling unit (14a; 14b) is arranged and which is at least provided for enabling locomotion, in particular at least partially autonomous locomotion, of the handling unit (14a; 14b).