Bent Sheet Metal Support Profile for Level Laboratory Worktables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laboratory automation system worktables often have uneven surfaces due to manufacturing processes, requiring complex post-processing to achieve the necessary levelness for precise pipetting operations.
Innovation Solution
A worktable design featuring a metal worktop supported by a bent sheet metal support profile with a facing edge and reception lug system, where the worktop is attached using a bolt-shaped fastener, minimizing manufacturing tolerances and ensuring a level surface with deviations of less than 0.5 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If profile sections or angled sheet metal sections are used for constructing the frame with traditional mounting methods, then the frame structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the worktop surface becomes uneven due to manufacturing process tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic side surfaces from the frame construction by using only the facing edges of profile sections or sheet metal sections to support the worktop. This eliminates the influence of side surface unevenness caused by bending processes, as these surfaces are no longer in contact with the worktop.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the worktop on the side surfaces of the frame profiles (traditional method), the invention inverts the approach by mounting the worktop directly on the facing edges of the profiles. This reversal of the mounting location eliminates the tolerance accumulation problem.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex post-processing is applied to compensate for unevenness, then the worktop levelness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs the levelness assurance action preliminarily by designing the frame to naturally support the worktop on precise facing edges, rather than requiring post-processing after assembly. The laser cutting of facing edges inherently provides the necessary precision without subsequent adjustment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the typically harmful effect of manufacturing tolerances in bending processes into a benefit by deliberately not using the bent side surfaces for support. The facing edges, which are precisely cut, become the support surfaces, turning a precision-critical feature into a naturally accurate element.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional mounting methods are used with side surfaces, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the worktop requires complex post-processing to achieve necessary levelness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the worktop support function from the side surfaces of the frame profiles and relocates it to the facing edges. This separation eliminates the coupling between bending process tolerances and worktop levelness, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A worktable for a laboratory automation system can include a worktop with a level surface and a support profile for supporting the worktop, bent from a metal sheet The support profile can include a facing edge, and an underside of the worktop can lie directly on the facing edge. The support profile can include at least one reception lug. The worktable can include a bolt-shaped fastener for attaching the worktop on the support profile. The bolt-shaped fastener can project through the worktop and be received in the reception lug.