Bi-Directional Parts Drawer Supply for Continuous Robot Tending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human operators introduce errors and increase costs in manufacturing processes due to repetitive tasks, leading to inefficiencies and downtime in automated mass assembly lines, necessitating a reliable and consistent parts supply system for robotic manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A modular parts supply drawer system with bi-directional drawers and precise positioning mechanisms, allowing for automated and continuous supply of prepositioned parts to robots, minimizing manual handling and enabling seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If human operators tend and load manufacturing machines, then flexibility in the manufacturing process is maintained, but errors increase due to repetitive tasks and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the manufacturing support function into two segments: a robotic system for repetitive loading/unloading tasks and a human operator for oversight and exception handling. The robotic end effector with gripper separates the manual handling tasks from the control function, allowing robots to perform high-speed repetitive operations while humans maintain flexibility through system supervision and program adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary robotic system between the parts supply and the manufacturing machine. This robotic intermediary handles the repetitive loading and unloading operations, acting as a mediator that transfers parts while maintaining both automation benefits and human flexibility through programmable control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If human operators load and unload manufacturing machines, then the process can adapt to variations, but downtime increases due to frequent manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system employs dynamic control through programmable logic that can adapt to different part types and machine requirements. The end effector with adjustable gripper force and positioning capabilities provides dynamic response to varying load conditions while maintaining continuous operation, eliminating the downtime associated with manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters through programming rather than physical reconfiguration. The robotic controller can adjust gripper force, speed, positioning, and sequence of operations to adapt to different manufacturing requirements, maintaining high throughput while providing the flexibility previously requiring manual intervention.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual part handling is used, then setup is simpler, but manufacturing precision decreases due to inconsistent part placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with a robotic system that provides precise, repeatable positioning. The robotic end effector with controlled gripper mechanism substitutes human hand operations, eliminating variability in part placement while maintaining ease of setup through programmable instructions rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system creates a digital copy or model of the desired part handling sequence through programming. This virtual template ensures consistent reproduction of optimal placement procedures for each part type, maintaining precision without requiring complex physical fixtures or manual measurement procedures.
4Productivity
If robots are used for material handling, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to automation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic end effector is designed with universal applicability through an adjustable gripper mechanism that can handle multiple part types and configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized tools for each task, simplifying the overall automation system while maintaining high productivity through a single versatile robotic unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system performs self-positioning and self-adjustment through integrated sensors and control algorithms. The end effector automatically adjusts gripper force and positioning based on detected part characteristics, reducing the need for external calibration equipment or complex setup procedures, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for storing and presenting parts to a robot for automated tending of various manufacturing processes. The method and apparatus allow for an operator, human or other tending robot, to open and place parts into a series of vertically stacked drawers within an enclosure. On the opposing side of the enclosure is the production side where a robot opens an individual drawer and while the drawer is open, successively picks out parts for use in the manufacturing processes as it is programmed to do. The part may or may not be placed back into the drawer based on the part manufacturing process. The robot then closes the drawer and successively cycles through the drawers, opening them on the production side and once the parts have been processed, closing them. The operator then successively opens each drawer, removes any processed parts, if placed back into the drawer as dictated by the part manufacturing process, refills the drawer with new parts and then closes it.