Adjustable Boxing Conveyor Layout for Faster Format Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boxing machines struggle to optimize throughput when changing package formats, particularly due to inefficient cycle times and unproductive robot movements.
Innovation Solution
A boxing machine with adjustable conveyor belts and robotic units that form product groups with a predetermined width, utilizing a vision system to optimize robot movements and adjust conveyor distances based on product size, enhancing the efficiency of product loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the boxing machine uses fixed conveyor belt distances and standard robot movements, then the system structure is simple, but the throughput decreases when changing package formats due to unproductive movements and optimized cycle times
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt distances are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system includes adjustable conveyors that can modify their length and positioning based on the specific package format being processed, allowing the boxing machine to adapt to different product dimensions without requiring complete reconfiguration or causing unproductive robot movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (conveyor belt distances, positioning coordinates) based on the package format being processed. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes robot movement paths and cycle times for each specific product type, thereby maintaining high throughput across different formats without increasing fundamental system complexity.
2Speed
If the boxing machine optimizes cycle times for specific package formats, then the processing speed increases, but the adaptability to change formats decreases due to required reconfiguration time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and pre-positioning conveyor belts and robot paths based on the upcoming package format. This allows the system to switch between formats quickly without significant reconfiguration time, as the necessary adjustments are prepared in advance during transition periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The boxing machine is designed with universal components that can handle multiple package formats. The adjustable conveyors and programmable robot systems serve multiple functions across different product types, allowing the system to maintain optimized processing speeds for each format while being adaptable to future format changes without requiring dedicated configurations for each product type.
Data Source
AI summary
A boxing machine for boxing products, including a group conveyor, configured to transfer product groups from a group forming section to a boxing section along a group transport direction, wherein the group conveyor comprises includes a lower belt and a side belt movable along the group transport direction, and wherein a distance between the side belt and a distal edge of the lower belt is adjustable as a function of a predetermined width of the product groups to be formed.