Removal Trough Conveyor for Automated Cable Batch Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable processing machines require manual intervention to remove production batches from a removal trough, leading to prolonged machine downtime and inefficiency, as operators must manually confirm the removal of each batch.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a movable exit conveyor belt and bundle grippers in the removal trough system, allowing cables to be transported and positioned for easy automatic removal by a gripper arm, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing machine downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual removal of cables from the removal trough is used, then the machine structure remains simple, but the machine downtime increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal trough is equipped with an integrated conveyor belt that automatically transports cables out of the trough without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by incorporating the transportation function directly into the removal trough structure, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and reducing machine downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt is merged with the removal trough to form an integrated system. The conveyor belt is positioned within and combined with the trough structure, merging the transportation function with the removal function, thereby automating the cable removal process while maintaining structural compactness.
2Productivity
If manual confirmation of batch removal is required, then the control system remains simple, but the machine stops frequently and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor system is implemented to detect when cables have been successfully loaded onto the conveyor belt and are moving away from the removal trough. This feedback mechanism automatically confirms batch removal to the control system, eliminating the need for manual confirmation and preventing unnecessary machine stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual confirmation process is replaced with an automated sensing system. Optical or mechanical sensors detect the presence and movement of cables on the conveyor belt, substituting the mechanical/manual confirmation action with an automated detection system that communicates with the machine control.
3Ease of operation
If cables are kept in the removal trough until batch completion, then the transport system remains simple, but cable access and removal difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is positioned and configured within the removal trough to begin transporting cables as soon as they are deposited. This preliminary action of immediate transport prevents cable accumulation and maintains easy accessibility throughout the batch processing period, rather than allowing cables to pile up and become difficult to access.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt provides continuous dynamic movement of cables through the removal trough, rather than static storage. This dynamic transportation system maintains cable organization and accessibility throughout the batch processing period, making cables easy to access and remove at any point during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable processing machine system includes a cable processing machine for processing a cable, a cable tray for receiving cables processed by the cable processing machine, and a removal trough, the cable tray being pivotable to transfer cables from the cable tray into the removal trough when the cable tray pivots. The removal trough includes an exit conveyor belt for conveying the cables along a transport direction away from the cable processing machine to an end of the removal trough.