Camera-Guided Horizontal Press Alignment for Precise Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional horizontal assembly press machines suffer from installation errors due to manual alignment of workpieces, leading to deflection and inaccuracies during press-fit operations.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal assembly press apparatus equipped with a machine body unit, moving units, camera units, pressing bed units, and a processing unit that analyzes image signals from camera units to accurately position and align workpieces for precise press-fit operations, using moving units and pressing bed units to perform the press-fit along a horizontal axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment is used to align workpieces with press heads, then the operator can install auxiliary fixtures and perform press-fit operations, but deflection of workpieces occurs and installation errors result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical alignment system with an automated optical-mechanical system. Camera units capture images of workpieces, the control unit processes these images to determine precise positions, and moving units automatically adjust press heads to match positions. This substitution eliminates manual deflection while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses camera units to create optical copies (images) of the workpieces and their positions. The control unit analyzes these copied visual information to determine precise workpiece locations without physically touching or deflecting the workpieces, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while enabling automated alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated camera-based positioning is implemented, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The moving units serve multiple functions: they position the camera units for image capture, position the press heads for press-fit operations, and maintain alignment between them. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving high alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the camera unit and press head positioning functions into a single integrated system controlled by one control unit. The moving units simultaneously manage both camera and press head positions, combining multiple functions into unified components that reduce overall system complexity despite the addition of automated positioning capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A horizontal assembly press apparatus for performing a press-fit operation of a workpiece assembly along a horizontal axis includes a machine body unit, two moving units, two camera units, two pressing bed units and a processing unit. The machine body unit includes two main machine bodies defining an operating channel therebetween. The moving units are respectively and movably disposed on the main machine bodies. The camera units fetch images of the workpiece assembly entered the operating channel and output image signals. The pressing bed units are operated to press the workpiece assembly. The processing unit receives and analyzes the image signals, determines a target position of the horizontal axis, controls movement of the moving units to bring the pressing bed units to the target position, and controls movement of the pressing bed units to perform the press-fit operation of the workpiece assembly.