Carriage Conveyance Positioning for Fast, Precise Multi-Point Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional processing systems face challenges in moving tools quickly to multiple processing points on a workpiece while maintaining precision, as they often require high-speed actuators that increase weight and vibration, leading to longer cycle times and reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The processing system employs a conveyance path with multiple conveyance modules and a control unit that moves a carriage with a workpiece along a conveyance path, using linear motors and encoders for precise positioning, allowing the carriage to be conveyed efficiently between processing points with reduced weight and vibration, enabling faster processing and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high-speed actuators are used to move tools quickly to multiple processing points, then processing speed improves, but weight increases and vibration occurs, leading to reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidprocessing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the heavy processing tool to multiple points on the workpiece, the patent inverts the approach by moving the light workpiece to a stationary processing tool. The carriage carries the workpiece through multiple processing stations where the tool remains fixed, eliminating the need for high-speed actuators on the tool while maintaining fast cycle times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing system is segmented into multiple independent processing stations arranged along the conveyance path. Each station has its own processing tool that remains stationary, while the workpiece is sequentially conveyed past each station. This segmentation allows parallel processing operations without requiring the tool to move between points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If precise alignment is performed between work and processing apparatus, then processing accuracy improves, but cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment is performed preliminarily when the workpiece is loaded onto the carriage at the initial position, before the conveyance cycle begins. The carriage is positioned and aligned with the processing apparatus in advance, so that during the conveyance cycle, the workpiece simply needs to be moved to predetermined positions without requiring time-consuming realignment at each processing point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment adjustments with a controlled conveyance system. Instead of mechanically adjusting the position of tools or workpiece holders at each station, the system uses a precision conveyance mechanism to move the workpiece to predetermined positions, eliminating the need for repeated mechanical alignment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conveyance carriage stop position accuracy is improved, then processing precision improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestop position accuracyVSAvoidconveyance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance system incorporates feedback mechanisms including encoders that detect the position of the carriage and workpiece. This feedback allows the control unit to monitor and adjust the conveyance position in real-time, ensuring accurate stopping positions without requiring overly complex mechanical positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the conveyance mechanism and the processing apparatus. This control unit coordinates the conveyance motion, manages positioning accuracy, and synchronizes operations between the conveyance system and processing tools, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration reduces cycle times, improves precision, and allows for more efficient processing by minimizing vibrations and weight, enhancing the overall processing accuracy and system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

using linear motors and encoders for precise positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear motor: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 2

using linear motors and encoders for precise positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncoder:

Data Source

PatentUS11926485B2Processing system and article manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 CANON KK

AI summary

A processing system includes a conveyance path including a plurality of conveyance modules configured to convey a carriage, the plurality of conveyance modules being disposed to convey the carriage to a plurality of positions, a processing apparatus configured to perform processing on a work mounted on the carriage, and a control unit configured to control the plurality of conveyance modules and the processing apparatus, wherein the control unit is configured to, in performing the processing on the work at the plurality of positions by the processing apparatus, move the work to the plurality of positions by moving the carriage using the conveyance modules.