Casting Table Assembly Maintenance With Removable Robotic Tools
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance processes for mould tables in vertical semi-continuous casting are manual, tedious, and pose safety risks due to heavy lifting and potential injuries, with potential for quality issues and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using robots and sensors to handle, clean, and reassemble mould tables, incorporating devices like starting head grabs, brushing, and screwing mechanisms, with integrated suction and detection systems to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual maintenance operations are used for mould tables, then workers can perform cleaning and inspection tasks, but workers are exposed to safety risks and physical injuries due to heavy lifting and tedious manual work
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where robots perform maintenance tasks independently. The robotic system can autonomously navigate, identify components, and execute cleaning and inspection operations without human intervention, thereby eliminating worker exposure to safety risks while maintaining operational effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated robotic systems. The patent employs robots equipped with specialized end effectors, sensors, and cleaning mechanisms to substitute human workers in performing heavy lifting, cleaning, and inspection tasks, thereby improving safety while reducing labor intensity
2Productivity
If manual cleaning operations are performed on mould tables, then cleaning tasks can be completed, but the process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system enables continuous maintenance operations without the interruptions inherent in manual work. Robots can continuously navigate between components, perform cleaning actions, and transition to next tasks without breaks, thereby increasing productivity and reducing total maintenance time
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic robotic arms with multiple degrees of freedom that can adaptively position cleaning tools and adjust motion paths in real-time. This dynamic capability allows efficient coverage of complex mould table geometries, improving productivity while minimizing maintenance duration
3Productivity
If automated robotic systems are used for maintenance, then worker safety is improved and efficiency increases, but the device complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated maintenance system is divided into modular functional units including navigation modules, cleaning modules, inspection modules, and control systems. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each subsystem, simplifying overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity through coordinated operation of specialized modules
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system is designed with multi-functional capabilities to perform multiple maintenance tasks (cleaning, inspection, component handling) using a single integrated platform. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high productivity across various maintenance operations
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
The system simplifies and automates the maintenance process, reducing manual labor, enhancing safety, and improving the quality and efficiency of mould table maintenance, minimizing human exposure to hazards and ensuring thorough cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The robot is provided with a suction system, which is adapted to cooperate with a suction device
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6
AI summary
This installation (I) comprises a main robot (3), said main robot comprising a body as well as coupling means (34) mobile with respect to said body, a starting head grab device (40), a brushing device (42), for brushing upper part of casting table, a screw device (44), for screwing/unscrewing each mould of the casting table with respect to upper table; and a mould grab device (46), each device being provided with complementary coupling means (402, 422, 442, 462) adapted to cooperate with main robot so as to permit a removable attachment between each main operative device and said main robot. Moreover, the installation is provided with control means (9) comprising a human machine interface (90), control lines (95-98) adapted, upon receipt of inputs actuated by an operator, to transmit control orders to at least said main robot (3), said displacement means (37) and Prior art maintenance is essentially based on manual operations. The installation and method according to the invention enable the user to facilitate the maintenance of casting tables, moulds and mould components such as starting heads.