Central Tool Storage with Mobile Transfer for Faster Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage devices face inefficiencies due to the increasing number of tools stored, leading to unnecessary storage times and costs, and challenges in centralizing tool storage facilities due to rigid and interfering connecting elements, which hinder efficient tool transport and changes between machine tools.
Innovation Solution
A central tool storage device featuring vertically arranged wheel magazines with a manipulator for tool handling and a freely movable mobile transport unit that can transfer tools between the storage device and machine tools without rail systems, allowing for parallel and independent tool transfers, thus optimizing storage and retrieval processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tools are stored in a centralized tool storage device for multiple machine tools, then the number of tools required per machine tool is reduced and storage efficiency is improved, but the tool transport paths become rigid and mutually interfering, reducing tool change efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid, fixed transport paths with dynamically movable transport units that can freely move between the central tool storage device and multiple machine tools. The transport units are not constrained to predetermined paths, allowing flexible adaptation to different tool transfer requirements and eliminating mutual interference between transport operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile transport units as intermediary carriers between the central tool storage device and machine tools. These transport units serve as flexible mediators that can pick up tools from the storage device and deliver them to any machine tool without requiring direct connecting paths between the storage device and each machine tool, thereby eliminating path interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of tools are stored in the tool storage device, then tool provisioning for multiple machine tools is improved, but unnecessary storage times increase and additional costs arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal central tool storage device that can serve multiple machine tools with different tool requirements. The mobile transport units enable any stored tool to be delivered to any machine tool as needed, allowing the system to share tools across multiple machines rather than duplicating tool sets, thereby reducing total storage time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tool selection and preparation in the central storage device before machine tools need them. The mobile transport units can pick up required tools in advance and deliver them to waiting machine tools, reducing idle time and unnecessary storage durations by ensuring tools are available exactly when needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connecting elements are used to connect tool storage facilities and machine tools, then structural stability is improved, but tool transport paths become interfering and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static, rigid connections with dynamic, mobile transport units that maintain system stability through controlled movement rather than fixed structural links. The transport units can move freely to establish connections only when needed, eliminating the stability-transport efficiency trade-off inherent in rigid connecting elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a central tool storage device WL with a tool storage S, containing a plurality of wheel magazines S3 positioned one behind the other, a movable manipulator S12 as well as a provisioning station S4 provided with a movable provisioning bar S4 and a mobile transport unit E, which, for providing tools W for a machine tool WM spaced apart, removes a tool W from the wheel magazines with the aid of the manipulator S12 and transfers it via the provisioning bar S4 to the provisioning station S2 of the mobile transport unit E to transport it to the respective machine tool WM without a guide or track, and which, for storing tools W received from at least one machine tool WM, transfers the tool W via the mobile transport unit E to the provisioning bar S4 of the provisioning station S2 and removes it from the provisioning bar S2 with the aid of the manipulator S12 and adds it to a wheel magazine S3 of the tool storage S.