Clamping Frame Exchange with Parallel Conveyors and Rotating Magazines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping frame logistics in joining stations for body parts lack flexibility and efficiency in changing and managing different types of clamping frames, leading to increased downtime and reduced availability of required stenter frames.
Innovation Solution
A changing device and method that utilize drum-like frame magazines with controlled rotation and a frame conveyor system, allowing for parallel operation of frame conveyors and transporters, enabling quick exchange of clamping frames, secure storage, and simultaneous transport of multiple frames, along with a media coupling system for resource transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single frame conveyor is used to transport clamping frames between magazines and work station, then the system structure is simple, but the changing time for stenter frames increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame transport system is segmented into two independent parallel conveyors: a first frame conveyor for transporting frames between magazines and work station, and a second frame conveyor for changing frames between magazines. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of frame transport and frame changing operations, reducing overall changing time while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel dual-conveyor system enables continuous operation where the first conveyor continuously transports frames to the work station while the second conveyor simultaneously performs frame changes between magazines. This eliminates idle time and ensures continuous productive action, as one conveyor can operate independently without waiting for the other to complete its cycle
2Reliability
If multiple clamping frames are stored in frame magazines, then the availability of required stenter frames is improved, but the risk of magazine overfill and the complexity of frame management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second frame conveyor acts as an intermediary mechanism between the magazines and the frame storage system. It manages the exchange of frames between magazines, controlling the flow and preventing overfill conditions by systematically replacing frames in a coordinated manner, thus simplifying the management complexity while maintaining high availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning multiple different types of clamping frames in the magazines before they are needed. The frame change operation is prepared in advance through the second conveyor, which can exchange frames between magazines proactively, ensuring required frames are available without last-minute scrambling or complex real-time management
3Productivity
If frame conveyor operates continuously without parallel transporter, then the system is simpler, but unnecessary empty runs occur and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes: the first conveyor operates continuously for frame transport while the second conveyor activates selectively for frame changes. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to varying operational demands, eliminating unnecessary empty runs by coordinating the second conveyor's operation only when frame changes are needed, thus improving overall utilization efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (14) and a method for interchanging clamping frames (6-9) at an assembly station (2) for vehicle body parts. The interchanging apparatus (14) comprises a storage device (15) for the clamping frames (6-9), said storage device (15) being provided with a plurality of controlled, rotatable frame magazines (16-19), and further comprises a frame conveyor (25) and an additional parallel frame transporter (31) which allow the clamping frames (6-9) to be conveyed in parallel between the frame magazines (16-19) and a workplace (10) in the assembly station (2). The clamping frames (6-9) are securely accommodated on the frame magazines (16-19).