Clamping Vice Coupling Layout for Mixed Manual-Robot Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping systems for workpieces lack flexibility and efficiency, particularly in mixed automated environments where both manual and robotic handling are required, leading to potential misalignments and increased mechanization costs.
Innovation Solution
A clamping vice system with distinct machine coupling, bearing receiving, and gripper contours allows for precise positioning and handling, featuring a machine coupling system for accurate machine integration, a bearing receiving contour for support and transport, and a gripper contour for form-locking engagement with grippers, preventing confusion and ensuring accurate handling without compromising precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single coupling system is used for both machine positioning and gripper handling, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to functional interference and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into two independent functional systems: a machine coupling system with positioning pins for precise machine positioning, and a bearing coupling system with bearing pins for gripper handling. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized for its specific function without interference, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the clamping device base body are assigned different coupling characteristics: the machine coupling area has high-precision positioning pins with specific tolerances for accurate positioning, while the bearing coupling area has bearing pins with appropriate play for handling. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its function optimally.
2Productivity
If extensive mechanization is implemented for automated handling, then productivity increases, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing coupling system serves multiple functions: it enables automated gripper handling, provides stable support during transport, and maintains compatibility with existing handling equipment. This multi-functionality allows automated operations without requiring specialized complex mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing coupling system acts as an intermediary between the clamping device and the gripper/transport system. By providing standardized bearing pins with appropriate play, it mediates the interaction between automated handling equipment and the workpiece carrier, enabling efficient automation without direct complex coupling.
3Manufacturing precision
If high precision coupling is used for gripper handling, then handling accuracy improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted movement and alignment difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing coupling system incorporates predetermined play (clearance) in the bearing pins, which cushions against alignment errors and positioning deviations during handling operations. This beforehand cushioning allows easy insertion and removal of the clamping device from the bearing device without requiring precise alignment, while still maintaining sufficient handling accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping means system including a bearing device and clamping vices, which fit into the bearing device and respectively have on their base area machine coupling system and on their side faces and flanks a bearing receiving contour and a gripping receiving contour. The bearing receiving contour has the greatest play; the fit between the gripper and the gripper receiving contour is of moderate precision, while the precision of the machine coupling system is the greatest. The clear functional separation between the machine coupling system and the bearing receiving contour or gripper receiving contour allows a reliable low-cost system to be constructed. Furthermore, in the case of mixed partly automated systems, in which parts of the handling tasks are performed by the operator and other parts are performed by gripping robots, the handling is possible in an easy and intuitive way.