CNC Lathe Workpiece Transfer With Guided Oriented Pallet Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting workpieces from CNC lathes often require machine shutdown, result in unproductive time, and fail to ensure oriented placement, leading to surface damage and inefficiencies, especially for parts with short machining times.
Innovation Solution
A manipulation device featuring a linear workpiece transport module with a trolley and guide plates that allows for oriented extraction and placement of workpieces onto storage pallets without machine shutdown, using a gripper system that interacts with guide grooves to lift and position workpieces correctly on pallets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workpieces are extracted by mechanical spoon or conveyor belt, then extraction is simple, but machine shutdown is required causing unproductive time
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic manipulator acts as an intermediary between the CNC lathe and the workpiece extraction process. The robot can operate independently during machine shutdown, extracting workpieces from the spindle and placing them on pallets without requiring the entire machining system to stop, thereby reducing unproductive time and maintaining continuous production flow.
2Ease of manufacture
If workpieces are stored in containers, then storage is simple, but surface damage occurs especially on edges and functional surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The storage pallets are designed with localized protective features including cushioning materials positioned at specific contact points, oriented placement zones that align workpieces in damage-free positions, and specialized receptacles for edges and functional surfaces. This localized protection approach maintains storage simplicity while preventing surface damage to critical areas.
3Extent of automation
If gantry manipulator is used, then workpiece extraction is automated, but the solution is space consuming and requires penetrations through CNC lathe structure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a traditional gantry manipulator that operates horizontally above the machine requiring structural penetrations, the invention positions the robotic manipulator to operate from a vertical or side approach. This dimensional change allows the robot to access the spindle area through existing openings without requiring additional penetrations through the CNC lathe structure, reducing device complexity while maintaining automation.
4Manufacturing precision
If robots are used for workpiece storage, then oriented placement is possible, but machine shutdown is required during manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator is programmed with pre-planned trajectories and placement sequences that allow it to perform oriented workpiece placement on pallets during the brief intervals when the CNC lathe completes a machining cycle. The robot executes these pre-programmed actions in advance of the next machining operation, ensuring precise orientation while maintaining continuous machine operation without shutdown delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
Manupulating device for removing workpieces from a CNC lathe equipped with a removal opening through which a movable driving element passes, made as a movable belt (2) for carrying a carrier (24) guided by a rail (39), on which, by its lower part, a trolley (3) of a gripper (5), the front arm (28) of which is pivotally connected via pins to the carrier (24), whereby at the upper ends (37) the front arm (28) and the rear arm (29) are connected via a rectangular support plate (31) provided with pins, on which a gripper (5) for the workpiece (14) is arranged, while on the side of the front arm (28) which is closer to the workspace (30) of the CNC lathe (23) an upper pulley (20) and a lower pulley (21) are arranged, which are configured for movement in the guide grooves (8, 9) of plates (6, 7), wherein the rear quiding plate (6) with the first guide groove (8) for guiding the lower pulley (21) is arranged in the palletizing module (10), and the front transfer plate (7) with the second guide groove (9) for guiding the upper pulley (20) is arranged inside the workspace (30) of the CNC lathe (23).