Coaxial Pilot Assembly With Integrated Stripping Bushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pilot devices struggle to effectively separate sheets of material from stamping machines after a stamping operation, often due to material sticking and tight alignment hole grips, necessitating improved stripping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A pilot assembly with a bushing and resilient biasing member that compresses to engage the sheet of material and then releases to push it off the pilot device, utilizing a conical tip and adjustable engagement surface to facilitate efficient separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pilot device is used to align and hold sheet material during stamping, then positioning precision is improved, but material sticking to the pilot device occurs causing difficult separation
Solution Approach 1:
The stripping function is segmented from the pilot device by introducing a separate bushing component that can move independently. The bushing is configured to move relative to the pilot shaft, allowing the stripping action to be separated from the positioning function, thereby enabling easy material separation without compromising alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing acts as an intermediary element between the pilot shaft and the sheet material. It provides a contact surface for stripping the material while the pilot shaft maintains positioning, mediating between the need for precise alignment and easy separation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If alignment holes are closely sized to grip the pilot shaft tightly, then positioning stability is improved, but material separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the gripping function (performed by the closely sized alignment holes on the pilot shaft) from the stripping function (performed by the bushing). This segmentation allows tight gripping for stability while enabling separate stripping action for easy material separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing serves as an intermediary that interfaces with the sheet material for stripping, while the pilot shaft with closely sized alignment holes maintains positioning stability. The bushing mediates the conflict between tight gripping and easy separation.
3Ease of operation
If a stripper device is added to separate material from the pilot, then material separation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stripping function is merged with the existing pilot assembly structure. The bushing is integrated into the pilot assembly, combining the positioning shaft and stripping bushing into a single integrated unit, thereby improving material separation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot assembly is designed with multi-functionality, where the bushing serves both as a structural component of the pilot assembly and as the stripping element. This universal design allows the same structure to perform both positioning and stripping functions.
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 pilot assembly ensures precise alignment and efficient stripping of sheets from the pilot device, reducing material sticking and allowing for easy removal post-stamping, with adjustable configurations for varying material grips.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient biasing member situated within the body portion and engaging the bushing. The biasing member is configured to be compressed as the engagement surface of the bushing engages the sheet of material
Data Source
AI summary
A pilot assembly includes a body portion including an outer surface and an opening defined in the outer surface. A pilot is configured for extending through an alignment hole in a sheet of material and is coupled with the body portion. A shaft of the pilot extends through the opening and beyond the outer surface. A stripper includes a bushing and a resilient biasing member. The bushing is configured for moving with respect to the main body portion and the pilot to push the sheet of material off of the pilot. The resilient biasing member is situated within the body portion and is compressed when the bushing engages the sheet of material.