Compliant Workpiece Positioner Assembly for Axis Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robot headstock/tailstock positioners face misalignment issues, leading to bearing loads, rotational drag, premature failure, and workpiece distortion, which increase costs and reduce manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece positioner assembly with a headstock and tailstock apparatus featuring rotatable swing arms and a compliance assembly that allows for relative movement between the swing arms and a center beam, enabling torque transmission despite misaligned axes of rotation, thus preventing damage and optimizing processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed headstock/tailstock configuration is used, then the structure is simple and rigid, but misalignment occurs causing bearing loads and rotational drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed rigid connection with a compliant mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment. The compliant arm can flex and adapt its position to accommodate misalignment between headstock and tailstock axes, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one that self-adjusts to maintain proper alignment while supporting workpieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the structural parameters of the connection between headstock and tailstock. The compliant arm changes its geometric parameters (flexion angle, position) to compensate for misalignment, allowing the system to adapt to varying alignment conditions without requiring precise fixed positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If misalignment is present, then the positioner can accommodate varying axes, but headstock bearing loads and rotational drag increase causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant arm serves as an intermediary element between the headstock and tailstock. It mediates the force transmission by providing a flexible connection that reduces bearing loads and rotational drag caused by misalignment, preventing premature failure while maintaining adaptability to varying axes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If misalignment occurs, then the positioner can handle non-aligned workpieces, but tooling shear and workpiece distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant mechanism dynamically adjusts its configuration to maintain proper alignment between tooling and workpiece even when the overall positioner axes are misaligned, preventing tooling shear and workpiece distortion while accommodating varying axes.
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 solution effectively transmits torque while accommodating misalignment, reducing the risk of damage and improving manufacturing throughput by enabling efficient processing of workpieces with industrial robots.
Implementation Method 1
a compliance assembly (300, 500). The compliance assembly (300, 500) is provided between at least one of the headstock swing arm (210) and the beam (400) to enable relative movement between the headstock swing arm (210) and the beam (400), and the tailstock swing arm (610) and the beam (400)
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece positioner assembly including a headstock apparatus having a motor and a headstock swing arm rotatably supported on the headstock apparatus. The headstock swing arm is configured to be rotated by the motor. The assembly includes a tailstock apparatus and a tailstock swing arm rotatably supported on the tailstock apparatus. The tailstock swing arm and the headstock swing arm are configured to support a workpiece. The assembly also includes a beam coupled to the headstock swing arm and to the tailstock swing arm to transmit rotation of the headstock swing arm to the tailstock swing arm, and a compliance assembly. The compliance assembly is provided between at least one of the headstock swing arm and the beam to enable relative movement between the headstock swing arm and the beam, and the tailstock swing arm and the beam to enable relative movement between the tailstock swing arm and the beam.