Cone Warping Machine Robotic Arm Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cone warping machines require numerous manual work steps, leading to inefficiencies and increased labor when handling multiple warping belts, and previous automation attempts, such as manipulators, struggle with flexibility and adaptability to different applications.

Innovation Solution

A cone warping machine equipped with a robotic arm featuring multiple rotary or thrust axes, capable of gripping, dividing, and knotting tools, which can be configured with gripping tools like pliers or humanoid hands, and suction devices, allowing for flexible interaction with warping bands and adaptability to various widths and applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual steps are used to prepare each warping belt, then the machine can handle multiple warping belts, but the number of manual work steps increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle multiple warping beltsVSAvoidnumber of manual work steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robot arm performs self-positioning and self-manipulation of warping belts through automated gripping, dividing, and reattaching operations, eliminating the need for multiple manual work steps while maintaining the ability to handle multiple warping belts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced by a robotic system with multiple rotary or linear axes that can automatically position and manipulate warping belts, reducing manual intervention while preserving versatility in handling different belt configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If a manipulator is used to automate warping belt handling, then manual intervention is reduced, but the device loses flexibility and adaptability to different applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of warping belt handlingVSAvoidflexibility to different applications
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The robot arm incorporates multiple rotary or linear axes that enable dynamic repositioning and reconfiguration, allowing the automated system to adapt to different warping belt widths and applications while maintaining high automation levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system is designed with universal gripping tools and multiple degrees of freedom that enable it to perform various operations (gripping, dividing, reattaching) on different types of warping belts, providing both automation and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If more manual work steps are required, then precision in warping belt preparation can be maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision in warping belt preparationVSAvoidwarping process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot arm with multiple rotary or linear axes replaces manual operations, maintaining precision through controlled robotic movements while significantly improving productivity by automating the warping belt preparation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system replicates the precision of manual operations through programmed movements and automated gripping, dividing, and reattaching actions, achieving both high precision and improved productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3751033B1Cone warping machine and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 KARL MAYER STOLL R&D GMBH
  • EP3751033B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3751033B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cone warping machine (1) with a warping drum (2) and with a warping table (3) arranged laterally to the warping drum (2), which carries a warping guide (5) for feeding threads, wherein the warping drum (2) and the warping table (3) are displaceable relative to each other, and wherein the cone warping machine (1) has a robot arm (8). According to the invention, the robot arm (8) of the cone warping machine (1) has at least one tool for manipulating a warping strip.The invention also relates to a method for operating a cone skiving machine (1), comprising the steps of relocating a skiving drum (2) of the cone skiving machine (1) and a skiving table (3) of the cone skiving machine (1) relative to each other until the skiving table (3) is opposite a skiving start area (6) of the skiving drum (2), picking up a skiving strip from the skiving table (3) by a robot arm (8) of the cone skiving machine (1) and fixing the skiving strip to the skiving drum (2) in the skiving start area (6) by the robot arm (8).