Dual-Gripper Part Manipulator for Faster Assembly Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated part assembly machines face inefficiencies due to time wasted in orienting gripper heads and transitioning between pick and place locations, reducing throughput.
Innovation Solution
A part manipulator with a robot arm and dual clamp assemblies, where one gripper is movable between retracted and extended positions, allowing simultaneous pickup and placement of multiple parts, reducing transition times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single gripper head is used for part assembly, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is reduced due to sequential part pickup operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple gripper heads (first gripper head and second gripper head) into a single manipulator system, allowing simultaneous pickup of multiple parts. This merging approach enables parallel operations, improving assembly throughput without requiring separate manipulators for each part.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator is segmented into multiple independent gripper heads, each capable of independently picking up parts. The first gripper head and second gripper head can operate simultaneously on different parts, dividing the assembly task into parallel segments that increase overall productivity.
2Productivity
If the gripper head transitions between pick and place locations, then the parts can be assembled in sequence, but time is wasted in transitioning between locations
Solution Approach 1:
The first gripper head picks up the first part in advance while the second gripper head simultaneously picks up the second part. This preliminary action of parallel pickup eliminates the need for sequential transitions, reducing the total cycle time and improving assembly throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator maintains continuous useful action by having both gripper heads operate simultaneously throughout the pickup phase. Instead of transitioning between pick and place locations sequentially, both parts are picked up in parallel, eliminating idle transition time and maintaining continuous productive action.
3Manufacturing precision
If the gripper head orients itself for each part pickup, then accurate part pickup is achieved, but time is wasted in orienting the gripper head
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator performs preliminary orientation of both gripper heads simultaneously before the pickup operation. By pre-orienting both gripper heads in parallel to their respective pickup positions, the system achieves accurate part pickup without sequential orientation delays, reducing the total time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A part manipulator an end effector coupled to a distal end of a robot arm. The end effector includes first and second clamp assemblies coupled to a frame. The first clamp assembly includes a first part gripper configured to pick a first part. The second clamp assembly includes a second part gripper configured to pick a second part. The second part gripper is movable relative to the frame in an actuation direction between a retracted position and an extended position. The second part gripper is located a second distance from the distal end of the robot arm in the retracted position. The second part gripper is located a third distance from the distal end of the robot arm in the extended position greater than the second distance.