Dual-Gripper Workpiece Orientation During Transport for Precise Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for orienting workpieces before joining, such as in the automotive industry's tailored blanks production, fail to meet precision requirements, leading to inadequate offset alignment and increased production costs due to the need for additional handling and transport steps.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a manipulator with grippers to orient workpieces during transport from a provision station to a processing station, incorporating transverse and longitudinal orientation steps, allowing precise alignment without an additional orientation station, using mechanical stops and sensors for precise positioning and welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If workpieces are oriented using separate grippers during transport, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece orientation precisionVSAvoidmanipulator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate grippers into a single manipulator unit with integrated first and second grippers. This merging allows both workpieces to be held and oriented simultaneously during transport, achieving precise alignment without requiring separate orientation equipment, thus improving manufacturing precision while avoiding additional device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manipulator is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both gripping and orientation functions. The first and second grippers can independently position workpieces while the manipulator itself provides the orientation function, eliminating the need for dedicated orientation devices and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If an orientation station is added between provision and processing stations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece alignment precisionVSAvoidproduction cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The orientation function is merged with the transport function by integrating orientation capabilities into the manipulator that already performs material transport. This eliminates the need for a separate orientation station and associated transport steps, maintaining high manufacturing precision while improving productivity by reducing cycle time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The workpieces are oriented during the transport phase before reaching the processing station. This preliminary orientation action is performed while the workpieces are being moved from the provision station, so no additional time is required at the processing station, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving precise alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If additional transport system is added for orientation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffset alignment precisionVSAvoidadditional transport time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transport and orientation functions are combined into a single manipulator operation. The manipulator transports workpieces from the provision station while simultaneously performing orientation, eliminating the need for separate transport steps and reducing total process time while maintaining precise offset alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manipulator performs continuous useful action by simultaneously transporting and orienting workpieces during a single operational cycle. This continuous action eliminates idle transport steps and ensures that every phase of the manipulator's movement contributes to both material flow and precision alignment, reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11590653B2Method for orienting two workpieces to form a joining connection and manipulator

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 WISCO LASERTECHN

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for orientating two workpieces in order to form a joining connection, wherein in a longitudinal orientation step the first workpiece is orientated relative to the second workpiece) along at least one of the workpiece edges by linear movement of at least one of the grippers relative to the other gripper and wherein the longitudinal orientation step is carried out during the transport of the workpieces from the provision station to the processing station. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manipulator which comprises a first gripper and a second gripper.