Dual-Inlet Machine Tool Layout for Safe Human-Robot Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools lack the ability to simultaneously facilitate human operator intervention and robotic or manipulator operation for loading and unloading, leading to reduced productivity and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool design with separate stations for human operator and robotic intervention, featuring movable abutment elements and coordinated movement systems to ensure non-interfering operations, allowing simultaneous human and robotic loading/unloading without safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single inlet and outlet zone is used for workpiece loading and unloading, then the machine tool structure is simpler, but productivity is reduced due to sequential operations only
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool is divided into multiple independent inlet and outlet zones (first inlet/outlet zone and second inlet/outlet zone), allowing workpieces to be loaded and unloaded through different stations simultaneously. This segmentation enables parallel operations, increasing productivity while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If a robot or manipulator is added for automatic loading and unloading, then productivity increases, but the area of action interferes with human operator safety
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool structure is segmented into distinct zones: a first inlet/outlet zone for human operator access and a second inlet/outlet zone for robot/manipulator operation. The operating unit is positioned between these zones, creating physical separation that eliminates interference between human and robotic areas of action, ensuring safety while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating unit serves as an intermediary element positioned between the human operator zone and the robot zone. This intermediate positioning allows the robot to load workpieces into the operating unit from the second zone while the human operator loads workpieces from the first zone, preventing direct interference between human and robotic operations.
3Loss of time
If simultaneous human and robotic operations are enabled, then downtime is reduced, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool is segmented into independent operational zones with dedicated inlet and outlet paths for human and robotic operations. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous workpiece loading and unloading operations to occur in parallel without requiring complex coordination, as each zone operates independently with its own workpiece flow path.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a Machine tool (1) for machining workpieces, comprising: an operating unit (2) provided with operating means for executing at least one operation on a workpiece; a first inlet and outlet zone (8) for allowing the inlet of at least one workpiece to be machined into said operating unit (2) and the outlet of at least one machined workpiece from said operating unit (2), said first inlet and outlet zone (8) being available, in use, to a human operator (P); a second inlet and outlet zone (5) for allowing the inlet of at least one workpiece to be machined into said operating unit (2) and the outlet of at least one machined workpiece from said operating unit (2); first movement means (18) for transporting at least one workpiece from said first inlet and outlet zone (8) to said operating unit (2) and vice versa, and from said operating unit (2) to said second inlet and outlet zone (5) and vice versa; first reference means (10) for attributing at least one spatial reference to at least one workpiece entering said operating unit (2) from said first inlet and outlet zone (8); second reference means (16) for attributing at least one spatial reference to at least one workpiece entering said operating unit (2) from said second inlet and outlet zone (5); and a robot (R) or a manipulator arranged at said second inlet and outlet zone (5) and adapted to load at least one workpiece in said second inlet and outlet zone (5) and to unload at least one workpiece from said second inlet and outlet zone (5); wherein said second inlet and outlet zone (5) is arranged in opposite position to said first inlet and outlet zone (8) so that the operating unit (2) is arranged between said first inlet and outlet zone (8) and second inlet and outlet zone (5) so that the area of action of said robot (R) or manipulator does not interfere with the area of action of said human operator (P).