Electromagnet Slip Table for Automated Vibration Fixture Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibration testing systems require lengthy manual processes for setup and testing, leading to increased costs and time consumption, as well as potential safety hazards due to human involvement.

Innovation Solution

An automated vibration test system utilizing an electromagnet to secure and release a test fixture on a slip table, enabled by a material handling robot, which significantly reduces manual intervention and enhances safety by using a magnetic field for quick coupling and decoupling of the test fixture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual mounting and bolting processes are used for test fixtures, then setup precision can be ensured, but testing time and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixture mounting precisionVSAvoidtesting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical bolting system with an electromagnet-based magnetic attraction system. The electromagnet securely holds the test fixture during vibration testing and can be quickly deactivated to release the fixture, eliminating the need for manual bolting and unbolting operations while maintaining secure attachment during testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment mechanism from a mechanical state (bolts tightened/loosened) to a magnetic state (electromagnet activated/deactivated). By controlling the electrical current to the electromagnet, the attachment force can be rapidly changed from high (during testing) to zero (during fixture changeover), enabling quick fixture replacement without compromising testing security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual operations are performed for each test setup, then operational control is maintained, but time consumption and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual controlVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnet system performs the attachment and detachment functions automatically through electrical control. The system serves itself by using electrical current to create and release the magnetic field, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the attachment process and significantly reducing setup time between tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional mechanical attachment methods are used, then fixture security is ensured, but system complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixture securityVSAvoidattachment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical attachment systems with a simpler electromagnet-based system. The electromagnet provides reliable fixture security through magnetic attraction while eliminating the need for multiple bolts, nuts, and manual assembly steps, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite adding electrical control components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 automated system reduces testing time from 30-45 minutes to under one minute, enhances operator safety, and increases test reliability by minimizing human error and involvement, while supporting efficient and rapid setup and teardown of test fixtures.

Implementation Method 1

The slip table includes an electromagnet. At least part of the test fixture is configured to be magnetically attracted to the electromagnet in order to secure the test fixture to the electromagnet.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The slip table includes an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field in order to secure the test fixture to the slip table.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS9638602B2Vibration test methodology using an electromagnet and related apparatus and automated testing system with material handling robot

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

A system includes a vibration test system and a test fixture. The vibration test system includes a slip table, and the vibration test system is configured to vibrate the slip table. The slip table includes an electromagnet. The test fixture is configured to receive at least one article to be subjected to vibration testing. At least part of the test fixture is configured to be magnetically attracted to the electromagnet in order to secure the test fixture to the electromagnet. The system may also include a material handling robot configured to lift and move the test fixture and multiple testing stations configured to perform tests on the at least one article, where the material handling robot is configured to move the test fixture to and from each of the testing stations.