Lightweight End-of-Arm Tool for Glass Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional end-of-arm tools for robots are heavy and complex, leading to increased wear and reduced lifespan, and fail to efficiently handle larger and thinner glass sheets, necessitating a lightweight solution that maintains support and reduces wear.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight end-of-arm tool composed of two bonded polymeric sheets, reinforced with a core and outer hub plates, formed through vacuum molding or injection molding, and bonded using adhesives, ultrasonic welding, or mechanical fasteners, providing structural integrity while minimizing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional adjustable end-of-arm tools are used to accommodate different work piece configurations, then versatility is improved, but weight and device complexity increase, leading to increased wear and reduced robot lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The end-of-arm tool is divided into multiple tool heads that can be independently selected and attached based on the specific work piece configuration. Each tool head is optimized for a particular glass sheet size or type, allowing the system to achieve versatility without requiring a single heavy, multi-adjustable tool. The robot arm carries multiple lightweight tool heads and swaps them as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool system achieves universality through a modular architecture where a common mounting interface and control system support multiple specialized tool heads. This allows one tool head to be replaced by another to handle different work piece configurations, providing system-level versatility without requiring each individual tool head to be heavy or adjustable.
2Strength
If conventional heavy end-of-arm tools are used to provide support for larger glass sheets, then structural strength is improved, but robot motor wear increases and cycle times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool heads are constructed from composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the tool heads to have sufficient structural strength to support large glass sheets while maintaining low weight to minimize robot motor wear and reduce cycle times. The composite construction enables the tool to be both strong and lightweight simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable tools are designed to accommodate different work piece configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases, leading to increased wear and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The tool system segments the adaptability function into multiple specialized tool heads, each with a simple, fixed structure optimized for a specific work piece type. This eliminates the need for complex adjustable mechanisms within each tool head. The complexity is shifted to the tool selection and swapping system, which is controlled programmatically and does not add mechanical complexity to the tool structures themselves.
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 solution extends the lifespan of robot motors, reduces wear, and decreases cycle times by providing the necessary support for larger glass sheets while minimizing weight, resulting in improved operational efficiency and reduced motor stress.
Implementation Method 1
The sheets may be bonded together with adhesive, ultrasonic welding or mechanical fasteners
Implementation Method 2
The sheets may be bonded together with adhesive, ultrasonic welding or mechanical fasteners
Implementation Method 3
the combined sheets may define a cavity into which a supporting core may be inserted for strength
Data Source
AI summary
An end-of-arm tool is described and includes an outer sheet and an inner sheet. The end-of-arm tool may be reinforced with a backing plate attached to the inner sheet and a front plate attached to the outer sheet. The end-of-arm tool may also include spacers to provide structure and rigidity to the end-of-arm tool at passages configured for the installation of workpiece interface tools, for example, spring plungers.