Reconfigurable Flat Workpiece Tooling With Passive Linear Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated systems for processing flat workpieces face challenges in reconfiguring tooling quickly and efficiently, leading to complex and heavy tooling that requires significant forces and dynamics, especially when handling lighter workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A system with a separate adjusting device featuring linearly displaceable elements that interact with tooling arms to reconfigure them along a linear displacement path, allowing for passive movement of arms without the need for onboard drives, using fixing devices to secure positions and reduce weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate, specific tooling is provided for all workpieces, then adaptability to different workpieces is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tooling employs dynamically adjustable holding elements that can be repositioned along the arms via a transport device, allowing the same tooling to adapt to different workpiece configurations without requiring multiple fixed tooling sets
Solution Approach 2:
A single tooling design with reconfigurable holding elements serves multiple workpiece types and configurations, replacing the need for multiple specialized tooling sets while maintaining adaptability across different production requirements
2Productivity
If manual reconfiguration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and reconfiguration speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical reconfiguration operations are replaced by an automated transport device that moves holding elements along the arms, eliminating the need for operator intervention while enabling rapid and precise reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The tooling system performs its own reconfiguration through the transport device that automatically repositions holding elements without external intervention, enabling quick adaptation between different workpiece types during production
3Ease of operation
If actuators are integrated into the tooling, then ease of operation is improved, but weight and forces on transport device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation function is extracted from the tooling structure and implemented by a separate transport device, allowing the tooling to remain lightweight while maintaining full operational capability through external actuation
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex reconfigurable tooling with multiple degrees of freedom is used, then adaptability is improved, but operational forces and dynamics requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a transport device to dynamically reposition holding elements along linear paths, achieving reconfiguration with simple linear motion rather than complex multi-axis manipulation, thereby reducing operational forces
Data Source
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AI summary
Tooling (100) for picking up two-dimensional workpieces comprises a main body (110) and a plurality of holding elements (131, 132) arranged on the main body (110), wherein the holding elements (131, 132) are movable relative to the main body (110) independently of one another. Each of the holding elements (131, 132) is fastened in an end region of an arm (121.1...10, 122.1...10). The arms (121, 122) are movable passively relative to the main body (110) along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm (121, 122). The tooling (100) comprises, for each of the arms (121, 122) a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm (121, 122) along the movement path is fixable. On account of its passive character, the tooling (100) according to the invention is lightweight and can be produced cost-effectively. Compared with fixedly configured tooling, reduced costs arise on account of the configurability, because different types of tooling do not have to be kept available and provided. The storage area for replacement tooling is saved, and also an automatic tooling changing station or a manual tooling change become superfluous. As a result of the geometry according to the invention, the tooling (100) can be set easily, no complex movements and accordingly no complicated setting devices (for example multiaxial robots) are necessary.