Follower Fixture Line for Flexible Tank Support Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic production lines for tank moving support parts lack processing flexibility due to diverse and complex parts, and existing follower fixture technologies cannot realize automatic positioning, clamping, disassembly, and assembly, affecting machining accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A process system and automatic processing production line for the follower fixture, featuring a conveying table with a bearing platform and lifting platform, integrated with robots and a quick insertion device, enabling automatic disassembly and assembly, positioning, and clamping of workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional manual-machine tool production mode is used for tank track parts, then workers can handle diverse and complex parts, but production resources are consumed heavily, labor burden is serious, and installation errors affect machining accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The follower fixture base device is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple types of tank track parts through interchangeable fixtures. The base device includes a rotating columnar placing seat with multiple fixture mounting positions, allowing one base device to serve multiple processing functions and part types, thereby achieving both adaptability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic fixture switching through automated rotation of the columnar placing seat and quick-change fixture mechanisms. This allows the production line to dynamically adapt to different part types without manual intervention, maintaining processing flexibility while significantly improving production efficiency through automated operations
2Extent of automation
If four-axis and two-claw manipulators are used among processing equipment, then material transport is automated, but production cost increases and production resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: the follower fixture base device integrates workpiece positioning, clamping, and automated switching functions; the conveyor system integrates transport and positioning functions. This merging reduces the need for separate complex manipulators while maintaining automation, thereby reducing system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The follower fixture system implements self-service through automated fixture switching and workpiece positioning mechanisms. The system automatically selects and positions the appropriate fixture for each part type without requiring external manipulators, achieving automation with reduced complexity through self-contained automated mechanisms
3Extent of automation
If in-line layout production line is adopted for spherical bridge supports, then automation is achieved, but large space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The follower fixture base device employs a nested structure where multiple fixtures are arranged concentrically on the columnar placing seat. This nested arrangement allows multiple workstations to be compactly organized in a vertical or radial configuration rather than requiring linear horizontal space, achieving automation while minimizing footprint
4Extent of automation
If follower fixture base and automatic switching fixture system are used, then fixture replacement is automated, but positioning and clamping of diverse workpieces cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs local quality through specialized fixtures designed for specific part features. Each fixture on the columnar placing seat is configured with specific positioning and clamping elements tailored to the geometry of particular tank track parts. This ensures high positioning accuracy for each part type while maintaining automated switching capability through the universal base device
5Productivity
If follower fixture is used frequently in automatic production line, then processing efficiency improves, but wear of important parts increases and negatively affects workpiece machining accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements wear management through the ability to quickly replace fixtures on the columnar placing seat. When fixtures show signs of wear that could affect accuracy, they can be discarded and replaced with fresh fixtures without stopping the entire production line. The automated switching mechanism facilitates this recovery process, maintaining both high productivity and machining accuracy
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 achieves flexible and accurate processing of tank moving support parts, improving production efficiency, product quality, and resource utilization, while reducing labor costs and ensuring worker safety.
Implementation Method 1
the conveying table is slidably provided with a bearing platform through a screw slide rail assembly
Implementation Method 2
integrated with robots and a quick insertion device, enabling automatic disassembly and assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A process system of a follower fixture for tank moving support is provided and includes a conveying table slidably provided with a bearing platform through a screw slide rail assembly and provided with an outer frame assembly; a lifting platform is slidably installed in the outer frame assembly; positions of the lifting platform and the bearing platform are corresponded up and down; the outer frame assembly is slidably provided with a robot component; both sides of the conveying table are provided with loading platforms; workpieces are placed on one loading platform, and a fixture system is placed on the other loading platform; the fixture system and the workpieces are both placed in the moving range of the robot component, and positions of the fixture system and the workpieces are corresponded. problems including processing flexibility cannot be realized can be solved.