Radial Forging Manipulator Chassis With Wheel Guidance and Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece manipulators for radial forging presses require significant maintenance due to the need for continuous lubrication and are not effective in absorbing the forces generated during the forging process.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece manipulator with a manipulator frame guided on rail-mounted wheels, featuring sprung and damped chassis with spring and damper elements, allowing linear translational movement and rotational freedom, and incorporating brush systems to manage scale, thereby reducing lubrication needs and absorbing forging forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding guide system is used for the manipulator frame, then the manipulator can move linearly along the manipulator track, but continuous lubrication is required which increases maintenance costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sliding guide system with a rail-mounted wheel system. Instead of continuous sliding contact requiring lubrication, the manipulator frame uses discrete wheels that roll along rails, substituting a mechanical lubrication-dependent system with a rolling contact system that eliminates continuous lubrication requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail-mounted wheel system is designed to be self-lubricating or maintenance-free. The wheels and rails are constructed with materials or surface treatments that provide inherent low-friction contact without requiring external lubrication systems, allowing the system to maintain itself during operation.
2Ease of operation
If a sliding guide system is used for the manipulator frame, then the manipulator can move linearly along the manipulator track, but high maintenance costs are incurred due to continuous lubrication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding guide system is replaced with rail-mounted wheels that eliminate the need for continuous lubrication. This substitution reduces maintenance requirements and associated costs while preserving the linear movement capability of the manipulator frame along the manipulator track.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail-mounted wheels are designed as simple, replaceable components that can be easily serviced or replaced if needed, rather than requiring complex lubrication systems. This approach reduces long-term maintenance costs by using simple, maintenance-free or easily maintained components.
3Reliability
If traditional manipulator design is used, then the manipulator can hold the workpiece, but it cannot effectively absorb the forces resulting from the forging process
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator frame incorporates springs and dampers as cushioning elements that are pre-installed to absorb and dissipate forces generated during the forging process. These elements are designed beforehand to handle the expected force loads, protecting the manipulator structure and maintaining workpiece holding capability under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator frame uses a composite structure combining rigid components for workpiece holding with elastic elements (springs and dampers) for force absorption. This composite design integrates both holding and shock-absorbing functions into a unified system that maintains reliability while withstanding forging forces.
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
Reduces maintenance costs and effectively manages forging forces through reduced lubrication requirements and improved force absorption, enhancing the operational efficiency of radial forging processes.
Implementation Method 1
The spring device is provided with a switching device for the defined release of the energy stored in the spring device
Implementation Method 2
sprung and damped chassis with spring and damper elements, allowing linear translational movement and rotational freedom, and incorporating brush systems to manage scale, thereby reducing lubrication needs and absorbing forging forces
Implementation Method 3
sprung and damped chassis with spring and damper elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a workpiece manipulator (1) for use with a radial forging press, comprising a workpiece gripper (4), wherein the workpiece gripper (4) is attached to a manipulator frame (2) guided linearly on a manipulator track, and wherein the workpiece gripper (4) forms a chuck with a fixed clamping axis (5) extending in the forging axis or parallel to the forging axis, so that the workpiece can be manipulated with a linear translational movement, wherein the manipulator frame (2) is guided on wheels (12) during the translational movement.