Formwork Fixing Element Positioning With Stacked Robot Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual positioning and removal of fixing elements on a formwork base in precast concrete production is time-consuming and uneconomical due to the high force required, which hampers efficient production line cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving grouping fixing elements into a stack and using a formwork robot to move and separate them as a group, eliminating the need for individual handling, and enabling precise positioning and removal with a device that includes a housing and engagement mechanism for efficient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixing elements are positioned and removed individually by hand, then positioning precision can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires considerable force
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixing elements are grouped into a stacked configuration and moved together as a single unit by the formwork robot. This merging of multiple individual handling operations into one collective operation significantly reduces the time required for positioning multiple fixing elements on the formwork base, directly addressing the productivity and cycle time contradiction.
2Manufacturing precision
If fixing elements are moved individually to each position, then precise positioning is achieved, but the workload and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The formwork robot moves a group of stacked fixing elements to the intended position above the formwork base in a single operation. This eliminates the need for separate picking and positioning steps for each individual fixing element, significantly reducing the operational workload while maintaining positioning precision through controlled robot movement and singulation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A housing designed as a magazine serves as an intermediary structure to hold and organize the group of fixing elements. This intermediary device facilitates the transition from individual handling to group handling, enabling the robot to efficiently position multiple fixing elements while maintaining control and precision.
3Force
If considerable force is applied to remove fixing elements from the formwork base, then the fixing elements can be removed, but the process becomes uneconomical and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixing elements are grouped together and removed as a single unit from the formwork base. This collective removal approach reduces the total time required for removal operations compared to individual removal, directly improving productivity despite the considerable force required to overcome the holding force of each element.
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
Significantly reduces workload and cycle times by allowing simultaneous, precise positioning and removal of multiple fixing elements, enhancing production efficiency and readiness of the formwork base for subsequent use.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic or magnetizable formwork base
Implementation Method 2
The holding force to be overcome during removal is typically around 50 to 100 kg
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3~4(b)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device for positioning and/or removing fixing elements (2) on/from a formwork base (3), as well as a fixing element (2) for use in combination with the device (1), both individually and as a system. In order to significantly reduce the workload for a worker when positioning and/or removing fixing elements (2) on/from the formwork base (3), so that cycle times on a production line for the semi-automated production of precast concrete elements in a precast concrete plant can be significantly shortened, the inventive method for positioning fixing elements (2) on a formwork base (3) comprises the following steps: Step A: Moving a group of fixing elements (2) to an arbitrary position on and/or above the formwork base (3).Step B: Isolating one fixing element (2) from the group of fixing elements (2) for positioning on the formwork base (3).