Gripper Mechanism for Garment Printer with Sliding Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment printers require operators to repeatedly stretch and bend to place garments on platen, leading to back pain due to continuous exertion of pressure, and existing solutions are either ineffective or economically unfeasible for small-scale operations.
Innovation Solution
A gripper mechanism with a sliding mechanism and grippers that allow the garment to be placed on a platen without the operator needing to bend, using a first gripper to grip the garment on one side and a sliding mechanism to pull it across to the other side, accompanied by a wrinkle detection system using a laser source, photodetector, and indicator for smoothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an operator manually places and smooths the garment on the platen, then the garment positioning function is achieved, but the operator suffers from back pain due to continuous bending and pressure exertion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically positioning and smoothing the garment on the platen using a robotic arm with grippers, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the physically demanding tasks of bending and pressing, while maintaining high productivity through automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical action of the operator's arms and body is replaced by an automated robotic mechanical system that uses grippers to hold and position the garment, and a pressing mechanism to smooth it, thereby eliminating physical strain on the operator while maintaining placement efficiency
2Ease of operation
If a robotic arm is used to position the garment, then operator strain is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm system is designed to perform multiple functions including gripping the garment at different locations, positioning it accurately on the platen, and coordinating with the pressing mechanism, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized devices and managing system complexity through multi-functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the robotic arm, grippers, and pressing mechanism, managing the complexity of the automated system through centralized control logic that sequences operations and integrates multiple components
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 operator strain by eliminating the need for bending and allows for efficient placement of garments, minimizing the risk of back pain while ensuring proper alignment and smoothing of the garment on the platen.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source, a photodetector and an indicator, the photodetector positioned to detect occlusions caused by wrinkles or folds of the garment on the platen
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for positioning a garment on a printing platen for printing, comprises a gripper to controllably grip onto a first edge of the garment at a first side of the platen; and a sliding mechanism connected to the gripper to slide the gripper from the first side of the platen to a second side of the platen opposite the first side, thereby to pull the garment edge to the second side across the platen and position the garment across the platen for printing. The use of the device may prevent back pain related to repeated loading and unloading of platen-based textile printing devices.