Grasping Device Branch Structure Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grasping devices for injection molding machines experience vibrations due to inertia, leading to reduced precision and increased cycle times, which negatively impact production efficiency when grasping and releasing small molded articles or thin works.
Innovation Solution
A grasping device with a grasping part structured as a group of diverged and extended branches, where the cross-sectional areas become smaller from the base to the end, reducing the weight of the utmost end and minimizing vibrations caused by inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the grasping part is made with a uniform cross-sectional area from base to end, then the structural strength is improved, but the vibration dissipation time increases due to higher weight at the utmost end
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping part employs varying cross-sectional areas along its length, with the base having a larger cross-section for strength and the utmost end having a smaller cross-section to reduce weight and vibration. This local variation in structural properties optimizes both strength and vibration characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The grasping part is divided into multiple sections with different cross-sectional areas, creating a tapered or stepped structure. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific functional requirements while reducing overall vibration dissipation time.
2Ease of manufacture
If the grasping part has a larger cross-sectional area at the utmost end, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the production efficiency decreases due to longer vibration dissipation time
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional area parameter is changed along the length of the grasping part, creating a gradient structure. This parameter variation reduces the weight at the utmost end, thereby reducing vibration dissipation time and improving production efficiency while remaining manufacturable.
3Loss of time
If the grasping device operates with vibration present, then the cycle time is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to reduced grasping accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping part is designed with reduced weight at the utmost end to preliminarily minimize vibration generation. This preliminary design consideration allows the system to maintain grasping accuracy while reducing the time needed for vibration dissipation, thereby improving cycle time.
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
This design reduces the time for vibrations to dissipate, thereby improving production efficiency by allowing for more precise and efficient grasping and releasing of molded articles or works, reducing cycle times and enhancing overall manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the suction means to communicate with the suction/air-feed pipe 57, thereby causing the suction/air-feed pipe 57 and suction/air-feed passage 56 to be subject to negative pressure, so that the many small molded articles molded by the injection molding machine 51 at a time are grasped by the large number of adsorbing pads 55 at a time
Implementation Method 2
the suction/air-feed switching valve is switched over to cause the air-feed means to communicate with a plurality of the suction/air-feed pipes 57, whereby causing the suction/air-feed pipes 57 and the suction/air-feed passage 56 to have positive pressure, so that the many small molded articles are released
Data Source
AI summary
A grasping device can be provided on a conveyor which conveys works produced by a production facility or a work subjected to in-mold forming from a work-grasping position to a work-releasing position. The example of a grasping device can include a base at the side of the conveyors and a grasping part which is extended from the base and provided with a plurality of grasping heads. The example of a grasping part can include a group of branches having a plurality of diverged and extended branches, specific branches most apart from the base each being small in weight (being light) at utmost end side.