Gripper Star Insertion for Tablet Press Microchips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for inserting inserts into tablet presses are inadequate for processing small microchips packaged in strip-shaped supply ribbons, as they cannot handle the unique packaging and require individual centering of inserts for high-speed tablet presses.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs at least two grippers with suction pipettes to transfer microchips from supply ribbons to a transfer wheel, utilizing a ribbon conveying device for continuous operation and an air flow centring device to ensure precise positioning, along with a rotating gripper star with centring openings for accurate alignment and transfer into tablet press dies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single gripper is used to transfer inserts from supply ribbon to transfer wheel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity is insufficient for high-speed tablet presses
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer function is segmented into multiple grippers (at least two) that operate simultaneously or in rapid succession, each handling a portion of the insert transfer task. This segmentation enables parallel processing of inserts, thereby increasing overall productivity without requiring a proportional increase in device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply ribbon is pre-organized with inserts positioned at regular intervals along its length. This preliminary arrangement allows multiple grippers to acquire inserts simultaneously or in a predetermined sequence, eliminating the need for complex real-time positioning mechanisms and enabling high-speed operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If inserts are transferred without centering, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of insert positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A centering mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the transfer wheel and the insert. This mediator component automatically centers inserts as they are deposited into the pockets, ensuring precise positioning without requiring complex alignment systems in the grippers or transfer wheel itself. The centering mechanism simplifies the overall system while achieving high positioning accuracy.
3Productivity
If supply ribbon is not continuously replenished, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity is interrupted when ribbon ends
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation by implementing a ribbon management mechanism that monitors ribbon length and automatically triggers replacement or replenishment actions. This ensures that the useful action of insert transfer never中断, even as the supply ribbon is consumed. The continuous operation is achieved through coordinated control of multiple ribbons or automated ribbon changeover procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism monitors the state of the supply ribbon (length, position, consumption level) and provides information to the control system. This feedback enables timely initiation of ribbon replacement procedures, ensuring that productivity is never compromised by ribbon exhaustion. The feedback loop coordinates the timing of gripper operations with ribbon availability.
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
Enables efficient and reliable insertion of small microchips into tablet press dies, ensuring high-speed processing and continuous operation by synchronizing gripper movements and using air flow to center microchips in the transfer wheel pockets, facilitating precise alignment and transfer.
Implementation Method 1
Each gripper is preferably provided in each case with a suction pipette by way of which the insert to be transferred can be sucked up and is held whilst the transfer movement is carried out.
Implementation Method 2
an air flow centring device which corrects the position of the inserts in the pockets and can extend over a circumferential portion of the transfer wheel and be provided with a compressed air connection and/or a negative pressure connection in order to generate an air flow which cent r es the inserts in the pockets which are acted upon.
Data Source
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AI summary
The apparatus according to the invention (10) serves for inserting inserts (14) into dies (16) of a tablet press. It comprises a feed device (11) with a transfer wheel (12) which is provided with pockets (13) for receiving singled-out inserts, and has, in addition, an insert unit (15) for taking over inserts from the transfer wheel and transferring the taken-over inserts into the dies of the tablet press downstream. In addition, means (19) for transferring inserts to the pockets of the transfer wheel are provided, it being proposed according to the invention that the inserts are supplied to the apparatus by means of at least one strip-shaped supply ribbon (23) and the means for transferring inserts to the transfer wheel comprise at least one gripper (28) which is movable back and forth between a take-over position (25) at the supply ribbon and a transfer position (30) at a pocket of the transfer wheel.