Gripper System for Automated Removal of Warm Sheet Waste
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for hot forming and press-hardening sheet materials often result in sheet metal waste parts being removed due to gravity, leading to inefficiencies and space constraints, especially with larger parts, and difficulties in accessing waste parts with closed contours.
Innovation Solution
A device with movable tool parts for hot forming and press-hardening, equipped with a mechanical cutting mechanism and a gripper system that allows for the automatic removal of still-warm sheet metal waste parts to a defined position, enabling reliable handling and removal without relying on gravity, and incorporating a cooling system to manage temperature differences during cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheet metal waste parts are removed due to gravity in known tools, then the removal process is simple, but it leads to inefficiencies and space constraints especially with larger parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-based passive removal system with an active mechanical gripper system that uses controlled mechanical forces to grasp and remove waste parts. The gripper applies normal forces and friction forces to securely hold waste parts, enabling efficient removal without requiring large vertical spaces for gravity-driven ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper system performs preliminary positioning of waste parts to a defined transfer position before removal. This preliminary action ensures that waste parts are properly oriented and positioned for efficient gripper engagement, improving removal efficiency while maintaining compact tool geometry.
2Ease of operation
If sheet metal waste parts with closed contours are accessed in known tools, then the tool structure is simple, but it creates difficulties in accessing waste parts with closed contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable tool part that can change the spatial configuration of the tool interior. By moving this tool part, the gripper can access waste parts with closed contours from different positions and angles, improving accessibility without significantly increasing overall tool complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates a movable gripper and movable tool part that can dynamically adjust their positions. This dynamic capability allows the gripper to reach waste parts with closed contours that would be inaccessible in a static tool structure, while the movable components are designed to maintain reasonable structural complexity.
3Reliability
If a gripper system is introduced to automatically remove waste parts, then removal reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper system is designed to automatically grasp and remove waste parts without requiring external intervention. The movable tool part works in conjunction with the gripper to position waste parts for automatic engagement, creating a self-service removal system that improves reliability while keeping the added complexity manageable through automation.
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
The solution ensures efficient and reliable removal of sheet metal waste parts, reducing disturbances and space requirements, and allows for the handling of difficult-to-access parts, resulting in completely shaped and ready-cut sheet metal products.
Implementation Method 1
the device according to the invention also comprises at least one cooling device with which the sheet metal material can be cooled
Implementation Method 2
The gripping element creates a frictional connection to the sheet metal material, which enables lifting and moving
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The apparatus has a tool (100) provided with two relatively movable molds (110, 120) between which a heated sheet material (300) is formed. A mechanical cutting device is provided to cut and/or punch the sheet material. The movable gripper (200) is located to remove warm sheet waste portions (310,320) after the cutting and/or punching of the sheet material. The tool is configured such that the warm sheet waste portions are removed by gripper after the cutting and/or perforating the sheet material into a defined position. An independent claim is included for method for thermoforming and press hardening sheet material.