Handling Device Control Data Integration for Sheet Metal Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for handling sheet metal parts after cutting require complex programming and data transfer between cutting machines and handling devices, leading to increased effort and reduced productivity due to the need for separate control modules and offline programming.
Innovation Solution
Integrating machine-related control data from cutting machines into handling devices to generate device-related control data, allowing for online or offline data transfer and enabling the handling device to be prepared for tasks ahead of time, thus synchronizing the handling process with the cutting process and enhancing productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate control modules are used for cutting machines and handling devices with offline programming, then system modularity is maintained, but programming effort increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control data systems of the cutting machine and handling device by having the control device generate handling control data based on machine control data from the cutting machine. This integration eliminates the need for separate offline programming while maintaining system modularity, as the control device automatically processes and translates the machine control data into appropriate handling instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device prepares handling control data in advance by processing machine control data before the actual handling operation begins. This preliminary data generation occurs during the cutting operation, allowing the handling device to be ready for immediate action without waiting for separate programming, thus improving productivity while maintaining modular architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate control modules are used for cutting machines and handling devices, then system independence is maintained, but programming complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the cutting machine and the handling device. It receives machine control data from the cutting machine, processes this data, and generates appropriate handling control data. This intermediary approach maintains system independence while reducing programming complexity, as the control device handles the data translation and coordination automatically without requiring complex separate programming for each device.
3Productivity
If machine control data is transferred to handling device for generating device control data, then productivity increases through online data transfer, but data transfer and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs self-service by automatically generating handling control data from the machine control data it receives. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external offline programming and reduces data transfer complexity, as the control device independently processes the data it receives and generates the appropriate handling instructions without requiring complex external data transfer protocols or manual intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A computer-controlled cutting machine (2) is arranged for cutting the workpieces (I,II,III,IV) from a sheet metal blank, and a computer-controlled handling device (5) is connected to the cutting machine. The cutting machine is computer-controlled based on machine-related control data, and the handling device is computer-controlled using device-related control data. The device-related control data is generated based on relevant machine-related control data. The device-related control data refers to the location, geometry, and/or the weight of workpieces. An independent claim is included for a mechanical arrangement for implementing workpiece processing method.