Handling Device for Simultaneous Feeder Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for exchanging component feeders at pick and place stations are inefficient and costly, requiring multiple drives and sequential handling of feeders, which hampers productivity and increases downtime.
Innovation Solution
A handling device with a single y-direction drive and multiple coupling devices allows for simultaneous removal and addition of multiple component feeders, eliminating the need for additional drives and enabling rapid, cost-effective exchange of multiple feeders at once.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple component feeders are exchanged sequentially using a single drive, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to longer exchange time
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coupling devices are merged onto a single movable drive component, allowing simultaneous engagement with multiple component feeders. This combines the functionality of multiple drives into one, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to exchange multiple feeders at the same time, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single movable drive component is designed with universal coupling capability through multiple coupling devices, enabling it to handle multiple component feeders simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows one drive to perform the work of multiple drives, maintaining high exchange rates while simplifying the overall system.
2Productivity
If multiple coupling devices are attached to a single movable drive component, then the productivity increases through simultaneous feeder exchange, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into multiple independent coupling devices, each capable of independently engaging with a component feeder. This segmentation allows each coupling device to operate autonomously while being mounted on a single movable drive, enabling simultaneous feeder exchange without requiring a complex multi-drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling devices are designed with dynamic actuation capabilities, allowing them to engage and disengage from component feeders independently through individual actuators. This dynamic design enables flexible and simultaneous control of multiple coupling devices on a single movable drive, achieving high productivity while managing complexity through standardized actuation mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If manual splicing of component belts is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity decreases and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic component feeder exchange without requiring manual intervention for belt splicing. The handling device with multiple coupling devices automatically engages with component feeders, transports them, and replaces them as needed, allowing the system to service itself by maintaining continuous component supply without operator involvement, thus eliminating downtime while keeping device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A handling device (100) for automatically exchanging component feeders (390) at a pick and place station (4000) for assembling component carriers with electronic components is described. The handling device (100) comprises (a) a chassis (110); (b) a drive (120) with a stationary drive component (122) attached to the chassis (110) and a movable drive component (126) which can be spatially positioned along a y-direction; (c) a first coupling device (130a) which is attached to the movable drive component (126) and which has a first coupling element (234) and a first actuator (232); (d) a second coupling device (130b), which is also attached to the movable drive component (126) and which comprises a second coupling element (234) and a second actuator (232); and (e) a control device (102), which is configured to individually actuate the first actuator (232) and to individually actuate the second actuator (232). The first coupling element (234) is configured to couple with a first component feeder (190a) when the first actuator (232) is actuated, and the second coupling element (234) is configured to couple with a second component feeder (190b) when the second actuator (232) is actuated. Furthermore, a robotic system (150) with such a handling device (100) is described.