Machining Door Positioning for Lower-Energy Robot Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machining systems with automatic door operation for conveying workpieces suffer from poor energy saving performance due to the need for continuous actuator driving for opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A machining system with a controller that positions the door at a third position during conveyance, reducing the opening area to minimize energy consumption, and includes a conveyance device like a robot arm to operate through the opening, optimizing door operations for reduced energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is fully opened to allow conveyance device to operate, then the conveyance operation can be performed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door is opened only to the extent necessary for the conveyance device to operate, rather than being fully opened. The control unit opens the door to a third position that provides sufficient space for the conveyance device while minimizing the opening area, thereby reducing energy consumption while still enabling the conveyance operation.
2Ease of operation
If the door remains fully opened during conveyance, then access is improved, but energy saving performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door is positioned at a third position during conveyance that provides partial opening - sufficient for access and conveyance device operation, but not fully opened. This partial opening approach maintains necessary access while minimizing energy loss compared to full opening.
3Area of stationary object
If the door opens completely for conveyance, then the opening area is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit positions the door at a third position during conveyance that provides a smaller opening area than full opening. This partial opening is sufficient for the conveyance device to operate while minimizing the opening area and thereby reducing energy consumption.
4Productivity
If the door operates between fully closed and fully opened positions, then the door can perform conveyance, but energy saving performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The door operation is made dynamic with three distinct positions: fully closed (first position), partially opened (third position), and fully opened (second position). The control unit selectively positions the door at the third position during conveyance operations, enabling the conveyance function while improving energy saving performance through optimized door positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A machining system includes a cover body having an opening and defining a machining area of a workpiece, a door portion provided in the opening, an actuator that operates the door portion between a first position at which the opening is closed and a second position at which the opening is opened, a controller that controls the actuator, and a robot arm that operates through the opening to convey a workpiece between the machining area and an external area outside the machining area. The controller controls the actuator such that the door portion is positioned at a third position when the robot arm conveys the workpiece. An opening area of the opening when the door portion is positioned at the third position is smaller than an opening area of the opening when the door portion is positioned at the second position.