Magazine Loading Device with Fill-Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for supplying pre-cut or pre-folded cardboard plates to box-forming stations are often manual and inefficient, leading to overloading and limitations in handling a wide range of plate dimensions and configurations.
Innovation Solution
An automated and autonomous loading device equipped with a manipulator, gripping tool, and actuator that can detect the state of the magazine and adapt to various plate sizes, capable of processing batches and cutting links between plates to facilitate efficient and versatile supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual supply of plates is used, then the operator can work on other machines in parallel, but the magazine may be overloaded and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The loading device is equipped with detection means that enable it to autonomously monitor the magazine's filling state and trigger loading operations without human intervention. The device serves itself by detecting when plates are needed and automatically replenishing the magazine, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and loading while preventing overload conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection means continuously monitors the magazine's plate inventory and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust its operation dynamically, triggering plate loading only when the magazine level drops below a threshold, thereby preventing both overload and underload conditions while maximizing operator productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed loading device is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot handle a wide range of plate dimensions and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping tool is designed with adjustable parameters including variable grip positions and adaptable gripping forces. The actuator can dynamically adjust the tool's position and orientation to accommodate different plate sizes and configurations. This dynamic adaptability allows a single device structure to handle diverse plate types without requiring multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading device incorporates a universal gripping tool that can handle various plate dimensions, batch configurations, and link types through a single integrated design. The tool's adjustable parameters and detection capabilities enable it to perform multiple functions across different plate configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized loading devices while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Extent of automation
If automated loading is implemented, then manual labor is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means enables the device to autonomously determine when loading is needed by monitoring the magazine's plate inventory. The control unit automatically triggers the actuator and gripping tool to perform loading operations without human intervention. This self-service capability achieves high automation while keeping the device structure relatively simple by using only essential components with intelligent control logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a loading device (1) for successively supplying cardboard plates (3) to a processing station (4) for folding said plates (3) in order to form packaging boxes, said processing station (4) having a magazine (5) for receiving the successive plates (3), possibly grouped into batches (2), said device having, for its part, a manipulator (6) comprising, on the one hand, a gripping tool (7) for grasping said plates (3), and, on the other hand, an actuator (8) for moving the tool (7) between a stock (9) of plates (3) and the receiving magazine (5) of the station (4).This device is characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a detection means (10) for detecting the fill level of the magazine (5), and, on the other hand, a control unit (11) that controls the action of the device and receives the detection information from the detection means (10). This control unit (11) is independent of the control of the station (4) and is programmable to adapt the operation of the loading device (1) to the type of plates (3) being processed. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.