Mobile Workpiece Transfer Platform for Automated Machine Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyance devices for industrial machinery, particularly machine tools, are not suitable for automating the loading and unloading of a wide variety of workpieces and large or heavy tools, as they require human operation and cannot adapt to different orientations and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance system comprising a moving platform, transfer device, and robot, controlled by a controller, which can engage, extract, and convey objects to industrial machinery, using mechanisms for advancing, retracting, turning, and raising/lowering to accommodate various orientations and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a forklift with an arm is used to handle irregularly shaped loads, then the ability to grasp and transport various objects is improved, but the extent of automation remains insufficient as it requires manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance system integrates multiple functional components (conveyance device with moving platform, transfer device with engagement member, and robot) into a single automated system that can handle various objects including irregularly shaped loads, replacing the need for manual forklift operation while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated self-service operation where the controller coordinates the conveyance device, transfer device, and robot to automatically extract, convey, and load objects without human intervention, achieving full automation while maintaining the ability to handle diverse object types
2Ease of operation
If a forklift is used for manual loading and unloading operations, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity and efficiency are limited by manual operation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The automated conveyance system enables continuous operation where the moving platform continuously transports objects between the conveyance device and industrial machinery, eliminating idle time and manual operation interruptions, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that coordinates mechanical components (conveyance device, transfer device, robot), substituting human labor with automated mechanisms to improve efficiency while maintaining the flexibility to handle various loading scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a conveyance device (41) having a moving platform (43), a transfer device (45) and a robot (70) arranged on the moving platform (43), and a controller (80). The transfer device (45) has an engagement member (50) engageable with an object (W) to be conveyed and an advancing and retracting mechanism advancing and retracting the engagement member (50). The controller (80) executes a first moving operation of moving the moving platform (43) to a working position for a holding device (20), an engaging operation of engaging the engagement member (50) with the object (W) by causing the advancing and retracting mechanism to advance the engagement member (50), and an extracting operation of extracting the object (W) from the holding device (20) by causing the advancing and retracting mechanism to retract the engagement member (50), and then executes a second moving operation of moving the moving platform (43) to a working position for an industrial machinery (10), a loading operation of loading the object (W) into the industrial machinery (10) by causing the advancing and retracting mechanism to advance the engagement member (50), and a retracting operation of causing the advancing and retracting mechanism to retract the engagement member (50).