Modular Assembly Table with Linear Actuators for Fixture Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing industry faces high costs and inflexibility due to customized industrial machinery fixtures and tooling, which are often specific to a particular operation or workpiece, making it costly to change or transfer equipment between facilities.
Innovation Solution
A modular assembly table with a support structure, guide rods, linear actuators, and programmable controllers allows for easy adjustment and replacement of fixtures and tooling, enabling the same equipment to be used for various workpieces and processes without the need for rebuilding or replacing the surrounding machinery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If customized fixtures and tooling are used for specific operations and workpieces, then manufacturing precision and operation effectiveness are improved, but equipment adaptability and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the support structure into modular components including multiple guide rods, interchangeable fixtures, and independently controllable linear actuators. Each component can be separately adjusted or replaced, allowing the system to maintain precision for specific operations while adapting to different workpieces and processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure with multiple guide rods and interchangeable fixtures serves multiple functions - it can accommodate different types of fixtures, support various workpieces, and perform multiple manufacturing operations. The programmable controller enables the same hardware configuration to serve different operational requirements, eliminating the need for completely customized equipment for each operation.
2Productivity
If customized fixtures and tooling are used for specific operations, then operation effectiveness is improved, but loss of time for equipment replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates linear actuators that can dynamically adjust the position and configuration of fixtures during operation. The programmable controller enables rapid repositioning and reconfiguration of the modular components, allowing quick transitions between different operations without requiring complete equipment replacement or lengthy setup times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters through programmable control of linear actuators, which can rapidly adjust fixture positions, heights, and configurations. This allows the same physical equipment to adapt to different operations by changing control parameters rather than physical hardware, significantly reducing equipment replacement time while maintaining operation effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If customized fixtures and tooling are used for specific operations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure with interchangeable fixtures and programmable control serves multiple manufacturing operations with a single equipment configuration. This eliminates the need to manufacture and purchase completely separate customized equipment for each operation, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to achieve precise manufacturing results through properly selected and positioned fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the system to use only the specific fixtures and components needed for each operation rather than requiring complete customized equipment sets. This selective use of modular components reduces overall manufacturing costs while maintaining manufacturing precision through the use of appropriate specialized fixtures for each specific operation.
4Reliability
If equipment is customized for specific company specifications, then reliability for that company's operations is improved, but adaptability to transfer to other facilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure with standardized guide rods, interchangeable fixtures, and programmable control creates a universal platform that can be configured to meet different company specifications while maintaining operational reliability. The same equipment can be transferred to different facilities and reconfigured through programmable control to satisfy various operational requirements, eliminating the problem of equipment being locked to a single company's specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular assembly table for supporting industrial fixtures and tooling for manufacturing and assembling various workpieces. The modular assembly table may provide a support structure having a base and an upright framing structure connected to the base. At least one guide rod is connected to and supported by the support structure. A fixture plate and an extension plate may be slidably connected to the at least one guide rod. A rigid connector is attached to the fixture plate and the extension plate for maintaining a predetermined distance between the fixture plate and the extension plate. At least one linear actuator may be connected to the support structure and the fixture plate for linearly adjusting the position of the fixture plate on the at least one guide rod.