Modular Mover Fixture Mounting for Fast Cart Changeovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion control systems require multiple movers for each actuator, leading to inefficient use of track space and increased changeover time due to the need for different grippers or label applicators, which complicates the process and increases operational time.
Innovation Solution
A system with a mover equipped with a modular baseplate that can selectively mount multiple fixtures, utilizing electrical connectors, latching assemblies, and a fixture changeover station to facilitate quick changeovers between different tools or fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated movers are used for each actuator, then each actuator can be optimized for its specific function, but track space efficiency decreases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mover is designed with a universal baseplate that can accommodate multiple different fixtures including grippers, label applicators, and other actuators. This multi-functional design allows a single mover to perform various tasks by simply changing the mounted fixture, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated movers while maintaining actuator optimization through specialized fixture design
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated movers are used for each actuator, then each actuator can operate independently, but productivity decreases due to increased changeover time
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixtures are pre-configured and ready for mounting on the baseplate. When a changeover is needed, the system can quickly swap between pre-prepared fixtures without requiring complex setup or adjustment, significantly reducing changeover time while maintaining the ability to use different specialized actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system is segmented into modular fixtures that can be independently mounted and removed from the baseplate. This segmentation allows for rapid exchange of individual fixtures without affecting the mover or other components, enabling quick changeovers while maintaining actuator specialization
3Reliability
If multiple dedicated movers are used for each actuator, then system reliability can be maintained through redundancy, but loss of time increases due to mover repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuator functions are merged into a single mover through the modular fixture system. By combining multiple specialized fixtures that can be mounted on one mover, the system maintains functional redundancy and reliability while eliminating the need to reposition multiple separate movers, thus reducing time loss
Data Source
AI summary
A mover for an independent cart system includes a drive member for a linear drive system, a power source configured to supply electrical power to at least one device mounted on the mover, and a mounting plate secured to the mover. The mounting plate is configured to selectively receive one of multiple fixtures. The mounting plate includes at least one electrical connector configured to engage a complementary electrical connector on each of the fixtures, at least one connector configured to engage a complementary connector on each of the fixtures to positively retain each of the fixtures to the mounting plate, and a control circuit operative to either transfer at least one control signal to or receive at least one feedback signal from each of the fixtures.