Modular Prismatic Support Module for Flexible Manufacturing Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Processing systems lack flexibility in adapting to diverse product-specific requirements due to inflexible mounting systems, making it difficult to efficiently route supply lines and arrange manufacturing and assembly components.
Innovation Solution
A modular mounting system with a prismatic, hollow block design featuring a predetermined fastening grid and access holes, allowing for flexible arrangement and connection of identical modules in various configurations, such as series, corner, or T-arrangements, to accommodate different manufacturing and assembly components while maintaining a consistent fastening grid dimension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common machine frame with a hole pattern is used to mount NC modules, then the structure is simple and rigid, but the flexibility to adapt to different product requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate, interchangeable mounting modules that can be independently selected and positioned. Each module is a self-contained unit with standardized fastening points, allowing the system to be segmented into functional units that can be reconfigured based on specific production requirements without redesigning the entire mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting modules are designed with universal fastening grids and standardized interfaces that can accommodate different types of manufacturing and assembly components. The same module design can be used across multiple positions and configurations, providing multi-functionality while maintaining structural simplicity through repetition of proven designs.
2Ease of operation
If supply lines are routed externally to connect manufacturing components, then installation is simple, but space usage is inefficient and the system appears cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
Supply lines are routed through hollow cavities within the mounting modules, nesting the cable management system inside the structural components. This eliminates the need for separate external cable trays or conduits, as the mounting modules themselves provide protected pathways for power, data, and fluid lines, thereby saving space while maintaining ease of connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting modules serve as intermediary structures that mediate between the external environment and the internal component connections. By providing integrated cable access points and internal routing paths, the modules act as intermediaries that organize supply lines efficiently, reducing the need for complex external routing while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance.
3Ease of manufacture
If mounting holes are positioned at standard intervals from edges, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to create flexible mounting patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting modules incorporate locally optimized fastening point distributions, where different regions of the module have different hole patterns tailored to specific mounting requirements. This allows standard manufacturing processes to be used while creating non-uniform, application-specific mounting patterns that maximize adaptability for different component types and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting modules are pre-configured with optimized fastening point patterns during manufacturing, allowing users to directly mount components without performing additional hole positioning or modification. The preliminary arrangement of fastening points accommodates various component geometries and mounting requirements, providing flexibility while eliminating the need for custom drilling or adaptation work at the installation site.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a support module for production components and/or assembly components (50) of a processing unit, characterized in that it is formed at least approximately in a prismatic, preferably cuboidal manner and, on at least one side face (3, 5, 7) of the prism, has a predetermined fastening grid of prepared fastening points (31), more particularly fastening holes and/or fastening pins and/or fastening hooks, for attaching the components (50, 52, 54, 56, 62, 66, 68), and in that it also has means for fixing it to a base frame (37) or the like of the processing unit, wherein the support module (1) is configured such that it can be joined together with at least one identical support module (1) to form a modular support system. The invention also relates to a processing unit having a support module.