Modular Workpiece and Tool Transport for Automated Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems for workpieces and tools in manufacturing processes face limitations in tool capacity, leading to increased downtime and costs due to manual intervention for tool changes and inefficient workflow organization.
Innovation Solution
A modular transport device with holders for workpieces and tools, allowing simultaneous transport and fixation, and a modular design for flexible configuration and easy access, reducing downtime and optimizing manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If tools are stored in magazines with limited capacity, then tool storage is simplified, but tool capacity is restricted and requires frequent manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into multiple compartments, each capable of holding tools or workpieces. This segmentation allows the system to carry a larger total number of tools across multiple compartments rather than requiring a single large magazine, thereby increasing effective tool capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from storing tools in a single-location magazine to distributing tools across multiple compartments that move through different zones. This spatial redistribution across dimensions allows increased tool capacity without proportionally increasing the complexity of a single storage structure
2Productivity
If manual tool changes are performed, then flexibility is maintained, but processing downtime increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Tools are pre-loaded into the transport system's compartments before the workpiece arrives at the processing station. This preliminary preparation allows for automatic or semi-automatic tool changes without requiring manual intervention during critical processing periods, thereby reducing downtime and increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system is designed to automatically deliver the required tool to the processing machine when needed, eliminating the need for manual tool retrieval and change operations. This self-service capability reduces processing downtime and maintains high manufacturing throughput
3Reliability
If workpieces are buffered in front of processing machines, then continuous processing is maintained, but space requirements increase and workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system merges the functions of tool transport and workpiece transport into a single integrated structure. By combining these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate buffering areas for workpieces, as the same transport infrastructure serves dual purposes, thereby maintaining continuous processing while reducing space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system is designed as a multi-functional unit that can carry both tools and workpieces through its various compartments. This universality allows the system to maintain continuous processing operations without requiring dedicated buffering spaces, as the transport device itself provides the necessary holding and delivery capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a transport device with at least one transport system for jointly transporting at least one tool and at least one workpiece, wherein the transport system has a ceiling wall, a floor wall spaced apart from the ceiling wall, at least one side wall and at least one intermediate space between the ceiling wall and the floor wall, and wherein the intermediate space has at least one opening. In order to enable simultaneous and safe transport of one or more workpieces together with the tools required for machining and thus in particular to reduce downtimes of machining machines as well as costs, the ceiling wall or a cover plate connected therewith as well as the at least one intermediate space each have at least one holder, wherein the at least two holders are set up to receive the at least one workpiece and/or the at least one tool.