Modular Vacuum Gripper Design to Reduce Manufacturing Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and high cost of manufacturing vacuum grippers for various applications with different constraints, such as variable part weights and sizes, make mass production challenging and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A modular vacuum gripper design featuring a first and second plate, framework members, assembly means, sealing means, and vacuum generation means, allowing for easy dimensioning and manufacturing by adapting the framework members and plates to specific application constraints, enabling efficient mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum grippers are customized for different gripping applications with varying constraints, then the gripping performance and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum gripper is divided into modular components including a plate, framework members, sealing means, and vacuum generation means. These segments can be independently manufactured and then assembled, allowing customization for different gripping applications while maintaining efficient production through standardized modular units
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized features that allow the same basic components to serve multiple gripping applications. The framework members and plates can be adapted to different configurations while maintaining compatibility, reducing the need for completely custom manufacturing for each application
2Reliability
If vacuum grippers are customized for different gripping applications with varying constraints, then the gripping performance and reliability are improved, but the production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the vacuum gripper into standardized modular components, each component can be manufactured independently using efficient mass production techniques. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing of components and rapid assembly, significantly reducing total production time while maintaining application-specific performance
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized framework members and plates are pre-manufactured with universal interfaces and mounting features. This preliminary preparation of modular components allows for rapid customization and assembly when specific gripping applications require different configurations, reducing lead time from days to hours
3Reliability
If vacuum grippers are customized for different gripping applications with varying constraints, then the gripping performance and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are designed with universal features and standardized interfaces that allow the same basic components to be used across multiple gripping applications. This universality enables economies of scale in manufacturing, as the same framework members, plates, and sealing means can be produced in large volumes and then configured for different applications, significantly reducing per-unit costs
Solution Approach 2:
Customization is achieved by changing parameters such as the dimensions of framework members, the number and arrangement of sealing elements, and the configuration of vacuum generation means, rather than redesigning the entire gripper. This parameter-based customization allows for application-specific performance while maintaining the same basic manufacturing processes and component types
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies the manufacturing process, reducing production time and cost while allowing for customization to specific gripping applications, facilitating efficient handling of parts of different weights and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum generation means adapted to suck out the air contained inside the vacuum gripper via the upstream orifice so as to generate a vacuum inside the vacuum gripper
Implementation Method 2
sealing means for preventing exchange of air between the inside of the vacuum gripper and the outside of the vacuum gripper other than via the upstream orifice and via the downstream orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A modular vacuum gripper having a first plate, a second plate provided with at least one downstream orifice, framework members, assembly device for assembling the first plate, the second plate and the framework members, at least one upstream orifice situated on one of the walls of the vacuum gripper, sealing device, vacuum generation device adapted to suck out the air contained inside the vacuum gripper via the upstream orifice, and at least one deformable element extending over the second plate so as to form a sealed contact surface with the part when the air contained inside the vacuum gripper is sucked out.