Movable Robot Workpiece Supply for Multiple Machine Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece supply systems face high equipment costs and inefficiencies, particularly when dealing with multiple machine tools, as they often require multiple robots or struggle with handling complex workpiece shapes, leading to excessive equipment costs and operational obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece supply system comprising a robot mount carriage and a workpiece storage carriage, both manually movable, which are associated using positional markers or identifiers, allowing a single robot to efficiently supply workpieces to multiple target devices without the need for complex automation, thus reducing costs and operational hindrances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robot is fixedly arranged for each machine tool to enable automatic workpiece supply, then automation capability is improved, but equipment cost increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed to serve multiple machine tools through movable carriage configuration, allowing a single robot to perform workpiece supply operations for several different machine tools rather than requiring dedicated robots for each tool
Solution Approach 2:
The robot mount carriage and workpiece storage carriage are designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling the robot to dynamically reposition itself to serve different machine tools as needed, transforming a static one-to-one configuration into a dynamic one-to-many configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If a self-propelled robot with autonomous traveling capability is used to handle multiple machine tools, then versatility is improved, but equipment cost increases due to automated guided vehicle requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The movable carriage serves as an intermediary mechanism that enables the robot to move between machine tools without requiring complex self-propelled autonomous traveling capabilities, achieving versatility through a simpler mechanical transportation approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex automated guided vehicle systems with a simpler manually movable carriage mechanism, substituting advanced autonomous navigation technology with basic mechanical mobility to achieve the same versatility at lower cost
3Productivity
If a fixed robot is installed for automatic workpiece supply, then productivity is improved, but it becomes an obstacle that adversely affects operator work
Solution Approach 1:
The movable carriage configuration allows the robot system to be dynamically repositioned or removed from the workspace when not in use, eliminating the permanent obstruction problem while maintaining productivity benefits during automatic operation periods
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece supply system for supplying a workpiece to a target device includes: a robot mount carriage including a manually-moved carriage having a plurality of wheels, a robot mounted on the carriage, and a controller controlling the robot; and a manually-moved workpiece storage carriage having a plurality of wheels and including a workpiece storage storing the workpiece. One of the robot mount carriage and workpiece storage carriage includes one of a pair of associators for associating them with each other, and the other of the robot mount carriage and workpiece storage carriage includes the other of the pair of associators. The pair of associators consists of a camera provided on the robot and an identifier provided on the workpiece storage carriage or consists of an engaged body provided on one of the robot and workpiece storage carriage and an engaging body provided on the other of the robot and workpiece storage carriage.