Multi-Gripper Tray Handling for Faster Panel Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tray loading and unloading systems are inefficient, leading to prolonged process times in handling electronic components like display panels and printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involves transporting trays, gripping and loading them on multiple plates simultaneously, and extracting panels while preparing empty trays for discharge, utilizing multiple grippers and lifting mechanisms to optimize tray handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single gripper is used to load trays sequentially on multiple plates, then the device complexity is reduced, but the process time increases due to sequential operations
Solution Approach 1:
The single gripper operation is segmented into multiple independent grippers (first gripper and second gripper) that operate simultaneously on different trays. This segmentation allows parallel execution of tray loading operations, reducing the overall process time while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular gripper design
Solution Approach 2:
The second gripper performs preliminary actions by loading the second tray on the second plate in advance, before the first gripper completes loading the first tray. This preliminary action enables overlapping of operations, where tray preparation and panel extraction can occur concurrently, thereby reducing total process time
2Ease of operation
If trays are loaded and panels extracted sequentially, then the operation simplicity is maintained, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that while the first gripper loads the first tray and panel extraction occurs, the second gripper simultaneously loads the second tray in preparation for the next extraction. This continuous overlapping of loading and extraction operations eliminates idle time and maximizes productivity while keeping operational procedures relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The second tray is loaded in advance by the second gripper before it is needed for panel extraction. This preliminary action allows the extraction process to proceed without waiting for tray loading, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining operational simplicity through pre-positioning of trays
Data Source
AI summary
A method of loading and unloading a tray includes: transporting trays, on which a panel is disposed; gripping a first tray among the trays and loading the first tray on a first plate; gripping the first tray loaded on the first plate and loading the first tray on a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, while simultaneously gripping a second tray different from the first tray among the trays; extracting the panel from the first tray loaded on the second plate; and recovering empty trays, from which the panel is extracted.