Multiaxle Robot Transport Unit for Press Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport units for sheet-metal parts between machining devices, such as presses, have limited kinematics and require complex telescopic carriage arrangements to achieve the necessary extension length and small width for efficient operation, making them inflexible and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A multiaxle robot with a gripping tool and flexible kinematics, allowing for eight or more separately controllable axes, enabling high movability, flexibility, and adaptation to various machining devices and setups, with the ability to raise, lower, and reorient workpieces along a straight or curved track, and rotate them for safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a telescopic carriage arrangement is used to achieve extension length and small width, then the transport unit can mesh with presses on both sides, but the kinematics becomes limited and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The transport unit is divided into multiple independent robot axes (eight or more separately controllable axes) that can be individually controlled to achieve the required extension length and positioning, replacing the complex telescopic carriage arrangement with segmented robotic movement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static telescopic carriage structure to a dynamic multiaxle robot system where each axis can be independently positioned and controlled, providing flexible adaptation to different machining devices and setup conditions through reprogramming rather than physical reconfiguration
2Area of stationary object
If the robot hand remains outside the press, then the opening width requirement is reduced, but the gripping tool needs additional extension length to reach inside
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping tool is positioned in a different spatial dimension (outside the press) while the robot's multiple axes provide the necessary reach through coordinated movement in multiple directions, transforming a one-dimensional extension problem into a multi-dimensional positioning solution that reduces the required opening width
3Productivity
If the telescopic carriage width is reduced for problem-free placing in free space, then the press cycle is accelerated, but the extension length for meshing with presses is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning of multiple robot axes to achieve the required extension length only when needed for meshing with presses, while maintaining a compact configuration during transport between presses, thus accelerating the press cycle without compromising the extension capability
Data Source
AI summary
A transport unit (1) is provided for workpieces (2), in particular sheet metal parts, between neighboring placement areas or machining devices (3, 4), in particular presses. The transport unit (1) includes a multi-axis robot (5) having a gripper tool (9). A controllable transfer unit (6) is also provided that is guided by the robot (5). The unit includes an advancement unit (7) and a pivot unit (8) for the gripper tool (9).