Nested Stamped Parts Rotation Apparatus for Damage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-part sheet metal stamping processes do not provide individualized post-stamping processes for nested parts, leading to potential damage during conveyor transport and sorting, particularly affecting projecting legs or tabs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for rotating an inner stamped part nested within an outer part using a pair of grippers positioned at opposite edges, allowing the inner part to be gripped, rotated about an axis, and released, enabling selective orientation to prevent damage during post-stamping processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple parts are nested together within a single sheet of sheet metal feedstock using a single press stroke, then process efficiency is enhanced, but damage-prone regions of nested parts become vulnerable to damage during post-stamping processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the orientation and position of nested parts before they enter conveyor or sorting processes. By identifying damage-prone regions in advance, the system can pre-rotate parts to optimal orientations, ensuring that vulnerable areas like projecting legs or tabs are protected during subsequent handling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotation and orientation of individual nested parts based on real-time detection of their specific geometries and damage-prone features. Rather than treating all parts uniformly, the system applies dynamic, part-specific orientation adjustments to protect vulnerable regions during post-stamping processes
2Reliability
If individualized post-stamping processes are applied to each nested part, then damage to projecting legs or tabs is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal multi-functional apparatus that can detect, rotate, and orient any nested part regardless of its specific geometry or damage-prone features. This single versatile system replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized processes for different part types, achieving individualized protection without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables nested parts to effectively protect themselves by automatically detecting their own damage-prone regions and autonomously rotating them to protective orientations. The parts' vulnerability information is self-detected through imaging systems, and the rotation is self-applied through automated grippers, eliminating the need for manual intervention or overly complex external control systems
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for rotating an inner stamped part with respect to an outer stamped part is provided. The inner stamped part is nested within an aperture formed within the outer stamped part. The apparatus includes a plurality of grippers that include at least a first gripper positioned at a first edge of the inner stamped part and a second gripper positioned at a second edge of the inner stamped part opposite to the first edge. The plurality of grippers is configured to grip the inner stamped part at the first edge and the second edge, respectively. The plurality of grippers is further configured to rotate the gripped inner stamped part about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation intersects the first gripper and the second gripper. The plurality of grippers is also configured to open to release the inner stamped part.