Non-rigid material multi-frame manufacturing apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Non-rigid materials, when processed in a tensioned state, often result in manufactured articles with deformities and waste due to their stretchability, making it cumbersome to handle large sections in assembly-line manufacturing systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-frame manufacturing apparatus with movement mechanisms allowing horizontal and vertical movement, and gripping mechanisms to secure non-rigid materials in a non-tensioned state, enabling efficient processing and reducing material distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-rigid materials are processed in a tensioned state to enable movement through processing stations, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to material stretch and deformities
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with movable components including a movable wall portion that can shift between positions, and a movable gripping mechanism that can adjust its position dynamically. This allows the frame to adapt its configuration during material processing, enabling the material to move through processing stations while maintaining proper tension control and preventing permanent deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism can change its gripping force parameters dynamically - applying sufficient force to hold material in place during stationary processing, then releasing or reducing force to allow material movement between stations. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between needing tension for movement and avoiding tension-induced deformation.
2Productivity
If large sections of non-rigid material are handled to reduce setup time, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome handling
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is divided into multiple wall portions including fixed and movable segments. This segmentation allows large material sections to be processed in organized portions, with each wall portion independently positioned and adjusted. The movable wall portion can be shifted to accommodate material loading and processing, making large material handling more manageable while maintaining productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the gripping mechanism is designed to securely hold material, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wall portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the frame, enables material loading access, facilitates material transfer between stations, and assists in positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining gripping precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism is integrated within the frame structure, with gripping components nested within or attached to the wall portions. This nested arrangement allows the gripping mechanism to utilize the frame's movement capabilities without requiring entirely separate actuation systems, thus improving precision while controlling complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Aspects hereof relate to a multi-frame manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing articles from non-rigid materials and methods for manufacturing articles utilizing a multi-frame manufacturing apparatus. The multi-frame manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of discrete frames (102, 104, 1202, 1204), each frame including a movement mechanism (130, 132, 1230, 1232) that enables it to move between sequentially arranged processing stations. Each movement mechanism permits substantially horizontal movement forward and backward. The movement mechanism for at least one of the frames (102, 104, 1202, 1204) permits substantially vertical movement both up and down. Actuation of the movement mechanisms for at least two frames (102, 104, 1202, 1204) may permit the frames (102, 1202) to switch their relative positions. Each frame (102) additionally includes at least one gripping mechanism (142) for temporarily securing non-rigid material (162) in place on the framed for processing.