Orientable Suction Cup Workholding for Faster Panel Setup

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current machine tools for machining panels or flat workpieces require lengthy setup times, especially for small batches, leading to increased production costs due to the need for various adjustments of blocking members and workpiece holders.

Innovation Solution

The machine tool design includes adjustable suction cups on carriages that can rotate orthogonally to change their position, allowing for faster setup by positioning suction cups eccentrically along multiple sides of the carriages, and beams that can be adjusted in distance, facilitated by actuators and servo-assisted mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional blocking members and workpiece holders are used with multiple adjustments, then the workpieces can be securely blocked, but the setup time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece blocking stabilityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The suction cups are designed to automatically adapt to different workpiece positions and orientations through their ability to rotate and move along the beams, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of multiple blocking members. The system serves itself by using vacuum pressure to maintain secure blocking without requiring precise mechanical positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cups can change their operational parameters by rotating around their mounting axis and moving to different positions on the beams, allowing them to adapt to various workpiece shapes, sizes, and orientations. This parameter flexibility replaces the need for multiple fixed blocking members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple blocking members are positioned and adjusted for different workpiece configurations, then versatile machining is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece configuration flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of blocking members and adjustments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each suction cup is designed to perform multiple functions by moving to different positions on the beams and rotating to various orientations. A single suction cup can replace multiple fixed blocking members, as it can adapt to different workpiece configurations through its mobility and rotational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cups are mounted on movable carriages that can travel along the beams, making the blocking system dynamic rather than static. This allows the same suction cup to serve different positions and orientations, reducing the total number of blocking members needed while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If precise positioning of blocking members is performed manually, then machining precision is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece positioning accuracyVSAvoidmachining throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical adjustment of blocking members is replaced with a vacuum-based suction system that can quickly position and secure workpieces. The suction cups can be rapidly moved to different locations along the beams and activated to provide precise positioning without the time-consuming manual adjustment of mechanical clamps or blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design significantly reduces setup times and costs by enabling quicker adjustment of suction cups and beam positions, optimizing the blocking surface for various workpiece shapes and sizes, thus improving the efficiency of machining operations.

Implementation Method 1

on each carriage a suction cup is provided for blocking the workpieces to be machined

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11883873B2Machine tool with working surface defined by orientable suction cups

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 PAOLINO BACCI SRL

AI summary

The machine tool (1) having a work head (9) adapted to support a tool (21), a workpiece holder (30) having a two substantially parallel beams (31) arranged at a distance adjustable orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the beams, a carriage (35) on each beam (31) movable along the longitudinal extension of the beam (31), on each carriage (35) a suction cup (39) for blocking the workpieces (P) to be machined. The position of each suction cup (39) with respect to the carriage (35) onto which the cup is mounted is adjustable by rotating around an axis (D-D) which is substantially orthogonal to a blocking surface, for blocking the workpieces, defined by the suction cups (39). To each suction cup (39) an actuator (46, 48) is associated, controlling the rotation of the suction cup (39) with respect to the carriage (35) onto which the cup is mounted.