Packaging and Gripping Group for Flat Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging and gripping stations for flat articles, such as ceramic plates or tiles, lack flexibility and efficiency, requiring significant downtime for format changes and resulting in reduced productivity due to complex structures that hinder adaptation to different article sizes.
Innovation Solution
A packaging and gripping group that uses die-cut cardboard or sheets, aligned with guide rods, and a robotic system for precise alignment and folding, allowing for quick adaptation to various article sizes and formats through motorized belts and suction means, enabling efficient packaging and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex packaging station structure is used to handle different tile formats, then the packaging capability is improved, but the device complexity increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is designed to perform multiple functions: it can grasp tiles, position them, and fold packaging material. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate specialized mechanisms for each packaging operation, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility across different tile formats
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging station incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can dynamically adapt to different tile dimensions. The robotic system can modify its motion paths and the packaging mechanism can adjust its configuration based on the specific format being packaged, enabling flexibility without requiring a completely different structure for each format
2Manufacturing precision
If the packaging station is equipped for a specific tile format, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to format changes decreases and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed mechanical packaging mechanisms with a robotic arm that uses programmable motion control. This substitution allows the system to maintain high precision for each specific format through software control while easily adapting to new formats by updating motion parameters, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains packaging precision across different formats by changing operational parameters (such as robotic arm trajectories, gripper positions, and folding sequences) rather than changing the physical structure. This parameter-based adaptation allows quick format changes without compromising the precision achieved for each specific format
3Manufacturing precision
If the packaging station is stopped for format changes, then the manufacturing precision for new formats is ensured, but the productivity decreases due to line blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system pre-calculates and stores optimal motion paths and packaging sequences for different tile formats. When a format change is required, the system can quickly switch to pre-programmed parameters, eliminating the need for lengthy setup procedures and allowing format changes to be performed without stopping the production line
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging station is designed to operate continuously alongside the production line. The robotic arm can perform packaging operations without interrupting the flow of tiles, and format changes can be implemented through parameter updates rather than physical reconfiguration, maintaining continuous production and preventing line blocking
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
The solution significantly reduces packaging time, enhances flexibility, and increases production line productivity by allowing for rapid format changes without stopping the production line, ensuring precise alignment and centering for stable package formation.
Implementation Method 1
a suction means, arranged at a lower level, for holding a flat article or a stack of flat articles superimposed on each other
Data Source
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AI summary
A packaging and gripping group for obtaining a packaging through the folding of a blank (B) around an article (A), comprises a support frame (2), at least one pair of second beams (11) aligned parallel to each other along a first direction (X), each operatively slidably connected to a pair of first guides (8) of the support frame (2), in which the guides (8) are aligned along a second direction (Y), transverse to the first direction (X), folding elements (16) of the blank (B) slidably engaged along the second beams (11), first elements (21) for moving the pair of second beams (11) along the second direction (Y), and second elements (28) for moving the folding elements (16) along the first direction (X).