Pallet Workpiece Separation Using Edge Clamps and Push-Up Reaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
With the increase in laser beam power, there is a higher likelihood of workpieces being welded to their supports, making it difficult to separate them using traditional raising/lowering units.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece separation device featuring a raising/lowering unit with string-like members, a separation unit with clamp units for holding workpiece edges, and a push-up unit to receive reaction forces from the pallet, allowing for reliable separation of workpieces even if they are welded to the supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional raising/lowering units are used to separate workpieces, then the device structure remains simple, but the separation reliability deteriorates when workpieces are welded to supports due to increased laser beam power
Solution Approach 1:
The separation unit is divided into multiple functional modules: first clamp unit, second clamp unit, and push-up unit with pusher. Each module performs a specific function in the separation process, allowing the system to reliably separate welded workpieces through coordinated action of segmented components rather than a single simple lifting mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher acts as an intermediary element between the push-up unit and the pallet. It transmits the pushing force to the pallet while receiving reaction force, enabling the clamp units to be pushed up and lift the workpiece edges without the lifting mechanism directly contacting the pallet
2Productivity
If laser beam power is increased to improve cutting performance, then the cutting efficiency is improved, but the workpiece welding to support becomes more likely increasing separation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of lifting the workpiece from the center or bottom as in traditional methods, this invention lifts the workpiece from its edges (first edge portion and second edge portion) using clamp units. This inverted approach to lifting allows the pusher to push up the clamps, which in turn lift the workpiece edges, effectively separating even welded workpieces while maintaining high cutting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The separation mechanism transitions from vertical lifting only to a combination of horizontal pushing (by the pusher against the pallet) and vertical lifting (by the pushed-up clamp units). This adds a dimensional aspect to the separation process, enabling reliable separation of welded workpieces without compromising cutting efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A workpiece separation device (93) includes: a raising/lowering unit (3) from which a plurality of string-like members (4) are hung down in such a way as to be raised and lowered synchronously; a separation unit (5) which is suspended by the plurality of string-like members (4); a pallet (7) which has a workpiece support (721G) on which a rectangular workpiece (Ws) is placed and is arranged below the separation unit (5); a first clamp unit (55) which is provided in the separation unit (5), and holds a first edge portion (Ws1) of the workpiece (Ws) placed on the workpiece support (721G); a second clamp unit (56) which holds a second edge portion (Ws2) of the workpiece (Ws) opposite to the first edge portion (Ws1); and a push-up unit (58) which receives a reaction force from the pallet (7) by pushing a pusher (584) onto the pallet (7), thereby pushing up the second clamp unit (56).