Intermediate Part Buffering for Faster Laser Cutting Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tools, such as laser cutting machines, face challenges in sorting cut parts efficiently within the required machining time due to increased performance, leading to potential delays where the machine may have to wait for the sorting system to catch up.
Innovation Solution
A sorting system comprising a controller, a gripper, and an intermediate store, where the gripper moves cut parts to the intermediate store, which can then be moved to a storage location, reducing travel distances and time by stacking parts before transporting them en masse, utilizing a carrier element with rail movement and telescopic arms for efficient positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sorting system transports each cut part individually to the storage location, then the parts are sorted accurately, but the sorting time increases and the machine tool may have to wait
Solution Approach 1:
The sorting system is divided into two functional segments: a gripper for picking up cut parts and an intermediate store for temporary storage. This segmentation allows the gripper to quickly deposit parts in the intermediate store without traveling to the final storage location, reducing sorting time while maintaining accuracy through controlled deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate store serves as a preliminary storage location where cut parts are temporarily deposited before being transported to the final storage location. This preliminary action separates the picking operation from the final transport operation, allowing the machine tool to continue operating while parts are staged for later removal.
2Productivity
If the gripper travels to each cut part and transports it individually to the storage location, then complete sorting is achieved, but the travel distance and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transport function is extracted from the gripper and assigned to a separate transport mechanism that operates independently. The gripper only performs the quick picking and depositing actions, while the intermediate store and transport mechanism handle the movement to storage location, significantly reducing the gripper's travel time and increasing sorting throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate store acts as an intermediary between the gripper and the final storage location. It receives parts from the gripper and holds them until the transport mechanism is ready to move them to storage, decoupling the picking operation from the transport operation and enabling parallel processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sorting system waits for all cut parts to be sorted before the machine tool can proceed, then complete sorting is ensured, but the machine tool efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool maintains continuous useful action by not waiting for the sorting system to complete all operations. The intermediate store allows the machine tool to continue producing cut parts while the sorting system operates in parallel to remove and store the finished parts, ensuring both sorting completeness and machine efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sorting system (100) for a machine tool for separating parts, in particular a laser cutting machine (200), having a gripper (110) that can be moved over a workpiece region (30) and is configured to receive cut parts (10) from the workpiece region (30), and an intermediate store (120) that can be moved over the workpiece region (30) and is configured to receive cut parts (10) from the gripper (110) and to unload the cut parts (10) into a store (40).