Passive Pickup Tooling for Fast Reconfiguration of 2D Workpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooling systems for picking up two-dimensional workpieces are often complex, heavy, and require manual reconfiguration, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when handling lightweight workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A tooling system with passively movable arms along a linear path, where the arm positions are fixed using external forces and adjustable clamping units, allowing for rapid and automatic reconfiguration without the need for a drive system, and featuring vacuum suction cups or other holding elements for secure gripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex tooling system with drive mechanisms is used to enable reconfiguration, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed to be passively movable, allowing them to be repositioned along the linear movement path without requiring drive mechanisms on the arms themselves. The passive design allows external forces to move the arms while fixing apparatus secures them in position, reducing complexity while maintaining reconfiguration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system is extracted from the tooling structure itself and replaced with external forcing mechanisms. This separation removes complex drive mechanisms from the tooling, reducing its weight and complexity while preserving the ability to reconfigure by applying external forces
2Productivity
If manual reconfiguration is used to adapt tooling to different workpieces, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tooling employs dynamically adjustable arms that can be freely moved along a linear movement path and fixed at various positions using fixing apparatus. This dynamic positioning capability allows rapid adaptation to different workpiece configurations without time-consuming manual assembly or disassembly
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific toolings are provided for different workpieces, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance and storage requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The tooling is designed as a universal system with multiple passively movable arms that can be positioned and fixed at various locations along a linear path. This multi-functional design allows a single tooling to handle multiple different workpiece types and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated toolings and reducing storage requirements
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 system is lightweight, cost-effective, and allows for quick adaptation to different workpieces, reducing the need for multiple tooling configurations and eliminating the requirement for complex setup devices, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing storage needs.
Implementation Method 1
The arms are movable passively relative to the main body along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm, and the tooling comprises, for each of the arms a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm along the movement path is fixable
Implementation Method 2
featuring vacuum suction cups or other holding elements for secure gripping
Data Source
AI summary
Tooling (100) for picking up two-dimensional workpieces comprises a main body (110) and a plurality of holding elements (131, 132) arranged on the main body (110), wherein the holding elements (131, 132) are movable relative to the main body (110) independently of one another. Each of the holding elements (131, 132) is fastened in an end region of an arm (121.1 . . . 10, 122.1 . . . 10). The arms (121, 122) are movable passively relative to the main body (110) along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm (121, 122). The tooling (100) comprises, for each of the arms (121, 122) a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm (121, 122) along the movement path is fixable. On account of its passive character, the tooling (100) according to the invention is lightweight and can be produced cost-effectively. Compared with fixedly configured tooling, reduced costs arise on account of the configurability, because different types of tooling do not have to be kept available and provided. The storage area for replacement tooling is saved, and also an automatic tooling changing station or a manual tooling change become superfluous. As a result of the geometry according to the invention, the tooling (100) can be set easily, no complex movements and accordingly no complicated setting devices (for example multiaxial robots) are necessary.