Robotic Strapping Machine with Pivoting Head and Movable Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strapping machines are limited in their ability to automatically strap multiple coils of material and struggle with large coils, requiring manual intervention which is time-consuming and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A strapping system mounted on a robotic arm with a frame, strapping head, and adjustable track sections that form a chute to guide and tension the strapping material around objects, allowing for automatic strapping with pivotable components for versatile orientation and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual strapping is used for multiple coils, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption and operational difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The strapping head is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot mechanism that allows it to change orientation between vertical and horizontal positions. The track sections are also made movable to adapt to different coil sizes and configurations. This dynamic adaptability enables the automated system to handle various strapping scenarios that previously required manual intervention, thereby maintaining flexibility while dramatically improving productivity.
2Device complexity
If fixed configuration strap guides are used, then machine simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different orientations and sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using completely fixed strap guides, the invention introduces selectively movable track sections that can be positioned to accommodate different coil sizes and orientations. The strapping head itself is made pivotable to change between vertical and horizontal orientations. These dynamic elements are integrated into a relatively simple overall machine structure, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving adaptability to different strapping requirements.
3Productivity
If automated strapping system is implemented, then productivity is improved, but ability to handle large coils and multiple coils simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The strapping system is divided into modular components including separate track sections (first, second, third, and fourth tracks) that can be independently positioned and configured. The strapping head is also a separate modular unit that can pivot to different orientations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for handling large coils while working together to provide fully automated operation, thereby maintaining high productivity while improving the ability to handle large and multiple coils.
Data Source
AI summary
A strapping system is mountable to an end effector of a robotic arm for automatically applying strapping to an object. The strapping system has:a frame; a strapping head mounted to the frame; a fixed vertical track section mounted to the frame; a lower track section mounted to the frame below the strapping head; an upper track section mounted to the frame above the strapping head; and, a movable track section mounted to a distal end of one of the upper or lower track sections.The movable track section is movable from a first open position to a second closed position, and cooperates with the lower track section, the upper track section and the vertical track section when in the second closed position to form a chute for advancing strapping around the object.