Pliable Vacuum Gripper for Composite Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for moving flexible composite materials often result in material draping and damage due to non-uniform suction cup distribution and rigidity, which hinders efficient manufacturing of large composite parts.
Innovation Solution
A pliable structure comprising a first and second impermeable layer, a flow media layer, and a core layer, which can be vacuum-locked to replicate the contour of a surface, thereby preventing shear slippage and material damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If suction cups are used to grip and hold flexible materials, then the materials can be moved, but the suction cups are not completely distributed across the entire surface resulting in material draping
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into multiple discrete suction elements distributed across the gripper surface, allowing each element to independently contact and hold the flexible material at different locations, preventing draping between single large suction cups
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper incorporates a flexible membrane that can conform to the surface contour of the flexible material being handled, allowing the suction elements to maintain contact with the material surface even when it has complex geometry, thus preventing material draping
2Ease of operation
If ridged suction cups are used to grip flexible materials, then the materials can be held, but the suction cups tend to result in some damage to the material
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper uses a flexible membrane instead of rigid ridged structures, allowing the surface to conform smoothly to the flexible material without creating stress concentration points that would cause damage, while still maintaining effective suction holding
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane can dynamically adapt its shape to match the contours of the flexible material being handled, distributing the holding force uniformly across the material surface and preventing localized damage
3Ease of operation
If vacuum bagging is used to hold flexible materials, then the materials can be secured, but air passageways are created that may allow material movement
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system is segmented into multiple small suction elements distributed across the surface, which can independently secure different portions of the flexible material, preventing movement even when air passageways exist between the segmented elements
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 pliable structure effectively replicates surface contours and prevents material slippage and damage during handling and processing, enhancing the efficiency and quality of composite material manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
drawing a vacuum from the pliable structure to lock the engagement surface of the pliable structure to the contour of the surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A pliable structure (100) includes a first impermeable layer (112), a second impermeable layer (120) opposed from the first impermeable layer (112) to at least partially define an internal volume (102) between the first impermeable layer (112) and the second impermeable layer (120), and a flow media layer (114) disposed in the internal volume.