Porous Facesheet Pick-and-Place for Sag-Free Composite Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pick and place systems for composite materials with low stiffness, such as uncured composites, experience sagging during transfer due to insufficient support, leading to inaccurate placement and imaging difficulties for machine vision systems.
Innovation Solution
A pick and place system utilizing a porous facesheet secured to a backing plate, with a flow generator providing air flow through the facesheet to evenly support the material, reducing sagging and enhancing machine vision accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a grid of suction cups is used to pick up and transport uncured composite material, then the material can be handled automatically, but the material sags during transfer due to insufficient support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous facesheet as the holding surface that allows uniform air flow through it, creating distributed suction across the entire material surface. This porous structure provides continuous support to prevent sagging while maintaining automated handling capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a vacuum system with a flow generator that directs air flow through the porous facesheet to create uniform suction. This pneumatic approach replaces discrete suction cups with continuous distributed suction, preventing material sag during automated transfer.
2Device complexity
If discrete suction cups are used to support the material, then the system structure is simpler, but machine vision imaging is difficult due to lack of visual backdrop
Solution Approach 1:
The porous facesheet provides a visually distinct backdrop that enhances machine vision imaging. The uniform porous texture creates sufficient contrast for vision systems to detect material edges and positioning, while the overall system structure remains relatively simple.
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 effectively minimizes sagging and improves material placement accuracy by providing uniform support and a visually distinct backdrop for machine vision systems, enabling precise localization and handling of composite materials.
Implementation Method 1
The flow generator is configured to provide an air flow through the porous facesheet. The air flow is drawn evenly through the porous facesheet. The sheet of material is picked up using the air flow through the porous facesheet.
Implementation Method 2
The air flow is drawn evenly through the porous facesheet
Data Source
AI summary
A pick and place system and methods of use are presented. The pick and place system comprises a backing plate, a porous facesheet, and a flow generator. The backing plate is configured to direct air flow within the pick and place system. The porous facesheet is secured to the backing plate. The flow generator is configured to provide an air flow between the backing plate and the porous facesheet.