Robotic Transfer Device for Simultaneous Pulp Mold Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic arms for pulp molding production can only perform one action at a time, such as transferring a wet blank or taking/releasing a product, resulting in lower production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a wet blank transfer mold featuring a closed air chamber, inward concave matching cavities with communicating holes, and vacuum suction cups, allowing simultaneous transfer and taking/releasing of products without moving the robotic arm, connected to a vacuumizing system for efficient material handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional transfer mold jig is used for transferring wet blanks or taking/releasing products, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but only one action can be performed at a time resulting in lower production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wet blank transfer function and the product taking/releasing function into a single integrated transfer device. The transfer mold is equipped with both vacuum suction cups for gripping wet blanks and a lifting mechanism for taking/releasing products, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously by the same device rather than requiring separate tools for each operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can transfer wet blanks using vacuum suction cups, take products from the mold using the lifting mechanism, and release products at the destination. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized tools, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If sequential operations are used for transferring wet blanks and taking/releasing products, then the device structure remains simple, but the production efficiency is reduced due to inability to perform actions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device enables continuous operation by performing wet blank transfer and product taking/releasing actions simultaneously rather than sequentially. The vacuum suction cups engage wet blanks while the lifting mechanism takes products at the same time, eliminating idle time between operations and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the transfer cycle.
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
This solution enables simultaneous transfer and taking/releasing of products, significantly improving production efficiency while maintaining a simple structure and low manufacturing costs, enhancing the overall production line efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting mechanism equipped with a mold jig having a product suction cup capable of holding the molded pulp product by utilizing vacuum pressure
Implementation Method 2
an inner wall of each inward concave matching cavity and a bottom of the inward concave matching cavity are respectively provided with a plurality of small communicating holes for communicating the inward concave matching cavity with and the closed air chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device applied to a robotic arm for pulp molding, which includes a wet blank transfer mold provided with a closed air chamber therein, a front surface with at least one inward concave matching cavity capable of being sleeved outside a pulp wet blank container and recessed toward the closed air chamber side, a back surface connected with a moving frame, oriented parallel to the wet blank transfer mold, through a guide mechanism, and a driver connected between the back surface of the wet blank transfer mold and the moving frame, where the driver drives the moving frame to move relative to the wet blank transfer mold and the moving frame is provided with a plurality of vacuum suction cups at uniform intervals on a side opposite from the wet pulp transfer mold. The device may transfer a wet blank and collect a molded product at the same time.