Rail-Free Transport Platform for Precise Machine Tool Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driverless transport systems (FTSs) are inflexible due to complex rail systems that cannot adapt to changes in production processes or locations, and they often require long distances to transport goods or devices, limiting their efficiency and automation potential.
Innovation Solution
A transport device and system that allows for free movement on a base surface, enabling customized positioning of handling devices relative to machine tools without rail systems, with receiving devices that include centering and alignment capabilities, and the ability to combine various modules for flexible and efficient delivery and pick-up operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rail system is used to guide transport vehicles to stations, then the transport system can operate with defined paths, but the system becomes extremely complex in manufacture, arrangement and alignment of rails and rail segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rail system entirely from the transport device, allowing the vehicle to move freely on the base surface without fixed guiding rails. This extraction eliminates the complexity of rail manufacture, arrangement and alignment while maintaining reliable transport through automated navigation and positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device transitions from static rail-guided paths to dynamic free movement on the base surface. The vehicle can adapt its position and trajectory dynamically, moving to any location within the workspace without being constrained by predetermined rail segments, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rail system is used for guiding transport vehicles, then transport paths are fixed, but the system cannot react or be adapted to changes in positions of places or production process at short notice
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device employs dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to move freely to any location on the base surface without being constrained by fixed rails. This enables immediate adaptation to changing production requirements, machine tool positions, or workflow configurations without time-consuming reconfiguration of physical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple functions and adapt to various production scenarios. Its free-movement capability on the base surface allows it to respond flexibly to different production processes, machine locations, and handling requirements, making the system highly adaptable without requiring dedicated infrastructure for each configuration.
3Productivity
If transport vehicles are equipped with only an interface for receiving transport goods, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicles have to travel long distances to get containers to their destination
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device is segmented into functional modules including receiving devices, centering devices, and positioning systems. This modular structure enables the vehicle to perform multiple operations (receiving, centering, positioning, depositing) in sequence, allowing it to deliver handling devices directly to their final positions near machine tools rather than traveling long distances to centralized depots.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device acts as an intermediary between storage areas and machine tools, providing intermediate functions such as centering and positioning. By incorporating these intermediary functions directly on the transport vehicle, the system eliminates the need for long-distance transport to remote locations, as the vehicle can perform final positioning operations in place.
4Manufacturing precision
If receiving devices include centering devices, then positioning inaccuracy is compensated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device is merged with the receiving device, combining the functions of receiving and centering into a single integrated unit. This consolidation achieves precise positioning compensation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the centering function is integrated into the existing receiving structure rather than added as a separate system.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a transport device (100) for transporting one or more handling devices, each for handling a pallet (300) and/or a workpiece (1) on a machine tool (1000) which is set up on a base surface for machining the workpiece (1), wherein the transport device (100) is freely movable on the base surface for positioning the one or more handling devices relative to the machine tool (1000), in particular within a region in front and/or next to the machine tool (1000) and/or in front and/or next to a working space of the machine tool (1000).