Removable Sheet Part Removal Using Adjacent Part Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual and automated removal of product cutouts from flexible, tacky sheets, such as those used in the aerospace industry, is hindered by the sheet's flexibility and tackiness, leading to issues like trailing and dragging of material, which can damage products and increase processing time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method where an adjacent sheet part with a higher expectation of proper removal is removed first to improve the removability of the target product cutout, using a remover with actuators and a pick-up plane with suction apertures to grip the sheet, and auxiliary cutting lines to form removable parts of the skeleton, facilitating the removal process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual removal of product cutouts is performed, then product integrity can be maintained through careful handling, but processing time increases and errors may still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The method removes adjacent sheet parts before removing the target product cutout. This preliminary action modifies the sheet state to improve subsequent removal, reducing the risk of trailing and dragging while maintaining product integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The removal process is divided into multiple sequential steps: first removing adjacent sheet parts, then removing the target product cutout. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, improving both reliability and productivity
2Productivity
If automated removal with actuators is used, then productivity increases, but trailing and dragging of sheet material damages product cutouts
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent sheet parts are removed first using automated actuators, creating space and reducing adhesion forces before the main product cutout removal. This preliminary automated action enables subsequent automated removal without trailing or dragging
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the removal sequence based on the sheet configuration. By removing adjacent parts first, the adhesion dynamics change, allowing automated actuators to successfully remove product cutouts without damage
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sheet is tacky to hold cutouts in place, then positioning is improved, but removal becomes more difficult due to increased adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent sheet parts are removed first, which reduces the total adhesion force and modifies the tacky sheet's grip on remaining cutouts. This preliminary action makes subsequent removal easier while maintaining positioning stability during cutting
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex shaped cutouts are removed, then product variety is increased, but removal expectation decreases due to trailing and dragging
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent sheet parts are removed first, which is particularly beneficial for complex shaped cutouts. This preliminary action reduces adhesion in difficult-to-reach areas and prevents trailing of complex contours, improving removal success rate
Solution Approach 2:
The removal of complex shaped cutouts is broken into two segments: first removing adjacent parts, then removing the complex cutout itself. This segmentation makes even complex shapes removable with high reliability
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 approach enhances the success rate of complete cutout removal without excess material, reduces errors, and maintains product integrity by improving the removability of complex shapes and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the pick-up plane of the carrier presents a frictitious surface that is arranged to grippingly engage the sheet with product cutouts so as to hold the sheet in place laterally along the pick-up plane
Implementation Method 2
the pick-up plane of the carrier presents a frictitious surface that is arranged to grippingly engage the sheet with product cutouts
Data Source
AI summary
Method of removing a target removable sheet part, in particular a product cutout, from a sheet using a remover, comprising the steps of:arranging the remover and the sheet relative to each other so that the plurality of actuators corresponds in position with the sheet,engaging the contact portions of at least one of a group of the plurality of actuators of which the position corresponds to a target removable sheet part of the sheet with the target removable sheet part, the at least one actuator being in its extended state;reconfiguring one or more of the engaged actuators of the group from its extended state to its retracted state with the target removable sheet part remaining engaged with the contact portion of said actuator to at least partially move the target removable sheet part from the sheet towards the carrier plane of the remover;moving the remover away from the sheet with the contact portions of said one or more the actuators of the group being engaged with the target removable sheet part, andperforming an assisting operation with at least one actuator prior to the step of moving the remover away from the sheet.