Robot Bolt Supply Using Magnetic Pickup and Drop Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for assembling components, such as engines and transmissions, require manual distribution of bolts, leading to increased cycle times in the fastening process.
Innovation Solution
A fastening component supplying apparatus that includes a bolt picking unit and a bolt drop unit integrated with a handling robot, utilizing magnetic forces and a magazine-type system to automatically pick and distribute aligned bolts to the fastening portion of a target part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual distribution of bolts is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases and cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt picking unit automatically picks bolts from the aligning device and transfers them to the fastening portion without human intervention. The system serves itself by integrating the picking, holding, and dropping functions into an automated sequence controlled by the handling robot, eliminating the need for manual bolt distribution while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The handling robot performs multiple functions: it positions the bolt picking unit, controls the magazine rotation, operates the bolt drop unit, and coordinates with the bolt aligning device. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a single versatile robot platform, improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If automatic bolt picking and distribution is implemented, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt picking unit, magazine, bolt drop unit, and handling robot are merged into an integrated system. The picking unit and drop unit are both mounted on the robot arm, and the magazine is coupled to the picking unit, creating a compact combined assembly that reduces the need for separate standalone devices while achieving automatic bolt distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The socket members are nested within the magazine structure, which itself is coupled to the bolt picking unit on the robot arm. The first magnet member is positioned within each socket member to hold the bolt. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a space-efficient configuration that minimizes system complexity while maintaining automated functionality
3Loss of time
If bolts are picked and dropped automatically, then the cycle time is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt aligning device pre-aligns multiple bolts at predetermined positions on the magazine before the picking process begins. This preliminary alignment ensures that when the robot picks and drops bolts automatically, the positioning accuracy is maintained because the bolts are already in the correct orientations and locations, reducing the time needed during the actual fastening operation
Solution Approach 2:
The first magnet member uses magnetic force to hold the bolt in the socket member instead of mechanical clamping mechanisms. This substitution allows for quicker picking and dropping actions while maintaining precise positioning, as the magnetic hold can be quickly engaged and released without the mechanical complexity of springs or levers that would slow down the 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
Automatically distributes bolts to the fastening portion, reducing the cycle time for assembling components and enhancing efficiency in the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet member having a connection hole connected to the push hole of each push guide and installed at an inside of each of the socket members
Implementation Method 2
a bolt drop unit installed at the fixing member and configured to drop a bolt picked at the first magnet member to the fastening portion
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening component supplying apparatus is disclosed. The disclosed fastening component supplying apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for supplying a plurality of bolts aligned by a bolt aligning device to a fastening portion of a fastening target part includes: a bolt picking unit rotatably installed to an arm front end of a handling robot and picking a plurality of bolts aligned in the bolt aligning device; and a bolt drop unit installed to an arm front end side of the handling robot and dropping the bolts picked by the bolt picking unit to the fastening portion.