Sanitary Article Machine Robot Cleaning Without Production Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual cleaning and inspection of industrial parts in factories are inefficient, costly, and pose risks to operators, requiring machine shutdowns and specialized training, while also affecting production productivity and quality.
Innovation Solution
A machine equipped with a multi-axis industrial robot capable of automatic cleaning and inspection, using a handling system and end-effectors with suction and blower devices, along with sensors and a control unit, to perform cleaning and inspection cycles without interrupting production, ensuring high-quality and repeatable processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning and inspection is performed by operators, then cleaning and inspection can be carried out, but operator safety risks increase and machine shutdown is required reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The automated apparatus performs cleaning and inspection functions independently without human intervention. The robot autonomously navigates to processing stations, executes cleaning cycles using integrated tools, and performs inspections, allowing the system to service itself during production operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cleaning and inspection operations are replaced with an automated robotic system. The robot replaces human operators in performing these tasks, using automated mechanisms for navigation, tool actuation, and data collection, thereby eliminating the need for machine shutdown and improving productivity.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning and inspection is performed, then cleaning can be done, but specific training and certification are required increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs cleaning and inspection autonomously without requiring trained operators. The robot is pre-programmed with navigation and task execution capabilities, eliminating the need for human training and certification while maintaining consistent quality through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated apparatus incorporates sensors and control systems that provide real-time feedback during cleaning and inspection operations. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent quality execution without requiring human judgment or training, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If automated robot is used for cleaning and inspection, then productivity is improved by avoiding machine shutdown, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed as a multi-functional platform that integrates navigation, cleaning with various tools (brushes, suction, blowers), inspection with sensors, and waste collection. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single system, improving productivity while managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (cleaning, inspection, waste collection, navigation) are merged into a single integrated robotic system. The robot combines various cleaning tools and sensing capabilities in one platform, reducing the need for multiple separate systems and operators, thereby improving productivity while containing overall system complexity.
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 machine enables efficient, cost-optimized, and sustainable automatic cleaning and inspection of sanitary article production machinery, reducing operator risks, eliminating the need for machine shutdowns, and ensuring high-quality and repeatable processes while maximizing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device (7) connected to the end-effector (5) of the robot (4) so as to vacuum the waste material
Implementation Method 2
a blower device (12) connected to the end-effector (5) of the robot (4), provided for blowing the waste material sucked by the suction device (7) into the dust bag (13)
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for producing sanitary articles includes a plurality of processing stations including automated apparatus for forming sanitary articles which advance along a machine direction. The machine includes a multi-axis industrial robot arranged to automatically clean and/or inspect the automated apparatus of the processing stations. The machine has a positive impact on sustainability.