Robot-Guided Magazine Handling for Flexible Article Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for grouping and handling flexible articles, such as absorbent hygiene products, require multiple handling steps and dedicated hardware, leading to inefficiencies and potential losses.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an industrial robot with a magazine to serially convey and group flexible articles, reducing the number of handling steps by integrating the robot's ability to arrange, move, and orient the magazine for efficient article reception and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple dedicated handling devices (twist conveyor, lifting table, pusher) are used to achieve desired article orientation and stack formation, then the articles can be properly oriented and stacked, but the device complexity increases and handling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple handling functions (conveying, rotating, stacking, orienting) into a single integrated robotic system. The robotic arm with configurable end effector performs all operations that previously required separate dedicated devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full orientation control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm serves multiple functions: it conveys articles from the magazine, rotates them to desired orientations, positions stacks, and places them in packaging. This universal device replaces multiple specialized handling devices, reducing system complexity while preserving operational flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple handling steps are used to form and position stacks, then the desired stack formation is achieved, but the handling time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs stacking operations continuously without the interruptions inherent in multi-device sequential handling. The robot can pick articles from the magazine and place them in stacks in a continuous motion, eliminating the time losses associated with transferring articles between multiple dedicated handling devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine pre-organizes articles in stacks before the robotic arm begins operation. This preliminary stacking action allows the robot to simply transfer pre-formed stacks rather than building them article-by-article, significantly reducing handling time while maintaining stack formation accuracy.
3Reliability
If dedicated hardware is used for each handling step, then reliable article handling is achieved, but the loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system provides dynamic, programmable control over all handling operations. Unlike fixed dedicated hardware, the robot can adapt its motion paths, speeds, and sequences optimally, reducing cycle time while maintaining reliability through precise control and repeatability of programmed operations.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed handling equipment is used, then the system is simple to implement, but the adaptability to different packaging requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system allows dynamic adjustment of operational parameters (grip force, motion speed, positioning coordinates, end effector configuration) to adapt to different packaging requirements. This programmable flexibility provides adaptability equivalent to reconfigurable hardware while maintaining implementation simplicity through software configuration rather than physical reassembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and a method for grouping and handling flexible articles serially conveyed along a conveyor path (20), wherein a magazine (10) is arranged in an inlet position at an extension of the conveyor path (20), the magazine (10) having two opposing side walls (104) that define a space therebetween, wherein the magazine is configured to receive a number of flexible articles (2) in the space between the side walls (104), wherein an industrial robot (12) to which the magazine (10) is attached or which grips the magazine (10) arranges the magazine (10) in the inlet position, moves the magazine (10) arranged in the inlet position such that the number of flexible articles (2) is sequentially received in the magazine (10), and transfers the magazine (10) with the number of flexible articles to an outlet position. The invention further relates to a use of an industrial robot for grouping and handling flexible articles serially conveyed along a conveyor path (20), wherein a magazine is attached to or gripped by the industrial robot.