Robot-Based Rivet Feeding for Flexible Riveting Machine Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for supplying riveting machines with rivet elements are complex and inflexible, requiring extensive advance planning and storage of various rivet elements, making it difficult to change the type of rivet elements being filled into cassettes without adjusting the loading device.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a robot-based system to transport rivet elements from a providing unit to a receptacle, allowing for direct supply of rivet elements in bulk form without a magazine, with a spiral conveyor and sensor-controlled system to ensure flexible and efficient feeding of different rivet elements to the riveting machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rivet elements are supplied using a traditional rivet cassette filling system, then rivet elements can be organized and fed to the riveting machine, but the system becomes complex and inflexible requiring extensive advance planning and storage of various rivet elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rivet elements directly from bulk storage and feeds them individually to the riveting machine using a robot, eliminating the need for complex rivet cassettes and magazine systems. This extraction approach removes the intermediate storage and organization structures, simplifying the overall system while maintaining flexibility in handling different rivet types.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot-based feeding system enables the riveting machine to supply itself with rivet elements directly from bulk storage without requiring external magazine systems or complex loading devices. The system serves itself by automatically picking and placing rivet elements as needed, eliminating the need for advance planning and storage of pre-filled cassettes.
2Quantity of substance
If rivet cassettes are pre-filled and stored in magazines, then rivet elements are available for the riveting machine, but extensive advance planning and storage space are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feeding of rivet elements from bulk storage directly to the riveting machine via robot, eliminating the discontinuous process of pre-filling cassettes and storing them in magazines. The robot continuously picks rivet elements as needed, maintaining an uninterrupted supply chain that eliminates waste time associated with advance planning and storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing preliminary actions of pre-filling and storing rivet cassettes in magazines, the system reverses the sequence by maintaining bulk storage and performing preliminary picking only when needed. The robot prepares and supplies individual rivet elements just-in-time, eliminating the time-consuming preliminary actions of cassette filling and magazine storage.
3Ease of operation
If a robot-based transport system is used to supply rivet elements directly to the riveting machine, then the system becomes simple and flexible, but a robot system must be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system is designed with universal capabilities to handle multiple types of rivet elements through programmable control, eliminating the need for different specialized loading devices for each rivet type. This multi-functionality simplifies operation while the standardized robot interface manages the integration complexity through software programming rather than mechanical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical rivet loading and magazine systems with a robot-based automated system controlled by software. This substitution simplifies the physical mechanical structures while managing complexity through programmable logic, allowing easy reconfiguration for different rivet types through software rather than mechanical adjustments.
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
Enables simple and flexible supply of rivet elements to the riveting machine, reducing the need for mechanical configuration changes and allowing for efficient alignment and feeding of various rivet types, improving the production efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a rivet element providing unit configured as a vibratory spiral conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments relate to a method for supplying a riveting machine with rivet elements, in particular during operation of the riveting machine, wherein at least one rivet element providing arrangement comprising at least one rivet element providing unit for providing and separating the rivet element is provided, wherein the riveting machine has a rivet element receiving arrangement comprising at least one rivet element receptacle for receiving the rivet elements, wherein at least a part of the transport from one of the rivet element providing units to one of the rivet element receptacles is realized in a robot-based manner.