Robotic Arm Base Plate Layout for Irregular Concrete Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete flooring in commercial and industrial environments often lacks suitable positioning for robotic arms and other machinery, requiring costly and time-consuming modifications such as drilling inaccurate holes and potentially necessitating replacement of sections of flooring due to thermal expansion dividers and edge issues.
Innovation Solution
A floor-supported plate with strategically located fastener holes and alignment features that allow for precise attachment to the concrete floor, avoiding weak or problematic areas, and enabling accurate positioning of robotic arms and other machinery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple holes are drilled in existing concrete flooring to mount robotic arm and other components, then mounting capability is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to difficulty in locating holes precisely relative to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into multiple functional components: a base plate with pre-defined hole patterns, separate alignment features, and modular mounting points. This allows the holes to be positioned precisely relative to each other on the base plate, which then serves as a reference for positioning other components like conveyor systems and guides, eliminating cumulative positioning errors that would occur with direct drilling on the concrete floor.
2Stability of the object's composition
If thermal expansion separators are positioned between concrete surfaces, then structural integrity is improved, but available mounting area deteriorates due to separators occupying space where robotic arm base might be located
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate incorporates locally adapted mounting zones that account for the presence of thermal expansion separators. By providing multiple hole patterns and alternative mounting locations on the base plate, the system allows selective use of mounting holes that avoid separator locations while maintaining secure attachment. This local adaptation preserves both structural integrity (by respecting separator positions) and mounting capability (by providing alternative secure attachment points).
3Area of stationary object
If concrete floor edge is positioned close to intended robotic arm location, then space utilization is improved, but mounting reliability deteriorates due to insufficient edge distance for proper anchor placement
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate extends the mounting solution into the horizontal plane by providing an oversized platform with multiple distributed mounting holes. When one area is constrained by proximity to the floor edge, the system can utilize holes positioned at adequate distances from the edge in other areas of the base plate. This dimensional approach allows the robotic arm to be mounted reliably while still achieving compact overall footprint by utilizing the full extent of the base plate area.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing concrete flooring is used without modifications, then installation cost is reduced, but positioning flexibility deteriorates due to inability to accommodate precise robotic arm positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is pre-manufactured with precisely positioned holes, alignment features, and mounting patterns before installation. This preliminary preparation of the base plate off-site allows for high precision hole positioning and complex geometric relationships to be established in a controlled manufacturing environment, then the entire pre-positioned system is installed as a single unit on the existing concrete floor, achieving both precision and cost-effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for installing a robotic arm, such as for use in a product packaging environment are described. In an example, a floor-supported plate may define a number of holes to allow connection of the plate to selected locations in the concrete floor. In an example, holes defined in the plate that are in undesirable locations in the concrete floor may not be used to bolt the plate to the floor. In contrast, holes that are in more favorable locations in the plate can be used to bolt the plate to the floor. The floor-supported plate may also be configured with alignment features that assist in connection of one or more supporting or related systems to the plate. Examples of the systems that may be connected to the plate, and/or aligned by contact with the plate, include conveyor systems, case-providing cassette(s), and pallet location and/or alignment guides.