Robotic Casing Transfer for Continuous Sausage Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sausage production systems require manual refilling of tubular packaging casings, leading to time consumption, increased downtime, and potential damage to casings, necessitating complex alignment and control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a robotic device for automated transfer of tubular packaging casings to a clipping machine, utilizing gripper units and a control unit to optimize the refill process, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual refilling of tubular packaging casings is used, then the system structure is simple, but production time increases and downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device automatically performs the refilling operation without human intervention. The robot picks up tubular packaging casings from a storage unit and transfers them to the filling tube, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate downtime associated with manual refilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical refilling process is replaced with an automated robotic system. The robotic device uses gripper units to handle and transfer casings, substituting human manual operations with automated mechanical control to maintain continuous production.
2Productivity
If automated refilling system is implemented, then production continuity is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the refilling process and coordinates the robotic device's operations. It receives feedback about casing availability and filling tube status, adjusting the robot's actions accordingly to ensure smooth transitions and prevent interruptions in production.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage unit pre-positions tubular packaging casings ready for automatic refilling. The robotic device is prepared with gripper units positioned to receive casings, enabling rapid transfer to the filling tube without delay or complex real-time decision-making during the refilling operation.
3Reliability
If manual casing transfer is used, then alignment requirements are minimal, but casing damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Manual handling with imprecise alignment is replaced by a robotic system with controlled, programmable movements. The robotic device follows precise trajectories to position gripper units accurately, reducing mechanical stress and misalignment that could damage the tubular packaging casings during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic gripper units are designed with appropriate contact forces and positioning to gently grasp and transfer casings. The control system includes parameters to regulate gripping force, preventing excessive pressure that could damage the casing while ensuring secure handling throughout the transfer process.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to system (1000) for producing sausage-shaped products (S), like sausages, by filling a filling material into a tubular packaging casing (M). The system (1000) includes a clipping machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products(S), a robotic device (300) for transferring a tubular packaging casing supply (M) to the clipping machine (CM), and a storage device (200) for storing a tubular packaging casing supply (M). The present invention further relates to a method for producing sausage-shaped products (S) in the system (1000).