Robotic Drilling and Die-Cutting Unit for Textile Tool Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling devices for automatic cutting machines are constrained by sizing and positioning issues, limiting their performance and tool change operations when making holes of different sizes in deformable materials.

Innovation Solution

A separate drilling unit is integrated into the cutting machine, allowing simultaneous operation with the cutting unit, featuring a robotic arm with a motor group and drill or die-cutting bits, enabling precise and quick hole-making across varying diameters without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If drilling devices are integrated into the cutting head beam, then the machine can perform both cutting and drilling operations, but the drilling devices are constrained by sizing and positioning issues that limit performance and tool change operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling capabilityVSAvoidtool change operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling device is separated from the cutting head beam and positioned as an independent unit on the cutting table. This segmentation allows the drilling device to be optimized independently for drilling operations while the cutting head maintains its cutting optimization, resolving the constraint of integrated design that limited both cutting and drilling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A robotic arm with motor group acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cutting table and the drilling device. This intermediary enables precise positioning and rapid tool changes for drilling bits of various sizes without interfering with the cutting head operations, solving the tool change operation constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If drilling devices are integrated into the cutting head beam, then the machine can perform both cutting and drilling operations, but the drilling performance is limited due to sizing and positioning constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling capabilityVSAvoiddrilling precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the drilling device from the cutting head beam and positioning it independently on the cutting table, the drilling subsystem can be independently optimized for precision drilling operations. The robotic arm with motor group provides precise positioning control that was previously constrained by the integrated cutting head design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arm with motor group introduces dynamic positioning capability to the drilling device, allowing rapid and precise adjustment to different drilling positions and orientations. This dynamic system enables the drilling device to adapt its position and orientation for optimal drilling performance across varying hole locations and angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If drilling devices are integrated into the cutting head beam, then the machine can perform both cutting and drilling operations, but the tool change operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole size variation capabilityVSAvoidtool change time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple drilling bits of different sizes are pre-positioned in a magazine or holder system associated with the robotic arm. When a tool change is needed, the robotic arm can quickly retrieve the required bit from the pre-positioned locations without requiring complex disassembly or reconfiguration, significantly reducing tool change time compared to integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arm with motor group serves as an intermediary that automates the tool change process. It can rapidly exchange drilling bits based on programmatic instructions, eliminating the need for manual tool changes and reducing tool change time while maintaining the capability to drill holes of various sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If a separate drilling unit is used, then tool change operations are facilitated and drilling precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling precisionVSAvoiddrilling unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm with motor group is a multi-functional component that provides both precise positioning and automated tool changing capabilities. This universal mechanism serves multiple functions (positioning, orientation, tool exchange) that would otherwise require separate systems, reducing the overall complexity increase despite the separate drilling unit design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250332714A1Drilling and/or die-cutting unit

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 FK GROUP SPA

AI summary

A drilling and/or die-cutting unit has a robotic arm on whose wrist an electromechanical member suitable for operatively supporting a drill or die-cutting bit is mounted. The electromechanical member has a toroidal-shaped motor group extending about a motor rotation axis and provided with couplings for coupling to the drill or die-cutting bit, and suitable for supporting the drill or die-cutting bit coaxially to the motor rotation axis. The drilling and/or die-cutting unit is for flat pieces made of deformable materials, optionally the flat pieces made of deformable materials being textiles.