Robotic Slab Handling With Aligned Lines and Temporary Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The movement of large-sized slab-shaped articles is delicate and prone to breakage due to mechanical stress, requiring significant space and time, leading to high production line inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A piece of equipment with a robotic gripping assembly and aligned supply and outlet lines, combined with temporary storage stations and multiple degrees of freedom, allows safe and efficient movement and storage of slab-shaped articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slab-shaped articles are moved using traditional equipment or frames, then the articles can be transported to storage areas, but the risk of breakage increases due to mechanical stress and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic gripping assembly with suction cups as an intermediary device between the slab-shaped articles and the transport system. This mediator enables gentle, controlled handling that distributes mechanical stress evenly across the article surface, eliminating the concentrated stress points caused by traditional frame-based handling and thereby reducing breakage risk while maintaining operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical frame-based handling systems with a robotic gripping system that uses controlled suction forces. This substitution eliminates the rigid mechanical contact that causes stress concentration and breakage, while the robotic control system provides precise, delicate manipulation that maintains ease of operation
2Area of stationary object
If storage areas are located far from the production line, then more space is available for storage operations, but the movement time increases and production yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic robotic gripping assembly with multiple degrees of freedom that can adapt its position and orientation in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize transport paths and perform operations in situ, reducing the need for distant storage areas while maintaining adequate storage capacity and minimizing movement time to preserve production yield
3Quantity of substance
If frames are used to store slab-shaped articles, then storage capacity is improved, but the work space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space and three-dimensional positioning capabilities of the robotic gripping assembly to maximize storage capacity without expanding the horizontal work area. The robot can access articles at multiple heights and positions within a compact footprint, achieving high storage density while minimizing the floor space required for storage operations
Data Source
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AI summary
The equipment (1) for the logistics of slab-shaped articles comprises: - at least one supply line (3) of at least one slab-shaped article (2) and at least one outlet line (4) of the slab-shaped article (2); - at least one robotic gripping assembly (5) of the slab-shaped article (2) provided with at least three degrees of freedom and positioned between the supply line (3) and the outlet line (4); - first movement means (6) of the gripping assembly (5) along at least one direction of movement (A), so as to define at least one work area (7) of the gripping assembly (5); where the supply line (3) and said outlet line (4) are substantially aligned to each other along the direction of movement (A); the equipment also comprises a plurality of temporary storage stations (8) of the slab-shaped article (2) arranged laterally to the gripping assembly (5) and substantially aligned to each other to define at least one row (F) substantially parallel to the direction of movement (A), wherein the gripping assembly (5) picks the slab-shaped article (2) coming from the supply line (3); positions the slab-shaped article (2) on at least one of the storage stations (8); and picks the slab-shaped article (2) from at least one of the storage stations (8) and bring it to the outlet line (4).