Rotary Forging Workpiece Transfer Through Narrow Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The machining space of rotary forging apparatuses has a narrow opening, necessitating costly design modifications to prevent robot arm collisions, which increases production line equipment costs.
Innovation Solution
A conveying system that uses a guide member and moving elements with a spring support mechanism to convey workpieces between external and internal spaces without relying on a robot arm, allowing for mechanical engagement and disengagement to facilitate the conveying process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robot arm is used to convey the workpiece to the machining space, then the conveying operation can be automated, but the equipment cost increases due to design modifications required to prevent collision with the exterior
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the conveying function from the robot arm system and implements it through a dedicated conveying mechanism (conveying rack and conveying member) that operates independently within the narrow opening space. This separates the conveying operation from the forming die operation, eliminating the need for complex collision avoidance design while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a conveying member as an intermediary element between the external space and the internal machining space. This conveying member, guided by the conveying rack, serves as a mediator that transports the workpiece through the narrow opening without requiring the robot arm to penetrate into the confined space, thus avoiding collision issues.
2Volume of moving object
If the opening portion is made narrow to compact the apparatus structure, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the conveying operation becomes difficult due to limited space for robot arm movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the conveying operation into distinct components: the conveying rack fixed to the exterior and the conveying member that moves along the rack. This segmentation allows the conveying mechanism to operate efficiently within the narrow opening space without requiring large movement clearance, thus maintaining compact apparatus structure while ensuring ease of conveying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying member is designed to dynamically move along the conveying rack, adapting its position as it transports the workpiece from the external space to the internal space. This dynamic movement mechanism allows the system to accommodate the narrow opening dimensions while maintaining smooth conveying operation throughout the process.
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
This solution enables the conveying of workpieces to the machining space without using a robot arm, reducing equipment costs by eliminating the need for collision-preventing design modifications and allowing for efficient operation even with narrow opening portions.
Implementation Method 1
a support mechanism which supports the second moving element with respect to the first moving element, and has a spring disposed between the first moving element and the second moving element and which supports at least a part of the weight of the second moving element
Data Source
AI summary
A moving element (21) holding a workpiece (a hub unit bearing (1)) is horizontally loaded into an internal space (23) of an exterior (17) from an external space of the outer package (17), while being guided by a guide member (20) through an opening portion (a front surface side opening portion (25)) provided in the exterior (17) constituting a rotary forging apparatus (16). After completion of the loading process, the workpiece is subjected to rotary forging, using a forming die (18).