Rotatable Gripper Arm Assembly for Machining Workpiece End Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper truck assemblies are limited by fixed constriction lengths in machining stations, preventing the machining of workpieces with small widths, as the gripper truck must remain outside the constriction length, thereby preventing machining of end sections.
Innovation Solution
A gripper truck assembly with a long, narrow gripper arm and a rotatable gripper, actuated by a hydraulic gripper and rotation mechanism, allowing the gripper to position itself centrally over the workpiece for machining, even at its ends, while maintaining stability and adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gripper truck assembly uses a conventional gripper width, then the gripper can accommodate various workpiece sizes, but the gripper truck must remain outside the constriction length, preventing machining of end sections
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a conventional wide gripper to an extended narrow gripper arm structure, changing the spatial dimension of the gripping mechanism. By extending the gripper arm length to at least 2000 mm while reducing width to less than 150 mm, the system can reach into the constriction length area and machine end sections that were previously inaccessible, thereby improving machining coverage without sacrificing workpiece accommodation capability
2Productivity
If the gripper arm is extended to reach end sections, then machining coverage improves, but the gripper arm stability and positioning precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a rotatable gripper mechanism with rotation actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of the gripper orientation and position. This dynamic capability allows the gripper to be precisely positioned and oriented at various locations along the extended arm, including end sections, maintaining positioning precision despite the increased arm length. The rotation mechanism provides active control to compensate for potential stability issues
3Productivity
If the gripper arm width is reduced to fit within constriction length, then end section machining becomes possible, but the gripper's ability to grip various workpiece sizes may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the gripping function by separating the support function (performed by the extended narrow gripper arm) from the gripping function (performed by the gripper mechanism at the end). The narrow arm provides structural support and positioning capability within the constriction length, while the gripper mechanism itself maintains its gripping capability for various workpiece sizes, allowing both end section accessibility and workpiece versatility to be achieved simultaneously
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
Enables accurate and fast machining of elongate workpieces along their entire length, improving usability and reliability with machining stations having fixed constriction lengths, and allowing machining of previously inaccessible end sections.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic gripper actuator accommodated in the gripper arm and operatively connected to the gripper for actuating the at least one jaw of the gripper between the open position and the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a rotation actuator which is operatively connected to the joint for actuating the rotation of the gripper with respect to the gripper arm about the gripper rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper truck assembly for moving a workpiece with respect to a machining station includes a gripper truck, a gripper arm extending from a proximal end connected to the gripper truck to an opposite distal end, a gripper including at least one jaw moveable between a closed position for gripping the workpiece and an open position for releasing the workpiece. The gripper is connected to the distal end of the gripper arm by a joint configured to permit a rotation of the gripper, a hydraulic gripper actuator accommodated in the gripper arm and operatively connected to the gripper for actuating the at least one jaw of the gripper between the open position and the closed position, a gripper rotation actuator for actuating the rotation of the gripper with respect to the gripper arm about the gripper rotation axis.