Rotating Gripping Hand for Automated Auxiliary Material Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current welding technologies face challenges in automating the temporary fixing of auxiliary materials like backing metals and end tabs in steel frame structures, especially in limited spaces due to size differences with base materials, leading to manual intervention and incomplete automation of the welding process.
Innovation Solution
A hand system comprising a multi-fingered gripping hand with a workpiece holding part that can take out and press auxiliary materials against a predetermined position, supported by a base part that rotates to adjust the holding direction, allowing for automated taking-out and holding operations even in difficult-to-reach locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a large-sized jig is used for temporary fixing of base materials, then automation is achieved for main base materials, but it becomes difficult to use the same jig for temporary fixing of auxiliary materials in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the temporary fixing function into two separate devices: a large-sized jig for base materials and a small-sized hand for auxiliary materials. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific use case, with the hand being compact enough to access limited spaces while the jig handles larger workpieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand is designed with a rotatable base part that can change the holding direction, and a workpiece holding part that can adapt to different auxiliary materials (backing metals, end tabs). This multi-functionality allows a single compact device to handle various auxiliary materials in different orientations and limited spaces.
2Ease of operation
If manual welding or semi-automatic welding is used, then flexibility in handling different workpieces is maintained, but heavy physical burden is imposed on operators and engineering resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The hand is designed to automatically grasp auxiliary materials and deliver them to predetermined positions without requiring operator intervention for positioning or adjustment. The automated grasping and delivery mechanisms perform the work that would otherwise require manual handling, eliminating the physical burden while maintaining flexibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If automatic welding is used, then physical burden on operators is reduced, but manual intervention is still required for temporary fixing of auxiliary materials in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The hand acts as an intermediary device between the automated welding system and the auxiliary materials. It bridges the gap by automatically handling the small auxiliary materials in limited spaces where the main welding automation cannot directly intervene, thus completing the automation chain for all welding components.
4Manufacturing precision
If temporary fitting welding is performed manually before automatic welding, then auxiliary materials can be positioned, but complete automation of the welding process is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The hand performs preliminary action by automatically grasping auxiliary materials and delivering them to predetermined positions before the welding process begins. This preliminary positioning is done automatically, eliminating the need for manual temporary fitting welding while ensuring accurate positioning of auxiliary materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand includes a hand part for removing a workpiece; a workpiece holding part that presses the removed workpiece at a prescribed location so as to hold the same; and a base part that supports the hand part and the workpiece holding part.