Rotating Material Carousel for Workbench Access and Space Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing and assembly facilities, the 'L' or 'U' shaped workbench configurations lead to inaccessible materials for operators, resulting in inefficient material handling and wasted factory floor space due to materials being located at the rear of workbenches, causing disruptions and unusable space adjacent to workbenches.
Innovation Solution
A material carousel with a rotatable hub and adjustable support column, featuring arms that can hold cable and/or harness assemblies or bins, allowing for the reconfiguration of arms and bins to optimize material accessibility and utilize previously unusable space, with a peg mechanism to stop rotation at a predetermined angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If materials are located at the rear portion of workbenches to support production operations, then material storage capacity is improved, but operator accessibility to materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The material storage system is transformed from a static rear portion location to a dynamic carousel that can rotate to bring materials to the operator's reach. The carousel includes a rotatable platform with multiple positions, allowing materials to be accessed at any point during rotation, converting the fixed inaccessible storage into dynamically accessible storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the material storage and the operator. Instead of the operator directly accessing materials at the rear portion, the carousel mediates by bringing materials to an intermediate accessible position during its rotation cycle, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining storage capacity.
2Area of stationary object
If workbenches are arranged in L or U shaped configuration to optimize factory layout, then factory floor utilization is improved, but usable workspace is reduced due to formation of unusable spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The carousel utilizes the vertical dimension and rotational movement to create usable workspace in areas that would otherwise be unusable spaces. By rotating materials into the previously empty spaces adjacent to workbenches, the system converts dead space into functional storage and access areas, effectively adding another dimension to the workspace utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If materials are stored at the rear portion of workbenches, then material organization is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates due to disruptions from material handling
Solution Approach 1:
Materials are pre-organized on the carousel in the desired sequence or configuration before production needs them. The carousel can be rotated to position the required materials in advance at the operator's reach, eliminating the need for disruptive material handling during production operations and maintaining both organization and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A material carousel for manufacturing and/or assembly operations is provided. The carousel includes a hub fabricated from a low friction material wherein the hub has a polygonal shape. The carousel also includes a plurality of equally spaced arms which are press fit into the hub. Each arm is adapted to hold cable and/or harness assemblies or includes a bin for holding materials used for production operations. In addition, the carousel includes a support column that extends through the hub, wherein the hub is adapted to rotate about the support column. An adjustable support collar is also provided for supporting the hub on the support column. Further, the carousel includes a peg mechanism for stopping rotation of the hub after a predetermined rotation angle.