Rotating Workbench for Ergonomic Mold Polishing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mold polishing often requires non-ergonomic operator positions due to the need to manually reposition molds with cranes, leading to imperfect work and time wastage.

Innovation Solution

A rotating workbench with a central cradle that allows 360° rotation around a first axis and 0°-90° rotation between horizontal and vertical positions, enabling ergonomic access to all mold faces without manual repositioning, using slew drives and fastening mechanisms to distribute loads and stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mold is manually repositioned using a travelling crane to access different faces, then the operator can reach all mold surfaces, but the operator must adopt non-ergonomic positions and the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator ergonomicsVSAvoidtime for repositioning operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the mold to bring different faces to the operator, the workbench rotates the mold automatically while the operator remains stationary. This inversion of the traditional approach allows the operator to maintain an ergonomic position while the workpiece is repositioned mechanically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The workbench provides self-service by automatically rotating and repositioning the mold through motorized mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual crane operations and manual repositioning by the operator

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mold is manually repositioned with a travelling crane, then access to different mold faces is achieved, but the process complexity increases and time is lost in successive operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to mold facesVSAvoidrepositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating workbench serves multiple functions: it holds the mold, rotates it 360° around the vertical axis, tilts it between 0° and 90°, and positions it for polishing. This multi-functional device replaces the travelling crane and manual repositioning operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The workbench combines the functions of support, rotation, and tilting mechanisms into a single integrated structure, merging what would traditionally require separate equipment (crane, positioning devices) into one unified system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual repositioning is performed, then the mold can be positioned for polishing, but the operator is exposed to harmful factors affecting the vertebral column

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidwork quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized rotation and tilting mechanisms perform the repositioning automatically, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for the operator to physically handle heavy molds or adopt awkward positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3461597B1Rotating workbench
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 MBM EVO LDA
  • EP3461597B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3461597B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3461597B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rotating workbench whose main and final purpose is to promote an ergonomic position of a mold polishing operator, without having to move the mold in a traditional way since, in addition to rotating the mold 360° around itself, it allows a rotation between 0° and 90°, from horizontal to vertical position, of the face to be polished. The present invention comprises essentially a base (2), a left-hand side (3) and a right-hand side (4), on which at least a left-hand (5) and/or a right-hand (6) outer sides are fixed through the connecting flanges (12) (13), which in turn provide lateral slewdrives (11) between them, with a moving part and a fixed part. The base (2) has a central slewdrive (7), which allows the rotation of the mold between 0° and 360° in a plane fixed by the user, which has a fixed part (8) and a moving part (9). It should be noted that the outer sides (5) (6) have a structural reinforcement (14) and that the mold is fixed on a rotating base (10).