Sheet-Metal Handling Sensor Testing for Parallel Contact Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine handling devices for electrically conductive sheet-metal workpieces lack a reliable method to verify the functional capability of sensing elements, leading to potential operational delays and inefficiencies in the sheet-metal fabrication process.
Innovation Solution
A machine handling device equipped with a control device featuring electrically conductive sensing elements and a testing station that applies a control voltage to measure actual values of electrical current, allowing for the comparison with reference values to assess the functional capability of the sensing elements, ensuring reliable verification without disrupting the main process flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensing elements are used to detect sheet-metal workpieces, then detection capability is improved, but reliability of sensing elements cannot be verified without disrupting the main process flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the main sheet-metal fabrication process and a separate testing station for verifying sensing elements. This segmentation allows the sensing elements to be tested independently without interrupting the main production process, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing station performs preliminary verification of sensing elements before they are used in the main fabrication process. By checking the functional capability of sensing elements in advance at the testing station, the system ensures their reliability without disrupting the main process flow, as the testing can be done beforehand or in parallel.
2Reliability
If sensing elements are tested to verify functional capability, then reliability is improved, but operational delays occur due to sequential testing
Solution Approach 1:
The testing station enables continuous verification of sensing elements by operating in parallel with the main fabrication process. The holding unit can be moved to the testing station for verification while other holding units continue their fabrication tasks, ensuring that the useful action of production continues uninterrupted while reliability is maintained through parallel testing.
3Reliability
If a testing station is added to verify sensing elements, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing station is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a verification station for sensing elements and as part of the overall handling system. The holding unit serves dual purposes: it holds sheet-metal workpieces during fabrication and positions sensing elements for testing at the testing station. This universality reduces the need for completely separate dedicated testing equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
The solution enables functionally reliable verification of the handling process, reducing operational delays by allowing parallel testing of sensing elements, identifying and replacing worn components, and ensuring uninterrupted sheet-metal handling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The control-voltage source is configured to apply a control voltage to the two sensing elements of the sensing element pair, with the two sensing elements being arranged in the control-sensing position. With the control voltage being applied to the two sensing elements, the control-measuring unit is configured to measure an actual value of an electrical current flowing as a result of the control voltage between the two sensing elements
Implementation Method 2
The testing-evaluation device includes a testing-measuring unit and a testing-comparing unit. With the testing voltage being applied, the testing-measuring unit is configured to measure an actual value of a contact-dependent electrical variable that is dependent on a state of an electrically conducting contact between the sensing element arranged in the testing-sensing position and the testing-contact body
Data Source
AI summary
A machine handling device for handling a sheet-metal workpiece includes a control device that comprises two sensing elements, and a testing station that includes a testing device configured to test functional capability of the control device. The testing device includes a respective electrically conductive testing-contact body for each of the two sensing elements of the control device. The testing station further includes a testing-evaluation device configured to apply a testing voltage between the respective sensing element and the corresponding testing-contact body. The testing-evaluation device includes a testing-measuring unit and a testing-comparing unit. The testing-measuring unit is configured to measure an actual value of a contact-dependent electrical variable that is dependent on a state of an electrically conducting contact between the sensing element and the testing-contact body. The testing-comparing unit is configured to compare the actual value of the contact-dependent electrical variable with a reference value of the contact-dependent electrical variable.