Skewer-Type Gripper for Viscoelastic Test Samples

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automation technologies fail to handle viscoelastic materials effectively due to their sticky and dimensionally unstable nature, leading to cumbersome manual handling and unreliable positioning of test samples during material testing, resulting in significant material loss and variability in test results.

Innovation Solution

A skewer-type gripper with a base and skewer-type means that pierce the edge region of test samples parallel to the upper face, providing a torque-proof hold and enabling secure, automated handling of viscoelastic test samples, even when hot and sticky, along with a multifunctional gripper system incorporating suction and gripping jaws for efficient handling and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional automation technologies are used to handle viscoelastic materials, then automation extent is improved, but reliability of handling deteriorates due to sticky and dimensionally unstable nature of the materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of sample handlingVSAvoidreliability of sample handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handling system is divided into multiple specialized effectors (jaw gripper for raw samples, skewer-type gripper for test samples, suction gripper for positioning) that can be selectively applied to different material states and handling requirements, enabling reliable automated handling of viscoelastic materials at different processing stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A robot arm serves as an intermediary that coordinates and transitions between different gripper types and handling modes, enabling seamless automation of the complete sample handling process from raw material to test sample while maintaining reliability through controlled intermediate states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual handling is used for viscoelastic materials, then reliability of handling is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to cumbersome operations and significant material loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sample positioningVSAvoidhandling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The skewer-type gripper enables self-service handling by automatically piercing and securing test samples in the punching device without manual intervention, while the suction gripper automatically positions raw samples, eliminating cumbersome manual operations and reducing material loss through precise controlled handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical handling operations are replaced with automated robotic systems that use controlled mechanical actions (piercing, suction, gripping) to perform sample handling tasks more efficiently and reliably than manual operations, significantly improving productivity while maintaining or enhancing handling reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If conventional grippers are used for test samples, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to provide torque-proof hold on sticky samples

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sample removalVSAvoidpositioning precision of test samples

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to grip test samples from the top surface (conventional approach), the skewer-type gripper pierces through the edge region and secures samples from the side, providing torque-proof holding that prevents rotation and maintains positioning precision while still enabling easy operation through automatic sample release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Productivity

If automated handling is implemented without specialized grippers, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to material loss from unreliable positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation speedVSAvoidmaterial loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the sample handling system are equipped with specialized gripping characteristics tailored to local requirements: the skewer-type gripper provides precise edge region engagement for test samples to prevent positioning errors and material loss, while the jaw gripper provides controlled gripping for raw samples, enabling high-speed automated handling without sacrificing material efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11719713B2Gripper for test samples, positioning device for raw samples, handling system for raw samples and test samples, and test system for viscoelastic materials

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 MONTECH SYST SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

A skewer-type gripper for one-sidedly receiving a test sample positioned in a defined manner and still compressed by plungers in a punching device and consisting of viscoelastic materials with an upper side and an edge area. The gripper has a base and skewer-type means arranged in a plane therein, which can pierce into the edge area of the still compressed test sample parallel to the upper side. The skewer-type means are configured in such a way that the test sample can be received and held in a torque-proof manner by the skewer-type means. The gripper is configured and set up for horizontally receiving the test sample from a punching device, and the gripper or skewer-type means can be exposed to a feed force for this purpose.