Automated Sleeve Handling Device with Pre-Positioning Station
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handling devices for making anti-intruder sleeve covering assemblies for potted plants are cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly when using elastic mesh fabric materials like nylon, which are prone to tearing and difficult to maneuver due to their elasticity.
Innovation Solution
A handling device comprising a supply station, an opening/buffering/positioning station, and a sleeve handling station, where the opening/buffering/positioning station includes an elongate core element and a holding construction that automatically opens up the sleeve material, cuts it to the required length, and presents it in a way that is easily gripped by the handling device, eliminating the need for manual placement and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of elastic mesh fabric sleeve material is used, then the material can be positioned in grippers, but the process is time-consuming and the material is prone to tearing and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve material is pre-cut to the required length and pre-positioned on the core element before the automated process begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual measurement, cutting, and positioning during the automated operation, significantly reducing handling time while preventing material damage through controlled positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The core element serves as an intermediary carrier that holds the sleeve material in a predetermined position. This mediator allows the automated gripper to easily acquire and manipulate the sleeve material without direct manual intervention, streamlining the operation and reducing both time and risk of damage.
2Ease of operation
If elastic mesh fabric material is stretched to reach grippers, then the sleeve material can be gripped, but the material may tear or become damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve material is pre-positioned and pre-stretched to the required extent on the core element before gripping occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when the automated gripper engages the material, no additional stretching or forcing is needed, eliminating the risk of tearing while maintaining ease of gripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The core element acts as a mediator that maintains the sleeve material in a pre-stretched, gripper-accessible state. This intermediary structure allows the gripper to acquire the material without excessive stretching, preserving material integrity while ensuring easy gripping.
3Productivity
If automated handling is implemented, then the process becomes more efficient, but the sleeve material positioning and opening up becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is divided into distinct functional modules: the opening/buffering/positioning station that prepares the material, the cutting mechanism that sizes it, and the gripper assembly that manipulates it. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving high productivity while managing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The core element serves as a central intermediary that coordinates the actions of multiple automated components. It receives the sleeve material, maintains it in the correct position, and presents it to the gripper, thereby simplifying the control logic and reducing the perceived complexity of the automated system while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A handling device includes an opening/buffering/positioning station that is equipped with an elongate core element for sleeve material to be pulled over an upstream end while automatically opening up the sleeve shape, and a holding construction that is configured to keep the core element in place while the sleeve material is pulled over and guided along it. An operable cutter is provided at a downstream end for each time cutting of a length of the sleeve material while leaving behind a new leading sleeve end portion at the downstream end. A gripping assembly is configured movable back and forth between the downstream end and a sleeve handling station for each time gripping the new leading sleeve end portion and then pulling the length of the sleeve material from the core element towards the sleeve handling station.