Stack Depositing Conveyor Layout for Safe Operator Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions in the graphic industry for handling stacks of printed and folded products are limited by inflexible machine configurations and restricted operator access, which hampers workflow efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a conveyor route divided into protected and unprotected areas, with a robot arm positioned next to the conveyor line in the unprotected area, allowing flexible positioning and operator access while ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conveyor line is enclosed with protected areas to ensure operator safety, then safety is improved, but operator access and workflow flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor line is divided into multiple sections: protected areas with enclosures and an unprotected area without enclosures. This segmentation allows operators to access the unprotected area freely while the protected areas maintain safety enclosures, resolving the contradiction between safety and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the conveyor line have different safety characteristics - some areas are enclosed for protection while the robot picking area remains open for accessibility. This local differentiation of safety properties allows both safety and operator access requirements to be met simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If the robot arm is positioned next to the conveyor line in the unprotected area, then operator access is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unprotected area serves as an intermediary zone between the protected conveyor line sections and the robot picking position. This allows operators to work near the robot arm in a controlled environment that maintains both accessibility and acceptable safety levels through proper positioning and operational procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor line is divided into multiple protected and unprotected areas, then workflow flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor line is segmented into standardized protected and unprotected sections that can be configured in different arrangements. This modular segmentation provides workflow flexibility while managing complexity through repeated use of standard sections rather than custom designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The protected and unprotected areas are designed as universal sections that can serve multiple functions depending on configuration. The same protected section can interface with different machine types, and the unprotected area consistently serves as the robot picking zone, reducing overall system complexity despite increased flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3C~3F
AI summary
A device according to the invention for placing stacks of printed products on top of each other, wherein the placing device (1) comprises a conveyor (3) for the stacks (2) and a robot arm (11) for picking up the stacks (2) from the conveyor (3) and for placing the stacks (2) onto pallets (21), and wherein the conveyor (3) comprises an area (30) protected from access, is characterized in that the conveyor (3) is divided in the conveying direction (4a) with respect to access into at least three successive areas, namely a protected area (30), an unprotected area (31) and a further protected area (32), and that the robot arm (11) is arranged next to a longitudinal side (4c) of the conveyor (3) such that the picking up of the stacks (2) takes place in the unprotected area (31).The invention advantageously enables a placement device to be designed in an accessible manner for the operator and also allows for flexible use and positioning. The invention is used, for example, in printing plants or print finishing facilities.