Suction Position Layout for Stable Product Carry-Out

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods fail to adequately consider the suction state when products are cut out from a workpiece, leading to issues such as slanted or deflected products getting caught in residual workpiece material.

Innovation Solution

A control data creation device that specifies the suction state for each suction position by calculating a suction gravity center, optimizing the suction positions to minimize the distance between the suction gravity center and the product gravity center, ensuring stable product removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional suction control is used without considering suction state for each position, then the control system is simple, but the product becomes slanted or deflected and gets caught in residual workpiece material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct transport stabilityVSAvoidcontrol data creation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the suction control into multiple discrete suction positions (first suction position, second suction position, etc.) along the transport path. Each position has its own suction force evaluation index calculated based on the product shape data and pad arrangement. This segmentation allows precise control of suction state at each position without requiring complex overall control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary calculation of suction force evaluation indices for all suction positions before actual product transport. The control data creation device pre-processes the product shape data to determine optimal suction forces at each position, preventing product deflection and catching issues before they occur during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If suction positions are not optimized, then the handling process is simple, but the product is caught in residual workpiece material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct removal successVSAvoidcontrol data creation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where the suction force evaluation index is calculated based on the product shape data and pad arrangement, then used to adjust and optimize suction positions and forces. This feedback loop ensures reliable product removal by continuously evaluating and adjusting suction parameters based on actual product geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the suction force parameter at different suction positions along the transport path. By varying the suction force according to the calculated evaluation indices for each position, the system ensures adequate suction to prevent product catching while maintaining ease of control through automated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple suction positions are evaluated with indices, then the suction state is optimized, but the calculation and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction state precisionVSAvoidevaluation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control data creation device automatically performs the evaluation and optimization of suction states at multiple positions using the product shape data and pad arrangement information. The system serves itself by autonomously calculating evaluation indices and determining optimal suction parameters without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the product shape data as a digital copy or model of the actual product to perform virtual evaluation of suction states at different positions. This allows precise determination of optimal suction forces without physical testing, reducing the need for complex experimental setups while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Enables stable and balanced suction of products, preventing them from being caught in residual workpiece material, and allowing for efficient product handling.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of suction pads (62) for suctioning the product P

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4338865B1Control data creation device and control data creation method
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 AMADA CO LTD
  • EP4338865B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4338865B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4338865B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control data creation device (21) includes a specifying unit configured to change suction positions at which carrying-out arms (61a, 61b) suction a product P by moving the carrying-out arms (61a, 61b) on product data so as to specify an index for evaluating a suction state for each of the suction positions, and a layout setting unit (21c) configured to create control data in which the suction position is laid out to the product P based on each index specified for each of the suction positions.