Tool Holder Transfer Control for Unusable Tool Segregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool transfer systems waste storage space in tool storage sections by transferring both usable and unusable tools, leading to inefficient use of resources.
Innovation Solution
A tool transfer system with a controller that determines whether tool holders contain unusable tools and prioritizes their transfer to a workstation for retrieval, while transferring usable tools to the storage section, and manages storage space by removing new tools if the workstation is full.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all tool holders removed from the machine tool are transferred to the tool storage section, then the machine tool is quickly replenished with tools, but storage space in the tool storage section is wasted due to unusable tools
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments tool holders into two categories: those containing usable tools and those containing unusable tools. This segmentation is achieved through automatic identification and classification, allowing differentiated handling paths - usable tools go to the tool storage section while unusable tools are directed to the workstation for retrieval, thus preventing storage space waste while maintaining efficient tool replenishment
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts unusable tools from the mixed stream of removed tool holders through automatic identification. By taking out and separating unusable tools before transfer, the system prevents them from occupying valuable storage space in the tool storage section, while still enabling rapid transfer of usable tools to replenish the machine tool
2Device complexity
If unusable tools are transferred to the tool storage section, then the transfer process is simplified, but storage space for tool holders becomes insufficient due to occupation by unusable tools
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and classification of tool holders as usable or unusable before the transfer process. This preliminary action enables the transfer device to selectively direct tool holders to appropriate destinations (tool storage section or workstation), preventing unusable tools from occupying storage space while maintaining a streamlined transfer process through automated decision-making
3Reliability
If tool holders are frequently removed and transferred, then the machine tool maintains adequate tool supply, but the system efficiency decreases due to unnecessary transfers of unusable tools
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback through automatic identification and classification of tool holders as usable or unusable. This feedback mechanism enables intelligent decision-making about transfer destinations, ensuring that unusable tools are directed to the workstation while usable tools are transferred to the tool storage section, thereby maintaining adequate tool supply while maximizing transfer efficiency by eliminating unnecessary transfers
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool transfer system (10) includes: a machine tool (400); a tool storage section (250) in which a plurality of tool holders are able to be stored; a workstation (200) for a worker to perform work for the tool holders; a transfer device (300) for transferring a designated tool holder among a tool holder in the machine tool (400), a tool holder in the tool storage section (250), and a tool holder in the workstation (200), to a designated transfer destination, which is one of the machine tool (400), the tool storage section (250), and the workstation (200); and a controller (50) for controlling the tool transfer system (10). If a tool holder to be removed from the machine tool (400) includes a tool holder holding an unusable tool, the controller (50) controls the transfer device (300) so as to transfer the tool holder to be removed, from the machine tool (400) to the workstation (200).