Multi-axis Transport Rail Handling Installation for Press Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport devices for production installations are limited in their ability to efficiently transport work pieces through multiple processing stations in a single pass, often requiring multiple passes and tool exchanges or additional production facilities, due to the need for complex and inflexible movement paths that do not fully utilize the available pressing force and space.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a multi-dimensionally displaceable handling installation that interacts with a transport rail to provide flexible, multi-axis movement, allowing the handling installation to take over missing directions of movement and reduce the need for heavy carrier rails, thereby increasing flexibility and efficiency while reducing energy expenditure and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional gripper rails with multiple movement axes are used, then the transport device can move work pieces through processing stations, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertically displaceable transport rail that adds vertical movement capability to the conventional horizontal transport system. This dimensional addition allows the handling installation to achieve multi-axis transport functionality without requiring complex multi-axis gripper rails, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining transport flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The transport function is segmented between the transport rail (providing vertical displacement) and the handling installation (providing horizontal positioning and work piece manipulation). This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more specialized, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the required multi-dimensional transport capability
2Reliability
If heavy carrier rails are used to provide multi-axis movement, then stable transport is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By adding vertical displacement capability to the transport rail, the system achieves multi-axis transport functionality without requiring heavy carrier rails with all movement axes integrated into a single complex structure. The vertical rail can be optimized independently for its specific function, potentially using lighter materials and simpler drive mechanisms, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining transport stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a dynamically configurable arrangement where the handling installation can be positioned at different locations along the vertical transport rail. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to optimize the position of the handling installation based on processing requirements, enabling stable transport with reduced energy expenditure by avoiding unnecessary movement of heavy components
3Device complexity
If the handling installation is fixed at one location, then device simplicity is maintained, but transport flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical displaceability of the transport rail provides an additional degree of freedom that allows the handling installation to reach different processing stations without requiring complex horizontal repositioning mechanisms. This vertical dimension adds transport flexibility while keeping the handling installation itself relatively simple and fixed in its local configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device for transporting a work piece along consecutively arranged processing stations of a production installation or a forming press. The transport device includes a first handling installation which transports the work piece which is assigned to the transport device and/or to a transport device which comprises a first transport rail which is longitudinally vertically and/or transversely displaceable. The first handling installation is arranged at the first transport rail or at one of the processing stations and/or at the production installation or at the forming press. A drive is assigned to the transport device. The drive drives the first transport rail and/or the at least one handling installation. The first handling installation is one-dimensionally or multi-dimensionally displaceable so that a multi-axis transport of the work piece is flexibly realized by the first handling installation alone or through an interaction of the first handling installation with the transport rail.