Automated Tubular Casing Refilling for Clipping Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual refilling of tubular packaging casings onto the filling tube of a clipping machine is time-consuming and requires constant operator presence, leading to inefficiencies and operator stress, despite the high automation level of the production process.
Innovation Solution
A robotic device controlled by a control unit is used to transfer tubular packaging casings from a storage device to the filling tube, utilizing gripper units with sensor systems to ensure precise positioning and avoid damage, allowing automated refilling based on various criteria such as product features and system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual refilling of tubular packaging casings is performed, then the operator can directly load casings onto the filling tube, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires constant operator presence
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through the robotic device that automatically transfers packaging casings from the storage device to the filling tube without requiring operator intervention. The control unit coordinates the robotic device to perform refilling operations autonomously, allowing the system to service itself and eliminating the need for manual refilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical refilling operation with an automated robotic system. The robotic device, controlled by a control unit, substitutes human operators in performing the refilling task, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with manual operations while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
2Productivity
If manual refilling is performed, then the operator can handle the casings, but operator stress increases and constant presence is required
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device performs self-service by automatically transferring packaging casings without operator intervention. This eliminates operator burden and stress while maintaining continuous production capability, as the robotic system can operate autonomously to refill the filling tube as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the refilling function from manual operator tasks and transfers it to an automated robotic device. By taking out this specific operation from human involvement, the system reduces operator burden and stress while maintaining or improving productivity through automated continuous operation.
3Extent of automation
If automated robotic refilling is implemented, then operator burden is reduced and continuous production is enabled, but precise positioning and damage prevention require sophisticated control
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback control by receiving signals from the robotic device and adjusting control commands accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning of the robotic device during refilling operations, ensuring accurate placement of packaging casings onto the filling tube while preventing damage through real-time monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual positioning with automated robotic positioning controlled by a control unit. The electronic control system substitutes human manual operations with precision-controlled robotic movements, achieving high positioning precision through automated control algorithms and sensor feedback while reducing operator burden.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a robotic device (300) by a control unit (CU) of a clipping machine (CM), the robotic device (300) being arranged in a system (1000) for producing sausage-shaped products (S) by filling a filling material into a tubular packaging casing supply (M) arranged on a filling tube (110, 130) of the clipping machine (CM), wherein the system (1000) comprises at least the clipping machine (CM) provided preferably with at least a first filling tube (110) and preferably a second filling tube (130) and a first and preferably a second casing brake assembly (120, 140), a storage device (200) for storing at least one tubular packaging casing supply (M), and a robotic device (300) for transferring a tubular packaging casing supply (M) from the storage device (200) onto a filling tube (110, 130) of the clipping machine (CM), wherein the control unit (CU) is adapted to provide control commands at least to the robotic device (300), and wherein the robotic device (300) includes a first gripper unit (340) for gripping a tubular packaging casing supply (M) and a second gripper unit (170) for gripping the first casing brake assembly (120), the method comprises the steps of: removing the casing brake assembly (120, 140) from the filling tube (110, 130) by the second gripper unit (170); moving the robotic device (300) into a take-up position for taking up by the first gripper unit (340) a tubular packaging casing supply (M) provided in a storage device (200, 700); gripping the tubular packaging casing supply (M) provided in a storage device (200, 700) by the first gripper unit (340); moving the robotic device (300) from the take-up position toward the filling tube (110, 130); transferring the tubular packaging casing supply (M) onto the filling tube (110, 130) by the first gripper unit (340); releasing the tubular packaging casing supply (M) onto the filling tube (110) of the clipping machine (CM) by the first gripper unit (640), and positioning the casing brake assembly (120, 140) on the filling tube (110, 130) by the second gripper unit (170).