Turning-Arm Workpiece Transfer for Compact Machine Tool Loading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workpiece delivery systems require separate space for the delivery device, increase the size and footprint of machines, and are costly, while also being inflexible and limited to specific machine tool configurations.

Innovation Solution

A workpiece delivery device that unloads a workpiece from one machine tool or non-machining station and loads it onto another without requiring additional space, using a turning center, turning arm, workpiece hand, and rotation control mechanism to manage conveyor tracks and orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an upper transfer machine is used to convey workpieces, then automated workpiece delivery is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the factory visibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated workpiece deliveryVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the workpiece delivery function from the traditional upper transfer machine configuration and relocates it to the lower portion of the machine tool. The workpiece carriage is positioned at the lower front side of the machine tool, eliminating the need for expensive upper transfer machines while maintaining automated delivery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the transfer machine above the machine tool as conventionally done, the patent inverts the configuration by positioning the workpiece carriage and delivery mechanism at the lower portion of the machine tool, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and improving factory visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Extent of automation

If an upper transfer machine is used, then workpiece conveyance is automated, but the entire machine height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece conveyance automationVSAvoidmachine height

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional vertical arrangement by placing the workpiece carriage at the lower portion of the machine tool instead of the upper portion, thereby automating workpiece conveyance while reducing the overall machine height and improving operator visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the workpiece and workpiece support are both delivered to the workpiece carriage, then complete workpiece handling is achieved, but the discharge point space and workpiece carriage size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece handling completenessVSAvoiddischarge point space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the workpiece support from the delivery system by having the workpiece support remain at the machining station while only the workpiece is transferred to the workpiece carriage. This separation reduces the space requirements at the discharge point and decreases the workpiece carriage size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the workpiece handling process into two independent parts: the workpiece support remains stationary at the machining station while the workpiece is separately transferred by the workpiece carriage. This segmentation allows for more compact system design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If a larger workpiece carriage is used to accommodate workpiece and support, then complete workpiece support is provided, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece support capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the workpiece support function from the workpiece carriage, allowing the carriage to be smaller and only carry the workpiece. The workpiece support remains at the machining station, reducing the overall installation space requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the support function from the transport function, with the workpiece support remaining at the machining station and the workpiece carriage only handling the workpiece itself, thereby reducing the carriage size and installation space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12280463B2Workpiece delivery device

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 HORKOS

AI summary

A workpiece delivery device includes a base, a turning center part, a turning arm, a workpiece hand, a track turning mechanism, and a rotation control mechanism, in which the track turning mechanism has a turning drive part, a track turning transmission part, and a track guide part, the rotation control mechanism has a rotation restriction transmission part, a rotation control part, and a rotation restriction receiving part, the turning center part, the turning drive part, the track turning transmission part, the rotation restriction transmission part, and the rotation restriction receiving part are provided on the turning arm, the track guide part and the rotation control part are provided on the base, the rotation restriction receiving part is provided on a workpiece hand support shaft, and the rotation restriction transmission part and the rotation restriction receiving part are connected to each other by a connection part.