Vacuum Workpiece Clamp Positioning With Pin-Locked Sacrificial Panels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for working wood panels face issues with suction cups moving from their assigned positions, leading to potential damage and increased operational costs due to incorrect positioning and the need for manual interventions.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a blocking and releasing device featuring pins that orient and secure the device on a sacrificial panel, allowing for vacuum retention and easy coupling, which includes making corresponding openings on the panel for the pins to ensure stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If suction cups are positioned manually on the sacrificial panel, then the positioning process is simple, but the suction cups can move from their assigned positions during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking and releasing device is divided into separate components: a main body and pins that can be inserted into holes in the sacrificial panel. This segmentation allows the device to be easily positioned while the pins provide secure anchoring to prevent movement during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Holes are pre-drilled in the sacrificial panel at the desired positions before the blocking and releasing devices are installed. This preliminary action enables quick and accurate positioning of the devices without requiring complex alignment procedures during installation.
2Reliability
If suction cups are secured to the sacrificial panel, then positioning stability is improved, but the time required for installation and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking and releasing device incorporates pins that can be easily inserted into and removed from holes in the sacrificial panel. This dynamic design allows for quick installation and removal while maintaining secure positioning during operation, reducing downtime between work cycles.
3Reliability
If the blocking and releasing device is permanently fixed to the sacrificial panel, then position stability is maximized, but the adaptability to reposition or remove the device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pins act as intermediaries between the blocking and releasing device and the sacrificial panel. They provide secure mechanical connection when inserted into the pre-drilled holes, ensuring position stability during operation, while allowing the device to be easily removed and repositioned by simply extracting the pins, thus maintaining adaptability.
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
The solution provides a quick, reliable, and cost-effective method for coupling and decoupling the blocking and releasing device, preventing accidental movement and reducing downtime, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of the machining process.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum condition created below the sacrificial panel
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum condition generated between said working plane and said sacrificial panel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a Blocking and releasing device (3) for a workpiece, intended to be placed on a support or sacrificial panel (2), which has at least one opening (20), wherein said blocking and releasing device (3) comprises a main body (30), having a supporting surface (301), on which said workpiece can be placed, and a bearing surface (302), intended to be placed on said support or sacrificial panel (2), said blocking and releasing device (3) being characterized in that it comprises at least one pin (32) arranged on said bearing surface (302), which can be removably inserted into said at least one opening (20) of said sacrificial panel (2), so that, when said pin (32) is inserted into said opening (20), said main body (30) is constrained to said sacrificial panel (2). The present invention also relates to a method for positioning a blocking and releasing device (3) for a workpiece on a sacrificial panel (2),