Vacuum Gripper with Linear Actuator for Workpiece Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workpiece holding fixtures face challenges in rigidly securing varied shaped workpieces without inducing preload, leading to surface flaws and requiring labor-intensive manual adjustments for each shape, which complicates machining operations.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a linear actuator coupled with a vacuum gripper that forms a vacuum with the workpiece to securely hold it in place, preventing vibration and deflection, and allows for quick repositioning and adjustment to accommodate different shapes without manual setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a holding fixture is designed to rigidly hold varied shaped workpieces, then machining precision is improved, but device complexity increases requiring manual adjustment for each shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining precisionVSAvoidfixture adjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture employs a linear actuator that can dynamically adjust the position of the vacuum gripper along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic positioning capability allows the fixture to adapt to different workpiece shapes and sizes automatically, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining rigid holding for machining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical clamping mechanisms with a vacuum-based holding system. The vacuum gripper creates a vacuum environment to hold the workpiece, substituting complex mechanical adjustment systems with a simpler vacuum generation system controlled by a linear actuator, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining holding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a holding fixture accommodates various shaped workpieces, then adaptability is improved, but holding capability deteriorates causing machining flaws

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece shape adaptabilityVSAvoidworkpiece holding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum gripper serves multiple functions: it can hold various shaped workpieces through vacuum adhesion, provide rigid support at adjustable positions, and prevent both vibration and deflection. This universal holding mechanism maintains reliability across different workpiece geometries without requiring shape-specific fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The linear actuator acts as an intermediary between the fixed fixture base and the vacuum gripper, enabling precise positioning of the gripper to match different workpiece geometries. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to adapt to various shapes while maintaining secure holding through the vacuum connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment is performed for each workpiece shape, then holding accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece holding accuracyVSAvoidmachining productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-adjustment through the linear actuator, which can automatically reposition the vacuum gripper to appropriate locations on different workpieces. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operator intervention in adjusting the fixture for each workpiece shape, thereby maintaining holding accuracy while significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The linear actuator can be pre-programmed with positioning information for different workpiece types, allowing the vacuum gripper to automatically move to the correct position before machining begins. This preliminary positioning action ensures accurate holding is achieved quickly without manual adjustment time, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution ensures precise and efficient machining by maintaining the workpiece's rigidity and stability across various shapes, reducing machining errors and setup time, and enabling multiple machining operations in the same location with the same set of tools.

Implementation Method 1

the vacuum gripper is configured to grip the workpiece using a vacuum formed between the vacuum gripper and the surface of the workpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS10814459B2Apparatus and method for holding a workpiece

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An apparatus for holding a workpiece includes a fixture base, a linear actuator coupled to the fixture base and having an outboard end that is linearly movable by the linear actuator, and a vacuum gripper located at the outboard end of the linear actuator. The linear actuator is configured to linearly move the vacuum gripper relative to the fixture base into contact with a surface of the workpiece. With the vacuum gripper in contact with the surface of the workpiece, the vacuum gripper is configured to grip the workpiece using a vacuum formed between the vacuum gripper and the surface of the workpiece. With the vacuum formed between the vacuum gripper and the surface of the workpiece, the linear actuator is configured to lock linear movement of the vacuum gripper.