Vacuum Hold-Down Mask for Variable Workpiece Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum hold-down systems are inadequate for accommodating workpieces of various shapes and sizes, as they lack flexibility in securing different dimensions effectively during inspection processes.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum hold-down system featuring a vacuum table mask with multiple arrays of apertures, mutually offset and registrable with vacuum orifices on the hold-down table, allowing for adjustable positioning to accommodate diverse workpiece sizes by blocking or exposing orifices as needed for secure hold-down and inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed vacuum hold-down table with uniform aperture array is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate workpieces of various shapes and sizes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum hold-down system is segmented into two independent components: a vacuum table with a fixed aperture array and a movable mask with a complementary orifice array. This segmentation allows the mask to be repositioned to create different vacuum patterns, enabling accommodation of various workpiece shapes and sizes without modifying the vacuum table structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask is designed to be movable relative to the vacuum table, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the vacuum aperture pattern. By translating the mask to different positions, the system can adapt to different workpiece configurations, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that responds to varying inspection requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate vacuum tables are used for different workpiece sizes, then each table can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the overall system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single vacuum table is designed to serve multiple functions by combining it with a repositionable mask. The mask can be translated to different positions to create vacuum patterns suitable for various workpiece sizes, making one table universal rather than requiring multiple specialized tables for different inspection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask structure is designed to overlay the vacuum table apertures, with the mask's orifice array nested within the table's aperture field. This nesting allows the mask to selectively block or expose apertures based on workpiece requirements, enabling multiple workpiece size accommodations within a single table footprint.
3Manufacturing precision
If the vacuum table has a dense array of small apertures for precision, then the hold-down accuracy improves, but the risk of clogging and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic dense aperture array is extracted from the main vacuum table and relocated to a separate, removable mask. This extraction allows the mask with the precision aperture array to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement without disassembling the entire vacuum table, thus maintaining precision while simplifying maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask with the precision aperture array is designed as a consumable or easily replaceable component. When apertures become clogged or worn, the entire mask can be discarded and replaced with a new one, rather than attempting to clean individual apertures in the vacuum table. This approach recovers system functionality quickly without complex maintenance procedures.
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
Enables secure and efficient vacuum hold-down of workpieces of different sizes by selectively positioning the mask to align apertures with orifices, ensuring effective air flow control and preventing free air flow through unneeded orifices, thus enhancing the versatility and precision of inspection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum hold-down table defining a mask support plane and an apertured vacuum table mask which is selectably positionable on the mask support plane, the vacuum hold-down table and the vacuum table mask being configured to define a plurality of selectable different contiguous arrays of vacuum apertures
Implementation Method 2
ensuring effective air flow control and preventing free air flow through unneeded orifices
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum hold-down system for use with workpieces of various shapes and/or sizes is disclosed. The system comprising a vacuum hold-down table defining a mask support plane and an apertured vacuum table mask which is selectably positionable on said mask support plane, wherein said vacuum hold-down table and said vacuum table mask is configured to define a plurality of selectable different contiguous arrays of vacuum apertures, by suitable relative positioning of said vacuum table mask and said vacuum hold-down table in said mask support plane.