Workpiece Positioning Mechanism Tray Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pick-and-place method for inspecting workpieces requires time-consuming replacement operations, reducing throughput, and the in-tray method faces challenges in maintaining precise positional relationships between trays and inspection devices.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece positioning mechanism featuring a tray with pins and a bias applier that positions the tray in the inspection region, ensuring precise alignment with the inspection device through a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pick-and-place method is used to inspect workpieces, then inspection can be performed, but replacement work takes a lot of time and reduces throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece is pre-positioned on the tray at a predetermined position before inspection. The tray is designed with positioning structures (notches, pins) that ensure the workpiece maintains its positional relationship with the inspection device throughout the inspection process, eliminating the need for time-consuming pick-and-place operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-tray inspection method allows the workpiece to remain on the tray throughout the entire inspection process. The tray can be continuously transferred through the inspection region without interruption for loading or unloading operations, maintaining continuous productive action.
2Productivity
If the in-tray method is used to inspect workpieces, then throughput is improved, but it is difficult to always stably maintain precise positional relationship between tray and inspection device
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning pins are introduced as intermediary elements between the tray and the inspection device. These pins fit into corresponding holes or notches on the tray, acting as a mediator that ensures precise and stable positional relationship without requiring complex mechanical linkages between the tray and inspection device.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structures (notches, pins, positioning holes) are localized at specific positions on the tray and frame. Rather than requiring the entire tray structure to be precisely maintained, only the local positioning points need to maintain precise geometric relationships, simplifying the overall system while ensuring inspection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a workpiece positioning mechanism and a workpiece inspection apparatus, each of which stably maintains precise positional relationship between a tray with a workpiece placed thereon and an inspection device for the workpiece by a simple structure. A workpiece positioning mechanism includes: a tray on which a workpiece is placed; a frame in which a notch defining a height position of the tray positioned in an inspection region is formed; a plurality of pins that are provided on the frame and position the tray; and a bias applier that positions the tray in the inspection region by biasing a bottom surface.