Workpiece Part Removal with Adaptive Clamping and Separation Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing workpiece parts from the remainder of a workpiece using ejection and counter-holding units risk damaging the units due to excessive forces, particularly in sandwich removal strategies, and fail to ensure complete separation, necessitating inefficient retry strategies.
Innovation Solution
A method involving alternating clamping and release of the workpiece part by reducing or canceling clamping forces and moving the ejector and counter-holding elements to relieve mechanical stresses, allowing partial or complete opening of the 'sandwich' configuration, and employing sensor units to check for complete separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous clamping is applied during workpiece part removal, then the workpiece part can be securely held for ejection, but excessive forces may damage the ejection and counter-holding units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between clamping and releasing the workpiece part during the removal process. The method involves initially clamping the workpiece part between the ejection unit and counter-holding unit, then releasing the clamping after the part is separated from the workpiece. This periodic clamping and releasing prevents continuous excessive forces while maintaining secure holding when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the clamping force variable rather than constant. The control unit dynamically adjusts the clamping state based on the removal progress - applying clamping force during ejection and releasing it after separation. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between secure holding and preventing damage to the units.
2Reliability
If high clamping forces are used to ensure complete separation, then removal reliability increases, but the risk of unit damage and mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a sensor unit to detect whether the workpiece part has been completely separated from the workpiece. The control unit receives this feedback information and uses it to control the ejection unit and counter-holding unit - maintaining clamping during separation and releasing it upon successful separation detection. This feedback mechanism ensures complete separation while avoiding excessive forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by alternating clamping and releasing based on separation status. High clamping forces are applied only when needed for separation, then released when separation is achieved, as detected by the sensor unit. This periodic application of force achieves complete separation while minimizing mechanical stress on the units.
3Reliability
If retry strategies are implemented for unsuccessful removal, then removal completeness can be ensured, but process time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the sensor unit that continuously monitors whether the workpiece part has been completely separated. This feedback allows the control unit to immediately determine if removal was successful and either proceed with ejection or initiate a retry, reducing unnecessary process time while ensuring removal completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the clamping and ejection sequence efficiently, with the sensor unit already in place to detect separation. The system is prepared to immediately respond to separation detection, reducing retry time and process complexity while ensuring complete removal when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for removing a workpiece from the remainder of the workpiece supported in a bearing plane. The method includes moving the workpiece part, which is clamped between at least one ejector element of an ejection unit and at least one counter-holding element of a counter-holding unit, along a removal direction, and checking whether the workpiece part has been completely separated from the remainder of the workpiece during movement along the removal direction. The method is characterized by reducing or completely canceling the clamping of the workpiece part and subsequently resuming the clamping of the workpiece part if it is determined during checking that the workpiece part has not been completely separated from the remainder of the workpiece.