Workpiece Removal Sensing for Separation and Fixation Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual and automated removal of workpiece parts from residual workpieces during processes like punching or cutting of sheet metal is challenging due to the close proximity and potential jamming, leading to production interruptions and damage, necessitating reliable separation and fixation checks.

Innovation Solution

A device with sensor contact elements that detect complete separation by measuring electrical resistance between contact points and a holding device with switchable fixing states, ensuring reliable separation and fixation of workpieces using conductive contact elements and suction pads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated removal of workpiece parts is implemented, then productivity increases, but reliability decreases due to jamming and damage risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated removal speedVSAvoidprocess reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device performs preliminary detection to check whether the workpiece part is completely separated from the remaining workpiece before removal, and whether the workpiece part is securely fixed to the holding device during transport. This preliminary action prevents jamming and damage by identifying potential problems before they occur, thereby maintaining high automated removal speed while improving process reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If close proximity removal is performed, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to jamming risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation accuracyVSAvoidjamming and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device provides real-time feedback by detecting the separation state between the workpiece part and remaining workpiece, as well as the fixation state during transport. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the removal process dynamically, maintaining precise separation while preventing jamming and damage through continuous monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If separation detection is implemented, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting separation between the workpiece part and remaining workpiece, detecting fixation state during transport, and providing feedback for process control. By consolidating these detection functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent improves reliability through comprehensive monitoring while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances process reliability by accurately determining separation and fixation states, preventing jamming and damage, and ensuring safe removal of workpiece parts from residual workpieces.

Implementation Method 1

A device with sensor contact elements that detect complete separation by measuring electrical resistance between contact points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a holding device with switchable fixing states, ensuring reliable separation and fixation of workpieces using conductive contact elements and suction pads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3600711B1Device and method for removing a workpiece part from the rest of the workpiece
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3600711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3600711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3600711B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (16) for removing an electrically conductive workpiece part (14) from the rest of the electrically conductive workpiece (15), comprising: a holding device (24) which can be moved in a removal direction (Z) and which can be converted between a fixing state for fixing the workpiece part (14) on the holding device (24) and a release state for releasing the workpiece part (14) from the holding device (24). The holding device (24) has at least one first electrically conductive contact element (41) for contacting the workpiece part (14) at at least one first contact point (K1), and the holding device (24) also has at least one second electrically conductive contact element (43) for contacting the workpiece part (14) at at least one second contact point (K2). The device (16) additionally has a sensor device (45) which is designed to check the complete separation of the workpiece part (14) from the rest of the workpiece (15) using the at least one first and second contact element (41, 43) in a first check state (P1) and to check the fixation of the workpiece part (14) to the holding device (24, 25) in the fixing state in a second check state (P2). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.