Workpiece Return Cell with Tilting and Temporary Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production cells are limited in their ability to process workpieces on both sides efficiently, particularly for plate-shaped materials, as they often require manual handling and lack integrated mechanisms for tilting and temporary storage, which restricts their application in various industries.
Innovation Solution
A production cell equipped with a workpiece tilting device at the transfer station and a workpiece return device with temporary storage, allowing for the transfer and processing of workpieces on both sides, utilizing workpiece carriages with clamping devices for conveying and processing, and a handling robot for efficient material flow and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a production cell is designed for single-sided workpiece processing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the versatility and application range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece transfer station incorporates a tilting device that can dynamically change the orientation of the workpiece between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the production cell to switch between processing different sides of the workpiece without requiring separate dedicated stations, thereby increasing versatility while managing device complexity through a single multi-functional transfer station
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece transfer station is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transfer point between conveyor sections and as a processing station for double-sided workpiece handling. The tilting device integrated at this station enables it to perform multiple functions: transferring workpieces, tilting them for different side processing, and coordinating with both upper and lower conveyor devices, thus increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If manual handling is used for workpiece transfer and tilting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity and automation level are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-servicing through automated control. The control device automatically coordinates the tilting mechanism, workpiece conveyors, and processing devices without requiring manual intervention. The workpiece is automatically tilted and transferred between processing positions, enabling continuous automated operation that increases productivity while maintaining ease of operation through centralized automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The control device receives feedback from sensors and system components to automatically adjust and coordinate the tilting device, conveyors, and processing equipment. This feedback mechanism ensures synchronized operation of multiple components, maintaining ease of operation through automated coordination while achieving high productivity through continuous automated processing cycles
3Adaptability or versatility
If double-sided workpiece processing is implemented without temporary storage, then the productivity is improved, but the adaptability to different processing sequences is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The production cell is segmented into distinct functional sections: an upper workpiece conveyor device for one side processing, a lower workpiece conveyor device for the other side processing, and a workpiece temporary storage device at the transfer station. This segmentation allows workpieces to be independently routed through different processing sequences while maintaining continuous flow and high productivity through parallel processing capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A production cell includes a workpiece conveyor device which has at least one workpiece carriage. It further includes at least one workpiece processing device and a workpiece transfer station. A provided workpiece can be conveyed to the workpiece processing station and from the processing station to the workpiece transfer station by the workpiece carriage. The production cell has a workpiece tilting device which is arranged at the workpiece transfer station and a workpiece return device with a workpiece temporary storage device. A workpiece can be transferred to the workpiece return device by the workpiece tilting device at the workpiece transfer station, and the workpiece can be conveyed into the workpiece temporary storage device. The workpiece can be removed from the workpiece temporary storage device and can be provided to the workpiece conveyor device.