Workpiece Transfer Assembly Reuse for Faster Press Line Tooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing and producing a device to move a workpiece from one tool to another in a pressing line is time-consuming and costly due to the need for custom-made assemblies and geometric modifications, which are complex and require multiple assemblies with high degrees of freedom, leading to collisions and installation space restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A method using an electronic computing unit to determine nominal values for a device's properties, compare them with actual values from existing devices, and display information to select similar existing designs, allowing for minimal changes and efficient production by reusing existing assemblies and movement apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-made assemblies with high degrees of freedom are designed for moving the workpiece, then the device can adapt to different machining positions, but the design and production time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a set of discrete mounting positions and orientations on the movement apparatus before the device is actually used. These positions are predetermined during the design phase, allowing the device to be quickly mounted in different configurations without requiring complex real-time adjustments or custom design work for each new machining position.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement apparatus is segmented into discrete mounting positions and orientations rather than providing continuous adjustment freedom. This segmentation allows the device to be mounted at specific predetermined locations, reducing the complexity of design while maintaining sufficient adaptability for different machining operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple assemblies with high degrees of freedom are used to avoid collisions, then the device can navigate complex spaces, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The potential collision issues are addressed in advance by carefully selecting and pre-defining discrete mounting positions that are known to be collision-free for the intended applications. This eliminates the need for complex real-time collision detection and avoidance mechanisms during device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing uniform high degrees of freedom throughout the entire movement apparatus, the patent applies adaptability locally at specific discrete mounting positions. Each position is optimized for particular machining tasks, providing the necessary freedom of movement only where needed while maintaining simplicity elsewhere.
3Adaptability or versatility
If geometric modifications are made to existing devices, then the device can be adapted to new requirements, but the production costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Geometric adaptations are performed in advance during the design phase rather than during manufacturing. The discrete mounting positions and orientations are predetermined to match common machining requirements, allowing existing standardized components to be used without requiring costly or time-consuming geometric modifications during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement apparatus is designed with universal mounting positions that can serve multiple different machining functions. A single apparatus with predetermined positions can accommodate various devices for different operations (transport, positioning, orientation), eliminating the need for custom geometric modifications for each specific application.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a device includes, by an electronic computing unit, determining a nominal value of a nominal property of the device to be produced and/or of a movement apparatus for moving the device in space. By the electronic computing unit, comparing the nominal value with actual values of a property of respective already produced devices and/or of an already produced movement apparatus, where a respective difference between the nominal value and the respective actual value is determined in the comparing. By the electronic computing unit, displaying an item of information on an electronic display, where the information characterizes one of the already produced devices, where one of the actual values belongs to the one device characterized by the information, and where one of the differences was determined on a basis of the one actual value belonging to the device characterized by the information.