Integrated Workpiece Transfer Cover to Prevent Machine Tool Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools face challenges in preventing interference between movable covers and workpieces during the replacement process, which can lead to increased cycle times and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece replacing apparatus with a secured cover and a movable cover integral with the arm device, allowing concurrent operation to open and close the cover opening during workpiece delivery, maintaining a constant distance and preventing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the movable cover is operated separately from the arm device, then the cover opening can be closed securely, but the workpiece delivery process must wait for cover operation completion, increasing replacement time
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cover is integrated with the arm device as a single unified structure. The cover is positioned at the end of the arm device's second arm, making them function as one combined mechanism rather than separate components. This merging allows simultaneous execution of cover closing and workpiece delivery without requiring coordination between independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cover is positioned in advance at the end of the second arm of the arm device. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the arm device moves to deliver the workpiece, the cover is already in place to close the cover opening simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential operations.
2Reliability
If the arm device delivers workpiece after cover opening closes completely, then interference is prevented, but replacement time increases due to sequential operation requirement
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the movable cover with the arm device, the patent enables the cover closing action and workpiece delivery action to occur simultaneously as part of a single coordinated movement, rather than as separate sequential operations. This eliminates the time loss associated with waiting for cover operation completion before starting workpiece delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows the arm device to continuously perform useful work throughout its movement range. As the arm device moves to deliver the workpiece, the attached cover simultaneously closes the opening, ensuring that every phase of the arm's motion contributes to both cover closing and workpiece delivery without idle periods.
3Ease of operation
If separate control systems are used for electric motor and workpiece replacing apparatus, then each component can be controlled independently, but synchronization errors cause interference between door and workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover operation function into the arm device structure itself. Since the movable cover is physically integrated with the arm device, a single control system can simultaneously manage both the arm's workpiece delivery motion and the cover's closing motion, eliminating synchronization errors that would arise from coordinating two separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm device serves dual functions: delivering the workpiece and closing the cover. This self-service capability means the arm device automatically performs the cover closing action as part of its own operational cycle, eliminating the need for a separate control system to coordinate with the arm device controller.
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece replacing apparatus delivers a pre-machined workpiece into an intra-machine space inside a machine tool from an extra-machine space outside the machine tool, and delivers a workpiece machined by the machine tool to the extra-machine space from the intra-machine space. The workpiece replacing apparatus includes a secured cover, an arm device, and a movable cover. The secured cover is secured to a securing member of the machine tool. The secured cover defines a partition between the intra-machine space and the extra-machine space. The secured cover is provided with an opening. The arm device delivers the workpieces between the intra-machine space and the extra-machine space through the opening. The movable cover is integral with the arm device or in engagement with the arm device such that the movable cover is operable in conjunction with operation of the arm device. The movable cover closes the opening, with the arm device located in the extra-machine space.