Innovative composite end effectors for handling lightweight, flexible elastomers

用于搬运轻质、柔性弹性体的创新复合材料末端执行器

• 批准号: 101549
• 金额: $ 57.53万
• 依托单位: AYLESBURY AUTOMATION LIMITED
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Collaborative R&D
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2013 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=101549
• 关键词: Innovative; composite; end; effectors; handling

This project will development a range of innovative 'grippers' capable of handling high volumes of small, lightweight & flexible elastomer (rubber & synthetic rubber) products every second. The automation opportunities developed through this project include automating the removal of elastomers from moulding lines; picking e;elastomers from moving conveyors; & rigid 'tools' into flexible elastomers. The successful development of 'grippers' to deal with these manufacturing challenges will also have wider applications. Automating processes in high volume elastomer production environments can be complex because the moulded products often need to be removed from fast moving production lines/ conveyors; air flows around the elastomer products can cause difficulties; and the products are highly flexible, & not uniform in shape. We have a number of strong concepts for developing grippers capable of handling elastomers which will utilise a combination of innovative mechanical; electrical; and electo-mechanical techniques & enhanced visioning/sensing technologies. Through this project, we will develop & comparatively evaluate several proofs of concept for different gripping technologies. The most promising grippers are selected for development & one or more grippers will be integrated in a prototype of a full automation machine

该项目将开发一系列创新的“夹具”，能够每秒处理大量小型、轻质和柔性弹性体（橡胶和合成橡胶）产品。通过该项目开发的自动化机会包括自动化从成型线上移除弹性体;从移动的输送机上拾取弹性体;以及将刚性“工具”转化为柔性弹性体。成功开发“抓手”来应对这些制造挑战也将有更广泛的应用。在大批量弹性体生产环境中自动化工艺可能很复杂，因为模制产品通常需要从快速移动的生产线/输送机上移除;弹性体产品周围的气流可能会造成困难;并且产品具有高度柔性，形状不均匀。我们有许多强大的概念来开发能够处理弹性体的夹具，这些夹具将利用创新的机械、电气和机电技术以及增强的视觉/传感技术的组合。通过这个项目，我们将开发和比较评估几种不同抓取技术的概念证明。选择最有前途的抓手进行开发&一个或多个抓手将集成在一个全自动化机器的原型中