GB2245245A

GB2245245A - Suction gripper apparatus for use in the manufacture of composite articles

Info

Publication number: GB2245245A
Application number: GB9007674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Derek Henwood Jarvis
Original assignee: Smiths Aerospace Gloucester Ltd
Current assignee: Smiths Aerospace Gloucester Ltd
Priority date: 1990-04-04
Filing date: 1990-04-04
Publication date: 1992-01-02
Also published as: GB9007674D0

Abstract

Apparatus for use in the manufacture of multilayer composite articles includes a gripper mounted on a manoeuvrable arm, and including a gripping surface (2) having a number of nozzles (6) which are laid out in a pattern adapted to lifting layers of a particular shape between certain size requirements so that no nozzle is redundant during the lifting of such layers, a framework into which the gripping surface (2) is mounted, and a manifold which communicates individual lines from the nozzles (6) with a common vacuum line (15). <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPOSITE ARTICLES This invention relates to apparatus for use in the manufacture of composite articles, and in particular, to apparatus for use in the automated manufacture of multilayer composite articles.

The automation of the manufacture of multi layer composite articles involves the use of remotely controlled equipment, for example robotically operated arms, to pick-up the individual layers in the article and lay the layers in the correct orientation on a laying up table, where they are laid up to form a preform.

The laying up table may be configured se that the layers are laid flat or hung. In any event the production of multilayer composite articles to a high product specification by automated manufacturIng is difficult to achieve, and the apparatus/equipment associated with this is correspondingly expensive to make and operate.

One particular problem encountered with the automation of the equipment involves the means by which the robotic arm picks up the layer of the composite article. Now as a majority of the composite articles to be manufactured are of nonstandard and relatively complex shape, the layers to be picked up and laid by the robotic arm will be of comparative non-standard and complex shape.

In order to effect lifting of the layers a suction force generated by a number of nozzles in a flat surface is sometimes utilised. These individual nozzles being connected by individual lines to a manifold and thence to a common line and suction device.

Now due to the fact tat the nozzles are normally formed in a grid pattern to enable picking up of a number of articles of differing sizes and shapes during the picking up of any one layer, a number of the nozzles are redundant and simply suck air into the system. In turn this redundency means the manifold associated with the nozzles is larger than necessary and as a consequence in normally provided independently of the robotically operated arm. As a consequence of this in association with the means by which the robotic arm picks up the layer of the composite article a large number of hoses are provided running from the manifold which may include solenoid valves, one for each hose, to control the operation of the nozzles, and which hoses run the length of the arm. This causes problems with the design of automated production equipment and the operation thereof.

The present invention is concerned with providing improved, and more efficient, equipment for use in the manufacture of multilayer composite articles.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus for use in the manufacture of multi layer composite articles includes a gripper means mounted on a manoeuvrable arm means, which gripper means includes: - a gripping surface having a number of nozzles provided therein; which nozzles are laid out in a pattern adapted to lifting layers of a particular shape between certain size requirements so that no nozzle is redundant during the lifting of such layers; - a framework into which the gripping surface is mounted; and - a manifold which communicates individual lines from the nozzles with a common line and therefrom a suction producing means.

apparatus made in accordance with the present invention has the advantage over previously conceptually envisaged equipment in that because the manifold can be made sufficiently small so that it can be incorporated into a gripper means, tb.erefore only one hose has to be laid in association with the gripper means along the length of the manoeuvrable arm means.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the individual lines connecting the nozzles to the common line are divided into groups, each of which groups is provided with a valve, most preferably a solenoid operated pneumatic valve so as to control the suction applied by the nozzles of each of the particular groups.

In one embodiment each of the individual lines is provided with a solenoid operated pneumatic valve so as to control the suction applied by the nozzle.

In a preferred arrangement of the present invention the manifold is arranged so that it provides the gripper means with structural strength.

Preferably, the gripper means is mounted on the maneuvrable arm means by a mounting means provided on the manifold.

Preferably, this is achieved by using the manifold to Interconnect two sides of the framework, i.e.

to use the manifold as a crossbar like member.

Alternatively, the manifold directly interconnects at at least one position the framework adjacent to the gripping surface with the mounting means on the manifold.

Preferably, the manoeuvrable arm means is a robotically operated arm.

Preferably, the suction producing means comprises connecting the common line from the manifold to the inlet side of a blower or the outlet side of a vacuum pump.

In a preferred arrangement the suction induced is controlled so as to provide a constant level of vacuum from the nozzles as a whole.

Preferably, the operation of the manoeuvrable arm means is controlled remotely, most preferably, automatically by means of a microprocessor.

The invention will now be illustrated by way of description of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric view of a gripper means made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of a gripping surface for use in a gripper means as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a hydraulic arm with the gripper means shown in Figure 1 of the drawings; and Figure 4 shows a schematic representatIon of the flow paths associated with the operational use of the gripper means shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Now referring to the drawings, a gripper means 1 for use in apparatus made in accordance with the present invention comprises: - a gripping surface 2; and - a framework having a base section 3 which surrounds the outer periphery of the gripping surface 2; two side sections 4 extending vertically from the base section 3; and a manifold bar 5 which extends between the two side sections 4.

The gripping surface 2 is essentially flat, and of rectangular profile, and is provided with a number of nozzles 6. The nozzles 6 are formed in the gripping surface 2 in a specific pattern, which pattern is suited and adapted to the lifting and gripping of a layer particularl shaped article.

Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates a nozzle arrangement suitable for use in the production and manufacture of a multilayer composite propeller blade.

The layout of the nozzles in a specific pattern enables the number of nozzles required in a particular gripping surface to be kept to a minimum. In turn this means the amount of associated lines etc. from the manifold to the nozzles is kept to a minimum enabling the manifold to be kept to a relatively small size and incorporation in the gripper means.

The framework of the gripper means 1 is manufactured from tubular metal bar, which provides the gripper means 1 with a relatively lightweight construction, but maintains the required strength and degree of rigidity for the gripping surface 2 positioned therein.

The manifold bar 5 of the framework is of boxed construction. The manifold bar 5 is disposed so that it interconnects the two side sections 4, and thereby helps to provide the gripper means 1 with some degree of rigid stability.

The manifold bar 5 include: - a mounting means 7 to enable mounting of the gripper means 1 to other equipment, for example, an robotically operated arm; - air connection means 8 to enable connection to an external means for example, a means provided by or in conjunction with the hydraulically operated arm; - a plurality of points, to each of which is connected a piece of tubing 12 the other end of which is connected to a respective nozzle 6; and - valve means 13 provided at the individual aXr connection poInts 9 in order to enable the air flow through the individual lines to be controlled.

Now referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, in order to enable use of the gripper means in the production of multilayer composite articles, the gripper means 1 is mounted onto an hydraulically operated arm 14 by means of the mounting means 7.

Also the air connection means 8 is connected to one end of a hose 15 which runs internally in the hydraulically operated arm, and is connected at its other end to the inlet side of a blower 16.

In practical terms this means that the nozzles 6 are in effect connected to the blower 16, so that when the blower 16 is turned on air is sucked through the nozzles 6 enabling articles to be gripped to the gripper surface by suction.

When used in the manufacture of multi layer composite articles the operation of the robotically operated arm 15, and therefore the gripper means 1 is controlied by a microprocessor Which mIcroprocessor addItionally controls the whole of te manufacturing operations associated with the production of the finished article.

In operation the gripper means 1 picks up a layer of the multi layer composite article by means of the suction produced by the nozzle 6. The hydraulically operated arm 15 now moves the gripper means 1 and hence the layer held in the gripper means 1, until it is correctly positioned and then released. In this way the layers in a multilayered composite may be positioned and the article built up.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of multi layer composite articles includes a gripper means mounted on a manoeuvrable arm means, which gripper means includes: - a gripping surface having a number of nozzles provided therein; which nozzles are laid out in a pattern adapted to lifting layers of a particular shape between certain size requirements so that no nozzle is redundant during the lifting of such layers; - a framework Into which the gripping surface is mounted; and - a manifold which communicates individual lines from the nozzles with a common line and therefrom a suction producing means.