Overview
A parallel kinematic robot with two degrees of freedom was developed for use in a high-performance robotic complex for packing ice cream into boxes.
The key features of this model are an increased load capacity of up to 100 kg and an extended working area of 1700x500 mm, making it stand out from market alternatives.
My Role
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, I performed the following tasks:
Specification of the robot's technical requirements, including the operational cycle and working area, based on the analysis of the automated line and the end customer's equipment.
Determination of the robot’s dimensions to ensure the required working area.
Layout planning, taking into account the mass and dimensions of the end effector.
Strength and dynamic calculations, as well as determining motor parameters using MATLAB simulation software.
Selection of components and engineering calculations, including bearing life assessment, static and fatigue strength analysis of critical components using finite element method (FEM) in ANSYS.
Design of the robot’s structure considering the manufacturer's production capabilities.
Preparation of a complete set of drawings for robot manufacturing.
Development of a closed enclosure for the robot, including a module for accumulating and unloading defective products, with a complete set of production documentation.
Challenges and Solutions
The main challenge of the project was the absence of a well-defined technical specification from the customer. During the design phase, I had to deeply immerse myself in the technological process and independently determine the necessary characteristics of the robot.
Another challenge was maintaining a balance between structural rigidity, the mass of components, and torque to preserve the required dynamic characteristics of the robot without compromising reliability and performance.