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#082 LCA for Transfer - Degree of Transfer Mechanization

Category : Hints on designing
August 5, 2011

In order to cope with various loads (weight, form factor: liquids and gases, micro components, etc.) different degrees of mechanization exist. The mechanization levels are classified and explained in the following table.

Degree of Mechanization Transfer details Example of transfer LCA Points on LCA adoption
Manual operations Moving by human hands
  • Storage cases
  • Work holders
  • Push carts
  • Transfer fixtures
  • Devise positioning / locations easy for hand-off.
  • Considerations for human engineering (grip sizes, weight limits, color, etc.)
Gravity driven fixtures
  1. Utilizing slides
  2. Utilizing rolling motion
 Utilize workpiece's own weight.
Use of simplified fixtures to control speeds and positions.
  • Chutes
  • Transfer fixtures
  • Velocity control to avoid damages due to collisions.
  • Use of slides and rolling motion depending on workpiece shapes.
  • Considerations for preventing dust collection and wear.
  • Can be used for constant velocity motion control for LCA.
Fixturing and simplified mechanization Utilization of cylinders, cams, and non-circular gears for drive controls.
  • Conveyors
  • Loading by cylinders
  • Non-symmetrical velocity control by non-circular gears.
  • LCA drive control by use of cams and non-circular gears to simplify the drive system (reduction of parts, constant velocity rotations)
    (Note 1)
Flexibility
(Programmed control)		 Variable controls of material handling.
Variable controls of transfer routes.		 Variable speed conveyors.
Stopping position controlled loader.
  • Designs that enable modular control of transfer heights and linear path straightness.
  • Elimination of buffers between processes.
  • Maintenance free (anti - wear measures, etc.)

* Note 1)
Velocity control of linear transfers is commonly achieved by varying motor velocity, but LCA can be adopted for this by the use of non-linear gear combinations.

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