Low Cost Automation Tutorial

#186 Design Image Training - 2: Equipment Frame/Enclosure Designs

Category : Hints on designing

July18, 2014

The equipment frame is the structural member that make up the skeleton of the equipment, and the cabinetry is the overall exterior with exterior cover, etc. on the frame. These are important design elements that not only maintain machine performances, but affect appearance and relate to layout efficiency. The drawing process needs to be proceeded with concerns on the following design concepts.

(1) Equipment frame and cabinetry design agenda

- 1. For the automated functions

Equipment frame agenda	Explanation
(1) Structural strength	- Static and dynamic loads apply to the automated equipment. Structural strength designs are needed with concerns given for fatigue failures on connecting elements due to prolonged operations. - Design the frame structure and caster placements with weight balance in consideration.
(2) Safety/Maintenance measures	- Cover designs with considerations given for safety and maintainability.
(3) Maintenance of automation performance	- Maintaining of various performances such as accuracy, high speeds, and multi-product adaptability, etc.
(4) Temperature stability	- Related to item (3)
(5) Noise suppression	- Suppression of equipment vibrations, preventing vibrations injected externally, soundproofing.
(6) Environmental sustainability such as dust proofing	- Need for external cover, clean compatibility, etc.
(7) Electrical noise/Grounding	- Need for electrical grounding or not.

- 2. Agendas other than automation functionalities

The following agendas exist other than the items regarding automation functionality maintenance described above.

Equipment frame agenda	Explanation
(8) Standardization	- Standardization compatibility to the entire factory and equipment installations, relating to the layout efficiency.
(9) Appearance	- Designs to show (5S aiming, skeleton cover), designs not to show (sheet metal covers, etc.)
(10) Handling of transfers and installations	- Fixing method during transportation, crane hoist process, door size during loading, etc.

[Figure] Example of automated Bingo Game equipment frame design

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