May 2015 Archives

The supply mechanism escapement separates supply parts to make subsequent operations (transfer, for example) easier to carry out by automating them.For this reason, almost every automation device in the workstation where the parts go through after escapement is designed with a sensor to detect parts.

• [Photo 1] is an image of how the positioning stage at the end of the chute looks after separating only one color ball by the rotary separation mechanism.
• The hand unit moves to pick up the ball after the photoelectric sensor has detected it the ball stage.
• Another photoelectric sensor is also installed directly below the table where color balls are arranged for the bingo game. This sensor detects a ball and determines whether or not to move the hand unit to a designated location. ([Photo 2])
• The photoelectric sensor needs to be mounted so that the stage can position parts detected at an appropriate location (angle, height, and distance). To make this operation possible, a slotted-hole shape for the mounting hole on the L-shaped sheet metal is adopted. The L-shaped sheet metal can be separated into two parts, if necessary, in order to adjust the height.

In this section, we will look into the mounting base design of the drive motor used to rotate the color ball stocker.

• The color ball stocker and the drive motor are connected by an elastic round belt made of plastic. This belt transmits rotary motion. ([Photo 1])
• Thus, the drive motor needs to be mounted at the same height as a pulley assembled to the rotating shaft of the color ball stocker and another pulley fixed onto the drive motor shaft so that the round belt can produce appropriate tension. ([Photo 1])
• In general, the drive side (the color ball stocker, in this case) is not designed with the positioning mechanism.This is partly because the drive side mechanism tends to have a complex assembly structure. In addition, it is usually more important to ensure accuracy and simplify the structure than to add extra features like a positioning mechanism.
• On the other hand, the drive actuator side (the drive motor, in this case) is designed with the positioning mechanism.
• For the Bingo Machine, the drive motor positioning is achieved by the design dimensions of the spacer block. To adjust tension of the round belt, a slotted-hole shape has been adopted for the bolt fixing hole of the mounting base.