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Students from the Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Department of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology submitted some designs for a "pick and place" based rotary storage device - the Storage and Retrieval Station.
The basis on which the design was made was the FESTO FMS system in the classroom. The FMS system is an education tool sold by FESTO, which is continuously modified and upgraded with the addition of new stations and technology.
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Competing Students - K. Janse van Rensburg; K. Drögemöller; P.J. Louw; D. Seage
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1. Introduction
Five design concepts for a possible pick and place storage and retrieval system were presented. This storage and retrieval system is designed to complement the FESTO Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). The FMS is an educational tool sold by Festo and used in many unviersities around the world.
2. An Overview of the Most Efficient and Cost Effective Concept
After analysing their range of design concepts, the students felt that their Concept SRS (Storage and Retrieval System), a combination of two previous concepts, was the best solution.
The Storage and Retrieval Station on a whole is presented as an aesthetic, simple and innovative product that offers students a learning opportunity to develop individual work stations where they can learn about an extensive range of SEW Eurodrive and Festo products.
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3. Reviewing the sub-systems of the SRS
The SRS concept is essentially made up of the following sub-systems:
3.1. Pneumatic Gripper The heart of the gripper subsystem is the pneumatic gripper supplied by FESTO. The design requires a modification to the gripper in which a sensor plate is attached to the rear of the gripper. The sensors are to determine the colour of the work pieces and to enable the storage device to position itself correctly when retrieving and placing parts.
3.2. Linear Drive Sub-assembly The linear drive subsystem is essential for the "pick and place" movement of parts on a horizontal and vertical level. The gripper is attached to the linear drive via a mounting-adapter.
3.3. Rotating Storage Sub-system All parts are placed by the gripper into a rotating storage mechanism that is made up of 12 see-through plastic storage tubes. The see-through plastic allows students to easily confirm available stock levels.The entire storage unit is bolted to a SEW servo motor that is able to rotate the unit in such a manner that the required work piece can be positioned correctly when a piece needs to be selected.
3.4. Mounting Platform Sub-system This is the foundation of the design pulling all the facets of the design together. The PLC and valve bank along with the VSD are all mounted to the platform. The VSD controls the SEW Eurodrive Servo Motor while the PLC receives all the inputs from the sensors and determines what action needs to be taken when parts are selected.
4. Marketing Strategy
The students felt that an important marketing principle behind the Storage and Retrieval Station would be to introduce another large player to the training and education business. By involving SEW Eurodrive with the FESTO MPS stations, many training and education institutions would be exposed to SEW Eurodrive products.