Development of a Bar Changer for a Punching Machine

Abstract: This master thesis was performed at the Mechanical department at Outotec AB,Skellefte˚a. Outotec AB is a technology company as well as a project company, sell-ing complex mining technology and plant projects. Outotec’s technologies are usedfor applications such as producing base metals, processing iron ore etc. Outotec isrunning a program called ‘Fully automated smelter’ where manual hazardous workmust be avoided. A machine which automatically replaces punching bars on thepunching machine is needed. This thesis project aimed to investigate if the punching bar changer will be aproprietary purpose-build machine or an industrial robot. The five-step conceptgeneration method was used for concept development during this thesis project.For gathering knowledge and information about the project area, experts have beeninterviewed to obtain information for the start of the project. The gathered infor-mation and knowledge from interviews and literature studies have been used as abase when the concepts were generated. Seven concepts were generated and evalu-ated using a screening matrix. The concept that best satisfied the set requirementswere further developed, designed and simulated. The two scenarios have been in-vestigated and a design concept of the proprietary purpose-built machine has beenpresented. The result from concept evaluation and simulation indicated that bothalternatives are applicable in this area. But to make a decision a more in-depthcalculation of the associated cost and investigation of the design is necessary.