Amber bead drilling robot

As it is today - this is the only device in the world that can drill uneven amber beads automatically! Designed and built by me.

INTRO

The amber bead drilling robot is a highly specialized and advanced machine that has revolutionized the way amber beads are produced. In addition to its ability to drill precise holes into amber beads with a high degree of accuracy and speed, the robot is also equipped with a number of additional features that enhance its capabilities and efficiency.

The Problem

Amber is a fossilized tree resin that is highly prized for its beauty, durability, and unique properties, mainly used for jewelry and decorative objects for centuries. It is known for its beautiful golden color, and it has a long and interesting history. As much as amber is popular in jewelry, it is also a very hard and brittle material, making it challenging to work with. Traditional methods of drilling amber require a lot of skill and experience, and even a tiny mistake can result in the amber breaking or cracking. Not to mention other potential dangers while processing the amber by hand, such as splinters (Amber is a brittle material that can easily splinter or shatter when it is being drilled. This can cause small pieces of amber to fly off and potentially hit the operator or other people in the area); Eye injuries (Amber dust can be created when drilling holes into the material, and it can be harmful if it gets into the eyes. It is important to wear protective eyewear when drilling amber to prevent eye injuries); Injuries from sharp tools (Drilling amber by hand involves the use of sharp drill bits, which can cause cuts or puncture wounds if they come into contact with skin).

Drilling holes into amber beads can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to drilling holes in beads of irregular shapes or sizes. Traditional methods of drilling amber beads are not only dangerous but, are limited in their ability to produce precise holes with a high degree of accuracy and consistency.

The Solution

To address these challenges, a solution would be to create an automated amber bead drilling machine. The machine should be capable of drilling holes into amber beads with a high degree of accuracy and consistency, while also reducing the risk of injury and accidents.

Design Approach

Features

One of the key features of the amber bead drilling robot is its six simultaneous drilling chambers. This allows the robot to drill six beads simultaneously, greatly increasing the speed and efficiency of the production process.

Robot Sections

Bead Hopper

Amber bead hopper with bead separator

The amber bead hopper is a component of the amber bead drilling robot that is responsible for holding the amber beads in place while they are prepared for further operations. It is designed as a gravity feeder, which is a specialized type of container that uses the force of gravity to move materials from a hopper into the initial bead drilling process section - a bead separator. It is designed for a capacity of up to 15 liters. There are several advantages of using a gravity feeder:

1. Cost-effective: Gravity feeders are relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, making them a cost-effective option for many applications.

2. Easy to maintain: Gravity feeders do not require any complex moving parts, which means that they are easy to maintain and have a long lifespan.

3. Reliable: Gravity feeders are reliable and consistent, as they rely on the force of gravity to move materials rather than mechanical or electrical components.

4. Versatile: Gravity feeders can be used to feed a wide range of materials, including powders, granules, small parts, and, in this case - the amber beads.

5. Safe: Gravity feeders do not use mechanical or electrical components, making them safe for many applications.

Amber bead hopper installed into the frame

Bead Separator

The bead separator is an important component of the amber bead drilling robot that is responsible for separating the beads into individual units. It is located before the bead feeder, which is the component of the machine that is responsible for feeding the beads into the drilling chamber. It is designed as a disc that can be changed to accommodate different sizes of beads. This allows the machine to process a wide range of bead sizes, increasing its versatility and flexibility.

The bead separator is driven by a geared DC motor, which provides precise control and torque to separate the beads. It is also equipped with an induction sensor, which enables the machine to accurately track the disc position so the beads can be efficiently separated.

The process of the bead separator can be easily controlled by the operator using an integrated touchscreen and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) controller. This allows the operator to adjust the settings and parameters of the machine to suit the specific needs of the production process and the different sizes of beads.

Bead feeder

The bead feeder of the Amber Bead Drilling Robot was designed to convey amber beads from the bead separator to the drilling chamber in a precise and efficient manner. To accomplish this, the bead feeder utilizes a series of silicone tubes to transport the beads to the corresponding drilling chamber where the actual drilling takes place.

Designing and implementing the bead feeder for the Amber Bead Drilling Robot was a complex and challenging process. One of the main difficulties was the fact that amber beads are a very hard material which makes the beads bounce off each other, which made it difficult for them inside the bead feeder to be arranged “in line” accurately. It took several design iterations to get the bead arrangement accurate and with great reliability. This helps to prevent jams or other issues that could disrupt the drilling process.

The amber beads are conveyed through the tubes by the force of gravity, rather than being pushed or pulled by mechanical means. The use of gravity to deliver the beads has several benefits. First and foremost, it helps to keep the beads moving smoothly and consistently through the tubes, as there are no mechanical components that could potentially disrupt their flow. In addition, using gravity to deliver the beads reduces the amount of wear and tear on the system, as there are no moving parts that can break or malfunction. This helps to increase the overall reliability and lifespan of the bead feeder.