Station for a glass forming machine

The removable station design with quick-release couplings and adjustable bearing elements addresses the safety shutdown issue in glass forming machines, reducing downtime and maintaining production efficiency.

DE202024105639U1Active Publication Date: 2026-02-19T&T TURNOV SRO
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE202024105639
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Utility models
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-30
Publication Date
2026-02-19
Estimated Expiration
2034-09-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In glass forming machines, a malfunction at one station necessitates shutting down adjacent stations for safety, leading to a 25% reduction in production volume due to the risk of injuries from hot glass and moving mechanisms.

Method used

A station for a glass forming machine with quick-release couplings and removable units, allowing disconnection from supply lines and easy removal, and adjustable bearing elements for lifting and positioning, facilitated by a transport device for replacement.

Benefits of technology

Minimizes downtime by enabling rapid removal and replacement of defective stations, ensuring continuous production with minimal effort.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Station for a glass forming machine, in particular for an IS or ISX glass forming machine, with station-side connections (4) by means of which the station (1) can be connected to glass forming machine-side supply lines or the like, characterized in that all station-side connections (4) can be disconnected from their associated supply lines or the like by means of quick couplings and that the station (1) can be removed from the glass forming machine as a unit.
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a station for a glass forming machine, in particular for an IS or ISX glass forming machine, with station-side connections by means of which the station can be connected to glass forming machine-side supply lines or the like.

[0002] Stations of this type for glass forming machines, as known from the prior art, are usually permanently installed on the corresponding sections or parts of the glass forming machine. If a malfunction occurs at one of the stations installed on the glass forming machine, that station must be shut down. However, to rectify the malfunction, it is often essential, for safety and occupational health reasons, to also shut down the adjacent stations located to the right and left of the malfunctioning station. Otherwise, the risk of burns or similar injuries to personnel involved in rectifying the malfunction would be too great, due to the hot glass being processed in the adjacent stations and the moving mechanisms of those stations.In a glass forming machine with twelve integrated stations, this means that if one station malfunctions and is not located at the edge of the machine, three of the twelve stations must be taken out of service. This results in a 25% reduction in the production volume of the glass forming machine.

[0003] Based on the prior art described above, the invention aims to provide a station for a glass forming machine, the use of which in a glass forming machine can significantly reduce the losses in the production quantity of the glass forming machine that occur in the event of a malfunction at the station.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by providing that, in a station for a glass forming machine of the type described above, all station-side connections can be disconnected from their associated supply lines or the like by means of quick-release couplings, and that the station can be removed from the glass forming machine as a unit. Accordingly, if a malfunction occurs in the station according to the invention, it can be disconnected from all glass forming machine-side supply lines, data lines, etc., within minutes and then removed from the glass forming machine.

[0005] If the station can be locked in its operating position on the glass forming machine by means of a quickly releasable locking device, a permanently correct positioning of the station in the glass forming machine and thus technically flawless operation of the same can be ensured.

[0006] According to an advantageous embodiment of the station according to the invention, screw connections are provided as a locking device, which can be easily loosened in the event of a malfunction at the station and by means of which, if necessary, a replacement station can be locked in its operating position with little effort.

[0007] If bearing elements are arranged between the station and the glass forming machine, by means of which the station can be lifted, preferably by about 15 mm, and on which the station can be pulled out of the glass forming machine, this results in a further simplification when removing a defective station from the glass forming machine.

[0008] The bearing elements can advantageously be located in recesses formed in a machine bed of the glass forming machine and arranged above the machine bed on the glass forming machine side when it is necessary to remove a defective station.

[0009] Accordingly, according to an advantageous further development of the station according to the invention, the bearing elements in the recesses of the machine bed on the glass forming machine side are adjustable for raising and lowering the station.

[0010] A further simplification results if the bearing elements can be adjusted between a rest position, in which the station can be locked in its operating position on the glass forming machine, and an operating position, in which the station can be removed from the glass forming machine by means of a driven adjusting device.

[0011] To ensure an even load on the machine bed when removing and inserting a station, it is advantageous if the recesses in the glass forming machine-side machine bed are arranged in two rows, each of which is assigned to a longitudinal edge area of ​​the underside of the station.

[0012] Further uniformity of the load on the machine bed when inserting and removing a station is achieved if the recesses of a row are arranged at equal intervals.

[0013] Roller, cylinder and / or journal bearing elements can be advantageously used as bearing elements.

[0014] For certain requirement profiles regarding the replacement of stations, it can be advantageous if the bearing elements are manually adjustable.

[0015] If the adjusting device can be driven electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically, preferably automatically, it is possible with comparatively little effort to also control and regulate the operation of the adjusting device by means of the control device of the glass forming machine.

[0016] Advantageously, the station according to the invention can be connected to a transport device by means of which it can be removed or pulled out of the glass forming machine.

[0017] The exchange of stations on the glass forming machine can be further facilitated if, by means of the transport device, which is preferably designed as a special low-loader vehicle, another station serving as a replacement can also be loaded and inserted into the glass forming machine.

[0018] Advantageously, the station is repairable and serviceable outside the glass forming machine, and its components are replaceable outside the glass forming machine. Replacing the components ensures their correct positioning relative to the station and, consequently, once the station is integrated into the glass forming machine, their correct positioning relative to the glass forming machine itself.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to one embodiment and the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a station according to the invention for a glass forming machine above a machine bed on the glass forming machine side; and Fig. 2 an enlarged perspective view of the in Fig. Station 1 shown for a glass forming machine with the cover partially disassembled.

[0020] An embodiment of a station 1 for a glass forming machine according to the invention is described in Fig. 1 together with an area of ​​a machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine, which is otherwise located in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2, not shown, is presented in a perspective view. The glass forming machine on which station 1 is used can be, in particular, an IS or an ISX glass forming machine.

[0021] Station 1 has, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 2 results, in which station 1 without one in Fig. The housing part shown in Figure 1 (Figure 3) has station-side connections (Figure 4). These station-side connections (Figure 4) allow station 1 to be connected to supply lines, data lines, or similar connections on the glass forming machine. These supply lines, data lines, or similar connections allow station 1, when in its operating position on the machine bed (Figure 2) of the glass forming machine, to be supplied with compressed air, vacuum, lubricating oil, cooling water, etc. Furthermore, data generated during operation of station 1 can be transmitted via the data lines to a control device of the glass forming machine, with these data lines also being connected to station-side connections (Figure 4). The station-side connections (Figure 4) also allow the supply of compressed air, vacuum, lubricating oil, other lubricants, cooling water, etc., to preforms (Figure 5), finished molds (Figure 6), the inverter (Figure 7), and other components of station 1.

[0022] All station-side connections 4 of station 1 can be disconnected from their respective supply and data lines of the glass forming machine (not shown in the figures) with extremely little time expenditure. For this purpose, quick-release couplings (not explicitly shown in the figures) are provided, by means of which the supply and data lines of the glass forming machine can be connected to and disconnected from their respective connections 4 of station 1 as quickly as possible.

[0023] The in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Station 1 shown is designed as an integrated unit and as such can be separated from and joined to the glass forming machine.

[0024] To join station 1 to the glass forming machine, four screw connections 8, 9, 10, 11 are provided in the illustrated embodiment of station 1, of which in Fig. Figure 1 shows only the screw openings on the machine bed side. Using these screw connections 8, 9, 10, 11, which function as a locking device for station 1 on the machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine, station 1 can be fixed in its operating position on the machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine in a very short time.

[0025] On its upper surface section assigned to station 1, the machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine is designed with recesses 12 to 19 arranged in two rows. The four in Fig. The recesses 12, 13, 14, 15 provided in the right-hand row are assigned to a right-hand longitudinal edge area of ​​the underside of station 1, which are located in Fig. The recesses 16, 17, 18, 19 arranged in the left row are in Fig. 1 assigned to the left longitudinal edge area of ​​the underside of station 1.

[0026] Each of these recesses 12 to 19 contains a bearing element, which can be designed, for example, as a roller, cylinder, and / or journal bearing element. These bearing elements are in Fig.Figure 1 is not shown. Each of these bearing elements is adjustable within its associated recess 12 to 19 by means of an adjusting device 20 between a rest position of the bearing element, in which station 1 can be locked to the machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine in its operating position by means of the screw connections 8, 9, 10, 11, and an operating position of the bearing element, in which station 1 can be removed from the glass forming machine on the bearing elements or pulled off the machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine. During the adjustment movement from its rest position to the operating position, the bearing elements are raised by means of the adjusting device 20 until they protrude approximately 15 mm above the surface of the machine bed 2, thereby raising station 1 by these 15 mm from the machine bed 2 with the screw connections 8, 9, 10, 11 loosened. Station 1 can then be easily pulled out of the glass forming machine on the bearing elements.Once a new or replacement station 1 has been brought into its correct position on the machine bed 2 on the bearing elements in their operating position, the bearing means can be moved from their operating position to their rest position by means of the adjusting device 20, in which the station 1 is lowered onto the machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine and can be fixed in its operating position on the machine bed 2 of the glass forming machine by means of the screw connections 8, 9, 10, 11.

[0027] To ensure the most even distribution possible when removing and inserting station 1 into the glass forming machine, the recesses 12 to 15 and 16 to 19 can be arranged at equal intervals in their respective rows. The adjusting device 20 for raising and lowering the bearing elements located in the recesses 12 to 19 can be operated manually. Alternatively, this adjusting device 20 can be driven electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. Automatic operation is preferable.

[0028] A special low-loader vehicle can be used to remove and insert station 1 into the glass forming machine, which is suitable for both removing a station 1 and inserting a station 1 from or into the glass forming machine.

[0029] Station 1 is of course designed in such a way that components intended for it, e.g. the preforms 5, the finished forms 6, the inverter 7 etc., can be easily repaired or replaced at Station 1 when Station 1 is located in a maintenance or repair facility at a distance from the glass forming machine.

[0030] The station 1 described above for a glass forming machine can be completely disconnected or decoupled from all glass forming machine supply lines, etc., within minutes using the quick-release couplings provided at its connections 4. Before disconnection or decouplement, station 1 is switched off. Then, the screw connections 8, 9, 10, and 11 are loosened, whereupon station 1 is moved into a position approximately 15 mm above the top of the machine bed 2 using the adjustable bearing elements located in the recesses 12 to 19. Station 1 can then be pulled out of the glass forming machine using the special low-loader and transported, for example, to a machine shop or similar facility. There, station 1 is modified, repaired, and fitted with new components, while remaining outside the glass forming machine. Therefore, there is no risk of injury.Station 1 can also be moved from the glass forming machine to the workshop for preventive maintenance or similar purposes. To ensure the continued operation of the glass forming machine, another Station 1, serving as a replacement, can be inserted into the open position of the glass forming machine. After this Station 1 has been moved into its correct position above the machine bed 2 on the bearing elements, the bearing elements in the recesses 12 to 19 can be moved into their rest position using the adjusting device. The newly inserted Station 1 can then be fixed in its operating position using the screw connections 8, 9, 10, and 11.Using the station 1 described above, the downtime of glass forming machines can be significantly reduced, since a defective station 1 can be easily removed from the glass forming machine, and a functional replacement station 1 can be inserted into the glass forming machine with minimal effort.

Claims

[1] Station for a glass forming machine, in particular for an IS or ISX glass forming machine, with station-side connections (4) by means of which the station (1) can be connected to glass forming machine-side supply lines or the like, characterized by , that all station-side connections (4) can be disconnected from their associated supply lines or the like by means of quick couplings and that the station (1) can be removed as a unit from the glass forming machine. [2] Station according to claim 1, which can be locked in its operating position on the glass forming machine by means of a quickly releasable locking device (8, 9, 10, 11). [3] Station according to claim 2, wherein screw connections (8, 9, 10, 11) are provided as a locking device. [4] Station according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which bearing elements are arranged between the station (1) and the glass forming machine, by means of which the station (1) can be raised, preferably by about 15 mm, and on which the station (1) can be pulled out of the glass forming machine. [5] Station according to claim 4, wherein the bearing elements are seated in recesses (12 to 19) formed in a machine bed (2) of the glass forming machine and can be arranged above the glass forming machine-side machine bed (2). [6] Station according to claim 5, wherein the bearing elements in the recesses (12 to 19) of the glass forming machine bed (2) are adjustable for raising and lowering the station (1). [7] Station according to claim 6, wherein the bearing elements are adjustable by means of a driven adjusting device (20) between a rest position in which the station (1) can be locked in its operating position on the glass forming machine and an operating position in which the station (1) can be removed from the glass forming machine. [8] Station according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the recesses (12 to 15 or 16 to 19) in the glass forming machine bed (2) are arranged in two rows, each of which is assigned to a longitudinal edge area of ​​the underside of the station (1). [9] Station according to claim 8, wherein the recesses (12 to 15 or 16 to 19) of a row are arranged equidistant from each other. [10] Station according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein roller, cylinder and / or journal bearing elements are provided as bearing elements. [11] Station according to one of claims 6 and 8 to 10, wherein the bearing elements are manually adjustable. [12] Station according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the adjusting device (20) is electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven, preferably automatically. [13] Station according to one of claims 1 to 12, which can be connected to a transport device by means of which it can be removed or pulled out of the glass forming machine. [14] Station according to claim 13, by means of a transport device which is preferably designed as a special low-loader vehicle, another station (1) serving as a replacement can be loaded and inserted into the glass forming machine. [15] Station according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which is repairable and serviceable outside the glass forming machine and whose components (6, 7, 8) are replaceable outside the glass forming machine.