Adjustable Face Plate for Cartoner Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current face plate assemblies in cartoning machines are limited to specific box sizes, requiring multiple static plates, leading to delays, storage issues, and inefficiencies due to their inability to adjust to varying carton sizes, and often become obsolete with machine upgrades.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable face plate design that allows for a wide range of carton sizes (2.0" to 13.5" in length, 0.63" to 6.0" in width, and 3.25" to 13" in depth, with adjustable guide rods and stop tabs, enabling easy adjustment and reference using scales for quick changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If static face plates are used for specific box sizes, then the face plate can be designed and constructed for a single specific box size, but production must be put on hold until the face plate is completed and multiple face plates are needed for different box sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The face plate is designed with adjustable components including guide rods that can be repositioned along the frame and stop tabs that can be adjusted to different positions. This dynamic adjustability allows the same face plate to adapt to multiple box sizes without requiring separate static plates for each size, thereby eliminating production delays associated with face plate changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The face plate assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating various box sizes through its adjustable mechanisms. A single face plate can handle different carton dimensions by repositioning guide rods and adjusting stop tabs, making it a universal solution that replaces the need for multiple specialized face plates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple static face plates are purchased for different box sizes, then each box size can have a dedicated face plate, but storage space is significantly increased and face plates may become obsolete or damaged over time
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable face plate serves as a universal device that can accommodate multiple box sizes through its reconfigurable guide rods and stop tabs. This single multi-functional face plate replaces what would otherwise require numerous separate face plates, dramatically reducing the storage space needed while maintaining the ability to handle diverse carton dimensions.
3Manufacturing precision
If static face plates are used, then the face plate can be constructed for a specific box size, but the face plate becomes obsolete when the box size is modified or the cartoner machine is upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The face plate incorporates dynamic adjustable elements including guide rods that can be repositioned and stop tabs that can be adjusted to different locations. This dynamic design enables the face plate to adapt to modified box sizes and different cartoner machine configurations, preventing obsolescence while maintaining precise construction quality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable face plate components are added, then the face plate can accommodate multiple box sizes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The face plate is segmented into modular components including the frame, guide rods, stop tabs, and mounting mechanisms. Each component can be independently adjusted or repositioned, which simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the adjustable system into manageable segments rather than requiring a completely complex redesign.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Cartoner machine and a method of operating same.