Adjustable Forming Collar Assembly for VFFS Bag Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional forming collar assemblies for Vertical Form, Fill and Seal (VFFS) machines are designed for a single specific bag width, requiring different assemblies for varying package sizes, limiting versatility and efficiency in forming and filling packages of different sizes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable forming collar assembly with interchangeable parts, including a split forming collar and rib cage, allows for incremental adjustments in size by using elongated adjustment slots and indexing indicia for precise positioning, enabling the formation and filling of multiple bag sizes on the same platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional forming collar assembly is designed for a single specific bag width, then the manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but the adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The forming collar assembly is divided into multiple adjustable segments or components that can be repositioned relative to each other. This segmentation allows the same base assembly to be configured for different bag widths by adjusting the position of individual segments, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining precision for each specific configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The forming collar assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the configuration to be changed during operation or between runs. This enables the same assembly to adapt to different package sizes dynamically, resolving the contradiction between fixed-precision design and adaptability requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If different forming collar assemblies are used for varying package sizes, then the manufacturing precision for each size is maintained, but the device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The forming collar assembly is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions for different package sizes. By incorporating adjustable components and standardized interfaces, a single assembly can be reconfigured to maintain precision across various package dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized assemblies and reducing overall system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If different forming collar assemblies are used for varying package sizes, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the loss of time for changing assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable components of the forming collar assembly are pre-configured with indexing features, alignment marks, or quick-release mechanisms that enable rapid repositioning. This preliminary design of adjustment features allows operators to quickly switch between different package sizes without extensive reconfiguration time, while still maintaining manufacturing precision through the pre-established alignment system.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable forming collar assembly is provided for a form, fill and seal apparatus having a forming tube about which packaging film is positioned for formation and filling of a package. The adjustable forming collar assembly includes a mounting plate positioned to extend laterally on opposite sides of the forming tube. To accommodate filling of packages of differing sizes, first and second forming segments are provided which can be adjustably positioned on the mounting plate. Each of the forming segments is shaped to guide the packaging film from a generally flat configuration to a tubular configuration extending about the forming tube. The forming segments are adjustably positionable on the mounting plate. By this arrangement, the first and second forming segments can be selectively positioned toward and away from to each other on the mounting place, and thus adjustably positioned with respect to the forming tube, to thereby selectively adjust that size of the package being formed and filled. The assembly further includes first and second rib cages which can be adjustably positioned with respect to the forming tube to further accommodate formation and filling of differently sized packages.