Adjustable Multiple-Piece Cam Track for Molding Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary extrusion blow molding apparatuses face challenges with high clamp forces and wear issues in cam tracks, requiring substantial materials and precise control, which complicates manufacturing, shipping, and maintenance, leading to increased costs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable multiple-piece cam unit with sections that can be independently manufactured and adjusted, allowing for precise alignment and easy maintenance, reducing the complexity and cost of fabrication and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a one-piece cam track is used to withstand high clamp forces and wear, then strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam track is divided into multiple separate sections that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be produced using standard manufacturing capabilities, avoiding the need for complex large-scale machining while maintaining the overall structural integrity and strength requirements through proper design of the segmented components and their connections.
2Manufacturing precision
If a one-piece cam track is used to maintain precise dimensions, then positioning precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam track is divided into multiple separate sections that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be produced using standard manufacturing capabilities, avoiding the need for complex large-scale machining while maintaining the overall structural integrity and strength requirements through proper design of the segmented components and their connections.
3Reliability
If a one-piece cam track is used to withstand high wear forces, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam track is divided into multiple separate sections that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be produced using standard manufacturing capabilities, avoiding the need for complex large-scale machining while maintaining the overall structural integrity and strength requirements through proper design of the segmented components and their connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented cam track design allows individual worn sections to be replaced independently rather than requiring replacement of the entire cam track. This enables maintenance crews to quickly swap out only the affected sections, significantly reducing downtime and repair complexity while maintaining the reliability of the overall system through timely replacement of worn components.
4Strength
If a large one-piece cam track is manufactured, then strength is improved, but shipping cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam track is divided into multiple separate sections that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be produced using standard manufacturing capabilities, avoiding the need for complex large-scale machining while maintaining the overall structural integrity and strength requirements through proper design of the segmented components and their connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple-piece cam unit for use in a molding machine. The cam unit has a cam track which engages cam followers of mold assemblies of the molding machine to move the cam followers between a first position and a second position. The cam unit includes a first cam section and a second cam section. The first cam section has an entrance portion which is dimensioned to receive the cam followers therein. The second cam section has an exit portion positioned to release the cam followers therefrom. The second cam section is moveably mounted to the molding machine to allow the exit portion of the second cam section to be moved relative to the entrance portion of the first cam section, to insure that the cam followers exiting the exit portion of the second cam section are properly aligned to enter the entrance portion of the first cam section.