Thermoplastic Ampule Mold Calibrating and Severing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for producing thermoplastic containers, such as ampules, face challenges in achieving high accuracy and reliability in calibrating and severing the bottom area, as the calibrating and severing functions are coupled, leading to suboptimal control over the process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus decouples calibrating and severing functions by using a cutting device guided on the second calibrating mandrel, allowing independent movement for precise control during the severing process, and employs separate drive mechanisms for calibrating and severing operations, ensuring optimal positioning and wall thickness for the bottom area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the calibrating and severing functions are coupled using a single mandrel structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of the calibrating and severing processes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the previously coupled calibrating and severing functions into two independent functional units: a calibrating mandrel with calibrating surface and a separate cutting device with cutting surface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting function is extracted from the calibrating mandrel structure and implemented as a separate cutting device that can be independently positioned and controlled. This extraction enables precise control over the severing process without being constrained by the calibrating mandrel's movement, thus improving both calibrating and severing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the calibrating and severing functions are decoupled with separate drive mechanisms, then the manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements independent drive mechanisms that enable dynamic, separate control of the calibrating mandrel and cutting device. The calibrating mandrel can be positioned with precise control for calibration, while the cutting device can be independently actuated for severing. This dynamic independence allows optimization of each process step without compromising the other, improving manufacturing precision despite increased control system complexity.
3Reliability
If the cutting device is guided on the calibrating mandrel with independent movement capability, then the reliability of the severing process is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device is guided on the calibrating mandrel through a guiding mechanism that serves as an intermediary. This guiding structure provides stable positioning and support for the cutting device while allowing independent axial movement for the severing action. The intermediary guiding mechanism ensures reliable operation through proper positioning and support, reducing operational difficulties despite the added control requirement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This decoupling of functions enhances the accuracy and reliability of the calibrating and severing processes, allowing for precise control and maintaining fine tolerances, resulting in improved container production efficiency and quality.
Implementation Method 1
A synthetic plastic material can be placed against the walls in the mold by a pressure gradient, which pressure gradient acts on the plastic material to form the container.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for producing at least one container, in particular in ampoule form, made of thermoplastic material, includes a mold (13) with mold components (15, 17). A first calibrating mandrel (19) and a second calibrating mandrel (23) are movable coaxially in relation to the longitudinal direction (21) of the container (1) and in relation to one another. The first calibrating mandrel (19) through the container (1) located in the mold (13) and the second calibrating mandrel (23) from the outer side of the container (1), move into a shaping position in which they calibrate a bottom area that forms at least part of a container bottom between the mandrel ends. A severing device has a movable cutting or punching surface (37) to sever excess plastic material forming during the shaping process in interaction with a cutting or bearing edge on the mold components (17) assigned to the bottom region. The severing device has a cutting device (35) that is guided in an axially displaceable manner on the second calibrating mandrel (23), forms the cutting or punching surface (37) and can move between the withdrawn position and the punching position independently of the movement of the respective calibrating mandrel (23).