Automatic Calibration Device for Pharmaceutical Weighing Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual calibration of scales in pharmaceutical weighing systems is time-consuming, leading to prolonged downtimes and potential inaccuracies in filling quantities, which can result in incorrect medication dosing.
Innovation Solution
An automatic calibration device with a gripping unit, movement device, and holding device allows for quick and fully automated calibration of weighing cells using multiple calibration weights, preventing manual intervention and enabling precise weighing during batch filling without extended machine downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual calibration is performed by attaching individual calibration weights to weighing cells, then calibration can be done with simple equipment, but the process is very time-consuming and leads to prolonged downtimes
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is segmented into discrete automated steps: the gripping unit individually picks up calibration weights from the holding device, transports them to specific weighing cells, places them automatically, and then removes them after calibration. This segmentation enables the calibration of multiple weighing cells in rapid succession without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between equipment simplicity and calibration speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration device performs self-calibration of the scale system without requiring external manual operation. The control unit automatically coordinates the gripping unit, movement device, and weighing cells to complete the calibration sequence independently, eliminating human intervention time while maintaining calibration accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple calibration weights with different weights are used for calibrating several weighing cells, then filling system can be quickly switched to another product, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping unit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of calibration weights with different weights. The vacuum gripper can accommodate various weight sizes and shapes through a single gripping mechanism, allowing the system to calibrate multiple weighing cells for different filling quantities without requiring multiple specialized gripping devices, thus maintaining relatively simple device structure while achieving high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is designed to be exchangeable, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of calibration weights based on different product requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables quick switching between different filling quantities and products by simply replacing the holding device with another containing appropriate calibration weights, without permanently increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed frequently during batch filling to achieve more precise filling results, then filling precision is improved, but machine downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated calibration device enables calibration to be performed continuously during batch filling operations with minimal interruption. The rapid automated process allows calibration to occur at scheduled intervals without significant machine downtime, maintaining continuous production flow while ensuring measurement precision through frequent calibration checks.
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
The solution enables rapid, precise, and cost-effective switching between different filling quantities and products, ensuring accurate filling results with minimal downtime, particularly beneficial in the pharmaceutical sector for presterilized syringe filling machines.
Implementation Method 1
The gripper (6) comprises a large number of vacuum suction devices (11) in order to suck in calibration weights (7, 8)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for weighing containers, comprising a balance (2) having at least one load cell (12) for receiving containers to be weighed, and a calibration apparatus (3) having a gripping unit (4), comprising a movement device (5) and a gripper (6), at least one calibration weight (7, 8), and a holding device (9) for holding the at least one calibration weight (7, 8).