Automatic Media Coupling for Blow Mold Base Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual coupling and decoupling of media couplings in blow molding devices result in high set-up times and potential errors, requiring an operator for every mold change, leading to inefficiencies and increased machine downtimes.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic blow mold change system using a changing device, such as a robot, that raises and lowers the base mold to automatically connect and disconnect media couplings, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling quick and error-free changes between blow molding devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual coupling and decoupling of media couplings is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but set-up times increase and machine downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automatic coupling and decoupling of media couplings via the changing device. The robot autonomously connects and disconnects media lines without operator intervention, eliminating manual operations while maintaining flexibility in mold changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated robotic system. The changing device uses mechanical automation to perform media coupling operations that were previously done manually, reducing set-up time while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If manual coupling and decoupling of media couplings is used, then operator control is maintained, but errors increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs self-service media coupling operations, eliminating human error in the process. The robot consistently executes coupling and decoupling operations with high reliability, removing variability introduced by manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and verify media coupling status. This ensures correct connection and disconnection of media lines, preventing errors and maintaining high reliability in the blow mold changing process.
3Device complexity
If manual coupling and decoupling of media couplings is used, then simple equipment is maintained, but productivity decreases due to frequent operator intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The automated changing device performs self-service operations to maintain media connections during mold changes. This eliminates the need for continuous operator intervention, significantly improving productivity while the system manages its own complexity autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning media couplings and preparing connection points before mold changes occur. This ensures rapid and error-free coupling operations during actual mold changes, improving productivity without requiring complex real-time operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual coupling and decoupling of media couplings is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but machine downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs self-service media coupling operations during mold changes, maintaining operational flexibility while reducing the time required for each changeover. The robot efficiently executes coupling and decoupling operations without operator delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the blow molding process running without interruption for media coupling operations. The automated system performs connections during mold changes without stopping production, minimizing machine downtime while preserving operational flexibility.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
Device (1) for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers (20) with a blow molding device (14) which has at least two side parts (14a, 14b) and a bottom mold (14c) which form a cavity within which the plastic preforms (10) are formed into the plastic containers (20), wherein the device has an exchange device (40) which is suitable and intended for either removing the complete blow molding device (14) or only parts (14a, 14b, 14c) of the blow molding device (14) from its blow molding carriers (16) and/or arranging them on the blow molding carriers (16),wherein the base form (14c) is arranged on a base support (19) and the base form (14c) can be connected to or separated from the base support (19) in alternating operation by a lifting movement (H) and in particular by raising and/or lowering the base support (19), and at least one first separable media connection (21) is provided between the base support (19) and the base form (14c), through which a flowable medium can be supplied to the base form (14c) and/or through which the flowable medium can be discharged from the base form (14c). According to the invention, the media connection (21) between the base support (19) and the base form (14c) can also be established and/or separated by raising and/or lowering the base support (19).