Bag Wicketer Laser Alignment for Air Burst Skewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bag wicketer processing lines face challenges in ensuring proper alignment and engagement of bag blanks with the exit conveyor and wicket arm portion, leading to potential wrinkles and skewing, which can compromise seal quality during setup and normal production operations.
Innovation Solution
The integration of pneumatic blow down bars with pressurized air and a directional laser aid in aligning the bag blanks by visualizing the air flow direction, ensuring proper engagement with the conveyor and wicket arm, and adjusting for speed and cycle time parameters to prevent wrinkles and skewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressurized air is used to deliver bag blanks to the exit conveyor, then the transition of bag blanks is facilitated, but misalignment and skewing may occur compromising seal quality
Solution Approach 1:
A laser alignment tool is introduced as an intermediary device to visualize the path of pressurized air flow. The laser beam serves as a mediator between the air delivery system and the bag blanks, allowing operators to see exactly where the air is directed and adjust the system to achieve proper alignment, thereby preventing skewing while maintaining ease of operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If setup adjustments are made during normal production operations, then alignment can be optimized, but production time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The laser alignment tool is used during the setup phase before normal production begins. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the pressurized air delivery system is properly configured in advance, so that during production operations, no time needs to be lost making alignment adjustments. The alignment is established beforehand to maintain both precision and productivity.
3Measurement precision
If the laser alignment tool is permanently installed, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently installing an expensive, complex laser alignment system, the patent employs a portable, temporary laser tool that can be brought in during setup and removed afterward. This approach provides the necessary alignment accuracy during the critical setup phase without adding permanent complexity or cost to the production system. The laser serves its purpose temporarily and then is removed, avoiding ongoing complexity.
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 solution ensures smooth, flat, and unwrinkled bag blank transition from the sideweld seal head to the exit conveyor and wicket arm, maintaining seal quality and facilitating efficient setup and operation of the processing line.
Implementation Method 1
a laser may be used to align the direction of flow of the pressurized air from one or more of the pneumatic the blow down bars
Implementation Method 2
The pressurized air flow from the nozzles of the pneumatic blow down bar forces the advancing film plies or bag blank downward on the exit conveyor and/or wicket arm portion
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes a bag forming process with a bag wicketing machine having a sideweld seal head that receives plies of web material, conveys the plies through the sideweld seal head, seals the plies together, cuts the plies to form a bag blank, and moves the bag blank onto an exit conveyor. Pressurized air from nozzles of a pneumatic blow down bar is directed at the bag blank. With an energized laser operatively mounted on the pneumatic blow down bar, the position of the pneumatic blow down bar relative to the bag blank and the exit of the sideweld seal head is adjusted so that a beam emanating from the laser is positioned against the bag blank at a desired location where pressurized air from the nozzles of the pneumatic blow down bar is directed against the bag blank and forces the bag blank into engagement with the conveyor.