Beer Barrel Printing Apparatus with Post-Forming Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional manufacturing processes for printing beer barrels result in unnecessary scrap of semi-finished products due to errors in stretching and welding, leading to increased costs and time, and require multiple matrix printing tools for different fonts, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and process that includes a workbench with a hydraulic pushing device, barrel outer-sided and inner-sided printing devices, using a turntable and connecting frame with interchangeable matrix elements to print identification information on the barrel after it is stretched and welded, allowing for accurate positioning and reuse of matrix elements for different texts and orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a matrix printing tool is used to print identification information on raw material before stretching and welding, then the identification information is printed on the barrel body, but if a semi-finished product is scrapped due to operational errors in stretching and welding processes, the previous printing process becomes useless and incurs additional manufacturing cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional printing sequence by printing identification information on the barrel body after stretching and welding instead of before. This reversal ensures that printing is performed on the final product shape, eliminating the waste of printing on semi-finished products that may later be scrapped due to stretching or welding errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If several matrix printing tools with different marks are prepared to accommodate different fonts and words, then all marking requirements can be met, but the cost for matrix printing tools and manufacturing time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal printing device that can accommodate different fonts, words, and marking requirements through programmable control. Instead of requiring separate matrix printing tools for each marking variation, a single multi-functional printing system is used that can be reconfigured via control signals, thereby reducing the number of physical tools needed while maintaining full marking flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If several matrix printing tools with different marks are prepared to accommodate different fonts and words, then all marking requirements can be met, but the manufacturing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic printing system where the printing device can be reconfigured in real-time through programmable control. Instead of requiring time-consuming physical tool changes between different marking requirements, the system dynamically adjusts printing parameters, fonts, and content through electronic control, enabling rapid switching between different marking tasks without interrupting the manufacturing flow.
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 reduces waste, simplifies the manufacturing process, lowers costs and time by allowing the reuse of matrix elements, and enables efficient printing of beer barrels with different identification marks without the need for multiple matrix printing tools, improving versatility and interchangeability.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder is installed on the workbench by the hydraulic cylinder mount, and the first guide rail is laid on a tabletop of the workbench, and the moving rack is installed on the first guide rail, and moved linearly along the X-axis direction by a pushrod of the hydraulic cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The Y-axis servomotor, screw and second guide rail are installed on the moving rack, and the Y-axis servomotor drives the screw to rotate, and an end of the connecting frame is mounted onto the second guide rail and slidably coupled along the Y-axis and the other end of the connecting frame is spirally coupled to the screw
Implementation Method 3
a turntable rotating by using the Z-axis as an axis line and capable of mounting the barrel, and an inner mold is installed on a circumferential surface of the turntable for printing an inner side of the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for printing a beer barrel includes a workbench, and a hydraulic pushing device, a barrel outer-sided printing device, and a barrel inner-sided printing device installed on the workbench. The barrel inner-sided printing device has a turntable rotating with respect to the Z-axis and mounted on the barrel, an inner mold installed onto a circumferential surface of the turntable for printing the inner side of the barrel. The barrel outer-sided printing device has a connecting frame moving linearly along the Y-axis direction. The connecting frame has an outer mold for printing an outer side of the barrel, and the hydraulic pushing device controls the outer mold to move linearly along the X-axis direction. The outer and inner molds print a sidewall of the barrel. This invention prevents unnecessary waste of manufacturing cost and time caused by the scrap of semi-finished products whose previous printing process becomes useless.