Glass Blank Mold Cooling Layout for On-Site Thermal Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass container manufacturing processes face delays and inefficiencies due to the need for shipping blank molds to precision machining facilities for cooling system modifications, which are not readily available on-site at manufacturing facilities, leading to prolonged production delays and suboptimal thermal characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of pre-formed heat block channel locators and axial access openings in glass container blank molds allows on-site modification of thermal characteristics using non-precision tools, enabling rapid adjustment of cooling systems to achieve desired glass flow and deformation characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If blank molds are shipped to precision machining facilities for cooling system modifications, then manufacturing precision of cooling channels is improved, but loss of time due to shipping and external machining increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-formed heat block channel locators and axial access openings into the blank mold during initial manufacturing. These preliminary features enable on-site modification of cooling channels without requiring external precision machining facilities, thus reducing modification time while maintaining adequate precision for glass container production
Solution Approach 2:
The blank mold is designed with self-contained features (heat block channel locators and axial access openings) that enable the manufacturing facility to perform its own cooling system modifications on-site using non-precision tools, eliminating the need to ship molds externally and thereby reducing time loss
2Loss of time
If on-site modification of cooling systems is enabled using non-precision tools, then loss of time is reduced, but manufacturing precision of cooling channels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Heat block channel locators and axial access openings are pre-formed in the blank mold with precise positioning features that guide non-precision tools during on-site modification, ensuring adequate cooling channel precision can be achieved without external machining facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The heat block channel locators act as intermediary reference features that transfer precision requirements from the mold design to the on-site modification process, enabling non-precision tools to create adequately precise cooling channels by referencing these pre-formed locators
3Adaptability or versatility
If heat block channel locators are incorporated in blank molds, then adaptability of thermal characteristics is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into modular components with heat block channel locators positioned at specific locations in the blank mold, allowing selective modification of individual cooling zones to tailor thermal characteristics for different glass container production requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Heat block channel locators and axial access openings are incorporated into the mold structure during initial manufacturing, providing pre-prepared features that enable flexible on-site customization of cooling channels without requiring complex additional components or procedures
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
Facilitates rapid and precise tailoring of thermal characteristics, reducing modification times from weeks to hours, and enabling on-site customization of glass container production without the need for external precision machining.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature profile along the interior surfaces of the blank mold affects the flow of molten glass in the mold cavity, the resulting temperature profile
Implementation Method 2
axial cooling channels...coolant flow characteristics of the cooling channel
Implementation Method 3
heat block channel locators...alter heat transfer characteristics of the mold portion between the molding surface and at least one of the cooling channels
Implementation Method 4
heat transfer characteristics of the mold portion are altered
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes forming a first parison in a glass blank mold, forming a first glass container from the first parison, altering thermal characteristics of the glass blank mold, and subsequently forming a second parison in the glass blank mold and a second glass container from the second parison. Altering the thermal characteristics of the glass blank mold includes forming a heat block channel at the heat block channel locator on an end of the mold or altering coolant flow characteristics of an axial cooling channel by accessing the cooling channel through a coolant deflector of the mold.