3D Cam Starwheel Grippers for Fast Container Format Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating starwheels require complete replacement when article formats change, leading to complex disassembly/reassembly operations and prolonged machine stoppages, reducing productivity.
Innovation Solution
A rotating starwheel device with variable opening/closing grippers, featuring a three-dimensional radial cam with adjustable height, allowing adaptation to different container sizes without full replacement, facilitated by a three-dimensional radial cam and adjustable gripper movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the starwheel seats have a set form to house articles, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the entire starwheel must be replaced when article format changes, leading to complex disassembly/reassembly operations and prolonged machine stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The starwheel is divided into modular components: a reusable main body and replaceable seat assemblies. Each seat assembly can be independently removed and replaced without affecting the entire starwheel structure, enabling format changes through simple module substitution rather than complete replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assemblies are designed with adjustable and interchangeable characteristics, allowing the starwheel to dynamically adapt to different article formats. The seats can be reconfigured or replaced based on the specific format requirements, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptable system.
2Manufacturing precision
If the entire starwheel is replaced when article format changes, then the correct format is ensured, but machine stoppage time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple seat assemblies for different article formats can be pre-prepared and stored. When a format change is needed, the appropriate pre-made seat assembly is simply swapped in, eliminating the need for on-site manufacturing or complex adjustments, thus maintaining both precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for the discarding of format-specific seat assemblies that are no longer needed and recovering the universal main body for continued use. This enables rapid format transitions while maintaining the core investment in the starwheel structure.
3Reliability
If specialized personnel are required for starwheel replacement operations, then the replacement is performed correctly, but the operation time increases and requires trained staff
Solution Approach 1:
The complex alignment and positioning requirements are extracted from the replacement operation itself and built into the modular seat assembly design. The seats are designed with self-aligning features and standardized connection interfaces, allowing routine replacement by general maintenance personnel without specialized training.
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
Enables quick format changes without machine stoppages, reducing downtime and increasing productivity by allowing easy adjustment to various container sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a radial cam (150) having a three-dimensional form and a variable profile along a heightwise direction parallel to the axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A starwheel device rotationally transports containers and which has a body rotating about a vertical axis of rotation, and a plurality of grippers, projecting radially at regular intervals from the rotating body and rotating together therewith. Each gripper has a pair of jaws movable towards and away from each other in a tangential direction. A follower actuating member is provided for each gripper, which rotates together with the body and is connected to the jaws of the respective gripper and is movable in the radial direction with respect to the body so as to translationally actuate the jaws. A three-dimensional cam has a variable outer cam profile in contact with each follower member and radially acting on each follower member. The cam profile varies depending on the height of the point of contact between cam and follower member in the vertical direction.