Cartridge Loading Machine Conveyor Guide Coaxiality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loading machines for cartridges with metal cases face challenges in maintaining perfect coaxiality between the cartridge case and filling tools, leading to potential deformations and increased machine preparation times when switching between different calibers, resulting in reduced productivity and economic losses.

Innovation Solution

The loading machine incorporates a conveyor guide with bushings and centering cylinders that ensure coaxiality through conical surfaces and radial cuts, allowing for elastic deformation and easy replacement of bushings to adapt to various calibers, along with a coordinated operating beam system for precise alignment and quick caliber changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of conveyor guide position is used to change caliber, then the machine can produce different cartridge calibers, but the preparation time increases significantly and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaliber change capabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor guide is made movable and adjustable along the race, allowing dynamic repositioning for different calibers. The guide can be shifted longitudinally to accommodate different case lengths and diameters, enabling the machine to adapt to various cartridge types without permanent reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing geometric parameters of the conveyor guide position to match different cartridge calibers. By adjusting the guide's location and orientation, the machine adapts to different case dimensions while maintaining proper alignment with filling tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment operations are performed to ensure coaxiality between cartridge case and working tools, then filling precision is maintained, but the preparation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoaxiality precisionVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor guide incorporates self-aligning features that automatically ensure coaxiality between the cartridge case and working tools during operation. The guide's geometry and positioning mechanism inherently maintain proper alignment without requiring external measurement and adjustment instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor guide is pre-configured with appropriate geometries and positions for different calibers. Before filling operations begin, the guide is positioned and secured in the correct location, ensuring that coaxiality is already established and no additional alignment operations are needed during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the conveyor guide is firmly fixed to ensure stability during operation, then alignment precision is maintained, but the ability to quickly reposition for caliber changes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidrepositioning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor guide employs a dynamic fixing system that can transition between a loose state (for easy repositioning) and a firmly fixed state (for stable operation). During caliber changes, the guide can be quickly released and moved; during filling operations, it is securely locked to maintain precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing mechanism operates periodically, being released only when caliber changes are needed and firmly engaged during normal filling operations. This periodic switching between movable and fixed states optimizes both repositioning ease and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 precise alignment and quick machine preparation, preventing deformations and significantly reducing setup times, thereby increasing production efficiency and productivity while maintaining component precision.

Implementation Method 1

said bushing comprises at least one radial cut, adapted to allow their elastic deformation when inserting the case into the hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3377845B1Loading machine for cartridges with a metal case
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 EMG SRL
  • EP3377845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3377845B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3377845B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a loading machine (1 ) for cartridges with a metal case (2) comprising a frame structure (3); feed means (4) for a plurality of cases (2) having a longitudinally extending axis (x); a first operating beam (5) having an alternating vertical translation movement, provided with working tools (6) having a vertical axis (y), adapted to load said cases (2); feed and conveying means of said cases (2) and means for ejecting the loaded cartridges; motor means (M) and a control unit (24). Said feed means of said cases (2) comprise a race (10) and a conveyor guide (11 ) comb shaped to define a plurality of seats (12), adapted to contain said cases (2) and to convey them along said race (10). Said conveyor guide (11 ) comprises a plurality of bushings (16), each bushing (16) comprising at least a first conical surface (21 ) and a hole (17) adapted to house one of said bushings (2) and being housed in one of said seats (12). Said machine (1 ) comprises a second operating beam (7), having an alternating vertical translation movement, provided with a plurality of hollow centering cylinders (8) having a vertical axis (z).