Cathode Stripping Machine Hydraulic Press Parallel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cathode stripping machines are inefficient and labor-intensive, as they typically process each cathode individually, leading to slow production rates and potential damage to cathodes due to methods like pneumatic hammers or precise water jets, which are acoustically disruptive and cause deformations or fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A cathode stripping machine with two simultaneous operating levels, featuring a parallel beam system, aerial conveyors, hydraulically actuated mechanisms, guided blades, and a pre-stripping robot to efficiently strip metal sheets from both faces of cathodes without causing damage, significantly improving control and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pneumatic hammers are used to strike the assembly for sheet separation, then the sheets can be stripped from the cathodes, but the cathodes begin to show deformations due to the strikes and the process is acoustically disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic hammer mechanical striking system with a hydraulic press system that applies controlled compressive force. Instead of impact loading that causes deformation and noise, the hydraulic system applies gradual, distributed pressure through water injection, achieving sheet separation without damaging the cathode structure or creating acoustic disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic pressure through water injection systems to separate the sheets from cathodes. Water is injected through nozzles under controlled pressure to facilitate sheet release, replacing the pneumatic hammer's impact mechanism with a hydraulic force system that is both quieter and less damaging to the cathodes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-pressure water jets are used to impact the separation line, then the zinc can detach without damaging cathode surfaces, but the process is slow since separation is carried out on each cathode individually and requires accurate leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual cathode processing operations into a single collective treatment. The hydraulic press system applies water pressure to multiple cathodes simultaneously arranged in the press, allowing concurrent separation of sheets from multiple cathodes. This eliminates the need for individual leveling and processing of each cathode, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining the gentle water jet action that protects cathode surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional sequential processing (one cathode at a time) to multi-dimensional parallel processing by arranging multiple cathodes in a spatial configuration within the hydraulic press. This allows simultaneous treatment of multiple cathodes across different spatial positions, effectively increasing throughput without compromising the careful water jet application needed to protect cathode surfaces.
3Productivity
If cathodes are subjected to bending stress greater than adhesion strength but without exceeding yield strength, then the deposited copper can separate, but each cathode must be treated individually and over time the cathodes can break due to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bending stress system with a hydraulic water pressure system. Instead of applying flexural loads that cause cyclic stress and fatigue, the hydraulic press uses water injection to create separation forces that are distributed and non-cyclic. This eliminates the fatigue mechanism that leads to cathode breakage while still achieving effective sheet separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the separation process from mechanical bending (high localized stress, cyclic loading) to hydraulic pressure (distributed stress, non-cyclic loading). By changing the mode of force application from impact and bending to gradual water pressure, the system achieves separation without exceeding the cathode's fatigue life, thereby improving reliability while maintaining productivity.
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
The machine processes two cathodes simultaneously, reducing process time and increasing productivity while ensuring no damage to the cathodes, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined metal sheet removal process.
Implementation Method 1
a parallel beam system, where a first beam is fixed and second beam is walking, the movement of which in a vertical direction is caused by a hydraulically actuated pivoting pusher assembly
Implementation Method 2
the first transfer mechanism for transferring the cathodes to the stripping mechanism is formed by an aerial chain conveyor and the second transfer mechanism for transferring the cathodes is formed by an aerial twin cable conveyor
Implementation Method 3
each one of the two stripping frames of the treatment mechanism of the first level comprises cathode washing means, formed by a series of water manifolds with spray nozzles fastened to the stripping head
Implementation Method 4
The present invention corresponds to the technical field of cathode stripping machines, which are necessary for separating the metal sheets obtained by electrolysis on said cathodes
Data Source
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AI summary
A cathode stripping machine (3) comprising a first operating level (1) comprising an infeed mechanism (4) of the cathodes (5) to the machine, a first transfer mechanism (8.1) for transferring said cathodes inside the machine, a treatment mechanism with a stripping head having two stripping frames (7), each acting on one cathode simultaneously, a second transfer mechanism (8.2) for transferring the cathodes, and an outfeed mechanism (9) of the sheets. The machine further comprises a second reception level (2) located below the first level, comprising, for each of the resulting sheets, a sheet reception system (10), a conveyor belt (11), and a sheet removal station (12), as well as a shared collection and weighing table (13) with rollers for both sheets.