Ceramic Casting Machine Tilting Base for Slip Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current machines for producing ceramic products, such as toilet bowls and bidets, face issues with incomplete drainage of excess liquids due to the static position of the mould and the problem of 'coagulation' or 'flocculation' of slip within the mould, leading to surface defects and rejection of products with complex shapes.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a supporting base that allows the mould to be inclined and rotated, enabling complete and rapid drainage of excess liquids and maintaining slip homogeneity, thus preventing flocculation from causing surface defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mould is kept in a static horizontal position during casting, then the machine structure is simple and stable, but the drainage of excess liquids is incomplete and flocculation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static mould position into a dynamic adjustable position. The mould is mounted on a supporting base with pivoting and tilting mechanisms that enable it to change orientation during the casting process. This allows the mould to transition from a horizontal casting position to an inclined drainage position, thereby achieving complete liquid drainage while maintaining a relatively simple machine structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by adding rotational and tilting degrees of freedom to the mould positioning system. Instead of merely moving the mould linearly, the supporting base enables the mould to pivot and tilt, introducing angular dimensions to the positioning. This multi-dimensional adjustment capability allows the mould to achieve optimal drainage orientation without significantly increasing overall machine complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the mould is inclined to improve drainage, then liquid drainage is complete and rapid, but the machine structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidsupporting base structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting base incorporates dynamic positioning mechanisms that allow the mould to be inclined at controlled angles during drainage. The base uses pivoting and tilting mechanisms that can be actuated to achieve the required inclination, enabling rapid and complete liquid drainage while keeping the structural complexity manageable through efficient mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting base is designed as a multi-functional component that not only supports the mould during casting but also provides inclination and rotation capabilities for drainage. By integrating multiple functions into a single base structure, the patent avoids the need for separate drainage mechanisms, thereby improving drainage efficiency without proportionally increasing machine complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the mould position is fixed, then the machine is easier to operate and maintain, but the slip homogeneity deteriorates due to flocculation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslip homogeneityVSAvoidmould positioning operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mould positioning system transitions from a fixed static arrangement to a dynamic adjustable system. The supporting base enables the mould to be tilted and rotated to specific angles during different stages of the casting process. This dynamic positioning maintains slip homogeneity by preventing flocculation through controlled inclination, while the automation of the positioning mechanism minimizes the operational complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the mould is static and horizontal, then the machine structure is simpler, but products with complex shapes cannot be produced due to incomplete emptying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct shape complexityVSAvoidmould movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the production of complex-shaped products by implementing dynamic mould positioning. The supporting base allows the mould to be inclined and rotated, ensuring complete emptying of excess liquids even from complex geometries. This dynamic capability accommodates various product shapes while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated machine structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By adding rotational and tilting dimensions to the mould positioning capability, the patent enables the machine to handle complex product shapes that require multi-directional drainage. The ability to orient the mould in different angular positions allows excess liquid to be completely removed from complex geometries, thereby increasing product versatility without requiring a fundamentally complex machine architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 ensures higher product quality by allowing the production of complex shapes with reliable and efficient ceramic sanitaryware production without modifying the mould or containment body, ensuring complete liquid drainage and maintaining slip homogeneity during the casting process.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the production of complex shapes with reliable and efficient ceramic sanitaryware production without modifying the mould or containment body, ensuring complete liquid drainage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

maintaining slip homogeneity, thus preventing flocculation from causing surface defects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlocculation: Flocculation

Data Source

PatentEP3126111B1Machine for the production of ceramic products
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOC COOP ARL
  • EP3126111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3126111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3126111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machine (1) for the production of ceramic products comprises: a mould (2) made up of two parts (3, 4) designed to define, in a closed configuration, a cavity for casting the product; means (5) for clamping and containing the mould (2) acting on the mould (2) in its closed configuration; a frame (7) for supporting the mould (2) and clamping and containing means (5). The machine comprises a supporting base, interposed between the supporting frame (7) and a walkable surface (P), having a first portion (8) pivoted to the frame (7) to allow the supporting frame (7) to rotate relative to the walkable surface (P) and a second portion (9), spaced from the first portion (8) and equipped with at least one actuator element (10, 11) connected to the supporting frame (7) to incline the supporting frame (7) at least from a first limit operating position, where the supporting frame (7) is inclined by a first angle (a or β) relative to the walkable surface (P), to a second limit operating position, where the supporting frame (7) is inclined by a second angle (a or β) which is different from the first angle (a or β), relative to the walkable surface (P).