Ceramic Strand Drying to Prevent Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mass production of ceramic pins is challenging due to the tendency of individual strands from a ceramic batch to stick together, forming an intact spatial network that lacks the desired properties of individual ceramic pins.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a ceramic batch into a bundle of individual strands, followed by drying at least a portion of the bundle before it comes into contact with a solid body other than the forming tool, preventing the strands from sticking together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If individual strands of ceramic batch are formed into a bundle, then mass production of ceramic pins is enabled, but the strands stick together forming an intact spatial network that loses the desired properties of individual ceramic pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by drying the individual strands immediately after they are formed from the ceramic batch, before they come into contact with each other or any solid body. This early drying modifies the surface properties of the strands to prevent sticking, enabling mass production while maintaining strand separation and individual pin properties
2Manufacturing precision
If strands are dried before contact with solid body, then strands no longer stick together, but additional drying step is required in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying step with the forming process by implementing drying immediately after strand formation, before the strands are deposited onto any solid body. This integration allows the drying function to be performed in-line without requiring separate handling or additional complex equipment, thus preventing sticking while minimizing process complexity
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 method enables the mass production of individual ceramic strands and subsequently ceramic pins, maintaining their high strength, temperature resistance, and open porosity, making them suitable for use in building materials and catalytic processes.
Implementation Method 1
drying at least a portion of the bundle; wherein the step of drying the at least one portion of the bundle is performed such that the at least one portion of the bundle is dried before the at least one portion, after the forming step, is in contact with a solid body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating a ceramic batch, ceramic pins, and a device for treating a ceramic batch. The method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a ceramic batch; (b) providing a tool for shaping the ceramic batch, e.g., a shaping tool (103) of an extruder (100); (c) shaping the ceramic batch by the tool into a bundle (400) of individual strands (401); and (d) drying, by means of a drying device (200), at least a portion of the bundle (400) in the air, i.e., before it comes into contact with an underlying solid body—e.g., a tray, or a belt conveyor (300)—with the exception of another, already dried portion of the bundle (400).