Circular Blade Depalletizing Machine for Snag-Free Film Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing depalletizing machines often experience snagging issues with wrapping film, leading to lacerations and damage to articles, and require manual operator intervention for film removal, which is inefficient and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a circular blade cutting system guided by a ring-shaped track and a support arm with elastic means, along with a battery-powered motor, ensures reliable cutting of wrapping film and automatic film removal, reducing the risk of snagging and enabling high production rates with enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a linear cutting tool is used on a sliding carriage, then the structure is simple, but the cutting tool snags in the wrapping film causing lacerations and article damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the cutting approach by using a circular blade that rotates to cut the wrapping film, rather than a linearly moving knife. The circular blade is mounted on a support arm that can pivot, and the blade rotates in a circular path to cut through the film layers, eliminating the snagging issue inherent in linear cutting tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding carriage system with a circular blade mechanism driven by an electric motor. The motorized rotation of the circular blade provides consistent cutting force without the mechanical complications of sliding guides and linear actuators, improving reliability while reducing mechanical complexity.
2Productivity
If manual operator intervention is used for film removal, then safety is improved, but production rate decreases and operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated system where the circular blade mechanism, guided by sensors, automatically detects and cuts the wrapping film without operator intervention. The system serves itself by using optical or proximity sensors to identify film edges and coordinate the cutting action, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle the film.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensor feedback systems that detect the position of the wrapping film and the cutting blade, automatically adjusting the cutting operation. The sensors provide real-time feedback to the control system, which coordinates the blade movement and cutting timing, enabling fully automated operation that improves both productivity and safety.
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 effectively cuts wrapping film without snagging, reduces article damage, and automates film removal, improving production efficiency and safety by using a circular blade and support arm mechanism with sensor control and battery power.
Implementation Method 1
a support arm (110) hinged to said carriage (103) and supporting said circular blade (107), elastic means (116) being operatively interposed between said carriage (103) and said support arm (110) and being active to press said circular blade (107) against the load (C)
Implementation Method 2
The cutting tool is constituted by a circular blade (107) rotating about a substantially vertical rotation axis (X) and connected to a battery-powered motor (108)
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A machine for depalletising a multi-layer load (C) comprises a first station (100) for unstacking a multi-layer load (C) wrapped in a packing film (P), which first station (100) comprises an area (101) for housing a multi-layer load (C) enveloped in a wrapping film (P), a guide (102) arranged about the area (101) and at least partly surrounding the load (C) arranged in the area (101), a carriage (103) mobile along the guide (102) and supporting a circular blade (107) for realising a horizontal cut in the packing film (P) of the load (C). The carriage (103) further supports an electric motor (108) destined to activate the circular blade (107), and a rechargeable battery (113) for supplying the electric motor (108).