Modular Replacement Assembly for Clipping Machine Displacement Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing clipping machines for producing sausage-shaped products require manual replacement of displacement elements with both hands and in hard-to-reach locations, leading to time-consuming and inefficient setup procedures, resulting in production downtime and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular replacement assembly group with a coupling device featuring linear guide rails and ducts allows for one-handed exchange of displacement elements, reducing the number of work steps and enabling quick mounting and dismounting, while integrating the clipping and cutting devices for simultaneous replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual replacement of displacement elements is performed with both hands in hard-to-reach locations, then the displacement elements can be replaced, but the replacement procedure becomes time-consuming and causes production downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement device is segmented into modular displacement elements that can be independently replaced. Each displacement element is designed as a separate component that can be quickly detached and replaced without affecting other parts of the system, enabling rapid one-handed replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A replacement tool is introduced as an intermediary device to facilitate the replacement of displacement elements. This tool provides leverage and mechanical advantage, allowing operators to easily remove and install displacement elements in hard-to-reach locations with one hand, significantly reducing replacement time.
2Ease of operation
If the clipping machine is stopped for replacement procedure, then the displacement elements can be replaced, but productivity decreases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple displacement elements are pre-prepared and kept ready for replacement. The modular design allows operators to have replacement elements available before shutdown, enabling quick swap operations that minimize production interruption and maintain high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement system is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing rapid reconfiguration of displacement elements during minimal downtime. The modular architecture enables flexible adaptation to different product requirements without extensive reconfiguration time.
3Device complexity
If displacement elements are located in hard-to-reach positions, then the machine structure is compact, but accessibility for replacement is limited and slows down the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement elements are designed to be extractable from compact positions within the machine structure. The modular design allows elements to be removed from hard-to-reach locations using a replacement tool that can access these positions, maintaining compact machine structure while improving accessibility for maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products by filling a flowable filling material into a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing and closing said packaging casing by at least one closure means, the clipping machine comprises a filling tube, having a central axis and a filling outlet, for feeding said filling material in a feeding direction via said filling outlet into said packaging casing, a displacement device for gathering the filled packaging casing and for forming a plait-like portion thereto, at least substantially free from filling material and a clipping device for applying at least one closure means to said plait-like portion. The displacement device of the inventive clipping machine is arranged in a replacement assembly group, wherein the group is removably arrangeable at the clipping machine in an engagement position, in which the replacement assembly group is coupled to the clipping machine for production process.