Conveyor Roller Speed Checking for Claw-Mark Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Claw-marks, or scratches on the tin side of glass produced by speed variability among rollers in float glass production, cause yield losses and disrupt production planning, despite existing systems controlling all rollers with the same gear type.
Innovation Solution
A method involving surface speed measurement devices, such as laser Doppler velocimeters, to measure and correct roller speeds by calculating a correction factor K, comparing roller speeds to a line speed, and analyzing speed variations using statistical methods to identify and address instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all rollers are mechanically coupled to the motor with the same type of gears, then all rollers run with the same mean speed, but each roller shows speed variability around this mean value causing claw-marks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical speed control systems with optical measurement systems (laser Doppler velocimeters) to detect and analyze roller speed variations. This substitution enables precise measurement of speed variability without mechanical intervention, allowing identification of problematic rollers that cause claw-marks on glass surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where roller speeds are continuously measured using laser Doppler velocimeters, data is collected and analyzed to calculate speed variability, and this information feeds back into the maintenance and adjustment process. This closed-loop feedback system enables targeted correction of speed variability issues.
2Productivity
If roller speed variability is not monitored, then production continues without interruption, but claw-mark defects occur causing yield losses and production planning disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing speed measurement and analysis before defects occur. Laser Doppler velocimeters continuously monitor roller speeds and calculate variability metrics in advance, enabling predictive maintenance and adjustment before claw-mark defects manifest on the glass product.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated data collection and analysis. The measurement devices automatically capture speed data, the system calculates variability metrics, and generates maintenance recommendations without requiring manual inspection or intervention, allowing production to continue while defects are prevented.
3Device complexity
If traditional mechanical coupling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but speed variability cannot be detected or corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical speed control mechanisms with simpler mechanical coupling while introducing optical measurement systems (laser Doppler velocimeters) to detect and measure speed variability. This substitution maintains mechanical simplicity while achieving precise measurement capability.
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
Effectively identifies and corrects roller speed variability, reducing the occurrence of claw-marks and improving production stability by targeted maintenance of rollers.
Implementation Method 1
surface speed measurement device is a laser Doppler measuring device
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for checking the rollers of conveying means, said scrolling means being driven to a defined line speed, said method comprising the steps of: - Carrying a surface speed measurement device; - For each of a plurality of rollers, • Pointing the measuring device to a location of a roller to obtain a serial of values representative of the speed for this roller; • Calculating the mean value of the serial of values representative of the speed for this roller • Comparing the mean value representative of the speed for the roller to the line speed so as to obtain a factor K; • Multiplying each value of the serial of values representative of the speed by its factor K to obtain corrected values of speed - using said corrected values representative of the speed to determine the speed variation to check the rollers