Thermoform Die Plate Guide Element Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing forming stations for thermoform packaging machines face challenges in efficiently exchanging male die parts, which affects the handling and operation, particularly in terms of weight distribution and the need for the rail to participate in the stroke movement during thermoforming.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a male die part holding plate with movable guide elements that can selectively engage and disengage with a rail, allowing for decoupling during operation and improved weight distribution, reducing the load on the male die part drive and preventing tilting, with spring bias ensuring reliable engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rail is permanently coupled to the male die part holding plate, then the male die part can be exchanged, but the rail must participate in the stroke movement during thermoforming which increases the weight that has to be moved by the male die part drive
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are made movable relative to the male die part holding plate, allowing them to dynamically change position between engagement and disengagement states. This enables the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, reducing the weight that must be moved during thermoforming while maintaining exchange capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is divided into separable components: the male die part holding plate, the guide elements, and the rails. This segmentation allows selective engagement and disengagement of the guide elements from the rails, enabling the rail to be excluded from the moving mass during operation while remaining available for exchange operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guide elements are positioned to engage with the rail, then the male die part holding plate can be exchanged, but the guide elements may interfere with the stroke movement during thermoforming operation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are designed to be movable between two distinct positions: an engagement position for exchange operations and a retracted position for thermoforming operations. This dynamic repositioning eliminates interference with the stroke movement during thermoforming while maintaining exchange capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements are extracted from the permanent structure of the male die part holding plate and made into movable, detachable components. This allows them to be taken out of the way (retracted) during thermoforming operations, eliminating interference with stroke movement, while being available for engagement during exchange operations.
3Productivity
If the male die part holding plate is located inside the forming tool upper part, then it can be used for thermoforming, but it is difficult to exchange the male die part
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements act as intermediaries between the male die part holding plate and the rails. They facilitate the exchange operation by providing a coupling mechanism that allows the holding plate to be moved in and out of the forming tool upper part along the rails, while the driving unit provides the necessary force for this movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual or complex mechanical exchange process is replaced by a driven system where a driving unit automatically moves the male die part holding plate along the rails using the guide elements as coupling points. This substitution simplifies the exchange operation while maintaining productivity.
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 solution enhances the efficiency of male die part exchange, reduces the weight moved by the male die part drive, and ensures reliable operation by decoupling the rail from the stroke movement, thereby improving handling and operation of the forming station.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one guide element is movable relative to the male die part holding plate between an engagement position, in which the guide element is adapted to be brought into engagement with an associated rail
Data Source
AI summary
A forming station for a thermoform packaging machine comprising a forming tool upper part with a die lid and a tool lower part. The forming tool upper part may comprises a male die part holding plate that has at least one male die part fixed thereto and which is displaceable along at least one rail provided on or in the die lid. The forming station may comprise a male die part drive drivingly connected to the male die part holding plate for generating a stroke movement of the male die part holding plate relative to the die lid. A guide element may be provided on the male die part holding plate, the guide element being movable relative to the male die part holding plate between an engagement position for engagement with an associated rail and a retracted position in which the guide element is disengaged from the rail.