Double-Station Cleaning System for Castings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning processes for castings, such as high-pressure die-casting products, are labor-intensive and inefficient due to the need for continuous workpiece feeding, where each workpiece is cleaned sequentially, prolonging processing time and reducing overall efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A double-station cleaning system comprising a drum-type cleaning machine, feeding frames, and a guide rail assembly with bracket assemblies that allow simultaneous feeding and discharging of workpieces using permanent magnets and spring mechanisms to reduce operator labor and increase efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If one workpiece is cleaned sequentially at a time in conventional cleaning equipment, then the cleaning process is simple to operate, but the cleaning efficiency is low and labor intensity is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is divided into two independent working stations: a first working station for feeding workpieces and a second working station for discharging cleaned workpieces. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of multiple workpieces at different stages, transforming sequential cleaning into parallel processing and thereby doubling the cleaning efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding frame is designed to be movable along guide rails, transitioning between the first working station and the second working station. This dynamic repositioning enables the system to alternate between feeding and discharging operations, maintaining continuous workflow and eliminating idle time associated with sequential processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If continuous workpiece feeding is required in conventional cleaning processes, then complete cleaning of each workpiece is achieved, but the work time is prolonged and overall work efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidwork time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple workpieces are pre-loaded onto the feeding frame before it enters the cleaning machine. This preliminary preparation allows the cleaning process to operate on multiple workpieces simultaneously rather than waiting for each workpiece to be individually fed, significantly reducing total processing time and improving work efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-station design enables continuous useful action by having one station always engaged in cleaning while the other prepares or discharges workpieces. This eliminates idle time and ensures the cleaning machine operates continuously at full capacity, maximizing productivity without compromising cleaning quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If operators manually feed and remove workpieces one by one in conventional cleaning equipment, then precise control over each workpiece is maintained, but labor intensity is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidcleaning throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple feeding and discharging operations are merged into a single movable feeding frame that serves both working stations. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manual operations required while maintaining precise control over workpiece positioning, thereby improving throughput without sacrificing operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding frame acts as an intermediary carrier that holds multiple workpieces and transports them between working stations. This intermediary device reduces direct manual handling of individual workpieces while maintaining precise control, lowering labor intensity and improving cleaning throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3711872B1Double-station cleaning system
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 CITIC DICASTAL CO LTD

AI summary

Double-station cleaning system for casting product cleaning, comprising a cleaning machine (101), wherein workpieces are placed into feeding frames (102), the feeding frames are placed into trays (302), a bracket assembly is pushed to drive the trays to move along a guide rail assembly (103), the feeding frame in one of the trays is conveyed to a feeding inlet of the cleaning machine, the feeding frame is pushed to move along two rows of nylon wheels (303) and linear guide rails inside the cleaning machine, and the feeding frame and the workpieces in the feeding frame are pushed into the cleaning machine so as to be cleaned. The double stations work alternately, so that the work time is saved, and the work efficiency is increased; in addition, due to the combination of permanent magnets and spring mechanisms, labor amount of an operator is reduced, and labor intensity is relieved.