Independent Drawing Units for Synchronized Metal Wire Feeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawing devices for feeding multiple oblong metal products to machines like bending machines face challenges in achieving high production speeds with synchronized feed, are complex in design and assembly, and suffer from uneven wear leading to reduced guide functionality and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A drawing device comprising separate and independent drawing units for each metal product, with pairs of drawing rolls and guide rolls on distinct feed planes, allowing for simultaneous and coordinated feed while optimizing the working life of rolls and reducing assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple metal products are fed simultaneously through a single drawing device with shared rolls, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of the device increases and synchronization becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drawing device is divided into multiple independent drawing units, each responsible for feeding one metal product. Each drawing unit has its own drawing rolls and guide rolls that operate independently, allowing simultaneous feeding of multiple products without the complexity of a fully integrated system. This segmentation maintains productivity while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each drawing unit is designed to be multi-functional, serving both as a drawing mechanism for its assigned metal product and as a guide mechanism for adjacent products. The guide rolls in each unit guide not only the product it directly processes but also serve as guides for products processed by neighboring drawing units, reducing the total number of components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If contrasting rolls are used to exert contrasting action on motorized rolls, then feeding control is improved, but wear on rolls increases and guide function deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding controlVSAvoidguide function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contrasting rolls are made adjustable in position along the feed plane, allowing dynamic adaptation to different product diameters and wear conditions. This adjustability maintains optimal contrasting action for feeding control while compensating for wear, thereby preserving the guide function over time. The contrasting rolls can be moved closer to or farther from the motorized rolls as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If high power is supplied to motorized rolls for high production speeds, then productivity increases, but the bulk of motorization components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvance speedVSAvoidspace for assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motorization is segmented into separate motorized rolls within each drawing unit, with each motor driving only the necessary components for its assigned product. This distributed motorization reduces the bulk of individual motor components compared to a centralized high-power system, while still achieving high production speeds through coordinated operation of multiple units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables efficient and synchronized feeding of multiple metal products at high speeds with reduced component complexity, maintaining productivity and extending the working life of rolls by allowing independent adjustment and movement of each product.

Implementation Method 1

a first drawing unit suitable to move at least a first metal product on a first feed plane defining a first advance axis, and a second drawing unit, distinct from the first and disposed aligned, upstream or downstream of it, in order to move a second metal product on a second feed plane defining a second advance axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2776185B1Drawing device for metal products such as bars, round pieces or metal wire
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 M E P MASCH ELECTRONICS PIEGATRICI SPA
  • EP2776185B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2776185B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2776185B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Drawing device for feeding at least two metal products such as bars, round pieces or wire, to a working machine such as a bending machine, stirrup-making machine or shaping machine, which comprises at least a first drawing unit (13) suitable to move at least a first metal product (11) on a first feed plane (P) defining a first advance axis (X), and a second drawing unit (14; 114), different from the first and disposed aligned upstream or downstream of said first drawing unit (13), and suitable to move a second metal product (12) on a second feed plane (S) and defining a second advance axis (Y), substantially parallel to the first advance axis (X).