Driverless Transport System for Automated Container Format Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing container-processing apparatus requires manual intervention for exchanging format parts and tools, leading to prolonged changeover times and increased machine downtime, which can result in production losses and additional personnel and organizational efforts.
Innovation Solution
A driverless transport system automatically delivers format parts and tools to the container-processing apparatus, allowing for pre-positioning before the changeover begins, enabling efficient and automated exchange with minimal operator intervention and reducing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provision of format parts is used during changeover, then personnel can respond to machine malfunctions, but changeover time increases and production loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driverless transport system pre-positions format parts at the container-processing apparatus before the changeover begins. The system receives changeover information in advance, automatically retrieves the required format parts from storage, and delivers them to the machine, allowing the operator to immediately exchange parts when changeover starts without leaving the operating location.
2Ease of operation
If operator leaves operating location to provide format parts, then parts can be provided, but machine monitoring is compromised and production loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system operates autonomously to retrieve and deliver format parts without operator intervention. The system automatically receives changeover information from the control device, identifies required format parts, retrieves them from storage facilities, and delivers them to the container-processing apparatus, allowing the operator to remain at the machine and maintain monitoring capability.
3Reliability
If additional personnel are used to provide format parts, then parts can be provided without operator intervention, but organizational effort and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual or additional personnel-based part provision with an automated driverless transport system. The system uses automated guidance, automatic part retrieval from storage facilities, and autonomous delivery to the machine, eliminating the need for additional personnel and simplifying the organizational structure while maintaining reliable changeover execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device for processing containers, in particular plastic containers, including at least one container-processing apparatus, which has at least one changeover access entry, at which at least one of format parts and tools can be exchanged during changeover operation, and including a transport system, by means of which the at least one of format parts and tools can be brought to the at least one container-processing apparatus. The transport system is a driverless transport system, by which the format parts and/or tools can be automatically brought to at least one container-processing apparatus.