Eccentric Pinch Point Adjustment for Tortilla Sheeter Thickness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High production tortilla sheeters face challenges in accurately controlling the thickness of masa sheets due to variations in masa consistency, leading to inconsistent tortilla or chip thickness, despite the use of computer-controlled motors and jack screws for adjusting the pinch point gap, as unintended roller movements cause continuous waste and unacceptable product discharge.
Innovation Solution
An eccentric pinch point adjustment system reduces the number of mechanical joints, allowing the first roller's axis to revolve about a third axis, thereby changing the magnitude of the pinch point gap, eliminating the need for jack screws and minimizing unintended roller movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If computer controlled jack screw systems are used to adjust roller spacing, then the ability to control pinch point gap is improved, but mechanical movements and inaccuracies cause variability in sheet thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the jack screw mechanism entirely from the roller support structure. Instead of using a complex adjustment system with multiple mechanical joints, the invention uses a simple pivot mount that allows the roller to be positioned by gravity and masa pressure alone, eliminating the source of mechanical play and inconsistency
Solution Approach 2:
The roller mount is designed to be self-adjusting through the natural forces of the process. The roller pivots automatically to the correct position based on the masa pressure and gravity, without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. This self-positioning eliminates mechanical errors inherent in jack screw systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If jack screw drive assemblies are used to control roller spacing, then adjustability is improved, but excessive mechanical joints cause unintended movements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the entire jack screw drive assembly from the roller support structure. The complex system of screws, nuts, and multiple mechanical joints is replaced with a simple pivot mount that provides adjustability through a single degree of freedom - rotation about the pivot axis
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an active mechanical system to force the roller into position (jack screws pushing/pulling), the invention uses a passive system where gravity and masa pressure naturally position the roller on the pivot mount. The adjustment mechanism works in reverse - rather than mechanically forcing position, it allows position to be determined by process forces
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
The eccentric adjustment system effectively reduces roller movement errors, maintaining consistent sheet thickness and minimizing waste by directly controlling the pinch point gap without the need for additional mechanical joints, enhancing the precision and efficiency of the sheeting process.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first pinch point gap adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatable roller mounting plate supported by the housing so as to be rotatable about a third axis and a mount supporting the first roller such that the first axis is offset from the third axis, thereby causing the first axis to revolve about the third axis when the roller mounting plate is rotated about the third axis
Data Source
AI summary
A thickness control system for a high speed tortilla sheeting machine can adjust a pinch point gap between a pair of sheeting rollers to maintain a generally uniform thickness of the produced “masa” (i.e., corn dough) sheet. The sheeting machine can include a pinch point gap adjustment device which guides at least one of the rollers through an arcuate path to thereby adjust a magnitude of the pinch point gap. The controller can direct one or more actuators to change the position of the roller along the archive path to thereby change the distance between the two sheeting rollers as desired to produce a masa sheet at the desired preset thickness.