Folding Device Mobile Bending Tool Noise Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folder-gluer machines face issues with marking blanks during folding due to the bending tool striking the cutouts, generating noise, and requiring difficult adjustments, especially when the conveying speed is high.

Innovation Solution

A folding device placed above the passage plane of the blanks, utilizing a mobile bending tool with a vertical to-and-fro movement, avoids contact with the cutouts and eliminates noise by using a protuberance for gentle interaction, allowing complete folding without a crosspiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a bending tool is used to fold the front leg by striking the cutouts, then the folding action is effective, but the blanks are marked and noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding qualityVSAvoidmarking and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pad is introduced as an intermediary element between the bending tool and the blank. The pad is pressed against the front leg to be folded and transmits the bending force without directly striking the blank, thereby preventing marking and reducing noise while maintaining effective folding action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional direct mechanical striking system is replaced with a controlled pressing system using a pad actuated by a linear motor. This substitution allows for precise control of the bending force application, eliminating the harmful impacts that cause marking and noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the bending tool contacts the cutouts during folding, then the folding action is initiated, but marking occurs on the blanks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding speedVSAvoidblank surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pad serves as a mediator that contacts only the front leg to be folded, not the entire blank. This selective contact initiates the folding action efficiently while protecting the blank surface from marking, maintaining both productivity and surface quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a crosspiece folding device is used to complete the folding, then the folding is completed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding completionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The function of the crosspiece folding device is extracted and integrated into the existing bending tool assembly. The same bending tool that initiates the fold also completes it by continuing its reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for a separate crosspiece device and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bending tool is designed to perform multiple functions: it both initiates the folding action by pressing the front leg and completes the folding by continuing its reciprocating motion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate folding devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining folding completion quality

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

Data Source

PatentEP2391501B1Folding device and method for folding-gluing machine
Publication Date: 2013.03.06 BOBST MEX SA
  • EP2391501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2391501B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2391501B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3f

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for folding cut-outs of paper, cardboard, plastic, corrugated cardboard or similar materials travelling through a folding-gluing machine, said device including a tool (30) for folding a front tab (21') of a cut-out (20') placed above the cut-out transfer surface, wherein the folding tool (30) is alternately mobile between an initial position in which the folding tool (30) is capable of crossing the cut-out transfer surface without interacting with said cut-outs and a final position in which the folding tool (30) is capable of resting against a bottom surface (20b') of said cut-out (20') so as to fold said front tab (21') in the space located above the cut-out transfer surface.