Glassware Mold Treating Assembly with Automated Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current glassware manufacturing processes face inefficiencies due to high downtime and health hazards from manual lubrication and cleaning of molds, leading to increased production cycle times and unhealthy working conditions.

Innovation Solution

A glassware molding machine equipped with a mold treating assembly featuring a controlled-axis articulated arm and suction device for automated lubrication and cleaning, allowing for simultaneous spraying of lubricant and removal of emissions, reducing contamination and exposure risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual lubrication and cleaning of molds is performed, then consistent surface quality and shape of articles are achieved, but downtime increases and worker exposure to harmful emissions occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mold treating assembly enables automated self-service lubrication and cleaning of molds through robotic manipulation of spray heads and scrapers, eliminating manual intervention and reducing downtime while maintaining consistent surface quality through programmable precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If lubricant is sprayed onto mold surfaces, then release properties are improved, but harmful emissions contaminate the surrounding area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease propertiesVSAvoidemissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device extracts harmful emissions and powdery scale at their source near the mold surfaces, separating these contaminants from the surrounding environment while maintaining the necessary lubrication application for reliable article release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arm and articulated mechanism serve as an intermediary between the lubricant application and the surrounding environment, enabling precise controlled spraying while the suction device simultaneously mediates by capturing emissions before they contaminate the workspace

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If regular cleaning and lubrication of molds is performed, then article shape consistency is maintained, but the work is time-consuming and increases with number of machine sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape consistencyVSAvoidproduction cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated mold treating assembly performs cleaning and lubrication operations autonomously across multiple machine sections, maintaining shape consistency through programmable precision while dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic mold treating assembly serves multiple functions including scraping, lubrication spraying, and emission suction across all machine sections, enabling a single automated system to maintain shape consistency throughout the entire production line without proportionally increasing time requirements

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

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 solution significantly reduces downtime and improves working conditions by automating the lubrication and cleaning process, maintaining consistent surface quality and shape while minimizing environmental contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device for removing emissions and powdery scale

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

spraying the lubricant on using spray heads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2105416B1Glassware manufacturing method and machine
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 BOTTERO SPA
  • EP2105416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2105416B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2105416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A glassware manufacturing method and machine (1), whereby the inner surfaces of the molds of the various forming sections (3) of the machine (1) are treated using a common processing member (20), and the exhaust substances produced by the treatment are aspirated simultaneously with or at a predetermined time during the treatment by a suction device (10) having at least one suction hood (26) associated with the processing member (20).