Single-Piece Hollow Support Block for Glass Forming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of glassware forming machines is hindered by the need for individual assembly of modular sections, leading to increased machining costs, vibration, misalignment, and thermal expansion issues due to the separate manufacture and installation of rectangular hollow support blocks.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece hollow individual section support block made of nodular or ductile iron, with integrated sections for both parison and final blow stations, allowing for independent cooling and reduced machining, alignment, and thermal stress, featuring a grid arrangement of walls and tubular cavities for conduit and cable introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular sections are assembled from separate steel or iron plates, then machine construction flexibility is improved, but machining costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate support blocks into a single integrated support block with multiple hollow sections. This merging eliminates the need to assemble multiple separate steel or iron plates, reducing machining costs while maintaining the flexibility to configure different numbers and arrangements of hollow sections to support various forming stations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hollow support blocks are assembled from separate plates, then structural adaptability is improved, but vibration and misalignment issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple support blocks into a single monolithic structure with multiple hollow sections. This integration eliminates misalignment between separate components and reduces vibration by creating a unified rigid structure, while still allowing structural adaptability through the configurable number and arrangement of hollow sections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate support blocks are used for different forming stations, then individual section independence is improved, but thermal expansion and stress issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple support blocks into a single support block with multiple hollow sections that can independently support different forming stations. This merging creates a unified thermal mass that reduces differential thermal expansion and stress between separate blocks, while the hollow sections maintain individual independence for supporting specific stations.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate support blocks are manufactured and installed, then modular construction is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support blocks into a single integrated support block with multiple hollow sections. This reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and installed, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining modular construction benefits through the configurable hollow sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for constructing a support block with individual hollow sections for a machine for forming glass articles comprising constructing a single-piece support body having a first plurality of hollow sections and a second plurality of hollow sections aligned and disposed one behind the other; a support section for each hollow section that is connected near to the bottom part of each of the walls forming each hollow section to support the different mechanisms of the machine for forming glass objects. Providing tubular cavities located in a vertical position for each plurality of cross walls between the hollow sections for inserting lubricating pipes or cables, the tubular cavities being formed between each of the cross walls located inside the periphery of the support body; providing at least one cover for each of the hollow sections to create individual plenum chambers.