Hot Glass Design System Without Re-firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass production technologies require re-firing of glass products for design applications, which introduces additional processing steps and inefficiencies, especially after the glass has been removed from molds and cooled, limiting the ability to apply designs like color and patterns without disrupting the production line.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows for design additions such as color, pattern, texture, and form changes on glass products after they are removed from molds while still hot, using a rotatable holder, stabilizer, heating element, relief mold, sprayer, and color reservoirs to maintain constant temperature and apply designs efficiently, enabling adjustments and reintegration into the production line without cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If glass products are cooled after mold removal for design applications, then the production process follows conventional steps, but additional re-firing steps are required which increase production time and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs design applications on glass products while they are still hot and pliable after mold removal, before the glass cools and hardens. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent re-firing steps, directly reducing production time while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the glass product from hot (immediately after mold removal) to a controlled constant temperature during design application. This parameter change allows design materials to be applied and set without requiring additional heating cycles, thus reducing production time
2Productivity
If design applications are applied after glass cooling, then the production line operates conventionally, but the system requires re-firing which increases process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the design application process with the existing production line by applying designs to hot glass immediately after mold removal. This consolidation eliminates separate re-firing operations, reducing process complexity while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous production flow by applying designs to glass products while they are still in the production line at elevated temperatures. This continuous action eliminates interruptions for cooling and re-firing, thereby improving productivity without adding complex process steps
3Adaptability or versatility
If glass products are removed from molds for design applications, then design customization is possible, but the production line must be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal design application system that can handle multiple design types (colors, patterns, textures) on various glass products within the existing production line. This multi-functional capability provides design customization without requiring separate production lines, thus maintaining productivity
4Reliability
If conventional cooling and re-firing processes are used for design applications, then design fixation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter from conventional cooling-and-reheating cycles to maintaining a constant elevated temperature during design application. This parameter change allows design fixation without the energy-intensive re-firing process, reducing energy consumption while ensuring reliable design fixation
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
Enables efficient and flexible design applications on glass products post-mold removal while maintaining constant temperature, reducing production time and increasing efficiency by allowing for real-time design modifications without the need for re-firing, thus enhancing production line adaptability and product customization.
Implementation Method 1
heating element (4) for keeping the product fixed by the holder (2) and the stabilizer (3) at a constant temperature
Implementation Method 2
relief mold (6) located on the heating element (4), in which the relief mold (6) performs the embossing operations on the product
Implementation Method 3
at least one sprayer (7) which applies color and patterning on the product
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use in glass production technology such as for production of glass packaging, glassware, glass home equipments, wherein the system allows all kinds of design additions such as color, pattern, texture, decor, seal and form changing processes to be applied to the product without requiring re-firing of the product, after removal of the product from the moulds in the production lines while the product is still hot and the temperature is kept constant.