Inclined Plane Device for Tidy Rolled Bar Bundle Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bar bundle forming machines result in untidy, uncontrolled bundles due to twisting and overlapping, leading to delays and irregularities, which complicate downstream machining processes like electrical welding and require frequent unraveling and straightening.

Innovation Solution

A continuously fed apparatus with an inclined plane device that aligns and translates bars at high speed to form compact, tidy bundles by preventing twisting and overlapping, ensuring each layer maintains its arrangement and falls onto a mobile bag without rotation or disturbance, allowing simultaneous feeding and evacuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bars are fed onto lance means and left to fall in bulk from considerable height, then the bars are deposited into accumulation means, but twisting and overlapping occur causing untidy bundles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebundle forming speedVSAvoidbundle tidiness and regularity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lance means are made movable along the longitudinal axis of the bars, allowing them to dynamically advance and retract. This dynamic positioning enables controlled deposition of bars layer by layer rather than bulk dropping, preventing twisting and overlapping while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lance means advance to contact the bars before deposition occurs, preliminarily positioning them correctly. This preliminary action ensures bars are aligned and deposited in an ordered manner, preventing untidiness before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If deposit lances retract to let bars fall into accumulation seat, then bars are deposited, but sliding between lances and bars generates rotation increasing irregularity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous feeding capabilityVSAvoidbar alignment and rectilinearity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable lance means act as an intermediary between the conveyor and accumulation means, providing controlled transfer of bars. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct sliding and rotation by mediating the deposition process through controlled movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If interruptions are contemplated to complete evacuation of previously formed bundle, then bars can be deposited in order, but delays occur in bundle forming cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveordered bar depositionVSAvoidbundle forming cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The movable lance means enable continuous operation by advancing to deposit bars and then retracting while the bundle is being evacuated. This allows deposition and evacuation to occur in sequence without stopping the feeding process, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 achieves compact, regular bundles with high filling coefficients, eliminating downtimes and simplifying downstream processes by ensuring rectilinearity and geometric regularity, thus reducing the need for unraveling and straightening operations.

Implementation Method 1

an inclined plane device (1) for forming a layer of bars which collects the bars (3) fed by the terminal end of the conveyor (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the friction between the device and the bars which rest thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2569234B1Apparatus and process for forming rolled bar bundles

Publication Date: 2014.04.16 DANIELI & C OFFICINE MECCANICHE SPA

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AI summary

An apparatus for forming a bundle (11) of rolled bars, comprising bar conveying means (4), an inclined plane device (1) for forming a layer of bars and bar accumulation means (5), wherein the inclined plane device (1) comprises a plurality of support elements (2), arranged parallel to each another and defining a first plane inclined by an angle (a) with respect to a horizontal direction, and adapted to receive a predetermined number of bars defining the layer of bars on said first plane from said bar conveying means (4), handling means (60) for translating the inclined plane device (1) from a first maximum advancement position distal from the conveyor means (4) to a second maximum retraction position proximal to the conveyor means (4) to unload the layer of bars onto the accumulation means (5), at a speed such to prevent the bars resting on said supporting elements from being dragged.