Independent Servo Drives for Label Transfer Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labeling units face challenges in reliably and flexibly applying labels of different lengths to containers, particularly bottles, due to length tolerances caused by changes in label rolls or material from different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a labeling unit with a vacuum cylinder featuring elevations around its circumference and independent control of the counter-cutting roller and vacuum cylinder, allowing precise label transfer and adjustment based on label length, facilitated by servomotors and a control unit that can adjust the positioning of the label edges for optimal gluing, with optional sensor feedback for automated length determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the counter-cutting roller and vacuum cylinder are driven together as a unit, then the structure is simple, but the label transfer precision varies with different label lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into independent motors for the counter-cutting roller and vacuum cylinder, allowing each component to be controlled separately based on label length requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed coupled drive to a dynamic independently controllable drive, where the rotational speeds and positions of the counter-cutting roller and vacuum cylinder can be adjusted in real-time based on label length
2Adaptability or versatility
If the label application system is fixed for one label length, then the setup is simple, but it cannot handle different label lengths from different manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the drive parameters of the counter-cutting roller and vacuum cylinder based on the actual label length, enabling the system to adapt to different label specifications without physical modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (rotational speeds, positioning) of the drive components based on label length variations, allowing flexible adaptation to different label specifications while maintaining consistent labeling quality
3Reliability
If the label edge positioning is not precisely controlled, then the gluing process is simple, but labels are not reliably attached to the target area
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces purely mechanical positioning with a combination of independent motor control and control unit coordination, enabling precise digital control of label edge positioning relative to the vacuum cylinder elevations
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates the independent drives of the counter-cutting roller and vacuum cylinder, ensuring precise synchronization and positioning of the label leading edge on the elevation for reliable gluing
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
This approach ensures precise and reliable label application across varying lengths, preventing errors and allowing seamless transitions between different label rolls, even when using labels from different manufacturers, by ensuring accurate positioning and gluing of labels on containers.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum cylinder (102), which can take over the cut labels from the counter-cutting roller (101)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
AI summary
The device (100) has a separating element (103), a counter cutting roller (101) and a vacuum cylinder (102). Supply devices (104) are provided for uncut labels, and an application unit applies the cut labels on containers. A motor (110) drives the cutting roller, and another motor (120) drives the vacuum cylinder. A control unit (140) is provided for controlling the motors independent of each other based on the label length. The motors are designed as servomotors, and sensors determine the label length and transmit the determined length to the control unit. An independent claim is also included for a method for applying of labels on containers.