Infeed Alignment Device for Carton Blank Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infeed devices for filling machines require manual alignment of carton blanks, which is time-consuming and disrupts the high-speed operation of the filling machine due to variations in carton blanks' dimensions and positioning, leading to potential misalignment and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An infeed alignment device with upper and lower alignment members that push the carton blanks into a correct position using inclined surfaces and biased mechanisms to prevent tilting, ensuring accurate alignment with low force application, synchronized with the picking device to maintain efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment of carton blanks is performed by an operator, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but productivity decreases and time is lost due to stopping the filling machine
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device enables the carton blanks to self-align through the action of alignment members that push the blanks into the correct position. The system automatically compensates for variations in blank dimensions and positioning without requiring external manual intervention, thus maintaining high-speed operation while achieving accurate alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment members perform preliminary alignment action on the carton blanks before they enter the filling position. By pre-positioning the blanks using pushing motion from alignment members, the system ensures accurate positioning is achieved in advance, allowing the filling machine to operate continuously at high speed without interruptions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If carton blanks are shipped from different locations with dimensional variations, then adaptability is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device employs movable alignment members that can dynamically adjust their position and movement based on the actual dimensions and positioning of each carton blank. The pushing action is adaptable to variations in blank size, allowing the system to handle blanks from different sources while maintaining consistent alignment precision through real-time adjustment of the alignment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system changes its operational parameters (pushing force, alignment member position, timing) based on the detected variations in carton blank dimensions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the device accommodates blanks with different widths and heights while ensuring they all reach the correct picking position with accurate alignment.
3Productivity
If high-speed distribution of carton blanks is performed, then productivity increases, but alignment accuracy decreases leading to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment members operate continuously during the high-speed distribution process, constantly pushing and maintaining the carton blanks in the correct position as they move through the infeed device. This continuous alignment action ensures that even at high speeds, the blanks maintain accurate positioning without interruptions or deceleration, achieving both high productivity and position accuracy simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An infeed alignment device (10) for aligning a carton blank (14) such that a picking device can pick the carton blank. The infeed alignment device comprises an upper alignment member (11) for pushing on an upper part of the carton blank, a lower alignment member (12) for pushing on a lower part of the carton blank, and wherein the upper and/or lower alignment member is configured to push in a push direction on the top and/or the bottom of the carton blank such that the carton blank is in a picking position for the picking device.