Infusion Bag Cutting Station With Movable Punch-Die Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing machines for forming bags with infusion or extraction products face challenges in flexibility due to a fixed cutting tool structure, leading to imprecise cutting and waste material issues, which affects production quality and productivity, and requires lengthy setup times and frequent cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The machine features an axially movable cutting station with a kinematic unit that includes a die and punch, actuated by a connecting rod-crank mechanism, allowing for adjustable movement and precise cutting, along with a suction unit for efficient waste material collection and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed structure cutting tool is used, then the machine structure is simple, but the cutting precision deteriorates and setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool structure is transformed from fixed to dynamic/movable. The punch and die are positioned on movable supports that can be adjusted axially along the carousel radius, allowing the cutting station to adapt its position dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both structural simplicity (through standardized movable components) and cutting precision (through adjustable positioning).
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting tool parameters (position, orientation, distance from gripper) are made changeable through movable supports with adjustment mechanisms. This allows the cutting station to modify its operational parameters for different bag sizes and waste material dimensions, achieving high precision cutting while maintaining relatively simple tool structure through parameterized adjustment rather than complex fixed mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a fixed cutting tool position is used, then the device structure is simple, but adaptability to varying bag sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting station incorporates movable supports that enable dynamic repositioning of the punch and die along the carousel radius. This dynamic capability allows the same cutting tool structure to adapt to various bag sizes and waste material dimensions without requiring complex reconfiguration mechanisms, thus achieving high versatility with relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cutting tool design creates a universal cutting station that can handle multiple bag sizes and waste material types using the same basic structure. The adjustment mechanisms allow a single cutting tool to perform multiple cutting operations across different product specifications, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cutting tools for different bag sizes.
3Ease of operation
If the cutting heads are positioned within the outer edge of the carousel, then the cutting can be performed, but the angle of opening must be very large which causes imprecise cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting station is positioned in a different spatial dimension - radially outward from the carousel outer edge rather than within it. The movable supports allow the punch and die to extend beyond the carousel perimeter in the radial direction, creating sufficient opening angle for precise cutting while maintaining ease of operation. This dimensional repositioning resolves the conflict between operational accessibility and cutting precision.
4Device complexity
If the cutting tool structure is fixed, then the device is simple, but setup time for changing bag sizes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable supports with adjustment mechanisms enable quick repositioning of the cutting tool for different bag sizes. Instead of requiring complex fixed reconfiguration, the dynamic adjustment system allows operators to rapidly modify cutting parameters and positions, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure through standardized movable components.
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 solution enhances cutting precision, reduces setup times, improves waste material handling, and increases production quality and productivity by allowing flexible adaptation to varying bag sizes and sizes of waste material, while maintaining a controlled atmosphere.
Implementation Method 1
actuated by a connecting rod-crank mechanism
Implementation Method 2
along with a suction unit for efficient waste material collection and removal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Described is a machine for forming bags (1) with infusion or extraction products comprising a station (4) for folding a wrapping sheet (3) into a "U" shape; a unit (8) for sealing the two lateral edges (3a, 3b) of the sheet (3); a carousel (9) equipped with a plurality of radial grippers (10) each configured to receive the sheet (3); a device (12) for dosing an infusion or extraction product fed through an open mouth (3d) of the sheet (3); a station (13) for closing the mouth (3d) of the single sheet (3) projecting from the gripper (10); a station (14) for cutting an edge (3e) of excess material using a cutting element (15) comprising a body (16) supporting a die (17) and a cutting punch (18) positioned opposite the die (17); an actuator (19) interposed between the die (17) and the punch (18) and the supporting body (16) and configured to move the die (17) and the punch (18), with respect to the supporting body (16), between a first retracted non-operating position wherein the die (17) and the punch (18) are moved away from the edge (3e), and a second advanced operating position, wherein the die (17) and the punch (18) are moved towards and intercept the edge (3e), in such a way as to separate the edge (3e); a kinematic unit (20) connected to the die (17) or to the punch (18) and configured for moving them between a first non-operating open position, wherein the die (17) and the punch (18) are spaced apart and a second closed operating position, wherein the die (17) and the punch (18) are in contact with each other.