Jewelry Chain Link Machine with Programmable Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for producing jewelry chains and cables require time-consuming calibration of cams and lengthy downtimes to change machining types, necessitating multiple cam sizes and replacements.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs dedicated movement means for each assembly, controlled by a programmable electronic controller, eliminating the need for cams and allowing for rapid tool calibration and machining type changes without physical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cams are used to control tool movements, then the apparatus can perform various machining operations, but time-consuming calibration operations are required and machine downtimes increase when changing machining types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cam-based motion control system with an electronic control system using motors and programmable logic. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cam calibration and replacement, allowing different machining operations to be achieved through software programming rather than mechanical reconfiguration, thereby dramatically reducing calibration time and machine downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamically adjustable motion control through programmable motors that can be reconfigured for different machining operations. Instead of fixed mechanical cam profiles, the system uses electronic control to dynamically adjust tool movements, speeds, and sequences, enabling rapid adaptation to different chain and cable types without physical hardware changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cams of different sizes are kept for different chain/cable types, then various product types can be produced, but the need for cam replacement increases complexity and requires storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal motion control system where a single motorized assembly can perform multiple machining functions through electronic reprogramming. Instead of requiring separate cams for different chain and cable types, the system uses programmable controllers that can be configured via software to execute different tool paths, speeds, and sequences, making one physical system capable of producing various product types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copies or representations of machining parameters stored in memory rather than physical cam profiles. The electronic control system contains programmed data that replicates the functional effect of different cam configurations, allowing the system to switch between product types by loading different digital instruction sets rather than physically replacing mechanical components.
3Loss of time
If dedicated movement means are used for each assembly, then calibration is simplified and machine downtimes are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the motion control system into separate dedicated movement means for each functional assembly (wire feeding, cutting, link forming, conveying, chain forming). Each assembly has its own motor and control, which simplifies calibration by isolating adjustment operations to individual modules rather than requiring system-wide cam synchronization. This modular approach reduces machine downtime because one assembly can be adjusted without affecting others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central programmable electronic controller that acts as an intermediary, coordinating all dedicated movement means. This mediator manages the complexity by providing unified control logic that synchronizes multiple independent motors, simplifying the overall system management while allowing each assembly to maintain its own dedicated movement capability for rapid calibration.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (10) for providing chains and/or cables for jewelry, comprising at least the following assemblies: - an assembly (11) for feeding a base wire, - an assembly (12) for cutting the wire, - an assembly (13) for forming a link, - an assembly (14) for conveying the link, - an assembly (15) for forming a chain and/or cable. The apparatus (10) comprises dedicated movement means (17a, 17b, 18, 20, 22, 26, 29, 34, 37, 40, 42, 45, 47, 51) for each one of the assemblies (11, 12, 13, 14, 15).