Label Dispenser Speed Control for Continuous High-Throughput Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing label dispensing systems in industrial printers experience inefficiencies due to procedures like acceleration, deceleration, and backfeeding, which affect cycle time and overall throughput, particularly in high-speed label application processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that controls label movement in label dispensers using at least two different speeds, with a higher first speed and a lower second speed, and adjusts movement based on a target time, allowing for continuous label delivery without pauses, and optionally incorporating a controller to manage these processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If acceleration and deceleration procedures are implemented for label delivery, then label positioning precision is improved, but cycle time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts label feed speed between at least two different speeds (first speed for high-speed delivery, second speed for positioning) based on real-time requirements. The controller switches between speeds to optimize both throughput and positioning precision without requiring complete stops or lengthy acceleration phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions at the second speed before transitioning to the first speed for delivery. This ensures labels are correctly positioned in advance, eliminating the need for slow acceleration and deceleration cycles during the actual delivery phase.
2Manufacturing precision
If backfeed operations are performed between cycles, then label positioning is improved, but cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing complete backfeed operations between cycles, the system uses dynamic speed adjustment to maintain label positioning. The controller switches between first and second speeds to achieve positioning without requiring full backfeed cycles, significantly reducing the time lost between operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous label feeding without interruption by switching between speeds. The label feed continues without stopping, eliminating the idle time associated with complete backfeed operations while still achieving necessary positioning through speed variation.
3Productivity
If single speed label delivery is used, then system complexity is reduced, but throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic speed control with at least two distinct speeds (first speed for high-speed delivery, second speed for positioning). This dynamic approach enables high throughput during delivery phases while maintaining simplicity during positioning phases, balancing performance gains with acceptable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the speed parameter between at least two different values based on operational requirements. This parameter switching enables the system to optimize for either speed or positioning depending on the phase, achieving high throughput without requiring a completely complex control system.
Data Source
AI summary
The specification relates to a method executed by a controller of a label dispenser for dispensing labels from a label source (120, 230) to an edge portion of the label dispenser. The method comprising: moving the labels between the label source and the label dispenser edge portion and delivering the labels by moving the labels past the label dispenser edge portion of the label dispenser (position E) for application on one or more target objects. The method comprises: controlling the movement of the labels in the label dispenser in at least two different speeds, wherein a first speed (Vhigh) is higher than a second speed (Vlow), and for each label, using a target time (Ttd) which is between receiving a trigger signal and delivering said label to the label dispenser (position E), and if the movement of the label is in a speed different than the first speed (Vhigh) accelerating the speed of the label to reach the delivery of the label (position E) in said first speed (Vhigh) substantially at the target time (Ttd).