In-Mold Label Handling Arm and Product Unloading Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated in-mold label handling and product unloading devices face challenges in achieving short cycle times, stability, and energy efficiency, particularly in thin wall injection molding processes, where high speeds and reduced plastic material usage are critical.
Innovation Solution
An automated in-mold label handling and product unloading device with two main arms, a label handling arm and a product unloading arm, supported by linear guide devices and drive motors mounted on a stationary frame, allowing for independent and high-speed motion control without actuable displacement mechanisms between the arms and the mold members, enabling simultaneous label transfer and product gripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated devices are used for in-mold label handling and product unloading, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated device is divided into two separate arms: a label handling arm and a product unloading arm. Each arm has its own linear guide device and drive mechanism, allowing independent operation. This segmentation enables simultaneous label transfer and product gripping, improving productivity while keeping each subsystem relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary frame supports both the label handling arm and product unloading arm, providing a universal platform for multiple functions. The linear guide devices and drive motors are designed to support both arms, reducing overall device complexity while enabling coordinated operation for both label handling and product unloading operations.
2Loss of time
If high speeds are used for label handling and product unloading, then cycle time is reduced, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses linear guide devices that allow the label handling arm and product unloading arm to move dynamically at high speeds along the x-axis. The guide devices provide constrained motion paths that maintain stability during high-speed operation, enabling short cycle times while preserving operational reliability through controlled dynamic movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If actuable displacement mechanisms are added between arms and mold members, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and energy use increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding displacement mechanisms between the arms and mold members, the invention inverts the approach by mounting the drive motors and linear guide devices on a stationary frame. The arms themselves perform the displacement movements, eliminating the need for additional actuable displacement mechanisms and reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability through independent arm control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are mounted on moving arms, then functionality is improved, but weight and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motors and linear guide devices are extracted from the moving arms and mounted on a stationary frame instead. This extraction reduces the weight of the moving components, lowering energy consumption while maintaining full functionality. The stationary mounting allows the arms to move more freely and efficiently without carrying unnecessary weight.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated in-mold label handling and product unloading device for use with a plastic material injection molding machine includes a label handling arm provided with a label holder at an outer end thereof, and a product unloading arm provided with a product gripper at an outer end thereof. The device has a stationary frame and a first linear guide device that supports the label handling arm so as to reciprocate along a y-axis direction. The device has a second linear guide device that supports the product unloading arm so as to reciprocate along a y-axis direction. The first and second linear guide devices are guided relative to the frame to be movable parallel to the x-axis. A label handling arm x-axis drive mechanism has a first drive motor mounted on the frame and a first transmission coupled to said first drive motor and to the first linear guide device.