Laser Cleaning of Glass Bottle Moulds Without Surface Erosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manual cleaning processes for glass bottle moulds are labor-intensive, costly, and lead to erosion of the mould material, dulled edges, and contamination issues, with no effective system for cleaning individual mould parts.
Innovation Solution
An automated cleaning system using a high-powered laser with a detection system, rotation apparatus, and control apparatus to precisely remove contaminants from moulds and their parts without damaging the surface, incorporating a 3D scanning camera for precise cleaning patterns and a fume exhaust system for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shot blasting is used to clean moulds, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but mould material erosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shot blasting system with a laser-based cleaning system. The laser beam removes contaminants through ablation without physical contact, eliminating the mechanical erosion caused by ceramic, metal, or sand beads while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning mechanism from mechanical impact to optical energy interaction. By using laser parameters (wavelength, power, pulse duration) instead of mechanical parameters (bead material, velocity, impact force), the system achieves cleaning without material removal from the mould surface.
2Device complexity
If manual cleaning is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a robot with dynamic positioning capabilities to move the laser head along the mould surface. The system adapts to the mould's geometry and cleaning requirements through programmable motion control, achieving automated cleaning without excessive mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a detection system to automatically identify and locate contaminants on the mould surface, then directs the laser precisely to those locations without human intervention. The robot and laser system work autonomously based on detection data, reducing both labor and time.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual mould parts are cleaned separately, then cleaning precision is improved, but handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the laser cleaning system to individual mould parts separately, allowing precise cleaning of complex geometries and intricate features that would be difficult to access on assembled moulds. Each part can be positioned and cleaned independently with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system is designed to handle multiple mould parts of different sizes and configurations using the same basic equipment. The detection system and laser head can adapt to various part geometries, reducing handling complexity while maintaining cleaning precision.
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
The system enables precise and repeatable cleaning with minimal erosion of moulds, reduces manual labor, and prevents contamination, allowing for efficient maintenance of moulds and parts with reduced exposure to noxious fumes.
Implementation Method 1
a laser configured to be directed at the object, to remove contaminants from the object
Data Source
AI summary
An automated cleaning system for cleaning an object, comprising a laser configured to be directed at the object, to remove contaminants from the object; detection system to identify details about the object; rotation apparatus to rotate the object in a cleaning position; and control apparatus to direct the laser at the object in the cleaning position, and operate the laser to clean the object.