Leather Processing Introducer with Dual-Sided Thermal Pre-Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current machines for primary processing of tanned leather, fake leather, and synthetic materials lack a mechanism for regulated pre-heating and moistening of the product before processing, leading to uneven heating and potential compromise in quality and softness, especially when applying chemical finishes.
Innovation Solution
An introducer device equipped with thermal apparatuses and vaporization circuits that pre-heat and moisten the product on both sides, independent of the primary processing station's temperature, providing a uniform and controlled temperature and moisture level before processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal heat treatment is applied directly in the primary processing station, then processing speed is improved, but the product may be subjected to excessive heating compromising quality and softness
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two separate stages: pre-heating in the introducer station and final heating in the primary processing station. This segmentation allows controlled temperature increase without excessive heating, resolving the contradiction between processing speed and product quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer station performs preliminary heating of the product before it enters the primary processing station. This preliminary action reduces the temperature differential needed in the main processing station, enabling faster processing while preventing excessive heating and maintaining product softness.
2Productivity
If the product is heated rapidly to reduce processing time, then productivity is improved, but uneven heating occurs compromising manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
Heating is segmented into multiple zones: the introducer station provides initial uniform heating, and the primary processing station completes the heating process. This multi-zone approach ensures even heat distribution throughout the product while maintaining short total processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer station performs preliminary uniform heating of the product before it reaches the primary processing station. This preliminary action ensures the product is evenly warmed throughout, preventing hot spots and ensuring uniform final heating while reducing overall processing time.
3Manufacturing precision
If chemical compounds are applied to the product surface, then finishing quality is improved, but the product requires precise temperature control to prevent quality compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer station performs preliminary heating to bring the product to an optimal temperature range before chemical compound application. This preliminary temperature preparation ensures that subsequent chemical treatments occur at the correct temperature, improving finishing quality while simplifying the overall temperature control system through staged heating.
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 allows for improved processing effects such as enhanced softness and even chemical compound melting, resulting in higher-quality products with reduced shininess and increased performance, as the product is pre-heated and hydrated before entering the primary processing area.
Implementation Method 1
thermal apparatuses (3, 4) that transmit the heat to the two webs (1, 2)
Implementation Method 2
vaporization circuits that hydrate the product to be processed by depositing a liquid through vaporization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An introducer is involved, to be applied on machines for primary processing operations of pressing, embossing, staking and finishing, on leather, tanned leather, fabric, synthetic material and others. Said introducer (100) comprises a first device (10), serving the function of introducer/crease spreader, formed by the pair of webs wound in a ring (1, 2), to which a second device (20) is connected immediately upstream, serving the function of transfer belt, on which the operator deposits the product (P), and of providing for, inside each of the two webs (1, 2), thermal apparatuses (3, 4) which transmit the heat to the two portions of the above webs and which define the channel for the passage of the product (P) which, consequently, undergoes heating on both sides, thus obtaining a pre-heating of the product itself.