Linear Can Necking Line Using Vacuum Holding and Modular Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current can opening forming apparatuses are costly and complex, with high production costs due to multiple stations and high-speed requirements that are not suitable for low-production, low-cost applications like aerosol cans and bottles.
Innovation Solution
A linear apparatus with a working tabletop featuring multiple necking machining stations arranged in a line, each with a can body positioning groove and vacuum adsorption hole, utilizing disc cams and a moving device with a conveyer belt for efficient and cost-effective can opening formation, allowing for easy expansion with additional machining stations like flanging or hemming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-station mold necking with many working procedures is used to achieve required necking dimensions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and acquisition cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into multiple independent modular units, each unit containing a complete set of necking stations with molds and push rods. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex necking dimensions through coordinated action of simple modular components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular unit is designed with universal components that can perform multiple necking operations. The stations within each unit use the same basic mold and push rod assemblies, making the components multi-functional and reducing the variety of unique parts needed, thereby simplifying the overall apparatus structure.
2Productivity
If high production speed is achieved through multiple formation units with many stations, then productivity is improved, but acquisition cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The high-speed production capability is achieved by segmenting the apparatus into parallel modular units rather than using a single complex unit with many stations. Each modular unit operates independently at high speed, and the overall productivity is scaled by the number of parallel units, reducing the cost per unit of production.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple modular units are combined in parallel to achieve high production speeds. By merging several simple, cost-effective modular units rather than one complex unit, the system achieves high productivity while keeping individual component costs low and total apparatus cost manageable.
3Manufacturing precision
If more than 30 or 40 working procedures are used for necking bottles and cans, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and acquisition cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The 30-40 working procedures are segmented and distributed across multiple modular units, each handling a subset of procedures. This segmentation allows each modular unit to have simpler, more manageable numbers of stations while collectively achieving the full sequence of necking operations required for precise dimensional control.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are pre-configured with specific sequences of necking procedures, allowing the complex multi-step process to be broken down into predetermined, manageable stages. Each modular unit performs its assigned procedures in a fixed sequence, simplifying the control and operation of the overall system.
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 linear apparatus offers a simple, low-cost, and space-efficient solution with easy maintenance, suitable for low-speed production, and allows for flexible expansion of machining stations, reducing overall production costs and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum adsorption hole is formed in the interior of each can body positioning groove, a vacuum chamber is arranged below the working tabletop, and the vacuum chamber communicates with the vacuum adsorption holes
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Disclosed is a linear apparatus for forming can openings. The linear apparatus for forming the can openings comprises a working tabletop (1), wherein a plurality of necking machining stations (2) are arranged on the working tabletop (1); a can body positioning groove (3) for positioning a can body (4) is formed in each necking machining station (2); a vacuum adsorption hole (31) is formed in the interior of each can body positioning groove (3), a vacuum chamber (11) is arranged below the working tabletop (1), and the vacuum chamber (11) communicates with the vacuum adsorption holes (31); and a necking machining device (21) is correspondingly arranged on each necking machining station (2). The linear apparatus for forming the can openings also comprises a moving device (5), and the moving device (5) acts on the can bodies (4) positioned in the can body positioning grooves (3) and is used for moving the can bodies (4) on the stations backward by one station. The formation apparatus is simple in structure, low in cost, small in occupied space and convenient in maintenance, and is applicable for can body manufacturers with low requirements on production speed.