Magnetic Foam Drive Member for Precise Die Machine Sheet Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drive members for die machines experience issues such as disengagement due to centrifugal forces and increased rigidity when bent, requiring multiple members for precise timing and are costly to manufacture, especially those with teeth.
Innovation Solution
A drive member composed of a backing layer of magnetic material and a compressible foam padding layer, bonded to ensure secure attachment to the die cylinder, with a fastener device for enhanced stability and reduced rigidity, allowing for a single member to effectively drive sheets through the machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a drive member with teeth is used to drive sheets through the die machine, then the driving precision and timing are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the drive member by adding a foam layer with specific durometer (30-70) and thickness (0.125-0.250 inches) over a magnetic backing layer. This parameter modification allows the foam surface to provide sufficient friction for precise sheet driving without requiring expensive teeth, thereby achieving timing precision at lower manufacturing cost.
2Ease of operation
If a drive member is bent to wrap around the die cylinder, then the drive member can be installed on the cylinder, but the rigidity increases causing disengagement due to centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure with a magnetic backing layer (providing flexibility and strength) bonded to a foam layer (providing cushioning and friction). This composite material combination allows the drive member to be bent for installation while the magnetic layer maintains structural integrity and resistance to centrifugal forces during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive member has different properties in different layers: the foam layer provides softness and friction for sheet contact, while the magnetic backing layer provides flexibility for bending and strength for withstanding centrifugal forces. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between bendability and centrifugal force resistance.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple drive members are used to achieve precise timing, then the timing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foam-covered magnetic drive member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides friction for driving sheets, flexibility for wrapping around the cylinder, and sufficient strength to resist centrifugal forces. This multi-functionality allows a single drive member to replace multiple members, achieving timing accuracy while reducing device complexity.
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 solution provides secure, cost-effective, and efficient sheet driving without disengagement, eliminating the need for multiple members and reducing production costs by simplifying the molding process.
Implementation Method 1
A drive member for a die machine includes a backing layer and a compressed padding layer bonded together. The backing layer may be composed of a sheet of magnetic steel or magnetic rubber
Implementation Method 2
The outer surface of the padding layer may contact the sheet of workpiece, and a frictional force generated thereby may drive the sheet of workpiece through the die machine
Data Source
AI summary
A drive member for driving a sheet of workpiece through a die machine including a backing layer including a first surface defined in a first dimension by a first width and defined in a second dimension by a first length and a padding layer comprising a first surface defined in the first dimension by a second width and defined in the second dimension by a second length, where the padding layer is composed of a compressible foam material. In an uncompressed state of the padding layer, the second length of the padding layer is longer than the first length of the backing layer, and in a compressed state of the padding layer, the padding layer is compressed along the second dimension to match the first length of the backing layer, and the first surface of the padding layer is bonded to the first surface of the backing layer.