Mandrel Wheel Linear Motor Radial Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional production systems for printing hollow bodies, such as beverage cans, require extensive conversion for different formats, leading to increased noise, wear, and waste due to the tripping movement of the carrier plate, which affects production efficiency and quality.
Innovation Solution
A production system with a mandrel wheel and linear motor control, allowing for adjustable contact pressure and distance between the mandrel and printing units, eliminating the tripping movement by using a linear motor to adjust the mandrel position radially, thus reducing noise and wear, and enabling faster format changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the carrier plate is moved trippingly to adjust the distance of the mandrel wheel to the printing unit, then the contact pressure can be adjusted, but noise and wear increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the adjustment mechanism into individual mandrel-level control units. Each mandrel can be independently positioned by its own linear motor, separating the adjustment function from the entire carrier plate movement and localizing it to specific mandrels that need adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tripping movement system with linear motors that directly drive individual mandrels. This substitution of mechanical linkage with electromagnetic actuation eliminates the harmful tripping motion while providing precise control over mandrel position and contact pressure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive conversion is performed for different hollow body formats, then printing capability is maintained, but production time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically adjustable mandrel positions and contact pressures for each individual mandrel. This dynamic adaptability allows the printing unit to accommodate different hollow body formats without physical reconfiguration, as parameters can be changed through software control rather than mechanical conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (mandrel position, contact pressure, spacing) rather than physical structure when switching between formats. This parameter-based adaptation eliminates the need for extensive mechanical conversion and reduces format changeover time significantly.
3Length of stationary object
If the carrier plate undergoes tripping movement, then distance adjustment is achieved, but waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment function is segmented to individual mandrels rather than affecting the entire carrier plate. This localized adjustment eliminates unnecessary movement of non-adjustment areas, reducing waste generation from unnecessary tripping motion.
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 significantly reduces noise and wear, allows for faster format changes, and minimizes waste by enabling precise adjustment of contact pressure during ongoing production, enhancing overall production efficiency and quality.
Implementation Method 1
Each linear motor (32) of these linear motors (32) has an individual control connection to the control unit (16), with which, in an ongoing production process of this production system (01), the contact pressure of this mandrel (36) against this printing unit (03) is set or at least adjustable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a production facility for printing hollow bodies, comprising a transport unit (02) and at least one printing unit (03), wherein the transport unit (02) comprises a mandrel wheel (09) which successively receives the hollow bodies (01) to be printed and interacts with the at least one printing unit (03), wherein the mandrel wheel (09) comprises a plurality of clamping arbors (36) which are each arranged axially parallel to the axis of rotation (31) of the mandrel wheel, wherein, in the region of a print position (23) of the at least one printing unit (03), a distance (a) between the mandrel wheel (09) and the printing unit (03) in question is variably adjustable by a radial movement of the clamping arbor (36) in question, wherein a detector (33) connected to the control unit (16) is provided, by means of which the control unit (16) checks whether, in a running production process of the production facility, a hollow body (01) to be printed is arranged on each clamping arbor (36) of the mandrel wheel (09), wherein each clamping arbor (36) of the mandrel wheel (09) comprises a linear motor (32) which is controlled by a control unit (16) and by means of which, in the region of the print position (23) of the at least one printing unit (03), the distance (a) between said clamping arbor (36) and the printing unit (03) in question is adjusted or at least adjustable by a radial movement of the clamping arbor (36) in question, generated by the linear motor (32), wherein, in the event of an empty clamping arbor (36), the distance (a) between said clamping arbor (36) and the printing unit (03) in question is increased by an adjusting movement of the linear motor (32) associated with the clamping arbor (36) in question and controlled by the control unit (16), and the empty clamping arbor (36) is held such that it is not in contact with the printing unit (03) in question.