Modular Clamp Station Radial Adjustment for Variable Pitch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary extrusion blow molding machines require high clamp forces, leading to structural deformation and are costly, complex, and difficult to maintain, with significant downtime and material waste when accommodating molds of different sizes.
Innovation Solution
A modular mold clamp assembly with radial adjustment mechanisms allows for easy adjustment and maintenance, minimizing downtime and cost by decoupling clamp forces from the machine frame, enabling the same mold clamp assemblies to accommodate various mold sizes without reconfiguring the entire machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional mold clamp assemblies transmit clamping force through the machine frame, then the frame provides structural support, but the frame deforms under high clamp forces preventing parallel mold face closure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clamping force transmission path from the machine frame by introducing independent clamp assemblies with their own support structure. The clamp assemblies are mounted on the mold itself rather than transmitting forces through the machine frame, thereby eliminating frame deformation and ensuring parallel mold face closure while maintaining the frame's structural support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the clamping system into independent clamp assemblies that operate separately from the machine frame. Each clamp assembly is self-supported and can be adjusted independently, allowing the frame to maintain its structural role while the segmented clamp assemblies handle the clamping forces without causing frame deformation.
2Ease of repair
If the entire wheel is taken offline for mold clamp maintenance, then the clamp can be serviced, but significant downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mold clamp assembly into a modular unit that can be independently removed and serviced. The clamp assembly is designed as a separate module mounted on the mold, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service individual clamps without taking the entire wheel offline, thereby reducing downtime while ensuring proper maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic maintenance approach where clamp assemblies can be quickly adjusted and serviced in place or removed individually from the mold. The modular design allows for rapid reconfiguration and maintenance without requiring complete wheel disassembly, enabling dynamic maintenance operations that minimize production interruption.
3Device complexity
If the blow molding apparatus is designed with fixed mold clamp configurations, then the structure is simplified, but accommodating different mold sizes requires significant disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the mold clamp assemblies through radial adjustment mechanisms that allow the mold circle diameter to be changed. The clamp assemblies can be radially positioned at different locations on the turntable, enabling accommodation of various mold sizes while maintaining a relatively simple fixed structural framework. This dynamic positioning capability provides versatility without requiring complete disassembly and reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal mold clamp assemblies that can function with multiple mold sizes through radial adjustment. The same clamp assembly design can be positioned at different radial locations to accommodate different mold diameters, providing multi-functionality and adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity and avoiding the need for multiple specialized clamp configurations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If radial adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate different mold sizes, then versatility is improved, but the apparatus becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radial adjustment functionality into standardized, modular adjustment mechanisms that are integrated into each mold clamp assembly. Rather than implementing a complex centralized adjustment system, the adjustment capability is divided into simple, repeatable modules that can be independently implemented on each clamp, reducing overall system complexity while providing versatile adjustability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member. The base member has end members provided thereon. Radial adjustment mechanisms are mounted on the end members, with the radial adjustment members configured to cooperate with turntables of the molding machine. At least one support bracket extends from the frame. The support bracket is configured to cooperate with at least one support fixture of the molding machine. The radial adjustment mechanisms and the at least one support bracket allow the modular mold clamp assembly to be moved toward and away from the center of a wheel of the molding machine.