Movable Workpiece Carriers for Precision Folding and Gluing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for folding and gluing blanks for folding boxes face issues such as misalignments, material loss, high investment costs, and logistical challenges due to fixed tools and high throughput speeds, which limit their use and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A machine with movable workpiece carriers equipped with active holding and folding means, such as vacuum or compressed air systems, that allow precise folding and gluing along a processing line without transferring blanks, enabling flexible handling of different blank types and reducing material loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed tools and high throughput speed are used, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misalignments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed folding tools with movable workpiece carriers that travel along the processing line. These carriers dynamically adjust their position and orientation to maintain precise alignment during folding operations, eliminating the misalignment issues caused by stationary tools while preserving high throughput speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece carrier acts as an intermediary between the blank and the folding mechanism. It holds the blank securely and presents it to the folding tool in the correct position, thereby mediating the interaction to ensure precise alignment even at high speeds without requiring the folding tool itself to be fixed with high precision.
2Device complexity
If fixed tools are used for folding, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex fixed positioning mechanisms, the patent employs simpler movable workpiece carriers that travel along the processing line. The carriers themselves provide the positioning function through their movement, eliminating the need for complex fixed tools while achieving high folding precision.
3Productivity
If high throughput speed is used, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to scrap and material loss
Solution Approach 1:
The movable workpiece carriers enable precise folding operations at high speeds, reducing misalignments and rework that cause material waste. By maintaining accuracy throughout the folding process without requiring slow, fixed-tool operations, the system achieves both high productivity and low material loss.
4Device complexity
If fixed processing lines are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable workpiece carriers can be reconfigured and reused for different blank types by simply changing the carriers themselves rather than redesigning the entire fixed processing line. This provides high adaptability while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
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 machine achieves high precision and flexibility in folding and gluing, reducing material waste and logistical efforts, making it suitable for both small and large batch sizes, and allowing for efficient production and storage of folded and glued blanks.
Implementation Method 1
active means for holding arranged on the workpiece carriers that securely hold the blanks in specific positions on the workpiece carriers
Implementation Method 2
active means for holding arranged on the workpiece carriers that securely hold the blanks in specific positions on the workpiece carriers
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for folding and adhesively bonding blanks for the production of folding boxes. It includes a transport system which has at least one puller which wraps around deflecting rollers and extends along a processing path, a drive connected to a deflecting roller and drives the deflecting roller. Workpiece carriers are fastened to the puller and are moved along the processing path by the at least one puller. It also includes a magazine for a stack of blanks, a mechanism for removing individual blanks from the stack in the magazine, a feeding mechanism for the removed blanks to the workpiece carriers, structure for retaining blanks on the workpiece carriers, a control which is connected to the structure to retain blanks, and structure for adhesively bonding blanks.