Mult Threader Clamp Bar and Separator Shaft for Safer Coil Threading

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing threading process for mults in the metals industry is inefficient due to misaligned leading edges and the need for manual intervention, which reduces productivity and poses safety risks, especially when handling a large number of slit mults.

Innovation Solution

A mult threader assembly with a movable carriage, fixed and movable clamp bars, and a separator shaft assembly, operated by cylinders, which guides and clamps the mults between separator discs to align them properly with the recoiler mandrel, reducing operator involvement and improving threading efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual manipulation of mult leading edges is used to get them into the gripper slot, then the threading can be completed, but operator safety is compromised and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreading speedVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mult threader enables the system to thread mults automatically without operator intervention. The clamp bar and separator shaft assembly work together to guide, align, and feed mults into the recoiler gripper slot autonomously, eliminating the need for operators to manually manipulate the mult leading edges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp bar acts as an intermediary device between the mults and the operator/recoiler system. It provides a mechanical means to hold, position, and deliver the mult leading edges to the gripper slot without requiring direct operator contact with the mults, thereby improving safety while maintaining threading capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If more separator shaft assemblies are installed to handle more mults, then threading capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of mults handledVSAvoidnumber of separator shaft assemblies

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the separator shaft assembly with the clamp bar into a single integrated unit mounted on the movable carriage. This merged design performs both separation and clamping functions in one assembly, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining the ability to handle multiple mults effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the mult threader is positioned closer to the recoiler mandrel, then threading efficiency is improved, but access for operator assistance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreading efficiencyVSAvoidoperator access

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mult threader's automated design eliminates the need for operator assistance during the threading process. By self-servicing the threading function through the clamp bar and separator shaft mechanism, the system can operate efficiently in positions closer to the recoiler mandrel without compromising ease of operation, as no operator access is required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11702313B2Mult threader with separator shaft assembly and clamp bar

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 BUTECH INC D B A BUTECH BLISS

AI summary

A mult threader assembly has a mult threader frame, a movable carriage that is slidably disposed on the frame, a fixed clamping member, a separator shaft mounted on the movable carriage, and a movable clamping member mounted on the movable carriage.