Programmable Ornamental Chain Machine for Precise Mesh Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for producing ornamental chains are inflexible and inefficient, as they cannot easily produce chains with different mesh dimensions or shapes, leading to high production costs and low precision due to mechanical actuation and springback issues, and require re-equipment for material and shape changes.
Innovation Solution
An automated machine with programmable control units and interchangeable operating heads allows for the production of various chain types and sizes, including progressive chains, by setting the sequence of operations for different mesh sizes, ensuring high precision and quality through electronic management and compensation for springback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical actuation is used to deform and cut metal wire, then the machine can produce ornamental chains, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to springback issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical actuation with an electronic control system that manages the operating heads. The electronic management system coordinates the deformation and cutting operations more precisely, reducing the springback effect and improving mesh dimension accuracy while maintaining automated production capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the machine is configured for specific mesh dimensions, then production precision is high, but adaptability deteriorates when changing to different mesh sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs operating heads that can be dynamically adjusted or replaced to accommodate different mesh dimensions. The electronic management system dynamically reconfigures the operating parameters and sequences for different chain types, allowing the machine to maintain high precision across various mesh sizes without requiring complete re-equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine is designed with universal operating heads that can process multiple mesh sizes and chain types. The electronic control system provides multi-functionality by managing different operating sequences and parameters, enabling a single machine to produce various ornamental chains with different characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the machine structure is fixed for specific chain types, then production quality is maintained, but device complexity increases when adding versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical reconfiguration mechanisms with an electronic management system. The electronic control coordinates the operating heads and processing sequences through software programming, reducing mechanical complexity while enabling versatile chain type production. The system manages different chain configurations through electronic sequences rather than physical reassembly.
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
Enables the simple and cost-effective production of multiple ornamental chain models with different dimensions and shapes, automating the process to reduce production time and worker costs while maintaining high quality and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a spiraling unit (110), adapted to curve a portion of the metal wire (31) in order to obtain a shaped wire portion (31a) in spiral form
Implementation Method 2
a cutting unit (120), adapted to cut the shaped wire portion (31a), so as to obtain an open mesh (31b) provided with two separate ends (31c)
Implementation Method 3
a closing unit (130), adapted to bring close together the two ends (31c) of the open mesh (31b), so as to obtain a closed mesh (31d)
Implementation Method 4
a gripping gripper (210), susceptible of retaining the shaped wire portion (31a) during the cutting executed by the cutting unit (120)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention regards an automated machine employed in the field of production of jewelry articles for making ornamental chains of different varieties. The machine comprises a first rotatable support base (10) provided with first operating heads (100) adapted to produce different meshes for ornamental chains, and a second rotatable support base (20) provided with second operating heads (200) provided with grippers adapted to cooperate with the first operating heads (100) for moving the meshes of the chains. In addition, the machine comprises a control unit which, by means of movement means (11, 21), drives the support bases (10, 20) to rotate in order to bring a selected first operating head (100) and a selected second operating head (200) to a work station (50) in order to be able to change the type of meshes of the chain, allowing the production, in a simple and inexpensive manner, of multiple different models of ornamental chains.