Pasta Packaging Machine Transverse Welding Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines for long food pasta struggle to efficiently perform transverse welding and cutting operations without compromising packaging speed, often resulting in potential tears in the wrapping due to the lack of precise control over conveyor belt speeds and interference between machinery components.
Innovation Solution
The packaging machine temporarily reduces the output conveyor belt speed during transverse welding and cutting operations, allowing the welding and cutting group to press the flap against the adjacent package end, while using a combination of vertical and horizontal movements to facilitate precise welding and cutting without tearing the wrapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the output conveyor belt speed is reduced during transverse welding and cutting operations, then the welding and cutting group can press the flap against the adjacent package end to prevent tears, but the packaging speed is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system uses variable speed control where the output conveyor belt temporarily reduces speed during welding and cutting operations, then returns to normal speed. This dynamic speed adjustment allows the flap to be properly pressed against the package end without tears while maintaining high overall packaging throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The welding and cutting group performs operations in advance before the package completes its journey on the output conveyor belt. By temporarily slowing the output belt, the system ensures the flap is secured early in the process, preventing tears before they can propagate through the packaging line
2Productivity
If the transverse welding and cutting group operates at high speed to maintain packaging throughput, then productivity is improved, but the risk of wrapping tears increases due to insufficient flap pressing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the output conveyor belt speed to match the welding and cutting operation requirements. During high-speed packaging, the output belt temporarily slows to provide adequate pressing time for the flap, then accelerates back to maintain overall throughput. This creates a synchronized rhythm between welding operations and conveyor speed
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the conveyor belt path is diverted downwards below the anvil and cutting blade, then the welding and cutting group can operate without interference with the conveyor belt, but the machine complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt path is diverted from a horizontal trajectory to a vertical path below the welding and cutting group. This three-dimensional routing allows the anvil and cutting blade to operate in the horizontal plane without interfering with the belt, while the belt passes underneath in the vertical dimension, eliminating component interference
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
This solution enables efficient and precise transverse welding and cutting, ensuring intact packaging without speed compromises, thereby improving the overall packaging process by preventing tears and maintaining high throughput.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound transverse welding group formed by a sonotrode with an ultrasound generator
Implementation Method 2
ultrasound generator connected to an electrode, called a sonotrode, which cooperates with a fixed abutment, called anvil, to perform the mutual welding of interposed plastic material films
Implementation Method 3
welding groups which use the heat generated by an electric current passing through electrical wires
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
In a packaging machine for long food pasta or similar products a motorized input conveyor belt (4) and a motorized output conveyor belt (6) are comprised which are driven by respective independently adjustable moving groups (17, 19). The two belts (4, 6) are aligned with one another in a longitudinal direction so as to form a single advancement path for a tubular wrapping (47) filled with successive doses of product (48) and are also longitudinally spaced from one another so as to define an intermediate space wherein a transverse welding and cutting group (27) operates which is supported by a structure (41) horizontally displaceable with alternated movement along said advancement path of the wrapping (47). The structure (41) also includes a support (14) holding an output roll (9) of said input conveyor belt (4) and an input roll (21) of said output conveyor belt (6) at a fixed distance so as to confer said rolls (9, 21) an alternated horizontal movement coinciding with that of said welding and cutting group (27). (Fig. 1).