Plaster Mold Drying via Internal Cavity Air Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for drying multi-part plaster molds used in sanitary ceramic production require long drying times and high energy consumption, as moisture is primarily removed from the outer surface, leading to inefficient drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a warm air blower device with pressure fans to dry both the outer surface and interior of the plaster molds simultaneously, reducing drying times by at least 50% and energy requirements through the use of a high-pressure fan connected to the slip pouring or ventilation opening, ensuring effective moisture removal from the mold cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If drying is performed only from the outer surface of the plaster mold, then the drying process is simple to implement, but the drying time becomes excessively long (60-120 hours) and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from single-direction (external) drying to multi-directional drying by introducing internal drying through the mold cavity. Warm air is supplied both externally to the mold surface and internally through the slip pouring opening and ventilation opening, creating a three-dimensional drying approach that simultaneously removes moisture from the exterior and interior of the plaster mold, thereby dramatically reducing drying time without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process is segmented into two independent but simultaneous operations: external drying of the mold surface and internal drying of the mold cavity. This segmentation allows each drying path to operate independently through dedicated air supply systems, enabling parallel moisture removal from different regions of the plaster mold, thus accelerating the overall drying process
2Device complexity
If drying is performed only from the outer surface of the plaster mold, then the equipment required is simple, but energy consumption becomes excessively high due to prolonged drying times
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the internal drying dimension through the mold cavity, the system reduces the total drying time from 60-120 hours to a much shorter duration. Although this requires additional components (blower device, hose lines, openings), the reduced operating time results in lower total energy consumption, as energy is consumed over a significantly shorter period
Solution Approach 2:
The invention ensures continuous and simultaneous moisture removal from both the external surface and internal cavity of the plaster mold through coordinated air supply systems. This continuous dual-path drying action eliminates the sequential nature of traditional drying, maintaining maximum drying efficiency throughout the entire process and reducing total energy requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If the initial moisture content of the plaster mold is not reduced efficiently, then the mold can be produced with standard procedures, but the drying process becomes prolonged and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary drying action by immediately addressing moisture removal from the mold cavity interior as soon as the mold is assembled, rather than waiting for external drying to progressively work inward. The internal air supply system is activated to begin removing moisture from the core regions of the plaster mold from the start, preventing moisture accumulation and accelerating the overall drying process
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 system significantly reduces drying times and energy consumption by drying both the exterior and interior of the plaster molds, achieving faster and more energy-efficient drying processes compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure blower device that can be connected, starting from the inside, to the slip pouring opening (16) or to the ventilation opening (18) of the mold cavity (14) of the at least one plaster mold (12)
Implementation Method 2
In order to eliminate this initial moisture, the at least one multi-part plaster mold is dried in a warm air drying chamber with the aid of warm air
Implementation Method 3
the at least one multi-part plaster mold is dried in a warm air drying chamber with the aid of warm air
Implementation Method 4
drying takes place from the outside, i.e. the moisture in the plaster mold decreases starting from its outer surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The assembly (10) has a drying chamber (20) to dry at least one multi-part plaster mold (12), for the production of ceramic sanitary articles. A hot air fan unit (28) with at least one fan (40) has a hose (32) at the slip pouring opening (16) or at the ventilation opening (18).