Powder Compression Molding Machine with Electrostatic Lubricant Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional powder compression molding machines face issues with powder lubricant contamination and sticking due to continuous electrostatic charging of lubricant, which leads to unwanted adhesion between die holes and other regions.

Innovation Solution

A powder compression molding machine with a switching mechanism that electrostatically charges only the powder lubricant reaching the die holes, while uncharged lubricant is directed to a dust pickup conduit, preventing contamination by ensuring lubricant adheres only to intended surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous electrostatic charging of powder lubricant is applied, then adhesion to die holes is improved, but contamination of other regions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion of lubricant to die holesVSAvoidcontamination of regions between die holes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device operates intermittently rather than continuously, charging the powder lubricant only during specific time windows when die holes are positioned to receive it. This periodic charging cycle prevents lubricant from adhering to unintended surfaces while ensuring proper adhesion to die holes during the charging active period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates spatially differentiated charging conditions where only specific regions (die holes) receive electrostatically charged lubricant at appropriate times, while other regions remain unaffected. The switching means enables localized charging control based on the positional relationship between die holes and the charging device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If powder lubricant is sprayed continuously toward die holes, then lubrication coverage is improved, but adhesion to punches and die holes becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of lubricantVSAvoidadhesion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device is activated periodically in synchronization with the rotational position of the turret, creating intermittent charging pulses. This ensures that lubricant is electrostatically charged only when die holes are in the optimal receiving position, preventing excessive accumulation on punches and ensuring stable, controlled adhesion to intended surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If electrostatic charging is applied to all sprayed lubricant, then adhesion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion efficiencyVSAvoidcharging control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching means is controlled by a simple periodic signal generated from the turret's rotational position, eliminating the need for complex real-time positional sensing and control algorithms. This periodic control approach maintains high adhesion efficiency while minimizing system complexity through straightforward timing-based switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution effectively suppresses contamination and ensures secure adhesion of lubricant to die holes and punches, preventing unwanted adhesion between die holes and reducing operational issues.

Implementation Method 1

a charging device that electrostatically charges the powder lubricant sprayed from the downward spray nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatic Deposition

Implementation Method 2

switching means that is connected to the charging device and switches to allow only the powder lubricant sprayed at a timing of reaching each of the die holes to be electrostatically charged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic adhesion: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

a powder lubricant retrieving mechanism that retrieves a superfluous powder lubricant out of the powder lubricant sprayed from the powder lubricant spraying means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerosol retrieval: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2133195B1Powder compression molding machine
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 KIKUSUI SEISAKUSHO LTD
  • EP2133195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2133195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2133195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention provides a powder compression molding machine including: upper punches and lower punches disposed to face with each other along one central axis; die holes allowing tips of the upper punches and the lower punches to be respectively inserted thereinto, the upper punches and the lower punches being shifted to approach each other with the tips thereof being inserted in the corresponding die holes, so that a powder material filled in the die holes is compressed and molded; and powder lubricant spraying means for spraying a powder lubricant toward the die holes before the powder material is filled therein, wherein the powder lubricant spraying means includes: a downward spray nozzle that sprays the powder lubricant toward the die holes; a powder lubricant retrieving mechanism that retrieves a superfluous powder lubricant out of the powder lubricant sprayed from the powder lubricant spraying means; a charging device that electrostatically charges the powder lubricant sprayed from the downward spray nozzle; and switching means that is connected to the charging device and switches to allow only the powder lubricant sprayed at a timing of reaching each of the die holes to be electrostatically charged.