Preform Angular Orientation Control With Measurement and Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container production installations face limitations in maintaining precise angular orientation of preforms due to uncontrolled pivoting and slippage, leading to reduced production rates and inefficiencies in correcting angular offsets, especially when producing non-axisymmetric containers.
Innovation Solution
An installation and method that includes a measurement zone to detect angular offsets and a compensation zone to adjust the angular position of subsequent preforms using a compensation angle calculated from measured offsets, applied through a chain of turntables with guide wheels, ensuring accurate orientation before and after heating and forming processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual support members with means for causing preform to turn about its axis are used, then angular orientation control is improved, but uncontrolled pivoting and slippage occur reducing production rate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of angular offset in a first measurement zone before the preform reaches the forming station. Based on this measurement, a compensation angle is calculated and applied in a compensation zone upstream of the measurement zone, proactively correcting the angular position before it can cause production delays or defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where angular offset is measured, a compensation angle is calculated based on the measured offset, and this compensation angle is applied to subsequent preforms. This closed-loop control ensures continuous correction of angular orientation while maintaining high production rates.
2Manufacturing precision
If angular offset measurement and correction is performed for each preform, then manufacturing precision is improved, but time is lost reducing production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Measurement of angular offset is performed in advance in a first measurement zone before the preform enters the forming station. The compensation angle is calculated and applied in a compensation zone upstream, allowing correction to be done proactively rather than reactively, minimizing interruption to the production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous production flow by performing measurement and compensation operations in dedicated zones that do not interrupt the main production itinerary. The compensation is applied to subsequent preforms in a continuous manner, ensuring uninterrupted production while maintaining high precision.
3Productivity
If compensation angle is applied to subsequent hollow bodies, then production efficiency is improved, but angular offset may persist requiring iterative correction
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from angular offset measurement to calculate an updated compensation angle that is applied to subsequent preforms. This iterative feedback mechanism continuously refines the compensation angle to minimize angular offset while maintaining high production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation process operates periodically with each preform passing through the measurement zone, where angular offset is measured and a corresponding compensation angle is calculated and applied. This periodic correction ensures consistent angular alignment across all preforms in the production sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
An installation for regulation of the angular position of hollow bodies in an installation for production of containers. The hollow bodies are moved by individual support members each of which is equipped with means for causing the hollow body to turn about its axis. The installation includes a means for measuring, in a first step an angular offset of at least one particular hollow body relative to a reference angular position in a particular measurement zone. The installation also includes a means for compensating, in a second step the angular position of the subsequent hollow bodies in a compensation zone upstream of said measurement zone during which the angular orientation of the subsequent hollow bodies is modified by an updated compensation angle that is a function of the angular offset measured for the at least one particular hollow body.