Transverse Propeller Fans for Sheet Holding in Forming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet-like element handling systems in forming machines, such as die-cutting presses, face challenges in maintaining sheet flatness and precision during ejection due to rear parts catching up front parts, especially with lightweight or large sheets, leading to deformation and misalignment, and current suction solutions are costly.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with motorized propeller fans installed transversely at the entrance of the workstation, generating suction to partially retain the rear part of each sheet, ensuring effective holding without immobilizing it, featuring adjustable fan configuration and control for varying sheet sizes and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a Bernoulli tablet is used to generate local suction at the sheet face, then sheet holding precision is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical suction systems (Bernoulli tablets) with a simpler aerodynamic solution using propeller fans that generate air flow to hold sheets. This substitution maintains sheet holding precision while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by employing propeller fans to generate air flow that creates suction effects to hold sheets during transport. This approach achieves effective sheet retention without requiring complex mechanical suction devices, thus reducing cost while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If sheets are decelerated in the ejection station, then ejection precision is improved, but sheet flatness deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by holding the rear part of sheets during their introduction into the workstation before the ejection process. This preliminary positioning action prevents the rear part from catching up with the front part during deceleration, thereby maintaining sheet flatness while enabling precise ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary holding device that acts as a mediator between the sheet and the ejection station. This device temporarily retains the sheet in a controlled manner during transition, preventing deformation while allowing precise positioning for ejection.
3Productivity
If lightweight or large dimension sheets are handled, then productivity is improved, but sheet stability deteriorates due to rear part catching up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by holding the rear part of sheets during their introduction into the workstation before the ejection process. This preliminary positioning action prevents the rear part from catching up with the front part during deceleration, thereby maintaining sheet flatness while enabling precise ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary holding device that acts as a mediator between the sheet and the ejection station. This device temporarily retains the sheet in a controlled manner during transition, preventing deformation while allowing precise positioning for ejection.
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 provides effective sheet holding with improved precision and reduced deformation at a lower cost, enabling high-speed operation of forming machines by maintaining sheet flatness and alignment during the ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
the direction of rotation and the inclination of the propellers being configured so as to generate a flow of air capable of applying suction to the rear of the lower face of the sheet-like element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (310) for holding a sheet-like element (10) during the stage of introducing it into a workstation (200, 300, 400) of a forming machine (1), such as a waste-ejection station (300), the said holding device (310) comprising a suction member (320) configured so as to partially retain each sheet (10) by its rear part during the stage when the said sheet (10) is introduced into the said workstation (200, 300, 400), characterized in that the suction member (320) has at least two motorized fans (13) with propellers (14) installed transversely at the entrance to the workstation (200, 300, 400), beneath the plane (P) along which the sheet-like elements move, the axes of rotation (A) of the propellers (14) of the fans (13) being substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to the plane (P) along which the sheet-like elements move, the direction of rotation and the inclination of the propellers (14) being configured so as to generate a flow of air capable of applying suction to the rear of the lower face of the sheet-like element (10) during the stage in which the said sheet (10) is introduced into the said workstation (200, 300, 400).