Rail-Based Transport Device for 3D Screen Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional screen printing systems with belt conveyor transport devices are inflexible, prone to high friction and slippage, leading to contamination and reduced productivity, limiting their adaptability to different production conditions and hygiene requirements.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a transport rail and a movable conveyor vehicle reduces surface contact and friction, allowing for flexible reconfiguration and improved cleanliness by minimizing particle abrasion, enabling high-purity screen printing workpiece production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a belt conveyor is used for automated transport, then productivity is improved through continuous circuit transport, but the system becomes inflexible and difficult to modify
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into independent transport modules (transport units with carriers) that can be individually positioned and controlled on the transport rail, replacing the continuous belt conveyor. This segmentation allows flexible reconfiguration while maintaining automated transport capability for high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system transitions from a fixed belt conveyor to a dynamic modular system where transport units can be independently moved, positioned, and reconfigured on the rail. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to different production conditions while preserving continuous transport functionality.
2Productivity
If a belt conveyor is used for automated transport, then continuous transport is achieved, but friction and slippage increase leading to particle contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The belt conveyor system is replaced with a rail-based transport system where carriers move along a rail without sliding friction. This substitution eliminates the friction and slippage that generate particles, thereby reducing contamination while maintaining automated transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful friction interface between belt and conveyor is extracted and eliminated by replacing it with a rail-guided system. The transport function is preserved while the source of particle contamination (friction and slippage) is removed from the system.
3Productivity
If a belt conveyor is used for automated transport, then workpiece carriers can be transported in circuit, but the system requires high modification effort for design changes
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is segmented into independent modular units that can be individually adjusted and reconfigured on the rail. This modularity allows design changes and adaptations without requiring extensive modification of the entire system, reducing modification effort while maintaining automated transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport rail and modular carrier system create a universal platform that can accommodate different workpiece carrier designs and transport configurations. This universality enables easy adaptation to different applications and production conditions without significant redesign or modification effort.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen-printing system, with a printing device for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in several printing processes and with a transport device for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and/or a workpiece carrier to and/or away from the printing device, wherein the transport device has at least one transport rail and a conveying vehicle movably arranged on the transport rail for at least one screen-printed workpiece and/or at least one workpiece carrier.