Retractable Neck Ring System for Glassware Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glassware manufacturing processes require frequent lubrication of neck rings to prevent sticking and facilitate transfer between stations, leading to inefficiencies and potential defects.
Innovation Solution
A neck ring system comprising a neck ring assembly with a guide and sections that can move along multiple axes, carried by a carrier assembly, allowing for continuous transfer and forming of glassware without the need for lubrication, using a material handler that can partially retract to enable floating of the system during molding steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional neck ring systems are used with fixed locators, then the neck ring can be securely held during transfer, but the system cannot float during molding operations causing sticking and requiring frequent lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The locators are designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. During transfer operations, locators extend to securely hold the neck ring assembly. During molding operations, locators retract to allow the entire system to float relative to the material handler, preventing sticking without requiring lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the locators between two states: extended position for secure transfer and retracted position for floating during molding. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements and eliminate the sticking problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If neck ring sections are made movable along multiple axes, then the system can enable floating during molding, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The neck ring assembly is segmented into movable sections that can move independently along multiple axes relative to the carrier assembly. This segmentation allows each section to be positioned independently, enabling the floating capability during molding while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck ring sections are nested within the carrier assembly structure, with each section capable of movement along specific axes. This nesting arrangement allows for compact design while maintaining the ability to float during molding operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier assembly restricts movement along vertical and longitudinal axes, then the neck ring assembly remains stable, but the system cannot float during molding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier assembly provides dynamic constraints that can be selectively applied. During transfer operations, the carrier restricts movement along vertical and longitudinal axes to maintain stability. During molding operations, the constraints are released to allow the system to float, achieving both stability when needed and adaptability when required.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A glassware-forming neck ring system (10, 110, 210) includes a carrier assembly (14, 114, 214) carrying a neck ring assembly (12, 112). The neck ring assembly includes a neck ring guide (18) having a first forming aperture (39) therethrough around a vertical axis (A), and a neck ring (20, 220) divided along a longitudinal axis (C) into neck ring sections (20a,b, 220a,b) carried by the neck ring guide and movable toward and away from one another along the neck ring guide along a lateral axis (B). The carrier assembly includes a carrier (46, 246) having a body (48, 148, 248) with a second forming aperture (50) therethrough, longitudinally opposite ends (52, 53, 152, 153, 252, 253), laterally opposite sides (54, 55, 254, 255) between the ends, and a channel extending between the sides, restricting movement of the neck ring assembly along the vertical and longitudinal axes, and permitting movement of the neck ring assembly along the lateral axis. A process of forming glassware includes carrying the glassware by a neck ring system through an entire glassware forming process from a blank molding station to a ware handler.