Vertically Segmented Rotor Exchange in Rotary Tablet Presses

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary presses face lengthy downtimes due to time-consuming tool changes, requiring significant personnel and time for replacing large and heavy rotor segments, which is exacerbated by the need to remove and reassemble multiple components, making quick tool changes impractical, especially in large machines.

Innovation Solution

The system employs vertically segmented rotor segments, a transfer unit, and an assembly carriage to facilitate the removal and replacement of individual rotor segments, allowing the rotor to be rotated and enabling the upper and lower punch cams to remain in place, reducing the mass and complexity of components to be moved and handled.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the entire rotor is exchanged to shorten downtimes, then tool change time is reduced, but very large masses have to be moved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool change downtimeVSAvoidrotor mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is divided into multiple segments that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows only the necessary rotor segments to be exchanged rather than the entire rotor, significantly reducing the mass that needs to be moved while maintaining quick changeover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Weight of moving object

If vertically segmented rotor segments are used, then mass to be moved is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotor segment massVSAvoidsegmented rotor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is divided into multiple segments that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows only the necessary rotor segments to be exchanged rather than the entire rotor, significantly reducing the mass that needs to be moved while maintaining quick changeover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If rotor segments are removed for cleaning or tool changes, then tool accessibility is improved, but other components must be removed increasing downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool accessibilityVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is divided into multiple segments that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows only the necessary rotor segments to be exchanged rather than the entire rotor, significantly reducing the mass that needs to be moved while maintaining quick changeover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2996869B1System and methods for changing vertically segmented rotorsegments in a rotary press

Publication Date: 2019.07.17 KORSCH AG DE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a system and a method for exchanging vertically segmented rotor segments (16) on a rotary tablet press (34), said system comprising a rotor (10) consisting of at least two vertically segmented rotor segments (16), a transfer unit (36) and an assembly carriage (38).