Servo-Electric Drive for Glass Preform Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass production devices rely on large-volume pneumatic cylinders that consume high energy, require costly and maintenance-intensive oil-hydraulic damping, and pose environmental and safety hazards due to lubrication issues and wear, leading to inaccurate positioning and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a servo-electric drive and rolling guides with adjustable rollers to move preforms and bases between working positions, eliminating the need for hydraulic dampers and compressed air, while enabling precise positioning and reduced wear through standardized components and predictive maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large-volume pneumatic cylinders are used to move preforms, then positioning capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic cylinders with a robot system that uses servo drives and rolling guides to move preforms. This substitution eliminates the need for compressed air while achieving precise positioning through robotic control, directly resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and energy consumption.
2Ease of operation
If oil-hydraulic damping elements are used to approach positions softly, then positioning smoothness is improved, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces oil-hydraulic damping elements with a robot system that uses controlled movement and servo drives to achieve smooth positioning. This substitution eliminates complex hydraulic components while maintaining positioning smoothness through electronic control, resolving the contradiction between positioning smoothness and device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If fixed and adjustable form-fit guides are used to achieve exact end positions, then positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to inaccessibility during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a robot system with programmable motion control to achieve exact end positions without fixed form-fit guides. The dynamic robotic system can be reprogrammed for different positions, eliminating the need for physical guides that require shutdown for adjustment or repair, thus improving both positioning accuracy and ease of repair.
4Speed
If large-volume pneumatic cylinders are used, then movement capability is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear on sealing and guide elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic cylinders with a robot system using servo drives and rolling guides. This substitution eliminates sealing elements and guide surfaces subject to wear, significantly improving reliability while maintaining movement capability through the robotic system's controlled motion.
5Reliability
If intensive lubrication is applied to reduce wear, then component longevity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to lubricating oil contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic cylinders with a robot system using rolling guides that require minimal or no lubrication. This substitution eliminates the need for intensive lubrication, thereby preventing lubricating oil contamination while maintaining component longevity through reduced wear from the rolling contact mechanism.
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
This solution reduces energy consumption, minimizes maintenance, enhances positional accuracy, and improves safety by using servo-electric drives and rolling guides, resulting in more efficient and reliable glass production with reduced environmental impact and operator risk.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a servo-electric drive and rolling guides with adjustable rollers to move preforms and bases between working positions
Implementation Method 2
The use of a servo-electric drive and rolling guides with adjustable rollers to move preforms and bases between working positions
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for producing hollow bodies from molten glass, comprising at least one coolable carrier mechanism with at least one drive. The carrier mechanism moves a preform, which serves to receive a drop of molten glass, between at least two working positions by means of a carrier. The at least one drive of the carrier mechanism is at least a servo drive. At least one rolling centering element is provided on the carrier mechanism for guiding the carrier. Additionally, at least air cooling and/or water cooling is provided for cooling the preform and/or the base and/or the associated working elements. Furthermore, a device for producing hollow bodies from molten glass is provided, in which the carrier mechanism serving to move the preform between the working positions also serves, analogously, to supply a base supporting the cylinder.