Metal Sheet Coating Mass Control via Integrated Weighing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing production systems for metal sheets lack efficient control over the mass of pressure fluid applied, leading to either inadequate coating with defects or excessive and uneconomical use of resources.

Innovation Solution

A production system with an integrated scale in the transport device measures the mass of metal sheets and applied pressure fluid, allowing for precise adjustment and control to maintain optimal coating quality by setting specific mass ranges for the application device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the mass of pressure fluid applied to the metal sheets is set too low, then production cost is reduced, but coating quality deteriorates with defects and holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure fluid wasteVSAvoidcoating quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the actual mass of applied pressure fluid is measured (via weighing the metal sheets before and after application) and compared to the target mass. The application device is then automatically adjusted based on this feedback to maintain optimal coating mass, preventing both waste and defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or rough mechanical estimation of coating mass with precise weighing measurement. By using a scale to measure the actual mass of pressure fluid applied to each metal sheet, the system achieves accurate control without relying on imprecise mechanical dosing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the mass of pressure fluid applied to the metal sheets is set too generously, then coating quality is maintained, but production cost increases due to waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating qualityVSAvoidpressure fluid waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control system continuously monitors the actual coating mass and adjusts the application device to match the target mass, preventing excessive application and the associated waste and costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-adjustment of the application device based on measured values. The control device automatically optimizes the mass of pressure fluid to be applied by using feedback from the weighing system, making the process self-regulating without continuous manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the mass of pressure fluid is not precisely controlled, then application speed is maintained, but coating uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidcoating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control system allows rapid automatic adjustment of coating mass based on real-time measurement, maintaining both high production speed and coating uniformity through continuous optimization without manual intervention delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 ensures cost-efficient production with a closed layer coating on metal sheets, avoiding waste and maintaining quality by optimizing the mass of pressure fluid applied, thereby preventing defects and unnecessary expenses.

Implementation Method 1

a scale (07) arranged in the transport path of the metal sheets (04) in the transport device (06) for measuring the respective mass of these metal sheets (04), the scale (07) measuring the mass of the metal sheets (04) together with the pressure fluid applied to their respective surface or only the mass of the pressure fluid applied to the respective surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3940347B1Production plant with an applicator for applying a compressed fluid to the respective surface of metal sheets
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP3940347B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3940347B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3940347B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a production plant (01) with an application device (02) for applying a printing fluid to the respective surface of sheet metal panels (04) and with a transport device (06) downstream of the application device (02) for the horizontal transport of several sheet metal panels (04) successively transported along a transport path, wherein the transport device (06) has a scale (07) arranged in the transport path of the sheet metal panels (04) for measuring the respective mass of these sheet metal panels (04), wherein the scale (07) is designed to measure the mass of the sheet metal panels (04) together with the printing fluid applied to their respective surface or to determine only the mass of the printing fluid applied to the respective surface, wherein the scale (07) is designed to report its measured or determined result to a control device (17) belonging to the production plant (01) and/or to the application device (02).