Sheet Mold Transfer System Peeling and Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet-shaped mold transfer systems face inefficiencies due to the need for peeling the molding target from the mold after transfer, which hinders subsequent transfers and reduces overall efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A transfer system comprising a conveying/positioning device, a transfer device, and a peeling device, where the peeling device is positioned downstream to efficiently separate the molding target from the sheet-shaped mold after transfer, allowing for continuous operation without interrupting the transfer process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a sheet-shaped mold is used for transfer molding, then the molding cost is reduced and flexibility is improved, but the transfer efficiency deteriorates due to the need to peel off the molding target from the mold after each transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding costVSAvoidtransfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional segments: the transfer device for pattern transfer, the conveying/positioning device for mold transport, and the peeling device for separation. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and simultaneously, eliminating the sequential bottleneck where the mold must wait for peeling to complete before the next transfer can begin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying/positioning device enables continuous operation by transporting the sheet-shaped mold to a new position during or after the peeling process. This ensures that the mold is continuously utilized - either being transferred, peeled, or repositioned - eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Manufacturing precision

If the molding target is peeled off from the mold after transfer, then the transfer accuracy is maintained, but the transfer time increases due to the peeling step interrupting the transfer process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer accuracyVSAvoidtransfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static, sequential process to a dynamic, parallel process. While the peeling device separates the molding target from the mold (maintaining accuracy), the conveying/positioning device simultaneously moves the mold to the next position. This dynamic coordination allows both operations to occur concurrently, reducing total transfer time without compromising accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying/positioning device acts as an intermediary that bridges the transfer device and the peeling device. It receives the mold after transfer, positions it appropriately, and delivers it to the peeling device, enabling smooth handoff and parallel operation of all components without interruption to the overall process flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2540474B1Transfer system and transfer method
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 TOSHIBA MASCH CO LTD
  • EP2540474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2540474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transfer system 1 comprising: a conveying/positioning device 3 configured to convey and position a flat sheet-shaped mold MA in a predetermined direction, on which a fine transfer pattern M1 is formed; a transfer device 5 configured to transfer the fine transfer pattern M1 to a molding target W, the transfer device 5 being provided on an upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet-shaped mold MA; and a peeling device 7 configured to peel off the sheet-shaped mold MA and the molding target from those mutually clinging to each other, after the transfer by the transfer device 5 is performed and the conveyance by the conveying/positioning device 3 is performed, the peeling device 7 being provided on a downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet-shaped mold MA.