Shrink Wrapper Format Change Using Motorized Support Planes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shrink wrapper machines require a manual and labor-intensive process for design changes between making bundles of shrink film and packs with cardboard trays, involving numerous support planes that are cumbersome to handle and store, increasing operational time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A format change apparatus with mobile support planes and a safety apparatus that allows for quick design changes by sliding and lifting support planes using electric motors and guides, eliminating the need for manual handling and reducing the number of support planes required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual handling of support planes is used for design changes, then the machine can be reconfigured between bundle mode and pack mode, but the operation time and labor effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support planes are made mobile through motorized chains and guides, allowing them to be dynamically repositioned between storage areas and operational positions. This dynamic system enables automatic configuration changes without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The format change apparatus performs the reconfiguration automatically through motorized mechanisms. The system serves itself by autonomously moving support planes from storage to operational positions and vice versa, eliminating the need for manual handling and significantly reducing operational time while maintaining design change capability.
2Reliability
If numerous support planes are used to form a complete transit plane, then the products are adequately supported during movement, but the handling and storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transit plane is segmented into multiple individual support planes that can be independently moved and positioned. Each support plane is a separate module that can be stored compactly and automatically deployed when needed, reducing handling complexity while maintaining adequate product support through the coordinated action of multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile support planes serve multiple functions: they provide product support during operation, store compactly when not in use, and can be automatically positioned by motorized chains. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by combining support, storage, and positioning functions into a single integrated system.
3Ease of operation
If support planes are made with limited weight for manual handling compliance, then operator safety is ensured, but the number of support planes required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical handling system is replaced with motorized chains and guides that automatically move the support planes. This substitution eliminates the weight limitations imposed by manual handling requirements, as the motorized system can move planes of any weight, thereby reducing the total number of planes needed while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
4Ease of manufacture
If a mobile cart is used to transport support planes, then the planes can be moved close to the machine, but the overall time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized chains and guides act as an intermediary mechanism between the support planes and the machine. This intermediary system provides automated, direct transport of support planes to their operational positions, eliminating the need for external mobile carts and the associated setup time and costs, while maintaining setup flexibility through programmable positioning.
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
Enables rapid and efficient format changes with minimal operator effort, reducing operational time and costs associated with handling and storing support planes.
Implementation Method 1
moving means (4) placed in said storage area, comprising an electric motor (40)
Data Source
AI summary
A shrink wrapper machine includes a support frame including fixed support means defining an imaginary sliding plane, a first mobile support plane placeable on the fixed support means in a first position to lie on the sliding plane to support products, a final support plane placeable on the sliding plane in a final position to support the products, adjacent to the first support plane when in the first position, moving means activatable to move the first support plane from a rest position inside a storage area to an intermediate position, on the sliding plane and placed in the first position by a first displacement occurring on the sliding plane, and moving the final support plane from a final position inside the storage area to the final position, and advancing means supported by the frame for advancing products on the first support plane and final support plane along a direction on the sliding plane.