Slide Assembly for Forming Turret Ram

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional push ram assemblies face limitations at longer strokes due to increased pressure angle, leading to side loads and potential misalignment of articles during forming operations, resulting in defects.

Innovation Solution

A slide assembly with a profiled rail and a wider slide block containing rolling elements, where the ends of the adaptor and rail remain rigid, allowing for a centered force distribution and extended stroke without clearance, preventing misalignment and enhancing rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If conventional ram assemblies are used with longer strokes, then the stroke length is increased, but the pressure angle increases causing higher side loads on the ram and bushing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroke lengthVSAvoidside load on ram and bushing

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional cam-and-bushing mechanical system with a cam-and-slide assembly system. The slide assembly incorporates rolling elements that convert the harmful sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing side loads on the cam follower while enabling longer strokes without increasing pressure angle effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If conventional ram assemblies are used with longer strokes, then the stroke length is increased, but the clearance between ram and bushing must be increased causing misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroke lengthVSAvoidalignment precision of article with forming die

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The slide assembly with rolling elements provides superior rigidity and stability compared to the conventional bushing system. This allows the ram to maintain precise alignment with the forming die throughout the extended stroke range, eliminating the clearance-induced misalignment problems of conventional designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The slide assembly design allows the cam follower to dynamically adapt to the cam profile while maintaining stable support through the rolling elements. This dynamic stability ensures consistent alignment precision across the full range of motion, including the extended stroke positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of moving object

If conventional ram assemblies are used with longer strokes, then the stroke length is increased, but the ram binds in the bushing due to higher side loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroke lengthVSAvoidoperational reliability of cam and bushing

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the bushing-based support system with a slide assembly incorporating rolling elements. This substitution transforms the high-friction sliding contact into low-friction rolling contact, dramatically reducing side loads and preventing binding even during extended stroke operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental friction parameter of the cam follower support by introducing rolling elements. This parameter change from sliding friction to rolling friction reduces the coefficient of friction by a factor of 5-10 times, enabling reliable operation at longer strokes without binding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution enables longer strokes with reduced side loads and improved alignment, minimizing defects in articles during forming processes by maintaining load centrality and eliminating instability in the ram assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the slide assembly comprises a block which is wider than the sliding rail and the cam follower, the block comprising rolling elements and being configured so that during a stroke of the slide assembly, a force imparted onto the slide assembly by the stroke is centered on the rolling elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2019736B1Long stroke slide assemblies

Publication Date: 2015.01.21 BELVAC PRODUCTION MACHINERY INC

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AI summary

A slide assembly (300) for use on a forming turret (210) in a machine line (102) that forms articles, such as cans, comprises a fixed rail (320), a slide block (330) configured to slide in the rail (320), and an adaptor (310) that is mounted to the rail (320). The slide assembly (300) is configured to provide at least a 4.0 inch or more stroke that is stable and minimizes shaking or other movement. The slide assembly (300) is designed such that ends of at least one of the adaptor (310) and rail (320) remain rigid during the stroke operation.