Spool Labeling Apparatus Avoids Wire Tail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical wire and cable labeling systems fail to detect and avoid the wire tail during label application, leading to improper label adhesion, detachment issues, and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A labeling apparatus and method that captures and indexes the spool, detects the wire tail, and applies the label at a location clear of the tail, ensuring consistent and proper label placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic mechanical label applicators are used to apply the label, then labeling efficiency is improved, but the label is frequently applied directly onto or overlapping the wire tail, causing adhesion failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the wire tail position using optical sensors before the label application process. This advance detection allows the system to plan and execute label placement that avoids the tail, ensuring both high-speed automatic operation and precise label positioning away from the tail area.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensors continuously monitor the spool surface to detect the wire tail location and provide real-time feedback to the label applicator. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of label placement position, ensuring accurate positioning that avoids the tail while maintaining high labeling speed through automated control.
2Ease of manufacture
If the label is applied over or in contact with the wire tail, then the labeling process is simplified, but the label fails to make good contact with the spool surface and may not adhere properly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor system acts as an intermediary between the label applicator and the spool surface. It detects the wire tail position and communicates this information to the applicator, enabling the system to automatically adjust label placement to avoid the tail while maintaining simple automated operation without manual intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual application of the label is used, then label placement precision is improved, but an extra worker is required and the process is excessively time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical action of label placement with an automated mechanical label applicator guided by optical detection. The optical sensors detect tail position and the automated applicator adjusts label placement accordingly, combining the precision previously requiring manual operation with high-speed automated labeling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The label applicator system performs self-adjustment based on optical detection of the wire tail position. The system automatically determines the correct label placement location and executes the placement without human intervention, enabling both high precision and high productivity through automated self-controlled operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for applying a label to a spool or reel containing wire and a wire tail extending from the spool or reel, the apparatus comprising a wire tail sensor, wherein the wire tail sensor identifies the location of the wire tail protruding from the spool or reel and a label application mechanism, wherein the labeling mechanism applies a label to the spool or reel and wherein the label does not contact the wire tail protruding from the spool or reel.