Stacker Head Cam Mechanism for Cup Press Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stacker apparatuses for plastic articles, such as cups, face issues with jamming due to the elongated shape of the articles being tilted by expulsion air jets and trapped between the mold nest and the stacker head, caused by the necessary distance between the mold nest and the stacker head during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A stacker apparatus with a guide mechanism that moves the stacking head closer to the mold nest during rotation, utilizing a cam and cam follower system to minimize the distance between the plate of the stacker head and the mold nest in the expulsion position, ensuring articles are propelled directly into the channels without tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stacker head is arranged at a distance from the mold nest to allow rotation, then the mold nest can rotate from vertical to stacking position without interference, but articles can be tilted by expulsion air jet and become trapped between the mold nest and stacker head
Solution Approach 1:
The stacker head is made movable relative to the mold nest through a guide means that allows it to change position dynamically. During rotation, the stacker head moves to maintain an optimal distance, and during expulsion, it positions itself closer to the mold nest outlet to prevent article tilting and jamming, thus resolving the contradiction between rotation capability and jamming prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the stacker head and the mold nest. It controls and coordinates the movement of the stacker head to ensure proper positioning during both rotation and expulsion phases, enabling the system to achieve both rotation capability and reliable article ejection without jamming.
2Reliability
If the stacker head is positioned close to the mold nest during expulsion, then articles are propelled directly into channels without tilting, but the mold nest rotation may interfere with the stacker head
Solution Approach 1:
The stacker head position is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase. During expulsion, it moves close to the mold nest outlet to prevent tilting and ensure reliable article propulsion. During rotation, it repositions to allow clear movement of the mold nest. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between close positioning for reliability and space for rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacker head is preliminarily positioned in advance of the expulsion action. The guide means ensures that the stacker head is already in the correct close position to the mold nest outlet before articles are expelled, so that when expulsion occurs, articles are immediately captured without tilting or jamming.
3Device complexity
If a fixed distance is maintained between the mold nest and stacker head, then the structure is simple, but articles having elongated shape can be tilted and trapped during expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed distance arrangement to a dynamic positioning system. The stacker head is equipped with a guide means that enables it to move and adjust its distance from the mold nest according to the operational requirements. This adds some complexity but dramatically improves article ejection reliability by preventing tilting and jamming during expulsion.
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 prevents jamming by maintaining a minimal distance between the mold nest and the stacker head during article expulsion, allowing for accurate and rapid stacking of plastic articles without interference, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the stacking process.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cam and cam follower system to minimize the distance between the plate of the stacker head and the mold nest in the expulsion position
Implementation Method 2
which can be tilted by the expulsion air jet and therefore become trapped
Data Source
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AI summary
A stacker apparatus, for presses for manufacturing plastic articles such as cups (4) and the like, has a stacking head (6) which faces a mold nest (8) which has at least two positions, an upright position and a rotated position in which the upper surface of the mold nest faces the stacking head. The apparatus has a cam (11) and a cam follower assembly (12) which moves the stacking head during the rotation of the mold nest so that the stacking head is at a reduced distance from the mold nest in the rotated position for expelling the articles.