Stacker Module Upper Guide Reduces Folding Box Damage During Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converting machines cause damage to folding boxes due to movable mechanical parts interacting with the edges, leading to uneven stacks and compromised functional and aesthetic qualities.
Innovation Solution
A stacker module with a loading surface that descends vertically as boxes accumulate, an upper guide that stabilizes the stack, and an ejector that moves to evacuate the stack, combined with conveyors that align and guide boxes to prevent misalignment and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If movable mechanical parts are used to stack and condition folding boxes, then the boxes can be automatically stacked and bundled, but the boxes may suffer damage and the stack may become uneven
Solution Approach 1:
A calibration board is introduced as an intermediary element between the mechanical stacking system and the folding boxes. The calibration board provides a stable reference surface that ensures uniform stacking height and prevents direct contact between movable mechanical parts and the box edges, thereby reducing damage while maintaining automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking system employs dynamically adjustable components including the calibration board position and the movable mechanical parts' motion parameters. This allows the system to adapt to different box types and sizes, ensuring consistent calibration while minimizing harmful interactions during the stacking process
2Manufacturing precision
If the loading surface descends vertically as boxes accumulate, then the stack remains calibrated, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The loading surface mechanism is designed to maintain a constant vertical position relationship with the calibration board throughout the stacking process. By ensuring that the loading surface descends in sync with the accumulating boxes, the system maintains equipotential conditions that preserve stack calibration without requiring complex independent positioning systems
3Stability of the object's composition
If an upper guide is positioned close to the stack during ejection, then the stack remains stable, but the guide must move precisely with the loading surface
Solution Approach 1:
The upper guide is mechanically coupled to the loading surface through a synchronization mechanism that merges their motion. This ensures that as the loading surface descends, the upper guide follows at the same rate, maintaining a constant distance relationship and providing continuous stack stability without requiring independent complex control systems
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stacker module (28) for a folder-gluer machine (1). The stacker module comprises a loading surface (90) configured to receive a plurality of folding boxes and to descend vertically as the number of folding boxes on the loading surface increases, and a linearly movable ejector (76) configured to be moved from a retracted position (RP) to an extended position (DP).The stacker further comprises an upper guide (110), configured to move between a clearing position (CP) which is vertically distant from the upper surface of the stack, and a guiding position (GP), in which the upper guide is located closer to the upper surface of the stack, and wherein the upper guide is in the guiding position when the ejector is moved from the retracted position to the evacuation position.