Quick-Change Starwheel Guide Assembly for Faster Can Size Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing necking machines require multiple processing and forming stations, and their guide assemblies are cumbersome to adjust, often losing fasteners during the process, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A quick-change starwheel guide assembly with a mounting assembly, support assembly, guiderails, and a can body height adjustment assembly, featuring a quick-change mechanism that allows for rapid adjustment and replacement without losing couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional guide assemblies with multiple fasteners are used for adjusting starwheel positions, then the guide assemblies can be adjusted to accommodate different can body sizes, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and fasteners may be lost during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is divided into modular components (starwheel, guide rails, mounting base) that can be independently adjusted or replaced. The starwheel position is segmented into adjustable locations along the mounting base, allowing quick repositioning without manipulating multiple fasteners across the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting base incorporates movable elements that allow the starwheel to be repositioned dynamically along the base length. The coupling mechanism enables the starwheel to move between fixed positions on the mounting base, providing adaptability while maintaining structural stability during operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional guide assemblies with multiple fasteners are used for adjusting starwheel positions, then the guide assemblies can be adjusted to accommodate different can body sizes, but fasteners may be lost during the adjustment process
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism extracts the fastening function from multiple scattered fasteners and concentrates it into a single retained coupling element. This retained coupling is designed to remain attached to the mounting base even when the starwheel is repositioned, eliminating the risk of fastener loss while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retained coupling acts as an intermediary between the starwheel and mounting base. It provides a reliable connection point that remains fixed on the mounting base while allowing the starwheel to be moved and repositioned, ensuring fastener retention while enabling adjustment.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing and forming stations are used in the necking machine, then the desired forming can be completed, but the machine complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The starwheel guide assembly is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple can body sizes and types through adjustment. This multi-functionality allows a single assembly design to handle various forming requirements without requiring separate dedicated stations for each can size, reducing overall machine complexity while maintaining forming capability.
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 quick-change starwheel guide assembly reduces the number of processing stations needed, enhances efficiency by minimizing adjustment time, and prevents loss of couplings during exchanges, improving overall machine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum assembly structured to apply a vacuum to the port during a portion of the rotation of the starwheel
Data Source
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AI summary
A quick-change starwheel guide assembly (300) is structured to be coupled to a starwheel guide assembly mounting base (150). The quick-change starwheel guide assembly (300) includes a starwheel guide assembly mounting assembly (310), a starwheel guide assembly support assembly (330), a number of starwheel guide assembly guiderails (350) and a starwheel guide assembly can body height adjustment assembly (370). The starwheel guide assembly mounting assembly (310) is coupled to the starwheel guide assembly support assembly (330). The starwheel guide assembly guiderails (350) are coupled to the starwheel guide assembly mounting assembly (310). The starwheel guide assembly can body height adjustment assembly (370) is coupled to at least one the starwheel guide assembly guiderail (350). At least one of the starwheel guide assembly mounting assembly (310) or the can body height adjustment assembly (370) is a quick-change assembly.