Stationary Gripper Bag Buffer for FFS Machine Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
FFS machines face high wear and vibration due to the need to transport empty and full sacks at high speeds, resulting in reduced throughput and stability issues with existing conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with stationary grippers and conveyors that allow for efficient transfer of empty sacks in the conveying direction, reducing the mass of the conveyor and eliminating the need for a cooling unit, by varying the number of grippers and adjusting dwell times, enabling scalable bag storage and simultaneous filling capabilities without additional cooling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a robust conveyor is used to transport both empty and full bags at high speed, then the throughput is improved, but the wear and vibration increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into two separate conveyors: a first conveyor for transporting empty bags and a second conveyor for transporting filled bags. This segmentation allows each conveyor to be optimized for its specific task, with the first conveyor being lighter and faster since it only handles empty bags, thereby improving throughput while reducing wear and vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single robust conveyor for both empty and full bags, the invention inverts the approach by using a lighter conveyor for empty bags and a separate robust conveyor for filled bags. This inversion allows the first conveyor to operate at higher speeds with less wear, directly improving productivity.
2Productivity
If the conveyor travels long distances at high speed with empty bags, then the bag supply to filling station is improved, but the wear and tear on the conveyor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport function is segmented between two conveyors: the first conveyor handles empty bags over long distances at high speed, while the second conveyor handles filled bags. This segmentation reduces the wear and tear on the first conveyor since it only transports lighter empty bags, allowing it to operate more efficiently with less energy loss.
3Reliability
If the conveyor is made less massive to reduce wear, then the wear and vibration are reduced, but the ability to transport both empty and full bags is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into two specialized conveyors: a lighter first conveyor optimized for empty bags with reduced wear, and a second conveyor designed to handle filled bags. This segmentation allows the first conveyor to be less massive and experience less wear while the second conveyor handles the heavier load, maintaining overall transport versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The second conveyor serves as a universal solution that can handle filled bags from multiple filling stations, compensating for the specialized first conveyor's limited function. This multi-functionality ensures that the system maintains its ability to transport both empty and full bags effectively.
4Device complexity
If stationary grippers are used with adjustable dwell time, then the cooling requirement is eliminated, but the conveyor mass is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary grippers provide a dwell time that allows bottom welds to cool before the bags are transferred to the filling station. This preliminary cooling action eliminates the need for an additional active cooling unit, reducing device complexity while maintaining the first conveyor's lighter mass.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for providing empty bags for use in an FFS machine, comprising a production unit (2) for producing the empty bags from a film web and a plurality of grippers (4) spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction for at least temporarily storing empty bags, characterized in that the grippers are stationary and the device further comprises at least one conveyor (5) for transferring the empty bags from the production unit to the plurality of stationary grippers and between the individual stationary grippers. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.