Food Stuffing Machine Preforming Station Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stuffing machines often produce unsatisfactory formations of food products, lacking reliability and safety, and have complex structures with high costs.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a framework supporting a die and counter-die, featuring a preforming station with movable parts and actuators to compress and shape the product before stuffing, ensuring optimal formation and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional stuffing machine with a single counter-die is used, then the structure remains simple, but the product formation quality is unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The forming process is segmented into two distinct stages: preforming (using preforming counter-dies with rounded surfaces) and final forming (using the main counter-die with flat surfaces). This segmentation allows each stage to perform its specific function optimally, improving overall product formation quality while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The preforming station performs preliminary shaping of the product before it enters the main forming die. The preforming counter-dies create an initial rounded shape that facilitates better final forming, ensuring optimal product geometry is achieved before the product is pushed through the stuffing tube
2Reliability
If the die is made stationary, then the machine structure is simpler, but the reliability and safety of product formation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The die is transformed from a stationary component to a dynamic one that moves along a forward path between loading and working positions. This movement allows the die to be properly positioned for preforming operations and final stuffing operations, ensuring reliable and safe product formation through controlled positioning at each stage
3Manufacturing precision
If a preforming station with multiple counter-dies is added, then product formation quality improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forming function is segmented between preforming counter-dies and the main counter-die, with each segment performing a specific shaping task. This segmentation improves product formation quality by addressing different formation requirements at different stages, while the modular nature of the segmented design allows for cost-effective manufacturing and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The preforming counter-dies serve multiple purposes: they preform the product shape, facilitate proper positioning for final forming, and can be adjusted for different product types. This multi-functionality justifies the additional manufacturing cost by providing versatile capabilities that improve overall product formation quality across various product types
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 machine achieves reliable and safe product formation with a competitive cost by using a preforming station to compress and shape the product before stuffing, resulting in improved product quality and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one preforming counter-die (12) that is adapted to cooperate with the die (3) in order to apply a compression on the product that is capable of preforming the product
Implementation Method 2
the counter-die (4) is capable of being moved by way of corresponding actuator means (4a) so as to close the die (3) and thus form the product
Data Source
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AI summary
A stuffing machine for food products, which comprises a framework (2) that supports at least one die (3), which cooperates with a counter-die (4) to form the product, and a pusher adapted to translate the product to be stuffed, after forming, through a stuffing tube, means (8) being provided for moving the die (3) along a forward path (8a) from a loading position (9), in which the die (3) is adapted to receive the product to be stuffed, to a working position (10), in which the die is located substantially at the region of action of the pusher, between the loading position (9) and the working position (10) there being at least one station (11) for preforming the product.