Thermoforming Receiving Plate Dynamic Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoforming machines face issues with process-reliable and article-friendly removal of finished articles from the catch plate, particularly when articles are stacked tilted or at an angle, leading to disturbances in the flow of movement and potential shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a receiving plate with through-openings assigned holding strips that adjust their opening dimension, ensuring unhindered passage in the first position and reducing it in the second position to securely support article rods, using lifting cylinders controlled by a programmable logic controller, and an optical proximity switch for monitoring positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holding elements such as hinges, cones or springs are used to retain article rods, then articles can be held and transferred, but tilted or angled articles are pushed back or to the side, causing disturbances in the flow of movement and potential shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed as a movable plate that can dynamically change its position between a first position (where it does not protrude into the passage opening, allowing free passage) and a second position (where it protrudes to retain the article rod). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational phases, preventing disturbances caused by static holding elements while ensuring reliable article retention when needed.
2Reliability
If holding elements press against article rods to secure them, then articles can be retained, but the clocked flow of movement is disturbed and machine shutdown can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate is actuated to transition between positions based on operational requirements. During the transfer phase, the plate remains in the first position (not protruding) to ensure unhindered article flow and maintain machine throughput. During the retention phase, the plate moves to the second position (protruding) to securely hold the article rod. This dynamic behavior eliminates the trade-off between retention reliability and productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the receiving plate runs over article rods with sufficient air clearance, then articles pass through unhindered, but articles cannot be retained for transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate's position is dynamically controlled: in the first position, it remains retracted to provide full air clearance and allow articles to pass through the receiving plate unhindered. In the second position, it protrudes into the passage opening to reduce the opening dimension and securely retain the article rod for reliable transfer. This resolves the contradiction between smooth passage and reliable retention.
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 approach ensures reliable and efficient transfer of article rods from the catch plate to a conveyor belt, maintaining a smooth operation and preventing machine shutdowns even when articles are stacked irregularly.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving plate (1) with its passage openings (10) carrying the article bar (6) with it travels over so that the article bars (6) are not touched when passing through the receiving plate (1) (cf. 7). As soon as the receiving plate (1) has reached the catch plate (5) and the article bar (6) is thus centered by the stacking rods (8) in the stacking basket (7), the displacement bar (11) is lowered by means of the lifting cylinders (19, 20)
Implementation Method 2
an optical proximity switch is arranged on the stacking basket, which is connected to the programmable logic controller of the thermoforming machine, to detect and monitor the raised and lowered position of the sliding bar
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermoforming machine with a programmable logic controller for forming and stamping deep-drawn, cup- or lid-shaped articles (3) made of thermoplastic material supplied via an intermittent film transport system, or the like, comprising a multi-forming and stamping tool and a downstream automatic stacking and counting device (2), to which a movable receiving plate (5) is assigned, which gathers the articles (3) ejected from the machine into article bars (6) in complementary recesses, and a receiving plate (1) having through-openings (10) adapted to the contour of the articles, which receives the finished article bars (6). Such a thermoforming machine is intended to enable the simple, process-reliable, and gentle removal of the finished articles from the receiving plate.To achieve this, retaining strips (12) are provided within the receiving plate (1) attached to a common, movable sliding strip (11), which on the one hand in a first traversing position completely release the passage openings (10) for the passage of the article bars (6) and on the other hand in a second traversing position immerse themselves in the clear contour of the passage openings (10) and reduce their passage opening dimension (22) to a retention opening dimension (25).