Unitary Tool Cradle Support Arm for Faster Bodymaker Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing forward mounting assembly for bodymakers is time-consuming to install, prone to alignment errors, and occupies valuable industrial space, potentially causing damage to the equipment due to the need for precise alignment of cradle elements and support arms.
Innovation Solution
A unitary forward mounting assembly that integrates a cradle portion, first support arm portion, and second support arm portion as a single body, allowing for alignment and assembly at a remote location before coupling to the bodymaker frame, eliminating the need for machined coupling surfaces and reducing the complexity of the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate cradle elements and support arms are used requiring machined coupling surfaces, then precise alignment can be achieved, but installation time increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cradle element and support arms into a single integrated support structure with monolithic construction. This merging eliminates the need for separate machined coupling surfaces and multiple alignment operations, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining positioning accuracy through the unified structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated support structure is manufactured as a complete unit with all positioning features pre-established during fabrication. This preliminary action of creating the entire support assembly as one piece eliminates the need for field alignment and assembly operations, significantly reducing installation time while ensuring manufacturing precision is achieved during controlled production.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate cradle elements and support arms are assembled on-site, then flexibility is maintained, but installation complexity increases and risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the cradle and support arms into one integrated component, the patent reduces assembly complexity from multiple separate parts requiring coordination to a single installation operation. The unified structure maintains adaptability through its design that accommodates the die pack and domer assembly while eliminating the complexity of assembling multiple articulated components on-site.
3Measurement precision
If machined coupling surfaces are used for assembling support arms to cradle, then precise positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated support structure eliminates the need for separate machined coupling surfaces by combining all positioning functions into the monolithic structure. This merging simplifies manufacturing by removing multiple machining operations on separate components, while positioning accuracy is maintained through precision casting or forming of the integrated structure with built-in alignment features.
4Area of stationary object
If assembly is performed at remote location, then space optimization is achieved, but assembly precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is manufactured as a complete integrated unit with all positioning precision achieved during controlled factory production. This preliminary action of pre-assembling the entire structure as one piece at the remote location eliminates the need for precision field assembly, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while optimizing industrial space usage by allowing off-site preparation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A unitary forward mounting assembly (50) for a bodymaker (10) includes a unitary forward mounting body (52) with a cradle portion (54), a first support arm portion (56) and a second support arm portion (58). The cradle portion (54) has a forward side (60), a rear side (62), a right side (64), and a left side (66). The first support arm portion (56) is disposed at the cradle portion right side (64). The second support arm portion (58) is disposed at the cradle portion left side (66).