Double-Sided Toothed Belt Conveyor for Rapid Wrapping Machine Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wrapping machines require lengthy and costly setup processes, involving skilled personnel, to accommodate varying pack sizes and types, which affects productivity and production costs due to the need for frequent adjustments of carriages and flexible members.
Innovation Solution
The use of double-sided toothed belts as flexible members in the conveyor device, with internal and external teeth, allows for simple and rapid coupling and release of carriages, enabling automatic or semi-automatic setup and reducing the need for specialized components, thus facilitating quicker and more economical changes between production cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional flexible members are used in the conveyor device, then the machine can accommodate varying pack sizes by adjusting carriages, but the setup process becomes lengthy and requires skilled personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member is segmented into multiple identical modular units, each comprising a straight portion and a curved portion. These standardized segments can be quickly assembled and disassembled during setup, eliminating the need for complex adjustments and reducing setup time while maintaining adaptability to different pack sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor device uses universal standardized flexible member units that can serve multiple pack configurations. The same modular units are used regardless of the specific pack size required, allowing rapid reconfiguration by simply changing the number or arrangement of identical modules rather than adjusting complex traditional flexible members.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional flexible members and carriage systems are used, then the conveyor can be adjusted for different packs, but specialized components and skilled personnel are required, increasing production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member units are designed as simple, standardized, and relatively inexpensive modular components that can be easily manufactured and replaced. Their simplified construction reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity, making the system more economical while maintaining full adjustability for different pack configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The same standardized flexible member units serve all pack configurations, eliminating the need for specialized components for different pack types. This universality reduces inventory requirements, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers overall production costs while maintaining complete adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent setup changes are performed to accommodate varying pack sizes, then the machine remains versatile, but productivity is reduced due to lengthy setup operations
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented modular design allows setup changes to be performed by simply adding or removing standardized units rather than reconfiguring complex traditional flexible members. This dramatically reduces setup time and enables frequent product changeovers without significant productivity loss, maintaining versatility while improving overall production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized modular units are pre-designed and pre-configured for specific pack size requirements. During setup, operators simply select and assemble the appropriate pre-engineered modules rather than performing complex adjustments, enabling rapid changeovers that minimize productivity impact while maintaining full versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The wrapping machine includes a feed path of products to be wrapped in a wrapping sheet and, along the feed path, an insertion station of products to be wrapped in a wrapping sheet and folding members of the wrapping sheet. The machine further includes a conveyor device, which receives the products in the insertion station and causes their feed through the folding members. The conveyor device includes a system of endless flexible members formed by toothed belts guided around toothed wheels. Each toothed belt includes a first series of internal teeth, cooperating with toothed guide wheels, and a second series of external teeth, cooperating with connection elements of carriages that carry prongs for feeding the products to be wrapped. The connection elements include toothed profiles complementary to the external teeth of the toothed belts, suitable to provide a shape coupling with the external teeth of the respective toothed belts.