Transfer Turret Vacuum Timing for Variable-Speed Can Necker Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer turret assemblies in can necking machines struggle with maintaining accurate vacuum timing at different operating speeds, leading to issues such as can dropping or crushing due to misalignment and inefficient vacuum application.
Innovation Solution
A transfer turret design with adjustable infeed and outfeed baffles that allow for selective change in angular positioning and circumferential length to synchronize vacuum timing with varying operational speeds, ensuring precise can transfer and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotational speed of the starwheel is changed to control production quantity, then productivity is improved, but the alignment between exit and intake pockets is lost causing can bodies to be dropped or crushed
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum abatement position is made adjustable relative to the starwheel rotation, allowing the vacuum timing to dynamically adapt to different rotational speeds. This ensures that vacuum is applied and released at the correct moments regardless of whether the starwheel rotates fast or slow, preventing can dropping or crushing while maintaining productivity flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the timing parameter of vacuum application by making the vacuum abatement position adjustable. This parameter change allows the system to compensate for speed variations, ensuring that vacuum timing remains synchronized with starwheel rotation at any speed, thus maintaining reliable can transfer.
2Manufacturing precision
If the vacuum abatement location is fixed for accurate transfers at a given speed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different operating speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum abatement position is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to move or change position based on the operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to maintain precise can transfer at any rotational speed, resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and speed adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable vacuum abatement mechanism provides universal functionality across multiple operating speeds. By making the vacuum timing adaptable, a single system configuration can serve multiple speed requirements, eliminating the need for speed-specific vacuum timing setups while maintaining transfer accuracy.
3Reliability
If vacuum force is applied for extended periods to ensure can retention, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and can bodies may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum application is made periodic rather than continuous, with precise timing for application and abatement. Vacuum is applied only when needed for can retention during transfer, then abated at the appropriate moment. This periodic action ensures reliable can retention while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary continuous vacuum application.
Solution Approach 2:
Vacuum is applied in advance of the transfer operation to secure can bodies in the pockets before transfer begins, then abated at the precise moment when can release is needed. This preliminary and timely vacuum application ensures reliable retention during critical phases while avoiding energy waste during non-critical phases.
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
Enables reliable and predictable operation of transfer turrets at different speeds, preventing can damage and ensuring efficient can transfer in necking machines.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer zone that is structured to be under vacuum when the transfer turret is in use... the transfer zone is structured to convey the vacuum to the vacuum ports of the transfer starwheel pockets that are aligned with the transfer zone to thereby retain the can bodies within the transfer starwheel pockets
Implementation Method 2
the infeed baffle and the outfeed baffle are each structured to block the vacuum to the vacuum ports of the transfer starwheel pockets that are aligned with either of the infeed baffle or the outfeed baffle
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer turret includes a rotatable starwheel for transferring can bodies between process stations. The starwheel includes pockets, each having a vacuum port and being adapted to receive a can body. The transfer turret also includes a stationary vacuum assembly having: a frame; an infeed and an outfeed baffle fixedly coupled to the frame, each having a leading end and a trailing end; and a transfer zone extending from the trailing end of the infeed baffle to a leading end of the outfeed baffle that is structured to be under vacuum when the transfer turret is in use. When in use: the transfer zone conveys the vacuum to the vacuum ports of the pockets aligned with the transfer zone to retain the can bodies within such pockets, and the infeed and outfeed baffle are each structured to block the vacuum to the vacuum ports of the pockets aligned therewith.