Thermoforming Trim Press Connecting Arm Pivot for Tool Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim presses face challenges in quickly and easily changing tools and maintaining components due to complex and bulky tool designs, requiring partial disassembly and labor-intensive processes, which prolongs shutdown times and limits operational speeds.
Innovation Solution
The trim press is enhanced with connecting arms made in two sections that can pivot, allowing greater retraction for tool removal and maintenance without disassembly, and adjustable crank pins that can be shifted without detachment, along with a counterweight system that balances momentum during stroke changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tools are made complex and bulky with ejectors and take off tubes, then tool functionality is improved, but tool changeover time increases and clearance for removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arm is divided into two separate sections (first connecting arm section and second connecting arm section) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the platen to be held in a retracted position while the tool remains accessible for removal without requiring complete disassembly of the tool attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting arm sections are made movable relative to each other through a pivot connection, allowing dynamic adjustment of the platen position. The first connecting arm section can be rotated to a first position for tool removal and a second position for normal operation, providing flexibility without permanent structural changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If crank pins are completely detached and reinstalled to adjust press stroke, then stroke adjustment is achieved, but adjustment time increases and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crank pin position is made adjustable along the connecting arm section without requiring complete detachment. The crank pin can be repositioned to different locations on the connecting arm section to change the press stroke, maintaining operational flexibility while simplifying the adjustment process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If platen retraction is limited to maintain balance with counterweight, then operational stability is improved, but clearance for tool removal is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arm system is segmented into two sections that can move independently. This allows the first connecting arm section to rotate and position the platen in a retracted state for tool removal while the second connecting arm section maintains the counterweight balance, separating the functions of clearance creation and stability maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the position of the connecting arm sections based on operational needs. During tool removal, the first section rotates to provide maximum retraction clearance while the counterweight system dynamically compensates to maintain balance, allowing temporary displacement from equilibrium position.
4Device complexity
If connecting arm is made as single rigid piece, then structural simplicity is maintained, but retraction clearance for tool removal is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arm is divided into two sections connected by a pivot joint. This segmentation enables the first connecting arm section to rotate relative to the second section, significantly increasing the retraction distance of the platen while maintaining relatively simple structural components that can be easily manufactured and assembled.
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 design enables faster tool changes and maintenance, reduces labor, and maintains operational speeds by providing ample clearance and adjustable stroke settings, minimizing mechanical wear.
Implementation Method 1
counterweights which are driven by the press in the opposite direction from the movable platen to balance out the momentum of the platen and thereby allow higher speeds of operation by minimizing movement of the press caused by reaction forces generated by reversing movement of the movable platen and tool
Implementation Method 2
The flywheels drive the movable platen by means of a pair of connecting arms, each driven by a respective flywheel
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoforming trim press has one or more connecting arms for driving a movable platen, each arm having a pivotal connection between two adjacent sections of each connecting arm which is normally locked during normal press operation whereby the movable platen is able to move further back from a normal retracted position to increase the available clearance when changing or maintaining tools mounted on the movable platen. The pivoting ability of the connecting arm sections also simplifies adjusting the stroke of the press. A counterweight may be driven by the crank pins to match the press stroke adjustments and to thereby correspond the movement of the counterweight to the movement of the movable platen.