Vacuum Support Conveyor for Large Sheet Flatness and Throughput
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing machines require significant changeover times and storage space for different carriers, and bulky, heavy carriers reduce dynamics and throughput, especially when handling large or unstable sheets.
Innovation Solution
A transport system comprising a gripper conveyor and a support conveyor with a vacuum system, where the support conveyor supports a region of the sheet over its entire width but only part of its length, using a separate vacuum source connected via orifices and distribution units to ensure even support and flexibility for different sheet sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky carriers are used to support large individual sheets, then the sheets can be properly supported and transported, but the machine weight increases and dynamics are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vacuum system with a vacuum source connected to the support conveyor to create negative pressure that holds the sheet in place. This pneumatic approach replaces bulky mechanical carriers with a lightweight vacuum field that provides sufficient support stability for large sheets without adding excessive weight to the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different carts or carriers are used for different sheet dimensions, then all sheet sizes can be accommodated, but changeover times increase and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support conveyor is designed with a vacuum system that can adapt to different sheet dimensions through a single unified structure. The vacuum field can be adjusted to accommodate various sheet sizes without requiring physical replacement of carriers, enabling the system to handle diverse sheet dimensions while minimizing changeover time and storage requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If a vacuum system with distributed orifices is used to support large sheets, then even support across the sheet width is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support conveyor incorporates a distributed array of orifices that function similarly to a porous structure, allowing vacuum to be applied across multiple points simultaneously. This creates an even support field across the entire sheet width, maintaining sheet flatness and preventing deformation, while the modular orifice design keeps the system manageable in complexity.
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
Facilitates efficient handling and processing of large or unstable sheets with improved flatness and reduced machine weight, allowing for higher dynamics and throughput without compromising print quality.
Implementation Method 1
The support conveyor comprises a vacuum system for supporting the individual sheet on an interacting surface of the support conveyor, the vacuum system comprising a plurality of orifices in the interacting surface
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A machine for processing individual sheets comprises at least one processing station, in particular in inkjet printing station, and a transport system (100) for transporting the individual sheets through the processing station, along a transport direction. The transport system (100) comprises at least one gripper conveyor (150) movable along the transport direction, for gripping one of the individual sheets defining a sheet position in transport direction. The transport system (100) further comprises at least one support conveyor (190) movable along the transport direction for supporting a region of the individual sheet, wherein the support conveyor (190) comprises a vacuum system for supporting the individual sheet on an interacting surface of the support conveyor, the vacuum system comprising a plurality of orifices in the interacting surface. The machine allows for efficient and flexible handling of individual sheets, in particular large format sheets of materials such as corrugated cardboard or other materials that have a certain degree of inherent stability.