Vacuum Surface Processing Machine with Vertical Product Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface processing machines for slab-shaped products require significant time and resources to process multiple products individually under vacuum conditions, leading to inefficiencies in processing time and plant bulk.
Innovation Solution
A machine with multiple sealed chambers and moving devices allows for simultaneous processing of multiple products stacked vertically, reducing the time required to achieve and maintain lower pressure conditions, and optimizing the layout for efficient material application and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple products are processed individually in sequence under vacuum conditions, then each product receives adequate processing attention, but the overall processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual processing chambers are merged into a single common chamber where multiple products can be processed simultaneously. The chamber includes multiple loading openings for inserting products and multiple moving devices that can independently position and process each product stack, allowing parallel processing while maintaining individual product quality standards
Solution Approach 2:
The common chamber is divided into multiple processing zones, each equipped with its own moving device for manipulating product stacks. Each moving device can independently handle its assigned products through the processing steps, enabling simultaneous processing of multiple products while maintaining individual processing control
2Productivity
If a large number of processing chambers are provided to process multiple products simultaneously, then productivity increases, but the plant bulk and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing functions are combined into a single common chamber that can accommodate multiple product stacks. Instead of requiring separate chambers for each product, the invention uses one shared chamber with multiple loading openings and multiple moving devices that can independently process different product stacks simultaneously, dramatically reducing the total volume required
Solution Approach 2:
Products are arranged in vertical stacks within the common chamber, utilizing the vertical dimension for product accumulation. Multiple products are positioned at different heights within the same chamber space, allowing parallel processing without increasing the horizontal footprint of the plant
3Reliability
If products are processed one by one through closing and opening chamber doors repeatedly, then each product is properly sealed and processed, but the cycle time includes repeated door operations
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber door sealing function is merged into a single sealing system at the common chamber rather than requiring separate sealing operations for each product. Multiple products are loaded through multiple openings in the same chamber, and the chamber is sealed once to process all products simultaneously, eliminating repeated door cycling while maintaining sealing integrity through the shared sealing mechanism
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 approach significantly reduces the overall processing time and plant bulk by sharing steps among multiple products, achieving faster surface treatment while maintaining the necessary pressure conditions for effective resin penetration and coating applications.
Implementation Method 1
a device for reducing the pressure inside said at least one chamber up to a value lower than the ambient pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Machine for the surface processing of products (L) under controlled pressure conditions different than the ambient pressure, comprising • at least one sealed chamber (12, 13), provided with at least one opening (15, 16), that can be closed, for inserting and removing a plurality of products (L) to be processed, • a device (30) for adjusting the pressure inside said at least one chamber (12, 13), • in said at least one chamber (12, 13), a moving device (20) for vertically moving said products (L), so as to accumulate at least two said products on levels arranged over one another, • a horizontal moving device (19) for moving said products (L) from and towards said at least one opening (15, 16) when the products (L) are arranged at the same level of said at least one opening (15, 16) wherein, from an operational viewpoint, a plurality of said products (L) are inserted into said at least one chamber (12, 13), and at least two products of said plurality of products (L) are over one another for a span of processing, and wherein, once all the products to be processed have been inserted into said at least one chamber, (12, 13) said chamber (12, 13) is closed and the pressure inside is adjusted up to an operational processing pressure, and then said at least one chamber (12, 13) is opened again and the products (L) are removed therefrom.