Wicket Bag Neck Formation via Suspended Gripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic packaging systems for wicket bags face challenges in forming a neck portion at a precise location on the bag with high repeatability and speed, which is crucial for efficient handling and closure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a conveyor with wicket bag holders and main gripping devices, controlled by a programmable logic controller, that operates to suspend and grip the bag at a specific level to form a neck portion, assisted by a bag guiding device for precise positioning and neck formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex systems are used for handling wicket bags to achieve high-speed operation, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling system is divided into separate functional modules: a holding device for suspending the bag by its upper tab, and a main gripping device for gripping the bag body to form the neck portion. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve high-speed handling, resolving the contradiction between productivity and complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple gripping levels are used to form neck portion, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bag guiding device acts as an intermediary element that receives the suspended bag from the holding device and guides it to the main gripping device. This intermediary component enables precise positioning of the bag at the gripping level without requiring complex coordination between multiple gripping devices, thus improving manufacturing precision while controlling device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If holding device suspends bag by upper tab, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is designed to engage with the upper tab of the wicket bag in advance, suspending the bag before the neck formation operation. This preliminary suspension action secures the bag in the correct position and orientation, ensuring reliable handling during the subsequent gripping and neck formation operations, thus improving both ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for handling wicket bags involve a wicket bag holder for transporting wicket bags to a working position along a transport path, the bag holder including one or more holding devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of an upper tab of the wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is held suspended within a working zone. Also involved are one or more main gripping devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of a suspended wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is gripped to form a bag neck portion. The system and method may be used for bag filling applications.