Confectionery Wrapping Machine Oscillating Gripper Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior wrapping machines for confectionery products face limitations in operating speed due to complex product positioning and require time-consuming adjustments for different product sizes or wrapping styles, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A wrapping machine design featuring intermittently operating grippers that rotate and oscillate to precisely position products relative to wrapping sheets, allowing for higher speed operation and versatile handling of various product sizes and styles without the need for extensive adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If transfer drum and moving folder rollers are used to transfer products, then product positioning is achieved, but operating speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transfer drum and moving folder rollers from the system, replacing them with a stationary wrapping surface. Products are fed directly onto the stationary surface where wrapping occurs, eliminating the complex transfer mechanism while maintaining product positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an oscillating gripper mechanism that dynamically positions products on the stationary wrapping surface. The gripper oscillates to accommodate different product sizes and positioning requirements, replacing the need for complex mechanical transfers while enabling high-speed operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed or movable folders are used for different wrapping styles, then wrapping versatility is achieved, but changeover time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single stationary wrapping surface that serves multiple functions for different wrapping styles (bunch-fold, boero, and other single twist wraps). The oscillating gripper and adjustable positioning mechanism enable this universal surface to adapt to various product sizes and wrapping requirements without requiring physical changes to the wrapping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating gripper mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the system to adapt to different product sizes and wrapping styles through motion control rather than mechanical reconfiguration. This enables rapid style changes without time-consuming adjustments to fixed folders.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex product positioning movements are used, then correct product positioning is achieved, but machine speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transfer drum and complex positioning mechanisms, replacing them with direct feeding onto a stationary wrapping surface. Product positioning is achieved through the oscillating gripper's controlled motion rather than complex mechanical transfers, maintaining precision while enabling higher speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating gripper performs preliminary positioning actions by oscillating to the appropriate position before product wrapping begins. This preliminary positioning ensures correct product orientation and location on the wrapping surface without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the wrapping process, thereby maintaining both precision and speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wrapping machine (1) for wrapping a confectionery product (100) having at least a base surface (101) and a lateral surface (102) comprises a wrapping unit (2) for wrapping the confectionery product (100) and a feed unit (4) for feeding the confectionery product (100) to the wrapping unit (2); the feed unit (4) comprises a first gripper (7) movable about a first axis of rotation (R7) from a pickup station (6) to an exchange station (8) and vice versa along a first circular arc (11) to grip the confectionery product (100) in the pickup station (6), feed it to the exchange station (8) and return to the pickup station (6) and a second gripper (13) movable about a second axis of rotation (R13) from the exchange station (8) to a delivery station (14) and vice versa along a second circular arc (17) to grip the confectionery product (100) in the exchange station (8), feed it to the delivery station (14) and return to the exchange station (8).