12. AUTOMATIC VACUUM SEAMER

AUTOMATIC VACUUM SEAMER

Aim: To vacuum and seam one end seamed cans with lids and measure the power transmission elements of a automatic vacuum seamer machine.

Apparatus:
  1. One end seamed cans and lids
  2. Tachometer
  3. Out side callipeo
  4. Measuring scale
  5. Seam cutting saw
  6. Seam micrometer
  7. Thread (Nylon)
Working principle: This is an automatic vacuum seamer for seaming cylindrical cans in large quantities. After filling the product the filled end of the can is closed one after the other continuously. In its working mechanism, the rotating power required for seaming head, chuck and the chain conveyor (for feeding can and lid) can be obtained by declutching the lever and engaging the hand wheel shaft spur gear with the driven pulley shaft spur gear. Rotating power can also be transferred from the electrical motor to driven pulley by ‘V’ belt. The driven pulley shaft has contact with two vertical shafts as the centre and at the end by a pair of gears. The centre vertical shaft has cams at the center which operates with vacuum pump and has a helical gear at the bottom transmitting the power to the horizontal shaft. This horizontal shaft has chain sprocket and worm with rollers. The chain sprocket transmits power to the other chain sprocket by means of a chain which in turn moves the chain conveyor to feed cans. The worm with roller arrangement rotates the base plate so as to bring the filled can with lid for seaming one after another. The vertical shaft with gear at the end of the driven pulley shaft rotates the seaming head mechanism which has grooved rollers to complete the seam. Automatic vacuum seamer can seam 30to 40 can per minute.

The machine essentially consists of the following parts.
  • Cast iron body
  • Electrical motor
  • Hand wheel
  • Gears
  • Seaming head
  • Chain conveyor
  • Chuck
Procedure:
  • The condition of the machine is observed and if necessary greasing, oiling and cleaning should be done.
  • Switch on the vacuum-pump starter button followed by vacuum seamer starter button.
  • Regulate the vacuum to 30 PSI by rotating the regulator valve of the vacuum tank(see the vacuum gauge in front of the machine)
  • Place the lids in the lid stand.
  • Keep the filled cans on the chain conveyor which move automatically.
  • Engage the declutch lever.
  • Collect the seamed cans at the exit passage.
  • Switch off the vacuum seamer and vacuum pump starter buttons after completion of the work.
Observations: Record the following observation

Sl.No. Parameters
1. Horse power of the motor
2. Speed of the motor
3. Diameter of the driver pulley
4. Diameter of the driven pulley
5. Speed of the driver pulley
6. Speed of the driven pulley
7. Center distance between the pulleys
8. Type of gear used
9. No. of gear used
10. No. of teeth on each gear
11. No. of grooved rollers used
12. Thickness of the grooved rollers
13. Type of belt used
14. No. of belt used
15. Type of belt drive system

Calculations:
1)
No. of teeth on driver gear
Gear ratio = ----------------------------------
Speed of driver gear

Speed of driven gear
= --------------------------------------------
No. of teeth on driven gear

2) Velocity ratio of belt drive

N2
= ------------
N1
d1
= ------------
d2
Where,
N1 = Speed of the driver in rpm
N2 = Speed of the driven in rpm
d1 = Diameter of the driver in cm
d2 = Diameter of the driven in cm

3) Length of the belt
(r1 – r2)2
L = (r1 + r2) + 2x + ------------
x

Where,
r1 = radius of the driver pulley in cms
r2 = radius of the driven pulley in cms
x = distance between the center of the pulley in cms

2 π NT
HP = ------------
4500

4) Diameter of the shaft

π
T = ------fsd3
16
Where,
Fs = Shear stress in Kg/ cm2
T = Torque in Kg-m
N = rpm
HP = Horse power
d = Diameter of driver shaft in cms
Last modified: Monday, 9 August 2010, 7:17 AM