MyTRIZ Competition 2013

Team TARUC AME TWY

Registration No. MTZ 8557

Teoh Khai Chun

Woon Yi Fatt

Yap Park Wah

Part 1(a)Problem Statement Although the input of the material at the furnace entrance is properly

aligned, the material became misaligned at the output of the furnace. The main factor of such occurrence still remains unknown.

**Boundary Condition of the Problem Statement**

The semi-process material’s properties will not be affected by the heat treatment except the proper progress of the process.

The semi-process material is assumed to be in tubular shape.

Benefits and/or impact if the problem solved The output of the semi-processed material from the furnace will no

longer suffer misalignment of production. Hence, the productivity of the product can be ensured.

Process flow (Part 1)Problem

Statement to be solved

Cause & Effect Chain Analysis

Engineering Contradiction

Contradiction Matrix

Specific Inventive Principle

Cause & Effect Chain Analysis

Engineering Contradiction

“If the thermal expansion tolerance and

clearance of the conveyor belt is applied,

the conveyor belt will be able to tolerate

even when it undergoes a certain amount of

heating without affecting process of heat

treatment but it will be difficult and time

consuming to apply it in the whole conveyor belt system.”

Improving parameter :

Measurement Accuracy (Parameter #28),

Manufacturing Precision (Parameter #29),

Adaptability or Versatility (Parameter #35)

Worsening parameter

Loss of time (Parameter #25)

Device Complexity (Parameter #36)

#No Inventive Solutions

10 Preliminary action

15 Dynamization

18 Mechanical vibration/oscillation

27 Cheap short-living objects

28 Mechanics substitution

29 Pneumatics and hydraulics

34 Discarding and recovering

35 Parameter changes

37 Thermal Expansion

#10 Preliminary actions

Change the orientation of the semi-processed material to 180 as shown in figure 1.4 along with a U-shaped or V-shaped conveyor belt.

#15 Dynamization

Holding devices consisting of adjustable jaws that center a work piece is installed to the conveyor belt to hold material ends. This can stop and prevent any material from misalign. The material will be heating in well order.

#27 Cheap short-living objects

Instead of using metal mesh conveyor belt, the material of the belt is to be switched with polymer with high heat resistant. This type of material has lower service life but also less costly.

#28 Mechanics substitutions

Install sensors and controllers along the conveyor belt to prevent the misalignment of the semi-processed material. When the sensors detect misalignment of material, the sensor will send a message to the controller. The controller is then adjusting the material in correct proportion.

#35 Parameter changes (degree of flexibility)

A flexible conveyor system can be used along with its flexible side wall to hold the tubular tube in its position. The conveyor system can travel in a circular direction when passing through the furnace. This can reduce the furnace total length.

#37 Thermal expansions

The metal mesh of the conveyor belt is replaced with other material that has better heat resistance properties and lower coefficient of thermal expansion. This will prevent high degree of thermal expansion when the conveyor is passing through the furnace for the heat treatment purpose.