Design of automatic stem case tipping and tilting system

To mechanize the stem feeding process, minimize stem waste, and avoid broken plastic pieces contamination, an automatic stem case tipping and tilting system was designed. The system mainly consists of a roller conveyor, a grid-type shaker, a stem case tipping and tilting machine, and a case reclaimer. The case tipping and tilting machine is composed of a rotatable base, an elevator and a clamping device, it simulates the manual operation to complete case tipping and tilting. There is no need to cut the plastic bag during the tilting process, thus avoiding the generation of broken plastic pieces. The designed system was tested on the tobacco stem feeding line in Longyan Tobacco Industrial Corporation Limited. The results showed that the automatic case tipping and tilting system reduced the average production time from 101 to 52 min/batch, reduced stem waste by 97.2% and the number of broken plastic pieces from 3.1 pieces/batch to 0. This technology supports the promotion of production efficiency of stem processing.