Automatización de un prototipo de estación de termoformado para la fabricación de valvas de férulas antebraquiales

Abstract

In Ecuador, the acquisition of an automated thermoforming station constitutes an important investment for orthopedic companies, giving rise to challenges in costs, technology, accessibility and quality for the manufacture of antebrachial splints; consequently, the objective of this research was to implement a prototype of an automated thermoforming station for the manufacture of antebrachial splint valves. The prototype established the type of study, research and methodology. After that, the development and implementation design and system parameters were established. The expected operation of the machine and its development and implementation design were described. The modeling of the prototype structure was completed in four phases through the use of the SOLIDWORKS computer-aided design program. The following items were considered for the process design: forming method, structure analysis, raw material, storage warehouse, conveying system, suction cup feeding system, clamping area, heating area and the vacuum chamber. The software connections to the prototype were developed in the Fritzing and Power Point programs and finally the thermoforming machine was physically built. In this context, it was obtained as a result that the time to produce one antebrachial splint valve is 603.3 seconds and a total energy consumption of 52.86 kilowatt-hours, based on the time study of the process. It is concluded that the development of the automated thermoforming station prototype satisfies the objective of manufacturing antebrachial splint valves in a continuous way, with three stages in the machine: raw material, thermoforming and final product. It is recommended to future students to plan a frequent maintenance and to carry out operation checks to the equipment in order to extend its life time and to maintain a good performance in the process