Case study: constraint-based improvement of an over-wrapping machine.

The paper presents the successful application of a constraint-based modelling to improve the performance of an overwrapping packaging machine. The constraint-based modelling was employed to manipulate the geometry of the individual components and their assemblies until conditions of minimum misalignment forces were achieved. The designs arising from this approach moved the ground points away from their original positions and modified the geometry of the cam follower arms. It also allowed a single camshaft to be used, which enabled a reduction in the number of parts. A prototype of the new design was constructed, installed in the complete machine, and evaluated. All the performance requirements were met.