A winding machine for fiber spools

Abstract

The present invention relates to a winding machine for fibre bobbins, which is intended to obtain from a bulk supply bobbin individual bobbins with a preset length. The winding machine is able to assemble two components of each bobbin, subsequently winding a preselected specific number of metres. Once the winding process is completed, the machine cuts the rope and fixes it to prevent the yarn bobbin from unwinding, subsequently starting a new cycle with a new bobbin, all in a fully automatic manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a winding machine for fiber rope spools, the winding machine being designed to produce individual spools of predetermined length from a bulk supply of spools.

[0002] The purpose of this invention is to enable a winding machine to perform the winding process in a fully autonomous and highly productive manner—including assembling the two components that make up each spool, winding a predetermined length onto the spool, and cutting and stabilizing the yarn—while precisely controlling the length of each spool wound, thereby minimizing idle time and maximizing productivity. Background Technology

[0003] While some stages of the process used to produce fiber rope spools have been automated to date, others are performed manually. Therefore, no existing winding machine can automatically (from start to finish) perform the entire process, from spool assembly to winding of a predetermined length of fiber rope, as well as rope cutting and stabilization, to ensure the spool retains its shape. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A winding machine for fiber spools represents a perfectly adequate solution to the problems mentioned above, provided that it automates the entire process of producing fiber spools from start to finish.

[0005] Therefore, the winding machine of the present invention includes a winding station support frame, the winding station support frame including a peripheral safety housing, wherein a series of substations are used to automate the entire process.

[0006] Specifically, the winding machine is equipped with a pair of conveyor belts on which the body and cover of the bobbin are supplied to the winding machine.

[0007] The conveyor belt transports the aforementioned components to the area of ​​the four-axis robot, which not only handles the two components of the spool but also the spool unit (on which the yarn has been wound).

[0008] Their function is to ensure that components are supplied to and unloaded from the winding station in sync with all components of the winding machine.

[0009] Therefore, the winding machine is equipped with a spool holder or clamping system, which includes a four-finger self-centering holder that is pneumatically powered to ensure rapid opening and closing operations.

[0010] The winding head adjacent to this substation rotates the spool to wind the yarn onto the spool.

[0011] It also ensures that the spool body is in the correct position by arranging a mechanism on the upper part to position the pin of the spool and place it in a specific position for attaching the cover.

[0012] The support and centering system located on one side of the winding head performs several functions. Once the robot has placed the spool cap on top of the winding head, the support and centering system applies the pressure required to force the cap into the spool body and secure it firmly. While performing this function, the robot is free to continue its cycle.

[0013] Once the cover has been secured to the spool body, pressure is applied to hold the cover in place to keep the spool stable during the winding cycle.

[0014] Since the centering system can be electronically manipulated in the operating area, it can be moved to allow the robot to approach while simultaneously allowing the previously wound spool to be removed.

[0015] Another substation of the winding machine involved in this invention is a yarn processing substation, which includes three pneumatic shafts and two additional pneumatic actuators, and its function is to properly clamp, cut and position the yarn when one spool is finished and the processing of another spool is about to begin.

[0016] In this respect, the yarn is guided toward the spool by a guide station whose function is to correctly guide the yarn toward the spool in order to ensure a parallel, orderly and uniform winding process.

[0017] The main reel or feed reel, also located within the winding machine, will securely guide the yarn to the yarn guiding unit.

[0018] Finally, the completed spools are unloaded via a third conveyor belt, at which point they arrive at the station for finished parts.

[0019] To increase the productivity of the winding machine, a unit consisting of a feed spool, a yarn handling unit, a yarn guiding unit, a winding head, and a support centering system is replicated in the winding machine, which means that the unit is located on either side of the handling robot.

[0020] Therefore, the entire spool production process can be automated based on a system that precisely controls the winding length of each spool, minimizes idle time, and maximizes productivity. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To supplement the following description and to facilitate a better understanding of the features of the invention, a series of drawings (in which the following are illustrated in an illustrative rather than restrictive manner) are appended as an integral part of this description, according to preferred embodiments of actual implementation:

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of a winding machine for fiber spools according to the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 Detailed perspective views of the various substations that make up the internal structure of the winding machine are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The accompanying drawings illustrate a winding machine for fiber spools according to the present invention, comprising a frame (1) that supports and holds an aluminum substrate on which the various substations of the winding machine are located. An internal pneumatic control box is housed, which includes an air filtration system and a set of solenoid valves for controlling the pneumatic actuators. Furthermore, all wiring for the motor and pneumatic actuators is concealed within it.

[0025] The stand (1) includes a peripheral safety enclosure (2) which functions to prevent the operator from contacting the moving parts, thereby protecting the operator from the risk of being caught or scratched.

[0026] The housing (2) under discussion provides access to the operating area through four points, which are appropriately protected by safety sensors that activate the winder's emergency mode when opened. The structure includes LED lighting indicating the operating area. Two enclosed spaces exist at the rear, housing the feed reel (9); access doors are available for changing the yarn feed reel. At the center of the rear is an electrical cabinet for monitoring and controlling the winder's power supply. A control panel with a touchscreen, buttons, and an emergency stop button is located on the front right side.

[0027] As noted above, the winding machine is equipped with a pair of conveyor belts (10-10'), on which the body and cover of the bobbin are fed into the winding machine, and the completed bobbin is unloaded on conveyor belt 10".

[0028] The conveyor belts are started by stepper motors connected to a speed reduction drive, which drive the transmission belts. These composite belts are centered by positioning tracks, so many of them that when their path terminates at the receiving station, they are held in a waiting position by mechanical and / or photoelectric units for collection, while the supply belt is started to maintain the input of components.

[0029] The conveyor belt (10-10') transports the above components to an area where the four-axis robot (3) not only processes the two components that make up the spool, but also processes the spool unit that has been wound with yarn.

[0030] Their function is to ensure that the supply of components to and from the two winding stations (5) is synchronized with all the components of the winding machine.

[0031] Therefore, two units consisting of a winding station (5), a feeding spool (9), a yarn processing unit (7), a yarn guiding unit (8), and a support centering system (6) are located on both sides of the four-axis robot (3) in order to increase the productivity of the winding machine.

[0032] The four-axis robot (3) is equipped with a spool gripper (4) or gripping system, which includes a pneumatically powered four-finger self-centering gripper to ensure rapid opening and closing manipulation. The four-finger gripper is further equipped with "nail parts" to optimize "gripping" efficiency according to the geometry of the spool on the one hand, and to handle the parts with high acceleration on the other.

[0033] Therefore, the winding station (5) is located on both sides of the four-axis robot (3) to rotate the spool so that the yarn is wound onto the spool by means of a servo motor.

[0034] By arranging a mechanism on their upper part to position the pins of the spools and placing them in a specific position for attaching the caps, they ensure that the spool bodies are in the correct position. Two fiber optic photoelectric units detect whether the spools are in an incorrect position, while two angular contact bearings bear the pressure applied by the support centering system (6).

[0035] In sync with the function of the mechanism, the support centering system (6) performs several functions. Once the robot has placed the spool cap on top of the winding head, the support centering system applies the pressure required to force the cap into the spool body and secure it firmly. While performing this function, the robot is free to continue its cycle.

[0036] Once the cap has been secured to the spool body, pressure is applied to hold the cap in place to keep the spool stable during the winding cycle. The system is mounted on a linear stage with a guiding system and a double-acting pneumatic actuator that moves the entire centering system to allow the robot to approach and to remove the previously wound spool.

[0037] As described above, the fiber yarn is supplied by a feed spool (9), which functions to firmly guide the yarn toward the yarn guiding unit (8).

[0038] By way of example, these reels can weigh 5 kg because they include mechanical catchers to prevent knots in the system, as well as inductive sensors that shut down the winding machine if a knot-induced jam is detected.

[0039] The reel includes a compensator system that functions to absorb any tension spikes that may occur during the winding process.

[0040] Therefore, the spool guides the yarn toward the yarn guiding unit (8), in which the yarn is correctly guided toward the spool to ensure a parallel, orderly and uniform winding process.

[0041] It includes a servo motor and an attached ball screw system that converts the motor's rotation into linear motion. This motion is followed by the yarn and translated into a winding process in a spool.

[0042] In order to set the tension of the spool at a specific level, it also integrates an adjustable tension system.

[0043] The yarn guiding unit (8) then supplies the yarn processing unit (7), which consists of three pneumatic spools and two additional pneumatic actuators, to properly clamp, cut and position the yarn when one spool is finished and the processing of another spool is about to begin.

[0044] Finally, the completed spools are unloaded via the third conveyor belt (10”), where they arrive at the station for finished parts.

Claims

1. A winding machine for fiber spools, comprising a frame (1) supporting a base plate, wherein each substation of the winding machine is located on the base plate, the frame (1) is fitted with a peripheral safety housing (2), the winding machine having a pair of conveyor belts (10, 10'), the body and cover of the spool being fed onto the pair of conveyor belts respectively, and the completed spool being unloaded onto a third conveyor belt (10''); the area to which the spool is unloaded by the pair of conveyor belts (10, 10') includes a four-axis robot (3), the four-axis robot having two components for handling the spool and a device for a spool unit previously wound with yarn; the four-axis robot is fitted with a spool holder (4), and the robot has a winding station (5), a support centering system (6), a feed spool (9), a yarn handling unit (7), and a yarn guiding unit (8) on both sides, wherein: a) The winding station (5) includes a device for receiving and rotating the main body of the spool; b) The support centering system (6) includes a device for applying pressure to the cover and thus attaching the cover to the body of the spool, and a device for horizontal manipulation in the operating area. c) The feed spool (9) supplies the yarn to the yarn guiding unit (8); d) The yarn guiding unit (8) includes a device for guiding the yarn toward the spool; e) The yarn guiding unit (8) supplies the yarn to the yarn processing unit (7), which includes three pneumatic shafts and two additional pneumatic actuators, as well as devices for clamping, cutting and positioning the yarn.

2. The winding machine for fiber spools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pneumatic control box is housed within the frame (1) and includes an air filtration system and a solenoid valve assembly for controlling the pneumatic actuators of the various substations of the winding machine.

3. The winding machine for fiber spools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (2) provides access to the operating area through four points, which are properly protected by safety sensors that activate the emergency mode of the winding machine when opened, including LED lighting to indicate the operating area. The feed reel (9) is located in two spaces and has an access door, an electrical cabinet, and a control panel. The power supply of the winding machine is monitored and controlled through the electrical cabinet. The control panel has a touch screen, buttons, and an emergency stop button.

4. The winding machine for fiber spools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pair of conveyor belts (10, 10') are started by stepper motors connected to a speed reduction drive, such that when the path of the pair of conveyor belts terminates at the receiving station, their waiting position is detected for collection, and the pair of conveyor belts are started to maintain the input of the component.

5. The winding machine for fiber spools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four-axis robot (3) is equipped with a spool gripper (4) or a gripping system, the spool gripper or the gripping system comprising a four-finger self-centering gripper that is pneumatically powered.

6. The winding machine for fiber spools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The winding station (5) has a mechanism for positioning the cover of the spool on its upper part, and a device for determining whether the cover has been correctly positioned.

7. The winding machine for fiber spools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed reel (9) includes a mechanical catcher to prevent knots in the system, and includes an inductive sensor that shuts down the winding machine if it detects a jam caused by a knot. The feed reel also includes a compensator system that absorbs peak tension on the yarn.

8. The winding machine for fiber spools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The yarn guiding unit (8) includes a servo motor and a system for adjusting the tension of the yarn to be wound. The servo motor has an attached ball screw system that converts the rotation of the motor into linear motion.

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