A heat-shrinkable film coating apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of heat shrinkable film coating equipment, including equipment main body;Feeding and discharging station, for the feeding of to-be-processed tube and the discharging of processed tube;Production station, each station is provided with heating assembly for heat shrinkable film coating to tube;Feeder car group, feeder car group is used to send to-be-processed tube from feeding and discharging station to production station;First clamping positioning assembly is respectively arranged at each production station, for clamping and positioning tube during heat shrinkable film coating.The application in this paper only needs to put tube on feeding trolley and take down the tube after production, and all actions such as feeding, product penetration, heat shrinkable film coating, product straightening, automatic discharging are automatically completed, multiple stations are set, integrated together by automatic mode, realize full-automatic continuous production, solve the problems such as low efficiency, high labor cost, long waiting time of existing production mode, and cannot realize continuous production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of medical device manufacturing, specifically relating to a heat-shrinkable coating device. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of medical technology, medical catheters have acquired unique functions and occupy an important position in clinical medicine. As a component of medical catheters, their consumption in my country has been increasing year by year. As a crucial means of treating cardiovascular diseases, catheters have enormous market demand and broad prospects.

[0003] Heat shrink coating is an important process in the production of medical catheters. Currently, the heat shrink coating process for catheters is mainly based on single-machine equipment, with manual material insertion and production at a fixed number of workstations. After one cycle is completed, the process is repeated, followed by manual unloading and a second insertion and clamping. This results in very low efficiency, long production waiting time, and is time-consuming and labor-intensive, making it impossible to achieve high-efficiency production.

[0004] Because of the reliance on manual intervention, almost every step, from loading, inserting, and positioning the tube to removing it after completion, requires manual operation. This not only increases labor intensity and costs, but also makes it difficult to precisely and consistently control the straightening state of the tube during manual clamping and positioning. If the tube is bent or under uneven tension during heating and coating, it will lead to uneven coating, wrinkles, or damage, affecting product yield. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a heat-shrinkable coating equipment to solve the problems of low efficiency of manual operation and low yield of manually produced tube products in the prior art.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a heat shrink coating device, comprising: Equipment body; At least one loading and unloading station is used for loading the tubes to be processed and unloading the processed tubes; Multiple production stations, each of which is equipped with a heating component for heat-shrinking and coating the material tube; At least one feeding cart group is movably mounted on the main body of the equipment and can reciprocate between the loading / unloading station and the plurality of production stations. The feeding cart group is used to transport the material tube to be processed from the loading / unloading station to the production station and to transport the processed material tube from the production station back to the loading / unloading station. Multiple first clamping and positioning components are respectively disposed at each of the production stations for clamping and positioning the material tube during the heat shrink lamination process; and The electrical control system is electrically connected to the feeding vehicle group, the heating component, and the first clamping and positioning component.

[0007] In some embodiments, at least two sets of production stations are provided, and the two sets of production stations are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the movement path of the feeding vehicle group.

[0008] In some embodiments, the feeding vehicle group includes: Frame; Multiple second clamping and positioning components are disposed on the frame for clamping or releasing the material tube; A multi-directional motion mechanism, connected to the frame, is used to drive the frame to move in the X and Y directions, and to drive the second clamping and positioning assembly to move in the Z direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second clamping and positioning assembly includes a pair of clamps, each pair of clamps being driven to open and close by the same cylinder.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first clamping and positioning component includes: An upper clamping and positioning component is disposed above the heating component and is used to clamp the upper end of the material tube after the material tube is inserted. The lower clamping and positioning component is located below the heating component and is used to clamp the lower end of the material tube after the material tube is inserted and to apply tension to the material tube so that the material tube remains straight.

[0011] In some embodiments, the lower clamping and positioning assembly includes: A chuck is used to clamp the feed tube; Electric cylinder module, used to drive the chuck to move axially along the feed tube; A tension sensor, connected to the clamp, is used to monitor and provide feedback on the tension applied by the clamp to the feed tube in real time.

[0012] In some embodiments, the heating assembly includes: A slide rail, one end of which is equipped with a linear motor; The slider is slidably connected to the slide rail and moves along the length of the slide rail under the drive of the linear motor. Multiple heating sleeves are provided, which are disposed on the slider. A channel is provided in the middle of the heating sleeve for the material tube to pass through.

[0013] In some embodiments, the heating sleeve has an internal electric heating coil.

[0014] In some embodiments, the electrical control system includes a PLC controller and host computer software.

[0015] In some embodiments, four production stations are provided, and each production station is provided with ten of the first clamping and positioning components; The number of the second clamping and positioning components is the same as the number of the first clamping and positioning components.

[0016] Beneficial effects: 1. This invention, by setting up multiple production stations and a reciprocating feeding trolley, enables different processes such as loading, pipe threading, heating, and unloading to be performed simultaneously at different stations. The feeding trolley automatically transports the pipes to be processed from the loading and unloading stations to idle production stations, and retrieves the finished products after heating, thus forming an uninterrupted production cycle. This eliminates the waiting time during heating in traditional single-machine equipment, significantly increasing output per unit time. Humans only need to perform loading and unloading operations at the loading and unloading stations; all other actions are completed automatically by the equipment, reducing labor input and reliance on operator skill levels.

[0017] 2. This invention uses upper and lower clamping components to position and straighten the tubes. The tension sensor in the lower clamping component monitors the tension value in real time to ensure that each tube is in a consistent and appropriate tension state during the heating process, avoiding wrinkles or damage to the coating caused by bending or uneven tension, thereby improving product consistency and yield. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the heat-shrinkable coating equipment provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of the internal structure of the heat-shrinkable coating equipment provided by the present invention after the equipment frame has been removed.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of one of the production stations in the heat shrink coating equipment provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the upper clamping and positioning component and the heating component in this invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the feeding vehicle assembly in this invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the second clamping and positioning component in this invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Main body of the equipment; 2. Loading and unloading station; 3. Production station; 301. First clamping and positioning assembly; 3011. Upper clamping and positioning assembly; 3012. Lower clamping and positioning assembly; 302. Heating assembly; 3021. Slide rail; 3022. Slider; 3023. Heating cylinder; 4. Feeding trolley assembly; 401. Frame; 402. Second clamping and positioning assembly; 4021. Chuck; 4022. Cylinder; 403. Multi-directional motion mechanism; 5. Electrical control system. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and included examples. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In case of conflict, the definitions in this specification shall prevail.

[0027] This invention provides a heat-shrink laminating device that solves the problems of low efficiency and poor yield of tubing in existing manual operations. The technical concept of this invention involves setting up multiple production stations and a feeding trolley that can move between stations, allowing different processes such as loading, tubing threading, heating and laminating, and unloading to be performed simultaneously at different stations. The feeding trolley automatically transports the tubing to be processed from the loading and unloading areas to idle production stations and retrieves the finished product after heating, thus forming a continuous production cycle. With this equipment, manual loading and unloading of tubing is only required in the loading and unloading areas; all other actions are completed automatically by the equipment, significantly reducing production waiting time and manpower input. The simultaneous operation of multiple stations increases output per unit time.

[0028] Meanwhile, the equipment positions and straightens the tubes through the upper and lower clamping components, and controls the straightening force with the help of a tension sensor, ensuring that each tube is in a consistent and appropriate tension state during the heating process, thereby obtaining a uniform heat shrinkage effect and improving product consistency.

[0029] like Figures 1-6 As shown, a heat shrink coating apparatus includes: Equipment body 1; In some embodiments, the equipment body 1 is an equipment skeleton, which is a cubic skeleton composed of multiple square tubes, and can be used to accommodate and fix multiple production stations 3 and loading / unloading stations 2.

[0030] At least one loading / unloading station 2 is provided for loading the tubes to be processed and unloading the processed tubes. In one embodiment, one loading / unloading station 2 is provided, located to the right of the production station 3. The loading and unloading of tubes are performed manually at the loading / unloading station 2. In other embodiments, automated loading / unloading can be achieved through automated equipment such as robotic arms.

[0031] Multiple production stations 3, each equipped with a heating assembly 302 for heat-shrink coating of material tubes; such as Figure 1 As shown, a heating component 302 is provided in the production station 3. After the material tube is loaded in the loading and unloading station 2, the feeding cart group 4 in the loading and unloading station 2 enters the production station 3 and the material tube is inserted into the heating component 302. Automated heat shrink coating can be achieved through the heating component 302.

[0032] At least one feeding cart group 4 is movably mounted on the main body 1 of the equipment and can reciprocate between the loading / unloading station 2 and the plurality of production stations 3. The feeding cart group 4 is used to transport the material tube to be processed from the loading / unloading station 2 to the production station 3 and to transport the processed material tube from the production station 3 back to the loading / unloading station 2. The feeding cart group 4 can clamp the material tube to be loaded or unloaded, and when it moves to the vicinity of an idle production station 3, it can send the material tube on the corresponding side into the production station 3 for clamping and stretching, and then automatically perform heat shrink coating through the heating component 302.

[0033] Multiple first clamping and positioning components 301 are respectively disposed at each of the production stations 3, for clamping and positioning the material tube during the heat shrink lamination process; the first clamping and positioning component 301 in each production station 3 can clamp and stretch the upper and lower ends of the material tube to be processed, so as to ensure that the material tube is in a stretched state during the heat shrink lamination process, thereby ensuring the effect of heat shrink lamination. The electrical control system 5 is electrically connected to the feeding cart group 4, the heating component 302, and the first clamping and positioning component 301. The electrical control system 5 can control the coordinated operation of each component to achieve continuous production.

[0034] In one embodiment, at least two sets of production stations 3 are provided, and the two sets of production stations 3 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the movement path of the feeding cart group 4. In this embodiment, four sets of production stations 3 are provided, with each pair arranged on both sides of the feeding cart group 4. Specifically, in the four sets of production stations 3, every two production stations 3 are respectively located on both sides of the inner wall of the equipment body 1. The feeding cart group 4 can enter the equipment body 1. After the material is loaded at one production station 3, the material tube in the production station 3 that has completed heat shrink coating can be transferred to the feeding cart group 4 and moved to the loading and unloading station 2 for unloading. Through the cooperation of the production stations 3 and the loading and unloading station 2, continuous coating can be achieved.

[0035] In one embodiment, the feeding vehicle group 4 includes: The frame 401; in one embodiment, the frame 401 has a certain height to facilitate the transfer of multiple material tubes within the feeding carriage 4 to the first clamping and positioning assembly 301 in the production station 3 during subsequent processes. Specifically, the frame 401 includes a base plate, two upwardly extending side plates fixed on both sides of the base plate, and a connecting rod fixed between the two side plates.

[0036] Multiple second clamping and positioning components 402 are disposed on the frame 401 for clamping or releasing the material tubes; specifically, the second clamping and positioning components 402 are fixed to the top of the frame 401. Multiple second clamping and positioning components 402 can fix multiple material tubes. In some embodiments, the second clamping and positioning components 402 are provided with twenty clamps 4021, ten clamps 4021 on each side. After moving to the corresponding production station 3, ten material tubes can be fed into the clamps 4021 within the production station 3 for clamping.

[0037] In one embodiment, the second clamping and positioning assembly 402 includes a pair of clamps 4021, each pair of clamps 4021 being driven to open and close by the same cylinder 4022. Specifically, when the cylinder 4022 drives the clamps 4021 to open, the pair of clamps 4021 opens simultaneously. This effectively reduces the cost of the hardware such as the cylinder 4022.

[0038] A multi-directional motion mechanism 403, connected to the frame 401, drives the frame 401 to move in the X and Y directions, and drives the second clamping and positioning assembly 402 to move in the Z direction. The multi-directional motion mechanism 403 includes an X-axis module, a Y-axis module, and a Z-axis module. The X-axis and Y-axis modules are located at the bottom of the frame 401, enabling movement in the X and Y directions. The Z-axis module is located on the connecting rod of the frame 401, allowing the second clamping and positioning assembly 402 to move upwards, enabling it to clamp the material tube as it passes through the heating assembly 302 and is then held by the first clamping and positioning assembly 301.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first clamping and positioning component 301 includes: The upper clamping and positioning component 3011 is disposed above the heating component 302 and is used to clamp the upper end of the material tube after it is inserted. The upper clamping and positioning component 3011 includes multiple clamps 4021 and an electric cylinder module. After the material tube passes through the heating component 302, the clamps 4021 can clamp the material tube.

[0040] The lower clamping and positioning component 3012, located below the heating component 302, clamps the lower end of the tube after it is inserted and applies tension to keep the tube straight. Similarly, the lower clamping and positioning component 3012 holds the lower end of the tube, and the tension applied straightens the tube, ensuring uniformity during subsequent heat-shrink lamination. It is understood that when the tube is bent, the lamination may not adhere completely during heat-shrink lamination. When the tube is straight, effective lamination can be achieved after heat-shrink lamination.

[0041] In one embodiment, the lower clamping and positioning assembly 3012 is described, and the lower clamping and positioning assembly 3012 includes: Chuck 4021 is used to clamp the material tube; Electric cylinder module, used to drive chuck 4021 to move axially along the feed tube; A tension sensor, connected to the chuck 4021, is used to monitor and provide feedback on the tension value applied by the chuck 4021 to the feed tube in real time.

[0042] The lower end of the tube can be clamped and fixed by the chuck 4021, and the electric cylinder module can drive the chuck 4021 to move downward, thereby stretching and straightening the tube. At the same time, under the monitoring of the tension sensor, the tension applied to the tube is monitored in real time to avoid excessive tension that could cause the tube to break.

[0043] In one embodiment, the heating assembly 302 includes: Slide rail 3021, one end of which is equipped with a linear motor; The slider 3022 is slidably connected to the slide rail 3021 and moves along the length direction of the slide rail 3021 under the drive of the linear motor. Multiple heating sleeves are provided, which are disposed on the slider 3022. A channel is provided in the middle of the heating sleeve for the material tube to pass through.

[0044] The heating sleeve has a built-in electric heating coil. After the material tube passes through the heating sleeve, the electric heating coil can be energized to heat the material tube. In some embodiments, the number of heating sleeves is the same as the number of material tubes clamped by a single production station 3, such as ten. Through the cooperation of the slide rail 3021 and the slider 3022, the heating sleeve can move along the length of the material tube, which can uniformly heat the entire material tube, thereby improving the heat shrink coating effect.

[0045] In one embodiment, the electrical control system 5 includes a PLC controller and host computer software. The host computer software stores data for products of various specifications, and users can select and set corresponding formulas for production based on the product selection; at the same time, the number of formulas can be expanded by the user as needed; by storing different product formulas, it is theoretically compatible with the automated production of various products.

[0046] To facilitate understanding of the invention, an example of a workflow is provided as follows: Before starting the equipment, the feeding trolley group 2 is parked at the loading / unloading station 1. The operator places the tubes to be processed into the second clamping and positioning assembly 3 on the feeding trolley group 2 in sequence. Each pair of clamps closes under the drive of a cylinder, clamping the tubes. Ten tubes can be clamped at the same time in each batch.

[0047] After the operator selects the corresponding product model on the touchscreen, the electrical control system starts the automatic operation program. The feeding trolley 2 is driven by the X and Y directions in the multi-directional motion mechanism, moving from the loading / unloading station 1 to the front of the first idle production station 4. Subsequently, the feeding trolley 2 adjusts its position so that each material tube is aligned with the channel entrance of the corresponding heating component 5 on the production station 4.

[0048] Next, the Z-axis drive mechanism in the feeding carriage 2 drives the second clamping and positioning component 3 to rise, causing the material tube to move upward, pass through the channel of the heating component 5, and continue to rise until the upper end of the material tube reaches the predetermined position of the upper clamping and positioning component 6. At this time, the upper clamping and positioning component 6 actuates, clamping the upper end of the material tube. The second clamping and positioning component 3 on the feeding carriage 2 opens, releasing the material tube. Subsequently, the feeding carriage 2 descends and returns to the loading / unloading station 1, ready to load the next batch of material tubes.

[0049] After the upper end of the tube is clamped, the lower clamping and positioning assembly 7 begins to operate. Based on the preset tube length information, the electric cylinder module drives the chuck to move axially along the tube to the lower end, clamping the tube. A tension sensor connected to the chuck monitors the tension value in real time. When the tension reaches the set range, the electric cylinder module stops moving, keeping the tube vertically taut. At this point, the insertion and clamping of a single tube at a single production station 4 is complete.

[0050] Subsequently, heating assembly 5 is activated. The linear motor in heating assembly 5 drives the slider to move along the slide rail, bringing multiple heating sleeves on the slider closer to the material tube. The electric heating coils built into the heating sleeves are energized, heating the coating on the surface of the material tube through thermal radiation, causing it to shrink and adhere tightly to the material tube. After the heating time is reached, the heating sleeves return to their original position under the drive of the linear motor.

[0051] While the first production station 4 is heating up, the feeding cart group 2 has already loaded the second batch of material pipes and is threading them into the second idle production station 4 following the same steps. This process continues until all four production stations 4 are in the heating state.

[0052] Once the heating process at the first production station 4 is complete, the electrical control system issues a command. After completing its current loading task, the feeding trolley 2 moves to production station 4, where the second clamping and positioning assembly 3 clamps the coated tube. The Z-axis drive mechanism of the feeding trolley 2 descends, pulling the tube out from the heating assembly 5 and the upper clamping and positioning assembly 6. Subsequently, the feeding trolley 2 carries the finished tube back to the loading / unloading station 1. The operator removes the finished tube from the second clamping and positioning assembly 3 and immediately places the next batch of tubes to be processed, beginning a new round of loading.

[0053] In this cycle, the feeding vehicle group 2 operates continuously between different production stations 4 and loading / unloading stations 1. The four production stations 4 alternately carry out heating and loading / unloading, realizing uninterrupted production of heat shrink coating.

[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat-shrink laminating device, characterized in that, include: Equipment body; At least one loading and unloading station is used for loading the tubes to be processed and unloading the processed tubes; Multiple production stations, each of which is equipped with a heating component for heat-shrinking and coating the material tube; At least one feeding cart group is movably mounted on the main body of the equipment and can reciprocate between the loading / unloading station and the plurality of production stations. The feeding cart group is used to transport the material tube to be processed from the loading / unloading station to the production station and to transport the processed material tube from the production station back to the loading / unloading station. Multiple first clamping and positioning components are respectively disposed at each of the production stations for clamping and positioning the material tube during the heat shrink coating process; as well as The electrical control system is electrically connected to the feeding vehicle group, the heating component, and the first clamping and positioning component.

2. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The production workstations are provided in at least two sets, and the two sets of production workstations are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the movement path of the feeding vehicle group.

3. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding vehicle group includes: Frame; Multiple second clamping and positioning components are disposed on the frame for clamping or releasing the material tube; A multi-directional motion mechanism, connected to the frame, is used to drive the frame to move in the X and Y directions, and to drive the second clamping and positioning assembly to move in the Z direction.

4. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second clamping and positioning assembly includes a pair of clamps, each pair of clamps being driven to open and close by the same cylinder.

5. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping and positioning component includes: An upper clamping and positioning component is disposed above the heating component and is used to clamp the upper end of the material tube after the material tube is inserted. The lower clamping and positioning component is located below the heating component and is used to clamp the lower end of the material tube after the material tube is inserted and to apply tension to the material tube so that the material tube remains straight.

6. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lower clamping and positioning assembly includes: A chuck is used to clamp the feed tube; Electric cylinder module, used to drive the chuck to move axially along the feed tube; A tension sensor, connected to the clamp, is used to monitor and provide feedback on the tension applied by the clamp to the feed tube in real time.

7. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating component includes: A slide rail, one end of which is equipped with a linear motor; The slider is slidably connected to the slide rail and moves along the length of the slide rail under the drive of the linear motor. Multiple heating sleeves are provided, which are disposed on the slider. A channel is provided in the middle of the heating sleeve for the material tube to pass through.

8. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heating sleeve has an internal electric heating coil.

9. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical control system includes a PLC controller and host computer software.

10. The heat-shrinkable coating equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The production station is provided with four units, and each production station is provided with ten of the first clamping and positioning components. The number of the second clamping and positioning components is the same as the number of the first clamping and positioning components.

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