An automated hot stamping apparatus for metal cards and methods of using the same

Abstract

The application provides an automatic hot stamping equipment suitable for metal cards and a use method thereof. The automatic hot stamping equipment suitable for metal cards comprises a feeding module, a conveying and hot stamping module and a collecting module; the conveying and hot stamping module comprises a conveying assembly, the conveying assembly extends along a first direction, the conveying assembly comprises two conveying tracks oppositely arranged along a second direction, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular; the facing surfaces of the two conveying tracks oppositely arranged are provided with conveying card slots, the conveying card slots extend along the first direction, the conveying card slots comprise first inclined surfaces and second inclined surfaces, the first inclined surfaces and the second inclined surfaces are inclined to the planes where the first direction and the second direction are located, and the first inclined surfaces and the second inclined surfaces are tangent to the edges of the cards. The cross section of the conveying card slot is specially shaped to be tangent to the edges of the cards, so that the cards are suspended as a whole during transportation, the card surface does not contact the slot wall, the scratches caused by deformation are avoided, the automatic hot stamping is adapted, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hot stamping of metal cards, and more specifically to an automated hot stamping device suitable for metal cards and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Hot stamping is a common surface decoration process in the printing and packaging industry, widely used for card surface graphic processing. Conventional PVC plastic cards can be directly adapted to general-purpose flatbed hot stamping machines for fully automated continuous hot stamping, meeting the needs of large-scale production. Currently, the market demand for high-end rigid metal cards is increasing year by year. However, metal cards are harder and easily scratch delicate surfaces when entering the card slot, resulting in scrap. The surface finish requirements for metal cards are extremely high, and they are also easily scratched during transport due to contact with the slot wall. Furthermore, metal cards deform after high-temperature and high-pressure pressing, with a maximum deformation of 1.2mm. The raised parts rub against the card slot, causing scratches. The physical properties of metal cards differ significantly from those of PVC cards, making it impossible for general-purpose hot stamping equipment to adapt to their automated production. The industry's metal card hot stamping process has a significant technical shortcoming.

[0003] Currently, the industry lacks dedicated automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards. Production still relies on traditional general-purpose flat hot stamping machines, employing a manual semi-automatic processing mode. During production, operators must manually hold a metal card, insert it into the machine's slot, visually position it, and then manually operate the machine to complete a single hot stamping cycle. After processing, the card is manually removed, and this cycle of loading, stamping, and unloading is repeated. This mode depends entirely on manual operation; the equipment cannot automatically feed, align, or unload the card, thus preventing continuous automated production.

[0004] The aforementioned production method results in extremely low production efficiency. The processing flow is highly discontinuous, relying entirely on manual operation, with an hourly capacity of less than 100 sheets, making it unsuitable for large-volume order production and keeping labor costs high.

[0005] If a conventional automatic feeding structure is directly applied, the existing equipment's card slots have right-angle entrances, which can easily scratch the surface of metal cards that require high gloss, causing the cards to be scrapped. It is difficult to directly modify the equipment to achieve automated production. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The first objective of this invention is to provide an automated hot stamping device suitable for metal cards, thereby solving the problem that existing automated hot stamping devices are not suitable for metal cards.

[0007] A second objective of this invention is to provide a method of using the aforementioned automated hot stamping equipment suitable for metal cards.

[0008] To achieve the aforementioned first objective, the present invention provides an automated hot stamping device suitable for metal cards, comprising a feeding module, a conveying hot stamping module, and a receiving module. The feeding module is located upstream of the conveying hot stamping module, and the conveying hot stamping module is located upstream of the receiving module. The feeding module is used to feed cards to the conveying hot stamping module, and the receiving module is used to receive cards. The conveying hot stamping module includes a conveying component and a hot stamping component. The hot stamping component is located above the conveying component and is used for hot stamping. The conveying component extends along a first direction and includes two conveying tracks arranged opposite each other along a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular. Each of the opposing surfaces of the two conveying tracks is provided with a conveying slot. The conveying slot extends along the first direction and includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. Both the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined to the plane containing the first direction and the plane containing the second direction, and both the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are tangent to the edge of the card.

[0009] As can be seen from the above solution, the automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards of the present invention sets the cross-section of the conveying card slot to include a special shape that is tangent to the edge of the card, so that the card is suspended in the air during transportation and the card surface does not contact the slot wall. Even if the card has slight deformation, it can be automatically corrected and returned to its original position through the tangent structure, avoiding scratches caused by deformation, so as to adapt to automated hot stamping and thus improve production efficiency.

[0010] A further proposed solution is to have a triangular cross-section for the delivery slot.

[0011] As can be seen from the above scheme, preferably, the apex angle of the triangle is 60° and the cross-section of the card slot is triangular. The card slot structure is simple, easy to manufacture, and has low modification cost. Moreover, the triangular cross-section makes it easier to ensure that the card slot and the rounded corner of the metal card are only tangent to the edge line, thereby ensuring that the card surface is not easily scratched.

[0012] A further solution is to provide a guide groove at the end of the conveyor slot near the feeding module, with the thickness of the guide groove on the side near the feeding module being greater than the thickness of the guide groove on the side away from the feeding module.

[0013] A further proposed solution is to use a three-directional flared opening for the guide groove, with a uniform tilt angle of 15°.

[0014] As can be seen from the above scheme, the guide groove guides the metal card smoothly into the groove, with only the edges making contact, reducing the initial risk of scratches.

[0015] A further embodiment is that the feeding module includes a pushing component and a feeding component. The feeding component includes a feeding cavity that extends along a third direction. The third direction, the first direction, and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. Cards are stacked inside the feeding cavity. The pushing component is located on the side of the feeding component away from the conveying hot stamping module and is located below the feeding component. The pushing component includes a pushing unit and a pushing drive unit. The pushing drive unit is used to drive the pushing unit to move closer to or away from the conveying hot stamping module.

[0016] As can be seen from the above scheme, the feeding component can neatly stack and store a large number of cards, increasing the storage capacity. The pushing component is arranged below the feeding component, away from the conveying and hot stamping module. Together with the drive unit, it drives the pushing unit to move back and forth, which can smoothly push the cards out one by one. The structure is compact and reasonable, which not only saves the installation space of the whole machine, but also ensures that the feeding action is stable and orderly, effectively avoiding the problems of card jamming and stacking out, and ensuring the continuous and smooth operation of subsequent hot stamping processes.

[0017] A further proposed solution is to position the pusher drive unit at the end of the pusher unit away from the conveying hot stamping module, with the side of the pusher unit closer to the conveying hot stamping module serving as the card placement platform, and the side of the pusher unit away from the conveying hot stamping module serving as the positioning platform, which is higher than the card placement platform.

[0018] A further proposed solution is that when a card is placed on the card placement platform, the card is flush with the conveyor slots. The positioning platform and the card placement platform have the same width, and the width of the card placement platform is less than the distance between the two conveyor slots, and the width of the card placement platform is also less than the width of the card. The distance between the two conveyor slots is increased by 0.1mm to 0.2mm compared to the slot distance of existing automated PVC card hot stamping equipment.

[0019] As can be seen from the above scheme, the positioning platform is higher than the card placement platform, which facilitates card positioning. The card is placed on the card placement platform and moves with the platform into the conveyor slot. The increased width avoids friction between the card and the side wall of the slot during the sliding process, thus preventing scratches on the surface of the metal card.

[0020] A further solution is to have suction holes on the card placement platform.

[0021] As can be seen from the above scheme, the adsorption hole is used to adsorb the card, ensuring that the card is accurately poured into the conveyor slot when the pusher drive unit moves.

[0022] A further solution is to provide an avoidance hole at the end of the card placement platform near the conveying hot stamping module. The avoidance hole penetrates the card placement platform along a third direction and extends inward from the edge of the card placement platform. A push block is provided inside the avoidance hole. The push block can rotate in the plane formed by the first direction and the third direction. When the push block is perpendicular to the card placement platform, the push block protrudes from the card placement platform.

[0023] As can be seen from the above scheme, the pusher is used to push the card located in the conveyor slot to provide space for subsequent card loading. During the process of pushing the card, the pusher rotates to avoid the card due to the interaction force, which facilitates the retraction of the subsequent pushing unit.

[0024] A further option is to provide an air blowing hole on one side of the feeding chamber, with the air blowing hole located at the bottom of the feeding chamber.

[0025] As can be seen from the above scheme, the card falls to the card placement platform by gravity. The air blowing hole is set between the bottom card and the second bottom card. By blowing air, the upper card is suspended in the air, ensuring that the card placement platform only picks up one card and prevents the card surface from being scratched during the transmission process.

[0026] A further embodiment is that the receiving module includes a receiving component and a top component. The receiving component includes a receiving cavity and is positioned above the conveying hot stamping module. The top component is positioned below the conveying hot stamping module and includes a top unit and a top drive unit. The top drive unit is used to drive the top unit to move closer to or away from the receiving component.

[0027] A further solution is to position the receiving component above the end of the conveying hot stamping module away from the feeding module, with an opening above the conveying slot at the end of the conveying hot stamping module corresponding to the position of the receiving module, so that the card can move upward under the action of the top component.

[0028] As can be seen from the above scheme, the material receiving structure is simple and the material receiving is convenient.

[0029] To achieve the second objective mentioned above, the present invention provides a method for using an automated hot stamping device suitable for metal cards. The method includes the following steps: S1: The feeding module alternately feeds metal cards and test cards to the hot stamping conveying module, and the metal cards and test cards move sequentially along the conveying slot; S2: When the metal card is fed directly below the hot stamping component, the hot stamping component performs the hot stamping action; S3: After the metal card has completed the hot stamping, it continues to move along the conveying slot to the receiving module, and the receiving module receives the metal card and the test card.

[0030] As can be seen from the above scheme, the test cards are made of non-metallic material, preferably PVC. Metal cards are heavy, easily scratched, and prone to mutual scratching during stacking and continuous hot stamping. Alternating between one metal card and one test card in a regular manner avoids direct scratching between the metal cards. During automated hot stamping, the control module's logic control program is set to have counting or position memory functions. When the equipment is running, the program controls the mold to cycle according to the logic of "push two, stamp one". When there is a metal card under the hot stamping component, the equipment performs the hot stamping action; when there is a test card under the hot stamping component, the equipment performs an empty push (no hot stamping), only pushing the card to the receiving module. This continues continuously and automatically until the set quantity is completed. No expensive metal detection sensors are needed; automated production can be achieved through simple program logic and physical cards. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automated hot stamping device for metal cards according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding module of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the material pushing component of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding component of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of the conveying hot stamping module and the receiving module of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of point C in the middle.

[0039] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the conveying hot stamping module and the receiving module of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Enlarged view of point D in the middle.

[0041] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0042] See Figures 1 to 10 The automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards provided in this embodiment includes a feeding module 1, a conveying hot stamping module 2, a receiving module 3, and a control module (not shown in the figure). The feeding module 1 is located upstream of the conveying hot stamping module 2, and the conveying hot stamping module 2 is located upstream of the receiving module 3. The feeding module 1 is used to feed cards 4 to the conveying hot stamping module 2, and the receiving module 1 is used to receive cards 4. The control module is used to control the feeding module 1, the conveying hot stamping module 2, and the receiving module 3.

[0043] See Figures 2 to 6 The feeding module 1 includes a pushing component 11 and a feeding component 12. The feeding component 12 includes a feeding cavity 121, which extends along a third direction Z. In this embodiment, the third direction Z is vertical. In this embodiment, the feeding cavity 121 is an open cavity at the top and bottom. Cards 4 are stacked inside the feeding cavity 121. An air blowing hole 122 is provided on one side of the feeding cavity 121, located at the bottom of the feeding cavity 121. Specifically, the air blowing hole 122 is located between the bottommost card and the second bottommost card, allowing the upper card to be suspended by blowing air. The air blowing hole 122 is connected to an external air source to blow air.

[0044] The pusher assembly 11 is located on the side of the feeding assembly 12 away from the conveying hot stamping module 2, and is located below the feeding assembly 12. The pusher assembly 11 includes a pusher unit 111 and a pusher drive unit 112, which drives the pusher unit 111 to move closer to or away from the conveying hot stamping module 2.

[0045] The feeding drive unit 112 is located at the end of the feeding unit 111 furthest from the conveying hot stamping module 2. The side of the feeding unit 111 closest to the conveying hot stamping module 2 is a card placement table 1111, and the side furthest from the conveying hot stamping module 2 is a positioning table 1112, which is higher than the card placement table 1111. The positioning table 1112 and the card placement table 1111 have the same width, but the width of the card placement table 1111 is less than the width of the card 4. The card placement table 1111 is provided with suction holes 11111.

[0046] A clearance hole 11112 is provided at one end of the card placement table 1111 near the conveying hot stamping module 2. The clearance hole 11112 penetrates the card placement table 1111 along a third direction and extends inward from the edge of the card placement table 1111. A push block 11113 is provided inside the clearance hole 11112. The push block 11113 can rotate in the plane formed by the first direction X and the third direction Z. When the push block 11113 is perpendicular to the card placement table 1111, the push block 11113 protrudes out of the card placement table 1111.

[0047] See Figures 1 to 10The conveying hot stamping module 2 includes a conveying component 21 and a hot stamping component (not shown in the figure). The hot stamping component is located above the conveying component 21 and is used for hot stamping. The hot stamping component includes a position sensor 22, which is used to sense the position of the card 4.

[0048] The conveying assembly 21 extends along a first direction X and includes two conveying tracks 211 arranged opposite each other along a second direction Y. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are mutually perpendicular. Each of the opposing surfaces of the two conveying tracks 211 is provided with a conveying slot 2111. The conveying slot 2111 extends along the first direction X and includes a first inclined surface 21111 and a second inclined surface 21112. Both the first inclined surface 21111 and the second inclined surface 21112 are inclined to the plane containing the first direction X and the plane containing the second direction Y, and both the first inclined surface 21111 and the second inclined surface 21112 abut against the edge of the card 4. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the conveying slot 2111 is triangular. The apex angle of the triangle is 60°.

[0049] A guide groove 2112 is provided at one end of the conveyor slot 2111 near the feeding module 1. The thickness of the guide groove 2112 on the side near the feeding module 1 is greater than the thickness on the side away from the feeding module 1. In this embodiment, the guide groove 2112 adopts a three-directional flared opening with a uniform inclination angle of 15°. When the card 4 is placed on the card placement table 1111, the card 4 is flush with the conveyor slot 2112, and the width of the card placement table 1111 is less than the distance between the two conveyor slots 2112. In this embodiment, the distance between the two conveyor slots 2112 is 0.1mm~0.2mm wider than the slot distance of existing PVC card automated hot stamping equipment.

[0050] The receiving module 3 includes a receiving component 31 and a top-feeding component 32. The receiving component 31 includes a receiving cavity 311 with openings at the top and bottom. The receiving component 31 is positioned above the conveying and hot stamping module 2, and the top-feeding component 32 is positioned below the conveying and hot stamping module 2. In the third direction Z, the top-feeding component 32 is located between the two conveying tracks 211 and is directly below the receiving component 31. In this embodiment, the receiving component 31 is positioned above the end of the conveying and hot stamping module 2 away from the loading module 1. The conveying slot 2112 at the end of the conveying and hot stamping module 2, corresponding to the position of the receiving module 3, has an opening above it, facilitating the upward movement of the card 4 under the action of the top-feeding component 32.

[0051] The feeding assembly 32 includes a feeding unit 321 and a feeding drive unit 322. The feeding drive unit 322 is used to drive the feeding unit 321 to move closer to or away from the receiving assembly 31. The area of ​​the feeding unit 321 is smaller than the area of ​​the card 4. After the feeding unit 321 contacts the bottom surface of the card, it applies an upward force to push the card at the front end into the card below the card in contact with the feeding unit 321. Then the feeding unit 321 retracts, and the card at the front end continues to move until it is completely below the card above, thus completing one receiving cycle.

[0052] The above-mentioned method of using an automated hot stamping device suitable for metal cards includes the following steps: S1: Metal cards 41 and test cards 42 are alternately placed in the feeding cavity 121. Test cards 42 are preferably made of PVC material with a thickness of 1mm. The cards fall onto the card placement table 1111 by gravity. The air blowing hole 122 is located between the bottom card and the second bottom card. By blowing air, the upper card is suspended in the air, ensuring that the card placement table 1111 only picks up one card at a time, preventing the card surface from being scratched during the conveying process. Then, the pusher drive unit 112 drives the pusher unit 111 to move closer to or away from the conveying hot stamping module 2, conveying the metal cards 41 and test cards 44 to the conveying hot stamping module 2. The metal cards 41 and test cards 42 move sequentially along the conveying slot 2111. S2: The logic control program of the control module is set to have counting or position memory functions. When the equipment is running, the program controls the mold to cycle according to the logic of "push two, heat one". When there is a metal card 41 under the hot stamping component 22, the equipment performs the hot stamping action; when there is a test card 42 under the hot stamping component 22, the equipment performs an empty push (no hot stamping) and only pushes the card to the receiving module 3. S3: The top material drive unit 312 drives the top material unit 311 to move closer to or away from the receiving component 31 to receive the metal card 41 and the test card 42.

[0053] This invention relates to an automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards. The cross-section of the card delivery slot is designed with a special shape that includes elements tangential to the edge of the card. This allows the card to be suspended during transport, preventing the card surface from contacting the slot wall. Even if the card experiences slight deformation, the tangential structure automatically corrects and repositions it, avoiding scratches caused by deformation. This adapts to automated hot stamping, thereby improving production efficiency. By regularly alternating between a metal card and a test card, direct scratching between the metal cards is avoided. No expensive metal detection sensors are needed; automated production can be achieved through simple program logic and physical card interaction. Production efficiency is significantly improved, with hourly output reaching thousands of cards. Hot stamping positioning errors are also reduced, and the yield rate is increased.

[0054] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated hot stamping device suitable for metal cards, characterized in that: The automated hot stamping equipment includes a feeding module, a conveying hot stamping module, and a receiving module. The feeding module is located upstream of the conveying hot stamping module, and the conveying hot stamping module is located upstream of the receiving module. The feeding module is used to feed cards to the conveying hot stamping module, and the receiving module is used to receive cards. The conveying hot stamping module includes a conveying component and a hot stamping component. The hot stamping component is disposed above the conveying component. The conveying component extends along a first direction and includes two conveying tracks arranged opposite each other along a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. Each of the two opposing conveying tracks is provided with a conveying slot on its opposing surfaces. The conveying slot extends along the first direction and includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are both inclined to the plane containing the first direction and the plane containing the second direction, respectively. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are both tangent to the edge of the card.

2. The automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the delivery slot is triangular.

3. The automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A guide groove is provided at one end of the conveying slot near the feeding module. The thickness of the guide groove on the side near the feeding module is greater than the thickness of the guide groove on the side away from the feeding module.

4. The automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding module includes a pushing component and a feeding component. The feeding component includes a feeding cavity, which extends along a third direction. The third direction, the first direction, and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. Cards are stacked inside the feeding cavity. The material pushing component is disposed on the side of the feeding component away from the conveying hot stamping module, and the material pushing component is located below the feeding component. The material pushing component includes a material pushing unit and a material pushing drive unit. The material pushing drive unit is used to drive the material pushing unit to move closer to or away from the conveying hot stamping module.

5. An automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The material pushing drive unit is located at the end of the material pushing unit away from the conveying hot stamping module. The side of the material pushing unit closer to the conveying hot stamping module is a card placement platform, and the side of the material pushing unit away from the conveying hot stamping module is a positioning platform. The positioning platform is higher than the card placement platform.

6. The automated hot stamping equipment for metal cards as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The card placement platform is equipped with suction holes.

7. An automated hot stamping device for metal cards as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The card placement platform is provided with an avoidance hole at one end near the conveying hot stamping module. The avoidance hole penetrates the card placement platform in a third direction and extends inward from the edge of the card placement platform. A push block is provided inside the clearance hole. The push block can rotate in the plane formed by the first direction and the third direction. When the push block is perpendicular to the card placement platform, the push block protrudes from the card placement platform.

8. An automated hot stamping device for metal cards as described in claim 4, characterized in that: An air blowing hole is provided on one side of the feeding cavity, and the air blowing hole is located at the bottom of the feeding cavity.

9. An automated hot stamping device for metal cards as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The receiving module includes a receiving component and a top component. The receiving component includes a receiving cavity. The receiving component is located above the conveying and hot stamping module. The top component is located below the conveying and hot stamping module. The top component includes a top unit and a top drive unit. The top drive unit is used to drive the top unit to move closer to or away from the receiving component.

10. A method of using an automated hot stamping device for metal cards as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The usage method includes the following steps: S1: The feeding module alternately feeds metal cards and test cards to the hot stamping module, and the metal cards and test cards move sequentially along the conveying slot; S2: When the metal card is conveyed to the direct below the hot stamping component, the hot stamping component performs the hot stamping action; S3: After the metal card is hot stamped, it continues to move along the conveyor slot to the receiving module, where the receiving module receives the metal card and the test card.

Images