Adhesive application device and system for operating such a device

Abstract

Adhesive application device (3) with an adhesive application means (9), in particular an adhesive application roller or glue roller or adhesive application nozzle, and an adhesive supply (10) for storing an adhesive (11), preferably arranged adjacent to the adhesive application means (9), wherein the adhesive application device (3) comprises a first connector part (1), preferably a plug, with an RFID chip (2) on which data specific to the adhesive application device (3) is stored.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adhesive application device and a system for operating such a device.

[0002] Adhesive application devices play an important role in woodworking machines, as they are used to apply an adhesive, usually a glue, hot melt adhesive, or similar substance, to an edgeband or workpiece. This is generally done using an adhesive applicator, such as a glue roller.

[0003] When applying glue, parameters such as the thickness of the adhesive layer, the feed rate of the workpiece, and the type and temperature of the adhesive used play a role. Therefore, it is usually possible to position adhesive applicators within a woodworking machine to ensure, for example, that the distance between the workpiece and the adhesive is correctly set or that the adhesive itself is at the correct temperature. Several such adhesive applicators can thus be used on a single machine, and these can also be interchanged between different machines. Depending on their position within the machine, different configuration parameters are required to optimally adjust an adhesive applicator. Typically, the adhesive applicators have serial numbers on their nameplates to distinguish them from one another.

[0004] Occasionally, adhesive applicator units need to be removed from the machine for setup, maintenance, or cleaning. To avoid downtime, alternative adhesive applicator units are then used in their place. It is important that the newly installed adhesive applicator units can begin operating as quickly as possible. Typically, a user reads the serial number of the replaced adhesive applicator unit and then configures it according to the specifications.

[0005] This process is relatively lengthy, so the object of the present invention is to create an adhesive application device and a system for operating an adhesive application device that facilitates the changing of adhesive application devices in a machine.

[0006] This problem is solved by an adhesive application device with the features of claim 1, and a system for operating an adhesive application device with the features of claim 2. Advantageous embodiments are found in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention is based on the idea of ​​storing important information about an adhesive application device, such as the serial number, in an RFID chip and attaching it to the adhesive application device. For example, integrating an RFID tag into a connector is a suitable method for this.

[0008] The adhesive application device according to the invention comprises an adhesive application means, in particular an adhesive application roller or glue roller or adhesive application nozzle, and an adhesive supply, preferably arranged adjacent to the adhesive application means, for storing an adhesive. The adhesive application device further comprises a first connector, preferably a plug, with an RFID chip on which data specific to the adhesive application device is stored.

[0009] Such an arrangement offers a number of advantages. Data can be retrieved from a corresponding database by detecting the RFID chip. In addition to the serial number of the adhesive applicator, for which data is stored in a database, reading the serial number allows access to data stored in databases about the adhesive applicator, such as settings, tolerances, and the like, for a machine control system. Positioning the RFID chip in the connector of the adhesive applicator offers the advantage of a standardized interface, ensuring reliable data acquisition at all times. Furthermore, the placement within the connector is sufficiently far removed from the components of the adhesive applicator that generate heat and contamination, so no impairment of the RFID chip's functionality is to be expected.

[0010] Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for operating an adhesive application device. Such a system comprises an adhesive application device as described above. Furthermore, an operating device is provided, which includes at least one second connector compatible with the first connector, preferably a socket, via which the operating device can be detachably coupled or connected to the adhesive application device. The second connector includes an RFID reader which is capable of reading data from the RFID chip when a connection is established between the first and second connectors. Finally, the system according to the invention includes a controller connected to or integrated with the operating device, which is designed to receive and process the data read by the RFID reader.

[0011] The system according to the invention can be used, among other things, to carry out a method in which the following steps are performed: a. Providing an operating device, in particular a woodworking machine or device for coating the narrow sides of plate-shaped workpieces made of wood or wood substitutes with an edge band, b. Inserting an adhesive application device into the operating equipment, c. Creating a plug connection by joining the first and second plug connection parts (1, 4), d. automatic reading of information, in particular an identification number or serial number of the adhesive application device (3), which is stored on the RFID chip (2) located in the first connector part (1), by a reader (5) mentioned above, e. Transferring the read-out information to a machine control system, f. The machine control reads the operating parameters specific to the corresponding adhesive application device (3) from a data storage device which contains such operating parameters for a number of different adhesive application devices, in addition to the transmitted, read-out information. g. the adhesive application device (3) is set according to the operating parameters read by the machine control, h. the proper operation of the operating device will resume after the adjustment has been made.

[0012] In particular, it may be provided that, after installing a new adhesive applicator in the operating device and making the settings according to step g, the operating time of the adhesive applicator configured in this way is recorded. This allows, for example, maintenance intervals to be identified or helpful information about the operating performance of the adhesive applicator with the settings to be verified.

[0013] Furthermore, it can be provided that after a certain operating period according to step h., a request to change the adhesive application device is automatically issued. In such a case, the adhesive application device is then removed from the operating device by disconnecting the plug connection and removing the adhesive application device.

[0014] In principle, the operating device can be designed to have or be connected to a power source, so that the adhesive applicator is supplied with operating voltage via the established plug connection. This power supply is not strictly necessary for reading the RFID chip, but primarily serves to operate the adhesive applicator itself.

[0015] The term "operating device" can refer to various types of equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the operating device comprises an edgebanding machine designed to feed edgebanding strips to the narrow side of a workpiece and apply them to the workpiece. In another alternative, the operating device can be a preheating unit or a setup unit. The preheating unit can be located away from the actual woodworking machine into which the adhesive application device according to the invention is to be inserted, for example, to preheat the hot melt adhesive to a specific operating temperature before the adhesive application device is then inserted into the actual edgebanding machine. Preferably, the process then proceeds such that the adhesive application device is inserted into a handling unit for its intended use.There, the adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the edgebanding material or the narrow side of the workpiece. The handling device is a component of the gluing section of the edgebanding machine, which is used to attach edgebanding material to the workpiece.

[0016] Furthermore, the operating device can also be a preheating or setup unit. The adhesive applicator can be inserted into such a preheating or setup unit. "Inserted" means that the adhesive applicator is held in place and that the adhesive applicator, if it is a roller, can be rotated and supplied with power or control signals via the connector. In this context, a setup unit is understood to be a device where the adhesive applicator is prepared for use in an edgebanding machine, for example, by making presetting adjustments and the like. However, a setup unit can also be a device used, for example, for cleaning the adhesive applicator.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operating device is or comprises a manipulation device to which the adhesive application device is preferably detachably attached, wherein the manipulation device is designed to move the adhesive application device relative to a workpiece. This manipulation device can then, in particular – as indicated above – be controlled by specifications issued by the machine control with regard to the specific properties of the adhesive application device.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be provided that the machine control, or control for short, is designed to control the operating device depending on data or information received via the RFID reader and possibly evaluated.

[0019] Finally, the invention relates to a device for coating the narrow sides of plate-shaped workpieces made of wood or wood substitutes with an edge band, comprising a system as described above.

[0020] The invention is described below with reference to the Fig. 1 to 4 explained in more detail. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a system according to the invention with a plug connection. Fig. Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the connector. Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4 shows an exemplary flowchart in which the functioning of a system according to the invention is explained.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 is an example of a system according to the invention, which includes an operating device, which is here exemplified in the form of a device 7 for coating plate-shaped workpieces 8.

[0022] The workpiece 8 is guided through the device 7 in a transport direction and coated there with an adhesive by means of an adhesive applicator 3. The adhesive is preferably a hot melt adhesive or glue, which is stored in an adhesive reservoir 10 and applied to the narrow side of a workpiece 8 or to an edge band (not shown here) via an adhesive applicator 9, preferably an adhesive applicator roller. A manipulation device 6, which is connected to the adhesive applicator 3, ensures that the adhesive applicator 3 and subsequently the adhesive applicator 9 are correctly positioned. This is accomplished by a machine control, or simply control, which is not shown in this figure. The adhesive applicator 3 has a first connector 1 to which an RFID chip 2 is attached.This connector part 1 serves to be received into a second connector part 4, which is located in the area of ​​the operating device, here the device 7. Firstly, the connector serves to supply power to the adhesive application device 3; secondly, an RFID reader 5 is housed in the second connector part 4, which is capable of reading the RFID chip 2 as soon as it is brought near the RFID reader 5. According to the invention, this occurs when the connector is established.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a system according to the invention, where 12 forms the operating device, which in the example of Fig. 1. Device 7 is a control unit, 13 is a control unit capable of controlling the operating device 12 and / or the adhesive application device 3. The operating device 12 has the second connector part 4 with the reader 5, and is located in the Fig. The first connector part 1 with the RFID chip is designed as a plug in the example shown. The connector section consisting of the plug and socket is shown in Fig. 3 is shown enlarged as a section of detail A.

[0024] The RFID reader 5 is connected to the controller 13 via a communication channel 14, either wired or wirelessly. The controller 13, in turn, communicates wirelessly or wired with the adhesive application device 3 and / or the operating device 12 via a communication channel 15.

[0025] Information read from parts 1 and 4 by the reader 5 during the establishment of the plug connection is transmitted to the controller 13 via communication channel 14. This information typically includes details about the characteristic properties of the adhesive applicator 3, such as its serial or identification number. The controller may, for example, have or communicate with a memory, such as cloud storage, in which specific data, such as operating parameters, for the respective adhesive applicator 3 are stored for the aforementioned serial or identification number. Depending on the information transmitted from the reader 5 to the controller 13 via communication channel 14, the controller can therefore read or calculate control parameters intended for the corresponding adhesive applicator 3.As part of the control system, these can be transmitted via communication channel 15 to the adhesive application device, the manipulation device 6 (see . Fig. 1) or forwarded to the operating facility 12.

[0026] An example of such a process is the changing of an adhesive application device with regard to Fig. 4 explained.

[0027] An operating device 12, 6, 7 is provided for this purpose. This can be, in particular, a woodworking machine or a device for coating the narrow sides of plate-shaped workpieces made of wood or wood substitutes with an edge band; however, preheating devices, setup devices, or the handling device are also conceivable.

[0028] In a first step, S1, an adhesive application device 4 is inserted into the operating device. Before, during, or after this step, the plug connection is established by joining the first and second plug connection parts 1, 4, S2.

[0029] Upon connection of the plug, information, in particular an identification number or serial number of the adhesive application device 3, is automatically read out, S3. This information is stored on the RFID chip 2 located in the first plug connector 1. The reading is performed by a reader 5, preferably located in the second plug connector 4, as mentioned above. This information is then used to input data into the control system of the machine or operating device. For this purpose, the read information is transmitted to the control system, S4.

[0030] The controller then reads, S5, the operating parameters specific to the corresponding adhesive application device 3 from a data storage device, based on the transmitted and retrieved information. The data storage device, which can be part of the machine control system or located remotely, e.g., in a cloud, contains further information or operating parameters for a number of different adhesive application devices. Accordingly, the operating parameters belonging to the adhesive application device 3 in use are read here. These operating parameters are selected from the aforementioned storage device in the manner described, based on the information read and transmitted by the reader 5, e.g., the serial number of the adhesive application device.

[0031] The adhesive application device 3 or the manipulation device 6, as specified above, is set according to the operating parameters read by the controller, S6. For example, the rotational speed of the adhesive application device 9 or its distance from the workpiece can be set. Such a setting can include all possible parameters, such as the temperature of the hot melt adhesive 11, the distance of the adhesive application device 9 to the workpiece or edge banding, the feed rate of the workpiece 8, etc. For maintenance purposes, the time of the setting in step S6 can be recorded in a memory in step S7. In this way, a runtime for the corresponding adhesive application device or its life cycle can also be recorded in step S7.

[0032] Once the adjustment has been made according to step S6, the proper operation of the operating device can commence after the adjustment has been made, S8.

[0033] If necessary, a message can subsequently be sent during operation (S9), e.g., based on recorded data according to step S7 or after a preset time value, requiring the replacement of the adhesive application device 3, either due to wear or for cleaning or maintenance purposes. Accordingly, an adhesive application device can then be removed and replaced. For this purpose, the plug connection is disconnected and the adhesive application device is removed (S10). After step S10, the Fig. The procedure shown in section 4 is repeated. Reference symbol list: 1 of 3 connector parts 2 RFID chips 3 Adhesive application device 4 connector parts out of 12 5 RFID readers 6 Manipulation device 7. Coating device 8 workpiece 9 Adhesive application agents 10 adhesive supply 11 Adhesives 12 Operating device 13 Control of 12 14 Communication channel from 4 to 13 15 Communication channel from 13 to 3

Claims

[1] Adhesive application device (3) with an adhesive application means (9), in particular an adhesive application roller or glue roller or adhesive application nozzle, and an adhesive supply (10) for storing an adhesive (11), preferably arranged adjacent to the adhesive application means (9), wherein the adhesive application device (3) comprises a first connector part (1), preferably a plug, with an RFID chip (2) on which data specific to the adhesive application device (3) are stored. [2] System for operating an adhesive application device (3), comprising: - an adhesive application device (3) according to claim 1, - an operating device (12) comprising at least one second connector (4) compatible with the first connector (1), preferably a socket, via which the operating device (12) can be detachably coupled or connected to the adhesive application device (3), wherein the second connector (4) comprises an RFID reader (5) which is capable of reading data from the RFID chip (2) when a plug connection is established between the first connector (1) and the second connector (4), - a control unit (13) connected to or integrated into the operating device (12), designed to receive and process the data read by the RFID reader (5). [3] System according to claim 2, characterized by, that the operating device (12) has a voltage source or is connected to a voltage source, so that the adhesive application device (3) is supplied with an operating voltage via the plug connection made. [4] System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the operating device (12) includes an edge processing machine designed to feed edge bands to the narrow side of a workpiece (8) and to attach them to the workpiece (8). [5] System according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by that the operating device (12) is a preheating device or a setup device. [6] System according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by, that the operating device (12) is a manipulation device (6) to which the adhesive application device (3) is preferably detachably attached, wherein the manipulation device (6) is designed to move the adhesive application device (3) relative to a workpiece (8). [7] System according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by , that the control (8) is further designed to control the operating device (12) depending on data received via the RFID reader (5) and possibly evaluated.

Images