A module of a machine with a die cutting function

Abstract

The present invention provides a module (M) of a machine with a die cutting function, for cutting shapes from a material fed on a web (13), comprising a rotary cutting cylinder (1) with at least one cutting die (6) arranged along at least a part of the perimeter of the cutting cylinder (1), two clamping counter-cylinders (2) and a movable compensation assembly comprising a compensation carriage (7), a first compensation roller (11) and a second compensation roller (12). The module is characterized in that it comprises assemblies of clamping rollers (9) to clamp the web (13) against the clamping counter-cylinders (2), and a clamping system (3) for each of the clamping counter-cylinders (2). The invention also provides a machine with a die cutting function provided with such a module (M).

Description

[0001] The object of this invention is a module of a machine with a die cutting function, for cutting shapes in material fed on a web of backing sheet. Such module comprises a rotary cutting cylinder with at least one cutting die positioned along at least a part of the perimeter of the cutting cylinder, two clamping counter-cylinders and a vertically movable compensation assembly comprising a compensation carriage along with a first compensation roll and a second compensation roll.

[0002] Cutting (cutting out) shapes in materials fed on a web of backing sheet, most commonly labels, on a self-adhesive material, is carried out in many ways. For batch production, it is most commonly performed in a rotational way. The material (web) is rewound between a cutting cylinder with a forme / cutting die (most commonly this is a magnetic cylinder onto which steel cutting dies with magnetic properties are applied, being of a varied width), and a clamping counter-cylinder (also known as an anvil). The maximum size of the shapes being cut depends on the diameter of the cutting cylinder. Usually, the cutting cylinder is driven in a way to adjust its speed to the speed of material being rewound. There are also semi-rotary cutting stations where the size of the cutting die may be variable. This solution enables cutting of a wider range of shape formats with the use of one magnetic cylinder. Then it is additionally necessary to ensure compensation of material rewinding.

[0003] Solution of this kind is known from US 2008 / 0000368 A1. The mentioned document discloses a cutting or printing system comprising a cutting cylinder with two cutting dies and two clamping counter-cylinders. Web with material for cutting or printing is rewound by a device at a constant speed, while the speed of the cutting cylinder changes dependently on whether it is in a phase in which cutting / printing is performed (i.e. the cutting die passes between the cutting cylinder and the clamping counter-cylinder), or in a phase intermediate between cutting / printing (the cutting die is in a position between the clamping counter-cylinders). Additionally, the travelling of the web is compensated by means of a compensation element, comprising a crosspiece and a pair of rollers, which element is displaced vertically in order to change the position of the web being wound on its rollers.

[0004] The US Patent Application no. US2005000842A1 discloses an apparatus for the manufacture of bundled printed sheet articles, the apparatus comprising: a printable web; a print module to print on the printable web; a cutter module to cut the printed web into a stream of printed sheets; a collator to collate each stream of printed sheets into a registered stack; a conveyor module to convey each registered stack into a stack stream; and a packaging module to package each registered stack in the stack stream into a package of bundled printed sheets. The cutter module in a web-based apparatus for preparing bundle printed sheets includes a web substrate feed, a rotary die-cutter including a drum having readily interchangeable die-cutting elements, juxtaposed die anvil, optional juxtaposed nip roller, nip roller pair, and optional non-contact separator device. In operation the cutter module provides enhanced performance and process reliability having reduced jams, complete separation of cut sheets from the waste matrix, reduced cut sheet "fly-away".

[0005] The US Patent no. US5156076A discloses a radially adjustable anvil roll assembly for use in a die cutting cylinder of a rotary die cutting press. The anvil roll assembly is comprised of a cylindrical sleeve having an internal bore, a shaft extending longitudinally through the internal bore of the sleeve and supporting the sleeve for rotation thereon, and an adjustable bearing assembly having pluralities of bearer rolls that engage in rolling engagement with an exterior surface of the anvil sleeve and adjustably position the anvil sleeve radially on the shaft, thereby adjusting the radial spacing between the cutting edges of the die cutting cylinder and the anvil surface of the sleeve.

[0006] The International Patent Application no. WO2016193650A1 discloses an apparatus and method for cutting, printing or embossing a continuous sheet of material. The apparatus comprising a tool element, at least two anvils which are co-operable with the tool element, and a phase adjustment device. The tool element is configured to have a constant surface speed during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to receive the continuous sheet at a constant speed into the apparatus, and being adapted to output the continuous sheet at a constant speed from the apparatus. The phase adjustment device is operable to adjust a speed of the continuous sheet within the apparatus in order to adjust a phase of alternate parts of the continuous sheet to be cut, printed or embossed by each anvil as it cooperates with the tool element.

[0007] The object of this solution is to provide a device which would be more versatile and better suited to the currently applied speeds of rewinding of the web with material to be cut.

[0008] The present invention provides a module of a machine with a die cutting function, for cutting shapes in a material fed on a web of backing sheet, comprising a rotary cutting cylinder with at least one cutting die arranged along at least a part of the perimeter of the cutting cylinder, two clamping counter-cylinders, a vertically movable compensation assembly comprising a compensation carriage, and a first compensation roller and a second compensation roller, wherein cutting die has a selected pattern of shapes to be cut, wherein the web is rewound between the cutting cylinder and the clamping counter-cylinders, characterized in that it also comprises sets of clamping rollers to clamp the web against the clamping counter-cylinders, and a clamping system for each of the clamping counter-cylinders, wherein the first compensation roller and the second compensation roller are arranged on compensation carriage vertically, on an axis substantially parallel to the movement path of the compensation assembly..

[0009] Preferably, the cutting cylinder is a magnetic cylinder.

[0010] Also preferably, the cutting cylinder is driven by an independent drive that is synchronized with the web being rewound during die cutting, i.e. operating at a variable speed relative to the material being wound.

[0011] Also preferably, the module is provided with an automatic die mounting system and an automatic die removing system.

[0012] Also preferably, a journal of each of the clamping counter-cylinders is fitted within individually bearing-seated rotatable rings. They provide clamping against the cutting cylinder.

[0013] Also preferably, the clamping system for each of the clamping counter-cylinders comprises an eccentric mechanism and an eccentric actuator.

[0014] Also preferably, the clamping counter-cylinders are driven synchronically by a drive.

[0015] Also preferably, the sets of the clamping rollers are provided with a clamping mechanisms to hold the web against the surface thereof.

[0016] More preferably, the clamping mechanisms are actuators.

[0017] Preferably, the first compensation roller has smaller diameter then the second compensation roller, and first compensation roller is horizontally offset with regard to the second compensation roller in direction away of center axis of the module by the distance in which a tangent connecting the first compensation roller and the nearby clamping counter-cylinder is vertical, wherein the second compensation roller is arranged on the compensation carrier such that a tangent connecting the second compensation roller and the other clamping counter-cylinder is vertical.

[0018] The invention also relates to a machine with a die cutting function, provided with such a module.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, where fig. 1a shows a module according to the invention in a general perspective view, with a housing thereon, fig. 1b shows a module according to the invention in a general perspective view, with a housing removed, fig. 2 shows a construction scheme of a part with a cutting mechanism of a module according to the invention, with a housing removed, fig. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section through a clamping counter-cylinder, fig. 4 shows a possible configuration of a machine with a die cutting function, provided with a module according to the invention, in a general perspective view, with a housing removed, fig. 5 shows a side view of the machine of fig. 4 with a possible path of a web with a material for cutting.

[0020] In fig. 1a a module M with a die cutting function is shown, of a machine with a cutting function, for cutting shapes out of a material fed on a web 13 of backing sheet. The module may be a part of the machine with a die cutting function, e.g. with a configuration as shown in fig. 4 and fig. 5. As shown, the module M comprises several rewinding rollers 16 of diverse kinds for the web 13 with the material to be cut, as well as a housed portion C with a cutting mechanism. For reference, in fig. 1b the same module M is shown with the housing removed from the portion C.

[0021] In fig. 2 portion C of the module M is seen with its housing removed. In this part a rotary cutting cylinder 1 is arranged, as well as two clamping counter-cylinders 2, and a vertically movable compensation assembly comprising a compensation carriage 7 and a first compensation roller 11 and a second compensation roller 12. It is convenient when the first compensation roller 11 is an auxiliary roller and the second compensation roller 12 is a main roller. The auxiliary roller 11 causes that a revolution of the main roller 12 is proportional to length of the run of the web 13 between clamping counter-cylinders 2.

[0022] Onto the cutting cylinder 1 at least one cutting die 6 is applied (fig. 2 shows the cutting die 6 in a removed position on the automatic die mounting system 4). When mounted, the cutting die 6 or more cutting dies 6, is / are arranged along at least a part of the circumference of the cutting cylinder 1.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the cutting cylinder 1 is a magnetic cylinder. In such case steel cutting dies 6 are used that are thus securely maintained on the cutting cylinder 1. The cutting cylinder 1 may or may not be driven by an independent drive synchronized with the web being rewound 13 during cutting, i.e. operating at a variable speed relative to the linear speed of the material being wound.

[0024] The module M also comprises assemblies of clamping rollers 9, to clamp the web 13 along with the material being fed, against the clamping counter-cylinders 2, and a clamping system 3 for each of the clamping counter-cylinders 2.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the module M of the invention, provided with an automatic die mounting system 4 and an automatic die removing system 5.

[0026] As shown in the figure, the clamping system 3 of each of the clamping counter-cylinders 2 may comprise an eccentric mechanism 10 and an eccentric actuator 15. In such arrangement the clamping force is adjusted by means of a change in the rotation angle of the eccentric mechanism 10.

[0027] The assemblies of clamping rollers 9 are also provided with clamping mechanisms 14 that are actuators in this embodiment.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the journal of each of the clamping counter-cylinders 2 may be fitted within individually bearing-seated rotatable rings 8, providing clamping against the magnetic cylinder. This counter-cylinder 2 construction is shown in the cross-sectional view in fig. 3. The counter-cylinders 3 may be driven synchronically.

[0029] In the module M of the invention the web 13 for feeding the material for cutting is rewound between the cutting cylinder 1 and the clamping counter-cylinders 2. The cutting die 6 with a selected pattern of shapes to be cut is applied on the cutting cylinder 1. The web 13 passes between the cutting cylinder 1 and the clamping counter-cylinder 2 seen in the right portion of fig. 2 and then cutting of the first part of the shapes is performed - this is a first phase. In a second phase, the web 13 is subsequently buffered at a specific distance by means of a compensation carriage 7. In a third phase it passes between the cutting cylinder 1 and the clamping counter-cylinder 2 seen in the right portion of fig. 2, where cutting of a further part of the shapes takes place. A fourth phase may encompass compensation movement of the cylinder, determined by the cutting tool (die) size.

Claims

1. A module (M) of a machine with a die cutting function, for cutting shapes in a material fed on a web (13) of backing sheet, comprising a rotary cutting cylinder (1) with at least one cutting die (6) arranged along at least a part of the perimeter of the cutting cylinder (1), two clamping counter-cylinders (2), a vertically movable compensation assembly comprising a compensation carriage (7), a first compensation roller (11) and a second compensation roller (12), wherein cutting die (6) has a selected pattern of shapes to be cut, wherein the web (13) is rewound between the cutting cylinder (1) and the clamping counter-cylinders (2), characterized in that it also comprises sets of clamping rollers (9) to clamp the web (13) against the clamping counter-cylinders (2), and a clamping system (3) for each of the clamping counter-cylinders (2), wherein the first compensation roller (11) is arranged above the second compensation roller (12) on the compensation carriage (7).

2. The module (M) of claim 1, characterized in that the cutting cylinder (1) is a magnetic cylinder.

3. The module (M) of claim 1 characterized in that the cutting cylinder (1) is driven by an independent drive synchronized with the web (13) being rewound during die cutting.

4. The module (M) of claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with an automatic die mounting system (4) and an automatic die removing system (5).

5. The module (M) of claim 1, characterized in that a journal of each of the clamping counter-cylinders (2) is fitted within individually bearing-seated rotatable rings (8).

6. The module (M) of claim 1, characterized in that the clamping system (3) of each of the clamping counter-cylinders (2) comprises an eccentric mechanism (10) and an eccentric actuator (15).

7. The module (M) of claim 1, characterized in that the clamping counter-cylinders (2) are driven synchronically by a drive.

8. The module (M) of claim 1, characterized in that the sets of the clamping rollers (9) are provided with clamping mechanisms (14).

9. The module (M) of claim 8, characterized in that the clamping mechanisms (14) are actuators.

10. A machine with a die cutting function, characterized in that it is provided with a module (M) as defined in one of claims 1-9.

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