Press tool and method for pressing

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressing tool and a method for pressing a single-layer or multi-layer product in a web-processing process by means of a pressing tool (1) comprising a frame (3), an upper tool module (4) with an upper pressing plate (40) and a lower tool module (5) with a lower pressing plate (50), wherein the upper tool module (4) and the lower tool module (5) are each mounted on the frame so as to be adjustable in the transport direction (I) of the web-processing process, wherein after the pressing tool (1) has been closed during an operating period, the upper tool module (4) and the lower tool module (5) are driven separately for a synchronous movement in the transport direction (I) relative to the frame (3).

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The invention relates to a pressing tool and a method for pressing a single- or multi-layer product in a web processing process.

[0002] In the context of the application, web processing processes are processes in which material webs are processed.

[0003] Web processing processes are used primarily for the processing or production of multi-layer products, also known as laminates or stacks. It is known to provide the starting materials for the layers of the multi-layer product as a material web, with two or more material webs being brought into contact with each other between two rollers and then joined by pressing. It is also known to place blanks for individual or all layers of the product on material webs for transport, with the blanks being joined to the material web and / or another blank placed on the material web by pressing.

[0004] Stacks or laminates are known for a wide variety of applications, such as wound dressings, hygiene products, textile products, fuel cells, batteries, and other products. In particular, for fuel cells, redox flow batteries, and other applications, it is known to produce stacks or laminates comprising a usually very sensitive membrane in a web-based process.

[0005] Heatable pressing tools, also known as hot presses or heating presses, are used for pressing single- or multi-layer products. These tools transfer heat to the feed products. The heat is used to shape the product and / or to bond two or more layers of a multi-layer product. Bonding the layers of a multi-layer product using heat is also referred to as sealing.

[0006] Known pressing tools comprise a frame and two pressing plates arranged within the frame, with a single- or multi-layer product or a product group being inserted between the pressing plates for pressing. At least one first pressing plate is associated with a drive, by means of which the first pressing plate can be adjusted toward the second pressing plate to apply a force.

[0007] In a web-processing process, it is known to insert a section of a material web containing a product or product group into the pressing tool. For continuous or intermittent movement of the pressing tool with the material web during pressing, it is known to move the frame, including the pressing plates arranged thereon, synchronously with the material web by means of a drive in the transport direction of the material web during a processing period. At the end of the processing period, the first pressing plate is moved away from the second pressing plate to open the pressing tool, and the frame moves back, whereby the frame is then synchronized to the next product or product group.

[0008] The size of the press plates depends on the surface area of ​​the product or product group to be pressed. As the size of the products to be manufactured or processed in web-based processes increases, so does the size of the press plates and thus their mass. The frame must also be adapted to the increased forces.

[0009] This means that drives for the lifting movement of the press plates and the adjustment movement of the frame must be dimensioned accordingly larger. This results in higher energy costs and / or limitations in the product size and / or throughput of the press tool. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0010] The objects of the invention are to provide a pressing tool and a method for pressing a single- or multi-layer product in a web-processing process, which allow processing of large-area products and / or product groups with several products at comparatively low energy costs.

[0011] These objects are achieved by the pressing tool and the method having the features of claims 1 and 7. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0012] According to a first aspect, a pressing tool for pressing a single- or multi-layer product in a web-processing process with a transport direction is provided. The pressing tool comprises a frame, an upper tool module with an upper press plate, a lower tool module with a lower press plate, a control device, a first drive, and a second drive. A first guide is provided on the frame, the upper tool module being connected to the frame in a manner adjustably in the transport direction by means of the first guide. The first drive is assigned to the upper tool module. The upper tool module is adjustable in the transport direction relative to the frame during pressing by means of the first drive. A second guide is provided on the frame, the lower tool module being connected to the frame in a manner adjustably in the transport direction by means of the second guide.wherein the second drive is assigned to the lower tool module, wherein the lower tool module is adjustable in the transport direction relative to the frame during pressing by means of the second drive, and wherein the first drive and the second drive are control-technically coupled by means of the control device, so that the upper tool module and the lower tool module are adjustable synchronously in the transport direction during pressing.

[0013] During pressing, only the tool modules, not the frame, are moved. The frame is stationary. Due to the stationary frame, the mass moved during pressing is reduced compared to conventional pressing tools, where the frame is moved, so that less drive power is required for movement. Moving the press platens is possible with less energy compared to conventional pressing tools. Alternatively or additionally, higher process speeds and / or larger pressing surfaces are possible.

[0014] In embodiments, the first guide and the second guide each comprise two parallel guide elements, for example guide rails, along which the upper tool module and the lower tool module can each be guided with a high degree of accuracy.

[0015] The terms "a," "an," "another," etc., are used in the context of this application as indefinite articles and not as number words. In particular, in embodiments of the pressing tool, the upper tool module and / or the lower tool module can comprise more than one pressing plate, wherein the pressing plates serve to press one product or multiple products of a product group. Likewise, in embodiments, a pressing tool is provided wherein a product group comprising multiple products is pressed simultaneously using a pair of pressing plates.

[0016] The terms "first," "second," and "second" are used merely to distinguish between components and do not indicate a specific order. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer to a relative arrangement of individual components in a typical use of the press tool. However, applications in which the components are arranged differently relative to one another are conceivable.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least a part of the first drive is / are arranged on the upper tool module and / or at least a part of the second drive is / are arranged on the lower tool module, so that the first drive is / are at least partially adjusted with the upper tool module or the second drive is / are at least partially adjusted with the lower tool module relative to the frame.

[0018] In particular, embodiments provide for the first drive to be designed as a linear motor, with a rotor of the first drive being arranged on the upper tool module, and / or for the second drive to be designed as a linear motor, with a rotor of the second drive being arranged on the lower tool module. The linear motors further comprise permanent magnets arranged on the guides. Linear motors enable long travel distances with high acceleration rates, thrust forces, and positioning accuracies.

[0019] In one embodiment, the upper pressing platen and / or the lower pressing platen are adjustable by means of a guide track for closing and opening the pressing tool. The tool modules return to their initial position after pressing in such a way that the pressing tool remains open.

[0020] In other embodiments, the upper tool module and / or the lower tool module comprise / comprising a lifting drive, wherein the upper press plate or the lower press plate can be adjusted by means of the lifting drive for closing and opening the pressing tool. The lifting drive allows for rapid opening and closing of the pressing tool. The position for opening and closing the pressing tool along the transport direction is variable and can be individually determined for each product or product group.

[0021] In some embodiments, the upper tool module and / or the lower tool module comprise / comprise a heating device, wherein the upper press plate or the lower press plate can be heated by means of the heating device. Heat is supplied by means of the heating device for shaping the product and / or for joining two or more layers of a multi-layer product.

[0022] In one embodiment, it is provided that the upper press plate is replaceably attached to the upper tool module and / or a contour tool is replaceably attached to the upper press plate. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the lower press plate is replaceably attached to the lower tool module and / or a contour tool is replaceably attached to the lower press plate. In the context of this application, "replaceably attached" refers to an attachment which, in the event of wear or for adaptation to a process, allows the press plate(s) and / or the contour tools arranged thereon to be dismantled and replaced with other press plate(s) and / or other contour tools. Contour tools that are replaceably attached to the press plate are particularly advantageous in the case of frequent format changes.

[0023] According to a second aspect, a method is provided for pressing a single-layer or multi-layer product in a web-processing process by means of a pressing tool comprising a frame, an upper tool module with an upper press plate and a lower tool module with a lower press plate, wherein the upper tool module and the lower tool module are each mounted on the frame so as to be adjustable in the transport direction of the web-processing process, wherein the method comprises that after closing the pressing tool during an operating period, the upper tool module and the lower tool module are driven separately for a synchronous movement in the transport direction relative to the frame.

[0024] In some embodiments, the upper and lower tool modules are driven by a central system control system. In some embodiments, the tool modules are each individually synchronized, for example, by a position and / or movement of a product. In other embodiments, the tool modules are driven hierarchically, with one tool module following the movement of the other tool module.

[0025] In one embodiment, before the pressing tool is closed, the upper tool module and the lower tool module are synchronized with the product to be pressed. If several products are processed simultaneously using the pressing tool, synchronization occurs in one embodiment with a defined product of the product group. In other embodiments, several pairs of pressing plates are provided for the simultaneous pressing of several products, with each pair of pressing plates being synchronized with a specific product.

[0026] In one embodiment, it is further provided that after the operating time has elapsed, the pressing tool is opened, and the upper tool module and the lower tool module are synchronized to produce a subsequent product. If multiple products are fed to the pressing tool module simultaneously, the above applies analogously. During a movement after opening and before closing the pressing tool, synchronization is canceled and / or a tolerance for the synchronization is increased compared to a movement after closing and before opening the pressing tool.

[0027] In one embodiment, the upper tool module and / or the lower tool module is / are heated by means of a heating device so that heat is supplied to the product(s) during pressing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and from the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to a figure. In this figure: Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a pressing tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Fig. 1schematically shows a pressing tool 1 for pressing a single- or multi-layer product or a product group comprising several single- or multi-layer products in a web-processing process. The product or products are sections of a single- or multi-layer material web 2 and / or blanks deposited on the material web 2. The material web 2 is moved continuously or intermittently in a transport direction I indicated by an arrow for the production or processing of the products, wherein a section of the material web 2 comprising a product or a product group is fed to the pressing tool 1 in each case.

[0030] The pressing tool 1 comprises a frame 3, an upper tool module 4 with an upper pressing plate 40 and a lower tool module 5 with a lower pressing plate 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper tool module 4 comprises a lifting drive 42. By means of the lifting drive 42, the upper pressing plate 40 can be adjusted towards the lower pressing plate 50 to close the pressing tool 1 and away from the lower pressing plate 50 to open the pressing tool 1. In other embodiments, both tool modules 4, 5 have a lifting drive or a lifting drive for opening and closing the pressing tool 1 is provided only on the lower tool module 5.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper press plate 40 can be heated by means of a schematically illustrated heating device 44. The upper press plate 40 is also referred to as the sealing head, and the lower press plate 50 is referred to as the sealing table.

[0032] The frame 3 is arranged stationary. A first guide 31 and a second guide 32 are provided on the frame 3. By means of the first guide 31, the upper tool module 4 is connected to the frame 3 so as to be adjustably in the transport direction I, such that the upper tool module 4 can be moved in the transport direction I synchronously with the material web 2 during pressing. By means of the second guide 32, the lower tool module 5 is connected to the frame 3 so as to be adjustably in the transport direction I, such that the lower tool module 4 can be moved relative to the frame 3 during pressing in the transport direction I synchronously with the material web 2.

[0033] Two separate drives 6, 7 are provided for adjusting the upper tool module 4 and the lower tool module 5. The two separate drives 6, 7 are linked by a schematically illustrated control device 8, ensuring synchronous movement of the upper tool module 4 and the lower tool module 5.

[0034] The separate but synchronous movement of the upper tool module 4 and the lower tool module 5 by means of the drives coupled by the control device is also referred to as "two-way" movement.

[0035] The representation of the control device 8 is merely schematic. In some embodiments, the control device 8 comprises several units arranged on the frame 3, the upper tool module 4, and / or the lower tool module 5.

[0036] In some embodiments, the coupling of the drives 6, 7 by means of the control device is hierarchically designed, with one of the drives 6, 7 being controlled as the primary drive. The primary drive follows the other drive as the secondary drive, so that the two drives are operated synchronously. In other embodiments, a central control is provided, which specifies a desired movement to which both drives 6, 7 are synchronized. In some embodiments, the central control is part of a central system control system.

[0037] The drives 6, 7 for adjusting the tool modules 4, 5 are arranged at least partially stationary on the frame 3 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the drives 6, 7 are arranged on the tool modules 4, 5 and are moved with the tool modules 4, 5. In some embodiments, the drives 6, 7 are linear motors comprising permanent magnets arranged on the frame 3, more precisely on the guides 31, 32 as stators, and rotors comprising electromagnets arranged on the respective tool modules 4, 5.

[0038] During operation, a section of the material web 2 is inserted into the pressing tool 1. The upper tool module 3 and the lower tool module 4 are synchronized to a product and / or product group, and the pressing tool is closed. The upper tool module 3 and the lower tool module 4 are moved synchronously with the material web 2 relative to the frame for an operating period. The pressing tool 1 then opens, the tool modules 3, 4 are moved back to an initial position opposite to the transport direction, and synchronized to a subsequent product or product group.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper tool module 4 and the lower tool module 5 each comprise exactly one pressing plate 40, 50. In other embodiments, the upper tool module 4 and the lower tool module 5 each comprise a plurality of pressing plates 40, 50. In some embodiments, an associated drive is provided for each pressing plate, by means of which the pressing plates can be adjusted both synchronously for a pressing process and relative to one another to adjust a distance between individual products of a product group.

Claims

1. Press tool for pressing a single- or multi-layer product in a web-processing process with a transport direction (I), the press tool (1) comprising a frame (3), an upper tool module (4) with an upper press plate (40), a lower tool module (5) with a lower press plate (50) and a control device (8), characterized in that a first guide (31) is provided on the frame (3), wherein the upper tool module (4) is connected to the frame (3) in a way that is adjustable in the transport direction (I) by means of the first guide (31), wherein a first drive (6) is assigned to the upper tool module (4), wherein the upper tool module (4) is adjustable in the transport direction (I) relative to the frame (3) by means of the first drive (6) during pressing, and thata second guide (32) is provided on the frame (3), wherein the lower tool module (5) is connected to the frame (3) by means of the second guide (32) so as to be adjustable in the transport direction (I), wherein a second drive is assigned to the lower tool module (5), wherein the lower tool module (5) is adjustable in the transport direction (I) relative to the frame (3) during pressing by means of the second drive, and wherein the first drive (6) and the second drive (7) are control-technically coupled by means of the control device (8) so that the upper tool module (4) and the lower tool module (5) are adjustable synchronously in the transport direction (I) during pressing.

2. Press tool according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the first drive (6) is arranged on the upper tool module (4) and / or that at least part of the second drive (7) is arranged on the lower tool module (5).

3. Press tool (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first drive (6) is designed as a linear motor, wherein a rotor of the first drive (6) is arranged on the upper tool module (4), and / or that the second drive (7) is designed as a linear motor, wherein a rotor of the second drive (7) is arranged on the lower tool module (5).

4. Press tool (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the upper tool module (4) comprises a lifting drive (42) and / or the lower tool module (5) comprises a lifting drive, wherein the upper press plate (40) or the lower press plate (50) can be adjusted by means of the lifting drive (42) for closing and opening the pressing tool (1).

5. Press tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe upper tool module (4) comprises a heating device (44) and / or the lower tool module (5) comprises a heating device, wherein the upper press plate (40) or the lower press plate (50) can be heated by means of the heating device (44).

6. Press tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper press plate (40) is replaceably attached to the upper tool module (4) and / or a contour tool is replaceably attached to the upper press plate (40), and / or that the lower press plate (50) is replaceably attached to the lower tool module (5) and / or a contour tool is replaceably attached to the lower press plate (50).

7. Method for pressing a single-layer or multi-layer product in a web-processing process by means of a pressing tool (1) comprising a frame (3), an upper tool module (4) with an upper press plate (40) and a lower tool module (5) with a lower press plate (50), wherein the upper tool module (4) and the lower tool module (5) are each adjustably mounted on the frame in the transport direction (I) of the web-processing process, wherein the method comprises that after the pressing tool (1) has been closed during an operating period, the upper tool module (4) and the lower tool module (5) are driven separately for a synchronous movement in the transport direction (I) relative to the frame (3).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that Before closing the pressing tool (1), the upper tool module (4) and the lower tool module (5) are synchronized to the product to be pressed.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that after the operating time has elapsed, the pressing tool (1) is opened and the upper tool module (4) and the lower tool module (5) are synchronized to a subsequent product.

10. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the upper tool module (4) and / or the lower tool module (5) is / are heated by means of a heating device (44).

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