Sheet manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The sheet forming section of the sheet manufacturing machine is fixed to the frame, making it impossible to secure the necessary workspace for maintenance, requiring it to be disassembled and removed from the frame. Furthermore, repositioning the section after maintenance was difficult due to the difficulty in easily realigning it with the frame. [Solution] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises a defibration section 31 that defibrates a fiber-containing material into fibers, a heating roller section 70 that piles up and compresses the fibers to form a sheet, and a main frame on which the heating roller section 70 is installed. The heating roller section 70 has a first unit U31 and a second unit U32. The second unit U32 has a pull-out mechanism and is installed so that it can be pulled out from the main frame, and the first unit U31 is placed on the second unit U32.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet manufacturing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a sheet manufacturing apparatus having a metering supply unit that measures raw materials and supplies them to a subsequent process, a defibrating unit that defibrates the raw materials supplied from the metering supply unit into fibers, and a sheet forming unit that deposits and compresses the defibrated fibers to form a sheet. In this sheet manufacturing apparatus, the metering supply unit, the defibrating unit, and the sheet forming unit are respectively fixed to a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the defibrating unit and the sheet forming unit constituting the sheet manufacturing apparatus are fixed to the frame, and it is impossible to secure the working space required for maintenance, and it is necessary to disassemble and remove them from the frame. Further, it was difficult to easily perform the positioning of each other when attaching them to the frame again after the maintenance work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The sheet manufacturing apparatus comprises a defibration unit that defibrates a fiber-containing material into fibers, a sheet forming unit that deposits and compresses the fibers to form a sheet, and a main frame on which the sheet forming unit is installed. The sheet forming unit has a first unit and a second unit, the second unit is installed so as to be removable from the main frame by having a pull-out mechanism, and the first unit is placed on top of the second unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the form of the first, second, and third frames. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the configuration of the third frame, the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the configuration of the third frame, the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the configuration of the slide rail. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the configuration of the support and leg sections. [Figure 7] An XY plan view showing the state after the second unit has been pulled out from the third frame. [Figure 8] An XY plan view showing the state with the second unit installed in the third frame. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing the configuration of the rear positioning member and the first projection guide part. [Figure 10] An XZ plan view showing the configuration of the first projection and the first projection guide. [Figure 11] An XZ plan view showing the configuration of the first projection and the first projection guide. [Figure 12] An XZ plan view showing the configuration of the first projection and the first projection guide. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] In the following embodiments, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 for recycling paper scraps such as waste paper using a dry method will be illustrated and described with reference to the drawings. The sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a dry method, but may also be a wet method. In this specification, "dry method" means that the process is carried out in air, such as the atmosphere, rather than in a liquid.

[0008] In the following diagrams, the X, Y, and Z axes are shown as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, with the direction indicated by each arrow being the + direction and the opposite direction being the - direction. The Z axis is a virtual axis along the vertical direction, with the +Z direction being upward and the -Z direction being downward. The -Z direction is the direction in which gravity acts. In addition, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the end of the conveying direction for raw materials, webs, and sheets is sometimes referred to as downstream, and the side going upstream in the conveying direction is sometimes referred to as upstream. For illustrative purposes, the size of each component is different from the actual size.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a first unit group 101, a second unit group 102, and a third unit group 103. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 has a first frame F1, a second frame F2, and a third frame F3. The first frame F1, the second frame F2, and the third frame F3 constitute the main frame F. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 also has a control unit 5 that integrally controls the operation of each component. The first frame F1, the second frame F2, and the third frame F3 will be described later. In Figure 1, the direction in which the raw material C, sheet P3, slit piece S, and scrap material move is indicated by white arrows.

[0010] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures a sheet P3 from raw material C. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the first unit group 101, the third unit group 103, and the second unit group 102 are arranged from the -Y direction to the +Y direction.

[0011] Raw material C is conveyed from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 through a pipe 21 that crosses within the third unit group 103. Then, after raw material C is defibered or the like in the second unit group 102, it is conveyed to the third unit group 103 through a pipe 24. Raw material C is formed into a web W in the third unit group 103 and then formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut in the first unit group 101 to form a sheet P3.

[0012] The first unit group 101 includes a buffer tank 13 which is a processing unit, a metering supply unit 15, a confluence unit 17, a first cutting unit 81, a second cutting unit 82, a tray 91, a shredding unit 95, and a pipe 21. In the first unit group 101, these components are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream.

[0013] Raw material C is introduced from a raw material inlet 11 into the buffer tank 13. Raw material C is a material containing fibers such as cellulose, for example, shredded waste paper pieces. Inside the buffer tank 13, air humidified by a second humidifying unit 66 provided in the third unit group 103 is supplied.

[0014] After being temporarily stored in the buffer tank 13, raw material C is conveyed to the metering supply unit 15 according to the operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a shredder for shredding waste paper or the like on the upstream side of the buffer tank 13.

[0015] The metering supply unit 15 has a weighing device 15a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The weighing device 15a weighs the mass of raw material C. The supply mechanism supplies the raw material C weighed by the weighing device 15a to the downstream confluence unit 17. That is, the metering supply unit 15 weighs raw material C in predetermined masses by the weighing device 15a and supplies it to the downstream confluence unit 17 by the supply mechanism.

[0016] The measuring device 15a can be applied with either a digital or an analog measuring mechanism. Specifically, examples of the measuring device 15a include physical sensors such as load cells, and spring scales and balances. In this embodiment, a load cell is used as the measuring device 15a. The predetermined mass of the raw material C measured by the measuring device 15a is, for example, on the order of several grams to several tens of grams.

[0017] Known technologies such as vibrating feeders can be applied to the supply mechanism. The supply mechanism may be a configuration included in the measuring device 15a.

[0018] The weighing and supply of the raw material C in the quantitative supply unit 15 are batch processes. That is, the supply of the raw material C from the quantitative supply unit 15 to the confluence unit 17 is carried out intermittently. The quantitative supply unit 15 may have a plurality of measuring devices 15a, and the plurality of measuring devices 15a may be operated with a time difference to improve the efficiency of weighing.

[0019] In the confluence unit 17, the shredded pieces of the slit pieces S supplied from the shredding unit 95 are confluent and mixed with the raw material C supplied from the quantitative supply unit 15. The slit piece S and the shredding unit 95 will be described later. The raw material C mixed with the above shredded pieces flows from the confluence unit 17 into the pipe 21.

[0020] The pipe 21 conveys the raw material C from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 by an air flow generated by a blower (not shown).

[0021] The second unit group 102 includes a fiberizing unit 31, a separation unit 32, a pipe 23, a mixing unit 33, and a pipe 24, which are processing units. In the second unit group 102, these components are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The second unit group 102 also includes a pipe 25 connected to the separation unit 32, a recovery unit 35, a compressor 38, and a power supply unit 39.

[0022] The raw material C, transported by the piping 21, flows into the defibration section 31. The defibration section 31 dry-defibrates the raw material C supplied from the quantitative supply section 15 into fibers. Known defibration mechanisms can be applied to the defibration section 31.

[0023] The defibration unit 31 may have the following configuration, for example. The defibration unit 31 comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The rotor is installed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator. The fine pieces of raw material C are sandwiched between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor, and are defibrated by the shear force generated between them. As a result, the tangled fibers contained in the paper fragments of raw material C are untangled, and the raw material C becomes fibrous raw material C. The fibrous raw material C is conveyed to the separation unit 32.

[0024] The separation unit 32 removes components from the fibrous raw material C that are unnecessary for the manufacture of sheet P3. Specifically, the separation unit 32 separates relatively long fibers from relatively short fibers. Relatively short fibers are separated in the separation unit 32 because they may cause a decrease in the strength of sheet P3. The separation unit 32 also separates and removes colorants and additives contained in the recycled paper. Known technologies such as a disc mesh system can be applied to the separation unit 32.

[0025] The inside of the separation unit 32 is supplied with humidified air from the second humidification unit 66 of the third unit group 103.

[0026] The raw material C, after removing relatively short fibers and other unwanted materials, is transported to the mixing section 33 via piping 23. Unwanted materials such as relatively short fibers and colorants are discharged to the recovery section 35 via piping 25.

[0027] The mixing unit 33 mixes the raw material C with a binder and other materials in air to form a mixture M7. Although not shown in the diagram, the mixing unit 33 includes a flow path for conveying the raw material C, a fan, a hopper, a supply pipe, and a valve.

[0028] The hopper is connected to the flow path of raw material C via a supply pipe. A valve is installed in the supply pipe between the hopper and the flow path. The hopper supplies a binder such as starch into the flow path. The valve adjusts the mass of the binder supplied from the hopper to the flow path. This adjusts the mixing ratio of raw material C and the binder.

[0029] In addition to the above configuration for supplying a binder, the mixing unit 33 may also have a similar configuration for supplying colorants, additives, etc.

[0030] The fan in the mixing section 33 uses the generated airflow to transport the raw material C downstream while mixing in binders and other materials in the air to form a mixture M7. The mixture M7 flows from the mixing section 33 into the piping 24.

[0031] The recovery unit 35 is equipped with a filter (not shown). The filter removes unwanted components from the raw material C that has been transported through the piping 25 by airflow.

[0032] The compressor 38 generates compressed air. The filter may become clogged with fine particles and other unwanted substances. It is possible to clean the filter by blowing the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 onto it to blow away the attached particles.

[0033] The power supply unit 39 includes the control unit 5 described above, as well as a power supply device that supplies power to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The power supply unit 39 distributes the power supplied from the outside to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0034] The third unit group 103 is a sheet molding section that deposits and compresses a fiber-containing mixture M7 to form a strip-shaped sheet P1.

[0035] The third unit group 103 includes a processing unit consisting of a stacking section 50, a first conveying section 61, a second conveying section 62, a first humidifying section 65, a second humidifying section 66, and a heating roller section 70. In the third unit group 103, the stacking section 50, the first conveying section 61, the second conveying section 62, the first humidifying section 65, and the heating roller section 70 are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream.

[0036] The deposition unit 50 is a fiber deposition unit that deposits the mixture M7 in air to generate the web W. The deposition unit 50 includes a drum member 53, a vane member 55 installed inside the drum member 53, a housing 51 that accommodates the drum member 53, and a suction unit 59. The mixture M7 is taken into the drum member 53 from the piping 24.

[0037] Below the stacking section 50, a first conveying section 61 is positioned. The first conveying section 61 has a mesh belt 61a and five tensioning rollers that stretch the mesh belt 61a. The suction section 59 faces the drum member 53 in the direction along the Z-axis, with the mesh belt 61a in between.

[0038] The blade member 55 is located inside the drum member 53 and is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The drum member 53 is a semi-cylindrical sieve. A mesh that functions as a sieve is provided on the downward-facing side of the drum member 53. The drum member 53 allows particles such as fibers and binders that are smaller than the mesh opening of the sieve to pass from the inside to the outside.

[0039] The mixture M7 is agitated by the rotating blade member 55 within the drum member 53 and released to the outside of the drum member 53. Humidified air from the second humidification unit 66 is supplied to the inside of the drum member 53.

[0040] The suction unit 59 is positioned below the drum member 53. The suction unit 59 sucks air from inside the housing 51 through multiple holes in the mesh belt 61a. The multiple holes in the mesh belt 61a allow air to pass through but make it difficult for fibers, binders, etc., contained in the mixture M7 to pass through. As a result, the mixture M7 released to the outside of the drum member 53 is sucked downward along with the air. The suction unit 59 is a known suction device such as a blower.

[0041] The mixture M7 is dispersed in the air inside the housing 51 and, by gravity and the suction of the suction unit 59, accumulates on the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a to form the web W.

[0042] The mesh belt 61a is an endless belt and is stretched by five tension rollers. The mesh belt 61a rotates counterclockwise in Figure 1 due to the rotation of the tension rollers. As a result, the mixture M7 is continuously deposited on the mesh belt 61a, forming a web W. The web W contains a relatively large amount of air and is soft and puffy. The first conveying unit 61 conveys the formed web W downstream by the rotation of the mesh belt 61a.

[0043] The second conveying unit 62 is a conveying unit that conveys the web W downstream of the first conveying unit 61, taking over the role of the first conveying unit 61. The second conveying unit 62 peels the web W from the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a and conveys it toward the heating roller unit 70. The second conveying unit 62 is located above the conveying path of the web W and is positioned slightly upstream of the starting point on the return side of the mesh belt 61a. The +Y direction of the second conveying unit 62 and the -Y direction of the mesh belt 61a partially overlap in the vertical direction.

[0044] The second conveying section 62 includes a conveying belt (not shown), a plurality of rollers, and a suction mechanism. The conveying belt is provided with a plurality of holes for air to pass through. The conveying belt is stretched by the plurality of rollers and rotates as the rollers rotate.

[0045] The second transport section 62 uses the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism to attract the upper surface of the web W to the lower surface of the transport belt. In this state, as the transport belt rotates, the web W is attracted to the transport belt and transported downstream.

[0046] The first humidifying unit 65 is an ultrasonic humidifier that humidifies the web W being transported by the second transporting unit 62 by supplying mist M from below. The first humidifying unit 65 is positioned below the second transporting unit 62 and faces the web W being transported by the second transporting unit 62 in a direction along the Z-axis.

[0047] When the web W is humidified with mist M, the function of the starch as a binder is enhanced, improving the strength of the sheet P3. In addition, since the web W is humidified from below, droplets from the mist are prevented from falling onto the web W. Furthermore, since the humidification is performed from the opposite side of the contact surface between the transport belt and the web W, the web W is less likely to stick to the transport belt. The second transport section 62 transports the web W to the heated roller section 70.

[0048] The heating roller section 70 is a heating roller unit that heats and pressurizes the fiber-laden web W to compress it and form it into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The heating roller section 70 has a pair of heating rollers 71 and 72. Each of the pair of heating rollers 71 and 72 has a built-in electric heater that heats the roller surface.

[0049] The web W is heated and pressed by continuously passing it between a pair of heating rollers 71 and 72. This reduces the amount of air contained in the relatively soft web W, and the fibers are bound together by the binder, forming a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is conveyed to the first unit group 101 by conveyor rollers (not shown).

[0050] The second humidification unit 66 is located below the first humidification unit 65. The second humidification unit 66 is an evaporative humidifier. The second humidification unit 66 supplies humidified air to the buffer tank 13, the separation unit 32, and the drum member 53 through a plurality of pipes (not shown). In each of the above configurations, the humidified air suppresses the charging of fibers and particles of the raw material C, thereby suppressing their adhesion due to static electricity.

[0051] The strip-shaped sheet P1, transported to the first unit group 101, reaches the first cutting section 81. The first cutting section 81 cuts the strip-shaped sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the transport direction, for example, along the X-axis. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut into single-sheet-shaped sheets P2 at the first cutting section 81. The single-sheet-shaped sheets P2 are transported from the first cutting section 81 to the second cutting section 82.

[0052] The second cutting unit 82 cuts the single sheet P2 in the transport direction, for example, along the Y-axis. More specifically, the second cutting unit 82 cuts the single sheet P2 near both sides in the direction along the X-axis. As a result, the single sheet P2 becomes sheets P3 of a predetermined shape, such as A4 or A3. The sheets P3 are transported diagonally upward and accumulated in the tray 91. The sheets P3 can be used as a substitute for, for example, copy paper.

[0053] In the second cutting section 82, when the single sheet P2 is cut into sheet P3, slit pieces S, which are scraps, are generated. The slit pieces S are transported in approximately the -Y direction to the shredding section 95, which is a shredder. The shredding section 95 shreds the slit pieces S into fine fragments, which are then supplied to the merging section 17. A mechanism for weighing the fine fragments of the slit pieces S and supplying them to the merging section 17 may be installed between the shredding section 95 and the merging section 17.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2, the first frame F1, the third frame F3, and the second frame F2 are arranged in this order along the Y-axis to form the main frame F. In other words, the third frame F3 is installed between the first frame F1 and the second frame F2. The first frame F1, the second frame F2, and the third frame F3 are all separate entities. The first frame F1, the second frame F2, and the third frame F3 are all separated. Although not shown in the illustration, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is equipped with a housing that covers the first frame F1, the second frame F2, and the third frame F3.

[0055] Each of the first frame F1, second frame F2, and third frame F3 consists of multiple skeletal members arranged along one of the X, Y, or Z axes, and has a space inside in which the aforementioned processing unit can be installed. The first frame F1, second frame F2, and third frame F3 have an outline that is roughly rectangular. In each outline, the length along the X axis is roughly equal, and the height along the Z axis is roughly equal. The first frame F1, second frame F2, and third frame F3 may each be equipped with casters for movement at their lower ends.

[0056] The first unit group 101 is installed on the first frame F1. Specifically, the buffer tank 13, quantitative supply unit 15, merging unit 17, first cutting unit 81, second cutting unit 82, tray 91, and shredding unit 95 are installed on the first frame F1.

[0057] The second unit group 102 is installed on the second frame F2. Specifically, the piping 23, piping 25, defibration unit 31, separation unit 32, mixing unit 33, recovery unit 35, compressor 38, and power supply unit 39 are installed on the second frame F2.

[0058] The sheet molding section, which forms the third unit group 103, is installed on the third frame F3. Specifically, the deposition section 50, the first conveying section 61, the second conveying section 62, the first humidification section 65, the second humidification section 66, and the heating roller section 70 included in the sheet molding section are installed on the third frame F3. Furthermore, piping 21 is installed spanning the first frame F1, the second frame F2, and the third frame F3. Piping 24 is installed spanning the second frame F2 and the third frame F3.

[0059] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the third unit group 103 comprises a third frame F3, a first unit U31, a second unit U32, and a third unit U33. The second unit U32 and the third unit U33 are aligned in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the third unit U33 is positioned on the -Y side of the second unit U32. The first unit U31 is positioned above the second unit U32 and the third unit U33. The first unit U31, the second unit U32, and the third unit U33 are hexahedrons with multiple faces: a top and bottom face parallel to the XY plane, +Y and -Y sides parallel to the XZ plane, and a front and rear face parallel to the YZ plane. The front is the -X side face, and the rear is the +X side face. Note that the external shape of the first unit U31, the second unit U32, and the third unit U33 is not limited to a hexahedron. The outer shapes of the first unit U31, the second unit U32, and the third unit U33 may have ribs, stays, or parts of the frame protruding from the surface.

[0060] In this embodiment, the second unit U32 is a fiber deposition unit, i.e., a deposition section 50. The third unit U33 is a heating roller unit, i.e., a heating roller section 70. The first unit U31 is a conveying unit, i.e., a second conveying section 62, that conveys the web from the second unit to the third unit.

[0061] Next, we will explain the details of Unit 2, U32. The second unit U32 is connected to the third frame F3 via a slide rail 701 extending in the X-axis direction and is extendable from the third frame F3 in the -X direction (see Figure 7). The extended second unit U32 is then pushed back into the third frame F3 in the +X direction to be housed in the third frame F3 (see Figure 8).

[0062] As shown in Figure 5, the slide rail 701 consists of an outer rail 701a extending in the X-axis direction and an inner rail 701b. The YZ cross-section of the outer rail 701a is approximately C-shaped. The outer rail 701a holds the inner rail 701b within the approximately C-shaped cross-section so that it can move only in the X direction. The inner rail 701b is attached to the +Y side and the -Y side of the second unit U32.

[0063] The outer rail 701a is mounted on the third frame F3 parallel to the X-axis direction. The outer rail 701a functions as a pull-out mechanism that allows the second unit U32 to be pulled out from the third frame F3 parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0064] Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, the configuration of the third unit U33 is the same as that of the second unit U32. In other words, the third unit U33 is connected to the third frame F3 via a slide rail 701 that extends in the X-axis direction, and can be pulled out from the third frame F3.

[0065] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first unit U31 is placed on top of the second unit U32 and the third unit U33. The second unit U32 and the third unit U33 have multiple receiving parts 710 on their upper surfaces for placing the first unit U31.

[0066] The first unit U31 has a plurality of legs 711 on its underside that come into contact with the second unit U32 and the third unit U33 when it is placed on them, i.e., they come into contact with the receiving portion 710.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, the receiving portion 710 and the leg portion 711 contact each other to perform positioning in the Z-axis direction. It is desirable that the receiving portion 710 and the leg portion 711 be parallel to the XY plane in order to perform positioning in the Z-axis direction.

[0068] The receiving portion 710 has a first positioning portion 730, and the leg portion 711 has a second positioning portion 731. The first positioning portion 730 is a substantially cylindrical projection. The second positioning portion 731 is a substantially cylindrical recess that is recessed in the +Z direction from the lower surface of the leg portion 711. By making the diameters of the first positioning portion 730 and the second positioning portion 731 substantially the same, it becomes possible to perform positioning in the X-axis and Y-axis directions in addition to positioning in the Z-axis direction. Note that the first positioning portion 730 and the second positioning portion 731 may be omitted as needed.

[0069] From this point onward, the alignment of the second unit U32 with respect to the third frame F3 will be explained. As mentioned above, the configuration of the third unit U33 is the same as that of the second unit U32, so the explanation of the alignment of the third unit U33 with respect to the third frame F3 will be omitted.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7, a rear positioning plate 300 parallel to the YZ plane is provided on the +X side of the third frame F3. The rear positioning plate 300 is a rigid, plate-shaped sheet metal component that is attached to and fixed to the third frame F3.

[0071] Multiple rear positioning members 502 and multiple front positioning members 602 are provided on the -X side of the rear positioning plate 300. The rear positioning members 502 and front positioning members 602 are positioned at two locations on the +Y side and -Y side with respect to the second unit U32. The second unit U32 is provided with a first receiving portion 501 and a second receiving portion 601. The first receiving portion 501 is connected to the rear positioning member 502 and includes a first projection guide portion 531. The second receiving portion 601 is connected to the front positioning member 602 and includes a second projection guide portion 631.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8, the rear positioning member 502 positions the +X side of the second unit U32, and the front positioning member 602 positions the -X side of the second unit U32. In other words, the rear positioning plate 300 is provided with a front positioning member 602 that positions the rear positioning plate 300 and the second unit U32 at a position spaced further apart from the rear positioning member 502 in the direction in which the second unit U32 is pulled out.

[0073] The rear positioning member 502 is composed of a first positioning plate 502a and a first projection 502b.

[0074] As shown in Figure 9, the first positioning plate 502a is a sheet metal component disposed on the rear positioning plate 300. Specifically, the first positioning plate 502a is disposed on the -X side of the rear positioning plate 300, along the XZ plane. A first contact portion 520 parallel to the YZ plane is provided at the -X end of the first positioning plate 502a. The first contact portion 520 contacts the rear surface of the second unit U32, thereby restricting the movement of the second unit U32 in the +X direction and performing alignment.

[0075] The first projection 502b is a sheet metal part and is disposed on the back positioning plate 300 so as to protrude in the -X direction. The first projection 502b is also positioned close to the first positioning plate 502a. The first projection 502b is a flat plate parallel to the XZ plane, elongated in the X-axis direction, and has a pointed tip in the -X direction. The tip of the first projection 502b protrudes in the -X direction beyond the first contact portion 520 of the first positioning plate 502a.

[0076] The -Y side of the first projection 502b included in the rear positioning member 502 on the +Y side faces the +Y side of the second unit U32. Also, the +Y side of the first projection 502b included in the rear positioning member 502 on the -Y side faces the -Y side of the second unit U32. The first projection 502b restricts the movement of the second unit U32 in the Y-axis direction by its faces facing the +Y side and the -Y side of the second unit U32.

[0077] As shown in Figure 10, the first projection 502b includes an upper end portion 5022 and a lower end portion 5024 parallel to the X-axis, a first inclined portion 5021 that slopes from the upper end toward the tip in the -X direction, and a second inclined portion 5023 that slopes from the lower end toward the tip in the -X direction.

[0078] The first projection guide portion 531 is positioned on the +Y side and -Y side of the second unit U32. The first projection guide portion 531 protrudes outward in the Y-axis direction from the +Y side and -Y side. The first projection guide portion 531 has a recess formed in it that opens outward in the Y-axis direction. The length of the recess in the Z-axis direction is slightly greater than the width of the first projection portion 502b in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the first projection portion 502b can pass through the recess. By passing the first projection portion 502b through the recess, the first projection portion 502b and the guide portion are connected. The first projection guide portion 531 has a guide surface 5311 which is the ±Z side surface of the recess.

[0079] As shown in Figure 11, when the first projection guide portion 531 is connected to the first projection portion 502b with the projection guide portion 531 offset in the -Z direction, that is, when the second unit U32 is moved in the +X direction with respect to the third frame F3, the guide surface 5311 moves in the +Z direction along the first inclined portion 5021. Then, when the rear surface of the second unit U32 comes into contact with the first contact portion 520, the movement of the second unit U32 in the +X direction is completed. At this time, the (upper) guide surface 5311 comes into contact with the upper end portion 5022 of the first projection portion 502b, thereby positioning the second unit U32 in the Z-axis direction.

[0080] Similarly, as shown in Figure 12, when the second unit U32 is shifted in the +Z direction relative to the third frame F3 and then moved in the +X direction, the guide surface 5311 moves in the -Z direction along the second inclined portion 5023, thereby positioning the second unit U32 in the +Z direction. The Z-axis alignment of the second unit U32 is completed when the guide surface 5311 reaches the lower end portion 5024.

[0081] As shown in Figure 8, the front positioning member 602 consists of a second positioning plate 602a and a second projection 602b.

[0082] The second positioning plate 602a is a sheet metal component disposed on the rear positioning plate 300. Specifically, the second positioning plate 602a is disposed on the -X side of the rear positioning plate 300, along the XZ plane. A second contact portion 620 parallel to the YZ plane is provided at the -X end of the second positioning plate 602a. The second positioning plate 602a is longer in the X-axis direction than the first positioning plate 502a, and is disposed along the side of the second unit U32 when the second unit U32 is housed in the third frame F3.

[0083] As shown in Figure 7, the front side of the second unit U32 is provided with a projection 301 that protrudes outward in the Y-axis direction, and the second contact portion 620 restricts the movement of the second unit U32 in the +X direction by contacting the surface of the projection 301 facing the +X direction. The second projection guide portion 631 is positioned on the +Y side and -Y side of the projection 301.

[0084] The shape of the second projection 602b is the same as that of the first projection 502b. The second projection 602b abuts against the +Y side and -Y side of the protrusion 301 of the second unit U32, restricting the movement of the second unit U32 in the Y-axis direction relative to the rear positioning plate 300 and performing alignment.

[0085] The shape of the second projection guide portion 631 is the same as that of the first projection guide portion 531. The second projection portion 602b is connected to the recess of the second projection guide portion 631, thereby positioning the second unit U32 in the Z-axis direction.

[0086] As described above, in this embodiment, the first receiving portion 501 and the second receiving portion 601 are arranged on both the +Y side and the -Y side of the second unit U32, and the corresponding rear positioning member 502 and front positioning member 602 are arranged on the third frame F3. This allows the second unit U32 to be aligned with the third frame F3 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions on the ±X and ±Y sides of the second unit U32. The same applies to the third unit U33.

[0087] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. This makes it possible to easily perform maintenance on the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. Specifically, by making the second unit U32 movable from the third frame F3 by the slide rail 701, it is possible to secure the necessary workspace when performing maintenance. After maintenance is completed, the second unit U32 is moved to the third frame F3 and stored by the slide rail 701, and the third frame F3 and the second unit U32 can be precisely aligned by positioning the rear positioning member 502 and the first receiving part 501, and the front positioning member 602 and the second receiving part 601. Furthermore, since the configuration and characteristics of the third unit U33 are the same as those of the second unit U32, when the third unit U33 is moved to the third frame F3 and stored by the slide rail 701 after maintenance is completed, it is also possible to precisely align the third frame F3 and the third unit U33. Furthermore, when placing the first unit U31 on the second unit U32 and the third unit U33, precise positioning is possible by positioning the receiving portion 710 and the leg portion 711. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 1…Sheet manufacturing apparatus, 5…Control unit, 11…Raw material inlet, 13…Buffer tank, 15…Quantitative supply unit, 15a…Measuring instrument, 17…Confluence unit, 21,23,24,25…Piping, 31…Fibre section, 32…Separation section, 33…Mixing section, 35…Recovery section, 38…Compressor, 39…Power supply unit, 50…Storage section, 51…Housing, 53…Drum component, 55…Blade component, 59…Suction section, 61…First conveying unit, 61a… Mesh belt, 62...Second conveying section, 65...First humidification section, 66...Second humidification section, 70...Heating roller section, 71, 72...Pair of heating rollers, 81...First cutting section, 82...Second cutting section, 91...Tray, 95...Shredding section, 101...First unit group, 102...Second unit group, 103...Third unit group, 300...Rear positioning plate, 301...Protruding part, 501...First receiving part, 502...Rear positioning member, 50 2a...First positioning plate, 502b...First projection, 520...First contact part, 531...First projection guide part, 601...Second receiving part, 602...Front positioning member, 602a...Second positioning plate, 602b...Second projection, 620...Second contact part, 631...Second projection guide part, 701...Slide rail, 701a...Outer rail, 701b...Inner rail, 710...Receiving part, 711...Leg part, 730...First positioning Part, 731...Second positioning part, 5021...First inclined part, 5022...Upper end, 5023...Second inclined part, 5024...Lower end, 5311...Guiding surface, F...Main frame, F1...First frame, F2...Second frame, F3...Third frame, M...Mist, M7...Mixture, P1, P2, P3...Sheets, S...Slit piece, U31...First unit, U32...Second unit, U33...Third unit, W...Web.

Claims

1. A defibration section that breaks down fiber-containing materials into fibers, A sheet molding section that deposits and compresses the aforementioned fibers to form a sheet, The system comprises a main frame on which the sheet molding section is installed, The sheet molding section comprises a first unit and a second unit. The second unit, having a drawer mechanism, is installed so as to be removable from the main frame. A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the first unit is placed on the second unit.

2. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, The sheet manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the sheet molding section comprises a third unit, and the first unit is placed on the second unit and the third unit.

3. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, The sheet manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the second unit is a fiber deposition unit that deposits the fibers to form a web.

4. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, The sheet manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the third unit is a heating roller unit for heating the web.

5. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, The sheet manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the first unit is a conveying unit that conveys a web from the second unit to the third unit.

6. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, The main frame is provided with a rear positioning plate. A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the rear positioning plate is provided with a rear positioning member for positioning the rear positioning plate with the second unit and the third unit.

7. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that a front positioning member is provided on the rear positioning plate at a position spaced apart from the rear positioning member in the direction in which the second unit is pulled out, for positioning the rear positioning plate and the second unit.

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