Apparatus for processing material sheets or material webs with primarily bending stiffness, or a method for modifying the configuration of such apparatus.

Abstract

In particular, equipment for processing sheets or webs, mainly made of corrugated cardboard and having primarily bending rigidity, has a variable arrangement of multiple processing devices equipped with various tools that can move laterally with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet or web. Multiple such devices are arranged in a changeable order to form a single converter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a sheet or web of material having mainly bending rigidity described in the preamble of claim 1, and a method for changing the configuration of a converter for a cardboard sheet or web described in the preamble of claim 12.

Background Art

[0002] There are known converters capable of performing various different processing steps such as printing, cutting, embossing, ruling, punching, perforating, gluing and / or binding, in particular for processing a sheet or web of bending rigidity made of cardboard. The sheet is processed in the processing machine by punching and cutting equipment related to the shape, and is often correctly cut. For this purpose, a plurality of processing stations are arranged continuously in the conveying direction of the sheet.

[0003] From Patent Document 1, there is known a converter provided with a sheet feeder and a plurality of devices of various different types arranged one after another. One processing step is carried out for each segment. For this purpose, this type of machine is configured according to the product to be manufactured. For example, it is impossible to manufacture a product that requires a different process sequence or a different type of process at a later time. In many cases, the machine can be reconfigured with effort, but this is not economical.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method compared to the prior art that overcomes at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art and satisfies the increasing demand for versatility while maintaining at least the product quality to be achieved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by the apparatus described in claim 1 and the method described in claim 12.

[0007] To achieve this, a device is defined, through which the material is conveyed in linear motion for processing. All the spaces occupied by the sheet or web together form a conveying path.

[0008] The individual components of the device are housed within a single common frame. Vertical supports, connected by one or more horizontal carriers, form the frame. The supports may be columns or walls. The supports are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the transport path, so that the sheets are transported passing between the supports.

[0009] Processing equipment is arranged within the frame. These processing machines act on a sheet or web. For this purpose, the material may be stationary, or the processing may be performed while the material is in continuous transport motion. Processing that can be performed both when the material sheet is stationary and when it is in motion is not excluded.

[0010] Multiple processing machines are housed within a frame via a single common linear guide. The linear guide is oriented laterally to the transport direction so that the processing machines can move across the width of the transport path.

[0011] Each of these processing machines has one or more actuators. These actuators may be of various types. The actuators are connected to the electronic control unit of the machine for data transmission. Thus, a high degree of flexibility in the machine is achieved in a compact structural form. In particular, the machine can be fully automated, or partially automated in either case, and adapted to the various products to be processed or manufactured.

[0012] In another configuration, processing equipment positioned using linear guides each has a separate mounting device. Each of these mounting devices is configured to position the processing equipment to which it is assigned along the linear guide or laterally with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet or web. To this end, each of these mounting devices includes a controllable mounting drive unit. Each mounting drive unit is connected to a control unit of the equipment for data transmission. At least one actuator of the processing equipment is formed by the mounting drive unit.

[0013] Advantageously, a rack is provided that extends parallel to the linear guide. This rack is positioned on the lateral carrier of the frame. Within the same rack, multiple pinions engage with multiple mounting devices. Each pinion is driven by the mounting drive mechanism of the corresponding mounting device. This allows for a simple and compact configuration.

[0014] Preferably, a conveying device equipped with a controllable drive mechanism is housed within the frame. The conveying device moves the material to be processed along the processing equipment of the device in the conveying direction. Advantageously, the conveying device includes a detection device. The detection device is directed along the conveying path. The detection device detects the point in time when the material has reached a specified position, or the detection device detects the position the material has reached at a specified time.

[0015] The detected data is transmitted to the device's control system. This data is used to control (open-loop control) or adjust (close-loop control) various actuators of the device, particularly the transport drive mechanism. Therefore, extremely high positioning accuracy can be achieved in the transport direction. This is particularly advantageous when devices of this structural form are arranged in a series.

[0016] The machining equipment housed in a single common linear guide may be of various types. This makes it possible to realize an extremely compact device with a high functional density.

[0017] Data exchange between actuators and sensors and the device is performed via cable connections. Connectors are provided on the cables to allow for easy removal or addition of equipment to the device.

[0018] Instead of cables, data exchange can be performed wirelessly or via another wireless connection. This reduces the number of cables that need to be cut when removing processing equipment or connected when adding equipment.

[0019] In an advantageous configuration, the apparatus has loading positions for machining equipment, which are positioned using a single common linear guide. These loading positions are determined by segments of the linear guide, which are retractably housed within the frame. To remove the machining equipment, the equipment is positioned on these segments and removed from the apparatus together with the segments. Thus, the replacement of machining equipment is significantly simplified, and the flexibility of the apparatus is increased.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous to combine multiple such devices to form a converter, especially for processing corrugated cardboard. To achieve this, the devices are arranged in a sequence, one in front of the other, so that they form a single common, straight transport path in the transport direction.

[0021] Advantageously, one of the plurality of devices is movable along the conveying direction such that a gap can be formed between two directly consecutive devices of the same machine. Thereby, for example, the accessibility to individual devices for maintenance purposes is significantly improved.

[0022] Preferably, a rail system is provided for this purpose, and a plurality of devices are accommodated together on the rail system. The rails extend parallel to the conveying direction. Thereby, the respective positions and orientations of the corresponding devices are determined except for the positions in the conveying direction. Thereby, the positions of the interfaces between individual devices are reproducible without further effort.

[0023] In another configuration, a supply device as a processing device is accommodated in the first device so as to be positionable transversely to the conveying direction. The supply device may be, for example, a device for applying an adhesive or a printing device, particularly an inkjet printing device. Any second device following this first device in the conveying direction includes one or more second processing devices that are positionable transversely to the conveying direction. The second processing device contacts the material to be processed during processing. In particular, the second processing device includes at least one conveying drum.

[0024] Particularly advantageously, the positioning drive device of the supply device of devices different from each other and the positioning drive device of the subsequent second processing device are data-connected to the same control device of the converting machine. Thereby, it is easy and possible to automate positioning the contact area of the second processing device with the sheet or web outside the material applied by the supply device.

[0025] In a particularly advantageous configuration, the devices that together form one converting machine, particularly the devices included between the end-side devices, have the same interface with each other. Thereby, the order of the devices can be easily adapted to various preferred orders of the processing steps.

[0026] Next, the present invention will be described based on one embodiment while being related to the drawings referenced for all details not specifically mentioned in the specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a first perspective view showing an apparatus for processing a sheet. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a ruling machine. [Figure 3] It is a second perspective view showing an apparatus for processing a sheet. [Figure 4] It is a view showing a converter equipped with a plurality of apparatuses for processing a sheet.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an apparatus 2 for processing a sheet 30 or web. The apparatus has a frame 6, and all other devices 7, 8, 9 are housed within the frame 6. The frame 6 forms a frame through which the material 30 to be processed is linearly conveyed along the horizontal conveyance direction 100. In its movement through the apparatus 2, the material 30 depicts a conveyance path 130.

[0029] The frame 6 has two vertical walls 11 arranged opposite each other on both sides of the conveyance path 130. These walls 11 are joined by a horizontal cross-member 12. The cross-member 12 extends in a direction transverse to the conveyance direction 100.

[0030] A guide rail 13 of a linear guide is arranged on the cross-member 12. A rack 14 is similarly attached to the cross-member 12. The rack 14 extends parallel to the linear guide 13. The linear guide 13 and the rack 14 are together oriented in a direction transverse to the conveyance direction 100. Processing devices 8, 9 are arranged on the linear guide 13, and these processing devices 8, 9 can be moved or positioned over the width of the sheet 30 or web to be processed using the rack 14.

[0031] Similarly, the frame 6 houses the conveying equipment 7. The conveying equipment 7 includes a conveying drum 71 positioned between the walls 11. The conveying drum 71 is located just below the conveying path 130. The area of ​​the drum 71 that causes the feed extends over the maximum allowable width of the material 30 to be processed.

[0032] Above the conveying drum 71, the conveying equipment 7 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 76 distributed across the width of the conveying path 130. Together, the conveying drum 71 and the conveying rollers 76 grip the sheet 30 or web. These conveying rollers 76 are positioned to move independently laterally with respect to the conveying direction 100 on one of a plurality of guide rails 13. The conveying rollers 76 are individually positioned by a single common mounting device 77. The mounting device uses a rack assigned to a linear guide.

[0033] The conveying device 7 has a controllable drive unit 72. An optical barrier 74, as shown in Figure 4, is mounted above the conveying path 130. This optical barrier 74 detects when the sheet 30 reaches and leaves a monitored position in the conveying direction 100. This allows for adjustment of the conveying process and precise positioning of the processing in the conveying direction.

[0034] The frame has rollers 16 mounted on the wall 11. These rollers 16 run on a pair of rails 5 that extend parallel to the transport direction 100. This allows the entire device 2 to move in the transport direction 100. This movement can be performed manually by an operator, or other equipment not shown in the drawings may be used.

[0035] Figure 4 shows a converter for corrugated cardboard sheets 30, which is composed of multiple devices 2, 3, and 4 of the structure described above. These devices 2, 3, and 4 run on a single common pair of rails. Another device 1 is provided at the end, which is stationary and houses the machine's control device 10.

[0036] The processing equipment 8, 9, and 21 in the individual devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 are different from each other. In the configuration shown exemplified in Figure 4, the first device 4, viewed in the transport direction 100, is equipped with a printing machine. In contrast, the scoring machine 8 and grooving machine 9 are located in device 2, indicated by the dashed line. The remaining devices 1 and 3 house various other types of processing equipment, but these will not be explained further.

[0037] The scoring machine 8 shown in Figure 1 is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 2. These scoring machines 8 are configured as mirror images of each other. Therefore, the following explanation will be limited to one of the two scoring machines 8.

[0038] The creasing tool has a pair of creasing knives 81, one female and one male. The creasing knives 81 are positioned above and below the transport path 130 and cooperate with each other. Each creasing knife 81 is housed in a carriage 85. The carriage 85 travels laterally with respect to the transport direction 100 on the aforementioned rails 13 of the frame 6. The creasing knives 81 are driven by a sliding sheet via a non-circular shaft fixed to the frame.

[0039] To position the scoring device 8, a mounting device is provided, which includes a controllable mounting drive unit 82 located on the carriage 85. The mounting drive unit 82 acts on a rack 14 attached to the cross member 12 of the frame 6 via a pinion 15. The mounting drive unit 82 is connected to the control device 10 via a data line 83 with a connector 84.

[0040] Following the scoring machine 8 in the transport direction 100, a grooving machine 9 of the same structural type is provided. Similar to the scoring machine 8, the grooving machine 9 houses a circular knife 91 within a carriage. The carriage similarly travels on rails 13 of a frame 6 oriented laterally with respect to the transport direction 100. Unlike the scoring machine 81, the grooving knife 91 does not have its own drive mechanism.

[0041] The carriage equipped with the grooving knife 91 is positioned along its guide rail 13 by a controllable mounting device 93. For this purpose, the mounting device 93 has a pinion which engages with a rack fixed to the frame and is driven by a controllable motor.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a loading position 150 for equipment that can move laterally with respect to the transport direction, such as a grooving machine 9. The loading position 150 is determined by a segment of the guide rail 13 described above. This segment is removable. To remove the processing equipment 9, the processing equipment 9 is brought onto the removable segment and removed together with the segment. Additional processing equipment 9 can be added accordingly.

[0043] A print head 21 mounted above the transport path 130 within the device 4 prints on the upper surface of the transported sheet 30. The print head 21 is movable laterally with respect to the transport direction 100 via mounting equipment (not shown).

[0044] In Figure 4, control of the lateral placement motion relative to the transport direction 100 is indicated by arrows pointing to tools 21, 76, 81, and 91. The placement motion can be performed when the machine is stationary or during the continuous transport motion of the sheet 30.

[0045] Data transmission between the individual devices 1, 2, 3, 4 and their respective devices 7, 8, 9, 21 and the converter's control unit 10 is performed via cables 18 equipped with plug-in connectors 19 between the individual devices. Alternatively, a wireless connection can be used, in which case each device is equipped with a transmitting unit and a receiving unit 20.

[0046] The dashed line representing device 2 in Figure 4 indicates that device 2 does not necessarily need to be present in the shown converter, nor does it need to be in the illustrated position. Rather, the configuration of the various devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 that together form a single converter can be easily changed.

[0047] To achieve this, a pair of rails 5 are provided, and three of the four devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 shown in Figure 4, devices 2, 3, and 4, are slidable on these rails 5 parallel to the transport direction 100.

[0048] To change the configuration of the converter, the connectors 84 of the relevant devices 1, 2, and 3 are first disconnected. This step may be omitted if alternative data transmission is performed wirelessly. Similarly, the mechanical lock 17 between devices 1, 2, and 3 is released.

[0049] Next, devices 2, 3, and 4 are positioned on the rail 5 with space between them so that device 2 can be removed without risk of damage. The removal of device 2 is indicated by arrow 300 in Figure 4.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, other devices not shown may be added. After the individual devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 are brought into contact with each other 200, the lock 17 is fastened to secure the mobile devices 2, 3, and 4 to prevent unintended movement. After the connection of the corresponding connector 84 or after the initiation of wireless connection, the converter can be operated in its new configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. First apparatus 2. Second device 3. The third device 4. The fourth apparatus 5 rails 6 frames 7. Conveying equipment 8. Line-making machine 9. Grooving equipment 10 Control device 11 Wall 12 Crosspiece 13 rails 14 racks 15 pinion 16 Laura 17 Rock 18 Data Lines 19 Connectors 20 Transmitters / Receivers 21 Printhead 22 Data Lines 23 Data Lines 30 cardboard sheets 71 Drums 72 Controllable drive unit 73 Data Lines 74 Light Barrier 75 Data Lines 76 Conveyor rollers 77 Installation Equipment 81. Line-scribing knife 82 Installation and drive device 83 Data Line 84 connectors 85 Carriage 86 axes 91 Grooving Knife 93 Installation Equipment 100 Conveying direction 130 Transport Route 150 Loading position 200 Close 300 Take-out

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing material sheets (30) or material webs with bending rigidity, particularly an apparatus for processing corrugated cardboard sheets (30), wherein at least, - A transport path (30) in which material sheets (30) are transported one after the other, or material webs are transported through the device in a linear transport direction (100), - Electronic control device (10) and - A frame (6) comprising at least two substantially vertical supports (11) positioned outward on both sides of the transport path (130), a substantially horizontal carrier (12) connecting the at least two supports (11), and a linear guide (13) positioned on the horizontal carrier (12) having a guide direction oriented laterally with respect to the transport direction (100) and In a device having, The apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with at least two processing devices (8, 9) arranged using a common linear guide (13), each of the processing devices (8, 9) is independently movable laterally with respect to the transport direction (100) by the linear guide (13) and has at least one tool (21, 81, 91) that acts on a material sheet (30), and the at least two processing devices (8, 9) are each connected to the control device (10) of the apparatus by means of data transmission (18, 19, 20, 22, 23).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the processing equipment (8, 9) each have a separate mounting device equipped with a controllable mounting drive device (82), each of which is configured to position the respective processing equipment (8, 9) laterally with respect to the transport direction (100), and each of the mounting drive devices (82) is connected to the control device (10) of the apparatus by means of data transmission (18, 19, 20, 23).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a rack (14) is provided which is substantially parallel to at least one linear guide (13), and at least two of the processing equipment (8, 9) each have one pinion (15) which is located on an assigned mounting drive unit (82), and the pinion (15) engages with one common rack (14).

4. At least one conveying device (7) is provided, the conveying device (7) is equipped with a controllable drive device (72), the conveying device (7) is configured to move a material sheet (30) back and forth through the device in the conveying direction (100), and the conveying device (7) is equipped with data connection parts (18, 19, 20, 22, 23) between the controllable drive device (72) and the control device (10), and a detection device (74) directed toward the conveying path (130), The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection device (74) is configured to detect the time when a specific material sheet (30) reaches a predetermined position when viewed in the transport direction (100), and / or to detect the position of the specific material sheet (30) in the transport direction (100) at the predetermined time, and the detection device (74) is connected to the control device (10) via means for data transmission (18, 19, 20, 23, 75).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, as a means for transmitting data from at least one of the at least two processing devices (8, 9), there is provided at least one cable (18) having at least one detachable and connectable plug-in coupling portion (19) between the processing device (8, 9) and the control device (10) of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one means of data transmission between at least one processing equipment (8, 9) and the control device (10) of the apparatus has at least one transmission unit (20) for electromagnetic waves.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the processing equipment (8, 9) arranged on a single common linear guide (13) has different tools (81, 91).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a loading position (150) is provided, and one or more processing devices (8, 9) can be removed / added at the loading position (150).

9. A converter for processing corrugated cardboard sheets (30) or corrugated cardboard webs, comprising at least two devices (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) are arranged in a series such that their respective transport paths form a substantially horizontal common transport path (130) for the corrugated cardboard sheets (30) passing through the converter, A converter characterized in that at least one of the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) is arranged to be movable along the transport direction (100).

10. The converter according to claim 8, characterized in that it is provided with at least one linear guide parallel to the transport direction (100) and having at least one rail (5), and that a device (2, 3, 4) that can be positioned along the transport path (130) or a plurality of devices (2, 3, 4) that can be positioned along the transport path are each housed on the at least one rail (5).

11. at least - A supply device (21) as a processing device equipped with a first arrangement device, wherein the first arrangement device is configured to bring the supply device (21) to a predetermined first position laterally with respect to the transport direction (100), and the first arrangement device is connected to the control device (10) of the converter via data transmission means (18, 19, 20), and - A second processing device (8, 9) following the at least one supply device (21) in the transport direction (100), comprising a second arrangement device separate from the first arrangement device, the second arrangement device configured to bring the second processing device (8, 9) to a predetermined second position laterally with respect to the transport direction (100), and the second arrangement device being connected to the same control device (10) of the converter via data transmission means (18, 191, 20) The converter according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it is provided with

12. A method for changing the configuration of a converter for processing corrugated cardboard sheets (30) or corrugated cardboard webs from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the converter has a transport path (130) having a linear transport direction of the corrugated cardboard (30), and a plurality of devices (1, 2, 3, 4) arranged continuously without gaps in the transport direction (100), and each of the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) has at least one linear guide (13) extending laterally with respect to the transport direction (100) surrounding the transport path (130). The method comprises a frame (6) equipped with a linear guide (13), a plurality of processing equipment (8, 9) arranged on the linear guide (13) and capable of moving independently along the linear guide (13), and a control device (10) connected to the processing equipment (8, 9) by data transmission equipment (18, 19, 20), wherein the equipment each has the same interface with respect to each other and is arranged to move substantially parallel to the transport direction (100) by a single common linear guide (5), and the method comprises at least, - A step of moving at least one first device (2, 3, 4) parallel to the transport direction (100) from a first position to a second position, wherein the first device (2, 3, 4) is positioned directly adjacent to a preceding and / or succeeding device (1, 2, 3, 4) at its first position, and the first device (2, 3, 4) has a distance from the same preceding and / or succeeding device (1, 2, 3, 4) at its second position. - A step of disconnecting the data connection between the control device (10) and at least the processing equipment (8, 9) located within the first device (2, 3, 4), - A step of removing (300) or adding one device (2, 3, 4), - A step of connecting the data connection between the control device (10) and the processing equipment (8, 9) located inside the converter, - A step of closing the gaps between the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) arranged within the converter by moving at least one of the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) that form the gap parallel to the transport direction (200), - A step of setting the control device (10) in accordance with the second configuration of the converter. A method of having.

Images