Manufacturing equipment and tensioning equipment

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing apparatus which does not require the use of a high-performance device for a tension device, and to provide a tension device.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus comprises a processing device, a supply device and a tension device. The processing device processes a workpiece by intermittently implementing a processing operation during an operation period. The supply device implements a supply operation for supplying a workpiece to the processing device. The tension device implements a tension operation for pulling the processed workpiece delivered from the processing device. The supply device implements the supply operation in linkage with the processing operation of the processing device. The tension device implements the tension operation in continuation during the operation period of the processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing apparatus and a tensioning apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet conveying device for a press molding machine. The press molding machine includes a mold unit. The mold unit presses and molds a sheet. The sheet conveying device of Patent Document 1 includes two conveying roller units. The two conveying roller units are provided on the front and rear sides of the mold unit of the press molding machine in the sheet conveying direction. The two conveying roller units have approximately the same basic configuration. Each of the two conveying roller units has a lower roller and an upper roller. The lower roller and the upper roller hold the sheet and convey the sheet by being driven to rotate. The lower roller and the upper roller of the two conveying roller units stop rotating when the sheet is press-molded by the mold unit. The lower roller and the upper roller of the two conveying roller units are driven to rotate and convey the sheet after the sheet is press-molded by the mold unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-288664 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the sheet conveying device of Patent Document 1 requires a conveying roller unit on the rear side of the sheet conveying direction that is substantially identical to the conveying roller unit on the front side of the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, a high-performance conveying roller unit must be provided on the rear side of the sheet conveying direction, similar to the conveying roller unit on the front side of the sheet conveying direction. Specifically, a supplying device that supplies workpieces to a processing device must feed the workpieces at a constant feed amount between processing operations intermittently performed by the processing device. Therefore, the supplying device requires a device that can control the feed amount of the workpiece with high precision. The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 also requires a high-performance pulling device that pulls the processed workpieces sent out from the processing device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a tensioning device that do not require the use of a high-performance device as the tensioning device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An exemplary manufacturing apparatus of the present disclosure includes a processing device, a supply device, and a pulling device. The processing device processes a workpiece by intermittently performing a processing operation during an operating period. The supply device performs a supply operation to supply the workpiece to the processing device. The pulling device performs a pulling operation to pull the processed workpiece sent out from the processing device. The supply device performs the supply operation in conjunction with the processing operation of the processing device. The pulling device performs the pulling operation continuously during the operating period of the processing device. During the operation of the processing device, the force with which the supply device holds the workpiece is greater than the force with which the tension device holds the workpiece. .

[0007] An exemplary tensioning device of the present disclosure includes: The workpiece supplied from the supply device is The pulling device pulls a processed workpiece that is fed from a processing device that performs processing operations intermittently during an operation period. The pulling device includes a pulling roller, a pulling drive unit, and , a plurality of guide members The tension roller rotates around a central axis to tension the workpiece. The tension drive unit rotates the tension roller. The tension drive unit continuously rotates the tension roller during the operation period of the processing device. The guide members are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the workpiece is pulled, and guide the workpiece in the direction in which the workpiece is pulled. During the operation of the processing device, the force with which the tension roller holds the workpiece is smaller than the force with which the supply device holds the workpiece. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the exemplary manufacturing apparatus and tensioning device of the present disclosure, it is not necessary to use a high-performance tensioning device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the processing operation mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus during the transfer period. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus immediately after the transition from the transport period to the transport stop period. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing device after the positioning pin penetrates the workpiece. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus after the upper roller has been separated from the workpiece. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing device after the workpiece is machined. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus after both the upper roller and the lower roller come into contact with the workpiece. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a tensioning device according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the tensioning device of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a plurality of tension rollers and a plurality of guide members. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is another perspective view showing multiple tension rollers and multiple guide members. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is yet another perspective view showing multiple tension rollers and multiple guide members. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a side view showing the first guide member, the first roller, and the second roller. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a side view showing the second guide member. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a front view showing the tensioning device of the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a rear view of the tensioning device according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a portion of the tensioning device of the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a side view showing a portion of the tensioning device of the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a side view showing a portion of the tensioning device of the embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of the tensioning device of the embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of the tensioning device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a manufacturing apparatus and a tensioning device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 24). However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Note that duplicated explanations may be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the same or equivalent parts in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and explanations will not be repeated.

[0011] In this specification, for ease of understanding, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, which are perpendicular to each other, may be referred to. Similarly, for ease of understanding, the +X direction, −X direction, +Y direction, −Y direction, +Z direction, and −Z direction may be referred to. Typically, the X direction and Y direction are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction. Also, typically, the +Z side is the upper side, and the −Z side is the lower side. In this disclosure, the +X side refers to the side on which the supply device 4 (see FIG. 1) is disposed relative to the processing device 3 (see FIG. 1). The −X side refers to the side on which the tensioning device 5 (see FIG. 1) is disposed relative to the processing device 3 (see FIG. 1). The +Z side refers to the side on which the slider 7A (see FIG. 1) is disposed relative to the bolster 7B (see FIG. 1). The −Z side refers to the side on which the bolster 7B (see FIG. 1) is disposed relative to the slider 7A (see FIG. 1). However, these directions are not intended to limit the orientation of the manufacturing and use of the manufacturing and tensioning devices of the present disclosure.

[0012] First, a manufacturing apparatus 2 and a tensioning device 5 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the manufacturing apparatus 2 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 2 includes a processing device 3, a supplying device 4, and a tensioning device 5.

[0013] The processing device 3 processes the workpiece W by intermittently performing processing operations during an operation period. More specifically, the operation period includes a transport period during which the workpiece W is transported and a transport stop period during which the transport of the workpiece W is stopped. During the operation period, the transport period and the transport stop period are repeated alternately. The processing operation is performed during the transport stop period. The operation period may correspond to, for example, the period during which the manufacturing device 2 is powered on. Alternatively, the operation period may correspond to the period from when the manufacturing device 2 is instructed to start operation to when the manufacturing device 2 is instructed to stop operation. The start and end of operation may be instructed to the manufacturing device 2 by, for example, pressing a start / stop button.

[0014] The supply device 4 performs a supply operation to supply the workpiece W to the processing device 3. Specifically, the supply device 4 performs the supply operation in conjunction with the processing operation of the processing device 3. More specifically, the supply device 4 performs the supply operation during the transport period and does not perform the supply operation during the transport stop period. In other words, the supply device 4 stops the supply operation during the transport stop period. When the supply device 4 performs the supply operation, the workpiece W is transported in the workpiece transport direction D1 and supplied to the processing device 3. In this embodiment, the supply device 4 is disposed on the -X side of the processing device 3 and transports the workpiece W to the +X side. The supply device 4 sends the workpiece W to the processing device 3 at a constant feed amount during the transport period.

[0015] The pulling device 5 performs a pulling operation to pull the processed workpiece W sent out from the processing device 3. Specifically, the pulling device 5 continuously performs the pulling operation during the operation period of the processing device 3. That is, the pulling device 5 performs the pulling operation not only during the transport period but also during the transport stop period. More specifically, the pulling device 5 is disposed on the opposite side of the processing device 3 from the side on which the supply device 4 is disposed, and pulls the workpiece W in the work transport direction D1. In this embodiment, the pulling device 5 is disposed on the +X side of the processing device 3, and pulls the workpiece W to the +X side. According to this embodiment, it is sufficient that the pulling device 5 continuously performs the pulling operation during the operation period of the processing device 3. Therefore, there is no need to use a high-performance device for the pulling device 5. Furthermore, because the pulling device 5 continues the pulling operation during the operation period of the processing device 3, deflection of the workpiece W is less likely to occur.

[0016] Next, the processing device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the processing device 3 has a die 6. The processing device 3 processes a workpiece W using the die 6 during a processing operation. The processing device 3 is, for example, a press machine. The processing device 3 performs, for example, shearing, bending, drawing, or bulging. Here, this embodiment will be described using shearing as an example.

[0017] More specifically, the processing device 3 further includes a slider 7A, a bolster 7B, and a plurality of guides (not shown). The mold 6 includes a movable mold 6A and a fixed mold 6B.

[0018] The slider 7A and the bolster 7B face each other in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transfer direction D1. In this embodiment, the slider 7A and the bolster 7B face each other in the Z direction, and the slider 7A is disposed on the +Z side of the bolster 7B. The movable mold 6A is attached to the -Z side surface of the slider 7A. The fixed mold 6B is attached to the +Z side surface of the bolster 7B. In this disclosure, the term "perpendicular direction" includes a direction that is approximately perpendicular.

[0019] The plurality of guides (not shown) extend along the Z direction. The slider 7A is supported by the plurality of guides (not shown) so as to be slidable in the Z direction. In other words, the plurality of guides (not shown) guide the slider 7A along the Z direction.

[0020] The slider 7A approaches the bolster 7B during the machining operation. In other words, the slider 7A moves in the -Z direction. As a result, the movable die 6A approaches the fixed die 6B. After machining the workpiece W, the slider 7A moves away from the bolster 7B. In other words, the slider 7A moves in the +Z direction. As a result, the movable die 6A moves away from the fixed die 6B.

[0021] During the machining operation, the movable die 6A approaches the fixed die 6B and clamps the workpiece W together with the fixed die 6B. As a result, the workpiece W is machined. After machining the workpiece W, the movable die 6A moves away from the fixed die 6B. The supply device 4 stops the supply operation before the movable die 6A clamps the workpiece W together with the fixed die 6B, and starts the supply operation in response to the movable die 6A moving away from the fixed die 6B.

[0022] During operation, slider 7A repeatedly moves toward and away from bolster 7B. That is, during operation, slider 7A repeatedly moves in the −Z direction and the +Z direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, slider 7A continuously repeats an action of approaching bolster 7B and an action of moving away from bolster 7B. That is, during operation, slider 7A continuously repeats movement in the −Z direction and movement in the +Z direction, continuously repeating a reciprocating motion along the Z direction.

[0024] Next, the manufacturing apparatus 2 and tensioning device 5 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 2 of this embodiment. In detail, Fig. 2 shows the configurations of the processing device 3, the supply device 4, and the tensioning device 5. Note that in Fig. 2, for simplification of the drawing, the fixed mold 6B and the bolster 7B described with reference to Fig. 1 are omitted.

[0025] First, the processing device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the processing device 3 further includes a processing operation mechanism 8. The processing operation mechanism 8 causes the mold 6 described with reference to Fig. 1 to perform a processing operation. Specifically, the processing operation mechanism 8 moves the slider 7A close to the bolster 7B and then moves the slider 7A away from the bolster 7B. That is, during operation, the processing operation mechanism 8 moves the slider 7A in the -Z direction and then moves the slider 7A in the +Z direction.

[0026] For example, the processing operation mechanism 8 may have a crank mechanism. In this case, the processing operation mechanism 8 converts rotational motion into linear motion to reciprocate the slider 7A along the Z direction.

[0027] Next, the processing device 3 will be further described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the processing device 3 further has a positioning pin 16. The positioning pin 16 is an example of a "protrusion." The positioning pin 16 penetrates the workpiece W during processing. Specifically, the processing operation mechanism 8 moves the positioning pin 16 between a penetrating position and a non-penetrating position. Here, the penetrating position indicates the position where the positioning pin 16 penetrates the workpiece W. The non-penetrating position indicates the position where the positioning pin 16 is separated from the workpiece W.

[0028] Specifically, the positioning pin 16 is provided on the -Z side surface of the slider 7A. The positioning pin 16 protrudes from the -Z side surface of the slider 7A toward the -Z side. Therefore, when the machining operation mechanism 8 reciprocates the slider 7A in the Z direction, the positioning pin 16 reciprocates in the Z direction. As a result, the positioning pin 16 reciprocates between a through position and a non-through position.

[0029] Specifically, the workpiece W has through holes (not shown) at regular intervals. Specifically, a plurality of through holes are formed in the workpiece W at regular intervals along the workpiece transport direction D1. The through holes penetrate the workpiece W in the movement direction of the positioning pin 16. In this embodiment, the through holes penetrate the workpiece W in the Z direction. The through holes may be formed in the workpiece W, for example, by pre-processing before the workpiece W is supplied to the supply device 4. The positioning pin 16 penetrates the through holes in the workpiece W during the machining operation.

[0030] The positioning pin 16 is longer than the length of the movable mold 6A in the Z direction. Therefore, the positioning pin 16 penetrates the workpiece W before the movable mold 6A comes into contact with the workpiece W. By the positioning pin 16 penetrating the through-hole in the workpiece W, the position of the workpiece W is positioned at a predetermined position before the movable mold 6A comes into contact with the workpiece W. As a result, a predetermined area of ​​the workpiece W can be machined by the mold 6A.

[0031] Next, the supply device 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the supply device 4 has a delivery roller 9, a delivery drive unit 10, and a delivery roller moving mechanism 11.

[0032] The feed rollers 9 rotate around a central axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction D1 to feed the workpiece W in the workpiece transport direction D1. In this embodiment, the feed rollers 9 include two rollers 9A and 9B that face each other with the workpiece W sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, roller 9A is positioned on the +Z side of roller 9B. Hereinafter, roller 9A may be referred to as the "upper roller 9A" and roller 9B may be referred to as the "lower roller 9B."

[0033] The feed drive unit 10 rotates the feed rollers 9. More specifically, the feed drive unit 10 rotates the feed rollers 9 in conjunction with the processing operation of the processing device 3. When the feed drive unit 10 rotates the feed rollers 9, the workpiece W is transported in the workpiece transport direction D1. The feed drive unit 10 has, for example, a pulse motor. More specifically, the feed drive unit 10 rotates the feed rollers 9 during the transport period. The feed drive unit 10 stops the rotation of the feed rollers 9 during the transport stop period.

[0034] In this embodiment, the delivery drive unit 10 rotates the lower roller 9B in a first rotation direction C1 around a central axis AX1 perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction D1. The central axis AX1 extends in the Y direction. During the conveying period, the lower roller 9B sandwiches the workpiece W together with the upper roller 9A. The upper roller 9A is rotatable around a central axis AX2 extending in a direction parallel to the central axis AX1. Therefore, as the lower roller 9B rotates, the upper roller 9A rotates in a second rotation direction C2 around the central axis AX2. The second rotation direction C2 is the rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction C1. In other words, the lower roller 9B is a drive roller, and the upper roller 9A is a driven roller. In this disclosure, the term "parallel direction" includes a substantially parallel direction.

[0035] The feed roller moving mechanism 11 moves the upper roller 9A between a contact position and a non-contact position. Here, the contact position refers to a position where the upper roller 9A contacts the workpiece W. The non-contact position refers to a position where the upper roller 9A is separated from the workpiece W. Specifically, the feed roller moving mechanism 11 brings the upper roller 9A into contact with the workpiece W during the conveying period. As a result, the workpiece W is sandwiched between the upper roller 9A and the lower roller 9B during the conveying period. The feed roller moving mechanism 11 separates the upper roller 9A from the workpiece W during the conveying stop period. As a result, the workpiece W is released from being sandwiched between the upper roller 9A and the lower roller 9B during the conveying stop period. Specifically, the feed roller moving mechanism 11 moves the upper roller 9A in the +Z direction to separate it from the workpiece W. The feed roller moving mechanism 11 may, for example, have a swingable arm member and a cylinder that swings the arm member. In this case, one end of the arm member is rotatably connected to the rotary shaft member of the upper roller 9A, and the upper roller 9A moves in the Z direction when the arm member swings.

[0036] Next, the tensioning device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the tensioning device 5 has a tensioning roller 12 and a tensioning driver 13. The tensioning roller 12 rotates about a central axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction D1 to tension the workpiece W. The tensioning driver 13 rotates the tensioning roller 12. More specifically, the tensioning driver 13 continuously rotates the tensioning roller 12 while the processing device 3 is in operation. According to this embodiment, the tensioning device 5 only needs to continuously rotate the tensioning roller 12 while the processing device 3 is in operation. Therefore, there is no need to use a high-performance device for the tensioning device 5. Furthermore, because the tensioning roller 12 continuously rotates while the processing device 3 is in operation, deflection of the workpiece W is less likely to occur.

[0037] In this embodiment, the tension rollers 12 include a first roller 12A and a second roller 12B that face each other with the workpiece W sandwiched between them. The first roller 12A is disposed on the +Z side of the second roller 12B. During operation of the processing device 3, the first roller 12A and the second roller 12B sandwich the workpiece W between them.

[0038] The tension driving unit 13 rotates the first roller 12A in a third rotation direction C3 around a central axis AX3 extending in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction D1, and rotates the second roller 12B in a fourth rotation direction C4 around a central axis AX4 extending in a direction parallel to the central axis AX3. In other words, the first roller 12A and the second roller 12B are drive rollers. The central axes AX3 and AX4 extend in the Y direction. The third rotation direction C3 is the same rotation direction as the second rotation direction C2, and the fourth rotation direction C4 is the same rotation direction as the first rotation direction C1. The tension driving unit 13 may include, for example, a motor and multiple gears.

[0039] In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the tension rollers 12 is faster than the rotation speed of the feed rollers 9. Therefore, the workpiece W is less likely to sag during transport. More specifically, the rotation speed of the tension rollers 12 is at least twice the rotation speed of the feed rollers 9. As a result, the workpiece W is even less likely to sag during transport.

[0040] Next, the processing operation mechanism 8 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the processing operation mechanism 8. As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the processing operation mechanism 8 has a motor 81, a pulley 82, a belt member 83, a flywheel 84, a crankshaft 85, and a connecting rod 86.

[0041] The motor 81 rotates the pulley 82. The belt member 83 is stretched between the pulley 82 and the flywheel 84. Therefore, when the motor 81 rotates the pulley 82, the flywheel 84 rotates.

[0042] The base end of the crankshaft 85 is connected to a rotary shaft member 84a of the flywheel 84. The crankshaft 85 extends from the rotary shaft member 84a of the flywheel 84 in the radial direction of the flywheel 84. The rotary shaft member 84a is disposed at the rotation center of the flywheel 84.

[0043] The crankshaft 85 revolves around the center of rotation of the flywheel 84 in conjunction with the rotation of the flywheel 84. A base end of a connecting rod 86 is rotatably connected to a tip end of the crankshaft 85, and the tip end of the connecting rod 86 is rotatably connected to the slider 7A. As a result, the slider 7A reciprocates in the Z direction in response to the rotation of the crankshaft 85. Specifically, the slider 7A moves in the -Z direction while the crankshaft 85 rotates from θ=0° to θ=180°, and the slider 7A moves in the +Z direction while the crankshaft 85 rotates from θ=180° to θ=360°. In other words, one rotation of the crankshaft 85 causes the slider 7A to reciprocate once along the Z direction.

[0044] Next, the manufacturing apparatus 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 2 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the processing apparatus 3 further includes a control unit 15.

[0045] The control unit 15 controls each unit of the manufacturing apparatus 2. The control unit 15 controls, for example, the processing operation mechanism 8, the feed drive unit 10, the feed roller moving mechanism 11, and the tension drive unit 13. Specifically, the control unit 15 controls the processing operation mechanism 8 to control the movement of the slider 7A. The control unit 15 controls the feed drive unit 10 to control the rotation speed of the feed roller 9. The control unit 15 controls the feed roller moving mechanism 11 to control the movement of the upper roller 9A. The control unit 15 controls the tension drive unit 13 to control the rotation speed of the tension roller 12. Furthermore, the control unit 15 controls the feed drive unit 10 to control the rotation and stop of the feed roller 9.

[0046] The control unit 15 may have a logic circuit such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Alternatively, the control unit 15 may have a processor and a storage device. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 15 may have, as the storage device, at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, the control unit 15 may have, as the storage device, a non-volatile semiconductor memory to which data can be written and erased. Specifically, the control unit 15 may have, as the storage device, at least one of a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) instead of or in addition to the ROM and RAM.

[0047] Next, the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 10. As described with reference to Figure 4, the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 is controlled by the control unit 15.

[0048] 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 during the conveyance period. As shown in FIG. 5, the feed roller 9 and the tension roller 12 rotate during the conveyance period. As a result, the workpiece W is conveyed in the workpiece conveyance direction D1. Also, the slider 7A moves in the -Z direction during the conveyance period to approach the workpiece W. At this time, the positioning pin 16 does not penetrate the workpiece W.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 immediately after the transition from the conveying period to the conveying stop period. As shown in FIG. 6, when the transition from the conveying period to the conveying stop period occurs, the delivery driver 10 stops the rotation of the delivery roller 9. As a result, the conveyance of the workpiece W stops. More specifically, the delivery driver 10 stops the rotation of the delivery roller 9 before the positioning pin 16 penetrates the workpiece W. The slider 7A continues to move in the -Z direction even after the transition from the conveying period to the conveying stop period. Note that the tension driver 13 rotates the tension roller 12 even during the conveying stop period.

[0050] In this embodiment, the coefficient of static friction between the feed rollers 9 and the workpiece W is greater than the coefficient of dynamic friction between the tension rollers 12 and the workpiece W. Therefore, even if the tension rollers 12 are rotated while the feed rollers 9 are stopped, the workpiece W is not conveyed by the tension rollers 12. Alternatively, the workpiece W is hardly conveyed by the tension rollers 12. At this time, the tension rollers 12 are in an idling state or a substantially idling state.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 after the positioning pin 16 has penetrated the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 7, the processing operation mechanism 8 moves the positioning pin 16 to a position where it penetrates the workpiece W after the rotation of the delivery roller 9 has stopped. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the position of the workpiece W is set to a predetermined position by the positioning pin 16 penetrating the workpiece W. More specifically, the position of the workpiece W is adjusted by inserting the positioning pin 16 into the through hole of the workpiece W. According to this embodiment, the positioning pin 16 penetrates the workpiece W when the transport of the workpiece W is stopped, making it easy to position the workpiece W using the positioning pin 16.

[0052] After the positioning pin 16 penetrates the workpiece W, the feed roller moving mechanism 11 moves the upper roller 9A in the +Z direction to separate the upper roller 9A from the workpiece W. Note that the lower roller 9B continues to contact the workpiece W even after the upper roller 9A has separated from the workpiece W.

[0053] 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 after the upper roller 9A has been separated from the workpiece W. As shown in Fig. 8, after the upper roller 9A has been separated from the workpiece W, the mold 6 processes the workpiece W. Specifically, as described with reference to Fig. 1, the movable mold 6A clamps the workpiece W together with the fixed mold 6B, and shears the workpiece W.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 after machining the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 9, after the die 6 machines the workpiece W, the slider 7A moves in the +Z direction to move the movable die 6A away from the workpiece W. In addition, after the machining device 3 machines the workpiece W, the feed roller moving mechanism 11 brings the upper roller 9A and the lower roller 9B into contact with the workpiece W. In this embodiment, after the machining device 3 machines the workpiece W, the feed roller moving mechanism 11 moves the upper roller 9A in the -Z direction to bring the upper roller 9A into contact with the workpiece W. As a result, both the upper roller 9A and the lower roller 9B come into contact with the workpiece W.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2 after both the upper roller 9A and the lower roller 9B come into contact with the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 10, the processing operation mechanism 8 moves the positioning pin 16 away from the workpiece W after both the upper roller 9A and the lower roller 9B come into contact with the workpiece W. Specifically, the processing operation mechanism 8 moves the slider 7A in the +Z direction. As a result, the positioning pin 16 moves away from the workpiece W. The feed drive unit 10 rotates the upper roller 9A and the lower roller 9B after the positioning pin 16 moves away from the workpiece W. In this embodiment, the feed drive unit 10 rotates the lower roller 9B after the positioning pin 16 moves away from the workpiece W. As a result, the workpiece W is transported. Then, as the workpiece W is transported, the upper roller 9A rotates. According to this embodiment, the feed roller 9 rotates after the positioning pin 16 moves away from the workpiece W, so that the workpiece W is less likely to bend.

[0056] As described above with reference to Figures 1 to 10, the feed amount of the workpiece W by the supply device 4 needs to be controlled with high precision so that the positioning pins 16 can pass through the through holes in the workpiece W. Therefore, a device that can control the feed amount of the workpiece W with high precision is used for the supply device 4. In contrast, because it is sufficient for the tension rollers 12 to continue rotating, there is no need to use a high-performance device like the supply device 4 for the tension device 5.

[0057] Next, the tensioning device 5 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 24. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the tensioning device 5 of this embodiment. Figure 12 is another perspective view showing the tensioning device 5 of this embodiment.

[0058] 11 and 12, the tensioning device 5 further includes a first roller rotating shaft member 17, a second roller rotating shaft member 18, a plurality of guide members 19, a first wall portion 20A, a second wall portion 20B, a guide position adjusting mechanism 30, a tensioning roller moving mechanism 50, a first end position adjusting mechanism 70A, and a second end position adjusting mechanism 70B. In this embodiment, the tensioning device 5 also includes a plurality of tensioning rollers 12.

[0059] The multiple tension rollers 12 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tensioning device 5 pulls the workpiece W. In other words, the multiple tension rollers 12 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction D1. In this embodiment, the multiple tension rollers 12 are aligned along the Y direction. According to this embodiment, it is not necessary to use long rollers as the tension rollers 12. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which long rollers are used as the tension rollers 12, the amount of material used in manufacturing the tensioning device 5 can be reduced. This allows for effective use of resources. In this embodiment, the tensioning device 5 has two tension rollers 12.

[0060] Each of the multiple tension rollers 12 includes a first roller 12A and a second roller 12B described with reference to Figure 2. In this embodiment, one of the two tension rollers 12 includes a first roller 12A1 and a second roller 12B1 (see Figure 12). The other of the two tension rollers 12 includes a first roller 12A2 and a second roller 12B2.

[0061] The first roller rotation shaft member 17 is a shaft member for the multiple first rollers 12A included in the multiple tension rollers 12. In this embodiment, the first roller rotation shaft member 17 is a rotation shaft member for the two first rollers 12A1 and 12A2. The first roller rotation shaft member 17 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tensioning device 5 pulls the workpiece W. In other words, the first roller rotation shaft member 17 extends in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveyance direction D1. In this embodiment, the first roller rotation shaft member 17 extends in the Y direction. The two first rollers 12A1 and 12A2 are coupled to the first roller rotation shaft member 17.

[0062] The second roller rotation shaft member 18 is a shaft member for the multiple second rollers 12B included in the multiple tension rollers 12. In this embodiment, the second roller rotation shaft member 18 is a rotation shaft member for the two second rollers 12B1 and 12B2. The second rollers 12B1 and 12B2 face the first rollers 12A1 and 12A2, respectively. Specifically, the second roller 12B1 is disposed on the -Z side of the first roller 12A1. The second roller 12B2 is disposed on the -Z side of the first roller 12A2. The second roller rotation shaft member 18 extends in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction D1. In this embodiment, the second roller rotation shaft member 18 extends in the Y direction. The two second rollers 12B1 and 12B2 are coupled to the second roller rotation shaft member 18.

[0063] The two tension rollers 12 are positioned at positions corresponding to the residue portions of the workpiece W after processing. Here, the residue portions refer to the portions remaining on the workpiece W after shearing. The residue portions of the workpiece W are connected along the workpiece transfer direction D1. In other words, the residue portions of the workpiece W extend along the workpiece transfer direction D1. In this embodiment, the shearing process leaves both end portions of the workpiece W in the Y direction and the central portion of the workpiece W in the Y direction. Therefore, the processed workpiece W includes three residue portions WD1 to WD3. The residue portion WD1 corresponds to the end portion on the -Y side of the workpiece W. The residue portion WD2 corresponds to the central portion of the workpiece W in the Y direction. The residue portion WD3 corresponds to the end portion on the +Y side of the workpiece W. The first roller 12A1 and the second roller 12B1 (see FIG. 12) are positioned to sandwich the residue portion WD1. The first roller 12A2 and the second roller 12B2 are disposed at positions where they sandwich the residue portion WD3.

[0064] The multiple guide members 19 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tensioning device 5 pulls the workpiece W. In other words, the multiple guide members 19 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction D1. In this embodiment, the multiple guide members 19 are aligned along the Y direction. The multiple guide members 19 guide the workpiece W in the direction in which the tensioning device 5 pulls the workpiece W. In other words, the multiple guide members 19 guide the workpiece W in the workpiece transport direction D1. In this embodiment, the multiple guide members 19 each extend in the X direction and guide the workpiece W in the +X direction. According to this embodiment, there is no need to use guide members that are wide in the Y direction. Therefore, the amount of material used to manufacture the tensioning device 5 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which guide members that are wide in the Y direction are used. This allows for more effective use of resources.

[0065] The multiple guide members 19 are arranged at positions corresponding to residue portions of the workpiece W after machining. In this embodiment, the multiple guide members 19 include a first guide member 19A, a second guide member 19B, and a third guide member 19C. The first guide member 19A is arranged at a position corresponding to residue portion WD1. The second guide member 19B is arranged at a position corresponding to residue portion WD2. The third guide member 19C is arranged at a position corresponding to residue portion WD3. Therefore, the first guide member 19A guides residue portion WD1 in the workpiece transfer direction D1 (+X direction). The second guide member 19B guides residue portion WD2 in the workpiece transfer direction D1 (+X direction). The third guide member 19C guides residue portion WD3 in the workpiece transfer direction D1 (+X direction).

[0066] The tension roller moving mechanism 50 moves the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 between a position in contact with the workpiece W and a position away from the workpiece W. More specifically, the tension roller moving mechanism 50 moves the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 by moving the second roller rotating shaft member 18. In this embodiment, the tension roller moving mechanism 50 moves the second roller rotating shaft member 18 in the Z direction.

[0067] According to this embodiment, before starting operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2, the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 can be separated from the two first rollers 12A1, 12A2, and the workpiece W can be inserted between the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 and the two first rollers 12A1, 12A2. After inserting the workpiece W between the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 and the two first rollers 12A1, 12A2, the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 can be moved in the +Z direction, and the workpiece W can be sandwiched between the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 and the two first rollers 12A1, 12A2. After starting operation of the manufacturing apparatus 2, the two second rollers 12B1, 12B2 can be separated from the two first rollers 12A1, 12A2, and the workpiece W can be removed from the tensioning device 5.

[0068] The first wall portion 20A and the second wall portion 20B face each other in the Y direction. The two tension rollers 12 and the first guide member 19A to the third guide member 19C are disposed between the first wall portion 20A and the second wall portion 20B. The workpiece W is transported between the first wall portion 20A and the second wall portion 20B.

[0069] The first end position adjustment mechanism 70A is attached to the first wall portion 20A. The second end position adjustment mechanism 70B is attached to the second wall portion 20B. The first end position adjustment mechanism 70A adjusts the position of one end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17. The second end position adjustment mechanism 70B adjusts the position of the other end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17. In this embodiment, the first end position adjustment mechanism 70A adjusts the position of the end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 on the -Y side. The second end position adjustment mechanism 70B adjusts the position of the end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 on the +Y side.

[0070] Specifically, the first end position adjustment mechanism 70A adjusts the position of the -Y side end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 in the direction in which the first roller 12A1 and the second roller 12B1 face each other. As a result, the distance between the first roller 12A1 and the second roller 12B1 is adjusted. Similarly, the second end position adjustment mechanism 70B adjusts the position of the +Y side end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 in the direction in which the first roller 12A2 and the second roller 12B2 face each other. As a result, the distance between the first roller 12A2 and the second roller 12B2 is adjusted. In this embodiment, the first end position adjustment mechanism 70A adjusts the position of the -Y side end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 in the Z direction. The second end position adjustment mechanism 70B adjusts the position of the +Y side end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 in the Z direction.

[0071] According to this embodiment, the position of the end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 on the -Y side and the position of the end of the first roller rotating shaft member 17 on the +Y side can be adjusted separately. Therefore, the pressure with which the first roller 12A1 and the second roller 12B1 pinch the residue portion WD1 of the workpiece W and the pressure with which the first roller 12A2 and the second roller 12B2 pinch the residue portion WD3 of the workpiece W can be adjusted separately. Therefore, the pressure with which the multiple tension rollers 12 pinch the workpiece W can be made more uniform in the direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction D1. In this embodiment, the pressure with which the multiple tension rollers 12 pinch the workpiece W can be made more uniform in the Y direction.

[0072] The guide position adjustment mechanism 30 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0073] Next, the multiple guide members 19 (first guide member 19A to third guide member 19C) will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the multiple tension rollers 12 and the multiple guide members 19. Figure 14 is another perspective view showing the multiple tension rollers 12 and the multiple guide members 19. Figure 15 is yet another perspective view showing the multiple tension rollers 12 and the multiple guide members 19.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, first guide member 19A includes a first rail member 19A1, a second rail member 19A2, a third rail member 19A3, and a fourth rail member 19A4.

[0075] First rail member 19A1 and second rail member 19A2 face each other with workpiece W sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, first rail member 19A1 and second rail member 19A2 face each other in the Z direction. First rail member 19A1 is disposed on the +Z side of second rail member 19A2. Third rail member 19A3 and fourth rail member 19A4 face each other with workpiece W sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, third rail member 19A3 and fourth rail member 19A4 face each other in the Z direction. Third rail member 19A3 is disposed on the +Z side of fourth rail member 19A4.

[0076] Third rail member 19A3 is disposed on the +X side of first rail member 19A1. First roller 12A1 is disposed between first rail member 19A1 and third rail member 19A3. Fourth rail member 19A4 is disposed on the +X side of second rail member 19A2. Second roller 12B1 is disposed between second rail member 19A2 and fourth rail member 19A4.

[0077] The second guide member 19B includes a first rail member 19B1 and a second rail member 19B2. The first rail member 19B1 and the second rail member 19B2 face each other with the workpiece W sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, the first rail member 19B1 and the second rail member 19B2 face each other in the Z direction. The first rail member 19B1 is disposed on the +Z side of the second rail member 19B2.

[0078] The third guide member 19C includes a first rail member 19C1, a second rail member 19C2, a third rail member 19C3, and a fourth rail member 19C4. The first rail member 19C1 and the second rail member 19C2 face each other with the workpiece W sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, the first rail member 19C1 and the second rail member 19C2 face each other in the Z direction. The first rail member 19C1 is disposed on the +Z side of the second rail member 19C2. The third rail member 19C3 and the fourth rail member 19C4 face each other with the workpiece W sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, the third rail member 19C3 and the fourth rail member 19C4 face each other in the Z direction. The third rail member 19C3 is disposed on the +Z side of the fourth rail member 19C4.

[0079] The third rail member 19C3 is disposed on the +X side of the first rail member 19C1. The first roller 12A2 is disposed between the first rail member 19C1 and the third rail member 19C3. The fourth rail member 19C4 is disposed on the +X side of the second rail member 19C2. The second roller 12B2 is disposed between the second rail member 19C2 and the fourth rail member 19C4.

[0080] Next, the first guide member 19A, the first roller 12A1, and the second roller 12B1 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a side view showing the first guide member 19A, the first roller 12A1, and the second roller 12B1.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 16, a gap is formed between the first rail member 19A1 and the second rail member 19A2. A gap is also formed between the third rail member 19A3 and the fourth rail member 19A4. The residue portion WD1 of the workpiece W described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 passes through the gap between the first rail member 19A1 and the second rail member 19A2 and the gap between the third rail member 19A3 and the fourth rail member 19A4. The first roller 12A1 and the second roller 12B1 pinch the residue portion WD1 of the workpiece W that has passed through the gap between the first rail member 19A1 and the second rail member 19A2 and pull the residue portion WD1 of the workpiece W in the +X direction. As a result, the workpiece W is sent out in the +X direction. The residue WD1 of the workpiece W sent out by the first roller 12A1 and the second roller 12B1 passes through the gap between the third rail member 19A3 and the fourth rail member 19A4.

[0082] In this embodiment, the -X side end of first rail member 19A1 is an inclined portion that is inclined toward the +Z side. Similarly, the -X side end of second rail member 19A2 is an inclined portion that is inclined toward the -Z side. Therefore, the gap between first rail member 19A1 and second rail member 19A2 is wider at the -X side end. This configuration makes it easier to insert workpiece W into the gap between first rail member 19A1 and second rail member 19A2 when setting the workpiece W in manufacturing apparatus 2.

[0083] Next, the second guide member 19B will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a side view showing the second guide member 19B. As shown in Fig. 17, a gap is formed between the first rail member 19B1 and the second rail member 19B2. The residue portion WD2 of the workpiece W described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 passes through the gap between the first rail member 19B1 and the second rail member 19B2.

[0084] In this embodiment, the -X side end of first rail member 19B1 is an inclined portion that is inclined toward the +Z side. Similarly, the -X side end of second rail member 19B2 is an inclined portion that is inclined toward the -Z side. Therefore, the gap between first rail member 19B1 and second rail member 19B2 is wider at the -X side end. This configuration makes it easier to insert workpiece W into the gap between first rail member 19B1 and second rail member 19B2 when setting the workpiece W in manufacturing apparatus 2.

[0085] The configuration of the third guide member 19C is substantially the same as that of the first guide member 19A, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] Next, the plurality of guide members 19 (first guide member 19A to third guide member 19C) will be further described with reference to FIGS.

[0087] 14 and 16, the first rail member 19A1 has a first flange portion 21A and a first rib portion 24A. The first flange portion 21A and the first rib portion 24A are located near the end of the first rail member 19A1 on the -X side. More specifically, the first flange portion 21A and the first rib portion 24A are located near the inclined portion of the first rail member 19A1.

[0088] The first flange portion 21A is plate-shaped and extends in the Y direction. The first flange portion 21A is joined to the +Z side surface of the first rail member 19A1 and protrudes from the +Z side surface of the first rail member 19A1 to the +Z side. The first rib portion 24A is a reinforcing member for the first flange portion 21A. Specifically, the first rib portion 24A is plate-shaped. The first rib portion 24A is disposed on the -X side of the first flange portion 21A and is joined to the +Z side surface of the first rail member 19A1 and the -X side surface of the first flange portion 21A.

[0089] 15 and 16, the second rail member 19A2 has a second flange portion 21B and a second rib portion 24B. The second flange portion 21B and the second rib portion 24B are located near the end of the second rail member 19A2 on the -X side. Specifically, the second flange portion 21B and the second rib portion 24B are located near the inclined portion of the second rail member 19A2.

[0090] The second flange portion 21B is plate-shaped and extends in the Y direction. The second flange portion 21B is joined to the -Z side surface of the second rail member 19A2 and protrudes from the -Z side surface of the second rail member 19A2 to the -Z side. The second rib portion 24B is a reinforcing member for the second flange portion 21B. Specifically, the second rib portion 24B is plate-shaped. The second rib portion 24B is disposed on the -X side of the second flange portion 21B and is joined to the -Z side surface of the second rail member 19A2 and the -X side surface of the second flange portion 21B.

[0091] 13 and 16, the third rail member 19A3 has a third flange portion 21C and a third rib portion 24C. The third flange portion 21C and the third rib portion 24C are located near the +X side end of the third rail member 19A3.

[0092] The third flange portion 21C is plate-shaped and extends in the Y direction. The third flange portion 21C is joined to the +Z side surface of the third rail member 19A3 and protrudes from the +Z side surface of the third rail member 19A3 to the +Z side. The third rib portion 24C is a reinforcing member for the third flange portion 21C. Specifically, the third rib portion 24C is plate-shaped. The third rib portion 24C is disposed on the +X side of the third flange portion 21C and is joined to the +Z side surface of the third rail member 19A3 and the +X side surface of the third flange portion 21C.

[0093] 13 and 16, the fourth rail member 19A4 has a fourth flange portion 21D and a fourth rib portion 24D. The fourth flange portion 21D and the fourth rib portion 24D are located near the +X side end of the fourth rail member 19A4.

[0094] The fourth flange portion 21D is plate-shaped and extends in the Y direction. The fourth flange portion 21D is joined to the -Z side surface of the fourth rail member 19A4 and protrudes from the -Z side surface of the fourth rail member 19A4 to the -Z side. The fourth rib portion 24D is a reinforcing member for the fourth flange portion 21D. Specifically, the fourth rib portion 24D is plate-shaped. The fourth rib portion 24D is disposed on the +X side of the fourth flange portion 21D and is joined to the -Z side surface of the fourth rail member 19A4 and the +X side surface of the fourth flange portion 21D.

[0095] As shown in Figures 14 and 17, the first rail member 19B1 has a first flange portion 22A and a first rib portion 25A. The first flange portion 22A and the first rib portion 25A are located near the end of the first rail member 19B1 on the -X side. More specifically, the first flange portion 22A and the first rib portion 25A are located near the inclined portion of the first rail member 19B1. The configurations of the first flange portion 22A and the first rib portion 25A are similar to the configurations of the first flange portion 21A and the first rib portion 24A, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] As shown in Figures 15 and 17, the second rail member 19B2 has a second flange portion 22B and a second rib portion 25B. The second flange portion 22B and the second rib portion 25B are located near the end of the second rail member 19B2 on the -X side. More specifically, the second flange portion 22B and the second rib portion 25B are located near the inclined portion of the second rail member 19B2. The configurations of the second flange portion 22B and the second rib portion 25B are similar to the configurations of the second flange portion 21B and the second rib portion 24B, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] 13 and 17, the first rail member 19B1 has a third flange portion 22C and a third rib portion 25C. The third flange portion 22C and the third rib portion 25C are disposed near the end of the first rail member 19B1 on the +X side. The configurations of the third flange portion 22C and the third rib portion 25C are similar to the configurations of the third flange portion 21C and the third rib portion 24C, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] 13 and 17, second rail member 19B2 has a fourth flange portion 22D and a fourth rib portion 25D. Fourth flange portion 22D and fourth rib portion 25D are disposed near the +X side end of second rail member 19B2. The configurations of fourth flange portion 22D and fourth rib portion 25D are similar to the configurations of fourth flange portion 21D and fourth rib portion 24D, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 14, first rail member 19C1 has a first flange portion 23A and a first rib portion 26A, similar to first rail member 19A1. As shown in FIG. 15, second rail member 19C2 has a second flange portion 23B and a second rib portion 26B, similar to second rail member 19A2. As shown in FIG. 13, third rail member 19C3 has a third flange portion 23C and a third rib portion 26C, similar to third rail member 19A3. Also, as shown in FIG. 13, fourth rail member 19C4 has a fourth flange portion 23D and a fourth rib portion 26D, similar to fourth rail member 19A4. The arrangement and configuration of the first flange portion 23A to the fourth flange portion 23D and the first rib portion 26A to the fourth rib portion 26D are similar to those of the first flange portion 21A to the fourth flange portion 21D and the first rib portion 24A to the fourth rib portion 24D, and therefore will not be described again.

[0100] Next, the guide position adjustment mechanism 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 18 and Fig. 19. Fig. 18 is a front view showing the tensioning device 5 of this embodiment. Fig. 19 is a rear view showing the tensioning device 5 of this embodiment. In detail, Fig. 18 shows the tensioning device 5 as seen from the -X side. Fig. 19 shows the tensioning device 5 as seen from the +X side.

[0101] The guide position adjustment mechanism 30 adjusts the positions of the first rail member 19A1 and the second rail member 19A2 in the direction in which the first rail member 19A1 and the second rail member 19A2 oppose each other, as described with reference to Figures 13 to 17. Similarly, the guide position adjustment mechanism 30 adjusts the positions of the third rail member 19A3 and the fourth rail member 19A4, the positions of the first rail member 19B1 and the second rail member 19B2, the positions of the first rail member 19C1 and the second rail member 19C2, and the positions of the third rail member 19C3 and the fourth rail member 19C4. In this embodiment, the guide position adjustment mechanism 30 adjusts the positions of the first rail member 19A1 and the second rail member 19A2 in the Z direction. Similarly, the guide position adjustment mechanism 30 adjusts the positions of the third rail member 19A3 and the fourth rail member 19A4 in the Z direction, the positions of the first rail member 19B1 and the second rail member 19B2 in the Z direction, the positions of the first rail member 19C1 and the second rail member 19C2 in the Z direction, and the positions of the third rail member 19C3 and the fourth rail member 19C4 in the Z direction.

[0102] According to this embodiment, the guide position adjustment mechanism 30 can adjust the distance between the first rail member 19A1 and the second rail member 19A2 in accordance with the thickness of the workpiece W. Similarly, the distance between the third rail member 19A3 and the fourth rail member 19A4, the distance between the first rail member 19B1 and the second rail member 19B2, the distance between the first rail member 19C1 and the second rail member 19C2, and the distance between the third rail member 19C3 and the fourth rail member 19C4 can be adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the workpiece W.

[0103] 18, the guide position adjustment mechanism 30 includes a first guide position adjustment mechanism 30A. The first guide position adjustment mechanism 30A has a first flange fixing member 301A, a second flange fixing member 302A, a first connecting member 303A, a second connecting member 304A, a third connecting member 305A, a fourth connecting member 306A, a first end fixing member 307A, and a second end fixing member 308A.

[0104] The first flange fixing member 301A is a long member. In this embodiment, the first flange fixing member 301A extends in the Y direction. The three first flange portions 21A to 23A described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17 are fixed to the first flange fixing member 301A.

[0105] The first end fixing member 307A and the second end fixing member 308A are elongated members. In this embodiment, the first end fixing member 307A and the second end fixing member 308A extend in the Z direction. The first end fixing member 307A and the second end fixing member 308A face each other in the Y direction. Specifically, the first end fixing member 307A is disposed on the -Y side relative to the second end fixing member 308A.

[0106] The first connecting member 303A connects the -Y side end of the first flange fixing member 301A to the first end fixing member 307A. The third connecting member 305A connects the +Y side end of the first flange fixing member 301A to the second end fixing member 308A. Specifically, the first connecting member 303A can connect the -Y side end of the first flange fixing member 301A to any position on the first end fixing member 307A. Similarly, the third connecting member 305A can connect the +Y side end of the first flange fixing member 301A to any position on the second end fixing member 308A.

[0107] According to this embodiment, the Z-direction position of first flange fixing member 301A can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of first connecting member 303A and third connecting member 305A. Therefore, the Z-direction positions of first rail member 19A1 and first rail member 19C1 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of first connecting member 303A and third connecting member 305A. Furthermore, the Z-direction position of the -X side portion of first rail member 19B1 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of first connecting member 303A and third connecting member 305A.

[0108] The second flange fixing member 302A is disposed on the -Z side of the first flange fixing member 301A. The second flange fixing member 302A is a long member. In this embodiment, the second flange fixing member 302A extends in the Y direction. The three second flange portions 21B to 23B described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17 are fixed to the second flange fixing member 302A.

[0109] The second connecting member 304A connects the -Y side end of the second flange fixing member 302A to the first end fixing member 307A. The fourth connecting member 306A connects the +Y side end of the second flange fixing member 302A to the second end fixing member 308A. Specifically, the second connecting member 304A can connect the -Y side end of the second flange fixing member 302A to any position on the first end fixing member 307A. Similarly, the fourth connecting member 306A can connect the +Y side end of the second flange fixing member 302A to any position on the second end fixing member 308A.

[0110] According to this embodiment, the Z-direction position of second flange fixing member 302A can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of second connecting member 304A and fourth connecting member 306A. Therefore, the Z-direction positions of second rail member 19A2 and second rail member 19C2 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of second connecting member 304A and fourth connecting member 306A. Furthermore, the Z-direction position of the -X side portion of second rail member 19B2 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of second connecting member 304A and fourth connecting member 306A.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 19, the guide position adjustment mechanism 30 includes a second guide position adjustment mechanism 30B. The second guide position adjustment mechanism 30B has a first flange fixing member 301B, a second flange fixing member 302B, a first connecting member 303B, a second connecting member 304B, a third connecting member 305B, a fourth connecting member 306B, a first end fixing member 307B, and a second end fixing member 308B. The three third flange portions 21C to 23C described with reference to Figs. 13 to 17 are fixed to the first flange fixing member 301B. Furthermore, the three fourth flange portions 21D to 23D described with reference to Figs. 13 to 17 are fixed to the second flange fixing member 302B.

[0112] The configurations of first flange fixing member 301B, second flange fixing member 302B, first connecting member 303B, second connecting member 304B, third connecting member 305B, fourth connecting member 306B, first end fixing member 307B, and second end fixing member 308B are similar to those of first flange fixing member 301A, second flange fixing member 302A, first connecting member 303A, second connecting member 304A, third connecting member 305A, fourth connecting member 306A, first end fixing member 307A, and second end fixing member 308A described with reference to Figure 18, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] According to this embodiment, similar to first guide position adjustment mechanism 30A, the Z-direction position of first flange fixing member 301B can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of first connecting member 303B and third connecting member 305B. Therefore, the Z-direction positions of third rail member 19A3 and third rail member 19C3 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of first connecting member 303B and third connecting member 305B. Furthermore, the Z-direction position of the +X side portion of first rail member 19B1 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of first connecting member 303B and third connecting member 305B.

[0114] Furthermore, similar to first guide position adjustment mechanism 30A, the Z-direction position of second flange fixing member 302B can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of second connecting member 304B and fourth connecting member 306B. Therefore, the Z-direction positions of fourth rail member 19A4 and fourth rail member 19C4 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of second connecting member 304B and fourth connecting member 306B. Furthermore, the Z-direction position of the +X side portion of second rail member 19B2 can be adjusted by adjusting the Z-direction positions of second connecting member 304B and fourth connecting member 306B.

[0115] Next, the configuration of the tension drive unit 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing a part of the tension device 5 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 20, the tension drive unit 13 has a motor 130 and a driving force transmission mechanism 131. The motor 130 generates driving force. The driving force transmission mechanism 131 transmits the driving force generated by the motor 130 to the first roller rotation shaft member 17 and the second roller rotation shaft member 18 described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12.

[0116] In detail, the driving force transmission mechanism 131 has a motor gear 132, a first gear 133, a shaft 134, a first pulley 135, a first driving belt 136, a second pulley 137, a second gear 141, a third pulley 143, a second driving belt 144, and a fourth pulley 145.

[0117] The motor gear 132 is coupled to the output shaft of the motor 130. Therefore, when the output shaft of the motor 130 rotates, the motor gear 132 rotates. The first gear 133 meshes with the motor gear 132. The first gear 133 is rotatably supported by a shaft 134. The shaft 134 is coupled to the second wall portion 20B. Therefore, when the motor gear 132 rotates, the first gear 133 rotates.

[0118] The first pulley 135 is coupled to the first gear 133. Therefore, when the first gear 133 rotates, the first pulley 135 rotates. The first drive belt 136 is stretched between the first pulley 135 and the second pulley 137. Therefore, when the first pulley 135 rotates, the second pulley 137 rotates. The second pulley 137 is coupled to the second roller rotation shaft member 18 described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Therefore, when the second pulley 137 rotates, the second roller rotation shaft member 18 rotates.

[0119] Further, the first gear 133 is meshed with a second gear 141. Therefore, when the first gear 133 rotates, the second gear 141 rotates.

[0120] The third pulley 143 is coupled to the second gear 141. Therefore, when the second gear 141 rotates, the third pulley 143 rotates. The second drive belt 144 is wound around the third pulley 143 and the fourth pulley 145. Therefore, when the third pulley 143 rotates, the fourth pulley 145 rotates. The fourth pulley 145 is coupled to the first roller rotating shaft member 17 described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Therefore, when the fourth pulley 145 rotates, the first roller rotating shaft member 17 rotates.

[0121] In this embodiment, the driving force transmission mechanism 131 constitutes a reducer.

[0122] Next, the tension roller moving mechanism 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a side view showing a part of the tension device 5 of this embodiment. In detail, Fig. 21 shows the tension device 5 as seen from the -Y side.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 21, the tension roller moving mechanism 50 includes a first swinging member 51, a first swinging shaft member 52, a cylinder 53, a stopper 54, a fixed member 54a, a first spring member 55, a first spring support member 56, a fixed member 56a, a second swinging member 57, a second swinging shaft member 58, a first cam member 59, a second spring member 60, a second spring support member 61, and a fixed member 61a.

[0124] The first swing member 51 is a long member. The base end of the first swing member 51 is connected to the first swing shaft member 52. The first swing member 51 extends from the first swing shaft member 52 to the +Z side. The first swing member 51 is freely swingable around the first swing shaft member 52.

[0125] The cylinder 53 oscillates the first oscillating member 51. More specifically, the cylinder 53 has a movable part 53a. The cylinder 53 moves the movable part 53a back and forth in a first direction D11 and a second direction D12. The first direction D11 and the second direction D12 are directions parallel to the X direction. In this embodiment, the first direction D11 is the +X direction, and the second direction D12 is the -X direction.

[0126] The cylinder 53 is disposed on the +X side with respect to the first swing member 51. The movable part 53a is in contact with the first swing member 51 from the +X side at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction. The first swing member 51 rotates in a first swing direction SW1 as the movable part 53a moves in the first direction D11. The first swing member 51 rotates in a second swing direction SW2 as the movable part 53a moves in the second direction D12. In this embodiment, the first swing direction SW1 is a direction in which the first swing member 51 tilts toward the +X side around the first swing shaft member 52, and the second swing direction SW2 is a direction in which the first swing member 51 tilts toward the -X side around the first swing shaft member 52.

[0127] The stopper 54 stops the rotation of the first swing member 51 in the second swing direction SW2. More specifically, the stopper 54 is an elongated member that extends in the X direction in this embodiment. The stopper 54 is disposed on the -X side of the first swing member 51. The stopper 54 is fixed to the first wall portion 20A by a fixing member 54a. When the first swing member 51 rotates in the second swing direction SW2, the tip of the stopper 54 comes into contact with approximately the center of the first swing member 51 in the longitudinal direction from the -X side. More specifically, when the first swing member 51 tilts toward the -X side by a predetermined angle, the stopper 54 comes into contact with the first swing member 51.

[0128] The first spring member 55 is disposed on the -X side with respect to the first swinging member 51. The first spring member 55 is supported by a first spring support member 56. The first spring support member 56 is a rod-shaped member that extends in the X direction in this embodiment. The first spring support member 56 is fixed to the first wall portion 20A by a fixing member 56a. The first spring member 55 pushes the tip end of the first swinging member 51 toward the +X side. When the movable portion 53a of the cylinder 53 moves in the first direction D11, the force of the first spring member 55 pushing the first swinging member 51 causes the first swinging member 51 to rotate in the first swing direction SW1.

[0129] The second swing member 57 is swingably connected to the second swing shaft member 58. In other words, the second swing member 57 is swingable around the second swing shaft member 58. The second swing shaft member 58 is coupled to the first wall portion 20A.

[0130] The second swing member 57 has a through hole 57a. The through hole 57a passes through the second swing member 57 in the Y direction. The first swing shaft member 52 and the first cam member 59 are disposed inside the through hole 57a. The first cam member 59 is coupled to the first swing shaft member 52. The center of rotation of the first cam member 59 is deviated from the center of rotation of the first swing shaft member 52.

[0131] When the first swing member 51 rotates, the first swing shaft member 52 rotates, and the first cam member 59 rotates. The first cam member 59 is in contact with an inner wall surface 57b that defines the through hole 57a. When the first swing member 51 rotates in the first swing direction SW1, the second swing member 57 rotates in a third swing direction SW3. When the first swing member 51 rotates in the second swing direction SW2, the second swing member 57 rotates in a fourth swing direction SW4. The third swing direction SW3 is a direction in which the second swing member 57 tilts toward the +Z side about the second swing shaft member 58, and the fourth swing direction SW4 is a direction in which the second swing member 57 tilts toward the -Z side about the second swing shaft member 58.

[0132] The second spring member 60 is disposed on the -Z side with respect to the tip of the second swing member 57. The second spring member 60 is supported by a second spring support member 61. The second spring support member 61 is a rod-shaped member that extends in the Z direction in this embodiment. The second spring support member 61 is fixed to the first wall portion 20A by a fixing member 61a. The second spring member 60 presses the tip of the second swing member 57 toward the +Z side. When the first swing member 51 rotates in the second swing direction SW2, the second spring member 60 is compressed toward the -Z side, and the second swing member 57 rotates in the fourth swing direction SW4. When the first swing member 51 rotates in the first swing direction SW1, the force of the second spring member 60 pressing against the second swing member 57 causes the second swing member 57 to rotate in the third swing direction SW3.

[0133] 11 and 12 is coupled to the tip of the second swinging member 57. Therefore, when the second swinging member 57 rotates in the third swinging direction SW3, the second roller rotating shaft member 18 moves to the +Z side. When the second swinging member 57 rotates in the fourth swinging direction SW4, the second roller rotating shaft member 18 moves to the -Z side.

[0134] Next, the first end position adjustment mechanism 70A will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Fig. 22 is a side view showing a part of the tensioning device 5 of this embodiment. In detail, Fig. 22 shows the tensioning device 5 as seen from the -Y side. However, for ease of understanding, the tensioning roller moving mechanism 50 is omitted from Fig. 22.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 22, the first end position adjustment mechanism 70A has a swing member 71A, a swing shaft member 72A, an operating member 73A, a fixed member 74A, a spring member 75A, and a fixed member 76A.

[0136] The swing member 71A is swingably connected to the swing shaft member 72A. In other words, the swing member 71A is swingable around the swing shaft member 72A. The swing shaft member 72A is coupled to the first wall portion 20A.

[0137] The operating member 73A is disposed on the +Z side of the tip of the swinging member 71A. The operating member 73A is a long member. In this embodiment, the operating member 73A extends in the Z direction. The operating member 73A is fixed to the first wall portion 20A by a fixing member 74A.

[0138] The operating member 73A is operated by an operator. Specifically, the operating member 73A is operated by the operator to move in the Z direction. The operating member 73A is in contact with the tip of the swing member 71A. When the operating member 73A is operated by the operator to move in the +Z direction, the swing member 71A rotates in a fifth swing direction SW5. When the operating member 73A is operated by the operator to move in the -Z direction, the swing member 71A rotates in a sixth swing direction SW6. The fifth swing direction SW5 is the direction in which the swing member 71A tilts toward the +Z side around the swing shaft member 72A. The sixth swing direction SW6 is the direction in which the swing member 71A tilts toward the -Z side around the swing shaft member 72A.

[0139] The swinging member 71A has a through-hole 71Aa that passes through the swinging member 71A in the Y direction. A spring member 75A and a fixing member 76A are disposed inside the through-hole 71Aa.

[0140] The spring member 75A is fixed to the first wall portion 20A by a fixing member 76A. The spring member 75A protrudes from the fixing member 76A in the +Z direction and contacts an inner wall surface 71Ab that defines the through hole 71Aa. The spring member 75A presses the swinging member 71A in the +Z direction within the through hole 71Aa. Therefore, when the operating member 73A moves in the +Z direction, the force of the spring member 75A pressing the swinging member 71A causes the swinging member 71A to rotate in the fifth swing direction SW5.

[0141] The first roller rotation shaft member 17 described with reference to Figures 11 and 12 is coupled to the tip of the swinging member 71A. Therefore, when the swinging member 71A rotates in the fifth swing direction SW5, the first roller rotation shaft member 17 moves to the +Z side. When the swinging member 71A rotates in the sixth swing direction SW6, the first roller rotation shaft member 17 moves to the -Z side.

[0142] Next, the tension roller moving mechanism 50 will be further described with reference to Figures 23 and 24. Figure 23 is a perspective view showing a portion of the configuration of the tension device 5 of this embodiment. In detail, Figure 23 shows a portion of the configuration of the tension roller moving mechanism 50, the second end position adjustment mechanism 70B, the first roller rotating shaft member 17, and the second roller rotating shaft member 18.

[0143] As shown in Fig. 23, the tension roller moving mechanism 50 further includes a rotating shaft member 62. One end of the rotating shaft member 62 is coupled to the first cam member 59 described with reference to Fig. 21. The rotating shaft member 62 is also disposed coaxially with the first swing shaft member 52 described with reference to Fig. 21. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft member 62 extends in the Y direction. When the first swing shaft member 52 described with reference to Fig. 21 rotates, the rotating shaft member 62 rotates.

[0144] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of the tensioning device 5 of this embodiment. In detail, Fig. 24 shows a part of the configuration of the tensioning roller moving mechanism 50, the second end position adjusting mechanism 70B, the first roller rotating shaft member 17, and the second roller rotating shaft member 18.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 24, the tension roller moving mechanism 50 further includes a third swing member 63, a third swing shaft member 64, a second cam member 65, a third spring member 66, a third spring support member 67, and a fixed member 67a.

[0146] The third swing member 63 is swingably connected to the third swing shaft member 64. In other words, the third swing member 63 is swingable around the third swing shaft member 64. The third swing shaft member 64 is coupled to the second wall portion 20B.

[0147] The third swing member 63 has a through hole 63a. The through hole 63a penetrates the third swing member 63 in the Y direction. A second cam member 65 is disposed inside the through hole 63a. The second cam member 65 is coupled to the other end of the rotating shaft member 62 shown in FIG. 23. The rotation center of the second cam member 65 is deviated from the rotation center of the rotating shaft member 62, similar to the first cam member 59 described with reference to FIG. 21. In other words, the rotation center of the second cam member 65 is deviated from the rotation center of the first swing shaft member 52, similar to the first cam member 59 described with reference to FIG. 21.

[0148] The second cam member 65 is in contact with an inner wall surface 63b that constitutes the through hole 63a. Therefore, when the first swing member 51 described with reference to Fig. 21 rotates in the first swing direction SW1, the third swing member 63 rotates in the seventh swing direction SW7, similar to the second swing member 57 described with reference to Fig. 21. When the first swing member 51 described with reference to Fig. 21 rotates in the second swing direction SW2, the third swing member 63 rotates in the eighth swing direction SW8, similar to the second swing member 57 described with reference to Fig. 21. The seventh swing direction SW7 is a direction in which the third swing member 63 tilts toward the +Z side about the third swing shaft member 64, and the eighth swing direction SW8 is a direction in which the third swing member 63 tilts toward the -Z side about the third swing shaft member 64.

[0149] The second roller rotation shaft member 18 is coupled to the tip end of the third swing member 63. Therefore, when the third swing member 63 rotates in the seventh swing direction SW7, the second roller rotation shaft member 18 moves to the +Z side. When the third swing member 63 rotates in the eighth swing direction SW8, the second roller rotation shaft member 18 moves to the -Z side.

[0150] The configurations of the third spring member 66, the third spring support member 67, and the fixed member 67a are similar to those of the second spring member 60, the second spring support member 61, and the fixed member 61a described with reference to Figure 21, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0151] Next, the second end position adjustment mechanism 70B will be described with reference to Fig. 24. As shown in Fig. 24, the second end position adjustment mechanism 70B has a swing member 71B, a swing shaft member 72B, an operating member 73B, a fixed member 74B, a spring member 75B, and a fixed member 76B.

[0152] The swing member 71B is swingably connected to the swing shaft member 72B. In other words, the swing member 71B is swingable around the swing shaft member 72B. The swing shaft member 72B is coupled to the second wall portion 20B.

[0153] Operating member 73B is disposed on the +Z side of the tip of swinging member 71B. Operating member 73B is fixed to second wall portion 20B by fixing member 74B. The configuration of operating member 73B is similar to that of operating member 73A described with reference to Figure 22, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0154] When the operating member 73B is operated by an operator and moved in the +Z direction, the swinging member 71B rotates in a ninth swing direction SW9. When the operating member 73B is operated by an operator and moved in the -Z direction, the swinging member 71B rotates in a tenth swing direction SW10. The ninth swing direction SW9 is the direction in which the swinging member 71B tilts toward the +Z side around the swing shaft member 72B. The tenth swing direction SW10 is the direction in which the swinging member 71B tilts toward the -Z side around the swing shaft member 72B.

[0155] The oscillating member 71B has a through hole 71Ba. The through hole 71Ba penetrates the oscillating member 71B in the Y direction. A spring member 75B and a fixed member 76B are arranged inside the through hole 71Ba. The spring member 75B protrudes from the fixed member 76B in the +Z direction and is in contact with an inner wall surface 71Bb that constitutes the through hole 71Ba. The configurations of the spring member 75B and the fixed member 76B are similar to those of the spring member 75A and the fixed member 76A described with reference to FIG. 22, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0156] The first roller rotation shaft member 17 is coupled to the tip end of the swinging member 71B. Therefore, when the swinging member 71B rotates in the ninth swing direction SW9, the first roller rotation shaft member 17 moves to the +Z side. When the swinging member 71B rotates in the tenth swing direction SW10, the first roller rotation shaft member 17 moves to the -Z side.

[0157] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 24). However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, some of the components shown in one embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some of the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0158] The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiment is merely an example and is not particularly limited. Needless to say, various modifications can be made to the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiment without substantially departing from the effects of the present disclosure.

[0159] For example, in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 24, only one of the two rollers (upper roller 9A and lower roller 9B) included in the feed roller 9 is a drive roller, but both of the two rollers included in the feed roller 9 may be drive rollers. In this case, the feed drive unit 10 has a pulse motor and a drive force transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force generated by the pulse motor to the two rollers. The drive force transmission mechanism may have, for example, a plurality of gears.

[0160] Furthermore, in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 24, the feed roller moving mechanism 11 moves only one of the two rollers (upper roller 9A and lower roller 9B) included in the feed roller 9, but the feed roller moving mechanism 11 may also move both of the two rollers included in the feed roller 9.

[0161] In addition, in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24, both of the two rollers (first roller 12A and second roller 12B) included in the tension roller 12 are drive rollers, but only one of the two rollers included in the tension roller 12 may be a drive roller.

[0162] In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24, the processing device 3 has the control unit 15, but the control unit 15 may be disposed outside the processing device 3.

[0163] 1 to 24, the tension roller 12 includes two rollers (first roller 12A and second roller 12B), but the tension roller 12 may also be configured with a single roller. In this case, the tension roller 12 may be, for example, a magnetic roller. [Industrial Applicability]

[0164] The present disclosure is useful for manufacturing devices that process workpieces. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 2: Manufacturing equipment 3: Processing equipment 4: Feeding device 5: Tension device 8: Machining operation mechanism 9: Delivery roller 9A: Upper roller 9B: Lower roller 10: Delivery drive unit 11: Feed roller moving mechanism 12: Tension roller 12A, 12A1, 12A2: First roller 12B, 12B1, 12B2: Second roller 13: Tension drive unit 16: Positioning pin 17: First roller rotating shaft member 18: Second roller rotating shaft member 19: Guide member 19A: First guide member 19A1: First rail member 19A2: Second rail member 19A3: Third rail member 19A4: Fourth rail member 19B: Second guide member 19B1: First rail member 19B2: Second rail member 19C: Third guide member 19C1: First rail member 19C2: Second rail member 19C3: Third rail member 19C4: Fourth rail member 30: Guide position adjustment mechanism 30A: First guide position adjustment mechanism 30B: Second guide position adjustment mechanism 70A: First end position adjustment mechanism 70B: Second end position adjustment mechanism AX1: Central axis AX2: Central axis AX3: Central axis AX4: Central axis D1: Workpiece transport direction W: Work

Claims

1. a machining device that performs machining operations intermittently during an operation period to machine a workpiece; a supply device that performs a supply operation of supplying the workpiece to the processing device; a pulling device that performs a pulling operation to pull the processed workpiece sent out from the processing device; Equipped with the supplying device performs the supplying operation in conjunction with the processing operation of the processing device, the tensioning device performs the tensioning operation continuously during the operation period of the processing device; A manufacturing apparatus, wherein the force with which the supply device holds the workpiece is greater than the force with which the tension device holds the workpiece during the operation period of the processing device.

2. The tensioning device a tension roller that rotates around a first central axis to tension the workpiece; a tension drive unit that rotates the tension roller; and The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tension drive rotates the tension roller continuously during the operation of the processing apparatus.

3. The supply device comprises: a feed roller that rotates around a second central axis to feed the workpiece; a delivery drive unit that rotates the delivery roller; and the feed drive unit rotates the feed roller in conjunction with the processing operation of the processing device, The manufacturing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the rotational speed of the tension roller is faster than the rotational speed of the delivery roller.

4. 4. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotational speed of the tension roller is at least twice as fast as the rotational speed of the delivery roller.

5. 5. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the coefficient of static friction between the delivery roller and the workpiece is greater than the coefficient of dynamic friction between the tension roller and the workpiece.

6. The processing device is a protrusion that penetrates the workpiece during the machining operation; a machining operation mechanism that moves the protrusion between a position where the protrusion penetrates the workpiece and a position where the protrusion is separated from the workpiece; and the feed drive unit stops the rotation of the feed roller before the protrusion penetrates the workpiece, The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the processing operation mechanism moves the protrusion to a position where the protrusion penetrates the workpiece after the rotation of the delivery roller has stopped.

7. The feed rollers include two rollers facing each other with the workpiece therebetween, the supply device has a roller moving mechanism that moves at least one of the two rollers between a position in contact with the workpiece and a position away from the workpiece, the roller moving mechanism brings the two rollers into contact with the workpiece after the processing device processes the workpiece, the processing operation mechanism separates the protrusion from the workpiece after the two rollers have come into contact with the workpiece; The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the delivery drive unit rotates the two rollers after the protrusion has separated from the workpiece.

8. A pulling device that pulls a processed workpiece fed from a feeding device and sent out from a processing device that processes the workpiece by intermittently executing a processing operation during an operating period, A tension roller that rotates around a central axis to pull the workpiece; a tension drive unit that rotates the tension roller; A plurality of guide members arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the workpiece is pulled; and the tension drive unit continuously rotates the tension roller during the operation period of the processing device; the plurality of guide members guide the workpiece in a direction in which the workpiece is pulled; During the operation of the processing device, the force with which the tension roller holds the workpiece is smaller than the force with which the feeding device holds the workpiece. Tensioning device.

9. The tensioning device according to claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of tensioning rollers arranged in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the workpiece is tensioned.

10. Each of the plurality of guide members includes a first rail member and a second rail member that face each other with the workpiece therebetween, The tensioning device according to claim 9, further comprising a guide position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the positions of the first rail member and the second rail member in a direction in which the first rail member and the second rail member face each other.

11. a shaft member of the tension roller; a first end position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of one end of the shaft member; a second end position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the other end of the shaft member; and The tensioning device according to claim 8 , wherein the shaft member extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the workpiece is pulled.

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