Method for measuring the clamping load of materials bound by a cable tie and method for binding materials

Abstract

To provide a measurement method capable of accurately measuring a fastening load of a binding target material with a binding band.SOLUTION: A method for measuring a fastening load of a binding target material A with a binding band x includes: binding the binding target material A by fastening the binding band x in a state where a load measuring instrument 1 is disposed between the binding target material A and the binding band x; and measuring a load G of the binding band x acting on the load measuring instrument 1 in a band surface vertical direction in such a binding state: The load G in the band surface vertical direction can be accurately measured, such that an optimal fastening tension of the binding target material A with the binding band x can be calculated on the basis of the measurement result. Further, by utilizing the measurement method, band binding can be performed upon the binding target material A with such a proper fastening tension that collapse of cargo or breakage of a band fastening part does not occur.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring method and measuring instrument for measuring the tightening load of materials to be bound with a cable tie, as well as a method of binding materials with a cable tie using the measuring method. [Background technology]

[0002] Binding of materials with cable ties is performed for the purpose of maintaining the bound shape and efficiently transporting the materials. Examples of materials to be bound include multiple bundled objects, multiple stacked objects, rolled objects, and objects with openings and closings. For example, in the case of rolled steel coils, the steel coils are hot-rolled or cold-rolled, bound with bands in a predetermined wound shape, and then transported to another process or to a customer. However, if the binding is not performed properly due to an unknown appropriate band tension, the cable ties may loosen during transport, causing the load to collapse, or the cable ties or the fastening portions of the bands may break.

[0003] For example, if the band tension is too strong, a large load will act on the binding band or the band fastening portion, which may lead to breakage at these locations during transportation. Furthermore, if the band is fastened by welding, if the band tension during welding is too high, gaps will form between the bands at the welded portion, causing sparks and leading to weld fracture due to poor welding. On the other hand, if the band tension is too low, problems such as cargo collapse will occur, or if the cargo collapses, impact forces or peeling forces will be applied to the band fastening portion, causing the band fastening portion to break. Patent document 1 discloses a method for controlling the binding state of a cable tie using a device that tightens the band while holding down the tip of the band, and claims that this method can achieve an even band restraint state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-222047 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the force with which a cable tie tightens the material being tied, i.e., the load acting perpendicular to the surface of the tie, is not determined solely by the tension of the cable tie; it also depends heavily on the shape of the material being tied (e.g., the diameter of a steel coil) and properties such as the frictional force acting between the material being tied and the cable tie. As a result, the optimal tie tension changes whenever the shape of the material being tied or the coefficient of friction changes. For this reason, it is difficult to determine the degree of loosening of a cable tie based solely on the tension of the cable tie, and the method described in Patent Document 1 cannot prevent the above-mentioned loosening and breakage from occurring at a certain frequency.

[0006] Furthermore, the method described in Patent Document 1 does not specify an optimal banding position. If the banding position is not appropriate, the cable tie may shift position after banding, resulting in loosening during transport. This phenomenon is likely to occur when the outer diameter of the material to be banded is not constant. In other words, if a load remains in the band surface direction (horizontal to the band surface) while the cable tie is banded, the cable tie maintains its position due to friction. In this state, the cable tie easily slips and loosens with the addition of a slight external load. To prevent this phenomenon, a countermeasure is generally taken to use a larger band tension. However, this countermeasure does not sufficiently prevent loosening due to misalignment and actually increases the frequency of cable tie breakage due to increased band tension. To fundamentally solve this problem, it is important to tie the cable tie in an appropriate position that reduces the load acting horizontally to the band surface. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for determining the optimal binding position of the binding band, and the method of Patent Document 1 cannot eliminate loosening caused by misalignment of the binding band.

[0007] To reduce the variation in the load acting in the direction perpendicular to the band surface due to the properties of the materials being bound (such as their shape and coefficient of friction) and to bind the materials with the optimal band tension, it is believed that it would be effective to directly measure the load acting in the direction perpendicular to the band surface. However, no method or device capable of such measurement has been known to date. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a measurement method and measuring device that can accurately measure the clamping load (load acting perpendicular to the band surface) of materials to be bound by a cable tie. Another object of the present invention is to provide a measurement method that can more accurately measure the clamping load of materials to be bound by a cable tie and can determine the optimal band binding position. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a binding method that utilizes the above measurement method and can bind materials to be bound with a band at an appropriate tightening tension. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for measuring the tightening load (the load perpendicular to the surface of the cable tie) acting on the load measuring device by placing a load measuring device between the material to be tied and the cable tie, tightening the cable tie to tie the material to be tied, and measuring the tightening load acting on the load measuring device in this tied state. In addition, in a preferred embodiment of this measurement method, in order to more accurately measure the tightening load and to determine the optimal band tying position, a load measuring device equipped with multiple load meters is used, and if the deviation between the maximum and minimum load values ​​measured by the multiple load meters exceeds a threshold, the binding position of the cable tie is adjusted so that the deviation is equal to or less than the threshold. In addition, the binding method of the present invention using the above-mentioned measurement method uses the above-mentioned measurement method to determine the appropriate tightening load of the cable tie for multiple materials to be bound that have different specific properties (shape, friction coefficient, etc.), and based on the tightening tension of the cable tie that gives the tightening load, sets an appropriate value of the tightening tension of the cable tie for each material to be bound that has different specific properties, and when binding individual materials to be bound with cable ties, the material to be bound is tightened at the appropriate value of the tightening tension that has been set, depending on the specific properties of the material to be bound.

[0009] That is, the gist of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows. [1] A method for measuring the tightening load of a binding object (A) by a binding band (x) when the binding object (A) is bound with the binding band (x), A method for measuring the tightening load of a material to be bound by a cable tie, characterized in that a load measuring device (1) equipped with one or more load cells (2) is placed between the material to be bound (A) and the cable tie (x), the cable tie (x) is tightened to bind the material to be bound (A), and in this bound state, the load G acting on the load measuring device (1) in a direction perpendicular to the band surface of the cable tie (x) is measured.

[0010] [2] In the measurement method of [1] above, the load measuring device (1) comprises a plurality of load cells (2) and a load receiving plate (4) arranged across the load sensor units (3) of the plurality of load cells (2), which receives a load from the binding band (x) and transmits it to the load sensor unit (3) of each load cell (2); A method for measuring the tightening load of a material to be bound by a cable tie, characterized in that a load measuring device (1) is placed between the material to be bound (A) and the cable tie (x) so that the cable tie (x) abuts against a load receiving plate (4) at a position between the load sensor parts (3) of at least two load meters (2), and the load G is measured by the load measuring device (1). [3] A method for measuring the tightening load of a material to be bound by a cable tie, characterized in that, in the measurement method of [2] above, when the deviation between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the load measured by the multiple load meters (2) exceeds a threshold value, the binding position of the cable tie (x) and / or the position of the load measuring device (1) are adjusted so that the deviation of the load is equal to or less than the threshold value. [4] A method for measuring the clamping load of materials to be bound by a cable tie, in any one of the methods [1] to [3] above, characterized in that the material to be bound (A) is a metal band coil.

[0011] [5] A measuring device for measuring the tightening load of a binding object (A) by a binding band (x) when the binding object (A) is bound with the binding band (x), The load cell (2) comprises a plurality of load cells (2), a support (5) supporting the plurality of load cells (2), and a load receiving plate (4) arranged so as to straddle the load sensor portions (3) of the plurality of load cells (2) supported by the support (5), and receiving a load from a binding band (x) and transmitting the load to the load sensor portion (3) of each load cell (2), An apparatus for measuring the tightening load of material to be bound by a cable tie, characterized in that the load receiving plate (4) is provided so as to be able to slide up and down relative to the support (5). [6] An apparatus for measuring the tightening load of a material to be bound by a cable tie, characterized in that the support (5) in the measuring apparatus of [5] above has a magnet (6) at the bottom for adhering to the material to be bound (A).

[0012] [7] Using any of the measurement methods [1] to [3] above, measure the load G acting on the load measuring device (1) in the direction perpendicular to the band surface of the cable tie (x) when multiple objects to be bound (A) with different specific properties are bound with the cable tie (x), and determine the load Ga that can properly bind each object to be bound (A); Based on the tightening tension of the binding band (x) at which the load Ga is obtained, an appropriate value of the tightening tension of the binding band (x) is set for each binding target material (A) having different specific properties, A method for binding materials (A) with a cable tie (x), characterized in that when binding materials (A) with a cable tie (x), the material (A) is tightened with the appropriate tightening tension depending on the specific properties of the material (A).

[0013] [8] In the bundling method of [7] above, a plurality of materials to be bound (A) having different specific properties are divided into a plurality of groups (Ag) according to the differences in the properties, and a load Ga that can properly bind the materials to be bound (A) is determined for each group (Ag); Based on the tightening tension of the cable tie (x) that obtains the load Ga, an appropriate value of the tightening tension of the cable tie (x) is set for each group (Ag), A method for binding materials with a cable tie, characterized in that when binding materials (A) with a cable tie (x), the material (A) is tightened with the appropriate tightening tension depending on the group (Ag) to which the material (A) belongs. [9] A method for binding materials with cable ties, characterized in that in the binding method of [7] or [8] above, the material to be bound (A) is a metal band coil, and the material to be bound (A) with different specific properties is a metal band coil with a different coil diameter.

[10] A method for manufacturing a steel strip coil by band binding a steel strip coil by the binding method of [9] above, A method for manufacturing a steel strip coil, characterized in that a steel strip that has been subjected to any one of the processes of hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling, temper rolling, continuous annealing, continuous hot dip plating, and continuous electroplating is wound into a coil shape, and then the steel strip coil is banded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The measurement method and measuring device of the present invention can accurately measure the clamping load of the material to be bound by the cable tie (the load acting perpendicular to the surface of the cable tie when the cable tie is tightened), and based on this measurement result, the optimal clamping tension of the material to be bound by the cable tie can be determined. Furthermore, the measurement method of the present invention uses a load measuring device equipped with multiple load meters, and if the deviation between the maximum and minimum load values ​​measured by the multiple load meters exceeds a threshold, the binding position of the cable tie and / or the position of the load measuring device can be adjusted so that the load deviation is equal to or less than the threshold, thereby achieving effects such as more accurate measurement of the clamping load and determining the optimal band binding position. Furthermore, according to the binding method of the present invention, by utilizing the measurement method described above, the material to be bound can be bound with a band at an appropriate tightening tension that will not cause the load to collapse or the band fastening portion to break. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the method of the present invention, in which a load measuring device is placed between the material to be bound (steel strip coil) and the cable tie, and the tightening load of the material to be bound is measured (a drawing of the steel strip coil seen from the side). [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a load measuring device used in the method of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of the load measuring device of FIG. 2 with a portion of the load receiving plate cut away. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the load measuring device of FIG. 2 with a portion of the load receiving plate cut away. [Figure 5] A front view of a load receiving plate constituting the load measuring device of FIG. [Figure 6] A side view of the load receiving plate constituting the load measuring device of Figure 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the load measuring device in FIG. 2 (a view of the load measuring device from directly above); [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the load measuring device used in the method of the present invention and a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the load measuring device (a view of the load measuring device from directly above). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The measurement method of the present invention is a method for measuring the tightening load of material A to be bound by cable tie x when material A to be bound is bound with cable tie x. Although there is no limitation on the type of material A to be bound in the present invention, the present invention is particularly useful when the material to be bound is a metal strip coil such as a steel strip coil, and therefore, hereinafter, an embodiment in which material A to be bound is a steel strip coil will be mainly described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram (a side view of the steel strip coil) that schematically illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in which the outer periphery of a steel strip coil, which is material A to be bound, is bound with a binding band x. Fig. 1 illustrates a situation in which the load measuring device 1 is placed between the steel strip coil, which is material A to be bound, and the binding band x, and the material A is bound with the band, and the tightening load of the material A to be bound is measured. When banding the outer periphery of a steel coil with a banding machine, the band is usually tied with one, two, or three bands depending on the width of the steel coil. The band ties are usually made of steel, and both ends are fastened by welding or other means while the steel coil is tied together.

[0017] In the present invention, a load measuring device 1 equipped with a load meter 2 is placed between the material to be bound A and the cable tie x, and the cable tie x is tightened to bind the material to be bound A. In this bound state, the load G acting on the load measuring device 1 in the direction perpendicular to the band surface of the cable tie x (hereinafter referred to as "vertical load G") is measured. Note that the direction perpendicular to the band surface means the direction perpendicular to the band surface of the cable tie x. This measurement method allows for accurate measurement of the tightening load (vertical load G) applied to the material A to be bound by the cable tie x, and based on this measurement result, the optimal tightening tension (hereinafter referred to as "band tension") applied to the material A to be bound by the cable tie x can be determined.

[0018] When the material to be bound (A) is a steel strip coil and its outer periphery is bound by a band, the measurement method of the present invention has the following advantages. Because steel strips come in various sizes (thickness and width), their lengths vary depending on the steel strip size. Consequently, the diameter of the wound coil varies from coil to coil. As a result, the binding force (load perpendicular to the band surface) between the steel strip coil (the material to be bound) and the binding band varies depending on the coil diameter. A low binding force is likely to cause loosening. On the other hand, a strong binding force can create gaps during welding, leading to poor band welding and breakage. By directly measuring the load perpendicular to the band surface, the present invention can determine the optimal band tension according to the coil diameter. This enables proper control of the band tension and significantly reduces the above-mentioned problems. The same applies to metal strip coils other than steel strip coils. Therefore, the present invention is particularly useful when the material to be bound (A) is a metal strip coil, such as a steel strip coil.

[0019] The load measuring device 1 may include one or more load cells 2. However, it is preferable to include multiple load cells 2 to measure the tightening load more accurately. Specifically, if the load measuring device 1 includes only one load cell 2, the load sensor unit 3 of the load cell 2 must be positioned directly below the cable tie x. This prevents the force acting on the load cell 2 (load sensor unit 3) from being perpendicular. This results in a small load measurement value, making it difficult to accurately measure the vertical load G. However, it is not easy to install the load measuring device 1 so that the load sensor unit 3 of the load cell 2 is positioned directly below the cable tie x. By installing two or more load cells 2, the vertical load can be distributed and output to the multiple load cells 2. Therefore, the vertical load G (total load) can be accurately measured by calculating the sum of the measurement values ​​of each load cell 2. In other words, it is possible to reduce load measurement errors due to the placement position of the load measuring device 1. When installing two or more load cells 2, the cable tie x must be passed through a position between the load sensor units 3 of at least two load cells 2.

[0020] Figures 2 to 6 show one embodiment of such a load measuring instrument 1, where Figure 2 is a front view, Figure 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing a part of the load-receiving plate, and Figure 4 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a part of the load-receiving plate. Also, Figure 5 is a front view of the load-receiving plate that constitutes the load measuring instrument of Figure 2, and Figure 6 is a side view of the same load-receiving plate. This load measuring device 1 comprises two load cells 2 (a pair of left and right), a support 5 for supporting these load cells 2, and a load receiving plate 4 for receiving the load from the cable tie x and transmitting it to the load sensor part 3 of each load cell 2.

[0021] Each load cell 2 is composed of a main body 7 equipped with a load sensor unit 3, a display unit 8 attached to the side of the main body 7, and the like. The load sensor unit 3 can be a load sensor of a load cell type, a spring type, an electromagnetic type, a photoelectron type, or the like. In this embodiment, a spring type load sensor is used. Note that the scale of the display unit 8 is not shown in FIG. 4. In a load measuring instrument 1 equipped with a plurality of load cells 2 as in this embodiment, the sum of the measured values ​​from the plurality of load cells 2 is the measured load (vertical load G). The support body 5 has mounting portions 9 (spaces surrounded by convex portions 90) on the upper surface near both ends for fitting and holding the main body portion 7 of the load cell 2. Each load cell 2 is supported by the support body 5 by fitting its main body portion 7 into the mounting portion 9, and in this supported state, the display portion 8 extends (protrudes) outward from the end of the support body 5. In addition, a magnet 6 is fitted into the bottom of the support body 5 for adhering to the steel strip coil when the load measuring device 1 is placed on the steel strip coil, which is the material A to be bound. Providing such an adsorption means increases the convenience of the work.

[0022] The load receiving plate 4 is a member against which the cable ties x come into contact, and is arranged so as to straddle the load sensor units 3 of the multiple load cells 2 supported by the support body 5 (arranged so as to hang over the load sensor units 3 of the multiple load cells 2). This load receiving plate 4 receives the load from the cable ties x and transmits it to the load sensor units 3 of each load cell 2. The load-receiving plate 4 of this embodiment is a gate-shaped plate material consisting of an upper plate portion 40 and side plate portions 41, and is provided so as to be able to slide up and down relative to the support body 5 so that the upper part of the support body 5 is fitted inside the gate-shaped cross section. Vertically elongated guide holes 10 are formed in the side plate portions 41 of the load-receiving plate 4 at positions near both ends of the load-receiving plate. Bolts 11 are inserted into these guide holes 10. The tips of these bolts 11 are threaded into screw holes 50 provided in the sides of the support body 5, thereby fixing them to the sides of the support body 5. The load-receiving plate 4 is able to slide up and down relative to the support body 5 while the bolts 11 are guided within the vertically elongated guide holes 10.

[0023] When using a load measuring device 1 equipped with a plurality of load cells 2 as in this embodiment, the load measuring device 1 is placed between the material A to be bound (steel strip coil) and the cable tie x so that the cable tie x abuts against the load receiving plate 4 at a position between the load sensor units 3 of at least two load cells 2 (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, "the position between the load sensor units 3 of two load cells 2" will be referred to as "the position between two load cells 2"). In other words, the load measuring device 1 is placed so that the cable tie x passes through a position between at least two load cells 2 when viewed from directly above. Therefore, for example, when the load measuring device 1 is equipped with two load cells 2, the load measuring device 1 is placed so that the cable tie x abuts against the load receiving plate 4 at a position between the two load cells 2. Furthermore, when the load measuring device 1 is equipped with three or more load cells 2, the load measuring device 1 is placed so that the cable tie x abuts against the load receiving plate 4 at least at a position between any two load cells 2. Then, the vertical load G is measured using the load measuring device 1 arranged as described above, and by calculating the sum of the measurement values ​​of the multiple load cells 2, it is possible to reduce load measurement errors caused by the placement position of the load measuring device 1 and measure the vertical load G with higher accuracy.

[0024] 7 is an explanatory diagram (a top view of the load measuring device 1) showing a schematic arrangement of the load measuring device 1 in FIG. 2. As described above, the load measuring device 1 is arranged between the material A to be bound (steel strip coil) and the cable tie x so that the cable tie x abuts against the load receiving plate 4 at a position between the two load cells 2. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram (viewing the load measuring device 1 from directly above) showing another embodiment of the load measuring device 1 used in the method of the present invention and the arrangement of the load measuring device 1 relative to the cable tie x. FIG. 8(A) shows a case where a load measuring device 1 equipped with three load cells 2 is used. In this example, the load measuring device 1 is arranged so that the cable tie x abuts against the load receiving plate 4 between the two load cells 2a and 2b at both ends of the device, and the load cell 2c (load sensor unit 3) at the center of the device is located directly below the cable tie x. However, for example, the load measuring device 1 may be arranged so that the cable tie x abuts against the load receiving plate 4 between the two load cells 2a and 2c. Meanwhile, FIG. 8(B) shows a case where a load measuring device 1 equipped with only one load cell 2 is used, and the load cell 2 (load sensor unit 3) is located directly below the cable tie x.

[0025] Here, when using a load measuring device 1 equipped with three or more load cells 2 as shown in Figure 8(A), by having the cable tie x abut against the load receiving plate 4 at a position between two load cells 2a and 2b, it is possible to reduce load measurement errors caused by the placement position of the load measuring device 1. Furthermore, by detecting the load difference between the load measured by load cell 2c located directly below the cable tie x and the load measured by load cell 2a and / or load cell 2b, it is possible to determine whether the placement position of the load measuring device 1 in the binding direction of the cable tie x (circumferential direction of the cable tie) is appropriate, which has the advantage of being able to optimize the placement position of the load measuring device 1 in the binding direction of the cable tie x. For example, if the cross section of the material to be bound in the band binding direction is not circular, the vertical load applied to the load measuring device 1 may vary greatly at each position in the band binding direction, which makes load measurement errors more likely to occur. Therefore, for example, by selecting a position for the load measuring instrument 1 in the band binding direction so that the load difference between the load measured by load cell 2c located directly below the cable tie x and the load measured by load cell 2a and / or load cell 2b is equal to or less than a threshold, it is possible to reduce load measurement errors. In this case, the threshold for the load difference between the load measured by load cell 2c and the load measured by load cell 2a and / or load cell 2b is preferably set to, for example, about 30% of the total load measured by load cell 2c and load cell 2a and / or load cell 2b. Then, it is desirable to adjust the position of the load measuring instrument 1 in the band binding direction so that the measured load difference is equal to or less than the threshold.

[0026] Furthermore, when a load measuring device 1 equipped with multiple load cells 2 is used as described above and the load measuring device 1 is positioned between the material A to be bound and the cable tie x so that the cable tie x abuts against the load receiving plate 4 at a position between at least two load cells 2, a large deviation in the measured load between at least two load cells 2 tends to reduce the measurement accuracy of the vertical load G. Therefore, reducing such deviation improves the measurement accuracy of the vertical load G, allowing for more appropriate band tension settings. Furthermore, if the binding position (wrapping position) of the cable tie x is misaligned and the material A to be bound is not bound in the correct position, the cable tie x is likely to shift position during transportation, causing the strap to slip and loosen, potentially resulting in a collapse of the load. Furthermore, such deviation in the band binding position tends to result in a large deviation in the measured load between the load cells 2. Therefore, the cable tie x needs to bind the material A to be bound at a binding position that minimizes the deviation in the measured load, especially between the load cells 2 located on both sides. It is therefore extremely important to adjust the binding position of the cable tie x to minimize this deviation. In addition, if the position of the load measuring device 1 (the position of the load measuring device 1 relative to the cable tie x) is not appropriate, there may be a large deviation in the measured load between the load cells 2. In this case, the vertical load G can be measured with higher accuracy by adjusting the position of the load measuring device 1.

[0027] Therefore, in the present invention, when the deviation between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the loads measured by the multiple load cells 2 exceeds a threshold, it is preferable to adjust (change) the binding position of the cable tie x and / or the position of the load measuring device 1 so that the load deviation is equal to or less than the threshold. However, even if the vertical load G can be measured with higher accuracy by adjusting the position of the load measuring device 1, if the binding position of the band is not appropriate, the load in the horizontal direction of the band will remain, and loosening due to band slippage cannot be sufficiently eliminated. Therefore, when the deviation of the measured loads between the load cells 2 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is preferable to adjust the binding position of the cable tie x in particular so that the deviation of the measured load is equal to or less than the threshold.

[0028] While the threshold value can be set arbitrarily, when using a load measuring device 1 equipped with two or more load cells 2 as shown in Figures 7 and 8(A) to tie the outer periphery of a steel strip coil with a band, for example, 30% of the vertical load measured by the two load cells 2 (the sum of the loads measured by the two load cells 2) can be set as the threshold value. If the deviation between the measured loads of the two load cells 2 exceeds this threshold, the band tying position is determined to be improper, and the binding position of the binding band x is adjusted (changed) so that the deviation is below the threshold. Generally, if the deviation between the measured loads of the two load cells 2 exceeds 30% of the vertical load (the sum of the loads measured by the two load cells 2), as described above, the vertical load measurement error increases due to the improper position of the load measuring device. Furthermore, if the binding band is tied in that position, the remaining horizontal load will likely cause the band to slip and loosen. Generally, the threshold value is preferably set in the range of approximately 10 to 50% of the vertical load (the sum of the loads measured by the two load cells 2).

[0029] Next, a method for bundling materials using the above-described measuring method of the present invention will be described. Measuring the clamping load (vertical load G) of the material A to be bound by the cable tie x using the measurement method of the present invention described above takes approximately three minutes. Therefore, it may be difficult to measure the clamping load for all materials A to be bound on a mass production line. For example, in the manufacturing process of steel coils, one coil may be produced in less than three minutes. Furthermore, for materials A whose clamping load has been measured using the measurement method of the present invention, it is necessary to open the binding portion, remove the load measuring device 1, determine the appropriate band tension from the measured clamping load, and re-bind the material A at that band tension and band binding position. Measuring the clamping load for all materials A to be bound and re-binding them based on this measurement would result in a significant increase in labor hours.

[0030] Therefore, taking into consideration that the band tension required to properly bind the material A to be bound varies depending on the specific characteristics of the material A to be bound (e.g., one or more of the shape, coefficient of friction, etc.), it is preferable to adopt the following binding method when binding operations are carried out continuously on a mass production line. First, to set the band tension in advance, the vertical load G is measured for multiple materials A to be bound that have different specific properties (properties that cause the appropriate vertical load G to vary) using the measurement method of the present invention described above, and the vertical load Ga that can properly bind the materials A is determined. Being able to properly bind the materials A means being able to maintain an appropriate binding state without loosening the band or breaking the band itself or the band fastening part. Typically, multiple tests are conducted to determine whether such an appropriate binding state can be maintained, and the vertical load Ga that can properly bind the materials A is determined. In the method of the present invention, the vertical load G is measured in an actual banded state, so once the vertical load G is measured, the band tension that will produce that vertical load G is also determined. Therefore, if a vertical load Ga that can properly bind the above-mentioned binding target material A can be obtained, the band tension that will result in this vertical load Ga can be determined, and based on the band tension that will result in the proper vertical load Ga, an appropriate value of the band tension (including the case of an appropriate range; the same applies below) is set for each ``binding target material A with different specific properties.''

[0031] Then, when binding individual materials A to be bound with the binding band x, the materials A are bound with the appropriate band tension according to the specific properties of the materials A. This allows the materials A to be bound with the appropriate band tension according to the specific properties of the materials A to be bound without having to measure the tightening load each time. In addition, when determining the vertical load Ga that can properly bind each ``material A to be bound having different specific properties,'' the relationship between the specific property (for example, the coil diameter of a steel strip coil) and the vertical load G can be plotted and calculated by regression analysis.

[0032] Furthermore, the appropriate band tension of the binding band x described above may be set for each "group of materials to be bound that have different specific properties (properties that cause the appropriate normal load G to change)." In this case, multiple materials to be bound A with different specific properties are divided into multiple groups Ag according to the differences in those properties, and for each group Ag, the normal load Ga that can properly bind the materials to be bound A is determined using the measurement method of the present invention as described above. Then, based on the band tension at which this appropriate normal load Ga is obtained, an appropriate band tension value (including an appropriate range; the same applies below) is set for each group Ag. When binding each material A to be bound with the binding band x, the material A is bound with the appropriate band tension according to the group Ag to which the material A belongs. This allows the material A to be bound with the appropriate band tension according to the specific properties of the material A to be bound, without having to measure the tightening load each time.

[0033] To give a specific example, if the material to be bound A is a steel strip coil, it is divided into multiple groups according to the size of the coil diameter, as shown in Table 1, and the appropriate vertical load Ga is determined for each group, and the band tension that will achieve this vertical load Ga is set. Then, according to these set conditions, for example, a steel strip coil with a coil diameter of 1350 mm is banded with a band tension of 1450 kgf, and a steel strip coil with a coil diameter of 1500 mm is banded with a band tension of 15200 kgf. [Table 1] The "specific properties" of the material A to be bound, i.e., properties that cause the appropriate vertical load Ga to change, include one or more of the shape (e.g., the coil diameter of a steel strip coil), the friction coefficient (friction coefficient based on the presence or absence and type of surface treatment, and surface roughness), but are not limited to these.

[0034] In addition, when determining the vertical load Ga that can properly bind the material A to be bound for each group Ag, the relationship between a specific property (for example, the coil diameter of a steel strip coil) and the vertical load G can be plotted and calculated by regression analysis. Examples of materials A to be bound, to which the measurement method and binding method of the present invention can be applied, include, but are not limited to, metal strip coils, stacked metal sheets, bundles of pipes or steel bars, and wire coils. However, as described above, the present invention is particularly useful when the material A to be bound is a metal strip coil such as a steel strip coil, and in particular, in the case of a steel strip coil, the benefit of reducing the enormous amount of labor required for binding with bands can be enjoyed. When the material A to be bound is a metal strip coil, the "property that causes the appropriate vertical load G to change" is mainly the coil diameter. Therefore, it is appropriate to use metal strip coils with different coil diameters for materials (A) to be bound that have different specific properties.

[0035] When the material A to be bound is a steel strip coil, the banding method of the present invention is preferably implemented in a process of winding a steel strip that has undergone one of the following processes: hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling, temper rolling, continuous annealing, continuous hot-dip galvanizing, or continuous electroplating. Steel strip coils that have undergone these processes frequently suffer from coil deformation due to breakage of the banding bands or misalignment of the banding bands during transportation. However, by adopting the banding method of the present invention, the frequency of coil deformation due to band breakage or misalignment during shipping and transportation of the bound steel strip coil can be significantly reduced. Specific benefits include: (i) a reduction in the reject rate due to coil deformation; (ii) a reduction in the number of times defective coils are returned; (iii) a reduction in the number of times re-binding is performed; and (iv) a reduction in cut loss due to re-insertion into the line. Therefore, steel strip coils can be produced efficiently and at low cost in each of the above processes. [Example]

[0036] [Example 1] Hot-dip galvanized steel strip with a thickness of 0.8 mm and a width of 1000 to 1650 mm was wound into a coil to produce steel strip coils with outer diameters (coil diameters) of 1000 mm and 1400 mm, and the outer periphery of the steel strip coil was bound with cable ties.The banded steel strip coils were transported to a designated position by a conveyor and then transported to a coil storage yard by a crane, and the presence and degree of loosening of the cable ties was confirmed during this process. The steel strip coil used for the evaluation was wound into a coil shape on a continuous hot-dip galvanizing line and then automatically transported to a process where it was tied with cable ties. A banding machine was used to tie the steel strip coil with a 1 mm thick, 20 mm wide steel cable ties under controlled band tension. In the inventive example, a load measuring device was sandwiched between the steel strip coil and the cable ties, and the vertical load G was measured with the load measuring device in this banded state. Furthermore, in the inventive example, the appropriate vertical load Ga that was unlikely to cause loosening or weld fracture for each coil diameter was determined in advance using each measurement method of the present invention, and the band tension (optimal value) at which this vertical load Ga was obtained was also determined. These values ​​were then set as the optimal band tension for each coil diameter, and the steel strip coil was tied with the band tension corresponding to the coil diameter. The results of this example are shown in Table 2 together with the measurement conditions for the vertical load G, the band binding conditions, etc.

[0037] Among the invention examples No. 1 to 5, No. 1 and No. 2 are examples in which the coil diameter of the steel strip coil is different and a load measuring device with one load cell is used, No. 3 and No. 4 are examples in which a load measuring device with two load cells is used, and No. 5 is an example in which a load measuring device with three load cells is used. Of these, No. 4 and No. 5 are examples in which the load deviation of each load cell is read, the band binding position is adjusted so that the load deviation (deviation between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the measured load) is 30% or less (threshold value) of the total measured load of the two load cells, and the vertical load G is measured, and the band tension is set based on the results and band binding is performed. In Table 2, for No. 4 and No. 5, the "load deviation" is the value after adjusting the band binding position based on the vertical load measurement using the method of the present invention (the deviation between the maximum and minimum measured loads). Also, the "load deviation" for No. 5 is the load deviation between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the loads measured by the three load meters. Also, for No. 4 and No. 5, the "measured vertical load G" is the value after adjusting the band binding position. Also, the "band tension" refers to the band tension that was set in advance, and No. 1 to No. 5 were banded at that preset band tension.

[0038] As shown in Table 2, in Nos. 1 to 5, in which the load was measured by clamping a load measuring device equipped with one or more load cells between the material to be bound and the binding band, it was possible to measure the vertical load G. Furthermore, the appropriate vertical load Ga was determined in advance for each coil diameter using the measurement method of the present invention, and the band tension (appropriate value) at which this vertical load Ga was obtained was set. In Nos. 1 to 5, in which band binding was performed with that band tension (appropriate value) according to the coil diameter of the steel strip coil, the slack after the steel strip coil transport process was reduced to 2 mm or less. No. 3 is an example using a load measuring device with two load cells, which improves load measurement accuracy compared to No. 2. Because the band tension is less likely to act as a frictional force and acts primarily as a vertical load, the vertical load measurement value is higher in No. 3 than in No. 2. When the load measuring device has two or more load cells, it becomes possible to determine the proper band binding position. Nos. 4 and 5 are examples of band binding position adjustment using load measuring devices with two and three load cells, respectively. In Nos. 4 and 5, the vertical load can be measured more accurately and the binding position is more appropriate, reducing the risk of loosening or weld fracture due to misalignment during subsequent transport. In Nos. 4 and 5, the reduction in weld fracture due to misalignment during transport allows the vertical load Ga and the appropriate band tension to be set to higher values ​​than in No. 3. Thus, in Nos. 4 and 5, proper band tension setting and proper band positioning significantly reduce band loosening. No. 6 is a comparative example that was carried out without measuring the vertical load using the method of the present invention. No. 6 adopted band tension conditions that had resulted in few weld fractures in past band binding tests of coils of various coil diameters. In past manufacturing, there were coils that loosened and coils that did not, but because the exact vertical load was not measured, the appropriate band tension that would reduce looseness corresponding to the coil diameter was unknown, and the reduction of looseness was not fully considered.

[0039] [Table 2]

[0040] [Example 2] A hot-dip galvanized steel strip having a thickness of 0.8 mm and a width of 1000 to 1650 mm was wound into a coil to obtain a steel strip coil having an outer diameter (coil diameter) of 1000 to 1400 mm, and the outer periphery of the steel strip coil was bound with a cable tie. In this experiment, the steel strip coils were divided into four outer diameter groups: 1000 mm to 1100 mm, over 1100 mm to 1200 mm, over 1200 mm to 1300 mm, and over 1300 mm to 1400 mm. Steel strip coils corresponding to each outer diameter group were selected, and the vertical load Ga required to properly bind the coils was determined using the same method as in No. 3 of [Example 1] (Table 2) above. Furthermore, the band tension required to obtain this vertical load Ga was determined, and an appropriate band tension was set for each outer diameter group within the band tension range of 1200 to 1450 kgf. The appropriate vertical load Ga for each outer diameter group and the corresponding band tension (appropriate value) were the same as in Nos. 1 to 4 of Table 1. 50 coils of steel strip coils were banded using the band tension set for each outer diameter group, and the banded steel strip coils were transported to a predetermined position by a conveyor and then transported by a crane to a coil storage yard. The number of coils in which defective binding bands (looseness of 3 mm or more or broken welds) were found in these steel coils was investigated. Symbol B (Method B) in Table 3 shows the results.

[0041] In contrast to Method B, steel strip coils with outer diameters of 1000 to 1400 mm were not divided into outer diameter categories. Instead, the measurement and adjustment method No. 3 in [Example 1] (Table 2) was used (two load cells, the load measuring device placement position shown in Figure 7, no banding position adjustment). A coil with an outer diameter of 1200 mm was selected as a representative shape, and a banding tension of 1290 kgf was set for this coil diameter, the same as No. 2 in Table 1. Fifty steel strip coils were banded with this constant banding tension of 1290 kgf. These banded steel strip coils were transported to a designated location by conveyor and then transported by crane to a coil storage yard. The number of coils with defective banding (looseness of 3 mm or more or weld fracture) was counted. Symbol A (Method A) in Table 3 indicates the results.

[0042] For comparison, 50 steel strip coils were banded under the conditions of No. 6 in [Example 1] (Table 2) above, i.e., a uniform band tension of 1,200 kgf regardless of the coil outer diameter. These banded steel strip coils were transported to a predetermined position by conveyor and then transported by crane to a coil storage yard. The number of coils in which defects in the banding bands (looseness of 3 mm or more or weld fractures) were found was counted. The symbol C (Method C) in Table 3 indicates the results. The results in Table 3 show that methods A and B, in which the normal load G was measured according to the present invention and the appropriate band tension was set, produced fewer defective coils than conventional method C. Furthermore, method B, in which the normal load G was measured for each coil outer diameter category and the appropriate band tension was set for each coil outer diameter based on the results, significantly reduced the frequency of defective coils.

[0043] [Table 3] [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Load measuring equipment 2,2a,2b,2c Load cell 3 Load sensor section 4 Load-bearing plate 5 Support 6. Magnets 7 Main body 8 Display 9 Mounting part 10 Guide hole 11 volts 40 Upper plate 41 Side plate part 50 screw holes 90 Convex part A. Materials to be bound Ag bundling target material group x Cable ties

Claims

1. A method for measuring a tightening load of a material to be bound (A) by a binding band (x) when the material to be bound (A) is bound with the binding band (x), comprising: The method comprises: disposing a load measuring device (1) equipped with one or more load cells (2) between a material to be bound (A) and a cable tie (x); tightening the cable tie (x) to bind the material to be bound (A); and measuring a load G acting on the load measuring device (1) in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the cable tie (x) in this bound state; The load measuring device (1) comprises a plurality of load cells (2) and a load receiving plate (4) arranged across the load sensor units (3) of the plurality of load cells (2), receiving a load from a binding band (x) and transmitting the load to the load sensor unit (3) of each load cell (2); A method for measuring the tightening load of a material to be bound by a cable tie, characterized in that a load measuring device (1) is placed between the material to be bound (A) and the cable tie (x) so that the cable tie (x) abuts against a load receiving plate (4) at a position between the load sensor portions (3) of at least two load meters (2), and the load G is measured by the load measuring device (1).

2. A method for measuring the tightening load of a material to be bound by a cable tie as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the deviation between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the load measured by multiple load meters (2) exceeds a threshold value, the binding position of the cable tie (x) and / or the position of the load measuring device (1) are adjusted so that the deviation of the load is below the threshold value.

3. 3. A method for measuring the tightening load of materials to be bound by a binding band according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the material to be bound (A) is a metal band coil.

4. A measuring device for measuring a tightening load of a material to be bound (A) by a binding band (x) when the material to be bound (A) is bound with the binding band (x), The load cell (2) comprises a plurality of load cells (2), a support (5) supporting the plurality of load cells (2), and a load receiving plate (4) arranged so as to straddle the load sensor units (3) of the plurality of load cells (2) supported by the support (5), and receiving a load from a binding band (x) and transmitting it to the load sensor unit (3) of each load cell (2), An apparatus for measuring the tightening load of materials bound by a binding band, characterized in that the load receiving plate (4) is provided so as to be freely slidable up and down relative to the support (5).

5. An apparatus for measuring the clamping load of a material to be bound by a cable tie as described in claim 4, characterized in that the support (5) has a magnet (6) at the bottom for attracting the material to be bound (A).

6. By using the measurement method of claim 1, for a plurality of materials to be bound (A) that have different specific properties (however, properties that cause a change in "the load G acting on the load measuring device (1) in the direction perpendicular to the band surface of the cable tie (x) when the material to be bound (A) is bound with the cable tie (x)" that can properly bind the material to be bound (A); the same applies below), the load G acting on the load measuring device (1) in the direction perpendicular to the band surface of the cable tie (x) when bound with the cable tie (x) is measured, and the load Ga that can properly bind each material to be bound (A) is determined, Based on the tightening tension of the binding band (x) at which the load Ga is obtained, an appropriate value of the tightening tension of the binding band (x) is set for each of the binding target materials (A) having different specific properties, A method for binding materials (A) with a cable tie (x), characterized in that when binding materials (A) with a cable tie (x), the material (A) is tightened with the appropriate tightening tension depending on the specific properties of the material (A).

7. A plurality of materials to be bound (A) having different specific properties are divided into a plurality of groups (Ag) according to the differences in their properties, and a load Ga that can properly bind the materials to be bound (A) is determined for each group (Ag); Based on the tightening tension of the cable tie (x) at which the load Ga is obtained, an appropriate value of the tightening tension of the cable tie (x) is set for each group (Ag), A method for binding materials (A) with a cable tie (x), characterized in that when binding materials (A) with a cable tie (x), the material (A) is tightened with the appropriate tightening tension depending on the group (Ag) to which the material (A) belongs.

8. A method for binding materials using a cable tie as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the material to be bound (A) is a metal band coil, and the material to be bound (A) with different specific properties is a metal band coil with a different coil diameter.

9. A manufacturing method of a steel strip coil in which a steel strip coil is band-bound by the binding method according to claim 8, A method for manufacturing a steel strip coil, characterized in that a steel strip that has been subjected to any one of the processes of hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling, temper rolling, continuous annealing, continuous hot dip plating, and continuous electroplating is wound into a coil shape, and then the steel strip coil is banded.

Images