Laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

In this method for manufacturing a layered product, a plurality of sheets are layered to produce a layered product. The method for manufacturing a layered product includes: a first placement step in which, on a transport path for transporting sheets, first sheet members are placed consecutively side by side in the transport direction; and a second placement step in which, over the first sheet members that have been placed side by side on the transport path, second sheet members are placed consecutively side by side in the transport direction. In the second placement step, the second sheet members are placed at a location on the transport path that is downstream of the placement location of the first sheet members. In the first placement step and the second placement step, the first sheet members or the second sheet members are placed at an angle with respect to the transport direction, thereby enabling the adjustment of the placement pitch for the first sheet members or the second sheet members in the transport direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a laminate and a laminate manufacturing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are known a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a reinforced fiber base material in which sheet-like fiber material pieces are placed at an angle with respect to the transfer direction, and the side edges are welded to adjacent fiber material pieces to produce a continuous sheet (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-202658).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding such a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus, there may be a case where a laminate is manufactured by laminating sheet materials. For example, it is conceivable to connect a first sheet material continuously along the transfer direction and dispose a different second sheet material continuously on the connected first sheet material to form a laminate. In this case, while transferring the first sheet material along the transfer path, the second sheet material is disposed and laminated on the connected first sheet, whereby a laminate can be efficiently manufactured.

[0005] However, even when the first sheet material and the second sheet material are of the same size, the sizes of the first sheet material and the second sheet material may be different due to deformation such as manufacturing errors or bending of the sheet material. In this case, if the first sheet material and the second sheet material are successively arranged, the arrangement positions will shift, and it will be difficult to arrange the first sheet material and the second sheet material at the same timing. If the transfer of the sheet material is interrupted, the manufacturing efficiency of the laminate may decrease.

[0006] This disclosure describes a laminate manufacturing method and a laminate manufacturing apparatus that can efficiently produce laminates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A laminate manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a laminate manufacturing method for manufacturing a laminate by stacking a plurality of sheets, comprising: a first arrangement step of arranging first sheet materials continuously in the direction of transport along a transport path for transporting sheets; and a second arrangement step of arranging second sheet materials continuously in the direction of transport above the first sheet materials arranged along the transport path. In the second arrangement step, the arrangement of the second sheet materials is performed at a position downstream of the arrangement position of the first sheet materials along the transport path. In the first and second arrangement steps, the arrangement pitch in the direction of transport of the first sheet materials or the second sheet materials can be adjusted by arranging the first sheet materials or the second sheet materials at an angle with respect to the direction of transport. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to some aspects of this disclosure, laminates can be manufactured efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a laminate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the laminate. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of sheet materials in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the adjustment of the sheet material arrangement pitch in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 4(B) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the adjustment of the sheet material arrangement pitch in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process for the arrangement pitch in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the adjustment of the sheet material arrangement pitch in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 6(B) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the adjustment of the sheet material arrangement pitch in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the welding of sheet material in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8(A) is an explanatory diagram of the welding of sheet material in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 8(B) is an explanatory diagram of the welding of sheet material in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 8(C) is an explanatory diagram of the welding of sheet material in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the welding control process in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A laminate manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a laminate manufacturing method for manufacturing a laminate by stacking a plurality of sheets, and includes a first arrangement step of arranging first sheet materials continuously in the direction of transport along a transport path for transporting sheets, and a second arrangement step of arranging second sheet materials continuously in the direction of transport above the first sheet materials arranged along the transport path. In the second arrangement step, the arrangement of the second sheet materials is performed at a position downstream of the arrangement position of the first sheet materials along the transport path. In the first arrangement step and the second arrangement step, the arrangement pitch in the direction of transport of the first sheet materials or the second sheet materials can be adjusted by arranging the first sheet materials or the second sheet materials at an angle with respect to the direction of transport. According to the laminate manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when first sheet materials are arranged continuously along a transport path and second sheet materials are arranged downstream therefrom, the arrangement pitch in the direction of transport of the first sheet materials can be adjusted by arranging the first sheet materials at an angle with respect to the direction of transport. When arranging first sheet materials in a continuous line along a transport path, and then arranging second sheet materials downstream, the placement pitch of the second sheet materials in the transport direction can be adjusted by arranging them at an angle to the transport direction. For example, even if the sheet widths of the first and second sheet materials differ due to differences in size, the placement pitch of the first and second sheet materials in the transport direction can be matched by arranging either the first or second sheet material at an angle to the transport direction. This allows the first and second sheet materials to be placed at the same time. This enables the efficient manufacturing of laminates formed by stacking the first and second sheet materials.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first sheet material and the second sheet material may be parallelograms with two acute diagonals. In the first and second placement steps, the placement pitch of the first or second sheet material in the transport direction may be adjusted by placing one side of the first or second sheet material at an angle with respect to the transport direction. In this case, in the first placement step, the placement pitch of the first sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by placing one side of the first sheet material at an angle with respect to the transport direction. In the second placement step, the placement pitch of the second sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by placing one side of the second sheet material at an angle with respect to the transport direction. Therefore, the first and second sheet materials can be placed at the same time. This allows for the efficient manufacture of laminates formed by stacking the first and second sheet materials.

[0012] In some embodiments, the laminate manufacturing method includes a first welding step of welding a first sheet material placed in a first placement step to a first sheet material placed in advance, and a second welding step of welding a second sheet material placed in a second placement step to a second sheet material placed in advance. twoThe process may include a welding process. In the first and second welding processes, a weldable range with width in the transport direction is set, and the first sheet material and the first sheet material that was previously placed are welded within the weldable range, and the second sheet material and the second sheet material that was previously placed are also welded within the weldable range. In the first and second welding processes, if welding of the first or second sheet material within the weldable range is not possible, the placement position of the first sheet material in the transport direction in the first placement process or the placement position of the second sheet material in the transport direction in the second placement process may be adjusted. In this case, if welding of the first sheet material within the weldable range is not possible in the first welding process, the placement position of the first sheet material in the transport direction in the first placement process is adjusted. If welding of the second sheet material within the weldable range is not possible in the second welding process, the placement position of the second sheet material in the transport direction in the second placement process is adjusted. This resets and eliminates any misalignment of the first and second sheet materials. Therefore, the subsequent placement and welding of the first and second sheet materials can be carried out appropriately, and the laminate can be manufactured efficiently.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first sheet material and the second sheet material may be fiber sheets in which fibers are arranged in a certain direction. In this case, a laminate formed by stacking multiple fiber sheets can be manufactured efficiently.

[0014] A laminate manufacturing apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a laminate manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a laminate by laminating a plurality of sheets. The laminate manufacturing apparatus includes a first arranging unit that continuously arranges a first sheet material in the transport direction of a transport path for transporting the sheets, a second arranging unit that continuously arranges a second sheet material above the first sheet material arranged side by side in the transport path in the transport direction, and an arrangement adjusting unit that is arranged to tilt the first sheet material or the second sheet material arranged with respect to the transport path with respect to the transport direction and enables adjustment of the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material or the second sheet material in the transport direction. According to the laminate manufacturing apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure, when the first sheet material is continuously arranged side by side with respect to the transport path and the second sheet material is arranged side by side at a downstream position thereof, the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by arranging the first sheet material to be tilted with respect to the transport direction. When the first sheet material is continuously arranged side by side with respect to the transport path and the second sheet material is arranged side by side at a downstream position thereof, the arrangement pitch of the second sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by arranging the second sheet material to be tilted with respect to the transport direction. For example, even when the sheet widths of the first sheet material and the second sheet material are different due to differences in their sizes, the arrangement pitches of the first sheet and the second sheet material in the transport direction can be made to match by arranging the first sheet material or the second sheet material to be tilted with respect to the transport direction. As a result, the first sheet material and the second sheet material can be arranged at the same timing. The manufacture of a laminate in which the first sheet material and the second sheet material are laminated can be efficiently performed.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a laminate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a laminate. FIG. 2 shows a plurality of sheets to be laminated in an exploded manner.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for manufacturing a laminate 3 by laminating a plurality of sheets. The laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 sequentially laminates the sheets 31 to 34 while transporting the sheets 31 to 34 along the transport path 2, for example. The transport path 2 is composed of, for example, a plate material extending along the transport direction T. The laminate 3 is a long sheet as shown in FIG. 2. The laminate 3 has, for example, a four-layer laminate structure in which four sheets 31, sheet 32, sheet 33, and sheet 34 are laminated. The sheets 31 to 34 are, for example, fiber sheets formed by arranging fibers in a predetermined direction. The sheets 31 to 34 are formed by impregnating a fiber material with a resin. As the fiber material, for example, carbon, aramid, glass, etc. are used. As the resin, an epoxy resin or the like is used. The resin may be a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin.

[0018] The sheets 31 and 33 are formed by arranging fibers in the longitudinal direction. The sheets 32 and 34 are formed by arranging fibers obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. The fibers of the sheet 32 and the fibers of the sheet 34 are arranged so as to cross each other. The sheet 32 is formed by connecting a plurality of sheet materials 321 in the longitudinal direction. The sheet 34 is formed by connecting a plurality of sheet materials 341 in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] In FIG. 1, the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a drawing roller 21, a first pressing roller 22, a first welding part 23, a second pressing roller 24, a second welding part 25, a third welding part 26, a first arranging part 4, a second arranging part 5, and a control part 6.

[0020] The pull-out roller 21 is a roller for transporting the laminate 3 and pulling out the sheet 31. The pull-out roller 21 is installed downstream of the transport path 2. The pull-out roller 21 comprises a drive roller 211 and a movable roller 212. The drive roller 211 and the movable roller 212 are roller members that rotate about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the transport direction T. For example, the movable roller 212 is provided above the drive roller 211. The movable roller 212 is provided so that it can move closer to and further away from the drive roller 211 by the operation of the elevator 213. The drive roller 211 is provided so that it can rotate by the operation of the motor 214. The laminate 3, including the sheet 31, is sandwiched between the drive roller 211 and the movable roller 212. By rotating the drive roller 211, the laminate 3 is transported downstream in the transport direction T, and the sheet 31 is pulled out from the raw material roll 311. In other words, the raw material roll 311 on which the sheet 31 is wound is placed at the upstream position of the transport path 2, and the sheet 31 is pulled out from the raw material roll 311 by the operation of the pull-out roller 21.

[0021] The first pressing roller 22 is located downstream of the raw material roll 311 in the transport path 2. The first pressing roller 22 is a roller that holds down the sheet 31 being pulled out from the raw material roll 311 so that it does not lift or separate from the transport path 2. The first pressing roller 22 is rotatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the transport direction T. The first pressing roller 22 is movably raised and lowered by the operation of the elevator 221.

[0022] The first welding section 23 is a mechanism for welding sheet material 321 placed on the sheet 31. The first welding section 23 is located downstream of the first press roller 22 in the transport path 2. The sheet material 321 is the first sheet material for forming the sheet 32. The sheet 32 ​​is formed by connecting multiple sheet materials 321 in a continuous manner. The sheet material 321 is placed on the sheet 31 by the first placement section 4. The first welding section 23 welds the end of a preceding sheet material 321 placed on the sheet 31 to the end of a subsequent sheet material 321 by heat welding or ultrasonic welding, etc., thereby forming the sheet 32. The first welding section 23 has a weldable range 231 set as the range in which welding can be performed. The weldable range 231 is, for example, the area below the first welding section 23 and has a width in the transport direction T, as shown in Figure 7. The weldable range is set by the structure of the first welding section 23, etc. If the connection between the preceding sheet material 321 and the succeeding sheet material 321 is within the weldable range, the first welding section 23 will properly weld the preceding sheet material 321 and the succeeding sheet material 321 together. On the other hand, if the connection between the preceding sheet material 321 and the succeeding sheet material 321 is not within the weldable range 231, the first welding section 23 will not be able to weld the preceding sheet material 321 and the succeeding sheet material 321 together.

[0023] The second pressing roller 24 is located downstream of the first welding section 23 in the transport path 2. The second pressing roller 24 is a roller that holds down the sheet 33 being pulled out from the raw material roll 331 so that it does not lift or separate from the transport path 2. The sheet 33 is a sheet that is laminated on top of the sheet 32. The raw material roll 331 is located upstream of the second pressing roller 24 and spaced upward from the transport path 2. The sheet 33 is pulled out from the raw material roll 331 by the operation of the pull-out roller 21 described above. An edge sensor is provided near the raw material roll 331. The edge sensor is a sensor for detecting the edge of the sheet 33 being pulled out from the raw material roll 331. The second pressing roller 24 is rotatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the transport direction T. The second pressing roller 24 is also rotatable up and down by the operation of the elevator 241.

[0024] The second welding section 25 is a mechanism for welding the sheet 33, which is laid on the sheet 32, to the sheet 32. The second welding section 25 is located downstream of the second pressing roller 24 in the transport path 2. The second welding section 25 welds the sheet 33 to the sheet 32 ​​by heat welding or ultrasonic welding. The second welding section 25 ensures that the sheet 33 is in close contact with the sheet 32 ​​so that it does not lift or separate from the sheet 32. A lifting mechanism 251 is provided above the second welding section 25. The second welding section 25 can be raised and lowered by the operation of the lifting mechanism 251.

[0025] The third welding section 26 is a mechanism for welding sheet material 341 placed on the sheet 33. The third welding section 26 is located downstream of the second welding section 25 in the transport path 2. The sheet material 341 is a second sheet material for forming the sheet 34. The sheet 34 is formed by continuously connecting multiple sheet materials 341. The sheet material 341 is placed on the sheet 33 by the second placement section 5. The third welding section 26 welds the end of a preceding sheet material 341 placed on the sheet 33 to the end of a subsequent sheet material 341 by heat welding or ultrasonic welding, etc., thereby forming the sheet 34. The third welding section 26 has a weldable range 261 set as the range in which welding can be performed. The weldable range 261 is, for example, the area below the third welding section 26 and has a width in the transport direction T, as shown in Figure 7. The weldable range is set by the structure of the third welding section 26, etc. If the connection between the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 is within the weldable range, the third welding section 26 will properly weld the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 together. On the other hand, if the connection between the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 is not within the weldable range 261, the third welding section 26 will not be able to weld the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 together.

[0026] The first placement section 4 is a mechanism for arranging the sheet material 321 in a continuous line in the transport direction T with respect to the transport path 2. The first placement section 4 places the sheet material 321 on the sheet 31 being transported along the transport path 2, at a position upstream of the first welding section 23. The first placement section 4 is configured, for example, with a first placement mechanism 42. The first placement mechanism 42 is a mechanism for placing the sheet material 321 at a predetermined position on the sheet 31 in the transport path 2.

[0027] The first placement mechanism 42 rotates the sheet material 321 on the first sub-transport path 43 to a predetermined direction. The first placement mechanism 42 moves and places the sheet material 321 on the sheet 31 of the transport path 2. The first sub-transport path 43 is a transport path for transporting the sheet material 321 toward the transport path 2. The first sub-transport path 43 is installed to the side of the transport path 2. The first sub-transport path 43 is provided facing the transport path 2. The first placement mechanism 42 includes a rail section 421, a movable section 422, and a holding section 423. The rail section 421 is installed so as to cross above the transport path 2 from the end of the first sub-transport path 43. The movable section 422 is a movable body that can reciprocate along the rail section 421. The movable section 422 is rotatable about a vertical axis and is movable up and down. The rotational drive control of the movable section 422 may be adjusted by forming a stopper at the position where the movable section 422 rotates. The rotational drive control of the movable part 422 may be performed by other methods. The rotational drive control of the movable part 422 may be performed, for example, by controlling the rotation angle using servo control. The holding part 423 is attached to the lower part of the movable part 422. The holding part 423 is configured to hold the sheet material 321 by gripping or air suction. The first placement mechanism 42 holds the sheet material 321 on the first sub-transfer path 43 with the holding part 423. The first placement mechanism 42 moves the sheet material 321 upward with the movable part 422. The first placement mechanism 42 transports the sheet material 321 along the rail part 421 to an upper position on the transfer path 2. The first placement mechanism 42 rotates the sheet material 321 clockwise with the movable part 422 to lower it. The first placement mechanism 42 releases the holding of the holding part 423 to place the sheet material 321 on the sheet 31 laid on the transfer path 2.

[0028] The second placement section 5 is a mechanism for arranging the sheet material 341 in a continuous line in the transport direction T relative to the transport path 2. The second placement section 5 places the sheet material 341 on the sheet 33 being transported along the transport path 2, at a position upstream of the third welding section 26. The second placement section 5 is configured, for example, with a second placement mechanism 52. The second placement mechanism 52 is a mechanism for placing the sheet material 341 at a predetermined position on the sheet 33 in the transport path 2.

[0029] The second placement mechanism 52 rotates the sheet material 341 on the second sub-transport path 53 to a predetermined direction. The second placement mechanism 52 moves and places the sheet material 341 on the sheet 33 of the transport path 2. The second sub-transport path 53 is a transport path for transporting the sheet material 341 toward the transport path 2. The second sub-transport path 53 is installed to the side of the transport path 2. The second sub-transport path 53 is provided facing the transport path 2. The second placement mechanism 52 includes a rail section 521, a movable section 522, and a holding section 523. The rail section 521 is installed so as to cross above the transport path 2 from the end of the second sub-transport path 53. The movable section 522 is a movable body that can reciprocate along the rail section 521. The movable section 522 is rotatable about a vertical axis and is able to move up and down. The rotational drive control of the movable section 522 may be adjusted by forming a stopper at the position where the movable section 522 rotates. The rotational drive control of the movable part 522 may be performed by other methods. The rotational drive control of the movable part 522 may be performed, for example, by controlling the rotation angle by servo control. The holding part 523 is attached to the lower part of the movable part 522. The holding part 523 is configured to hold the sheet material 341 by gripping or air suction. The second placement mechanism 52 holds the sheet material 341 on the second sub-transfer path 53 with the holding part 523. The second placement mechanism 52 moves the sheet material 341 upward with the movable part 522. The second placement mechanism 52 transports the sheet material 341 along the rail part 521 to an upper position on the transfer path 2. The second placement mechanism 52 rotates the sheet material 341 counterclockwise with the movable part 522 to lower it. The second placement mechanism 52 lowers the sheet material 341 and releases the holding part 523, thereby placing the sheet material 341 on the sheet 33 laid on the transfer path 2.

[0030] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of sheet materials in the laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 3 shows an overview of the arrangement of sheet materials 321 and sheet materials 341 by the first arrangement section 4 and the second arrangement section 5. Figure 3 is a plan view of the transport path 2 from above.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, sheet 31 is placed on the transport path 2. Sheet 32 ​​is placed on top of sheet 31. Sheet 33 is placed on top of sheet 32. Sheet 34 is placed on top of sheet 33. Sheet 31 is pulled out from the raw material roll 311 and placed on the transport path 2. Sheet 32 ​​is formed by sequentially connecting multiple sheet materials 321 that are transported from the first sub-transport path 43 on the transport path 2. Sheet 33 is pulled out from the raw material roll 331 and placed on the transport path 2. Sheet 34 is formed by sequentially connecting multiple sheet materials 341 that are transported from the second sub-transport path 53 on the transport path 2.

[0032] Sheet 31 has a structure in which fibers are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The fiber arrangement direction of sheet 32 ​​is oblique to the longitudinal direction. For example, in sheet 32, multiple sheet materials 321 are connected to each other so that the fiber arrangement direction is oblique to the longitudinal direction. Sheet material 321 is formed by cutting sheet 323 obliquely in the first sub-transport path 43. In the first sub-transport path 43, the fibers of sheet 323 are arranged in the longitudinal direction. Sheet material 321 is rotated around a vertical axis and connected to sheet 32 ​​on the transport path 2. As a result, sheet 32 ​​has a structure in which fibers are arranged oblique to the longitudinal direction. More specifically, sheet material 321 is cut on the first sub-transport path 43 so that the front right corner and the rear left corner facing the transport path 2 have acute angles θ. Sheet material 321 becomes a parallelogram with two diagonal angles being acute. A long sheet 32 ​​is formed by connecting a sheet material 321 that has been rotated clockwise by an angle α (90 degrees minus angle θ) to a sheet 32. In other words, a long sheet 32 ​​is formed by connecting a sheet material 321 that has been rotated so that the cut edge 321a of the sheet material 321 cut in the first sub-transport path 43 becomes the side edge of the sheet 32 ​​to the sheet 32. Here, if the angle θ in the sheet material 321 is 45 degrees, the sheet 32 ​​will have a structure in which the fibers are arranged at a 45-degree angle from the front left to the rear right when viewed from the transport direction T. In Figure 3, the shape of the sheet material 321 is a parallelogram, but the shape of the sheet material 321 may be a parallelogram with rounded corners. The shape of the sheet material 321 may also be a parallelogram with a notch formed in part of it.

[0033] In Figure 3, sheet 33 has a structure in which fibers are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The direction of fiber arrangement in sheet 34 is oblique to the longitudinal direction and intersects with the direction of fiber arrangement in sheet 32. For example, in sheet 34, multiple sheet materials 341 are connected to each other so that the direction of fiber arrangement is oblique, thereby arranging the fibers oblique to the longitudinal direction. Sheet material 341 is formed by cutting sheet 343 obliquely in the second sub-transport path 53. In the second sub-transport path 53, the fibers in sheet 343 are arranged in the longitudinal direction. Sheet 343 is rotated around its vertical axis and connected to sheet 34 on the transport path 2. As a result, sheet 34 has a structure in which fibers are arranged oblique to the longitudinal direction. More specifically, sheet material 341 is cut on the second sub-transport path 53 such that the left front corner and the right rear corner facing the transport path 2 have an acute angle θ. The sheet material 341 is a parallelogram with two acute angles on its diagonals. The shape of the sheet material 341 may be the same as the shape of the sheet material 321, with rounded corners of the parallelogram, or with a notch formed in part of the parallelogram. A long sheet 34 is formed by connecting the sheet material 341, which has been rotated counterclockwise by an angle α obtained by subtracting angle θ from 90 degrees, to the sheet 34. In other words, a long sheet 34 is formed by connecting the sheet material 341, which has been rotated so that the cut edge 341a of the sheet material 341 cut in the second sub-transport path 53 becomes the side edge of the sheet 34, to the sheet 34. Here, if the angle θ in the sheet material 341 is 45 degrees, the sheet 34 will have a structure in which the fibers are arranged at a 45-degree angle from the front right to the rear left when viewed from the transport direction T.

[0034] In Figure 1, the control unit 6 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire apparatus in the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1. The control unit 6 is composed of a computer including, for example, a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control unit 6 receives detection signals from sensors such as edge sensors. The control unit 6 outputs drive signals to actuators such as motors 214. The control unit 6 outputs operating signals to operating devices such as the first welding unit 23, the first placement mechanism 42, and the second placement mechanism 52.

[0035] The control unit 6 functions as an arrangement adjustment unit that arranges the sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 placed in the transport path 2 so as to be tilted with respect to the transport direction T, and adjusts the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 in the transport direction. For example, the control unit 6 adjusts the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 in the transport direction by outputting an operation signal to the first arrangement unit 4 so as to be tilted with respect to the transport direction T. The control unit 6 adjusts the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 341 in the transport direction by outputting an operation signal to the second arrangement unit 5 so as to be tilted with respect to the transport direction T. The arrangement pitch is the feed pitch of the sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 in the transport direction, and corresponds to the sheet length in the transport direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, if sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 can be repeatedly placed at the same time, sheets 32 and 34 can be formed smoothly. Sheets 31 to 34 can be laminated in a short time. The laminate 3 can be manufactured efficiently. However, if the placement pitch of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are different, sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 cannot be placed at the same time. The transfer of sheets 32 and 34 must be stopped or delayed in the transfer path 2. The efficiency of manufacturing the laminate 3 decreases. For example, if the placement pitch of sheet material 321 connected to sheet 32 ​​is different from the placement pitch of sheet material 341 connected to sheet 34, it becomes difficult to place sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 at the same time. The placement pitch of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 may differ due to differences in sheet width caused by curvature, bending, and manufacturing errors of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341. In other words, the actual dimensions of the sheet material itself may differ, which can result in different arrangement pitches (feed pitches) for sheet material 321 and sheet material 341.

[0037] Therefore, the control unit 6 can adjust the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 in the transport path 2 in the transport direction. This allows the sheets 32 and 34 to be formed smoothly. For example, if the arrangement pitch of sheet material 341 is longer than that of sheet material 321, the control unit 6 arranges the multiple sheet materials 341 at an angle with respect to the transport direction T, as shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B). The control unit 6 adjusts the arrangement pitch so that the arrangement pitch of the multiple sheet materials 341 becomes shorter. For example, if the deviation in the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials is within a predetermined range, the subsequent welding process can be performed simultaneously, so there is no decrease in manufacturing efficiency. However, if the deviation in the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials exceeds a predetermined range, the welding process of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 cannot be performed simultaneously, and adjustment of the arrangement pitch becomes necessary.

[0038] Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are explanatory diagrams illustrating the adjustment of the arrangement pitch of sheet materials in a laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 4(A) shows the arrangement of multiple sheet materials 341 when there is no deviation in the arrangement pitch and it is normally controlled. Each of the multiple sheet materials 341 is rotated counterclockwise by an angle α from the second sub-transport path 53. The sheet materials 341 are arranged on the transport path 2 such that the cutting edge 341a of the sheet material 341 is parallel to the transport direction T in the transport path 2. At this time, the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials 341 is L. Here, the arrangement pitch is the length in the transport direction T between opposing connecting edges of the sheet material. The connecting edge is the edge that is connected to the preceding or succeeding sheet material. As shown in Figure 4(A), when one edge connecting two connecting edges of the sheet material 341 is parallel to the transport direction T, the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 341 and the dimension of one edge connecting two connecting edges are the same length. The length of one side connecting two connecting sides is proportional to the sheet width dimension of the sheet material 341.

[0039] In contrast, Figure 4(B) shows the arrangement of multiple sheet materials 341 when arrangement adjustment control is in place. Each of the multiple sheet materials 341 is rotated counterclockwise by an angle α-β from the second sub-transport path 53. In the transport path 2, the cut edge 341a of the sheet material 341 is tilted by an angle β from the transport direction T, and the sheet material 341 is placed on the transport path 2. At this time, the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials 341 is L1. In other words, the arrangement pitch L1 is shorter than the arrangement pitch L (L>L1). As a result, even if the arrangement pitch is shifted due to the sheet width of the sheet material 341 being greater than the sheet width of the sheet material 321, the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 341 can be shortened to eliminate or reduce the shift in arrangement pitch with the sheet material 321.

[0040] In Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 341 is shortened to suppress delays in the arrangement timing, but the arrangement timing may also be adjusted by lengthening the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321. For example, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the sheet material 321 may be arranged at an angle with respect to the transport direction T to lengthen the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321.

[0041] Figure 6(A) shows the arrangement of multiple sheet materials 321 when there is no deviation in the arrangement pitch and the system is under normal control. Each of the multiple sheet materials 321 is rotated clockwise by an angle α from the first sub-transport path 43. The sheet materials 321 are arranged on the transport path 2 such that the cutting edge 321a of each sheet material 321 is parallel to the transport direction T. At this time, the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials 321 is L.

[0042] In contrast, Figure 6(B) shows the arrangement of multiple sheet materials 321 when their arrangement is controlled. Each of the multiple sheet materials 321 is rotated clockwise by an angle α+β from the first sub-transport path 43. Sheet material 3 in transport path 2 2 The cutting edge 321a of 1 is tilted at an angle β from the transport direction T, and the sheet material 3 21 is disposed on the transfer path 2. At this time, the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 is L2. The arrangement pitch L2 is longer than the arrangement pitch L (L < L2). Thus, even when the arrangement pitch is shifted due to, for example, the sheet width of the sheet material 321 being smaller than the sheet width of the sheet material 341, the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 can be increased to eliminate or reduce the shift from the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 341.

[0043] Next, the operation of the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 and the laminate manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process of the arrangement pitch in the laminate manufacturing method and the laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0045] First, in FIG. 1, the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 operates, for example, by turning on a power switch. A control signal is output from the control unit 6 to an actuator, an operating device, etc. For example, a drive signal is output from the control unit 6 to the motor 214. The take-out roller 21 operates. The sheet 31 is pulled out from the raw roll 311 and transferred to the transfer path 2. By the operation of the take-out roller 21, the sheet 33 is pulled out from the raw roll 331 and transferred to the transfer path 2. The sheet 323 is pulled out and transferred to the first sub-transfer path 43. The sheet 323 is, for example, pulled out from a raw roll. The sheet 343 is pulled out and transferred to the second sub-transfer path 53. The sheet 343 is, for example, pulled out from a raw roll.

[0046] The sheet 323 transferred to the first sub-transfer path 43 is cut by the operation of a cutting mechanism. For example, by outputting an operation signal from the control unit 6 to the cutting mechanism, the sheet material 321 is cut out from the sheet 323 by the movement of the cutter. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, by moving the cutter obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sheet 323, the sheet material 321 can be cut out as a parallelogram with an acute angle at the diagonal.

[0047] The sheet 343, which is transferred to the second sub-transfer path 53, is cut by the operation of the cutting mechanism. For example, when an operation signal is output from the control unit 6 to the cutting mechanism, the sheet material 341 is cut out from the sheet 343 by the movement of the cutter. At this time, as shown in Figure 3, by moving the cutter diagonally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sheet 343, the sheet material 341 can be cut out as a parallelogram with acute angles at its diagonals.

[0048] The sheet material 321 cut in the first sub-transfer path 43 is moved from the first sub-transfer path 43 to the transport path 2 by the operation of the first placement mechanism 42. The first placement mechanism 42 is activated when the control unit 6 outputs an operation signal to the first placement mechanism 42. In the first sub-transfer path 43, the sheet material 321 is held by the holding part 423. The sheet material 321 is moved upward by the movable part 422. The sheet material 321 is moved upward along the rail part 421 to the transport path 2. The sheet material 321 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle by the movable part 422. The sheet material 321 is placed on the sheet 31 of the transport path 2 by the release of the holding part 423. Figure 1 shows the state in which the sheet material 321 is held by the holding part 423 and moved upward.

[0049] The sheet material 341 cut in the second sub-transfer path 53 is moved from the second sub-transfer path 53 to the transport path 2 by the operation of the second placement mechanism 52. The second placement mechanism 52 is activated when an operation signal is output from the control unit 6 to the second placement mechanism 52. In the second sub-transfer path 53, the sheet material 341 is held by the holding part 523. The sheet material 341 is moved upward by the movable part 522. The sheet material 341 is moved upward along the rail part 521 to the transport path 2. The sheet material 341 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle by the movable part 522. The sheet material 341 is placed on the sheet 33 of the transport path 2 by the release of the holding part 523. Figure 1 shows the state in which the sheet material 341 is held by the holding part 523 and has moved upward to the transport path 2.

[0050] The sheet material 321 placed on the sheet 31 in the transport path 2 is connected to the preceding sheet material 321 to become sheet 32. An operation signal is output from the control unit 6 to the first welding unit 23. Upon operation of the first welding unit 23, the sheet material 321 is welded to the preceding sheet material 321 as the first welding process. As shown in Figure 3, when the sheet material 321 is rotated clockwise by an angle α, the cutting edge 321a becomes parallel to the transport direction T. The sheet material 321 is connected to the preceding sheet material 321 so that the cutting edge 321a becomes the side edge of sheet 32.

[0051] The sheet material 341 placed on the sheet 33 in the transport path 2 is connected to the preceding sheet material 341 to form sheet 34. An operation signal is output from the control unit 6 to the third welding unit 26. The operation of the third welding unit 26 results in the second welding process, in which sheet material 341 is welded to the preceding sheet material 341. As shown in Figure 3, when sheet material 341 is rotated counterclockwise by an angle α, the cutting edge 341a becomes parallel to the transport direction T. Sheet material 341 is connected to the preceding sheet material 341 so that the cutting edge 341a becomes the side edge of sheet 34.

[0052] In Figure 1, the sheet material 341 is connected at the third welding section 26 to form sheet 34, and sheets 31 to 34 are stacked to manufacture the laminate 3.

[0053] The adjustment process for the arrangement pitch shown in Figure 5 is a process to adjust the arrangement pitch of sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 in the transport path 2 when an arrangement misalignment occurs between sheet material 321 and sheet material 341. The flowchart in Figure 5 may be executed by automatic control of the control unit 6 when an arrangement misalignment between sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 is detected by a sensor or the like. Alternatively, when an arrangement misalignment occurs between sheet material 321 and sheet material 341, the process may be executed by an operator adjusting or correcting the arrangement angle of sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 in the control unit 6.

[0054] First, as shown in step S10 of Figure 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as "S10"; the same applies to subsequent steps), the control unit 6 performs a sheet material placement process. The placement process in S10 includes a first placement step of placing sheet materials 321 in a continuous line along the transport direction T of the transport path 2, and a second placement step of placing sheet materials 341 in a continuous line along the transport direction T above the sheet materials 321 placed in the transport path 2.

[0055] In Figure 1, an operation signal is output from the control unit 6 to the first placement mechanism 42 of the first placement unit 4, causing the first placement mechanism 42 to operate and place the sheet material 321 on the sheet 31 of the transport path 2. As shown in Figure 3, the sheet material 321 is rotated clockwise from the first sub-transport path 43 and placed on the transport path 2. The placement position of the sheet material 321 is at the rear end of the sheet 32 ​​and adjacent to the rear end of the preceding sheet material 321. As a result, the sheet materials 321 are arranged in a continuous line in the transport direction T.

[0056] Meanwhile, in Figure 1, an operation signal is output from the control unit 6 to the second placement mechanism 52 of the second placement unit 5, and the operation of the second placement mechanism 52 causes the sheet material 341 to be placed on the sheet 33 of the transport path 2. As shown in Figure 3, the sheet material 341 is rotated counterclockwise from the second sub-transport path 53 and placed on the transport path 2. The placement position of the sheet material 341 is at the rear end of the sheet 34 and adjacent to the rear end of the preceding sheet material 341. As a result, the sheet materials 341 are arranged in a continuous line in the transport direction T.

[0057] The control unit 6 proceeds to S12 in Figure 5. The control unit 6 determines whether or not there is a misalignment in the placement of the sheet material. The determination process in S12 is to determine whether or not sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are placed in the predetermined position when sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are placed in the transfer path 2 at the same time. In other words, the determination process is to determine whether or not sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 can be placed in the transfer path 2 at the same time. The determination process may be performed by, for example, detecting the positions of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 using a sensor, and the control unit 6 determining whether or not the placement positions of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are in the predetermined position. The determination process may also be performed by having an operator determine whether or not the placement positions of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are in the predetermined position.

[0058] For example, in Figure 3, if sheet material 321 can be transferred from the first sub-transfer path 43 to the transfer path 2 and connected to the preceding sheet material 321, and sheet material 341 can be transferred from the second sub-transfer path 53 to the transfer path 2 and connected to the preceding sheet material 341, then it is determined that there is no misalignment of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341. The control unit 6 may determine whether the position of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 is in a predetermined position, for example, based on the position of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 or the connection status of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341.

[0059] On the other hand, if sheet material 321 cannot be transferred from the first sub-transfer path 43 to the transfer path 2 and connected to a preceding sheet material 321, or if sheet material 341 cannot be transferred from the second sub-transfer path 53 to the transfer path 2 and connected to a preceding sheet material 341, it is determined that there is a misalignment in either sheet material 321 or sheet material 341. For example, misalignment may occur if sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are of different sizes, or if the curvature or flexure of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are different.

[0060] In step S12 of Figure 5, if it is determined that there is no misalignment of the sheet material, the series of control processes in Figure 5 is terminated. In this case, the manufacturing of the laminate 3 is proceeding smoothly. Lamination of sheets 31 to 34 continues.

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 of Figure 5 that there is a misalignment of the sheet material, the arrangement pitch of the sheet material is adjusted (S14). The arrangement pitch adjustment process in S14 is a process of adjusting the arrangement pitch of the sheet material placed in the transport path 2 in order to suppress misalignment of the sheet material. For example, if sheet material 341 is placed significantly later than sheet material 321 and causes misalignment, the misalignment can be suppressed by tilting sheet material 341 with respect to the transport direction T and adjusting the arrangement pitch of sheet material 341, as shown in Figure 4.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4(A), when the rotation angle of the sheet material 341 is angle α, the sheet material 341 is positioned such that one side of the sheet material 341 (cut edge 341a) is parallel to the transport direction T. In this case, the positioning pitch of the sheet material 341 placed in the transport path 2 is L. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4(B), when the positioning pitch of the sheet material 341 is adjusted, the rotation angle of the sheet material 341 is set to angle α-β. Both angles α and β are positive angles. In this case, the sheet material 341 is positioned such that one side of the sheet material 341 (cut edge 341a) is tilted by angle β from the transport direction T. Therefore, the positioning pitch L1 of the sheet material 341 placed in the transport path 2 becomes shorter than the positioning pitch L. This shortens the positioning pitch of the sheet material 341 and suppresses misalignment of the sheet material. Angle β can be set appropriately depending on the misalignment situation.

[0063] Figures 4(A) and 4(B) illustrate the case where the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 341 is adjusted to suppress misalignment, but the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 may also be adjusted to suppress misalignment. As shown in Figure 6(A), when the rotation angle of the sheet material 321 is angle α, the sheet material 3 3 is arranged so that one side of the sheet material 321 (cutting edge 321a) is parallel to the transport direction T. 21 is placed. At this time, the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 placed in the transport path 2 is L. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(B), when the arrangement pitch of the sheet material 321 is adjusted, the rotation angle of the sheet material 321 is set to angle α + β. In this case, the sheet material 3 is arranged such that one side of the sheet material 321 (cut edge 321a) is tilted by angle β from the transport direction T. 2 1 is positioned. As a result, the positioning pitch L2 of the sheet material 321 placed in the transport path 2 becomes longer than the positioning pitch L. This increases the positioning pitch of the sheet material 321, suppressing misalignment of the sheet material. After the control unit 6 has finished the positioning pitch adjustment process in S14, it terminates the series of control processes shown in Figure 5.

[0064] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the welding control process in a laminate manufacturing method and laminate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. The welding control process is a process that controls the welding of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 so that the welding is performed within the welding range. The welding control process is executed by the control unit 6, for example, when sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 are placed in the transport path 2.

[0065] First, as shown in S20 of Figure 9, the control unit 6 determines whether the welding position of sheet material 321 is within the weldable range 231 and whether the welding position of sheet material 341 is within the weldable range 261. In the determination process of S20, the control unit 6 determines whether the welding position (connection position) between the rear end of the preceding sheet material 321 and the front end of the succeeding sheet material 321 is located within the weldable range 231. In the determination process of S20, the control unit 6 determines whether the welding position between the rear end of the preceding sheet material 341 and the front end of the succeeding sheet material 341 is located within the weldable range 261. For example, the control unit 6 may perform the determination process of S20 based on the detection results from sensors of the welding positions of the preceding sheet material 321 and the succeeding sheet material 321, and the welding positions of the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341.

[0066] For example, as shown in Figure 8(A), if the welding position P between the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 is near the center of the weldable range 261, the control unit 6 determines that the welding position P of the sheet material 341 is within the weldable range 261. As shown in Figure 8(B), if the welding position P between the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 is near the edge of the weldable range 261, the control unit 6 determines that the welding position P of the sheet material 341 is within the weldable range 261. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8(C), if the welding position P between the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 is outside the weldable range 261, the control unit 6 determines that the welding position P of the sheet material 341 is not within the weldable range 261. Figure 8 shows a case where the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 are welded at one location, but the preceding sheet material 341 and the succeeding sheet material 341 may be welded at several locations. Figure 8 shows an example of determining whether the welding position P of the sheet material 341 is within the weldable range 261, but the same can be done for the sheet material 321, where it is determined whether the welding position of the sheet material 321 is within the weldable range 231.

[0067] In S20 of Figure 9, if it is determined that the welding position of sheet material 321 is within the welding range 231 and the welding position of sheet material 341 is within the welding range 261, then in S22, the control unit 6 performs welding of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341. The first welding unit 23 welds the preceding sheet material 321 to the succeeding sheet material 321. The third welding unit 26 welds the preceding sheet material 341 to the succeeding sheet material 341.

[0068] On the other hand, if it is determined in S20 that the welding position of sheet material 321 is not within the weldable range 231, or that the welding position of sheet material 341 is not within the weldable range 261, then welding of sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 within the weldable range cannot be performed, and the control unit 6 adjusts the position of sheet material 321 in the transport direction T or the position of sheet material 341 in the transport direction T (S24). The adjustment process in S24 is a process of adjusting the position of one or both of the sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 that are placed on the transport path 2. For example, with the preceding sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 placed on the transport path 2 moved in the transport direction, the position of sheet material 321 on the transport path 2 by the first positioning mechanism 42 and the position of sheet material 341 on the transport path 2 by the second positioning mechanism 52 are performed simultaneously, thereby adjusting the position of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 on the transport path 2. This resets and eliminates any misalignment of the sheet material 321 and sheet material 341. Therefore, the subsequent placement and welding of the sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 can be carried out appropriately. The laminate 3 can be manufactured efficiently. After completing the processing in S22 or S24, the control unit 6 terminates the series of control processes shown in Figure 9.

[0069] As described above, according to the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 and laminate manufacturing method of this embodiment, when sheet materials 321 are arranged in a continuous line along the transfer path 2 and sheet materials 341 are arranged in a line downstream thereof, the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials 321 in the transfer direction T can be adjusted by arranging the sheet materials 321 at an angle with respect to the transfer direction T. When sheet materials 321 are arranged in a continuous line along the transfer path 2 and sheet materials 341 are arranged in a line downstream thereof thereof, the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials 341 in the transfer direction T can be adjusted by arranging the sheet materials 341 at an angle with respect to the transfer direction T. For example, even if the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials 321 and 341 differs due to differences in size, the arrangement pitch of the sheet materials 321 and 341 in the transfer direction T can be matched by arranging the sheet materials 321 or 341 at an angle with respect to the transfer direction T. Therefore, the sheet materials 321 and 341 can be arranged at the same time. This allows for the efficient manufacturing of a laminate 3 formed by laminating sheet material 321 and sheet material 341.

[0070] In the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 and laminate manufacturing method according to this embodiment, the sheet material 321 and the sheet material 341 are parallelograms with two acute diagonals, and in the first and second placement steps, the placement pitch of the sheet material 321 or the sheet material 341 in the transfer direction T is adjusted by placing one side of the sheet material 321 or the sheet material 341 at an angle with respect to the transfer direction T. As a result, the sheet material 321 and the sheet material 341 can be placed at the same time. This enables efficient manufacturing of the laminate 3 formed by stacking the sheet material 321 and the sheet material 341.

[0071] In the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 and laminate manufacturing method according to this embodiment, if the welding position of sheet material 321 or sheet material 341 is outside the welding range, the position of sheet material 321 in the transport direction T is adjusted or the position of sheet material 341 in the transport direction T is adjusted. This resets and eliminates any misalignment of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341. Therefore, the subsequent positioning and welding of sheet material 321 and sheet material 341 can be carried out appropriately. The laminate 3 can be manufactured efficiently.

[0072] In the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 and laminate manufacturing method according to this embodiment, the sheet material 321 and the sheet material 341 are fiber sheets in which fibers are arranged in a certain direction. Therefore, a laminate made by stacking multiple fiber sheets can be manufactured efficiently.

[0073] As described above, the laminate manufacturing apparatus 1 and laminate manufacturing method according to embodiments of this disclosure have been explained, but the laminate manufacturing apparatus and laminate manufacturing method of this disclosure are not limited to the embodiments described above. This disclosure can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the claims.

[0074] For example, in the embodiment described above, the laminate is manufactured by laminating fiber sheets, but it may also be manufactured by laminating sheets other than fiber sheets. Even in this case, the same effects and advantages as those of the laminate manufacturing apparatus and laminate manufacturing method according to the embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0075] In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the sheet material 321 and the sheet material 341 are cut into parallelogram shapes, but the invention is not limited to this example. The sheet material 321 and the sheet material 341 may be cut into shapes other than parallelograms, as long as the arrangement pitch can be adjusted by arranging the sheet material 321 and the sheet material 341 at an angle. Even in this case, the same effects and advantages as those of the laminate manufacturing apparatus and laminate manufacturing method according to the embodiments described above can be obtained.

[0076] In the embodiment described above, the first arrangement part 4 is first arrangement Mechanism 4 2 It had, but is not limited to, this example. Anything that allows the sheet material 321 to be placed in the transport path 2 is a different configuration of the first arrangement It could be a mechanism, or first arrangement Mechanism 4 2 The installation of the second arrangement part 5 is the second arrangement Mechanism 5 2 It had, but is not limited to, this example. Anything that allows the sheet material 341 to be placed in the transport path 2 is acceptable, and a second with a different configuration arrangement It may be an organization, or second arrangement Mechanism 5 2 The installation of this can be omitted.

[0077] In the embodiments described above, sheets 31-34, sheet material 321, and sheet material 341 may be sheets other than fiber sheets. For example, sheets 31-34 may be sheets having orientation properties such as a magnetic field. In the embodiments described above, an example in which four sheets are laminated was described, but the invention is not limited to this example. Two, three, or five or more sheets may be laminated.

[0078] [Note] This disclosure includes the following components:

[0079] The laminate manufacturing method disclosed herein is: [1] "In a method for manufacturing a laminate by stacking multiple sheets, A first arrangement step involves arranging the first sheet material in a continuous line in the direction of transport along a transport path for transporting the aforementioned sheet, The process includes a second arrangement step of arranging a second sheet material in a continuous line in the direction of transport above the first sheet material which is arranged in a line along the transport path, In the second arrangement step, the arrangement of the second sheet material is performed at a position downstream of the transfer path relative to the arrangement position of the first sheet material. In the first arrangement step, the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by arranging the first sheet material at an angle with respect to the transport direction. Or, In the second arrangement step, the arrangement pitch of the second sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by arranging the second sheet material at an angle with respect to the transport direction. "Laminate manufacturing method."

[0080] The laminate manufacturing method disclosed herein is: [2] "In the first arrangement step, the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by adjusting the angle at which the first sheet material is tilted with respect to the transport direction." Or, In the second arrangement step, the arrangement pitch of the second sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by adjusting the angle at which the second sheet material is tilted with respect to the transport direction. The laminate manufacturing method described in [1] above.

[0081] The laminate manufacturing method disclosed herein is: [3] "The first sheet material and the second sheet material are sheet materials that have a parallelogram shape with two diagonal angles being acute angles, In the first arrangement step, by arranging the first sheet material with one side inclined with respect to the transport direction, the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted. Or, In the second arrangement step, by arranging the second sheet material with one side inclined with respect to the transport direction, the arrangement pitch of the second sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted. The method for manufacturing a laminate described in [1] or [2] above.

[0082] The laminate manufacturing method disclosed herein is: [4] "A first welding step in which the first sheet material placed in the first placement step is welded to the first sheet material that was placed in advance, The process includes a second welding step in which the second sheet material placed in the second placement step is welded to the second sheet material that was placed earlier, In the first welding process, A welding range having a width in the transport direction is set, Within the welding range, the first sheet material and the previously placed first sheet material are welded together. If welding of the first sheet material cannot be performed within the welding range, the position of the first sheet material in the transport direction in the first placement step is adjusted. In the second welding process, A welding range having a width in the transport direction is set, The second sheet material and the previously placed second sheet material are welded together within the welding range. If welding of the second sheet material cannot be performed within the welding range, the position of the second sheet material in the transport direction in the second placement step is adjusted. The method for manufacturing a laminate described in any one of the above items [1] to [3].

[0083] The laminate manufacturing method disclosed herein is: [5] "The first sheet material and the second sheet material are fiber sheets in which fibers are arranged in a certain direction, The method for manufacturing a laminate described in any one of the above items [1] to [4].

[0084] The laminate manufacturing apparatus of this disclosure, [6] "In a laminate manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a laminate by stacking multiple sheets, A first arrangement section is provided in which the first sheet material is arranged in a continuous line in the direction of transport of the transport path with respect to the transport path for transporting the aforementioned sheet, A second arrangement section is provided above the first sheet material which is arranged in the transport path, and the second sheet material is arranged in a continuous line in the transport direction above the first sheet material which is arranged in the transport path, A configuration adjustment unit that allows the first sheet material, which is arranged in relation to the transport path, to be tilted with respect to the transport direction, thereby allowing the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material in the transport direction to be adjusted, or a configuration adjustment unit that allows the second sheet material, which is arranged in relation to the transport path, to be tilted with respect to the transport direction, thereby allowing the arrangement pitch of the second sheet material in the transport direction to be adjusted, A laminate manufacturing apparatus equipped with [this feature]. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Laminate manufacturing apparatus 2 Transfer route 3. Laminate 4 First placement part 5 Second arrangement part 21 Drawer roller 22 First Pressing Roller 23 First weld part 24 Second Pressing Roller 25 Second weld part 26 Third weld part 31 seats 32 seats 33 seats 34 seats 42 First arrangement mechanism 43 First Subtransport Route 52 Second placement mechanism 53 Second Subtransport Route 321 Sheet material (First sheet material) 341 Sheet material (second sheet material) T Transfer direction L-shaped placement pitch L1 Placement Pitch L2 placement pitch

Claims

1. In a method for manufacturing a laminate by stacking multiple sheets, A first arrangement step involves arranging a plurality of first sheet materials in a continuous line in the direction of transport along a transport path for transporting the aforementioned sheets, The process includes a second arrangement step of arranging a plurality of second sheet materials in a continuous line in the direction of transport above a plurality of first sheet materials arranged in a line along the transport path, In the second arrangement step, the arrangement of the multiple second sheet materials is performed at a position downstream of the transfer path relative to the arrangement positions of the multiple first sheet materials. In the first and second arrangement steps, each of the sides of the continuous plurality of first sheet materials or each of the sides of the continuous plurality of second sheet materials is tilted with respect to a direction parallel to the transport direction, thereby adjusting the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material or the second sheet material in the transport direction compared to when they are arranged parallel to the transport direction. Laminate manufacturing method.

2. In the first and second placement steps, the placement pitch of the first or second sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by adjusting the angle at which the first or second sheet material is tilted with respect to the transport direction. The method for manufacturing a laminate according to claim 1.

3. The first sheet material and the second sheet material are sheet materials that have a parallelogram shape with two diagonal angles being acute angles. In the first and second placement steps, the placement pitch of the first or second sheet material in the transport direction can be adjusted by arranging one side of the first or second sheet material at an angle with respect to the transport direction. A method for manufacturing a laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A first welding step in which the first sheet material placed in the first placement step is welded to the first sheet material that was placed earlier, The process includes a second welding step of welding the second sheet material positioned in the second positioning step to the second sheet material positioned earlier, In the first welding step and the second welding step, a welding range having a width in the transport direction is set, the first sheet material and the first sheet material that was previously placed are welded within the welding range, and the second sheet material and the second sheet material that was previously placed are welded within the welding range. In the first welding step and the second welding step, if welding of the first sheet material or the second sheet material within the welding range is not possible, the position of the first sheet material in the transport direction in the first placement step is adjusted, or the position of the second sheet material in the transport direction in the second placement step is adjusted. A method for manufacturing a laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first sheet material and the second sheet material are fiber sheets in which fibers are arranged in a certain direction. A method for manufacturing a laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

6. In a laminate manufacturing apparatus that produces a laminate by stacking multiple sheets, A first arrangement section is provided in which a plurality of first sheet materials are arranged in a continuous line in the direction of transport of the transport path for transporting the aforementioned sheet, A second arrangement section is provided above a plurality of first sheet materials arranged in a line along the transport path, in which a plurality of second sheet materials are arranged continuously in the transport direction. An arrangement adjustment unit adjusts the arrangement pitch of the first sheet material or the second sheet material in the transport direction by arranging each of the sides of the multiple first sheet materials arranged continuously with respect to the transport path, or each of the sides of the multiple second sheet materials arranged continuously with respect to the transport path, so as to be inclined with respect to a direction parallel to the transport direction, compared to when they are arranged parallel to the transport direction. A laminate manufacturing apparatus equipped with the following features.

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