Machine and method for manfacturing a tubular element made of bonded fabrid for a high-performance belt or strip

Abstract

A machine (100) for manufacturing a tubular element (200,300) made of bonded fabric for manufacturing a high performance belt involves using a pair of rolls (R1, R2) placed at a predetermined height and using a splicing and cutting assembly (130), which creates a permanent splice bead (J) along a splicing line (Lj) and performs a cutting of the splice bead (J) along said splicing line (Lj) to separate a part of the fabrics (F1, F2) upstream of the splicing line (Lj) from a part downstream thereof.

Description

DESCRIPTION"MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A TUBULAR ELEMENT MADE OF BONDED FABRIC FOR A HIGH-PERFORMANCE BELT OR STRIP "Technical field

[0001] The present invention is in the field of machines for manufacturing a bonded fabric, in particular for manufacturing high-performance belts or strips that are normally used for mechanical transmissions, for example in the automotive sector.Background of the invention

[0002] A high-performance belt is usually produced from a fabric having a weft and warp, wherein the weft has an elasticity that is much greater than that of the warp, which is practically rigid. The fabric thus obtained is subjected to a bonding process, wherein it is embedded in a polymer matrix. A bonded fabric roll is supplied to a belt manufacturer; usually, the bonded fabric roll has a width that does not exceed 1500 millimeters.

[0003] The roll is unwound on a horizontal plane, a piece of bonded fabric is cut to the length corresponding to the final width of the tubular element; the piece is then rotated by 90° to orient its elasticity and folded, facing one of the side edges onto its surface, so that the length of the superimposed fabric is greater thanthat of the final tubular element.

[0004] If the length of the final tubular element is greater than the width of the roll of fabric, it is necessary to prepare separately many single pieces, rotated by 90°, that are first linearly joined together at the edges and then folded to obtain the superimposed fabric of the necessary length.

[0005] The superimposed fabric is finally welded and cut, so as to obtain a tubular element of bonded fabric in which the elastic weft is oriented circumferentially, with a length equal to the circumferential development of the belt to be produced.

[0006] The Applicant has developed an innovative bonded fabric, commercially available under the trade name Orditech®, in which the warp has a much greater elasticity than the weft, which is practically rigid. The bonded fabric with an elastic warp and the manufacturing process thereof are described in the International Applications WO-A1-2021 / 186339 and WO-A1-2022 / 224192 in the name of the Applicant.Object of the invention

[0007] In light of the new bonded fabric, which is elastic in the warp direction, the Applicant has designed an innovative machine for the manufacture of a tubular element made of bonded fabric, and the related method formanufacturing the tubular element.Brief description of the figures

[0008] The features and advantages of the machine and method according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given as a nonlimiting example in accordance with the figures in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] - Fig. 1 is a diagram of a machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] - Fig. 2a, 2b, and 2c show a fixed gripper assembly of the machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] - Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d show a movable gripper assembly of the machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] - Fig. 4a and 4b show a head of a splicing and cutting assembly of the machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] - Fig. 5a and 5b show a head of a splicing and cutting assembly of the machine, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] - Fig. 6a to 6g show a sequence of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] - Fig. 7 and 8 show a tubular element obtained by means of the machine and the method according to thepresent invention;

[0016] - Fig. 9 shows a further tubular element obtained by means of the machine and the method according to the present invention;

[0017] - Fig. 10 and 11 show a belt obtained by means of the machine and the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0018] For reasons of descriptive clarity, a horizontal ground plane T is defined as the reference on which a horizontal direction X lies; also defined is a vertical direction V, which is orthogonal to the ground plane T and an axial direction Z parallel to the ground plane T and orthogonal to the vertical direction V. The three directions X, V, and Z define a right-handed Cartesian reference.

[0019] With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, 100 denotes as a whole a machine for manufacturing a tube of bonded fabric.

[0020] The machine 100 comprises a first support 102 and a second support 104, wherein each support 102, 104 is adapted to support a respective roll Rl, R2 of bonded fabric Fl, F2, arranged with its own roll axis Al, A2 in the axial direction. For example, the first roll axis Al is parallel to the second roll axis A2 and spacedhorizontally therefrom. By virtue of said supports 102, 104, the two rolls Rl, R2 are each arranged at a respective elevation with respect to the ground plane T.

[0021] The first bonded fabric Fl is unwound from the first roll Rl, and the second bonded fabric F2 is unwound from the second roll R2. Said bonded fabrics Fl, F2 each comprise a base fabric for which the warp is arranged in a direction of unwinding of the fabric from the roll and the weft is arranged along a direction in which the width of the roll is defined; the warp is more elastic than the weft. Such bonded fabric is the subject of international applications WO-A1-2021 / 186339 and WO-A1-2022 / 224192, the teaching of which is incorporated herein.

[0022] Preferably, the machine 100 comprises motorized unwinding means adapted to rotate the first roll Rl and the second roll R2 in a controlled manner to unwind the respective fabrics Fl, F2.

[0023] Preferably, moreover, the machine 100 comprises a diverter device 106, for example arranged between the two roll axes Al, A2, adapted to receive the first bonded fabric Fl and the second bonded fabric F2 from the respective rolls Rl, R2, and to divert the direction thereof, for example so as to arrange them parallel to the vertical direction V.

[0024] For example, said diverter device 106 comprises atleast one pair of idle rollers 108, 110, to which the fabrics Fl, F2 are fed and are diverted thereby so as to be arranged vertically, i.e. parallel to the vertical direction V.

[0025] The machine 100 further comprises a fixed gripper assembly 112, arranged downstream of the rolls Rl, R2 and, possibly, downstream of the diverter device 106, vertically aligned therewith, operating in a fixed position Pf along the vertical direction V. The fixed gripper assembly 112 is adapted to grip the fabrics Fl, F2 together, i.e. for pressing them against each other, holding them together temporarily, at the fixed position Pf.

[0026] For example (Fig. 2a, 2b, and 2c), the fixed gripper assembly 112 comprises a fixed plate 114a and a movable plate 114b, facing the fixed plate 114a along the horizontal direction X. For example, the movable plate 114b is supported in a translatable manner by pins 114c, 114d fixed to the movable plate 114b, at the axial ends thereof. The fixed plate 114a has a substantially flat inner face 116a facing an equally flat inner face 116b of the movable plate 114b. The first fabric Fl and the second fabric F2 are arranged between the inner face 116a and the inner face 116b.

[0027] The fixed gripper assembly 112, by means of fixedgripper assembly actuation means, is adapted to pass from an open configuration (Fig. 2b), in which said plates 114a, 114b are spaced apart to allow the fabrics Fl, F2 to pass through, to a closed configuration (Fig. 2c), in which said plates 114a, 114b are brought close together and grip together, between the inner faces 116a, 116b, the fabrics Fl, F2, locking them in position.

[0028] The machine 100 further comprises a movable gripper assembly 120, arranged downstream of the fixed gripper assembly 112 with respect to the unwinding direction of the rolls, vertically aligned therewith. The movable gripper assembly 120, by means of movable gripper assembly actuation means, is adapted to grip the fabrics Fl, F2 together and, by means of movable gripper assembly translation means, to translate vertically from an upper position Ps, adjacent to the fixed gripper assembly 112, to a predefined lower position Pi, below the upper position Ps, while keeping the fabrics Fl, F2 gripped. The movable gripper assembly 120 is also adapted to translate back from the lower position Pi to the upper position Ps, without gripping the fabrics Fl, F2 together, by activating said movable gripper assembly translation means.

[0029] For example (Fig. 3a to 3d), the movable gripper assembly 120 comprises a fixed plate 122a and a movableplate 122b facing the fixed plate 122a along the horizontal direction X. For example, the movable plate 122b is supported in a translatable manner by pins 122c, 122d fixed to the movable plate 122b, at the axial ends thereof. The fixed plate 122a has a substantially flat inner face 124a facing an equally flat inner face 124b of the movable plate 122b. During normal operation of the machine, the first fabric Fl and the second fabric F2 are arranged between the inner face 124a and the inner face 124b.

[0030] Furthermore, preferably, the movable gripper assembly 120 has a slot 126 adapted for a head 138 to pass through to come to operate in a movable gripping region Cpm of the fabrics Fl, F2, discussed below.

[0031] For example, the movable plate 122b has said slot 126, which passes through the thickness thereof, between the inner face 124b and an opposite outer face 124c, for example with a reduction in the passage section from the outer face 124c to the inner face 124b.

[0032] Furthermore, preferably, the movable gripper assembly 120 comprises a reference pin 128 to reduce the relative positioning errors between the fixed plate 122a and the movable plate 122b, so as to ensure the precision and repeatability of the positioning of the head 138, discussed below.

[0033] As mentioned above, the movable gripper assembly 120 is adapted to pass from an open configuration (Fig. 3c), in which said plates 122a, 122b are spaced apart to allow the fabrics Fl, F2 to pass between the inner faces 124a, 124b, to a closed configuration (Fig. 3d), in which said plates 122a, 122b are brought close together and grip together, between the inner faces 124a, 124b, the fabrics Fl, F2, locking them in position.

[0034] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the movable gripper assembly is alternately translatable on command between the upper position Ps and the lower position Pi, resting for a predefined time interval in the upper position Ps and in the lower position Pi.

[0035] With the ground plane T defined, the movable gripper assembly 120 is translatable towards the ground plane T up to a limit position Pmax, for example due to the overall dimensions of the machine.

[0036] The machine 100 further comprises a splicing and cutting assembly 130 adapted to make a permanent splice bead J along a splicing line Lj transverse to the unwinding direction of the rolls, i.e. parallel to the axial direction Z, between the two fabrics Fl, F2 in a predefined splicing position Pj along the vertical direction V, and to cut the splice bead J along said axial splicing line Lj to separate a part of the fabricsupstream of the splicing line Lj from the part downstream thereof.

[0037] The splice made by the splicing assembly is permanent in the sense that its elimination would involve tampering with the fabrics, and is furthermore continuous, i.e., without interruption, over the entire width of the fabrics.

[0038] For example, the splicing and cutting assembly 130 comprises a fixed support 132, a carriage 134, supported by the support 132 in a translatable manner along the axial direction Z, and a head support 136, supported by the carriage 134 in a translatable manner along the horizontal direction X. Finally, the splicing and cutting assembly 130 comprises a head 138, supported by the head support 136, adapted to make the splice between the fabrics Fl, F2 along the splicing line Lj, for example by ultrasonic welding, and to cut along said splicing line Lj, preferably simultaneously.

[0039] The machine 100 comprises motorized splicing and cutting assembly actuation means, adapted to move, preferably placing the carriage 134 in translation in a controlled manner along the axial direction Z and the head support 136 along the horizontal direction X.

[0040] The head 138 is configured, for example arranged and sized, to make the splicing line Lj in the splicingposition Pj inside the movable gripping region Cpm in which the movable gripping assembly 120 holds the fabrics Fl, F2 gripped together. For this purpose, the head 138 is adapted to operate through the slot 126 of the movable gripper assembly 120.

[0041] Preferably, the head 138 comprises a sonotrode, operating ultrasonically at frequencies between 20 and 35 KHz, for which the fixed plate of the movable gripper assembly acts as an anvil to reflect the frequency pulses and obtain the vibration of the materials, resulting in the production of heat that allows the fusion (and therefore splicing) of the fabrics.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment (Fig. 4a and 4b), the head 138 comprises a conversion and amplification assembly 140a, a sonotrode 140b, and a fixed blade 140c.

[0043] In the closed configuration of the movable gripper assembly 120, the fixed blade 140c passes through the slot 126 and cuts the splice bead J, formed by the heating action of the acoustic waves emitted by the sonotrode 140b, along the splicing line Lj.

[0044] According to a further exemplary embodiment (Fig. 5a and 5b), the head 138 comprises a conversion and amplification assembly 142a, a sonotrode 142b, and a rotary blade 142c.

[0045] In the closed configuration of the movable gripper assembly 120, the rotating blade 142c passes through the slot 126 and cuts the splice bead J, formed by the heating action of the acoustic waves emitted by the sonotrode 142b, along the splicing line Lj.

[0046] In normal operation of the machine 100 (Fig. 6a to 6g), it is admitted that initially the fixed gripper assembly 112, arranged in the fixed position Pf, is in the open configuration, the movable gripper assembly 120 is in the open configuration and in the upper position Ps, and the splicing and cutting assembly 130 is in a non-operating configuration.

[0047] The work steps of the machine are described below.

[0048] Step I) By actuation of the unwinding means, the first roll R1 and the second roll R2 are placed in controlled and opposing rotation, and the respective fabrics Fl, F2 are unwound for a predetermined length, passing through the fixed gripper assembly 112. By actuation of the fixed gripper assembly actuation means, the fixed gripper assembly 112 passes into the closed configuration, wherein the plates 114a, 114b are brought close together and grip the fabrics Fl, F2 together between the inner faces 116a, 116b, locking them in position. A fixed gripping region Cpf is defined on the fabrics Fl, F2 in which the fabrics Fl, F2 are grippedtogether, i.e. pressed together, by the action of the fixed gripper assembly 112 (Fig. 6a).

[0049] Step II) Subsequently, by actuation of the movable gripper assembly actuation means, the movable gripper assembly 120 passes into the closed configuration, wherein the plates 122a, 122b are brought close together and grip the fabrics Fl, F2 together between the inner faces 124a, 124b, locking them in position. A movable gripping region Cpm, adjacent to the fixed gripping region Cpf, is defined on the fabrics Fl, F2, in which the fabrics Fl, F2 are gripped together, i.e., pressed together, by the action of the movable gripper assembly 120 (Fig. 6b).

[0050] Step III) Subsequently, by actuation of the splicing and cutting assembly actuation means, the splicing and cutting assembly 130 is moved so that the head 138 may operate on the movable gripping region Cpm, preferably through the slot 126. For this purpose, the head support 136 translates along the horizontal direction X between a retracted transverse position and an advanced transverse position, so that the head 138 reaches a position in which it may operate on the movable gripping region Cpm; subsequently, the carriage 134 translates along the axial direction Z from an right-hand axial limit position to a left-hand axial limit position and, at the same time, thehead 138 is activated so as to make the splice bead J and perform the simultaneous cutting of the fabrics Fl, F2 along the splicing line Lj (Fig. 6c).

[0051] Step IV) Subsequently, by further actuation of the splicing and cutting assembly actuation means, the splicing and cutting assembly 130 is moved so that the head 138 performs a return translation along the horizontal direction X between the advanced transverse position and the retracted transverse position. The head remains in the left-hand axial limit position.

[0052] Step V) Subsequently, by further actuation of the movable gripper assembly actuation means, the movable gripper assembly 120 passes into the open configuration in which the plates 122a, 122b are spaced apart and leave a bonded fabric element 200 free, having an upper edge Ls in which the two fabrics are spliced. Furthermore, the two fabrics Fl, F2 are already spliced in a lower edge Li, as will be discussed below. The two edges Ls, Li derive from the cutting of the splice bead J (Fig. 6d).

[0053] Step VI) Subsequently, by still further actuation of the movable gripper assembly actuation means, the movable gripper assembly 120 passes again into the closed configuration (sub-step VI-1); by actuation of the fixed gripper assembly actuation means, the fixed gripper assembly 112 passes into the open configuration (sub-stepVI-2); by actuation of the movable gripper assembly translation means, the movable gripper assembly 120 translates vertically from the upper position Ps to the lower position Pi, keeping the fabrics Fl, F2 gripped during such translation (sub-step VI-3); finally, by further actuation of the fixed gripper assembly actuation means, the fixed gripper assembly 112 passes into the closed configuration (sub-step VI-4) (Fig. 6e).

[0054] Step VII) Subsequently, by actuation of the movable gripper assembly actuation means, the movable gripper assembly 120 passes into the open configuration (sub-step VII—1) and by further actuation of the movable gripper assembly translation means, the movable gripper assembly 120 translates vertically from the lower position Pi to the upper position Ps (sub-step VII-2); preferably, during the translation of the gripper, the rolls of bonded fabric are kept in controlled rotation in order to unwind the bonded fabrics with a minimum and constant pull, so as to avoid the occurrence of over-straining in the elastic warp. Finally, by further actuation of the movable gripper assembly actuation means, the movable gripper assembly 120 passes into the closed configuration (sub-step VII-3) (Fig. 6f).

[0055] Step VIII) Subsequently, by still further actuation of the splicing and cutting assembly actuation means, thesplicing and cutting assembly 130 is moved so that the head 138 performs a forward translation along the horizontal direction X between the retracted transverse position and the advanced transverse position, so that the head 138 reaches a position in which it may operate on the movable gripping region Cpm; subsequently, the head 138 performs a translation along the axial direction Z from the left-hand axial limit position to the righthand axial limit position. At the same time, the head 138 is activated so as to make the splice bead J and perform the simultaneous cutting of the fabrics Fl, F2 along the splicing line Lj (Fig. 6g).

[0056] The operation of the machine thus resumes from Step IV, wherein, however, the head remains in the right-hand axial limit position. In the subsequent Step VI, a further element 200 is freed.

[0057] According to Fig. 7, the element 200 consists of two flat fabric layers 202, 204, each having a predefined width W, equal to the width of the rolls Rl, R2, and a predefined length L, determined by the difference between the upper position Ps and the lower position Pi of the movable gripper assembly 120. The layers of fabric 202, 204 are spliced at the top on an upper edge Ls deriving from the cutting of the splice bead J during step V of a work cycle of the machine and at the bottom on a loweredge Li deriving from the cutting of the splice bead J during step V of a previous work cycle. In the element 200, the warp of the base fabric incorporated in the bonded fabric Fl, F2 is oriented in the direction of the length L.

[0058] According to Fig. 8, the two layers of fabric 202, 204 of the element 200, spliced exclusively at the upper edge Ls and the lower edge Li, form a tubular element 300 having an annular length (ideally, circumferential) equal to twice the length of the element 200 (2L) and a width W equal to the width of the element 200. In the tubular element 300, the elastic warp of the base fabric is arranged annularly (ideally, circumferentially) . The tubular element 300 is therefore adapted, for subsequent processing, to create a high-performance belt, which is circumferentially elastic (or at least more elastic circumferentially than axially), of length 2L and width W.

[0059] The maximum length Lmax obtainable for an element 200 depends on the minimum elevation to which the movable gripper assembly may be carried during Step VI. With reference to Fig. 9, in the event that it is necessary to produce a belt having a length greater than twice the maximum length Lmax of the element 200, the work method of the machine provides for the movable gripper assemblyto complete several vertical back-and-forth strokes without splicing and cutting, until the distance between the lower edge and the upper edge to be manufactured is equal to the desired length.

[0060] In other words, in this case, after the sub-step VI- 3, the operating sub-cycle consisting of the sub-steps VII—1, VII-2, VII-3, VI-3 is repeated until the distance between the lower edge and the upper edge is equal to the length of the element necessary to obtain the belt of the required length.

[0061] According to a further aspect of the invention, by using a single bonded fabric Fl, coming for example from a single roll Rl, and by carrying out the work method described above, it is possible to obtain a bonded fabric strip of the desired length, instead of a tubular element.

[0062] Innovatively, the machine and the work method according to the present invention achieve the object of the present invention, insofar as they make it possible to obtain a tubular element made of bonded fabric with an elastic warp arranged in the circumferential direction of the belt with very short manufacturing times compared to those of the prior art.

[0063] Furthermore, advantageously, no processing waste is generated, during both the cutting and splicing of thebonded fabrics, since the tubular elements are produced seamlessly whatever the length sequence required, and because of the elimination of the 90°-degree rotation and folding of the fabric according to the method of the prior art.

[0064] Advantageously, moreover, the machine and the work method according to the present invention allow for the manufacture of a tubular element made of bonded fabric having a desired circumferential length, practically without limits related to the size of the machine.

[0065] Similarly, the machine according to the invention may make a continuous strip of any length.

[0066] It is understood that a person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, could make modifications to the machine and work method described above, all of which are contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of manufacturing a tubular element (200;300) made of bonded fabric for manufacturing a high- performance belt, comprising the following steps:A) providing a first roll (Rl) of a first bonded fabric (Fl) and a second roll (R2) of a second bonded fabric (F2), wherein each bonded fabric (F1,F2) comprises a base fabric and a polymer matrix in which the base fabric is embedded, wherein the base fabric has a warp in a roll unwinding direction and a weft along which the width (W) of the roll is defined, wherein the warp is more elastic than the weft;B) arranging a portion (Bl) of the first bonded fabric (Fl) and a portion (B2) of the second bonded fabric (F2) facing each other along a reference direction (V), said warp being oriented parallel to said reference direction (V);C) gripping together, along a direction (Z) transverse to the reference direction (V), the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) in a predetermined upper position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction (V);D) making a permanent splice (J) between the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) along a splicing line (Lj) parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps) and making a cut between the two portions (B1,B2) of bonded fabric (F1,F2) along the splice (J);E) performing the following work cycle from el) to e3): el) pulling the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) gripped together, unwinding said rolls (R1,R2) to a predetermined lower position (Pi) with respect to the reference direction (V); e2) gripping the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) together again in a higher position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction (V); e3) making a permanent splice (J) between the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) along a splicing line (Lj) parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps) and making a cut between the two portions (B1,B2) of bonded fabric (F1,F2) along the splice (J);F) repeating the cycle E), obtaining at each cycle a tubular element (200,300) consisting of two layers (202,204) of bonded fabric spliced along an upper edge (Ls) obtained by means of step e3) of an n-th cycle E) and along a lower edge (Li) obtained by means of step e3) of the (n-l)-th cycle E).

2. A manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein step e3) is performed using ultrasound for the splicing and a fixed or rotating blade for the cutting.

3. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in cycle E)- between step el) and step e2), the following step is performedelb) gripping the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) together in a fixed position (Pf) with respect to the reference direction (V), arranged upstream of the upper position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction (V);- between step e3) and step F), the following step is performed e3b) releasing the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) in the fixed position (Pf);- step E) includes performing the work cycle from el) to e3b).

4. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reference direction (V) is a vertical direction (V) with respect to a horizontal reference plane (T).

5. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse direction (Z) is an axial direction (Z) parallel to which the respective central axes (A1,A2) of the rolls (R1,R2) are arranged.

6. A method of manufacturing a tubular element (400) made of bonded fabric for manufacturing a high-performance belt, comprising the following steps:A) providing a first roll (Rl) of a first bonded fabric (Fl) and a second roll (R2) of a second bonded fabric (F2), wherein each bonded fabric (F1,F2) comprises a base fabric and a polymer matrix in which the base fabric isembedded, wherein the base fabric has a warp in a roll unwinding direction and a weft along which the width (W) of the roll is defined, wherein the warp is more elastic than the weft;B) arranging a portion (Bl) of the first bonded fabric (Fl) and a portion (B2) of the second bonded fabric (F2) facing each other along a reference direction (V), said warp being oriented parallel to said reference direction (V);C) gripping together, along a direction (Z) transverse to the reference direction (V), the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) in a predetermined upper position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction (V);D) making a permanent splice (J) between the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) along a splicing line (Lj) parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps) and making a cut between the two portions (B1,B2) of bonded fabric (F1,F2) along the splice (J);E') performing the following work cycle from e'l) to e’4): e'l) pulling the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) gripped together, unwinding said rolls (R1,R2) to a predetermined lower position (Pi) with respect to the reference direction (V); e'2) gripping the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) together again in a higher position (Ps) with respect tothe reference direction (V); e’3) returning to step e'l) until the bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) downstream of the upper position (Ps) have a predetermined length; e'4) making a permanent splice (J) between the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) along a splicing line (Lj) parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps) and making a cut between the two portions (B1,B2) of bonded fabric (F1,F2) along the splice (J);F) repeating the cycle E'), obtaining at each cycle a tubular element (200,300) consisting of two layers (202,204) of bonded fabric spliced along an upper edge (Ls) obtained by means of step e'4) of an n-th cycle E') and along a lower edge (Li) obtained by means of step e'4) of the (n-l)-th cycle E').

7. A manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein step e'4) is performed using ultrasound for the splicing and a fixed or rotating blade for the cutting.

8. A manufacturing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the cycle E')- between step e'l) and step e'2), the following step is performed e'lb) gripping the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) together in a fixed position (Pf) with respect to the reference direction (V), arranged upstream of the upper position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction(V);- between step e'3) and e'4), the following step is performed e'3b) releasing the two bonded fabric portions (B1,B2) in the fixed position (Pf).

9. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the reference direction (V) is a vertical direction (V) with respect to a horizontal reference plane (T).

10. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the transverse direction (Z) is an axial direction (Z) parallel to which the respective central axes (A1,A2) of the rolls (R1,R2) are arranged.

11. A tubular element (200,300;400) manufactured by the method of claims 1 to 5 or 6 to 10, consisting of two layers (202,204) of bonded fabric spliced along an upper edge (Ls) and along a lower edge (Li), arranged diametrically opposite to each other.

12. A machine (100) for manufacturing a tubular element (200,300) made of bonded fabric for manufacturing a high- performance belt, comprising:- a first support (102) and a second support (104), adapted to support a respective roll (R1,R2) of bonded fabric (F1,F2) at a respective elevation with respect to a reference plane (T) so as to unwind the respective fabrics (F1,F2) of the rolls (R1,R2) along a rollunwinding direction;- a movable gripper assembly (120) adapted to grip the bonded fabrics (F1,F2) together along a transverse direction (Z) with respect to the roll unwinding direction, and adapted to translate along the roll unwinding direction, from an upper position (Ps) to a lower position (Pi), located downstream of the upper position (Ps) with respect to the unwinding direction of the rolls (R1,R2), and vice versa;- a splicing and cutting assembly (130) adapted to make a permanent splice (J) along a splicing line (Lj) parallel to the transverse direction (Z) between the two fabrics (F1,F2) in a predetermined splice position (Pj) along the roll unwinding direction, and also adapted to cut the splice (J) along said splicing line (Lj) to separate a part of the fabrics (F1,F2) upstream of the splicing line (Lj) from a part downstream of the latter.

13. A machine according to claim 12, wherein the splicing and cutting assembly (130) comprises a movable head (138) comprising a sonotrode (140b,142b) operating ultrasonically to make the splice between the fabrics (F1,F2) and a fixed or rotating blade (140c,142c) to make the cut.

14. A machine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the movable gripper assembly (120) comprises a fixed plate (122a), a movable plate (122b), facing the fixed plate(122a) and supported in a translatable manner to move towards and away from the fixed plate, and a slot (126), for example through the thickness of the movable plate (122b), through which the splicing and cutting assembly (130) operates.

15. A machine according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a fixed gripper assembly (112), operating at a fixed position (Pf) upstream of the upper position (Ps) along the roll unwinding direction, adapted to grip the fabrics (F1,F2) along the transverse direction (Z) at said fixed position (Pf).

16. A machine according to claim 15, wherein the fixed gripper assembly (112) comprises a fixed plate (112a), a movable plate (112b), facing the fixed plate (112a) and supported in a translatable manner to move towards and away from the fixed plate (112a).

17. A machine according to any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising a diverter device (106), for example arranged between the two roll axes (A1,A2), adapted to divert the fabric feeding direction.

18. A machine according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the reference direction (V) is a vertical direction (V) with respect to a horizontal reference plane (T).

19. A machine according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the transverse direction (Z) is an axialdirection (Z) parallel to which the respective central axes (A1,A2) of the rolls (R1,R2) can be arranged.

20. A method of manufacturing a tubular element (200,300) made of bonded fabric for manufacturing a high- performance belt, carried out by a machine (100) manufactured according to any one of claims 12 to 19.

21. An assembly comprising:- a first roll (Rl) of a first bonded fabric (Fl) and a second roll (R2) of a second bonded fabric (F2), wherein each bonded fabric (F1,F2) comprises a base fabric and a polymer matrix in which the base fabric is embedded, wherein the base fabric has a warp in a roll unwinding direction and a weft along which the width (W) of the roll is defined, wherein the warp is more elastic than the weft;- a machine (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 19;- wherein the rolls (R1,R2) are supported by said supports (102,104) of the machine (100), respectively.

22. A method of manufacturing a strip (500) made of high- performance bonded fabric, comprising the following steps:A) providing a first roll (Rl) of a first bonded fabric (Fl), wherein the bonded fabric (Fl) comprises a base fabric and a polymer matrix in which the base fabric is embedded, wherein the base fabric has a warp in a rollunwinding direction and a weft along which the width (W) of the roll is defined, wherein the warp is more elastic than the weft;B) arranging a portion (Bl) of the first bonded fabric (Fl) along a reference direction (V), said warp being oriented parallel to the reference direction (V);C) cutting the bonded fabric (Fl) along a line parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps);E) performing the following work cycle from el) to e3): el) pulling the bonded fabric portion (Bl) by unwinding the roll (Rl) to a predetermined lower position (Pi) with respect to the reference direction (V); e2) gripping the bonded fabric portion (Bl) in a higher position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction (V); e3) cutting the bonded fabric (Fl) along a line parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps);F) repeating the cycle E), obtaining at each cycle a strip (500) consisting of a single layer of bonded fabric, between an upper edge (Ls) obtained by means of step e3) of an n-th cycle E) and a lower edge (Li) obtained by means of step e3) of the (n-l)-th cycle E).

23. A method of manufacturing a strip (600) made of high- performance bonded fabric, comprising the followingsteps:A) providing a first roll (Rl) of a first bonded fabric (Fl), wherein the bonded fabric (Fl) comprises a base fabric and a polymer matrix in which the base fabric is embedded, wherein the base fabric has a warp in a roll unwinding direction and a weft along which the width (W) of the roll is defined, wherein the warp is more elastic than the weft;B) arranging a portion (Bl) of the first bonded fabric (Fl) along a reference direction (V), said warp being oriented parallel to said reference direction (V);C) gripping the bonded fabric portion (Bl) in a predetermined higher position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction (V);D) cutting the bonded fabric (Fl) along a line parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps);E') performing the following work cycle from e'l) to e'4): e'l) pulling the gripped bonded fabric portion (Bl) by unwinding the roll (Rl) to a predetermined lower position (Pi) with respect to the reference direction (V); e'2) gripping again the bonded fabric portion (Bl) at a higher position (Ps) with respect to the reference direction (V); e’3) returning to step e'l) until the bonded fabricportion (Bl) downstream of the upper position (Ps) has a predetermined length; e'4) cutting the portion (Bl) of bonded fabric (Fl) along a line parallel to the transverse direction (Z) at the upper position (Ps);F) repeating the cycle E'), obtaining at each cycle a strip (600) consisting of a single layer of bonded fabric between an upper edge (Ls) obtained by means of step e'4) of an n-th cycle E') and a lower edge (Li) obtained by means of step e'4) of the (n-l)-th cycle E').

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