Tape winder apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a tape winder apparatus (1) for winding tapes, preferably warp tapes or weft tapes for the production of a woven tape fabric, in particular a circular woven fabric by means of a circular loom, onto bobbin tubes (3), comprising: a preferably vertical arrangement of winders (4) having bobbin bearing systems (5) which can be axially inserted into the bobbin tubes (3), the bearing systems preferably each having two bobbin bearing elements (6) which can be inserted into the bobbin tubes (4) from opposite sides and have bobbin axial drives (7) for rotating the bobbin bearing systems (5) for the winding of the tapes (2) onto the bobbin tubes (4) in order to provide full bobbins (8), and have transfer units (9) for transferring the bobbin bearing systems (5) with the full bobbins (8) in each case from a winding position to a delivery position; an exchanging robot (17) which can be positioned in a plurality of exchanging positions which are preferably located one vertically above the other in order to receive full bobbins of the winders, the exchanging robot (17) having a peripheral drive unit (18) for peripherally driving a full bobbin (8) so that the bobbin bearing system (5) can be removed from the bobbin tube (4) while the full bobbin (8) is driven by the peripheral drive (18).

Description

[0001] Ribbon winder

[0002] The invention relates to a ribbon winder apparatus for winding ribbons, preferably warp or weft ribbons for producing a ribbon fabric, in particular a circular fabric by means of a circular loom, onto spool tubes, comprising: a, preferably vertical, arrangement of winders with spool bearings that can be inserted axially into the spool tubes, preferably each with two spool bearing elements that can be inserted into the spool tubes from opposite sides, with spool axial drives for rotating the spool bearings for winding the ribbons onto the spool tubes to provide full spools and with transfer units for transferring the spool bearings with the full spools from a winding position to a delivery position.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for winding ribbons, in particular warp or weft ribbons for the production of a circular fabric by means of a circular loom, onto bobbin tubes.

[0004] Circular looms are used to weave warp and weft tapes into a circular fabric (cf. EP 2 829 645 B1). A tape extrusion system produces the warp and weft tapes, which are then individually wound onto bobbin tubes by a separate winder using a cross-winding process. The tape extrusion systems produce the tapes at a linear speed of, for example, 400 to 600 meters per minute. Depending on the specification, the weft bobbins are fed with a tape approximately 6,000 to 18,000 meters long, while the warp tape bobbins typically hold at least twice this length per bobbin. Since the ribbon extrusion line is designed for uninterrupted production in order to produce as waste-free as possible, the spools must be changed individually during ongoing operation of the line, without interrupting the withdrawal of the respective ribbon from the line, but also without reducing the winding tension.This is done manually with conventional spoolers. When the spool is stopped, the ribbon coming from the system is taken over by a suction gun and temporarily blown into a bag at the end of the suction gun for the duration of the changeover process. While the suction gun picks up the ribbon, the operator unlocks the winding spindle, pulls the finished spool from the winding spindle, places the finished spool on a support, puts an empty spool tube on the winding spindle, locks the winding spindle, sets the winding spindle in rotation and feeds the ribbon, which has meanwhile been parked in the suction gun, via a catching cone onto the spool tube which is rotating at the system speed. Finally, the operator separates the ribbon between the suction gun and the spool tube. A ribbon extrusion system, for example, can be equipped with 300 spoolers.For example, the manual changeover process is estimated to take 15 to 30 minutes in total.

[0005] However, this manual changing process has many disadvantages. The almost non-stop changing exposes the operators to high physical strain. The operating noise of the suction gun, for example, at around 95 dB, causes a lot of noise pollution. The individual spools have uneven lengths because the change intervals sometimes vary greatly, which leads to increased waste when the spools are used. The spools can be damaged during manual removal. Since the ribbons have to be vacuumed off during the changing process, change waste is unavoidable. The high proportion of manual work steps can lead to various malfunctions.

[0006] A certain improvement has been achieved with semi-automated bobbin changers, in which two bobbin spindles are positioned on a turntable at 180 degrees, allowing a loss-free change from the full bobbin to the empty core. Once the desired running length has been reached, the full, continuously winding bobbin is rotated a further 180 degrees on the turntable, bringing the second winding spindle, loaded with the empty core, into position. At the system speed reached in the meantime, it takes the ribbon from the full bobbin, separates it, and continues the winding process.

[0007] This design already offers several advantages over a purely manual changeover process. The run lengths are essentially the same, as the length is measured individually for each winder. Changing from the full bobbin to the empty tube is waste-free and associated with comparatively low noise levels. The operator's activities are reduced to removing and setting down the finished bobbin, inserting the empty tube, removing the ribbon remnants, and releasing the changeover.

[0008] However, these dishwashers also have disadvantages. Manual labor is often still required. Furthermore, coils can still be damaged. Above all, the high manufacturing costs and design effort prevent the widespread adoption of semi-automatic dishwashers.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 1 574 426 discloses a winding machine for winding different types of plastic webs onto cores. This winding machine has two pivoting winding arms with centering cones which can hold a core. One of the centering cones is driven by a rotary drive. Furthermore, a contact roller and a driven support roller are provided. The driven support roller, however, is assigned to the winding position in which the web of material is wound onto the core. Empty cores are kept in an empty core magazine. The full roll of material is pivoted into the delivery position while winding continues. An empty core is then taken from the empty core magazine using a loading arm and placed in the groove between the contact roller and the support roller. The empty core is pressed against the web of material and is set in rotation by this and by contact with the support roller.A separating device is used to pivot the web. During the cut, the falling, incoming web end is guided between the contact roller and the core by an air stream from nozzles. This carries the web end along and winds it up. The loading arms can then release the core. The winding arms, in turn, release the full web roll.

[0010] In this state of the art, the driven roller is therefore provided at the winding position, so that the roller has to take over the drive of the empty core when the connection between the web and the full web roll is severed. However, this transfer of the web to the empty core is very unreliable because it is questionable whether the air flow from the nozzles would be sufficient to bring the end of the web into contact with the core. In any case, this design would be unsuitable for winding ribbons onto the empty spool. Another disadvantage is that the driven roller can only be used at a single winding position. The design effort would therefore be disproportionately high if it were scaled up to an arrangement of spools.

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to alleviate or eliminate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. The invention preferably aims to develop a ribbon winding apparatus with structurally simple means for receiving the full bobbins individually from the winders.

[0012] This object is achieved by a ribbon winding apparatus according to claim 1, a method according to claim 12 and a system according to claim 18. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, the ribbon winding apparatus comprises a change robot that can be arranged in several, preferably vertically stacked, change positions for receiving full bobbins from the winder. The change robot comprises a peripheral drive unit for driving a full bobbin along its circumference, so that the bobbin bearing can be guided out of the bobbin tube when the full bobbin is driven by the peripheral drive.

[0014] For the purposes of this disclosure, the location and direction specifications, such as "top", "bottom", "vertical" and "horizontal", refer to the intended use of the ribbon winder apparatus.

[0015] The changing robot is advantageously assigned to several winders. The changing robot can be moved between several change positions. Each change position of the changing robot corresponds to the delivery position of the respective winder. In order to take over a full winder, the changing robot including the peripheral drive unit is moved into a change position in which the full winder can take over the full winder. “Full winder” means that the desired length of the ribbon on the winder tube has almost been reached, whereby the further winding of the ribbon can be taken into account in the delivery position. In preparation for the transfer of the full winder, the winder storage of the respective winder is transferred to the delivery position. When activated, the peripheral drive unit can drive the full winder circumferentially (i.e.not axially) so that the rotation of the full bobbin is maintained while the bobbin storage is moved out of the full bobbin and the bobbin axial drive is no longer used to drive the full bobbins. When the bobbin storage is moved out of the full bobbin, the bobbin storage is available to take up an empty bobbin, i.e. a supply bobbin tube without ribbon, whereupon the transfer of the ribbon to the supply bobbin tube can be prepared. This embodiment has the particular advantage that the full bobbin can be transferred from the bobbin winder to the changing robot without interrupting the ribbon winding. Driving the full bobbin around the circumference with the circumferential drive unit enables further winding and maintaining the tension of the ribbon on the full bobbin during a takeover time in which the ribbon has not yet been taken over from the supply bobbin tube.By moving the change robot between the change positions, the design effort can be reduced. Compared to the state of the art, for example, one change robot can replace six semi-automated winders as described above. A particularly advantageous feature is that the peripheral drive unit is moved between the various change positions. This allows the same peripheral drive unit to be used for several winders. This significantly reduces the design effort, making scaling economical.

[0016] The peripheral drive unit is preferably designed to take over the drive of the full bobbin with the removal of the bobbin bearing from the bobbin sleeve without interruption from the bobbin axial drive.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, bearing cones are provided as spool bearing elements, which can be inserted axially, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spool sleeve, into the longitudinal ends of the spool sleeve and guided out of the longitudinal ends of the spool sleeve. Thus, in this embodiment, no continuous bearing spindle extending over the entire length of the spool sleeve is provided. One or both of the bearing cones are connected to the spool axial drive, which causes the rotation of the respective bearing cone for winding the ribbon.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the transfer units of the winders are designed to pivot the spool bearings from the winding to the delivery positions. The spool bearings of the winders can thus be pivoted individually (i.e. without the other spool bearings) from the winding position for winding the ribbon to the delivery position for delivering the full spool to the changing robot. For this purpose, the transfer units can each have at least one pivot arm, which is connected to the spool bearing, preferably at the free end. In a design with two spool bearing elements, two pivot arms are preferably provided per transfer unit, so that the spool bearing elements on opposite sides of the spool sleeve are each connected to one of the two pivot arms.The pivot arms of the respective transfer unit can be pivoted together from the winding to the delivery position in order to transfer the full bobbin from the winding position to the delivery position. The ribbon winder apparatus preferably has a movement unit which is designed to move the changing robot with the peripheral drive unit between the changing positions, preferably essentially in a vertical direction, wherein the changing robot is designed to take over a full bobbin from the respective winder in each changing position. Thus, by activating the movement unit, the changing robot can be moved into the appropriate changing position in order to take over the full bobbin from the associated winder. If the winders are arranged vertically, the peripheral drive unit is brought to the height of the respective winder depending on the changing position in order to prepare for the takeover of the full bobbin from this winder.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the movement unit has a drive, for example an electric motor, for moving the changing robot between the changing positions.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the ribbon winding apparatus has a linear guide, which preferably extends substantially vertically. The movement unit is preferably configured to move the peripheral drive unit along the linear guide between the change positions, which are preferably spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of winders has at least 2, preferably at least 3, particularly preferably at least 4, in particular at least 6, winders one above the other, wherein the changing robot can be arranged in a corresponding number of changing positions. Thus, the same changing robot can take over the full bobbins from at least 2 winders. Several arrangements of winders, preferably several vertical rows of winders, can be arranged next to one another, wherein each arrangement of winders can be assigned a changing robot as described above. In addition, a further arrangement of winders can be provided opposite the arrangement of winders, wherein the same changing robot is assigned to the arrangement and the further arrangement of winders in order to take over the full bobbins both from the arrangement and from the opposite arrangement of winders.

[0022] In order to be able to take over the drive of the full bobbin without interruption when removing the bobbin storage from the bobbin tube, the peripheral drive unit of the changing robot in a preferred embodiment has at least one drive roller, preferably at least a pair of drive rollers, for driving the full bobbin around the circumference. In a preferred embodiment, the pair of drive rollers is designed to contact the underside of the full bobbin. Furthermore, a holding roller, in particular for contacting the top side of the full bobbin, can be provided in order to hold the full bobbin in position when it is taken over from the winder.

[0023] In order to be able to supply the winder with an empty bobbin after the full bobbin has been transferred to the changing robot, a bobbin tube magazine is provided, preferably on the changing robot, for receiving a plurality of supply bobbin tubes (i.e. empty bobbin tubes), wherein the transfer units of the winders are designed to arrange the bobbin storage in a takeover position for taking one of the supply bobbin tubes from the bobbin tube magazine. If the bobbin tube magazine is arranged on the changing robot, the bobbin tube magazine can be moved between the change positions together with the peripheral drive unit. The supply bobbin tube magazine is therefore advantageously designed to supply a plurality of winders.

[0024] After the full bobbin has been transferred to the changing robot, the bobbin storage can be transferred, in particular pivoted, into the receiving position by means of the transfer unit. This position is preferably located below the bobbin tube magazine. The bobbin tube magazine is configured to deliver one of the supply bobbins to the bobbin storage in the receiving position. By actuating, in particular moving or pivoting, the bobbin storage, the supply bobbin tube can be picked up from the bobbin storage.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the bobbin tube magazine has a slideway along which the supply bobbin tubes can move up when one of the supply bobbin tubes, in particular the lowest supply bobbin tube, is released. Depending on the design, the slideway can have a plurality of slideway sections inclined towards one another. Furthermore, the slideway can be essentially S-shaped. To facilitate the moving up, the bobbin tube magazine can have a vibrating device for vibrating the supply bobbin tubes. The bobbin tube magazine can have a fill level monitoring device for monitoring the fill level of the bobbin tube magazine. When the fill level monitoring device signals a minimum fill level, for example with a visual or acoustic display, the bobbin tube magazine can be loaded with bobbin tubes.If the bobbin tube magazine is arranged on the changing robot, as preferred, the bobbin tube magazine can be moved by the movement unit into a refilling position for refilling with bobbin tubes. The refilling position is preferably located at an ergonomic operating height for the user.

[0026] In order to prepare for changing the ribbon winding from the full spool to the supply spool tube, the spool winder is preferably designed to clamp the ribbon to the supply spool tube in a ribbon take-up position. For this purpose, each spool winder can have a clamping device for clamping the ribbon so that the ribbon is fixed essentially immovably to the supply spool tube at a clamping point. The spool storage can thus be transferred, in particular pivoted, from the take-up position for taking over the supply spool tube into the ribbon take-up position, in which the ribbon can be clamped to the supply spool tube by means of the clamping device in order to prepare for taking over the ribbon winding from the full spool.

[0027] In a first embodiment, the spool winder is designed to receive the ribbon in the ribbon receiving position in a gap between one of the spool bearing elements and the supply spool sleeve, so that by axially displacing the spool bearing the ribbon can be clamped between the spool bearing and the supply spool sleeve.

[0028] In a second embodiment, the winder is configured to clamp the ribbon in a ribbon catcher on the spool bearing when in the ribbon take-up position. A slot on the spool bearing can be provided as a ribbon catcher, which tapers against the direction of rotation and can thus clamp the ribbon.

[0029] To complete the ribbon winding transition from the full spool to the empty spool, i.e., to the spool tube, a cutting unit is preferably provided for severing the ribbon while it is clamped to the supply spool tube. Once the ribbon is clamped to the supply spool tube, the ribbon can be cut at a point between the supply spool tube and the full spool.

[0030] In order to prepare the placement of the full spool after changing the ribbon winding on the supply spool sleeve, the changing robot is preferably designed to stop the full spool when the ribbon has been severed by the cutting unit, i.e. to stop the rotation of the full spool.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the changing robot is designed to move the full bobbin taken over from the winder, preferably essentially in a vertical direction, in particular vertically downwards, into a deposit position for depositing the full bobbin. This design enables careful deposit of the full bobbins. The ribbon winder preferably has a deposit conveyor belt with which the full bobbin can be transported from the deposit position. Advantageously, the bobbins no longer have to be handled by the operating personnel until they are deposited, for example in boxes. This reliably prevents damage. In the method according to the invention for winding ribbons, in particular warp or weft ribbons for the production of a circular fabric by means of a circular loom, onto bobbin tubes, at least the following steps are carried out, preferably in the specified order:

[0032] Providing a ribbon winding apparatus in one of the embodiments described above,

[0033] Winding the ribbons onto the spool sleeves by rotating the spool bearings using the spool axial drives,

[0034] Positioning the change robot in one of the change positions and transferring one of the spool holders with the full spool to the delivery position assigned to the change position of the change robot,

[0035] Circumferential driving of the full coil with the changing robot, and

[0036] Leading the spool storage out of the full spool while driving the full spool circumferentially with the changing robot.

[0037] The advantages and technical effects of this process are evident from the above explanations of the ribbon winding apparatus.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the method for winding the ribbons onto the spool sleeves also comprises the following steps:

[0039] Transferring the coil storage into a takeover position and

[0040] Transferring a supply bobbin tube from a bobbin tube magazine into the bobbin storage.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the method for winding the ribbons onto the spool sleeves also comprises the following steps:

[0042] Transferring the spool storage with the supply spool tube into a ribbon receiving position and

[0043] Clamping the ribbon onto the supply spool sleeve. In a preferred embodiment, the method for winding the ribbons onto the spool sleeves also includes the following step:

[0044] Cutting the ribbon clamped to the supply spool sleeve between the supply spool sleeve and the full spool.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the method for winding the ribbons onto the spool sleeves also comprises the following step:

[0046] Placing the full spool on the changing robot after cutting the ribbon.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the method for winding the ribbons onto the spool sleeves also comprises the following step:

[0048] Moving the full spool with the changing robot into a depositing position, in particular essentially in a vertical direction, preferably downwards, for depositing the full spool.

[0049] The invention is further explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows schematically a ribbon winding apparatus with four winders arranged one above the other for providing full bobbins which can be exchanged with an up and down moving changing robot which is shown in Fig. 1 in the uppermost changing position.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows the ribbon winder apparatus according to Fig. 1 during the transfer of the full bobbin from the top winder to the changing robot, which temporarily takes over the rotation of the full bobbin by driving it circumferentially, so that an axial bobbin bearing of the winder can be led out of the full bobbin.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows the ribbon winding apparatus according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 after the transfer of the full bobbin to the changing robot, whereby the bobbin storage removes a replacement bobbin tube from a replacement tube magazine.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows the ribbon winder according to Figs. 1 to 3 after the ribbon winding has been transferred to the replacement bobbin tube. Fig. 5 shows the ribbon winder according to Figs. 1 to 4 in a bobbin storage position for depositing the full bobbin.

[0054] Fig. 6A shows schematically the full spool in the state driven by the changing robot.

[0055] Fig. 6B shows schematically the winding position of the spooler.

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a ribbon spooling apparatus 1 for winding ribbons 2 onto preferably cylindrical spool tubes 3. The ribbons 2 are fed in from a ribbon extrusion system (not shown). Depending on the design, the ribbons 2 can have a width of 1 to 8, in particular 2 to 4 millimeters (mm). Depending on the design, the ribbons 2 can be made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The ribbon spooling apparatus 1 has at least one arrangement of spools 4 which are arranged one above the other at vertical intervals. For example, the at least one arrangement can each have at least two, but preferably at least three, in the example shown four, spools 4. Preferably, the ribbon spooling apparatus 1 has a plurality of such arrangements of spools 4, which can be arranged next to one another (ie perpendicular to the plane of the drawing with reference to the drawing) (not shown).

[0057] Each spool winder 4 has a spool bearing 5 for the axial mounting of the spool sleeve 3. In the embodiment shown, the spool bearing 5 is formed by two spool bearing elements 6, here two bearing cones 6A, 6B (cf. Fig. 2). The spool sleeves 3 have insertion openings for the spool bearing elements 6 at their longitudinal ends (cf. Fig. 6A). The spool sleeves 3 are preferably hollow, so that the insertion openings are connected to one another and thus merge into one another. Alternatively, the spool sleeves 3 can be non-hollow, in particular solid, in a central section between the insertion openings. The spool bearing elements 6 can be inserted into the insertion openings at the longitudinal ends of the spool sleeve 3 from opposite sides and can be led out again from these longitudinal ends.In order to wind the ribbon 2 onto the spool sleeve 3, at least one of the two spool storage elements 6 is set in rotation by means of a spool axial drive 7. When the ribbon 2 is wound onto the spool sleeve 3, a full spool 8 is obtained. The ribbon spooling apparatus 1 also has a transfer unit 9 with a transfer drive for transferring the spool storage 5 together with the full spool 8 between a winding position (cf. Fig. 1) and a delivery position (cf. Fig. 2). In the winding position, the ribbon 2 is wound onto the spool sleeve 3 which has not yet been wound with the ribbon 2. In the delivery position, the full spool is removed from the spool storage 5. In the embodiment shown, the transfer unit 9 has two parallel pivot arms 11 which can be pivoted about a pivot axis 10 and which carry the coil bearing elements 6 at their free ends.By activating the transfer drive, the swivel arms 11 are transferred from the winding position to the delivery position (and vice versa).

[0058] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the ribbon winding apparatus 1 also has a laying unit 12, a press roller 13, a ribbon guide (not shown), a ribbon tension monitor, preferably in the form of a pendulum roller 15, and a ribbon guide roller 16, with which, as in the prior art, the feeding and winding of the ribbon 2, preferably in cross winding by means of a traversing unit (not shown), onto the spool tube 3 are accomplished.

[0059] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the ribbon winding apparatus 1 also has a changing robot 17 which can be arranged in several superimposed changing positions corresponding to the delivery positions of the winders 4.

[0060] In Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, the various positions of the changing robot 17 when taking over and depositing a full bobbin 8 are illustrated using the example of the uppermost bobbin winder 4.

[0061] As can be seen from Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, the changing robot 17 has a circumferential drive unit 18 for driving the full spool 8 around the circumference, so that the spool bearing element 6 can be guided out of the spool sleeve of the full spool 8 while the ribbon 2 continues to be wound onto the full spool 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the circumferential drive unit 18 has two lower drive rollers 19 driven by a roller drive and an upper holding roller 20, with which the full spool 8 can be kept in rotation even without power transmission by the spool axial drive 7 in order to temporarily take over the ribbon winding. In the example shown, a pivoting device 21 is provided with which the upper holding roller 20 can be pivoted between an inactive position (cf. Fig. 1) and an active position (cf. Fig. 2).

[0062] The ribbon winder apparatus 1 has a movement unit 22, symbolically illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6A, with which the circumferential drive unit 18 can be moved up and down along a guide frame 22A between the various change positions, so that the full bobbins 8 of all winders 4 can be taken over by the same circumferential drive unit 18. Depending on the design, the ribbon winder apparatus 1 can have at least 2, in the embodiment shown four, winders 4 at different heights. By means of the movement unit 22, the change robot 17 can be arranged in a corresponding number of change positions, i.e. in the embodiment shown in four different change positions.

[0063] As can also be seen from Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, the ribbon winder 1 also has a bobbin tube magazine 23, which is arranged on the changing robot 17 and follows the movement of the peripheral drive unit 18 between the changing positions. The bobbin tube magazine 23 contains a plurality of supply bobbin tubes 24, which can slide along a slide track 25 downwards into a dispensing position (cf. Fig. 3). For this purpose, the bobbin tube magazine 23 can be tilted and closing flaps 29 opened. By means of the transfer unit, the bobbin storage 5 of the winder 4 can be arranged in a take-over position below the bobbin tube magazine 23 (cf. Fig. 3) in order to take over the lowest supply bobbin tube 24 from the bobbin tube magazine 23.

[0064] As can also be seen from Fig. 4, the spool winder 4 is designed to clamp the ribbon 2 onto the supply spool tube 24 in a ribbon take-up position. For this purpose, the spool winder 4 can be designed to receive the ribbon 2 in a gap between one of the spool bearing elements 6 and the supply spool tube 24 in the ribbon take-up position, so that by axially displacing the spool bearing 5, the ribbon 2 is clamped between the spool bearing 5 and the supply spool tube 24. The connection between the ribbon 2 and the full spool 8 can then be severed using a cutting unit 26 (shown only symbolically). As can only be seen in Fig. 4, the changing robot 17 can also have a pair of fixing rollers 28 which press on the bobbin sleeve edges of the full bobbin 8 projecting beyond the ribbon winding in order to fix the full bobbin 8.

[0065] As can be seen from Fig. 5, the changing robot 17 is finally configured to move the full bobbin 8 received from the winder 4 vertically downwards into a deposit position, at which a deposit conveyor belt 27 is provided for transporting the full bobbin 8 away. The deposit conveyor belt 27 can have crosspieces for laterally separating the deposited bobbins.

[0066] With this ribbon bobbin winder 1 the bobbin change can be carried out as follows.

[0067] After the tape extrusion line has started up, the tapes 2 can be transported by means of a suction gun to the spoolers 4, on which the spool tubes 3 are already located, rotating at the line speed. The tape 2 can be guided into the circular gap between the tube end and the bearing or clamping cone 6A, 6B. The tape 2 can be clamped and wound in the annular gap by pressing on the bearing cone 6A, 6B. The tape 2 running to the suction gun is cut by a cutting device that has been brought into position.

[0068] After all of the ribbons 2 in the process have been applied, the system is started up to speed, with the winding speed being adapted to the ribbon extrusion system. At this time, the changing robot 17 is put into standby. Sensors on the individual spoolers 4, which continuously monitor the winding lengths, signal to the changing robot 17 which spool 8 is next to be changed. Usually, when the ribbon extrusion system is started, the order in which the ribbons 2 are applied changes from the topmost to the bottommost spool 8. Before the set running length of this spool 8 is reached, the changing robot 17 moves into the respective change position (cf. Fig. 1) and brings the drive rollers 19, which are responsible for the subsequent circumferential drive of the full spool 8, to the output speed of the ribbon extrusion system.

[0069] For changing, the full spool 8 is moved into the delivery position (cf. Fig. 1) by means of the transfer unit 9 while continuously winding.

[0070] 2 ) is pivoted adjacent to the changing robot 17 , which picks up the swung out and finished spool 8 on the outer circumference onto the drive rollers 19 at at least the same speed. The circumferential drive unit 18 can temporarily take over the winding of the ribbon 2 by further rotating the full spool 8 after the spool bearing 5 has been axially moved away, until the supply spool tube 24 has been removed from the tube magazine 23 and picked up by the clamping cones 6A, 6B of the spool winder 4, brought up to system speed and the ribbon 2 has been taken over by the supply spool tube 24 . The traversing or laying unit 12 is applied to the supply spool tube with the press roller 13.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the change robot 17 is assigned to a single vertical arrangement of winders 4. Alternatively, the change robot 17 can be assigned to two opposing vertical arrangements of winders 4 (not shown). The change robot 17 is called to the respective winder position as needed to perform the change process as described above.

[0072] During the transfer from the winder 4 to the changing robot 17, the full spool 8 is driven by frictional engagement by means of the peripheral drive unit 18. To secure the position of the full spool 8 during the transfer process, it is expedient to design the peripheral drive unit 18 responsible for further winding such that, after transfer from the winder 4, the full spool 8 remains axially positioned and the winding tension is maintained. For this purpose, the ribbon spooling apparatus 1 can, as mentioned above, have the holding roller 20, which holds the spool lying on the two drive rollers responsible for the drive in a secure position. For the purposes of this disclosure, "rollers" are synonymous with "cylinders". Alternatively, a pair of rollers 28 (cf. Fig. 4) can press on the core edges projecting beyond the winding in order to hold the full spool 8 in a secured position (axially and radially) during the changing process.

[0073] After the full bobbin 8 has been transferred to the changing robot 17, the bobbin storage 5 is pivoted back via the transfer unit 9 and positioned under the bobbin tube magazine 23 in such a way that the supply bobbin tube 24 can be picked up by the two clamping cones 6A, 6B of the winder 4 (cf. Fig. 3). The bobbin tube magazine 23 is preferably located on the changing robot 17. The bobbin tube magazine 23 is preferably designed in such a way that the supply bobbin tubes 24 are automatically moved to the takeover position. The supply bobbin tubes 24 can be replenished at any time during the change-free time of the respective changing robot 17, preferably when the minimum level is reached, for example optically and / or acoustically indicated. For this purpose, the bobbin tube magazine 23 can be moved to a height that is ergonomic for the operator, at which the bobbin tube magazine 23 can be loaded with the supply bobbin tubes 24.After the supply spool sleeve 24 has been taken over, the spool bearing 5 with the supply spool sleeve 24 is pivoted into the winding position. The laying unit 12 interrupts the so-called traversing process for the cross winding for the moment the ribbon is transferred from the full spool 8 to the supply spool sleeve 24, guides the ribbon 2 into the annular gap between the supply spool sleeve 24 and the not yet fully inserted and preferably spring-loaded clamping cone 6A or 6B, which fixes the ribbon 2 between the supply spool sleeve 24 and the clamping cone 6A or 6B by axially pressing it in. The ribbon 2 is thereby taken over by the rotating supply spool sleeve 24. The ribbon 2, which is gripped by the clamp and runs to the full spool 8, is guided by the rotation of the supply spool sleeve 24 to the cutting unit 26, which cuts the connection of the ribbon 2 to the full spool 8 (cf. Fig. 4).From this point on, the peripheral drive unit 18 can be deactivated.

[0074] As soon as the changing process is completed, the full spool 8 taken over by the changing robot 17 is stopped. The ribbon end can be fixed, for example, by a brush resting against the full spool 8.

[0075] The changing robot 17 then moves with the full bobbin 8 vertically along the vertical row of bobbins downwards to the deposit conveyor belt 27 (see Fig. 5).

[0076] The change robot 17, connected, for example, to a cable drag chain, can be moved along the guide frame 22A, mounted parallel to the vertical spooling row. The movement unit 22 of the change robot 17 can have a position-controlled stepper motor to enable precise movement to the various positions.

[0077] The deposit conveyor belt 27 is set in motion to remove the full bobbin 8, so that there is space for the bobbins 8 to be deposited subsequently. The deposit conveyor belt 27 can transport the full bobbins 8 to a bobbin storage location (not shown). At the bobbin storage location, a deposit robot can place the bobbins 8 in receiving containers, in particular traveling on roller conveyors (not shown), using a gripper.

[0078] Thus, the bobbins 8 can be transported, preferably without contact by the operator of the ribbon winding apparatus 1, to a circular weaving machine to which the ribbons 2 are fed as warp and weft ribbons from which a circular fabric is produced.

Claims

Claims:

1. Ribbon winder (1) for winding ribbons (2), preferably warp or weft ribbons for the production of a ribbon fabric, in particular a circular fabric by means of a circular loom, onto bobbin tubes (3), comprising: a preferably vertical arrangement of winders (4) with bobbin bearings (5) which can be inserted axially into the bobbin tubes (3), preferably each with two bobbin bearing elements (6) which can be inserted into the bobbin tubes (4) from opposite sides, with bobbin axial drives (7) for rotating the bobbin bearings (5) for winding the ribbons (2) onto the bobbin tubes (4) to provide full bobbins (8) and with transfer units (9) for transferring the bobbin bearings (5) with the full bobbins (8) each from a winding position to a delivery position, characterized by a changing robot (17) which is arranged in several, preferably vertically one above the other lying,Changing positions for taking over full bobbins (8) of the bobbin winder (4) can be arranged, wherein the changing robot (17) has a circumferential drive unit (18) for driving a full bobbin (8) on the circumference, so that the bobbin bearing (5) can be guided out of the bobbin sleeve (4) in a state of the full bobbin (8) driven by the circumferential drive (18).

2. Ribbon winder apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least 3, preferably at least 4, in particular at least 6, winders (4) are arranged one above the other, wherein the changing robot (17) can be arranged in a corresponding number of changing positions.

3. Ribbon winding apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the peripheral drive unit (18) of the changing robot (17) has at least one drive roller (19), preferably at least one pair of drive rollers (19), for the peripheral Driving the full coil (8).

4. Ribbon winder apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, preferably on the changing robot (17), a bobbin tube magazine (23) is provided for receiving a plurality of supply bobbin tubes (24), wherein the transfer units (9) of the winders (4) are designed to arrange the bobbin storage (5) in a takeover position for taking over one of the supply bobbin tubes (24) from the bobbin tube magazine (23).

5. Ribbon winder apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the winder (4) is designed to clamp the ribbon (2) to the supply spool sleeve (24) in a ribbon receiving position.

6. Ribbon winder apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the winder (4) is designed to receive the ribbon (2) in a gap between one of the spool bearing elements (6) and the supply spool sleeve (24) in the ribbon receiving position, so that by axially displacing the spool bearing (5) the ribbon (2) can be clamped between the spool bearing (5) and the supply spool sleeve (24).

7. Ribbon winder apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the winder (4) is designed to clamp the ribbon (2) in a ribbon catcher on the spool bearing in the ribbon receiving position.

8. Ribbon winding apparatus (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a cutting unit (26) for severing the ribbon (2) is arranged in the winding device (10) provided on the supply spool sleeve (24) clamped state.

9. Ribbon winding apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the changing robot (17) is designed to stop the full spool (8) in the state of the ribbon (2) severed by the cutting unit (26).

10. Ribbon winder apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the changing robot (17) is designed to move the full bobbin (8) taken over from the winder (4), preferably substantially in a vertical direction, in particular vertically downwards, into a depositing position for depositing the full bobbin (8).

11. Ribbon winder apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a further arrangement of winders (4) is provided opposite the arrangement of winders (4), wherein the changing robot (17) is assigned to the arrangement and the further arrangement of winders (4) in order to take over the full bobbins (8) both from the arrangement and from the opposite arrangement of winders (4).

12. Method for winding ribbons (2), preferably warp or weft ribbons for the production of a ribbon fabric, in particular a circular fabric by means of a circular loom, onto bobbin tubes (3), comprising the steps: Providing a ribbon winding apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, Winding the ribbons (2) onto the spool sleeves (3) by rotating the spool bearings (5) by means of the spool axial drives (7), Positioning the changing robot (17) in one of the changing positions and transferring one of the spool holders (5) with the full spool (8) into the delivery position associated with the changing position of the changing robot (17), Circumferential driving of the full bobbin (8) with the changing robot (17), and Leading out the spool bearing (5) from the full spool (8) while driving the full spool (8) circumferentially with the changing robot (17).

13. The method according to claim 12, further characterized by: Transferring the coil storage (5) into a receiving position and Transferring a supply bobbin tube (24) from a bobbin tube magazine (23) into the bobbin storage (5).

14. The method according to claim 13, further characterized by: Transferring the spool storage (5) with the supply spool sleeve (24) into a ribbon receiving position and Clamp the ribbon (2) onto the supply spool sleeve (24).

15. The method according to claim 14, further characterized by: Cutting the ribbon (2) clamped to the supply spool sleeve (24) between the supply spool sleeve (24) and the full spool (8).

16. The method according to claim 15, further characterized by: Place the full spool (8) on the changing robot (17) after cutting the ribbon (2).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, further characterized by: Moving the full bobbin (8) with the changing robot (17) into a depositing position, in particular substantially in a vertical direction, preferably downwards, into a depositing position for depositing the full bobbin (8).

18. System for producing a circular fabric, comprising: a ribbon extrusion system for producing warp and weft ribbons, a ribbon winding apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 for winding the warp and weft ribbons onto bobbin tubes (3) to provide full bobbins (8), a weaving machine, in particular a circular weaving machine, for producing a ribbon fabric, preferably a circular fabric, from the warp and weft ribbons unwound from the full bobbins (8).

19. A method for producing a ribbon fabric, in particular a round fabric, comprising: Production of warp and weft tapes with a tape extrusion line, Winding the warp and weft ribbons onto bobbin tubes (3) by means of the method according to one of claims 12 to 17 for providing warp and weft bobbins, and Producing a ribbon fabric from the warp and weft ribbons unwound from the warp and weft spools.

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