Movable Cardboard Belt Alignment for Precise Cutting and Creasing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corrugated cardboard production systems face issues with misalignment of the median axis of the continuous strip, leading to unsuitable dimensions and shapes in the final product due to factors like skidding of belts, imperfections in papers, and mechanical tolerances, which are not effectively addressed by current solutions like swivel rollers or slitter scorers.
Innovation Solution
An aligning assembly with a selectively movable dragging device, comprising motorized rollers and guides, allows for precise adjustment of the median axis alignment by changing the orientation of the continuous strip's direction of advancement, using actuators and a control system to ensure accurate alignment before cutting and creasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If swivel rollers or wheels are used at the outlet of the double backer to change the orientation of the continuous strip, then the alignment of the median axis can be adjusted, but ripples or creases are created on the papers due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
A movable belt is introduced as an intermediary element between the continuous strip and the rollers. The belt contacts the continuous strip to transmit the orientation change, while the rollers contact the belt instead of the strip directly. This intermediary belt prevents direct friction between rollers and papers, eliminating ripples and creases while still achieving alignment adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt is made selectively movable relative to the rollers, allowing dynamic adjustment of the continuous strip's orientation. The belt can be moved to change the direction of advancement of the continuous strip, enabling real-time alignment correction without fixed mechanical contact points that would cause friction damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If a slitter scorer mounted on wheels is used to displace the continuous strip sideways, then correct cutting and creasing can be achieved, but the continuous strip is displaced further causing additional alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation of the continuous strip is adjusted in advance by the movable belt before the strip reaches the cutting and creasing station. By performing the alignment correction upstream, the strip arrives at the cutting station already properly oriented, eliminating the need for additional sideways displacement that would compromise alignment stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the median axis of the continuous strip is not aligned with the median axis of the sliding plane, then the strip can accommodate paper imperfections and belt skidding, but the final product has unwanted and unsuitable dimensions and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the orientation of the sliding plane relative to the continuous strip using a movable belt and rollers. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to compensate for paper imperfections and belt skidding during operation while ensuring that the final alignment at the cutting station produces products with correct dimensions and shapes.
Data Source
AI summary
An aligning group configured to align a continuous strip of cardboard may include a dragging device, elongated along a median axis and configured to drag a continuous strip of corrugated cardboard having a predetermined direction of advancement, and at least one actuator connected to the dragging device. The at least one actuator may be configured to change the orientation of the median axis and, thus, the orientation of the direction of advancement of the continuous strip of corrugated cardboard.