Laminating Machine Separation Control for Waste Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laminating machines face challenges in precisely and efficiently separating sections from a material web without waste, leading to potential machine malfunctions and reduced production quality.

Innovation Solution

A laminating machine equipped with a separating device that uses clamps, alignment mechanisms, and sensors to accurately separate sections from a material web, incorporating a webbing-up mechanism and thickness control to ensure precise handling and minimize errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If sections are separated from a material web using conventional separating devices, then the separation process can be performed, but waste occurs during ongoing operation and the risk of machine malfunction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste during separationVSAvoidmachine malfunction risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using sensors to detect the position of sections on the material web before the separation point is reached. This allows the separating device to be precisely positioned and activated at the optimal moment, ensuring clean separation without waste and preventing machine malfunction. The control system prepares the separation mechanism in advance based on real-time web monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional separating devices are used to separate sections from a material web, then separation can be achieved, but precision and speed of separation are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation precisionVSAvoidseparation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using sensors that continuously monitor the material web and provide real-time information to the control system. The control system processes this information and adjusts the separating device's position and activation timing dynamically, achieving both high precision and high speed separation. The feedback loop ensures that each section is separated at the exact right moment without compromising speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical separating devices with a more advanced system that uses sensor detection and controlled actuation. Instead of relying solely on mechanical timing and positioning, the system uses electronic sensors and control mechanisms to achieve precise, high-speed separation. This substitution enables both improved precision and increased productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If simple roll unwinding is used for laminating material, then the system is simple, but web tension control and alignment are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwinding system complexityVSAvoidweb alignment and tension control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the unwinding system to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The same unwinding mechanism incorporates web tension control, alignment guidance, and sensor monitoring capabilities. This multi-functional approach achieves high manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the system integrates several functions into a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3535124B1Laminating machine
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP3535124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3535124B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3535124B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a laminating machine (01), wherein the laminating machine (01) comprises at least one material source (100) configured as a sheet feeder (100) for sheets (03) of a material (02) to be laminated, the laminating machine (01) comprises at least one laminating unit (310), the laminating machine (01) comprises at least two lamination sources (320; 330), each for at least one web-type laminating material (321; 331), and the laminating machine (01) comprises at least one laminating unit (310) for producing a material web (02), which is laminated on both sides, from the sheets (03) and the respective at least one laminating material (321; 331), wherein at least one lamination control device (348; 349) is disposed downstream of a laminating region (313; 314) of the lamination unit (310), along a transportation path provided for transporting the laminated material web (02), said control device monitoring a control region lying outside a transport region that is occupied by the transportation path provided for the laminated material web (02).