Lamination Machine Drawing Means for Waste-Free Web Separation

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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 web edge aligners, tension control, and a lamination control system to monitor and adjust the lamination process, ensuring precise and waste-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a separating device is used to separate sections from a material web, then productivity is improved, but the risk of machine malfunction and waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation speedVSAvoidmachine stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical knife-based separating devices with a drawing means that uses controlled tensile force to separate sections. This substitution eliminates the complexity of blade mechanisms, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and waste from improper cutting, while maintaining high separation speed through controlled material withdrawal.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the separation mechanism from a static cutting action to a dynamic drawing process where tensile force and withdrawal speed are controlled parameters. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves reliable separation without the mechanical complexity and associated failure risks of traditional separating devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If traditional separating devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparating device structureVSAvoidseparation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning and cutting mechanisms with a simpler drawing means controlled by tensile force. This substitution reduces device complexity while improving separation precision through controlled material withdrawal and natural breaking at weak points, eliminating the need for precise blade alignment and positioning mechanisms.

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

3Productivity

If fast separation is achieved, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation speedVSAvoidsection length accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that detect the position and length of sections during the drawing process. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to adjust the drawing speed and tensile force in real-time, maintaining high productivity while ensuring precise section length control and accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous operation of the drawing means without interruption for measurement or adjustment. The continuous drawing process, combined with real-time sensor feedback, enables both high productivity and precise measurement by eliminating idle time and maintaining steady-state operation throughout the separation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables fast, trouble-free lamination operations with high precision, reducing the risk of machine damage and increasing production quality by allowing for quick error detection and prevention of waste, thus enhancing overall processing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a web tension controller (324) having a dancer roller (326)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRoller:

Implementation Method 2

a sensor (325) is arranged downstream of the web edge aligner (327)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3535125B1Lamination machine with drawing means and a method for laminating a material
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP3535125B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3535125B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3535125B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a lamination machine (01). The lamination machine (01) has at least one material source (100) for material (02) to be laminated, and the lamination machine (01) has at least one lamination unit (310). The lamination machine (01) has at least one lamination source (320; 230) for at least one web-shaped lamination material (321; 331), and at least one drawing means (342; 343) which can be moved along at least one drawing path (344; 346) is arranged and/or can be arranged at least temporarily at least within the lamination unit (310) in order to draw the lamination material (321; 331). At least sections of the at least one drawing path (344; 346) are arranged at a distance of at least 1 cm in the axial direction (A) from each part of a transport path provided within the lamination unit (310) for the at least one lamination material (321; 331).