Winding Mandrel Preparation via Support Cradle Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing winding mandrels suffer from wear due to cutting blades and require strong mandrels to withstand stresses, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system with a pneumatic expansion and contraction member, gripping jaws, and a cutting unit to extract, cut, and insert winding mandrels into tubular cores, reducing wear and stress on the mandrels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cutting blades work with the tube inserted around the winding mandrel and locked thereon, then the mandrel provides a pressure surface for cutting, but the mandrel suffers wear and must be particularly strong
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support cradle as an intermediary device that holds the tube during cutting operations. The cradle provides the necessary support and pressure surface for the cutting blades to work against, eliminating the need for the mandrel to directly bear the cutting forces. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by allowing precise cutting while protecting the mandrel from wear.
2Strength
If the mandrel is made particularly strong to withstand blade stresses, then the mandrel can endure cutting forces, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the support cradle as a mediator, the system transfers the mechanical stress burden from the mandrel to the cradle structure. This allows the mandrel to be designed with normal strength characteristics rather than requiring excessive strength, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to withstand cutting forces.
3Productivity
If automated systems are used for extracting and preparing mandrels, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support cradle serves multiple functions: it holds the tube during cutting, provides a stable base for cutting operations, and can be integrated into the automated mandrel preparation system. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high productivity through automation while minimizing the addition of separate dedicated components, thereby controlling overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system to be combined to one or more rewinding machines (1) for forming reels or logs of web material wound around winding mandrels. The system, whose function is to prepare the winding mandrels with the related winding cores positioned thereon, comprises in combination: a robot (5) for extracting winding mandrels (A) from formed reels (BB); a cutting unit (7) for cutting tubes (T) for forming tubular winding cores (AT) of settable axial length; an insertion unit (9), for introducing the winding mandrels into a set of tubular winding cores.