Sheet Gripping Device for Punching and Embossing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing punching and embossing machines face inefficiencies in processing sheet materials due to the need for sequential handling and deposition of sheets, leading to time delays and reduced productivity, particularly when sheets must be removed from a stationary surface and separated from waste.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing method and machine design featuring a sheet gripping device with separately controllable gripping elements, allowing for simultaneous processing and deposition of sheets, with continuous conveyor transport in the delivery station to streamline the process and prevent sheet slipping, utilizing air pressure or hold-down devices for secure placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a continuous gripper jaw grasps and holds both sheets simultaneously, then both sheets can be transported together, but both sheets can only be deposited simultaneously requiring sequential removal and breaking out, resulting in time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper jaw is divided into two independently controllable gripping elements (first gripping element and second gripping element) that can operate separately. This allows the first sheet to be deposited and released at one location while the second sheet is deposited and released at another location, enabling parallel processing and eliminating the time delay caused by sequential handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements are made dynamically controllable with independent control mechanisms. The first gripping element can release the first sheet at a first location while the second gripping element releases the second sheet at a second location, allowing dynamic coordination of sheet deposition and waste separation operations to maximize productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If sheets are placed on a stationary surface for deposition, then proper deposit is achieved, but sheets must be individually removed and accelerated again, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is pre-positioned and ready to receive sheets at the exact moment they are deposited. The sheet transport device coordinates its movement so that sheets are released directly onto the moving conveyor surface, eliminating the need for subsequent acceleration and maintaining both precision and continuous flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The deposition function and continuous transport function are merged into a single coordinated operation. The conveyor serves both as the receiving surface for deposited sheets and as the continuous transport medium, eliminating the stationary surface requirement and enabling seamless transition from deposition to transport.
3Manufacturing precision
If sheets are removed from a stack to break out and separate usable sheets from waste, then separation is achieved, but considerable time delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The waste separation function is extracted from the traditional stack removal process and integrated into the deposition location itself. At the first location, the first sheet is deposited and immediately separated from waste by the independently controllable gripping elements, eliminating the time-consuming stack removal and acceleration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor acts as an intermediary that receives sheets directly at the deposition location and transports them to the waste separation point. This intermediary transport eliminates the need for sheets to be removed from a stack and re-accelerated, maintaining continuous flow and reducing time delay while achieving accurate separation.
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
This solution enables faster, more uniform processing and increased productivity by allowing independent deposition of sheets and direct forwarding to downstream stations, reducing the risk of sheet slipping and enhancing overall processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the lower the relative speed between the conveyor and the processed sheet placed on it at the moment of placement, the lower the tendency of the processed sheet to slip on the conveyor
Implementation Method 2
holding the processed sheet in place on the conveyor by creating an air pressure difference between its top and bottom surfaces. This can be achieved, for example, by creating a vacuum on the underside of the sheet, so that the surrounding air pressure presses the sheet onto the conveyor
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a sheet processing method for sheets of paper or cardboard, in which a sheet (31) to be processed is first brought to a standstill in the processing station (12) and then deposited, while the processed sheet (32) is deposited in the delivery station (13) while in motion, and to a punching or embossing machine (1) with a feed station (11), a processing station (12) and a delivery station (13) arranged one after the other in a sheet transport path, and with a sheet gripping device (21, 22, 23) configured to deposit a sheet (31) to be processed in the processing station (12) when the sheet gripping device (21, 22, 23) has come to a standstill in a second reversal position, and to deposit a processed sheet (32) in the delivery station (13) while the sheet gripping device (21, 22, 23) is approaching the second reversal position.