Metal Sheet Lifting and Suction Chamber for Separator Foil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal sheet handling systems in cutting centers require manual intervention to remove paper foils between sheets, posing safety risks and inefficiencies due to the persistence of lubricants causing foils to adhere.
Innovation Solution
A device with a convergent suction duct and blowing assembly creates a suction chamber to effectively remove paper foils between metal sheets by coordinating air flow and sheet lifting, minimizing cycle time and operator risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to remove paper foils, then the foil removal can be performed, but operator safety is compromised and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical removal system with an automated pneumatic system. A blowing device delivers compressed air to the paper foil, and a suction device creates negative pressure to draw the foil away from the metal sheets. This substitution eliminates operator exposure to safety risks while maintaining effective foil removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service foil removal where the apparatus automatically performs the removal operation without human intervention. The coordinated blowing and suction devices create air flows that automatically detach and remove the paper foil from between the metal sheets, making the system self-sufficient for this task.
2Productivity
If compressed air blow is applied locally to separate sheets, then sheet detachment is helped, but foil removal from the stack top is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow function into two distinct devices: a blowing device for sheet separation and a suction device for foil removal. The blowing device applies compressed air locally to detach sheets from the stack, while the suction device simultaneously or subsequently removes the paper foil. This segmentation allows each device to optimize its specific function rather than trying to accomplish both tasks with a single approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device acts as an intermediary mechanism that captures and removes the paper foil after it has been detached from the metal sheets. By introducing this intermediate removal step, the system effectively handles the foil without requiring direct contact or manual intervention, solving the problem of foil removal that local blowing alone cannot achieve.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lubricants are applied to protect metal sheets, then sheet protection is improved, but paper foil adhesion increases making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic forces to overcome the adhesive bond between the paper foil and lubricated metal sheets. The blowing device delivers high-velocity compressed air to break the adhesion, while the suction device creates negative pressure to pull the foil away. This pneumatic approach effectively removes foils even when lubricants create persistent adhesion, without requiring changes to the sheet protection process.
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
Automates the removal of paper foils between metal sheets, ensuring quick and reliable operation without manual intervention, reducing cycle time and eliminating safety hazards for operators.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device (10), adapted to create a suction chamber and to remove the paper foil from said suction chamber
Implementation Method 2
a blowing device (9), adapted to deliver a blow of compressed air to a pack of metal sheets
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and relative sheet handling apparatus apt to pick up sheets from a pack of sheets to be delivered to a cutting centre and for removing a separating foil (C) between said sheets is described, comprising lifting and removing means for a top sheet (L1) equipped with upper gripping heads (7), and also air flow generating means (8, 9, 10) generating an air flow above said pack of sheets, and control means of said lifting means, suitable for arranging said top sheet (L1) at a stasis height of up to 70 mm above said pack of sheet to define a suction chamber for said air flow generating means (8, 9, 10).