Unwinding Section Slabbing Device for Fiber Web Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber web production lines require a separate slabbing station for removing slab fiber web from reeling shafts, which interferes with the production process, increases operator workload, and poses safety risks due to manual handling.

Innovation Solution

An unwinding section with two positions and a slabbing device that includes a suction roll and pivot arms to pick up and empty the slab fiber web directly through a broke opening, eliminating the need for a separate slabbing station and reducing manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate slabbing station is used to remove slab fiber web from reeling shafts, then the slabbing function is provided, but the production process is interfered with and operator workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidproduction process structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the slabbing device with the unwinding section, integrating two previously separate functions (slabbing and unwinding) into a single operational unit. This eliminates the need for a separate slabbing station and allows slabbing operations to occur concurrently with unwinding operations, thereby reducing operator workload and simplifying the production process structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual handling is used for slab fiber web removal, then flexibility is maintained, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling flexibilityVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The slabbing device is designed to automatically pick up and remove slab fiber web from the reeling shaft without requiring manual handling. The device serves itself by mechanically performing the slabbing operation, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with operator exposure to moving machinery and heavy materials while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a separate slabbing station is implemented, then slabbing capability is provided, but production continuity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidprocess configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the slabbing device into the unwinding section, the system enables continuous operation where slabbing and unwinding occur simultaneously without requiring separate processing steps. This eliminates production interruptions that would occur with a separate slabbing station, maintaining continuous useful action while managing device complexity through functional integration.

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

This solution streamlines the process by integrating slabbing into the unwinding section, reducing operator workload, enhancing safety, and maintaining production continuity without interfering with other operations.

Implementation Method 1

a suction roll configured to pick up a slab fiber web from a reject roll

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4005956B1Unwinding section and a method for removing slab fiber web from a reeling shaft
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 VALMET TECH OY
  • EP4005956B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4005956B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4005956B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an unwinding section for unwinding a fiber web (W) from a parent roll (12) wound around a reeling shaft (10), which unwinding section (15) comprises two unwinding positions (I, II) consisting of a first unwinding position (I) and a second unwinding position (II), in which unwinding section (15) the unwinding of the parent roll (12) is configured to be begun at the first unwinding position (I) and in which unwinding section (15) towards end of the unwinding the parent roll (12) is configured to be transferred to the second unwinding position (II), which unwinding section (15) comprises a broke opening (26). The unwinding section (15) comprises a slabbing device (35) configured to operate in area of the first and second unwinding positions (I, II). The slabbing device (35) is configured to pick up a slab fiber web (RW) from a reject roll (13) formed of a fiber web remaining on the reeling shaft (10) after the unwinding of the parent roll (12) is finished in the second unwinding position (II) and the slabbing device (35) is configured to empty the slab fiber web (RW) through the broke opening (26). The invention also relates to a method for removing slab fiber web from a reeling shaft for removing slab fiber web from a reeling shaft (10) in an unwinding section (15) comprising two unwinding positions (I, II) consisting of a first unwinding position (I) and a second unwinding position (II) and comprising a broke opening (26), in which method in the unwinding section (15) the unwinding of the parent roll (12) is begun at the first unwinding position (I) and towards end of the unwinding the parent roll (12) is transferred to the second unwinding position (II). In the method the slab fiber web (RW) is removed by a slabbing device (35) operating in area of the first and second unwinding positions (I, II), the slab fiber web (RW) from a reject roll (13) formed of a fiber web remaining on the reeling shaft (10) after the unwinding of the parent roll (12) is finished in the second unwinding position (II) is picked up by the slabbing device (35) and the slab fiber web (RW) is emptied from the slabbing device (35) through the broke opening (26).