Web Material Feeding System With Bobbin Gripping And Splicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current web material feeding systems face challenges in efficiently feeding bobbins without errors, managing high-speed production, minimizing waste, and handling multiple production apparatuses while ensuring correct material orientation and segregation of waste.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a storage of bobbins, a manipulator with a three-finger gripper and a jaw gripper equipped with sensors, and an unwinding apparatus with a splicing unit, which automates the loading process, checks the correctness of fed bobbins, and optimizes waste management by sorting and discarding unused materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated bobbin feeding systems are used to maintain uninterrupted production, then productivity increases, but the risk of feeding wrong material or incorrect orientation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidmaterial feeding accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses cameras and sensors to capture images of bobbins, automatically identifies their characteristics including orientation markers, and provides feedback control to the manipulator to ensure correct feeding orientation and material type matching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual visual inspection and orientation checking is replaced by automated optical systems (cameras) and image processing algorithms that detect bobbin characteristics and orientation markers, eliminating human error in material verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If high-speed production processes are used, then productivity increases, but the amount of waste material from bobbin changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidweb material waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and verification of bobbin characteristics before the feeding process, ensuring correct material selection and orientation from the start, which prevents waste caused by incorrect feeding that would require rework or cause production interruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts and optimizes the feeding process parameters based on real-time detection of bobbin characteristics, minimizing the need for manual intervention and reducing waste from incorrect setups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple production apparatuses are served by a single feeding system, then adaptability increases, but the complexity of the feeding system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-apparatus service capabilityVSAvoidfeeding system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding system is designed with a universal manipulator and identification system that can handle multiple types of bobbins and serve multiple production apparatuses with different requirements, through centralized control and automated material routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized control system acts as an intermediary between the feeding apparatus and multiple production lines, managing material distribution, monitoring bobbin characteristics, and coordinating feeding operations across different apparatuses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of substance

If manual bobbin changing is used to minimize waste, then material loss decreases, but labor intensity increases and production interruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb material wasteVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated bobbin identification, verification, and feeding operations without manual intervention, using sensors and cameras to detect bobbin characteristics and automatically adjust feeding parameters to minimize waste while maintaining continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4549351A1System for feeding web material, manipulator head for system for feeding web material and method for feeding web material

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO MACHINERY POLAND SP ZOO

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AI summary

The object of the application is a system (1) for feeding web material (9, 29) to at least one production apparatus (P1, P2, P3, ... Pn), comprising a storage (3) of bobbins (2), a manipulator (5) provided with a head (30) for gripping and carrying the bobbin (2), unwinding apparatuses (100) for unwinding the web material (9, 29) from the successive bobbins (2, 2') and feeding the web material (9, 29) to the production apparatuses (P1, P2, P3, ... Pn). The head (30) is provided with an three finger gripper (31) for gripping the carrier roll (8) of the bobbin (2) and a jaw gripper (33) for gripping the end (9B) of the new web material (9) of the bobbin (2), the manipulator (5) being slidably mounted along the path (T) at the unwinding apparatuses (100), while the unwinding apparatus (100) comprises a splicing unit (101) for splicing the new web material (9) of the new bobbin (2) and the old web material (29) of the used bobbin (2'), and the manipulator (5) is adapted to wind through the new web material (9) of the bobbin (2) placed on the unwinding apparatus (100) to the splicing unit (101). The object of the application is also a manipulator head and a method for feeding at least one production apparatus.