Cut Web Piece Transfer Around Corners With Grabbing Clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conversion processes for transforming tubular web material into piece goods face challenges in smoothly changing direction without stopping, avoiding collisions between consecutive pieces, and ensuring accessibility, particularly in continuous operations.
Innovation Solution
A transferring system utilizing rotating chains with grabbing clamps that synchronize cutting, grabbing, and releasing speeds to smoothly transition cut pieces from longitudinal to transverse direction, compensating for speed differences and maintaining piece orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous running operation is used to maintain stable high-speed cutting, then productivity and stability are improved, but the complexity of transferring cut pieces around corners increases due to the need for grabbing and releasing at different speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism uses dynamically adjustable speed components that can vary their operating speed during the transfer process. The first transfer component operates at a first speed to receive the moving cut piece, then changes to a second speed to position it on the second conveyor, resolving the speed mismatch complexity through dynamic adaptation rather than complex mechanical linkages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters (speed) of the transfer components during the transfer process. By adjusting the speed of the first transfer component between two distinct values, the system simplifies the transfer mechanism while maintaining continuous operation, avoiding the need for complex stop-and-go synchronization
2Ease of operation
If stop-and-go operation is used to simplify material handling, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity decreases due to frequent stopping and acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention maintains continuous motion of the web material throughout the cutting and transfer process. The cut piece is received while moving from the cutter and transferred to the second conveyor without stopping, eliminating the productivity loss associated with repeated acceleration and deceleration cycles in stop-and-go systems
Solution Approach 2:
The first transfer component acts as an intermediary between the cutter and the second conveyor, enabling continuous operation by bridging the speed and position differences between these components. This intermediary allows the cut piece to be smoothly transferred without requiring the main conveyor to stop
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional transfer methods are used to change direction of cut pieces, then manufacturing capability is maintained, but accessibility for maintenance and collision avoidance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the first transfer component in a spatial relationship that allows it to approach the moving cut piece from a direction other than directly ahead. This dimensional arrangement enables the transfer to occur without interfering with the main conveyor path, improving accessibility and reducing collision risks
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
The discloses a transferring system and method for transferring cut pieces of web material around corners used in conversion of web material rolls into piece goods such as bags. The apparatus allows the cut pieces (3) to be grabbed by the grabbing clamp (7) and transferred by a transportation unit (4) such that its direction of movement changed from the cutting direction (15) to transverse direction (17) via an intermediate pull-off direction (16) without stopping but in a gradual manner. This phenomenon of change in direction the cut piece as soon as the fabric is cut is facilitated by the synchronisation of the three entities: cutting speed, grabbing of the cut piece material and the line speed of the main line. The chain (10) mechanism used for this purpose is laid out in four distinct segments or regimes - grabbing regime (12), inclined pull-off regime (13), the release regime (14), and the compensation regime (11).