U.S. patent application number 09/167716 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-03 for method and device for charging and discharging a short-cycle and/or coating press.
Invention is credited to RAPP, PETER, SALENZ, DIETER.
Application Number | 20020000281 09/167716 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7844850 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020000281 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SALENZ, DIETER ; et
al. |
January 3, 2002 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGING A SHORT-CYCLE AND/OR
COATING PRESS
Abstract
The invention is a method, and its accompanying apparatus, for
charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with
layered pressing material. In order to reduce the charging and
discharging times, the method entails inserting a first transport
device, or charging device, having a plurality of clamping devices
into a charging region and inserting a second transport device
having a plurality of suction devices into a pressing chamber,
wherein the first and second transport devices are inserted
transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair of supply
axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes. The pressing
material is clamped in the charging region and a plate is accepted
in the pressing chamber; the first transport device is then moved
into the pressing chamber and the second transport devices into a
discharging region. The pressing material is then deposited onto a
lower heating plate and the first transport device is removed from
the pressing chamber and the plate is deposited in the discharging
region. Next, the first transport device is withdrawn from the
pressing chamber and the second transport device is withdrawn from
the discharging region. The first and second transport devices are
withdrawn in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central
axis from the pair of charging and discharging axes to the pair of
supply axes. Last, the transport devices are returned to an
original position for a new cycle.
Inventors: |
SALENZ, DIETER;
(ZAISENHAUSEN, DE) ; RAPP, PETER; (EPPINGEN,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
200075109
|
Family ID: |
7844850 |
Appl. No.: |
09/167716 |
Filed: |
October 7, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/60 ; 100/215;
100/218; 100/295; 156/538; 156/580 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 38/18 20130101;
B30B 15/30 20130101; Y10T 156/10 20150115; B27N 3/22 20130101; Y10T
156/17 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/60 ; 156/538;
156/580; 100/215; 100/218; 100/295 |
International
Class: |
B05D 001/40; B65B
001/00; B65C 001/00; B31B 001/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 7, 1997 |
DE |
197 44 284.6 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material, comprising: a) opening a
pressing chamber; b) inserting a first transport device having a
plurality of clamping devices into a charging region and inserting
a second transport device having a plurality of suction devices
into a pressing chamber, wherein the first and second transport
devices are inserted transverse to a longitudinal central axis from
a pair of supply axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes,
each supply axis being located on an opposite side of the
longitudinal central axis and each charging and discharging axis
being located further from the longitudinal central axis than each
supply axis; c) clamping the pressing material in the charging
region and accepting a plate in the pressing chamber; d) moving the
first transport device into the pressing chamber and the second
transport devices into a discharging region, wherein the first and
second transport devices are moved jointly; e) depositing the
pressing material onto a lower heating plate and removing the first
transport device from the pressing chamber and depositing the plate
in the discharging region; f) withdrawing the first transport
device from the pressing chamber and the second transport device
from the discharging region, wherein the first and second transport
devices are withdrawn in a direction transverse to the longitudinal
central axis from the pair of charging and discharging axes to the
pair of supply axes; and g) returning the transport devices to an
original position for a new cycle.
2. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the plurality of suction devices can be driven
independently.
3. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the plurality of suction devices can be raised and lowered
independently.
4. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the pressing material is deposited in the pressing chamber
by loosening the clamping devices simultaneously.
5. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the pressing material is deposited in the pressing chamber
by loosening the clamping devices with a time delay.
6. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the first transport device is bipartite.
7. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the second transport device is bipartite.
8. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material, comprising: a) inserting a
first transport device having a plurality of clamping devices into
a charging region, wherein the first transport device is inserted
transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair of supply
axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes, each supply axis
being located on an opposite side of the longitudinal central axis
and each charging and discharging axis being located further from
the longitudinal central axis than each supply axis; b) clamping a
pressing material to the first transport device; c) opening a
pressing chamber; d) inserting a second transport device having a
plurality of suction devices into the pressing chamber, wherein the
second transport devices is inserted transverse to the longitudinal
central axis from the pair of supply axes to the pair of charging
and discharging axes, e) suctioning a plate in the pressing chamber
to the second transport device; d) moving the first transport
device into the pressing chamber and the second transport devices
into a discharging region; e) depositing the pressing material onto
a lower heating plate; f) removing the first transport device from
the pressing chamber, wherein the first transport device is
withdrawn in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central
axis from the pair of charging and discharging axes to the pair of
supply axes; g) depositing the plate in the discharging region; and
h) withdrawing the second transport device from the discharging
region, wherein the second transport devices is withdrawn in a
direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis from the pair
of charging and discharging axes to the pair of supply axes; and i)
returning the transport devices to an original position.
9. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating
presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim 8,
wherein a plurality of dedicated drives move the first and second
transport devices independently along the longitudinal central axis
and transverse to the longitudinal central axis.
10. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or
coating presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim
9, wherein the suction devices are driven independently.
11. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or
coating presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim
10, wherein the suction devices can be raised and lowered
independently.
12. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or
coating presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim
8, wherein the pressing material is deposited in the pressing
chamber by loosening the clamping devices simultaneously.
13. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or
coating presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim
8, wherein the pressing material is deposited in the pressing
chamber by loosening the clamping devices with a time delay.
14. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or
coating presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim
8, wherein the first transport device is bipartite.
15. A method for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or
coating presses with layered pressing material as claimed in claim
8, wherein the second transport device is bipartite.
16. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses,
comprising: a charging truck comprising at least two support spars,
wherein the charging truck is movable and is guided by the support
spars on a pair of guide rails; a plurality of clamping devices
fastened to the support spars; a discharging truck comprising at
least two support spars, wherein the discharging truck is movable
and is guided by the support spars on the pair of guide rails; and
a plurality of suction devices fastened to the support spars of the
discharging truck.
17. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses
according to claim 16, wherein the charging and discharging trucks
comprise a single unit.
18. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses
according to claim 11, further comprising at least one drive for
moving the charging and discharging trucks in a direction
transverse to a longitudinal central axis of a pressing
chamber.
19. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses
according to claim 16, further comprising an electric motor for
driving the charging and discharging trucks in longitudinal
direction.
20. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses
according to claim 16, wherein the charging and discharging trucks
are constructed such that they can be inserted in a pressing
chamber in varying widths relative to a central longitudinal axis
of the pressing chamber.
21. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses
according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of suction devices are
active suction systems.
22. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses
according to claim 21, wherein the active suction systems can be
driven independently of each other.
23. A device for charging and discharging short-cycle presses
according to claim 21, wherein the active suction systems can be
raised and lowered independently of each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a method for charging and
discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered
pressing material which comprise carrier plates with top-side and
bottom-side enhancement layers made from thermosetting synthetic
resin or thermosetting synthetic resin films, in which a transport
device, moveable between the coating, press, and depositing tables
is provided with clamping and suction devices. The clamping devices
grip the pressing material on both longitudinal sides and move into
the pressing chamber, deposit the pressing material, and move out
of the pressing chamber. After the subsequent pressing operation,
the press will then be opened, and the finished plate is sucked up
by the inserted suction devices, lifted, and moved out of the
pressing chamber. The invention also relates to a device for
carrying out the method according to the invention.
[0003] 2. Related Prior Art
[0004] A similar method, and its accompanying system, is disclosed
in DE 19 11 764 A1 and DE 23 63 795 A1. According to the
aforementioned method and system, to execute transverse movements
to charge the press and deposit the pressing material, the pressing
material is gripped on the outer edge by clamping elements and
inserted into the pressing chamber. To insert the discharging
device into the short-cycle and/or coating press, however, various
kinematic, moveable elements are utilized for accepting the finally
pressed plate. As a result, separate control functions must be used
and the resultant mechanical design has a relatively large number
of different functional parts, and thus is not only complicated,
but is also demanding to maintain.
[0005] Different widths B1 and B2 are compensated for by varying
the approach of the clamping and support elements, but with the
disadvantage that, in the case of thin wide pressing material, the
inherent weight of the pressing material causes so large a sag that
the lower surface or the film of the pressing material rubs on the
pressing plate of the lower pressing/heating plate and the product
is damaged. The problem is partially solved by setting a larger
distance to the pressing/heating plate, which results in a
disadvantage when depositing the pressing material because of
increased dropping (depositing) heights and the risk associated
therewith, of displacing the pressing material or films on the
carrier plate. Practically, to overcome this problem the point of
attack of the upper clamping roller, with respect to the support
elements, is displaced so far outward that the pressing material is
deformed in accordance with the bending line in order to prevent
rubbing of the pressing material. The risk of clamping marks
disadvantageously exerts an influence in the case of this clamping,
particularly given thin pressing material with sensitive films.
This means that the surface quality of the product is impaired.
[0006] The problem of the sag in the case of thin and wide pressing
packages was solved by DE 39 14 866 A1, which utilizes support
strips inserted in a transverse fashion below the pressing material
in accordance with the insertion path, depending on the width B1 or
B2 and the sagging response and are inserted into the press by
means of the support and transport belts arranged on the support
strips. The relatively large depositing height necessitated by the
design of the support belts is disadvantageous. Furthermore,
extremely high positive and negative accelerations for shortening
the mechanical charging times are not possible because the package
of pressing material is displaced by the forces acting when the
static friction is exceeded.
[0007] Charging and discharging devices of short-cycle presses
according to DE 28 47 273 A1 and DE 32 46 720 A1 operate by driving
the gripper clamping strips and the sucker strip tools with the
same parallelogram linkage system. The guiding arms, which can
mostly be swiveled out pneumatically, pursue a sinusoidal movement,
as a result of which the acceleration cycles and braking operations
by means of damping elements, in part additional, in the end
positions of the pressing material tray and/or pressing material
holder can no longer be exactly repeated. This applies, in
particular, in the case of different format widths with effects on
the path lengths and the operating speeds, particularly, in the
case of transverse movements in the required millisecond range. It
is a further disadvantage in these swiveling arm systems that the
compensation of relatively large differences in format width
entails relatively large lever lengths, and thus relatively large
flywheel forces.
[0008] According to a further patent DE 35 03 156 A1, the
transverse insertion of the support strips with a different sagging
response of the pressing material, principally, in a similarly
advantageous way as according to DE 39 14 866 A1, with the
difference that the package of pressing material is inserted into
the press on this support strip, it being the case that during the
insertion (charging) movement the package of pressing material
remains fixed on the support surface of the support strips by means
of vacuum suction nozzles, with the disadvantage that for the
purpose of shortening the mechanical charging times in the case of
high accelerating and braking forces only the lower film remains
fixed, and the clamping plate situated above can be displaced with
the upper film, which becomes even more critical in the case of a
double film covering. This renders it impossible for the pressing
material to be inserted quickly into the pressing chamber without
detaching or displacing the upper film.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the invention to allow for the insertion
of a package of pressing material, given a different sagging
response of the package of pressing material, into the short-cycle
and/or coating press even in the case of extremely high
accelerating or decelerating forces.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to reduce the
mechanical charging times without displacing the package of
pressing material.
[0011] It is yet another object of the invention to be able to
reliably deposit the pressing material onto the lower pressing
plate without displacing the film.
[0012] It is a further object of the invention to reduce the
mechanical charging and discharging times, that is, reduce the time
of the production cycle as a whole.
[0013] Accordingly, the invention consists of a method for charging
and discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered
pressing material, comprising:
[0014] a) opening a pressing chamber;
[0015] b) inserting a first transport device having a plurality of
clamping devices into a charging region and inserting a second
transport device having a plurality of suction devices into a
pressing chamber, wherein the first and second transport devices
are inserted transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair
of supply axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes, each
supply axis being located on an opposite side of the longitudinal
central axis and each charging and discharging axis being located
further from the longitudinal central axis than each supply
axis;
[0016] c) clamping the pressing material in the charging region and
accepting a plate in the pressing chamber;
[0017] d) moving the first transport device into the pressing
chamber and the second transport devices into a discharging region,
wherein the first and second transport devices are moved
jointly;
[0018] e) depositing the pressing material onto a lower heating
plate and removing the first transport device from the pressing
chamber and depositing the plate in the discharging region; and
[0019] f) withdrawing the first transport device from the pressing
chamber and the second transport device from the discharging
region, wherein the first and second transport devices are
withdrawn in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central
axis from the pair of charging and discharging axes to the pair of
supply axes; and
[0020] g) returning the transport devices to an original position
for a new cycle.
[0021] An additional method for charging and discharging
short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered pressing material,
comprising:
[0022] a) inserting a first transport device having a plurality of
clamping devices into a charging region, wherein the first
transport device is inserted transverse to a longitudinal central
axis from a pair of supply axes to a pair of charging and
discharging axes, each supply axis being located on an opposite
side of the longitudinal central axis and each charging and
discharging axis being located further from the longitudinal
central axis than each supply axis;
[0023] b) clamping a pressing material to the first transport
device;
[0024] c) opening a pressing chamber;
[0025] d) inserting a second transport device having a plurality of
suction devices into the pressing chamber, wherein the second
transport devices is inserted transverse to the longitudinal
central axis from the pair of supply axes to the pair of charging
and discharging axes,
[0026] e) suctioning a plate in the pressing chamber to the second
transport device;
[0027] d) moving the first transport device into the pressing
chamber and the second transport devices into a discharging
region;
[0028] e) depositing the pressing material onto a lower heating
plate;
[0029] f) removing the first transport device from the pressing
chamber, wherein the first transport device is withdrawn in a
direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis from the pair
of charging and discharging axes to the pair of supply axes;
[0030] g) depositing the plate in the discharging region; and
[0031] h) withdrawing the second transport device from the
discharging region, wherein the second transport devices is
withdrawn in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central
axis from the pair of charging and discharging axes to the pair of
supply axes; and
[0032] i) returning the transport devices to an original
position.
[0033] There is also provided a device for charging and discharging
short-cycle presses, comprising a charging truck comprising at
least two support spars, wherein the charging truck is movable and
is guided by the support spars on a pair of guide rails; a
plurality of clamping devices fastened to the support spars; a
discharging truck comprising at least two support spars, wherein
the discharging truck is movable and is guided by the support spars
on the pair of guide rails; and a plurality of suction devices
fastened to the support spars of the discharging truck.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 shows the kinematic sequence (a to e) of the device
according to the invention for charging and discharging a
short-cycle press of a first design.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows the kinematic sequence (a to c) of the device
according to the invention for charging and discharging a
short-cycle press of a second design.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the kinematic sequence (a to d) of the device
according to the invention for charging and discharging a
short-cycle press of a third design
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the kinematic sequence (a to d) of the device
according to the invention for charging and discharging a
short-cycle press of a fourth design.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a front view of the device for charging and
discharging according to the invention.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a plan view taken along the section A-A of the
device according to FIG. 5.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows the design details of the coupling for
connecting the support spar of the charging and discharging
truck.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows the clamping mechanism for the pressing package
on an enlarged scale.
[0042] FIG. 9 shows two windscreen devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] The method consists in that the clamping and discharging
device of the charging and discharging trucks, that is to say that
the device according to the invention as a whole can, for the
purpose of rapid insertion and withdrawal as well as effective
acceptance of the pressing material, be inserted in a fashion
projecting into the pressing chamber, so far transverse to the
longitudinal center that the pressing material is supported on
support elements, which project far into the pressing chamber on
both longitudinal sides in accordance with the width of said
material, and thus finds a support for insertion which is as free
from sagging as possible. It is thereby possible for pressing
packages and the finished plates of arbitrary widths to be
transported quickly and damage free.
[0044] By contrast with the prior art, the method according to the
invention and the device according to the invention have the
following advantages:
[0045] First, due to the optimum support of the package of pressing
material by means of support beams extending into the pressing
chamber to an optional extent, the support of the pressing
material, and to additional clamping by the clamping beams, it is
possible for even very wide and thin (for example only 3 mm thick)
packages of pressing material to be transported into the
short-cycle and/or coating press without being damaged and without
appreciable sagging, and also to be deposited without folds when
extremely thin lightweight films are used. In contrast with the
prior art, in which the clamping system must apply relatively large
clamping forces to prevent the package of pressing material from
sliding through because of its intrinsic weight onto the
pressing/heating plate by bending deformation, to prevent sagging
to an excessively large extent, the clamping mechanism according to
the invention need only apply the dynamic forces, acting
horizontally on the pressing material, in conjunction with
extremely steep acceleration and braking ramps of the traveling
movement of the charging device, since the weight of the package of
pressing material is taken up optimally by the support
surfaces.
[0046] It is advantageous for the lifting movement of the suction
devices to be carried out by an active sucker system without
additional mechanical components, the suction device itself
executing the suction and lifting operation. Active sucker systems
or injector Venturi nozzles are provided to limit the outlay on
installation. It is thereby sufficient to supply the suction
devices with compressed air.
[0047] The advantageous kinematic measures and designs of the
devices have created spaces between roller guides for the guide
rails and the support spars, in the valves of which pressure
metering displacement sensors and other pneumatic and electric
switching elements are sufficiently accommodated. In this case, the
units are supplied with electric power by a bus system. Such a bus
system manages with at most two to four mini-lines, which can be
laid virtually invisibly in the spaces formed. The overall aim of
these measures and embodiments of the device are to avoid outlay on
installation and excessively large cable dragging devices for
supplying the charging and discharging unit.
[0048] In order to permit short cycle times, the longitudinal
movements of the charging and discharging trucks are operated at
high speeds. In this case, to prevent the upper films and/or papers
from blowing upward and the pressing package from slipping, it is
advantageous to attach a windscreen to the end face of the charging
truck.
[0049] The short cycle times are also rendered possible by virtue
of the fact that the opening height of the pressing chamber is very
small, at up to .ltoreq.300 mm. The reason for this is that the
components of the device which are inserted and withdrawn are to be
designed with a decidedly low overall height. The low overall
height of the active suction lifters employed is particularly
responsible for this. As a result, only short raising and lowering
times for the movable pressing plate are involved in the pressing
cycle.
[0050] The results of the method according to the invention and the
device according to the invention are that relatively low pressure
forces prevent the package of pressing material from slipping even
in the case of very rapid insertion and very short mechanical
charging times in a reliable way and without limiting the quality
of the film surface.
[0051] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention may be
gathered from the following descriptions, the drawings, and the
claims.
[0052] The device for carrying out the method serves to charge and
discharge so-called short-cycle or coating presses in a single-tier
design. The middle layers for the plate to be coated can be
chipboard, MDF and plywood plates which are coated on one or both
sides with melamine or phenolic resin films. It is also possible to
produce pure packages of melamine and phenolic resin films as high
and medium pressure laminates.
[0053] In FIG. 5, the press 1 is fitted with charging and
discharging devices, or first and second transport devices, which
are constructed, respectively. as clamping and suction devices 12
and 13, in order to press chipboards, fiberboard or the like, with
enhancement coatings applied to their top and bottom sides, as
pressing material 3 or as pressing package 3, under the influence
of pressure by means of cylinder piston arrangements 7 for exerting
pressing pressure, and heat from heated pressing/heating plates 5
and 6 to enhanced plates 4. A transport device is provided for
charging and discharging the press 1 that can be moved between the
charging region 14 and pressing region 15, as well as one which can
be moved between the pressing region 15 and discharging region 16.
The transport device is guided by means of support spars 11 in or
on guide rails 10 and to which clamping and suction devices 12 and
13 are connected on both longitudinal sides in each case
[0054] The charging device is represented by dashed lines to the
left of the longitudinal central axes I-I on the supply axis
III-III and on the charging axis II-II when the pressing package 3
is deposited in the pressing chamber 17. On the other hand, the
discharging device is illustrated by dashes to the right of the
longitudinal central axis I-I in the case of acceptance of the
finished plate 4 on the discharging axis II-II and on the supply
axis III-III.
[0055] According to FIGS. 5 to 8, the transport device for charging
comprises a bipartite charging truck 8 which can be moved
longitudinally to the left and right of the pressing/heating plates
5 and 6 and/or between the press frame 2 and the pressing/heating
plates 5 and 6 in guide rails 10 with the support spars 11. The
charging truck 8 comprises two support spars 11 to which the
clamping devices 12 are fastened with their support beams 26 and
raising/lowering clamping beams 27. It is possible to provide many
support beams 26 per side at a predetermined distance from one
another, support rollers 23 being attached at their ends for the
purpose of improved sliding of the pressing packages 3. The
pressing packages 3 can be deeply undercut by the support beams
26.
[0056] In this case, the undercut depends solely on the length of
the support beams 26, which is, in each case, a function of the
width and thickness of the pressing material. Slippage or
displacement of the films in the pressing package 3 during
transport is prevented by the clamping beams 27. Moreover, in
accordance with FIG. 9, the films are advantageously protected
against being lifted by a windscreen 24 which can be swiveled in
and out, or as one which has laminas 25 which can be displaced into
one another telescopically, and which is arranged on the end face
of the charging truck 8, that is to say the front in the charging
direction. As a result, it is possible to operate at the highest
driving speeds, for example 6 m/s, without the films being lifted.
At the same time, ionization can be minimized. This is necessary to
press the films without folds. The windscreen is designed such that
it can be telescoped for differences in the widths of the pressing
materials.
[0057] Instead of many support beams 26 with support rollers 23, it
is also possible to provide two longitudinal support strips per
longitudinal side at the ends of the support beams 26, to the
inside of which the support rollers 23 are attached at a distance
from one another.
[0058] The pressing packages 3 inserted into the pressing chamber
17 are deposited onto the lower pressing/heating plate 6 by
loosening the clamping beams 27, simultaneously or, optionally,
with a time delay, and by rapidly withdrawing the support beams 26
to the side, either simultaneously or with a time delay. The
support beams 26 are withdrawn horizontally from the pressing
chamber 17 by moving the two halves of the charging truck 8 with
the support spars 11 and the guide rails 10 rapidly to the left and
right with the aid of a motor by a drive 18 or pneumatically by an
adjusting drive, in transverse rails 19.
[0059] The transport device for discharging comprises a bipartite
discharging truck 9 which can be moved longitudinally to the left
and right of the pressing/heating plates 5, 6, respectively, in
guide rails 10 with the support spars 11.
[0060] The discharge truck 9, in turn, comprises two support spars
11 to which the suction devices 13 with their support arms 28 and
the raising/lowering active suction devices 20 are attached. The
number of active suction devices 20 per longitudinal side and their
insertion path relative to the longitudinal central axis I-I is
determined by the width and weight of the plate 4. The active
suction devices 20 can, depending on the length of the plate 4, be
individually raised and individually lowered independently from one
another. It is possible thereby for the plates 4, which loosen
poorly from the lower pressing/heating plate 6, to be peeled off.
The peeling operation requires that the upper suction device 20 be
raised at the plate ends. Then, as a result, air passes under the
plate 4 and the latter can be raised over its entire surface. If
pressing material of different lengths is produced by the coating
installation, in the case of short pressing material 3 the downward
cycle is turned off for the suction devices not required. This
prevents increased wear of the active suction devices 20 by placing
them onto the plate edges.
[0061] As an alternative to this, instead of the active suction
devices 20 it is also possible to use a sucker strip on each side
with a fixed number of suckers, but only when the operator of the
coating layer desires to continuously produce one size of pressing
package. After the suction devices 13 are lowered and the finished
plate 4 is accepted, the discharging truck 9 is rapidly moved
longitudinally together with the charging truck 8. The discharging
truck 9 brings the plate 4 from the pressing chamber 17 and the
charging truck 8 brings the pressing package 3 into the pressing
chamber 17. The rapid longitudinal movement of the charging and
discharging trucks 8 and 9 and their guidance by the support spars
11 in the guide rails 10 may be carried out using ball-bearing
guiding rollers 33 attached to the support spars 11.
[0062] In the case of the first exemplary embodiment, described
thus far, according to FIG. 1a to 1e, for charging and discharging,
the guide rails 10 and the support spars 11 are permanently fixedly
connected to one another and they respectively comprise one
structural part to the left and right. A drive 21 and 18
respectively are provided for the longitudinal and transverse
movements. The horizontal transverse displacement of the guide
rails 10 with the charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9 for
accepting the pressing package 3 into the charging region 14, for
withdrawing the pressing package 3 from the pressing region 15, and
for withdrawal from the discharging region 16, is performed in this
case by motor in the same way in transverse rails 19.
[0063] For the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 2 to 4, the
guide rails 10 are subdivided into three parts, one specifically
for the charging region 14, the pressing region 15 and the
discharging region 16, while two support spars 11 are provided in
each case for the charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9.
[0064] Each of the three regions is equipped with a dedicated drive
18 for the transverse movement. As a result, the charging device
can deposit the new pressing package 3 in the press 1 irrespective
of whether the discharging operation has already deposited the
plate 4. The drive system for the object set is provided in a
plurality of exemplary embodiments or solutions depending on the
cycle time requirements:
[0065] First exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a to 1e:
[0066] The charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9 are connected to
one another and continuous guide rails with support spars 11 are
fitted with a common drive 21. They are drawn via a common drive
beam 22 that is driven by an electric motor by means of chains or
toothed belts. The drive beam 22 can be arranged on the charging
side or, preferably, discharging side, and is separately guided on
a dedicated frame 30.
[0067] The charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9 are additionally
guided in a fashion rolling on the drive beam 22 for the purpose of
transverse movement in this case.
[0068] FIG. 1a shows the charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9 in
the charging and pressing regions 14 and 15 in the starting
position on the supply axis III-III for the purpose of being
inserted transversely onto the charging and discharging axis II-II.
This movement is represented as already having been executed in
FIG. 1b. After pressing package 3 is clamped by the clamping device
12, and the finished plate 4 is accepted by the suction device 13,
according to FIG. 1c, the transport device 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13
moves jointly into the pressing chamber 17 or into the discharging
region 16. After plate 4 is deposited and the pressing package 3
has been deposited at the same time, in accordance with FIG. 1d,
the guide rails 10 are moved back, with the components attached
previously, onto the supply axis III-III from the charging and
discharging axis 11-11 and, in accordance with FIG. 1e, returned by
means of the drive beams 22 to the starting position according to
FIG. 1a.
[0069] Second exemplary embodiment with divided, that is to say
separate guide rails 10 according to FIGS. 2a to 2c:
[0070] In this version, the charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9
are connected to one another for charging and discharging and can
be coupled via couplings 29 which can be driven pneumatically,
electromagnetically or by electric motor. If the couplings 29 are
opened, the charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9 can be moved
transversely independently of one another. The non-driven part is
simultaneously locked against being moved on the guide rails 10 by
opening the couplings 29. As FIGS. 2a to 2c further show, the
mutually separated charging truck 8 and discharging truck 9 can
move transversely independently of one another from the supply axis
III-III onto the charging and discharging axis II-II and back or be
moved jointly longitudinally by one transport device 8, 9, 10, 11
and 12 or 13 in each case. The drive and the sequence of movement
in the pressing cycle are performed as in the first embodiment.
However, this version has longer cycle times due to the
independence between charging and discharging with individual
drives.
[0071] Third exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3a to 3d:
[0072] Extended version with separate control drives for charging
and discharging, separate guide rails 10 and separate support spars
11 as well as mechanical synchronization of the charging and
discharging half trucks 8 and 9. The drive is performed via one or
two stationary drive units 34 per longitudinal side, in which case
gearwheels 31 engage in gear racks 32 on the charging and
discharging trucks 8 and 9. The drive units 34 are arranged in a
stationary fashion on the press 1 and provided such that they can
be lifted out and moved transversely at the press inlet and press
outlet for the purpose of transverse movement by means of the drive
18. For this purpose, the charging and discharging trucks 8 and 9
are not connected to one another. Greater flexibility and shorter
cycle times result by comparison with the first and second
embodiments. In addition, FIGS. 3a to 3d further illustrate the
corresponding movement sequences of charging and discharging. In
FIG. 3a, the charging truck 8 and the discharging truck 9 are in a
waiting position on the supply axes III-III. According to FIG. 3b,
the charging truck 8 can still be inserted transversely onto the
charging axis II-II during pressing and accept and clamp the
pressing package 3, while the discharging truck 9 can execute the
transverse insertion and the common longitudinal movement only
after opening of the press 1, as FIG. 3c shows. In FIG. 3d, the
press is already closed and the charging truck 8 has been moved
transversely from the charging axis II-II onto the supply axis
III-III, while the discharging truck 9 can still deposit the plate
4. After the deposition, the discharging truck 9 likewise moves
from the discharging axis II-II onto the supply axis III-III, and
both can be returned to the waiting position according to FIG.
3a.
[0073] Fourth exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4a to 4d.
[0074] Extended version with individual drives and divided guide
rails 10. Each of the two charging and discharging half trucks 8
and 9 is equipped with a dedicated electric motor 35. The drive is
performed via gearwheels 31 or the revolution of a toothed belt on
a gear track 36 attached to the guide rails 10. The synchronization
of the right-hand and left-hand half trucks is performed via
electronic control axes or, alternatively, via mechanical
compensating shafts. The movement sequences of charging,
discharging and moving transversely and longitudinally are
performed in accordance with the way outlined in FIG. 3.
[0075] According to FIGS. 7a and 7b, in the case of divided guide
rails 10 according to exemplary embodiments II, III and IV as seen
in FIGS. 2 to 4, the coupling is performed by means of a
pneumatically controlled latch 29. In the closed position, the
support spars 11 of the charging truck 8 and the support spars 11
of the discharging truck 9 are coupled by means of a locking latch
29. In the uncoupled state, the latch 29 brakes the charging truck
8, which has no drive in this position, by means of
self-closure/frictional grip, in order to prevent movement in the
longitudinal direction. In the uncoupled position, it is possible
for the charging to carry out a transverse movement independently
of the discharging, for example in order to accept or deposit the
plates 4. In order to realize this, however, the drive 18 of the
transverse movement must be divided into two or three, that is to
say the drive is divided either at the press/charging interface or
at the press inlet and outlet.
[0076] Priority application German 197 44 284.6 filed Oct. 7, 1997,
including the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract, is
hereby incorporated by reference.
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