EP0267357B1 - Method and apparatus for storing coils of a tape-like wound material and for feeding said material to a machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

Coils (C) of tape-like raw material are stored in a magazine station (M) in a horizontal position, that is to say with a vertical axis. They rest on a plane base, by means of which they can be grasped in a still horizontal position and be fed to an unwinding station (H), where they are put down horizontally together with the base and unwound, in order to feed the tape-like raw material to a processing station (B). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a system according to the preamble of claim 1.

• Nachdem bereits ein einziger Coil ein grosses Gewicht aufweist, wird die Handhabung einer grossen Anzahl solcher Coils alleine schon durch das Gewicht und die Masse erschwert;
• für kleinere Partien und häufigen Wechsel der Coil-Breite, wie es bei einer "Just-in-time"-Fertigung unvermeidbar ist, eignet sich ein solches System schlecht;
• die sperrige, aber zur Unterstützung eines so grossen Gewichtes erforderliche, Palette reduziert den verfügbaren Magazinierplatz;
• nach dem Bearbeiten nur eines Teiles eines Coils liegen die Windungen des darunter angeordneten Coils frei und können sich daher, mangels Sicherung durch die gemäss der CH-A-627955 vorgesehenen Spannvorrichtung mit vier kreuzweise angeordneten Armen, unter Umständen lösen (sog. "Bandsalat").

A system for storing coils and for loading a processing machine can be found in CH-A-627 955, in which the base is formed by a pallet on which a number of such coils are attached. This has the following disadvantages:

• Since a single coil already has a large weight, the handling of a large number of such coils is made difficult simply by the weight and the mass;
• such a system is poorly suited for smaller batches and frequent changes in coil width, as is unavoidable in just-in-time production;
• the bulky, but necessary to support such a large weight, reduces the available magazine space;
• After processing only a part of a coil, the turns of the coil underneath are exposed and can therefore, due to the lack of security provided by the tensioning device according to CH-A-627955, with four crosswise arranged arms, loosen under certain circumstances (so-called "band salad") .

Cassettes are also known and can be found, for example, in EP-A-0 166 895. The coils (this name has been used for coil rolls with steel or non-ferrous metal strips) are stored in a horizontal position, ie with a vertical winding axis, in cassettes that have support rolls for the coil inside. For processing, the cassettes are removed from the magazine station and placed on a reel with a horizontal axis, which requires an expansion device to get the coil from underneath To keep tension.

A solution similar to CH-A-627 955 can also be found in FR-A-2 222 151, which of course has the same disadvantages.

While EP-A-0 166 895 is primarily concerned with maintaining an orderly storage area in order to be able to quickly find out any desired coil at any time and to feed it to the unwinding station, systems have also been presented on the market in which similar reel arrangements are used were used at the unwinding station, as are also provided in the cassettes according to EP-A-0 166 895. However, all of these roller arrangements create very unstable support for the coil, which results in handling and / or constructional disadvantages which have so far been neglected in order to optimize the process. Because of the unstable support of the coil, it tends to collapse, especially if it has only a few turns. If it is then to be returned to the magazine, the individual coils must be tied off at several points in order to avoid a "band salad". For the same reason, however, the - constructively complex - expandable reel is also required, as is also known from the textile industry for skeins of thread, but for coils must be built much more solidly, so that the unstable coil, especially in a vertical position, i.e. with horizontal axis, does not fall apart. However, this can never be completely avoided with the known proposals, which can lead to rejects due to the distortion of the material. So far, all of these disadvantages have been accepted as inevitable.

The object of the invention is to make these processes simpler and safer, and therefore easier to handle design, and this is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1.

• der Arbeitsvorgang des Abbindens des Coils kann entfallen,
• eine aufweitbare Haspel ist nun nicht länger nötig,
• die Coils neigen nicht mehr zum Zusammenfallen, so dass allfällige Entwirrarbeit solcher Coils entfällt,
• dadurch ergeben sich auch keine einseitigen inneren Spannungen im bandförmigen Rohmaterial, die einen Ausschuss hervorrufen könnten.

The fact that the coil is always kept horizontal and is always supported by a horizontal surface, surprisingly results in a great simplification of handling, which leads to special advantages in the workflow and construction:

• the work of setting the coil can be omitted,
• an expandable reel is no longer necessary,
• the coils no longer tend to collapse, so there is no need to untangle such coils,
• this also means that there are no one-sided internal tensions in the strip-shaped raw material that could cause rejects.

• der einzelne Coil ist bereits gewichtsmässig leichter zu handhaben,
• ein rascher Wechsel von Coils ist auch bei Durchführung nur kleiner Bearbeitungsmengen leichter möglich,
• der Coil ist so leichter und platzsparender zu magazinieren, zumal der darunterliegende sperrige Palettenboden entfällt,
• die seitlichen Vorsprünge bzw. Vertiefungen vermindern nicht nur die Bauhöhe, sondern gestatten auch ein seitliches Angreifen eines Greifwerkzeuges, wobei dies wiederum mit dem verminderten Gewicht zusammenhängt, das eine Unterstützung durch das Greifwerkzeug von unten entbehrlich macht.

Compared to using a pallet, there are the following additional advantages:

• the individual coil is already easier to handle in terms of weight,
• a quick change of coils is easier possible even when only small quantities are processed,
• the coil is easier and more space-saving to store, especially since the bulky pallet floor underneath is no longer required,
• the lateral projections or depressions not only reduce the overall height, but also allow a gripping tool to be gripped from the side, which in turn is related to the reduced weight, which makes support by the gripping tool from below unnecessary.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Anlage, an Hand derer die Erfindung erläutert wird;

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 1 in grösserem Massstab;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt nach der Linie A-A der Fig. 2; die

Fig. 3a bis 3d

eine bevorzugte Ausführung einer Lade- oder Abwickelstation in einem Axialschnitt (Fig. 3a,3b) in zwei verschiedenen Stellungen, bzw. in Draufsicht (Fig. 3c), wobei Fig. 3d ein Detail in einer axonometrischen Ansicht zeigt;

Fig. 4

eine Ausführungsvariante in einer der Fig. 1 ähnlichen Darstellung, zu der

Fig. 5

eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Ausschnittsvergrösserung ist, die

Fig. 6a bis 6c

verschiedene Stadien beim Ablegen eines Coils auf eine besondere Ausführungsform einer Coilabstützung in der Abwickelstation, die in

Fig. 7

in Draufsicht dargestellt ist, wogegen

Fig. 8

einen Axialschnitt durch eine besonders günstige Abwandlung veranschaulicht; die

Fig. 9, 9a

eine zugehörige Abzieheinrichtung;

Fig. 10

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Anlage mit einem Prozessleitsystem, wovon

Fig. 11

eine Ansicht nach der Linie XI-XI und

Fig. 12

eine Ansicht nach der Linie XIII-XII der Fig. 10 ist, wobei an Hand der

Fig. 13 und 14

Einzelheiten der sich beim Entnehmen von Coils aus einer bevorzugten Ausführung einer Magazinstation abspielenden Vorgänge darstellen.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the hand the following description of exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a system on the basis of which the invention is explained;

Fig. 2

a section of Figure 1 on a larger scale.

Fig. 3

a section along the line AA of Fig. 2; the

3a to 3d

a preferred embodiment of a loading or unwinding station in an axial section (Fig. 3a, 3b) in two different positions, or in plan view (Fig. 3c), Fig. 3d shows a detail in an axonometric view;

Fig. 4

an embodiment variant in a representation similar to FIG. 1, to which

Fig. 5

2 is a detail enlargement corresponding to FIG

6a to 6c

different stages when depositing a coil on a special embodiment of a coil support in the unwinding station, which in

Fig. 7

is shown in plan view, whereas

Fig. 8

illustrates an axial section through a particularly favorable modification; the

9, 9a

an associated puller;

Fig. 10

a plan view of another system with a process control system, of which

Fig. 11

a view along the line XI-XI and

Fig. 12

is a view along the line XIII-XII of Fig. 10, with reference to the

13 and 14

Details of the processes that take place when coils are removed from a preferred embodiment of a magazine station.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, a magazine station M, a reel or unwinding station H and a processing station B are provided in a system, the latter being able to be designed for various processing operations, for example for welding strip-shaped raw material, but preferably for punching . That is why in the processing station B schematically shows a punch press 1 in plan view inside a soundproof housing 2, as is necessary for high-frequency punch presses.

From the unwinding station H, a strip-shaped raw material made of steel or a non-ferrous (NE) metal is taken up from coils C with the aid of an only indicated, possibly known, pulling device 3 from the respective coil C located at the unwinding station H and fed to the punch press 1 . Details of a preferred embodiment of this pulling device 3 can be found in FIG. 9.

As particularly clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the magazine station M has a semi-cylindrical stand 4 which is provided with semicircular ring ribs 5 at its interior, preferably at regular intervals. Each of the coils C accommodated therein rests on a plate-shaped plate P which is provided on its periphery with a raised edge 6 which surrounds the coil over at least part of its height. This edge 6 is provided at its ends with a projecting peripheral flange 7, a recess 8 being provided between the flanges 7.

The plate-shaped base is essentially flat (a slight ribbing would hardly harm), but has holding tabs 10 extending in the central region parallel to the coil axis 9, which are produced, for example, by punching out the central opening 11 and bending the tabs 10. By means of these retaining tabs 10 (which, if appropriate, like the circumferential flanges 7 could be designed as a continuous retaining surface, which would be less favorable in terms of production; conversely, individual radial tabs could be provided instead of the flanges 7, but as a result of which the strength suffers), the coil C on the Plate P centered and on the other hand prevented from contracting inside. In addition, the resulting opening 11 gives the possibility the centering of the plate P on storage surfaces, for example by having elevations 12 penetrating into the opening 11, as is shown in FIG. 3 with the aid of the charging station L.

A relatively simple gripping device and the ribs 5 of the magazine stand 4 interact with this edge 6, onto which the flanges 7 are pushed in such a way that the respective rib penetrates into the recess 8.

In principle, the base P holding the coils could be designed as desired, but is designed in the exemplary embodiment shown in such a way that the Greifeinrich device can be particularly simple. This has a semicircular gripper tool 14, which is shown in dash-dotted lines around an axis 13 in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a position with solid lines, in two other positions, and which is designed such that it is shown in FIG and 3 evidently engage in the recess 8 between the flanges 7 of the edge 6 and can thus capture the coil C together with its base P. In order to enable this gripper tool 14 to grasp the coils C held in the magazine station M, the stand 4 is only semicircular. A slight lifting of the gripper tool 14 causes the coil to rest on it with its weight and to remain on it frictionally under its own weight. This lifting movement can take place either by actuating the drive for the gripper tool or in the manner as will be explained later with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

As particularly shown in FIG. 3, a drive motor 15 is provided on the upper side of the gripper tool 14 for a pivoting movement thereof about the axis 13. The axis 13 is approximately mast-shaped and serves as a guide column for an up and down movement of a bearing body 16 on which the Gripper tool 14 is actually only pivotable. The bearing body 16 is provided on two opposite end faces with extensions 17, to which an endless traction means, such as a toothed belt, but preferably a chain 18, is fastened. The chain 18 is part of a transport device which, like an elevator in a building, can perform an indexed movement, that is to say that it can only control individual discrete stations or positions, but not an intermediate station in between. These stations correspond to the ribs 5 of the stand 4, and it is now understandable why it is advantageous to simplify the control if the ribs 5 are evenly spaced from one another. Such lift controls are known per se and therefore do not need to be explained in detail. On the back of the stand 4, a switch box 19 (FIG. 2) with selector buttons 20 can be arranged, by means of which each of the ribs 5 of the magazine station M, but also different rotational positions of the gripper tool 14, can be selected.

As soon as the gripper tool 14 has detected a coil C, it can be brought into the position 14ʹ shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by appropriate excitation of its motor 15, or beforehand directly into the unwinding station H, where it coils on a Fig. 2 is only shown in dashed lines rotatably mounted plate 21. Only then does the gripper tool 14 pivot into position 14ʹ to release the coil. The strip-shaped raw material is then turned through 90 degrees via a fixed guide 22 (can optionally also be omitted) in order to be fed into the punch press 1 in the correct position.

If the magazine station M is to be filled, it is advantageous (if not absolutely necessary) to provide a loading station L at which the coils brought are initially deposited in order to be gripped by the gripper tool 14 in the manner described and selected using the control buttons 20 Tray (rib 5) of the magazine station M to be fed.

For this process, FIGS. 3a to 3c show a particularly favorable design of a station, which preferably plays the role of the charging station L, but can optionally also be used for the unwinding station H. In this connection, an advantageous embodiment of the cassette which accommodates the coil C is also to be discussed.

The charging station according to FIGS. 3a, 3b has a stand 39 which has an annular support surface 40 on its upper side. The lower part of the stand 39 forms a cylinder 41, in the middle of which a guide rod or shaft 42 is arranged coaxially. If the station is only used to fill cassettes K, it can be a rigid guide rod 42, which may even be omitted. If, on the other hand, the coil C is to be driven to rotate, as will be the case with a reel or unwinding station H, the shaft 42 can be driven to rotate.

A hollow cylindrical piston 43 comprising the rod or shaft 42 is displaceable within the cylinder 41. Pressure medium can be admitted to and discharged from the cylinder 41 via an opening 44. By introducing a pressure medium into the cylinder 41, the piston 43 is moved upward and reaches the position shown in FIG. 3a.

The piston 43 has the shape shown in FIG. 3d and, above its hollow cylindrical section, carries a support frame 45 with four arms 45a to 45d, which extend parallel to one another and extend approximately horizontally. An upwardly projecting centering projection 46 is provided on each of these arms 45a to 45d, the purpose of which will be explained later.

If a cassette K is to be loaded with a coil C, the circumferential flanges 7 of the cassette K are placed on the support surface 40 and appropriately secured there in their position with the aid of a fastening device. This fastening device is formed in the illustrated embodiment by holes in the lower peripheral flange 7, as well as in the support surface 40 penetrating pins 47, which also secure a certain rotational position, but any other fastening or position securing device can also be used, for example on the peripheral flange from the side clamps or simply a raised edge surrounding surface 40.

A coil C is now brought in with the aid of a forklift, the fork G of which is shown in dash-dot lines in FIGS. 3a and 3c. It can also be seen from the latter figure that the purpose of the parallel alignment of the arms 45a to 45d of the piston 43 (cf. FIG. 3d) is to enable the fork G to be brought and placed on the coil C. As shown in Fig. 3a, the centering projections 46 secure a central position of the coil C. However, it can be seen that the centering projections 46 only effect a pre-centering, whereas for the final centering within the cassette K, the retaining tabs, here designed as pins 10ʹ, are used serve that radially a little further out compared to the centering projections 46.

These pins 10ʹ are arranged on a cross-shaped base plate Pʹ. It shows that the mutually parallel arms 45a to 45d of the frame 45 each have such a distance from one another that a crossbeam of the base plate Pʹ can pass between them. Thus, the design of the frame 45 allows the fork G, the frame arms 45a to 45d and the crossbeams of the base plate Pʹ to be placed next to one another without mutual interference.

The above explanations show how important an exact alignment of the parts to one another is. Therefore, in order to bring the base plate Pʹ into the correct position after placing the peripheral flange 7 of the cassette K (before the piston 43 is brought from the position according to FIG. 3b to that of FIG. 3a), it is advantageous if the part 42 is also formed in the case of a charging station L as an easily rotatable shaft, on the turntable 48, the base plate Pʹ is placed.

On the other hand, the cassette K can be placed in the correct position on the surface 40 from the outset and the position of the base plate Pʹ can be fixed by a clamping ring 49 made of soft material. In the present case, however, the ring 49 serves to prevent the strip surface from being scratched when the coil C is inserted and to prevent the strip from becoming jammed between the base plate Pʹ and the ring flange 7. Thus, the ring 49 serves primarily as a protective ring and suitably consists of plastic or another soft material.

If the Coil C is brought in by forklift, it must be secured against opening in the usual way. For this purpose, it is tied off by bands 50 (FIG. 3c). As soon as the coil C is placed on the frame 45 brought into the position according to FIG. 3a, it is lowered into the position according to FIG. 3b. If a rotary shaft 42 is provided, the beginning of the tape can now be gripped after loosening the tapes 50 and pulled through the cassette mouth, a slot in the circumferential wall of the cassette. It is advantageous if guide rollers 52 are provided in the area of the cassette jaw 51, in particular mounted on the peripheral flange 7, which ensure that the strip is pulled off properly for every coil diameter. Details of the storage of these rollers 52 according to a preferred embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Now the beginning of the tape is advanced so far that it protrudes from the cassette mouth 51 by a desired amount. It is advisable to remove any uncut tapes 50 only gradually with the rotation of the coil. If the station shown also serves as a reel or unwinding station, the strip can then be pulled off the coil C for processing.

Although it has already been proposed to unwind the coils C from the inside, it can be seen that in the system described, unwinding from the outer circumference is more expedient and advantageous.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the example described above only in that a double magazine Mʹ with a stand 104 is provided for accommodating an even greater number of coils C. In order to be able to remove the coils C from the two compartments 23, 24 formed in this way without complicated movement mechanisms, the gripper tool 114 is provided with two semicircular gripping surfaces 25, 26 which are connected to one another, of which the surface 25 is the compartment 23, the surface 26 is the compartment 24 assigned.

6 and 7 show details of a preferred embodiment at the unwinding station H. Here, the turntable surface 21 is formed on the top of a cylinder body 27 which is either itself rotatably mounted about the axis 28 or has balls or rollers on the surface 21 which facilitate rotation of the base P. Similar to how this was shown with the aid of the charging station L in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 3a to 3d, the cylinder 27 preferably has on its upper side a centering projection 112 which engages in the opening 11 of the base P. Around the cylinder body 27 there is a storage surface 29 is arranged, which is slightly below the surface 21 and the purpose of which is explained below.

6a) shows the gripper tool 14 in engagement with the recess 8 of the edge 106. This edge 106 differs from the edge 6 of the previously described embodiment (cf. FIG. 3) in that it is designed as a part separate from the base Pʹ is and on its underside has a radially inwardly directed, the plate-shaped base Pʹ supporting projection 30. By actuating the vertical transport device 18 (cf. FIG. 3), the gripper tool 14 is then lowered and coil C together with the base Pʹ and edge 106 is brought into the position according to FIG. 6b). However, the edge 106 does not remain there, but falls on the storage surface 29 under its own weight (FIG. 6c). Of course, it is also possible, analogously to FIGS. 3a to 3d, to provide a turntable 48 which can be raised and lowered instead of a rigid cylinder 27.

As shown in FIG. 7 and as has already been described with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3d, the base Pʹ differs from the base P in that it is approximately cruciform in plan view. After all, the cutouts 31 forming the crossbars are so small in terms of area relative to the coil C that your disadvantages are to be feared.

FIG. 7 further illustrates that the gripping tool 14 already delivers the coil C with the protruding tape end 32 (cf. description of FIG. 3d), which is then pulled off the coil by two transport rollers 33, 34 - in the manner of a capstan drive for tape recorders is, wherein it is inserted into the band guide 22 causing the 90 degree rotation of the band. A pair of scissors 35 comprising a stationary part forming a shearing edge and a piston-actuated movable part 37 is arranged behind the transport rollers 33, 34 in order to ensure that, after the punching process has ended, the tape is cut off in such a way that again between the rollers 33, 34 protruding band end 32 remains. The gripper 14 can then grasp the edge 106 lying on the storage surface 29 and lift it vertically so that it grips the base Pʹ, whereupon the coil C together with the base Pʹ and edge 106 is inserted into the magazine station M in the manner already described above.

In order to allow the tape end 32 to protrude beyond the edge 106, an approximately tangentially opening slot 38 is provided in the latter, this slot can be relatively wide in practice in order to easily lift the tape end when the edge 106 is lifted out of the position according to FIG. 6c) 32 to resume. For this purpose, the slot 38 can widen slightly upwards in a funnel shape. It is also possible to form the slot 38 somewhat enlarged in plan view (FIG. 7) towards the inside of the edge 106. According to a preferred variant (not shown here), instead of the slot 38, a tilting body having the slot 38 is pivotably mounted in a recess in the edge in order to be oriented tangentially on the circumference of the edge 106 depending on the size of the coil C.

Numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the invention; for example, it is not necessary to connect the gripping tool 14 to a transport device 18, rather the gripping tool 14 can only be moved to a small extent or not at all vertically, while the magazine station has a paternoster for the coils. However, it goes without saying that the embodiment shown is structurally simpler and moreover ensures a high packing density of the coils and therefore requires little space.

A further modification could be that instead of a depression 8 in the edge 6 or 106, a single one, for example all around leading, extension or several tab-like extensions are provided. Analogously to this, instead of an annular depression 8, a number of depressions arranged around each other at intervals, for example for the attack of a gripper pliers, could be arranged.

In addition, the method of operation described with reference to FIGS. 6a) to c) is not absolutely necessary. It would be conceivable - for example to simplify the control of the gripper tool 14, which has to control different heights when the coil is placed on the surface 21 and when the edge 106 is picked up from the surface 29 - the cylinder body 27 similar to the turntable 48 (FIG. 3a - 3d) to be able to be moved up and down, whereby it normally has its upper surface 21 at a height with the storage surface 29 and is raised from this position before the roller drive for the rollers 33, 34 is switched on to the height shown in FIG. 6a.

Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. A turntable 148 is provided on which the base plate P of the cassette K rests. The turntable 148 is connected to a shaft 142, which can be brought into a position via an axially movable bearing pin 53, in which the coil C assumes its position Cʹ shown in dash-dotted lines outside the peripheral flange 7. In this position, the tape Ba can be pulled off freely. It can be seen that lifting the coil out of the cassette part with its peripheral flange 7 will be particularly advantageous where simple cassette constructions without a cassette mouth are used, because otherwise the coil can remain inside the cassette for pulling off the tape.

The lifting of the shaft 142 takes place with the aid of an axial drive inserted into the bottom of a housing S, which could be formed by a plunger magnet, but is expediently formed by a pressure cylinder 54, given the high weight of the coil, to which a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure medium can be supplied in a manner not shown.

Since the drive of the shaft 142 is expediently stationary, a wheel 55 which can be driven by a motor Mo is expediently non-rotatably connected to the shaft 142 by means of a sliding wedge connection 56, but permits the axial movement of the shaft 142. The wheel 55 is in its position by means of axial bearings 57 held.

Since the coils can be of different sizes and widths, their weight is also very different. Therefore, if the drive is to be stopped, very different inertial forces act, which make braking more difficult, so that there will always be a tendency towards unwanted subsequent unwinding. It does not matter whether the coil - in the case of a simple cassette construction - is wound outside the actual cassette, in the position Cʹ or - with the arrangement of a cassette jaw 51 - can remain inside the cassette K, it is advantageous to provide a turntable 148 which can be raised at least slightly. The reason lies in a particularly effective brake construction, which will now be explained with reference to FIG. 8.

As soon as the rotary drive, which may only be put into operation with the coil slightly raised inside the cassette K, is switched off by the motor Mo, the pressure medium in the pressure cylinder 54 is simultaneously drained off, so that the turntable 148 lowers again. On the underside of the turntable 148, this has a braking surface 148ʹ, which then comes into contact with counter braking surfaces on brake bodies 58. The brake bodies 58 are expediently seated on adjusting brackets 59 and can be adjusted in height with the aid of adjusting screws As, on the one hand in order to be able to compensate for wear on the braking surfaces, and on the other hand in order to make it possible to adjust the braking time. In addition, the adjusting brackets 59 can be slid and fixed in horizontal slots 60 in order to be able to adjust the relative radial position to the turntable 148 and thus the effective braking torque. Since the respective weight of the overlying coil C acts on the turntable 148 and this determines the friction, the braking effect is automatically adapted to the respective weight of the coil C. If desired, the motor Mo can additionally have a brake circuit or a countercurrent circuit (for countercurrent braking) .

9, 9a, a pulling device including an expedient embodiment of the area of the cassette mouth 51 of the cassette K is described. Here, of the two guide rollers 52 already explained with reference to FIG. 3c, a guide roller 52ʺ is fixedly mounted on the peripheral flange 7, whereas the guide roller 52ʹ is seated on the pivot axis 61 of a two-armed lever 62. The lever 62 is loaded at one end by a compression spring 63 and has at its opposite end a clamping body 64 which presses the band Ba against a clamping block 65 and thus prevents the pulled-out end of the band Ba from further winding up or unwinding. This ensures that a predetermined length of the relatively rigid band Ba always protrudes from the cassette mouth 51.

At the unwinding station H, the above-mentioned pulling device 3 is expediently provided, which has a housing Ca. A guide frame 66 is mounted within the housing Ca so as to be easily pivotable about a pivot axis A. The pivot axis A is located approximately in the area of the cassette jaw 51.

In the case of the arrangement of the band brake formed by the clamping body 64 and the clamping block 65, a release mechanism for the brake is now provided on the guide frame 66, which has, for example, a rod 68 which can be actuated by a piston 67 and is opposite the end of the lever 62 loaded by the compression spring 63. By advancing the rod 68, the lever 62 is rotated counterclockwise against the force of the spring 63, the clamping body 64 being lifted off the clamping block 65.

As soon as the band brake is released (or expediently beforehand), a piston 69 is shifted to the right (based on FIG. 9), which carries a cutting blade 70 on its piston rod on the one hand and a spring-loaded clamping stamp 71 on the other hand, which is opposite a clamping surface 72. Since the clamping punch 71 protrudes beyond the cutting edge 70, it only clamps the tape firmly when it is advanced before the cutting edge 70 can come into effect.

If the piston 69 is now only moved over part of its stroke, the band Ba is only clamped, but the cutting edge 70 does not come into effect. The band brake 64, 65 is preferably only released now, so that the band Ba is certainly held taut until this point in time.

Now a carriage Sc guided on guide columns gc, to which the device 69-72 is fastened, can be moved downward by actuating a piston 73, with reference to FIG. 9, the carriage Sc reaching the position Scʹ indicated by the broken line. Since the tape end is clamped to the surfaces 71, 72 and even slightly exceeds guide rollers 74, it reaches the position Sc in of the carriage Sc in the area of a further clamping device with two clamping pistons cp (or at least one that is opposite a rigid clamping surface like).

If the end of the belt Baʹ in the position Sc Band has not yet assumed the position shown in FIG. 9 (e.g. for geometrical or structural reasons), the carriage Sc can carry out a further stroke. For this purpose, the piston 67 is expediently moved to the left again (by introducing a pressure medium in a manner not shown), so that the band brake 64, 65 is closed again. At the same time, the clamping device 74 may also be closed in order to keep the band Ba taut. Now the carriage Sc can move back into the position shown in full lines, in which it again moves the clamping plunger 71 against the clamping surface 72, while the band brake 64, 65 (also the clamping device cp, if it has been closed) is opened. By advancing the carriage Sc again into the position Scʹ, an additional piece of tape can be transported forward in an intermittent movement.

In general, it will be determined from the respective design and its dimensioning whether a single ancestor is sufficient to bring the end of the strip into position Ba oder or whether a two or more ancestors are necessary. Since the number of movements of the carriage Sc depends on the dimensioning, it will generally be sufficient to provide a predetermined number of movements of the carriage between its position shown in full lines and the position Scʹ. If it turns out, however, that the tape length protruding from the cassette K is subject to large tolerances, a light barrier could also be arranged at the point Ba,, which indicates the arrival of the tape end there or prevents the further carriage movements. For example, such a light barrier can have two photocells arranged one behind the other, one of which is covered and the other is illuminated when the strip end is in the correct position.

The clamping device cp sits on a further slide Sc2, which can be actuated by a cylinder unit cy. For separate guides can be provided for this slide Sc2, or the guide columns gc are simply extended. The clamping pistons cp are seated in a rotating ring cr, which can be driven by a motor 76 or another drive unit via a toothed ring 75 via a gear, not shown, to rotate through 90 degrees. For this purpose, the rotating ring cr is rotatably mounted in a cage cg.

As soon as the band end is in the position Baʹ and the clamping device cp has closed, the cylinder unit cy is actuated and pulls the carriage Sc2 into the position Sc2ʹ. In this position Sc2ʹ (or during the movement of the carriage Sc2 in this position), the rotating ring cr is rotated 90 degrees with the aid of its drive 76, so that the band Ba lies flat in the manner shown to be brought onto a take-off roller ro which feeds the tape Ba to the processing station B (see FIG. 1).

When the belt Ba is rotated 90 degrees in the position Sc2ʹ of the carriage Sc2, the carriage Sc2 moves into a position Sc2ʺ and transfers the belt Ba there to the take-off rollers ro (only one is shown), which grasp it and to the processing station B forward. It is important that the belt Ba is always centered on the take-off rollers ro. On the other hand, this condition cannot be easily met, since the different coils have different bandwidths. Therefore, if one edge of the strip Ba is determined by its position in the unwinding station H, the other edge thereof extends more or less upwards depending on the strip width.

In order to compensate here and to center the belt Ba on the take-off rollers ro, a sensor device is provided which senses the belt width and accordingly pivots the guide frame 66 about its axis A. The sensor device may be of any type in itself, for example mechanical (on the edge of the belt) or pneumatic (blow nozzles that blow against the edge and whose back pressure is measured).

In the present exemplary embodiment, however, a row of photoreceivers 77 is arranged on the guide frame 66 near the cassette mouth 51, the individual photoelectric converters, e.g. Photoresistors p1 to pn (FIG. 9a) extend perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 9 and thus across the width of the strip Ba. This sensor device 77 receives light from a light source li, which, at least at the beginning of the pulling-off process, throws a light beam (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 9) from the band Ba, from where it is reflected onto the sensor device 77.

Fig. 9a illustrates the resulting situation. It is assumed that of the five photoelectric converters p1 to pn shown, only the resistors p1 to p3 receive reflected light due to the width of the band Ba, whereas no light is supplied to the resistors p4 and pn. Starting from a supply line sl, the individual photoelectric converters p1 to pn are connected to one another by resistors R1 to R4, an output line ol being connected to the converter pn and the resistor R4. The signal fed to the output line ol is thus reduced by the number of connected resistors R1 to R4, depending on the number of illuminated transducers p1 to pn, so that a stepped, clearly recognizable signal results in the line ol, the voltage of which depends on the determined bandwidth is.

Thus, while there is a width-dependent signal in the output line ol of the sensor device 77 shown in FIG. 9 a tilted by 90 degrees compared to FIG. 9, a reference value set with the aid of a setting slide Ra is sent to a comparison stage co ge in a reference line r 1 leads, the output signal of a control stage 78, for example a transistor bridge, is fed for a reversible motor 79. The whole practically represents a follow-up control, because the motor 79 also shown in FIG. 9 works via its pinion pi with a circular tooth sector ts connected to the guide frame 66 and via which the guide frame 66 can be pivoted about the axis A. The pivoting takes place only over a small angular range, and it can be seen why it is advantageous to arrange the axis A in the area of the cassette mouth or the pulling end, because the deflection in this area remains small and susceptibility to malfunctions is prevented.

As soon as the work with a coil is to be ended, the band straightener (not shown) of the punch press (station B) is stopped and the piston 69 is actuated, but this time over the full length of its stroke, or with full force. As a result, the cutting edge 70 is moved past the tape Ba and past a counter edge 70a at the end of the clamping surface 72 and separates the tape so that the predetermined length with the tape end protrudes again from the cassette mouth 51. The separated part, which runs downward in FIG. 9, is then further fed to the punching press via the take-off rolls ro and processed to the end. Then the piston 67 is moved to the right in order to apply the clamping body 64 to the clamping block 65 and thus fix the band Ba. It may then be expedient to bring the slide Sc into the position Scʹ, where it is less exposed. In addition, the pull-out carriage Sc2 is returned to the position shown with solid lines, and the coil C can be changed.

It goes without saying that numerous modifications for the pulling device are conceivable. For example, instead of the clamps cp, which can be rotated by 90 degrees, non-rotatable holding devices, possibly also rollers, can be provided and like it the rollers ro, as previously suggested, can be rotated 90 degrees. It is also advantageous to make the pulling device completely or partially laterally displaceable in order to improve the accessibility to the straightening machine.

1 and 4, it was described above how a magazine station M with a limited number of stored coils, in particular for only one processing station B, can be designed. However, it is also possible to assign a magazine station to several processing stations. In this case, in addition to the magazine compartments 23, 24 of FIG. 4, at least a third could be provided on a rotating drum which turns the desired magazine compartment toward the stationary gripper. However, it must be taken into account that, given the high individual weight of a coil, a magazine compartment 23 or 24 has a weight of several tons, which is why it is more energy-efficient to design the gripper to be movable instead of the magazine.

Such an embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. In this case, a carriage ct can be moved along an axis 80 in a magazine room Mʺ (FIG. 10) on rails rl (FIG. 11, 12) embedded in the floor. The free movement of the gripper with its tool 114, however, poses safety problems since, according to the regulations of some countries, access to the work area of a gripper or handling device for the operating personnel must be prevented. For this reason, the magazine Mʺ is surrounded on the one hand by walls wl, on the other hand, a special design of the individual magazine compartments is expediently chosen, which results in a stable construction that closes to the outside.

2, a semi-cylindrical stand 4 which adapts to the circumference of the cassettes is provided, a polygonal stand construction 204 is expediently used here. Each of these stands 204 has lateral side surfaces ls lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis 80, it being easy to connect the side surfaces ls of two adjacent stands 204 to one another, for example to screw them together. This results in a closed wall to the outside and at the same time a very stable construction. As is also particularly clear in FIG. 14, it is preferred if the stand construction 204 does not completely surround the cassettes K so that the center of gravity of the cassette K lies outside the stand 204. 10, the centers of gravity of the cassettes lie on an axis 80ʹ running parallel to the axis 80, or expediently also a further axis 80ʺ outside the stand constructions 204. As a result, the cassettes tilt slightly forward, as will be seen later in FIG. 13 and 14 is described in detail, and jam, among other things, on the back of the stand construction, where a recess re can optionally be provided to reinforce this clamping effect, in which the ring ribs 5 (see FIG. 3) are interrupted.

As with the systems described above, at least one charging station L is also provided here, which is designed, for example, in accordance with FIGS. 3a to 3d. However, since the unwinding stations H have only a limited height, a magazine compartment 123 (cf. FIGS. 11, 12) can be attached over half the height. In FIG. 10, a magazine compartment 123 has broken away on the left, or is only indicated by dash-dotted lines, in order to illustrate the unwinding station underneath (for example corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c).

It goes without saying that, particularly in the case of the half-hexagon shape of the magazine stand shown, the arrangement and the number of stands and the different stations can be varied to a large extent. In FIG. 10, for example, four unwinding stations H are shown, which have pullers gen 3 are equipped according to FIG. 9. The magazine Mʺ is expediently accessible via a door 81, which is equipped with a door switch S1, which interrupts the drive circuit for the handling device with the tool 114 when the door 81 is opened, for example via a flip-flop FF. However, if the handling device is defective, it may be desirable to be able to examine it during operation, which is why a bypass switch S2 which can be operated by hand may be provided. The connection of the switches S1, S2 to a switch box 119 attached to the carriage ct is expediently carried out in the manner best shown in FIG. 11 via the rails R1 and abrasive brackets 82, 82ʹ and 82ʺ lying thereon, of which the bracket 82ʹ is shown in FIG 12 is clearly associated with two power rails 83, which are only accessible via a narrow slot in the floor. In contrast, all low-current signals, as will be discussed later, are routed via the rails rl.

As particularly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a turntable tt which is rotatable about an axis 213 is arranged on the carriage ct. A similar mast 113 is arranged on the turntable tt, as was described with reference to the mast 13 with the drive 17, 18 of FIG its outer circumference on a toothing with which the pinion 84 of a motor 85 is engaged. As a result, the gripper tool 114 can be pivoted to all sides.

The gripper tool 114 is shown in FIG. 11 from the rear and in FIG. 12 in a section through its central axis and - in contrast to the previously described embodiments - is shown in the dashed line from the position shown in FIG. 10 - dotted position 114ʹ extendable. Any drive, in particular a fluid drive, can be provided for this purpose, but in the present case a guide rail 86 (see above all Fig. 12), which is provided with the windings 86ʹ of a linear motor. Since the rail 86 protrudes relatively far and is exposed to high loads due to the coils, it can be provided with side arms (for example in plan view in T or Y shape) which are attached to chains of additional masts (corresponding to mast 113) Ends are supported.

In any case, the gripper tool is provided with a corresponding rotor pole 114ʹ, expediently formed by a permanent magnet, which interacts with the poles 86ʹ of the rail 86. A rolling bearing 87 is also expediently provided on the rail 86, which is only indicated in FIG. 12. A cable cb (Fig. 11) ensures the power supply. The gripper is thus equipped with a straight guide system (rails R1) and with a second straight guide system 86 which can be rotated about a vertical axis, which gives high stability.

Since, as is well known, the weight of the coils can be extremely large, it is advantageous for reasons of stability if, instead of a mast 113, their two are connected to form a portal. In this case, the two masts are expediently arranged on both sides of the rail 86 and not behind it, as is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 with only one mast 113.

It is clear from FIG. 10 that the carriage ct has to be controlled along the axis 80 in various positions, for example ctʹ in front of an unwinding station H or ctʺ in front of the right loading station L, which are to be precisely addressed. For this purpose, markings Ma (FIG. 12) can be embedded in the floor, which may be of any design. For example, they can be reflective optical markings, but induction loops have generally proven useful for similar purposes. These markings Ma are made by means of a ct on the underside of the car Read head rh seekable. Similar controls are known per se and therefore do not need to be described in detail. The control or addressing should in any case be precise enough that the gripper tool 114 engages with certainty between the circumferential flanges 7 of the cassette in the manner described above, as will be explained in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The gripper tool 114 is activated from outside the magazine space Mʺ via a control and process control system with a processor unit PU (FIG. 10), which is connected to the control box 119 via a line 88. The line 88 is merely a symbol, since it has already been mentioned that the signals are expediently routed via the rails R1. Alternatively, it would also be possible to use radio control.

The desired gripper position (position of the carriage ct, the turntable tt and on the mast 113) is entered via a keypad kb, the position of the individual coils, their material, the bandwidth etc. being stored in a memory Mm1, which is stored with the Processor unit PU is in information exchange via lines 89, 89ʹ. This memory receives all position feedback from the handling device via a line 90 constructed similarly to line 88 from control box 119.

To visually check the gripper work, at least one television camera TV (see FIG. 11) can be provided, the image of which can be brought on a monitor Ts. However, this is expediently also used to retrieve data from the processor unit PU, which is why a switch se is arranged on the keypad kb, via which either the television camera TV or the processor unit PU can be connected. Furthermore, it is expedient if a printer pr is provided for printing out data.

Since all the data about the available material (coils) are present in the memory Mm1, it is advisable to carry out storage and / or order data processing via the processor unit PU. So it often happens that orders have to be completed in several partial deliveries, for which purpose at least one additional store Mm2 is available, whereby the remaining quantities of each order and their delivery date are related to the available warehouse quantities. This memory Mm2 is also connected to rotary knives 91 at the unwinding or processing stations, where the work of material supply, e.g. on the take-off rollers ro is monitored. This makes it possible to monitor the progress of order processing, to record machine downtimes (the PU processor unit is also connected to a clock ck), to calculate chord wages or to display machine maintenance times. Since the material price is appropriately assigned to the respective coil addresses in the memory Mm1, the calculation can also be carried out via the processor system shown, and possibly also the tendering process.

Material price calculation and calculation can also be automated so that the weight of the coil before and after unwinding is used as the starting variable. For this purpose, a load cell can be provided at a station according to FIG. 8, which is installed, for example, on the top of the turntable 148, but optionally also senses the weight of the coil via the bearing pin 53. Since the coil is also braked, the load cell can also be connected to the brakes 58, in short: there is a number of options for attaching such a load cell, particularly at such a station. The load cell can simply be designed as a strain gauge on the loaded part. Such load cells could also be provided in the individual magazine compartments, in which they can also be used to control the assignment of the same, so that the gripper an empty magazine compartment is not able to control, but numerous other, generally cheaper solutions are also conceivable for the latter purpose, for example with an optical sensor on the gripper itself.

It has already been mentioned above that it is expedient to arrange the axis 80ʹ or 80ʺ running through the center of gravity of the cassettes outside the stand. This results in a slightly inclined position of the cassettes, which leads to a clamping and thus securing their position. However, this also complicates the removal for the gripper tool. 13 and 14 will now be used to explain how the removal can nevertheless be accomplished.

13 and 14 (only shown in partial section), the ring ribs 5 extend laterally into weaker webs 105, which, for example, have a thickened support 5a at their end. If a cassette now lies in a rib 5, as shown in illustration a) of FIG. 13, it lies with its ring flanges 7 on the one hand as on a cutting edge bearing on the support 5a, and on the other hand the lower flange 7 is supported on the ring rib 5. If the resulting friction is not sufficient to secure the cassette in its position, it is easy to also provide a form-fitting securing, for example by providing the lower flange with upwardly projecting projections which engage in recesses in the rib 5, or - better - in that the annular rib has a downward projection which engages in a corresponding opening of the lower flange 7. However, this lead should only be short in order not to hinder the removal of the cassette. After all, it would be expedient to always bring the cassette K into the respective stand in a certain orientation, the rear of the cassette then being provided with the recess for the engagement of the projection in question.

The front of the cassette K, on the other hand, has a locking plate 92 in the embodiment shown, which can best be seen from FIG. 14 and which has a fork on one side, which is shown in FIG. 13. However, if the cassette has to be oriented in a certain direction anyway, then it is possible to design the supports 5a in the manner shown as fixing bolts which engage in openings 93 (FIG. 14) of the peripheral flanges 7. In this way, each cassette is secured in the magazine.

FIG. 13 shows the individual phases when a cassette K is removed from the magazine stand with the aid of a gripper tool 214. According to the illustration a) it is assumed that a single cassette K is held in a stand, which is only shown schematically, by an annular rib 5 with a web 105, with its peripheral flange 7 on the underside of the annular rib 5 and on the top of the projecting web end 94 (Fig. 14) is supported and secured against slipping by the fixing bolt 5a. The ring rib 5 can be made relatively short, as shown in FIG. 14.

Now moves the gripper tool 214, e.g. on a rail corresponding to the rail 86 (FIG. 12) against the magazine, its fork arms encircle the peripheral wall of the cassette K. An eccentric roller Ex attached to the gripper tool 214 assumes the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 14.

As soon as the gripper tool 214 has reached its end position shown in FIG. 13b), the eccentric roller Ex is shifted from the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 14 with the aid of a drive dr into the position shown in full lines, in which its axis ax into the fork of the locking plate 92 engages. The drive dr can be formed by a plunger magnet as well as by a fluidic cylinder. Due to the engagement of the eccentric roller Ex, the cassette K is on Gripper tool secured against falling out. It will therefore be expedient to secure the right end of the axis ax in FIG. 14 against axial displacements in a manner not shown. In this case, the drive unit dr expediently acts not only on a bearing on the axis ax, but also on its right end provided with an axial bearing (not shown).

A toothed sector 94 is fastened to the axis ax and, when the axis ax is displaced from the dashed position into the position shown in solid lines, comes into engagement with a pinion 95 of a motor 96. The toothed sector 94 thereby grips through a slot 97 of the gripper tool 214. As soon as the eccentric roller Ex is in the position shown in full lines in FIG. 14, the motor 96 is energized for a time sufficient for that Rotate eccentric roller Ex from the position according to FIG. 13b) into that according to FIG. 13c) by 90 degrees.

As Fig. 13c) shows, the cassette K is raised in such a way that it disengages from the pin 5a. If the gripper tool 214 now moves somewhat to the right (with reference to FIG. 13), the cassette K is supported with its peripheral flange 7 on the fork arms of the gripper tool 214, and in particular on a somewhat raised support surface ss, as is particularly the case can clearly be seen from Fig. 13d). In this position, however, the cassette K is still somewhat crooked on the gripper tool 214 because the eccentricity of the roller Ex is still pointing upwards.

Only after a sufficiently wide pull-off movement, when it is certain that the cassette K has left the area of the ring rib 5 and its web 105, is the motor 96 switched on, this time in the opposite direction of rotation, and rotates the eccentric roller Ex into the position according to FIG. 13e ), so that the cassette K is approximately horizontal on the gripper tool 214 lies. Now the drive unit dr (Fig. 14) can be operated again to bring the roller Ex from the position shown in full lines to the dashed position and thus to allow the cassette K to be placed at the desired location.

From the function it is understood that the motor 96 can be operated according to a program, which is why it is advantageous to provide a program control device for this. Incidentally, this also applies to the movement sequences of the pulling device 3 described with reference to FIGS. 9, 9a. Since the processor unit PU (FIG. 10) expediently controls at least the addressing of the gripper movements, as described above and for this purpose in constant connection with it Control box 119 is standing, it would be possible to also use the processor unit PU as a program control device for controlling the motor 96. On the other hand, a separate program control device is expediently provided for the pulling device 3, of which several are in operation according to FIG. 10, which is combined, for example, with the punch press control.

Of course, the described features can be combined both with one another and with those of the prior art, but can also be varied to a large extent; For example, centering in a device according to FIG. 9 could also be achieved in that the entire housing Ca can be displaced laterally over the scanned bandwidth, for example on roller bearing guides running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt Ba, but for the reason mentioned (minor effects on the tape run in the area of the cassette mouth 51) prefer swiveling movements around an axis A located in the area of the mouth 51. The twisting device 75, 76 could also be simple for the band be formed by stationary guides, although the embodiment shown has proven to be particularly susceptible to failure.

While a hole 93 is shown in FIG. 14, into which a projection 5a of the magazine engages, the cassette K can of course also be secured by the reverse measure, by a projection on the underside of the flange 7 or between the two flanges 7 the cassette K is arranged, behind which engages a counter projection of the magazine. However, this will be of particular advantage if the center of gravity line 80ʹ (see Fig. 12) is not outside the magazine, but inside, so that the coils can also be stored horizontally rather than at an angle.

In the latter case, however, it will not be sufficient to lift one side of the coil by means of the eccentric Ex, rather the entire gripper must then be lifted after it has been gripped with the cassette K in order to detach the interlocking projections of the cassette and the magazine, or to pull the coil out of the magazine in a slightly raised position. This movement can also be controlled by an appropriate program.

It also goes without saying that it is possible to provide the gripper 114 with position sensors, in particular at the ends of its gripper pliers 114, for example with inductive sensors to control its alignment with respect to the cassette and in particular the individual movements (forward movement, lifting movement) to initiate or to end.

Claims (10)

1. A plant for storing coils (C) and for feeding same to a machine tool, comprising a magazine station (M;M';M") in which the coil may be deposited in horizontal position with vertical coil axis, and an unwinding station (H) provided with a coil support, from which unwinding station the band-shaped raw material (Ba), wrapped around the coil, may be fed to a machining station (B), whereby the coil support is equally adapted to render the coil position horizontal with the coil axis being vertical, and whereby a substantially flat base (P,P') for supporting the coil in all stations is provided on which the coil may be transferred from the horizontal deposit in the magazine station to the horizontal coil support, characterised in that the substantially flat base (P,P') forms the bottom of a cassette (K) which has a rim (6) enveloping the coil (C) and being perpendicular to the base (P,P'), which cassette (K) has at least one engagement zone, formed by a radial and circumferential projection (7) and a recess (8) joined to it, for the application of a gripping tool (14;114;214), in particular two circumferential flanges (7) (sic) which are spaced apart from each other and form the recess (8) between them.
2. The plant according to claim 1, characterised in that the base (P,P') is designed as a part removable from the remaining parts of the cassette (K), wherein there is extending from the rim (6) at least one projection oriented radially inward and supporting the base (P,P') and/or that the base (P,P') is provided at least in its centre portion with a retaining surface (10,10') engaging upwardly in the centre of the coil (C).
3. The plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the base (P,P') has the shape of a cross.
4. The plant according to claim 1, characterised in that the rim (6) has an aperture serving as the cassette mouth (51) for the band (Ba), and in the area of said aperture there is preferably at least one guide roller (52) and/or a band brake (64,65), the latter having brake surfaces (64,65) which, under the force of a spring (63), advantageously apply themselves to both sides of the band (Ba) leaving the cassette (K), and at least one brake surface (64) forms part of a lever (62) which by means of a release mechanism (67,68) may be moved to a position in which it has clearance from the other brake surface (65) and/or that on the outside of the cassette (K) there is a least one arrangement of apertures (92 and 93, respectively), in particular in the flanges (7), allowing the passage of a locking member (5a,ax).
5. The plant according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that a gripping device (14;114;214) is provided with which the coil (C), deposited horizontally in the magazine station (M;M';M"), may be seized, together with its substantially flat base (P,P'), in horizontal position and deposited in the same position on the coil support (21;48;148), and in that preferably at least one of the following features is provided:

   a) a traversing device (17,18) for indexing the gripping device, in particular in the vertical direction, is provided which is advantageously arranged on a mast (13) rendered rotatable about a preferably vertical axis (213) extending eccentrically to it;

   b) a vertical axial arrangement (13;213) is provided about which the gripping device (14;114;214) may be swivelled, e.g. towards the magazine station (M;M';M") and towards the unwinding station (H), the axial arrangement (13) being preferably adapted to form a mast and a guide for the vertical movement of the gripping device (14;114;214);

   c) a horizontal guide (86), rotatable about a vertical axis (213), is provided for the gripping device (114);

   d) a horizontal guide (rl) for the displacement of a vertical guide (113) is provided;

   e) the gripping device has an approximately fork-shaped, e.g. approximately semicircular, gripping tool (14,114,214) for holding the base at two approximately opposite points.
6. The plant according to anyone of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the magazine station (M;M';M") is provided with at least one column (4;104;204;123) having abutment shoulders (5;105) extending horizontally and arranged one above another, and in that preferably at least one of the following features is provided:

   a) the column (4;104;204;123) has a solid vertical wall which encloses the received coils up to the area of their centre plane and which is advantageously in the shape of a polygon, e.g. a semi-hexagonal prism, having lateral surfaces (ls) which are at least approximately parallel to each other;

   b) each of the abutment shoulders (5;105) has at least one vertically extending detent projection (5a) for engaging in a recess (93) of a holding member (K) joined to the substantially flat base (P,P'), the said holding member being in particular formed of a cassette (K) for the coil (C);

   c) at least one column (123) extends beyond another station arranged therebelow, in particular an unwinding station (H);

   d) the column (4;204) extends around the respective coil (C) over less than 180 degrees, the centre plane (80',80") through the coils (C) being outside the column (104;204).
7. The plant according the anyone of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that a loading station (L) is additionally provided for feeding fresh supplies of coils (C) and that each coil (C) in this loading station (L) finds a horizontal support surface (40,48) on which it may be placed in a horizontal position, the loading station (L) being preferably arranged within reach of the gripping device (14;114;214).
8. The plant according to anyone of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that the loading station and/or the unwinding station (L and H, respectively) have a vertical shaft (42;142) on top of which there is a turntable (21;48;148) having a horizontal support surface for the coil (C) and that preferably at least one of the following features is provided:

   a) the coil support (21,29;40,48;148) comprises an inner support surface which forms in particular the turntable (21;48;148), and surrounding same, an annular outer support surface, the inner support surface (21;45a-d,48;148) being at least partially and at least during one operating stage at a higher level than the outer support surface (29;40);

   b) the turntable (21;48;148) has on its underside a brake surface which is opposite at least one brake organ (58) which is advantageously provided with adjustment means (59,60,As), in particular for vertical and/or radial adjustment;

   c) at least part of the inner support surface (45a-d;148) may be elevated by means of a drive, in particular a fluid-drive system (41,43;51,54), the said part of the inner support surface being possibly two pairs of arms (45a-d) which are alternately oriented in opposite directions, extending parallel one to another, and are spaced apart one from another by a distance for the passage of a beam of the base (P');

   d) at the support surface (148) for the coil, or at another part loaded with the weight of the coil (C), a weighing cell is provided.
9. The plant according to anyone of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the unwinding station (H) is provided with a device for withdrawing (3) the protruding band end of the coil (C) and for transferring it to the uncoiling rollers (ro) of the machining station (B) and that this withdrawal device has a stepping drive for the band (Ba), wherein preferably at least one of the following features is provided:

   a) there is at least one clamping device (64,65,71,72,cp) provided for clamping the band (Ba) during the stepping movement;

   b) the stepping drive comprises at least one trolley or slide (Sc,Sc2) which is movable along a guide path (gc) by means of a linear drive (73,cy);

   c) there is in conjunction with a clamping device (71,72) a cutting device (70,70a) for the band (Ba);

   d) there is provided a deflector device (77-79,pi,ts) for centering the band (Ba) on the uncoiling roller (ro), the said deflector device preferably comprising a band width sensor (77) and, controlled by the latter, a final control element (79,pi,ts) and between the two, in particular, a slave control circuit (co,78);

   e) associated with a clamping device (cp) is a rotary drive (75,76) for twisting the band (Ba) through 90 degrees, the said drive being advantageously arranged on a slide (Sc2);

   f) the stepping drive comprises two slides (Sc,Sc2) arranged one ahead of the other, one of the two being preferably provided with a twisting device (cr,cg,75,76) for the band (Ba).
10. The plant according to anyone of claims 3 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a process control system including a processor unit (PU), at least one memory (Mm1,Mm2) and data output devices (Ts,pr) as well as at least one manual data input device (kb) and an automatic data collection system (90,91,119,Ma,rh), in particular for the control of the movement of a gripping device (114), and that preferably at least one of the following features is provided:

    a) the automatic data collection system (90,91,119,Ma,rh) comprises an advance measuring device (91) for the band (Ba);

    b) a computer (PU) is provided which enables material consumption to be deducted from stock on hand, and fresh stock to be added;

    c) a computer (PU) is provided which enables orders to be delivered by instalments to be stored in memory, and batches manufactured for instalments to be deducted therefrom;

    d) a memory (Mm1) is provided in which data like type of material, width of coils (C), etc. and their deposit location in the magazine (M") may be stored at respectively assigned memory places;

    e) the automatic data collection system comprises a weighing device for the coil (C).

Images