EP0694493B2 - Folding device - Google Patents

Abstract

The folding machine (10) has a cam mechanism controlling the relative vertical movement of a pair of folding blades (20,21), a synchronous vertically adjustable feed-in table (60) and a counter-pressure path (80) with at least one pressure cylinder (82). The cam disc shafts are adjustable vertically together with their associated operating drives, which are synchronously coupled. Pref. the cam disc shafts are rotated by a pair of electronically coupled electric motors, or via a T-drive with a single electric motor. <IMAGE>

Description

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

A machine of this type for folding a plastic band material for semipermeable membranes is described in US-A-4,288,278. This involves folding of uniform or variable width in one Folding station with articulated lever mechanisms working in opposite directions generated, then with glue coated, compressed and cut, around packet-like membrane units in quasi-continuous To achieve operation.

Another folding device is from GB-A-494 414. She uses folding plates in connection with horizontal guide plates to guide between them Flat material such as paper, cardboard u. the like by means of cam-controlled rods or fingers like a harmonica to fold.

These two machines have a similar setup to change the fold height during the Operating on.

Other conventional folding machines have in Backdrops of folded folding knives using cam discs moved vertically relative to each other and by means of a Slider arrangement are pressed. For a change the folding height must be the folding knife after the Loosen fastening or set screws by hand can be adjusted on a mounting rail. This is very time consuming and can lead to inaccuracies in the Lead parallelism of the folds. It is also required turn off the folding machine.

All these other folding machines have one thing in common, that a change in pleat height during the Operation is not possible. Also arise relatively long Downtimes when one is done Setting must be changed. That can be too considerable slowdown and corresponding increase in price of the company, but also too lacking Reproducibility.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a folding device to create an adjustment of the fold height enabled during operation. Also the Handling compared to conventional folding machines be simplified.

A main feature of the invention is in the characterizing Part of claim 1 specified. Refinements are the subject of claims 2 to 20th

In a folding device with two motor-driven Folding knives, which are mounted on shafts Cam disks vertically relative to each other are movable, with an infeed table for folding Material and with a back pressure path sees the Invention according to claim 1 before that the waves with their Drives vertically displaceable against each other and are synchronously coupled. An adjustment the folding can be done quickly and easily without tools or other aids are carried out. On Readjusting the fold height is possible at any time also possible during folding, so that switching off the folding device is no longer necessary. By the synchronous coupling of the waves becomes an exact one Parallelism of the folds regardless of the fold height guaranteed.

According to claim 2, the drives are electronic coupled motors. This ensures an extraordinary good synchronicity of the waves and thus the Movement of the folding knife, what an exact fold height is of great importance. In addition, the operational reliability very high.

In the formation of claim 3, the Drives the shafts T-gearbox on a common Have engine. The arrangement of the folding machine can be carried out extremely space-saving. The usage a common motor is reduced in advantageous The circuitry effort, what the inexpensive manufacture of the folding device contributes.

According to claims 4 to 6, the T gear of the waves coupled. The use of a Splined shaft, as provided for in claim 4, mechanically simple and inexpensive, while a Schmitzkupplung according to claim 5 with high operational reliability low maintenance guaranteed. The coupling of the T gear the shafts with timing belts or chains suitable gears according to claim 6 is very robust and low wear. Another advantageous coupling variant emerges from claim 7, according to the drives of the shaft cardan shafts with their own Have transmissions by at least one engine are driven.

According to the important form of claim 8 are the drives and the shafts by means of an adjustable Drive against each other, so that a Height adjustment of the folds during operation and, if necessary, be carried out automatically can. The handling of the folding device is considerable simplified. Operating errors are effectively avoided. The use of a jack screw drive loudly Claim 9 is simple and economical.

The execution of the is also advantageous Claim 10, according to which the drives and the shafts by means of a curve control, for example one Eccentric drive, are mutually displaceable.

According to claim 11 is at least one wave Drive in a linear slide of a vertical linear guide stored. The fold height is by procedure the upper and / or lower shaft quickly and accurately adjustable. The use of a pillar frame or a rail guide, as provided in claim 12, offers safe and exact storage, which is also very is reliable and robust.

Each folding knife is preferred according to claim 13 assigned to at least two cams, which is different from conventional folding machines with just one cam a much quieter one Run results and the noise development significantly is reduced.

It is constructively advantageous if according to Claim 14 and 15, the folding knife each rotatable two linear slides, each coupled with a cam in a vertical linear guide, e.g. one Column frame or a rail guide, stored are. In this way, the folding knives move exactly parallel to each other, so that across the entire pleat width a uniform pleat height is achieved.

The design is particularly advantageous according to claim 16, after which the shafts at least two, preferably three, eccentric discs are arranged in synchronism with the cams each connected to the folding knives Load the rocker arm. Bending the shaft when Loading the folding knife is done in a reliable way Avoided way. In particular, folding stronger ones Materials such as strong cardboard, plastic sheets or sheet metal, can run safely and easily become.

A significant development of the invention goes from claim 17. After that is the infeed table and an upper mold plate or an upper table synchronously with the folding knives vertically adjustable in height, for example by means of an adjustable lifting spindle drive or a lever arrangement. The fed too folding material is always at the height of the folding knife, which is beneficial to the uniformity of the Wrinkles.

If in accordance with claim 18 a back pressure path with at least one impression cylinder per There is a sliding shoe or pressure plate a very favorable force and pressure distribution.

Advantageously, according to claim 19 Measuring device behind the shoes over the entire working width movable, so that the current Wrinkle height constantly monitored and by means of electronic Display appears. Deviations from target values are recognized immediately and can still be corrected during production.

Display devices for continuous display the height adjustment of the folding knife, the infeed table and the upper mold plate or the upper table increase ease of use according to claim 20 and operational security.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Faltmaschine,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Teil-Seitenansicht der Faltmaschine von Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Teil-Schnittansicht der Faltmaschine von Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Ansicht eines höhenverstellbaren Wellen-Antriebs,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines Hubspindelantriebs,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Schnitt-, bzw. Teil-Seitenansicht einer Messerführung mit Kipphebel,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform eines höhenverstellbaren Wellen-Antriebs,

Fig. 8a

eine schematische Frontansicht des Wellen-Antriebs von Fig. 7 mit großer Faltenhöhe und

Fig. 8b

eine schematische Frontansicht des Wellen-Antriebs von Fig. 7 mit geringer Faltenhöhe.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic representation of a folding machine,

Fig. 2

2 shows a schematic partial side view of the folding machine from FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 shows a partial sectional view of the folding machine from FIG. 1,

Fig. 4

1 shows a schematic view of a height-adjustable shaft drive,

Fig. 5

1 shows a schematic illustration of a lifting spindle drive,

Fig. 6

2 shows a schematic sectional or partial side view of a knife guide with rocker arm,

Fig. 7

1 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of a height-adjustable shaft drive,

Fig. 8a

is a schematic front view of the shaft drive of Fig. 7 with large pleat height and

Fig. 8b

is a schematic front view of the shaft drive of Fig. 7 with low pleat height.

The folding device shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 10 has two in a frame 11 by means of cams 40, 41 vertically movable folding knives 20, 21, one depending on the folding knives 20, 21 height adjustable Inlet table 60 and a back pressure section 80 as outlet for folded material M. A Control panel 90 contains all the important control displays and controls such as Switches, controls and Display fields for speed regulation or setting the fold height. It is movable on the frame 11 attached and preferably pivotable by 180 °, so that the display panels from all positions on the folding device are legible. Switching not shown and control elements for electrical and pneumatic Control are separated into the (not shown) Machine cover integrated and also light accessible.

The cam disks 40, 41 have cam grooves 42, 43 on (Fig. 3) and are each at the ends of a lower and an upper main shaft 30, 31 fixedly mounted. These are rotatably supported in bearings 32, 33, the bearings 32 of the upper main shaft 30 in side parts 14 of the frame 11 and the bearing 33 of the lower Main shaft 31 on linear slide 37 of a vertical Column frame 38 are attached (Fig. 4).

The main shafts 30, 31 are with T gears 53, 54 connected, of which the upper with a side part 14 and the lower screwed to the linear slide 37 is. Both T gears 53, 54 are preferred coupled via a rack 55, so that for the Drive only one electric motor 52 is necessary, for example connected to the lower T gear 54 is. This way is simple and low Averaging an exactly synchronous rotary movement of the Waves 30, 31 guaranteed. The use of T gears 53, 54 and only one electric motor 52 allowed also an extremely space-saving structure of the folding device 10. The coupling of the T gear 53, 54 can also be via a Schmitzkupplung or with the help of timing belts or chains.

The folding knives 20, 21 are each with a knife bar 22, 23 screwed and between two upper Linear slide 24 or two lower linear slides 25 held in bearings 26. The upper linear carriages 24 slide on vertical pillar frames 27, which in the Side parts 14 are arranged while the lower Linear slide 25 seated on vertical column frames 28, which together with the lower main shaft 31 in the linear slide 37 are arranged (FIG. 4).

To the rotational movement of the shafts 30, 31 or Cam 40, 41 in a uniform, vertical Folding movement of the folding knives 20, 21 along the column frames 27, 28 to transmit, the linear slide 24, 25 slide cams 29 on the Engage cam grooves 42, 43 of the cam discs 40, 41. The circular movement of the curved grooves 42, 43 transmits thereby on the linear slide 24, 25; the Folding knives 20, 21 are evenly vertically against each other emotional.

By moving the linear slide 37 along column frames 38, e.g. by means of one shown in FIG Lifting spindle drive 56, the distance between the two main shafts 30, 31 and thus the Fold height H of the folding knife 20, 21 changed. Since the Drive 51 of the lower main shaft 31 also on the Linear carriage 37 is attached, an adjustment of the Folding height can also be adjusted during operation. The one arranged between the T gears 53, 54 Rack 55 ensures power transmission and one appropriate length compensation. The set fold height H is via a length measuring system (not shown) determines the distance between the main shafts 30, 31 registered to each other and on the control panel 90 displays.

To increase the pressure on the folding knives 20, 21 and bending of the cutter bars 22, 23 to avoid, especially when folding stronger ones Materials, the cutter bars 22, 23 have, as FIG. 6 shows, additionally rocker arm 45. These are preferred outside and in the middle on the cutter bar 22, 23 screwed. At the free ends of the rocker arms 45 attack tension springs 47, each together with a pivoted lever arm 48 on the side parts 14, the linear slide 37 and in the middle of the Folding knife 20, 21 for example on pedestals 18 are attached. The pivotable lever arms 48 have rollers or ball bearings 49 at their free ends. The rocker arms 45 are countered by the springs 47 the rollers or ball bearings 49 of the lever arms 48 are pulled, so that they rest on the eccentric discs 44. The rollers follow when the shafts 30, 31 are rotated 49 the contours of the eccentric discs 44 and transferred this movement on the rocker arm 45. The cutter bars 22, 23 are synchronized in this way Up and down movement of the folding knife 20, 21 additionally loaded, causing the beams 22, 23 to bend is effectively avoided during the folding process.

In another embodiment according to FIG. 7 are the linear slides 24, 25 of the folding knives 20, 21 together with the linear slide 37 of the main shafts 30, 31 on a common column frame 38 led (see also Fig. 8a, Fig. 8b). That on the sled 37 of the lower main shaft 31 fixed T gear 54 is connected to a lifting spindle drive 56, the linear slide 37 along the column frame 38 moves. The setting of the fold height H can be done automatically.

To idealize the material inlet over the Infeed table 60 is this depending on the Height adjustment of the folding knife 20, 21 in height movable so that the material M to be folded always enters the center of the fold height H. For this the table 60 as well as the linear slide 24, 25, 37 in one (not shown) led vertical column frame and from a lever arrangement coupled to the slide 37 61 moves. The leverage ratio is preferably 2: 1, so that at one maximum fold height H of e.g. 50 mm the infeed table is raised or lowered by up to 25 mm. Fork joints arranged on both sides are for horizontal Table movement extremely advantageous. A tension control of the incoming material M is done, for example, by a light S-loop a sprung dancer roller 62. Here is the preload of the dancer 63 in a known manner e.g. adjustable with springs. At high acceleration the move is made by dancer 63 and then by the roller 62 added.

The upper format limit is set by a formed as a top plate 65, the at least two air pressure cylinders 66 is loaded and depending on a (not shown) column frame is held displaceably by the fold height H. The Movement of the linear slide 37 and thus the lever arrangement 61 can be opened in a simple manner transmit the movement of the upper table 65 by e.g. spindles 67 attached thereto on the lever arrangement 61 put on. The parallelism of the upper table 65 can be adjusted by fine adjustment if necessary the height set on both sides is constantly displayed on the control panel 90.

The back pressure path 80 has at least four Air pressure cylinder 82, the two sliding shoes 84 and so that the leaking material M burden. The pressure regulation is the same as for the printing cylinders 66 of the upper table 65 over fine pressure reducer.

In and above the inlet table 60, in the outlet table 70 and in the mold plate 65 are independent of each other controllable (not shown) heaters integrated. The The control range is preferably between 20 ° C and 200 ° C. Good thermal contact between the sensors and the hot plates is filled by filling the one reached screw holes with thermal oil. To one uniform heating of the tables and plates 60, To reach 65, 70, the heating can be started before the start of production switched on by means of a timer become. A light barrier can determine whether Material M is in the folding device 10 so that a high level of operational security is guaranteed.

The actual fold height H is determined using a Measuring unit or device (not shown in detail) 86 constantly monitored. This is behind the slide shoes 84 and is over the entire Working width A movable (Fig. 2). Inaccuracies that occur the fold height H are recognized immediately and can be done by readjusting the linear slide 24, 25 or 37 via the lifting spindle drive 56 be corrected during operation. about an inductive tap on the cutter shafts 30, 31 the folds are counted and counted by one Counter registered. Another counter determines the elements manufactured per unit of time. All measured Information is displayed on the control panel 90 displayed.

The invention is not limited to one of the above Embodiments limited, but in various Modifiable way. For example, both Main shafts 30, 31 with the drives 50, 51 in linear slides 24, 25 be mounted so that the fold height H can be adjusted by moving both shafts 30, 31, what by means of (not shown) measuring system and limit switch is easy to control. The material inlet and outlet can be with a two or more lanes Leadership. So far - for labeling, for example - A spray device can be desired attach easily in the area of the material inlet. An adjustable timer can, for example exactly determines the length of a marking become.

Significant advantages of the device according to the invention 10 - an automatic folding machine for multilayer bellows - are based on the fact that a if necessary, continuous adjustment of the fold height H in the range of 5 to 50 mm or 5 to 100 mm can be done in the shortest possible time, without tools, e.g. in less than 5 minutes. Depending on the processed Material M can do 150 folds / min can be generated with working widths A up to 1,000 mm. The additional rocker arms 45 contribute significantly to this at that no deflections on the knife shafts occur.

The invention is not based on the exemplary embodiments explained limited, but within the protection area caused by the claims in many cases changeable. Pneumatic can also be used in this way or hydraulic actuators and drives more suitable Use design. However, it can be seen that a Folding device 10 according to the invention preferably two motor-driven folding knife 20, 21, which means Cam discs 40, 41 supported on shafts 30, 31 are vertically movable relative to each other, one synchronously with the folding knives 20, 21 vertically in height adjustable infeed table 60 for material to be folded M and a back pressure path 80 with at least one Pressure cylinder 82 per slide shoe or pressure plate 84 owns. The shafts 30, 31 are with their drives 50, 51 formed vertically displaceable against each other and synchronously coupled, e.g. through two electronically coupled motors or through coupled T gear 53, 54 with a common motor 52. At least a shaft 32 is with its drive 52 in a linear slide 37 mounted a vertical linear guide 38 and displaceable by means of an adjustable drive 56. The folding knives 20, 21 are rotatable on linear slides 24, 25 mounted in the vertical linear guides 27, 28 run and are connected to the cams. At least two eccentric discs are on the shafts 30, 31 44 arranged in synchronism with the cams 40, 41 each with the folding knives 20, 21 load connected rocker arm 45. A measuring device 86 behind the slide shoes 84 is over the entire Working width A movable. Indicators 90 are used for the continuous display of the height adjustment the folding knife, the infeed table 60 and the upper one Form plate or upper table 65.

Reference list

A

Working width

F

Fold height

M

material

10th

Folding device

11

frame

14

Side panel

18th

Bearing block

20, 21

Folding knife

22, 23

Knife bar

24, 25

Linear slide

26

camp

27, 28

Linear guide

29

Sliding cams

30.31

wave

32, 33

camp

37

Linear slide

38

Linear guide

40, 41

Cam

42, 43

Curve grooves

44

Eccentric disc

45

rocker arm

46

The End

47

Tension spring

48

Lever arm

49

Rollers / ball bearings

50, 51

drive

52

engine

53, 54

T gear

55

Splined shaft

56

Lift spindle drive

60

Infeed table

61

Lever arrangement

62

Dancer roller

63

dancer

65

Upper table

66

Impression cylinder

67

spindle

70

Outlet table

80

Back pressure path

82

Impression cylinder

84

Slide shoe / pressure plate

86

Measuring device

90

Display device

Claims (20)

1. Folding device (10) including two motor-driven folding knives (20, 21) which are vertically movable relative to each other by means of cam disks (40, 41) supported on shafts (30, 31), including a run-in table (60) for material (M) to be folded and including a counter-pressure line (80), characterized in that the shafts (30, 31) are coupled to be synchronized and are adapted, together with their drive systems (50, 51), for shifting in mutually opposing vertical directions.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the drive systems (50, 51) comprise electronically coupled motors.
3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the drive systems (50, 51) for the shafts (30, 31) comprise T-type gears (53, 54) having a common motor (52).
4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the T-type gears (53, 54) for the shafts (30,31) are coupled via a toothed shaft (55) or via a keyway.
5. Device according to claim 3, wherein the T-type gears (53, 54) of the shafts (30, 31) are linked via an offset balance coupling system.
6. Device according to claim 3, wherein the T-type gears (53, 54) of the shafts (30, 31) are linked via toothed belts or via chains with suitable gear units.
7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the drive systems (50, 51) for the shafts (30, 31) comprise cardan shafts with separate gears driven by at least one motor.
8. Folding device (10) including two motor-driven folding knives (20, 21) which are vertically movable relative to each other by means of cam disks (40, 41) supported on shafts (30, 31), including a run-in table (60) for material (M) to be folded and including a counter-pressure line (80), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shafts (30, 31) with their drive systems (50, 51) are shiftable in mutually opposing directions via a variable speed drive (56).
9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the variable speed drive (56) comprises a lifting spindle unit.
10. Folding device (10) including two motor-driven folding knives (20, 21) which are vertically movable relative to each other by means of cam disks (40, 41) supported on shafts (30, 31), including a run-in table (60) for material (M) to be folded and including a counter-pressure line (80), according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the shafts (30, 31) with their drive systems (50, 51) are shiftable in mutually opposing directions via a cam disk mechanism, e.g. via an eccentric drive unit.
11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one shaft (31) and its drive (51) is supported in a linear carriage (37) of a vertical linear slideway (38).
12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the linear slideway (38) includes a post jig or a slide track.
13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least two cam disks (40, 41) are associated to each of the folding knives (20, 21).
14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the folding knives (20, 21) are rotatably supported by two linear carriages (24, 25) coupled to one cam disk (40,41) each in vertical linear sideways (27, 28).
15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the vertical sideways (38) include post jigs or slide tracks.
16. Folding device (10) including two motor-driven folding knives (20, 21) which are vertically movable relative to each other by means of cam disks (40, 41) supported on shafts (30, 31), including a run-in table (60) for material (M) to be folded and including a counter-pressure line (80), according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the shafts (30, 31) carry at least two, preferably three, eccentric disks (44) which bear, synchronously with cam disks (40, 41), on rocker levers (45) connected to the folding knives (20, 21).
17. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the run-in table (60) and an upper shaping plate or an upper table (65) are vertically height-adjustable in synchronization with the folding knives (20, 21), e.g. by means of an adjustable lifting spindle system or of a lever mechanism.
18. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the counter-pressure line (80) includes at least one pressure cylinder (82) per sliding block (84) or per contact pressure plate.
19. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a measuring system (86) is arranged behind the sliding blocks (84) for travelling across the total working width (A).
20. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising display units (90) for continuously indicating the height positions of the folding knives (20, 21), of the run-in table (60) and of the upper shaping plate or upper table (65).

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