EP1832519A1 - Method and device for marking elongated objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves measuring an object (1) e.g. cable, that is to be marked with respect to its diameter (D) and/or diameter of a referred object provided as an input parameter. A self-adhesive label (7) is applied on a carrier tape, and is cross cut based on the determined diameter of the object that is to be marked. The label is taken off from the carrier tape and is wound around the object. The self-adhesive label is formed as a component of a transparent film (8). An independent claim is also included for a device for marking elongated objects such as cable, hoses, and pipes.

Description

The invention relates to a method for marking elongated objects such as cables, hoses, pipes or the like with a preferably self-adhesive label.

Such a method is broadly used in the EP 1 334 836 A1 described. Comparable procedures are known from practice. Such labels serve to identify individual cables of, for example, harnesses for subsequent processing, such as wiring or routing. Although you can work here with colored cable insulation. Meanwhile, however, the number of individual cables in a wire harness has increased so much that a color differentiation is hardly possible, and also because of the sometimes limited lighting conditions.

In short, cables and in particular individual cables in cable harnesses generally require a specific identification in order to ensure the subsequent intended use of the cable harness and / or of the respective cable. Similar problems are faced by a user if different hoses or (plastic) pipes are to be combined and / or used for different purposes. This results in a variety of problems in practice. For one thing, the elongated objects are completely different in their diameters. On the other hand, specific labels are needed.

This requirement profile has been taken into account in practice by the fact that the marking of the elongated objects or cables, hoses or pipes each individually - mostly manually - made has been. Here are each different labels are used, which must be provided and stored. This is both ergonomic and economically disadvantageous.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing a method and an associated device for marking elongated objects of the embodiment described above so that a machine marking succeeds taking into account different diameter ranges and differently designed labels.

• das zu markierende Objekt wird hinsichtlich seines Durchmessers vermessen und/oder der Durchmesser des betreffenden Objektes ist bekannt und wird als Eingangsgröße zur Verfügung gestellt;
• das auf einem Trägerband zugeführte Etikett wird in Abhängigkeit von dem ermittelten Durchmesser des zu markierenden Objektes abgelängt;
• das vom Trägerband abgehobene Etikett wird um das Objekt herumgewickelt.

To solve this technical problem, the invention is a method for marking elongated objects such as cables, hoses, pipes or the like with a preferably self-adhesive label with the following process steps:

• the object to be marked is measured in terms of its diameter and / or the diameter of the object in question is known and is provided as an input variable;
• the label supplied on a carrier tape is cut to length depending on the determined diameter of the object to be marked;
• the label lifted from the carrier tape is wrapped around the object.

In this context, it has further proven useful when the object to be marked or the plurality of objects to be marked at a marking point or in the vicinity thereof is clamped or be, at the same time his single or the plurality of diameters or the combined diameter is detected. That is, the clamping device regularly provided at this point also serves as a measuring device for the diameter of the object and vice versa (the measuring device acts as a clamping device).

The invention achieves this in detail by virtue of the fact that the clamping device generally has two distance-adjustable collets, which are applied to it depending on the diameter of the object to be marked. If you measure the path of the collets in this process, can be inferred in conjunction with their starting position on the diameter of the object in question. This usually happens in an already realized control device, for example, which reads the collets associated Wegmessgeber or displacement sensors and evaluates accordingly.

The label itself may be applied to the carrier tape, printed or otherwise connected to it. In fact, the invention encompasses any type of labels, including, for example, a colored coating of a transparent film applied to the carrier tape, an imprint on the transparency, embossing of the transparency, etc. Mostly, at least the carrier tape and the transparency thereon are realized, the transparency itself For example, adhesive label carries as another component or the label on the transparency as color printing, letter printing, embossing, etc. has been applied directly. In all these cases, the size of the cut-out transparency dictates or matches the size of the label.

In any case, the transparent film and consequently the label defined thereon can be separated from the carrier tape. For this purpose, the invention provides, by way of example, a sharp dispensing edge, over which the carrier tape, including the applied (transparent) film, is guided. In this process, the dissolves Transparent film and with it the label of the carrier tape and can be brought into contact with the object to be marked. Because the carrier film is deflected during the run on the sharp dispensing edge by more than 90 °, so that the transparent film and with it the label and replace it can also replace, because both components are usually stiffer than the carrier tape and the deflection or nich just barely follow.

In order to support this process, a compressed air supply with at least one compressed air nozzle may be provided in the region of the dispensing edge. Compressed air is supplied to the area in question with the aid of the compressed air supply acting on the compressed air nozzle, so that the film or transparent film separated from the carrier tape is held in suspension and comes to lie perfectly with its beginning on the object to be wrapped. The questionable compressed air supply or Druckluftanblasung can of course be set variable with respect to the flow velocity of the compressed air. A targeted switching on and off is conceivable. This is ensured by the control device. In any case, this facilitates the attachment of the beginning or beginning region of the film on the object to be marked, so that the subsequent winding process proceeds without difficulty.

In fact, after the application of the film and with it the label on the object in question, it is only necessary to wrap the label thus lifted off the carrier tape around the object. For this purpose, a winding device is usually available, which is equipped with at least two opposite winding rollers. In most cases, two opposite winding roller pairs are realized at this point, which rotate in comparison to a coincident with the longitudinal axis of the object coinciding axis of rotation and in this way wrap the label or the transparency as a whole around the object.

As already explained, the label may be a cut-to-length component of the transparent film with variable outer dimensions running overall with the carrier tape or may be applied separately to the transparent film. In any case, it is necessary to adapt the label or the transparency as a whole from its or their length to the diameter of the elongated object to be marked. For this purpose, the diameter of the object already detected or present as the input variable is used. In this way, differently designed and / or measured labels can be processed, depending on the type of object to be marked and / or its diameter and / or external specifications, such as a color specification, a text to be applied, an embossing etc ..

In fact, the invention is, for example, able to store labels of the same or different size which have been designed very differently one after the other on the carrier tape. As a result, inter alia, different individual cables of a cable set can be fitted peu a peu with the respective associated labels in the correct order, which also take into account the possibly changing diameter ratios. This may be done according to a predetermined program sequence, which is stored in the control device and, for example, externally via a keyboard or otherwise as appropriate or can be specified. That is, the invention enables the processing of completely different labels, which are supported and stored by one and the same carrier tape, according to the externally set specifications. In addition, the labels are first processed and defined on the carrier tape, so that the described complete flexibility is given.

This achieves the invention u.a. in that the obligatory cutting device for cutting the labels respectively the transparent film accommodating them only brings the transparent film to the desired length, but does not touch or cut through the mostly underneath carrier tape. As a result, the previously mentioned sharp dispensing edge is able to separate the cut label or the corresponding cut transparent film from the carrier tape, which is transported unchanged to supply the next label or the next transparency for the next object to be marked. The thus liberated from the labels or the transparent film carrier tape can then be wound up and recycled or simply disposed of. It is further understood that no part of the transparency or labels remains unused. This ensures u.a. a feeder which transports the carrier tape including thereon transparent film and label. This worried the control device, which acts on the feeder according to, for example. In such a way that the carrier tape is optionally returned via the cutting edge to properly detach the subsequent label can.

As a result, a method and apparatus are provided for marking elongate objects such as cables, hoses, pipes, or the like which enable machine labeling with a captive marker. This means that no manual steps are necessary anymore. By the winding device used also a uniform winding is achieved.

By virtue of the fact that the invention usually uses a transparent film or generally a plastic film with the label applied or defined thereon, the object to be marked can be provided with a marking winding which consists of one, two or even more Windings exists and thus particularly firm and quasi captive on the object due to the preferably self-adhesive character of the film adheres. Nevertheless, the regularly inside and thus protected label can be easily read and used for the identification of the object. That is, the (transparency) film wrapped over the label as an option acts not only as a label carrier, but also as a laminate for its protection in ready to install condition.

All of this succeeds considering the possibility of being able to process very different labels. Yes, even single or multi-color designs are conceivable. In this context, the invention further proposes to combine the device described with a printer, which may be a thermal transfer printer and / or an inkjet printer. With its help, the label is labeled and then applied to the transparency film, if it is not already on it from the outset. But it is also possible to provide the transparency directly with the lettering or the paint application. Then there is virtually a screen printing field on the transparency film.

Basically, the label can be defined as such as a print on the transparency. For this purpose, use is made of customary printing techniques which, for example, produce a white background field of the desired size. Subsequently, the actual lettering is applied to this printed on the film label. With the help of the control device can be implemented corresponding specifications. For example, the object to be labeled may be flanked by an information code which includes individual parameters for subsequent tagging.

These parameters may include the diameter of the object, a suitable feed rate, a winding speed, a dispensing position, i.e., the location of the beginning of the film on the object to be wrapped, and so on. The dispensing position can be predetermined and varied by the feed rate and / or the compressed air injection. The thus defined information code for the object to be wrapped may be designed as a barcode and be assigned directly to the object in question, for example as a sticker. However, the information code can just as well be stored in a database in which the object and the associated information code exist as a unit. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung ausschnittsweise in einer Rückansicht beim Einführen des zu markierenden lang gestreckten Objektes,

Fig. 2

das Trägerband im Detail,

Fig. 3

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 in einer Frontansicht,

Fig. 4

die Wickelvorrichtung in Rückansicht im Detail und

Fig. 5

eine andere Ausgestaltung des Gegenstandes nach Fig.1 schematisch.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

The device according to the invention in sections in a rear view during insertion of the elongate object to be marked,

Fig. 2

the carrier tape in detail,

Fig. 3

the object according to Fig. 1 in a front view,

Fig. 4

the winding device in rear view in detail and

Fig. 5

another embodiment of the article according to Figure 1 schematically.

In the figures, an apparatus for marking elongate objects 1 such as cables 1, hoses, pipes or the like is shown. Indeed is the cable 1 is a single cable of a cable set, which is not to be understood as limiting. In the rear view of FIG. 1 it can be seen that this single cable or cable 1 is introduced into a measuring device 2, which simultaneously acts as a tensioning device 2. That is, it is a combined measuring / tensioning device 2.

With the aid of this combined measuring / tensioning device 2, the elongate object or cable 1 is fixed on the one hand and measured with respect to its diameter D on the other hand. For this purpose, the combined measuring / tensioning device 2 has two collets 3, which are applied on both sides of the cable 1 in the example case by means of spindle drives 4 or comparable linear actuators 4. The linear adjusting elements 4 are each moved by a certain amount, which can be set to the closed position of the collets 3 shown in FIG. 2 in relation.

With the help of the collets 3 and the linear actuators 4 associated and only indicated displacement sensors 5, the said diameter D can now be determined. For this purpose, the displacement sensors 5 are connected to a control device 6, which determines the diameter D of the cable 1 to be marked. The diameter D can also be specified from the outside. Then, the said device has an unillustrated work unit which processes the diameter D as an input. In this case, it is not necessarily necessary to additionally measure the diameter D. As a rule, however, the diameter D is additionally measured when using a corresponding input variable with the aid of the measuring / tensioning device 2 in order to ensure that the transmitted diameter D coincides with the diameter D of the object 1 that is actually to be wrapped.

To mark the cable 1 is used in Fig. 2 to be recognized label 7, which in turn is applied to a transparent film 8 in the example. The transparent film 8 is designed to be self-adhesive and is supported by a carrier tape 9 as a base. Of course, the label 7 can also be defined as a specific region of the transparent film 8, ie does not necessarily represent a separate element. In any case, the carrier tape 9, the transport film 8 and the label 7 form a continuous belt, which is processed and processed as a whole.

The label 7 can be printed using a merely indicated printhead 10 of a thermal transfer printer or an inkjet printer, which in turn is acted upon accordingly by the control device 6. Because in this control device 6 there is a program sequence, which specifies the imprint for the respective label 7. It can be seen in FIG. 2, a total of three different labels 7, 7 'and 7 ", which are provided with different imprints depending on the specification by the control device 6 and may also have different dimensions if necessary.

In the context of the exemplary embodiment, the basic bodies of the illustrated labels 7, 7 ', 7 "have the same design, with the only difference being the accompanying transparencies 8, 8' and 8" carrying the labels 7, 7 'and 7 ", namely in their associated length L, L 'and L ". These different lengths L, L 'and L "are likewise predetermined by the control device 6 and take into account the previously measured and optionally different diameter D of the individual cables 1. Depending on this diameter D (and the number of desired windings on the cable 1) the control device 6 in conjunction with a driven by her cutting device 11 ensures that the different lengths L, L 'and L "of the carrier tape 8, 8' and 8" are set.

For this purpose, the cutting device 11 designed as a cutting knife emerges so far into the transparent film 8, 8 'and 8 "that the carrier tape 9 underneath is not damaged or cut, thereby presenting different transparent film pieces 8 before the subsequent process of marking. 8 'and 8 "with varying lengths L, L' and L" available, which are then wound on associated and varying cables 1 to their mark.

In this case, the invention opens up the additional option of selecting and setting the length L, L 'or L ", the transparent film or film 8, 8' and 8" such that the associated label 7, 7 'attached to the cable 1, 7 "of the transparent film 8, 8 ', 8" is covered and experiences a lamination as it were. As a result, the label 7, 7 ', 7 "in question is protected from soiling, abrasion or general wear by regularly printing the relevant label 7, 7', 7" on the transparent film 8, 8 ', 8 ", as shown in FIG 5 represents in principle.

In fact, two print heads 10 in the conveying direction F of the label 7 including the transparent film 8 and the carrier tape 9 of the cutting device 11 are connected upstream (in FIG. 5). The rearmost printing head 10 in the conveying direction F provides for the printing of the actual label 7, 7 ', 7 ". The foremost printing head 10 in turn assumes the label of the label 7, 7', 7" in question. As a result, the unit 7, 8, 9 can be moved continuously out of the carrier web 9, the transport foil 8 thereon and the label 7 defined thereon. Because it is possible during the labeling of the foremost in the conveying direction F foremost label 7 'of FIG. 2, the subsequent label 7 using the rear printhead 10 to define. As soon as the front end of the transparent foil piece 8 'belonging to the label 7' is fixed with the aid of the cutting device 11, it is possible at the same time that the inscription on the following label 7 can be simultaneously set apply with the help of the foremost print head 10. For this purpose, of course, the respective length ratios or the lengths L, L 'and L "must be adapted to one another In any case, this variant allows a minimum of return transport movements for the unit in question 7, 8, 9 from the carrier tape 9, the transparency 8 and the associated label 7th

After the supplied on the carrier tape 9 label 7, 7 'and 7 "printed and the associated transparent film 8, 8' and 8" has been cut to length depending on the determined diameter D of the cable to be marked 1, the respective label 7, 7 'and 7 "lifted together with the corresponding transparent film 8, 8' and 8" of the carrier tape 9. For this purpose, the device shown has a (sharp) dispensing edge 12, whose operation is best seen in Fig. 3. Here you can see how the carrier tape 9 is guided by means of a supplied by the control device 6 feeder 13 on said dispensing edge 12 in the counterclockwise direction and in this case the respective transparent film 8, 8 'and 8 "with the label thereon 7, 7' and 7 "replaces. This is due to the fact that the carrier tape 9 is deflected during running over the dispensing edge 12 by significantly more than 90 ° and the other hand, the stiffer transparent film 8, 8 ', 8 "this movement can not or only barely follow.

In this process, the label 7, 7 'and 7 "including transparent film 8, 8' and 8" touches the cable 1 to be marked and adheres to it as a result of the self-adhesive nature of the transparent film 8, 8 'and 8 " which the transparent film 8, 8 ', 8 "touches the object or cable 1 to be marked is referred to as dispensing position S and is shown schematically in FIG. This dispensing position S can be varied, inter alia, by means of a merely indicated compressed air supply for a compressed-air nozzle 17. Because depending on the speed and the beam profile of the effluent from the compressed air nozzle 17 compressed air (of course, a find other gas use) is the transparent film 8, 8 ', 8 "including label 7, 7', 7" held more or less in the balance and reaches a beginning of the transparent film 8, 8 ', 8 "to be marked cable 1 at It is understood that the compressed air supply for the compressed air nozzle 17 can be varied not only in terms of their pressure and thus the flow rate, but also on and off as needed in turn provides the control device 6.

After the transparent film 8, 8 ', 8 "including label 7, 7', 7" has been mounted on the object 1 to be marked, a winding device 14 likewise connected to the control device 6 ensures that the respective label 7, 7 ', 7 "including the associated transparent film 8, 8 'and 8" around the respective cable to be marked 1 is placed. It is understood that the control device 6 can control the winding device in question 14 in such a way that the winding speed is variable. Likewise, the feed rate can be varied by means of the control device 6 by the supply device 13 is acted upon accordingly. The aforementioned parameters can also be specified and changed depending on the surface condition of the object 1 to be marked.

The winding device 14 has in the embodiment of two opposing winding roller pairs 15, which invest in the winding process to the cable 1 from the outside and the label 7, 7 ', 7 "including associated transparent film 8, 8', 8" wrap around the cable 1. For this purpose, the winding device 14 rotates about an axis of rotation 16 which essentially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the object or cable 1 to be marked (compare the associated arrows in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). In this way, differently shaped and / or dimensioned labels 7, 7 ', 7 "process, depending on the type of to be marked Object 1 and / or its diameter D and / or external specifications, which are taken into account via the control device 6 due to a local input.

In the context of the variant of FIG. 5, the winding roller pairs 15 are each connected via jib 18 with gears 19. The respective gear 19 meshes with an internal toothing of an outer ring gear 20. As soon as the outer ring gear 20 rotates, the rotary motion is transmitted to the associated gear 19, which in turn via the boom 18, the corresponding winding roller 15 applies to the object 1 to be marked or removed from this. For this purpose, the control device 6, which acts on the winding device 14 accordingly, provides a total of. The outer ring gear 20 can be selectively braked by means of the control device 6 in order to adapt the application pressure of the respective bobbins 15 or bobbin pairs 15 to the conditions or the cable 1.

Claims (10)

Method for marking elongate objects (1) such as cables (1), hoses, pipes or the like with a preferably self-adhesive label (7, 7 ', 7 ") with the following method steps: 1.1) the object to be marked (1) is measured in terms of its diameter (D) and / or the diameter (D) of the object in question (1) is known and is provided as an input variable; 1.2) the on a carrier tape (9) supplied label (7, 7 '7 ") is cut to length depending on the determined diameter (D); 1.3) lifted from the carrier tape (9) label (7, 7 ', 7 ") is wrapped around the object (1). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the object to be marked (1) clamped at a marking point and at the same time its diameter (D) is detected. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the label (7, 7 ', 7 ") applied to the carrier tape (9), printed or otherwise connected as with this. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the label (7, 7 ', 7 ") as part of a transparent film (8, 8', 8") is formed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the label (7, 7 ', 7 ") and / or the transparent film (8, 8', 8") together with the receiving carrier tape (9) via a dispensing edge (12) guided and thereby be detached from the carrier tape (9). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that differently shaped and / or dimensioned labels (7, 7 ', 7 ") are processed, in dependence on the nature of the object to be marked (1) and / or its Diameter (D) and / or external specifications. Device for marking elongated objects (1) such as cables (1), hoses, pipes or the like with a preferably self-adhesive label (7, 7 ', 7 "), with a measuring device (2) for determining the diameter (D) of the object (1) and / or a processing unit for processing the diameter (D) provided as an input, and further comprising a cutting device (11) in dependence on the label (7, 7 ', 7 ") supplied on a carrier tape (9) from the diameter (D) of the object (1) and with a winding device (14) which places the label (7, 7 ', 7 ") lifted off the carrier strip (9) around the object (1). Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the measuring device (2) is simultaneously formed as a clamping device (2) for the object (1). Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the winding device (14) has at least two opposite winding rollers (15) which rotate in comparison to a with the longitudinal axis of the object (1) coinciding axis of rotation (16) and in this way the Wrap the label (7, 7 ', 7 ") around the object (1). Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a control device (6) is provided, which specifies at least the size and / or shape of the labels (7, 7 ', 7 ").

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