EP4031707B1 - Calender and method for controlling such a calender - Google Patents
Calender and method for controlling such a calender Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4031707B1 EP4031707B1 EP20780369.3A EP20780369A EP4031707B1 EP 4031707 B1 EP4031707 B1 EP 4031707B1 EP 20780369 A EP20780369 A EP 20780369A EP 4031707 B1 EP4031707 B1 EP 4031707B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- roller
- calender
- temperature
- fluid
- outer periphery
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000003490 calendering Methods 0.000 claims description 55
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- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 30
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Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21G—CALENDERS; ACCESSORIES FOR PAPER-MAKING MACHINES
- D21G1/00—Calenders; Smoothing apparatus
- D21G1/02—Rolls; Their bearings
- D21G1/0253—Heating or cooling the rolls; Regulating the temperature
- D21G1/0266—Heating or cooling the rolls; Regulating the temperature using a heat-transfer fluid
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21G—CALENDERS; ACCESSORIES FOR PAPER-MAKING MACHINES
- D21G1/00—Calenders; Smoothing apparatus
- D21G1/0066—Calenders; Smoothing apparatus using a special calendering belt
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21G—CALENDERS; ACCESSORIES FOR PAPER-MAKING MACHINES
- D21G1/00—Calenders; Smoothing apparatus
- D21G1/02—Rolls; Their bearings
- D21G1/0253—Heating or cooling the rolls; Regulating the temperature
- D21G1/0286—Regulating the axial or circumferential temperature profile of the roll
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21G—CALENDERS; ACCESSORIES FOR PAPER-MAKING MACHINES
- D21G9/00—Other accessories for paper-making machines
- D21G9/0009—Paper-making control systems
- D21G9/0045—Paper-making control systems controlling the calendering or finishing
Definitions
- the invention relates to a calender, comprising:
- Such a calender is per se known, for example from EP 3 246 446 A1 or WO 03/064762 A1 . Particularly known are different types of calender. There is thus for instance a type of calender which is used for throughfeed of a material, wherein a print is fixated on the material if the material already had a print printed thereon prior to throughfeed through the calender, or is transferred thereto from a so-called transfer paper if the material did not yet have a print prior to throughfeed through the calender. Such a calender can also be referred to as a device for transfer and/or fixation.
- calender is a laminating calender or laminating device, wherein multiple materials are fed through the calender and are here bonded to each other, i.e. laminated.
- the material or the materials can be any desired and/or suitable material, such as for instance textile.
- the calendering process takes place under the influence of heat.
- the heat comes from the heating means which heat the fluid, such as oil or air, whereby the roller is heated by the heated fluid, and optionally in that the heating means heat the roller directly, for instance by radiation.
- Direct heating of the roller by for instance radiation takes place particularly in the case of air-filled rollers.
- Indirect heating by the heating means via the heatable fluid takes place particularly in the case of both oil-filled and air-filled rollers.
- the heating can be set as desired, particularly by controlling the heating means in desired manner. Controlling the heating means can for instance comprise of controlling a power of the heating means.
- the calendering process further takes place under the influence of pressure.
- the pressure is provided by said belt and can be set as desired, particularly by controlling the belt pressure in suitable manner, more particularly by tightening the belt or arranging the belt more loosely, whereby the pressure is respectively increased and reduced.
- the contact time i.e. the amount of time that the at least one material is in direct or indirect contact with the roller
- the contact time can be set as desired, for instance by selecting a rotation speed of the roller. Controlling of the contact time can therefore alternatively or additionally be formulated as controlling of the roller, more particularly controlling of the rotation speed of the roller, still more particularly controlling of drive means for rotating driving of the roller.
- control means are also referred to below as “the control means”.
- control means control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time such that a desired calendering process should be achieved. It has however been found by applicant that, despite this control, the result of the calendering process is not always fully as desired and/or consistent. It is an object of the invention to at least reduce or preferably obviate this drawback.
- the temperature of the outer periphery of the roller determines to a large extent the calendering process. It is therefore opted for according to the invention to measure the temperature of the roller at the position which substantially determines the process, i.e. at the outer periphery of the roller.
- at least one first temperature sensor also referred to below as the first temperature sensor, which measures the temperature at the outer periphery of the roller, i.e. at the external surface of the roller, more specifically at a position where the material comes into contact with the roller and/or in or close to the centre of the roller and/or in the area lying at a distance of at least 20 centimetres from the edges of the roller.
- the first temperature sensor is preferably arranged in or close to the centre of the roller.
- a determined, measured outer periphery temperature of the roller can require determined settings and/or adjustments in the control of the the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time which result in a good and/or consistent calendering process.
- the one or more control means according to the invention are therefore configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the measured outer periphery temperature. Controlling of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time can for instance comprise of setting and/or adjusting the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time.
- data are collected according to the invention, wherein a connection is made between the control of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time and the measured outer periphery temperature of the roller, particularly for calendering processes in which a good and/or consistent calendering result has been achieved, and that a calendering process is controlled on the basis of these data.
- the control means are preferably embodied as an electronic device with at least one input and one output and a processor, such as a microprocessor, which device controls the at least one output on the basis of the information at the at least one input, for instance a programmable logic controller (PLC).
- a processor such as a microprocessor, which device controls the at least one output on the basis of the information at the at least one input, for instance a programmable logic controller (PLC).
- PLC programmable logic controller
- the heating means can be disposed outside the internal space of the roller, but can alternatively also be disposed in the internal space. Disposing or placing in the internal space makes the calender more compact, and further makes it possible to heat the fluid in the vicinity of the peripheral wall of the roller, so that a temperature change of the fluid relative to heating means disposed outside the roller results relatively quickly in a change of temperature of the peripheral wall of the roller.
- the heating means can be embodied as electrical heating element.
- the fluid can be any suitable fluid but is preferably oil or air. It is preferably contained in a system which is closed at least to said fluid and comprises at least the internal space of the roller, and optionally for instance an expansion tank connected via at least one conduit to the internal space.
- oil such as particularly thermal oil, for instance mineral thermal oil or synthetic thermal oil, has a heat transfer coefficient suitable for the invention and can moreover be heatable to a relatively high temperature without this greatly reducing the lifespan. Oil can alternatively or additionally have a large heat capacity. Air has the great advantage that it keeps the calender relatively simple and is able to increase or reduce the temperature of the roller relatively quickly.
- the roller will typically be a cylindrical body. During operation this body will generally be rotated about its rotation axis, in practical manner its width axis, at a desired rotation speed by means of drive means, wherein the material is carried over the outer periphery.
- calendering processes such as transfer and/or fixation processes or laminating processes
- transfer and/or fixation processes or laminating processes can be performed in continuous operation
- a batch process will however occur in most cases, including a start-up phase at the start of the batch process and a shutdown phase at the end of the batch process.
- the device according to the invention comprises at least one second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid, wherein the control means are further configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the measured fluid temperature.
- the calender is thus provided with at least one second temperature sensor (also referred to below as the second temperature sensor) which measures the temperature of the fluid.
- the second temperature sensor also referred to below as the second temperature sensor
- the calender or a system of which the calender forms part comprises a database in which at least one of the following data is stored, optionally periodically:
- the settings of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time and the measured outer periphery temperature of the roller can be recorded in a database, and the calender can be controlled on the basis of the data contained in the database.
- the process can become even more accurate when other parameters are also recorded in the database, and wherein the calender can also be controlled on the basis of these other parameters. It has been found by applicant that said parameters can influence the calendering process and that it can thereby be useful to record at least these stated parameters.
- other data can also be stored in the system, if desired. If desired by a skilled person, these data can likewise be used by the control means for the purpose of controlling the heating means.
- the parameters are preferably recorded in the database frequently, for instance every 10 seconds or, if desired, less or more often. In order to keep the amount of data limited it is possible to only register changes.
- control means are moreover configured here to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time before and/or during throughfeed of the material, a feed forward is achieved, whereby it is possible during the process to anticipate the influence of changes in one of the parameters which are stored in the database.
- the device can comprise means for making it known that a calendering process can be started, for instance visually by means of lighting.
- Properties of the material for instance type of material and/or (specific) weight, usually expressed in gram/m 2 , often determine a heat absorption by the material and thereby how the control means must control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time.
- Registering the power of the heating means in combination with registering the at least one property of the material can provide insight into this heat absorption, for instance by registering the amount of energy, i.e. power, required to keep the outer periphery of the roller at a determined temperature without throughfeed of a determined material, relative to the amount of energy required during throughfeed of a determined material. This information can be used to select a determined power for the heating means even before a determined material is actually fed through.
- the operator can enter which material will be fed through, for instance via an interface of the device.
- a heavier material it is for instance possible to select a greater power than for a lighter material, since the heat absorption of a heavier material is usually higher than for a lighter material. This can be particularly advantageous when starting up a calendering process and when switching between different materials.
- Properties of the transfer paper for instance humidity and/or type of material and/or (specific) weight, usually expressed in gram/m 2 , can determine a heat absorption by the transfer paper. By optionally also registering this, it is possible also to control on the basis hereof.
- the ambient temperature can influence the energy loss of the roller.
- the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time can therefore be controlled in desired manner on the basis of a measured ambient temperature, for instance by increasing a power of the heating means when the ambient temperature is lower than a determined value, and vice versa.
- An ambient temperature sensor can be provided for the purpose of measuring the ambient temperature.
- the air humidity can likewise influence the energy consumption of the roller.
- An air humidity sensor can be provided for the purpose of measuring the air humidity.
- Which calender is used can likewise influence a desired setting. This can comprise both the type of calender, and which calender is used from among calenders of the same type.
- the power of drive means of the calender can likewise be of influence.
- the belt of the calender can absorb heat.
- the at least one property of the belt is known, it is for instance known how great the energy absorption of the belt in question can be, whereby the heating means can be controlled on the basis of these data in order to improve the process still further.
- Type of material and/or age of the belt can for instance be determining factors.
- control means are configured to determine on the basis of at least periodically measured outer periphery temperatures and periodically measured fluid temperatures of a plurality of prior calendering processes and on the basis of at least the at least one property of the same material how the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time must be set in order to obtain a desired outer periphery temperature in the current calendering process, and to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in the determined manner.
- This control can for instance be performed as follows. It is thus for instance possible that it was established in a prior process that a determined outer periphery temperature and determined fluid temperature and determined settings of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time produced a good result for a determined material. On the basis of these data it is possible to opt in future to control the control means such that the process progresses in the same way, in any case in respect of these parameters, since this increases the chances of a good print quality.
- the database and the control means are connected or at least connectable to each other, optionally wirelessly, for instance via a computer network, such as for instance the Internet.
- connection there is a connection between the database and the control means.
- This connection preferably takes place via a computer network.
- This has the advantage that the data as collected on the basis of a plurality of calenders according to the invention can be collected in one database. Because this one database contains all data relating to the operation of a plurality of calenders, even more data are available, which can result in a more reliable operation of the calender with a view to a good quality. Central processing of these data in one database moreover has the advantage that these data can be secured more easily and thereby more cheaply. Wireless connections are preferred here because they are very flexible and have sufficient bandwidth for the amount of data to be transferred.
- control means can be configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of average values, more particularly on the basis of average values for a determined fed-through material, as soon as this happens.
- the temperature sensor can be any suitable sensor.
- the at least one first temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple arranged against the outer periphery of the roller.
- thermocouple By arranging a thermocouple against the outer periphery of the roller a very direct measurement of the outer periphery temperature is achieved, which increases the chances of a reliable operation of the calender in respect of the quality of a calendering process.
- This thermocouple can be arranged against the outer surface at any suitable position.
- the thermocouple is preferably disposed against the outer surface at a location such that it is disposed at a position where the fed-through material diverges from the roller, i.e. at a position where the material is not in direct contact with the roller but is guided away.
- the thermocouple hereby does not influence the calendering process.
- the at least one first temperature sensor comprises an infrared sensor arranged at a distance from the roller.
- an infrared sensor it is possible by means of an infrared sensor to measure the outer periphery temperature at a distance, without the need for substantial modifications to the calender itself. This makes this embodiment of the calender simpler in terms of construction. An advantage hereof is that the sensor cannot influence the process itself.
- This infrared sensor can alternatively or additionally be provided on a thermocouple. The infrared sensor can particularly be used with a roller with a teflon coating.
- the device comprises a plurality of temperature sensors which are disposed distributed over the width of the roller for the purpose of measuring the temperature of an outer periphery of the roller distributed over the width of the roller.
- thermocouple When a plurality of first temperature sensors is thus provided, the reliability of the measurement is increased. It is possible here that when the calender is controlled on the basis of these multiple temperature sensors, each of these sensors is considered independently, or that an optionally weighted average of these measurements is used as starting point. In both cases it is possible for the database to store the data of the plurality of first temperature sensors independently of each other. Defects in a temperature sensor can hereby for instance be detected. Such defects can for instance be caused by dust, and occur particularly in the described temperature sensors which are embodied as thermocouple. When temperature sensors embodied as thermocouple are used, there is therefore preferably at least one further temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple or another type of temperature sensor.
- the first temperature sensors can here be embodied wholly or partially as in the above described embodiments, or can take a different form.
- the device further comprises flow influencing means for initiating and/or influencing a flow of the fluid in the internal space, wherein the or optionally provided further control means are configured to control the flow influencing means and thereby the flow of the fluid in the internal space in freely settable manner.
- flow influencing means are provided which make it possible to initiate a flow of the fluid in the internal space or, to the extent that there already is such a flow, influence it.
- the or optional further control means are configured to control the flow influencing means and thereby the flow of the fluid in the internal space, wherein the control means are configured to control the flow influencing means in freely settable manner.
- the control means can be the same control means as those which control the heating means, or further control means which are additionally provided.
- control means for controlling of the flow influencing means and/or heating means, which can thus be understood to mean both the same control means and different control means. It is noted that, if desired, "the control means” could alternatively be referred to as “the optional further control means”.
- a temperature difference can for instance lie between 10°C and 30°C, depending on the type of calender used.
- a heat transfer between the fluid and the roller can be influenced by influencing the flow of the fluid in the internal space, whereby the temperature difference between the fluid and the roller can be influenced.
- the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller can for instance be increased, whereby the difference in temperature between the fluid and the roller can be reduced.
- the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller can for instance be reduced, whereby the difference in temperature between the fluid and the roller can be increased.
- a good and/or accurate calendering process can be provided.
- an (outer periphery) temperature of the roller can therefore be adjusted relatively quickly, at least in the case of oil-filled rollers, by adjusting the flow of the fluid. Because the (outer periphery) temperature of the roller can be adjusted relatively quickly according to the invention, variations in the print on the substrate can be reduced or preferably even prevented.
- the degree of heat transfer from the fluid to the roller can for instance be determined by temperature differences in the fluid, such as gradients in the fluid.
- a heat transfer from the fluid to the roller can be relatively great.
- a heat transfer from the fluid to the roller can be relatively small.
- freely settable can at least be understood to mean that the setting of the flow influencing means is independent or separate from the setting of another component, such as for instance the roller, more particularly the rotation of the roller.
- Freely settable can alternatively or additionally be understood to mean that the flow influencing means can be set not just to two values, such as on or off, but to at least a plurality of values.
- the setting can take place in stepped manner or continuously.
- the flow influencing means are preferably provided in addition to and/or separately of the roller so that they are freely settable at least relative to the roller.
- control means can preferably be configured to set the flow influencing means on the basis of a desired heat transfer between the fluid and the roller. This can be achieved in diverse ways, alone or in any random combination. These ways will be elucidated below on the basis of different embodiments of the device according to the invention.
- control means are configured to control the flow influencing means such that a flow speed of the fluid can be set.
- the speed of the flow can at least partially determine the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller. Because the control means can in this embodiment control the flow influencing means such that this speed can be adjusted, the option exists of adjusting the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller.
- the flow speed of the fluid can particularly be set between 0, i.e. stationary, and V max , wherein V max can for instance lie between 3 and 15 m/s.
- V max can for instance lie between 3 and 15 m/s. The higher the speed, the higher a heat transfer to the roller can be and/or the more homogenous the temperature of the fluid can be.
- control means are configured to control the flow influencing means such that a direction of the flow of the fluid is substantially opposite to a rotation direction of the roller.
- a flow of the fluid in a direction substantially opposite to the rotation direction of the roller provides a relatively high heat transfer between the fluid and the roller, i.e. a relatively small temperature difference between the fluid and the (outer periphery of the) roller.
- the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller can be set hereby.
- the opposite direction can here particularly be a tangential direction.
- the flow speed of the fluid can here be higher than, lower than or equal to the rotation speed of the roller, wherein the absolute value of the flow speed must be considered. If a higher heat transfer between the fluid and the roller is desired and the flow influencing means are set to make the fluid flow in the opposite direction, a fluid speed which is higher relative to the rotation speed of the roller can preferably be opted for here.
- control means are configured to control the flow influencing means such that the flow regime of the fluid can vary between turbulent and laminar.
- a turbulent flow of the fluid can provide a higher heat transfer between the fluid and the roller relative to a laminar flow.
- the flow influencing means can be set such that the flow is turbulent or laminar.
- the transition from turbulent to laminar is determined on the basis of the Reynolds number Re and the geometry of the internal space.
- Varying is here understood to mean that the flow regime in the fluid can be both turbulent and laminar, and generally does not mean that it switches continuously between the two.
- the flow influencing means can be embodied in diverse ways.
- the flow influencing means for instance comprise a rotatable rotor with a number of blades which is optionally disposed in the roller.
- a rotor rotates about its rotation axis and has a relatively simple construction and/or is relatively inexpensive, and can influence or at least initiate the flow in the fluid in simple manner.
- the rotor can thus be rotatably driven at a desired rotation speed so as to set a flow speed of the fluid and/or the rotor can be rotatably driven in a direction opposite to the rotor so as to make a flow direction of the fluid opposite to the rotation direction of the roller.
- the rotor is preferably disposed in the roller, more particularly in the internal space in the roller, because influencing of the flow can thereby be performed well and/or relatively quickly.
- the placement of the flow influencing means in the internal space can moreover mean that less fluid is necessary to completely fill the internal space, whereby a maximum power of the heating means can be lower and/or the heating means will be able to achieve a heating of the fluid to a determined temperature more quickly.
- device comprises first drive means for rotatably driving the roller and second drive means for rotatably driving the rotor, and the control means are configured to control the first and second drive means separately of each other.
- first drive means for the roller are separate or disconnected from second drive means for the rotor. This makes it possible to set each of the roller and the rotor to its own rotation speed (with a determined rotation direction), independent of the other of the roller and the rotor, which can be deemed favourable subject to the process conditions in a calendering process.
- the control of the first drive means runs via said one or more control means or via optionally further provided control means.
- control means be configured to control the first and second drive means such that the rotor rotates in a direction opposite to the roller and/or rotates at a relatively high speed when the outer periphery temperature of the roller is lower than a desired temperature of the outer periphery of the roller.
- control means are configured during the start-up phase and/or shutdown phase of a calendering process to control the first and second drive means such that the rotor is rotated in a direction opposite to the roller.
- start-up phase the start-up phase
- shutting down of a calendering process such as a transfer and/or fixation process
- the rotor can preferably be driven by the second drive means between a minimum rotation speed equal to 0 revolutions/s and a maximum rotation speed V rotor, max , which maximum rotation speed can depend, among other factors, on the fluid and/or a diameter of the rotor, and which amounts to for instance 2 revolutions/s, wherein V rotor, max is opposite to the rotation direction of the roller.
- the rotor comprises a cylindrical body disposed in the internal space of the roller, wherein the fluid is situated between the rotor and the roller, at least during use of the calender, wherein the blades extend outward from the cylindrical body, substantially in the direction of the roller.
- Such a rotor can be suitable for appropriately influencing the flow of the fluid.
- the body can here be completely solid but also hollow, wherein a hollow mass has the advantage that this reduces the mass of the rotor, whereby it can be rotated more easily and whereby the total mass of the device is also smaller.
- the rotation speed of the roller and the rotation speed of the rotor can be related. It can therefore be advantageous for the flow influencing means to also be controlled on the basis of a number of revolutions of the roller.
- the number of revolutions of the rotor can thus for instance also be reduced when a number of revolutions of the roller is reduced, and vice versa.
- the flow influencing means comprise at least one fluid conduit extending into the internal space and having at least one opening for the purpose of supplying fluid from the at least one fluid conduit via the at least one opening to the internal space of the roller, and comprising at least one fluid discharge for discharging fluid from the internal space.
- the fluid conduit fluid can be supplied to the internal space and discharged again via the discharge. Giving the fluid conduit and/or the opening a suitable form and/or selecting a suitable pressure and/or speed of the fluid inflow enables the flow of the fluid to be influenced in desired manner.
- the inflow direction of the fluid into the internal space and thereby set a flow direction of the fluid in the internal space
- the opening can thus be formed as a tangential opening which supplies the fluid in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the roller, or orienting means such as a flap can be provided which orient the flow of the fluid in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the roller when flowing out through the opening.
- the at least one fluid conduit and the at least one fluid discharge can be connected to each other, optionally outside the roller, in order to feed fluid discharged via the fluid discharge from the roller back to the roller via the at least one fluid conduit.
- At least one pump can be provided for the purpose of extracting fluid via the fluid discharge and/or for the purpose of supplying fluid via the at least one fluid conduit and the at least one opening to the internal space of the roller.
- the at least one fluid conduit preferably extends over the whole width of the roller.
- the at least one fluid conduit preferably comprises a plurality of openings which are preferably disposed distributed with equal mutual pitch distance over the width of the fluid conduit.
- the at least one fluid discharge is preferably embodied as a fluid discharge conduit extending into the internal space and having at least one opening.
- the at least one fluid discharge conduit preferably extends over the whole width of the roller.
- the at least one fluid discharge conduit preferably comprises a plurality of openings which are preferably disposed distributed with equal mutual pitch distance over the width of the fluid conduit.
- the openings of the fluid conduit and the fluid discharge conduit can be disposed at the same or different width positions.
- Two fluid conduits and two fluid discharge conduits are preferably provided, with an angular distance of 180° between the two fluid conduits and between the two fluid discharge conduits, and with an angular distance of 90° between a fluid conduit and an adjacent fluid discharge conduit.
- the invention further relates to a set with a plurality of calenders according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the control means of at least one of the calenders are configured to control the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time of that one calender on the basis of optionally periodically registered data of calendering processes performed with the calenders of the set.
- the invention further relates to a method for controlling a calender according to any one of the claims 1-8, which method comprises the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order, of
- Steps a) and b) are preferably performed regularly and preferably substantially continuously in order to thus keep adjusting the process continuously for the purpose of achieving a good calendering result.
- the fluid temperature can also be measured in addition to the outer periphery temperature in order to thus control the outer periphery temperature.
- step d) can be performed regularly or substantially continuously.
- the method can further comprise the step of
- Step c) can be performed by an operator who sets the control means in a desired manner, for instance via an interface.
- Step c) is alternatively or additionally performed by determining a desired setting by means of for instance the control means, for instance on the basis of data contained in the optionally provided database.
- step c) can be repeated more often, for instance because the target temperature can change during the process.
- Steps a) and b) are preferably performed regularly and preferably substantially continuously so that the control means are regularly and preferably substantially continuously controlled on the basis of the measured temperature in order to thus approach the target temperature as closely as possible and/or maintain it.
- heating takes place to roughly the desired target temperature.
- This variation is preferably a maximum of 5°C, more preferably a maximum of 2°C, more preferably a maximum of 1°C.
- control means can also control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in step b) on the basis of at least one of the data stored in the database.
- control take place on the basis of at least one of the data stored in the database as described, since this makes the process more predictable and/or accurate.
- the method comprises step e) of determining by means of the control means and on the basis of at least periodically measured outer periphery temperatures and periodically measured fluid temperatures of a plurality of prior calendering processes and on the basis of at least the at least one property of the same material how the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time must be set in order to obtain a desired outer periphery temperature in the current calendering process, and of controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in the determined manner.
- control take place on the basis of the outer periphery temperatures and fluid temperatures as well as the properties of the material, because these are highly determining parameters for the quality of calendering processes as performed with the calender according to the invention.
- the method further comprises the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order, of
- control means in the calender according to the invention for the purpose of controlling both the flow influencing means and the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time, since this results in a better process control.
- Step f) can be performed by an operator who sets the control means in a desired manner, for instance via an interface.
- Step a) is preferably performed by determining a desired setting by means of for instance the control means, for instance on the basis of a desired heat transfer between the fluid and the roller, as elucidated above.
- the method can comprise a step of controlling the flow influencing means such that a flow speed of the fluid is set.
- the method can comprise a step of controlling the flow influencing means such that a flow direction of the fluid is set, wherein the direction is substantially opposite to a rotation direction of the roller.
- the method can comprise a step of controlling the flow influencing means such that a flow regime of the fluid is varied between turbulent and laminar.
- the flow influencing means can be controlled by the control means such that the direction of the flow of the fluid is opposite to the rotation direction of the roller and/or the flow regime is turbulent.
- steps a) and b) are performed iteratively.
- the method here also comprises the step d), this is likewise preferably iteratively performed for the same reasons.
- the invention further relates to a set with a plurality of calenders according to one or more of the above described embodiments or with one or more of the above described features, wherein the control means of at least one of the calenders are configured to control the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time of that one calender on the basis of optionally periodically registered data of calendering processes performed with the calenders of the set.
- Said one calender is preferably a calender of the set other than the calender of which the data are registered. In this way the progression of the process in one or more other calenders can be used to efficiently control this one calender.
- FIGS 1A and 1B show a calender 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.
- Calender 1 can be used for calendering processes, such as for instance transfer and/or fixation processes or laminating processes.
- Calender 1 comprises a rotatable roller 2, which roller is hollow and thereby defines an internal space 3 which in this case is filled with oil. Internal space 3 connects via a conduit 5 to an expansion tank 4 for the oil.
- Calender 1 comprises a drive shaft 6 for rotating driving of roller 2.
- Calender 1 further comprises a belt 7 co-acting with roller 2, which belt 7 is disposed via guide rollers 8 round a part of the periphery of roller 2, see figure 1B .
- belt 7 is not shown in figure 1A .
- a material 9 can be fed through between roller 2 and belt 7 for a determined contact time during a calendering process, wherein the contact time can particularly be the amount of time during which the material 9 is in direct or indirect contact with roller 2.
- the contact time can for instance depend on a rotation speed of roller 2.
- Disposed in this case in the internal space 3 of roller 2 are a plurality of heating elements 10, which heat the oil. Because the oil is heated, the oil can heat roller 2.
- a calendering process can particularly be controlled on the basis of at least one of the following three parameters, i.e.
- Calender 1 comprises for this purpose one or more control means, for instance in the form of a processor (not shown).
- calender 1 comprises in this first exemplary embodiment flow influencing means for initiating and/or influencing a flow of the oil in internal space 3.
- the flow influencing means comprise a rotor 20 which is disposed in roller 2 and is rotatably drivable by a drive shaft 21.
- rotor 20 comprises a plurality of blades 22, using which the oil can be set into motion.
- rotor 20 comprises a cylindrical body, wherein the blades 22 extend outward from the cylindrical body, substantially in the direction of roller 2.
- the oil is situated between rotor 20 and roller 2.
- the drive shaft 6 for rotating driving of roller 2 and the drive shaft 21 for rotating driving of rotor 20 are configured to drive roller 2 and rotor 20 separately of each other.
- Rotor 20 can particularly be driven in a rotation direction 23, which rotation direction 23 is opposite to a rotation direction 24 of roller 2, see figure 1B .
- the flow direction of the oil can hereby be set to a direction opposite to roller 2.
- the rotation speed of rotor 20 can be set between 0 revolutions/s, i.e. the rotor does not rotate, and a maximum rotation speed V rotor, max , for instance expressed in revolutions/s or revolutions/min.
- a flow speed of the oil can hereby be set, particularly between a substantially stationary flow and a maximum flow speed V max .
- V rotor for 0 ⁇ V rotor ⁇ V rotor , laminar , or turbulent, i.e. for V rotor, laminar ⁇ V rotor ⁇ V rotor, max .
- a suitable speed of the oil and/or the flow regime of the oil a heat transfer from the oil to roller 2 can be set, and particularly reduced or increased.
- the rotor can be controlled by the stated or further control means.
- calender 1 comprises at least one temperature sensor 30 for measuring the temperature of an outer periphery of roller 2.
- Temperature sensor 30 is disposed in an area of roller 2 where the material 9 will come into contact with the roller, but at a position where material 9 is guided away from roller 2, see figure 1B .
- Temperature sensor 30 hereby measures the outer periphery temperature at a location relevant to the process, but without influencing the calendering process.
- Figures 1A and 1B show one first temperature sensor 30 but, if desired, a plurality of first temperature sensors 30 can be provided, these being disposed distributed over the width b of roller 2 for the purpose of measuring the temperature of an outer periphery of roller 2 distributed over the width b of roller 2.
- First temperature sensor 30 is shown schematically in figures 1A and 1B as being arranged on the outer periphery of roller 2.
- a sensor 30 can for instance comprise a thermocouple.
- the calender further comprises a second temperature sensor 31 for measuring the temperature of the oil.
- a plurality of second temperature sensors 31 can be provided, these being disposed distributed over the width b roller 2 for the purpose of measuring the oil temperature distributed over the width b of roller 2.
- Such a sensor 31 can for instance comprise a thermocouple.
- Said control means can be configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the measured outer periphery temperature and optionally the measured oil temperature.
- calender 1 or a system of which the calender forms part comprises a database 40 which is wirelessly connected to calender 1 in this example.
- Data can be stored in database 40, wherein said control means can further be configured to control the rotor 20 and/or the heating elements 10 and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of at least one of the data contained in database 40.
- At least one of the following data can for instance, though not exclusively, be stored, optionally periodically, in database 40:
- database 40 can also store data of other calenders 1. In this way the calender can be controlled even more accurately.
- FIGS 2A and 2B show a calender 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Only the differences with the calender 1 according to the first embodiment of figures 1A and 1B will be described here. For a further description of calender 101 reference is made to the figure description associated with figures 1A and 1B .
- Calender 101 comprises a rotatable roller 102, which roller is hollow and thereby defines an internal space 103, which in this case is filled with air.
- roller 102 forms a closed system for the air.
- Disposed in this case in the internal space 103 of roller 102 are a plurality of heating elements 110 which both heat the air and also directly heat roller 102 by means of radiation.
- the flow influencing means for influencing the flow of, in this case, the air comprise two air conduits 125 with a number of openings 128 via which air can flow into the internal space 103 of roller 102. Openings 128 are formed and/or provided with orienting means such that the air flows into space 103 in a direction 123 which is opposite to the rotation direction 124 of roller 102.
- Air conduits 125 extend through roller 102 and are connected via an outer side of roller 102 to, in this case, two air discharge conduits 126.
- Air discharge conduits 126 comprise openings 129 for drawing in air. The air extracted via the air discharge conduits 126 can be supplied to roller 102 again via air conduits 125.
- a pump 127 is provided for the purpose of extracting and blowing in the air.
- Pump 127 can be set between a minimum power of 0, wherein no extraction and blowing in of the air takes place and wherein the air is substantially still, and a maximum power V pump, max whereby a maximum flow speed of the air is brought about.
- V pump maximum power
- the flow of the air can be laminar, i.e. for 0 ⁇ V pump ⁇ V pump, laminar , or turbulent, i.e. for V pump, laminar ⁇ V pump ⁇ V pump, max .
- a suitable speed of the air and/or the flow regime of the air a heat transfer from the air to roller 102 can be set, and particularly reduced or increased.
- the pump 127 can be controlled by the stated or further control means.
- Said temperature sensors 130 and/or 131 can if desired also be provided in this second embodiment.
- Said database 140 can if desired also be provided in this second embodiment.
- Figure 3 shows the steps of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention.
- Step 50 comprises of setting or determining a setting of the flow influencing means.
- Step 51 comprises of measuring the outer periphery temperature of the roller.
- Step 52 comprises of measuring the fluid temperature.
- Step 53 comprises of setting or determining a target temperature for the outer periphery of the roller.
- Step 54 comprises of making data from a stated or other database available.
- Step 55 comprises of controlling the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time for the purpose of controlling a calendering process on the basis of at least one of the settings of the flow influencing means set or determined in step 50, outer periphery temperature measured in step 51, fluid temperature measured in step 52, target temperature set or determined in step 53, and data from the database made available in step 54.
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- Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to a calender, comprising:
- a rotatable roller, which roller is hollow and thereby defines an internal space which can be filled at least partially or is filled at least partially with a heatable fluid, such as oil or air;
- a belt, co-acting with the roller, with a determined belt pressure, wherein a material for feeding through the calender is situated between the roller and the belt for a determined contact time during throughfeed through the calender;
- heating means for heating the fluid and/or the roller, which heating means are optionally disposed in the internal space; and
- one or more control means for controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time.
- Such a calender is per se known, for example from
EP 3 246 446 A1WO 03/064762 A1 - The calendering process takes place under the influence of heat. The heat comes from the heating means which heat the fluid, such as oil or air, whereby the roller is heated by the heated fluid, and optionally in that the heating means heat the roller directly, for instance by radiation. Direct heating of the roller by for instance radiation takes place particularly in the case of air-filled rollers. Indirect heating by the heating means via the heatable fluid takes place particularly in the case of both oil-filled and air-filled rollers. The heating can be set as desired, particularly by controlling the heating means in desired manner. Controlling the heating means can for instance comprise of controlling a power of the heating means.
- The calendering process further takes place under the influence of pressure. The pressure is provided by said belt and can be set as desired, particularly by controlling the belt pressure in suitable manner, more particularly by tightening the belt or arranging the belt more loosely, whereby the pressure is respectively increased and reduced.
- In addition to the heat and pressure, the contact time, i.e. the amount of time that the at least one material is in direct or indirect contact with the roller, can also be particularly important for the calendering process. The contact time can be set as desired, for instance by selecting a rotation speed of the roller. Controlling of the contact time can therefore alternatively or additionally be formulated as controlling of the roller, more particularly controlling of the rotation speed of the roller, still more particularly controlling of drive means for rotating driving of the roller.
- For the sake of simplicity the one or more control means are also referred to below as "the control means".
- The control means control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time such that a desired calendering process should be achieved. It has however been found by applicant that, despite this control, the result of the calendering process is not always fully as desired and/or consistent. It is an object of the invention to at least reduce or preferably obviate this drawback.
- This object can be achieved by means of a calender according to claim 1.
- It has been found by applicant that the temperature of the outer periphery of the roller determines to a large extent the calendering process. It is therefore opted for according to the invention to measure the temperature of the roller at the position which substantially determines the process, i.e. at the outer periphery of the roller. Provided for this purpose is at least one first temperature sensor, also referred to below as the first temperature sensor, which measures the temperature at the outer periphery of the roller, i.e. at the external surface of the roller, more specifically at a position where the material comes into contact with the roller and/or in or close to the centre of the roller and/or in the area lying at a distance of at least 20 centimetres from the edges of the roller. When only one first temperature sensor is provided, it is preferably arranged in or close to the centre of the roller.
- It has further been found by applicant that a determined, measured outer periphery temperature of the roller can require determined settings and/or adjustments in the control of the the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time which result in a good and/or consistent calendering process. The one or more control means according to the invention are therefore configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the measured outer periphery temperature. Controlling of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time can for instance comprise of setting and/or adjusting the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time.
- It is possible, by way of example, that data are collected according to the invention, wherein a connection is made between the control of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time and the measured outer periphery temperature of the roller, particularly for calendering processes in which a good and/or consistent calendering result has been achieved, and that a calendering process is controlled on the basis of these data. By collecting sufficient data from a plurality of calendering processes with the same or different calenders and recording these data in a database it is possible to determine on the basis of the data contained in the database how the control means must control the heating means, the belt pressure and the contact time at a determined, measured outer periphery temperature in order to achieve a good and/or consistent calendering result. This control on the basis of the database can take place before, during and/or after throughfeed of the material.
- The control means are preferably embodied as an electronic device with at least one input and one output and a processor, such as a microprocessor, which device controls the at least one output on the basis of the information at the at least one input, for instance a programmable logic controller (PLC).
- The heating means can be disposed outside the internal space of the roller, but can alternatively also be disposed in the internal space. Disposing or placing in the internal space makes the calender more compact, and further makes it possible to heat the fluid in the vicinity of the peripheral wall of the roller, so that a temperature change of the fluid relative to heating means disposed outside the roller results relatively quickly in a change of temperature of the peripheral wall of the roller. In an embodiment the heating means can be embodied as electrical heating element.
- The fluid can be any suitable fluid but is preferably oil or air. It is preferably contained in a system which is closed at least to said fluid and comprises at least the internal space of the roller, and optionally for instance an expansion tank connected via at least one conduit to the internal space. And oil, such as particularly thermal oil, for instance mineral thermal oil or synthetic thermal oil, has a heat transfer coefficient suitable for the invention and can moreover be heatable to a relatively high temperature without this greatly reducing the lifespan. Oil can alternatively or additionally have a large heat capacity. Air has the great advantage that it keeps the calender relatively simple and is able to increase or reduce the temperature of the roller relatively quickly.
- The roller will typically be a cylindrical body. During operation this body will generally be rotated about its rotation axis, in practical manner its width axis, at a desired rotation speed by means of drive means, wherein the material is carried over the outer periphery.
- Although calendering processes, such as transfer and/or fixation processes or laminating processes, can be performed in continuous operation, a batch process will however occur in most cases, including a start-up phase at the start of the batch process and a shutdown phase at the end of the batch process.
- The device according to the invention comprises at least one second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid, wherein the control means are further configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the measured fluid temperature.
- In addition to the at least one first temperature sensor, the calender is thus provided with at least one second temperature sensor (also referred to below as the second temperature sensor) which measures the temperature of the fluid. By controlling on the basis of both the outer periphery temperature of the roller and the fluid temperature the calendering process can be performed well and/or consistently and/or accurately.
- In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the calender or a system of which the calender forms part comprises a database in which at least one of the following data is stored, optionally periodically:
- the measured outer periphery temperature of the roller;
- a or the measured fluid temperature;
- the contact time;
- the belt pressure;
- a power of the heating means;
- number of revolutions of the roller since the start of a calendering process;
- at least one property of the at least one material being fed through the calender;
- at least one property of a transfer paper optionally being fed through the calender;
- an ambient temperature;
- an air humidity;
- which calender is used;
- a power of drive means of the calender;
- at least one property of a belt of the calender,
- As elucidated above, the settings of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time and the measured outer periphery temperature of the roller can be recorded in a database, and the calender can be controlled on the basis of the data contained in the database. The process can become even more accurate when other parameters are also recorded in the database, and wherein the calender can also be controlled on the basis of these other parameters. It has been found by applicant that said parameters can influence the calendering process and that it can thereby be useful to record at least these stated parameters. It will be apparent that other data can also be stored in the system, if desired. If desired by a skilled person, these data can likewise be used by the control means for the purpose of controlling the heating means.
- The parameters are preferably recorded in the database frequently, for instance every 10 seconds or, if desired, less or more often. In order to keep the amount of data limited it is possible to only register changes.
- When the control means are moreover configured here to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time before and/or during throughfeed of the material, a feed forward is achieved, whereby it is possible during the process to anticipate the influence of changes in one of the parameters which are stored in the database.
- It has already been elucidated above that the outer periphery temperature, fluid temperature and the settings of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time can be important.
- It will be briefly elucidated below how the further parameters could be used.
- Recording data about the number of revolutions of the roller since the start of a calendering process makes it possible to determine the number of revolutions starting from which a good result can be obtained, and/or when the heating means can be switched off at the end of a calendering process. If desired, the device can comprise means for making it known that a calendering process can be started, for instance visually by means of lighting.
- Properties of the material, for instance type of material and/or (specific) weight, usually expressed in gram/m2, often determine a heat absorption by the material and thereby how the control means must control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time. Registering the power of the heating means in combination with registering the at least one property of the material can provide insight into this heat absorption, for instance by registering the amount of energy, i.e. power, required to keep the outer periphery of the roller at a determined temperature without throughfeed of a determined material, relative to the amount of energy required during throughfeed of a determined material. This information can be used to select a determined power for the heating means even before a determined material is actually fed through. The operator can enter which material will be fed through, for instance via an interface of the device. For a heavier material it is for instance possible to select a greater power than for a lighter material, since the heat absorption of a heavier material is usually higher than for a lighter material. This can be particularly advantageous when starting up a calendering process and when switching between different materials.
- Properties of the transfer paper, for instance humidity and/or type of material and/or (specific) weight, usually expressed in gram/m2, can determine a heat absorption by the transfer paper. By optionally also registering this, it is possible also to control on the basis hereof.
- The ambient temperature can influence the energy loss of the roller. The heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time can therefore be controlled in desired manner on the basis of a measured ambient temperature, for instance by increasing a power of the heating means when the ambient temperature is lower than a determined value, and vice versa. An ambient temperature sensor can be provided for the purpose of measuring the ambient temperature.
- The air humidity can likewise influence the energy consumption of the roller. An air humidity sensor can be provided for the purpose of measuring the air humidity.
- Which calender is used can likewise influence a desired setting. This can comprise both the type of calender, and which calender is used from among calenders of the same type.
- The power of drive means of the calender can likewise be of influence.
- The belt of the calender can absorb heat. When the at least one property of the belt is known, it is for instance known how great the energy absorption of the belt in question can be, whereby the heating means can be controlled on the basis of these data in order to improve the process still further. Type of material and/or age of the belt can for instance be determining factors.
- As elucidated above, it is possible to register the amount of energy, i.e. power, required to keep the outer periphery of the roller at a determined temperature without throughfeed of a determined material and with throughfeed of a determined material. This registered energy provides insight into how much energy leaks away without throughfeed of material, for instance due to heat absorption of the belt and/or due to radiation and/or due to a cold environment, and with throughfeed of material, due to heat absorption by the material. A more accurate process can be obtained by registering this energy by means of registering the power of the heating means and recording said parameters and controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis thereof.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the control means are configured to determine on the basis of at least periodically measured outer periphery temperatures and periodically measured fluid temperatures of a plurality of prior calendering processes and on the basis of at least the at least one property of the same material how the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time must be set in order to obtain a desired outer periphery temperature in the current calendering process, and to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in the determined manner.
- It has been found that the outer periphery temperatures and fluid temperatures as well as the properties of the material are highly determining parameters for the quality of a calendering process. For this reason it is preferred that, in controlling of the calender, values of these quantities from prior processes are considered or even used as a guide for setting of a current process. These can be data of one or more calenders.
- It is possible here to use one measured outer periphery temperature and one measured fluid temperature from prior processes, although the reliability of the process is increased further when the control means are set on the basis of a plurality of measurements within one process rather than at least one of these two temperatures and/or when the measurements are repeated multiple times in order to provide an indication of the reproducibility of the measurement.
- This control can for instance be performed as follows. It is thus for instance possible that it was established in a prior process that a determined outer periphery temperature and determined fluid temperature and determined settings of the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time produced a good result for a determined material. On the basis of these data it is possible to opt in future to control the control means such that the process progresses in the same way, in any case in respect of these parameters, since this increases the chances of a good print quality.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the database and the control means are connected or at least connectable to each other, optionally wirelessly, for instance via a computer network, such as for instance the Internet.
- In practical manner there is a connection between the database and the control means. This connection preferably takes place via a computer network. This has the advantage that the data as collected on the basis of a plurality of calenders according to the invention can be collected in one database. Because this one database contains all data relating to the operation of a plurality of calenders, even more data are available, which can result in a more reliable operation of the calender with a view to a good quality. Central processing of these data in one database moreover has the advantage that these data can be secured more easily and thereby more cheaply. Wireless connections are preferred here because they are very flexible and have sufficient bandwidth for the amount of data to be transferred.
- It is possible for a connection between the database and the device to drop out at least temporarily. It can be advantageous for the control means to be configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of average values, more particularly on the basis of average values for a determined fed-through material, as soon as this happens.
- The temperature sensor can be any suitable sensor.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the at least one first temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple arranged against the outer periphery of the roller.
- By arranging a thermocouple against the outer periphery of the roller a very direct measurement of the outer periphery temperature is achieved, which increases the chances of a reliable operation of the calender in respect of the quality of a calendering process. This thermocouple can be arranged against the outer surface at any suitable position. The thermocouple is preferably disposed against the outer surface at a location such that it is disposed at a position where the fed-through material diverges from the roller, i.e. at a position where the material is not in direct contact with the roller but is guided away. The thermocouple hereby does not influence the calendering process.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the at least one first temperature sensor comprises an infrared sensor arranged at a distance from the roller.
- It is possible by means of an infrared sensor to measure the outer periphery temperature at a distance, without the need for substantial modifications to the calender itself. This makes this embodiment of the calender simpler in terms of construction. An advantage hereof is that the sensor cannot influence the process itself. This infrared sensor can alternatively or additionally be provided on a thermocouple. The infrared sensor can particularly be used with a roller with a teflon coating.
- In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the device comprises a plurality of temperature sensors which are disposed distributed over the width of the roller for the purpose of measuring the temperature of an outer periphery of the roller distributed over the width of the roller.
- When a plurality of first temperature sensors is thus provided, the reliability of the measurement is increased. It is possible here that when the calender is controlled on the basis of these multiple temperature sensors, each of these sensors is considered independently, or that an optionally weighted average of these measurements is used as starting point. In both cases it is possible for the database to store the data of the plurality of first temperature sensors independently of each other. Defects in a temperature sensor can hereby for instance be detected. Such defects can for instance be caused by dust, and occur particularly in the described temperature sensors which are embodied as thermocouple. When temperature sensors embodied as thermocouple are used, there is therefore preferably at least one further temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple or another type of temperature sensor. If a sensor is deemed defective, it is thus possible not to include the measurements of this sensor in the control of the calender, at least until it is replaced. In such a case it is for instance possible to temporarily control on the basis of historical data from the sensor in question, or it is possible to control only on the basis of the other sensors. The first temperature sensors can here be embodied wholly or partially as in the above described embodiments, or can take a different form.
- This advantage is here described particularly with reference to the outer periphery temperature and therefore the first temperature sensor, however, the same effect is also to be expected in the case that use is made of a plurality of second temperature sensors for the purpose of measuring the fluid temperature distributed over the width of the roller.
- It is noted that it is possible using the plurality of temperature sensors to determine whether there are any differences in temperature over the width of the roller, which can cause variations in the process.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device further comprises flow influencing means for initiating and/or influencing a flow of the fluid in the internal space, wherein the or optionally provided further control means are configured to control the flow influencing means and thereby the flow of the fluid in the internal space in freely settable manner.
- In this embodiment flow influencing means are provided which make it possible to initiate a flow of the fluid in the internal space or, to the extent that there already is such a flow, influence it. The provision is also made that the or optional further control means are configured to control the flow influencing means and thereby the flow of the fluid in the internal space, wherein the control means are configured to control the flow influencing means in freely settable manner. The control means can be the same control means as those which control the heating means, or further control means which are additionally provided. For the sake of simplicity, reference will be made below of "the control means" for controlling of the flow influencing means and/or heating means, which can thus be understood to mean both the same control means and different control means. It is noted that, if desired, "the control means" could alternatively be referred to as "the optional further control means".
- It has been found by applicant that there can be a relatively great difference between a temperature of the fluid and an (outer periphery) temperature of the roller. Such a temperature difference can for instance lie between 10°C and 30°C, depending on the type of calender used. It has further been found by applicant that a heat transfer between the fluid and the roller can be influenced by influencing the flow of the fluid in the internal space, whereby the temperature difference between the fluid and the roller can be influenced. The heat transfer between the fluid and the roller can for instance be increased, whereby the difference in temperature between the fluid and the roller can be reduced. The heat transfer between the fluid and the roller can for instance be reduced, whereby the difference in temperature between the fluid and the roller can be increased. It has been found by applicant that by also aiming for a flow of the fluid in addition to controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time, a good and/or accurate calendering process can be provided.
- It has further been found by applicant that, particularly in the case of an oil-filled roller, influencing the flow of the fluid with the flow influencing means can take place more quickly than influencing a temperature of the fluid with the heating means. According to the invention, an (outer periphery) temperature of the roller can therefore be adjusted relatively quickly, at least in the case of oil-filled rollers, by adjusting the flow of the fluid. Because the (outer periphery) temperature of the roller can be adjusted relatively quickly according to the invention, variations in the print on the substrate can be reduced or preferably even prevented.
- It has further been found by applicant that, particularly in the case of an air-filled roller, a more homogenous heating with air can take place by using the flow influencing means.
- It is noted that the degree of heat transfer from the fluid to the roller can for instance be determined by temperature differences in the fluid, such as gradients in the fluid. When the temperature differences in the fluid are small, particularly in the case of a small temperature gradient in the direction of the roller, a heat transfer from the fluid to the roller can be relatively great. When the temperature differences in the fluid are great, particularly in the case of a large temperature gradient in the direction of the roller, a heat transfer from the fluid to the roller can be relatively small. By adjusting the flow of the fluid temperature differences in the fluid, particularly a temperature gradient in the direction of the roller, can be adjusted, particularly increased or reduced, and with this the heat transfer to the roller.
- It is further noted that freely settable can at least be understood to mean that the setting of the flow influencing means is independent or separate from the setting of another component, such as for instance the roller, more particularly the rotation of the roller. Freely settable can alternatively or additionally be understood to mean that the flow influencing means can be set not just to two values, such as on or off, but to at least a plurality of values. The setting can take place in stepped manner or continuously.
- It is further noted that the flow influencing means are preferably provided in addition to and/or separately of the roller so that they are freely settable at least relative to the roller.
- As elucidate above, the control means can preferably be configured to set the flow influencing means on the basis of a desired heat transfer between the fluid and the roller. This can be achieved in diverse ways, alone or in any random combination. These ways will be elucidated below on the basis of different embodiments of the device according to the invention.
- In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the control means are configured to control the flow influencing means such that a flow speed of the fluid can be set.
- The speed of the flow can at least partially determine the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller. Because the control means can in this embodiment control the flow influencing means such that this speed can be adjusted, the option exists of adjusting the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller.
- Setting can here be understood to mean at least that the flow speed of the fluid can be adjusted or varied.
- The flow speed of the fluid can particularly be set between 0, i.e. stationary, and Vmax, wherein Vmax can for instance lie between 3 and 15 m/s. The higher the speed, the higher a heat transfer to the roller can be and/or the more homogenous the temperature of the fluid can be.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the control means are configured to control the flow influencing means such that a direction of the flow of the fluid is substantially opposite to a rotation direction of the roller.
- A flow of the fluid in a direction substantially opposite to the rotation direction of the roller provides a relatively high heat transfer between the fluid and the roller, i.e. a relatively small temperature difference between the fluid and the (outer periphery of the) roller. By setting the direction of the flow as being opposite to the rotation direction of the roller, the heat transfer between the fluid and the roller, among other things, can be set hereby. The opposite direction can here particularly be a tangential direction.
- It is noted that setting of the direction of the flow can be achieved in different ways. Several practical embodiments will be elucidated below on the basis of exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention.
- The flow speed of the fluid can here be higher than, lower than or equal to the rotation speed of the roller, wherein the absolute value of the flow speed must be considered. If a higher heat transfer between the fluid and the roller is desired and the flow influencing means are set to make the fluid flow in the opposite direction, a fluid speed which is higher relative to the rotation speed of the roller can preferably be opted for here.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the control means are configured to control the flow influencing means such that the flow regime of the fluid can vary between turbulent and laminar.
- A turbulent flow of the fluid can provide a higher heat transfer between the fluid and the roller relative to a laminar flow. Depending on a desired degree of heat transfer between the fluid and the roller, the flow influencing means can be set such that the flow is turbulent or laminar.
- As known to the skilled person, the transition from turbulent to laminar is determined on the basis of the Reynolds number Re and the geometry of the internal space.
- Varying is here understood to mean that the flow regime in the fluid can be both turbulent and laminar, and generally does not mean that it switches continuously between the two.
- The flow influencing means can be embodied in diverse ways.
- The flow influencing means for instance comprise a rotatable rotor with a number of blades which is optionally disposed in the roller.
- A rotor rotates about its rotation axis and has a relatively simple construction and/or is relatively inexpensive, and can influence or at least initiate the flow in the fluid in simple manner. The rotor can thus be rotatably driven at a desired rotation speed so as to set a flow speed of the fluid and/or the rotor can be rotatably driven in a direction opposite to the rotor so as to make a flow direction of the fluid opposite to the rotation direction of the roller.
- The rotor is preferably disposed in the roller, more particularly in the internal space in the roller, because influencing of the flow can thereby be performed well and/or relatively quickly. The placement of the flow influencing means in the internal space can moreover mean that less fluid is necessary to completely fill the internal space, whereby a maximum power of the heating means can be lower and/or the heating means will be able to achieve a heating of the fluid to a determined temperature more quickly.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention device comprises first drive means for rotatably driving the roller and second drive means for rotatably driving the rotor, and the control means are configured to control the first and second drive means separately of each other.
- It is advantageous for first drive means for the roller to be provided, which are separate or disconnected from second drive means for the rotor. This makes it possible to set each of the roller and the rotor to its own rotation speed (with a determined rotation direction), independent of the other of the roller and the rotor, which can be deemed favourable subject to the process conditions in a calendering process. The control of the first drive means runs via said one or more control means or via optionally further provided control means.
- It is particularly advantageous here for the control means to be configured to control the first and second drive means such that the rotor rotates in a direction opposite to the roller and/or rotates at a relatively high speed when the outer periphery temperature of the roller is lower than a desired temperature of the outer periphery of the roller.
- In combination therewith or as an alternative thereto, it is preferred that the control means are configured during the start-up phase and/or shutdown phase of a calendering process to control the first and second drive means such that the rotor is rotated in a direction opposite to the roller. During both starting up and shutting down of a calendering process, such as a transfer and/or fixation process, this has the result that the outer periphery of the roller is brought to temperature relatively quickly (start-up phase) or that the heating means can be switched off or can be set to a lower power sooner (shutdown phase).
- The rotor can preferably be driven by the second drive means between a minimum rotation speed equal to 0 revolutions/s and a maximum rotation speed Vrotor, max, which maximum rotation speed can depend, among other factors, on the fluid and/or a diameter of the rotor, and which amounts to for
instance 2 revolutions/s, wherein Vrotor, max is opposite to the rotation direction of the roller. - In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the rotor comprises a cylindrical body disposed in the internal space of the roller, wherein the fluid is situated between the rotor and the roller, at least during use of the calender, wherein the blades extend outward from the cylindrical body, substantially in the direction of the roller.
- Such a rotor can be suitable for appropriately influencing the flow of the fluid.
- When the rotor is embodied in this way, the volume that is filled with fluid is reduced to an annular space between the cylindrical rotor and the peripheral wall of the roller, whereby relatively little fluid is necessary in comparison.
- The body can here be completely solid but also hollow, wherein a hollow mass has the advantage that this reduces the mass of the rotor, whereby it can be rotated more easily and whereby the total mass of the device is also smaller.
- It has been found by applicant that the rotation speed of the roller and the rotation speed of the rotor can be related. It can therefore be advantageous for the flow influencing means to also be controlled on the basis of a number of revolutions of the roller. The number of revolutions of the rotor can thus for instance also be reduced when a number of revolutions of the roller is reduced, and vice versa.
- In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the flow influencing means comprise at least one fluid conduit extending into the internal space and having at least one opening for the purpose of supplying fluid from the at least one fluid conduit via the at least one opening to the internal space of the roller, and comprising at least one fluid discharge for discharging fluid from the internal space.
- By providing the fluid conduit fluid can be supplied to the internal space and discharged again via the discharge. Giving the fluid conduit and/or the opening a suitable form and/or selecting a suitable pressure and/or speed of the fluid inflow enables the flow of the fluid to be influenced in desired manner.
- It is thus for instance possible to set the inflow direction of the fluid into the internal space, and thereby set a flow direction of the fluid in the internal space, by suitable selection of the at least one opening and/or by providing orienting means, such as flaps or the like, which co-act with the opening. The opening can thus be formed as a tangential opening which supplies the fluid in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the roller, or orienting means such as a flap can be provided which orient the flow of the fluid in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the roller when flowing out through the opening. By selecting a speed and/or pressure at which the fluid is supplied, a speed of the fluid flow can be set.
- The at least one fluid conduit and the at least one fluid discharge can be connected to each other, optionally outside the roller, in order to feed fluid discharged via the fluid discharge from the roller back to the roller via the at least one fluid conduit.
- At least one pump can be provided for the purpose of extracting fluid via the fluid discharge and/or for the purpose of supplying fluid via the at least one fluid conduit and the at least one opening to the internal space of the roller.
- The at least one fluid conduit preferably extends over the whole width of the roller.
- The at least one fluid conduit preferably comprises a plurality of openings which are preferably disposed distributed with equal mutual pitch distance over the width of the fluid conduit.
- The at least one fluid discharge is preferably embodied as a fluid discharge conduit extending into the internal space and having at least one opening.
- The at least one fluid discharge conduit preferably extends over the whole width of the roller.
- The at least one fluid discharge conduit preferably comprises a plurality of openings which are preferably disposed distributed with equal mutual pitch distance over the width of the fluid conduit.
- The openings of the fluid conduit and the fluid discharge conduit can be disposed at the same or different width positions.
- Two fluid conduits and two fluid discharge conduits are preferably provided, with an angular distance of 180° between the two fluid conduits and between the two fluid discharge conduits, and with an angular distance of 90° between a fluid conduit and an adjacent fluid discharge conduit.
- The invention further relates to a set with a plurality of calenders according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the control means of at least one of the calenders are configured to control the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time of that one calender on the basis of optionally periodically registered data of calendering processes performed with the calenders of the set.
- It will generally be apparent to the skilled person that the advantages and/or elucidations described on the basis of the device likewise apply to the set according to the invention.
- It is advantageous here for optionally periodically registered data of calendering processes performed with a plurality of calenders of a set to be used in order to control the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time of a calender of the set. When a large number of calenders is used to collect data relating to the progression of the performed calendering processes, these data can serve as a basis for subsequent processes in order to increase the chances of a good quality of the print. This is because calendering processes are readily predictable the more parameters are known and/or are controlled. Periodically registering the data increases the amount of available data and enables a more accurate control.
- The invention further relates to a method for controlling a calender according to any one of the claims 1-8, which method comprises the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order, of
- a) measuring the outer periphery temperature of the roller;
- b) controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time by means of the one or more control means on the basis of the outer periphery temperature measured in step a);
- d) measuring the fluid temperature, wherein in step b) the control means also control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the fluid temperature measured in step d).
- It will generally be apparent to the skilled person that the advantages and/or elucidations described on the basis of the device likewise apply to the method according to the invention.
- Steps a) and b) are preferably performed regularly and preferably substantially continuously in order to thus keep adjusting the process continuously for the purpose of achieving a good calendering result.
- As described, the fluid temperature can also be measured in addition to the outer periphery temperature in order to thus control the outer periphery temperature.
- If desired, step d) can be performed regularly or substantially continuously.
- The method can further comprise the step of
- c) setting or determining a target temperature for the outer periphery of the roller;
- wherein in step b) the one or more control means control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time for the purpose of heating the outer periphery of the roller and/or keeping the roller at the target temperature up to at least roughly the desired target temperature.
- Step c) can be performed by an operator who sets the control means in a desired manner, for instance via an interface. Step c) is alternatively or additionally performed by determining a desired setting by means of for instance the control means, for instance on the basis of data contained in the optionally provided database.
- If desired, step c) can be repeated more often, for instance because the target temperature can change during the process.
- Steps a) and b) are preferably performed regularly and preferably substantially continuously so that the control means are regularly and preferably substantially continuously controlled on the basis of the measured temperature in order to thus approach the target temperature as closely as possible and/or maintain it.
- It is possible that during heating, heating takes place to roughly the desired target temperature. This means that a determined variation between the measured outer periphery temperature and the target temperature is disregarded or is permitted. This variation is preferably a maximum of 5°C, more preferably a maximum of 2°C, more preferably a maximum of 1°C.
- When a calender according to at
least claim 2 is controlled in an embodiment of the method, the control means can also control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in step b) on the basis of at least one of the data stored in the database. - As already described above in relation to the calender according to the invention, it is preferred in methods to have the control take place on the basis of at least one of the data stored in the database as described, since this makes the process more predictable and/or accurate.
- It must furthermore be noted that it is here also possible to provide a method according to this embodiment, without this necessarily having the limitations of the embodiments on which it is currently dependent, especially not the steps a), b) and c). In this alternative method the other embodiments can be considered for the same reasons.
- In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, wherein a calender according to at
least claim 3 is controlled, the method comprises step e) of determining by means of the control means and on the basis of at least periodically measured outer periphery temperatures and periodically measured fluid temperatures of a plurality of prior calendering processes and on the basis of at least the at least one property of the same material how the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time must be set in order to obtain a desired outer periphery temperature in the current calendering process, and of controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in the determined manner. - As already described above in relation to the calender according to the invention, it is preferred in methods to have the control take place on the basis of the outer periphery temperatures and fluid temperatures as well as the properties of the material, because these are highly determining parameters for the quality of calendering processes as performed with the calender according to the invention.
- In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, wherein a calender according to at
least claim 8 is controlled, the method further comprises the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order, of - f) setting or determining a setting of the flow influencing means;
- g) controlling the flow influencing means, and thereby the flow of the fluid in the internal space, by means of the control means so as to achieve the setting set or determined in step f).
- As already stated above, it is preferred to use the control means in the calender according to the invention for the purpose of controlling both the flow influencing means and the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time, since this results in a better process control.
- Step f) can be performed by an operator who sets the control means in a desired manner, for instance via an interface. Step a) is preferably performed by determining a desired setting by means of for instance the control means, for instance on the basis of a desired heat transfer between the fluid and the roller, as elucidated above.
- The method can comprise a step of controlling the flow influencing means such that a flow speed of the fluid is set.
- The method can comprise a step of controlling the flow influencing means such that a flow direction of the fluid is set, wherein the direction is substantially opposite to a rotation direction of the roller.
- The method can comprise a step of controlling the flow influencing means such that a flow regime of the fluid is varied between turbulent and laminar.
- During a start-up phase and/or shutdown phase of a calendering process the flow influencing means can be controlled by the control means such that the direction of the flow of the fluid is opposite to the rotation direction of the roller and/or the flow regime is turbulent.
- In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention at least steps a) and b) are performed iteratively.
- Iteratively performing, i.e. repeating, the steps has the result that the process is monitored more closely, which increases the reliability of the control by the control means. This reduces thereby the chance of variations in a calendering process.
- Since the method here also comprises the step d), this is likewise preferably iteratively performed for the same reasons.
- The invention further relates to a set with a plurality of calenders according to one or more of the above described embodiments or with one or more of the above described features, wherein the control means of at least one of the calenders are configured to control the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time of that one calender on the basis of optionally periodically registered data of calendering processes performed with the calenders of the set.
- It will generally be apparent to the skilled person that the advantages and/or elucidations described on the basis of the invention likewise apply to the set according to the invention.
- It is advantageous here for optionally periodically registered data of calendering processes performed with a plurality of calenders of a set to be used in order to control the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time of a calender of the set. When a large number of calenders is used to collect data relating to the progression of the performed calendering processes, these data can serve as a basis for subsequent processes in order to increase the chances of a good quality of the print. This is because, as an increasing number of parameters are known and/or are controlled, calendering processes are readily predictable. Periodically registering the data increases the amount of available data and enables a more accurate control.
- Said one calender is preferably a calender of the set other than the calender of which the data are registered. In this way the progression of the process in one or more other calenders can be used to efficiently control this one calender.
- The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
-
Figures 1A and 1B show schematically a calender according to a first embodiment of the invention, whereinfigure 1A shows a vertical longitudinal section along the width of the calender andfigure 1B shows a cross-section of the calender; -
Figures 2A and 2B show schematically a calender according to a second embodiment of the invention, whereinfigure 2A shows a vertical longitudinal section along the width of the calender andfigure 2B shows a cross-section of the calender; -
Figure 3 show schematically the steps of a method according to a first embodiment of the invention. - The same elements are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals, increased by 100 for the second embodiment.
-
Figures 1A and 1B show a calender 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Calender 1 can be used for calendering processes, such as for instance transfer and/or fixation processes or laminating processes. Calender 1 comprises arotatable roller 2, which roller is hollow and thereby defines aninternal space 3 which in this case is filled with oil.Internal space 3 connects via aconduit 5 to an expansion tank 4 for the oil. Calender 1 comprises adrive shaft 6 for rotating driving ofroller 2. Calender 1 further comprises abelt 7 co-acting withroller 2, whichbelt 7 is disposed viaguide rollers 8 round a part of the periphery ofroller 2, seefigure 1B . For the sake ofsimplicity belt 7 is not shown infigure 1A . As is visible infigure 1B , amaterial 9 can be fed through betweenroller 2 andbelt 7 for a determined contact time during a calendering process, wherein the contact time can particularly be the amount of time during which thematerial 9 is in direct or indirect contact withroller 2. The contact time can for instance depend on a rotation speed ofroller 2. Disposed in this case in theinternal space 3 ofroller 2 are a plurality ofheating elements 10, which heat the oil. Because the oil is heated, the oil can heatroller 2. A calendering process can particularly be controlled on the basis of at least one of the following three parameters, i.e. the degree of heating, which can for instance be set by setting a power ofheating elements 10, a belt pressure, which can for instance be set by tighteningbelt 7 or arranging it more loosely, for instance usingguide rollers 8, and the contact time, which can for instance be set by selecting a suitable rotation speed, i.e. number of revolutions, ofroller 2. Calender 1 comprises for this purpose one or more control means, for instance in the form of a processor (not shown). - Several aspects of the invention will be elaborated further hereinbelow. The aspects can be provided alone or in combination. The elements of calender 1 further described in the context of the aspects can each be provided alone or in combination.
- According to an aspect of the invention, calender 1 comprises in this first exemplary embodiment flow influencing means for initiating and/or influencing a flow of the oil in
internal space 3. In this case the flow influencing means comprise arotor 20 which is disposed inroller 2 and is rotatably drivable by adrive shaft 21. In thisexample rotor 20 comprises a plurality ofblades 22, using which the oil can be set into motion. In thisexample rotor 20 comprises a cylindrical body, wherein theblades 22 extend outward from the cylindrical body, substantially in the direction ofroller 2. The oil is situated betweenrotor 20 androller 2. Thedrive shaft 6 for rotating driving ofroller 2 and thedrive shaft 21 for rotating driving ofrotor 20 are configured to driveroller 2 androtor 20 separately of each other.Rotor 20 can particularly be driven in arotation direction 23, whichrotation direction 23 is opposite to arotation direction 24 ofroller 2, seefigure 1B . The flow direction of the oil can hereby be set to a direction opposite toroller 2. The rotation speed ofrotor 20 can be set between 0 revolutions/s, i.e. the rotor does not rotate, and a maximum rotation speed Vrotor, max, for instance expressed in revolutions/s or revolutions/min. A flow speed of the oil can hereby be set, particularly between a substantially stationary flow and a maximum flow speed Vmax. By selecting a suitable rotation speed forrotor 20 the flow of the oil can be laminar, i.e. for 0 ≤ Vrotor ≤ Vrotor, laminar, or turbulent, i.e. for Vrotor, laminar < Vrotor ≤ Vrotor, max. By selecting a suitable speed of the oil and/or the flow regime of the oil a heat transfer from the oil toroller 2 can be set, and particularly reduced or increased. The rotor can be controlled by the stated or further control means. - According to another aspect of the invention, in this first exemplary embodiment calender 1 comprises at least one
temperature sensor 30 for measuring the temperature of an outer periphery ofroller 2.Temperature sensor 30 is disposed in an area ofroller 2 where thematerial 9 will come into contact with the roller, but at a position wherematerial 9 is guided away fromroller 2, seefigure 1B .Temperature sensor 30 hereby measures the outer periphery temperature at a location relevant to the process, but without influencing the calendering process.Figures 1A and 1B show onefirst temperature sensor 30 but, if desired, a plurality offirst temperature sensors 30 can be provided, these being disposed distributed over the width b ofroller 2 for the purpose of measuring the temperature of an outer periphery ofroller 2 distributed over the width b ofroller 2.First temperature sensor 30 is shown schematically infigures 1A and 1B as being arranged on the outer periphery ofroller 2. Such asensor 30 can for instance comprise a thermocouple. Alternatively, it is also possible to dispose the sensor at a distance fromroller 2, for instance by using an infrared sensor. In this first embodiment of calender 1 the calender further comprises asecond temperature sensor 31 for measuring the temperature of the oil. If desired, a plurality ofsecond temperature sensors 31 can be provided, these being disposed distributed over thewidth b roller 2 for the purpose of measuring the oil temperature distributed over the width b ofroller 2. Such asensor 31 can for instance comprise a thermocouple. Said control means can be configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the measured outer periphery temperature and optionally the measured oil temperature. - According to another aspect of the invention, calender 1 or a system of which the calender forms part comprises a
database 40 which is wirelessly connected to calender 1 in this example. Data can be stored indatabase 40, wherein said control means can further be configured to control therotor 20 and/or theheating elements 10 and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of at least one of the data contained indatabase 40. At least one of the following data can for instance, though not exclusively, be stored, optionally periodically, in database 40: - the measured outer periphery temperature of
roller 2; - the measured fluid temperature;
- the contact time;
- the belt pressure;
- a power of
heating elements 10; - number of revolutions of
roller 2 since the start of a calendering process; - at least one property of the at least one
material 9 being fed through calender 1; - at least one property of a transfer paper optionally being fed through the calender;
- an ambient temperature;
- an air humidity;
- which calender is used;
- a power of drive means of the calender;
- at least one property of the
belt 7 of the calender. - If desired,
database 40 can also store data of other calenders 1. In this way the calender can be controlled even more accurately. -
Figures 2A and 2B show acalender 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Only the differences with the calender 1 according to the first embodiment offigures 1A and 1B will be described here. For a further description ofcalender 101 reference is made to the figure description associated withfigures 1A and 1B . -
Calender 101 comprises arotatable roller 102, which roller is hollow and thereby defines aninternal space 103, which in this case is filled with air. In thisembodiment roller 102 forms a closed system for the air. Disposed in this case in theinternal space 103 ofroller 102 are a plurality ofheating elements 110 which both heat the air and also directly heatroller 102 by means of radiation. - In this second embodiment the flow influencing means for influencing the flow of, in this case, the air comprise two
air conduits 125 with a number ofopenings 128 via which air can flow into theinternal space 103 ofroller 102.Openings 128 are formed and/or provided with orienting means such that the air flows intospace 103 in a direction 123 which is opposite to therotation direction 124 ofroller 102.Air conduits 125 extend throughroller 102 and are connected via an outer side ofroller 102 to, in this case, twoair discharge conduits 126.Air discharge conduits 126 compriseopenings 129 for drawing in air. The air extracted via theair discharge conduits 126 can be supplied toroller 102 again viaair conduits 125. Apump 127 is provided for the purpose of extracting and blowing in the air. Pump 127 can be set between a minimum power of 0, wherein no extraction and blowing in of the air takes place and wherein the air is substantially still, and a maximum power Vpump, max whereby a maximum flow speed of the air is brought about. By selecting a suitable power forpump 127 the flow of the air can be laminar, i.e. for 0 ≤ Vpump ≤ Vpump, laminar, or turbulent, i.e. for Vpump, laminar < Vpump ≤ Vpump, max. By selecting a suitable speed of the air and/or the flow regime of the air a heat transfer from the air toroller 102 can be set, and particularly reduced or increased. Thepump 127 can be controlled by the stated or further control means. - Said
temperature sensors 130 and/or 131 can if desired also be provided in this second embodiment. - Said
database 140 can if desired also be provided in this second embodiment. -
Figure 3 shows the steps of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention. -
Step 50 comprises of setting or determining a setting of the flow influencing means.Step 51 comprises of measuring the outer periphery temperature of the roller.Step 52 comprises of measuring the fluid temperature.Step 53 comprises of setting or determining a target temperature for the outer periphery of the roller.Step 54 comprises of making data from a stated or other database available.Step 55 comprises of controlling the flow influencing means and/or the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time for the purpose of controlling a calendering process on the basis of at least one of the settings of the flow influencing means set or determined instep 50, outer periphery temperature measured instep 51, fluid temperature measured instep 52, target temperature set or determined instep 53, and data from the database made available instep 54. - Although the invention is elucidated above on the basis of a number of specific examples and embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention is defined by the subject matter defined by the following claims.
Claims (15)
- Calendar (1), comprising:- a rotatable roller (2), ve4erwhich roller is hollow and thereby defines an internal space (3) which can be filled at least partially or is filled at least partially with a heatable fluid, such as oil or air;- a belt (7), co-acting with the roller, with a determined belt pressure, wherein at least one material for feeding through the calender is situated between the roller and the belt for a determined contact time during throughfeed through the calender;- heating means (10) for heating the fluid and/or the roller, which heating means are optionally disposed in the internal space;- one or more control means for controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time,- at least one first temperature sensor (30) for measuring the temperature of an outer periphery of the roller the calender being characterized by at least one second temperature sensor (31) for measuring the temperature of the fluid, and in that the one or more control means are configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the measured outer periphery temperature and the measured fluid temperature.
- Calender according to claim 1, comprising a database in which at least one of the following data is stored, optionally periodically:- the measured outer periphery temperature of the roller;- a or the measured fluid temperature;- the contact time;- the belt pressure;- a power of the heating means;- number of revolutions of the roller since the start of a calendering process;- at least one property of the at least one material being fed through the calender;- at least one property of a transfer paper optionally being fed through the calender;- an ambient temperature;- an air humidity;- which calender is used;- a power of drive means of the calender;- at least one property of a belt of the calender,and wherein the control means are further configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of at least one of the data contained in the database.
- Calender according to claim 2, wherein the control means are configured to determine on the basis of at least periodically measured outer periphery temperatures and periodically measured fluid temperatures of a plurality of prior calendering processes and on the basis of at least the at least one property of the same material how the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time must be set in order to obtain a desired outer periphery temperature in the current calendering process, and to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in the determined manner.
- Calender according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the database and the control means are connected or at least connectable to each other, optionally wirelessly, for instance via a computer network, such as for instance the Internet.
- Calender according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one first temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple arranged against the outer periphery of the roller.
- Calender according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one first temperature sensor comprises an infrared sensor arranged at a distance from the roller.
- Calender according to any one of the foregoing claims, comprising a plurality of first temperature sensors which are disposed distributed over the width of the roller for the purpose of measuring the temperature of an outer periphery of the roller distributed over the width of the roller.
- Calender according to any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising flow influencing means for initiating and/or influencing a flow of the fluid in the internal space, wherein the or optionally provided further control means are configured to control the flow influencing means and thereby the flow of the fluid in the internal space in freely settable manner.
- Method for controlling a calender according to any one of the claims 1-8, which method comprises the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order, of:a) measuring the outer periphery temperature of the roller;b) controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time by means of the one or more control means on the basis of the outer periphery temperature measured in step a);d) measuring the fluid temperature, wherein in step b) the control means also control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of the fluid temperature measured in step d).
- Method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:c) setting or determining a target temperature for the outer periphery of the roller;wherein in step b) the one or more control means control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time for the purpose of heating the outer periphery of the roller and/or keeping the roller at the target temperature up to at least roughly the desired target temperature.
- Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a calender according to at least claim 2 is controlled, wherein in step b) the control means can also control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time on the basis of at least one of the data stored in the database.
- Method according to claim 11, wherein a calender according to at least claim 3 is controlled, comprising the step e) of determining by means of the control means and on the basis of at least periodically measured outer periphery temperatures and periodically measured fluid temperatures of a plurality of prior calendering processes and on the basis of at least the at least one property of the same material how the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time must be set in order to obtain a desired outer periphery temperature in the current calendering process, and of controlling the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time in the determined manner.
- Method according to any one of the claims 9-12, wherein a calender according to at least claim 8 is controlled, which method further comprises the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order, off) setting or determining a setting of the flow influencing means;g) controlling the flow influencing means, and thereby the flow of the fluid in the internal space, by means of the control means so as to achieve the setting set or determined in step f).
- Method according to any one of the claims 10-13, wherein at least steps a) and b) are performed iteratively.
- Set with a plurality of calenders according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-8, wherein the control means of at least one of the calenders are configured to control the heating means and/or the belt pressure and/or the contact time of that one calender on the basis of optionally periodically registered data of calendering processes performed with the calenders of the set.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2023855A NL2023855B1 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2019-09-19 | CALANDER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SUCH CALANDER |
PCT/NL2020/050580 WO2021054831A1 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2020-09-21 | Calender and method for controlling such a calender |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4031707A1 EP4031707A1 (en) | 2022-07-27 |
EP4031707B1 true EP4031707B1 (en) | 2023-11-01 |
Family
ID=68582301
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20780369.3A Active EP4031707B1 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2020-09-21 | Calender and method for controlling such a calender |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220372704A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4031707B1 (en) |
NL (1) | NL2023855B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021054831A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1996035839A1 (en) * | 1995-05-09 | 1996-11-14 | Eduard Küsters Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG | Heatable roller |
FI20020159A (en) * | 2002-01-29 | 2003-07-30 | Metso Paper Inc | Surface shaping apparatus and method using the apparatus for finishing coated or uncoated fibrous web |
JP6707842B2 (en) * | 2015-01-13 | 2020-06-10 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Sheet manufacturing apparatus and sheet manufacturing method |
JP7006293B2 (en) * | 2018-01-18 | 2022-01-24 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Fiber processing equipment |
WO2023212498A1 (en) * | 2022-04-29 | 2023-11-02 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Method for applying coating chemicals to yankee dryers for tissue and towel production |
-
2019
- 2019-09-19 NL NL2023855A patent/NL2023855B1/en active
-
2020
- 2020-09-21 US US17/761,627 patent/US20220372704A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2020-09-21 EP EP20780369.3A patent/EP4031707B1/en active Active
- 2020-09-21 WO PCT/NL2020/050580 patent/WO2021054831A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2021054831A1 (en) | 2021-03-25 |
US20220372704A1 (en) | 2022-11-24 |
NL2023855B1 (en) | 2021-04-13 |
EP4031707A1 (en) | 2022-07-27 |
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