GB2298637A

GB2298637A - Positioning winding cores

Info

Publication number: GB2298637A
Application number: GB9600513A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dick Heinz-Hermann
Original assignee: Kampf GmbH and Co Maschinenfabrik
Current assignee: Kampf GmbH and Co Maschinenfabrik
Priority date: 1995-03-08
Filing date: 1996-01-11
Publication date: 1996-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-11
Also published as: DE19508207A1; ITMI960041A1; IT1281735B1; DE19508207C2; GB9600513D0; ITMI960041A0; GB2298637B

Description

TITLE WindinR Machine 2298637 This invention relates to a reel cutting and

winding machine having individual winding stations for each cut web of material and with tension elements, each station receiving one winding core tube and mounted on winding arms associated with the individual winding stations. A device is also provided for introducing the winding cores with at least one winding core gripper movable between and winding core receiving position and a winding core delivery position.

In known apparatus, for example DE 29 48 877 and 36 29 024, for introducing winding cores into winding machines the winding core gripper takes the form of a clamp which is movable over an arc and of which the clamping jaws are movable and operable by means of hydraulic or pneumatic driving devices. In the opening and closing operations the clamping jaws perform a circular movement. In publication DE 36 29 024 the clamping jaws of one embodiment are coupled together by a system of teeth in order to ensure that the two jaws will move synchronously. Despite this coupled synchronism the clamping of winding cores of different diameter 0 involves offsetting the median axis of the winding core. Unless special readjustment or regulating measures are taken this seriously impedes the transfer of winding cores from the winding core gripper to the individual winding stations.

one object of this invention is to provide a reel cutting and winding machine in which, without readjustment, a satisfactory transfer of winding cores of different diameter can be effected from the winding core gripper to the individual winding arm stations.

According to this invention there is provided a reel winding machine having at least one winding station for a web of material, each station receiving a winding core mounted between winding arms and including a device for loading the winding core having a winding core gripper movable between a winding core receiving position and a winding core delivery position, the winding core gripper including clamping jaws movable in a symmetrical and linear manner with respect to the winding cores, the median axis of each clamped winding core being coincident regardless of the diameter of the core.

In a further alternative aspect this invention comprises a device for loading a winding core between the winding arms of a reel winding machine, said device having a winding core gripper movable between a winding 0 core receiving position and a winding core delivery position, the winding core gripper including clamping jaws movable in a symmetrical and linear manner with respect to the winding cores, the median axis of each clamped winding core being coincident regardless of the diameter of the core.

By the symmetrical linear separation of the clamping system or clamping jaws a winding core of any desired external and internal diameter can be accommodated. The system at the same time ensures that regardless of the diameter of the particular winding cores the median axis is retained coincident. This is particularly important for the transfer of the winding cores to the individual winding stations, as the point of the transfer of the core to the station is situated at the intersection of two circular movements, being that of the winding station itself and that of the winding core tube gripper, which may, for example be pivotably mounted by means of an arm. The circular movements, possibly limited by mechanical stop devices, make the use of winding cores of different diameter possible without readjustment, as the median axis always remains at the same place, that is at the point of intersection of the two circular paths.

It is preferred for the purpose of this invention, that the automatic symmetrical separation of the clamping 0 jaws is effected by an actuating mechanism provided in a central position between the gripper elements of the winding core gripper and preferably comprising a central gear wheel with toothed racks interacting therewith and situated on diametrically opposite sides thereof, one of these racks being affixed to one clamping jaw while the other is affixed to the other clamping jaw.

Advantageously each clamping jaw is formed by two plates interconnected by spacers, each jaw being connected with a baseplate.

Preferably between the toothed racks a bar is secured to each baseplate and serves to accommodate guide elements, preferably of the roller bearing type, which each bear against a fixed associated guide bar of substantially U-shaped cross section.

Springs for returning the clamping jaws to their initial closed position may suitably comprise for example, endless spiral spring loops located around pins mounted on the clamping jaws. Centrally positioned circular or coil springs such as spiral springs or springs with legs are likewise suitable.

The complete gripper mechanism, including the actuating mechanism of the winding core insertion device may comprise an easily interchangeable modular constructional unit. This offers the advantage that in 0 the event of winding cores deviating in size to a large extent use can be made of clamping devices constructed accordingly.

To ensure that the winding core is always inserted in the same position in the winding core insertion device the invention provides for an optional alignment device interacting with the winding core insertion device in the winding core receiving position and having, for example, a limit stop associated with each winding core gripped in the clamping jaws. In the case of a number of adjacent spaced winding stations with the corresponding number of winding core insertion devices the alignment device takes the form of a comb structure on a common supporting beam with a number of limit stops projecting therefrom and situated at a defined distance apart.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is described and illustrated by way of example with reference to the drawings. in the drawings:

Figure I shows a core insertion device according to this invention, in part longitudinal section, Figure 2 shows a view of the core insertion device from below, Figure 3 shows a part cross section, to a larger scale, through the core insertion device, 0 and Figure 4 shows a winding core insertion device for a number of adjacent winding stations and an appropriately adapted winding device for the winding cores. in Figure 1, the winding core insertion device according to this invention is provided with a supporting arm 1 adjustably mounted through a bearing block 2 and a bearing 3 on a supporting bar 4 transversally to the length of the said supporting arm 1. The supporting bar 4 in turn bears on a supporting shaft 5 around the centre of which the supporting arm 1 with the winding core gripper 6 secured thereto is pivotable in such a way that a pivoting movement takes place in the direction shown by the arrow 7 from the winding core receiving position into a winding core delivery position in the zone of the winding frame arms (not shown) of the individual winding stations of the winding machine (not shown). To the supporting shaft 5 is secured a brake plate 8 by means of which and by a handle 9, the supporting arm 1 of the winding core insertion device can be secured in certain defined positions according to the positions of the winding arms on the supporting bar 4.

The winding core gripper 6 is provided with pairs of interacting clamping jaws 12 secured at certain spacings 0 by distance pieces 11. The jaws have clamping surfaces 12' set an angle of, for example, 120o. The winding cores 13 to be transported are accommodated between the jaws. The system is arranged in a manner described in detail hereinafter so that both small and large winding cores 13, 13', as well as cores of different thickness, as shown by broken lines, can be accommodated. In detail this object is achieved as a result of the fact that when the winding cores are introduced manually from underneath, the clamping jaws 12 will move apart in a symmetrically linear manner, in opposition to the force of a spring, after which the winding core is held in the central part of the clamping jaws by the return movement of the latter under the force of the said spring. In conjunction with Figure 2 it way be seen that in each case a gripper element 10 consists not only of the clamping jaws 12 interconnected in pairs through the distance pieces 11 but also of a base plate 14 associated with each pair of clamping jaws. Figure 2 likewise shows that the aforementioned spring in the example illustrated is formed by two endless helical springs 15 around securing pins 15' on each side of the two gripper elements 10.

The winding core insertion device also includes a centrally positioned actuating mechanism 16 which in the 0 example illustrated consists of a centrally situated gear wheel 17 and linear toothed racks 18 which interact therewith on diametrically opposite sides and one of which is affixed to the baseplate 14 of one gripper element 10 while the other is affixed to the baseplate 14 of the other gripper element 10 by means of screws 19. By interaction between the driving gear wheel 17 and the racks 18 the introduction of a winding core between the clamping jaws causes these latter to be moved apart, while after the release of the winding care the apparatus is caused by the tension or the action of the spring 15 to assume the clamped position.

The winding core insertion device has also between the toothed racks 14 on each side of the gear wheel 17, a bar 21 in each case secured to the base plate 14. The said bar bears roller guide elements 22 serving to guide the clamping mechanism in a guide bar 23 of which the cross section is substantially U-shaped and which in turn is secured to the supporting arm 1. The whole of the clamping device affixed to the supporting arm 1, including the actuating mechanism 16, forms a constructional unit, so that after the release of the guide bars 23 the entire apparatus can be easily removed and replaced by another apparatus with correspondingly designed clamping units.

0 The release of the winding core from the winding core insertion device to the winding arms is effected by an operation in which, after the introduction of the arbors (core locks) into the winding core and on the return movement of the winding core insertion device in the direction of the winding core receiving position, the release thereof from the gripper elements takes place automatically. In order to ensure that on the transfer of the winding cores 13 to the arbors the clamping jaws 12 will close smoothly, these latter are provided with angled run-up ramps 1V1.

In Figure 4 a number of winding core insertion devices are provided at spaced distances apart corresponding to those provided between winding arms of the winding machine (not shown). In conjunction with the clamping apparatus an alignment device 25 is provided for the winding cones 13. In the example illustrated this alignment device 25 has a supporting beam 26 which is mainly parallel to the supporting shaft 5 and which bears limit stops 27 for each winding core 13. In the example illustrated this alignment device 25 has a supporting beam 26 which is mainly parallel to the supporting shaft 5 and which bears limit stops 27 for each winding core 13. Altogether the alignment device thus has a comb-like structure and forms a particularly 0 simple means of enabling the winding cores to be inserted manually in the correct position.

Needless to say, the invention is not confined to the example illustrated and allows for modifications within the scope of the claims. The endless spiral spring, for example, can be replaced by a circular or rotary spring such as a coil spring or spring legs.

In Figure 1 the possible positions for the clamping jaws 12 are indicated by broken lines and regardless of the actual position occupied by each of the clamping jaws, that is regardless of the diameter of the clamped winding cores, the median axis always occupies the same position.

0

Claims

1. Reel winding machine having at least one winding station for a web of material, each station receiving a winding core mounted between winding arms and including a device for loading the winding core having a winding core gripper movable between a winding core receiving position and a winding core delivery position, the winding core gripper including clamping jaws movable in a symmetrical and linear manner with respect to the winding cores, the median axis of each clamped winding core being coincident regardless of the diameter of the core.

2. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein an actuating mechanism is positioned centrally between the clamping jaws of the winding core gripper.

3. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a centrally situated gear wheel and toothed racks interacting therewith and situated on diametrically opposed sides, one of the bars being secured to one clamping jaw and the other bar being secured to the other clamping jaw.

4. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 3, 0 wherein each clamping jaw is formed by plates which are each connected together in pairs by distance pieces or spacers, each jaw being associated with a baseplate to which one of the toothed racks is secured.

5. Reel winding machine in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein each clamping jaw has core clamping surfaces which mutually converge at an angle.

6. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 5, wherein the angle between the clamping jaw surfaces is of the order of 1200.

7. Reel winding machine in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the clamping jaw surfaces are provided on the winding core receiving side with angled faces forming entrance ramps.

8. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 7, wherein the ramps of each clamping jaw are substantially parallel to that clamping surface adjacent the side of the clamping jaws which is secured to the core gripper.

9. Reel winding machine in accordance with any one of Claims 3 to 8, wherein between the toothed racks a bar is 0 secured to each baseplate which accommodates guide elements, preferably roller bearing guides which each bear against an associated guide bar of substantially Ushaped cross section.

10. Reel winding machine in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the clamping jaws are movable in opposition to the action of at least one spring preferably an endless helical spring, located around pins on the gripper elements.

11. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 10, wherein the spring comprises a centrally positioned circular spring, such a spiral spring or spring leg.

12. Reel winding machine in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein a clamping mechanism assembly including the actuating mechanism of the winding core insertion device is an integral removable and replaceable unit.

13. Reel cutting machine in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein a clamping mechanism of the core gripper is mounted on U-shaped guide bars carried by a traverse preferably positioned above the winding arms and 0 14 - movable along a fixed rail on the winding machine.

14. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 13, wherein the traverse is constructed as a pivotable supporting arm preferably adjustable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the winding core by means of a guiding or supporting bar.

15. Reel winding machine in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein a non-pivotable alignment device for the winding cores interacts with the winding core insertion device when in the winding core receiving position.

16. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claim 15, wherein the alignment device has a limit stop associated with each winding core gripped between the clamping jaws.

17. Reel winding machine in accordance with Claims 15 or 16, wherein the alignment device comprises a comb-like structure on a common supporting beam with a number of limit stops projecting therefrom and situated at a certain distance apart.

18. A device for loading a winding core between the winding arms of a reel winding machine, said device having a winding core gripper movable between a winding core receiving position and a winding core delivery position, the winding core gripper including clamping jaws movable in a symmetrical and linear manner with respect to the winding cores, the median axis of each clamped winding core being coincident regardless of the diameter of the core.

19. Reel winding machine constructed and arranged to function as described herein with reference to the drawings.

20. A winding core gripper and transport means as described and for the purpose set forth herein.