GB812849A - Apparatus for cutting and joining tapes - Google Patents

Abstract

812,849. Making electric conductors; shearing; welding. WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. Inc. May 21, 1957 [May 22, 1956], No. 16089/57. Classes 83 (2) and 83 (4). In a machine for cutting and joining a pair of tapes in overlapping spaced relationship, a movable cutter initially positioned between the tapes severs the lower tape immediately before the tapes are joined and is subsequently moved around an edge of the joined tapes to its initial position. The machine provides a continuous supply of aluminium strip to a forming machine which forms the strip, after corrugating if desired, to sheath an electric cable. The strip 12 being used is supplied from a coil 11 on an arbor 36 through adjustable guides 21, 27, 30, 31 over the work-table 17, a tensioning device 16 and a roller 67 in raised position to the forming rolls. Strip 32 from a second coil 33 on an arbor 37 is passed manually over a rest 42 and between the guides 21, 27, 30, 31 to a manually actuated set of rollers 60 which hold the end of the strip 32. As the coil 11 nears exhaustion, a pivoted arm 61 actuates a switch 62 whereupon a ram 65 lowers the roller 67, and further rams withdraw the rest 42 and lower clamps 47, 52 which clamp the superimposed strips 12, 32 on to the work-table 17. The roller 67 is gradually raised and allows for continuous operation of the forming machine. At the welding and cutting station the strips 12, 32, Fig. 4, are spaced by a fixed blade 80 and a moving blade 77. The welding and cutting head 76 is lowered by a lever 72 actuated by a fluid pressure cylinder. The head 76 carries a movable blade and welding die 81, which co-operates with the fixed blade 80 to shear the upper strip 32, and an abutment 86 which through the strip 32 engages a movable blade 87 co-operating with a fixed blade and welding die 82 to shear the lower strip 12. The welding dies have serrated tool faces which join the strips 12, 32 by cold pressure welding. The cutting and welding is along lines oblique to the axis of the strip. The moving blade 87 is vertically slidable on rods 92, 95 mounted on a carriage 100 traversable horizontally on fixed rods 102, 105. During the cutting action, a roller 140 on the blade 87 displaces a spring- loaded latch 130, and is engaged in a recess 132 in the latch 130 with the blade 87 positioned below the welded strip while the welding and cutting head 76 is raised. Subsequently a fluidpressure ram 121 reciprocates the carriage 100 and the roller 140 moves below a fixed rail 125 until the blade 87, having been retracted clear of the strip, is lifted by a spring 101 and the carriage 100 and blade 87 are returned to their normal position. The rest 42 is extended and the clamps 47, 52 raised. The arbor 36 is removed, the coil 33 is moved down into the lower position and a new coil inserted in its place. The operations are effected by swinging the locating arms 40, 41. below the supports 35.