IE83958B1 - Manufacture of insulating panels - Google Patents

Description

Manufacture of Insulating Panels Introduction The invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing insulating panels of the type comprising a profiled external skin and an internal backing tray having an insulating core therebetween, UK-A-2227712, UK—A-2257086, UK-A-2325640, UK—A—232564l, UK-A-2325644 and UK-A-2325645 describe methods and apparatus for manufacturing insulating panels. These methods are very efficient in use, however, there is an increasing need to improve the manufacturing efficiency to cut costs and maximise the production of such insulating panels.

This invention is therefore directed towards providing an improved method and apparatus for efficient manufacturing of such insulating panels.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing an insulating panel of the type comprising a first skin and a second skin having an insulating core therebetween, the method comprising the steps of:— providing a first outer skin length having a leading edge and a trailing edge; providing a following second outer skin length having a leading edge and a trailing edge; leading the first outer skin length along a flat bed with the outer surface of the skin lowermost; leading the following outer skin length along a flat bed with the outer surface of the skin lowermost; partially overlapping the second outer skin length with the first outer skin length, the leading edge of the second outer skin length overlapping the trailing edge of the first skin length; applying a jointing means across the joint between the leading and following outer skin lengths; applying liquid insulating foam reactants onto the outer skin lengths; leading an inner skin over the outer skin lengths including the joint; heating the assembly of the outer and inner skins in an oven to allow the liquid foam reactants to expand and form an insulating core between the skins; detecting an edge at the overlap to provide a control signal means; and performing operations in accordance with the control signal means.

In one embodiment the method comprises detecting the leading edge of the second outer skin length to provide a first control signal.

Preferably the method comprises detecting the trailing edge of the first outer skin length to provide a second control signal.

In a preferred embodiment the method comprises disabling the operation unless at least one of the first or second control signals are provided to a controller. Ideally the method comprises disabling the operation unless both of the first and second control signals are provided to a controller.

In one embodiment the edge is detected using a laser.

In one arrangement the operation comprises applying a jointing tape across the joint at the overlap of the leading edge of the second outer panel length and the trailing edge of the first outer panel length. In this case the jointing tape is preferably applied by drawing a jointing tape across the joint between the first and second outer skin lengths and automatically applying the tape to the joint between the outer skin lengths.

Preferably the outer skin lengths are profiled and the method includes the step of conforming the jointing tape to the profile of the outer skin lengths.

In an alternative or additional arrangement the operation performed is cutting the inner skin and the foam core of an insulating panel assembly. In this case the method preferably comprises providing a cutting means having a leading cutting means and a trailing cutting means; using the leading cutting means, cutting at least the inner skin and forming a first cut; and leading the trailing cutting means through the first cut to cut the foam core.

In an alternative or additional arrangement the operation performed is applying a separating force to separate the panels at the joint. In this case the method preferably comprises the steps of:— providing a first clamping means and a second clamping means; clamping a leading panel section adjacent to the joint between adjacent panel sections; clamping a trailing panel section adjacent to the joint between adjacent panel sections; and after clamping, applying a separating force between the first and second clamping means to separate the panel sections at the joint.

The invention also provides an insulating panel manufactured by a method of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. A is a cross-sectional view of a typical panel formed using the method of the invention; Fig. 1 is a flow chart of the method of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective View of two external sheet lengths used in the method; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled sheet lengths of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a joint between the external sheet lengths of Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a jointing tape applicator used in the method of the invention; Figs. 6(a) to 6(c) are end elevational views of the jointing tape applicator of Fig. 4, in use; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional View of a panel assembly; Fig. 8 is a-cross sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 7 with a cut between adjacent sections of the assembly; Fig. 9 is a perspective view ofa cutting means in use; Fig. 10 is a side elevational view illustrating the operation of the cutting means of Fig.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a panel assembly comprising adjacent panel sections; Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional View of the panel sections of Fig. 1 1, separated; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the panel sections, separated; Fig. 14 is a side, partially cross sectional view of a panel breaker apparatus used in the method of the invention in a first position of use; Fig. 15 is a side View of the breaker apparatus of Fig. 14 in a second position of use; Fig. 16 is a side view of the breaker apparatus of Fig. 14 in a final position of use; Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to the drawings, the method and apparatus of the invention is used for forming an insulated panel of the type which is illustrated in Fig. A and indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The panel 1 comprises a profiled external skin 2 of steel or aluminium material, an internal backing tray 3 also of steel or aluminium material and an insulating core 4 of polyurethane, polyisocyanurate or phenolic foam material which fills the space between the external skin 2 and backing tray 3. The insulated panel 1 is typically used for roofing and/or cladding systems, adjacent panels being overlapped both longitudinally and transversely to clad and/or roof a particular area.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, the method according to the invention for forming the panel 1 in a substantially continuous manner comprises the step A of leading a sheet of external skin material from a reel onto a flat bed with the outermost face of the external skin 2 lowermost. The desired longitudinal overlap between adjacent panels are automatically marked using an ink jet apparatus. The external skin 2 is then profiled at B and cut to length in step C. The trailing edge of the external skin 2 of a first leading panel in the line is lifted up and placed down on the leading edge portion of the following external skin 2 in step D. As will be described in more detail below, a joint between the external skins 2 is made by automatically applying a jointing tape at E. The external skins 2 are then preheated at F prior to application of liquid foam reactants at G.

A sheet of backing tray material is led from a reel in step H, profiled in step I, and preheated in step J. The profiled backing tray 3 is then continuously applied over the overlapped external skins 2 and liquid foam reactants in step K. As the backing tray 3 is applied, a longitudinally extending side sealing tape 5 is also applied at K between the backing tray 3 and the external skin 2 to confine the foam core 4 in the desired space.

The liquid foam reactants are then allowed to expand to fill the space between the external skin 2 and backing tray 3 by passing the assembly through the oven in step M in which the reactants are heated and allowed to expand to the desired thickness of foam insulating core 4.

The output from the oven is a continuous longitudinal sheet of insulating panels I interconnected by the jointing tape. As will be described in more detail below, at the joint between adjacent external skins, the backing tray 3 and foam core 4 are cut through to the internal (or upper) face of the external skin 2 in step N. A protective material is applied to the exposed face of the backing tray 3 in step 0 and adjacent panels 1 are separated at the joint in step P in preparation for stacking and packaging In more detail, and referring to Figs 2 and 3 a leading or first outer skin length 10 is first led along a flat bed with the outer surface (in use of the panel) lowermost. The first outer skin length has a leading edge 11 and a trailing edge 12. Marks 13 are provided on the uppermost face of the skin length 10. A following or second outer skin length 15 with a leading edge 16 is led along the flat bed with the outer surface of the skin lowermost. The second outer skin length 15 is then partially overlapped with the first outer skin length 10. On overlapping, the leading edge 16 of the second skin length 15 overlaps the trailing edge 12 of the fist skin length 10, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 3 and a jointing tape 32 is applied as described in more detail below.

At a tape applying station, the leading edge 16 of the second skin length 15 is detected by a first laser sensor 20 to provide a first control signal. The trailing edge 12 of the first skin length 10 is detected by a second laser sensor 21 to provide a second control signal.

The tape applicator is triggered automatically by a controller, only on receipt of the first and second control signals from the laser sensors 20, 21. If both control signals are not received by the controller the operation of the tape applicator is prevented/disabled. In this way the jointing tape applicator process is very closely and accurately controlled to ensure optimised operation of the tape applicator and the continuous operation of the panel line generally, at high operating speed.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 6, there is illustrated an automatic jointing tape applicator 30 used in the method of the invention to apply a jointing tape at the joint between adjacent external skins 2. Jointing tape 32 is led from a supply reel 3] to a guide 33. Gripper jaws 34 are then used to grip the free end of the tape 32 and to draw it across the bed on which the profiled external skin is travelling. The length of the jointing tape 32 drawn across the bed is longer than the width of the skin 2 to take account of the profile of the skin 2.

The length of tape 32 is then drawn under an applicator head 35 which has a number of sections 36 corresponding to the flat portions of the profile of the external skin 2 and a number of sections 37 corresponding to the corrugations of the external skin 2.

The applicator head 35 is moved up and down by a ram 39 and the outer two of the head sections 36 may be moved in and out by a second ram (not shown).

As the tape 32 is drawn under the applicator head 35, it is cut to length by engaging against a blade 40. The outer two applicator head sections 36 are then moved from the outer position illustrated in Fig. 6(a) to the inner position illustrated in Fig. 6(b) to form the tape 32 into loops in the region of the corrugations. The ram 39 is then operated to drive the applicator head 35 downwardly to apply the jointing tape 32 across the profile of the external skins 2 at the overlapped joint between adjacent skins 2 as illustrated in Fig. 6(0). The tape 32 is maintained in position on the applicator head sections 36 by suction.

The line of external skins 2 is not stopped while the jointing operation takes place as the applicator 30 is mounted on a carriage 40 which travels with the line to optimise production efficiency.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, at a cutting station, the leading edge 16 of the second skin length 15 is detected by a first laser sensor 24 to provide a first control signal. The trailing edge 12 of the first skin length is detected by a second laser sensor 25 to provide a second control signal.

The cutting apparatus is triggered automatically by a controller, only on receipt of the first and second control signals from the laser sensors 24, 25. If both control signals are not received by the controller the operating of the cutting apparatus is prevented/disabled. In this way the cutting process is very closely and accurately controlled to ensure optimised operation of the cutting apparatus and the continuous operation of the panel line, generally at high operating speed.

Referring particularly to Fig. 9 and 10, cutting means 70 for cutting the backing tray 3 and foam core 4 at the joint between overlapping skins 2 comprises a leading cutting means provided by a cross cut saw 71 and a following blade 72. The blade 72 is operated against the biassing of a spring 74. The blade 72 is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin 77 on a bracket 75 which is in turn mounted to the housing 76 of the cross cut saw 71 so that the blade 72 travels across following the cross cut saw 71. The blade 72 is angled forwardly in the rest position and is held in that position by the spring 74. As the blade 72 is moved across, it is angled back and joggled up and down to provide a clean cutting action.

The cross cut saw 71 is set so that the cutting edge is spaced above the upper face of the flat surface of the extemal skin 2. The blade 72 is set so that as it moves across its cutting edge just engages the foam core. When the joint between external skins is detected the cutting means 70 is automatically operated to cut the backing tray 3 and foam core 4. The cross cut saw 71 makes a first cut in which the blade 72 travels to cut through the core providing, in a very efficient way, a relatively clean cut. For maximum processing efficiency, the cutting means 70 is mounted on a carriage (not shown) which travels with the panel as it progresses along the line.

A detector may be used to detect the position of the corrugations of the external skin as the blade 72 travels across. When a corrugation is detected, a ram may be operated to drive the blade 72 down to engage the corrugation and to cut the foam core 4 in the corrugation through to the upper face of the external skin. The blade 72 may also be vibrated by a vibrating means (not shown) to provide a clean cut. _.]0_ Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, at a separating station, the leading edge 16 of the second skin length 15 is detected by a first laser sensor 27 to provide a first control signal.

The trailing edge 12 of the first skin length is detected by a second laser sensor 28 to provide a second control signal.

The separating apparatus is triggered automatically by a controller, only on receipt of the first and second control signals from the laser sensors 27, 28. If both control signals are not received by the controller the operating of the separating apparatus is prevented/disabled. In this way the separating process is very closely and accurately controlled to ensure optimised operation of the separating apparatus and the continuous operation of the panel line, generally at high operating speed.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 16, there is illustrated a panel breaking apparatus 90 used in the method of the invention for separating a leading panel 91 from a trailing panel 92 at the cut joint 93. A first clamp comprising a first upper clamping head 94 and a first lower clamping head 95 grips the leading panel 91. A second clamp comprising a second upper clamping head 96 and a second lower clamping head 97 grips the trailing panel 91. The first and second clamps are mounted on separate carriages 98, 99 which are moved apart from the position illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 to the separated position illustrated in Fig. 16 to separate the adjacent panels 91, 92 at the joint from the joined position to the separated position.

The carriages 98, 99 each comprise a post 101, 102 which is fixed relative to the respective panel 91, 92 and a movable post 103, 104. The posts 101, 103 and 102, 104 are interconnected by pivot arms 105, 106 and the posts 101, 102, 103, 104 are also interconnected by respective rams 107, 108. To engage the upper clamp head 94, 96 with the adjacent panels 91, 92, the rams 107, 108 are operated from the raised release position illustrated in Fig. 15 to move the posts 103, 104 on the pivot arms 105, 106 to the extended engaged position illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. The lower clamps 95, 97 are also operated by lower rams, not shown. _]1_ At least the leading clamp may be provided with a roller 110 on a guide arm 111 pivotally connected to the movable post 104 and movable by a guide ram 112. The roller 110 rides on the surface of the backing tray 3 of the panel 91 to position the upper clamps 94, 96 as short a distance as possible above the backing tray. In this way, the distance through which the upper clamp heads 94, 96 travel is minimised.

Consequently, the speed of the panel separation process is optimised.

It will be noted that the lower clamp heads 95 and 97 are spaced in the release position illustrated in Fig. 14 below the lower surface of the panels 91, 92. This ensures that grit and dirt are not trapped which could lead to damage to the exposed surface of the panel.

The carriages 98, 99 on which the clamps are mounted travel with the panels as they progress along the production line. This is important in ensuring that processing time is optimised as the panels are not stopped during the separation process.

It will also be appreciated that the breaker means may include a blade means to provide a smooth cut of the foam core through to the lower skin, on operation of the breaking means, e.g. on operation of the clamping means and/or on application of the separation force.

The invention provides a highly optimised and efficient method and apparatus for manufacturing insulating panels.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims (1)

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an insulating panel of the type comprising a first skin and a second skin having an insulating core therebetween, the method comprising the steps of:— providing a first outer skin length having a leading edge and a trailing edge; providing a following second outer skin length having a leading edge and a trailing edge; leading the first outer skin length along a flat bed with the outer surface of the skin lowermost; leading the following outer skin length along a flat bed with the outer surface of the skin lowermost; partially overlapping the second outer skin length with the first outer skin length, the leading edge of the second outer skin length overlapping the trailing edge of the first skin length; applying a jointing means across the joint between the leading and following outer skin lengths; applying liquid insulating foam reactants onto the outer skin lengths; leading an inner skin over the outer skin lengths including the joint; heating the assembly of the outer and inner skins in an oven to allow the liquid foam reactants to expand and form an insulating core between the skins; detecting an edge at the overlap to provide a control signal means; and performing operations in accordance with the control signal means. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising detecting the leading edge of the second outer skin length to provide a first control signal. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising detecting the trailing edge of the first outer skin length to provide a second control signal. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 comprising disabling the operation unless at least one of the first or second control signals are provided to a controller. A method as claimed in claim 4 comprising disabling the operation unless both of the first and second control signals are provided to a controller. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the edge is detected using a laser. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the operation comprises applying a jointing tape across the joint at the overlap of the leading edge of the second outer panel length and the trailing edge of the first outer panel length. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the jointing tape is applied by drawing a jointing tape across the joint between the first and second outer skin lengths and automatically applying the tape to the joint between the outer skin lengths. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the outer skin lengths are profiled and the method includes the step of conforming the jointing tape to the profile of the outer skin lengths. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the operation performed is cutting the inner skin and the foam core of an insulating panel assembly. A method as claimed in claim 10 comprising providing a cutting means having a leading cutting means and a trailing cutting means; using the leading cutting means, cutting at least the inner skin and forming a first cut; and leading the trailing cutting means through the first cut to cut the foam core. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the operation performed is applying a separating force to separate the panels at the joint. A method as claimed in claim 12 comprising the steps of:— providing a first clamping means and a second clamping means; clamping a leading panel section adjacent to the joint between adjacent panel sections; clamping a trailing panel section adjacent to the joint between adjacent panel sections; and after clamping, applying a separating force between the first and second clamping means to separate the panel sections at the joint. A method for manufacturing an insulating panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An insulating panel manufactured by a method as claimed in any preceding claim.