JP2019166735A - Differential pressure-shaping apparatus and differential pressure-shaping method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique which can improve the accuracy of differential pressure-shaping positions.SOLUTION: A differential pressure-shaping apparatus 1, comprising a transport unit U1, a differential pressure-shaping unit U2, and a mark detection unit U3, repeats a process of intermittently transporting a continuous sheet SH1 having marks M0 aligned with shaping shots ST1 in units of shots ST1 to shape the continuous sheet by a differential pressure. The transport unit U1 transports the sheet SH1 in a transport direction D1 extending through a shaping zone Z3. The differential pressure-shaping unit U2 shapes the sheet SH1 by the differential pressure in the shaping zone Z3. The mark detection unit U3 is disposed in the shaping zone Z3 to detect the marks M0 on the sheet SH1. When the mark detection unit U3 detects the marks M0 on the sheet SH1 being transported by the transport unit U1, the differential pressure-shaping apparatus 1 stops the transport of the sheet SH1 when the sheet is transported by a preset distance L2 shorter than an interval L1 of a shot ST1 after the marks have been detected, so that the sheet SH1 is shaped by the differential pressure-shaping unit U2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for forming a continuous sheet by differential pressure.

  As a differential pressure forming apparatus for a continuous sheet (continuous sheet), a vacuum forming apparatus, a compressed air forming apparatus, and a compressed air vacuum forming are known. Vacuum forming is differential pressure forming in which a reduced pressure (preferably vacuum pressure) lower than atmospheric pressure is applied to a sheet as a differential pressure. The pressure forming is a pressure forming in which a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure is applied to the sheet as a pressure difference. The compressed air vacuum forming is a differential pressure forming in which compressed air is applied to one side of a sheet and reduced pressure (preferably vacuum pressure) is applied to the other side. The differential pressure forming apparatus intermittently conveys a continuous sheet in the conveying direction passing through the heating zone and the forming zone, stops the sheet heated in the heating zone in the forming zone, and forms the sheet by the differential pressure.

  Also known as a continuous sheet is a printed sheet on which a pattern is printed in shot units (shot units) for differential pressure molding. Here, a shot means a single molding operation on the sheet, for example, a single operation in which the molding die contacts the sheet. On the printed sheet, for example, a mark that matches the molding shot is printed outside the molding range. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a mark detection sensor is used in a differential pressure forming apparatus in order to detect marks at shot intervals (shot intervals). This mark detection sensor is installed upstream of the heating zone in the transport direction. Accordingly, the portion of the pattern corresponding to the mark in the continuous sheet enters the heating zone after the mark is detected by the mark detection sensor, enters the molding zone after passing through the heating zone, and is molded by the differential pressure in the molding zone. The The distance conveyed from the time when the mark is detected by the mark detection sensor until the sheet is formed is usually two shots or more.

JP 2014-117806 A

  If the accuracy of the differential pressure molding position can be further improved, the appearance of a molded product having a printed pattern can be further improved.

  The present invention discloses a technique capable of improving the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position.

The present invention is a differential pressure molding apparatus that repeats intermittently conveying a continuous sheet having a mark matched to a molding shot in units of the shot and molding with a differential pressure,
A transport unit that transports the sheet in the transport direction passing through the molding zone;
A differential pressure forming section for forming the sheet by differential pressure in the forming zone;
A mark detection unit that is arranged in the molding zone and detects a mark on the sheet,
When the mark detection unit detects the mark of the sheet being conveyed by the conveyance unit, conveyance of the sheet is stopped when conveyance of a set distance shorter than the shot interval is performed from this detection. And the sheet is formed by the differential pressure forming unit.

Further, the present invention is a differential pressure molding method in which a continuous sheet having a mark matched to a molding shot is intermittently conveyed in units of the shot and repeatedly molded by a differential pressure.
The sheet is conveyed by a conveyance unit in the conveyance direction passing through the molding zone,
Detecting the mark of the sheet by a mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone,
When the mark detection unit detects the mark of the sheet being conveyed by the conveyance unit, conveyance of the sheet is stopped when conveyance of a set distance shorter than the shot interval is performed from this detection. And the sheet is molded by the differential pressure by the differential pressure molding section in the molding zone.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which improves the precision of a differential pressure molding position can be provided.

The front view which shows typically the example of the thermoformed product manufacturing system containing a differential pressure molding apparatus. The top view which shows the example of a differential pressure molding apparatus typically. (A) is a vertical sectional view schematically showing an example of a differential pressure forming portion when the forming die is in the separated position, and (b) is a vertical view schematically showing an example of the trimming apparatus when the die is in the separated position. Sectional drawing. The top view which shows the example of the position of a mark detection part typically. The top view which shows typically the example which changes the width | variety between holding | maintenance mechanisms. The side view which shows typically the example which changes the width | variety between holding | maintenance mechanisms. The cross-sectional view which shows typically the example of the principal part of the differential pressure forming apparatus by which the mark detection part was arrange | positioned at the one surface side of the sheet | seat. The cross-sectional view which shows the example of the principal part of a holding mechanism and a rail typically. The cross-sectional view which shows typically the example of the principal part of the differential pressure forming apparatus by which the mark detection part was arrange | positioned at the other surface side of the sheet | seat. The block diagram which shows typically the example of the electric circuit structure of a thermoformed product manufacturing system. The flowchart which shows the example of the setting process performed by a control part. The flowchart which shows the example of the conveyance molding process performed with a differential pressure molding apparatus. The figure which shows typically the example of sheet conveyance and differential pressure molding. The flowchart which shows another example of the conveyance molding process performed with a differential pressure molding apparatus. The figure which shows typically the comparative example of sheet conveyance and differential pressure forming.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Of course, the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and all the features shown in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the means for solving the invention.

(1) Summary of technology included in the present invention:
First, the outline | summary of the technique included in this invention is demonstrated with reference to the example shown by FIGS. In addition, the figure of this application is a figure which shows an example typically, The expansion ratio of each direction shown by these figures may differ, and each figure may not match. Of course, each element of the present technology is not limited to the specific example indicated by the reference numeral.

[Aspect 1]
The differential pressure molding apparatus 1 according to an aspect of the present technology includes a transport unit U1, a differential pressure molding unit U2, and a mark detection unit U3 as illustrated in FIGS. The continuous sheet SH1 having the mark M0 is intermittently conveyed by the unit of the shot ST1 and repeatedly formed by differential pressure. The conveyance unit U1 conveys the sheet SH1 in the conveyance direction D1 passing through the forming zone Z3. The differential pressure forming unit U2 forms the sheet SH1 with a differential pressure in the forming zone Z3. The mark detection unit U3 is disposed in the forming zone Z3 and detects the mark M0 of the sheet SH1. As illustrated in FIG. 13 and the like, when the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 conveyed by the conveyance unit U1 is detected by the mark detection unit U3, the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 performs the shot from the detection time. When conveyance of a set distance (L2) shorter than the interval L1 of ST1 is performed, conveyance of the sheet SH1 is stopped, and the sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure forming unit U2.

  In the first aspect, when the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 being conveyed is detected by the mark detection unit U3 in the forming zone Z3, the conveyance of the set distance (L2) shorter than the shot interval is performed from this detection time. Thus, the conveyance of the sheet SH1 is stopped, and the sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure in the forming zone Z3.

  FIG. 15 schematically shows an example of sheet conveyance and differential pressure forming when the mark sensor SN1 is arranged on the upstream side D1U in the sheet conveyance direction D1 with respect to the heating zone Z2 as a comparative example. In this case, the distance L92 that the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected by the mark sensor SN1 is longer than the distance 2 × L91 for two shots. FIG. 15 shows an example in which differential pressure forming is performed by conveying a sheet for a set distance of two shots after the mark M0 is detected.

  STEP 91 in FIG. 15 shows the state of the sheet SH1 when the mark M0 is detected by the mark sensor SN1. STEP 92 in FIG. 15 shows the state of the sheet SH1 when the mark M0 after two shots is detected. STEP 93 in FIG. 15 shows the state of the sheet SH1 that has been stopped after further conveyance of a set distance. STEP 94 in FIG. 15 shows a state in which the sheet SH1 in the forming zone Z3 is formed by differential pressure.

  If the distance L92 to which the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected by the mark sensor SN1 is longer than the distance 2 × L91 for two shots, the position of the molded product PR1 is printed due to the feeding error of the conveying unit such as a clamp chain. There may be a noticeable deviation from the position of PRT1. STEP 94 in FIG. 15 shows an example in which the shaded pattern PRT1 is slightly shifted to the upstream side D1U from the molded product PR1. The shift of the pattern PRT1 with respect to the molded product PR1 reduces the appearance of the molded product PR1.

  On the other hand, in the above-described aspect 1 of the present technology, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the mark detection unit U3 is disposed in the forming zone Z3, whereby the distance that the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected is short, Accordingly, an error in the differential pressure molding position is unlikely to occur. Therefore, this aspect can provide a differential pressure molding apparatus that improves the accuracy of the differential pressure molding position.

Here, the differential pressure forming apparatus includes a vacuum forming apparatus, a pressure forming apparatus, and a pressure forming apparatus, and includes an apparatus having another function such as a forming trimming apparatus that performs trimming simultaneously. Forming a sheet by differential pressure includes so-called vacuum forming, pressure forming, and pressure forming, so-called vacuum forming includes a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure as a differential pressure (for example, It means that the sheet is formed by applying (vacuum pressure) to the sheet. The so-called pressure forming means forming by applying pressure air higher than the atmospheric pressure as a differential pressure to the sheet. The so-called compressed air vacuum forming means forming by applying pressure air to one side of the sheet and reducing pressure (preferably vacuum pressure) to the other side.
The sheet may be a sheet that can be molded by differential pressure, and for example, a resin sheet, a plastic sheet, or the like can be used.
Although it is preferable that the mark on the sheet is outside the forming range from the point of arranging the mark detection unit, the mark may be within the forming range. The forming range is a range in which a forming die (for example, forming die 73 shown in FIG. 3) of the differential pressure forming portion of the sheet comes into contact.
The conveyance unit may convey the sheet in a conveyance direction passing through the heating zone and the forming zone. In this case, the sheet can be preheated before differential pressure forming. Of course, the conveyance direction may be a direction passing through another zone such as a sheet supply zone for supplying a sheet before the heating zone, or a direction passing through another zone such as a trimming zone for trimming the molded sheet after the forming zone. .
Note that the above-mentioned supplementary notes are also applied to the following aspects.

[Aspect 2]
As illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like, the conveyance unit U1 passes through the molding zone Z3 in the state in which the edge SH10 in the width direction D2 orthogonal to the conveyance direction D1 is releasably held in the sheet SH1. You may have the holding | maintenance mechanism 10 which moves to the downstream D1L of the said conveyance direction D1 with SH10. The transport unit U1 may include a support unit 20 including a rail 25 that guides the holding mechanism 10 in the moving direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10 as illustrated in FIG. 7 and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 5 and the like, the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 may include a position adjustment mechanism 40 that adjusts the position of the holding mechanism 10 in the width direction D2 together with the support portion 20. The mark detection unit U3 may be attached to the support unit 20 in the molding zone Z3.

  In the above aspect 2, when the width of the sheet SH1 is changed, the position adjusting mechanism 40 adjusts the position of the holding mechanism 10 in the width direction D2 together with the support portion 20. Thereby, even if the width of the sheet SH1 changes, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the mark detection unit U3 in the sheet width direction D2. Thus, this aspect can provide an example in which adjustment of the position of the mark detection unit in the sheet width direction is unnecessary.

Here, the position where the mark detection unit is attached to the support unit may be a rail, or may be a part other than the rail such as a cover that covers the holding mechanism along the moving direction of the holding mechanism. This appendix also applies to the following aspects.
Although not included in the above-described aspect 2, a case in which the mark detection unit is attached at a location different from the support unit is also included in the present technology.

[Aspect 3]
As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 and the like, the support portion 20 includes a first attachment portion 21 to which the mark detection portion U3 can be attached and detached on the one surface SH1a side of the sheet SH1, and a second surface SH1b side of the sheet SH1. You may have the 2nd attachment site | part 22 which can attach or detach the said mark detection part U3. The mark detection unit U3 may be attached to at least one of the first attachment part 21 and the second attachment part 22.

In the aspect 3, when the mark M0 can be detected from the one surface SH1a side of the sheet SH1, the differential pressure of the sheet SH1 adjusted to the mark M0 by attaching the mark detection unit U3 to the first attachment part 21 of the support unit 20 Molding is possible. When the mark M0 can be detected from the other surface SH1b side of the sheet SH1, the differential pressure molding of the sheet SH1 in accordance with the mark M0 can be performed by attaching the mark detection unit U3 to the second attachment portion 22 of the support unit 20. is there. Therefore, this aspect can provide an example of improving the degree of freedom of differential pressure forming of the sheet.
In addition, although it is not included in the said aspect 3, the case where only one of a 1st attachment site | part and a 2nd attachment site | part is in a support part is also included in this technique.

[Aspect 4]
As illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like, the holding mechanism 10 may include an endless chain 11. As illustrated in FIG. 8 and the like, the holding mechanism 10 may include a plurality of holding portions 15 that are provided on the endless chain 11 and releasably hold the edge portion SH10 of the sheet SH1. The transport unit U1 may cause the holding unit 15 to hold the edge portion SH10 within a range in which the holding unit 15 moves to the downstream side D1L. This aspect can provide a suitable example that eliminates the need to adjust the position of the mark detection unit in the sheet width direction.

[Aspect 5]
By the way, in the differential pressure forming method according to an aspect of the present technology, the sheet SH1 is transported by the transport unit U1 in the transport direction D1 passing through the forming zone Z3, and the sheet is detected by the mark detection unit U3 disposed in the forming zone Z3. When the mark M0 of SH1 is detected and the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 being conveyed by the conveyance unit U1 is detected by the mark detection unit U3, a set distance shorter than the interval L1 of the shot ST1 from this detection. When the conveyance of (L2) is performed, the conveyance of the sheet SH1 is stopped, and the sheet SH1 is molded by the differential pressure by the differential pressure molding unit U2 in the molding zone Z3. The action of this aspect 5 is similar to the action of the above aspect 1. Therefore, this aspect 5 can provide a differential pressure molding method that improves the accuracy of the differential pressure molding position.

  Furthermore, the present technology provides a differential pressure molding method corresponding to modes 2 to 4, a molded product manufacturing system including a differential pressure molding device, a molding program, a molded product manufacturing program, a computer-readable medium storing these programs, And the like.

(2) Specific example of a molded product manufacturing system including a differential pressure molding device:
FIG. 1 schematically shows a molded product manufacturing system SY1 as an example of a system including a differential pressure molding apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating the differential pressure forming device 1. The continuous sheet SH1 shown in FIG. 2 is a printed sheet having a printed pattern PRT1, and has a mark M0 that matches the shot ST1 of differential pressure forming on the outside in the width direction D2 in the forming range A1. The forming range A1 is a range in which the forming die 73 (see FIG. 3) of the differential pressure forming portion U2 contacts the sheet SH1. Reference numeral D1 indicates the conveyance direction of the sheet SH1, reference numeral D1U indicates the upstream side in the conveyance direction D1, reference numeral D1L indicates the downstream side in the conveyance direction D1, reference numeral D2 indicates the width direction of the sheet SH1, and reference numeral D3. Indicates the vertical direction. The transport direction D1, the width direction D2, and the up-down direction D3 are assumed to be orthogonal to each other. However, even if they are not orthogonal due to design or the like, they are included in the present technology. Note that “orthogonal” is not limited to strict 90 ° but includes deviation from strict 90 ° due to an error. Further, the same direction, position, etc. are not limited to exact matching, but include deviation from exact matching due to an error. Furthermore, the description of the positional relationship of each unit is merely an example. Therefore, change the left / right direction to the up / down direction or the front / rear direction, change the up / down direction to the left / right direction or the front / rear direction, change the front / rear direction to the left / right direction or the up / down direction, or change the rotation direction to the reverse direction. It is also included in the present technology.

  The molded product manufacturing system SY1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a sheet supply zone Z1, a heating zone Z2, a molding zone Z3, a trimming zone Z4, a scrap collection zone Z5, and a product removal zone in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction D1. Z6 is included. The main part of the structure of the thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 can be formed of metal, for example.

  The sheet supply device DE1 in the sheet supply zone Z1 unwinds the roll SH0 around which the continuous sheet SH1 continuously connected is wound. As the sheet SH1, a sheet that can be formed by differential pressure, such as a resin sheet such as a thermoplastic resin sheet, a thermoplastic sheet other than a resin exhibiting thermoplasticity, or the like can be used. The resin sheet may be a resin sheet made of only a resin such as a thermoplastic resin, a sheet made of a material in which an additive such as a filler is added to the resin, a single layer sheet, or a laminated sheet laminated with different materials. Good. Polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like can be used as the material for the sheet SH1. Further, the sheet SH1 may be in the form of a sheet or film, and may be wound into a roll or cut to a predetermined length. The thickness of the sheet can be various thicknesses such as about 1 to 2 mm and about 0.25 to 1 mm, and can be a thick sheet of about 3 mm or more, or a film of about 0.25 mm or less. . The molded product PR1 formed from the sheet SH1 includes a container such as a food container, a component such as an inner box or an operation panel of a home appliance, and the like.

The sheet SH1 shown in FIG. 2 has a mark M1 in the vicinity of the first edge SH11 (first side S1 shifted from the center C1) in the width direction D2, and in the vicinity of the second edge SH12 in the width direction D2 ( The mark M2 is provided on the second side S2 shifted from the center C1.The center C1 means the center of the sheet SH1 in the width direction D2. The sheet SH1 includes a plurality of marks M1 having a first edge SH11. A plurality of marks M2 are arranged at intervals of shots ST1 along the second edge SH12.For each shot ST1, the marks M1 and M2 have a printed pattern PRT1 in the width direction D2. It is arranged at a position sandwiching the formed molding range A1, where the edge portions SH11 and SH12 are collectively referred to as the edge portion SH10, and the marks M1 and M2 are collectively referred to as the mark M0. Molding apparatus 1 repeats that by intermittently conveying the sheet SH1 shot ST1 units formed by the pressure difference at the time stopped based on the detection of the mark M1, M2.
Note that the concept of the sheet SH1 includes a roll SH0, a molded sheet SH2, and a scrap sheet SH3 in addition to a sheet before being formed along the transport direction D1. The holding of the sheet edge SH10 may be a clamp of the sheet edge SH10 or may be held by piercing the sheet edge SH10 with a piercing member. The sheet SH1 connected in the conveyance direction D1 is intermittently conveyed according to the control of the control panel 100 of the control unit U4.

  The sheet conveying unit U1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a holding mechanism 10 for the sheet SH1, a driving unit DR0 of the holding mechanism 10, and a support unit 20 including a rail 25 and a cover 30. These combinations are provided for each of the edges SH11 and SH12 of the sheet SH1. Here, the holding mechanism 10A on the first side S1 and the holding mechanism 10B on the second side S2 are collectively referred to as the holding mechanism 10. Further, the first movement direction D41 of the holding mechanism 10A holding the first edge SH11 and the second movement direction D42 of the holding mechanism 10B holding the second edge SH12 are collectively referred to as the movement direction D4. To do. Furthermore, the drive unit DR1 on the first side S1 and the drive unit DR2 on the second side S2 are collectively referred to as a drive unit DR0, and the support unit 20A on the first side S1 and the support unit 20B on the second side S2 are supported. The section 25 is generically referred to as the rail 25A on the first side S1 and the rail 25B on the second side S2 are collectively referred to as the rail 25, and the cover 30A on the first side S1 and the cover 30B on the second side S2 are covered 30. Collectively. The first feeding part U11 on the first side S1 has a holding mechanism 10A, a driving part DR1, and a support part 20A, and releasably holds the first edge SH11 on the first side S1 in the sheet SH1. To the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1. The second feeding part U12 on the second side S2 has a holding mechanism 10B, a driving part DR2, and a support part 20B, and releasably holds the second edge SH12 on the second side S2 in the sheet SH1. To the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1. The transport unit U1 drives the first feed unit U11 and the second feed unit U12 independently to transport the sheet SH1 in the transport direction D1.

The transport unit U1 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a pair of feeding units U11 and U12 that are arranged symmetrically with respect to the sheet SH1 including the molded sheet SH2. Each of the feeding portions U11 and U12 includes a chain 11, a servo motor 14, sprockets 14a and 14b, and an endless material 14c. The servo motor 14 is a generic term for the servo motors 14A and 14B.
The chain 11 is a metal endless chain (endless chain) in which a plurality of links are connected. The chain 11 is placed on the sprockets 14a and 14b so as to move around in a horizontal plane. The downstream sprocket 14b receives the driving force of the servo motor 14 via the endless material 14c. The chain 11 is provided with a holding mechanism 10 that releasably holds the edge SH10 of the sheet SH1 in the width direction D2. The chain 11 shown in FIG. 2 is also called a clamp chain or a grip chain, and grips the sheet edge SH10 so as to be releasable while rotating around. In the chain 11, the sheet SH1 side moves in the transport direction D1, and a portion of the sheet SH1 on the outer side in the width direction moves in a return direction opposite to the transport direction.

  The holding mechanism 10 moves to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 through the forming zone Z3 in a state where the edge SH10 of the sheet SH1 is releasably held. The driving unit DR0 transmits the rotational driving force of the servo motor 14 to the holding mechanism 10. The rail 25 guides the holding mechanism 10 in the moving direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10. The cover 30 covers the holding mechanism 10 along the moving direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10 in a state where the edge portion SH10 of the sheet SH1 is held. The cover 30 can also be called a case in which the rail 25 is accommodated.

That is, on the first side S1, the holding mechanism 10A moves to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 through the forming zone Z3 in a state where the first edge SH11 of the sheet SH1 is releasably held. To do. The driving unit DR1 transmits the rotational driving force of the servo motor 14 to the holding mechanism 10A. The rail 25A guides the holding mechanism 10A in the first movement direction D41 of the holding mechanism 10A. The cover 30A covers the holding mechanism 10A along the first movement direction D41 of the holding mechanism 10A in a state where the first edge SH11 of the sheet SH1 is held.
In addition, on the second side S2, the holding mechanism 10B moves through the forming zone Z3 and the second edge SH12 to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 in a state where the second edge SH12 of the sheet SH1 is releasably held. To do. The driving unit DR2 transmits the rotational driving force of the servo motor 14 to the holding mechanism 10B. The rail 25B guides the holding mechanism 10B in the second movement direction D42 of the holding mechanism 10B. The cover 30B covers the holding mechanism 10B along the second movement direction D42 of the holding mechanism 10B in a state where the second edge SH12 of the sheet SH1 is held.

  When the holding mechanism 10 in a state where the edge portion SH10 of the sheet SH1 is held moves in the movement direction D4, the sheet SH1 moves in the conveyance direction D1 in accordance with the movement of the holding mechanism 10. In this way, the transport unit U1 holds both edges SH11 and SH12 of the sheet SH1 including the formed sheet SH2, and the sheet SH1 in the sheet transport direction D1 along the transport path R1 passing through the heating zone Z2 and the forming zone Z3. Transport.

  The heating zone Z2 is an area inside the heating device DE2 having the heater group HG in the transport path R1, and is an area where the sheet SH1 is preheated by the heater group HG. In the heater group HG, a plurality of heaters facing the sheet SH1 are arranged, and, for example, radiantly heats the sheet SH1 to a temperature at which the sheet SH1 is softened without melting. The length of the heater group HG in the transport direction D1 is set to be equal to or longer than the length of the molding shot ST1 in order to reduce heating unevenness. When the thermoplastic sheet is heated, for example, it is radiatively heated above the temperature at which the sheet is softened without melting the sheet. Of course, the heating device DE2 may heat the sheet by contact, or may heat the sheet by hot air or the like. The heater group HG shown in FIG. 1 is arranged on the upper side and the lower side of the sheet SH1, but either one of the heater groups HG can be omitted.

  The molding zone Z3 is an area in the conveyance path R1 that is inside the differential pressure molding apparatus as the differential pressure molding unit U2, and is an area that overlaps the table that moves the molding die up and down in plan view. For example, a molding apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 3A can be used for the differential pressure molding unit U2 in the molding zone Z3. In this case, the molding zone Z3 is an area (a range sandwiched between two-dot chain lines) that overlaps the vertically movable tables 71 and 72 in the transport path R1.

The tables 71 and 72 are moved up and down in the vertical direction between a set separation position and a proximity position by a molding table drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, the molding die 73 provided on the lower table 72 moves up and down between the separation position L12 and the proximity position L14, and the clamp (opposite type) 74 provided under the upper table 71 approaches the separation position L11. It moves up and down between position L13. Each mold 73 is a female mold that is recessed downward, but may be a male mold that is convex upward or an uneven shape. Further, the mold may be disposed on the upper side and the clamp may be disposed on the lower side. The differential pressure supply mechanism 75 supplies differential pressure from the differential pressure supply hole 73b to the molding surface 73a. When the sheet SH1 is heated and softened for one shot while the forming die 73 and the clamp 74 are separated from each other, the forming device 70 brings the forming die 73 and the clamp 74 close to each other, and the differential pressure supply mechanism 75 A negative pressure is applied to the differential pressure supply hole 73b to bring the sheet SH1 whose movement is stopped into close contact with the forming surface 73a. When the forming apparatus 70 separates the forming mold 73 and the clamp 74, the forming sheet SH2 is unloaded from the forming apparatus 70 in a state of being connected to the sheet SH1, and is loaded into the trimming zone Z4. At this time, the sheet SH1 of the next shot is carried into the forming apparatus 70. In this way, the forming zone Z3 forms the heated sheet SH1 in shot units.
Note that the differential pressure forming of the sheet SH1 may be performed by pressure forming or pressure forming other than the above-described vacuum forming.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mark detection unit U3 that detects the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 is disposed in the forming zone Z3. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an example of the position of the mark detection unit U3. In FIG. 4, the sheet conveying unit U1 and the like are shown in a simplified manner. The differential pressure forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 includes, as the mark detection unit U3, a mark sensor SN1 (an example of components of the first mark detection unit) arranged on the first side S1 of the sheet SH1 in the forming zone Z3, and The mark sensor SN2 (an example of a component of the second mark detection unit) disposed on the second side S1 of the sheet SH1 in the forming zone Z3. The mark sensor SN1 is installed, for example, on the upper side of the sheet SH1 (an example on the one surface SH1a side), and detects the mark M1 on the first side S1 from the upper side of the sheet SH1. The mark sensor SN2 is installed, for example, on the upper side of the sheet SH1 (an example on the one surface SH1a side), and detects the mark M2 on the second side S2 from the upper side of the sheet SH1. Of course, the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 may be installed on the lower side of the sheet SH1 (an example of the other surface side SH1b) to detect the marks M1 and M2 from the lower side of the sheet SH1.

  The mark sensors SN1 and SN2 may be in the molding zone Z3, but are preferably arranged outside the molding range A1 in the width direction D2, that is, outside the molding die 73 in the width direction D2. The molding die 73 changes according to the arrangement of the molded products PR1 included in one shot, and the length in the transport direction D1 changes. Accordingly, the position of the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 in the transport direction D1 is preferably a position that is always on the outside in the width direction D2 from the mold 73 (that is, the molding range A1) even if the mold 73 is replaced.

  The trimming zone Z4 is an area inside the trimming apparatus, and is an area that overlaps with a table that lifts and lowers a part that separates the molded product PR1 from the molded sheet SH2 in a plan view. For the trimming device DE4 in the trimming zone Z4, for example, a trimming device 80 shown in FIG. 3B can be used. In this case, the trimming zone Z4 is an area (a range sandwiched between two-dot chain lines) that overlaps the vertically movable tables 81 and 82 in the transport path R1.

The tables 81 and 82 are moved closer to and away from each other in a vertical direction between a set separation position and a proximity position by a trimming table drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, the die 83 and the cutting edge 84 provided on the lower table 82 are moved up and down between the separation position L22 and the proximity position L24, and the receiving member 85 provided under the upper table 81 is in proximity to the separation position L21. It moves up and down between position L23. Each die 83 is a female die that is recessed downward, but may be a male die that is convex upward or a shape with irregularities. Further, the cutting blade may be arranged on the upper side and the receiving member may be arranged on the lower side, or the mold may be arranged on the upper side. Each cutting blade 84 can be, for example, a Thomson blade, and has a cutting edge facing the receiving member 85 around each die 83. When the molding sheet SH2 for one shot is loaded with the mold 83 and the receiving member 85 being separated from each other, the trimming device 80 places the molding sheet SH2 on each mold 83 by bringing the mold 83 and the receiving member 85 close to each other. The cutting sheet 84 cuts the molded sheet SH2 that has stopped moving and has contacted the receiving member 85 around the molded product PR1. When the trimming apparatus 80 separates the mold 83 and the receiving member 85, the scrap sheet SH3 is unloaded from the trimming apparatus 80 in a state of being connected to the molded sheet SH2, and is loaded into the scrap collection zone Z5. 83 is carried out from above and carried into the product take-out zone Z6. At this time, the molded sheet SH2 of the next shot is carried into the trimming device 80.
The trimming device is a device that presses the cutting blade against the receiving member to cut the formed sheet, a device that punches the formed sheet with the cutting blade around the mold, and the upper blade and the lower blade that are in sliding contact with each other. Devices for punching out, etc. are included.

The scrap collection device DE5 in the scrap collection zone Z5 winds up and collects the scrap sheet SH3.
The product take-out device DE6 in the product take-out zone Z6, for example, causes the suction device DE61 to enter above the mold 83, sucks the molded product PR1 arranged in each mold 83 and conveys it to the product take-out zone Z6, and takes out the take-out table. Stack on DE62. Thereby, the molded product PR1 is taken out. Of course, the molded product PR1 may be taken out from the take-out table DE62 without being stacked.

(3) Specific examples of the transport unit:
5 and 6 schematically show an example of changing the interval between the holding mechanisms 10A and 10B of the sheet SH1. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a main part of the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 in which the mark detection unit U3 is disposed on the upper surface (one surface SH1a) side of the sheet SH1. FIG. 8 schematically shows the holding mechanism 10 </ b> B and the rail 25 </ b> B in the second feeding unit U <b> 12 as examples of the holding mechanism and the rail. Since the holding mechanism 10A and the rail 25A in the first feeding portion U11 appear symmetrically with the holding mechanism 10B and the rail 25B shown in FIG. 8, illustration is omitted. First, a specific example of the holding mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

A holding mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 8 is an endless chain 11 in which a link 12 having an attachment 12a to which a plurality of holding portions 15 are attached is connected. The holding part 15 is provided in the chain 11 and holds the edge part SH10 of the sheet SH1 in a releasable manner.
An upper portion of the link 12 is provided with a guided portion 12b sandwiched between opposing portions 25a and 25b of the rail 25. The holding part 15 attached to the attachment 12a includes a base part 15a, a movable shaft 15b, and a spring 15e. The base 15a is attached and fixed to the attachment 12a, and places the sheet edge SH10. The movable shaft 15b is configured to separate the abutting portion 15c from the pedestal portion 15a at the abutting portion 15c that abuts against the upper surface of the pedestal portion 15a, and the front position where the holding of the sheet SH1 starts and the end position of the holding of the sheet SH1. A contacted portion 15d that contacts the wall portion 19 is provided, and is attached to the base portion 15a so as to be movable up and down. The spring 15e is, for example, a compression coil spring, and biases the movable shaft 15b in a direction in which the abutting portion 15c abuts against the base portion 15a.

When the holding portion 15 comes to a position before the sheet SH1 starts to be held, the contacted portion 15d comes into contact with the wall portion 19, the movable shaft 15b rises, and the abutting portion 15c is separated from the base portion 15a. When the holding portion 15 comes to the holding start position of the sheet SH1, the contacted portion 15d is separated from the wall portion 19, and the abutting portion 15c abuts against the base portion 15a. Thus, the sheet edge SH10 is sandwiched between the base portion 15a and the abutting portion 15c.
When the holding portion 15 reaches the holding end position of the sheet SH1, the contacted portion 15d comes into contact with the wall portion 19, the movable shaft 15b rises, and the abutting portion 15c is separated from the base portion 15a. When the holding portion 15 passes the holding position of the sheet SH1, the contacted portion 15d is separated from the wall portion 19, and the abutting portion 15c abuts against the base portion 15a. As a result, the sheet edge portion SH10 is released from the clamping between the base portion 15a and the abutting portion 15c.

Of course, the above description applies to both the holding mechanisms 10A and 10B.
As described above, the feeding units U11 and U12 cause the holding unit 15 to hold the sheet edge portion SH10 within a range in which the holding unit 15 moves to the downstream side D1L. 2, 4, and 5, the first moving direction D <b> 41 and the second feeding unit U <b> 12 are held in a state where the holding unit 15 of the first feeding unit U <b> 11 releasably holds the first edge SH <b> 11 of the sheet SH <b> 1. The second moving direction D42 in a state where the portion 15 holds the second edge SH12 of the sheet SH1 in a releasable manner is shown. Here, the moving directions D41 and D42 are collectively referred to as a moving direction D4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rail 25 that guides the holding mechanism 10 in the movement direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10 is arranged with the longitudinal direction directed in the movement direction D4. The rail 25 shown in FIG. 5 can be bent at an intermediate position P2 in the vicinity of the outlet of the heating zone Z2, which is slightly upstream D1U from the molding zone Z3. Therefore, the moving direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10 of the sheet edge portion SH10 may deviate from the sheet conveying direction D1. A position adjusting mechanism 40 that changes the distance between the rails 25A and 25B is provided in the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 in order to adjust the width according to the position of the sheet SH1 in the transport direction D1. The distance between the rails 25A and 25B shown in FIG. 5 is determined by the position adjusting mechanism 40 at the upstream position P1, which is the upstream side D1U from the heating zone Z2, the intermediate position P2, and the downstream position P3, which is the downstream side D1L from the forming zone Z3. It can be adjusted. The holding mechanism 10 that moves along the rails 25 arranged between these positions P1 to P3 passes through the heating zone Z2 and the forming zone Z3 in a state in which the edge SH10 of the sheet SH1 is releasably held together with the sheet edge SH10. It moves to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the support portion 20 of the mark detection unit U3 in the molding zone Z3 includes a rail 25 and a cover 30. The cover 30 covers the holding mechanism 10 along the movement direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10. Each cover 30A, 30B includes an upper cover 31 attached to the upper surface of the rails 25A, 25B and covering the upper surface, and a lower cover 32 attached to the lower surface of the rails 25A, 25B and covering the lower surface.
Each of the support portions 20A and 20B having the rails 25A and 25B and the covers 30A and 30B has attachment portions 21 and 22 for attaching the mark detection portion U3.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first attachment portion 21 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper cover 31. The first attachment site 21 is in the molding zone Z3. A screw hole H1 that is screwed with the screw SC1 is formed in the upper portion of the rail 25. When the screw insertion holes of the support members 50A and 50B provided with the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 and the screw insertion holes of the upper cover 31 are screwed into the screw holes H1 through the screws SC1, the mark detection unit U3 passes through the upper cover 31. Are attached to the upper portions of the rails 25A and 25B. In this state, the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 are on the upper side (one surface SH1a side) of the sheet SH1 and the detection surface faces downward. When the screw SC1 is removed from the screw hole H1, the mark detection unit U3 can be removed from the first attachment portion 21. Therefore, the first attachment portion 21 can attach and detach the mark detection unit U3 on the upper side of the sheet SH1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the second attachment portion 22 is disposed on the lower surface of the lower cover 32. The second attachment site 22 is in the molding zone Z3. A screw hole H2 that is screwed into the screw SC2 is formed in the lower portion of the rail 25. When the screw insertion holes of the support members 50A and 50B provided with the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 and the screw insertion holes of the lower cover 32 are screwed into the screw holes H2 through the screws SC2, the mark detection unit U3 passes through the lower cover 32. Are attached to the lower part of the rails 25A and 25B. In this state, the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 are on the lower side (the other surface SH1b side) of the sheet SH1, and the detection surface faces upward. When the screw SC2 is removed from the screw hole H2, the mark detection unit U3 can be removed from the second attachment portion 22. Therefore, the second attachment portion 22 can attach and detach the mark detection unit U3 on the lower side of the sheet SH1.

As described above, the mark detection unit U3 can be selectively attached to and detached from the attachment portions 21 and 22. When the mark M0 can be detected from the upper side of the sheet SH1, the differential pressure molding of the sheet SH1 in accordance with the mark M0 can be performed by attaching the mark detection unit U3 to the first attachment portion 21 of the support unit 20. When the mark M0 can be detected from the lower side of the sheet SH1, the differential pressure molding of the sheet SH1 in accordance with the mark M0 can be performed by attaching the mark detection unit U3 to the second attachment portion 22 of the support unit 20. Moreover, the mark detection part U3 may be attached to both the attachment parts 21 and 22, and the mark M0 may be detected from the one surface SH1a side and the other surface SH1b side. Therefore, the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that can form various marked sheets and has a high degree of freedom.
Of course, the above description applies to both the support portions 20A and 20B.

  The mark detection unit U3 includes a support member 50 having a screw insertion hole and extending inward in the width direction D2, and mark sensors SN1 and SN2 facing from the front end of the support member 50 toward the sheet SH1. ing. The support member 50 is a generic term for the support members 50A and 50B.

  The mark sensors SN1 and SN2 indicate, for example, whether or not the mark M1 has been detected by irradiating the sheet SH1 with light such as visible light and detecting the difference in reflected light amount between the ground color and the mark color in a non-contact manner. A presence / absence detection signal is generated. In particular, when an optical fiber sensor is used for the mark sensors SN1 and SN2, the accuracy of detecting the position of the mark M0 is increased. Of course, the mark sensor may be a non-contact sensor such as a transmissive photoelectric proximity switch, a color meter, a digital camera, in addition to the above-described reflective photoelectric proximity switch. When the mark has a shape such as a hole, a convex part, or an uneven part, a contact sensor may be used.

  The position adjustment mechanism 40 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 adjusts the position of the holding mechanism 10 in the width direction D2 together with the support portion 20 at each of the positions P1 to P3. As shown in FIG. 5, the side wall B2 is fixed to the base B1 of the differential pressure molding apparatus 1 at positions that are both ends in the width direction D2 across the heating zone Z2, and in the width direction D2 across the molding zone Z3. Side walls B3 are fixed at positions that are both ends. Here, the side wall B2 generically refers to the side wall B2A on the first side S1 and the side wall B2B on the second side S2. The side wall B3 generically refers to the side wall B3A on the first side S1 and the side wall B3B on the second side S2. Each position adjustment mechanism 40 includes a shaft member 41, a handle 42, and a movable member 43. This movable member 43 is a generic term for the movable member 43A on the first side S1 and the movable member 43B on the second side S2. The movable members 43A and 43B are installed so as to be slidable in the width direction D2 with respect to the base B1, and support the feeding units U11 and U12 to which the mark detection unit U3 is attached. The shaft member 41 has a male screw 41a on the first side S1 and a male screw 41b on the second side S2, and is centered on the central axis with respect to the side wall B2 or the side wall B3 with the longitudinal direction facing the width direction D2. It is supported so that it can rotate. The male screws 41a and 41b have threads in opposite directions (for example, the male screw 41a is clockwise and the male screw 41b is counterclockwise). The movable member 43A is formed with a female screw that is screwed with the male screw 41a, and the movable member 43B is formed with a female screw that is screwed with the male screw 41b. The handle 42 can be operated to rotate the shaft member 41 clockwise and counterclockwise.

In each position adjustment mechanism 40, when the handle 42 is rotated clockwise, the shaft member 41 rotates clockwise, and the movable members 43A, 43B screwed with the male screws 41a, 41b approach (or move away) from each other in the width direction D2. When the handle 42 is rotated counterclockwise, the shaft member 41 rotates counterclockwise, and the movable members 43A and 43B screwed with the male screws 41a and 41b move away (or approach) each other in the width direction D2.
As described above, the position in the width direction D2 of the holding mechanism 10 is adjusted together with the support portion 20 at each of the positions P1 to P3. Thereby, the position of the mark detection unit U3 attached to the support unit 20 in the width direction D2 is also adjusted. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a mechanism for adjusting the position of the mark detection unit U3 in the width direction D2, and the mark detection unit U3 can be performed by performing the necessary work of adjusting the distance between the holding mechanisms 10A and 10B to the width of the sheet SH1. There is no need to adjust the position in the width direction D2.

Of course, the position adjusting mechanism 40 is not limited to a mechanism that adjusts the interval between the holding mechanisms 10A and 10B by a manual operation such as a handle, and the interval between the holding mechanisms 10A and 10B is automatically controlled according to an operation on the control panel 100. It may be a mechanism.
Moreover, the installation location of the position adjustment mechanism 40 is not limited to three locations, and may be four or more by adding a position adjustment mechanism between the positions P1 and P2, or may be reduced to two locations or one location. You may limit to.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of an electric circuit of the thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 centering on the control panel 100 (an example of the control unit U4). As a component of the differential pressure forming apparatus 1, the control panel 100 includes a central control circuit 101 that controls the operation of the entire control panel, a transport control unit 111 that controls the operation of the first feeding unit U11, and the operations of the second feeding unit U12. A conveyance control unit 112 that controls the operation, a molding control unit 113 that controls the operation of the molding mechanism 70a included in the molding apparatus 70, a heater control unit 114 that controls the operation of the heater group HG, an information output unit 131, an operation unit 132, and the like. It has. A mark sensor SN1 and a servo motor 14A are connected to the transport control unit 111. A mark sensor SN2 and a servo motor 14B are connected to the transport control unit 112.

The central control circuit 101 is a circuit in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a timer circuit 105, a nonvolatile memory 106, and the like are connected to an internal bus. It is said that. The CPU 102 controls each part of the thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 using the RAM 104 as a work area based on a control program recorded in the ROM 103 or the nonvolatile memory 106.
The information output unit 131 includes, for example, a display, an audio output device, and a printer, and outputs various types of information indicating operation settings of the thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 by displaying the operation contents received from the user. . The operation unit 132 includes, for example, a plurality of buttons such as a cursor button, a numeric button, and a confirmation button, and receives an operation input from the user.

(4) Operation, action and effect of differential pressure forming device:
FIG. 11 illustrates a setting process performed by the control panel 100. This process is performed mainly by the central control circuit 101 of the control panel 100, and is performed in parallel with other processes by multitasking.
When receiving an operation for displaying the setting input screen, the control panel 100 displays a setting input screen 140 as shown in FIG. 11 on the information output unit 131 (step S102; hereinafter, description of “step” is omitted). The setting input screen 140 has an input field 141 for shot interval L1 (see FIG. 4), an input field 142 for post-detection feed L2 (see FIG. 4), and an input field 143 for mark detection range L3. The length L1 is the interval between shots ST1. The length L2 is a conveyance distance of the sheet SH1 from the detection of the marks M1 and M2 by the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 to the position of the shot ST1. The mark detection range L3 is a range for determining whether or not the marks M1 and M2 are detected by the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 for each shot ST1.

  The control panel 100 receives setting inputs for the lengths L1 to L3 in the input fields 141 to 143 (S104). Finally, the control panel 100 stores each set value (L1 to L3) in the nonvolatile memory 106 (S106) and ends the setting process.

FIG. 12 illustrates the transfer molding process performed by the differential pressure molding apparatus 1. This process is performed mainly by the central control circuit 101 of the control panel 100, and is performed in parallel with other processes by multitasking. FIG. 13 schematically illustrates the position of the sheet SH1 when the conveyance molding process is being performed.
Upon receiving an operation for starting molding, the control panel 100 starts the conveyance molding process shown in FIG. 12, and the heater control unit 114 starts energizing the heater group HG (S202). Thereby, the heater group HG preheats the sheet SH1. Thereafter, in the sheet SH1, a process of separately and independently driving the feeding of the first edge SH11 and the feeding of the second edge SH12 is performed. In FIG. 12, S210, S212, S214, and S216 indicate processing for sending the first edge SH11, and S220, S222, S224, and S226 indicate processing for sending the second edge SH12.

In S210, the control panel 100 drives the servo motor 14A in the conveyance control unit 111 to cause the first sending unit U11 to send the first edge SH11 to the downstream side D1L in the conveyance direction D1 at a predetermined conveyance speed V1. In S220, the control panel 100 drives the servo motor 14B in the conveyance control unit 112 to cause the second feeding unit U12 to send the second edge SH12 to the downstream side D1L in the conveyance direction D1 at the predetermined conveyance speed V1. .
As described above, both edge portions SH11 and SH12 move in the transport direction D1 at the transport speed V1.

  After the process of S210, the control panel 100 determines whether or not the mark M1 is detected by the transport control unit 111 (S212), and repeats the process of S212 until the mark M1 is detected. After the process of S220, the control panel 100 determines whether or not the mark M2 is detected by the transport control unit 112 (S222), and repeats the process of S222 until the mark M2 is detected.

When the mark M1 on the first side S1 is detected (STEP 1 in FIG. 13), the control panel 100 servos at the time when the conveyance control unit 111 feeds the set distance (L2) from the time when the mark M1 is detected. The drive of the motor 14A is stopped and the feeding of the first edge SH11 is stopped (S214, STEP2 in FIG. 13). When the mark M2 on the second side S2 is detected (STEP 1 in FIG. 13), the control panel 100 servos at a point in time when the transport control unit 112 feeds a set distance (L2) from the time when the mark M2 is detected. The driving of the motor 14A is stopped and the feeding of the second edge SH12 is stopped (S224, STEP2 in FIG. 13).
As described above, both edge portions SH11 and SH12 are stopped at the position of the set distance (L2) from the marks M1 and M2.

  By design, the feed of the second edge SH12 stops when the feed of the first edge SH11 stops, but in reality, the use of the transport unit U1 may cause a slight difference in the elongation of the chain 11, There may be a slight deviation when the feeding of the portions SH11 and SH12 is stopped. The control panel 100 causes the differential pressure forming unit U2 to perform differential pressure molding of the molding target shot ST2 of the sheet SH1 in the molding control unit 113 at the time when the feeding of both the edges SH11 and SH12 is stopped (S204, FIG. 13). (Step 3). Thereby, the target shot ST2 of the preheated sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure.

After molding, in S216, the control panel 100 drives the servo motor 14A again in the transport control unit 111 to cause the first feeding unit U11 to move the first edge SH11 to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 at a predetermined transport speed V1. The processing is returned to S212. In S226, the control panel 100 drives the servo motor 14B again in the transport control unit 112, and sends the second edge SH12 to the second feeding unit U12 at the predetermined transport speed V1 to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1. The process returns to S222.
As described above, both edge portions SH11 and SH12 move in the transport direction D1 at the transport speed V1. By repeating the process described above, the sheet SH1 is intermittently conveyed at the interval L1 of the shot ST1, and the process in which the sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure when stopped is repeated.

When the mark sensor SN1 is arranged on the upstream side D1U from the heating zone Z2 as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 15, the distance L92 over which the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected by the mark sensor SN1 is 2. The distance for the shot is longer than 2 × L91. In this case, the position of the molded product PR1 may be conspicuously shifted from the position of the printed pattern PRT1 due to a feeding error of a conveyance unit such as a clamp chain.
Further, if the mark sensor SN1 is installed at a location away from the support portion including the rail, it is necessary to adjust the position of the mark sensor SN1 in the width direction D2 every time the width of the sheet SH1 changes.

On the other hand, in the specific example illustrated in FIG. 13, the mark detection unit U3 is arranged in the forming zone Z3, whereby the distance that the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected is short, and the differential pressure forming is correspondingly performed. Position errors are unlikely to occur. Therefore, the accuracy of the differential pressure molding position is improved, and the position of the molded product PR1 is difficult to shift from the position of the printed pattern PRT1.
Further, since the mark detection unit U3 is attached to the support unit 20 including the rails 25, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the mark detection unit U3 in the sheet width direction D2 even if the width of the sheet SH1 changes.
Furthermore, since the mark M0 can be detected from the one surface SH1a side with respect to the sheet SH1, or the mark M0 can be detected from the other surface SH1b side, the degree of freedom in differential pressure forming is high.
Further, even if there is a difference in the feeding speed of each of the edges SH11 and SH12, such as a difference in the elongation of the chain 11 due to use, the set distance (L2) is fed starting from the detection of each mark M1, M2. At that time, the feeding of the respective edge portions SH11 and SH12 is stopped. Therefore, also in this respect, the accuracy of the differential pressure molding position is improved, and the position of the molded product PR1 is hardly displaced from the position of the printed pattern PRT1.

(5) Modification:
Various modifications can be considered for the present technology.
For example, in the molded product manufacturing system, there may be no product take-out device, no scrap collection device, no trimming device, and no sheet supply device. The differential pressure molding apparatus included in these molded product manufacturing systems is also included in the present technology. When the sheet is heated and softened by another apparatus, the molded article manufacturing system may not have a heating apparatus. The differential pressure molding apparatus included in the molded product manufacturing system is also included in the present technology.
The sheet conveyance unit is not limited to a conveyance unit having a chain, and may be a conveyance unit having a pair of rollers that sandwich a sheet edge.
The mark detection unit is not limited to being attached to the rail via the cover, and may be attached in direct contact with the rail, for example.
Further, even if one of the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 is not present, the present technology can be applied by performing the processing as illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 14 illustrates a transfer molding process performed by the differential pressure molding apparatus 1 when the mark sensor SN1 is provided but the mark sensor SN2 is not present. This process is also performed mainly by the central control circuit 101 of the control panel 100, and is performed in parallel with other processes by multitasking.

Upon receiving an operation for starting molding, the control panel 100 starts the conveyance molding process shown in FIG. 14 and starts energizing the heater group HG in the heater control unit 114 (S202). Next, the control panel 100 drives the servo motors 14A and 14B in the conveyance control units 111 and 112 to cause the feeding units U11 and U12 to move the sheet edge portions SH11 and SH12 to the downstream side D1L in the conveyance direction D1 at a predetermined conveyance speed V1. (S210). Next, the control panel 100 determines whether or not the mark M1 is detected by the transport control unit 111 (S212), and repeats the process of S212 until the mark M1 is detected. When the mark M1 is detected, the control panel 100 stops the driving of the servo motors 14A and 14B at the time when the conveyance control units 111 and 112 are fed the set distance (L2) from the time when the mark M1 is detected. The feeding of the parts SH11 and SH12 is stopped (S214). Next, the control panel 100 causes the differential pressure forming unit U2 to perform differential pressure molding of the shot ST2 to be molded of the sheet SH1 in the molding control unit 113 (S204). After molding, in S216, the control panel 100 drives the servo motors 14A and 14B again in the transport control units 111 and 112 to cause the feeding units U11 and U12 to move the edges SH11 and SH12 at the predetermined transport speed V1 in the transport direction D1. The data is sent to the downstream side D1L, and the process returns to S212.
By repeating the process described above, the sheet SH1 is intermittently conveyed at the interval L1 of the shot ST1, and the process in which the sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure when stopped is repeated.

  Also in the above-described case, the mark detection unit U3 is arranged in the forming zone Z3, whereby the distance that the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected is short, and accordingly, an error in the differential pressure forming position hardly occurs. Therefore, the accuracy of the differential pressure molding position is improved, and the position of the molded product PR1 is difficult to shift from the position of the printed pattern PRT1. Even if the width of the sheet SH1 changes, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the mark detection unit U3 in the sheet width direction D2, and the degree of freedom in differential pressure forming is high.

(6) Conclusion:
As described above, according to the present invention, a technique for improving the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position can be provided according to various aspects. Needless to say, the above-described basic functions and effects can be obtained even with the technology consisting only of the constituent elements according to the independent claims.
In addition, the configurations disclosed in the above-described examples are mutually replaced or the combination is changed, the known technology and the configurations disclosed in the above-described examples are mutually replaced or the combinations are changed. The configuration described above can also be implemented. The present invention includes these configurations and the like.

1 ... Differential pressure forming device,
10, 10A, 10B ... holding mechanism, 11 ... chain, 15 ... holding part,
20, 20 </ b> A, 20 </ b> B—supporting portion, 21, first mounting site, 22, second mounting site,
25, 25A, 25B ... rail, 30, 30A, 30B ... cover,
40: Position adjustment mechanism,
50, 50A, 50B ... support members,
70 ... Molding device,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Control board, 131 ... Information output part, 132 ... Operation part, 140 ... Setting input screen,
A1 ... molding range, C1 ... center,
D1 ... transport direction, D1U ... upstream side, D1L ... downstream side, D2 ... width direction, D3 ... vertical direction,
D4 ... moving direction, D41 ... first moving direction, D42 ... second moving direction,
DE1 ... sheet feeding device, DE2 ... heating device, DE4 ... trimming device,
DE5 ... scrap recovery device, DE6 ... product take-out device,
DR0, DR1, DR2 ... drive unit,
M0, M1, M2 ... mark,
PR1 ... molded product, PRT1 ... pattern,
S1 ... first side, S2 ... second side,
SH1 ... sheet, SH1a ... one side, SH1b ... other side, SH2 ... molded sheet,
SH10 ... edge, SH11 ... first edge, SH12 ... second edge,
SN1 ... mark sensor (example of components of the first mark detection unit),
SN2 ... mark sensor (example of components of second mark detection unit),
ST1, ST2 ... shot,
SY1 ... Thermoformed product manufacturing system,
U1 ... Conveying unit, U2 ... Differential pressure forming unit, U3 ... Mark detecting unit, U4 ... Control unit,
U11 ... 1st feeding part, U12 ... 2nd feeding part,
Z1 ... sheet supply zone, Z2 ... heating zone, Z3 ... molding zone,
Z4 ... Trimming zone, Z5 ... Scrap collection zone, Z6 ... Product removal zone.

Claims (5)

In a differential pressure molding apparatus that repeatedly conveys a continuous sheet having marks according to molding shots in units of the shot and repeats molding by differential pressure,
A transport unit that transports the sheet in the transport direction passing through the molding zone;
A differential pressure forming section for forming the sheet by differential pressure in the forming zone;
A mark detection unit that is arranged in the molding zone and detects a mark on the sheet,
When the mark detection unit detects the mark of the sheet being conveyed by the conveyance unit, conveyance of the sheet is stopped when conveyance of a set distance shorter than the shot interval is performed from this detection. And a differential pressure forming apparatus for forming the sheet by the differential pressure forming part. The transport unit is
A holding mechanism that moves to the downstream side in the transport direction together with the edge through the molding zone in a state in which the edge in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction is releasably held in the sheet;
A support portion including a rail for guiding the holding mechanism in the moving direction of the holding mechanism,
The differential pressure forming device includes a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the holding mechanism in the width direction together with the support portion,
The differential pressure molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark detection unit is attached to the support unit in the molding zone. The support part has a first attachment part that allows the mark detection part to be attached and detached on one surface side of the sheet, and a second attachment part that allows the mark detection part to be attached and detached on the other surface side of the sheet,
The differential pressure forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mark detection unit is attached to at least one of the first attachment part and the second attachment part. The holding mechanism includes an endless chain, and a plurality of holding portions provided in the endless chain to releasably hold the edge of the sheet,
4. The differential pressure forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conveyance unit causes the holding unit to hold the edge within a range in which the holding unit moves to the downstream side. 5. In the differential pressure molding method in which a continuous sheet having a mark matched to a molding shot is intermittently conveyed in units of the shot and repeatedly molded by a differential pressure,
The sheet is conveyed by a conveyance unit in the conveyance direction passing through the molding zone,
Detecting the mark of the sheet by a mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone,
When the mark detection unit detects the mark of the sheet being conveyed by the conveyance unit, conveyance of the sheet is stopped when conveyance of a set distance shorter than the shot interval is performed from this detection. A differential pressure molding method in which the sheet is molded with a differential pressure by a differential pressure molding section in the molding zone.

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