JP2022166803A - Elastic sheet transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an elastic sheet transport device that enables easy placement of an elastic sheet at a target position.

SOLUTION: A transport mechanism 56 of a first elastic sheet transport device 5 includes: a suction part 73 that has a suction face 71 and a suction port 72; a suction mechanism 74 that communicates with the suction port 72; a suction part movement mechanism 75 that moves the suction part 73 and the suction mechanism 74; and a transport control part 123 that drive-controls the suction mechanism 74 and the suction part movement mechanism 75. The transport control part 123 drive-controls the suction part movement mechanism 75 and makes the suction face 71 of the suction part 73 face an elastic sheet 2 positioned on a supply position D, and drives the suction mechanism 74 and suctions up and adheres the elastic sheet 2 to the suction face 71. Thereafter, the transport control part 123 drives the suction part movement mechanism 75 and makes the suction part 73 face a first punching position A and stops the driving of the suction mechanism 74, thereby causing the elastic sheet 2 to fall from the suction face 71 and be placed at the first punching position A.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an elastic sheet conveying device that accurately conveys an elastic sheet to a predetermined target position. The present invention also relates to an elastic sheet punching system for punching an elastic sheet conveyed by an elastic sheet conveying mechanism with an elastic sheet punching device to manufacture a sealing material or the like.

Some O-rings used as sealing materials are manufactured by punching out elastic sheets made of elastomer. Patent Document 1 describes an O-ring manufacturing method in which an elastic sheet in which an annular product portion and a burr portion are integrally formed is placed on the surface of a die, and the product portion is punched out with a punch to manufacture an O-ring. ing.

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 06-74312

When setting the elastic sheet on the surface of the die, if the position of the elastic sheet deviates from the punching position previously set on the surface of the die, the elastic sheet cannot be punched out accurately. Therefore, if the elastic sheet is displaced from the punching position, the elastic sheet must be removed from the surface of the die and repositioned at the punching position. Here, the elastic sheet is flexible. Moreover, some elastic sheets have adhesive properties. Therefore, if the position of the elastic sheet deviates from the punching position, it takes time and effort to rearrange the elastic sheet, delaying the punching operation of the elastic sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an elastic sheet conveying device that facilitates placement of an elastic sheet at a target position.

In order to solve the above problems, an elastic sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention attracts and moves an elastic sheet at a first position, and conveys the elastic sheet to a second position different from the first position by canceling the attraction. a mechanism, wherein the conveying mechanism includes a first suction unit including a first suction surface and a first suction port provided on the first suction surface; a first suction mechanism communicating with the first suction port; a first suction section moving mechanism for moving the first suction section; and a first transfer control section for driving and controlling the first suction mechanism and the first suction section moving mechanism, wherein the first transfer control When the elastic sheet is placed at the first position, the section causes the first suction surface to face the elastic sheet with a gap, and drives the first suction mechanism to move the first suction surface to the suction surface. The elastic sheet is sucked, the first suction portion is moved to make the first suction surface face the second position, and then the first suction mechanism is stopped.

In the present invention, the first suction section of the transport mechanism does not suction the elastic sheet to the first suction surface while pressing the first suction surface against the elastic sheet, but separates the first suction surface from the elastic sheet. In this state, the elastic sheet is sucked upward to be attracted to the first attraction surface. Therefore, when the elastic sheet is adsorbed, the first adsorption surface is not pressed against the elastic sheet. Therefore, deformation and tearing of the elastic sheet can be prevented or suppressed. Also, it is possible to prevent the elastic sheet from sticking to the first adsorption surface. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the charging of the elastic sheet due to friction or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the elastic sheet from sticking to the first attraction surface due to electrification. Therefore,
When the first suction mechanism is stopped, the elastic sheet can be easily separated from the first adsorption surface, and the elastic sheet can be easily arranged at the second position.

In the present invention, the first intake mechanism may include an ejector having an air inlet communicating with the first intake. With the ejector, it is easy to increase the amount of air sucked from the air inlet per unit time. Therefore, when air is sucked from the first suction port of the first suction part using an ejector whose air inlet communicates with the first suction port, the first suction part separates the first suction surface from the elastic sheet. In this state, the elastic sheet on the table surface is sucked upward, making it easier to suck.

In the present invention, the first suction surface has a frame-shaped portion that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet when the elastic sheet is suctioned, and the first suction port is provided on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped portion. The surface of the frame-shaped portion is a rough surface, and can satisfy the following conditional expression, where R is the ten-point average roughness.
8μm≦R
With this configuration, since the frame-shaped portion of the first adsorption surface is a rough surface, when the first adsorption portion is adsorbing the elastic sheet to the first adsorption surface by driving the ejector, the frame-shaped portion of the first adsorption surface is pulled out. Air flows between the portion and the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet that contacts the frame-like portion. That is, when the elastic sheet is adsorbed on the first adsorption surface, the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped portion where the first air inlet exists from the outer peripheral side of the elastic sheet between the first adsorption surface and the elastic sheet. creates an air current directed toward As a result, the first adsorption surface and the elastic sheet do not come into close contact with each other, so that the elastic sheet is easily separated from the first adsorption surface when the drive of the ejector is stopped. Therefore, it becomes easy to arrange the elastic sheet at the second position. Here, if the conditional expression is satisfied, when the first adsorption unit adsorbs the elastic sheet to the first adsorption surface by driving the ejector, air can easily flow between the first adsorption surface and the elastic sheet. . In other words, when the value of the ten-point average roughness of the first attraction surface is below the lower limit value of the conditional expression, it becomes difficult for air to flow between the first attraction surface and the elastic sheet.

In the present invention, the first attraction surface may have a metal portion made of a conductive metal. With this configuration, even if the elastic sheet is charged with static electricity, the charge can be released from the metal portion to the first adsorption portion.

In the present invention, the elastic sheet may be made of elastomer.

According to the elastic sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention, the first suction section of the conveying mechanism does not suck the elastic sheet to the first suction surface while the first suction surface is pressed against the elastic sheet, but rather performs the first suction. With the surface separated from the elastic sheet, the elastic sheet is sucked upward to be attracted to the first attraction surface. Therefore, when the elastic sheet is adsorbed, the first adsorption surface is not pressed against the elastic sheet. Therefore, deformation and tearing of the elastic sheet can be prevented or suppressed. Also, it is possible to prevent the elastic sheet from sticking to the first adsorption surface. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the charging of the elastic sheet due to friction or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the elastic sheet from sticking to the first attraction surface due to electrification. Therefore, when the first suction mechanism is stopped, it is easy to separate the elastic sheet from the first suction surface, and it becomes easy to dispose the elastic sheet at the second position.

1 is a front view of an elastic sheet punching system; FIG. 1 is a plan view of an elastic sheet punching system viewed from above; FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view and cross-sectional view of an elastic sheet; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a supply mechanism; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an elastic sheet moving mechanism and a conveying mechanism; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a table and positioning mechanism; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second elastic sheet conveying device; 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the elastic sheet punching system; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the positioning operation of the elastic sheet by the positioning mechanism; It is explanatory drawing of the adsorption|suction part of a modification.

An elastic sheet punching system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a front view of an elastic sheet punching system. FIG. 2 is an illustration of a resilient sheet punching system viewed downward from a given height. FIG. 2 shows a downward view from the height of line JJ in FIG. FIG. 3(a) is a plan view of the elastic sheet. FIG. 3(b) is a sectional view taken along line KK of FIG. 3(a). In the elastic sheet punching system 1 of this example, an elastic sheet 2 is sequentially punched by two elastic sheet punching devices 3 and 4 to manufacture an annular sealing material such as an O-ring.

As shown in FIG. 1, an elastic sheet punching system 1 includes a first elastic sheet punching device 3 for punching an elastic sheet 2, and a first elastic sheet punching device 3 for further punching the elastic sheet 2 punched by the first elastic sheet punching device 3. of second elastic sheet punching device 4. The elastic sheet punching system 1 also includes a first elastic sheet conveying device 5 that supplies the elastic sheet 2 to the first elastic sheet punching device 3, and a second elastic sheet punching device that transfers the elastic sheet 2 from the first elastic sheet punching device 3 to the second elastic sheet punching device. and a second elastic sheet conveying device 6 for conveying to 4 . Further, the elastic sheet punching system 1 includes a control unit 7 that drives the first elastic sheet punching device 3, the second elastic sheet punching device 4, the first elastic sheet conveying device 5, and the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 in cooperation. have.

The first elastic sheet punching device 3 includes a first punch plate 13 having a first plate portion 11 and a first punch portion 12 protruding downward from the first plate portion 11, and a first punch plate 13 disposed below the first punch plate 13. a first die plate 18; The first die plate 18 includes a first hole portion 19 capable of receiving the tip portion of the first punch portion 12 at a position overlapping the first punch portion 12 when viewed from above and below. A first punching position A is set on the die plate surface 18 a of the first die plate 18 .

The first elastic sheet punching device 3 also includes a first elevating mechanism 21 that elevates the first punch plate 13 and a first punching controller 22 that drives and controls the first elevating mechanism 21 . The first punching control unit 22 is provided integrally with the control unit 7 of the elastic sheet punching system 1 or communicable with it. When the elastic sheet 2 to be punched is placed at the first punching position A, the first punching control section 22 causes the first punch plate 13 to approach the first die plate 18 from above. As a result, the first elastic sheet punching device 3 punches the elastic sheet 2 with the first punch portion 12 and inserts the tip portion of the first punch portion 12 into the first hole portion 19 . Further, the first punching control section 22 separates the first punch plate 13 upward from the first die plate 18 when the punching of the elastic sheet 2 is completed. The punched portion of the elastic sheet 2 punched by the first punch part 12 is collected in the first collection box 24 positioned below the first hole part 19 .

The second elastic sheet punching device 4 punches the elastic sheet 2 punched by the first elastic sheet punching device 3 . The second elastic sheet punching device 4 has a structure corresponding to that of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 . Therefore, in the description of the second elastic sheet punching device 4, the corresponding components corresponding to those of the second elastic sheet punching device 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The second elastic sheet punching device 4 includes a second punch plate 33 having a second plate portion 11 and a second punch portion 12 protruding downward from the second plate portion 11, and a second punch plate 33 disposed below the second punch plate 13. a second die plate 18; The second punch part 12 and the first punch part 12 of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 have different outline shapes when viewed from above and below. The second die plate 18 includes a second hole portion 19 capable of receiving the tip portion of the second punch portion 12 at a position overlapping the second punch portion 12 when viewed from above and below. A second punching position B is set on the die plate surface 18 a of the second die plate 18 .

The second elastic sheet punching device 4 also includes a second elevating mechanism 21 that elevates the second punch plate 13 and a second punching controller 22 that drives and controls the second elevating mechanism 21 . The second punching control unit 22 is provided integrally with the control unit 7 of the elastic sheet punching system 1 or communicable with it. When the elastic sheet 2 is placed at the second punching position B, the second punching controller 22 causes the second punch plate 13 to approach the second die plate 18 from above. As a result, the second elastic sheet punching device 4 punches the elastic sheet 2 with the second punch portion 12 and inserts the tip portion of the second punch portion 12 into the second hole portion 19 . Further, the second punching control section 22 separates the second punch plate 13 upward from the second die plate 18 when the punching of the elastic sheet 2 is completed. The punched portion of the elastic sheet 2 punched by the second punch section 12 is collected in the second collection box 24 located below the second hole section 19 .

The first elastic sheet conveying device 5 includes a table 51 and a supply mechanism 52 that supplies the elastic sheet 2 to a placement area C set on the table surface 51 a of the table 51 . As shown in FIG. 2, the supply mechanism 52 includes a stocker 53 that holds the elastic sheets 2 in a stacked state at a retention position E set in advance. The supply mechanism 52 also includes an elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 that moves the elastic sheet 2 from the stocker 53 to the table 51 .

The first elastic sheet conveying device 5 also includes a positioning mechanism 55 that positions the elastic sheet 2 placed in the placement area C of the table surface 51a at a supply position (first position) D within the placement area C. As shown in FIG. Further, the first elastic sheet conveying device 5 attracts and moves the elastic sheet 2 positioned at the supply position D, and the conveying mechanism disposes the elastic sheet 2 at the first punching position A of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 by canceling the attraction. 56.

The second elastic sheet conveying device 6 attracts and moves the elastic sheet 2 at the first punching position A of the first elastic sheet punching device 3, and moves it to the second punching position of the second elastic sheet punching device 4 by releasing the suction. Place on B. The elastic sheet 2 conveyed by the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 is the punched elastic sheet 2 punched by the first elastic sheet punching device 3 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the table 51, the first elastic sheet punching device 3, and the second elastic sheet punching device 4 are arranged in this order in one direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the table 51 and the stocker 53 at the retention position E are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the table 51, the first elastic sheet punching device 3, and the second elastic sheet punching device 4. ing. Hereinafter, the arrangement direction of the table 51, the first elastic sheet punching device 3, and the second elastic sheet punching device 4 is defined as the X direction. The arrangement direction of the table 51 and the stocker 53 is assumed to be the Y direction. Also, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction. The X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction are directions orthogonal to each other. In the X direction, the side where the second elastic sheet punching device 4 is located is the X1 direction, and the opposite direction is the X2 direction. In the Y direction, the side where the stocker 53 is located is the Y1 direction, and the opposite direction is the Y2 direction. Also, the downward direction is the Z1 direction, and the upward direction is the Z2 direction.

(elastic sheet)
As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic sheet 2 has a square profile when viewed in its thickness direction. The outline of the elastic sheet 2 consists of a first side 58a and a second side 58b extending parallel to each other and a third side 58c extending parallel to the direction orthogonal to the first side 58a and the second side 58b. and a fourth side 58d. Note that the elastic sheet 2 may have a hexagonal shape. In this case, the elastic sheet 2 has a first side 58a and a second side 58b extending parallel to and facing each other, and a third side extending parallel to and perpendicular to the first side 58a and the second side 58b facing each other. 58c and a fourth side 58d; a fifth side extending in a direction intersecting the first side 58a and the third side 58c to connect the first side 58a and the third side 58c; and a sixth side connecting the side 58b and the fourth side 58d.

In addition, the elastic sheet 2 includes a plurality of annular product portions 60 that serve as annular sealing members, and a burr portion 61 excluding the plurality of annular product portions 60 . A plurality of annular product portions 60 are arranged in a matrix in the central portion of the elastic sheet 2 . Each annular product portion 60 has an annular shape when viewed from the thickness direction. A cross section obtained by cutting a portion of each annular product portion 60 in the circumferential direction in the thickness direction is circular.

The burr portion 61 has a frame-shaped burr portion 61a provided along the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 over the entire circumference. The frame-shaped burr portion 61a is provided with a constant width. The plurality of annular product portions 60 are positioned on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped burr portion 61a. In addition, the burr portion 61 includes an inner burr portion 61b located inside each annular product portion 60 and an outer burr portion 61c located outside each annular product portion 60 on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped burr portion 61a. Prepare. The inner burr portion 61b has an annular inner projection projecting in the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction at a position adjacent to the annular product portion 60. As shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the inner protrusion is rectangular and tapers in the Z1 and Z2 directions. The outer burr portion 61c continues on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped burr portion 61a and continues to the frame-shaped burr portion 61a. The outer burr portion 61c has an annular outer projection projecting in the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction at a position adjacent to the annular product portion 60. As shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the outer protrusion is rectangular and tapers in the Z1 and Z2 directions.

Here, the first elastic sheet punching device 3 punches out the inner burr portion 61b from the elastic sheet 2 . The second elastic sheet punching device 4 punches out the annular product portion 60 from the elastic sheet 2 punched with the inner burr portion 61b. The annular product portion 60 punched by the second elastic sheet punching device 4 becomes an annular sealing material. In this example, the sealing material is an O-ring.

The elastic sheet 2 is made of elastomer. In this example, the elastic sheet 2 is made of thermosetting elastomer. Thermoset elastomers are elastic and flexible. Thermosetting elastomers are also tacky. A thermosetting elastomer has a linear expansion coefficient of 1×10 ^-4 /°C to 3×10 ^-4 /°C. The coefficient of linear expansion of thermosetting elastomers is 10 to 40 times greater than that of iron. Here, the elastic sheet 2 is manufactured by a rubber injection molding machine. That is, the elastic sheet 2 is molded by injecting a thermosetting elastomer into a mold at a predetermined molding temperature and applying pressure. The elastic sheet 2 has properties similar to those of a thermosetting elastomer. That is, the elastic sheet 2 has elasticity and adhesiveness. In addition, the elastic sheet 2 has a coefficient of linear expansion 10 to 40 times greater than that of iron.

(First elastic sheet conveying device)
(supply mechanism)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the supply mechanism 52. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the suction portion of the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54. FIG. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the suction portion of the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 as viewed from the Z1 direction. FIG. 5(a) schematically shows a state in which the elastic sheet 2 is adsorbed to the adsorption portion. As shown in FIG. 4, in the stocker 53, the elastic sheets 2 are stacked in the Z direction. The elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 moves the uppermost elastic sheet 2 of the stocker 53 to the placement area C (see FIG. 2) set on the table surface 51a of the table 51. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the stocker 53 includes a square tubular portion 65 and a bottom plate portion 66 that closes the lower end opening of the square tubular portion 65 . The square tubular portion 65 includes slits 67 extending in the Z direction in the side plates facing each other in the X direction. The elastic sheet 2 is laminated inside the rectangular tubular portion 65 . The bottom plate portion 66 can be moved up and down inside the rectangular tubular portion 65 in the Z direction by a lifting mechanism 68 . The lifting mechanism 68 lifts the bottom plate portion 66 by a predetermined distance each time the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 moves one elastic sheet 2 . The elastic sheet 2 is accommodated in the stocker 53 with the first side 58a and the second side 58b facing the X direction and the third side 58c and the fourth side 58d facing the Y direction. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the residence position E is set in a temperature bath 70 having a temperature control mechanism 70a for controlling the temperature inside the bath. Therefore, the stocker 53 is positioned inside the temperature bath 70 . The elastic sheet 2 stays in the temperature bath 70 .

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 has a suction surface 71 (second suction surface) and an suction port 72 (second suction port) provided on the suction surface 71. a suction mechanism 74 (second suction mechanism) communicating with the suction port 72; and a suction portion moving mechanism 75 (second suction portion moving mechanism) for moving the suction portion 73 and the suction mechanism 74. And prepare. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 includes a first sensor 76 for detecting that a plurality of elastic sheets 2 are attracted to the attraction surface 71 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the suction unit 73 includes a suction plate 81 having a rectangular shape when viewed in the Z direction. The suction plate 81 has a tubular portion 82 protruding in the Z2 direction from its central portion. 5, the suction plate 81 has a square concave portion 83 in the central portion of the lower surface. The size of the concave portion 83 when viewed in the Z direction is smaller than that of the elastic sheet 2 . A communication port 84 that penetrates the suction plate 81 in the Z direction is provided in the central portion of the concave portion 83 . The communication port 84 communicates with the cylindrical portion 82 .

A sheet-like net member 85 is fixed to the lower surface of the suction plate 81 . The net member 85 is rectangular and closes the recess 83 from below. A sheet-like frame 86 is attached to the outer periphery of the net member 85 . In this example, the mesh member 85 is a wire mesh and has conductivity. The frame body 86 is based on crepe paper. More specifically, the frame body 86 is configured by attaching a base material made of crepe paper and a tape having an adhesive layer provided on one side of the base material to the outer peripheral edge of the net member 85 in a frame shape. ing. The surface of the tape, that is, the bottom surface of the frame 86 is rough. Here, the lower surface of the frame 86 and the lower surface of the net member 85 constitute an attraction surface 71 for attracting the elastic sheet 2 . Therefore, the attracting surface 71 has a rough surface portion. Moreover, the attraction surface 71 includes a conductive metal portion. The suction port 72 provided in the adsorption surface 71 is a large number of openings provided in the net member 85 .

The frame-shaped portion 71 a of the adsorption surface 71 made up of the frame body 86 contacts the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 when the adsorption surface 71 adsorbs the elastic sheet 2 . The surface of the frame-shaped portion 71a satisfies the following conditional expression, where R is the ten-point average roughness.
8μm≦R
In this example, R=50 μm.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the intake mechanism 74 has an ejector 88 . The ejector 88 includes an air inlet 88a, a diffuser, a body that allows communication between the diffuser and the air inlet 88a, and an airflow generation mechanism that causes driving fluid to flow into the body to generate an airflow from the air inlet 88a toward the diffuser. , is well known. The ejector 88 has an air inlet 88 a connected to the cylindrical portion 82 of the suction plate 81 . As a result, the air inlet 88 a of the ejector 88 communicates with the intake port 72 , which is the opening of the net member 85 , through the tubular portion 82 , the communication port 84 and the recess 83 of the suction plate 81 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the suction portion moving mechanism 75 includes a support portion 91 that supports the suction portion 73, and a support portion movement mechanism 92 that moves the support portion 91 in the Y direction and the Z direction. The support portion moving mechanism 92 includes a drive source such as a motor. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction section moving mechanism 75 moves the suction section 73 along a predetermined transport path G1 set in advance.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the supply mechanism 52 includes a conveyance control section 93 (second conveyance control section) that drives and controls the suction mechanism 74 and the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 . The conveying control unit 93 is provided integrally with the control unit 7 of the elastic sheet punching system 1 or communicable with it. When the elastic sheet 2 is supplied from the stocker 53 to the table 51 , the transport control section 93 first drives and controls the adsorption section moving mechanism 75 to move the adsorption section 73 so that the adsorption surface 71 is stacked on the stocker 53 . The two elastic sheets 2 are opposed to each other with a gap therebetween. Next, the transport control unit 93 drives the suction mechanism 74 to suck up the elastic sheet 2 to be adsorbed on the adsorption surface 71, and drives the adsorption unit moving mechanism 75 to move the adsorption unit 73 along the predetermined transport path G1. Move in the Y2 direction. After that, the transport control section 93 arranges the adsorption section 73 at a position where the adsorption surface 71 thereof faces the placement area C of the table surface 51a. After that, the transport control unit 93 stops driving the intake mechanism 74 . As a result, the elastic sheet 2 is dropped from the suction surface 71 and supplied to the mounting area C. As shown in FIG.

The first sensor 76 includes an inspection light emitting portion 76a that emits inspection light that traverses in a direction intersecting the transport path G1 below the transport path G1 along which the adsorption portion 73 moves. The first sensor 76 includes a light receiving portion 76b that receives the inspection light on the opposite side of the transport path G1 from the inspection light emitting portion 76a. The transport control section 93 determines whether or not a plurality of elastic sheets 2 are being sucked by the suction section 73 based on the output from the light receiving section 76b.

(table and positioning mechanism)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the table 51 and the positioning mechanism. As shown in FIG. 2 , the table 51 is positioned in the Y2 direction of the stocker 53 . The table 51 is made of metal and has a horizontal table surface 51a. As shown in FIG. 6, the table surface 51a is provided with a coating layer 99 containing fluororesin. In this example, the fluororesin contained in the coating layer 99 is PTFE. A placement area C on which the elastic sheet 2 supplied from the supply mechanism 52 is placed is set in the central portion of the table surface 51a. The placement area C is an area wider than the planar shape of the elastic sheet 2 when viewed from the thickness direction. A supply position D for positioning the elastic sheet 2 is set in the central portion of the placement area C. As shown in FIG. The supply position D is an area having a shape and size corresponding to the planar shape of the elastic sheet 2 . The placement area C is provided with a plurality of vents 101 . A plurality of vents 101 are arranged in a matrix. In this example, the plurality of vents 101 are provided in a rectangular area including the supply position D. As shown in FIG. Here, in this example, the supply mechanism 52 supplies the elastic sheet 2 to a position shifted from the supply position D in the placement area C. As shown in FIG.

The table 51 is provided with a second sensor 103 for detecting that the elastic sheet 2 has been supplied to the table surface 51a. The second sensor 103 includes a light emitting portion, a light receiving portion, and a sensing portion 103a. The light emitting section and the light receiving section are connected by an optical fiber. The sensing section 103a is provided between the light emitting section and the light receiving section in the optical fiber. The sensing part 103a is provided in the center of the table surface 51a. The light emitting section and the light receiving section are arranged below the table 51 . The second sensor 103 is connected to the controller 7 of the elastic sheet punching system 1 . When the elastic sheet 2 is supplied to the table surface 51a, the amount of light received by the light receiving section varies. This changes the output from the light receiving section. Therefore, based on the output from the second sensor 103, the control section 7 can detect the existence of the elastic sheet 2 on the table surface 51a.

The positioning mechanism 55 positions the elastic sheet 2 at the supply position D when the elastic sheet 2 is placed on the placement area C. As shown in FIG. The positioning mechanism 55 includes a floating mechanism 105 for ejecting air from a ventilation port 101 provided in the placement area C on the table surface 51a to float the elastic sheet 2 from the table surface 51a, and a floating mechanism 105 for floating the elastic sheet 2 on the table surface 51a. and an arrangement mechanism 106 for moving along and arranging the supply position D at a levitation position F located in the Z2 direction. The supply position D and the floating position F are regions having a shape facing the elastic sheet 2 in a planar shape.

The levitation mechanism 105 includes a compressor and an air pump (not shown). The air pump communicates with the vent 101 and blows compressed air from the compressor through the vent 101 . Here, when the elastic sheet 2 is lifted from the table surface 51a by the floating mechanism 105, the entire elastic sheet 2 is not separated from the table surface 51a, and a part of the elastic sheet 2 is in contact with the table surface 51a. including the state of being Accordingly, the state in which the elastic sheet 2 is arranged at the floating position F includes a state in which a portion of the elastic sheet 2 is in contact with the table surface 51a.

The arranging mechanism 106 includes a first arranging member 111 that can contact the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 floating in the mounting area C from the X1 direction, and the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 floating in the mounting area C from the X2 direction. A second arranging member 112 that can come into contact, a third arranging member 113 that can come into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 floating in the mounting area C from the Y1 direction, and the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 floating in the mounting area C. is provided with a fourth arrangement member 114 that can abut from the Y2 direction. The first arrangement member 111 and the second arrangement member 112 are plate-shaped members that stand up from the table surface 51a and extend in the Y direction. The third arrangement member 113 and the fourth arrangement member 114 are plate-shaped members that stand up from the table surface 51a and extend in the X direction.

Further, the arranging mechanism 106 moves the first arranging member 111 in the Z1 direction of the table 51 between a first separation position H1 and a floating position F in the X1 direction of the mounting area C in the X direction. a second placement member moving mechanism 115, a second placement member moving mechanism 116 that moves the second placement member 112 in the X direction between a second separation position H2 that separates the second placement member 112 in the X2 direction from the mounting area C and a floating position F; A third arrangement member moving mechanism 117 that moves the third arrangement member 113 in the Y direction between a third separation position H3 that separates the arrangement member 113 in the Y1 direction in the mounting area C and a floating position F, and a fourth arrangement member 114 are placed. A fourth arranging member moving mechanism 118 is provided for moving in the Y direction between the fourth spaced position H4 and the floating position F, which are spaced apart in the Y2 direction of the area C. As shown in FIG. Each arrangement member moving mechanism 115-118 moves each arrangement member 111-114 along a slit 119 provided in the table surface 51a.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the positioning mechanism 55 includes a levitation mechanism 105, a first placement member moving mechanism 115, a second placement member moving mechanism 116, a third placement member moving mechanism 117, and a fourth placement member moving mechanism. 118 to position the elastic sheet 2 at the supply position D is provided. More specifically, the positioning control unit 120 includes a levitation mechanism control unit 121 that drives and controls the levitation mechanism 105, a first placement member moving mechanism 115, a second placement member moving mechanism 116, a third placement member moving mechanism 117, and a movement control unit 122 that drives and controls the fourth arrangement member movement mechanism 118 . The positioning control unit 120 is provided integrally with the control unit 7 of the elastic sheet punching system 1 or communicable with it.

When the elastic sheet 2 is supplied to the placement area C, the positioning control unit 120 drives the floating mechanism 105 to float the elastic sheet 2 from the table surface 51a, and also moves the first placement member moving mechanism 115, the second placement member Member moving mechanism 116, third arrangement member moving mechanism 117, and fourth
By driving the arrangement member moving mechanism 118, the first arrangement member 111 at the first separation position H1, the second arrangement member 112 at the second separation position H2, the third arrangement member 113 at the third separation position H3, and The fourth placement member 114 at the fourth spaced position H4 is moved toward the floating position F at the same time. As a result, the elastic sheet 2 moves to the supply position D in contact with the arrangement members 111-114. When the elastic sheet 2 is placed at the levitation position F, the levitation mechanism control section 121 stops the levitation mechanism 105 . As a result, the elastic sheet 2 is lowered from the floating position F and placed at the supply position D. As shown in FIG. When the elastic sheet 2 is arranged at the supply position D, the movement control section 122 operates the first arrangement member moving mechanism 115, the second arrangement member movement mechanism 116, the third arrangement member movement mechanism 117, and the fourth arrangement member movement mechanism. 118 is driven to move the first, second, third, and fourth arrangement members 111, 112, 113, and 114 at the levitation position F to the first separation position H1 and the second separation position H2, respectively. , the third spaced position H3, and the fourth spaced position H4.

Note that the positioning control section 120 may drive the floating mechanism 105 to eject air from the air vent 101 of the table surface 51a before the elastic sheet 2 is supplied to the placement area C.

(transport mechanism)
The conveying mechanism 56 conveys the elastic sheet 2 positioned at the supply position D to the first punching position A set on the first die plate 18 of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 . The transport mechanism 56 has the same configuration as the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 of the supply mechanism 52 . Accordingly, in the description of the conveying mechanism 56, the same names and the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to those of the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the transport mechanism 56 includes an adsorption portion 73 (first adsorption portion) including an adsorption surface 71 (first adsorption surface) and an intake port 72 (first intake port) provided on the adsorption surface 71 . , a suction mechanism 74 (first suction mechanism) communicating with the suction port 72 , and a suction portion moving mechanism 75 (first suction portion moving mechanism) for moving the suction portion 73 and the suction mechanism 74 . As shown in FIG. 5( a ), the suction unit 73 has a suction plate 81 . The suction plate 81 has a tubular portion 82 protruding in the Z2 direction from its central portion. The suction plate 81 also has a square-shaped recessed portion 83 in the central portion of the lower surface. A communication port 84 that penetrates the suction plate 81 in the Z direction is provided in the central portion of the concave portion 83 . The communication port 84 communicates with the cylindrical portion 82 .

As shown in FIG. 5B, a sheet-like net member 85 is fixed to the lower surface of the suction plate 81 to block the recess 83 from below. A sheet-like frame 86 is attached to the outer periphery of the net member 85 . The mesh member 85 is a wire mesh and has conductivity. The lower surface of the frame 86 is rough. The lower surface of the frame 86 and the lower surface of the net member 85 form an attraction surface 71 for attracting the elastic sheet 2 . Therefore, the attracting surface 71 has a rough surface portion. Moreover, the attraction surface 71 includes a conductive metal portion. The suction port 72 provided in the adsorption surface 71 is a large number of openings provided in the net member 85 . The frame-shaped portion 71 a of the adsorption surface 71 made up of the frame body 86 contacts the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 when the adsorption surface 71 adsorbs the elastic sheet 2 . The surface of the frame-shaped portion 71a satisfies the above conditional expression with R=50, where R is the ten-point average roughness.

As shown in FIG. 5( a ), the intake mechanism 74 has an ejector 88 . An air inlet 88 a of the ejector 88 communicates with the intake port 72 , which is an opening of the net member 85 , through the cylindrical portion 82 of the suction plate 81 , the communication port 84 and the recess 83 . As shown in FIG. 1, the suction section moving mechanism 75 includes a support section 125 that supports the suction section 73, and a support section movement mechanism 126 that moves the support section 125 in the X direction and the Z direction. The support portion moving mechanism 126 includes a drive source such as a motor.

Here, as shown in FIG.
is provided. The conveying control unit 123 is provided integrally with the control unit 7 of the elastic sheet punching system 1 or communicable with it. When the elastic sheet 2 is positioned at the supply position D on the table 51 , the transport control unit 123 drives and controls the adsorption unit moving mechanism 75 to move the adsorption unit 73 and move the adsorption surface 71 to the supply position D. The arranged elastic sheets 2 are opposed to each other with a gap. Next, the transport control unit 123 drives the suction mechanism 74 to suck up the elastic sheet 2 to be adsorbed on the adsorption surface 71, and drives the adsorption unit moving mechanism 75 to move the adsorption unit 73 along the predetermined transport path G2. Move in the Y2 direction. Thereafter, the transport control section 123 causes the adsorption section 73 to face the first punching position A set on the first die plate 18 of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 . After that, the transport control unit 123 stops driving the intake mechanism 74 . As a result, the elastic sheet 2 is dropped from the suction surface 71 and arranged at the first punching position A. As shown in FIG.

(Second elastic sheet conveying device)
7A is a cross-sectional view of the suction portion 73 of the second elastic sheet conveying device 6. FIG. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the suction portion 73 of the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 as viewed from the Z1 direction. FIG. 7A schematically shows a state in which the elastic sheet 2 is sucked by the suction portion. The second elastic sheet conveying device 6 moves the elastic sheet 2 arranged at the first punching position A of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 to the second die plate 18 of the second elastic sheet punching device 4 . It is conveyed to the punching position B. The second elastic sheet conveying device 6 has a structure corresponding to the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 and the conveying mechanism 56 of the first elastic sheet conveying device 5 . Accordingly, in the description of the second elastic sheet conveying device 6, the same names and the same reference numerals are given to the structures corresponding to the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 and the conveying mechanism 56, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 includes a suction portion 73 (third suction port) including a suction surface 71 (third suction surface) and an air intake port 72 (third suction port) provided in the suction surface 71 . 3 adsorption portion), an intake mechanism 74 (third intake mechanism) communicating with the intake port 72, and an adsorption portion moving mechanism 75 (third adsorption portion moving mechanism) for moving the adsorption portion 73 and the intake mechanism 74. . As shown in FIG. 7 , the suction section 73 has a suction plate 81 . The suction plate 81 has a tubular portion 82 protruding in the Z2 direction from its central portion. The suction plate 81 also has a square-shaped recessed portion 83 in the central portion of the lower surface. A communication port 84 that penetrates the suction plate 81 in the Z direction is provided in the central portion of the concave portion 83 . The communication port 84 communicates with the cylindrical portion 82 .

A sheet-like net member 85 is fixed to the lower surface of the suction plate 81 to block the concave portion 83 from below. A sheet-like frame 86 is attached to the outer periphery of the net member 85 . A sheet-like rectangular body 87 is attached to the inner peripheral side of the frame body 86 of the net member 85 . The lower surfaces of the rectangular body 87 and the frame body 86 are rough surfaces. The rectangular body 87 and the frame body 86 are spaced apart in the radial direction, and the net member 85 is exposed downward from the gap between the rectangular body 87 and the frame body 86 . The frame-shaped net portion 85a exposed from the gap between the rectangular body 87 and the frame body 86 in the net member 85 is attached to the frame-shaped burr portion 61a of the elastic sheet 2 when the adsorption portion 73 adsorbs the elastic sheet 2. opposite. A plurality of openings of the frame-like mesh portion 85 a exposed from the gap between the rectangular body 87 and the frame body 86 in the mesh member 85 are the intake ports 72 .

The lower surface of the rectangular body 87 , the lower surface of the frame 86 , and the lower surface of the frame-shaped net portion 85 a exposed from the gap between the rectangular body 87 and the frame 86 in the net member 85 attract the elastic sheet 2 . composes the adsorption surface 71 of. The attraction surface 71 thus comprises a conductive metal portion. Here, the frame-shaped portion 71 a and the rectangular portion 71 b of the adsorption surface 71 , which are composed of the frame body 86 and the rectangular body 87 , come into contact with the central portion and the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 when the elastic sheet 2 is adsorbed on the adsorption surface 71 . do. The surface of the frame-shaped portion 71a and the surface of the rectangular portion 71b have R=50, where R is the ten-point average roughness, and satisfy the above conditional expression.

The intake mechanism 74 has an ejector 88 . An air inlet 88 a of the ejector 88 communicates with the intake port 72 , which is an opening of the net member 85 , through the cylindrical portion 82 of the suction plate 81 , the communication port 84 and the recess 83 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the suction portion moving mechanism 75 includes a support portion 127 that supports the suction portion 73, and a support portion movement mechanism 128 that moves the support portion 125 in the X direction and the Z direction. The support portion moving mechanism 128 includes a driving source such as a motor. In this example, the support portion moving mechanism 126 of the transport mechanism 56 also serves as the support portion moving mechanism 128 of the second elastic sheet transport device 6 . That is, in this example, the supply position D, the first punching position A, and the second punching position B are set at equal intervals in the X direction. Moreover, the table surface 51a, the first die plate surface, and the second die plate surface are set to the same height. As a result, the support portion moving mechanism 126 of the transport mechanism 56 simultaneously moves the support portion 125 of the transport mechanism 56 and the support portion 125 of the second elastic sheet transport device 6 at regular intervals, thereby moving from the supply position D to the first position. The movement of the elastic sheet 2 to the punching position A and the movement of the elastic sheet 2 from the first punching position A to the second punching position B can be performed in parallel.

Here, the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 includes a conveying control section 124 (third conveying control section) that drives and controls the suction mechanism 74 and the suction section moving mechanism 75 . The conveying control unit 124 is provided integrally with the control unit 7 of the elastic sheet punching system 1 or communicable with it. When the punching operation of the inner burr portion 61 b of the elastic sheet 2 is completed in the first elastic sheet punching device 3 , the conveyance control section 124 drives and controls the suction section moving mechanism 75 to move the suction section 73 so that the suction surface 71 are opposed to the elastic sheet 2 at the first punching position A on the first die plate surface 18a with a gap therebetween. Next, the conveying control unit 124 drives the suction mechanism 74 to suck up the elastic sheet 2 in the Z2 direction and suck it onto the suction surface 71 . Further, the transport control unit 124 drives the adsorption unit moving mechanism 75 to move the adsorption unit 73 in the X1 direction along the predetermined transport route G3. After that, the transport control section 124 causes the adsorption section 73 to face the second punching position B set on the second die plate 18 of the second elastic sheet punching device 4 . After that, the transport control unit 124 stops driving the intake mechanism 74 . As a result, the elastic sheet 2 is dropped from the suction surface 71 and arranged at the second punching position B. As shown in FIG.

(Operation of elastic sheet punching system)
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the operation of the elastic sheet punching system 1 . As shown in FIG. 8, when manufacturing the sealing material, first, the elastic sheet 2 is held by the stocker 53 and arranged at the staying position E. Then, as shown in FIG. Thereby, the elastic sheet 2 is retained in the temperature bath 70 (step ST1). Next, the elastic sheet punching system 1 conveys the elastic sheet 2 from the stocker 53 to the table 51 (step ST2), and positions the elastic sheet 2 at the supply position D on the table 51 (step ST3). Thereafter, the elastic sheet punching system 1 conveys the elastic sheet 2 from the supply position D to the first punching position A of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 (step ST4). The inner burr portion 61b is punched out (step ST5). After that, the elastic sheet punching system 1 conveys the elastic sheet 2 from the first punching position A to the second punching position B of the second elastic sheet punching device 4 (step ST6). The annular product portion 60 of the sheet 2 is punched (step ST7). This completes the production of the sealing material.

(Retention of elastic sheet in temperature bath)
The elastic sheet 2 manufactured by the rubber injection molding machine is loaded on the stocker 53 and arranged at the retention position E inside the temperature bath 70 . Thereby, the elastic sheet 2 is retained in the temperature bath 70 for a predetermined time or longer.

Here, the dimensions of the elastic sheet 2 may vary for each manufacturing lot due to the temperature and pressure conditions during manufacturing. Therefore, depending on the production lot, the dimensions of the elastic sheet 2 may not match the design dimensions. To address this problem, in this example, the temperature inside the temperature bath 70 is adjusted to change the dimensions of the elastic sheet 2 stored in the stocker 53 so as to match the design dimensions.

When changing the dimensions of the elastic sheet 2, the temperature in the bath is adjusted in the range of -50°C to 60°C. When the temperature in the bath is increased by 10° C., the dimension of the elastic sheet 2 increases by 0.1% to 0.3%. Note that depending on the elastic sheet 2 , the viscosity of the elastic sheet 2 may be increased by adjusting the temperature in the tank to increase the rigidity of the elastic sheet 2 . Moreover, when the elastic sheet 2 is charged with static electricity, the temperature in the tank may be set to 0° C. or less. If the temperature in the bath is set to 0° C. or lower, dew condensation occurs on the surface of the elastic sheet 2 when the elastic sheet 2 is transported out of the temperature bath 70 . This removes static electricity.

If the dimensions of the elastic sheet 2 are the design dimensions, the elastic sheet 2 can be positioned on the table 51 with high accuracy in step ST3. If the dimensions of the elastic sheet 2 are set as design dimensions, the elastic sheet 2 is punched at the first punching position A of the first elastic sheet punching device 3 and at the second punching position of the second elastic sheet punching device 4 in steps ST5 and ST7. Since it can be arranged at the position B with high precision, a desired portion of the elastic sheet 2 can be punched out with high precision.

(Conveyance of elastic sheet from stocker to table)
When manufacturing the sealing material, the transport control unit 93 drives and controls the suction mechanism 74 and the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 of the supply mechanism 52 to move the elastic sheet 2 in the stocker 53 to the suction surface 71 of the suction unit 73 . By suction, the suction portion 73 is moved along a predetermined transport path G1 (see FIG. 2), and is supplied to the placement area C set on the table 51 by releasing the suction.

Here, the intake mechanism 74 that sucks air from the intake port 72 of the adsorption surface 71 includes an ejector 88 that sucks a large amount of air per unit time. Therefore, after the suction surface 71 of the suction unit 73 faces the elastic sheet 2 with a gap, the transport control unit 93 can drive the suction mechanism 74 to suck up the elastic sheet 2 and cause it to adhere to the suction surface 71 . can. As a result, the elastic sheet 2 can be attracted to the attracting surface 71 without pressing the attracting surface 71 against the elastic sheet 2, so that the elastic sheet 2 is deformed or broken when the elastic sheet 2 is attracted to the attracting surface 71. can be prevented.

On the other hand, since the ejector 88 sucks in a large amount of air per unit time from the suction port 72 of the adsorption surface 71 , a plurality of elastic sheets 2 may be adsorbed to the adsorption surface 71 . In this case, the first elastic sheet 2 located on the side of the adsorption surface 71 and the second elastic sheet 2 located on the side opposite to the adsorption surface 71 of the first elastic sheet 2 are the adsorption surfaces. 71 is deviated in the in-plane direction and sucked. Therefore, the second elastic sheet 2 has a hanging portion that hangs downward from the attracting surface 71 . Here, while the suction unit 73 is moving along the predetermined transport path G1, the hanging portion of the second elastic sheet 2 blocks the inspection light of the first sensor 76 that crosses below the transport path G1. Therefore, when the inspection light does not reach the light receiving portion 76 b of the first sensor 76 , the transport control portion 93 can determine that a plurality of elastic sheets 2 are adsorbed on the adsorption surface 71 . Thereby, the elastic sheet punching system 1 can know that an error has occurred in supplying the elastic sheet 2 to the table 51 .

The adsorption surface 71 also has a frame-shaped portion 71a that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 when the elastic sheet 2 is adsorbed thereon, and the intake port 72 is located on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped portion 71a. The frame-shaped portion 71a has a rough surface. Therefore, when the suction portion 73 is sucking the elastic sheet 2 onto the suction surface 71 by driving the ejector 88, the frame-shaped portion 71a of the suction surface 71 and the frame-shaped portion 7 are separated from each other.
Air flows between the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 that contacts the 1a. In other words, when the elastic sheet 2 is adsorbed on the adsorption surface 71, the inside of the frame-shaped portion 71a where the intake port 72 exists is drawn from the outer peripheral side of the elastic sheet 2 between the adsorption surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2. An air current directed toward the peripheral side is generated. As a result, the suction surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2 do not come into close contact with each other, so that the elastic sheet 2 is easily separated from the suction surface 71 when the drive of the ejector 88 is stopped. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the elastic sheet 2 in the mounting area C of the table 51 .

Furthermore, the surface of the frame-shaped portion 71a has a surface roughness R of 50 μm, where R is the ten-point average roughness, and satisfies the following conditional expression.
8μm≦R

Therefore, when the suction portion 73 is sucking the elastic sheet 2 onto the suction surface 71 by driving the ejector 88 , air can easily flow between the suction surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2 . That is, when the ten-point average roughness R is below the lower limit of the conditional expression, it becomes difficult for air to flow between the adsorption surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2 .

Moreover, the attraction surface 71 includes a metal portion made of a conductive metal. Therefore, even if the elastic sheet 2 is charged with static electricity, the charge can be released from the metal portion to the adsorption portion 73 side.

(Positioning of elastic sheet supplied to table)
9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of positioning the elastic sheet 2 on the table 51. FIG. When the elastic sheet 2 is supplied onto the table 51 as shown in the top view of FIG. Get what was done. When the elastic sheet 2 is placed in the placement area C, the positioning control unit 120 drives the levitation mechanism 105 to remove air from the vent 101 of the table surface 51a, as shown in the second diagram from the top in FIG. is ejected to float the elastic sheet 2 from the table surface 51a. In parallel with this, the positioning control unit 120 drives the first placement member moving mechanism 115, the second placement member moving mechanism 116, the third placement member moving mechanism 117, and the fourth placement member moving mechanism 118. , the first arrangement member 111 at the first separation position H1, the second arrangement member 112 at the second separation position H2, the third arrangement member 113 at the third separation position H3, and the fourth arrangement member 113 at the fourth separation position H4. The arranging member 114 is moved toward the floating position F at the same time.

In this example, the supply mechanism 52 supplies the elastic sheet 2 to a position shifted from the supply position D in the placement area C. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the supply mechanism 52 supplies the elastic sheet 2 to a position closer to the second arrangement member 112 at the second separation position H2 than to the first arrangement member 111 at the first separation position H1. Therefore, as shown in the third diagram from the top of FIG. 9, the first arrangement member 111, the second arrangement member 112, the third arrangement member 113, and the fourth separation position H4 come into contact with the elastic sheet 2 with a time lag. to move the elastic sheet 2 toward the supply position D. After that, as shown in the fourth diagram from the top in FIG. 9, when the first arrangement member 111, the second arrangement member 112, the third arrangement member 113, and the fourth separation position H4 reach the supply position D, the elastic sheet 2 is located at a levitation position F located above the supply position D. As shown in FIG. When the first arrangement member 111, the second arrangement member 112, the third arrangement member 113, and the fourth separation position H4 reach the supply position D, the positioning control section 120 stops the levitation mechanism 105. FIG. As a result, as shown in the bottom diagram of FIG. 9, the elastic sheet 2 descends from the floating position F and is placed at the supply position D on the table surface 51a.

Here, the first arrangement member 111, the second arrangement member 112, the third arrangement member 113, and the fourth arrangement member 114 come into contact with the floating elastic sheet 2 with a time lag. Therefore, when the elastic sheet 2 is supplied to the placement area C of the table surface 51a, even if the posture of the elastic sheet 2 when viewed from the Z direction is deviated, the posture of the elastic sheet 2 will not change. Angle misalignment can be corrected.

A coating layer 99 containing fluororesin is provided on the table surface 51a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the elastic sheet 2 supplied to the placing area C from sticking to the table surface 51a. Therefore, it becomes easy to levitate the elastic sheet 2 supplied to the table surface 51a.

Here, the state in which the elastic sheet 2 floats above the table surface 51a includes the state in which the entire elastic sheet 2 is not separated from the table surface 51a and a portion of the elastic sheet 2 is in contact with the table surface 51a. be Even when a part of the elastic sheet 2 is in contact with the table surface 51a, the elastic sheet 2 moves on the table 51 without stick-slip because the elastic sheet 2 is floating. Further, even when a portion of the elastic sheet 2 is in contact with the table surface 51a, the elastic sheet 2 can easily move on the table 51 because the table surface 51a is provided with the coating layer 99 containing the fluororesin.

After that, when the elastic sheet 2 is arranged at the supply position D, the positioning control section 120 controls the first arrangement member moving mechanism 115, the second arrangement member movement mechanism 116, the third arrangement member movement mechanism 117, and the fourth arrangement member movement mechanism 117. By driving the moving mechanism 118, the first arrangement member 111, the second arrangement member 112, the third arrangement member 113, and the fourth arrangement member 114 at the supply position D are respectively moved to the first separation position H1 and the second separation position H1. Position H2, third spaced position H3, and fourth spaced position H4.

(Conveyance of elastic sheet from supply position to first elastic sheet punching device)
When the elastic sheet 2 is positioned at the supply position D on the table surface 51 a , the transport control unit 123 drives and controls the suction mechanism 74 and the suction unit moving mechanism 75 of the transport mechanism 56 to move the elastic sheet 2 to the suction unit 73 . It sticks to the suction surface 71, moves the suction part 73 along the predetermined transport path G2 (see FIG. 2), and arranges it at the first punching position A by releasing the suction.

Here, in the transport mechanism 56, the suction mechanism 74 that sucks air from the suction mechanism 74 of the adsorption surface 71 has an ejector 88 that sucks a large amount of air per unit time. Therefore, after the suction surface 71 of the suction unit 73 faces the elastic sheet 2 with a gap, the transport control unit 123 can drive the suction mechanism 74 to suck up the elastic sheet 2 and have the suction surface 71 absorb the elastic sheet 2 . can. As a result, the elastic sheet 2 can be attracted to the attraction surface 71 without pressing the attraction surface 71 against the elastic sheet 2, so that the elastic sheet 2 can be prevented from being deformed when the elastic sheet 2 is attracted to the attraction surface 71. - 特許庁

The suction surface 71 also has a frame-shaped portion 71a that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 when the elastic sheet 2 is suctioned. The intake mechanism 74 is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped portion 71a. The surface of the frame-shaped portion 71a satisfies the above conditional expression with R=50, where R is the ten-point average roughness. Therefore, when the suction portion 73 is sucking the elastic sheet 2 onto the suction surface 71 by driving the ejector 88, the frame-shaped portion 71a of the suction surface 71 and the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 in contact with the frame-shaped portion 71a are formed. Air flows between As a result, the suction surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2 do not come into close contact with each other, so that the elastic sheet 2 is easily separated from the suction surface 71 when the drive of the ejector 88 is stopped and the suction is released. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the elastic sheet 2 at the first punching position A. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the elastic sheet 2 can be accurately arranged at the first punching position A.

Furthermore, the attraction surface 71 has a metal portion made of a conductive metal. Therefore, even if the elastic sheet 2 is charged with static electricity, the charge can be released from the metal portion to the adsorption portion 73 side.

(Punching of the inner burr portion by the first elastic sheet punching device)
When the elastic sheet 2 is placed at the first punching position A set on the die plate surface 18a of the first die plate 18, the first punching control unit 22 moves the first punch plate 13 from the Z2 direction to the first die plate. Get closer to 18. As a result, the first elastic sheet punching device 3 punches the elastic sheet 2 with the first punch portion 12 and inserts the tip portion of the first punch portion 12 into the first hole portion 19 . Further, when the punching of the elastic sheet 2 is completed, the first punching controller 22 separates the first punch plate 13 from the first die plate 18 in the Z2 direction. The inner burr portion 61b, which is the punched portion of the elastic sheet 2 punched by the first punch portion 12, is recovered in the first recovery box 24 (see FIG. 1) located below the first hole portion 19. As shown in FIG.

In this example, the elastic sheet 2 is placed on the table 51 and positioned at the supply position D on the table 51 before being transported from the stocker 53 to the first punching position A. As shown in FIG. After that, the elastic sheet 2 positioned at the supply position D is attracted by the conveying mechanism 56 and moved, and is arranged at the first punching position A by releasing the attraction. Therefore, the elastic sheet 2 is arranged at the first punching position A with the same positioning accuracy as that at the supply position D on the table 51 . Therefore, the elastic sheet 2 can be arranged at the first punching position A with high accuracy. As a result, the first elastic sheet punching device 3 can punch the inner burr portion 61b of the elastic sheet 2 accurately.

Here, the elastic sheets 2 are easily bent and are easily adhered to each other due to their stickiness. Therefore, once the elastic sheet 2 is stored in the stocker 53, it is difficult to correct the posture of the elastic sheet 2 thereafter. Therefore, it takes time and effort to orderly stack the elastic sheets 2 in the stocker 53 and store them. However, unless the elastic sheets 2 are neatly stacked on the stocker 53 , the position of the elastic sheets 2 on the suction surface 71 fluctuates when the elastic sheets 2 are suctioned by the suction portion 73 . Therefore, when the elastic sheet 2 is transported from the stocker 53 to the first punching position A, there is a problem that the elastic sheet 2 cannot be accurately arranged at the first punching position A.

In order to solve such a problem, in this example, the elastic sheet 2 is temporarily placed on the table 51 while it is being transported from the stocker 53 to the first punching position A, and then moved to the supply position D on the table 51. Positioned. After being positioned, the elastic sheet 2 is sucked by the suction portion 73 of the conveying mechanism 56 and conveyed to the first punching position A. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the elastic sheets 2 can be accurately supplied to the first punching position A even if the elastic sheets 2 are not stacked in order in the stocker 53 of the supply mechanism 52 . Therefore, the work of loading the elastic sheets 2 on the stocker 53 can be reduced.

(Conveyance of elastic sheet from first elastic sheet punching device to second elastic sheet punching device)
When the punching of the elastic sheet 2 by the first elastic sheet punching device 3 is completed, the conveying control unit 124 drives and controls the suction mechanism 74 and the suction unit moving mechanism 75 of the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 to punch out the elastic sheet 2. , the adsorption surface 71 of the adsorption portion 73 is moved, the adsorption portion 73 is moved along the predetermined transport path G3 (see FIG. 2), and is arranged at the second punching position B by releasing the adsorption.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7 , the suction portion 73 of the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 has a suction port 72 in a frame-shaped facing region facing the frame-shaped burr portion 61 a of the elastic sheet 2 on the suction surface 71 . . Thereby, the suction part 73 can suck the outer peripheral edge portion of the elastic sheet 2 to the suction surface 71 over the entire circumference. Therefore, even if a hole punched by the first elastic sheet punching device 3 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped burr portion 61 a of the elastic sheet 2 , the suction portion 73 can suck the elastic sheet 2 . In addition, since the suction portion 73 sucks the outer peripheral portion of the elastic sheet 2 over the entire circumference, it is possible to prevent or suppress the elastic sheet 2 that has been sucked from being bent. Therefore, the elastic sheet 2 can be accurately positioned at the second punching position B on the die plate surface 38a.

In the second elastic sheet conveying device 6, the suction mechanism 74 that sucks air from the third suction port of the suction surface 71 includes an ejector 88 that sucks a large amount of air per unit time. Therefore, after the suction surface 71 of the suction unit 73 faces the elastic sheet 2 with a gap, the transport control unit 124 can drive the suction mechanism 74 to suck up the elastic sheet 2 and cause it to be attracted to the suction surface 71 . can. The suction surface 71 includes a frame-shaped portion 71a that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 when the elastic sheet 2 is sucked, and a rectangular portion 71b that contacts the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped burr portion 61a of the elastic sheet 2. Prepare. The frame-shaped portion 71a and the rectangular portion 71b are rough surfaces. Therefore, when the elastic sheet 2 is adsorbed on the adsorption surface 71 , an air current is generated between the adsorption surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2 . As a result, the suction surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2 do not come into close contact with each other, so that the elastic sheet 2 is easily separated from the suction surface 71 when the drive of the ejector 88 is stopped. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the elastic sheet 2 at the second punching position B. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the elastic sheet 2 can be positioned at the second punching position B accurately.

Further, the surface of the frame-shaped portion 71a and the surface of the rectangular portion 71b satisfy R=50, where R is the ten-point average roughness, and satisfy the above conditional expression. Therefore, air tends to flow between the adsorption surface 71 and the elastic sheet 2 when the adsorption portion 73 is adsorbing the elastic sheet 2 to the adsorption surface 71 by driving the ejector 88 .

Moreover, the attraction surface 71 includes a metal portion made of a conductive metal. Therefore, even if the elastic sheet 2 is charged with static electricity, the charge can be released from the metal portion to the adsorption portion 73 side.

(Punching of annular product portion by second elastic sheet punching device)
When the elastic sheet 2 is placed at the second punching position B set on the die plate surface 18a of the second die plate 18, the second punching control unit 22 moves the second punch plate 13 from the Z2 direction to the second die plate. Get closer to 18. As a result, the second elastic sheet punching device 4 punches the elastic sheet 2 with the second punch portion 12 and inserts the tip portion of the second punch portion 12 into the second hole portion 19 . Further, the second punching control section 22 separates the second punch plate 13 from the second die plate 18 in the Z2 direction when the punching of the elastic sheet 2 is completed. Here, the annular product portion 60, which is the punched portion of the elastic sheet 2 punched by the second punch portion 12, is collected in the second collection box 24 positioned below the second hole portion 19 (see FIG. 1). . This completes the production of the sealing material.

(Modified example of control operation of positioning control unit)
When the elastic sheet 2 is placed in the placement region C, the movement control unit 122 of the positioning control unit 120 controls the first placement member 111 at the first separation position H1 and the third placement member 113 at the third separation position H3. to the levitation position F, and then the second arrangement member 112 at the second separation position H2 and the fourth arrangement member 114 at the fourth separation position H4 may be moved to the levitation position F, respectively. With this configuration, when the elastic sheet 2 is supplied to the placement area C of the table surface 51a and the posture of the elastic sheet 2 is deviated, the first arrangement member 111 and the third arrangement member 111 and the third arrangement member 113, the second arrangement member 112 and the fourth arrangement member 114 are brought into contact with the elastic sheet 2 with a time lag, so that the angular deviation of the posture of the elastic sheet 2 can be corrected. In this case, the supply mechanism 52 does not need to intentionally supply the elastic sheet 2 to the placement area C to a position shifted from the supply position D when supplying the elastic sheet 2 to the table surface 51a.

(Modification of adsorption part)
FIG. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of a modified suction unit. FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the adsorption portion of the modification when viewed from the Z1 direction. FIG. 10A schematically shows a state in which the elastic sheet 2 is sucked by the suction portion. The adsorption section of the modified example shown in FIG. 10 can be used as the adsorption section 73 of the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 and the adsorption section 73 of the transport mechanism 56 of the first elastic sheet conveying device 5 . The adsorption portion 73 of this example includes a conductive sheet metal member 130 instead of the net member 85 and the frame member 86 . The adsorption portion 73 of this example includes a conductive sheet metal member 130 instead of the net member 85 and the frame member 86 . As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet metal member 130 is fixed to the lower surface of the suction plate 81 to block the recess 83 from below. The sheet metal member 130 also includes a plurality of air intake ports 72 communicating with the recessed portion 83 at positions overlapping the recessed portion 83 when viewed in the Z direction. A plurality of intake ports 72 are formed in a matrix. A region of the sheet metal member 130 where the plurality of air inlets 72 are formed is smaller than the recessed portion 83 when viewed from the Z direction. The intake port 72 communicates with the ejector 88 via the recess 83 , the communication port 84 and the cylindrical portion 82 . The lower surface of the sheet metal member 130 is roughened.

Here, the lower surface of the sheet metal member 130 is the adsorption surface 71 . In the elastic member, the area outside the area where the plurality of air inlets 72 are formed is a frame-shaped portion 71a with which the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet 2 contacts when the elastic sheet 2 is attracted to the attracting surface 71 . The frame-shaped portion 71a has a rough surface. Even in this way, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the suction portion 73 of the elastic sheet moving mechanism 54 and the suction portion 73 of the transport mechanism 56 . Further, in the adsorption section 73 of the modified example, if the suction port 72 is provided only in the area facing the frame-shaped burr portion 61a when the elastic sheet 2 is adsorbed, the suction section 73 of the second conveying sheet conveying device can be used in place of Although illustration is omitted, in this case, the sheet metal member 130 that closes the recess 83 has a rectangular portion without the intake port 72 at the center of the adsorption surface 71 and a frame shape with no intake port 72 on the outer peripheral side of the rectangular portion. A rectangular region between the rectangular portion and the frame-shaped portion is provided with an intake port 72 communicating with the concave portion 83 . The rectangular portion and the frame-like portion are rough surfaces. By doing so, the suction section 73 can obtain the same effect as the suction section 73 of the second elastic sheet conveying device 6 .

Here, the elastic sheet is flexible . Therefore, when the elastic sheet is attracted to the attracting surface of the attracting portion of the conveying mechanism and the attracting surface is pressed against the elastic sheet, the elastic sheet is deformed or torn. Further, when the elastic sheet is attracted to the suction surface of the suction portion of the conveying mechanism and the suction surface is pressed against the elastic sheet, the elastic sheet sticks to the first suction surface. Furthermore, when the elastic sheet is attracted to the attracting surface of the attracting portion of the conveying mechanism and the attracting surface is pressed against the elastic sheet, the elastic sheet is charged due to friction or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an elastic sheet conveying device that does not press the suction surface against the elastic sheet when the elastic sheet is attracted to the suction surface of the suction portion of the conveying mechanism.

Also, in the present invention, the first intake mechanism includes an ejector having an air inlet communicating with the first intake . With the ejector, it is easy to increase the amount of air sucked from the air inlet per unit time. Therefore, when air is sucked from the first suction port of the first suction part using an ejector whose air inlet communicates with the first suction port, the first suction part separates the first suction surface from the elastic sheet. In this state, the elastic sheet on the table surface is sucked upward, making it easier to suck.

Also, in the present invention, the first intake mechanism includes an ejector having an air inlet communicating with the first intake. With the ejector, it is easy to increase the amount of air sucked from the air inlet per unit time. Therefore, when air is sucked from the first suction port of the first suction part using an ejector whose air inlet communicates with the first suction port, the first suction part separates the first suction surface from the elastic sheet. In this state, the elastic sheet on the table surface is sucked upward, making it easier to suck. In the present invention, the elastic sheet is made of elastomer.

Claims (5)

a conveying mechanism that attracts and moves the elastic sheet at a first position, and disposes the elastic sheet at a second position different from the first position by canceling the attraction;
The conveying mechanism includes: a first suction unit including a first suction surface and a first suction port provided on the first suction surface; a first suction mechanism communicating with the first suction port; and the first suction unit. and a first transfer control unit that drives and controls the first suction mechanism and the first suction unit moving mechanism,
When the elastic sheet is placed at the first position, the first conveyance control section causes the first suction surface to face the elastic sheet with a gap therebetween, and drives the first suction mechanism to drive the first suction mechanism. The elastic sheet is attracted to the first attraction surface, the first attraction portion is moved to make the first attraction surface face the second position, and then the first suction mechanism is stopped. Elastic sheet conveying device. 2. The elastic sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first intake mechanism comprises an ejector having an air inlet communicating with said first intake port. The first adsorption surface has a frame-shaped portion that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the elastic sheet when the elastic sheet is adsorbed,
The first intake port is located on the inner peripheral side of the frame-shaped portion,
3. The elastic sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the frame-shaped portion is a rough surface, and satisfies the following conditional expression, where R is the ten-point average roughness.
8μm≦R The elastic sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first attraction surface has a metal portion made of a conductive metal. 5. The elastic sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic sheet is made of elastomer.

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