JP7058384B2 - Differential pressure forming device and differential pressure forming method - Google Patents

Description

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

As a differential pressure forming apparatus for continuous sheets (continuous sheets), a vacuum forming apparatus, a compressed air forming apparatus, and a compressed air vacuum forming apparatus are known. Vacuum forming is a differential pressure forming in which a reduced pressure (preferably vacuum pressure) lower than the atmospheric pressure is applied to the sheet as the differential pressure. Compressed air forming is a differential pressure forming in which a compressed air higher than the atmospheric pressure is applied to the sheet as a differential pressure. Compressed air vacuum forming is differential pressure forming in which compressed air is applied to one surface side of a sheet and decompression (preferably vacuum pressure) is applied to the other surface 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 by differential pressure.

Further, as a continuous sheet, a printed sheet in which a pattern is printed in shot units (shot units) of differential pressure forming is also known. Here, the shot means one molding operation on the sheet, for example, one operation in which the molding die contacts the sheet. On the print sheet, for example, a mark matching the shot of molding 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 to detect a mark of a shot interval (shot interval). This mark detection sensor is installed on the upstream side in the transport direction from the heating zone. Therefore, 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 this heating zone, and is molded by the differential pressure in this molding zone. To. The distance transported from the detection of the mark by the mark detection sensor to the molding of the sheet is usually two shots or more.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-117806

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

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

In the present invention, a continuous sheet having a mark corresponding to a molding shot is intermittently transported in units of the shot in a transport direction passing through a sheet supply zone, a heating zone, and a molding zone in order, and molded by differential pressure. In a differential pressure forming device that repeats the above steps,
A transport unit that transports the sheet in the transport direction,
A heating device that heats the sheet in the heating zone,
A differential pressure forming portion for forming the sheet by differential pressure in the forming zone, and a differential pressure forming portion.
A mark detection unit, which is arranged in the molding zone and detects a mark on the sheet, is provided.
When the mark of the sheet transported by the transport unit is detected by the mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone, the transfer distance of the sheet from the detection of the mark to the position of the shot is reached. When the set distance is the same and the set distance is shorter than the shot interval from the time when the mark is detected, the sheet is stopped and the sheet is molded by the differential pressure forming portion. Has an aspect.

Further, in the present invention, a continuous sheet having a mark corresponding to a molding shot is intermittently transported in units of the shot in a transport direction passing through the sheet supply zone, the heating zone, and the molding zone in order to obtain a differential pressure. In the differential pressure molding method that repeats molding by
The sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying section, and the sheet is conveyed.
The sheet is heated by a heating device in the heating zone, and the sheet is heated by a heating device.
The mark on the sheet is detected by the mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone, and the mark is detected.
When the mark of the sheet transported by the transport unit is detected by the mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone, the transfer distance of the sheet from the detection of the mark to the position of the shot is reached. When the set distance is the same and the set distance is shorter than the shot interval from the time when the mark is detected, the sheet transfer is stopped, and the sheet is transferred by the differential pressure forming portion in the forming zone. It has an embodiment of molding by differential pressure.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for improving the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position.

The front view which shows typically the example of the thermoformed product manufacturing system including the differential pressure molding apparatus. The plan view which shows the example of the differential pressure forming apparatus schematically. (A) is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a differential pressure forming portion when the molding die is in the separated position, and (b) is a vertical sectional view schematically showing an example of a trimming device when the mold is in the separated position. Sectional view. The plan view which shows the example of the position of the mark detection part schematically. The plan view schematically showing an example of changing the width between holding mechanisms. A side view schematically showing an example of changing the width between holding mechanisms. A cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a main part of a differential pressure forming apparatus in which a mark detection part is arranged on one surface side of a sheet. A cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a holding mechanism and a main part of a rail. The cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the main part of the differential pressure forming apparatus which arranged the mark detection part on the other surface side of a sheet. The block diagram which shows typically the example of the electric circuit composition of the thermoformed product manufacturing system. A flowchart showing an example of setting processing performed by the control unit. The flowchart which shows the example of the transfer molding process performed by the differential pressure forming apparatus. The figure which shows the example of sheet transfer and differential pressure forming schematically. The flowchart which shows another example of the transfer molding process performed by a differential pressure forming apparatus. The figure which shows the comparative example of sheet transfer and differential pressure forming schematically.

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

(1) Outline of the technique included in the present invention:
First, an outline of the technique included in the present invention will be described with reference to the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 15. It should be noted that the figures of the present application are diagrams schematically showing examples, and the enlargement ratios in each direction shown in these figures may differ, and the figures 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]
As illustrated in FIGS. The continuous sheet SH1 having the mark M0 is intermittently conveyed in the unit of the shot ST1 and molded by the differential pressure is repeated. The transport unit U1 transports the sheet SH1 in the transport direction D1 passing through the forming zone Z3. The differential pressure forming portion U2 forms the sheet SH1 by the differential pressure in the forming zone Z3. The mark detection unit U3 is arranged in the molding zone Z3 and detects the mark M0 of the sheet SH1. As illustrated in FIG. 13, in the differential pressure forming apparatus 1, when the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 conveyed by the conveying unit U1 is detected by the mark detecting unit U3, the shot is taken from the time of this detection. When the transfer of the set distance (L2) shorter than the interval L1 of ST1 is performed, the transfer of the sheet SH1 is stopped, and the sheet SH1 is molded by the differential pressure forming unit U2.

In the above aspect 1, when the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 being conveyed is detected by the mark detection unit U3 in the molding zone Z3, the time point when the transfer is performed at a set distance (L2) shorter than the shot interval from the time of this detection. The transfer of the sheet SH1 is stopped at, and the sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure in the forming zone Z3.

FIG. 15 schematically shows an example of sheet transfer and differential pressure forming when the mark sensor SN1 is arranged on the upstream side D1U of the sheet transfer direction D1 from the heating zone Z2 as a comparative example. In this case, 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. FIG. 15 shows an example of differential pressure forming by transporting a sheet for two shots and a set distance after the mark M0 is detected.

STEP91 of FIG. 15 shows the state of the sheet SH1 at the time when the mark M0 is detected by the mark sensor SN1. STEP 92 in FIG. 15 shows the state of the sheet SH1 at the time when the mark M0 after two shots is detected. STEP 93 of FIG. 15 shows the state of the sheet SH1 which has been further conveyed by a set distance and stopped. STEP94 of FIG. 15 shows how the sheet SH1 of the molding zone Z3 is molded by the 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 feed error of the conveying part such as the clamp chain. It may deviate significantly from the position of PRT1. STEP94 of 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 deviation of the pattern PRT1 with respect to the molded product PR1 deteriorates the appearance of the molded product PR1.

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

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

[Aspect 2]
As illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like, the transport portion U1 passes through the molding zone Z3 in a state where the edge portion SH10 in the width direction D2 orthogonal to the transport direction D1 is releasably held in the sheet SH1 and the edge portion. A holding mechanism 10 that moves to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 together with the SH 10 may be provided. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the transport unit U1 may have 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. 5, the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 may include the support portion 20 and a position adjusting mechanism 40 for adjusting the position of the holding mechanism 10 in the width direction D2. The mark detecting portion U3 may be attached to the supporting portion 20 in the molding zone Z3.

In the above aspect 2, when the width of the seat SH1 changes, the position of the holding mechanism 10 together with the support portion 20 is adjusted by the position adjusting mechanism 40 in the width direction D2. This eliminates the need 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. As described above, this aspect can provide an example of eliminating the need for adjusting the position of the mark detection unit in the sheet width direction.

Here, the position where the mark detection portion is attached to the support portion may be a rail or a portion other than the rail such as a cover covering the holding mechanism along the moving direction of the holding mechanism. This addition also applies in the following aspects:
Although not included in the above aspect 2, the present technique also includes a case where the mark detection unit is attached to a place different from the support unit.

[Aspect 3]
As illustrated in FIGS. It may have a second mounting portion 22 to which the mark detecting portion U3 can be attached and detached. The mark detection unit U3 may be attached to at least one of the first attachment portion 21 and the second attachment portion 22.

In the above aspect 3, when the mark M0 can be detected from one surface SH1a side of the sheet SH1, the differential pressure of the sheet SH1 matched to the mark M0 by attaching the mark detection portion U3 to the first mounting portion 21 of the support portion 20. Molding is possible. When the mark M0 can be detected from the other surface SH1b side of the sheet SH1, the mark M0 can be differentially formed according to the mark M0 by attaching the mark detection portion U3 to the second mounting portion 22 of the support portion 20. be. Therefore, this aspect can provide an example of improving the degree of freedom of differential pressure forming of a sheet.
Although not included in the above aspect 3, the case where the support portion has only one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion is also included in the present technique.

[Aspect 4]
As illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like, the holding mechanism 10 may have an endless chain 11. As illustrated in FIG. 8 and the like, the holding mechanism 10 may have a plurality of holding portions 15 provided on the endless chain 11 to releasably hold the edge portion SH10 of the sheet SH1. The transport unit U1 may allow the holding unit 15 to hold the edge portion SH10 within the range in which the holding unit 15 moves to the downstream side D1L. This aspect can provide a suitable example that does not require adjustment of 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 one aspect of the present technique, the sheet SH1 is conveyed by the conveying section U1 to the conveying direction D1 passing through the forming zone Z3, and the sheet is conveyed by the mark detecting section U3 arranged in the forming zone Z3. When the mark M0 of SH1 is detected and the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 conveyed by the transfer unit U1 is detected by the mark detection unit U3, a set distance shorter than the interval L1 of the shot ST1 from the time of this detection is obtained. When the transfer of (L2) is performed, the transfer of the sheet SH1 is stopped, and the sheet SH1 is molded by the differential pressure forming unit U2 in the forming zone Z3. The action of the fifth aspect is similar to the action of the first aspect. Therefore, the present aspect 5 can provide a differential pressure forming method for improving the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position.

Further, the present technique includes a differential pressure forming method corresponding to aspects 2 to 4, a molded product manufacturing system equipped with a differential pressure forming apparatus, a molding program, a molded product manufacturing program, and a computer-readable medium in which these programs are recorded. It also has aspects such as.

(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 apparatus 1. The continuous sheet SH1 shown in FIG. 2 is a printed sheet having a print pattern PRT1 and has a mark M0 corresponding to the shot ST1 of differential pressure forming outside the width direction D2 in the forming range A1. The molding range A1 is a range in which the molding die 73 (see FIG. 3) of the differential pressure forming portion U2 in the sheet SH1 comes into contact with the forming range A1. Reference numeral D1 indicates a transport direction of the sheet SH1, reference numeral D1U indicates an upstream side of the transport direction D1, reference numeral D1L indicates a downstream side of the transport direction D1, reference numeral D2 indicates a width direction of the sheet SH1, and reference numeral D3. Indicates the vertical direction. The transport direction D1, the width direction D2, and the vertical direction D3 are orthogonal to each other, but even if they are not orthogonal to each other due to design or the like, they are included in the present technology if they intersect each other. It should be noted that "orthogonal" is not limited to the exact 90 °, and includes deviation from the exact 90 ° due to an error. Further, the same direction, position, etc. are not limited to exact matching, and include deviation from exact matching due to an error. Furthermore, the explanation of the positional relationship of each part is merely an example. Therefore, the left-right direction can be changed to the up-down direction or the front-back direction, the up-down direction can be changed to the left-right direction or the front-back direction, the front-back direction can be changed to the left-right direction or the up-down direction, and the rotation direction can be changed to the opposite direction. Etc. are also included in this technology.

The molded product manufacturing system SY1 shown in FIG. 1 has 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 take-out zone in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction D1. Has Z6. The main part of the structure of the thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 can be formed of, for example, metal.

The sheet supply device DE1 in the sheet supply zone Z1 unwinds the roll SH0 around which the continuously connected continuous sheet SH1 is wound. As the sheet SH1, a resin sheet such as a thermoplastic resin sheet, a thermoplastic sheet other than a resin exhibiting thermoplasticity, or the like, which can be molded by a differential pressure, 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 to which an additive such as a filler is added to the resin, a single-layer sheet, or a laminated sheet made by laminating different materials. good. As the material of the sheet SH1, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. can be used. Further, the sheet SH1 may be in the form of a sheet or a film, may be rolled into a roll, or may be cut to a predetermined length. The thickness of the sheet can be various, such as about 1 to 2 mm, about 0.25 to 1 mm, etc., and may 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 of a home electric appliance and an operation panel, and the like.

The sheet SH1 shown in FIG. 2 has a mark M1 in the vicinity of the first edge portion SH11 (first side S1 deviated from the center C1) in the width direction D2, and has a mark M1 in the vicinity of the second edge portion SH12 in the width direction D2. The mark M2 is provided on the second side S2 deviated from the center C1. The center C1 means the center of the sheet SH1 in the width direction D2. A plurality of marks M2 are arranged at shot ST1 intervals along the second edge SH12. For each shot ST1, the marks M1 and M2 have print patterns PRT1 in the width direction D2. It is arranged at a position sandwiching the formed molding range A1. Here, 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. Based on the detection of M1 and M2, the sheet SH1 is intermittently conveyed in units of shots ST1 and molded by a differential pressure at the time of stopping is repeated.
The concept of the sheet SH1 includes a roll SH0, a molded sheet SH2, and a scrap sheet SH3, in addition to the sheet before molding along the transport direction D1. The seat edge portion SH10 may be held by a clamp of the seat edge portion SH10 or by piercing the seat edge portion SH10 with a piercing member. The sheet SH1 connected to the transport direction D1 is intermittently transported according to the control of the control panel 100 of the control unit U4.

The seat transport section U1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a holding mechanism 10 for the seat SH1, a driving section DR0 for the holding mechanism 10, and a support section 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 of the first side S1 and the holding mechanism 10B of the second side S2 are collectively referred to as a holding mechanism 10. Further, the first moving direction D41 of the holding mechanism 10A in the state of holding the first edge portion SH11 and the second moving direction D42 of the holding mechanism 10B in the state of holding the second edge portion SH12 are collectively referred to as the moving direction D4. do. Further, the drive unit DR1 on the first side S1 and the drive unit DR2 on the second side S2 are collectively referred to as the drive unit DR0, and support the support unit 20A on the first side S1 and the support unit 20B on the second side S2. The rail 25A of the first side S1 and the rail 25B of the second side S2 are collectively referred to as the rail 25, and the cover 30A of the first side S1 and the cover 30B of the second side S2 are covered 30. Collectively referred to as. The first feed portion U11 of the first side S1 has a holding mechanism 10A, a driving portion DR1, and a support portion 20A, and holds the first edge portion SH11 on the first side S1 in the sheet SH1 so as to be releasable. Then, it is sent to D1L on the downstream side of the transport direction D1. The second feed portion U12 of the second side S2 has a holding mechanism 10B, a driving portion DR2, and a support portion 20B, and holds the second edge portion SH12 on the second side S2 in the seat SH1 so as to be releasable. Then, it is sent to D1L on the downstream side of the transport direction D1. The transport unit U1 independently drives the first feed unit U11 and the second feed unit U12 to transport the sheet SH1 in the transport direction D1.

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

The holding mechanism 10 moves through the forming zone Z3 to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 together with the edge portion SH10 in a state where the edge portion SH10 of the sheet SH1 is releasably held. The drive unit DR0 transmits the rotational driving force of the servomotor 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 seat SH1 is held. The cover 30 can also be referred to as a case in which the rail 25 is housed.

That is, on the first side S1, the holding mechanism 10A moves through the molding zone Z3 to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 together with the first edge portion SH11 in a state where the first edge portion SH11 of the sheet SH1 is releasably held. do. The drive unit DR1 transmits the rotational driving force of the servomotor 14 to the holding mechanism 10A. The rail 25A guides the holding mechanism 10A to the first moving direction D41 of the holding mechanism 10A. The cover 30A covers the holding mechanism 10A along the first moving direction D41 of the holding mechanism 10A in a state where the first edge portion SH11 of the seat SH1 is held.
Further, on the second side S2, the holding mechanism 10B moves through the molding zone Z3 to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 together with the second edge portion SH12 in a state where the second edge portion SH12 of the sheet SH1 is releasably held. do. The drive unit DR2 transmits the rotational driving force of the servomotor 14 to the holding mechanism 10B. The rail 25B guides the holding mechanism 10B to the second moving direction D42 of the holding mechanism 10B. The cover 30B covers the holding mechanism 10B along the second moving direction D42 of the holding mechanism 10B in a state where the second edge portion SH12 of the seat SH1 is held.

When the holding mechanism 10 holding the edge portion SH10 of the sheet SH1 moves in the moving direction D4, the sheet SH1 moves in the transporting direction D1 in accordance with the movement of the holding mechanism 10. In this way, the transport unit U1 holds both edge portions SH11 and SH12 of the sheet SH1 including the molded sheet SH2, and the sheet SH1 is sent to the sheet transport direction D1 along the transport path R1 passing through the heating zone Z2 and the molding zone Z3. To carry.

The heating zone Z2 is an area in the transport path R1 inside the heating device DE2 having the heater group HG, and is an area for preheating the sheet SH1 by the heater group HG. In the heater group HG, a plurality of heaters facing the sheet SH1 are arranged, and for example, the heater group HG is radiantly heated to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the sheet SH1 is softened within a range in which the sheet SH1 is not melted. The length of the heater group HG in the transport direction D1 is set to be longer than the length of the shot ST1 of molding in order to reduce the heating unevenness. When the thermoplastic sheet is heated, for example, it is radiantly heated to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the sheet is softened without melting. Of course, the heating device DE2 may contact-heat the sheet, or may heat the sheet with 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 seat SH1, but it is also possible to omit one of the heater group HGs.

The molding zone Z3 is an area in the transport path R1 inside the differential pressure forming apparatus as the differential pressure forming portion U2, and is an area overlapping the table for raising and lowering the forming die in a plan view. For the differential pressure forming portion U2 in the forming zone Z3, for example, the forming apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 3A can be used. In this case, the forming zone Z3 is an area (a range sandwiched by the two-dot chain line) in the transport path R1 that overlaps the elevating tables 71 and 72 in a plan view.

The tables 71 and 72 are vertically approached and separated from each other by a forming table drive mechanism (not shown) between the set separation position and the proximity position. 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 (opposing type) 74 provided under the upper table 71 is close to the separation position L11. It goes up and down with position L13. Each molding die 73 is a female die that is recessed downward, but may be a male die that is convex upward or an uneven shape. Further, the molding die may be arranged on the upper side and the clamp may be arranged on the lower side. The differential pressure supply mechanism 75 supplies the differential pressure from the differential pressure supply hole 73b to the molding surface 73a. When the sheet SH1 in a heat-softened state for one shot is carried in with the molding die 73 and the clamp 74 separated from each other, the molding apparatus 70 brings the molding die 73 and the clamp 74 close to each other by the differential pressure supply mechanism 75. A negative pressure is applied to the differential pressure supply hole 73b to bring the sheet SH1 that has stopped moving into close contact with the molding surface 73a. When the molding apparatus 70 separates the molding die 73 from the clamp 74, the molding sheet SH2 is carried out from the molding apparatus 70 in a state of being connected to the sheet SH1 and carried into the trimming zone Z4. At this time, the sheet SH1 of the next shot is carried into the molding apparatus 70. In this way, the molding zone Z3 molds the heated sheet SH1 in shot units.
The differential pressure forming of the sheet SH1 may be compressed air forming or compressed air vacuum forming in addition to the above-mentioned vacuum forming.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mark detection unit U3 for detecting the mark M0 of the sheet SH1 is arranged in the molding 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 transport unit U1 and the like are shown in a simplified manner. The differential pressure forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 has a mark sensor SN1 (an example of a component of the first mark detecting unit) arranged on the first side S1 of the sheet SH1 in the forming zone Z3 as a mark detecting unit U3. , Has a mark sensor SN2 (an example of a component of the second mark detection unit) arranged on the second side S1 of the sheet SH1 in the molding zone Z3. The mark sensor SN1 is installed, for example, on the upper side of the sheet SH1 (example on the one-sided 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 (example of one side 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 (example of the other side SH1b) and detect the marks M1 and M2 from the lower side of the sheet SH1.

The mark sensors SN1 and SN2 may be located 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 product PR1 contained in one shot, and the length in the transport direction D1 changes. Therefore, the position of the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 in the transport direction D1 is preferably a position that is always outside the molding die 73 (that is, the molding range A1) in the width direction D2 even if the molding die 73 is replaced.

The trimming zone Z4 is an area inside the trimming device, and is an area that overlaps with a table for raising and lowering a portion for separating 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, the trimming device 80 shown in FIG. 3B can be used. In this case, the trimming zone Z4 is an area (a range sandwiched by the two-dot chain line) in the transport path R1 that overlaps the elevating tables 81 and 82 in a plan view.

The tables 81 and 82 are vertically close to and separated from each other between the set separation position and the proximity position by a trimming table drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, the mold 83 and the cutting edge 84 provided on the lower table 82 move 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 close to the separation position L21. It goes up and down with position L23. Each type 83 is a female type that is recessed downward, but may be a male type that is convex upward or an uneven shape. Further, the cutting edge 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 mold 83. In the trimming device 80, when the molded sheet SH2 for one shot is carried in with the mold 83 and the receiving member 85 separated from each other, the mold 83 and the receiving member 85 are brought close to each other and the molded sheet SH2 is arranged in each mold 83. Then, the molded sheet SH2, which has stopped moving and is in contact with the receiving member 85 around the molded product PR1, is cut by the cutting blade 84. When the trimming device 80 separates the mold 83 from the receiving member 85, the scrap sheet SH3 is carried out from the trimming device 80 in a state of being connected to the molding sheet SH2 and carried into the scrap collection zone Z5, and each molded product PR1 is carried out to each mold. It is carried out from above 83 and carried into the product take-out zone Z6. At this time, the molding sheet SH2 of the next shot is carried into the trimming device 80.
The trimming device is a device that cuts the molded sheet by pressing the cutting edge against the member, a device that punches the molded sheet with the cutting edge around the mold, a device that slides the upper blade and the lower blade into contact with each other, and the like. A device for punching, etc. is 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, adsorbs the molded product PR1 arranged in each mold 83, conveys it to the product take-out zone Z6, and conveys it to the product take-out zone Z6. Stack on DE62. As a result, 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 example of the transport unit:
FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show an example of changing the spacing 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 arranged on the upper surface (one surface SH1a) side of the sheet SH1. FIG. 8 schematically shows the holding mechanism 10B and the rail 25B in the second feed portion U12 as an example of the holding mechanism and the rail. Since the holding mechanism 10A and the rail 25A in the first feed portion U11 appear symmetrically with the holding mechanism 10B and the rail 25B shown in FIG. 8, they are not shown. First, a specific example of the holding mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

The 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 portion 15 is provided on the chain 11 and holds the edge portion SH10 of the sheet SH1 so as to be releasable.
A guided portion 12b sandwiched between the facing portions 25a and 25b of the rail 25 is provided on the upper portion of the link 12. The holding portion 15 attached to the attachment 12a includes a base portion 15a, a movable shaft 15b, and a spring 15e. The base portion 15a is attached to and fixed to the attachment 12a, and the seat edge portion SH10 is placed on the base portion 15a. The movable shaft 15b is for separating the abutting portion 15c that abuts on the upper surface of the base portion 15a, and the abutting portion 15c from the base portion 15a at the position before starting the holding of the seat SH1 and the position at the end of holding the seat SH1. It has a contacted portion 15d that comes into contact with the wall portion 19, and is attached to the base portion 15a so as to be able to move up and down. The spring 15e is, for example, a compression coil spring, and urges the movable shaft 15b in the direction in which the abutting portion 15c abuts against the base portion 15a.

When the holding portion 15 comes to a position in front of the seat SH1 to start holding, the contacted portion 15d comes into contact with the wall portion 19, the movable shaft 15b rises, and the abutting portion 15c separates 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 on the base portion 15a. As a result, the seat edge portion SH10 is sandwiched between the base portion 15a and the abutting portion 15c.
Further, when the holding portion 15 comes to the end position of holding 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 separates from the base portion 15a. When the holding portion 15 passes the end position of holding the sheet SH1, the contacted portion 15d is separated from the wall portion 19, and the abutting portion 15c abuts on the base portion 15a. As a result, the seat edge portion SH10 is released from the sandwiching between the base portion 15a and the abutting portion 15c.

Of course, the above description applies to both holding mechanisms 10A and 10B.
From the above, the feeding portions U11 and U12 cause the holding portion 15 to hold the sheet edge portion SH10 within the range in which the holding portion 15 moves to the downstream side D1L. In FIGS. The second moving direction D42 in a state where the portion 15 holds the second edge portion SH12 of the sheet SH1 releasably is shown. Here, the moving directions D41 and D42 are collectively referred to as the moving direction D4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rail 25 that guides the holding mechanism 10 to the moving direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10 is arranged with the longitudinal direction facing the moving direction D4. The rail 25 shown in FIG. 5 can be bent at an intermediate position P2 near the outlet of the heating zone Z2 which is slightly upstream from the forming zone Z3 and is D1U. Therefore, the moving direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10 of the sheet edge portion SH10 may deviate from the sheet transporting direction D1. A position adjusting mechanism 40 for changing the distance between the rails 25A and 25B is provided in the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 in order to adjust the width of the sheet SH1 according to the position 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 is adjustable. The holding mechanism 10 that moves along the rails 25 arranged from these positions P1 to P3 passes through the heating zone Z2 and the forming zone Z3 together with the seat edge SH10 in a state where the edge SH10 of the seat SH1 is releasably held. 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 portion U3 in the molding zone Z3 has a rail 25 and a cover 30. The cover 30 covers the holding mechanism 10 along the moving direction D4 of the holding mechanism 10. Each of the covers 30A and 30B includes an upper cover 31 attached to the upper surface of the rails 25A and 25B to cover the upper surface, and a lower cover 32 attached to the lower surface of the rails 25A and 25B to cover the lower surface.
The support portions 20A and 20B having the rails 25A and 25B and the covers 30A and 30B each have mounting portions 21 and 22 for mounting the mark detecting portion U3.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first mounting portion 21 is arranged on the upper surface of the upper cover 31. The first mounting portion 21 is in the molding zone Z3. A screw hole H1 to be screwed with the screw SC1 is formed in the upper part of the rail 25. When the screw SC1 is passed through 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 and screwed into the screw hole H1, the mark detection unit U3 passes through the upper cover 31. It is attached to the upper part of the rails 25A and 25B. In this state, the mark sensors SN1 and SN2 are on the upper side (one side SH1a side) of the sheet SH1 and the detection surface is directed downward. When the screw SC1 is removed from the screw hole H1, the mark detection unit U3 can be removed from the first mounting portion 21. Therefore, the mark detection unit U3 can be attached to and detached from the first mounting portion 21 on the upper side of the seat SH1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second mounting portion 22 is arranged on the lower surface of the lower cover 32. The second mounting portion 22 is in the molding zone Z3. A screw hole H2 to be screwed with the screw SC2 is formed in the lower portion of the rail 25. When the screw SC2 is passed through 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 and screwed into the screw holes H2, the mark detection unit U3 passes through the lower cover 32. It is 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 of the sheet SH1 (on the other side SH1b side), and the detection surface is facing upward. When the screw SC2 is removed from the screw hole H2, the mark detection unit U3 can be removed from the second mounting portion 22. Therefore, the mark detection unit U3 can be attached to and detached from the second mounting portion 22 on the lower side of the seat SH1.

From the 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 mark detecting portion U3 can be attached to the first mounting portion 21 of the support portion 20 to enable differential pressure forming of the sheet SH1 according to the mark M0. When the mark M0 can be detected from the lower side of the sheet SH1, the mark detecting portion U3 can be attached to the second mounting portion 22 of the support portion 20 to enable differential pressure forming of the sheet SH1 according to the mark M0. Further, the mark detection unit U3 may be attached to both the attachment portions 21 and 22, and the mark M0 may be detected from the one side SH1a side and the other side SH1b side. Therefore, the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 can form various marked sheets and has a high degree of freedom.
Of course, the above explanation applies to both the support portions 20A and 20B.

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

The mark sensors SN1 and SN2 indicate whether or not the mark M1 is detected by irradiating the sheet SH1 with light such as visible light and detecting the difference in the amount of reflected light between the ground color and the mark color in a non-contact manner. Generates presence / absence detection signal. 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 becomes high. Of course, the mark sensor may be a non-contact sensor such as a transmissive photoelectric proximity switch, a colorimeter, or a digital camera, in addition to the above-mentioned reflective photoelectric proximity switch. If the mark has a shape such as a hole, a convex portion, or an uneven portion, a contact sensor may be used.

The position adjusting 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 position P1 to P3. As shown in FIG. 5, the side wall B2 is fixed to the base B1 of the differential pressure forming apparatus 1 at positions that are both ends of the width direction D2 with the heating zone Z2 interposed therebetween. Side walls B3 are fixed at positions at both ends. Here, the side wall B2 is a general term for the side wall B2A of the first side S1 and the side wall B2B of the second side S2. The side wall B3 is a general term for the side wall B3A of the first side S1 and the side wall B3B of the second side S2. Each position adjusting mechanism 40 has a shaft member 41, a handle 42, and a movable member 43. The movable member 43 is a general 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 slidably installed in the width direction D2 with respect to the base B1 and support the feeding portions U11 and U12 to which the mark detecting portion 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, with the central axis as the center with respect to the side wall B2 or the side wall B3 in the longitudinal direction toward the width direction D2. It is supported so that it can rotate. It is assumed that the male threads 41a and 41b have threads in opposite directions (for example, the male thread 41a is clockwise and the male thread 41b is counterclockwise). The movable member 43A is formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw 41a, and the movable member 43B is formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw 41b. The handle 42 can be operated to rotate the shaft member 41 clockwise and counterclockwise.

In each position adjusting mechanism 40, when the handle 42 is turned clockwise, the shaft member 41 turns clockwise, and the movable members 43A and 43B screwed with the male screws 41a and 41b approach (or move away from each other) in the width direction D2. When the handle 42 is turned counterclockwise, the shaft member 41 turns counterclockwise, and the movable members 43A and 43B screwed with the male screws 41a and 41b move away from each other (or approach each other) in the width direction D2.
As described above, the position of the holding mechanism 10 in the width direction D2 is adjusted together with the support portion 20 at each position P1 to P3. As a result, the position of the mark detecting portion U3 attached to the supporting portion 20 is also adjusted in the width direction D2. 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 if the necessary work of adjusting the distance between the holding mechanisms 10A and 10B to the width of the sheet SH1 is performed, the mark detection unit U3 There is no need to adjust the position of the above in the width direction D2.

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

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of an electric circuit of a thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 centered on a control panel 100 (an example of a control unit U4). The control panel 100 has a central control circuit 101 that controls the operation of the entire control panel, a transfer control unit 111 that controls the operation of the first feed unit U11, and an operation of the second feed unit U12 as components of the differential pressure forming apparatus 1. The transport control unit 112 that controls the operation, the molding control unit 113 that controls the operation of the molding mechanism 70a included in the molding apparatus 70, the heater control unit 114 that controls the operation of the heater group HG, the information output unit 131, the operation unit 132, etc. It is equipped with. The mark sensor SN1 and the servomotor 14A are connected to the transport control unit 111. The mark sensor SN2 and the servomotor 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 non-volatile memory 106, etc. are connected to an internal bus. It is said that. The CPU 102 controls each part of the thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 while using the RAM 104 as a work area based on the control program recorded in the ROM 103 or the non-volatile memory 106.
The information output unit 131 is composed of, for example, a display, an audio output device, and a printer, and outputs various information indicating the contents of various settings received from the user and the operating status of the thermoformed product manufacturing system SY1 by displaying and the like. .. The operation unit 132 is composed of a plurality of buttons such as a cursor button, a number button, and a confirmation button, and receives an operation input from a user.

(4) Operation, action, and effect of differential pressure forming apparatus:
FIG. 11 illustrates the setting process performed by the control panel 100. This process is mainly performed by the central control circuit 101 of the control panel 100, and is performed in parallel with other processes by multitasking.
When the control panel 100 receives an operation for displaying the setting input screen, the control panel 100 displays the setting input screen 140 as shown in FIG. 11 on the information output unit 131 (step S102; hereinafter, the description of "step" is omitted). The setting input screen 140 has an input field 141 for a shot interval L1 (see FIG. 4), an input field 142 for a post-detection feed L2 (see FIG. 4), and an input field 143 for a mark detection range L3. The length L1 is the interval between shots ST1. The length L2 is the transport 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 accepts setting inputs of 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 non-volatile memory 106 (S106), and ends the setting process.

FIG. 12 illustrates a transfer molding process performed by the differential pressure forming apparatus 1. This process is mainly performed 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 transfer molding process is being performed.
When the control panel 100 receives the operation to start molding, the transport molding process shown in FIG. 12 is started, and the heater control unit 114 starts energizing the heater group HG (S202). As a result, the heater group HG preheats the sheet SH1. After that, in the sheet SH1, the feed of the first edge portion SH11 and the feed of the second edge portion SH12 are separately and independently driven. In FIG. 12, S210, S212, S214, and S216 show the process of sending the first edge portion SH11, and S220, S222, S224, and S226 show the process of sending the second edge portion SH12.

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

After the processing of S210, the control panel 100 determines whether or not the mark M1 is detected in the transport control unit 111 (S212), and repeats the processing of S212 until the mark M1 is detected. After the processing of S220, the control panel 100 determines whether or not the mark M2 is detected in the transport control unit 112 (S222), and repeats the processing 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 when the transfer 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 to stop the feed of the first edge portion SH11 (S214, STEP 2 in FIG. 13). When the mark M2 on the second side S2 is detected (STEP 1 in FIG. 13), the control panel 100 is servoed when the transfer control unit 112 feeds the set distance (L2) from the time when the mark M2 is detected. The drive of the motor 14A is stopped to stop the feed of the second edge portion SH12 (S224, STEP 2 in FIG. 13).
As a result, both edge portions SH11 and SH12 stop at a position at a 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 section U1 may cause a slight difference in the elongation of the chain 11, and the edge When the feed of the parts SH11 and SH12 is stopped, there may be a slight deviation. When the feed of both the edge portions SH11 and SH12 is stopped, the control panel 100 causes the differential pressure forming unit U2 in the forming control unit 113 to perform differential pressure forming of the shot ST2 to be formed on the sheet SH1 (S204, FIG. 13). STEP3). As a result, 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 servomotor 14A again in the transfer control unit 111 to transfer the first edge portion SH11 to the first feed unit U11 to the downstream side D1L in the transfer direction D1 at a predetermined transfer speed V1. Send it and return the process to S212. Further, in S226, the control panel 100 drives the servomotor 14B again in the transport control unit 112 to feed the second edge portion SH12 to the second feed unit U12 to the downstream side D1L in the transport direction D1 at a predetermined transport speed V1. Then, the process is returned 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 above-mentioned processing, the sheet SH1 is intermittently conveyed at the interval L1 of the shot ST1 and the processing in which the sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure at the time of stopping 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 to which the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected by the mark sensor SN1 is 2. It will be longer than the shot distance of 2 x L91. In this case, the position of the molded product PR1 may be noticeably deviated from the position of the printed pattern PRT1 due to a feed error of a transport portion such as a clamp chain.
Further, when the mark sensor SN1 is installed at a place 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 seat SH1 changes.

On the other hand, in this specific example illustrated in FIG. 13, the mark detection unit U3 is arranged in the molding zone Z3, whereby the distance that the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected is short, and the differential pressure molding is corresponding to that. Positional error is unlikely to occur. Therefore, the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position is improved, and the position of the molded product PR1 is less likely to deviate from the position of the printed pattern PRT1.
Further, since the mark detection unit U3 is attached to the support portion 20 including the rail 25, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the mark detection unit U3 in the seat width direction D2 even if the width of the seat SH1 changes.
Further, since the mark M0 can be detected from the one side SH1a side or the other side SH1b side with respect to the sheet SH1, the degree of freedom of differential pressure forming is high.
Further, even if there is a difference in the feed speed of each edge portion SH11 and SH12 such that a difference in the elongation of the chain 11 occurs due to use, the set distance (L2) is fed starting from the detection of each mark M1 and M2. At that point, the feeding of the edge portions SH11 and SH12 is stopped. Therefore, in this respect as well, the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position is improved, and the position of the molded product PR1 is unlikely to deviate from the position of the printed pattern PRT1.

(5) Modification example:
Various modifications of this technique can be considered.
For example, the molded product manufacturing system may not have a product extraction device, a scrap collection device, a trimming device, or a sheet supply device. The differential pressure molding apparatus included in these molded product manufacturing systems is also included in this technique. If the sheet is heated and softened by another device, the part manufacturing system may be without a heating device. The differential pressure molding apparatus included in this molded product manufacturing system is also included in this technique.
The sheet transport section is not limited to the transport section having a chain, and may be a transport section having a roller pair that sandwiches the sheet edge portion.
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 technique can be applied by performing the processing as shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 illustrates a transfer molding process performed by the differential pressure forming 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.

When the control panel 100 receives the operation to start molding, the transport molding process shown in FIG. 14 is started, and the heater control unit 114 starts energizing the heater group HG (S202). Next, the control panel 100 drives the servomotors 14A and 14B in the transfer control units 111 and 112 to cause the sheet edge portions SH11 and SH12 to the feed units U11 and U12 to the downstream side D1L in the transfer direction D1 at a predetermined transfer speed V1. Send it (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 driving the servomotors 14A and 14B at the time when the transfer control units 111 and 112 feed the set distance (L2) from the time when the mark M1 is detected. The feed of the units SH11 and SH12 is stopped (S214). Next, the control panel 100 causes the differential pressure forming unit U2 in the forming control unit 113 to perform the differential pressure forming of the shot ST2 to be formed on the sheet SH1 (S204). After molding, in S216, the control panel 100 drives the servomotors 14A and 14B again in the transfer control units 111 and 112 to transfer the edge portions SH11 and SH12 to the feed units U11 and U12 at a predetermined transfer speed V1 in the transfer direction D1. It is sent to the downstream side D1L, and the processing is returned to S212.
By repeating the above-mentioned processing, the sheet SH1 is intermittently conveyed at the interval L1 of the shot ST1 and the processing in which the sheet SH1 is formed by the differential pressure at the time of stopping is repeated.

Also in the above case, the mark detection unit U3 is arranged in the molding zone Z3, whereby the distance that the sheet SH1 is conveyed after the mark M0 is detected is short, and an error in the differential pressure molding position is less likely to occur. Therefore, the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position is improved, and the position of the molded product PR1 is less likely to deviate from the position of the printed pattern PRT1. Further, 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 of differential pressure forming is high.

(6) Conclusion:
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique or the like for improving the accuracy of the differential pressure forming position by various aspects. Of course, the above-mentioned basic operations and effects can be obtained even with a technique consisting only of the constituent elements according to the independent claims.
Further, the configurations in which the configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned examples are mutually replaced or the combinations are changed, the known techniques and the configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned examples are mutually replaced or the combinations are changed. It is also possible to implement the above-mentioned configuration. The present invention also includes these configurations and the like.

1 ... Differential pressure forming device,
10, 10A, 10B ... Holding mechanism, 11 ... Chain, 15 ... Holding part,
20, 20A, 20B ... Support part, 21 ... First mounting part, 22 ... Second mounting part,
25, 25A, 25B ... rail, 30, 30A, 30B ... cover,
40 ... Position adjustment mechanism,
50, 50A, 50B ... Support member,
70 ... Molding equipment,
100 ... Control panel, 131 ... Information output unit, 132 ... Operation unit, 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 supply device, DE2 ... Heating device, DE4 ... Trimming device,
DE5 ... Scrap collection device, DE6 ... Product removal 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 component of first mark detector),
SN2 ... Mark sensor (example of component of second mark detector),
ST1, ST2 ... Shot,
SY1 ... Thermoformed product manufacturing system,
U1 ... Conveying unit, U2 ... Differential pressure forming unit, U3 ... Mark detection unit, U4 ... Control unit,
U11 ... 1st feed section, U12 ... 2nd feed section,
Z1 ... Sheet supply zone, Z2 ... Heating zone, Z3 ... Molding zone,
Z4 ... Trimming zone, Z5 ... Scrap collection zone, Z6 ... Product removal zone.

Claims (5)

A continuous sheet having a mark corresponding to a molding shot is intermittently transported in units of the shot in a transport direction passing through a sheet supply zone, a heating zone, and a molding zone in order, and molding is repeated by differential pressure. In the differential pressure forming device
A transport unit that transports the sheet in the transport direction,
A heating device that heats the sheet in the heating zone,
A differential pressure forming portion for forming the sheet by differential pressure in the forming zone, and a differential pressure forming portion.
A mark detection unit, which is arranged in the molding zone and detects a mark on the sheet, is provided.
When the mark of the sheet transported by the transport unit is detected by the mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone, the transfer distance of the sheet from the detection of the mark to the position of the shot is reached. When the set distance is the same and the set distance is shorter than the shot interval from the time when the mark is detected, the sheet is stopped and the sheet is molded by the differential pressure forming portion. Differential pressure forming device. The transport unit is
A holding mechanism that moves to the downstream side in the transport direction together with the edge portion through the molding zone in a state where the edge portion in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction is releasably held in the sheet.
It has a support portion including a rail that guides the holding mechanism in the moving direction of the holding mechanism.
The differential pressure forming apparatus includes the support portion and a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the holding mechanism in the width direction.
The differential pressure molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark detecting portion is attached to the support portion in the molding zone. The support portion has a first attachment portion to which the mark detection portion can be attached and detached on one surface side of the sheet, and a second attachment portion to which the mark detection portion can be attached and detached on the other surface side of the sheet.
The differential pressure molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mark detection unit is attached to at least one of the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. The holding mechanism includes an endless chain and a plurality of holding portions provided on the endless chain to releasably hold the edge of the sheet.
The differential pressure forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transport portion is such that the holding portion holds the edge portion within a range in which the holding portion moves to the downstream side. A continuous sheet having a mark corresponding to a molding shot is intermittently transported in units of the shot in a transport direction passing through a sheet supply zone, a heating zone, and a molding zone in order, and molding is repeated by differential pressure. In the differential pressure forming method,
The sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying section, and the sheet is conveyed.
The sheet is heated by a heating device in the heating zone, and the sheet is heated by a heating device.
The mark on the sheet is detected by the mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone, and the mark is detected.
When the mark of the sheet transported by the transport unit is detected by the mark detection unit arranged in the molding zone, the transfer distance of the sheet from the detection of the mark to the position of the shot is reached. When the set distance is the same and the set distance is shorter than the shot interval from the time when the mark is detected, the sheet transfer is stopped, and the sheet is transferred by the differential pressure forming portion in the forming zone. A differential pressure molding method that molds by differential pressure.

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