JP7143348B2 - Melt spinning equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a melt spinning apparatus of the type according to the preamble of claim 1 for producing synthetic yarns.

Synthetic yarn production is carried out on melt spinning equipment having multiple spinning stations. A plurality of spinning stations are installed side by side to form the longitudinal front of the machine in the machine hall. Each spinning station has a spinning nozzle unit with a plurality of spinning nozzles for extruding a plurality of yarns. The yarns of one spinning station are drawn together from the spinning nozzle as a group of yarns and wound up in parallel at several winding points of the winding unit at the end of the process to form a package. The winding units of the spinning station each comprise two winding spindles held in one winding revolver, so that the yarn can be produced continuously at the spinning station. Only at the start of the process or when the process is interrupted does it become necessary to guide the yarn group in the spinning station by means of an auxiliary unit, for example to hang it on a godet unit and a winding unit. Such an auxiliary unit is preferably formed by an automatic operating device. An automatic manipulator is movably guided along the longitudinal front of the machine and is selectively feedable for threading one of the spinning stations. Such a melt spinning apparatus is disclosed, for example, in EP-A-3162748.

In the known melt spinning machines, the automatic manipulator is designed to travel and is guided on a suspension track above the manipulator channel. Threading on the godet unit and the winding unit is done by a robot arm of the automatic manipulator. To avoid unwanted collisions between the manipulator and the package collection unit or operator, the manipulator has a plurality of collision sensors. These crash sensors should detect possible obstacles so that a crash is avoided.

In known melt spinning machines, the crash sensor is arranged at a height of 2000 mm or more. To that extent, highly sensitive collision sensors are required, for example, to avoid collisions between the robot arm and the operator in the operating corridor. With regard to the ambient environment of the melt spinning apparatus, which is very heavily loaded with volatile constituents, great problems arise in ensuring such optical sensor sensitivity over long operating periods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of the present invention to improve a melt-spinning apparatus for producing synthetic yarns of the kind mentioned at the outset, in such a way that an automatically manipulating device for threading can be operated automatically and with a high degree of safety. is to be

This object is solved according to the invention in that the automatic manipulator has a sensor column for accommodating the crash sensor, which projects into the manipulator channel at a short distance from the hall floor. be.

Advantageous variants of the invention are defined by the features and feature combinations of the dependent claims.

The invention has the particular advantage that the surrounding environment of the automatic manipulator is observed directly in the area where possibly the operator or package recovery unit is located. Therefore, a travelable doffer is preferably used to retrieve full packages. A doffer is guided along the operating path. Furthermore, the operating channel is used by the operator, for example, to change the individual winding units of the spinning station for maintenance purposes. Near-floor surveillance in the immediate vicinity of the automatic manipulator in the region of the operating corridor avoids any collisions with obstacles. The individual threading steps in the spinning station after a process interruption or when restarting can therefore be carried out with a high degree of safety by means of automatic manipulators.

To accommodate the crash sensor, the sensor column preferably has a sensing head at its lower free end, so that the monitored area occupies relatively small spatial dimensions. The crash sensor is preferably formed by a laser scanner. Laser scanners allow two-dimensional ambient sensing with coverage over 360° through rotation of the transmit/receive system.

Preferably, however, two laser scanners are held which are arranged distributed over the periphery of the detection head. Each of these laser scanners has a 270° surveillance area. It is thus ensured that the entire surrounding environment of the automatic manipulator is detected in the area of the manipulator channel.

Particularly in the case of movable obstacles, for example operators, a variant of the melt spinning device according to the invention is advantageously constructed in which the collision sensors are assigned an inner near-field and an outer near-field. The notification of obstacles in the inner near-field or outer near-field in the automatic control activates different control commands. Thus, for example, the working process of an automatic operating device is interrupted only when an obstacle is detected in the inner near-field. In the case of obstacles in the outer near-field, on the other hand, the operating speed of the automatic manipulator is first slowed down. This makes it possible to prevent an abrupt interruption of the automatic manipulator at movable obstacles.

In order to allow manual intervention in the control of the automatic operating device despite automation, there is also the possibility of arranging operating panels and/or switching elements, for example emergency stop switches, on the sensor column. The operating panel or switching elements are directly connected to the automatic control device. The operating panel and/or switching elements are thus mounted at the operator's working height.

The manipulator is positioned at each predefined spinning position so that the respective work sequence for threading by the manipulator can be carried out at the individual spinning positions. In this case, the fixation and positioning of the automatic manipulator can be further improved in that the free end of the sensor column has a movable clamping support. This clamping support can selectively clamp the sensor column to the hall floor. An additional position fixation via the sensor column can thus be achieved for each spinning position.

In addition, however, there is the possibility of stabilizing the guide of the automatic manipulator by having the free end of the sensor column have guide shoes. The guide shoes are guideable in floor rails in the hall floor. Especially for the positioning and adjustment of automatic manipulators, guides with as few errors as possible are advantageous.

In order to thread a group of yarns into one of the spinning stations, it is necessary to collect the group of yarns by means of an automatic manipulator for a short period of time and discharge them into a waste container. In order to operate the auxiliary units required for this purpose in an automatic manipulator, each spinning station is associated with one of a plurality of connection stations each having a compressed air connection for the compressed air transmission. A variant of the invention is particularly advantageous. This compressed air connection cooperates with a connection adapter arranged on the automatic manipulator. Thereby, the automatic manipulator can advantageously be automatically connected to the compressed air supply at each spinning position.

In order that the automatic manipulator can reach each spinning position as quickly as possible, the guide unit is formed by a suspension track. The automatic operating device is movably held by a transport means on the suspension track.

An advantageous variant of the melt spinning apparatus in which the automatic manipulator has a controllable robot arm arranged on a carrier held on a suspended track together with the sensor column enables the godets and windings of the godet unit to It is possible to highly flexibly hang and pass the yarn through the winding portion of the take-up unit. Due to the free mobility of the robot arm, an extremely high degree of freedom is achieved for guiding the thread group during threading.

Guiding of the yarn swarm is preferably effected by a movable suction injector. This suction injector can be guided by a robot arm for threading a thread group onto one godet unit and winding unit of the spinning station. The thread swarm drawn in via the suction injector can either be received directly in the storage container of the automatic manipulator or fed directly into the central lint container via the lint line.

The melt spinning apparatus according to the invention is particularly suitable for the fully automated production of synthetic yarns with high safety. The operating effort for the operator is significantly reduced and is substantially defined by control functions which the operator can carry out without risk of collision.

The melt spinning apparatus according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to embodiments.

1 is a schematic front view of multiple spinning positions of a melt spinning apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the automatic operating device of the melt spinning apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of one of the spinning stations of the melt spinning apparatus according to the invention shown in Figure 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the automatic operating device of the melt spinning apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1; 1 is a schematic side view of one of the spinning positions when threading; FIG. Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a melt spinning apparatus according to the present invention when threading one of the spinning stations; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a melt spinning apparatus according to the present invention when threading one of the spinning stations;

1 and 3 illustrate in front and side views an embodiment of a melt spinning apparatus according to the invention with multiple spinning stations. The following description applies to both drawings, unless explicitly associated with one of the drawings.

An embodiment of the melt spinning apparatus according to the invention comprises a plurality of spinning stations 1.1-1.6. These spinning stations 1.1 to 1.6 are arranged side by side in a row-like arrangement and form the machine longitudinal sides. The number of spinning positions illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary. Basically, a melt spinning apparatus of this type contains multiple spinning stations of the same type.

The structure of the spinning stations 1.1 to 1.6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is identical. In the example of spinning station 1.1 illustrated in side view in FIG. 3, the unit is explained in detail below.

Each spinning station 1.1 to 1.6 has a spinning nozzle unit 2 . The spinning nozzle unit 2 comprises a spinning beam 2.2 whose underside supports a plurality of spinning nozzles 2.1. These spinning nozzles 2.1 are connected to spinning pumps 2.3. This spinning pump 2.3 is preferably designed as a multipump and forms a separate melt stream for each spinning nozzle 2.1. The spinning pump 2.3 is connected via a melt inlet channel 2.4 to a melt source (not shown in detail), for example an extruder.

A cooling unit 3 is arranged below the spinning nozzle unit 2 . This cooling unit 3 has a cooling cylinder 3.1 with gas-permeable walls in the blow chamber 3.3 in this embodiment. A cooling cylinder 3.1 for receiving and cooling the filaments is provided for each spinning nozzle 2.1. The cooling tube 3.1 is followed in each case in the direction of yarn travel by a descending tube 3.2.

A collective unit 4 is arranged below the dropper 3.2. This collecting unit 4 has a plurality of yarn guides 4.1 for collecting the extruded filaments from each spinning nozzle 2.1 into a yarn. In this example the spinning nozzle unit 2 forms four threads. The number of threads is exemplary. Such a spinning nozzle unit 2 can therefore simultaneously form up to 32 yarns per spinning position 1.1 to 1.6.

An oil supply unit 5 is associated with the collective unit 4 . The individual threads of a thread group 8 are moistened by this oil supply unit 5 . The yarns are drawn off by the godet unit 6 as a yarn group 8 and supplied to the winding unit 7 . In this example, the godet unit 6 consists of two driven godets 6.1. Interlacing units 6.2 are arranged between the godets 6.1 with which the yarns of the yarn group 8 can be interlaced separately.

The winding unit 7 has a winding point 7.5 for each yarn of the yarn group 8. In FIG. A total of four winding points 7.5 extend along the winding spindle 7.1. The winding spindle 7.1 is held so as to protrude into the winding revolver 7.2. The winding revolver 7.2 carries two winding spindles 7.1. These winding spindles 7.1 are alternately guided in the winding area and the exchange area. Each winding point 7.5 is associated with one of a plurality of small deflecting rollers 7.6 for splitting and separating the thread group 8. FIG. These deflecting miniature rollers 7.6 are directly behind the godet unit 6. FIG. Each winding point 7.5 has a traverse unit 7.3 for winding and laying the yarn to form a package. This traversing unit 7.3 cooperates with a pressure roller 7.4, which is arranged parallel to the winding spindle 7.1 and which is arranged on the surface of the packages 22. Contact the yarn winding.

1 and 3 show the spinning stations 1.1 to 1.6 in their normal operating state. Under normal operating conditions, at each spinning station 1.1 to 1.6 a group 8 of threads is extruded, withdrawn and continuously wound to form a package 22 .

The package 22 wound to the end in the winding unit 7 is preferably automatically received and discharged by the doffer unit. Such a travelable doffer unit moves within the operating passage 21 . The operating channels run parallel along the machine longitudinal sides of the spinning stations 1.1 to 1.6. Doffer units used for collection are well known and therefore are not shown and described here.

In order to be able to operate the spinning stations 1.1 to 1.6 at the start of the process and at process interruptions, the spinning stations 1.1 to 1.6 are assigned an automatic control device 9. . 1 and 3 the automatic manipulator 9 is shown in the standby position. The automatic operating device 9 is held by a guide unit 10 above the operating passage 21 . The guide unit 10 is formed in this exemplary embodiment by a suspension track 10.1. This suspension track 10.1 extends above the operating channel 21 parallel to the machine longitudinal sides of the spinning stations 1.1 to 1.6. An automatic manipulator 9 can thus supply each spinning station 1.1 to 1.6.

In order to describe the automatic manipulator 9, additional reference is made below to FIGS. 2 shows an enlarged front view of an automatic operating device such as that shown in the spinning unit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows an automatic operating device such as that shown in FIG. A side view of the device is shown similarly enlarged. The following description applies to all drawings, unless explicitly associated with one of the drawings.

The manipulator 9 has a carrier frame 9.1. This carrier frame 9.1 is held on a suspension track 10.1. The carrier frame 9.1 is connected to the running frame 9.5. The running frame 9.5 is guided in the suspension track 10.1. Conveying means 9.4 are associated with the running frame 9.5. With this transport means 9.4, the automatic manipulator 9 can travel within the suspension track 10.1. The suspension track 10.1 has two guide rails 10.2 and 10.3 for this purpose. For this purpose, the transport means 9.4 are connected to an automatic control device 9.6. An automatic control device 9.6 schematically illustrated on the top side of the carrier frame 9.1 is connected to a machine control device (not shown in detail).

A sensor column 9.2 is held at the opposite end of the carrier frame 9.1. This sensor column 9.2 protrudes at a short distance to the hall floor 20 of the operating channel 21. As shown in FIG. A detection head 11 for accommodating a crash sensor 11.1 is formed in the area below the sensor column 9.2. The detection head 11 is formed with a round cross-section in this exemplary embodiment. The crash sensor 11.1 is formed by two laser scanners 11.2, 11.3 distributed on one peripheral line. The sensor column 9.2 is mounted on a carrier frame 9.1 and is thereby guided back and forth within the operating channel 21 depending on the position of the automatic manipulator.

The laser scanners 11.2, 11.3 provided at the free end of the sensor column 9.2 are connected to an automatic control device 9.6. Each laser scanner 11.1, 11.2 has a monitoring range of at least 200°, preferably at least 250°, so that the entire circumference surrounding the sensor column 9.2 is monitored. The surrounding environment is detected in two dimensions, preferably by continuous laser signals. As a result, obstacles such as, for example, an operator or a doffer unit in the operating channel 21 can be detected early and taken into account accordingly when controlling the automatic operating device 9 . A split between the inner and outer near-field surrounding the detection head 11 is particularly advantageous. Thereby, the obstacles generated in the outer near-field region and the obstacles generated in the inner near-field can each be used for different control commands of the automatic manipulator 9 . Thus, in the case of a movable obstacle approaching the automatic manipulator 9, for example, an abrupt stoppage of the working process of the manipulator 9 can be avoided. Therefore, first of all, the working speed of the automatic manipulator can be reduced when an obstacle is detected in the outer near field. At the same time, a warning signal can be generated, thereby indicating an impending collision to the operator. Only when an obstacle penetrates the inner near-field does an interruption of the working process of the automatic manipulator 9 occur. All operations occurring at the spinning station, such as, for example, collecting packages, threading, spinning nozzle maintenance and changing the winding unit, can thus be carried out safely without possible risk of collision. It is particularly advantageous if the sensor device is arranged in an area of the spinning station where the environmental load due to the volatile constituents of the yarn guide is minimal.

Besides the sensor column 9.2, the carrier frame 9.1 holds a robot arm 9.3. The robot arm 9.3 has a freely protruding guide end. A suction injector 9.8 is guided in this guide end. A protruding articulated robot arm 9.3 is freely movable by means of actuators and sensors (not shown), and the movement stroke of the robot arm 9.3 is controlled by an automatic controller 9.6. The power supply to the automatic manipulator 9 preferably takes place via a current rail or energy chain.

In order to operate the suction injector 9.8, the automatic manipulator 9 cooperates with the connection station 12 at each spinning position 1.1-1.6. FIG. 4 shows the connection station 12 of the spinning station 1.1. For a description of the connection station 12 additional reference is made to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the manipulator 9 connected to the connection station 12 via a connection adapter 12.3.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the connection adapter 12.3 is arranged on the carrier frame 9.1 of the manipulator 9. As shown in FIG. A connection adapter 12.3 is coupled to the actuator 12.4. The actuator 12.4 reciprocates to couple the connection adapter 12.3 to one of the plurality of connection stations 12. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows the manipulator 9 held in the standby position and thus not connected to the connection station 12 .

In FIG. 5 the connection adapter 12.3 is shown coupled to the connection station 12. FIG. For this purpose, the connection station 12 has a compressed air connection 12.1. This compressed air connection 12.1 is connected via a central compressed air line 15 to a central compressed air source (not shown). The connection adapter 12.3 is connected to the connection station 12 in such a way that the compressed air line 13 arranged on the automatic operating device is connected to the compressed air connection 12.1, for example by means of a plug-in connection. The compressed air line 13 is connected to the suction injector 9.8 so that this suction injector 9.8 is prepared for receiving the yarn group.

The lint line 14, which is connected to the suction injector 9.8, opens into the lint container 9.7. This lint bin 9.7 is formed on a carrier frame 9.1. The yarn swarm received during the threading process via the suction injector 9.8 is thus received in the lint bin 9.7 of the automatic manipulator 9. FIG.

Basically, however, there is also the possibility of extending the connection station 12 such that the lint duct 14 is connected to the central lint duct via a lint connection.

As can be seen from the drawing in FIG. 1, each spinning station 1.1 to 1.6 has a respective one of a plurality of connection stations 12. In FIG. The possibility thus arises that the automatic manipulator 9 is automatically connected at each spinning position 1.1 to 1.6 via a connection adapter 12.3 to a respective one of the connection stations 12. FIG.

The automatic manipulator 9 is guided from the standby position into the holding position of the respective spinning position in case an operation for threading is required in one of the spinning positions 1.1 to 1.6. . For this purpose, the automatic control device 9.6 of the automatic operating device 9 receives corresponding control commands. Actuators 12.4 are actuated after positioning by sensors (not shown) so that connection adapters 12.3 are coupled to the corresponding connection stations 12 of the corresponding spinning positions. The automatic manipulator 9 is now ready for the transfer of the yarn group 8 at the spinning station.

FIG. 5 shows the yarn group 8 at the spinning station 1.1 being guided by the automatic manipulator 9 . The thread group 8 is received via the suction injector 9.8 and discharged via the waste line 14 into the waste container 9.7. The suction injector 9.8 is operated by the robot arm 9.3 for threading and threading the threads of the thread group into the godet device 6 and the winding unit 7. FIG. During this time, the surroundings of the automatic manipulator are monitored by a sensor column 9.2 projecting into the manipulator channel. For this purpose, the periphery is scanned by laser scanners 11.2, 11.3 provided on the detection head 11. FIG. As soon as an obstacle occurs in the scanning path 21 , a corresponding change is carried out in the automatic manipulator 9 .

The configuration of crash sensor 11.1 with multiple laser scanners is exemplary. In principle, alternative sensor systems, such as infrared range sensors, laser range sensors or 3D camera systems, are also possible for collision prevention.

In FIG. 6, another embodiment of the melt spinning apparatus according to the invention is schematically illustrated in side view when the automatic manipulator 9 is in use. Since this embodiment is substantially identical to the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, only the differences will be described here, and reference is made to the above description for other points.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a clamping support 17 is formed at the free end of the sensor column 9.2 of the automatic manipulator 9. In the embodiment shown in FIG. The clamping support 17 has a movable plunger 17.1 and a clamping actuator 17.2. This plunger 17.1 is arranged at the end of the sensor column 9.2 and is moved by a clamping actuator 17.2 and clamped against the hall floor 20. FIG. The possibility thus arises of additionally fixing the automatic manipulator 9 in the spinning station 1.1 by means of the sensor column 9.2. The sensor column 9.2 is clamped between the carrier frame 9.1 and the hall floor 20 by clamping supports 17. As shown in FIG.

At the working height of the operator, the sensor column 9.2 has an operating panel 16. As shown in FIG. This operating panel 16 is connected to an automatic control device 9.6 of the automatic operating device 9. As shown in FIG. The operator panel 16 contains one or more control buttons so that the operator can intervene in the working sequence of the automatic operator.

Alternatively, the sensor column 9.2 could only be equipped with an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch, which is connected to the automatic control device 9.6, is therefore operated only in the event of a problem, for example in the event of loss of thread from the suction injector.

FIG. 7 illustrates another alternative configuration of a melt spinning apparatus according to the present invention. This alternative configuration also differs only by the configuration of the sensor column 9.2 of the automatic manipulator 9. FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the sensor column 9.2 of the automatic manipulator 9 has a guide shoe 18 at its free end. A guide shoe 18 is formed on the underside of the detection head 11 and projects into a floor rail 19 introduced into the hall floor 20 . Since the floor rail 19 runs parallel to the suspension track 10, the manipulator 9 obtains additional guidance via the sensor column 9.2. A very precise positioning and adjustment of the automatic manipulator 9 in one spinning station is thus possible.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is otherwise the same as the embodiment described above, and therefore will not be described further at those points.

The embodiment illustrated in the above-described figures of the melt spinning apparatus according to the invention is exemplary in the configuration of the automatic handling device 9 and in the configuration of the units of the melt spinning apparatus. A separate unit may therefore be required to process the yarn at the spinning station. Similarly, the godet unit may have multiple godets for drawing the yarn.

Claims (9)

A melt spinning apparatus for producing synthetic yarns, comprising a plurality of spinning stations (1.1-1.6) and an automatic operating device (9), wherein said spinning stations (1.1-1. 6) each have a spinning nozzle unit (2), a cooling unit (3), a godet unit (6) and a winding unit (7), said automatic operating device (9) are guided by a guide unit (10) above the operating path (21) parallel to the spinning stations (1.1-1.6) arranged in a row, each spinning station (1 .1-1.6) for threading, said automatic manipulator (9) having at least one collision sensor (11.1) for detecting obstacles , in a melt spinning device,
Said automatic manipulator (9) has a sensor column (9.2) for accommodating said crash sensor (11.1), said sensor column (9.2) ), and
The lower free end of said sensor column (9.2) has a sensing head (11) for accommodating said crash sensor (11.1), said crash sensor (11.1) A melt spinning device, characterized in that it is formed by a laser scanner (11.2) . Said crash sensor (11.1) provided in said sensor column (9.2) is connected to an automatic control device (9.6), said crash sensor (11.1) receiving an inner near-field and an outer near-field are assigned, and in the automatic control device (9.6) the notification of an obstacle in the inner near-field or in the outer near - field activates different control commands. The melt spinning apparatus described. 3. Melt spinning apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor column (9.2) carries an operating panel (16) and/or switching elements connected to the automatic control device (9.6). The free end of the sensor column (9.2) has a movable clamping support (17) which clamps the sensor column (9.2) to the hall floor (20). 4. Melt spinning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which is selectively tightened with The free end of said sensor column (9.2) has a guide shoe (18) which is guideable in a floor rail (19) in said hall floor (20). A melt spinning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein Each spinning station (1.1 to 1.6) is associated with one of a plurality of connection stations (12) each with a compressed air connection (12.1) for compressed air transmission. 6. Melt spinning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connection station ( 12 ) cooperates with a connection adapter (12.3) arranged on said automatic manipulator (9). The guide unit (10) is formed by a suspension track (10.1) in which the manipulator (9) is guided and the manipulator (9) has a transport means (9.4) by means of which said automatic manipulator (9) can run on said suspension track (10.1) A melt spinning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. Said automatic manipulator (9) has a controllable robotic arm (9.3) which together with said sensor column (9.2) moves along said suspended track ( 8. Melt spinning apparatus according to claim 7 , arranged on a carrier frame (9.1) held by 10.1). Said automatic manipulator (9) has a movable suction injector (9.8) which is moved by said robot arm (9.3) to said spinning positions (1.1 to Melt spinning apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein one said godet unit (6) and said winding unit (7) of 1.6) is guideable for winding a thread group.

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