WO2000075408A2

WO2000075408A2 - Automatic seaming machine

Info

Publication number: WO2000075408A2
Application number: PCT/GB2000/002096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Waters
Original assignee: Voith Fabrics Heidenheim Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 2000-06-08
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: AU5091500A; EP1261763A2; KR20020010694A; GB9913244D0; JP2003515678A; WO2000075408A3

Abstract

An automatic seaming machine for joining by weaving two opposed fabric ends. The machine comprising an end selector (50) driven by an end selector drive for selecting a free warp yarn and an inserter means (70) driven by an inserter means drive for pulling the yarn thus selected through the shed to join the ends together. A fault detector monitors the selection of the yarn by the end selector (50), and an inserter pick-up detector monitors the engagement and pulling of the yarn by the inserter means (70), such that if a fault occurs in either the selection or engagement/pulling the respective fault detector and inserter pick-up detector sends a fault signal to a central control means which in turn then sends a stop signal to the end selector drive and the inserter means drive in order to bring the machine to a complete halt and thereby terminate the weaving process.

Description

Automatic Seaming Machine

The present invention relates to automatic seaming machines, and in

particular, but not exclusively to automatic seaming machines for use in

joining together the ends of papermakers fabrics to produce an endless

structure.

A seaming machine for joining together the ends of a papermakers

fabric in order to form an endless belt is known from WO84/00782 (Scapa) .

In this prior machine, as illustrated in Figs. 16 to 18, in order to join two

opposed fabric ends 1 1 , 1 2 by successively weaving the individual ones of

two sets 1 3, 1 of side by side free warp yarns extending from the fabric

edges 15, 16 with a seaming weft 17 formed from pre-crimped yarns, shed

fingers 31 , 32 are moved by a pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangement

33 to open up a shed 20. Two further pneumatic arrangements 40, 42

control a selector means 25 having an actuable pin 39 which selects a free

warp yarn 28 from one end 1 2 of the belt and moves it into engagement

with notch 44 of a dependent guide bar 43. A further pneumatic

arrangement 45 drives inserter needle 26 through the shed 20 to pick up

the yarn 28 with its crook-end 27. The inserter needle 26 is then driven

back through the shed 20 drawing the yarn 28 with and engages yarn 28

with yarn clamps 29, whereat that part of the yarn which extends beyond

the region of weaving is severed by a yarn cutter. The yarn 28 is then

tensioned and is beat-up by reed 30. The shed is then changed and a new

shed opened and a yarn drawn from the other end 1 3 of the belt by a second selector and inserter means 25, 26 (not illustrated) each having

respective pneumatic drive means. The process is then successively

repeated until the ends of the fabric are completely joined.

In this process the free warp yarns 1 3, 1 4 are supported by

respective leases 22 (36,37) and the weft 17 is supported by a shedding

mechanism 1 8 operating in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

The above described system of joining the two ends of the fabric has

the drawback that the operator must watch the drawing of each warp

through the shed. This is because the selector means may accidentally

select more than one warp, or may fail to pick up a warp with the

consequence that the inserter needle draws too many warps or no warp

through the shed. Also when the warp is drawn through the shed and

engaged with the clamp and severed, the yarn may not be fully released

from the inserter needle and may be drawn, or a portion of the yarn (debris)

may be retained and become entangled in or interfere with the joining

process. Once this error has been spotted it is necessary for the operator

to switch-off the seaming machine. Unfortunately, due to human error,

there may be a delay in switching the machine off, but more significantly

because each part of the process is controlled by an individual pneumatic

drive the machine cannot be brought to an immediate halt and therefore

several further warps may have been successively drawn through the shed

from each end of the fabric before the machine comes to a complete halt.

This has the consequence that the operator must then carefully un-pick by hand several complete warp insertions before it is possible to access and

thereby unpick the portion where more than one warp, or no warp or debris

has been drawn through the wefts. This is a time consuming process and

results in considerable down-time for the machine.

The end/yarn selection mechanism of this known seaming machine

is operated by a jacquard patterning arrangement to divide the yarns by

independent movement of the yarns to create a desired woven design for

the joining process. The pattern is selected by a cam mechanism

comprising a plurality of individual cams. This has the drawback that only

simple patterns can be utilised in the seaming machine because the

complexity of the repeat pattern is limited by the number of faces it is

possible to place on each individual cam. Furthermore it is not possible to

place an odd number of faces on one cam.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or alleviate the

above described drawbacks.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is

provided an automatic seaming machine for the mechanical joining of

opposed fabric ends, having a fault detector which monitors the seaming

process and an automatic stop for bring the seaming process to a halt if an

error is detected by the fault detector.

This has the advantage that the joining process is continuously

monitored by the fault detector and if an error occurs the seaming machine

is brought to a halt more quickly. Preferably the drive for the seaming process comprises a mechanical

cam. This has the advantage that when the process is stopped the seaming

operation stops faster than it would with the previously known pneumatic

drive for the seaming process.

Preferably the fault detection means comprises an electrical circuit

having a switch the actuation of which sends a signal to the stop

mechanism that a fault has occurred.

In a preferred embodiment the seaming machine comprises a yarn

engagement means selectively engageable in use with successive side-by-

side free yarns, wherein the fault detector is adapted to monitor the

selection of a yarn by the yarn engagement means and to detect a fault if

more that the required number of yarns is selected.

This has the advantage that if more than the required number of

yarns are selected the seaming operation is stopped before it progress to

the next stage, whereat the yarns would be drawn through the shed.

Preferably the yarn selector comprises at least one pin for selecting

a yarn which is pivotally mounted to the main body of the selector, wherein

the fault detector comprises an electrical circuit having two contacts with

one of the contacts attached to the pivotally mounted pin and the other to

the main body of the selector. By this means if more than the required

number of yarns is selected then the connection of the contacts is broken

because of the restrictive force experienced by the pin pivoting the contacts

apart. Preferably means are provided to adjust the connection of the two

contacts. Thereby the force required to open the contacts can be adjusted

to suit a required pull for the yarns.

In a preferred embodiment the seaming machine comprises yarn

insertion means engageable with a free yarn selected by the yarn

engagement means and adapted, upon actuation, to pull the yarn through

the shed, wherein the fault detector is adapted to monitor the collection of

yarn by the yarn engagement means and to detect a fault if no yarn is

present. This has the advantage that the machine can be switched off

when no yarn is drawn through the shed and before the shed is changed.

Preferably, the fault detector is also adapted to monitor the return of

the yarn insertion means through the shed once it has deposited its yarn

end at the other side of the shed, the fault detector detecting a fault if a

portion of yarn remains engaged with the yarn insertion means. This has

the advantage that the machine is stopped if a severed portion of the yarn,

or debris is still attached to the insertion means.

Preferably the yarn insertion means comprises a clamp wherein in a

first position of the clamp whereat no yarn is held by the clamp on the

insertion means an electrical contact is made to the fault detector and in a

second position of the clamp whereat a yarn held by the clamp on the

insertion means said electrical contact is broken. This has the advantage

that the fault detection can be monitored by the simple breaking or making

of a circuit. Preferably the fault detector is adapted to monitor the progress of the yarn insertion means and such that no fault is detected when

electrical contact is broken when a yarn is correctly engaged by the clamp

of the insertion means and such that a fault is detected during the later

progress of the yarn insertion means if once the yarn has been deposited at

the other side of the shed a portion of the yarn is still present causing the

breaking of the electrical contact.

In a further preferred embodiment the fault detector comprises a

camera which monitors the seaming process, the data collected from the

camera being analysed by a computer and a fault detected if the seam

process does not conform to a pre-programmed pattern.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is

provided a yarn selector for determining which free yarn is to be selected,

the yarn selector comprising electronic means for determining the position

of at least one yarn engagement pin of the yarn engagement means. This

has the advantage that the yarn can be selected with an increased number

of possibilities, when compared to the known mechanical method of

selection.

Preferably the electronic means comprises a plurality of solenoid

operable according to a predetermined pattern or sequence to selectively

stop the movement of said pin.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention a method

for the mechanical seaming of opposed adjacent fabric ends is provided

which includes the steps of monitoring the seaming process in order to detect errors in the joining of the fabric ends, detecting an error if one

occurs, sending a message to a central control unit that an error has

occurred, and sending a stop signal to the drives of all moving components

involved in the seaming process in order to switch off the drives and bring

to a halt the seaming process.

By way of example only, specific embodiments of the invention will

now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stop mechanism for a seaming

machine constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of

the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the end selection assembly of Fig . 1

taken in the direction of arrow A;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the breaking of contact

when incorrect selection of yarn occurs;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a stop mechanism constructed in

accordance with a second embodiment of the present

invention;

Fig. 5 to 7 are schematic sectional views along A, B and C respectively

of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 bit shows the clamping of a free

yarn;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of the stop

mechanisms; Fig. 10 is a schematic view of an end selection assembling constructed

in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 1 1 are views in the direction of arrows A, B and C of Fig. 10, to 13 each also showing an end view of the solenoids;

Fig. 14 is a view in the direction of arrow D of Fig. 10;

Fig. 1 5 is an exploded view of the solenoids and retaining block of Fig.

10;

Fig. 1 6 is a perspective view of a part of a known seaming machine

illustrating the weft yarns displaced to provide a shed at one

edge thereof, with the shed finger means engaged therewith

at an initial position;

Fig. 17 is a view corresponding to Fig . 16 illustrating a later stage in

the seaming operation whereat a free warp yarn has been

selected and drawn to a position for engagement by a yarn

inserter; and

Fig. 18 is a side elevation showing the selector with a free warp yarn

engaged therein.

The automatic seaming machines comprises a stop mechanism which

is adapted to bring the machine to a complete halt when an error occurs in

the weaving (joining) of two fabric ends.

In a first embodiment the selector means 25 of the seaming machine

of WO94/00782 is modified in that the selector means 50 comprises, as

illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, a selector block 52 having a free warp yarn engaging pin 54 mounted therein for operation under the control of a cam

mechanism to engage and clamp the end yarn 28, of the free warp yarns,

supported by the lease 22, to the block 52. The block carries 3 end

selectors/pins 54 which can be selected to enter slots 1 1 6 on guide plate

1 1 8 for a preprogrammed yarn selection as described hereinafter.

The block 52 is slidably mounted on slide 56 such that upon selection

of a yarn the yarn is separated from the free warp yarns by the pin 54

dragging the selected yarn from the lease 22 as block 52 moves up the slide

56.

The pin or end selector 54 rests against a fulcrum arm 58 which is

pivotally mounted to the selector block 52 about pivot 60. Two contacts

62, 64 make a circuit via connection 66 with contact 62 being attached to

fulcrum arm 58 and contact 64 being connected to the selector block 52.

If, however, during the selection process, more than one free warp yarn has

been selected the restrictive force incurred on the pins 54 ability to drag a

yarn from the lease, as the end selector 52 swings away, causes the pin 54

to push against the fulcrum arm 58 and results in the contact 66 between

terminals 62, 64 opening and the circuit being broken causing the machine

to stop.

If a yarn is correctly selected, the yarn being clamped between the

end selector 54 and block 52 is moved into engagement with the guide bar

for subsequent collection by the inserter means.

In order to ensure that the connection 66 is closed during normal operation, and therefore that two separate portions 66a, 66b of the

connection 66 touch each other to create a connection between contacts

62, 64, the fulcrum arm 58, to which contact 64 is attached, is held under

tension by a spring 68. The spring tension determines how much force is

required to push the fulcrum arm 58 forwards by the end selector 54

currently selecting a free warp yarn. The spring 68 is held between a first

spring anchor 70 connected to the fulcrum arm 58 and a second spring

anchor 72 connected to the selector block 52. The tension of the spring 68

is adjusted by rotating a knurled adjuster 74.

In a second embodiment of stop mechanism which stops the seaming

machine if an error occurs during the transfer of a yarn, is best illustrated

in Figs. 4 to 8. The inserter means which is reciprocally mounted for

movement through the shed to collect from the guide bar and pull through

the shed the selected free warp yarn 28, is modified in that inserter arm 70

carries a clamp 72 for engaging the yarn 28. The clamp 72 is attached to

the arm 70 by screw 74. For this purpose one end of the clamp 72 is in the

form of a preformed loop 76. The screw 74 passes through washer 78, the

preformed loop 76 and a plastics annular spacer 80 having an annular

protuberance 82 which extends through the interior of the preformed loop

76. Sandwiched between the spacer 80 and loop 76 is an electrical cable

84 which also has a loop 86 at its end formed from bare wire. The

protuberance 82 of spacer 80 also fits through the cable loop 86. When

screw 74 is tightened the bare wire loop 86 of cable 84 makes contact with th Θ preformed loop 76 end of the clamp 72.

The spacer 80 and its protuberance 82 and washer 78 are of plastics

and insulate the clamp 72 and the bare wire end 86 of the cable 74 from

the screw 74 and the inserter arm 70 to ensure a clean circuit and no

shorting out.

The inserter arm 70 and screw 74 form the ground side of an

electrical circuit, whilst the clamp 72 forms the positive input as long as it

is touching the face of the inserter arm 70. Under normal running

conditions if a yarn end is collected it is held between clamp 72 and one

face 88 of the inserter arm 70. The diameter of the yarn is enough to push

the clamp 72 away from the face of the inserter and break the circuit and

hence allow the machine to continue running. However if no end is

collected then the clamp 72 remains touching the inserter arm's face 88 and

the circuit is not broken and the machine is adapted to stop.

As well as insulating the area where the clamp 72 is attached to the

inserter arm 70, the area where the clamp 72 passes through eye 90 of the

inserter arm 70 is also insulated to prevent shorting-out. This is achieved

by ensuring that clamp 72 is the correct length after bending to pass

through the eye 90 and is held in place by two plastics guides 92 used to

position the clamp centrally within the eye 90.

In a third embodiment of stop mechanism as best illustrated in Figs.

4 to 8, a stop mechanism which stops the seaming machine when debris

is detected shares the same circuit as the transfer stop mechanism. However, whereas the transfer stop mechanism stops if there is no yarn

present, the debris stop motion stops if there is an end or debris present.

In this instance the clamp 72 is in permanent contact with face 88 of the

arm 70 creating a circuit. As the inserter arm 70 starts to move towards

the shed at the start of its cycle, if there is any debris present the clamp will

be displaced away from the face 88 of the inserter 70 and the circuit will

be broken and the machine will stop.

The stop mechanisms of the first, second and third embodiment are

all connected into a central control unit (Fig. 9) which monitors the status

of each stop mechanism. If any of the mechanisms detects a fault a

message is sent to the central control and the power is then cut to all

machine component drives to stop their operation and bring the machine to

a halt. Unlike the seaming machine of WO84/00782, the moving

components of the present machine are largely mechanically driven by a

cam mechanism, rather than by pneumatic pistons and cylinders, therefore

the machine can be stopped more quickly.

In addition to the aforementioned stop assemblies a camera is used

to monitor the joining of the fabrics, which camera is adapted to optically

recognise any anomoly in the seaming process. If such an anomaly is

detected a stop signal is sent to the central control unit and the power cut

as mentioned hereinbefore. The central control unit also sends a signal to

a visual display which is adapted to inform the operator at which location

in the machine the error has occurred. ln a fourth embodiment, as best illustrated in Figs. 10 to 1 5, the end

or yarn selection is modified in that the selection assembly 100 comprises

a solenoid retaining block 102 in which are located 3 solenoids 104, 106,

108. Each solenoid carries a stop 1 10, 1 1 2, 1 14 (as best illustrated in Fig .

1 5). When de-energized the stops 1 10, 1 1 2, 1 14 are so positioned so that

they locate directly underneath their respective slot 1 16 in guide plate 1 18.

When energized the stops 1 10, 1 1 2, 1 1 4 are pulled away and leave their

respective slot clear.

During end/yarn selection the solenoids are energized and de-

energized to a pre-programmed pattern or sequence, allowing their

respective stops to either remain and block the slot 1 16 in the guide 1 19 or

be pulled away to clear their slots. This allows the pin or end selectors 54

to either enter a slot or be held outside a slot depending on the program or

sequence selected with the pin/end selector 54 selecting entering the slot.

Claims

1 . An automatic seaming machine for the mechanical joining of opposed

fabric ends, having a fault detection means which monitors the seaming

process and an automatic stop for bringing the seaming process to a halt

if an error is detected by the fault detector.

2. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 1 , comprising a

drive for the seaming process which drive comprises a mechanical cam.

3. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the fault detection means comprises an electrical circuit having a switch the

actuation of which sends a signal to the stop mechanism that a fault has

occurred.

4. An automatic seaming machine according to any one of the preceding

claims comprising a yarn selector selectively engageable in use with

successive side-by-side free yarns, wherein the fault detector is adapted to

monitor the selection of a yarn by the yarn engagement means and to

detect a fault if more that the required number of yarns is selected.

5. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the

yarn selector comprises electronic means for determining the position of at

least one yarn engagement pin of the yarn engagement means.

6. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the

electronic means comprises a plurality of solenoid operable according to a

predetermined pattern or sequence to selectively stop the movement of said

pin.

7. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the

yarn engagement means comprises a main body and at least one pin for

selecting a yarn, which pin is pivotally mounted to said main body, and the

fault detection means comprises an electrical circuit having two contacts

with one of the contacts attached to the pivotally mounted pin and the

other to the main body of the selector.

8. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 7, wherein means

are provided to adjust the connection of the two contacts.

9. An automatic seaming machine according to any one of claims 4 to

8, comprising yarn insertion means engageable with a free yarn selected by

the yarn selector and adapted, upon actuation, to pull the yarn through the

shed, wherein the fault detection means is adapted to monitor the collection

of yarn by the yarn engagement means and to detect a fault if no yarn is

present.

10. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the

fault detection means is also adapted to monitor the return of the yarn

insertion means through the shed once it has deposited its yarn end at the

other side of the shed, the fault detection means detecting a fault if a

portion of yarn remains engaged with the yarn insertion means.

1 1 . An automatic seaming machine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein

the yarn insertion means comprises a clamp wherein in a first position of the

clamp whereat no yarn is held by the clamp on the insertion means an

electrical contact is made to the fault detection means and in a second position of the clamp whereat a yarn is held by the clamp on the insertion

means said electrical contact is broken.

1 2. An automatic seaming machine according to any one of claims 9 to

1 1 , wherein the fault detection means is adapted to monitor the progress

of the yarn insertion means and such that no fault is detected when

electrical contact is broken when a yarn is correctly engaged by the clamp

of the insertion means and such that a fault is detected during the later

progress of the yarn insertion means if once the yarn has been deposited at

the other side of the shed a portion of the yarn is still present causing the

breaking of the electrical contact.

13. An automatic seaming machine according to any one of the preceding

claims wherein the fault detection means comprises a camera which

monitors the seaming process, the data collected from the camera being

analysed by a computer and a fault detected if the seaming process does

not conform to a pre-programmed pattern.

14. An automatic seaming machine for the mechanical joining of opposed

fabric ends, having a yarn selector for determining which free yarn is to be

selected, the yarn selector comprising electronic means for determining the

position of at least one yarn engagement pin of the yarn engagement

means.

1 5. An automatic seaming machine according to claim 1 2, wherein the

electronic means comprises a plurality of solenoid operable according to a

predetermined pattern or sequence to selectively stop the movement of said pin.

16. A method for the mechanical seaming of opposed adjacent fabric

ends including the steps of monitoring the seaming process in order to

detect errors in the joining of the fabric ends, detecting an error if one

occurs, sending a message to a central control unit that an error has

occurred, and sending a stop signal to the drives of all moving components

involved in the seaming process in order to switch off the drives and bring

to a halt the seaming process.