EP4110568A1 - Feed system for band-type material, and coating device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a feed system for a band-type or strip-type material, in particular a coating material for coating a short end, or an adhesive strip, and also relates to a coating device. A method is also provided.

Description

FEEDING SYSTEM FOR TAPE-SHAPED MATERIAL AND COATING DEVICE AND

PROCEDURE

Technical area

The invention relates to a feed system for strip-shaped or strip-shaped material, in particular a coating material for coating a narrow side or an adhesive strip, and a coating device. Furthermore, a method for supplying strip-shaped or strip-shaped material and a strip-shaped or strip-shaped material is provided.

State of the art

In the prior art, it is known to provide a coating material for application to a narrow side of a workpiece (also referred to as "edge band") in roll form In order to enable a compact machine system with efficient storage, various approaches are known in this area.

In DE 10 2011 006 319 A1, for example, a machine system is described which comprises a coating unit and a supply device for supplying an edge band material to a magazine unit of the coating unit. There is also a memory provided, in which several edge materials can be stored, as well as a transport device for conveying edge band material from the memory to the feed device.

Although the system described in DE 10 2011 006 319 A1 has proven itself, it has been shown that when a roll of coating material is used up, such a roll must be replaced individually in order to ensure the operation of the machine. Even if this can take place during a manufacturing process, a certain logistics and time planning are required for a roll change in order to avoid a machine downtime due to a lack of available coating material.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the object of providing a feed system for a strip-shaped or strip-shaped material, a coating device, a method and a strip-shaped or strip-shaped material, which ensure continuous operation when coating workpieces.

Such a feed system is specified in claim 1 and such a coating device in claim 12. Furthermore, a method and a strip or strip-shaped material are provided. Subclaims relate to specific embodiments.

The feed system according to the invention is suitable for tape-shaped or strip-shaped material, in particular a coating material such as an edge tape or an adhesive strip. The feed system comprises a storage device for receiving a plurality of material units, and a transport device for moving a strip or strip-shaped material from the storage device. the Units of material can each receive a coating material or a strip of adhesive in roll form. The transport device also has a joining device for connecting end sections of strip-shaped or strip-shaped materials. An endless strip of material can thus be provided by means of the feed system.

An “end section” means a section at a beginning or an end of a tape or strip-shaped material, in particular a coating material or an adhesive strip.

In one embodiment, the joining device is set up to glue, staple, press, weld and / or connect end sections of coating materials.

A form fit can be implemented, for example, by a wedge-shaped or dovetail-like configuration or by a hook-like structure on the strip-shaped or strip-shaped material. Thus, end sections of two band-shaped or strip-shaped materials can interlock, for example like interlocking puzzle pieces. There can also be a punching out on an end section of the strip or strip-shaped material, into which a complementary section or a projection of an end section of another strip or strip-shaped material engages. Such an end section of the tape or strip-shaped material can be provided by the manufacturer or introduced by the user before or during the use of the tape or strip-shaped material.

The joining device can have one or more pressure rollers in order to press end sections of the materials together. For gluing the end sections, the joining device can be an adhesive application device and / or an adhesive activation device. For welding, the joining device can comprise a welding device. Aids such as clips or the like can be used to attach coating materials.

The measures mentioned can also be used individually in combination. For example, a form fit and gluing of the end sections can be used.

The tape or strip-shaped material can be a coating material provided with an activatable or reactivatable adhesive, wherein the adhesive can be converted into an adhesion-promoting state with an activation device. In another embodiment, the tape or strip-shaped material can be a strip of adhesive that is applied to a workpiece or a coating material.

According to a further embodiment, the strip-shaped or strip-shaped material is applied to a surface of a workpiece which is provided with an adhesive in a coating device, or the strip-shaped or strip-shaped material is provided with an adhesive in a coating device.

The tape or strip-shaped material can be a veneer strip or a strip-shaped / tape-shaped material made of a plastic material, for example PVC.

In order to achieve a connection of end sections of strip or strip-shaped materials, an energy source can be provided, in particular a hot air source, laser source, infrared source, microwave source or plasma source. With such an energy source, the end portions of the band or Strip-shaped materials, in particular adhesive sections provided in these sections, are activated so that the adhesive can be used to produce a connection.

It is preferred that a detection device is also provided, in particular a light barrier or a camera, which is set up to detect end sections of strip-shaped or strip-shaped materials. In this way, on the one hand, it can be determined that an end of a strip-shaped or strip-shaped material has been reached. Alternatively or additionally, a position of one or more end sections can be detected in order to determine an overlapping arrangement of the end sections. A connection of the end sections can thus be ensured in a defined area.

Furthermore, it can be provided that an end section of a band or strip-shaped material using a chip, for example an RFID chip, and / or a code, such as a barcode or a QR code, or a geometric shape, such as a notch, a Identify recess or the like. In this way, the detection of an end section can be guaranteed even more reliably.

It is preferred that the transport device comprises a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism, the joining device being arranged in the transport direction between the first and second drive mechanisms. Successive materials can thus advantageously be arranged in an overlapping manner.

It is preferred that the drive mechanisms can be driven individually. Exact positioning of the end sections of two materials to be connected can thus be guaranteed. Furthermore, provision can be made for a pair of rollers to be provided adjacent to the joining device. Thus, end sections of consecutive materials can be supported adjacent to the joining device.

It is preferred that the storage device comprises a receiving device for receiving a plurality of material units, the storage device being set up to track the material units along the receiving device. For example, the receiving device can be designed as a shaft. The material units, in particular their cores, can be accommodated on the shaft.

In one embodiment, it is provided that a pushing device, in particular a spring, is provided which is arranged such that the pushing device can track the material units along the receiving device. In particular, the material units can be adjusted by the pressing device when a coating material or an adhesive strip of one of the material units is used up.

According to another embodiment, the receiving device can be aligned in the vertical direction, so that the material units are pressed against a holder by gravity.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the storage device is designed as a movable unit. The storage device can thus be exchanged and / or loaded with material units at a different location.

According to a further embodiment, the feed system comprises a device for transferring an end section of a strip or strip-shaped material from a material unit accommodated in the storage device to the transport device, the device being set up to hold the end section of the material and to hand it over to the transport device. For example, the device for transferring an end section can be designed as a robot with a robot arm or a handling device.

Furthermore, a coating device is provided for attaching a strip-shaped or strip-shaped material, in particular a strip-shaped or strip-shaped coating material and / or an adhesive strip, to a workpiece. The coating device comprises a feed system, in particular a feed system according to one of the preceding aspects, as well as a pressure device, in particular a pressure roller, for pressing the strip or strip-shaped material onto the workpiece. The feed system has a joining device for connecting or joining end sections of strip-shaped or strip-shaped materials, in particular coating materials or adhesive strips.

In one embodiment, the coating device can have a control device which is set up to transmit control commands to drive mechanisms of the feed system. The drive mechanisms can thus be coordinated in such a way that end sections of strip-shaped or strip-shaped materials can be connected in a very short time.

In this case, it is preferred that the control device controls the drive mechanisms when changing band or strip-shaped materials in such a way that end sections of the materials are positioned in the joining device.

The invention also relates to a method. In the context of the method, the feed system and / or the coating device can be used in accordance with the aforementioned aspects. In the step of connecting end sections of the band or strip-shaped materials, the end sections can be glued, stapled, pressed, welded and / or connected by a form fit.

A form fit can be made possible, for example, by a wedge-shaped or dovetail-like configuration or by a hook-like structure on the strip-shaped or strip-shaped material. Thus, end sections of two band-shaped or strip-shaped materials can interlock, for example like interlocking puzzle pieces. There can also be a punching out on an end section of the strip or strip-shaped material, into which a complementary section or a projection of an end section of another strip or strip-shaped material engages. Such an end section of the tape or strip-shaped material can be provided by the manufacturer or introduced by the user before or during the use of the tape or strip-shaped material.

Pressing can take place by applying a corresponding force, for example by means of a pressure roller. For gluing the end sections, the joining device can comprise an adhesive application device and / or an adhesive activation device. For welding, the joining device can comprise a welding device. Aids such as clips or the like can be used to attach coating materials.

Furthermore, it can be provided that an end section of a band or strip-shaped material is based on a chip, for example an RFID chip, and / or a code, such as a barcode or a QR code, or a geometric shape, such as a notch, a recess , or something similar. In one embodiment it is provided that the connection area (the end sections) is transferred to a control device so that the position of the connection area can be taken into account in a subsequent coating process. In particular, the connection area can be removed during further transport through a trimming unit.

Furthermore, a tape or strip-shaped material, in particular a coating material or an adhesive strip, is provided, which has an end section with a connecting structure. For example, it can be a wedge-shaped or dovetail-like configuration, an adhesive section, a hook-like structure and / or a punched out on the strip-shaped or strip-shaped material.

Thus, end sections of two band-shaped or strip-shaped materials can interlock. There can also be a punching out on an end section of the strip or strip-shaped material, into which a complementary section or a projection of an end section of another strip or strip-shaped material engages or can engage. Such an end section of the tape or strip-shaped material can be provided by the manufacturer or introduced by the user before or during the use of the tape or strip-shaped material.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of a system, a device of a use and / or a method emerge from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. From these drawings shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Description of embodiments

The same reference symbols, which are listed in different figures, designate identical, corresponding, or functionally similar elements.

1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment in order to describe the invention on the basis of an illustrative example.

The feed system comprises a storage device 10 and a transport device 30. The storage device 10 can be designed as a stationary storage device, or the storage device is arranged to be movable. In the case of a movable storage device, this is designed, for example, as a movable unit with rollers or the like.

According to the embodiment, the transport device 30 is part of a coating device (not shown) with which the coating material is applied to a narrow side of a plate-shaped workpiece W. According to a modification, however, the transport device 30 can also be provided independently of the coating device and, if necessary, can be arranged adjacent to it or attached to the coating device.

The storage device 10 comprises a receiving device 11, on which a plurality of coating material units R0-R4 (preferably edging tape rolls) can be received, in particular pushed on. Although under the Embodiment Material units are described which take up a coating material, according to a further embodiment, adhesive strips can also be provided with the material units.

Furthermore, a spring (pushing device) 12 is provided, which is set up to push the coating material units R0-R4 received on the receiving device 11 in the direction of a holder 13. The coating material units R0-R4 each include a strip-shaped or band-shaped coating material in roll form, which is in particular provided with an activatable or reactivatable adhesive.

A coating material B1 is thus removed from the coating material unit RI arranged adjacent to the holder 13, in that the coating material unit RI is unwound. The removal of the coating material B1 takes place by means of the transport device 30. In particular, the transport device 30 unwinds the coating material B1.

On the side of the coating material unit RI facing the spring 12, further coating material units R2-R4 are provided, each of which also contains a coating material. On the opposite side to the coating material unit RI, a coating material unit R0 is provided, the coating material of which has already been removed. The coating material unit R0, like the other coating material units R1-R4, is still received on the receiving device 11, but the coating material unit R0 can be removed from the receiving device 11 on occasion.

The transport device 30 comprises a first pair of rollers 31, a second pair of rollers 33 and a third pair of rollers 34, the first pair of rollers 31 being provided closest to the storage device 10 in the transport direction of the coating material B1 and thus serving to introduce the coating material. A transfer (or insertion) of the coating material B1 from the coating material unit RI can take place manually or by means of a device such as a robot.

Between the first pair of rollers 31 and the second pair of rollers

33, a drive roller 32 (first drive mechanism) is provided with which the coating material is conveyed in the transport direction. Opposite the drive roller 32, a counter-pressure roller (not shown) can optionally be provided so that the coating material passes through a conveying gap formed between the drive roller 32 and the counter-pressure roller.

Between the second pair of rollers 33 and the third pair of rollers

34 a joining device 20 is provided which is set up to join end sections of successive coating materials to one another. An “end section” here means a section at a beginning or an end of a coating material. The mode of operation and details of the joining device 20 will be described in detail later.

A second drive roller 35 (second drive mechanism), which is set up to feed the coating material to a pressure roller 40, is arranged subordinate to the third roller pair 34 in the transport direction. Opposite the second drive roller 35, a counter-pressure roller (not shown) can optionally be provided so that the coating material passes through a conveying gap formed between the second drive roller 35 and the counter-pressure roller. The pressure roller 40 is used to press the coating material onto a narrow side of a plate-shaped workpiece. In the exemplary embodiment, the pressure roller 40 is part of the coating device, but according to further embodiments it can also be part of the transport device 30.

The first drive roller 32 and the second drive roller 35 are each connected to a control device. The drive rollers 32, 35 can be driven synchronously or individually, for example at different speeds, by means of the control device.

The synchronous drive of the drive rollers 32, 35 is particularly suitable for tracking a coating material that is withdrawn from a coating material unit (for example coating material unit RI). If a roll change takes place, the drive rollers 32, 35 can each be driven individually, with the second drive roller 35 being able to be stopped if necessary.

The joining device 20 has a means with which end sections of coating materials can be connected to one another in order to thus produce an endless coating material. The joining device 20 can in particular be set up here to glue, staple, press, weld the end sections of the coating materials, or to join them to one another by means of a form fit of the respective geometry of the end sections of the coating materials. The measures mentioned can also be carried out in combination with one another.

A connection of a coating material B1 to a subsequent coating material B2 is shown schematically in FIG. 2. In particular, the end sections of the coating materials B1, B2 are arranged in an overlapping manner and subsequently connected to each other. However, it is also possible to arrange the coating materials B1, B2 to be connected in abutment and to connect them to one another in this arrangement. The end sections of the coating materials B1, B2 are arranged by means of corresponding control commands from the control device to the drive rollers 32, 35.

The following describes a method with which coating materials can be bonded to one another.

A plurality of coating material units R0-R4 are received in the storage device 10 on the receiving device 11, the coating material B1 being drawn off from a first coating material unit RI.

If one end, in particular the end of the roll, of the coating material unit RI is reached, the end of the coating material B1 is conveyed further through the transport device 30. Since the spring 12 presses the coating material units in the direction of the holder 13, when one end of the coating material unit RI is reached, this first coating material unit RI disengages from the holder 13 and is guided by the spring 12 along the receiving device 11 into a position similar to that of the coating material unit R0 will. The coating material unit R0 is pushed through the coating material unit RI. In the course of this, a second coating material unit R2 comes into contact with the holder 13.

The coating material B2 provided on the second coating material unit R2 is transferred to the first roller pair 31 manually or by means of a device such as a robot (not shown) and comes into engagement with the first drive roller 32. The first drive roller 32 thus pulls the second coating material B2 from the second coating material unit R2 and conveys the second coating material B2 into the area of the joining device 20. This feeding of the coating material takes place in such a way that the first coating material B1 (or an end section thereof) is still in the joining device 20 is arranged, while the second coating material B2 is introduced into the joining device 20.

The joining device 20 can now perform a connection / joining of the first and second coating material B1, B2 in order to thus produce an endless coating material.

The joining device 20 is also set up to detect the position of the connection area between the first and second coating material B1, B2 and to pass this information on to the coating device. The coating device then adjusts the operation in such a way that the connection area is not used as a coating material for a workpiece, but is separated by a trimming unit.

It is evident to the person skilled in the art that individual features, each described in different embodiments, can also be implemented in a single embodiment, provided that they are not structurally incompatible. Likewise, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be provided in several embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

In the context of the embodiment, a pushing device 12 is described which is set up to push the material units R0-R4 received on the receiving device 11 in the direction of a holder 13. According to another Embodiment, the receiving device can also be aligned in the vertical direction, so that the material units are pressed against a holder by gravity.

Claims

EXPECTATIONS 1. A feed system for tape or strip-shaped material, in particular a tape or strip-shaped coating material or an adhesive strip, comprising: a storage device (10) for receiving several material units (R0-R4), and a transport device (30) for moving a tape or strip of material from the Storage device (10), the transport device (30) having a joining device (20) for connecting end sections of strip-shaped or strip-shaped materials. 2. Feed system according to claim 1, wherein the joining device (20) is set up to glue, staple, press, weld, and / or connect end sections of tape or strip-shaped materials and / or to connect them by means of a form fit, in particular hooking them. 3. Delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Joining device (20) has an energy source, in particular a hot air source, laser source, Infrared source, microwave source or plasma source. 4. Feed system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a detection device, in particular a light barrier or a camera, which is set up to detect end sections of strip or strip-shaped materials. 5. Feed system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport device (30) has a first drive mechanism (32) and a second Drive mechanism (35), wherein the Joining device (20) is arranged in the transport direction between the first and second drive mechanisms (32, 35). 6. The delivery system of claim 5, wherein the Drive mechanisms (32, 35) can be driven individually. 7. Feed system according to one of claims 5-6, wherein a pair of rollers (33, 34) is provided adjacent to the joining device (20). 8. Feed system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage device (10) a Receiving device (11) for receiving a plurality of material units (R0-R4), wherein the Storage device (10) is set up, the Material units (R0-R4) along the receiving device (11) to be updated. 9. The delivery system of claim 8, wherein the Storage device (10) comprises a push device, in particular a spring (12), which is arranged in such a way that the push device moves the material units (R0-R4) along the receiving device (11) can track. 10. Feed system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage device (10) is designed as a movable unit. 11. Feed system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a device for transferring an end portion of a strip or strip-shaped material from a material unit received in the storage device to the transport device (30), in particular a robot or a Handling device, wherein the device is set up to hold the end section of the strip or strip-shaped material and to transfer it to the transport device (30). 12. Coating device for applying a Coating material, in particular a strip-shaped or strip-shaped coating material, on a workpiece (W), comprising a feed system, in particular a feed system according to one of the preceding claims, as well as a pressure device (40) for pressing on the strip-shaped or strip-shaped material, the feed system being a joining device (20) for connecting end sections of tape or strip-shaped materials. 13. Coating device according to claim 12, comprising a control device which is set up to transmit control commands to drive mechanisms (32, 35) of the feed system, it being preferred that the control device control the drive mechanisms (32, 35) when changing materials in the form of strips or strips ) controls such that end sections of the materials are positioned in the joining device. 14. A method comprising the steps: Moving a first band or strip-shaped material (Bl) of a first material unit (RI) in a transport direction, wherein, when an end of the first band or strip-shaped material (B1) is reached, a second band or strip-shaped material (B2) of a second material unit (R2) is moved in the transport direction, the end portions of the band- or strip-shaped materials in such a way be positioned so that the end sections of the materials can be connected in a joining device (20). 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the end sections of the band or strip-shaped materials are glued, stapled, welded, pressed and / or connected by a form fit, in particular hooked. 16. Tape or strip-shaped material, in particular one Coating material or an adhesive strip having an end portion with a connecting structure, it being preferred that the Connection structure a wedge-shaped or dovetail-like configuration, a Adhesive portion, a hook-like structure and / or a punched out comprises.