Method and Apparatus for a Rules Based Utilization of a Minimum-Slit-Head Configuration Plunge Slitter
AssigneeMarquip, Inc.
InventorsJames A. Cummings, John J. Kondratuk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing an order change in a corrugator uses a minimum slit head configuration with all slit heads carried on two sides of a single tool support structure. A single robot is operable on the support structure to independently reset the positions of slit heads during a running order to prepare for subsequent order change in a most efficient manner, utilizing order scheduling that eliminates order changes that cannot be formed with the minimum slit head configuration.
Claims6
In a slitting apparatus for a continuous corrugated paperboard web, the apparatus operable to provide longitudinal slit lines in the continuous web passing through the slitting apparatus, the slit lines dividing the web into a plurality of output webs of selected widths not exceeding a selected maximum number, the apparatus including internal web slitting tools operable by a robotic positioner to establish the slit lines of the output webs of a running order and to reposition the internal slitting tools for the slit lines of the output webs of a following new order, said internal slitting tools being further operable to plunge into the web at the start of the running order of output webs and to be retracted from the web at the end of the running order and repositioned for the new order of output webs, the improvement comprising:
- a slitting tool support structure defining a single axis for carrying the slitting tools to selected positions transversely of the web;
- a series of internal slitting tools comprising a minimum number equal to the selected maximum number of output webs and mounted to be substantially equally distributed along the single axis in groups on the downstream side of the axis and on the upstream side of the axis with respect to the direction of web travel, whereby any of the internal slitting tools of either group can be selectively positioned without interfering contact with the internal slitting tools of the other group;
- and,
- a single robotic positioner operable along the single axis to position any of the internal slitting tools.
-12. (canceled)
In a slitting apparatus for a continuous corrugated paperboard web, the apparatus operable to provide longitudinal slit lines in the continuous web passing through the slitting apparatus, the slit lines dividing the web into a plurality of output webs of selected widths not exceeding a selected maximum number, the apparatus including internal web slitting tools operable by a robotic positioner to establish the slit lines of the output webs of a running order and to reposition the internal slitting tools for the slit lines of the output webs of a following new order, said internal slitting tools being further operable to plunge into the web at the start of the running order of output webs and to be retracted from the web at the end of the running order and repositioned for the new order of output webs, the improvement comprising:
- a slitting tool support structure comprising a pair of slitting tool supports for carrying the slitting tools to selected positions transversely of the web;
- a series of internal slitting tools comprising a minimum number equal to the selected maximum number of output webs and mounted to be substantially equally distributed along the support structure in groups on the downstream slitting tool support and on the upstream slitting tool support with respect to the direction of web travel, whereby any of the internal slitting tools of either group can be selectively positioned without interfering contact with the internal slitting tools of the other group;
- a single robotic positioner operable along and between the downstream and upstream slitting tool supports to position any of the internal slitting tools;
- pairs of trim slitting tools mounted on the downstream slitting tool support and the upstream slitting tool support for slitting web edge trim of selected widths;
- each pair of a downstream and an upstream trim slitting tools at both edges of the web operable by the robotic positioner to establish the trim slit line in a manner that permits the downstream trim slitting tool to make the trim slit on the running order, to position the upstream trim slitting tool to plunge into the trim slit near the end of the running order, to retract the downstream trim slitting tool from the miming order trim slit and reposition the same for the new order trim slit line, and to retract the upstream trim slitting tool at the end of the running order.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.