Apparatus for supplying a sheet metal strip to a press
AssigneePerfecto Industries, Inc.
InventorMichael R. Craycraft
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable speed D.C. drive is effective to feed a web or strip of sheet metal from a supply coil supported by a pay-off reel to an intermittant stock feeder for a reciprocating mechanical press. The drive is operated by a computer control system according to a predetermined program, and the system includes sensors for monitoring the surface speed of the strip extending from the coil, the reciprocating movement of the press and changes in a loop formed within the strip between the supply coil and the stock feeder. The drive is connected to rotate the coil support mandrel for the pay-off reel or a set of pinch rolls which pull the strip from the coil.
Claims15
Apparatus for controlling the feeding of a strip of metal from a supply coil on a pay-off reel to a reciprocating press requiring intermittent and incremental advancement of the strip into the press, said apparatus comprising a variable speed drive connected to feed the strip from the coil, strip speed sensing means for detecting the rate of longitudinal movement of the strip being fed from the supply coil in response to operation of said drive, strip feeding means for intermittently advancing the strip in successive increments into the press, press sensing means for detecting the rate of reciprocating operation of the press, loop sensing means for detecting elevation changes in the bottom of a generally U-shaped loop formed in the strip between said strip speed sensing means and said strip feeding means, and computer control means connected for automatically changing the speed of said drive in response to signals received from said loop sensing means, said press sensing means and said strip speed sensing means.
Apparatus for controlling the feeding of a strip of metal from a supply coil on a pay-off reel to a reciprocating press requiring intermittent and incremental advancement of the strip into the press, said apparatus comprising a variable speed drive connected to feed the strip from the coil, a digital encoder having a strip contact wheel for detecting the rate of longitudinal movement of the strip being fed from the supply coil in response to operation of said drive, a stock feeder operated in timed relation with the press for intermittently advancing the strip in successive increments into the press, press switch means for detecting the rate of reciprocating operation of the press, loop sensing means for detecting elevation changes in the bottom of a generally U-shaped loop formed in the strip between the pay-off reel and said stock feeder, and computer control means connected for automatically changing the speed of said drive in response to signals received from said loop sensing means, said press switch means and said encoder.
Apparatus for controlling the feeding of a strip of material from a supply coil on a pay-off reel to a reciprocating press requiring intermittent and incremental advancement of the strip into the press, said apparatus comprising a variable speed drive connected to feed the strip from the coil, a digital encoder having a strip contact wheel for detecting the rate of longitudinal movement of the strip being fed from the supply coil in response to operation of said drive, a stock feeder operated in timed relation with the press for intermittently advancing the strip in successive increments into the press, press switch means for detecting the rate of reciprocating operation of the press, loop sensing means for detecting elevation changes in the bottom of a generally U-shaped loop formed in the strip between the pay-off reel and said stock feeder, electrical control means connected for changing the speed of said drive in response to signals received from said loop sensing means, said press switch means and said encoder, and means supporting said encoder and contact wheel for movement relative to the supply coil for maintaining contact between said wheel and the strip as the coil decreases in diameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.