Folder/gluer machine for paperboard blanks

A device for folding paperboard blanks comprising:

• folding rails for supporting the blanks traveling through the device, the folding rails defining a path of travel for the blanks;
• a conveyor for conveying the blanks through the device;
• a first operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end;
• a second operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end and aligned with the first operator side helix folding assembly;
• a first drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end;
• a second drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end and aligned with the first drive side helix folding assembly;
• a first actuator connected to one end of each second helix folding assembly for translating the one end of each first helix folding assembly toward and away from the blank path;
• a second actuator connected to the other end of each second helix folding assembly for translating the other end of each second helix folding assembly above and below the blank path;
• a third actuator connected to one end of each first helix folding assembly for translating the one end of each first helix folding assembly toward and away from the blank path;
• a fourth actuator connected to the other end of each second helix folding assembly for translating the other end of each first helix folding assembly above and below the blank path;
• a servo motor connected to each helix folding assembly for rotating the respective helix folding assembly, each servo motor comprising a resolver;
• an incremental motion controller which determines and stores the home position of the helix folding assemblies from data obtained from the servo motor resolvers;
• and
• a target disposed on each helix folding assembly and a proximity sensor located adjacent each helix folding assembly which detects its associated target for determining the position of each helix folding assembly.

A device for folding paperboard blanks comprising:

• folding rails for supporting the blanks traveling through the device, the folding rails defining a path of travel for the blanks;
• a conveyor for conveying the blanks through the device;
• an operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end;
• a drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end;
• each helix folding assembly having a servo motor connected to it for rotating the helix folding assembly about a longitudinal axis, each servo motor comprising a resolver;
• and
• an incremental motion controller which determines and stores the rotational position of the helix folding assemblies from data obtained from the servo motor resolvers.

A device for folding paperboard blanks comprising:

• a conveyor for conveying the blanks through the device;
• an operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end;
• a drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end;
• servo drive means for rotating each helix folding assembly about a longitudinal axis,
• a resolver associated with the servo drive means for each helix folding assembly;
• and,
• an incremental motion controller which determines and stores the rotational positions of each of the helix folding assemblies from data obtained from the resolvers.