Method and apparatus for lugged strip removal

#The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for removing a cured strip from a press. More specifically, the disclosed method and apparatus are for the removal a cured lugged strip from a press without destruction of either the cured strip or the press.

#Earthmover machines and agricultural equipment have ground engaging means employing endless tracks driven by drive wheels. The endless track, or belt, is assembled over a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is a drive wheel, and is engaged by the drive wheel. Such track systems are increasingly more common because the tracks have greater traction in soil and cause less ground compaction than conventional pneumatic tires.

#Methods for manufacturing reinforced, endless rubber track can be both expensive and time-consuming. Some methods and apparatus used for the manufacture of industrial belts may be applicable to endless vehicle tracks. However, because of the large differences in the sizes of the belts, which typically have a size expressed in inches or cm, and endless rubber track, which typically have sizes expressed in feet, a simple scale-up of belt technology is not always possible and may not yield usable rubber track. This is self evident due to the greater amount of rubber and reinforcement that must be vulcanized for tracks in comparison to belts.

#The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the manufacturing system;

#FIG. 1A is an overhead view of the building cell;

#The manufacturing system has three manufacturing cells: a building cell A, a flat cure press cell B, and a splice cure press cell C, see FIG. 1. The cells A, B, C are in series with the appropriate necessary material handling of the material assembly from one cell to the next cell.

#The Build Cell

#The build cell A, the first cell in the manufacturing system, and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2A, and FIGS. 3-10. The build cell A has a build table 2, a build shuttle 4 which travels the length of the build table 2, and at least one load cartridge 6.