Reeled material splicing method and apparatus
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPeter H. Werner, James A. Armstrong, Jr., Larry L. Hougum, Daniel J. Koziczkowski, Thomas E. Simon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for splicing reeled media using operational feedback. According to certain embodiments, the method of operating a media production system involves sensing speed parameters of first and second reeled media, tracking an unwinding parameter of the first reeled media, and positionally tracking a leading end position of the second reeled media. The method also involves controlling splicing between the first and second reeled media based at least partially on the speed parameters, the unwinding parameter, and the leading end position.
Claims54
A method of operating a media production system, comprising:
- sensing speed parameters of first and second reeled media;
- tracking an unwinding parameter of the first reeled media;
- positionally tracking a leading end position of the second reeled media;
- and
- controlling splicing between the first and second reeled media based at least partially on the speed parameters, the unwinding parameter, and the leading end position;
- controlling a motorized drive to adjust speed of the second reeled media;
- and
- controlling the motorized drive to adjust tension of the second reeled media.
A system of operating a media production system, comprising:
- means for sensing operational parameters of first and second reeled media;
- means for controlling splicing of the first and second reeled media based on the operational parameters;
- and
- means for transitioning from speed based control to tension based control of the second reeled media to facilitate transitioning and splicing between the first and second reeled media.
A system, comprising:
- speed sensors adapted to sense speed parameters of first and second reeled media;
- an unwinding sensor adapted to track an unwinding parameter of the first reeled media;
- a positional sensor adapted to track a leading end position of the second reeled media;
- a transition drive controller adapted to transition a motorized media drive from speed control to tension control of the second reeled media;
- and
- a media splicing controller adapted to control splicing between the first and second reeled media based at least partially on the speed parameters, the unwinding parameter, and the leading end position.
A program for controlling a media production system, comprising:
- a tangible machine readable medium;
- and
- machine readable code disposed on machine readable medium and adapted to control splicing between first and second reeled media based at least partially on speed feedback from the first and second reeled media, unwinding feedback from the first reeled media, and positional feedback of a leading end of the second reeled media,
- wherein the machine readable code is adapted to control speed of a motor driving the second reeled media at least prior to splicing and adapted to control torque of the motor driving the second reeled media at least subsequent to splicing.
A system, comprising:
- a first reel structure adapted to support an unwinding media;
- a second reel structure adapted to support a replacement media;
- a media carrier disposed adjacent the first reel structure and adapted to transport the unwinding media;
- a media drive disposed adjacent the second reel structure and adapted to drive the replacement media and to apply a force opposing rotation of the replacement media for a transition from the unwinding media to the replacement media;
- and
- a splicing controller adapted to control splicing between the unwinding media and the replacement media based at least partially on speed feedback for the unwinding media and the replacement media, unwinding feedback for the unwinding media, and positional feedback of a leading end of the replacement media.
A method for reeled media production, comprising:
- providing a splicing controller adapted to control splicing between an unwinding media and a replacement media based at least partially on speed feedback for the unwinding media and the replacement media, unwinding feedback for the unwinding media, and positional feedback of a leading end of the replacement media;
- providing a transition drive controller adapted to control a media transition drive to accelerate the replacement media to a surface speed of the unwinding media and to generate a torque that opposes unwinding of the replacement media upon or after being spliced with the unwinding media;
- and
- providing a tension controller adapted to regulate media tension based on operational feedback of at least one of the unwinding media and the replacement media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.