Method and apparatus for a rules based utilization of a minimum-slit-head configuration plunge slitter
AssigneeMarquip, Inc.
InventorsJames A. Cummings, John J. Kondratuk, Ronald H. Schmidt
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.
Claims11
In a slitting apparatus for a continuous corrugated paperboard web, the apparatus operable to provide longitudinal slit lines in the web passing through the 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, the internal slitting tools being further operable to plunge into the web at the start of the running order and to be retracted from the web at the end of the running order and repositioned for the new order, the improvement comprising:
- a slitting tool support structure defining a single transverse axis for carrying the internal slitting tools to selected positions transversely of a direction of travel 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 distributed along the single axis in a transversely-defined downstream group on a downstream side of the single axis and in a transversely-defined upstream group on an upstream side of the single axis, the downstream and upstream sides being defined with respect to the direction of web travel, whereby any of the internal slitting tools of either the downstream or the upstream group can be selectively positioned without interfering contact with the internal slitting tools of the other of the upstream or the downstream group;
- and
- a single robotic positioner operable along the single transverse axis to position the internal slitting tools in both the downstream group and the upstream group.
In a slitting apparatus for a continuous corrugated paperboard web, the apparatus operable to provide longitudinal slit lines in the web passing through the 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, the internal slitting tools being further operable to plunge into the web at the start of the running order and to be retracted from the web at the end of the running order and repositioned for the new order, the improvement comprising:
- a slitting tool support structure extending transversely with respect to a direction of web travel along a single transverse axis, and carrying the internal slitting tools to selected positions transversely of the direction of web travel;
- a transversely-defined downstream group of internal slitting tools on a downstream side of the single transverse axis;
- a transversely-defined upstream group of internal slitting tools on an upstream side of the single transverse axis;
- wherein the downstream and upstream sides of the single transverse axis are defined with respect to the direction of web travel;
- wherein the downstream and upstream groups of internal slitting tools are coupled to the slitting tool support structure on either side of the single transverse axis;
- and
- wherein any of the internal slitting took of either the downstream or the upstream group can be selectively positioned without interfering contact with the internal slitting tools of the other of the upstream or the downstream group;
- and
- a single robotic positioner operable along the single transverse axis to position the internal slitting tools in both the downstream group and the upstream group.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.