POSITIONING ASSEMBLY AND SHEET MATERIAL PROCESSING MACHINE

Abstract

A positioning assembly (30) for positioning a sheet material, especially at an entry portion of a sheet material processing machine, is described. It comprises a support beam (32) on which at least a portion of a sheet material to be positioned can be placed and a plurality of clamping fingers (38). The support beam (32) is coupled to a drive unit (60) configured for translationally moving the support beam (32) along a travelling direction (y) of the sheet material, translationally moving the support beam (32) along a direction (x) transverse to the travelling direction (y) and rotationally moving the support beam (32) with respect to a pivot axis (z) being perpendicular to the traveling direction (y) and the transverse direction (x). Each of the clamping fingers (38) is coupled to an individual clamping finger actuation unit (40). Moreover, a sheet material processing machine comprising such a positioning assembly (30) is presented.

Claims

1. A positioning assembly for positioning a sheet material, especially at an entry portion of a sheet material processing machine, the positioning assembly comprising: a support beam on which at least a portion of the sheet material to be positioned can be placed; and a plurality of clamping fingers, wherein each of the clamping fingers is configured for selectively taking a clamping position in which the respective clamping finger clamps the sheet material by pressing the sheet material onto the support beam and a release position in which the respective clamping finger releases the sheet material by being withdrawn from the support beam, wherein the support beam is coupled to a drive unit configured for translationally moving the support beam along a travelling direction of the sheet material, translationally moving the support beam along a transverse direction transverse to the travelling direction, and rotationally moving the support beam with respect to a pivot axis being perpendicular to the traveling direction and the transverse direction, and wherein each of the clamping fingers is coupled to an individual clamping finger actuation unit such that each of the clamping fingers is movable into the clamping position and/or the release position independently from the remaining clamping fingers or in synchronization with at least one of the remaining clamping fingers.

2. The positioning assembly according to claim 1, wherein each clamping finger actuation unit comprises a linear guiding means by which the corresponding clamping finger is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the support beam, and/or in that each clamping finger actuation unit comprises a pivoting mechanism by which the corresponding clamping finger is pivotable into the direction of the support beam.

3. The positioning assembly according to claim 1, wherein each clamping finger actuation unit comprises a biasing means preloading the corresponding clamping finger into the clamping position.

4. The positioning assembly according to claim 3, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring element.

5. The positioning assembly according to claim 3, wherein each clamping finger actuation unit comprises a lifting actuator configured for withdrawing the corresponding clamping finger from the support beam, especially wherein the lifting actuator is configured for withdrawing the clamping finger against an action of the biasing means.

6. The positioning assembly according to claim 5, wherein the lifting actuator comprises a pneumatic actuator, a linear electric actuator, or a rotatory electric actuator.

7. The positioning assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a common holding bar, wherein all clamping fingers are mounted on the common holding bar.

8. The positioning assembly according to claim 7, wherein the clamping fingers protrude from the holding bar in a direction towards the support beam.

9. The positioning assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a first position sensor, configured for capturing a position of the sheet material by detecting a position mark on the sheet material, wherein the first position sensor is mounted on a sensor rail and/or within a sensor space, the rail and/or the sensor space substantially extending over an entire extension of the positioning assembly along the transverse direction.

10. The positioning assembly according to claim 9, wherein the sensor rail comprises a mounting interface offering a plurality of discrete sensor mounting positions or being configured for mounting the sensor on an arbitrary position thereof.

11. The positioning assembly according to claim 9, further comprising: second positioning sensor mounted on the sensor rail and/or within the sensor space.

12. The positioning assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support beam is coupled to the drive unit via three coupling points.

13. The positioning assembly according to claim 12, wherein a first coupling point is substantially arranged in a middle of the support beam along the transverse direction, wherein a first drive means is provided at the first coupling point being adapted for moving the support beam in the transverse direction, and/or a second coupling point is arranged at a first end of the support beam along the transverse direction, wherein a second drive means is provided at the second coupling point being adapted for moving the support beam in the travelling direction, and/or a third coupling point is arranged at a second end of the support beam along the transverse direction, wherein the second end is opposed to the first end and wherein a third drive means is provided at the third coupling point being adapted for moving the support beam in the travelling direction.

14. A sheet material processing machine, especially sheet-to-sheet processing machine or die cutting machine, comprising: the positioning assembly according to claim 1, especially wherein the positioning assembly is mounted at an entry portion of the sheet material processing machine.

Description

[0032] The invention will now be explained with reference to an embodiment which is shown in the attached drawings. In the drawings,

[0033] FIG. 1 schematically shows a sheet material processing machine according to the invention comprising a positioning assembly according to the invention,

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the positioning assembly of FIG. 1 in a more detailed view,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a drive unit of the positioning assembly of FIG. 2, wherein a support beam of the positioning assembly is only represented in a very schematical manner.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary clamping finger and the corresponding clamping finger actuation unit of the positioning assembly of FIG. 2, and

[0037] FIG. 5 shows the clamping finger and the corresponding clamping finger actuation unit of FIG. 4 from a different perspective.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a sheet material processing machine 10.

[0039] The sheet material processing machine 10 is coupled to a first conveyor assembly 12 which is positioned at an entry side 10a of the sheet material processing machine 10 and which is configured for providing sheets to be processed to the sheet material processing machine 10. An exemplary sheet or sheet material 14 to be processed is shown on the first conveyor assembly 12.

[0040] The sheet material processing machine 10 is also coupled to a second conveyor assembly 16 which is positioned at an exit side 10b of the sheet material processing machine 10. The second conveyor assembly 16 is configured for discharging sheets from the sheet material processing machine 10 after having been processed. An exemplary sheet or sheet material 18 which has been processed is shown on the second conveyor assembly 16.

[0041] A travelling direction of the sheet material 14, 18 thus corresponds to a y direction.

[0042] In the present example, the sheet material processing machine 10 is a sheet-to-sheet processing machine. More specifically, the sheet material processing machine is a die cutting machine.

[0043] It comprises a lower tool 20a and an upper tool 20b, wherein the upper tool 20b is movable with respect to the lower tool 20a along a z direction extending substantially vertically. Thus, in order to process a sheet, the upper tool 20b approaches and interacts with the lower tool 20a.

[0044] An exemplary sheet or sheet material 22 is arranged between the lower tool 20a and the upper tool 20b.

[0045] In order to transfer the sheet material 22 from the entry side 10a to the tools 20a, 20b and from there to the exit side 10b of the sheet material processing machine 10, a transport mechanism 24 is provided.

[0046] The transport mechanism 24 is essentially composed of a transport chain 26 to which a plurality of gripper bars 28 are mounted.

[0047] Each of the gripper bars 28 is configured for gripping an end of the sheet material 22 which is a forward end along the travelling direction y.

[0048] The transport chain 26 is actively driven such that the sheet 22 material may be moved through the sheet material processing machine 10.

[0049] At its entry side 10a the sheet material processing machine comprises a positioning assembly 30. In other words, the positioning assembly 30 is mounted at an entry portion 10c of the sheet material processing machine 10.

[0050] The positioning assembly 30 is configured for positioning a sheet or sheet material when entering the sheet material processing machine 10.

[0051] The positioning assembly 30 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

[0052] The positioning assembly 30 comprises a support beam 32 on which at least a portion of a sheet material to be positioned can be placed.

[0053] In the example shown in FIG. 2 the sheet material is to be placed on a plurality of support projections 32a forming part of the support beam 32. For better legibility only some of the support projections 32a are equipped with a reference sign.

[0054] On the support beam 32 a common holding bar 34 is mounted.

[0055] In more detail, the common holding bar 34 is mounted on the support beam 32 via two lateral holding bar supports 36a, 36b.

[0056] A plurality of clamping fingers 38 is mounted on the common holding bar 34.

[0057] The clamping fingers 38 protrude from the holding bar 34 in a direction towards the support beam 32, more precisely in a direction towards a respectively corresponding one of the support projections 32a.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in the Figures a total of five clamping fingers 38 is provided.

[0059] It is understood that the number of clamping fingers 38 can be freely chosen in the context of the specific application to be realized.

[0060] Each of the clamping fingers 38 is configured for selectively taking a clamping position in which it clamps the sheet material by pressing it onto the support beam 32, in the present example on the corresponding one of the support projections 32a.

[0061] Moreover, each of the clamping fingers 38 is configured for selectively taking a release position in which it releases the sheet material by being withdrawn from the support beam 32.

[0062] To this end, each of the clamping fingers 38 is coupled to an individual clamping finger actuation unit 40.

[0063] An exemplary clamping finger 38 and the corresponding clamping finger actuation unit 40 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0064] The clamping finger actuation unit 40 comprises a base part 42 on which the clamping finger 38 is movably supported via two linear guiding means 44a, 44b.

[0065] In the example shown, the linear guiding means 44a, 44b are configured such that the corresponding clamping finger 38 is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the support beam 32, i.e. in the z direction.

[0066] More precisely, the linear guiding means 44a, 44b each comprise a sleeve portion 46a, 46b being provided on the clamping finger 38 through which a respective guiding cylinder 48a, 48b extends. The guiding cylinders 48a, 48b are provided on the base part 42.

[0067] Each clamping finger actuation unit 40 additionally comprises biasing means 50a, 50b which are spring elements in the example shown.

[0068] The biasing means 50a, 50b preload the clamping finger 38 into the clamping position by preloading the corresponding sleeve portion 46a, 46b with respect to the corresponding guiding cylinder 48a, 48b.

[0069] Thus, in the absence of further influences, the clamping finger 38 abuts against the corresponding support projection 32a thereby clamping a sheet material if present.

[0070] Moreover, each clamping finger actuation unit 40 comprises a lifting actuator 52 configured for withdrawing the corresponding clamping finger 38 from the support beam 32 or the support projection 32a, i.e. for moving the clamping finger 38 into the release position.

[0071] This means that the lifting actuator 52 operates against the action of the biasing means 50a, 50b.

[0072] In the present example the lifting actuator 52 comprises a pneumatic actuator in the form of a pneumatic cylinder 54, wherein the cylinder housing is mounted on the base part 42 and the corresponding rod is attached to the clamping finger 38.

[0073] The pneumatic cylinder 54 is substantially arranged along the z direction. Furthermore, it is located between the guiding cylinders 48a, 48b.

[0074] It is understood that in alternative embodiments the lifting actuator 52 can alternatively comprise a linear electric actuator or a rotatory electric actuator.

[0075] Thus, each of the clamping fingers 38 can be selectively withdrawn from the support beam 32 by activating the corresponding lifting actuator 52.

[0076] When the lifting actuator 52 is deactivated, the corresponding clamping finger 38 is in its closed position.

[0077] This offers several alternatives for moving the clamping fingers 38.

[0078] Of course, each of the clamping fingers 38 can be selectively moved into the clamping position and into the release position independently from the remaining clamping fingers 38.

[0079] Alternatively, it is possible to move the clamping fingers 38 in synchronization, i.e. all clamping fingers are moved together.

[0080] Also mixtures of the above alternatives are possible. For example, the clamping fingers 38 may be selectively moved into the respective clamping positions independently from one another, but brought into the respective release positions in synchronization, i.e. together.

[0081] Also the opposite case is possible. Then the clamping fingers 38 are selectively moved into the respective clamping positions in synchronization and brought into the respective release positions independently from one another.

[0082] As has been explained before, the positioning assembly 30 is configured for positioning a sheet material.

[0083] To this end two position sensors 56a, 56b are provided (cf. FIG. 2).

[0084] Both position sensors 56a, 56b are configured for capturing a position of the sheet material by detecting a position mark, e.g. printed on the sheet material.

[0085] Thus, using the sensors 56a, 56b a translatory position of the sheet material along the x direction and along the y direction may be detected. Furthermore, a rotatory position around the z direction can be assessed.

[0086] In the example shown both sensors 56a, 56b are arranged within a sensor space 58.

[0087] The sensor space 58 substantially extending over the entire extension of the positioning assembly 30 along the transverse direction, i.e. the x direction.

[0088] The sensor space 58 is created in that the holding bar 34 is spaced from the support beam 32 and the support projections 32a by at least 2 cm. in the example shown the holding bar 34 is spaced from the support beam 32 by approximately 10 cm.

[0089] Consequently, the sensor space 58 is sufficiently big and the sensors 56a, 56b can be provided at any desired location within the sensor space 58. Consequently, any kind of requirements relating to the position of the sensors 56a, 56b within the positioning assembly 30 can be met. The positioning assembly 30 can thus be flexibly used for a great variety of applications.

[0090] In the example shown the sensors 56a, 56b are mounted on the holding bar 34 which serves as a sensor rail.

[0091] However, it is also possible to provide a separate sensor rail.

[0092] The sensor rail may comprise a mounting interface offering a plurality of discrete sensor mounting positions or may be configured for mounting the sensor on an arbitrary position thereof.

[0093] The support beam 32 and thus also a sheet material pressed thereon by the clamping fingers 38 is movable along the x direction, the y direction and may be rotated around the z direction.

[0094] To this end the support beam 32 is coupled to a drive unit 60 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3) via three coupling points.

[0095] The drive unit 60 comprises a first coupling point 62 being substantially arranged in the middle of the support beam 32 along a transverse direction, i.e. the x direction.

[0096] A first drive means 64 is provided at the first coupling point 62 being adapted for moving the support beam 32 in the transverse direction.

[0097] Moreover, a second coupling point 66 is arranged at a first end of the support beam 32 along the transverse direction.

[0098] A second drive means 68 is provided at the second coupling point 66 being adapted for moving the support beam 32 in the travelling direction, i.e. the y direction.

[0099] Furthermore, a third coupling point 70 is arranged at a second end of the support beam 32 along the transverse direction. The second end is opposed to the first end.

[0100] A third drive means 72 is provided at the third coupling point 70 being adapted for moving the support beam 32 in the travelling direction, i.e. the y direction.

[0101] Thus, a sheet material being engaged by the clamping fingers 38 of the positioning assembly 30 can be translationally moved along the travelling direction, i.e. the y direction by simultaneously and synchronously operating the second drive means 68 and the third drive means 72.

[0102] The sheet material can be translationally moved along a direction transverse to the travelling direction, i.e. along the x direction, by operating the first drive means 64.

[0103] The sheet material can also be rotated around the z direction by non-synchronously operating the second drive means 68 and the third drive means 72, i.e. operating the second drive means 68 and the third drive means 72 in different directions or at different speeds.

[0104] For performing these positioning activities the positioning assembly 30 is able to grab the sheet material on the fly, i.e. the sheet material is pushed onto the support beam 32 by the clamping fingers 38 while moving essentially along the travelling direction. Also the position correction can be done in superposition to a movement of the sheet material along the travelling direction.

[0105] it is preferred that the sheet material stops travelling right before it is gripped by a gripper bar 28.

[0106] It is understood that in an alternative embodiment, instead of or in addition to the linear guiding means 44a, 44b the clamping finger actuation units 40 could also comprise a pivoting mechanism by which the corresponding clamping finger 38 is pivotable into the direction of the support beam 32.