ANILOX ROLLER CLEANING MACHINE BY LASER AND PROCEDURE FOR AUTO-ADJUSTING THE LASER FOCAL POINT TO THE DIAMETER OF THE ANILOX ROLLER

Abstract

Disclosed is an anilox laser cleaning machine that includes: a multi-laser head with laser modules on a horizontal guide of a first movable support associated with the horizontal sliding carriage with the intermediation of brackets coupled to vertical micrometric axes associated with the horizontal sliding carriage controlled by servomotors. Each laser module includes: a laser resonator emitting a laser beam with a focal point in the vertical plane equidistant to the axes of rotation of the traction rollers of the anilox roller; and a vertical tube terminated in a nozzle oriented towards the focal point of the laser beam, connected to a suction source. The machine also includes a rotation detector with a palpate wheel contacting the surface of the anilox roller and associated with an encoder device connected to the electronic system of the machine that, in the absence of movement detection or irregular movement, activates the emergency stop.

Claims

1-4. (canceled)

5. An anilox laser cleaning machine, of the type that incorporate a mechanical structure where an anilox roller rotates on its longitudinal axis, in a bed formed by two traction rollers, some free rollers and a horizontal sliding carriage that runs parallel to the roller anilox, the anilox laser cleaning machine comprising: A multi-laser head (4) with two or more laser modules (5) mounted on a horizontal guide (6) of a first movable support (7) which is associated with the horizontal sliding carriage (8) with the intermediation of some brackets (9) coupled to vertical micrometric axes (10) associated with the horizontal sliding carriage (8) and actioned by servomotors (11) operatively connected to the electronic system of the machine (22), each laser module (5) being constituted by: A laser resonator (14) that emits a laser beam (15) whose focal point (16) is located in the vertical plane equidistant to the axes of rotation of the traction rollers (3) of the anilox roller (2). A vertical tube (17) terminated in a nozzle (18) oriented towards the focal point (16) of the laser beam, connected to a flexible hose (19) which, at its distal end, is connected to a suction system. A means for detecting rotation of the anilox roll constituted by a palpate wheel (28) in contact with the surface of the anilox roller (2) and associated with an encoder device (21) operatively connected to the electronic system of the machine (22) that, in the absence of movement detection or irregular movement, actives the emergency stop (23).

6. The anilox roller cleaning machine by laser according to claim 5, further comprising self-adjusting means of the laser focal point to the diameter of the anilox constituted by a detection element (25) that takes measurements of the displacement of a second movable support (20) associate to palpate wheel (28) or of a specific support for this function and which is operatively connected to the electronic system of the machine (22) and to the servomotors (11) of the micrometric axes (10).

7. The laser anilox roller cleaning machine according to claim 5, wherein the palpate wheel (28) in contact with the surface of the anilox roller (2) it is constituted by one of the free rollers of the bed.

8. A procedure for auto-adjustment of the laser focal point to the diameter of the anilox roller applicable to laser anilox roller cleaning machines according to claim 5, wherein the focal length of the laser beam is a known parameter, the method comprising measuring the section descended by the second movable support (20) or a specific support for this function, which is proportional to the diameter of the anilox roll (2) placed between the traction rollers (3), said telemetry is received by the electronic system of the machine (22) that extrapolates the distance to be moved by the multi-laser head (4) so that the focal point (16) locate on the surface of the anilox roll (2), turning the servomotors (11) of the micrometric axes (10) to drive the multi-laser head (4) to that position.

9. A procedure for auto-adjustment of the laser focal point to the diameter of the anilox roller applicable to laser anilox roller cleaning machines according to claim 6, wherein the focal length of the laser beam is a known parameter, the method comprising measuring the section descended by the second movable support (20) or a specific support for this function, which is proportional to the diameter of the anilox roll (2) placed between the traction rollers (3), said telemetry is received by the electronic system of the machine (22) that extrapolates the distance to be moved by the multi-laser head (4) so that the focal point (16) locate on the surface of the anilox roll (2), turning the servomotors (11) of the micrometric axes (10) to drive the multi-laser head (4) to that position.

10. A procedure for auto-adjustment of the laser focal point to the diameter of the anilox roller applicable to laser anilox roller cleaning machines according to claim 7, wherein the focal length of the laser beam is a known parameter, the method comprising measuring the section descended by the second movable support (20) or a specific support for this function, which is proportional to the diameter of the anilox roll (2) placed between the traction rollers (3), said telemetry is received by the electronic system of the machine (22) that extrapolates the distance to be moved by the multi-laser head (4) so that the focal point (16) locate on the surface of the anilox roll (2), turning the servomotors (11) of the micrometric axes (10) to drive the multi-laser head (4) to that position.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the machine in which can be seen the assembly of its components and an anilox roller in the cleaning position in a configuration in which the palpate wheel fulfills double function as a detector element of rotation of the anilox roller and as a component in the auto-adjustment means of the laser focal point.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the machine with an anilox roller of the maximum admissible diameter.

[0042] FIG. 3 represents a side view of the machine with an anilox roll of the minor admissible diameter.

[0043] The differences of position of the components of the machine observable between FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, show that the diameter of the anilox roller is proportional to the displacement of the support of the palpate wheel.

[0044] FIG. 4 represents a schematic view of a laser module and the geometry of the laser beam generated.

[0045] FIG. 5 represents a multi-laser head of two laser modules in its support.

[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 represent the scheme of a multi-laser head of two laser modules, in which the two generated laser beams can be seen, where the example of FIG. 6 presents the position of minimum distance between laser focal points, while in the example of FIG. 7 distance between the focal points is maximum.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the feeler wheel mounted in the second movable support.

[0048] FIG. 9 corresponds to an operating scheme of the safety means capable of stopping the cleaning operation when the rotation of the anilox is not stable or stopped accidentally and of the means of auto-adjustment of the laser focal point to the diameter of the anilox roller.

[0049] FIG. 10 represents a perspective view of the machine in which the assembly of its components and an anilox roller in the cleaning position in a configuration in which the palpate wheel is constituted by one of the free rollers can be seen.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0050] 1Mechanical structure [0051] 2Anilox roller [0052] 3Traction rollers [0053] 4Multi-laser head [0054] 5Laser module [0055] 6Horizontal guide [0056] 7First movable support [0057] 8Horizontal sliding carriage [0058] 9Brackets [0059] 10Vertical axis micrometric [0060] 11Servomotors [0061] 12Carriage guides [0062] 13worm [0063] 14Laser resonator [0064] 15Laser beam [0065] 16Focal point [0066] 17Vertical tube [0067] 18Nozzle [0068] 19Flexible hose [0069] 20Second movable support [0070] 21Encoder [0071] 22Electronic system [0072] 23Emergency stop [0073] 24Operating status [0074] 25Detection element [0075] 26Guide [0076] 27free rolls [0077] 28Palpate wheel

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED CONSTRUCTION

[0078] This invention consists of ones improvements introduced in cleaning machines of anilox rollers that are made up of a mechanical structure (1) that fixes all the elements of the machine and where the anilox roller (2) sits on a bed formed by two traction rollers (3) and other free rollers (27).

[0079] This mechanical structure has a multi-laser head (4) consisting of two laser modules (5) mounted on a horizontal guide (6) of a first movable support (7).

[0080] The multi-laser head (4) is associated with a horizontal sliding carriage (8) with the intermediation of vertically displaceable brackets (9).

[0081] The horizontal sliding carriage (8) runs parallel to the anilox roller (2) following carriage guides (12) integral with the mechanical structure (1) and driven by a worm (13) motorized.

[0082] The brackets (9) are coupled to vertical micrometric axes (10) arranged on the horizontal sliding carriage (8) and driven by servomotors (11), so that, depending on the rotation of the micrometric axes left or right, the first movable support (7) with the multi-laser head (4), will ascend or descend controlled.

[0083] The servomotors (11) are operatively connected to the electronic system of the machine (22), from where they are commanded.

[0084] Each laser module (5) incorporates a laser resonator (14) that emits a laser beam (15) whose focal point (16) is located in the vertical plane equidistant between the axis of rotation of the traction rollers (3). It also incorporates a suction element formed by a vertical tube (17) connected to a flexible hose (19), terminated in a nozzle (18) oriented towards the focal point (16). This suction element absorbs the remains detached from the surface of the anilox roll by the action of the laser beam.

[0085] The multi-laser head (4) shown generates two contiguous focal points (16), the separation of the same can be modified moving the laser modules (5) along the guide (6) of the first movable support (7), establishing a position of maximum proximity (FIG. 6) and a position of maximum distancing (FIG. 7). The separation distance between focal points (16) allows to control the time of entry into action of the second laser scan.

[0086] Another novel aspect of the invention consists of the incorporation of a palpate wheel (19), mounted on a second movable support (20) movable by the guides (26) which is sited between the traction rollers (3) and which drags an encoder (21) operatively connected to the electronic system of the machine (22) and, in particular, to the emergency stop system (23).

[0087] The palpate wheel (19) comes into contact with the surface of the anilox roll (2) rotating with it and simultaneously pulling the encoder (21) that generates a telemetry received and analyzed by the electronic system of the machine (22).

[0088] While the system detects the existence of movement, the multi-laser head (4) remains in operative state (24).

[0089] If the system does not detect movement, or the movement detected is irregular, the emergency stop of the machine is activated (23).

[0090] Another novel aspect of the invention refers to the incorporation of auto-adjusting means of the laser focal point (16) to the diameter of the anilox roller (2).

[0091] These self-adjusting means consist in a detection element (25) that takes measurements of the displacement of the second movable support (20).

[0092] The detection element is operatively connected to the electronic system of the machine (22) that receives and analyzes the telemetry generated by the first one.

[0093] As the section descended by the second displaceable support (20) is proportional to the diameter of the anilox roller (2) deposited between the traction rollers (3), and the focal length of the laser beam is a known parameter, the electronic system of the machine (22) extrapolates the distance to be moved by the multi-laser head (4) so that the focal point (16) locate on the surface of the anilox roll (2), turning the servomotors (11) of the micrometric axes (10) to drive the multi-laser head (4) to that position.