PLUNGE SLITTING WITH ENHANCED SCRAP THREADING CAPABILITY USING EDGE TRIM FILLER

Abstract

A slitting machine for threading scrap material has first and second arbors; and inner rotary knives and outer rotary knives disposed on each of the first and second arbors. A pair of rolls of fill material are positioned relative to the outer rotary knives. The rolls dispense fill material onto a strip of material so that the fill material is engaged by and cut by the outer knives as well as the strip portion overlaid by the fill material to be cut by the outer rotary knives.

Claims

1. A slitting machine for threading scrap material comprising: first and second arbors; inner rotary knives and outer rotary knives disposed on each of said first and second arbors; a pair of rolls of fill material positioned relative to said outer rotary knives; wherein said rolls dispense fill material onto an associated strip of material to be cut by said outer rotary knives.

2. The slitting machine of claim 1, whereas spacers are positioned between said inner and outer rotary knives.

3. The slitting machine of claim 2, wherein sleeves are placed over said spacers.

4. The slitting machine of claim 1, wherein said arbors are adjustable to change a gap between said first and second arbors.

5. The slitting machine of claim 1, wherein said rolls of fill material are mounted onto a shaft parallel to said first and second arbors.

6. The slitting machine of claim 4, wherein said rolls dispense fill material and overlay said fill material onto opposite edges of said associated strip of material as said strip passes through said slitting machine.

7. The slitting machine of claim 6, wherein said gap between said first and second arbors is closed while the associated strip travels through the slitting machine so that a gap between said outer rotary knives is small enough so that the outer rotary knives engage and cut through said fill material overlaying said strip and a portion of said strip on which said fill material is overlaid.

8. The slitting machine of claim 7, wherein said gap is too large for said inner knives to contact and cut said strip.

9. The slitting machine of claim 8, wherein said gap between said first and second arbors is further closed thus engaging said inner knives with said strip to cut mults within a central portion of said strip.

10. The slitting machine of claim 1, wherein said fill material is chipboard.

11. The slitting machine of claim 1, wherein a scrap chopper and chute are positioned at an end of said slitting machine.

12. A method for threading scrap material using a slitting machine comprising: providing first and second arbors; providing inner rotary knives and outer rotary knives disposed on each of said first and second arbors; providing a pair of rolls of fill material positioned relative to said outer rotary knives; dispensing fill material onto an associated strip of material to allow said outer rotary knives to cut through said fill material and cut through said strip overlaid by said fill material.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first and second arbors are adjustable to change a gap between said first and second arbors.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said rolls of fill material are mounted onto a shaft parallel to said first and second arbors.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said rolls dispense fill material and overlay said fill material onto opposite edges of said associated strip of material as said strip passes through said slitting machine.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said gap between said first and second arbors is closed while the associated strip travels through the slitting machine so that a gap between said outer rotating knives is small enough so that the outer rotary knives engage and cut through said fill material overlaying said strip and a portion of said strip overlaid by said fill material.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said gap is further closed so that said inner knives engage and cut mults in a central portion of said strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an existing slitter and scrap chopper assembly;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slitter, and scrap chopper using edge trim filler in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating the use of filler material with the slitter assembly of FIG. 2;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view in cross-section illustrating the edge from filler being fit through the knives of FIG. 3;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the knives of the slitter assembly of FIG. 3;

[0035] FIG. 5A is an enlarged front elevational view of edge trim filler fit through the knives along detail of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0036] The present disclosure relates to plunge slitting. More particularly, it relates to plunge slitting with improved scrap threading capability by using edge trim fillers. The present disclosure is shown as FIGS. 2 through 5A.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2, a slitter A and scrap chopper B and scrap chute C arrangement are shown. The slitter and chopper are shown separately for clarity. The scrap chopper is shown to illustrate the problem of how to get the scrap trim into the chopper where the first two feet, or more or less, of strip is not cut through. The same problem exists regardless whether a scrap chopper or scrap winder is used. All of the knives 20 are of the same diameter while stripper rubber sleeves 22 are positioned on spacers 16 between the knives.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, mounted above the parallel slitter arbors 24, 25 is a parallel shaft 26 that has two parallel spools 28, 30 of edge trim filler material 32, such as chip board (an inexpensive high compressive strength but flexible material). However, other suitable materials may also be used. The spools are aligned and are parallel to outer knives 20 and inner knives 21 such that when dispensed the filler material 32 or chip board will straddle or overlay the uncut zone 38 of the trim or scrap 36.

[0039] During plunge slitting, the gap between upper and lower knives is initially too large to cut the strip 36 into mults 38. The gap G between the arbors can be adjusted since lower arbor 25 can be raised or lowered in relation to upper arbor 24 (See FIG. 2). At the outer pair of knives 20; one pair at each of the two outside edges of the strip, the extra thickness of the chipboard 32 (filler material) increases the apparent thickness of the strip 36; thereby pushing the strip deeper against the lower knife 20 and the scrap or edge trim is cut through. That is, the filler material is overlaid on the strip in the uncut zone 38, therefore the trim is cut through, but not the mults 40. After a predetermined distance, the filler/chipboard is cut off and no more is dispensed onto the strip. In this manner, the scrap (trim) is cut all the way through and threads itself into the scrap chutes (for clarity, not shown). This overcomes the shortcomings of existing practice. Once the filler material is close being overlaid onto the strip, then the arbors 24, 25 can be further closed to allow inner knives 21 to cut the mults 40 within the center portion of the strip.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a spool 28 of filler material 32 (such as chipboard) is shown positioned above arbors 24, 25 and being spooled onto the strip 36 and between knives 20.

[0041] If the above gap G is too wide to slit; i.e., breakthrough the strip, the other cuts also will not break through. The filler ribbon or chip board 32 increases the apparent thickness of strip under the trim knives thereby pushing the strip deeper against the lower knives and the trim actually cuts through. After a predetermined distance the filler or board is cut. All of the functions disclosed above can also be automated.

[0042] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 5 and 5A, as the arbor gap G is closed, the knives 20 still have a gap or knife clearance KC with the strip. However, the edge trim filler material 32 at the outer edges of the strip form a cut line CL since they increase the overall thickness of the strip and thereby drive the knives 20 through the strip with the trim and filler is cut through. By doing this, no additional mults are cut toward the center of the strip. If the arbor gap G is further closed, then the inner mults 40 can be slit or cut using inner knives 21.

[0043] The disclosure has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations may occur to others while reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and the preceding description.