THIN METAL STRIP WINDING METHOD AND THIN METAL STRIP WINDING SYSTEM

Abstract

A thin metal strip winding method includes: a step of causing a thin metal strip to fly from a flight tube; a cutting and grasping step of cutting and grasping any portion of the thin metal strip flying from the flight tube; a thin metal strip connecting step of connecting the any portion of the thin metal strip cut and grasped in the cutting and grasping step and a leader as a ribbon, the leader being a to-be-connected portion of another thin metal strip remaining on a winding roll set on a winding roll rotation unit of a winder that winds up the thin metal strip; and a thin metal strip winding step of winding up the ribbon around the winding roll by causing the winding roll rotation unit to rotate.

Claims

1. A thin metal strip winding method comprising: a step of causing a thin metal strip to fly from a flight tube; a cutting and grasping step of cutting and grasping any portion of the thin metal strip flying from the flight tube; a thin metal strip connecting step of connecting the any portion of the thin metal strip cut and grasped in the cutting and grasping step and a leader as a ribbon, the leader being a to-be-connected portion of another thin metal strip remaining on a winding roll set on a winding roll rotation unit of a winder that winds up the thin metal strip; and a thin metal strip winding step of winding up the ribbon around the winding roll by causing the winding roll rotation unit to rotate.

2. A thin metal strip winding system comprising: a flight tube which causes a thin metal strip to fly; a winding roll rotation unit on which a winding roll with a thin metal strip remaining thereon is set; a cutting-grasping unit which cuts and grasps any portion of the thin metal strip flying from the flight tube; a connecting unit which connects the any portion of the thin metal strip cut and grasped by the cutting-grasping unit and a leader as a ribbon, the leader being a to-be-connected portion of the thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll; and a winding unit which winds up the ribbon around the winding roll by causing the winding roll rotation unit to rotate.

3. The thin metal strip winding system according to claim 2, wherein the cutting-grasping unit has a cutter which cuts the ribbon; and a stopper which holds the ribbon in a state where the ribbon is disposed so as to surround the cutter, and the cutting-grasping unit cuts the ribbon by moving the cutter with the ribbon held by the stopper.

4. The thin metal strip winding system according to claim 3, wherein the connecting unit is configured to connect the leader and the ribbon in a state where the leader and the ribbon are disposed vertically, and the cutting-grasping unit cuts the ribbon near the connecting unit and places one end portion of the cut ribbon around a remaining tip portion of the leader.

5. The thin metal strip winding system according to claim 3, wherein the connecting unit is configured to connect the leader and the ribbon in a state where the leader and the ribbon are disposed horizontally, and the cutting-grasping unit cuts the ribbon near the connecting unit and places one end portion of the cut ribbon around a remaining tip portion of the leader.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a configuration of a thin metal strip winding system according to a first embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an arrangement in the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a configuration of a connecting unit in the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment and its surroundings.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram (1) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram (3) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5D is an explanatory diagram (4) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 5E is an explanatory diagram (5) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 5F is an explanatory diagram (6) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 5G is an explanatory diagram (7) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5H is an explanatory diagram (8) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 5I is an explanatory diagram (9) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 5J is an explanatory diagram (10) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram (1) of operation of a ribbon cutter in the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operation of the ribbon cutter in the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram (3) of the operation of the ribbon cutter in the thin metal strip winding system according to the first embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a configuration of a thin metal strip winding system according to a second embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a configuration of a connecting unit in the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment and its surroundings.

[0029] FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram (1) of operations of a stopper, a robotic hand, and an air nozzle in the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operations of the stopper, the robotic hand, and the air nozzle in the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram (1) of operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram (3) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 10D is an explanatory diagram (4) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 10E is an explanatory diagram (5) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 10F is an explanatory diagram (6) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 10G is an explanatory diagram (7) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 10H is an explanatory diagram (8) of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter each referred to as the present embodiment) will now be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each drawing is merely schematically presented to such an extent that the present invention can be sufficiently understood. The present invention is therefore not limited only to the illustrated examples. Also, identical or similar constituent elements in drawings are denoted by the same reference sign, and duplicated description thereof is omitted.

First Embodiment

[0040] The present embodiment provides a thin metal strip winding method and a thin metal strip winding system that shorten the process cycle time. The present embodiment also provides a thin metal strip winding method and a thin metal strip winding system that reduce the size of a ribbon storage space (a stock space 24 to be described later).

Configuration of Thin Metal Strip Winding System

[0041] A configuration of a thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the first embodiment will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram of the configuration of the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, UPSTREAM and DOWNSTREAM are based on the direction of movement of a ribbon 11 to be described later. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an arrangement in the thin metal strip winding system 100A. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a configuration of a connecting unit 41A in the thin metal strip winding system 100A and its surroundings.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, the thin metal strip winding system 100A includes equipment for manufacturing a thin metal strip inside an operation room 101. The operation room 101 is configured such that multiple column parts 102 are provided upright on a base plate 105 and each column part 102 supports multiple wall parts 103.

[0043] The thin metal strip winding system 100A includes a supply unit 20, the stock space 24, a ribbon cutting jig 30A, a leader connection jig 40A, and a winder 70 inside the operation room 101 as the equipment for manufacturing a thin metal strip.

[0044] The supply unit 20 is a constituent element that supplies the ribbon 11, which is a thin metal strip. The ribbon 11 is connected to a leader 12 to be described later. The supply unit 20 includes a metallic cooling roller 21, a rotation shaft 22a of the cooling roller 21, a cooling roller rotation unit 22, and a tundish 25. The cooling roller rotation unit 22 is an electric motor that is connected to the rotation shaft 22a and rotationally drives the rotation shaft 22a. The tundish 25 is a container for a molten metal 10 and disposed directly above the cooling roller 21. A lower portion of the tundish 25 is formed in a funnel shape. A stopper rod 26 is disposed inside the tundish 25. The stopper rod 26 is a member that adjusts the flow rate of the molten metal 10 that is caused to flow downward from the tundish 25 onto the surface of the cooling roller 21. The stopper rod 26 has a lower portion in the shape of a circular cone and an upper portion in the shape of a circular cylinder, and moves in the upper-lower direction. When the stopper rod 26 is at the lowermost position, the stopper rod 26 closes an opening portion provided at a lower end portion of the tundish 25. Thus, the flow rate of the molten metal 10 is zero in this case. As the stopper rod 26 rises, the opening portion provided at the lower end portion of the tundish 25 opens. As a result, the molten metal 10 inside the tundish 25 flows downward onto the surface of the cooling roller 21. The cooling roller 21 is rotated at high speed by the rotation shaft 22a connected to the cooling roller rotation unit 22. The supply unit 20 causes the molten metal 10 to flow downward onto the surface of the cooling roller 21 rotating at high speed from directly above the cooling roller 21. As a result, the molten metal becomes rapidly cooled and solidified on the cooling roller 21. Then, the supply unit 20 releases a ribbon 11 that is the molten metal 10 rapidly cooled and solidified into the form of a 10 thin film into the stock space 24 while causing the ribbon 11 to fly off the surface of the cooling roller 21 by means of a flight tube 23. The flight tube 23 is a pipe having an internal space through which the ribbon 11 being the molten metal 10 formed into a thin film is caused to fly. The ribbon 11 is released toward the stock space 24 from its flying tip portion 11a. In this way, the supply unit 20 continuously manufactures a ribbon 11, which is an amorphous thin metal strip, and stores it in the stock space 24.

[0045] The stock space 24 is a constituent element that stores the ribbon 11, which is a thin metal strip. A ribbon connection robot 50A is disposed around the stock space 24. The ribbon connection robot 50A is a constituent element that scoops up an intermediate portion of a thin metal strip flying toward the stock space 24 and supplies it to the ribbon cutting jig 30A. Incidentally, the manufacturing of the ribbon 11 by the single-roll process is performed at an extremely high speed. For this reason, if a manufacturing site with limited space is to employ a configuration for setting the tip of the ribbon 11 onto the winding roll 14 and immediately winding it up as soon as the tip of the ribbon 11 flies out, the configuration will be heavy, bulky, and costly. To address this, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment is configured to scoop up, cut, and grasp an intermediate portion of a flying thin metal strip (ribbon 11) at the outlet of the flight tube 23, connect the later-described leader 12 and the ribbon 11, and wind them up. Also, in order to simultaneously manufacture a thin metal strip (ribbon 11) and wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11), the winding speed of the ribbon 11 onto the winding roll 14 is set to be more than or equal to the manufacturing speed of the ribbon 11.

[0046] The ribbon cutting jig 30A is a jig that cuts the ribbon 11 so as to make it easy to connect any portion thereof, such as a trailing end, to the leader 12. The ribbon cutting jig 30A is provided above a front portion of the stock space 24. Together with the ribbon connection robot 50A, the ribbon cutting jig 30A forms a cutting-grasping unit 30 that cuts and grasps the ribbon 11.

[0047] The leader connection jig 40A is a jig that connects the ribbon 11 to the leader 12. The leader connection jig 40A is provided at a position that is substantially the same as the position of the ribbon cutting jig 30A in the front-rear direction and is higher than the ribbon cutting jig 30A (FIG. 3). The leader 12 is a to-be-connected portion of a thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll 14 set on a winding roll rotation unit 71 of the winder 70. Adhesive tape 13 (FIG. 3) is bonded to an end portion of the leader 12 (remaining tip portion 12b (FIG. 3)) in advance by an operator. The leader connection jig 40A pressurizes (presses) the ribbon 11 and the leader 12 against each other to connect the ribbon 11 and the leader 12 by the adhesive tape 13.

[0048] The winding roll 14 is repetitively used. When a ribbon 11 wound around the winding roll 14 is unwound and processed as desired, a small portion of the ribbon 11 may be left and utilized as the leader 12, instead of unwinding the whole ribbon 11 from the winding roll 14. In this way, the operation of mounting a ribbon 11 onto the winding roll 14 will be efficiently done as compared to mounting the ribbon 11 onto the winding roll 14 in an empty state. Note that the leader 12 may be other than a remaining portion of a ribbon 11.

[0049] Incidentally, tape that can be easily detached (detachable tape) may be used as the adhesive tape 13 so that the tape will not be wasted and can be reused.

[0050] The winder 70 is an apparatus that winds up a ribbon 11 around the winding roll 14. The winder 70 is provided rearward of the stock space 24. The winder 70 has the winding roll rotation unit 71, on which the winding roll 14 is set. The winding roll 14 is a winding roll with the leader 12, which is a portion of a thin metal strip to be connected to the ribbon 11, left thereon. That is, the winding roll 14 is a winding roll after being used with a small amount of a thin metal strip (leader 12) left thereon. The winding roll rotation unit 71 rotates in the direction of an arrow A14 by means of a winding motor 72 to wind up the ribbon 11 connected to the leader 12 around the winding roll 14. The winder 70 has a winding nip roller 73, a roll diameter measurement unit 74, feed rollers 78, and a feed control motor 79.

[0051] The winding nip roller 73 is a constituent element that sandwiches a thin metal strip (the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 connected to the leader 12) between itself and the winding roll 14.

[0052] The roll diameter measurement unit 74 is a constituent element that measures the roll diameter of the winding roll 14. The roll diameter measurement unit 74 measures the roll diameter of the winding roll 14 by moving in the radial direction of the winding roll 14 (the direction of an arrow A73, which is the upper-lower direction in the illustrated example) along with the winding nip roller 73.

[0053] The feed rollers 78 are constituent elements that feed the thin metal strip (the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 connected to the leader 12) in the direction toward the winding roll 14. The feed control motor 79 is a constituent element that controls the rotational speed of the feed rollers 78. There are two feed rollers 78 facing each other in the upper-lower direction. Of the two feed rollers 78, one feed roller 78 (the upper feed roller 78 in the illustrated example) is configured to move in the direction of an arrow A78 (upper-lower direction) to make a gap therebetween so that the operator trying to set the leader 12 can easily perform the operation. Between the feed rollers 78 and the leader connection jig 40A, there are provided ribbon guide bars 60 over which the thin metal strip (the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 connected to the leader 12) is laid to remove the thin metal strip's twist.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows an example of the layout of constituent elements in the thin metal strip winding system 100A as view from above. As shown in FIG. 2, the thin metal strip winding system 100A includes the flight tube 23 in front (upstream side) of the stock space 24. Moreover, in the thin metal strip winding system 100A, the ribbon cutting jig 30A and leader connection jig 40A and the ribbon connection robot 50A are disposed so as to face each other across the stock space 24. Furthermore, the thin metal strip winding system 100A includes the winder 70 behind (downstream side) of the stock space 24.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the connecting unit 41A in the thin metal strip winding system 100A and its surroundings. The thin metal strip winding system 100A includes the ribbon cutting jig 30A and the ribbon connection robot 50A, which function as the cutting-grasping unit 30. The ribbon cutting jig 30A has a stopper 31A that fixes the ribbon 11. The stopper 31A has a fixed shaft 31Aa disposed in a fixed state and a pressure shaft 31Ab that sandwiches the ribbon 11 between itself and the fixed shaft 31Aa. The stopper 31A also has an air cylinder 31Ac that moves the pressure shaft 31Ab in the direction of an arrow A31A (a direction toward or away from the fixed shaft 31Aa), and a ribbon positioning block 31Ad that determines the position of the ribbon 11 in the width direction. Also, the ribbon connection robot 50A has a robotic hand 51A. The robotic hand 51A has a ribbon cutter 51Aa in the shape of an edged tool.

[0056] Also, the thin metal strip winding system 100A includes the leader connection jig 40A. The leader connection jig 40A includes the connecting unit 41A. The connecting unit 41A has a cushion plate 41Aa, a pressure reception cushion 41Ab, and a fixed bracket 41Ac. The cushion plate 41Aa is an elastic plate. The pressure reception cushion 41Ab is a cushion that receives a pressure applied to the thin metal strip through the cushion plate 41Aa. The fixed bracket 41Ac is a member that supports the cushion plate 41Aa and the pressure reception cushion 41Ab.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the thin metal strip winding system 100A causes the ribbon 11 to fly in the direction of an arrow A11a and cuts and grasps an intermediate portion of the flying ribbon 11 with the robotic hand 51A of the ribbon connection robot 50A. Then, after cutting the ribbon 11, the thin metal strip winding system 100A moves the robotic hand 51A along an arrow A50Aa to bring a side of the ribbon 11 into contact with the ribbon positioning block 31Ad and thereby adjust the position of the ribbon 11 in the left-right direction. As a result, the thin metal strip winding system 100A places a cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 such that the cut tip portion 11b faces the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12.

[0058] Then, the thin metal strip winding system 100A moves the pressure shaft 31Ab in the direction toward the fixed shaft 31Aa along the arrow A31A. The adhesive tape 13 is bonded to the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12. Thus, at this time, the cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 and the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12 get bonded to each other with the adhesive tape 13 therebetween. Also, when the cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 and the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12 are bonded, the thin metal strip winding system 100A retracts the ribbon cutter 51Aa to a predetermined retracted position (an origin for stopping P11 shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 6C) along the arrow A31A.

Operation of Thin Metal Strip Winding System

[0059] Operation of the thin metal strip winding system 100A will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6C. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the thin metal strip winding system 100A. FIGS. 5A to 5J are each an explanatory diagram of the operation of the thin metal strip winding system 100A. FIGS. 6A to 6C are each an explanatory diagram of operation of the ribbon cutter 51Aa of the thin metal strip winding system 100A.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, firstly, in the thin metal strip winding system 100A, the winding roll 14 with the leader 12, which is a to-be-connected portion of a thin metal strip, remaining thereon is set on the winding roll rotation unit 71 by the operator or a robot not shown (step S110).

[0061] Then, the thin metal strip winding system 100A starts causing a ribbon 11 to fly from the flight tube 23 by driving the supply unit 20 (step S120). Note that the thin metal strip winding system 100A is configured to execute the processes in and after step S120 only without the operator presence in the operation room 101 in order to secure the operator's safety. Specifically, the thin metal strip winding system 100A is configured such that the operator cannot enter the operation room 101 during winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14 in order to secure the operator's safety. Note that the thin metal strip winding system 100A is preferably configured to manufacture only the amount of a thin metal strip (ribbon 11) that can be wound up around a single winding roll 14. Moreover, the thin metal strip winding system 100A is preferably configured such that the winding roll 14 cannot be replaced while the molten metal 10 is caused to flow downward onto the surface of the cooling roller 21 from the tundish 25.

[0062] Then, the thin metal strip winding system 100A cuts and grasps the ribbon 11 by driving the cutting-grasping unit 30 (step S130).

[0063] Then, the thin metal strip winding system 100A connects the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 to each other by driving the leader connection jig 40A (step S140). That is, the thin metal strip winding system 100A connects the ribbon 11 and the leader 12, each of which is a thin metal strip. Note that the thin metal strip winding system 100A is capable of omitting the process of step S120 and instead storing a ribbon 11 in the stock space 24 before the process of step S110 and connecting the ribbon 11 stored in the stock space 24 and the leader 12 to each other. In this case, the thin metal strip winding system 100A is configured to execute the processes only without the operator presence in the operation room 101 in order to secure the operator's safety.

[0064] Then, the thin metal strip winding system 100A winds up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14 by driving the winding roll rotation unit 71 (step S150). The thin metal strip winding system 100A stops the winding roll rotation unit 71 when completing winding up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0065] Note that, in steps S130 and S140, the thin metal strip winding system 100A causes the ribbon cutting jig 30A, the connecting unit 41A, and the ribbon cutter 51Aa to operate as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5J, for example.

[0066] FIG. 5A shows a state of preparing to scoop up the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the origin for stopping P11 to an origin for scooping P12. The origin for stopping P11 is the retracted position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa. The origin for stopping P11 is a position that is outside the stock space 24. Further, in the example of FIG. 5A, the origin for stopping P11 is a position that is below the stopper 31A of the ribbon cutting jig 30A and separated from the fixed bracket 41Ac of the connecting unit 41A toward the front. The origin for scooping P12 is the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa before scooping up the ribbon 11. The origin for scooping P12 is preferably a position that is inside the stock space 24 and directly under the outlet of the flight tube 23. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the origin for scooping P12 is a position that is below the stopper 31A of the ribbon cutting jig 30A and between the fixed shaft 31Aa and the pressure shaft 31Ab.

[0067] FIG. 5B shows a state of scooping up the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the origin for scooping P12 to a scooping point P13. The scooping point P13 is the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa at the time of scooping up the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the scooping point P13 is a position that is above the stopper 31A of the ribbon cutting jig 30A and between the fixed shaft 31Aa and the pressure shaft 31Ab. Specifically, the scooping point P13 is a position at which the ribbon cutter 51Aa is disposed to face the cushion plate 41Aa (in other words, disposed such that their side faces are parallel to each other). FIG. 6A shows the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa as viewed from the rear in the state shown in FIG. 5B. The ribbon 11 and the leader 12 are disposed at positions that are offset from each other in the left-right direction.

[0068] FIG. 5C shows a state of preparing to cut the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the scooping point P13 to an origin for cutting P14. The origin for cutting P14 is the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa before cutting the ribbon 11. The origin for cutting P14 is a position that is offset from the scooping point P13 in the left-right direction. FIG. 6B shows the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa as viewed from the rear in the state shown in FIG. 5C. The ribbon 11 and the leader 12 are disposed at positions that overlap each other in the left-right direction. Thereafter, the thin metal strip winding system 100A moves the ribbon 11 in the front-rear direction to lay the ribbon 11 over the leader 12 with the adhesive tape 13 therebetween.

[0069] FIG. 5D shows a state of fixing the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5D, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the pressure shaft 31Ab to the fixed shaft 31Aa side. By doing so, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has sandwiched the ribbon 11 between the pressure shaft 31Ab and the fixed shaft 31Aa, thereby fixing the ribbon 11.

[0070] FIG. 5E shows a state of cutting the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5E, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the origin for cutting P14 to a cutting point P15 to cut the ribbon 11. The cutting point P15 is the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa at the time of cutting the ribbon 11. The cutting point P15 is set above the origin for cutting P14.

[0071] FIG. 5F shows a state of being bonded to the leader 12. In the example shown in FIG. 5F, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the cutting point P15 to a bonding point P16 to bond the ribbon 11 to the leader 12 with the adhesive tape 13 therebetween. The bonding point P16 is the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa at the time of bonding the ribbon 11 to the leader 12. The bonding point P16 is a position closer to the cushion plate 41Aa than the cutting point P15 is, i.e., the position of the ribbon cutter 51Aa pressed against the cushion plate 41Aa side.

[0072] FIG. 5G shows a state of releasing the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 5G, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the pressure shaft 31Ab away from the fixed shaft 31Aa. By doing so, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has released the sandwiching of the ribbon 11 between the pressure shaft 31Ab and the fixed shaft 31Aa, thereby releasing the ribbon 11. Note that the end portion of the ribbon 11 not connected to the leader 12 with the adhesive tape 13 therebetween falls and enters the stock space 24.

[0073] FIGS. 5H to 5J each show a state where the ribbon cutter 51Aa returns to an origin. In the example shown in FIG. 5H, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the bonding point P16 (FIG. 5G) to the cutting point P15, i.e., toward a side away from the cushion plate 41Aa. Then, in the example shown in FIG. 5I, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the cutting point P15 (FIG. 5H) to a relay point P17. The relay point P17 is a relay position through which to move the ribbon cutter 51Aa to the origin for stopping P11. Then, in the example shown in FIG. 5J, the thin metal strip winding system 100A has moved the ribbon cutter 51Aa from the relay point P17 (FIG. 5H) to the origin for stopping P11. FIG. 6C shows the positions of the ribbon cutter 51Aa as viewed from the rear to which the ribbon cutter 51Aa moves in the states shown in FIGS. 5H to 5J.

[0074] Thereafter, the thin metal strip winding system 100A performs the process of step S150 shown in FIG. 4 to wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0075] After this, the processes of steps S110 to S150 shown in FIG. 4 are repeated. At this time, in the process of step S110 shown in FIG. 4, the robot not shown sets the winding roll 14 with the leader 12 remaining thereon onto the winding roll rotation unit 71. In this way, the thin metal strip winding system 100A can only connect a ribbon 11 to the leader 12 and avoid directly mounting the ribbon 11 to the winding roll 14. This enables the thin metal strip winding system 100A to improve the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0076] Note that the thin metal strip winding system 100A is capable of adjusting the operation speed of the cutting-grasping unit 30 and the operation speed of the leader connection jig 40A according to the speed of winding of the ribbon 11 around the winding roll 14 by the winder 70 and the rotational speed of the feed rollers 78. In this way, the thin metal strip winding system 100A can avoid applying an excessive tension to the ribbon 11 or letting the ribbon 11 slack during the operation of winding the ribbon 11. This also enables the thin metal strip winding system 100A to improve the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

Main Features of Thin Metal Strip Winding Method

[0077] The thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment has the following features. [0078] (1) As shown in FIG. 4, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment includes a flying step (step S110), a thin metal strip connecting step (step S140), and a thin metal strip winding step (step S150). The flying step (step S110) is a step of causing a thin metal strip to fly from the flight tube 23. The thin metal strip connecting step (step S140) is a step of connecting any portion of the thin metal strip flying from the flight tube 23 and the leader 12 as a ribbon 11, the leader 12 being a to-be-connected portion of another thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll 14 set on the winding roll rotation unit 71 of the winder 70, which winds up the thin metal strip. The thin metal strip winding step (step S150) is a step of winding up the ribbon 11 around the winding roll 14 by causing the winding roll rotation unit 71 to rotate. The any portion of the ribbon 11 is a portion determined as appropriate according to the purpose and is a portion to be bonded to the leader 12 with the adhesive tape 13 therebetween.

[0079] The thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment involves manufacturing a thin metal strip by causing a thin metal strip obtained by rapidly cooling a liquid by a single-roll process or the like, for example, to fly from the flight tube 23. Moreover, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment involves connecting any portion of the thin metal strip as a ribbon 11 serving as a connecting portion to the to-be-connected portion (leader 12) of the thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll rotation unit 14 set on the winding roll rotation unit 71. In such a thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment, the manufacturing of a thin metal strip (ribbon 11) and the winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) are performed simultaneously. Accordingly, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment shortens the process cycle time. Ideally, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment can simultaneously finish the manufacturing of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) and the winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11).

[0080] Also, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment involves scooping up, cutting, and grasping an intermediate portion of the flying thin metal strip (ribbon 11) at the outlet of the flight tube 23, connecting the leader 12 and the ribbon 11, and winding them up. By setting the manufacturing speed of the ribbon 11 and the winding speed of the ribbon 11 to the same or similar speeds, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment can store only the minimum amount of the ribbon 11 in the stock space 24. Accordingly, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment can reduce the size of the stock space 24 (ribbon storage space).

[0081] Also, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment prevents the ribbon 11 from being mounted directly to the winding roll 14 and allows a simple operation to prepare to wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11). This enables the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment to improve the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14. [0082] (2) As shown in FIG. 4, the thin metal strip winding method according to (1) described above is characterized in that the winding roll 14 set on the winding roll rotation unit 71 is a winding roll after being used with a small amount of a thin metal strip (leader 12) left thereon.

[0083] In the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment, the winding roll 14 after being used with a small amount of a thin metal strip (leader 12) left thereon is set on the winding roll rotation unit 71. This allows the ribbon 11 to be connected to the leader 12. Such a thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment prevents the ribbon 11 from being mounted directly to the winding roll 14 and therefore improves the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14. [0084] (3) The thin metal strip winding method according to (1) described above has the following features when seen from another aspect. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment includes a flying step (step S110), a cutting and grasping step (step S130), a thin metal strip connecting step (step S140), and a thin metal strip winding step (step S150). The flying step (step S110) is a step of causing a thin metal strip to fly from the flight tube 23. The cutting and grasping step (step S130) is a step of cutting and grasping any portion of the thin metal strip flying from the flight tube 23. The thin metal strip connecting step (step S140) is a step of connecting the any portion of the thin metal strip cut and grasped in the cutting and grasping step and the leader 12 as a ribbon 11, the leader 12 being a to-be-connected portion of another thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll 14 set on the winding roll rotation unit 71 of the winder 70, which winds up the thin metal strip. The thin metal strip winding step (step S150) is a step of winding up the ribbon 11 around the winding roll 14 by causing the winding roll rotation unit 71 to rotate.

[0085] The thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment involves forming a thin metal strip (ribbon 11) and stores part of it in the stock space 24. Moreover, the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment involves cutting and grasping the ribbon 11 in this state and connecting it to the leader 12. Such a thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment prevents the ribbon 11 from being mounted directly to the winding roll 14 and allows a simple operation to prepare to wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11). This enables the thin metal strip winding method according to the present embodiment to improve the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0086] Incidentally, the ribbon 11 wound up around the winding roll 14 as described above will be processed as desired into a thin electrical steel sheet as a constituent material of motor cores (stators and rotor cores) and laminated to be stators and rotors. As mentioned in the description of the background art, a ribbon 11 manufactured by a single-roll process can be thinner than an electrical steel sheet formed by rolling. Thus, motor cores manufactured using this ribbon 11 are characterized by having less core loss than those made from rolled materials.

Main Features of Thin Metal Strip Winding System

[0087] The thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment has the following features. [0088] (1) As shown in FIG. 1, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment includes the flight tube 23, which causes a thin metal strip to fly, the winding roll rotation unit 71, the connecting unit 41A, and a winding unit (winding motor 72). The flight tube 23 is a constituent element which causes a thin metal strip to fly. The winding roll rotation unit 71 is a constituent element on which the winding roll 14 with a thin metal strip remaining thereon is set. The connecting unit 41A is a constituent element which connects any portion of the thin metal strip flying from the flight tube 23 and the leader 12 as a ribbon 11, the leader 12 being a to-be-connected portion of the thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll 14. The winding unit (winding motor 72) is a constituent element which winds up the ribbon 11 around the winding roll 14 by causing the winding roll rotation unit 71 to rotate.

[0089] The thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment manufactures a thin metal strip by causing a thin metal strip obtained by rapidly cooling a liquid by a single-roll process or the like, for example, to fly from the flight tube 23. Moreover, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment connects any portion of the thin metal strip as a ribbon 11 serving as a connecting portion to the to-be-connected portion (leader 12) of the thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll rotation unit 14 set on the winding roll rotation unit 71. Such a thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment performs the manufacturing of a thin metal strip (ribbon 11) and the winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) simultaneously. Accordingly, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment shortens the process cycle time. Ideally, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment can simultaneously finish the manufacturing of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) and the winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11).

[0090] Also, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment scoops up, cuts, and grasps an intermediate portion of the flying thin metal strip (ribbon 11) at the outlet of the flight tube 23, connects the leader 12 and the ribbon 11, and winds them up. By setting the manufacturing speed of the ribbon 11 and the winding speed of the ribbon 11 to the same or similar speeds, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment can store only the minimum amount of the ribbon 11 in the stock space 24. Accordingly, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment can reduce the size of the stock space 24 (ribbon storage space).

[0091] Also, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment prevents the ribbon 11 from being mounted directly to the winding roll 14 and allows a simple operation to prepare to wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11). This enables the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment to improve the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0092] (2) As shown in FIG. 1, in the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to (1) described above, the connecting unit 41A is configured to connect the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 in a state they are disposed vertically.

[0093] The thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment scoops up the ribbon 11 stored in the stock space 24 from below and cuts it. Then, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment easily connects the cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 to the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12. Such a thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment prevents the ribbon 11 from being mounted directly to the winding roll 14 and allows a simple operation to prepare to wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11). This enables the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment to improve the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14. [0094] (3) The thin metal strip winding system 100A according to (1) described above has the following features when seen from another aspect. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment includes the flight tube 23, which causes a thin metal strip to fly, the winding roll rotation unit 71, the cutting-grasping unit 30, the connecting unit 41A, and the winding unit (winding motor 72). The flight tube 23 is a constituent element which causes a thin metal strip to fly. The winding roll rotation unit 71 is a constituent element on which the winding roll 14 with a thin metal strip remaining thereon is set. The cutting-grasping unit 30 is a constituent element which cuts and grasps a thin metal strip stored in the stock space 24. The connecting unit 41A is a constituent element which connects any portion of the thin metal strip cut and grasped by the cutting-grasping unit 30 and the leader 12 as a ribbon 11, the leader 12 being a to-be-connected portion of the thin metal strip remaining on the winding roll 14. The winding unit (winding motor 72) is a constituent element which winds up the ribbon 11 around the winding roll 14 by causing the winding roll rotation unit 71 to rotate.

[0095] Such a thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment cuts and grasps any portion of the thin metal strip flying from the flight tube 23 and connects it to the leader 12 as a ribbon 11. Such a thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment performs the manufacturing of a thin metal strip (ribbon 11) and the winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) simultaneously. Accordingly, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment shortens the process cycle time. Also, by setting the manufacturing speed of the ribbon 11 and the winding speed of the ribbon 11 to the same or similar speeds, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment can store only the minimum amount of the ribbon 11 in the stock space 24. Accordingly, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment can reduce the size of the stock space 24 (ribbon storage space). Also, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment prevents the ribbon 11 from being mounted directly to the winding roll 14 and allows a simple operation to prepare to wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11). This enables the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the present embodiment to improve the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14. [0096] (4) In the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to (3) described above, the cutting-grasping unit 30 has the ribbon cutter 51Aa (cutter), which cuts a ribbon 11, and the stopper 31A, which holds the ribbon 11 such that the ribbon 11 is disposed so as to surround the ribbon cutter 51Aa. Moreover, the thin metal strip winding system 100A with this configuration cuts the ribbon 11 by moving the ribbon cutter 51Aa with the stopper 31A holding the ribbon 11.

[0097] The thin metal strip winding system 100A with this configuration is capable of cutting a ribbon 11 by moving the ribbon cutter 51Aa with the stopper 31A holding the ribbon 11. The thin metal strip winding system 100A with this configuration is capable of easily winding up the ribbon 11 stored in the stock space 24 around the winding roll 14 and therefore improves the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0098] (5) In the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to (4) described above, the connecting unit 41A is configured to connect the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 in a state where they are disposed vertically. The cutting-grasping unit 30 is configured to cut the ribbon 11 near the connecting unit 41A and place one end portion of the cut ribbon 11 (cut tip portion 11b) around the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12.

[0099] The thin metal strip winding system 100A with this configuration is capable of easily connecting the cut tip portion 11b of the cut ribbon 11 to the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12. The thin metal strip winding system 100A with this configuration is capable of easily winding up the ribbon 11 stored in the stock space 24 around the winding roll 14 and therefore improves the safety and ease of winding of the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0100] As described above, the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the first embodiment shortens the process cycle time.

Second Embodiment

[0101] The thin metal strip winding system 100A (FIGS. 1 and 3) according to the first embodiment described above is configured to scoop up a ribbon 11 from below and cut it. In contrast, a second embodiment provides a thin metal strip winding system 100B (FIGS. 7 and 8) configured to move the ribbon 11 in the front-rear direction (the direction from the upstream side toward the downstream side) and then cut it.

[0102] A configuration of the thin metal strip winding system 100B according to the second embodiment will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a diagram of the configuration of the thin metal strip winding system 100B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram of a configuration of a connecting unit 41B in the thin metal strip winding system 100B and its surroundings.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 7, the thin metal strip winding system 100B according to the second embodiment differs from the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 1) in the following points. [0104] (1) Having a ribbon cutting jig 30B instead of the ribbon cutting jig 30A. [0105] (2) Having a leader connection jig 40B instead of the leader connection jig 40A. [0106] (3) Having a ribbon connection robot 50B instead of the ribbon connection robot 50A.

[0107] Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the ribbon connection robot 50B of the thin metal strip winding system 100B is disposed forward (upstream) of the stock space 24. Alternatively, the ribbon connection robot 50B of the thin metal strip winding system 100B may be disposed at a similar position to that of the ribbon connection robot 50A of the thin metal strip winding system 100A in the first embodiment (FIG. 2). That is, the arrangement of the constituent elements of the thin metal strip winding system 100B as viewed from above can be similar to the arrangement of the constituent elements of the thin metal strip winding system 100A in the first embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8, the ribbon cutting jig 30B of the thin metal strip winding system 100B includes a stopper 31B that fixes the ribbon 11, and an air nozzle 32 that ejects air 33 (FIG. 9B). The stopper 31B has a fixed shaft 31Ba disposed in a fixed state and a pressure shaft 31Bb that sandwiches the ribbon 11 between itself and the fixed shaft 31Ba. The stopper 31B also has an air cylinder 31Bc that moves the pressure shaft 31Bb in the direction of an arrow A31B (a direction toward or away from the fixed shaft 31Ba), and a ribbon positioning block 31Bd that determines the position of the ribbon 11 in the width direction.

[0109] Also, the leader connection jig 40B of the thin metal strip winding system 100B includes the connecting unit 41B. The connecting unit 41B has a fixed plate 41Ba that supports a remaining tip portion 12b of a leader 12, and a pressure pad 41Bb that sandwiches a cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 and the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12 between itself and the fixed plate 41Ba. Adhesive tape 13 is bonded to the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12. Thus, when the connecting unit 41B sandwiches the cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 and the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12 between the fixed plate 41Ba and the pressure pad 41Bb, the cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 and the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12 are connected to each other by the adhesive tape 13. The connecting unit 41B also has an air cylinder 41Bc that moves the pressure pad 41Bb in the direction of an arrow A41B (a direction toward or away from the fixed plate 41Ba).

[0110] Also, the ribbon connection robot 50B of the thin metal strip winding system 100B includes a robotic hand 51B. The robotic hand 51B has a fixed finger 51Ba in the shape of an edged tool and a pressure finger 51Bb that pressurizes the ribbon 11. The robotic hand 51B also has an air cylinder 51Bc that moves the pressure finger 51Bb in the direction of an arrow A51B (the upper-lower direction in the illustrated example).

[0111] FIG. 9A shows configurations of the air nozzle 32, the stopper 31B, and the robotic hand 51B as viewed from the rear. Also, FIG. 9B shows the configurations of the air nozzle 32, the stopper 31B, and the robotic hand 51B as viewed from the right. The air nozzle 32 is disposed above the stopper 31B and ejects air 33 at any timing.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 4, the thin metal strip winding system 100B according to the second embodiment operates similarly to the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the first embodiment. In that operation, the thin metal strip winding system 100B causes the ribbon cutting jig 30B and the robotic hand 51B to operate as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10H, for example, in step S130.

[0113] FIG. 10A shows a state where the quality of the ribbon 11 is stable. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the thin metal strip winding system 100B is scooping up a ribbon 11 flying from a flight tube 23 with the robotic hand 51B.

[0114] FIG. 10B shows a state where the robotic hand 51B is raised. In the example shown in FIG. 10B, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has moved the robotic hand 51B upward through the gap between the fixed shaft 31Ba and the pressure shaft 31Bb of the ribbon cutting jig 30B. By doing so, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has lifted up and placed the ribbon 11 with the robotic hand 51B such that the ribbon 11 upwardly penetrates through the gap between the fixed shaft 31Ba and the pressure shaft 31Bb of the ribbon cutting jig 30B.

[0115] FIG. 10C shows a state of fixing the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 10C, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has moved the pressure shaft 31Bb to the fixed shaft 31Ba side. By doing so, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has sandwiched the ribbon 11 between the pressure shaft 31Bb and the fixed shaft 31Ba, thereby fixing the ribbon 11.

[0116] FIG. 10D shows a state of cutting the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 10D, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has cut the ribbon 11 with the fixed finger 51Ba of the robotic hand 51B by raising the robotic hand 51B.

[0117] FIG. 10E shows a state of winding the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 10E, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has ejected air 33 from the air nozzle 32 to wind the cut tip portion 11b of the ribbon 11 on the pressure finger 51Bb of the robotic hand 51B.

[0118] FIG. 10F shows a state of grasping the ribbon 11. In the example shown in FIG. 10F, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has raised the pressure finger 51Bb of the robotic hand 51B. By doing so, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has sandwiched the ribbon 11 between the fixed finger 51Ba and the pressure finger 51Bb of the robotic hand 51B, thereby fixing the ribbon 11. The ribbon 11 sandwiched between the fixed finger 51Ba and the pressure finger 51Bb will be used in the winding onto the winding roll 14. Hereinafter, the ribbon 11 sandwiched between the fixed finger 51Ba and the pressure finger 51Bb will be referred to as to-be-used ribbon 11c (FIG. 10G). Incidentally, the ribbon 11 not sandwiched between the fixed finger 51Ba and the pressure finger 51Bb will not be used in the winding onto the winding roll 14. The ribbon 11 not sandwiched between the fixed finger 51Ba and the pressure finger 51Bb will be referred to as not-to-be-used ribbon 11d or unused ribbon 11d (FIG. 10G).

[0119] FIG. 10G shows a state of releasing the not-to-be-used ribbon 11d. In the example shown in FIG. 10G, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has moved the pressure shaft 31Bb in the direction away from the fixed shaft 31Ba. By doing so, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has released the not-to-be-used ribbon 11d, which will not be used in the bonding to the leader 12. The released not-to-be-used ribbon 11d falls and enters the stock space 24.

[0120] FIG. 10H shows a state of taking out the to-be-used ribbon 11c. In the example shown in FIG. 10H, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has moved the robotic hand 51B downward through the gap between the fixed shaft 31Ba and the pressure shaft 31Bb of the ribbon cutting jig 30B. By doing so, the thin metal strip winding system 100B has lifted down the to-be-used ribbon 11c with the robotic hand 51B to take out the to-be-used ribbon 11c through the gap between the fixed shaft 31Ba and the pressure shaft 31Bb of the ribbon cutting jig 30B.

[0121] Thereafter, the thin metal strip winding system 100B performs the process of step S140 shown in FIG. 4 to connect to the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 (to-be-used ribbon 11c).

[0122] Then, the thin metal strip winding system 100B performs the process of step S150 shown in FIG. 4 to wind up the thin metal strip (ribbon 11) around the winding roll 14.

[0123] The connecting unit 41B of such a thin metal strip winding system 100B is configured to connect the leader 12 and the ribbon 11 in a state where they are disposed horizontally. Also, the cutting-grasping unit 30 is configured to cut the ribbon 11 near the connecting unit 41B and place one end portion of the cut ribbon 11 (cut tip portion 11b) on the remaining tip portion 12b of the leader 12.

[0124] Such a thin metal strip winding system 100B according to the present embodiment feeds the ribbon 11 substantially horizontally toward the winder 70 from the connecting unit 41B. This reduces the load to be applied to the ribbon 11 and may therefore make it easier to feed the ribbon 11.

[0125] As described above, the thin metal strip winding system 100B according to the second embodiment shortens the process cycle time, as with the thin metal strip winding system 100A according to the first embodiment.

[0126] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.