The present description relates generally to methods and systems for controlling a device to rewind and cut a material.
In a supply chain of sign-making industry, moving a product from manufacturer to end customer involves rewinding and/or cutting of films or film-like material at different stages of the supply chain based on customer's needs. For example, poly-vinyl films may be rewound to one or more rolls of one or more desired lengths from a master roll, or one or more sheets may be cut out from the master roll. Further, a rewound roll or a master roll may be slit into two or more rolls of desired width. As such, the measuring, rewinding, cutting and slitting operations may be performed by user-operated rewinding machines.
During rewinding a roll from a master roll, a tension applied on the moving film or film-like material may be adjusted in order to provide a higher quality product. Further, tight tension control measures provide greater throughput. For example, if tension is not adjusted appropriately, wrinkles may form within the film resulting in wasted or defective product. Inadequate tension adjustment may also result in the outer layers of the roll crushing the inner layers and/or the inner layers may telescope out, either of which may render the roll unusable.
The inventors herein have recognized the above-mentioned issues. Accordingly, in one example, the issues described above may be addressed by a method for a winding device, comprising: transporting a rolled film-like media from a first roller mounted on a first lower shaft to a second roller mounted on a second upper shaft via a third middle shaft, the third middle shaft in a first position; and responsive to initiation of rewinding of the film-like media onto the second roller, adjusting the third shaft to a second different position. In this way, by retracting the middle shaft during the rewinding process, tension control may be improved.
As one example, during up-take of the film into a transportation head of the winding device, the middle shaft may be operated in a first position making contact with the material. By making contact with the film, the middle shaft facilitates feeding of the film through the transportation head, edge detection and initiation of measurement of the length of the film from the edge. However, during rewinding of the film, after the feeding, edge detection and initiation of measurement, the middle shaft may be retracted away from the film to a second retracted position. When operating in the second retracted position, the middle shaft is not in contact with the film, thus reducing the need for synchronization of the upper, middle, and lower shaft speeds during the rewinding operation. This provides greater control with tension adjustment as fewer parameters need to be adjusted while achieving proper uptake of the film into the transportation head and referencing of the film.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.
The following description relates to systems and methods for measuring, rewinding, and cutting a film or film-like material by utilizing a winding device, such as winding device 100 of
Each of first shaft 102 and second shaft 104 may include one or more clamping drums (not shown) and one or more adjustable cylinders (not shown) for fixing first roll 106 and second roll 108 on first shaft 102 and second shaft 104 respectively. In one example, one end of second shaft 104 may be coupled to a handle to enable a pivoting movement of second shaft 104 by a user operating the handle for loading and unloading second roll 108 onto second shaft 104. An embodiment of winding device 100 including one or more clamping drums for loading and positioning first roll 106 and second roll 108 on the winding machine is shown at
First shaft 102 is driven by a first motor located within a drive unit 130 of the winding machine, and second shaft 104 is driven by a second motor within drive unit 130. Details of drive unit 130 including the first motor, and the second motor are further described with respect to an embodiment of winding device 100 shown at
Turning to
While the present example shows only one first drum 201, another first drum (not shown) may be positioned opposite to the first drum such that a first roll, such as first roll 106 at
Second drum 203 may be utilized for loading a second roll, such as second roll 108 at
Drive unit 209 includes a first motor 202 driving first drum 201 and a second motor 204 driving second drum 203. As indicated previously, drive unit 209 may be configured to be utilized with any winding device, such as winding device 100 at
Drive unit 209 further includes first speed sensor 206 for estimating a rotational speed of first drum 201 and a second speed sensor 208 for estimating a rotational speed of second drum 203. In another embodiment, first speed sensor 206 may be utilized for estimating a rotational speed of the first shaft, and second speed sensor 208 may be utilized for estimating a rotational speed of the second shaft. First motor 202 may be an electric motor, such as a DC motor. Similarly, second motor 204 may be an electric motor, such as a DC motor. In some examples, the first motor and/or the second motor may be a stepper motor or a servo motor.
Further, braking of first drum 201 may be provided by first motor 202 itself or a first braking system. Likewise, braking of second drum 203 may be provided by second motor 204 or a second braking system. In another embodiment, braking of the first shaft may be provided by first motor 202 itself or the first braking system; and braking of the second shaft may be provided by second motor 204 or the second braking system. The first and/or the second braking system may be a DC braking system, for example.
During the rewinding process, a rotational speed of first drum 201 may be adjusted by first motor 202 and/or the first braking system, and a rotational speed of second drum 203 may be adjusted by second motor 204 and/or the second braking system. Further, during the rewinding process, a tension applied onto the material may be adjusted by the speed and/or braking force applied to first drum 201 and the speed of the second drum 203. In some examples, the tension may be adjusted by the speed and/or braking force applied to the first and the second drums.
In another embodiment, during the rewinding process, a rotational speed of the first shaft may be adjusted by first motor 202 and/or the first braking system, and a rotational speed of the second shaft may be adjusted by second motor 204 and/or the second braking system. Further, during the rewinding process, the tension applied onto the material may be adjusted by the speed and/or braking force applied to the first shaft and the speed of the second shaft. In some examples, the tension may be adjusted by the speed and/or braking force applied to the first and the second shafts. Returning to
Turning to
Transportation head 150 includes metal sheet 230 on which the film-like material slides during the rewinding process, and one or more idlers 152 for facilitating transportation of the film-like material. Transportation head 150 further includes a pre-feeding shaft module (not shown) arranged below sheet metal 230. Portions of the pre-feeding shaft module may protrude through sheet metal. Specifically, the pre-feeding shaft module includes a pre-feeding shaft 210 and a length sensor 220, both of which protrude through openings in metal sheet 230. Further, a length of pre-feeding shaft may be less than a length of the transportation head. That is, pre-feeding shaft occupies a portion of the transportation head and does not extend fully across the length of the transportation head.
Pre-feeding shaft 210 is utilized during an initial phase of a rewinding operation, such as during insertion of the film-like material into transportation head 150, detection of the film-like material, and initial measurement of a length of the film-like material. Further, the pre-feeding shaft is utilized during a later phase of the rewinding operation, such as when a remaining length of rewinding of the film-like material is less than threshold, and during a cutting operation. Accordingly, during certain phases of rewinding operation, such as during the initial phase and during the later phase, pre-feeding shaft 210 protruding through metal sheet 230 may make direct contact with the film-like material. A position of pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjusted by a retraction motor (shown at least at
Length sensor 220 is utilized to measure a rewinding length of the film-like material. Length sensor 220 may be a measuring wheel, for example. In the given example, a position of length sensor 220 is not adjustable, and length sensor 220 may be positioned to make continuous direct contact with the film-like material sliding on metal sheet 230 during all operations of the winding device. That is, length sensor 220 may be in direct contact with the material during the initial, the rewinding and the later phases of the rewinding process, and during the cutting and slitting operations. In some examples, the position of length sensor 220 may be adjustable. For example, upon completion of measurement of the film-like material, the length sensor may be adjusted to break contact with the film during the cutting and/or slitting process. While the given example shows a length sensor that is in contact with the film-like material, it will be appreciated that other types of length sensors, such as a laser based non-contact length sensor, may be utilized.
Further details of the pre-feeding shaft module including pre-feeding shaft 210, length sensor 220, the third motor, and the retraction motor is discussed at
Turning to
Pre-feeding shaft module 310 includes pre-feeding shaft 210, a motor 350 for adjusting a speed of pre-feeding shaft 210, a motor 360 for adjusting a position of pre-feeding shaft 210, length sensor 220, and an optical sensor 320. In one example, pre-feeding shaft 210 may be a rubber drum.
Motor 350 may be a stepper motor, for example. Motor 360 may be a refraction motor including an eccentric wheel 410, as shown in the second (right front) perspective view of portion 300 in
For example, pre-feeding shaft may be adjustable between a first contact position, at which position pre-feeding shaft 210 is in direct contact with the film-like material and a second retracted position, at which position pre-feeding shaft 210 is not in direct contact with the film-like material. That is, position of pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjusted to the first position to make and/or maintain direct contact with the film-like material during loading of the film-like material onto transportation head 150, detection of the film-like material, and an initial measurement of a length of the film-like material. Upon completion of the initial measurement, during rewinding of the film-like material, pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted (that is, retracted) to the second position to break direct contact with the film. Subsequently, towards the end of the rewinding process (e.g., when the remaining rewinding length is less than a threshold length), pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjusted to the first position or a third contact position, to make direct contact with the film and the direct contact may be maintained until the rewinding is completed. In one example, the third contact position may be different from the first contact position. For example, the third contact position may be based on a desired tension of the film. Therefore, the third contact position may provide greater or lesser force than the first contact position based on the desired tension. Further, in some examples, pre-feeding shaft 210 may make direct contact until a cutting and/or slitting of the film-like material is completed. An example of a first contact position of the pre-feeding shaft is described with respect to
Further, the position of pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjustable between multiple different positions. For example, in order to control a force applied by pre-feeding shaft 210 on the film-like material and thereby, control a slippage between pre-feeding shaft 210 and the film-like material, the position of pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjusted by motor 360. That is, the position of pre-feeding shaft may be infinitely variable and may be adjusted to control the force applied by the pre-feeding shaft on the film-like material. As an example, during the initial phase of rewinding process, in order to facilitate loading of the film-like material onto transportation head 150, the position of pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted via motor 360. For example, in order to reduce slippage between pre-feeding shaft 210 and the film-like material, position of pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted to increase force applied by pre-feeding shaft on to the film-like material while making and/or maintaining direct contact with the film-like material.
Further, an amount of force applied by pre-feeding shaft 210 onto the film-like material, and therefore the position of pre-feeding shaft may be based on one or more properties of the film-like material, such as a thickness of the film-like material, a smoothness of the film-like material, etc. In some examples, depending on the one or more properties of the film, the position of pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjusted in order to provide a desired force for uptake of the film-like material, edge detection and initial measurement. Thus, based on a type of the film-like material, the first contact position of pre-feeding shaft may vary. Details of adjustment of pre-feeding shaft position will be further elaborated with respect to
Optical sensor 220 may be utilized to detect an edge of the film-like material. For example, light from a light source positioned opposite to optical sensor 220 (that is, the light source and optical sensor 220 positioned on opposite sides of the film-like material in the transportation head) may be applied onto transportation head 150. The absence or presence of the film-like material may be determined based on whether light from the light source is detected by the sensor or not. Further, in some examples, optical sensor 220 may be utilized to detect a leading edge of the film-like material, based on a change in absorption pattern of the light received by the sensor, for example.
Turning now to
During an initial phase of the rewinding operation, such as during insertion of the film-like material into transportation head 150, detection of a leading edge of the film-like material, and initial measurement of a length of the film-like material from the detected edge, pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjusted to the first contact position by the retraction motor. When operating in the first contact position, pre-feeding shaft 210 is in direct contact with material 710. The first contact position facilitates uptake of the film-like material by transportation head 150, and subsequent edge detection and initial measurement. As mentioned above, the first contact position may vary based on a type of the film-like material including a thickness and smoothness of the film-like material. Further, in some examples, if the first contact position does not provide sufficient force for uptake of the film-like material onto transportation head 150, the position of pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted (moved forward towards the film-like material) from the first contact position while maintaining contact to provide sufficient force, thereby reducing slippage, for uptake of the film-like material. However, if the first contact position provides excessive force (therefore, more friction) which prevents uptake of the film-like material, pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted (retracted away from the film-like material) from the first position while maintaining contact to reduce force applied on the material and facilitate smoother uptake and transport of the film-like material.
During rewinding after the film-like material is attached to the second roll mounted on the second shaft, pre-feeding shaft 210 may be adjusted to the second retracted position by the retraction motor. For example, the film-like material may be attached onto second roll by an operator by a tape, and the attachment may be indicated by the operator by actuating switch 160. The actuation of switch 160 after attachment of the film onto the second shaft may also initiate the rewinding process by increasing a speed of the second shaft. Therefore, in one example, pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted to the second position responsive to the speed of the second shaft increasing above a threshold speed, which provides an indication that the rewinding is in progress.
Turning now to
Further, towards the end of the rewinding process, when a remaining length of rewinding is less than a threshold length, pre-feeding shaft 210 may be moved to the first position shown in
Returning to
Slitting device 120 is positioned on a linear guide 125 above second shaft 104. Slitting device 120 may be utilized to slit the material rolled onto second roll 108 into two or more multiple rolls of desired widths. Slitting device may also be utilized to slit a sheet of material to desired widths. Slitting device 120 includes at least one revolving blade, which may be engaged with second roll 108 during slitting. Slitting device 120 may move freely along liner guide 125. Thus, position of slitting device is adjustable on linear guide 125 by the operator. Further, slitting device 120 may be locked on the linear guide at a desired position prior to slitting and during the slitting operation.
A control unit 140 is included within winding device 100. Control unit 140 may be any electronic control system of winding device 100 and may include a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). Control unit 140 may be configured to make control decisions based at least partly on input from one or more sensors 146 within the winding device, and/or user input via a user interface 142 coupled to the winding device, and may control one or more actuators 148 of the winding device based on the control decisions. For example, control unit 140 may store computer-readable instructions in memory, and the one or more actuators may be controlled via execution of the instructions. Example sensors include optical sensor 320 (shown at
Control unit 140 may include user interface 142 for allowing the user to request a winding operation and/or to specify one or more process parameters of a winding operation. One or more process parameters may include a target winding length, a winding speed, a desired tension, a number of rolls, desired width of rolls and/or sheets, etc. In one example, the user interface may be configured to prompt the user to perform one or more actions. For example, if the second roll is not mounted on the second shaft, control unit 140 may prompt the user via the user interface 142 to load the second shaft with the second roll.
In some embodiments, control unit 140 may communicate with a second controller 143, such as personal computer (PC) controller, coupled to winding device 100. In one example, controller 143 may be configured to make control decisions based at least partly on input from the user via a user interface of the PC, and may control one or more actuators of the winding device based on the control decisions. In another example, controller 143 may be configured to receive user input, and determine pre-processing values for the one or more process parameters. The pre-processing values may then be sent to the control unit 140 of the winding device, and the one or more actuators of the winding device may be controlled by control unit 140 based on the information received from controller 143. Controller 143 may store computer-readable instructions in memory. Storage medium read-only memory in controller 143 can be programmed with computer readable data representing instructions executable by a processor for performing the methods described below, as well as other variants that are anticipated but not specifically listed. Example methods and routines are described herein with reference to
An example block diagram 1100 illustrating an example interaction between a user 1115 of a device 1110, a controller 1140 coupled within a PC 1105 coupled to device 1110, and a controller 1130 within device 1110 is shown at
Next, based on the user input, controller 1140 and/or controller 1130 may determine pre-processing values for the one or more process parameters of the operation. The pre-processing values may be determined based on historical values of the process parameters stored in a database 1120 of PC 1105. In other words, the pre-processing values may be learned values based on historical values of previously completed operations of the device or one or more similar winding devices. The database may further store information about the device, jobs performed on the device, images etc. In the given example, the database resides within the PC controller. In some examples, the database may reside within a server located remotely from the PC controller.
The pre-processing values may be sent to the PLC via a wired communication or wireless communication. The PLC may then control one or more actuators, such as actuators 148 at
While the above example illustrates determining pre-processing values using the PC controller and storing the historical and manually set values is a database of the PC, it will be appreciated that the determination of pre-processing values performed by the PLC based on a historical value database of the PLC.
Returning to
Further, a schematic view of winding machine 100 including the film or film-like material is illustrated at
As discussed above, length sensor 220 is positioned within transportation head 150. Length sensor 220 may be a measuring wheel, and the length of the material may be determined based on a number of revolutions of the measuring wheel. Further, as discussed above with respect to
Further, a brake current sensor may be within control unit 140 or drive unit 130 for sensing a brake current applied to first shaft 102. Based on a sensed brake current, a current brake force may be determined, and hence, a current tension acting on the material may be determined. Based on a difference between the current tension and a desired tension, braking applied to second shaft may be adjusted by the PLC. Thus, brake current sensor may be utilized for feedback control of tension during rewinding.
Turning to
Movement of cutting bar 910 may be driven by one or more electromagnets that push the cutting bar forward (to the first position when the bar is in direct contact with the material, for example). The movement of cutting bar may be controlled via PLC. Further, cutting bar 910 may be pulled backwards via metal springs when the electromagnets are released. In this way, cutting bar 910 may provide support to the material during the cutting operation. A schematic view of cutting device 110 showing position of blades 830, linear guiding rail 840, carriage 820, cutting bar 910, and material 710 between carriage 820 and cutting bar 910 is illustrated at
Turning to
Method 1200 begins at 1202. At 1202, method 1200 includes receiving a user input. User input may include a request for operating the winding machine. The user input may further include a type of operation that may be performed by the winding machine. The type of operation may include measuring and winding a film or a film-like material from a first roll comprising of rolled film-like material onto a second roll comprising the rolled film-like material of desired length, and measuring and cutting of a sheet of the film-like material from the first roll to a sheet of desired length. The type of operation may also include a slitting operation of the second roll to obtain one or more rolls of one or more desired widths. Further, the user input may include information regarding the film-like material. For example, the user input may include a type of the film-like material, such as polyvinyl, which may include self-adhesive vinyl, sign vinyl, deco vinyl, digital print media, flex films, flock vinyl, sandblast vinyl, masking films, double-sided adhesive films, reflective vinyl films, metal effect vinyl, etc. The user input may further include a desired length of the second roll or the sheets, and a number of rolls or sheets.
In one example, the user input may be received from a user via a user interface, such as user interface 1160 at
Upon receiving user input, method 1200 proceeds to 1204. At 1204, method 1200 includes generating a new operation based on the received user input. Generating a new operation may include determining pre-processing values for one or more process parameters. The process parameters may include one or more of a target length (e.g., the target length may be greater than a desired length input by the user), a winding speed, a desired brake force, a desired cross-cutter speed, a material opacity, etc. The pre-processing values of the process parameters may be determined based on the user input, such as user input at 1202, including the type of material, the desired length, the type of operation that may be performed on the material; and based on historical post-processing values of the process parameters of previously completed operations stored in the database. For example, if a user requests rewinding a polyvinyl film of thickness 0.5 millimeters to a desired length of 10 meters, the pre-processing values for the process parameters may be determined based on the thickness of the poly-vinyl film, the desired length of the roll of the polyvinyl film and historical post processing values of the process parameters of one or more previously completed rewinding operations of polyvinyl film of same or similar thickness and other material properties.
Upon determining pre-processing values for the process parameters, method 1200 proceeds to 1208. At 1208, method 1200 includes sending the pre-processing values of the process parameters to the PLC. The PLC may then utilize the pre-processing parameters to adjust one or more actuators of the device to perform the desired operation. Details of operating the winding machine based on the pre-processing values will be further elaborated with respect to
Accordingly, method 1200 proceeds to 1210. At 1210, method 1200 includes determining if post-processing values for the process parameters are available from the PLC. Determining if post-processing values for the process parameters are available from the PLC may include determining if an interrupt signal is detected from the PLC. If the answer at 1210 is NO, method 1200 proceeds to 1211. At 1211, method 1200 includes waiting for the interrupt signal from the PLC, which indicates that the operation is completed and the post-processing values for the process parameters are available. In some examples, waiting for the interrupt signal may include prioritizing other tasks. In some other examples, waiting for the interrupt signal may include operating the PC in a low power state until the interrupt signal from the PLC is detected by the PC. If the answer at 1210 is YES, method 1200 proceeds to 1212. At 1212 method 1200 includes receiving the post-processing values from the PLC and storing the post-processing values of the process parameters received from the PLC in the database including historical values.
Next, method 1200 proceeds to 1214. At 1214, the PC controller may send a request to a printer coupled with the PC to print labels including completed operation information, such as length of the roll, type of the material, manufacturer, barcode including the material information, etc.
Turning to
Method 1300 may begin at 1302. At 1302, method 1300 includes receiving pre-processing values for one or more process parameters from the PC controller. As discussed above with respect to
Upon receiving the values for the process parameters, method 1300 proceeds to 1304. At 1304, method 1300 includes adjusting one or more actuators to perform the operation indicated by the user. Specifically, the controller may adjust a signal delivered to the motors to provide a desired electrical signal, such as current or voltage, to the motors based on the values for the process parameters received from the PC. In one example, the operation may be a winding and cutting operation and may include a slitting operation, such as winding and cutting, and/or slitting a roll of a film-like material. In another example, the operation may be a measuring and cutting operation. Details of a winding and cutting operation will be further described with respect to
Next, at 1308, method includes determining if the operation is complete. Determination of completion of the operation may be based on output from the one or more sensors. For example, a winding operation may be determined to be complete when an output of the length sensor indicates that a desired winding length is reached; and a cutting operation may be determined to be complete based on a position of a cross-cutter. Alternatively, a user may indicate, by pressing a button on the machine interface and/or via the PC user interface, for example, that the operation is completed.
If it is determined that the operation is not complete, method 1300 proceeds to 1310. At 1310, method 1300 includes continuing current operation until the operation is completed. If it is confirmed that the operation is complete, method 1300 proceeds to 1312. At 1312, method 1300 includes sending the post-processing values of the process parameters for the completed job to the PC controller for updating the database and printing labels for the completed operation.
While the above examples illustrate a user initiating a request for an operation via a user-interface included within a PC, in some examples, the user may initiate the request via an interface included within the device. In such cases, the device may be operated without communicating with the PC. When the PC is not utilized, pre-processing values for the process parameters of the operation may be determined by the PLC based on historical values for the process parameters stored within a memory of the PLC. Upon completion of the operation, the PLC may update a table including the historical values with the post-processing values.
Method 1400 may begin at 1402. At 1402, method 1400 includes receiving and/or determining pre-processing values for one or more process parameters for a user-requested winding operation. The winding operation may include winding a desired length of a film-like material, such as a polyvinyl film, from a first larger roll onto a second roll of the desired length. The process parameters for the winding job may include a target length, a number of rolls, a winding speed, a desired brake force, a desired cross-cutter speed, a material opacity, etc. In one example, the PLC may receive pre-processing values for the process parameters from a PC coupled to the PLC. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the pre-processing values for the process parameters may be determined by the PLC.
Upon obtaining the pre-processing values, method 1400 proceeds to 1404. At 1404, method 1400 includes determining if the first roll is mounted on a first shaft, such as shaft 102 at
If it is determined that the first shaft is not loaded with the first roll, method 1400 proceeds to 1405 to provide an indication to the user to mount the first roll onto the first shaft. In one example, if the first shaft is not loaded, the PLC may provide an indication to the user via an user interface of the PC or via the winding device to prompt the user to load the first shaft with the first roll. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, if the first shaft is not loaded, the PLC may not send signals to actuators to operate one or more shafts (e.g., in response to an operator actuating an operator's switch to initiate measuring and/or rewinding) until the first shaft is loaded. If it is determined that the first shaft is loaded with the first roll, method 1400 proceeds to 1406.
At 1406, method 400 includes determining if a switch, such as operator's switch 160 at
At 1408, method 1400 includes adjusting a pre-feeding shaft, such as pre-feeding shaft 210 at
Further, adjusting the pre-feeding shaft may include, at 1412, adjusting a pre-feeding shaft speed to a desired feeding speed. The pre-feeding shaft speed may be adjusted via a motor, such as motor 350 at
Further, at 1408, upon actuation of the operators switch and prior to insertion of the film into the transportation head, the first shaft on which the first roll is mounted and the second shaft that is utilized for mounting the second roll may be maintained at minimum speed (e.g. zero revolutions per minute). That is, the first shaft may be free to rotate about its axis.
Next, method 1400 proceeds to 1414. At 1414, method 1400 includes determining if the film is inserted into the transportation head. The insertion of the film may be confirmed based on a position of the film within the transportation head. The position of the film may be determined based on one or more of an optical sensing process via an optical sensor and a mechanical sensing process via a measuring wheel. In other words, the position of the film may be determined based on an output from an optical sensor, such as optical sensor 320 shown at
If it is determined that the film is not inserted into the transportation head, method 1400 proceeds to 1415. At 1415, method 1400 includes providing an indication to the user via the PC or via the winding device to insert the film into the transportation head. In one example, the method may wait until a threshold duration has elapsed without detection of the film within the transportation head after actuating the operator's switch, to provide the indication to the user to insert the film.
If it is confirmed that the film is inserted into the transportation head, method 1400 proceeds to 1416 to detect a leading edge of the film (that is, the front edge along the width of the film). In one example, the determination of the insertion of the film and the detection of the edge of the film may be performed simultaneously based on the outputs from the optical sensor and/or the length sensor. As such, a film that has been inserted into the transportation head from the lower shaft and whose edge has been detected by the one or more sensors may be referred to herein as the referenced film.
Next, upon detecting the leading edge of the film, method 1400 proceeds to 1418. At 1418, method 1400 includes initiating measurement of the length of the film from the detected edge. The length of the film may be determined via the length sensor. In one example, the length sensor may be a measuring wheel that is in continuous contact with the film, and the length of the film may be determined based on a number of revolutions of the measuring wheel.
Upon initiating measurement of the length of the film, method 1400 proceeds to 1420. At 1420, method 1400 includes determining if a second roll is mounted onto a second shaft. For example, a user may mount the second roll on the second shaft. Upon mounting the second roll, the user may attach the edge of the referenced film to the second roll. Further, in one example, the user may provide an indication to the PLC that the loading is complete. In some examples, the second shaft may include a weight sensor, which may provide an indication of loading of the second shaft.
If it is determined that the second shaft is not loaded with the second roll, method 1400 proceeds to 1421 to provide an indication to the user via the PC or the winding device to mount the second roll onto the second shaft. If it is determined that the second shaft is loaded with the second roll, method 1400 proceeds to 1422.
In some examples, upon confirming that the second roll is mounted onto the second shaft, the method may include prompting the user to attach the leading edge of the film that has passed through the transportation head onto the second roll.
Turning to
If the answer at 1422 is YES, method 1400 proceeds to 1424. At 1424, method 1400 includes rewinding the film onto the second shaft. Rewinding the film includes adjusting a speed of the second shaft to a desired winding speed. The desired winding speed may be based on the pre-processing values, which may vary based on the type of film that is being wound. In some examples, the desired speed may be set by a user at the beginning of the operation. In some other examples, the user may adjust the desired speed during the winding process.
Winding the film on the second shaft further includes adjusting a speed of the first shaft based on the speed of the second shaft and a desired tension.
Still further, winding the film on the second shaft includes moving the pre-feeding shaft to a second position while continuing measurement of the length of the film. Moving the pre-feeding shaft to the second position includes retracting the pre-feeding shaft from the first contact position to the second position via the motor controlling the position of the pre-feeding shaft. When the pre-feeding shaft is in the second position, the pre-feeding shaft is not in contact with the film. By moving the pre-feeding shaft to the second position away from the film when the rewinding process is initiated, the speed of the pre-feeding shaft need not be synchronized with the first and the second shaft speeds. Consequently, the tension of the film may be adjusted by adjusting a brake force on the first shaft, and the first and the second shaft speeds. As a result, tension of the film may be controlled with greater precision.
In some examples, the pre-feeding shaft may be moved away from the film to the second position in response to a speed of the second shaft increasing above a threshold as the rewinding process progresses.
Further, at 1424, the length sensor may continue the measurement of the length of the film as the winding process continues. Still further, at 1424, the speed of the retracted pre-feeding shaft (that is, pre-feeding shaft in second position) may be set to minimum speed. In one example, the minimum speed may be zero.
Next, method 1400 proceeds to 1428. At 1428, method 1400 includes adjusting a tension applied to the film that is being rewound while continuously measuring the length as the material is rewinding. The tension may be adjusted based on a desired tension and may be further adjusted based on a diameter of the second roll. Further, the tension may be adjusted by adjusting the brake force applied to the first shaft. The desired tension may be based on a pre-processing tension value that is determined based on historical data. Adjusting the tension based on the diameter includes decreasing the tension as the diameter increases. Thus, at the beginning of the winding process, the winding device may be operated with a first desired tension value that is greater than a second desired tension value towards the end of the winding process. The tension may be further adjusted based on a feedback mechanism from a brake current sensor coupled to a DC brake for the first shaft. Details of adjusting the tension will be further elaborated with respect to
Next, method 1400 proceeds to 1430. At 1430, the method includes determining if a remaining winding length is less than a threshold length. The remaining winding length may be determined based on the desired length input by the user, the target length generated by the PC, and a current length based on length sensor output. If the remaining winding length is not less than the threshold, method 1400 proceeds to 1431. At 1431, method 1400 includes maintaining the current winding speed by maintaining the first and the second shaft speeds, and the current brake force. Further, at 1431, the measurement of the length may continue. If the remaining length is less than the threshold, method 1400 proceeds to 1432.
At 1432, method 1400 includes continuing measurement and further includes, at 1433, moving the pre-feeding shaft from the second position to the first position. By moving the pre-feeding shaft to the first position, the pre-feeding shaft makes contact with the film. In some examples, at 1433, method 400 may include moving the pre-feeding shaft to a third position different from the first position. In the third position, the pre-feeding shaft makes contact with the film; however, a force applied by the pre-feeding shaft onto the material may be different from the first position. The third contact position may be based on the desired tension, for example. The method further includes, at 1434, reducing the winding speed by adjusting the speed of the first and the second shafts, adjusting the pre-feeding shaft speed based on the winding speed, and adjusting the tension via the brake force applied to the first shaft.
Upon moving the pre-feeding shaft to the first position and adjusting the speeds of the first, the second, and the pre-feeding shafts, method 1400 proceeds to 1436. At 1436, method 1400 includes determining if the target length is achieved. If the answer at 1436 is NO, the target length is not achieved. Accordingly, method 1400 proceeds to 1437, where the measurement of the film and the winding of the film onto the second shaft may continue with the pre-feeding shaft in the first position. If the answer at 1436 is YES, the target length is achieved and the method proceeds to 1438. At 1438, method 1400 include terminating length measurement, stopping rotation of the first, the second, and the pre-feeding shafts while maintaining the pre-feeding shaft in the first contact position.
Next, method 1400 proceeds to 1440 to cross-cut the film to separate the two rolls. Details of cross-cutting the film will be further described with respect to
Method 1500 may be executed by a PLC, such as controller 1180 at
Method 1500 begins at 1502. At 1502, method 1500 includes monitoring an output of a length sensor, such as the length sensor 220 shown at
At 1504, method 1500 includes determining an outer diameter of the first roll mounted on the first shaft based on the length sensor output and the rotation sensor output.
Next, at 1506, method 1500 includes determining a current braking force based on the determined outer diameter and the brake current sensor output, and determining a desired brake force.
In one example, the desired brake force may be based on the outer diameter of the first roll, a thickness of the film, and a winding speed. For example, as the diameter of the first roll decreases and a diameter of a second roll mounted onto a second shaft increases; a lower tension may be desired. Therefore, the desired braking force may be lower as the diameter of the second roll increase. Further, as a thickness of the film increases, the desired tension may decrease.
In another example, the desired brake force may be based on a tension set point that may be input by a user. In such cases, the desired brake force may be calculated by a PC communicating with the PLC during determination of pre-processing values for one or more process parameters of the winding operation. For example, the desired brake force may be determined by the PC at step 1402, which may then be sent to the PLC. Alternatively, the desired brake force may be determined by the PLC. Method 1500 may then proceed to 1508.
Next, at 1508, method 1500 includes calculating an error between the current braking force and the desired braking force. In one example, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller may be utilized to calculate the error and control the braking force. Various other control architectures can be used, such as a proportional controller, or a proportional integral controller, or various other controllers including feedback and feed forward combined control action.
Upon calculating the error, the method proceeds to 1510 to adjust the DC motor brake current for the first shaft to provide the desired braking force. The method may then return.
Method begins at 1602. At 1602, method 1600 includes adjusting the film to a cutting position while maintaining the pre-feeding shaft in the first contact position. The film may be adjusted to the cutting position by adjusting the first and second shaft speeds, for example. Further, the brake force may be adjusted in addition to the first and second shaft speeds to provide the desired tension. Further, adjusting the film to the cutting position may include adjusting a position of a cutting bar, such as cutting bar 910 at
At the cutting position, method 1600 includes, at 1604, stopping rotation of the first and the second shafts while maintaining the current positions of the first and the second shafts. Further, the pre-feeding shaft may be maintained at the first position. The first and the second shafts positions may be maintained by adjusting a brake applied to the first and the second shaft. In one example, the brake maybe a DC-brake.
Next, at 1606, method 1600 includes adjusting a cross-cutter speed to a desired speed. The cross-cutter speed may be adjusted via a motor, such as motor 810 at
Next, method 1600 proceeds to 1608 to confirm if a linear movement of the cross-cutter is detected. The linear movement of the cross-cutter may be detected based on a change in position of the cross-cutter, via a position sensor, for example.
If the answer at 1608 is YES, method 1600 proceeds to 1610. At 1610, method 1600 includes maintaining the current cross-cutter speed. However, if it determined that the cross-cutter is not moving, that is, if the answer at 1608 is NO, method 1600 proceeds to 1612. At 1612, method 1600 includes increasing the cross-cutter speed until the linear movement of the cutter is detected.
Next, method 1600 proceeds to 1614. At 1614, method 1600 includes determining if the cutting operation is completed. For example, the progress or the completion of the cutting operation may be determined based the position of the cross cutter and/or a distance travelled by the cross cutter along a linear guiding, such as linear guiding 840 at
If it is confirmed that the cross-cutting operation is completed, method 1600 proceeds to 1618. At 1618, method 1600 includes returning the cross-cutter to the original position. Further, method 1600 includes releasing the cutting bar to a second cutting bar position such that the cutting bar is not in contact with the material. However, if it is confirmed that the cross-cutting operation is not completed, method 1600 proceeds to 1616 to operate the cutter at the current speed. Subsequently, method 1600 may return to 1608.
Upon confirming that the cross-cutting operation is complete, if a subsequent winding operation is in the queue, the film may not be released from the transportation head and the pre-feeding shaft may be maintained in the first contact position. However, if no subsequent winding operations are in queue, the pre-feeding shaft may be moved to the second position away from the film and the film may be released from the transportation head.
The sequence begins at time t0. At t0, the first roll may be mounted on the first lower shaft and an operator may initiate a pre-feeding mode of operation, by actuating an operator's switch, for example. Thus, between t0 and t1, the winding device may be operating in the pre-feeding mode, which includes operating a pre-feeding shaft, such as pre-feeding shaft 210 at
Next, at t1, the operator may insert the film from the first roll into the transportation head of the winding machine. Thus, between t1 and t2, due to the rotation of the pre-feeding shafts and the idler shafts, the material may begin traveling through the transportation head. As the material is taken-up by the transportation head, an optical sensor system including an optical sensor and a detection light, may begin scanning for a front-edge of the film. In one example, based on whether or not the light is detected by the optical sensor, the absence or presence of the material may be determined. For example, if the light is detected by the sensor, it may be determined that the material is absent; and if the light is not detected by the sensor, it may be inferred that the material is present. In some examples, the detection light may be applied back and forth along the material in the transportation head and a change in absorption pattern may be utilized to detect a front-edge of the film. In some other examples, differences between one or more properties of the light applied and the one or more properties of the light detected by the optical sensor may be utilized to determine the presence of the material and/or detect an edge of the material. As the material is being taken up by the transportation head, the film may start unwinding from the first roll mounted on the first lower shaft. Between times t0 and t2, a first motor driving the first lower shaft may not be actuated. Thus, the first lower shaft may be free to rotate about its axis. Further, between t1 and t2, during the detection of the front-edge of the film, the pre-feeding shaft speed may be reduced and the pre-feeding shaft position may be maintained in the first position. As discussed earlier, in the first position, the pre-feeding shaft may be in contact with the film.
At t2, the front-edge of the film may be detected. In response to detecting the front-edge, a measuring operation may begin at t2. The measuring operation includes measuring a length of the material that is being unwound from the first roll and rewound onto the second roll mounted on the second upper shaft based a length sensor. The measurement may begin from the detected edge. In one example, the length sensor may be a measuring wheel that may be in constant contact with the material during the winding operation. The measuring operation may continue until a desired length of the material is rewound on the second shaft and a cutter for cross-cutting the material is in position for cutting the material. Further, between t2 and t3, the pre-feeding shaft speed may be increased in order to move the front-edge of the material out of the transportation head for attaching the material into the second roll mounted on the second upper shaft. During this time, the first lower shaft may rotate based on the speed of the pre-feeding shaft. Still further, between t2 and t3, the pre-feeding shaft may continue to remain in the first position maintaining contact with the material.
At time t3, the operator may attach the front edge of the material to the second roll and initiate a rewinding operation. For example, upon attaching the front edge of the material to the second roll, the operator may initiate the rewinding operation by actuating the operator switch. In response to the initiation of the rewinding operation, at t3, the pre-feeding shaft may be moved from the forward position to a retract position so that the pre-feeding shaft is not in contact with the material. For example, a signal may be provided by a controller to a retraction motor, such as motor 360 at
Further, in response to initiation of the rewinding operation, after the pre-feeding shaft is retracted, the speed of the pre-feeding shaft may be decreased to a minimum speed. In one example, the minimum speed may be zero rpm.
Further, in response to initiation of the rewinding operation, the first lower shaft speed may be increased by a first motor and the second upper shaft speed may be increased by a second motor. The first and the second shaft speeds may be based on a desired rewinding speed and a desired tension of the material. In one example, the desired rewinding speed and the desired tension may be input by the operator and the first and second shaft speeds may be estimated by the PLC and/or based on the input.
Still further, in response to the initiation of the rewinding operation, a brake force applied to the material may be adjusted by adjusting a DC-brake controlling the braking of the first lower shaft. Thus, the first lower shaft speed may be adjusted by the first motor and the DC-brake. Consequently, the tension may be adjusted to the desired tension.
Taken together, in response to the initiation of the rewinding operation by the operator, the pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted from a forward position to a second retract position, the pre-feeding shaft speed may be decreased, the first lower shaft speed and the second upper shaft speed may be increased, and the brake force may be increased. By adjusting the first lower shaft speed, the second upper shaft speed, and the brake force, the tension applied onto the material during the rewinding process may be adjusted. Further, by retracting the pre-feeding shaft during the rewinding process, the need for adjusting the speed of the pre-feeding shaft for tension control is reduced. Consequently, more accurate and faster control of the tension may be achieved.
Next, between t3 and t4, during the rewinding process, as the diameter of the second roll increases, the first shaft speed, the second shaft speed and the brake force may be adjusted to gradually reduce the tension. In one example, the second shaft speed may be maintained constant at a desired rewinding speed and the speed of the first shaft may be adjusted via the first motor and/or the DC-brake. The pre-feeding shaft may be maintained in the retract position during the rewinding.
At t4, a remaining rewinding length may decrease below a threshold. Consequently, the pre-feeding shaft may be moved back to the forward position and the speed of the pre-feeding shaft may be adjusted based on the first and the second shaft speeds and the desired tension. The pre-feeding shaft may be maintained at the forward position, maintaining contact with the material, until the material is cut and released.
Next, between t4 and t5, the first shaft speed and the second shaft speed may be decreased and the brake force may be adjusted to provide the desired tension.
Next, at t5, the desired winding length may be reached. Upon reaching the desired winding length, the material may be adjusted to a desired cutting position and a desired cutting tension by adjusting the first and second shaft speeds, and the brake force. Further, when the material is at the desired cutting position, the position of the first and the second shafts may be maintained constant by the first and the second motors. Further, at t5, a position of the cross-cutter may be adjusted to a desired cutting position.
Upon setting the film at the desired cutting position, the material may be clamped in the transportation head by the cutting bar 910. Upon clamping the material in the transportation head, between t5 and t6, the cross-cutter may be driven via a motor, such as motor 810 at
Upon cutting the material, based on the subsequent operation, the material may be either released from the transportation head towards the lower shaft (e.g., if no further winding operations are expected) or the cut edge may be detected, and pushed towards the second upper shaft through the transportation head if a subsequent winding operation is expected. Further, during the release when no subsequent winding operation is expected, the pre-feeding shaft may be moved from the first forward position to the retract position. However, if subsequent release operation is expected, the pre-feeding shaft may be maintained in the forward position to enable edge detection and initiation of measurement of the subsequent winding operation.
As one embodiment, a method for a winding device includes transporting a rolled film-like media from a first roller mounted on a first lower shaft to a second roller mounted on a second upper shaft via a third middle shaft, the third middle shaft set in a first position; and responsive to initiation of rewinding of the film-like media onto the second roller, adjusting the third shaft to a second different position. A first example of the method includes responsive to the initiation of rewinding, adjusting a tension of the film-like media based on a brake force applied to the first lower shaft, a first speed of the first shaft, and a second speed of the second shaft. A second example of the method optionally includes the first example and further includes responsive to a remaining rewinding length decreasing below a threshold length, moving the third middle shaft to the first position, and maintaining the third shaft in the first position until the rewinding is complete. A third example of the method optionally includes one or more of the first and second examples, and further includes wherein the brake force is based on a thickness of the film-like media, a learned brake-force for the thickness based on stored brake-force values in a database, and an outer radius of the second roller including the film-like material. A fourth example of the method optionally includes one or more of the first through third examples, and further includes, wherein the first shaft speed, the second shaft speed, and the third shaft speed are controlled by a first motor, a second motor and a third motor respectively; and wherein the adjustment of the third shaft between the first position and the second position is controlled by a fourth motor. A fifth example of the method optionally includes one or more of the first through fourth examples, and further includes, wherein when operating in the first position, the third shaft is in contact with the film-like media, and when operating in the second position, the third shaft is not in contact with the film-like media. A sixth example of the method optionally includes one or more of the first through fifth examples, and further includes, maintaining the first position of the third shaft after rewinding during a cutting operation of the film-like material to separate the second roll from the first roll. A seventh example of the method optionally includes one or more of the first through fifth examples, and further includes, responsive to expecting a second rewinding operation after the cutting operation, maintaining the third shaft in the first position and not releasing the film-like material from a transportation head; and responsive to not expecting the second rewinding operation after the separation, adjusting the third shaft to the second position and releasing the film-like material from the transportation head. A eighth example of the method optionally includes one or more of the first through seventh examples, and further includes, wherein during the transportation, an edge of the film-like media is detected based on an optical sensor output. A ninth example of the method optionally includes one or more of the first through eighth examples, and further includes, wherein the remaining winding length is determined based on a number of rotations and a rotation speed of a measuring wheel that is in direct contact with the film.
As another embodiment, a method includes responsive to a user input, determining, via a first controller, pre-processing values for one or more process parameters for winding a film-like media from a first roll mounted on a first lower shaft of a winding machine onto a second roll mounted on a second upper shaft via a third adjustable middle shaft, the determination based on one or more properties of the film-like material, a desired number of rolls, a desired winding length for each of the desired number of rolls, and historical values of the one or more process parameters stored in a database of the controller; and communicating the pre-processing values from the first controller to a second controller within the device. A first example of the method includes responsive to an interrupt signal from the second controller, receiving one or more post-processing values of the one or more process parameters from the second controller; and updating the database of the first controller with the one or more post-processing values. A second example of the method optionally includes the first example and further includes, wherein the one or more process parameters include a winding length, a rewinding speed, a desired brake force, a cross cutting speed, and a material opacity.
In another embodiment, a rewinding device for a film-like media, includes a first lower shaft driven by a first motor; a second lower shaft driven by a second motor; a third middle shaft located within a transportation head between the first and the second shafts, the third shaft driven by a third motor; a fourth motor for adjusting a position of the third middle shaft between a first position and a second position; a cutting device including one or more cutting blades driven by a fifth motor; a length sensor coupled within the transportation head; an optical sensor coupled within the transportation head; and a controller configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory, that when executed, cause the controller to: responsive to a first condition, adjust the third middle shaft to a first position; and responsive to a second condition, adjust the third middle shaft from the first position to a second position. A first example of the device includes, wherein the first condition includes a first actuation of a cyclic switch by a user operating the device. A second example of the device optionally includes the first example and further includes, wherein the controller includes further instructions for: responsive to the first condition, detecting an edge of the film-like media based on an output of the optical sensor; responsive to the detection, measuring a length of the film-like media from the detected edge based on an output of the length sensor; and not driving the first and the second shafts. A third example of the device optionally includes one or more of the first and second examples, and further includes, wherein the second condition includes a second actuation of the cyclic switch by the user. A fourth example of the device optionally includes one or more of the first through third examples, and further includes, wherein the controller includes further instructions for: responsive to the second condition, increasing a first speed of the first shaft, increasing a second speed of the second shaft, and adjusting a brake force applied to the first shaft, the increasing of the first and the second speeds and the adjustment of the brake force based on a desired tension applied to the film-like media. A fifth example of the device optionally includes one or more of the first through fourth examples, and further includes, wherein the controller includes further instructions for: responsive to the second condition, continuing measurement of the length based on the output of the length sensor; and responsive to a third condition, including the measured length of the film-like media increasing above a threshold length, adjusting the third middle shaft from the second position to the first position while continuing the measurement of the length and adjusting the first shaft speed, the second shaft speed and the brake force based on the desired tension. A sixth example of the device optionally includes one or more of the first through fifth examples, and further includes, wherein the threshold based on a desired length of the film-like media, and wherein when operating in the first position, the third shaft is in contact with the film-like media, and when operating in the second position, the third shaft not in contact with the film-like media.
In another representation, a method comprises: responsive to a user input, determining, via a first controller, one or more process parameters for winding a film-like media from a first roll mounted on a first lower shaft of a winding machine onto a second roll mounted on a second upper shaft via a third middle shaft based one or more properties of the film-like material and a desired winding length; sending the one or more process parameters from the first controller to a second controller; detecting, via the second controller, an edge of the film-like media based on an optical sensor output; responsive to the edge detection, measuring via the second controller a winding length of the film-like media; responsive to a user request to initiate winding, adjusting, via the second controller, a first current supplied to a first motor controlling a first rotating speed of the first shaft, and a second current supplied to a second motor controlling a second rotating speed of the second shaft based on the received process parameters; and further adjusting, via the second controller, a third current supplied to a third motor controlling a third rotating speed of the third shaft, and a fourth current supplied to a fourth motor controlling a forward movement and a backward movement of the third shaft; and responsive to the winding length reaching the desired winding length, adjusting a fifth current supplied to a fifth motor controlling a movement of a cross-cutter. The method further comprises: determining, via the first controller, a desired brake force based on the one or more process parameters; determining, via the second controller, a current brake force based on a length sensor output, a rotation sensor output, and a brake current sensor output; and adjusting, via the second controller, the second current to the second shaft based on the difference between the desired brake force and the current brake force. The method further comprises sending one or more adjusted current values from the second controller to the first controller; and updating a database of the first controller, by the first controller, with the one or more adjusted current values. The method includes wherein the one or more process parameters include a winding length, a rewinding speed, a desired brake force, a cross cutting speed, and a material opacity.
Note that the example control and estimation routines included herein can be used with various device configurations. The control methods and routines disclosed herein may be stored as executable instructions in non-transitory memory and may be carried out by the control system including the controller in combination with the various sensors, actuators, and other engine hardware. The specific routines described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various actions, operations, and/or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Likewise, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages of the example embodiments described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. One or more of the illustrated actions, operations and/or functions may be repeatedly performed depending on the particular strategy being used. Further, the described actions, operations and/or functions may graphically represent code to be programmed into non-transitory memory of the computer readable storage medium in the engine control system, where the described actions are carried out by executing the instructions in a system including the various engine hardware components in combination with the electronic controller.
It will be appreciated that the configurations and routines disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. For example, the above technology can be applied to other types of winding devices used for processing other types of material. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations, and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.
The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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9579910 | Mukaiyama | Feb 2017 | B2 |
9758332 | Uruma | Sep 2017 | B2 |
20150352864 | Tanaka | Dec 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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3434253 | Mar 1986 | DE |
202010012238 | Dec 2011 | DE |
202013104247 | Nov 2013 | DE |
2426074 | Mar 2012 | EP |
2015013587 | Jan 2015 | JP |
Entry |
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Nepata GmbH, “Rewind.Trim.Slit. Equipment for Efficient Foil Conversion” Available as early as Jun. 29, 2015, 16 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20170107070 A1 | Apr 2017 | US |