CLAMPING DEVICE FOR A COILED METAL WEB CUTTER
A cutter for cutting an end section of a coiled web. The cutter includes roller elements for rotating the coiled web and a carriage assembly that is moveable in a first direction relative to a frame. The carriage assembly includes a saw element for cutting the end section to form a strip, wherein the saw element is moveable in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The carriage assembly also includes a contact wall and a spaced apart rotatable peeler element for separating the outer wrap of the web. In addition, the carriage assembly includes first and second actuators for moving the peeler element to a first position wherein the end section and strip are both clamped between the peeler element and the contact wall. Further, the second actuator rotates the peeler element to a second position wherein the end section is not clamped while the strip remains clamped.
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This invention relates to a cutter for cutting a strip of metal from a coiled web, and more particularly, to a two-stage clamping device for handling a cut off strip.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA metal web may be rolled into a coil to facilitate transportation, handling and storage of metal, for example. Such coils have an end section that extends tangentially outward from an outer diameter of the coil. It is desirable to cut off strips of metal having selected sizes from the end section in order to provide coil samples for laboratory testing and quality control purposes. A strip is formed by first rotating the coil to extend the length of the end section. A saw or cutting device is then used to transversely cut the end section along the width of the coil to form a loose strip which must then be handled. The strip may be fabricated from heavy gauge steel and may be up to one inch thick or more. As such, the strip is relatively heavy and large and thus difficult to handle.
In many manufacturing facilities, a robotic system is used which includes a robotic arm to facilitate handling of the strips. However, such robotic systems are expensive, difficult to maintain and utilize a substantial amount of space in the facility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA cutter for cutting an end section of a coiled web is disclosed. The cutter includes roller elements for rotating the coiled web and a carriage assembly that is moveable in a first direction relative to a frame. The carriage assembly includes a saw element for cutting the end section to form a strip, wherein the saw element is moveable in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The carriage assembly also includes a contact wall and a spaced apart rotatable peeler element for separating the outer wrap of the coiled web. In addition, the carriage assembly includes first and second actuators for moving the peeler element to a first position wherein the end section and strip are both clamped between the peeler element and the contact wall. Further, the second actuator rotates the peeler element to a second position wherein the end section is not clamped while the strip remains clamped.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. In the description below, like reference numerals and labels are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of
Referring to
The cutter 10 also includes a collection container 40 located near a bottom portion of the frame 12. The collection container 40 serves to collect strips of metal which have been cut off from an end section of a coiled web. In addition, the cutter 10 includes first 42 and second 44 rollers and a third roller 46 located above the first 42 and second 44 rollers. An outer diameter of the coiled web is located between the first 42, second 44 and third 46 rollers which are rotated by first 48, second 50 and third 52 motors to thus rotate the coiled web. The third roller 46 includes a collar 54 located on a guide arm 56 which extends vertically from the frame 12. The collar 54 is adjustable relative to the guide arm 56 to enable adjustment of a position of the third roller 46 relative to the first 42 and second 44 rollers to accommodate different size coiled webs. The third roller 46 also exerts a downward force on the coiled web to restrain an outer wrap and end section of the coiled web.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring back to
Referring to
In addition, third 100 and fourth 102 hydraulic cylinder elements are affixed to the inner 70 and outer 72 flanges of the first 66 and second 68 arms, respectively. Referring to
Referring back to
Referring to
The carriage 14 is then moved to a position that is close to the outer diameter 118 of the coiled web 116. The motors 48,50,52 are then actuated thus rotating the rollers 42,44,46 and causing rotation of the coiled web 116. The coiled web 116 is rotated clockwise until the end section 122 is oriented in an upper left position of the outer diameter 118 such that the end section 122 is located between the contact wall 64 and the peeler element 18 and extends downward toward the first 66 and second 68 arms. The carriage 14 is then moved to a cutting position as shown in
A first stage in a two-stage clamping process will now be described. Referring to
Referring to
The coiled web 116 is then rotated clockwise by a sufficient amount to provide clearance between the shortened end section 122A and the peeler element 18 to enable movement of the carriage 14. The carriage 14 is then moved along the first axis 30 to a position above the collection canister 40 (see
It is desirable that all portions of the end section 122 that are clamped are in contact with the contact surface 89, the lower sloped portion 83 and the contact wall 64 before the end section 122 is cut. However, due to variability in the size of the outside diameter 118 of different coiled webs, the orientation and/or shape of the end section 122 may vary. By way of example, the end section 122 may be relatively straight and vertical. Alternatively, the end section 122 may have a curved shape. Therefore, all portions of the end section 122 that are clamped may not be in contact with the contact surface 89, the lower sloped portion 83 and the contact wall 64.
Referring to
The carriage 14 also includes a fifth hydraulic cylinder element 136 having a fifth cylinder body 138 and a fifth moveable piston 140. An upper end of the adjustment arm 128 is attached by a pivot 142 to the fifth piston 140. Retraction of the fifth piston 140 into the fifth cylinder body 138 causes counterclockwise rotation of the adjustment arm 128 thus providing additional clamping force as previously described. Conversely, extension of the fifth piston 140 out of the fifth cylinder body 138 causes clockwise rotation of the adjustment arm 128 to decrease the amount of pressure as previously described. In one embodiment, five adjustment arms 128 may be used having corresponding fifth hydraulic cylinder elements 136 as shown in
It is noted that other types of actuators may be used instead of, or in combination with, the first 84, second 86, third 100, fourth 102, fifth 136 and sixth 61 hydraulic cylinder elements. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations.
Claims
1. A cutter for cutting an end section of a coiled web, comprising:
- a plurality of roller elements for rotating the coiled web, wherein the roller elements are located on a frame;
- a carriage assembly that is moveable in a first direction relative to the frame, wherein the carriage assembly includes: a saw element for cutting the end section to form a strip, wherein the saw element is moveable in a second direction transverse to the first direction; a contact wall; a rotatable peeler element for separating an outer wrap of the coiled web, wherein the peeler element is spaced apart from the contact wall; and first and second actuators for moving the peeler element to a first position wherein the end section and strip are both clamped between the peeler element and the contact wall and wherein the second actuator rotates the peeler element to a second position wherein the end section is not clamped while the strip remains clamped.
2. The cutter according to claim 1, wherein the peeler element is rotatably attached between first and second arms and the first and second arms are each associated with a first actuator.
3. The cutter according to claim 2, wherein the first and second arms each include a second actuator.
4. The cutter according to claim 1, wherein the peeler element includes first and second surfaces for clamping the end section and the strip, respectively.
5. The cutter according to claim 4, wherein the first surface is sloped.
6. The cutter according to claim 1, further including a collection container for receiving the strip.
7. The cutter according to claim 1, wherein the coiled web is fabricated from heavy gauge steel.
8. The cutter according to claim 1 further including a rotatable adjustment arm for providing additional clamping force to the end section.
9. The cutter according to claim 1 wherein the first and second actuators are hydraulic cylinders.
10. A cutter for cutting an end section of a coiled web, comprising:
- a plurality of roller elements for rotating the coiled web, wherein the roller elements are located on a frame;
- a carriage assembly that is moveable in a first direction relative to the frame, wherein the carriage assembly includes: a saw element for cutting the end section to form a strip, wherein the saw element is moveable in a second direction transverse to the first direction; a contact wall; a rotatable peeler element having an edge for separating an outer wrap of the coiled web, wherein the peeler element is spaced apart from the contact wall; first and second actuators for moving the peeler element to a first position wherein the end section and strip are both clamped between the peeler element and the contact wall and wherein the second actuator includes a crank arm for rotating the peeler element to a second position wherein the end section is not clamped while the strip remains clamped; and at least one rotatable adjustment arm having an adjustment surface for providing additional clamping force to the end section.
11. The cutter according to claim 10, wherein the peeler element is rotatably attached between first and second arms and the first and second arms are each associated with a first actuator.
12. The cutter according to claim 11, wherein the first and second arms each include a second actuator.
13. The cutter according to claim 10, wherein the peeler element includes first and second surfaces for clamping the end section and the strip, respectively.
14. The cutter according to claim 13, wherein the first surface is sloped.
15. The cutter according to claim 10, further including a collection container for receiving the strip.
16. The cutter according to claim 10, wherein the coiled web is fabricated from heavy gauge steel.
17. The cutter according to claim 10 further including a third actuator for rotating the adjustment arm.
18. A method for clamping an end section of a coiled web and a strip, comprising the steps of:
- providing a rotatable peeler element and a contact wall;
- moving the peeler element to a first position wherein the end section and strip are both clamped between the peeler element and the contact wall; and
- rotating the peeler element to a second position wherein the end section is not clamped while the strip remains clamped.
19. The method according to claim 18, further including providing first and second actuators for moving the peeler element.
20. The method according to claim 18, further including providing at least one rotatable adjustment arm having an adjustment surface for providing additional clamping force to the end section.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 4, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2014
Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC. (Alpharetta, GA)
Inventors: Paul M. Hannan (Pittsburgh, PA), Richard C. McDermott (Salem, OH), Jennifer Grzyb (McMurray, PA)
Application Number: 13/909,284
International Classification: B21C 37/02 (20060101);