MULDER, Gerrit (Ravenstraat 39, NS Oene, NL-8167, NL)
GRASHUIS, Jan Kornelis (Gijsbrechtgaarde 406, CG Apeldoorn, NL-7329, NL)
SLOTS, Antonie (Stokvisweg 5, RS Heeten, NL-8111, NL)
MULDER, Gerrit (Ravenstraat 39, NS Oene, NL-8167, NL)
GRASHUIS, Jan Kornelis (Gijsbrechtgaarde 406, CG Apeldoorn, NL-7329, NL)
| Claims 1. Device for manufacturing an air spring on a building drum (1), which air spring comprises at least the following components: an inner liner (5), a first ply (2), a second ply (3) and an outer cover (4), wherein the device is provided with: a supply device having a first end (7) oriented towards the building drum (1) and a second end (8) oriented away from the building drum (1), wherein the supply device, when operational, has a transport direction (T) in the direction towards the building drum (1), wherein the supply device comprises a main conveyor (6) that is provided with a drive (9); a first ply unit (11) for placing the first ply (2) on a first ply position on the main conveyor (6); a second ply unit (15) for placing the second ply (3) on a second ply position on the main conveyor (6) ; an outer cover unit (19) for placing the outer cover (4) on an outer cover position on the main conveyor ( 6) ; an inner liner unit (22) for placing the inner liner (5) on an inner liner position on the main conveyor ( 6 ) ; wherein the units (11, 15, 19, 22) are placed successively along the main conveyor (6), wherein a distance from the units (11, 15, 19, 22) to the first end (7) increases such that the first ply position, the second ply position, the outer cover position and the inner liner position are successively placed on the main conveyor (6); a control unit (26) for controlling the operation of the building drum (1), the main conveyor (6) , the first ply unit (11), the second ply unit (15), the outer cover unit (19), and the inner liner unit (22); and wherein the distance from the first ply position on the main conveyor (6) to the first outer end of the supply device is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner (51) between the first outer end (7) and the first ply position. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the main conveyor (10) is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner (51) between the first outer end (7) and the first ply position on the main conveyor (10) . 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply device is provided with an application conveyor (10) placed between the main conveyor (6) and the building drum (1), wherein the operation of the application conveyor (10) is controlled by the control unit (26) . 4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the length of the application conveyor (10) is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner thereon. 5. Device according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the control unit (26) is adapted for during placing the air spring components on the main conveyor (6) deactivating the drive (9) of the main conveyor (6), and adapted for activating the drive (9) of the main conveyor (6) after all components have been placed on the main conveyor (6) . 6. Device according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the first ply unit is adapted for centrically placing the first ply on the main conveyor; the second ply unit is adapted for centrically placing the second ply on the main conveyor; the outer cover unit is adapted for centrically placing the outer cover on the main conveyor; and the inner liner unit is adapted for centrically placing the inner liner on the main conveyor . 7. Device according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the first ply unit is provided with a stock roll (12) for containing a stock of first ply material, and a cutting device (13) for cutting the first ply material into the first ply; the second ply unit is provided with a stock roll (16) for containing a stock of second ply material, and a cutting device (17) for cutting the second ply material into the second ply; the outer cover unit is provided with a stock roll (20) for containing a stock of outer cover material, and a cutting device (21) for cutting the outer cover material into the outer cover; and the inner liner unit is provided with a stock roll (23) for containing a stock of inner liner material, and a cutting device (24) for cutting the inner liner material into the inner liner. 8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the first ply unit is provided with an auxiliary conveyor (14) for in an auxiliary transport direction (H) transporting the first ply material to the main conveyor, wherein the angle between the auxiliary transport direction (H) and the transport direction (T) of the main conveyor is adjustable. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second ply unit is provided with an auxiliary conveyor (18) for in an auxiliary transport direction (H2) transporting the second ply material to the main conveyor, wherein the angle between the auxiliary transport direction (H2) and the transport direction (T) of the main conveyor is adjustable. 10. Device according to any one of the claims 7-9, wherein at least one of the first ply unit, the second ply unit, the outer cover unit and the inner liner unit is provided with a vacuum unit (31, 32, 33, 34) for by means of vacuum placing the air spring component in question on the main conveyor (6). 11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the vacuum unit is placed on a pick-up-and-place device of the unit in question, wherein the pick-up-and-place device extends at least partially to above the main conveyor . 12. Device according to claim 7-11, wherein each of the cutting devices (13, 17, 21, 24) can be moved. 13. Method for manufacturing an air spring on a building drum, which air spring at least comprises the following components: and inner liner, a first ply, a second ply and an outer cover, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a supply device having a first end (7) oriented towards the building drum (1) and a second end (8) oriented away from the building drum (1), wherein the supply device (6), when operational, has a transport direction (T) in the direction towards the building drum (1), wherein the supply device comprises a main conveyor and a drive for the main conveyor; providing a first ply unit, and placing the first ply on a first ply position on the main conveyor; providing a second ply unit, and placing the second ply on a second ply position on the main conveyor;- providing an outer cover unit, and placing the outer cover on an outer cover position on the main conveyor; providing an inner liner unit, and placing the inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor; wherein the distance from the positions for the components on the main conveyor to the first end increases in the following order: first ply position, second ply position, outer cover position and inner liner position; wherein the distance from the first ply position on the main conveyor (6) to the first outer end of the supply device is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner (51) between the first outer end (7) and the first ply position; wherein the main conveyor stands still during placing the air spring components, and the drive of the main conveyor is not activated until after all components have been placed on the main conveyor. 14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: placing a first inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor; moving the first inner liner to the first outer end of the supply device to before the first ply position; placing the first ply on a first ply position on the main conveyor, placing the second ply on a second ply position on the main conveyor, placing the outer cover on an outer cover position on the main conveyor, and placing a second inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor; in one running of the main conveyor successively applying the first inner . liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover on the building drum, wherein in the same running the second inner liner is moved to the first outer end to before the first ply position. 15. Method according to claim 13, comprising the steps of: providing an application conveyor {10} placed between the main conveyor (6) and the building drum (1) ; placing a first inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor; moving the first inner liner to the application conveyor and placing the first inner liner on the application conveyor; placing the first ply on a first ply position on the main conveyor, placing the second ply on a second ply position on the main conveyor, placing the outer cover on an outer cover position on the main conveyor, and placing a second inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor; in one running of the main conveyor and the application conveyor successively applying the first inner liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover on the building drum, wherein in the same running the second inner liner is moved to the application conveyor and placed on the application conveyor . |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for manufacturing an air spring on a building drum, which air spring at least comprises the following components: an inner liner, a first ply, a second ply and an outer cover .
US patent 3,666,598 describes a device for manufacturing an air spring, wherein a seamless tube of unvulcanised rubber is placed on a roller. The device is provided with a wide belt conveyor for winding successive plies and a further layer of unvulcanised rubber on the roller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative device for manufacturing an air spring on a building drum.
To that end the invention provides a device for manufacturing an air spring on a building drum, which air spring comprises at least the following components: an inner liner, a first ply, a second ply and an outer cover, wherein the device is provided with: a supply device having a first end oriented towards the building drum and a second end oriented away from the building drum, wherein the supply device, when operational, has a transport direction in the direction towards the building drum, wherein the supply device comprises a main conveyor that is provided with a drive; a first ply unit for placing the first ply on a first ply position on the main conveyor; a second ply unit for placing the second ply on a second ply position on the main conveyor; an outer cover unit for placing the outer cover on an outer cover position on the main conveyor; an inner liner unit for placing the inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor; wherein the units are placed successively along the main conveyor, wherein a distance from the units to the first end increases such in the following order that the first ply position, the second ply position, the inner liner position and the outer cover position are successively placed on the main conveyor; a control unit for controlling the operation of the building drum, the main conveyor, the first ply unit, the second ply unit, the outer cover unit and the inner liner unit; and wherein the distance from the first ply position on the main conveyor to the first outer end of the supply device is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner between the first outer end and the first ply position. Due to these measures a simple and low- budget device for manufacturing an air spring can be realised, wherein consecutively an inner liner, a first ply, a second ply and an outer cover can be placed on the supply device. As a result the various layers can be applied successively in the correct order on the building drum in one running of the supply device.
The distance from the first ply position to the first outer end is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner between the first outer end and the first ply position. Because of this measure the components for manufacturing the air spring can be placed in the correct order on the supply device.
First of all namely a first inner liner is placed on the main conveyor by the inner liner unit. Said first inner liner is then moved to the first outer end. Subsequently a first ply, a second ply, an outer cover and a second inner liner are placed on the main conveyor. After that in one running of the supply device the first inner liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover are applied on the building drum for manufacturing the air spring. Simultaneously the second inner liner is moved to the first outer end. Subsequently a first ply, a second ply, an outer cover and a further inner liner are placed again on the main conveyor. After that in one running of the supply device the second inner liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover are applied on the building drum for manufacturing a further air spring. Simultaneously the further inner liner is moved to the first outer end, and the process is repeated.
In one embodiment the length of the main conveyor is sufficiently large for placing the inner liner between the first outer end and the first ply position on the main conveyor. In this embodiment the supply device only comprises the main conveyor and the components are applied directly on the building drum by the main conveyor.
In one embodiment the supply device is provided with an application conveyor placed between the main conveyor and the building drum, wherein the operation of the application conveyor is controlled by the control unit. In this embodiment the components are transferred from the main conveyor to the application conveyor that applies the components on the building drum.
In one embodiment the length of the application conveyor is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner thereon. Due to this measure the components for manufacturing the air spring can be placed on the main conveyor in the correct order, without the main conveyor having to be provided with a location for the inner liner near its first outer end. In this embodiment a first inner liner is namely placed on the main conveyor by the inner liner unit. Said first inner liner is then moved to the application conveyor and placed thereon. Subsequently a first ply, a second ply, an outer cover and a second inner liner, are preferably simultaneously placed on the main conveyor. After that in one running of the main conveyor and the application conveyor the first inner liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover are applied on the building drum for manufacturing the air spring. Simultaneously the second inner liner is placed on the application conveyor. Subsequently a first ply, a second ply, an outer cover and a further inner liner are placed again on the main conveyor. After that in one running of the main conveyor and the application conveyor the second inner liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover are applied on the building drum for manufacturing a further air spring. Simultaneously the further inner liner is placed on the application conveyor, and the process is repeated.
In one embodiment of a device according to the invention, wherein the control unit is adapted for during placing the air spring components on the main conveyor deactivating the drive of the main conveyor, and adapted for activating the drive of the main conveyor after all components, preferably simultaneously, have been placed on the main conveyor, an air spring can be assembled highly accurately.
A further simplification and a further accuracy in the manufacturing of air · springs is achieved when in one embodiment of a device according to the invention the first ply unit is adapted for centrically placing the first ply on the main conveyor; the second ply unit is adapted for centrically placing the second ply on the main conveyor; the outer cover unit is adapted for centrically placing the outer cover on the main conveyor; and the inner liner unit is adapted for centrically placing the inner liner on the main conveyor.
Strongly simplified logistics for the components of an air spring are achieved in an embodiment of a device according to the invention wherein the first ply unit is provided with a stock roll for containing a stock of first ply material, and a cutting device for cutting the first ply material into the first ply; the second ply unit is provided with a stock roll for containing a stock of second ply material, and a cutting device for cutting the second ply material into the second ply; the outer cover unit is provided with a stock roll for containing a stock of outer cover material, and a cutting device for cutting the outer cover material into the outer cover; and the inner liner unit is provided with a stock roll for containing a stock of inner liner material, and a cutting device for cutting the inner liner material into the inner liner.
Depending on the requirements or wishes plies are used in air springs wherein the (reinforcement) cords present in the ply are at a certain angle to the side wall of the ply. In one embodiment of a device according to the invention in which said angle can easily and accurately be adapted, the first ply unit is provided with an auxiliary conveyor for in an auxiliary transport direction transporting the first ply material to the main conveyor, wherein the angle between the auxiliary transport direction and the transport direction of the main conveyor is adjustable. The same goes for the second ply unit, which may be provided with an auxiliary conveyor for in an auxiliary transport direction transporting the second ply material to the main conveyor, wherein the angle between the auxiliary transport direction and the transport direction of the main conveyor is adjustable.
Although various devices can be used for placing the air spring components on the main conveyor, because of accuracy of placement it is preferred when at least one of the first ply unit, the second ply unit, the outer cover unit and the inner liner unit is provided with a vacuum unit for by means of vacuum placing the air spring component in question on the main conveyor. In one embodiment the vacuum unit is placed on a pick-up-and-place device of the first ply unit, second ply unit, outer cover unit and/or inner liner unit in question, wherein the pick-up-and-place device extends at least partially to above the main conveyor. It is furthermore advantageous here when the cutting device can be moved, so that the cutting device after cutting the material can be moved such that it will not hinder placing the air spring component on the main conveyor.
For placing the components on the main conveyor, the material is engaged by the related vacuum unit and with the desired length of the component in question transported over the cutting line by the pick- up-and-place device. Subsequently the material is cut at the correct length by the cutting device for forming a component, wherein the cutting device is moved through the path of the pick-up-and-place device. After that the component is further moved by the pick-up-and- place device and substantially centrically placed on the main conveyor. Subsequently the pick-up-and-place device can return to its initial position for with its vacuum unit again engaging the material.
Due to the inventive measures a simple and low-budget device for manufacturing an air spring can be realised. All components can be centrically placed on the main conveyor directly from a stock roll according to an as short as possible path, so that pre- treatments of the material are not required and simple logistics can be achieved.
The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an air spring on a building drum, which air spring at least comprises the following components: an inner liner, a first ply, a second ply and an outer cover, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a supply device having a first end oriented towards the building drum and a second end oriented away from the building drum, wherein the supply device, when operational, has a transport direction in the direction towards the building drum, wherein the supply device comprises a main conveyor and a drive for the main conveyor;
providing a first ply unit, and placing the first ply on a first ply position on the main conveyor;
providing a second ply unit, and placing the second ply on a second ply position on the main conveyor;
providing an outer cover unit, and placing the outer cover on an outer cover position on the main conveyor;
providing an inner liner unit, and placing the inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor ;
wherein the distance from the positions for the components on the main conveyor to the first end increases in the following order: first ply position, second ply position, outer cover position and inner liner position;
wherein the distance from the first ply position on the main conveyor to the first outer end of the supply device is sufficiently large for placing an inner liner between the first outer end and the first ply position; and
wherein the main conveyor stands still during, preferably simultaneously, placing the air spring components, and the drive of the main conveyor is not activated until after all components have been placed on the main conveyor.
In one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of : placing a first inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor;
moving the first inner liner to the first outer end of the supply device to before the first ply position;
placing the first ply on a first ply position on the main conveyor, placing the second ply on a second ply position on the main conveyor, placing the outer cover on an outer cover position on the main conveyor, and placing a second inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor;
in one running of the main conveyor successively applying the first inner liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover on the building drum, wherein in the same running the second inner liner is moved to the first outer end to before the first ply position.
In one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of:
providing an application conveyor placed between the main conveyor and the building drum;
placing a first inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor;
moving the first inner liner to the application conveyor and placing the first inner liner on the application conveyor;
placing the first ply on a first ply position on the main conveyor, placing the second ply on a second ply position on the main conveyor, placing the outer cover on an outer cover position on the main conveyor, and placing a second inner liner on an inner liner position on the main conveyor;
in one running of the main conveyor and the application conveyor successively applying the first inner liner, the first ply, the second ply and the outer cover on the building drum, wherein in the same running the second inner liner is moved to the application conveyor and placed on the application conveyor.
The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a device for manufacturing an air spring according to the invention on a building drum;
Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of figure 1, wherein for the sake of clarity a few units have been left out;
Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a cutting device to be used in a device according to figure 1, wherein the blade and the blade arm of the cutting device are shown in the ultimate position;
Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a cutting device according to figure 3, wherein the blade and the blade arm of the cutting device are now shown in the inactive position;
Figure 5 shows a schematic top . view of a vacuum unit to be used in a device according to figure 1 for picking up and placing an air spring component on the main conveyor;
Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of a vacuum unit according to figure 5, shown in the position in which a component is placed on the main conveyor ; Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a vacuum unit according to figure 5, shown in a position for picking up a component of the air spring that has just been cut;
Figure 8 shows a schematic top view of a second example of a device for manufacturing an air spring according to the invention on a building drum;
Figure 9 shows a schematic side view of figure 8, wherein for the sake of clarity a few units have been left out;
Figure 10 shows a schematic top view of a third example of a device for manufacturing an air spring according to the invention on a building drum; and
Figure 11 shows a schematic side view of figure 10, wherein for the sake of clarity a few units have been left out.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for manufacturing an air spring according to the invention on a building drum 1. The air spring comprises the following components: an inner liner 5, a first ply 2, a second ply 3, and an outer cover 4.
The device comprises a main conveyor 6 having a first end 7 oriented towards the building drum 1 and a second end 8 oriented away from the building drum 1, wherein the main conveyor 6, when operational, has :a transport direction T in the direction towards the building drum 1, wherein the main · conveybr 6 is provided with a drive 9 (figure 2). In . the · embodiment shown an application conveyor 10 has been placed between the main conveyor 6 and the building drum 1, of which application conveyor at least a portion thereof that faces the building drum 1, can be moved towards the building drum 1 and away from the building drum 1, which is schematically shown with the direction R.
The device further comprises a first ply unit 11 for placing the first ply 2 on a first ply position on the main conveyor 6. The first ply unit 11 is provided with a stock roll 12 for containing a stock of first ply material, and a cutting device 13 for cutting the first ply material into the first ply 2. The first ply unit 11 is furthermore provided with a pick-up-and- place device 14 for transporting the first ply material in an auxiliary transport direction H to the main conveyor 6, wherein the angle between the auxiliary transport direction H and the transport direction T of the main conveyor 6 is adjustable within a range of 40 degrees up to and including 70 degrees.
The device furthermore comprises a second ply unit 15 for placing the second ply 3 on a second ply position on the main conveyor 6. The second ply unit 15 is provided with a stock roll 16 for containing a stock of second ply material, and a cutting device 17 for cutting the second ply material into the second ply 3. The second ply unit 15 is furthermore provided with a pick-up-and-place device 18 for in an auxiliary transport direction H2 transporting the second ply material to the main conveyor 6, wherein the angle between the auxiliary transport direction H2 and the transport direction T of the main conveyor 6 is adjustable within a range of 40 degrees up to and including 70 degrees.
The device moreover comprises an outer cover unit 19 for placing the outer cover 4 on an outer cover position on the main conveyor 6. The Outer cover unii; 19 is provided with a stock roll 20 for containing a stock of outer cover material, a cutting device 21 for cutting the outer cover material into the outer cover 4, and a pick-up-and-place device 43.
The device according to the invention furthermore comprises and inner liner unit 22 for placing the inner liner 5 on an inner liner position on the main conveyor 6. The inner liner unit 22 is provided with a stock roll 23 (figure 2) for containing a stock of inner liner material, and a cutting device 24 for cutting the inner liner material into the inner liner 5. The inner liner unit 22 has an auxiliary conveyor 25 for transporting the inner liner material to the main conveyor 6 and a pick-up-and-place device 44 and is placed at the second end 8, in the extension of the main conveyor.
The mutual positioning of the units is as shown in figure 1, such that the distance from the components to the first end 7 of the main conveyor 6 increases in the following order: first ply position (where the first ply 2 is placed) , second ply position (where the second ply 3 is placed) , outer cover position (where the outer cover 4 is placed) and inner liner position (where the inner liner 5 is placed) . In that case the application conveyor 10 is provided with the further inner liner position (where the inner liner 51 is placed) , as a result of which all components 51, 2, 3, 4 for manufacturing an air spring are placed in the correct order one after the other on the application conveyor 10 and on the main conveyor 6.
The device according to the invention furthermore comprises a control unit 26 for controlling the operation of the building drum 1, the application conveyor 10, the main conveyor 6 (particularly its drive 9), the first ply unit 11, the second ply unit 15, the outer cover unit 19, and the inner liner unit 22. This is schematically shown in figure 1· by the control lines that run from the control unit 26 to the · units in question: "
The control unit 26 is adapted such (in particular programmable to such an extent) that during placing the components 2, 3, 4, 5, of the air spring on the main conveyor 6 the drive 9 of the main conveyor 9 is deactivated, so that the main conveyor 6 stands still during placing the components thereon. The control unit 26 does not activate the drive 9 of the main conveyor 6 until after all components have been placed on the main conveyor 6. In that way the inner liner 51, the first ply 2, the second ply 3 and the outer cover 4 are transported in substantially one running via the application conveyor 10 to and onto the building drum 1. The next inner liner 5 is then also moved to the further inner liner position near the first end 7.
As shown in figure 1 the first ply unit 11 and particularly its pick-up-and place device 14 with the vacuum units 31, is adapted (particularly controllable to such an extent by the control unit 26) for centrically placing the first ply 2 on the main conveyor 6. The second ply unit 15 and particularly its pick-up-and-place device 18 with the vacuum units 32, is also adapted (particularly controllable to such an extent by the control unit 26) for centrically placing the second ply 3 on the main conveyor 6. The outer cover unit 19 and particularly its pick-up-and-place device 43 with the vacuum units 33, is also adapted (particularly controllable to such an extent by the control unit 26) for centrically placing the outer cover 4 on the main conveyor 6. Moreover the inner liner unit 22 and particularly its pick-up-and-place device 44 with the vacuum units 34, is adapted (particularly controllable to such an extent by the control unit 26) for centrically placing the inner liner 4 on the main conveyor 6. As a result a correct air spring can easily be produced on the. building drum
1. ·
It will be clear that the control unit 26 controls the units such that the length, width of the components corresponds with the dimensions of the air spring ultimately to be manufactured. The control unit 26 also controls the units 11 and 15 such that a desired angle of the cords in the material is achieved. Preferably the distance between the positions where the components are placed on the main conveyor are equal to the circumference of the building drum or a multiple thereof .
In the embodiment shown the cutting devices used in the units in question are identical, although in an alternative embodiment they may be different from each other. In figure 3 a schematic side view is shown of one of these cutting devices, namely cutting device 13. The cutting device 13 comprises a blade 27, in the embodiment shown a round blade 27 that is rotatable around an axis 28. The blade 27 is arranged on a blade arm 29, which blade arm 29 is suspended so as to be slidable. A motor 30 (controlled by the control unit 26) serves to enable the sliding. In the position shown in figure 3, the blade 27 and the blade arm 29 are shown in their ultimate cutting position, whereas in figure 4 they are shown in the inactive position. As the blade 27 is slidable (or in alternative embodiments movable in other ways), the blade 27 can be placed such that it does not hinder the components being placed on the main conveyor.
The motor 30 with motor bracket 53 is fixedly connected to a frame of the unit in question, in this case the first ply unit, adjacent to the related pick- up-and-place device of said unit. The motor bracket 53 is furthermore fixedly connected to a drive belt fastening 54. The cutting device is provided with a drive belt 55 that is fixedly attached to the fastening 54, and from there extends to a blade axis 27, is guided back to the motor bracket 53, via the motor 30 continues to a second turning roller 56 at an outer end of the arm 29 that faces away from the blade 27, and from there is guided back to the fastening 54.
Due to driving the motor 30 in a first driving direction Rl, the drive belt 55 simultaneously drives the blade 27 in a rotating manner and moves the blade arm 29 to the right. Due to driving the motor 30 in a second driving direction R2, the drive belt 55 simultaneously drives the blade 27 in a rotating manner and moves the blade arm 29 to the left.
The cutting device 13 furthermore comprises a lower blade beam 52 that is fixedly connected to the frame of the unit in question, wherein the lower blade beam 52 crosses the supply path of the material of the component 2. In use the material will be placed on the lower blade beam 52 and the blade 27 will move along the lower blade beam 52 during cutting the material.
Particularly in the inactive position of figure 4 the blade arm 29 of the cutting device 13 is placed substantially adjacent to the pick-up-and-place device 14 (as shown in figure 1) so that the pick-up- and-place device 14 has a free path to move the component 2 in the direction of the main conveyor 6.
In the embodiment shown the first ply unit 11, the second ply unit 15, the outer cover unit 19 and inner liner unit 22 each comprise a pick-up-and-place device 14, 18, 43, 44 having a vacuum unit 31, 32, 33, 34 for by means of vacuum engaging and placing the air spring component in question on the main conveyor 6. In the embodiment shown the pick-up-and-place devices are substantially identical to each other.
In figure 5 a schematic top view of one of said pick-up-and-place devices, namely pick-up-and- place device 14 is shown. In figure 6 a schematic side view of said pick-up-and-place device 14 is shown in the position in which a component, the first ply 2, is placed on the main conveyor 6,. and in figure 7 a schematic side view of said pick-up-and-place device 14 is shown in a position for picking up the first ply of the air spring that has just been cut. The pick-up-and- place device 14 contains a carrier frame 35, that may be a separate carrier frame or a carrier frame attached to a main frame of the device. A guide beam 36 is arranged on the carrier frame 35. A driving motor 37 drives a drive roller 38, which in turn drives a drive belt 39. Said drive belt 39 ensures a movement of two transport carriages 40, 41 along the guide beam 36. Each of said transport carriages 40, 41 contains vacuum pick-up units 31. The transport carriages 40, 41 are connected to each other via a coupling rod 42. The vacuum pick-up units 31 are connected to a vacuum source (not shown) via conduits (not shown) . The operation of the vacuum unit is controlled by the control unit 26. Due to the movement of the transport carriage the vacuum pick-up units 31 can be moved from a position to above the stock roll 12, where the vacuum pick-up units 31 can be brought into contact with the first ply material, into a position above the main conveyor 6. In an intermediate position the cutting device 13 is activated to cut the material, held by the vacuum pick-up units 31, to the desired dimensions. By using the vacuum pick-up units 31 for holding the material during cutting, no extra clamps are necessary on the cutting device.
The vacuum pick-up units 31 can be moved vertically in the direction towards and from the conveyor 6 and the stock roll 14. The vacuum pick-up units 31, 32 of the pick-up-and-place device 14, 18 are rotatable so that they can be adjusted to the angle between the auxiliary transport direction H, H2 and the transport direction T of the main conveyor 6.
Figures 8 and 9 show a second exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. In said embodiment the components of the air spring can be placed directly on the building drum 1 by the main conveyor 6.
In this exemplary embodiment the length of the main conveyor is adapted such that there is a further inner liner position (where the inner liner 51 is placed) between the first end 7 and the first ply position, as a result of which all components 51, 2, 3, 4 for manufacturing an air spring are placed in the correct order behind one another on the main conveyor 6.
Furthermore the building drum 1 can be moved towards the first end 7 or away from the first end 7 with respect to the main conveyor 6. In the embodiment of figure 9 the building drum can be moved in two directions x and y. Instead thereof the drum can also be movable in a substantially radial direction R' .
Figures 10 and 11 show a third exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, wherein a comparable device as shown in figures 8 and 9 is provided with an application conveyor 10 as described in more detail with reference to figures 1 and 2. An advantage of this third exemplary embodiment is that a coordination between the control of the main conveyor 6 and the application conveyor 10 is less critical than in the first exemplary embodiment, as all components 51, 2, 3, 4 for manufacturing are only laid ready on the main conveyor 6 and subsequently in one running over the application conveyor 10 are applied on the building drum 1. A further advantage of said third exemplary embodiment is that the drum does not need to be placed so as to be movable with respect to the main conveyor 6 as is the case with the second exemplary embodiment .
The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.
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