DE102008002072A1 - Transport device, particularly for printing plate, has longitudinal conveying device for transporting guts that are transported in longitudinal direction - Google Patents

Abstract

The transport device has a longitudinal conveying device for transporting guts that are transported in longitudinal direction. A lateral conveying device is provided for transporting guts that are transported in lateral direction, and are arranged in a swiveling device. The swiveling device is provided for swiveling the guts that are transported around a swiveling axis, which is running parallel to the longitudinal direction. An independent claim is included for a method for transporting and swiveling the guts supported on a transport device, particularly a printing plate.

Description

• • einer Längsfördervorrichtung für den Transport des zu transportierenden Guts in Längsrichtung,
• • einer Querfördervorrichtung für den Transport des zu transportierenden Guts in Querrichtung,
• • einer Schwenkvorrichtung zum Verschwenken des zu transportierenden Guts um eine Schwenkachse.

The invention relates to a transport device, in particular for printing plates, with

• A longitudinal conveying device for transporting the goods to be transported in the longitudinal direction,
• A transverse conveying device for transporting the goods to be transported in the transverse direction,
• • A pivoting device for pivoting the goods to be transported about a pivot axis.

such Transport devices are generally designed as tables and are used for storing products such as printing plates on trolleys for printing plates used. The transport devices are also with the technical term Disk stacker (in English "Stacker") called. The pivoting of printing plates, so that it rests against a contact surface, is also called "stacking". The printing plates come from a processing plant in which the Print image is generated (eg by exposure and development). The Printing plates turn up into a slightly vertical position Plane inclined plane and for placing on a trolley first in the longitudinal direction transported to the transport device until it reaches a predetermined Reached the final position. Then they will be in the transverse direction transported until they have reached a predetermined end position. Thereafter, the pivoting process begins. With a suitable swivel device, which may have finger-like struts or similar support means, the printing plates are pivoted by more than 90 ° from the horizontal plane, until they come off the swivel device and on a near the Swivel axis arranged trolley are stored. Promoting the Pressure plate in the predetermined end position in the transverse direction is required so that the pressure plate after pivoting in the immediate vicinity of the support surface of Dolly is lying and no greater distance in vertical Direction is falling.

task The present invention is the transport and pivoting process to accelerate.

These Task is inventively characterized solved, that at least the cross conveyor is arranged on the pivoting device.

hereby Is it possible, one in the longitudinal direction in its predetermined end position transported printing plate simultaneously to pivot and transport in the transverse direction. In practice has the cross conveyor a transport area which is movable in the transverse direction. By pivoting the Pivot device is the transport surface of the cross conveyor moved against the underside of the printing plate. In a transverse movement the transport area Consequently, also the pressure plate resting thereon in the transverse direction moved. If detected with a sensor that the pressure plate is transported in its final position in the transverse direction, the movement the cross conveyor completed. While this cross-transport can the swivel device continuously be actuated, making the pressure plate progressively out of the horizontal pivoted. Once the printing plate in the transverse direction of their predetermined End position has reached, the pivoting device can be accelerated be and placed the pressure plate at the end of the pivoting movement become.

Thereby, that while the cross promotion the Pressure plate is already pivoted, the total duration is reduced the transport process. The pivoting during the cross promotion takes place at a reduced speed or may alternatively be interrupted to ensure that the pressure plate in the transverse direction reached their final position, before they continue through Pivoting releases from its overlay. Once the sensor detects that the pressure plate is transverse has reached its end position, the pivoting movement can be accelerated. At the end of this pivoting movement falls the pressure plate on a support surface, which at a small distance is arranged to its lower edge. This avoids that the edge of the printing plate is damaged due to excessive falling speed.

In In practice, the pivot axis can be parallel to the longitudinal direction. The Transverse conveying moves the pressure plate preferably towards the pivot axis, so that after the swinging operation of the lower edge of the printing plate as possible near the support surface lies, on which the pressure plate is stored.

In In practice, the longitudinal conveyor are formed by themselves in the transverse direction extending roles of which at least one is driven.

One roller conveyors is for the transport of printing plates a proven system. Extend in the transverse direction over designed as a transport table transport device rollers. The rollers provide the printing plates at regular intervals linear supports, so that a printing plate without undue deformation over a Such a transport device can be transported.

It is also possible to integrate the rollers of the longitudinal conveyor in the pivoting device, so that the rollers are pivotable. In this way, the entire transport device, as soon as the center of gravity of the printing plate over the conveying device is raised by pivoting. During pivoting, the longitudinal conveying to the end position and then the transverse conveying to the end position could then take place. In practice, however, it may be sufficient if the rollers forming the longitudinal conveyor are fixedly arranged in a horizontal plane. During the pivoting process then only the transport takes place in the transverse direction.

The Pivoting device may in practice of one or more itself transversely extending struts are formed in the area one of its ends is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis. In a practical embodiment can be provided a plurality of mutually parallel struts. Each of the struts can be between two consecutive roles of longitudinal conveyor extend. The pivoting device extends with their struts thus fork-like between the mutually parallel, transverse Transport rollers of the longitudinal conveyor. For the Transport in the longitudinal direction can be provided in practice a stop. The longitudinal stop defines the end position of the longitudinal direction front edge of the printing plate. Alternatively, the end position in the longitudinal direction be defined by any other means, for example by a sensor. For example, below the support surface for the printing plate an optical sensor may be provided which, after detecting the front edge of the plate the longitudinal drive disabled. The deactivation can take place delayed, when the end position of the plate edge by a certain distance behind the Sensor should lie.

To Reaching the end position of the printing plate in the longitudinal direction, the pivoting device activated to the struts extending between the rollers lift up to their transport area abuts against the underside of the pressure plate. As mentioned, the transport surfaces be movable in practice in the transverse direction. you can at least about a part of the length extend the strut. For example, each strut of the pivoting device have a plurality of motor-driven rollers. The upper apex surface Each roll then forms a transport surface.

alternative can the transport area the cross conveyor are formed by a belt that forms an endless loop. The belt loop is guided around two pulleys, the are each arranged in the region of one end of a strut. In In this case, the one formed by the top of the belt extends upper transport surface essentially about the entire length of the Strut.

The Transport device can over have a sensor, while the transport of the printing plate emits a signal when the pressure plate a reached predetermined end position. The sensor is preferably an optical one Sensor, however, can also other sensors (eg mechanical or inductive) are used. In particular, in practice near the pivot axis, an optical sensor be arranged, due to the reflections at the bottom the pressure plate then emits a signal when the edge of the pressure plate exceeded a certain line Has. Due to the signal, the transverse transport of the printing plate be stopped immediately or after a certain time delay. To reaching the said line, which is the distance of the edge the pressure plate to the support surface, on which the printing plates are stored defined that can Pivoting with increased Speed. A control unit of the transport device controls the drive motors for the pivoting device for generating an accelerated pivoting movement, as soon as the sensor signal has been received.

• • Transport des Guts in Längsrichtung bis zu einer Endlage,
• • Transport des Guts in Querrichtung bis zu einer Endlage,
• • Verschwenken des Guts um eine Schwenkachse mittels einer Schwenkvorrichtung,
• • Ablegen des Guts in der verschwenkten Lage.

The invention also relates to a method for transporting and pivoting a product resting on a transport device, in particular a printing plate, with the following steps:

• Transport of the material in the longitudinal direction up to an end position,
• Transport of the material in the transverse direction up to a final position,
• Pivoting the item about a pivot axis by means of a pivoting device,
• • Laying the goods in the pivoted position.

Around transporting and depositing a material to be transported, in particular a pressure plate to accelerate, the pivoting takes place by the pivoting device before the transport of the Guts in the transverse direction is completed. The funding period This is reduced by the fact that the pivoting and the transverse transport take place simultaneously.

Especially can after the transport of the goods in the longitudinal direction up to an end position the pivoting device are pivoted until one on the pivoting device arranged upper transport surface against the bottom of the estate, and then by Moving the transport surface in the transverse direction, the transport of the material in the transverse direction is performed.

As mentioned above, the overall duration of the transport process can be shortened by that a good to be transported as a pressure plate at the same time can be transported and swiveled in the transverse direction. The total duration of this combined movement is considerably shorter than the duration of a transverse transport, followed by the panning over the entire swing range.

This Advantage is achieved in particular by the fact that the pivoting movement the swivel device during the transport of the material in the transverse direction is continued. In procedure, at which the swivel drive during of the cross transport is only an integration the transverse transport device achieved in the pivoting device, which possibly saves costs. Alone by coupling the pivoting movement to the transverse transport movement leaves realize a time savings.

Preferably the pivoting movement is accelerated when due to the transverse transport a Pressure plate has reached a predetermined end position.

The The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings described. The drawings show in:

1 a perspective view of a transport device according to the invention,

2 a perspective exploded view of the transport device 1 .

3 a schematic side view of the transport device 1 .

4 - 6 a side view, a plan view and a perspective view of a transport device according to the preceding figures with pivoted pivoting device,

7 an enlarged view of the pivoting device,

8th an enlarged view of the pulleys near the pivot axis of the pivoting device,

9 an enlarged view of the pulleys at the opposite end,

10 a plan view of the transport device according to the invention without pressure plate,

11 an enlarged view of a corner of the transport table of the transport device 10 with an optical sensor,

12 an enlarged view of a central portion of the transport table of the transport device 10 with another optical sensor.

The transport device shown in the drawings consists essentially of a transport table 1 with a frame 7 whose side walls are closed by cover plates. The transport table 1 is on rolls 2 traversable. It can be slid to an appropriate position on the end of a printing plate manufacturing line.

The transport table 1 acts with a dolly 3 together. The dolly 3 consists of a frame 4 , which also on rolls 5 is movable. The frame 4 carries a bearing plate 24 , which is inclined at about 15-20 ° to the vertical direction. The slightly inclined contact plate 24 allows transport on the trolley 3 deposited printing plates through relatively narrow transport paths through.

As in particular in 3 It can be seen at the bottom of the investment plate 24 a support bar 6 attached. On this bridge 6 When transporting, the lower edges of the printing plates are on.

In the 2 are the components of the transport device and especially of the transport table 1 separated in the manner of an exploded view. Within the movable frame 7 of the transport table 1 is a lifting device 8th intended. The lifting device 8th has a drive motor 9 on, over a drive shaft 10 two lift arms 11 drives, which with a swivel device 12 are connected.

The swivel device 12 is in 2 shown above. It essentially comprises a pivot bar 13 that swivels on the frame 7 of the transport table 1 is attached. The swivel bar 13 extends around the pivot axis, which in 2 the back edge of the frame 7 of the transport table 1 forms. From the swivel bar 13 six struts extend 14 across the transport table 1 to the other side. The number of aspirations 14 and the roles 16 is of course adaptable to the length of the transport table.

The transport device further comprises a longitudinal conveyor device 15 , This consists of a roller frame 17 who has multiple transport wheels 16 carries and on the frame 7 of the transport table 1 rests. Some or all of the transport wheels 16 can be connected to a drive motor. Preferably, in the transport rollers 16 integrated motors, so-called drum motors used. The transport wheels 16 extend in the transverse direction of the transport table 1 over its entire width. By turning the rollers 16 is a pressure plate in the longitudinal direction of the transport table 1 transported. In the 1 and 2 is also an attack 18 to recognize, which limits the longitudinal movement of the pressure plate.

As in 1 to recognize the struts extend 14 the swivel device 12 during the longitudinal transport of a printing plate so between the rollers 16 the longitudinal conveyor 15 in that its upper surface is below the upper crest surface of the rollers 16 lies. In this operating state, a pressure plate over the entire length of the transport table 1 until the attack 18 be encouraged.

So that during the pivoting and subsequent depositing the pressure plate is not from the struts 14 the pivoting device falls in the vertical direction over an excessively long distance, the longitudinal edge of the pressure plate in the transverse direction in a region near the pivot axis to move.

The 4 to 9 illustrate the operation of the transport device according to the invention. The goods to be transported are in the example described printing plates 19 , It can be seen that longitudinally over the entire length of the transport table 1 a printing plate 19 was transported, which against the stop 18 is applied. It can also be seen that the struts 14 the swivel device 12 by actuation of the lifting device 8th around the longitudinal axis of the pivoting beam 13 are pivoted around. As a result, the surfaces of the struts occur 14 upwards over the plane of the surfaces of the rollers 16 of the transport table 1 out. Even after slight pivoting occurs the surface of the struts 14 in contact with the underside of the printing plate 19 , Once this contact is reached, the cross conveyor is operable, the detailed in the 7 - 9 is shown.

On each side of each strut 14 are at both ends of the strut 14 guide rollers 20 . 21 intended. The pulleys 20 near the swivel bar 13 are via a common drive shaft 22 rotated synchronously to each other. The pulleys 21 at the free ends of the struts 14 are freely rotatably mounted. The two pulleys 20 . 21 on one side of the strut are from a conveyor belt 23 spans. The conveyor belt 23 has a substantially circular cross-sectional area and forms a closed loop, which of the two pulleys 20 . 21 is put under tension. The two strands of the belt are substantially straight and parallel to the extension of the strut 14 , The top of each conveyor belt 23 forms a transport surface in the transverse direction of the transport table 1 is mobile.

After a printing plate 19 over the entire length of the transport table 1 is transported so that its longitudinal front edge against the stop 18 is applied, the pivoting device 12 by actuation of the lifting device 8th pivots until the top of the belt 23 formed transport surface against the underside of the pressure plate 19 is applied. By turning the drive shaft 22 moves from the top of the belt 23 formed transport surface to the pivot bar 13 go and take the pressure plate 19 With. Once the pressure plate 19 in the 4 - 6 has shown intended position, the transverse drive of the conveyor belt 23 disabled. Now the swivel device 12 be operated at a higher speed until the pressure plate 19 against the contact plate 24 of the trolley 3 is applied. In this position is the lower edge of the pressure plate 19 in the immediate vicinity of the landing stage 6 at the bottom of the investment plate 24 , There is consequently no risk that the printing plate 19 at high speed on the landing stage 6 falls, regardless of the pressure plate 19 and their location during longitudinal development.

In 7 it can be seen that the swivel bar 13 divided in the middle. If necessary, therefore, the two halves of the pivoting beam 13 be driven apart from each other.

The 10 . 11 and 12 show the use of sensors to detect the position of the printing plate 19 , A first optical sensor 26 is for detecting the edge of the printing plate 19 arranged in the area of the upper left corner, in which the stop 18 and the pivot bar 13 meet together. The optical sensor 26 especially in 11 and consists of a light source and a photo element for detecting reflected light. The printing plates 19 As a rule, they are made of light-weight aluminum, so that the presence of a pressure plate in the corner area of the transport table can be reliably detected via the optical sensor 1 can be determined. The optical sensor 26 emits a signal when the pressure plate 19 was transported by the cross conveyor in its predetermined end position, in which its edge substantially above the outer edge of the pivoting beam 13 runs. Due to the signal of the sensor 26 the transverse drive can be switched off and the rotary drive can be accelerated.

A second optical sensor 27 is about in the middle of the transport table near the stop 18 arranged (cf. 10 and 12 ). This sensor 27 captures the front edge of the printing plate 19 during the longitudinal movement. The signal of this sensor 27 can also be used to deactivate the longitudinal conveyor. In this case, the stop 18 omitted, since the sensor signal specifies the end position of the pressure plate in the longitudinal direction.

A third sensor 28 (see. 3 and 10 ) is at the transverse edge of the transport table 1 arranged the stop 18 opposite.

This sensor detects the front edge of a printing plate 19 and activates the drive of the rollers 16 , which cause the longitudinal promotion. This sensor 28 can also be used to increase the longitudinal conveying speed as soon as the rear plate edge on the sensor 28 passed by. For small printing plates 19 This considerably reduces the length of the longitudinal conveying process.

As already mentioned above, can any other sensor types used to capture the disk position become. This concludes For example, mechanical buttons, inductive sensors, proximity switches etc.

The 10 and other figures show that the transport table at each corner via an emergency stop switch 25 features. Thus, an employee can stop the drive of the transport device if necessary.

The in the drawings and the foregoing description used ver The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are interchangeable. What is essential is that the panning process can begin before at least completed one of the linear conveying operations is. Due to the simultaneous linear conveying and pivoting the total duration of the destacking is reduced.

1

transport table

2

role

3

Dolly

4

frame

5

role

6

support web

7

frame

8th

lifting device

9

drive motor

10

drive shaft

11

lifting arm

12

swivel device

13

walking beam

14

strut

15

Longitudinal conveyor

16

role

17

roller frame

18

attack

19

Printing plate, goods to be transported

20

idler pulley

21

idler pulley

22

drive shaft

23

conveyor belts

24

bearing plate

25

Emergency switch

26

first optical sensor

27

second optical sensor

28

third optical sensor

Claims (12)

Transport device, in particular for printing plates ( 19 ), with • a longitudinal conveyor ( 15 ) for the transport of the goods to be transported ( 19 ) in the longitudinal direction, • a cross conveyor for the transport of the goods to be transported ( 19 ) in the transverse direction, • a pivoting device ( 12 ) for pivoting the goods to be transported ( 19 ) about a pivot axis, characterized in that at least the transverse conveying device on the pivoting device ( 12 ) is arranged. Transport device according to claim 1, characterized that the pivot axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction. Transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyor device ( 15 ) of transversely extending rollers ( 16 ) is formed, of which at least one is driven. Transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting device ( 12 ) of at least one transversely extending strut ( 14 ) is formed, which is pivotally mounted in the region of one of its ends about the pivot axis. Transport device according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that the strut ( 14 ) in an end position of the pivoting path between two successive rollers ( 16 ). Transport device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the transverse conveying device has at least one transversely movable upper transport surface, which at the strut ( 14 ) is arranged and at least over a part of the length of the strut ( 14 ). Transport device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transport surface of a belt ( 23 ) formed around two pulleys ( 20 . 21 ), which in each case in an end region of a strut ( 14 ) are arranged. Transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sensor ( 26 ), in particular an optical sensor, which emits a signal during transport in the transverse direction, when the goods to be transported ( 19 ) reaches a predetermined end position. Method for transporting and pivoting a product resting on a transport device, in particular a pressure plate ( 19 ), With following steps: • Transport of the goods ( 19 ) in the longitudinal direction up to a final position, • transport of the goods ( 19 ) in the transverse direction up to an end position, • pivoting of the ( 19 ) Guts about a pivot axis by means of a pivoting device ( 12 ), • depositing the Guts in the pivoted position, characterized in that the pivoting by the pivoting device ( 12 ) takes place before the transport of the material in the transverse direction is completed. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that after the transport of the product ( 19 ) in the longitudinal direction to a Endla ge the pivoting device ( 12 ) is pivoted until one of the pivoting device ( 12 ) arranged upper transport surface against the underside of the estate ( 19 ) is applied, and then by moving the transport surface in the transverse direction of the transport of the good ( 19 ) takes place in the transverse direction. A method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the pivoting movement of the pivoting device ( 12 ) during the transport of the goods ( 19 ) is continued in the transverse direction. A method according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the pivoting movement of the pivoting device ( 12 ) is accelerated if, due to the transport in the transverse direction, the good ( 19 ) has reached the end position.