WO2006108922A1

WO2006108922A1 - Device and method for handling a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade removed from service

Info

Publication number: WO2006108922A1
Application number: PCT/FI2006/050141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seppo Parviainen
Original assignee: Metso Paper Oy
Current assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2005-04-12
Filing date: 2006-04-11
Publication date: 2006-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-12
Also published as: FI20055167L; DE112006000898T5; FI20055167A0; FI117713B

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for handling a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade removed from service. The device includes a frame structure (19), to which means (20) for moving the blade (16) in the device are fitted, as well as elements (21) for dividing the blade (16) into pieces. The device includes attachment members (42) for arranging the device permanently and/or detachably on a beam-like support structure (11, 13) arranged to support the blade (16), in such a way that the device is essentially parallel to the blade (16) in the operating or servicing position. The invention also relates to a method for handling a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade removed from service.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A BLADE, PARTICULARLY A DOCTOR OR COATING BLADE REMOVED FROM SERVICE

The present invention relates to a device for handling a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade removed from service, which device includes a frame structure, to which means for moving the blade in the device are fitted, as well as elements for dividing the blade into pieces . The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

In a web-forming machine, various blades are used, for example, in doctoring and coating. The blade wears in use and must be replaced at intervals with a new one. Usually the blade is removed from its holder by pulling and is then moved away from the vicinity of the web-forming machine. Some blades can be refurbished by sharpening and can be used again in some other position. Finally, however, the blade becomes useless. At present, a used blade is removed manually and wound as a totality into a reel, for example, onto a loading pallet. Another way is to use a separate device, which is located in the mill hall, generally on the drive side of the web-forming machine. In practice, the blade is transferred to the separate device, by means of which the blade is divided into pieces, in order to facilitate handling. A whole blade is a risk to work safety, due to is length, springiness, and sharp edges. The individual pieces of a blade, on the other hand, take up little space. In addition, transportation and further processing are facilitated.

However, the blade must be transferred to the device as a single piece and manually, which leads to a high risk of accident. The blade is also fed at least partly manually into the device. In addition, the known device is heavy and expensive. It is also large, which makes it difficult to situate the device on the otherwise cramped drive side. The invention is intended to create a new type of device for handling a blade, which is smaller in size than before and easier to use, and which can be placed in connection with a web-forming machine. In addition, the invention is intended to create a new type of method for handing a blade, which is simpler than before and easier to automate. The characteristic features of the device according to the present invention are stated in the accompanying Claims 1 and 15. Correspondingly, the characteristic features of the method according to the invention are stated in the accompanying Claims 17 and 23. The device according to the invention can be situated in a new manner. The simple construction of the device is sturdy, but nevertheless small and light. The device can also be fitted in different positions, making adjustment of the blade unneces- sary. In the device, the blade feeding movement too is created in a new manner. At the same time, the division of the blade into pieces is safer than before. In addition, the size of the pieces can be adjusted simply while the device can also be used to detach the blade. In practice, the device operates advanta- geously in stages, which facilitates the control of the device and reduces its power requirement. The device can also be fitted as part of the structure intended to support the blade. In the method, there are advantageously few stages, which are, in addition, simple.

In the following, the invention is examined in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing some embodiments of the invention, in which

Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention fitted in connection with a coating station, Figure 2 shows a partial enlargement of the device of Figure

1,

Figure 3a shows a schematic drawing of the device according to the invention, seen from above, Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional side view of the device of

Figure 3a at level A-A of Figure 3a, and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the manner of Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention, fitted in connection with a coating station. In fact, in this case only the backing roll 10 and the blade beam 11 fitted in connection with it are shown. The backing roll 10 is fitted to a fixed frame 12, to which the bearers 13 of the beam 11 are pivoted. The pivot point is shown by the number 14. The blade beam 11 itself is also pivoted to the bearers 13. The coating station also includes adjustment apparatus (not shown) for rotating the blade beam relative to the bearers and the bearers relative to the frame. Thus the blade beam 11 and the blade 16 fitted to the blade holder 15 in it can be set at the desired angle relative to the backing roll 10 and, in addition, adjust the blade load during running, in the case of a coating blade. In addition, there is a feed-through hole 17 in the upper part of each rotating bearer 13, in which in practice a tubular shaft 18 is fitted to pivot the blade beam 11 rotatably to the bearers 13.

In the prior art, a new coating blade is threaded into the blade holder. Correspondingly, the coating blade removed from service is pulled out and taken farther away for shredding. EP patent number 1105569 and WO publications numbers 2002099189 and 2004081283 disclose blade-changing apparatuses, in connection with which the device according to the invention can also be attached. In other words, a band containing several blades is pulled one blade at a time from a reel into the blade holder while the blade being taken out of use is shredded immediately by the device without it being reeled onto a reel at all.

The invention thus relates to a device and method for handling a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade removed from service. In practice, the blade is processed to be less dangerous and more easily transported by shredding it into small pieces. For this purpose, the device includes a frame structure 19, to which are fitted means 20 for moving the blade 16 in the device and elements 21 for chopping the blade 16 into pieces. According to the invention, the means 20 and the elements 21 are fitted permanently and/or detachably in the beam-like support structure 11 and 13 arranged to support the blade 16. In addition, the elements 21 are arranged essentially parallel to the blade 16 in the operating or servicing position. The small device takes up little room and can be installed permanently in a web-forming machine (Figure 2 ) . On the other hand, the device can be manufactured to be moveable, in which case it is taken next to the blade to be chopped at the time and attached to the structure supporting it. It is then unnecessary to touch the blade by hand, which improves work safety considerably. For attachment, the device includes suitable attachment members 42 (Figures 2, 3b, and 4) .

According to the invention, the device includes a cutting head 22, to which the aforementioned elements 21 are fitted. In addition, the cutting head 22 is arranged relative to the frame structure 19 with means 20 for moving backwards and forwards for moving the blade 16 in the device. In other words, the cutting head has two functions, which can be arranged to be partly or entirely separate. In Figure 1, the arrow 20' shows the direction of movement of the means 20 intended for moving while the arrow 21' correspondingly shows the direction of movement of the elements intended for cutting. In practice, primarily the cutting head is used to divide the blade into pieces. In addition, by moving the cutting head the blade being handled is moved in the device. Thus according to the invention the elements 21 are moved backwards and forwards by the means 20 in order to move the blade 16. This simplifies the construc- tion of the device and facilitates its control. In addition, the device can be made small in size, so that it can be located, for example, in connection with the blade beam (Figure D •

Figure 2 shows the device according to the invention fitted to the bearer 13. In this case, the frame structure 19 of the device is arranged permanently in the bearer 13, but rotatably relative to it. Thus the cutting head 22 can be set essentially parallel to the blade in the operating or servicing position. Thus turning and adjustment of the blade are unnecessary as the cutting head is always in the correct position. The frame structure can either be rotated when necessary or it can be connected to follow the position of the blade. In Figure 2, the guard 23 of the device is shown detached and the cutting head 23 is shown schematically. Beneath the device, a box 24, for example, can be fitted, into which the pieces of the blade fall by gravity through an opening 25 in the frame structure. The device according to the invention can also be situated, for

^■ example, in connection with the blade beam or at the side of the web-forming machine. The device is also so small that it can be made portable, in which case a single device can be used in several different positions in turn. Particularly in a coating station, however, it is preferable to use, for example, a fixed device according to Figure 2, as the blade must be replaced with a new one on average at intervals of 4 - 8 hours.

Figures 3a and 3b show the construction and operation of the device according to the invention in greater detail. The same reference numbers are used for components that are functionally similar. Firstly, the means 20 include a single operating element 26, the length of the work movement of which corresponds to the length of the divided piece. In addition, the length of the work movement of the operating element is arranged to be adjustable in order to divide the blade 16 into pieces of the desired size. In other words, by adjusting the work movement the size of the piece can be defined as desired, which is difficult or even impossible using the prior art. In practice, the length of the work movement of the operating element 26 is 50 - 350 mm, preferably 100 - 200 mm, which thus corresponds directly to the size of the piece. On the other hand, the operating element and the entire device can be operated in stages, which makes the device even more versatile.

In the device shown in the figures, the frame structure is formed from plate structures, so that the frame structure becomes light, but rigid. There is also an opening 25 in the frame structure, with many functions. In addition, there are stiffeners 27 on each side of the opening 25, in the protected space between which the operating element 26 is fitted. The pieces fall from the cutting head 22 through the opening 25. However, the device can also be set upside down, when the piece can drop away from the cutting head completely without hindrance. In addition, the cutting head 22 can be linked to the operating element 26 by an intermediate piece 28 through the opening 25. According to the invention, a guide arrangement 29 is fitted between the frame structure 19 and the cutting head 22, rolling elements 30 belonging to which are arranged in the cutting head 22. Separate guides, corresponding to rolling elements and attached to the frame structure, can be used in the device. On the other hand, by suitably dimensioning and shaping the inner edges of the opening 25, these can be used as guides according to Figures 3a and 3b. In this case, the rolling elements 30 are adjustable rollers 31, which are attached to the base plate 32 belonging to the cutting head 22. The guide system base of rolling elements is tolerance-free and low-friction. In principle it is also possible to use sliding elements .

A device in the prior art includes a rotor, to which the cutting blade is fitted. Such an arrangement demands a great deal of space and power. The cutting head 22 according to the invention includes a linearly moving cutting blade 33 and an opposing counter blade 34. In this case, the movement of the cutting blade is advantageously short, which also reduces the size of the device. In addition, the counter blade is arranged to overlap with the cutting blade 33. This creates reliable cutting with even a small force. The counter blade remains preferably in place while the cutting blade moves. On the other hand, the movement can also be arranged the other way round and even both blades can be moved simultaneously.

Despite the blade arrangement, the cutting head 22 includes a second operating element 35 for moving the cutting blade 33 relative to the counter blade 34. Thanks to the shortness of the work movement required in the operating element 35, even a very short operating device can be used. In the embodiment of Figure 3a, the cutting head 22 includes a linear guide arrange- ment 36, to the carrier 37 belonging to which the cutting blade 33 is fitted. The carrier 37 moves on guide bars 38, which are supported at their ends by vertical bars 39 and 40 attached to the base plate 32. In Figure 3a, the guide bar 38 is shown by a broken line. The counter blade 34 is fitted to the first vertical bar 39 which the operating element is attached to the second vertical bar 40. In addition, the second operating element 35 is connected to the carrier 37, in order to move the cutting blade 33. The construction in question is sturdy and simple. In addition, the force of the operating element can be transmitted directly to the carrier without detrimental torque.

According to the invention, the cutting head has two basic functions . In addition to dividing a blade removed from service, the cutting head is used to move the blade in the device. Thus the cutting head 22 also includes retainer elements 41 to hold the blade 16 in place relating to the cutting head 22 when operating the cutting head 22 and/or when moving it relative to the frame structure 19. Thus according to the invention the elements 41 are used to hold the blade 16 when it is moved by the means 20. In Figure 3a, the retainer elements 41 are fitted to the carrier 37 and the first vertical bar 39. Thus a retaining effect is created by the second operating element. On the other hand, the retainer elements can be fitted with their own operating element. The retainer elements can also be arranged as their own structure. In practice, the blade 16 is brought to the area of the cutting head 22, when the retainer elements 41 grip the blade 16. The retainer elements are arranged in such a way that they can be used to create a sufficient grip to be able to move the blade by moving the cutting head. In addition, the retainer means make it possible to operate the cutting blade. When the blade is locked to the cutting head, the cutting head is moved to the other end of the opening, to the right in Figures 3a and 3b. After this, the retainer elements are released and the cutting head is moved back to its initial position and the second operating element 35 is used to cut the blade. The cut piece of the blade falls from the opening 25. The size of the piece can be adjusted by adjusting the work movement of the operating element 26. On the other hand, the return movement of the cutting head can be arranged to take place in stages. In other words, after a full-length pulling movement the cutting head is moved back for short distances at a time, using the cutting blade between them.

In practice, the control of the device remains as simple as possible, if the operating elements are run from one end of theirs work movements to the other. According to the invention, the operating elements 26 and 35 are pneumatic cylinders, in which case sufficient force will be created for both moving the blade and for dividing it into pieces. In addition, compressed air is easily available on a web-forming machine. The control of the device can also be implemented even without electrification, for example, by using mechanical limit switches. The device will then be immediately ready for use after the compressed air has been connected. On the other hand, by using, for example, proportional valves, precise and comprehensive control will be achieved. In principle, it is also possible to use operating elements of other kinds, for example, a worm-and- roller gear or a spindle motor. These are, however, expensive and demand a great deal of servicing. In addition, they are often unsuitable for the hot and damp operating conditions of a web-forming machine. Electrical operating elements also require control and add the total weight and price of the device.

The new operating principle means that the device according to the invention is of an advantageously small size. In addition, the device is light, as the frame structure 19 and the cutting head 22 are mainly of aluminium, except for the linear-guide arrangement 36, the cutting blade 33, and the counter blade 34.

The guides and blades are of steel. In practice the ready-to- use device weighs only about 20 kilograms, which is less than one-tenth of the weight of a device according to the prior art.

In practice, the external dimensions of the encased device are about 400 mm * 300 mm * 500 mm. Particularly in the embodiment of Figure 1, the device can also be used to set a new blade in the blade holder by attaching the new blade to the blade removed form service. When the device is used to pull and cut the old blade the new blade moves into place at the same time.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention. The same reference numbers are used for components that are functionally similar. In this case, the cutting head 22 is arranged operationally separately to the means 20. In other words, the cutting head 22 remains in stationary while the means 20 move, or at least it moves independently of the devices 20. At the same time, one or more rotary cutting blades 33' can be used. If necessary, separate retainer elements are fitted to the cutting head, to ensure cutting. During cutting the means move back to the initial location. After cutting the elements once again grip the blade and pull the blade out. These work movements are repeated until the entire blade has been removed from the blade holder and at the same time divided into pieces. Differing from Figure 4, the cutting head 21 can be before the means 20.

By attaching the device to, for example, the blade beam, it becomes unnecessary to move elsewhere the blade removed form service. It is sufficient to pull the blade into the device, after which the device pulls the blade out while simultaneously dividing it into pieces. At the same time, the surroundings remain clean and the blade can be changed more quickly than before. In addition, a separate shredding device is unnecessary. The semi or fully automatic operation of the device, which is rapid and does not dirty the surroundings, significantly improves safety, because the manual handing of the blade is reduced compared to the prior art. The device according to the invention can also be quickly installed and can be fitted to different positions and to doctoring and coating devices. The small device can also be easily moved to another position. The method is also applicable in connection with a blade- changing apparatus. In a blade-changing apparatus, a band containing several blades is used. According to the invention, when a new blade is installed the blade being taken out of use can be simultaneous divided into pieces by the device. The device is used advantageously in combination with the transfer mechanism of the blade-changing apparatus to assist in moving the blade.

Claims

1. Device for handling a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade removed from service, which device includes a frame structure (19), to which means (20) for moving the blade

(16) in the device are fitted, as well as elements (21) for dividing the blade (16) into pieces, characterized in that the device includes attachment members (42) for arranging the device permanently and/or detachably on a beam-like support structure (11, 13) arranged to support the blade (16) , in such a way that the device is essentially parallel to the blade (16) in the operating or servicing position.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device includes a cutting head (22) , to which the elements (21) are fitted.

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutting head (22) is arranged to be able to be moved backwards and forwards relative to the frame structure (19) by means (20) , in order to move the blade (16) .

4. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutting head (22) is arranged operationally separately from the means (20) .

5. Device according to any of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the means (20) include one operating element (26), the length of the work movement of which corresponds to the size of a divided piece.

6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the length of the work movement of the operating element (26) is arranged to be adjustable, in order to divide the blade (16) into pieces of the desired size.

7. Device according to any of Claims 2 - 6, characterized in that a guide arrangement (29) , the rolling elements (30) belonging to which are arranged in the cutting head (22), is fitted between the frame structure (19) and the cutting head (22).

8. Device according to any of Claims 4 - 7, characterized in that the cutting head (22) includes a cutting blade (33) and a counter blade (34) opposite to it, which it arranged to overlap with the cutting blade (33) .

9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the cutting head (22) includes a second operating element (35) for moving the cutting blade relative to the counter blade (34) .

10. Device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the cutting head (22) includes a linear guide arrangement (36), in the carrier (37) belonging to which the cutting blade (33) that is arranged to move linearly is arranged, and to which the second operating element (35) is connected in order to move the cutting blade (33) .

11. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cutting head (22) includes retainer elements (41) for holding the blade (16) in place relative to the cutting head (22) when using the cutting head and/or when moving it relative to the frame structure (19) .

12. Device according to Claim 2 - 11, characterized in that the frame structure (19) and the cutting head (22) are mainly of aluminium.

13. Device according to Claim 5 or 9, characterized in that the operating elements (26, 35) are pneumatic cylinders.

14. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the length of the work movement of the operating element (24) is 50 - 300 mm, preferably 100 - 200 mm.

5 15. Device handling a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade removed from service, which device includes a frame structure (19) , to which means (20) for moving the blade (16) in the device are fitted, as well as elements (21) for dividing the blade (16) into pieces, characterized in that the device 10 includes a cutting head (22), to which the elements (21) are fitted, and the cutting head (22) is arranged to be moved backwards and forwards relative to the frame structure (19) by the means (20), in order to move the blade (16) in the device.

15 16. Device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the device is according to Claims 4 - 14.

17. Method for handling a doctor or coating blade removed from service, in which method the blade (16) is moved by means (20)

20 and the blade (16) is divided into pieces by elements (21) , characterized in that the means (20) and the elements (21) are fitted permanently and/or detachably to a beam-like support structure (11, 13) arranged to support the blade (16) , and the elements (21) are arranged essentially parallel to the blade 5 (16) in the operating or servicing position.

18. Method according to Claim 17, characterized in that the elements (21) are moved backwards and forwards by the means (20) , in order to move the blade (16) . 0

19. Method according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the elements (21) are used to grip the blade (16), when the blade (16) is moved by the means (20) .

20. Method according to any of Claims 17 - 19, characterized in that the elements (21) include a cutting blade (33) , which is moved linearly.

21. Method according to any of Claims 17 - 19, characterized in that the elements (21) include a cutting blade (33* ) , which is rotated.

22. Method according to any of Claims 17 - 21, characterized in that the means (20) and the elements (21) are fitted in connection with a blade-changing apparatus used in a web- forming machine, in which blade-changing apparatus a band containing several blades (16) is used, and when a new blade is installed the blade (16) removed from service is divided into pieces by the elements (21) .

23. Method for processing a blade, particularly a doctor or coating blade taken out of use, in which method the blade (16) is moved by means (20) and the blade (16) is divided into pieces by elements (21) , characterized in that the elements (21) are moved backwards and forwards by the means (20), in order to move the blade (16) .

24. Method according to Claim 23, characterized in that in the method elements (21) are used, which are according to Claims 19

- 21.