Automated roll handling system

Abstract

An automated roll handling system includes a cart with an integrated vertical spindle and a plurality of wheels on bottom frame of the cart. A trio of cart locating pads is situated on the bottom frame of the cart, and a cart centering post is situated on the bottom frame of the cart and used in combination with the trio of cart locating pads to locate the spindle in space to a predetermined positioning tolerance that allows for control of five degrees of freedom. A roll transfer system is also provided including a pivot arm, a system frame, a vacuum arm, a plurality of vacuum suction cups affixed to the vacuum arm for holding a sidewall of a stock roll, and a cart locator system on the bottom of the system frame for precise positioning of the cart.

1 . An automated roll handling system, comprising: 
 a) a cart with an integrated vertical spindle comprising:    a1) a plurality of wheels on bottom frame of the cart;    a2) a trio of cart locating pads situated on the bottom frame of the cart;    a3) a cart centering post situated on the bottom frame of the cart and used in combination with the trio of cart locating pads to locate the spindle in space to a predetermined positioning tolerance that allows for control of five degrees of freedom; and    b) a roll transfer system, comprising:    b1) a pivot arm;    b2) a system frame for supporting the pivot arm;    b3) a vacuum arm that is capable of sliding within the pivot arm;    b4) a plurality of vacuum suction cups affixed to the vacuum arm for holding a sidewall of a stock roll; and    b5) a cart locator system on bottom of the system frame for precise positioning of the cart using the combination of the trio of cart locating pads and the cart centering post.    
   
   
       2 . The automated roll handling system claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cart locating system further comprises: 
 i) a cart locator that engages with the cart centering post;    ii) a cart locator latch that engages with the cart centering post; and    iii) a trio of cart lifting devices that lift the cart to position the spindle within plus or minus 0.005 inches and allowing for control of five degrees of freedom.    
   
   
       3 . A method of loading a stock roll with an automated roll handling system, comprising the steps of: 
 a) locating a cart centering post against a cart locator;    b) actuating a cart locator latch to precisely position the cart centering post against the cart locator;    c) actuating cart lifting devices to accurately position a spindle axis within a predetermined tolerance while allowing for control of five degrees of freedom;    d) actuating a vacuum arm to acquire a top-most stock roll;    e) actuating the vacuum arm to a fully retracted position;    f) actuating a rotary actuator to rotate a pivot arm in a horizontal position for alignment with a receiving spindle;    g) actuating a stop cylinder to limit vacuum arm's stroke;    h) actuating the vacuum arm out against the stop cylinder to load the stock roll over the receiving spindle;    i) grasping of the stock roll core by the receiving spindle;    j) de-energizing vacuum pressure on the vacuum arm;    k) retracting the vacuum arm until its fully retracted position; and    l) rotating the pivot arm to its initial position.