Automatic feeder

Abstract

An automatic feeder for a strip of material, comprising: an orientation assembly ( 10 ), structured to retain a free end (T) of a strip (R) on a predetermined gripping plane ( 11 ), in a waiting position; a gripping device ( 20 ), structured to grasp the free end (T) of a strip (R) and to translate the end (T) from the waiting position to a feeding position, in which the end (T) can be grasped by another operating device (D).

1 . An automatic feeder for a strip of material, characterised in that it comprises:
 an orientation assembly ( 10 ), structured to retain a free end (T) of a strip (R) on a predetermined gripping plane ( 11 ), in a waiting position;   a gripping device ( 20 ), structured to grasp the free end (T) of a strip (R) and to translate the end (T) from the waiting position to a feeding position, in which the end (T) can be grasped by another operating device (D).   
     
     
         2 . The automatic feeder according to  claim 1 , wherein the orientation assembly ( 10 ) comprises at least one presser element ( 12 ), structured to press and retain the free end (T) of the strip (L) on the gripping plane ( 11 ). 
     
     
         3 . The automatic feeder according to  claim 2 , wherein the orientation assembly ( 10 ) comprises an abutment ( 13 ), structured to come into contact with a front edge of the free end (T) and to define the waiting position of the free end (T) on the gripping plane ( 11 ). 
     
     
         4 . The automatic feeder according to  claim 3 , wherein the abutment ( 13 ) is movable between an operating position, in which it can come into contact with the front edge of the free end (T) to define the waiting position of the free end (T) on the gripping plane ( 11 ), and an inactive position, in which it does not interfere with the free end (T) and the strip (R) can slide longitudinally in space. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic feeder according to  claim 4 , wherein the orientation assembly ( 10 ) comprises detection means predisposed to detect the correct location of the free end (T) in the gripping position on the gripping plane ( 11 ). 
     
     
         6 . The automatic feeder according to  claim 1 , wherein the gripping device ( 20 ) comprises a gripper ( 21 ), structured to grasp the free end (T). 
     
     
         7 . The automatic feeder according to  claim 6 , wherein the gripper ( 21 ) is associated with a support arm ( 22 ) rotating about an axis of rotation (X) between a first position, in which the gripper ( 21 ) can grasp the free end (T) in the gripping position, and a second position, in which the free end (T) retained by the gripper ( 21 ) can be taken by another operating device (D). 
     
     
         8 . The automatic feeder according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a support shaft ( 30 ) for supporting one or more rolls of strip (R);   one or more orientation assemblies ( 10 ), each of which is structured to retain a free end (T) of one of the strips (R) on a predetermined gripping plane ( 11 ), in a waiting position;   wherein the gripping device ( 20 ), is movable in order to be able to grasp the free end (T) of one of the strips (R) and to translate the end (T) from the waiting position to the feeding position, in which the end (T) can be grasped by another operating device (D).   
     
     
         9 . A machine for producing abrasive discs, comprising: an automatic feeder ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 ; a cutting assembly (D), structured so as to grasp the free end (T) of a strip (R), to drag in advancement the strip (R) and to cut from the strip (R) a plurality of sheets; an assembly device, structured to fix the sheets to a support disc.