Winding machine for raffia spools

Abstract

The present invention relates to a winding machine for raffia spools intended for obtaining individual spools of a pre-set length starting from a large-volume feed spool. The machine is capable of assembling the two parts that form each spool and subsequently winding the specific number of metres that are preselected. Once the winding process is finished, the machine cuts the rope and secures it to prevent the yarn spool from unravelling to subsequently start a new cycle with a new reel, all in a fully automated manner.

1 . Winding machine for raffia spools, consisting of a bench ( 1 ), which supports a base plate on which the various sub-stations of the machine are located, a bench ( 1 ) fitted with a perimeter safety enclosure ( 2 ), a machine with a pair of conveyor belts ( 10 - 10 ′) on which the body and cap of the spool are respectively fed into the machine, and a conveyor belt ( 10 ″) on which finished spools are discharged; the area where they are discharged by the conveyor belts ( 10 - 10 ′) contains a 4-axis robot ( 3 ) with the means to handle both the two parts of the spool, and the spool unit onto which thread has previously been wound; the robot is fitted with a reel gripper ( 40  and has, on both sides, a winding station ( 5 ), a support centring system ( 6 ), a feed reel ( 9 ), a thread handler ( 7 ) and a thread guide ( 8 ), where:
 a) The winding stations ( 5 ) include the means to receive and rotate the body of the spool. 
 b) The support centring system ( 6 ) includes the means to exert pressure on, and consequently attach, the cap to the body of the spool, and the means to manoeuvre horizontally over the operating area. 
 c) The feed reels ( 9 ) supply the thread guide unit ( 8 ) 
 d) The thread guide unit ( 8 ) includes the means to guide the thread towards the spool. 
 e) The thread guide unit ( 8 ) supplies a thread handling unit ( 7 ) consisting of 3 pneumatic shafts and a further two pneumatic actuators, including the means to jam, cut and position the thread. 
 
     
     
         2 . Winding machine for raffia spools, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that housed within the bench ( 1 ) is a pneumatic control box with an air filtration system and a solenoid valve set used to control the pneumatic actuators of the various sub-stations of the machine. 
     
     
         3 . Winding machine for raffia spools, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the enclosure ( 2 ) provides access to the operating zone via four points which are duly protected by safety sensors which activate the machine's emergency mode if opened, including LED lighting to indicate the operating zone and two spaces in which the feed reels ( 9 ) are located, with access doors, an electric cabinet from where the machine's power supply is monitored and controlled, and a control board with a touch screen, buttons and emergency stop button. 
     
     
         4 . Winding machine for raffia spools, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the conveyor belts ( 10 , 10 ′) are activated by a stepper motor connected to a reduction transmission, so much so that, when their path ends at a receiving station, their waiting position is detected for collection, and the feed belts are activated to maintain the input of parts. 
     
     
         5 . Winding machine for raffia spools, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the 4-axis robot ( 3 ) is fitted with a spool gripper ( 4 ), or a gripping system, consisting of a 4-finger self-centring gripper that is powered pneumatically. 
     
     
         6 . Winding machine for raffia spools, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the winding station ( 5 ) deploys a mechanism on its upper section to position the cap of the spool, and has the means to determine whether the cap has been positioned correctly. 
     
     
         7 . Winding machine for raffia spools, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the feed reels ( 9 ) include a mechanical catcher to prevent knots in the system, and an inductive sensor that shuts down the machine if a knot-induced jam is detected, including a compensator system whose function is to absorb peak tension on the thread. 
     
     
         8 . Winding machine for raffia spools, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the thread guide unit ( 8 ) includes a servomotor with an attached ball screw system that transforms the rotation of the motor into a linear motion, and a system whose function is to adjust the tension of the thread to be wound.