Rotary die cutting system and method for sheet material

• US 5,388,490 A
• Filed: 12/30/1992
• Issued: 02/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Byron L. Buck
• Original Assignee: Byron L. Buck
• Inventors: Buck, Byron L.
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, EUGENIA A
• Application Number:
  US07/999,565
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 83/13, 83/37, 83/881, 83/887, 83/344, 83/346, 83/347, 83/348, 83/699, 83/700, 83/880
• US Class Current: 83/880
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 2027/022 Rolls having tapered ends
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 31/16 Adjusting or positioning rolls control devices B21B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 31/18 by moving rolls axially
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 2007/2692 the rollers or cylinders being mounted skewed
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/2628 Means for adjusting the position of the cutting member
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/265 Journals, bearings or supports for positioning rollers or cylinders relatively to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/384 using rotating drums
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0341 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0393 With means to rotate blade
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4833 Cooperating tool axes adjustable relative to each other

Abstract

A rotary sheet processing system, such as a roller die cutting system incorporates force transferring bearer surfaces which may be bidirectionally adjusted to vary the clearance between cutting elements and a backup anvil. Angled bearer surfaces together with means for dynamically adjusting relative lateral position of the bearer surfaces provide a geometrical clearance adjustment. Compression adjustments measurable by electrical means are used in interrelated fashion to the geometrical clearance, to hold preloading forces between minimum and maximum acceptable levels while assuring cutting of the sheet in the predetermined pattern.

Claims

1. A method of cutting sheet material in a rotary die system, said method including the steps of:

providing a roller die having a cutting blade protruding from a surface of said roller die;

locating conical roller die bearer surfaces having first angles of inclination on first and second ends of said roller die;

supporting said roller die for rotation about a roller die axis of rotation;

providing an anvil roller having a cylindrical central surface region;

locating conical anvil roller bearer surfaces having a second angle of inclination equal to said first angle of inclination on first and second ends of said anvil roller;

supporting said anvil roller for rotation about a fixed anvil roller axis-of rotation parallel to said roller die axis of rotation and for lateral shifting along said anvil roller axis of rotation with said roller die bearer surfaces engaging said anvil roller bearer surfaces;

providing an adjustable clearance gap between said cutting blade and said anvil roller central region;

positioning a substantially non-deflecting body generally adjacent said roller die;

applying adjustable external compressive loading forces to said roller die bearer surfaces from said non-deflecting body to adjustably elastically deform said roller die bearer surfaces and said anvil roller bearer surfaces;

setting a predetermined initial clearance gap by laterally shifting said anvil roller with respect to said roller die;

passing a sheet of material to be cut through said initially set clearance gap between said roller die and said anvil roller;

measuring said adjustable external compressive loading forces applied to said roller die bearer surfaces during said cutting of said sheet material;

generating changing reactive forces on said roller die and said anvil roller in response to contacting of said sheet of material by said cutting blade; and

controlling said clearance gap in response to said changing reactive forces exerted on said roller die and said anvil roller by adjusting said lateral position of said anvil roller with respect to said roller die and by cooperatively adjusting said external compressive loading forces exerted on said roller die bearer surfaces from said non-deflecting body to thereby elastically deform said bearer surfaces of said roller die and said anvil roller for maintaining said clearance gap and said compressive loading forces within preselected ranges and thereby holding said reactive forces and said loading forces at any point in said cutting of said sheet material below a predetermined value while maintaining proper cutting of said sheet of material.