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Graphite tape supply and backing paper take-up apparatus

  • US 7,922,856 B2
  • Filed: 01/02/2008
  • Issued: 04/12/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for supplying a tape to a laminating machine during a lamination of the tape to a work piece, the method comprising:

  • mounting an apparatus on a support frame of the laminating machine, the apparatus comprising;

    a supply reel having a brake;

    a take-up reel disposed adjacent to the supply reel, the take-up reel having a tensioner;

    a dancer roller mounted for movement relative to the supply and take-up reels;

    an actuator operable to move the dancer roller to a selected position relative to the supply and take-up reels and to sense the position of the dancer roller relative thereto;

    a compaction roller adapted for rolling movement over a surface of a work piece;

    a stripping roller disposed between the dancer roller and the laminating head;

    a tape having a liner releasably adhered thereto and wound onto the supply reel, the tape having an outer end extending from the supply reel, around the dancer roller and the stripping roller and below the compaction roller, the liner having an outer end extending from the supply reel, around the dancer roller and the stripping roller and coupled to a core of the take-up reel; and

    ,a mechanism for actively controlling the brake and tensioner of the supply and take-up reels and the actuator of the dancer roller such that tension in at least the tape is maintained substantially constant during the movement of the compaction roller over the surface of the work piece and a subsequent cutting of the tape;

    supplying the tape from the supply reel to a laminating head of the laminating machine;

    stripping the liner from the tape before it reaches the laminating head;

    taking up the liner with the take-up reel after it is stripped from the tape;

    rolling the compaction roller over the surface of the work piece such that a sticky side of the tape is adhered to the surface;

    cutting the tape during the movement of the compaction roller, and,controlling the brake and tensioner of the supply and take-up reels and the actuator of the dancer roller relative to the support frame such that the tension in at least the tape is maintained substantially constant during the movement of the compaction roller over the surface of the work piece and the subsequent cutting of the tape.

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