Film-Embossing Apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016023398-A1
Application number	US-201414774339-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 19, 2014
Priority date	Mar 22, 2013
Publication date	Jan 28, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A film-embossing apparatus ( 1 ) with a hot-embossing device ( 2 ) is described which has a heated embossing stamp ( 21 ). With the formation of a contact pressure a transfer layer ( 51 ), arranged on a carrier film ( 52 ), of a hot-embossing film ( 5 ) is transferred to a surface of a workpiece ( 4 ). The hot-embossing device ( 2 ) has control inputs and outputs.
The film-embossing apparatus ( 1 ) has an industrial robot ( 3 ) with control inputs and outputs. The control inputs and outputs of the hot-embossing device and of the industrial robot are connected to a control unit ( 7 ). The industrial robot ( 3 ) is formed such that it
guides the workpiece ( 4 ) to the hot-embossing device ( 2 ), positions the workpiece ( 4 ) on the embossing stamp ( 21 ), guides the workpiece ( 4 ) past the embossing stamp ( 21 ), and guides the embossed workpiece away from the hot-embossing device ( 2 ).

It can also be provided that the industrial robot ( 3 ) positions the hot-embossing device ( 2 ) on the workpiece ( 4 ).

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A film-embossing apparatus for transferring a transfer layer
arranged on a carrier film, of a hot-embossing film to a surface of a workpiece with a hot-embossing device which has a heatable embossing stamp, wherein the hot-embossing device has control inputs and outputs, and wherein the film-embossing apparatus has an industrial robot with control inputs and outputs, and wherein the control inputs and outputs of the hot-embossing device and of the industrial robot are connected to a control unit, and wherein the industrial robot is formed such that it either:
guides the workpiece to the hot-embossing device,
positions the workpiece on the embossing stamp and/or guides it along the embossing stamp, and
guides the embossed workpiece away from the hot-embossing device, or
guides the hot-embossing device to the workpiece,
positions the embossing stamp on the workpiece and/or guides it along the workpiece, and
guides the hot-embossing device away from the embossed workpiece, and
wherein the hot-embossing device has a first film-guiding lever, arranged upstream of the embossing stamp, with a film-guiding roller, and a second film-guiding lever, arranged downstream of the embossing stamp, with a film-guiding roller, which cooperate with the industrial robot.

22 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the industrial robot is further formed such that it detaches the carrier film from the transfer layer transferred to the workpiece.

23 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the film-guiding levers are formed as swiveling levers which are mounted spring-loaded and/or the length of which can be adjusted.

24 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the film-guiding levers are formed as swiveling levers which can be swiveled and/or the length of which can be adjusted by means of an electronically controllable adjustment apparatus.

25 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the film-guiding roller of the second film-guiding lever acts as a detachment edge, via which the carrier film detached from the transfer layer is guided away.

26 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 25 , wherein a detachment angle which lies in the range of from 8° to 135°, is formed between the carrier film and the transfer layer.

27 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the embossing stamp is formed as an embossing wheel.

28 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein the embossing wheel is formed such that it rotates synchronously with the feed motion of the hot-embossing film and the workpiece.

29 . A film-embossing device according to claim 21 , wherein a cooling section is formed between the embossing stamp and the second film-guiding lever.

30 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the industrial robot has a robotic arm with 4 to 15 degrees of freedom.

31 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein the robotic arm has a workpiece receiver to receive the workpiece.

32 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the workpiece receiver is formed as a beam engaging with the workpiece.

33 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the workpiece receiver has vacuum suction cups which cooperate with the inner surface of the workpiece.

34 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the workpiece receiver has clamping cylinders and/or workpiece ejectors which cooperate with the inner surface of the workpiece.

35 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the workpiece receiver and/or the workpiece have or has guide elements and/or sensors which bring about a reproducible positional allocation between the workpiece receiver and the workpiece.

36 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein the hot-embossing device is arranged on the robotic arm.

37 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 36 , wherein a positioning apparatus is arranged on the robotic arm and/or on the hot-embossing device.

38 . A film-embossing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the control unit is designed such that it controls the industrial robot such that, during the embossing, the workpiece is pressed onto the embossing stamp or vice versa with force that is constant at least in sections and/or at times.

39 . Film-embossing apparatus according to claim 38 , wherein a pressure sensor which is connected to the control unit is arranged on the robotic arm and/or on the workpiece receiver.

Assignees

• Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co Kg

Inventors

• Drinic Ljubisa
• Triepel Michael
• Friedmann Ralf
• Meier Thomas

Classifications

• B32B38/1858

  using vacuum · CPC title

• B29C63/024

  the sheet or web-like material being supported by a moving carriage · CPC title

• B29C63/0095

  using a provisional carrier · CPC title

• B32B2038/1891

  Using a robot for handling the layers · CPC title

• B32B37/223

  One or more of the layers being plastic · CPC title