|
The suction cups pick up the blank from the horizontal magazine. The blank is then unloaded onto the guides and carried by the M4 double chain, which is pushed from the rear to a position underneath the rear hot-melt glue guns that apply the glue stitches indicated in the program to the reinforced corners. Two overlapping pneumatic devices pre-fold the corner flaps at a 90° angle to fit the blank in the propellers of the main station where the pressers fold and glue the flaps. Then, the M14 single chain moves the blank forward in a continuous cycle, passing in front of the front glue applicators to reach a pneumatic actuator which centers the blank in the hopper (forming area) where the cycle starts. The mold activates and strong pressure is applied between the corners and the side of the tray being glued with the glue still hot during the forming piston stroke . The tray stops between the four spring stopping devices in order for the mold to come out easily. The top flaps are folded by four pneumatic cylinders (one for each corner in order to follow the natural fold of the blank). Four side pressers fold and glue the flaps along the side of the box. During this operation, slight pressure is applied between the tray top flaps and the four pneumatic stopping devices at the bottom of the box to make sure the sizes and squaring are correct. The operating cycle is PLC-controlled, according to specific parameters previously set in the program with the color interface. Up to 80 sizes can be saved and are controlled in hundredths of a second to optimize and compensate for special weather conditions and/or conditions of the product used. The TF70 forming machine operates with two separate conveying chains, between the delivery phase to the main station (M4 double chain) and the delivery phase below the mold (M14 single chain). This feature accelerates production up to 50 cycles/minute using hot-melt glue for high speeds.
|
