Aluminum Spools
- Industries: Paper
Problem:
The spools have an inner and outer wall between them, which an end-effector could be inserted. However, the opening between the spool walls is curved and has spokes that create four quadrants and only a 3/4″ height into which an end-effector can be inserted. In addition to supporting the weight of the spool, the end-effector must slider the spool off the spindle.
Application:
Remove aluminum spools wound with rubber strands from the horizontal spindles on a winding machine and transfer them to a cart with horizontal shafts.
Solution:
Vertical Lift Cylinder with 48″ of vertical travel and 360° operator limited rotation. Poke end-effector with two curved forks to fit into two of the four openings in the spool. A lever at the end of each fork is power rotated to trap the spool on the forks. The trapped spool can then be pulled off of the spindle. Manual rotation of poke end-effector about its horizontal axis for aligning forks with spool openings.