END-O-MAT Straight Feeder

Some advantages and specific features of the process are best described by describing the flow of material through the END-O-MAT.
A linear feeder, which is controlled by a servomotor, lifts the uppermost sheet from the stack by self-regulating suction units and transfers it to the point of infeed. Alignment wedges centre the sheets at the scroll. Correct alignment is monitored by proximity switches. Alignment at the scroll does not require the sheets to be of exact width and has a higher tolerance of deviation from angularity. Sensors are monitoring the alignment. In case of misalignment, the machine automatically carries out two more alignment attempts. If correct alignment of the sheet is still not possible, the machine is stopped and displays a fault alarm.
A double sheet detector and a sheet lacquering monitor system are part of the scope of supply. Detection of double sheets or any faulty lacquering on the top or bottom side of the sheets causes the controller to stop the machine to avoid scrap or damage to the tooling. The lacquering monitor system can be switched off if unlacquered sheets are to be processed.
To compensate for sheet length variations the machine is supplied with a sheet length compensation system. Sensors measure each sheet. The measured dimensions are compared with those of a reference sheet and provide the data required for correction of the clockcontrolled infeed steps. The maximum permissible deviation in sheet length is 1 mm, approximately. In case of larger deviations, the controller stops the machine and displays a fault message. As soon as the scrap skeleton reaches the roller feed mechanism at the discharge, this mechanism takes over the clock-controlled transport of the sheet through the tooling and finally ejects the scrap skeleton. Operation without idle strokes is a must for high productivity. As soon as the roller feed mechanism at the infeed has handed over the sheet to the feed mechanism at the discharge, a new sheet is aligned, taken over by the roller feed mechanism at the infeed and accelerated so that it catches up with the preceding sheet at the centre of the tooling. A stepped sheet guide plate ensures that the sheets overlap as required for production without idle stroke.


The END-O-MAT for double-row tooling is equipped with a roller feed mechanism at the infeed. This roller feed mechanism has been specially dened to process thin materials, with adjustable pressure and a pressure roller with optimised mass moment of inertia. High feed precision and, consequently, the smallest possible web width are achieved by means of a precisely ground feed-controlling upper roller and a highly-dynamic servo-drive. The drive is controlled by an intelligent, fully digital servo-control which allows acceleration-optimised feed profiles to be set. The relatively thin sheet can thus be accelerated, decelerated and positioned smoothly and without jerks. This feature is of special importance for conveying of the sensitive scrap skeleton in particular. Therefore the roller feed mechanism at the discharge is of similar den, but with special emphasis on careful transport of the scrap skeleton. The feed precision of both roller feed mechanisms is better then 0.05 mm.

Flow of material through the END-O-MAT with double-row tooling:
Some advantages and specific features of the process are best described by describing the flow of material through the END-O-MAT. A linear feeder, which is controlled by a servomotor, lifts the uppermost sheet from the stack by self-regulating suction units and transfers it to the point of infeed. Alignment wedges centre the sheets at the scroll. Correct alignment is monitored by proximity switches. Alignment at the scroll does not require the sheets to be of exact width and has a higher tolerance of deviation from angularity. Sensors are monitoring the alignment. In case of misalignment, the machine automatically carries out two more alignment attempts. If correct alignment of the sheet is still not possible, the machine is stopped and displays a fault alarm. A double sheet detector and a sheet lacquering monitor system are part of the scope of supply. Detection of double sheets or any faulty lacquering on the top or bottom side of the sheets causes the controller to stop the machine to avoid scrap or damage to the tooling. The lacquering monitor system can be switched off if unlacquered sheets are to be processed. To compensate for sheet length variations the machine is supplied with a sheet length compensation system. Sensors measure each sheet. The measured dimensions are compared with those of a reference sheet and provide the data required for correction of the clockcontrolled infeed steps. The maximum permissible deviation in sheet length is 1 mm, approximately. In case of larger deviations, the controller stops the machine and displays a fault message. As soon as the scrap skeleton reaches the roller feed mechanism at the discharge, this mechanism takes over the clock-controlled transport of the sheet through the tooling and finally ejects the scrap skeleton. Operation without idle strokes is a must for high productivity. As soon as the roller feed mechanism at the infeed has handed over the sheet to the feed mechanism at the discharge, a new sheet is aligned, taken over by the roller feed mechanism at the infeed and accelerated so that it catches up with the preceding sheet at the centre of the tooling. A stepped sheet guide plate ensures that the sheets overlap as required for production without idle stroke.