Server system for rubberized sheets

Abstract

A system and apparatus for accurately delivering rubberized sheets from a supply roll of stock material containing an intervening liner to an assembly station for subsequent assembling into an air spring or similar article of manufacture by eliminating the heretofore formation of a 'free loop' therein. The supply roll and a liner take-up reel are rotatably mounted on a carriage transversely movable with respect to the longitudinal motion of the stock material. A hugger device has a plurality of timing belts which frictionally engage the liner at the take-up reel and winds the liner onto the reel at a constant linear speed regardless of the diameter of the reel and collected liner to move the rubberized sheet at a controlled rate toward the assembly station. The motion profile of the timing belts is controlled by a servo drive motor and the belts engage an arcuate portion of the circumference of the take-up reel to provide positive frictional drive engagement therewith. The carriage is moved along a pair of tracks by a ballscrew mechanism for bringing the cartridges of stock material and take-up reel into position with the timing belts and assembly station. An optical edge detection device and encoder, in conjunction with a motion controller, accurately control and regulate the system.