Method and apparatus for changing spacers

摘要

A method and apparatus for the, preferably automated, changing of spacers in a plant having at least one applicator head for applying spacers to panel-shaped workpieces, in particular glass panes. Spacers from at least two sources are fed to the applicator head in an offset manner with respect to one another. A first spacer from a first source is separated. The resulting end of the first spacer and a start of the second spacer, which comes from a second source, are moved into a mutually assigned position by a changing device. Then, the end of the first spacer is connected to the start of the second spacer. A resulting connection of the first spacer with the second spacer runs through the plant until the connection has passed the applicator head. Thereafter, the second spacer is separated in a region between the connection and the applicator head.

主权项

1. A method for changing spacers in a unit with at least one applicator head for application of spacers to sheet-shaped workpieces, the method comprising:
supplying the respective spacer from at least two sources to the applicator head staggered in time one to another; severing a first spacer from a first one of the sources; moving a resulting end of the first spacer and a start of a second one of the spacers from a second source with a changing apparatus into a position assigned to the resulting end of the first spacer and the start of the second spacer; joining the end of the first spacer to the start of the second spacer; running a resulting connection of the first and second spacers through the unit until the connection passes the applicator head; and after the connection passes the applicator head, severing the second spacer in a region between the connection and the applicator head.