POWERED BAND CLAMPING UNDER ELECTRICAL CONTROL

摘要

Tensioning of a band clamp about an object under electrical control is provided using a control system operably connected to a banding system. The banding system includes a number of mechanical components involved with tightening, cutting and locking the band clamp, as well as removing a tail portion thereof. The control system is operably connected to the assemblies of the banding system to automatically control at least certain operations associated with performing the functions of the apparatus. The banding system includes: a band tightening assembly including a mandrel about which the tail portion can be wrapped during the band tightening operation; a band cutting/locking assembly including a removable cutting device used in forming the lock and severing the tail portion; and a band ejection assembly used in removing the severed tail portion from the apparatus. The control system preferably includes a load cell that outputs an electrical signal related to the actual tension being applied to the band clamp during the tightening operation. The control system also includes an input/output device for receiving and outputting information related to the functions performed by the banding and control systems.