Device and method for making a roof fitment
View Patent ↗Exemplary embodiments generally relate to a method and device for assembling a plurality of different roof-covering membranes, herein known as fitments. The particular fitment is preferably designed for the particular roof on which it is to be used. The roof measurements may be provided to a factory which may create a unitary membrane from separate pieces which may be hot air bonded together. A single machine may be utilized to quickly, and repeatably assemble a plurality of different fitments.
1. A device for assembling roof fitments comprising
a bolster comprising:
two substantially flat areas,
a curved area, and
one or more securing mechanisms;
a ram located above said bolster and comprising:
a first die controlled by a main ram actuator assembly,
a second die having a concave feature corresponding to the curved area of the bolster and controlled by an auxiliary actuator assembly; and
one or more suction devices on the first die; and
a horizontally-retractable heating element between said bolster and said ram.
2. The device from claim 1 further comprising:
one or more suction devices on the two substantially flat areas of the bolster.
3. The device from claim 1 further comprising:
one or more locating pins on the first die of the ram.
4. The device from claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of hot air exhausts along said heating element.
5. The device from claim 1 further comprising:
one or more inserts on the first die.
6. The device from claim 5 wherein:
the inserts are interchangeable with other inserts of varying geometries.
7. The device from claim 1 wherein:
the heating element is interchangeable with other heating elements of varying geometries.
8. A method for assembling a roof fitment comprising the steps of:
1. placing a top membrane portion on a bolster plate;
2. placing a base membrane portion on the bottom surface of a ram having an insert, wherein at least a portion of said top and base membranes overlap each other and also a portion of the insert;
3. holding said top membrane portion in place using one or more securing mechanisms;
4. holding said bottom membrane portion in place using one or more suction devices;
5. forcing hot air over the overlapping areas of both the top and base membranes; and
6. pressing at least a portion of the overlapping membrane areas together.
9. The method from claim 8 wherein the step of holding the bottom membrane portion in place further comprises the step of:
holding the bottom membrane portion in place using one or more locating pins.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of holding the top membrane portion in place further comprises the step of:
holding the top membrane portion in place using one or more suction devices.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of pressing at least a portion of the overlapping membrane areas together further comprises the steps of:
aligning edge features of the ram with the overlapping membrane areas; and
compressing the overlapping membrane areas between the bolster and the edge features of the ram.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:
pressing a concave feature of the ram into a corresponding curved area of the bolster.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:
removing the assembled roof fitment;
replacing the insert with a second insert having different geometry;
placing a second top membrane portion on the bolster plate;
placing a second base membrane portion on the bottom surface of the ram containing the second insert, wherein at least a portion of the second to and second base membranes overlap each other and also a portion of the second insert;
holding the second to membrane portion in place using one or more securing mechanisms;
holding the second bottom membrane portion in place using one or more suction devices;
forcing hot air over the overlapping areas of both the second top and second base membranes; and
pressing at least a portion of the overlapping membrane areas together.
14. A device for assembling roof fitments comprising
a stationary bolster having:
two substantially flat areas,
a curved area,
a plurality of suction devices, and
one or more securing mechanisms;
a ram located above said bolster and comprising:
a first die having one or more inserts and controlled by a main ram actuator assembly, and
a second die controlled by an auxiliary actuator assembly; and
a horizontally-retractable, interchangeable heating element between said bolster and said ram, said heating element having a plurality of hot air exhausts facing both the bolster and the ram.
15. The device of claim 14 further comprising:
a concave feature on the second die, said concave feature corresponding to the curved area of the bolster.
16. The device of claim 15 further comprising:
one or more suction devices on the first die of the ram.
17. The device of claim 16 further comprising:
one or more locating pins on the first die of the ram.
18. The device of claim 16 wherein:
the main ram actuator assembly and auxiliary actuator assemblies are capable of separate actuations.
19. The device of claim 16 wherein:
one or more inserts of varying geometries may be substituted for one another out of the ram.
20. The device of claim 16 wherein:
the main ram actuator assembly and auxiliary actuator assemblies are capable of a substantially continuous actuation.