Cutting device for insulating materials and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting device for soft materials in planar form. In particular, the invention relates to a device for cutting insulation materials in sheet or roll form. The device comprises a base plate (1) and a guide track (2), between which a gap is formed for pushing the insulation material through, wherein a circular blade (4) is arranged on the guide track (2) and is slidable along the guide track (2). According to the invention, the device has a blade guard (5) surrounding the circular blade (4), which is movable horizontally along the guide track (2) with the circular blade (4), but is slidable vertically independently of the circular blade (5), so that its lower edge can be placed on insulation material located in the gap and the material can be compressed by the blade guard (5) while the circular blade (4) and blade guard (5) move along the guide track (2).The invention also relates to a method for cutting sheet- or roll-shaped insulation material.

Description

Introduction

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting device for soft materials in planar form. In particular, the invention relates to a device and a method for cutting insulation materials in sheet or roll form. State of the art and disadvantages

[0002] Insulating materials in sheet form, used for protection against heat loss or cold, as well as for fire protection, are well-known. They are usually several centimeters thick and often consist of a soft base material, usually mineral wool such as glass or rock wool, which may be encased in a protective, mechanically stabilizing top layer. As a rule, it is necessary to cut these semi-finished products, which come in sheet or roll form of a specific width, to length so that they can be installed correctly at their intended location.

[0003] Manual tools are often used for cutting, such as special insulation knives with a serrated edge. However, this often presents the problem of difficulty in creating a straight cut, even when using a simple wooden board or a guide such as a spirit level or straightedge. Furthermore, manual cutting is time-consuming, and the result depends on the user's experience.

[0004] Electric devices for cutting such materials are also known. However, these too have the described problem of producing straight cut lines. Furthermore, they require a power outlet for operation, and any batteries must be recharged regularly.

[0005] Furthermore, from an occupational safety perspective, it is detrimental to touch the insulation material directly with the hand, as the dust produced during cutting can become embedded in the skin. Inhaling the fine fibers can lead to lung damage, which in the worst case can cause cancer. The dust also irritates the eyes. When operating electric cutting tools, a vacuum cleaner is also required to remove the dust generated during cutting and stirred up by the tool's motor. Problem of the invention and solution

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a device and a method that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. Accordingly, the invention should allow for simple and precise cutting of insulation materials, minimize the formation of harmful dust, and be independent of power sources. The cutting time should be reduced. The work result should be largely independent of the user's experience.

[0007] The problem is solved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to dependent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the respective dependent claims, the following description, and the figures. Description

[0008] The device according to the invention will first be described below. This will be followed by a description of its use.

[0009] The device is used for cutting sheet- or roll-shaped insulation material of the type described above. The device comprises a base plate, for example made of aluminum, on which a guide rail is mounted by means of two columns arranged at the ends of the guide rail. The base plate and guide rail are approximately the same length. Their length slightly exceeds the typical width of insulation sheets or rolls and can be, for example, 1 m. , The width should be 1.5 m or 2 m. Preferably, the width should be approximately 1.2 m.

[0010] A gap is created between the base plate and the guide rail, designed to allow the insulation material to be pushed through. It is clear that the height of the gap is somewhat greater than the thickness of the freely resting insulation material; this thickness is, for example, 2, 5, 10, 12, or 16 cm. It is also possible for the height of the gap to be adjustable by changing the vertical distance between the base plate and the guide rail.

[0011] A circular blade, pointing downwards towards the base plate (during operation), is mounted on the guide track and can be moved along the guide track. This blade has a diameter of, for example, 350 mm, but can also be smaller (down to 50 mm) or larger (up to 500 mm). Such a circular blade is particularly well-suited for cutting insulation materials of the type described above. Other types of suitable cutting tools are also conceivable; these can alternatively be electrically driven, although this is not preferred.

[0012] Optionally, and particularly preferably, a side stop is arranged on the base plate, standing perpendicular to the same surface and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide track. One side of the insulation material can be placed against this stop. Since a right angle between the front and side edges of the insulation material is generally desired, this angle is achieved precisely when the side of the insulation material rests against the side stop.

[0013] The device according to the invention is characterized in that it has a downwardly open blade guard surrounding the circular blade, wherein the blade guard is movable together with the circular blade along the guide track in the horizontal direction, but is displaceable independently of the circular blade in the vertical direction. Thus, the lower edge of the blade guard can be placed on insulating material located in the gap, while the circular blade projects downwards from the blade guard to penetrate the insulating material. The insulating material is compressible by the blade guard while the circular blade and blade guard move along the guide track. To provide this compressibility, the blade guard can preferably have a sufficiently high weight, which e.g.The weight can be 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 kg. Alternatively or additionally, the blade guard can be depressed by spring force using a suitable design. Manual pressure by an operator's hand is also conceivable, but less preferred.

[0014] Due to the compression of the insulation material, the circular blade can produce a particularly clean cut. Because the blade guard completely covers the cutting area from above at all times, any dust and fibers that may be released during cutting are also retained inside the blade guard.

[0015] The invention thus avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0016] The invention allows for simple and precise cutting of insulation materials, minimizes the formation of harmful dust due to the clean cut, and operates independently of power sources. Cutting time is significantly reduced, with savings of up to 80% demonstrated in trials. The results are largely independent of the user's experience. No additional tools such as gauges are required. Material waste is significantly reduced because the cut insulation pieces have straight, unfrayed edges; thus, joining pieces together is also easily accomplished. Furthermore, the device is very space-saving due to the use of the scales and support profiles described below.

[0017] Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the blade guard has rollers pointing towards the base plate. These rollers preferably protrude slightly from the blade guard at its front and rear edges (viewed along the longitudinal guide rail) to facilitate easy rolling up and down onto and off the insulation material. In other words, the rollers are arranged and designed to roll easily over the insulation material. In a preferred embodiment, the blade guard is manually lifted by the operator's hand to move it into the plane of the top surface of the insulation material. With particularly large rollers, it would also be conceivable for the blade guard to be automatically lifted when approaching the insulation material from the side, instead of moving against the side of the insulation material and becoming blocked there.Thus, the circular blade with the blade guard initially lowered could simply be moved from the side towards the insulation material, with the blade guard automatically raising itself due to the laterally arranged rollers.

[0019] Since the circular blade is fixed in a vertical direction, it can cut through the insulation material, while the now-raised blade guard, resting on the top of the insulation, compresses the material around the cut. In any case, the rollers reduce friction with the insulation material, especially when the blade guard is already in the raised position.

[0020] To further reduce friction, the blade guard has a sliding track on its underside. This track is preferably as wide as the blade guard, while of course leaving a gap for the circular blade. The sliding track can have an inwardly inclined ramp at its ends for easier entry onto and exit from the insulation material, and / or, particularly in the cutting direction, a rounded front corner; this also prevents jamming with protruding fibers during compression. The width of the sliding track can approximately correspond to the width of the rollers.

[0021] In another embodiment, the width of the blade guard, measured along the longitudinal direction of the guide track, is no greater than the remaining distance between a side stop and the usable end of the guide track. This allows the blade guard to retract completely from the insulation material after it has been cut. The blade guard also lowers completely, meaning the circular blade is once again fully protected, minimizing the risk of injury. Furthermore, the cut insulation material can be easily removed from the device without having to return the circular blade to its starting position.

[0022] Preferably, the device includes a push rod for lateral coupling to the rotary blade with blade guard. The push rod serves to advance the rotary blade even when the cutting width of the insulation material is longer than the operator's arm length. In this case, the operator would have to walk around the device and operate the rotary blade from the rear or the opposite "end" side, which is not always possible due to space constraints and could also interrupt the cutting process, thus impairing the work result. The push rod preferably has a length of 0.5 ± 0.2 meters.

[0023] Preferably, the push rod has a guide handle at its end furthest from the circular blade, with which it can be operated.

[0024] Preferably, the device also includes a guide bracket that supports the push rod vertically but allows it to move longitudinally. It serves to support the push rod. The guide bracket can, particularly preferably, slide along the guide track. During the cutting process, the guide bracket, which is preferably located near the end where the guide handle is situated, moves along with the handle and the circular blade. When the circular blade retracts, the guide bracket remains at the beginning of the guide track, while the push rod can extend beyond this point. A support roller can be provided at the beginning of the guide track to support the end of the push rod, which initially protrudes at the start of the cutting process, in a vertical direction.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the device comprises one, and preferably two, scale profiles arranged on a first longitudinal side of the base plate, onto which the insulation material can be placed and with which the distance between the circular blade and a front end of the insulation material can be determined. The first longitudinal side is the side that points in the direction of the cut insulation material ("downstream"). The cutting length can preferably be determined by applying a corresponding centimeter scale for the cutting depth to the upper side of the scale profile.

[0026] The scale profiles are preferably foldable / swingable from the base plate, meaning they rest against the side of the base plate in their resting position. However, they can also be telescopically extendable from the base plate or inserted into it. The scale profiles are particularly preferably stable enough to allow for good support of the insulation material placed on them even when they are not resting on a solid surface. This situation can arise, for example, when the device is positioned on a table and the scale profiles extend laterally beyond it.

[0027] Preferably, at least one scale profile is equipped with an end stop that runs parallel to the cutting plane of the circular blade and is movable on or with the scale profile. The end stop serves to maintain a defined distance between the insulation material and the cutting plane of the circular blade. The scales on the upper side of the scale profiles, as mentioned above, allow for easy reading of the end stop's position, thus enabling the selection of the desired length of the cut insulation material. The end stop (which can be in two parts if two or more scale profiles are present) allows for particularly easy and quick repetition of a specific cutting length after its initial setting. For adjustment, the end stop can be fixed to the scale profile, for example, by means of a knurled screw.

[0028] Using the end stops, cutting multiple sections of the same length can be done significantly faster.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the device has two support profiles arranged on the second longitudinal side ("upstream") of the base plate, opposite one of the first longitudinal sides. These support profiles also serve to support the (still uncut) portion of the insulation material and should have at least the same stability as the scale profiles described above. At least one of the support profiles (and preferably each support profile) is connected or connectable at its distal end to a contact profile that runs at an angle of 90° ± 0°...45° to the longitudinal direction of the respective profile. The contact profile is thus initially an "extension" of the support profile, but can be positioned at an angle to it, particularly to prevent insulation material in roll form from falling off.

[0030] As will now be explained, the production of said angle, which is preferably 90°, can be achieved in various ways.

[0031] In one variant, the support profiles are attached to the base plate in such a way that the mounting profile arranged on the support profile can either run flat and thus parallel to the plane of the base plate, or project upright from it at an angle of 90° ± 0°...45°. In other words, the angle between the support profile and the mounting profile is fixed, but by pivoting the support profile, the mounting profile can be moved from a flat to an upright position. This is achieved by mounting the support profile on the base plate so that it can rotate around its longitudinal axis.

[0032] In another variant, the mounting profile is attached to the support profile in such a way that the mounting profile either runs parallel to the plane of the base plate or projects from it at an angle of 90° ± 0°...45°. Thus, it is not the support profile that is rotatable around its longitudinal axis on the base plate, but rather the angle between the mounting and mounting profiles that is adjustable, for example, by means of a lockable swivel joint. This variant is structurally simple. Here, the support profile is pivotable around its vertical axis on the base plate. In this way, it can be placed against the base plate in a resting position. If the angle between the mounting and mounting profiles is then also set to 180°, both profiles lie flat against the base plate, resulting in a particularly space-saving solution when not in use.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises two carrying handles arranged near the columns. This allows the device to be transported safely and easily by one or, preferably, two people without placing stress on the guide rail, which could potentially be damaged by carrying forces.

[0034] In another embodiment, the device includes tension straps for securing it to a surface. This surface can be a table or a scaffold platform, to which the device should be firmly connected to prevent unintentional movement during cutting. The tension strap preferably begins along the first longitudinal side, is designed to pass underneath the device, and is held in position on the base plate along the other longitudinal side by a fixing element forming part of the strap.

[0035] Furthermore, the device can include a cutting mat that can be placed on the base plate, allowing for gentler processing and achieving a better cutting result. Preferably, the cutting mat is usable on both sides to increase its service life. A slightly asymmetrical arrangement of the cutting mat along the length of the device is also advantageous, as it can then be turned over to a position that is "unused" from the perspective of the circular blade, further increasing its service life. This results in four different positions in which the cutting mat can be used.

[0036] Preferably, the cutting mat is recessed into the base plate so that its upper surface is below the surface of the base plate, for example by 1, 2, or 3 mm. It is also relatively narrow, for example 0.5 to 2 cm, resulting in a recessed, narrow cutting slot. This has the advantage that, during cutting, the underside of the insulation material in the area around the circular blade is positioned slightly higher than the lowest point of the circular blade, leading to improved compression and thus an even better cutting result.

[0037] In another embodiment, the device comprises trestles on which the base plate can be mounted, or coupling brackets on which an insert platform can be placed, and on which the base plate can be mounted, or the device is designed to be attached to these components (trestles, coupling brackets, insert platform). An ergonomic working height can be adjusted using the trestles. The device can be attached to scaffolding by means of the coupling brackets by securing it to an insert platform, which, for example, can have a width of 2500 mm. The coupling brackets are preferably mounted on the outside of the scaffolding so that the working area on the scaffolding remains unobstructed for walking and working.

[0038] The device can therefore also be used on a high-rise building, for which only the coupling brackets need to be attached.

[0039] A method for cutting sheet- or roll-shaped insulation material of the type mentioned above is now described. The method comprises the following steps: Inserting the insulating material into a gap between a base plate and a guide track arranged above it; moving a circular blade along the guide track, which cuts through the insulating material.

[0040] The method according to the invention is characterized in that a downwardly open knife guard surrounding the circular knife moves with the circular knife in a horizontal direction, wherein the knife guard is moved independently of the circular knife in a vertical direction, so that its lower edge is initially placed on the insulating material located in the gap, whereupon the circular knife moves along the guide track cutting the insulating material and the knife guard moves along the guide track compressing the insulating material.

[0041] In other words, the insulation material is manually inserted into the initially empty gap. The circular blade, still covered by its guard, is pushed to one side edge of the insulation material. The guard is lifted so that the circular blade—as it is pushed sideways into the insulation—cuts it, while the guard, resting on top of the insulation, compresses it. The circular blade, with its compressing guard, is pushed to the other side edge of the insulation material. If there is sufficient space, the guard slides off the edge of the insulation material, thus automatically protecting the circular blade. The now-cut insulation material can be manually removed from the front. The offcut can be removed from the back. A new panel can then be inserted into the gap or unrolled from a roll, if available.

[0042] Preferably, the insulation material is placed on support profiles positioned in front of the gap before cutting. This prevents unwanted sagging of the insulation material and thus a potential deterioration of the work result.

[0043] In a further preferred embodiment, the insulating material is advanced before cutting up to end stops, which are arranged on scale profiles located behind the gap. Particularly preferably, the stops are adjusted so that, upon contact with the insulating material, the desired cutting length is achieved. For this purpose, the stops can be slid along the scale profiles in the longitudinal direction and fixed in the appropriate position.

[0044] Preferably, a push rod is provided along which the circular blade can be advanced, particularly when the operator's arm length is insufficient for continuous advancement to the end of the cut. The push rod is preferably operated with one hand. Preferably, the operator's other hand remains on the blade guard, particularly to lift it at the beginning of the cutting process. This minimizes the risk of injury, as both hands are thus outside the danger zone of the sharp circular blade.

[0045] The method is particularly preferably carried out using a device as described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the relevant passages above. Character description

[0046] The invention is explained below using figures as examples. Figure 1a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in a rest position; Figure 2 a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in a working position; Figure 3 a perspective view of the device according to the invention after completion of a section; Figure 4 a perspective view of the device according to the invention on a scaffold platform.

[0047] In the Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in a rest position. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in a working position with insulating material laid on top, in the form of a plate.

[0048] The device comprises a base plate 1 on which a guide track 2 is mounted by means of two columns 3A, 3B arranged at the two ends of the guide track 2. Column 3A is located at the beginning and column 3B at the end of the guide track 2. A gap is thus formed between the base plate 1 and the guide track 2 for pushing the insulating material through (shown in Fig. 2 ) intended gap.

[0049] A circular blade 4, shown here as dashed lines and pointing towards the base plate 1, is arranged on the guide track 2. This blade is slidable along the guide track 2. The circular blade 4 is surrounded by a blade guard 5 that is open only at the bottom.

[0050] The blade guard 5 and the circular blade 4 can be moved together along the guide track 2 in a horizontal direction. However, the blade guard 5 can be moved independently of the circular blade 5 in a vertical direction. Thus, its lower edge can be placed on insulating material located in the gap ( Fig. 2 ), so that it is compressed by the knife guard 5, while the circular knife 4 and knife guard 5 move along the guide track 2.

[0051] The knife guard 5 includes rollers 6A, 6B pointing towards the base plate 1. The rollers 6A, 6B serve to facilitate the movement of the knife guard 5 on the insulation material.

[0052] The width B of the blade guard 5, measured in the longitudinal direction of the guide track 2, is smaller than the residual distance R between a side stop 7 and the usable end of the guide track 2 (both on the left in the image). Thus, the blade guard 5, together with the circular blade 4 it protects, can fall from the insulation material into a safe position after the cut is completed. This is shown in the Figure 3 The diagram shows the side stop 7, in which the reference symbols have been omitted for clarity. The side stop 7 is constructed in two parts; the knife guard 5 can pass through the resulting gap.

[0053] On a first longitudinal side of the base plate 1 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 : on the right in the picture, Fig. 3Scale profiles 8A and 8B are arranged at the front. The insulation material can be placed on these. They also serve to determine the distance between the circular blade 4 and a front end of the insulation material (cutting length S), as explained below. First, the scale profiles 8A and 8B are folded away from the base plate 1 so that they run at an angle of 90° to its rear end (right in the image), with their upper surfaces still lying approximately in the plane of the base plate 1 (shown in Figure 1). Fig. 2 ). Parallel to the cutting plane of the circular blade 4, each scale profile 8A, 8B has a sliding end stop 9A, 9B. The end stops 9A, 9B allow for easy repetition of a cutting length S once set using the same method ( Fig. 2 ). This must be done. For this to happen, the in Fig. 2The insulation material shown should only be advanced to the aforementioned end stops 9A and 9B before the cut is made. The selected cutting length S can be easily read and, if necessary, adjusted using the dimensioned markings (not shown) located on the top of the scale profiles 8A and 8B.

[0054] Each of the support profiles 10A, 10B is connected at an angle of 90° to its longitudinal direction to a mounting profile 11A, 11B ( Fig. 1 At the distal end of a support profile 10A, 10B, a joint is provided that engages at 90° intervals. Thus, the support profile 11A, 11B can be selectively positioned in the Fig. 1 be arranged in the upright position shown, or flat in the plane of the base plate 1 and the two support profiles 10A, 10B ( Fig. 2 , Profiles symbolized by dashed lines, reference marks omitted).

[0055] The device also has two carrying handles 12A, 12B arranged near the columns 3A, 3B (only carrying handle 12B is visible).

[0056] A cutting mat 14 is inserted into the base plate 1. This serves to improve the work result and to protect the circular blade 4.

[0057] The device also includes tension straps 13A, 13B for securing the device to a surface. As in Fig. 1 The tension straps 13A, 13B can also be used to fix the scale profiles 8A, 8B, the support profiles 10A, 10B and the mounting profiles 11A, 11B to the base plate 1 in the resting state.

[0058] Finally, the device also includes a push rod 18, which facilitates the advancement of the circular blade 4, particularly in the case of larger cutting widths. A guide handle (without reference numeral) is provided at the end of the push rod 18. The blade guard 5 also includes a handle (without reference numeral) on its upper surface, so that during operation of the device, one hand holds the guide handle and the other the handle on the blade guard 5, thus minimizing the risk of injury. A sliding guide bracket 19 is also provided for vertically supporting the push rod 18.

[0059] In Figure 4 Figure 1 shows how the device according to the invention is attached to the insert platform 17 of a scaffold 16 by means of coupling brackets 15A, 15B. It is also apparent that here, instead of the one described in Figure 16, the device is attached to the insert platform 17 of a scaffold 16. Fig. 2The sheet material shown is a roll of material placed on the support profiles 10A, 10B (not visible). The support profiles 11A, 11B, angled upwards at approximately 90°, ensure that the roll cannot fall off the device. The other reference symbols have been omitted for clarity. Reference symbol list

[0060] 1Base plate 2Guideway 3A,3BColumns 4Round knife 5Knife protection 6A,6BRoller 7Side stop 8A,8BScale profile 9A,9BEnd stop 10A,10BSupport profile 11A,11BContact profile 12A,12BCarry handle 13A,13BTension belt 14Cutting mat 15A,15BCoupling console 16Scaffolding 17Inserting scaffolding floor 18Push linkage 19Guide bracket B width RR remaining distance S cutting length

Claims

1. Device for cutting sheet or roll-shaped insulation material, the device comprising a base plate (1) on which a guide track (2) is mounted by means of two columns (3A, 3B) arranged at the ends of the guide track (2), so that a gap is provided between the base plate (1) and the guide track (2) for pushing the insulation material through, wherein a circular blade (4) pointing towards the base plate (1) and movable along the guide track (2) is arranged on the guide track (2), characterized by the fact thatThe device has a downwardly open blade guard (5) surrounding the circular blade (4), wherein the blade guard (5) together with the circular blade (4) is movable along the guide track (2) in a horizontal direction, but is displaceable independently of the circular blade (5) in a vertical direction, so that its lower edge can be placed on insulating material located in the gap and this can be compressed by the blade guard (5) while the circular blade (4) and blade guard (5) move along the guide track (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the knife guard (5) has rollers (6A, 6B) pointing towards the base plate (1), and / or wherein the width (B) of the knife guard (5) measured in the direction of the longitudinal direction of the guide track (2) is not greater than a residual distance (R) between a side stop (7) and the usable end of the guide track (2).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it comprises two scale profiles (8A, 8B) arranged on a first longitudinal side of the base plate (1), on which the insulation material can be placed, and with which the distance between the circular blade (4) and a front end of the insulation material can be determined, wherein - the scale profiles (8A, 8B) are foldable from the base plate (1), or telescopically extendable from it, or can be inserted into it, and / or - an end stop (9A, 9B) extending parallel to the cutting plane of the circular blade (4) and movable on or with the scale profile (8A, 8B) is arranged on at least one scale profile (8A, 8B).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device has two support profiles (10A, 10B) arranged on a second longitudinal side of the base plate (1) opposite one of the first longitudinal sides, and wherein at least one of the support profiles (10A, 10B) is connected or connectable at its distal end to a contact profile (11A, 11B) extending at an angle of 90° ± 45° to the longitudinal direction of the respective support profile (10A, 10B), and wherein - the support profiles (10A, 10B) are attached or attachable to the base plate (1) such that the contact profile (11A, 11B) arranged on the support profile (10A, 10B) optionally extends parallel to the plane of the base plate, or projects out of it at an angle of 90° ± 45°, or - a contact profile (11A, 11B) is attached to the support profile in such a way as to (10A, 10B) is attached or attachable such that the mounting profile (11A, 11B) runs either parallel to the plane of the base plate or projects out from it at an angle of 90° ± 45°.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the same has two carrying handles (12A, 12B) arranged near the columns (3A, 3B).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising tension straps (13A, 13B) for fastening the device to a substrate.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cutting mat (14) that can be placed on or inserted into the base plate (1).

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the cutting mat (14) is arranged in a recessed slot such that its upper side is below the surface of the base plate (1).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising scaffold trestles on which the base plate (1) can be attached, or coupling brackets (15) on which an insert scaffold floor (17) can be placed, and on which the base plate (1) can be attached to a scaffold (16), or the device is configured to be able to be attached to these components (15A, 15B, 17).

10. Method for cutting sheet or roll-shaped insulation material, comprising the following steps: - Inserting the insulation material into a gap between a base plate (1) and a guide track (2) arranged above it; - Moving a circular blade (4) along the guide track (2), the same cutting the insulation material; characterized by the fact thata downwardly open knife guard (5) surrounding the circular knife (4) moves with the circular knife (4) in a horizontal direction, the knife guard (5) being moved independently of the circular knife (4) in a vertical direction, so that its lower edge is initially placed on the insulating material in the gap, whereupon the circular knife (4) moves cutting the insulating material and the knife guard (5) moves compressing the insulating material along the guide track (2).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the insulating material is placed on support profiles (10A, 10B) located in front of the gap before cutting.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the insulating material is advanced before cutting up to end stops (9A, 9B) which are arranged on scale profiles (8A, 8B) arranged behind the gap.

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 is used.

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