Cutting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting device (1) for at least one plate, comprising a frame (2) with a lower block (3), an upper block (4), and means for guiding the upper block (4) relative to the lower block (3) in a vertical direction (Z). The lower block (3) comprises a counter blade (15) for receiving at least the plate to be cut, and the upper block (4) comprises a blade holder (6) with an upper blade (7) for working with the counter blade (15). According to the invention, the cutting device (1) also includes means for adjusting pressure at a contact surface between the upper blade (7) and the counter blade (15) in the cutting position. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Cutting device

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for cutting at least one plate.

[0002] In the above-mentioned field, production machines equipped with an integrated cutting system are known. These machines include a cutting blade that is brazed, glued, or otherwise attached by various means to an upper part of the cutting system. Such a cutting blade comprises a single longitudinal cutting edge designed to work with a counter-blade, also fixed within the production machine, to cut a plate or strip that travels in a specific direction within the machine. The resulting pieces are then processed according to various operations. For example, in the production of electrodes for forming a battery, the pieces are stacked. Different materials can be used to form the plates or strips.

[0003] Cutting plates can have different thicknesses and also different mechanical parameters resulting from the materials used or the coatings applied. However, for such production machines, only the spacing between the blade and the counter-blade is adjustable. Neither the type of blade edge nor the pressure exerted between the blade and the counter-blade during the cutting operation is taken into account as parameters to be adjusted according to the plate being cut.

[0004] The existing configurations therefore do not allow for high cutting quality. There is a rapid degradation of cutting quality, which leads to a complete stoppage of the production line and intervention to change the worn blade or counter-blade of the associated production machine.

[0005] Thus, to repair or change the blade or counter-blade, the production machine must be completely stopped so that the parts can be disassembled or all the supplies replaced. This requires transporting entire blocks of the production line and therefore the mobilization of a large number of people, namely production, maintenance, logistics and administrative personnel, but also results in a loss of time.

[0006] In certain fields, particularly in the cutting of plates to produce battery electrodes, the production machine incorporating a cutting unit is installed in a cleanroom. However, a cleanroom requires a restriction on the number of manual operations. Furthermore, the tools used to manufacture the electrodes must be cleaned in a dust-free environment.

[0007] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and proposes a new cutting system based on an independent cutting device that can be integrated in a production line without prior modification and allowing to provide high quality cutting over time while providing a significant saving in changeover time.

[0008] The invention relates to a device for cutting at least one plate comprising a frame having a lower block, an upper block and means for guiding the upper block relative to the lower block in a vertical direction, the lower block comprising a counter blade intended to receive at least the plate to be cut, the upper block comprising a blade holder equipped with an upper blade intended to collaborate with the counter blade.

[0009] According to the invention, the cutting device also includes means for adjusting pressure at the level of a contact surface between the upper blade and the counter blade in the cutting position.

[0010] Controlling the contact pressure adjustment between the upper blade and the counter blade ensures optimal cutting depending on the type of plate being cut. This also reduces blade damage by consistently performing a cut adapted to the plate being processed.

[0011] Furthermore, the cutting device according to the invention comprises a frame that can be integrated into a production line, thus allowing the cutting device to be separated from the production machine. Therefore, handling operations can be carried out on the cutting device independently of a shutdown of the entire production line; the cutting unit can indeed be installed and removed very quickly, sometimes in less than a minute.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressure adjustment means include progressive fixing means for the counter blade on the lower block and a rear part of the lower block comprising at least one pressure screw intended to be in contact with the counter blade opposite the contact surface intended to collaborate with the upper blade.

[0013] The use of at least one pressure screw, combined with a progressive fixing system for the counter blade on the lower block, allows the contact pressure between the upper blade and the counter blade to be adjusted to a desired value determined by the type of material being cut, and this value to be maintained by fixing the counter blade to the lower block. Depending on the dimensions of the cutting device, and more specifically the dimensions of the counter blade, several pressure screws are installed parallel to each other on the lower block and opposite the counter blade to precisely adjust the desired pressure between the upper blade and the counter blade.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the blade holder includes a removable upper blade.

[0015] Advantageously, the use of a removable upper blade allows for quick and clean sharpening, repair, or replacement. Disassembly is targeted and rapid, thus limiting the impact of the environment on the system, namely dust dispersal and blade oxidation. The cutting device therefore meets cleanroom requirements.

[0016] The cutting device according to the invention can advantageously cut different types of material or thickness by simply changing the cutting edge of the upper blade.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper blade comprises two opposing longitudinal cutting edges, the upper blade being able to be mounted on the blade holder in two positions, a first position in which a first longitudinal cutting edge is directed towards the lower block and a second position in which a second longitudinal cutting edge is directed towards the lower block.

[0018] The use of a double-edged blade reduces machine downtime and the number of personnel required for such a changeover. The blade is coated, giving it greater wear resistance and therefore a longer lifespan.

[0019] According to another feature of the invention, a stripper is located on the underside of the upper block. The stripper guides and holds the plate to be cut during the cutting operation.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the stripper is connected to the upper block by at least one return column and a return spring, allowing translational movement of the stripper along the vertical direction relative to the upper block. The use of a return column combined with a return spring ensures independent movement of the stripper relative to the blade holder carrying the upper blade, thus improving the support of the plate during the cutting operation.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the guiding means comprise two guide columns mounted between the lower block and the upper block, the guide columns being capable of driving a translational movement along the vertical direction of the upper block relative to the lower block.

[0022] The guide columns ensure the precise positioning of the upper block on the lower block. The guide columns contribute to maintaining the stability, precision, and durability of the entire cutting device. Different types of guide columns are available to meet the specific dimensioning requirements of the invention.

[0023] Advantageously, the guide columns are motorized. A control unit can thus program and control the guidance of the upper block to the lower block, thereby controlling the cutting operation.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper block comprises at least one limit stop extending towards the lower block. Such a limit stop makes it possible to secure the descent of the upper block by limiting it.

[0025] The invention also relates to a method for cutting a plate comprising the following steps: - Implementation of a plate in a cutting device according to the invention, - Advancement of the plate on the counter blade over a desired cutting width distance, - Actuating the guiding means of the upper block towards the lower block in order to cut the plate, and - Retrieval of the cut plate.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, the cutting process further includes a step of choosing the upper blade according to the characteristics of the plate to be cut.

[0027] According to another feature of the invention, the cutting process includes a step of adjusting the pressure between the upper blade and the counter blade in the cutting position.

[0028] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0029] In addition, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0030] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a cutting device according to the invention,

[0031] [Fig.2] is a front view of [Fig.1],

[0032] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a blade holder of a cutting device according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the blade holder of [Fig.3],

[0034] [Fig.5] is a half-sectional view along the section plane (A,A) of [Fig.1], and

[0035] [Fig.6] is a top view of the lower block of the cutting device of the [Fig.l].

[0036] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0037] The invention aims to provide a device for cutting at least one plate. For this purpose, a cutting device designated by reference numeral 1, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a frame 2 including a lower block 3 and an upper block 4. The frame 2 can be removably attached to an operating machine including other operating units.

[0038] The cutting device 1 also includes guiding means to initiate a translation of the upper block 4 relative to the lower block 3 along a vertical direction Z defined according to the orthogonal plane X,Y,Z of the frame 2.

[0039] According to the illustrated embodiment, the cutting device 1 comprises two guide columns 5 mounted between the lower block 3 and the upper block 4. The guide columns 5 thus allow a vertical movement of the upper block 4 relative to the lower block 3.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide columns 5 are motorized and controlled by a control unit (not shown). Such a control unit can also control the advancement of the plate in the cutting device 1. According to one embodiment of the cutting device 1, several plates arranged parallel to each other can advance to be cut.

[0041] Other means of guiding the upper block 4 relative to the lower block 3 are compatible within the scope of the invention.

[0042] The translation of the upper block 4 allows the plate to be cut whose direction of advance coincides with the Y direction of the frame 2.

[0043] The upper block 4 includes a blade holder 6. According to the illustrated embodiment, the blade holder 6 is fixed to the front face of the upper block 4 and is provided with a removable upper blade 7. The upper blade 7 includes a cutting edge defining a cutting plane X,Z perpendicular to the direction of travel of the plate in the cutting device 1.

[0044] An example of an embodiment of a blade holder 6 compatible with the invention is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. According to this illustrated embodiment, the upper blade 7 is removably mounted on the blade holder 6 by means of four screws 8. Other removable fastening means are compatible within the scope of the invention.

[0045] The illustrated upper blade 7 includes a cutting edge 9 extending from the blade holder 6. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the upper blade 7 includes two opposing cutting edges 9, thus defining two mounting positions of the upper blade 7 on the blade holder 6 to present one or the other cutting edge 9 facing the lower block 3.

[0046] According to the embodiment of an upper blade 7, particularly illustrated in [Fig. 4], the cutting edge 9 has a cutting angle α between the horizontal direction X of the frame 2 and the vertical direction Z. The cutting angle α is between 0 and 3°. The cutting angle a is chosen according to the mechanical and dimensional parameters of the plate to be cut.

[0047] According to the illustrated embodiment, the upper block 4 also includes a stripper 10, visible in particular in [Fig. 5]. Two return columns 11 and two return springs 12 connect the stripper 10 to the upper block 4. The control unit can also control the position, raising, and lowering of the stripper 10 relative to the upper block 4.

[0048] According to the illustrated embodiment, the upper block 4 also includes two end stops 13 which extend from the upper block 4 to the lower block 3. The height of the end stops 13 is defined so as to fix a maximum descent value from the upper block 4 to the lower block 3.

[0049] Fig. 6 illustrates the lower block 3 seen from above.

[0050] The lower block 3 includes a counter blade 15 suitable for receiving at least the cutting plate.

[0051] The counter blade 15 includes four openings 16, each intended for the passage of four head screws 17 to progressively fix the counter blade 15 to the lower block 3. The openings 16 are arranged so that the counter blade 15 has a relative translational movement along the Y direction parallel to the direction of advance of the cutting plate when the head screws 17 are not fully rotated. To achieve this, the openings 16 have a width substantially equal to the male diameter of the body of the head screws 17 and a length greater than the male diameter of the body of the head screws 17.

[0052] The illustrated counter blade 15 also includes two guide stops 18 extending along the Y direction parallel to the direction of advance of the plate(s) to be cut.

[0053] The lower block 3 includes a rear part 20 provided with two pressure screws 21 each comprising a ball 22 and a spring (not shown) intended to bear against the rear surface of the counter blade 15. The pressure screws 21 include a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the cutting plane X,Z of the cutting device 1.

[0054] To use a cutting device 1 according to the invention, a cutting plate is placed on the counter blade 15.

[0055] According to the properties of the plate such as its materials, its coating, the thickness of the plate, a suitable cutting edge 9 is chosen and the upper blade 7 carrying this cutting edge 9 is placed on the blade holder 6 so that the chosen cutting edge 9 is opposite the counter blade 15.

[0056] The position of the counter blade 15 is adjusted on the lower block 3 according to the desired pressure at the contact surface between the upper blade 7 and the counter blade 15 when the lower block 3 is in the lowered position. The counter blade 15 is then in supports against the pressure screws 21 of the rear part 20 of the lower block 3 and the head screws 17 are tightened so as to keep the position of the chosen counter blade 15.

[0057] The plate then advances along the counter blade 15 according to the desired cutting width. According to an embodiment not shown, an uncoiler in the production line advances the plate to be cut.

[0058] Once the plate is in place, the guiding means, namely the two guide columns 5 according to the illustrated embodiment example, are actuated for example by a control unit so as to lower the upper block 4 towards the lower block 3 for the cutting operation.

[0059] The plate then finds itself between the cutting edge 9 of the upper blade 7 and the counter blade 15 and is cut.

[0060] The cut plate can then be recovered for processing in other operating units such as an assembly area.

[0061] The control unit operates the unwinder (or the unwinder operates automatically) to advance the plate between the lower block 3 and the upper block 4 of the cutting device 1.

[0062] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the annexed claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Cutting device (1) for at least one plate comprising a frame (2) having a lower block (3), an upper block (4) and means for guiding the upper block (4) relative to the lower block (3) in a vertical direction (Z), the lower block (3) comprising a counter blade (15) intended to receive at least the plate to be cut, the upper block (4) comprising a blade holder (6) equipped with an upper blade (7) intended to collaborate with the counter blade (15), characterized in that the cutting device (1) also comprises means for adjusting pressure at the level of a contact surface between the upper blade (7) and the counter blade (15) in the cutting position.

2. Cutting device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the pressure adjustment means comprise progressive fixing means of the counter blade (15) on the lower block (3) and a rear part (20) of the lower block (3) comprising at least one pressure screw (21) intended to be in contact with the counter blade (15) opposite the contact surface intended to collaborate with the upper blade (7).

3. Cutting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper blade (7) is removable.

4. Cutting device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the upper blade (7) comprises two opposing longitudinal cutting edges (9), the upper blade (7) being able to be mounted on the blade holder (6) in two positions, a first position in which a first longitudinal cutting edge (9) is directed towards the lower block (3) and a second position in which a second longitudinal cutting edge (9) is directed towards the lower block (3).

5. Cutting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which a stripper (10) is located on the underside of the upper block (4).

6. Cutting device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the stripper (10) is connected to the upper block (4) by at least one return column (11) and a return spring (12) allowing translational movement along the vertical direction (Z) of the stripper (10) relative to the upper block (4).

7. Cutting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the guiding means comprise two guide columns (5) mounted between the lower block (3) and the upper block (4), the guide columns (5) being capable of driving a translational movement along the vertical direction (Z) of the upper block (4) relative to the lower block (3).

8. Cutting device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the guide columns (5) are motorized.

9. Cutting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper block (4) comprises at least one end stop (13) extending towards the lower block (3).

10. A method for cutting a plate comprising the following steps: - Placing a plate in a cutting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - Advancing the plate on the counter blade (15) over a desired cutting width distance, - Actuating the guiding means of the upper block (4) towards the lower block (3) so as to cut the plate, and - Retrieving the cut plate.

11. Method of cutting a plate according to the preceding claim further comprising a step of choosing the upper blade (7) according to the characteristics of the plate to be cut.

12. Method of cutting a plate according to one of claims 10 or 11 comprising a step of adjusting the pressure between the upper blade (7) and the counter blade (15) in the cutting position.

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