Cutting member for automatic cutting machines

Abstract

Cutting member (1) for automatic cutting machines, the cutting member (1) comprising a support element (2) and a cutting element (3) removably fixed to the support element (2), wherein the support element (2) comprises a seat (7) having prevalent longitudinal development in which the cutting element (3) is partially housed, and wherein, on an orthogonal section of the cutting member (1) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (4), the transverse width (D) of the support element (2) is less than or equal to the transverse width of the cutting element (3) at least in correspondence with a lower portion (8) of the support element (2) along which the seat (7) develops.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: CUTTING MEMBER FOR AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINES

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a cutting member for automatic cutting machines, for example for cutting fabric or other materials in flexible sheets (e.g. leather, synthetic leather, polymeric sheets, paper, etc.).

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Automatic machines for cutting fabric or other sheet materials are known, for example laid in a single layer or arranged in stacks of overlapping layers (also referred to as “lays”), to produce cut fabric pieces according to cutting profiles having a given geometric shape and dimensions. Such cut pieces are typically used to manufacture garments or other products (e.g. car interiors, furnishings, etc.).

[0007] Typically, the fabric to be cut is placed (and, where applicable, kept pressed by means of vacuum) on a cutting table (for example made by a conveyor belt), the cutting table being provided with a surface penetrable by the cutting blade (for example made by a plurality of flexible elongated elements, the coplanar ends of the flexible elongated elements forming the cutting table). The cutting blade is mounted on a cutting head that is movable over the entire cutting table and that imparts to the cutting blade an alternating vertical motion directed along the longitudinal direction of the cutting blade.

[0008] Patent US4574673 describes a blade for an automatic cutting machine composed of an insert provided with a cutting edge and an insert holder to reduce lateral and rearward bending.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] In the above field of known automatic cutting machines, the Applicant has observed that, during advancement of the cutting member into the material to be cut, the material subjected to cutting, and optionally the above-mentioned penetrable surface, exert on the cutting member a resistance to advancement and / or lateral bending forces (in particular in the case of curvilinear cutting paths), which undesirably alter the actual cutting line and / or increase the mechanical stresses of the members for moving the cutting member and / or the consumption thereof.

[0011] The Applicant has addressed the problem of improving the effectiveness and / or the operational efficiency of an automatic cutting machine for cutting fabric, for examplein terms of cutting quality, e.g. precision (with respect to the desired cutting line) and / or cleanliness (in terms of integrity of the fabric at the cut) of the cutting, and / or in terms of cutting versatility with respect to complex cutting paths and / or in terms of cutting speed.

[0012] According to the Applicant, one or more of the above problems are solved by a cutting member for automatic cutting machines according to the attached claims and / or having one or more of the following features.

[0013] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a cutting member for automatic cutting machines.

[0014] The cutting member comprises a support element and a cutting element having prevalent development along a longitudinal direction.

[0015] Preferably, the cutting element is removably fixed to said support element.

[0016] Preferably, the support element comprises a seat in which said cutting element is partially housed, the seat developing at least along a lower portion of said support element having prevalent longitudinal development.

[0017] Preferably, on an orthogonal section of the cutting member orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, a transverse width of said support element along a transverse direction orthogonal to an advancement direction is less than or equal to a transverse width of said cutting element for at least said lower portion of said support element. According to one aspect, the invention relates to an automatic fabric cutting machine, the machine comprising:

[0018] - a cutting table;

[0019] - a cutting head movable over the entire cutting table and on which the cutting member is mounted according to the present invention, in one or more embodiments, wherein the cutting head is configured to impart to the cutting member an alternating vertical motion directed along said longitudinal direction.

[0020] The Applicant has discovered that, thanks to the maximum width of the support element being less than or equal to the maximum width of the cutting element (in other words, the lateral surfaces of the support element are flush with, or set back with respect to, the respective lateral surfaces of the cutting element) along at least the entire lower portion of the support element, the contribution provided by the support element to the above-mentioned overall resistance to advancement and / or to the above-mentioned lateral forces acting on the cutting member duringadvancement into the material to be cut is reduced with respect to a solution, such as for example in the above-cited US4574673, in which the width of the support element is significantly greater than that of the cutting element. For example, thanks to the above feature it is possible to make the outline of the section of the entire cutting member equal or very similar to that of a standard cutting blade.

[0021] In this way, the overall resistance to advancement and / or the lateral bending forces acting on the cutting member are limited, since the cutting member advances into the material with greater ease having to displace less material, to the benefit of cutting precision and / or cutting cleanliness and / or wear of the cutting member and / or of the members for moving the cutting member and / or cutting speed and / or energy consumption.

[0022] The present invention makes it possible to reduce the operating cost since, in the event of wear, it is sufficient to replace only the cutting element, and moreover the replacement operation is simple and quick.

[0023] The longitudinal direction is the direction of the alternating motion to which, in use, the cutting member is subjected, typically directed vertically and coinciding with the main development direction of the cutting member.

[0024] The terms “vertical”, “lower”, “upper” and the like refer to the geographic vertical in a condition of normal installation and operation of the automatic cutting machine, wherein the alternating motion of the cutting member is vertical.

[0025] The advancement direction, as well as the terms “frontward”, “rearward”, “forward”, “backward” and the like, refer to the horizontal direction of advancement of the cutting member (or, for curved cutting paths, to the tangent thereof), and coincides with the antero-posterior direction of the cutting member, as shown in the figures. The transverse direction, along which the above-mentioned width is taken, is perpendicular to the advancement direction and to the longitudinal direction.

[0026] The present invention, in the above aspect, may present one or more of the following preferred features.

[0027] Preferably, said cutting member has a median plane lying on the advancement direction and on the longitudinal direction, the cutting member being preferably symmetrical with respect to said median plane at least for a lower portion of the cutting member.

[0028] Preferably, said lower portion of the support element develops longitudinally incorrespondence with a central portion of the cutting element. In this way, cutting of stacks of layers having a desired thickness is facilitated.

[0029] Preferably, said orthogonal section of the cutting member is constant throughout said lower portion of the support element, except for one end of said support element. Preferably, said cutting element comprises frontward a cutting portion having prevalent longitudinal development, free from said support element and provided frontward with a cutting edge, and comprises rearward an insertion portion having prevalent longitudinal development and inserted into said seat.

[0030] Preferably, said cutting element has a lower end portion, more preferably pointed, free from said support element. Preferably, said cutting edge develops throughout said lower end portion. Said lower end portion, in use, penetrates into the material to be cut.

[0031] Preferably, said lower end portion of the cutting element presents rearward a projection protruding upward, and said support element presents rearward, at a lower end, a respective seat contoured to match said projection so as to house said projection and oppose a forward movement of said cutting element relative to said support element. In this way, a lower part of the cutting element is kept stationary with respect to the support element in the presence of forward thrusts.

[0032] In one embodiment, the insertion portion is provided with one or more holes (for example in correspondence with the lower end portion and / or distributed longitudinally along the insertion portion) engaged by a respective grub screw which passes through a respective through hole of one between the first and second wall of the support element. In this way, the cutting element (including the lower end portion thereof) is kept stationary with respect to the support element, also in the presence of forward and / or vertical thrusts.

[0033] Preferably, said seat of said cutting element is directed frontward. In this way, during cutting the cutting element remains in thrust against the support element.

[0034] Preferably, said support element, on said orthogonal section, comprises rearward a rear portion and frontward a first and second wall facing each other and protruding forward from said rear portion, said seat being defined by lateral surfaces of said first and second wall facing each other and by a front face of said rear portion. Preferably, said insertion portion of the cutting element has lateral surfaces in contact with respectively said lateral surfaces of the first and second wall. In this way, the cuttingelement is laterally contained by the two walls, which resist the lateral bending forces acting on the cutting element in both opposite directions.

[0035] Preferably, said first and second wall have, on said orthogonal section, a respective front face facing frontward, and said insertion portion has two bearing faces in contact with respectively said front faces of said first and second wall. Preferably, on said orthogonal section each front face is shaped to diverge from a median plane of the cutting member moving forward (that is, concordantly with an advancement direction), more preferably is shaped as a straight segment, even more preferably forming with said advancement direction an acute angle directed forward, for example greater than or equal to 20°, more preferably greater than or equal to 30°, and less than or equal to 70°, more preferably less than or equal to 60°, even more preferably less than or equal to 50° or 40°. In this way, the two front faces act as inclined planes transforming the resistance force acting on the cutting element by the material into a thrust force directed toward the center of the seat, the two thrust forces being opposite to each other with self-centering effects.

[0036] Preferably, said cutting element has a rear face at a distance from said support element, e.g. at a distance from said front face of said rear portion of the support element. In this way, self-centering of the cutting element within the seat is promoted. Preferably, the cutting element and the support element comprise superiorly a respective fixing portion, the cutting element being removably fixed to said support element in correspondence with said respective fixing portions. Preferably, the transverse width of the support element is less than or equal to a transverse width of the cutting element also in correspondence with the respective fixing portions. In this way, the cutting member is overall compact.

[0037] Preferably, said fixing portion of the support element comprises one or more recesses or holes (e.g. open frontward) transversely passing through, more preferably each recess or hole transversely passing through a fixing wall of the support element, more preferably continuous and coplanar with said first wall. Preferably, said fixing portion of the cutting element comprises, for each recess or hole of the support element, a respective socket, more preferably open rearward and positioned corresponding to a respective recess or hole of the support element, wherein preferably each recess or socket is shaped to mechanically engage with a respective screw so as to oppose a vertical movement of the cutting element relativeto the support element. In this way, positioning of the cutting element within the seat is facilitated (also in the presence of the screws suitably loosened, that is, without necessarily having to remove the screws), and at the same time the mechanical engagement between the screws and the respective sockets opposes vertical movement (upward and downward) of the cutting element relative to the support element.

[0038] Preferably, the cutting member comprises a fastening system comprising, for each recess or hole of the support element, a respective screw having a head in contact with a lateral surface of (said fixing wall of) the fixing portion of the support element and a threaded shank that passes transversely through the respective recess or hole of the support element and, in a free manner (that is, without mechanical interference such as for example due to the presence of threads), the respective socket of the cutting element.

[0039] In one embodiment, the threaded shank also passes transversely in a free manner through the respective recess or hole of the support element.

[0040] Preferably, the fastening system comprises a block, distinct from said cutting element and from said support element, placed in contact with a lateral surface of said cutting element on the side transversely opposite to said head(s) of the screw(s) and provided, for each screw, with a respective threaded hole, preferably passing through the block, into which an end of the shank of the respective screw is screwed. In this way, the screw(s) and the block clamp the fixing portions of the support element and of the cutting element, thereby establishing a firm fixing between the two elements. In one embodiment, each recess or hole of the support element is threaded, wherein said threaded shank is screwed into the respective recess or hole of the support element. In this way, it is possible to avoid use of the above-mentioned block, further simplifying the cutting member.

[0041] In one embodiment, said support element and / or said cutting element is entirely made of a material having a Young’s modulus greater than the Young’s modulus of steel, more preferably entirely made of tungsten carbide. In this way, the high rigidity of the material (e.g. tungsten carbide) reduces bending of the cutting member, without excessively affecting costs since the support element does not require replacement due to wear.

[0042] In one embodiment, said support element and / or said cutting element is entirelymade of steel, e.g. high speed steel (HSS).

[0043] Brief description of the figures

[0044] Figures 1 and 3 schematically and partially show respective perspective views of a cutting member according to the present invention;

[0045] Figures 2 and 4 schematically and partially show exploded views of Figures 1 and 3, respectively;

[0046] Figures 5 and 6 schematically and partially show an orthogonal section taken respectively along section planes 5-5 and 6-6 of Figure 1 ;

[0047] Figure 7 schematically and partially shows an orthogonal section of a further embodiment of the cutting member of the present invention, taken along a section plane analogous to the section plane 5-5 of Figure 1 ;

[0048] Figure 8 schematically and partially shows a lateral view of a further embodiment of the cutting element of the present invention.

[0049] Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

[0050] The features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified by the following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures.

[0051] In the figures, a cutting member 1 for automatic cutting machines according to the present invention is exemplarily shown, in different embodiments.

[0052] The automatic fabric cutting machine (not shown) comprises a cutting table and a cutting head movable over the entire cutting table and configured to impart to the cutting member an alternating vertical motion directed along a vertical direction. The automatic cutting machine, the cutting head, the members for imparting the alternating vertical motion to the blade, and the related control electronics and logics, will not be further illustrated and described herein since they are, for example, of a known type.

[0053] The cutting member 1 comprises a support element 2 and a cutting element 3 having prevalent development along a longitudinal direction 4, typically coincident with the vertical direction, wherein the cutting element 3 is removably fixed to the support element 2. It is noted that the support element 2 in the figures is shown only partially and only with reference to the lower part thereof (constituted by a lower portion 8 and a fixing portion 31 arranged superiorly with respect to the lower portion 8, which in the shown example develops up to the lower end of the support element 2, althoughin other embodiments not shown the lower portion may not include the lower end of the support element 2) free from guide elements (not shown) of the alternating vertical motion. The support element 2 typically further extends, with respect to the part shown in the figures, along the longitudinal direction 4 upward, in one piece or as an assembly, to allow fixing to movement and guide members, and optionally to detection devices (e.g. of forces, bending, etc.), present on the cutting head. The cutting element 3, instead, may be in the form entirely shown in the figures.

[0054] The support element 2 comprises a seat 7 in which the cutting element 3 is partially housed, the seat 7 developing at least along the lower portion 8 of the support element 2 having prevalent longitudinal development.

[0055] Preferably, on an orthogonal section of the cutting member orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 4, as exemplarily shown in Figures 5 and 7, a maximum transverse width D of the support element 2, taken along the transverse direction 9 orthogonal to the advancement direction 10, is less than or, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, equal to the maximum transverse width of the cutting element 3, for at least the entire lower portion 8 of the support element 2. Preferably, said orthogonal section of the cutting member 1 is constant throughout the lower portion 8 of the support element 2, except for one end thereof. Preferably, the lower portion 8 of the support element 2, and therefore also the seat 7, develops in correspondence with the entire central portion of the cutting element, for a longitudinal length that varies as a function of the length of the cutting element (for example equal to 3, 5, 7, 8 or 9 cm).

[0056] Preferably, the cutting member 1 has a median plane (passing through line 10 in Figure 5) lying on the advancement direction 10 and on the longitudinal direction 4, the cutting member being symmetrical with respect to the median plane for a lower portion of the cutting member.

[0057] Preferably, the seat 7 of the cutting element is directed frontward.

[0058] Preferably, the cutting element 3 comprises frontward (Figures 5 and 7) a cutting portion 12 having prevalent longitudinal development, free from the support element 2 and provided frontward with a cutting edge 13, and comprises rearward an insertion portion 14 having prevalent longitudinal development and inserted into the seat 7.

[0059] Preferably, the support element 2, on the orthogonal section, comprises rearward arear portion 20 and frontward a first and second wall 21, 22 facing each other and protruding forward from the rear portion 20, the seat 7 being defined by lateral surfaces 23 of the first and second wall 21, 22 facing each other and by a front face 27 of the rear portion 20 (exemplarily curved in Figure 5 and planar in Figure 7, in the latter case orthogonal to the lateral surfaces 23). Preferably, the insertion portion 14 of the cutting element has lateral surfaces in contact with respectively the lateral surfaces of the first and second wall 21 , 22.

[0060] Preferably, the first and second wall 21 , 22 have, on the orthogonal section (Figures 5 and 7), a respective front face 24 facing frontward, and the insertion portion has two bearing faces 25 in contact with respectively the front faces 24 of the first and second wall 21, 22.

[0061] Exemplarily (Figures 5 and 7), on the orthogonal section each front face 24 of the first and second wall 21, 22 (and therefore also the bearing faces 25) is shaped as a straight segment forming with the advancement direction 10 an acute angle 26 directed frontward and exemplarily equal to 45° (as exemplarily shown in Figure 5) or a right angle (as exemplarily shown in Figure 7).

[0062] In further embodiments, not shown, the front face of the first and second wall has a curvilinear profile diverging from the median plane of the cutting member 1 moving forward. Preferably, the rear face of the cutting element 2 and the front face 27 of the rear portion 20 of the support element 2 are at a mutual distance (as shown in Figure 5).

[0063] Preferably, the cutting element is removably fixed to the support element in correspondence with respective fixing portions 31 , 32 arranged superiorly. Preferably, the transverse width of the support element 2 is less than or equal to the transverse width of the cutting element 3 also in correspondence with the respective fixing portions 31 , 32.

[0064] Preferably, the fixing portion 31 of the support element 2 comprises one or more holes 33 transversely passing through a fixing wall 21 of the support element, the fixing wall 21 being continuous and coplanar with the first wall 21. In one embodiment not shown, one or more of said through holes 33 are replaced by corresponding recesses, for example open frontward. Preferably, the fixing portion 32 of the cutting element comprises, for each recess or through hole 33 of the support element, a socket 34 open rearward and positioned corresponding to a respective recess orthrough hole 33.

[0065] Preferably, the cutting member 1 comprises a fastening system 40 comprising, for each socket or through hole 33, a respective screw 41 having a head 42 in contact with a lateral surface of the fixing wall 21 of the fixing portion 31 of the support element 2 and a threaded shank 43 that passes transversely in a free manner through the respective through hole 33 of the support element 2 and the respective socket 34 of the cutting element 3.

[0066] Preferably, the fastening system comprises a block 44 placed in contact with a lateral surface of the cutting element 3 on the side transversely opposite to the heads 42 of the screws 41 and provided, for each screw, with a respective threaded hole passing through the block, into which an end of the shank 43 of the respective screw is screwed.

[0067] In one embodiment not shown, each recess or hole of the support element is threaded, and the threaded shank of the screw is screwed into the respective recess or hole.

[0068] Preferably, the cutting element 3 has a lower end portion 15 pointed, free from the support element 2 and comprising a portion of the cutting edge 13. In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1-4, the lower end portion 15 presents rearward a projection 16 (exemplarily continuous with, and coplanar to, said insertion portion 14) protruding upward, and the support element 2 presents rearward, at a lower end, a respective seat 17 contoured to match the projection 16 to house the projection and oppose a forward movement of the cutting element relative to the support element. The embodiment shown in Figure 8 is instead devoid of such projection.

[0069] In one embodiment, as partially shown in Figure 8, the insertion portion 14 is provided with one or more holes 29 (for example in correspondence with the lower end portion 15 and / or distributed longitudinally along the insertion portion 14) engaged by a respective grub screw which passes through a respective through hole (not shown) of one between the first and second wall 21 , 22 of the support element 2 (for example, the grub screw passes through a smooth hole passing through the first wall 21 and is screwed into the threaded hole 29, or passes also through the smooth hole 29 passing entirely through the insertion portion 14 and is screwed into a threaded hole formed in the second wall 22).

[0070] It is noted that, although some connecting portions between adjacent non-coplanarsurfaces are exemplarily shown as rounded, such portions may form sharp edges. With regard to materials, the present invention contemplates any combination of materials for the support element and the cutting element.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Cutting member (1) for automatic cutting machines, the cutting member (1) comprising a support element (2) and a cutting element (3) having prevalent development along a longitudinal direction (4),wherein the cutting element (3) is removably fixed to said support element (2), wherein the support element (2) comprises a seat (7) in which said cutting element (3) is partially housed, the seat (7) developing at least along a lower portion (8) of said support element (2) having prevalent longitudinal development,and wherein, on an orthogonal section of the cutting member (1) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (4), a transverse width (D) of said support element (2) along a transverse direction (9) orthogonal to an advancement direction (10) is less than or equal to a transverse width of said cutting element (3), for at least said lower portion (8) of said support element (2).

2. Cutting member (1) according to claim 1, wherein said lower portion (8) of the support element develops longitudinally in correspondence with a central portion of the cutting member (1), and wherein said orthogonal section of the cutting element (3) is constant throughout said lower portion (8) of the support element (2), except for one end of said support element (2).

3. Cutting member (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said support element (2) on said orthogonal section comprises rearward a rear portion (20) and frontward a first and second wall (21, 22) facing each other and protruding forward from said rear portion (20), said seat (7) being defined by lateral surfaces (23) of said first and second wall facing each other and by a front face (27) of said rear portion (20), wherein said insertion portion (14) of the cutting element has lateral surfaces in contact with respectively said lateral surfaces (23) of the first and second wall (21 , 22), and wherein said first and second wall (21 , 22) have on said orthogonal section a respective front face (24) facing forward, and said insertion portion (14) has two bearing faces (25) in contact with respectively said front faces of said first and second wall (21 , 22).

4. Cutting member (1) according to claim 3, wherein on said orthogonal section each front face (24) of the first and second wall (21, 22) is shaped to diverge from a median plane of the cutting member moving forward.

5. Cutting member (1) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein on saidorthogonal section each front face (24) of the first and second wall (21 , 22) is shaped as a straight segment forming with said advancement direction (10) an acute angle (26) directed forward, and having a magnitude greater than or equal to 20° and less than or equal to 70°.

6. Cutting element (1) according to any one of the claims from 3 to 5, wherein said insertion portion (14) is provided with one or more holes (29) engaged by a respective grub screw which passes through a respective through hole of one between said first and second wall (21 , 22) of the support element (2).

7. Cutting member (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a fixing portion (31) of the support element (2) comprises one or more recesses or holes (33) transversely passing through a fixing wall (21) of the support element, wherein a fixing portion (32) of the cutting element (3) comprises, for each recess or hole (33) of the support element, a socket (34) open rearward and positioned corresponding to a respective recess or hole (33), each recess or socket being shaped to mechanically engage with a respective screw (41) to resist vertical movement of the cutting element relative to the support element.

8. Cutting member (1) according to claim 7, further comprising a fastening system (40) comprising:- for each recess or hole (33) of the support element, a respective screw (41) having a head (42) in contact with a lateral surface of said fixing portion (31) of the support element (2) and a threaded shank (43) freely passing transversely through the respective recess or hole (33) of the support element and the respective socket (34) of the cutting element; and- a block (44), distinct from said cutting element (3) and said support element (2), placed in contact with a lateral surface of said cutting element on the side transversely opposite to said head(s) (42) of the screw(s) and provided, for each screw (41), with a respective threaded hole passing through the block and into which an end of the shank (43) of the respective screw is screwed.

9. Cutting member (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said cutting element (3) comprises frontward a cutting portion predominantly developing longitudinally, free from said support element and provided frontward with a cutting edge (13), and comprises rearward an insertion portion (14) predominantly extending longitudinally and inserted into said seat (7), wherein said cutting element has alower end portion (15) with a pointed tip, free from said support element and features rearward a projection (16) protruding upward and said support element (2) presents rearward, at a lower end, a respective seat (17) contoured to match said projection to house said projection and prevent forward movement of said cutting element relative to said support element.

10. Cutting member (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said support element (2) is entirely made of a material with a Young's modulus greater than the Young's modulus of steel, preferably tungsten carbide.

11. Automatic fabric cutting machine, the machine comprising:- a cutting table;- a cutting head movable over the entire cutting table and on which the cutting member (1 ) is mounted according to any of the previous claims,wherein the cutting head is configured to impart to the cutting member (1) an alternating vertical motion directed along said longitudinal direction (4).

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