Adjustable Support Surface Layout for Continuous Sheet Part Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for cutting out workpiece parts from plate-shaped workpieces using a cutting jet face challenges such as tilted metal parts causing collisions with the cutting head, incomplete cutting due to microjoints, and inefficient material utilization, leading to increased production costs and process inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cutting jet system featuring at least three flat support surfaces arranged in a row with a single support surface perpendicular to them, allowing for a large gap to serve as a cutting gap, and at least one height-adjustable support surface to facilitate the removal of cut-out workpiece parts without interrupting the cutting process, enabling efficient and reliable part production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal parts are packed tightly to prevent tilting collisions, then collision risk is reduced, but material utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple independent support carriages positioned at different locations beneath the workpiece. Each carriage can independently support cut-out parts, allowing tighter packing of metal parts without collision risk while maintaining good material utilization
Solution Approach 2:
Support carriages act as intermediary elements between the workpiece and the underlying structure. These carriages provide elevated support points that prevent tilted parts from colliding with the cutting head while allowing efficient part arrangement, thus resolving the contradiction between collision prevention and material utilization
2Stability of the object's composition
If microjoints are left to prevent tipping, then stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Support carriages are positioned in advance at optimal locations to provide immediate support to cut-out parts. This preliminary support prevents tipping without requiring microjoints, eliminating the need for additional processing steps to remove connecting bridges while maintaining part stability
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is extracted from the workpiece structure itself (which would require microjoints) and transferred to separate support carriages. This allows parts to be stabilized without maintaining connecting bridges, thereby eliminating the need for additional finishing operations
3Manufacturing precision
If parts are removed only after complete cutting, then cutting precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support carriages enable continuous cutting operation by providing immediate support to cut-out parts during the cutting process. This eliminates the need to pause cutting to remove parts, maintaining cutting precision while continuously improving productivity through uninterrupted machining
Solution Approach 2:
The support carriages automatically engage to support cut-out parts as they are separated from the workpiece. This self-acting support system maintains cutting precision without requiring manual intervention or part removal pauses, thereby enhancing production rate while preserving manufacturing precision
4Productivity
If support carriages are lowered to remove parts, then part removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The support carriages are designed with height-adjustable mechanisms that allow them to be lowered to discharge cut-out parts and then raised to resume workpiece support. This dynamic adjustment capability improves part removal efficiency while the modular carriage design keeps the overall device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The support carriages serve multiple functions: supporting the workpiece during cutting, supporting cut-out parts to prevent tipping, and facilitating part removal through height adjustment. This multi-functionality improves productivity without requiring separate specialized devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient and reliable removal of workpiece parts, reducing the risk of collisions and incomplete cuts, improving material utilization, and maintaining high production efficiency while minimizing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
A laser beam with sufficient energy to separate the metal is directed onto a metal sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for cutting workpiece parts (5) out of a planar workpiece (4) by means of a cutting beam. The device has at least three supporting surfaces (8), wherein a cutting gap (9) for the cutting beam is delimited by two directly adjacent supporting surfaces (8), extends perpendicular to the arrangement in rows of the supporting surfaces (8) and is completely open. A flat workpiece support (3) for the planar workpiece (4) is formed by at least two supporting surfaces (8) arranged on both sides of the cutting gap (9). At least one height-adjustable supporting surface (8) which is directly adjacent to the cutting gap (9) and is situated between two other supporting surfaces (8) can be moved between a high position in which the supporting surface (8) forms the workpiece support (3) together with the other supporting surfaces (8) and at least one low position in which the supporting surface (8) is lowered relative to the plane of the workpiece support (3).