Alternating Pusher Cutting Mechanism for Sheet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cutting techniques for large sheets into small blocks, such as paper money or postcards, face inefficiencies due to pusher return times causing operational losses and decreased processing capability, and struggle with maintaining cutting accuracy while simplifying operations.
Innovation Solution
A cutting apparatus with a first and second pusher system that allows continuous feeding by returning to start positions during operation, combined with a method that aligns and cuts sheets based on reference sides to minimize displacement and ensure accurate cutting, using a series of conveyance machines and cutting blades to divide sheets into small blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If one pusher is used to feed sheets into the cutting means until the division of one placed sheet is completed, then the feeding operation is simplified, but the pusher must return to the start position after each sheet, causing significant loss in feeding operation and decrease in operating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single pusher operation is segmented into two pushers (first pusher and second pusher) that operate alternately. The first pusher feeds sheets during the first half of the division process, then returns while the second pusher takes over for the remaining sheets. This segmentation allows continuous feeding operation without waiting for one pusher to complete its full cycle and return to start position.
Solution Approach 2:
By coordinating the operation of two pushers, the system maintains continuous useful action in the feeding process. While the first pusher is returning to its start position, the second pusher is actively feeding the next sheet, eliminating idle time and ensuring the cutting means continuously receives sheets without interruption.
2Productivity
If the pusher returns from the cutting-completed position to the feed start position, then the feeding cycle is completed, but the subsequent feeding is stopped during the return period, causing accumulated loss and decrease in processing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action through alternating operation of two pushers. The first pusher performs feeding operations for a certain period, then switches to the second pusher. This periodic switching ensures that while one pusher is in its return phase (non-productive), the other pusher is in its feeding phase (productive), maintaining continuous processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinated operation of two pushers ensures continuity of useful action by overlapping the feeding phase of one pusher with the return phase of the other. This eliminates idle time and accumulated loss, maintaining constant processing capability throughout the operation cycle.
3Productivity
If multiple pushers are used to enable continuous feeding, then the operating efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher system is segmented into two functional units (first pusher and second pusher) with clearly defined roles and operating sequences. Each pusher has its own drive mechanism and control logic, but they share the same feeding path and cutting means. This segmentation achieves continuous operation while keeping each individual pusher unit relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The two pushers are merged into a coordinated system that shares common infrastructure including the feeding path, cutting means, and control system. This merging allows the system to achieve continuous feeding capability while avoiding the need for completely separate and redundant systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide a technique by which, in cutting apparatus and a method for cutting into a small block such as a paper money or a postcard out of a large sheet, the cutting accuracy of a manufactured small block can be improved, and steps can be simplified and cutting equipment can have a smaller size simultaneously. [Solution] A cutting apparatus comprises: a first pusher for pushing and conveying the left side of the cut large sheet block, of which two adjacent reference sides that have been jogged as an upper side and a left side are placed on the cutting apparatus, toward the right side direction; a second cutting means for cutting the right side of the large sheet block- pushed and conveyed by the first pusher and sequentially cutting the right end of the large sheet block while interacting with the pushing conveyance by the first pusher to divide the sheet into long column unit blocks in the up-and-down direction; a right side removal means for removing the remaining portion after the right side cutting by the second cutting means; a column unit block conveyance means for conveying the column unit blocks in the right side direction while maintaining a predetermined interval thereamong; a second pusher for pushing and conveying the upper sides of the cut column unit blocks toward the lower side direction; a fourth cutting means for cutting the lower side of the column unit block pushed and conveyed by the second pusher and sequentially cutting the lower end of the column unit block into small blocks while interacting with the pushing conveyance by the second pusher; and a lower side removal means for removing the remaining portion after the lower side cutting by the fourth cutting means.