Band Saw Workpiece Holder for 3D-Printed Base Plate Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional band saw machines face challenges in precisely aligning and separating metal parts produced by 3D printing from their base plates, leading to potential damage and saw band jamming due to unfavorable center of gravity and complex part structures, and pose health hazards from metal dust inhalation.

Innovation Solution

The band saw machine incorporates a movable holder with translational and rotational movements to align the base plate parallel to the cutting plane, and a dust-tight housing with suction devices to manage metal dust, allowing for precise sawing without vertical alignment and reducing dust exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the base plate is clamped in conventional clamping jaws for vertical alignment, then the sawing operation can be performed, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to unfavorable center of gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidclamping stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional clamping approach by using a holder that moves the workpiece horizontally instead of vertically clamping the workpiece. The holder with clamping jaws grasps the base plate and transports it horizontally to the cutting area, allowing the base plate to be clamped at its center of gravity rather than requiring vertical alignment at the top surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a holder as an intermediary device between the clamping mechanism and the workpiece. This holder serves as a mediator that can securely grasp the base plate at its center of gravity and transport it to the cutting area, eliminating the need for direct vertical clamping and improving both alignment precision and clamping stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the base plate is positioned vertically for sawing, then the cutting operation can proceed, but the risk of damage increases due to complex part structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesawing efficiencyVSAvoidpart integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional vertical sawing approach by positioning the base plate horizontally and moving the saw blade vertically through it. This inversion allows gravity to assist in keeping the base plate stable during cutting, reducing the risk of damage to complex 3D printed structures while maintaining sawing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an equipotential condition by positioning the base plate horizontally on the holder, where gravity acts uniformly on the workpiece throughout the cutting process. This eliminates the risk of parts shifting or falling during vertical sawing operations, thereby protecting the integrity of complex 3D printed structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Productivity

If the saw band is used for cutting metal parts, then the separation operation can be performed, but the service life decreases due to dust and debris accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation capabilityVSAvoidsaw band service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful metal dust and debris from the cutting area by implementing a dust extraction system with suction devices. This system actively removes dust and debris generated during the sawing process, preventing accumulation on the saw band and thereby extending its service life while maintaining separation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of metal dust and debris into a benefit by using the dust extraction system to collect and remove these particles. The dust extraction system transforms the harmful byproduct of cutting into a controlled removal process, protecting the saw band from premature wear and extending its operational life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 ensures accurate separation of metal parts without damaging adjacent parts and significantly reduces health risks by containing and removing metal dust, thereby extending saw band life and improving operational safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least one suction device for the interior of the housing and/or the casing, which expediently arranged as close as possible to the cutting area and sucks off any dust

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3450074B1Band saw machine
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 KEURO BESITZ & EDV DIENSTLEISTUNGS
  • EP3450074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450074B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3450074B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a band saw machine for sawing metallic workpieces, comprising a saw base 1, a saw top 4 attached thereto, at least two wheels 6 mounted in the saw top 4, at least one of which is driven, a saw band 5 rotating around the wheels 6 in a cutting motion and passing through a cutting area 7, and a feed device attached to the saw base 1 for feeding the workpieces 3 to the cutting area 7 of the saw band 5 and/or into a sawing plane in which the cutting area 7 of the saw band 5 is displaceable for performing a sawing feed motion 11. The feed device has a movable holder 20 for releasably securing the workpiece 3, so that the holder 20 of the feed device, starting from a starting position, can be moved both by a translational movement and by a rotational movement to the cutting area 7 of the saw band 5 and/or to the sawing plane.Preferably, the saw band is guided through the cutting area 7 in the same orientation in which it rotates around the wheels 6, and the holder 20 is moved translationally against the cutting area 7 to execute the saw feed movement. For this purpose, the workpiece 3 is preferably turned over by the holder 20 such that its upper side faces downwards.