Ceramic Honeycomb Cutting Synchronization Prevents Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceramic molded body cutting apparatuses risk deformation or cracking, especially when cutting honeycomb structures with thin walls, due to contact between the cutting piece and the molded body during the cutting process, and adherence of material to the cutting piece can lead to clogged cells and defective cuts.

Innovation Solution

A molded body cutting apparatus is designed with a first conveyer member and a cutting member that move in synchronization, and a second conveyer member, where the conveyance and cutting speeds are adjusted to prevent contact and adherence, using a filamentous cutting member, such as a metallic filament coated with resin, to minimize stress and facilitate precise cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cutting piece simply rises back to its original position after cutting, then the cutting operation can proceed to the next cycle, but the cutting piece and the cut molded body may make contact causing deformation, cracking, or cell wall damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting cycle speedVSAvoidcut face quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting piece is designed to move dynamically in three directions: horizontally along with the molded body during cutting, vertically downward to perform the cut, and horizontally backward after cutting. This dynamic multi-directional movement prevents contact between the cutting piece and the cut molded body while maintaining high cutting cycle speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the cutting piece contacts the molded body during rising, then the cutting operation can be completed, but constitution material adheres to the cutting piece and re-adheres to the cut face causing defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting operation completionVSAvoidcut face cleanliness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting piece performs a horizontal backward movement after cutting completes, creating separation distance between the cutting piece and the cut molded body. This dynamic separation prevents constitution material from re-adhering to the cut face, ensuring cut face cleanliness while completing the cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a traditional cutting piece is used, then the cutting apparatus is simple, but the cell walls of honeycomb molded bodies suffer deformation, cracking, or clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting apparatus structureVSAvoidcell wall integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting piece is designed with dynamic multi-directional movement capability, moving horizontally along with the molded body during cutting, vertically downward to cut, and horizontally backward after cutting. This dynamic movement pattern prevents contact with the cut molded body and cell structures, preserving cell wall integrity while maintaining a relatively simple apparatus structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the conveyance speed and cutting speed are not synchronized, then the cutting operation is simpler to control, but the cut face becomes uneven and deformation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting control simplicityVSAvoidcut face flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting piece moves horizontally along with the molded body at the same speed during the cutting operation, maintaining relative position stability. This synchronized dynamic movement ensures the cut face remains flat and prevents deformation, while the automated speed coordination simplifies the control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1844912B1Molded body cutting apparatus, method for cutting ceramic molded body and method for manufacturing honeycomb structured body
Publication Date: 2010.12.08 IBIDEN CO LTD
  • EP1844912B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP1844912B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(e)
  • EP1844912B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a molded body cutting apparatus capable of cutting an extrusion-molded body while preventing deformation of a cut face after cutting and re-adherence of constitution material to the cut face, and the molded body cutting apparatus of the present invention comprises: a first conveyer member that conveys an extrusion-molded pillar-shaped ceramic molded body; a cutting member that moves in a direction parallel to a movement direction of the above mentioned first conveyer member while moving also in a vertical direction, and cuts the above mentioned ceramic molded body to a predetermined length by passing through the interior of the above mentioned ceramic molded body; and a second conveyer member that conveys a cut ceramic molded body cut to a predetermined length by the above mentioned cutting member, wherein a conveyance speed of the above mentioned first conveyer member and a movement speed of the above mentioned cutting member in the above mentioned parallel direction are almost the same, before the above mentioned ceramic molded body is cut, and each of the conveyance speed of the above mentioned first conveyer member, the movement speed of the above mentioned cutting member in the above mentioned parallel direction, and a conveyance speed of the above mentioned second conveyer member becomes faster toward the latter, after the above mentioned ceramic molded body is cut.