Composite Cutting Table Slats to Reduce Effluent Sintering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The slats in laser/plasma/flame cutting machines are subject to contamination and wear, requiring frequent cleaning and replacement, which leads to significant maintenance costs and reduced production time.
Innovation Solution
Manufacturing the slats from a non-metal, non-flammable, heat- and fire-resistant laminated composite material comprising glass fibre and/or glass fabric with a resin, such as phenolic resin or unsaturated polyester resin, which reduces sintering of cutting effluent and extends the service life of the slats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal slats are used in the slats table, then the slats can support the metal object to be cut, but the slats are subject to contamination and wear from cutting effluent, requiring frequent cleaning and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by manufacturing slats from laminated composite material comprising glass fibre and/or glass fabric with a resin (phenolic resin or unsaturated polyester resin). This composite structure provides heat resistance, fire resistance, and reduced sintering of cutting effluent, directly addressing the contamination and wear problems while maintaining structural integrity for supporting metal objects during cutting operations
2Productivity
If metal slats are used, then structural strength is provided, but sintering of cutting effluent accumulates on the slats, requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The laminated composite material with glass fibre/glass fabric and heat-resistant resin significantly reduces sintering of cutting effluent compared to metal slats. This reduction in effluent accumulation directly decreases the frequency and time required for cleaning operations, thereby increasing overall production time and efficiency
3Temperature
If phenolic resin or unsaturated polyester resin is used in the laminated composite material, then the slats become non-flammable and heat-resistant, but the material must be engineered to resist laser/plasma/flame beam irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines glass fibre and/or glass fabric with phenolic resin or unsaturated polyester resin to create a composite material that simultaneously achieves non-flammability, heat resistance, and resistance to laser/plasma/flame beam irradiation. The glass reinforcement provides structural stability and thermal resistance, while the specific resin selection ensures fire resistance and durability under intense thermal and radiant energy exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition and physical structure of the laminated composite material by selecting specific resin types (phenolic or unsaturated polyester) and combining them with glass fibres/fabrics in particular configurations. This parameter optimization ensures the material maintains its mechanical properties and resistance characteristics under the extreme conditions of laser/plasma/flame cutting operations
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
The use of laminated composite materials significantly reduces sintering and accumulation of cutting effluent on the slats, leading to less frequent cleaning, extended service life, and reduced maintenance costs, thereby improving production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat- and fire-resistant, durable, sturdy and dimensionally stable laminated composite material
Implementation Method 2
non-flammable, heat- and fire-resistant, durable, sturdy and dimensionally stable laminated composite material comprising a mixture of glass fibre and/or glass fabric with a resin
Implementation Method 3
the ceramic material is an inorganic, metallic oxide, nitride, or carbide material. Providing ceramic material improves the service time of the laminated composite material by enhancing the heat resistance and resistance to heat cutting
Implementation Method 4
resulting in a reduction of wear, and of contamination by cutting effluent
Implementation Method 5
at least a portion of the slat is sanded. It has been found, that a sanded surface contaminates less easily having the effect of less material sintering on the slat, and that also means that the resistance to heat cutting slightly improved
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
Slat (3) for a slats table (1) of a laser/plasma/flame cutting machine, the slats table (1) comprising a plurality of parallel extending slats (3) held adjacent to one another for supporting a metal object (5), wherein the top side (7) of the slats (3) are provided with crests (23) and troughs (26) providing a plurality of points or tips (9) in the height direction (H) forming a line of tips (8) at regular mutual distance in the length direction (X) of the slats, the plurality of tips (9) being able to support the metal object (5) to be cut, wherein the slats (3) are manufactured from a non-metal, non-flammable, heat- and fire-resistant, durable, sturdy and dimensionally stable laminated composite material comprising a mixture of glass fibre and/or glass fabric with a resin.