Concentric Cutting Head Assembly for Plate Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass cutting heads, especially non-powered floating and servo-controlled ones, face inaccuracies when cutting curved patterns and are prone to damage due to eccentric tool positioning and complex, expensive mechanical setups, leading to inefficiencies and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A cutting head assembly utilizing a high-torque servo motor with a ball spline shaft and pneumatic cylinder for precise, concentric cutting tool movement, eliminating the need for gear boxes and precision bearings, and featuring a breakaway mechanism to protect components from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-powered floating head with eccentric cutting tool is used, then the cutting tool can follow the direction of travel automatically, but the cutting tool trails inside the desired cut line of curves and corners causing inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional eccentric cutting head design by using a concentric cutting head with the cutting tool positioned directly over the vertical center line. Instead of allowing the tool to trail behind the center line, the tool is positioned concentrically and uses a spring-loaded bearing support that allows the tool to float and self-align with the direction of travel, thereby eliminating the trailing effect on curves while maintaining automatic following capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic spring-loaded bearing support system that allows the cutting tool to move freely within the bearing support. This dynamic arrangement enables the tool to automatically adjust its position relative to the vertical center line based on the direction of travel, maintaining accuracy on both straight lines and curves without requiring a fixed eccentric position
2Manufacturing precision
If a servo drive and CNC control are added to the cutting head, then positioning and controlling accuracy is improved, but the cost increases due to additional equipment such as drive motors, gear boxes, belts, pulleys, and precision bearing shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical transmission components (gear boxes, belts, pulleys, precision bearing shafts) from the cutting head assembly. By using a direct-drive servo motor that connects the cutting tool holder directly to the vertical center line, the design achieves high positioning accuracy without the need for intermediate transmission mechanisms, thereby reducing component count and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the drive motor, bearing support, and cutting tool holder into a single integrated assembly. The servo motor is directly mounted to the cutting tool holder, combining the driving function with the support function, thereby eliminating the need for separate gear boxes, belts, and pulleys while maintaining precise positioning and control
3Reliability
If the cutting tool is spring biased with small freedom of movement in a bearing support, then the tool can follow the projected cut line despite vibrations, but the tool may be damaged if there is discrepancy between direction of movement and tool positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spring-loaded bearing support that provides dynamic, controlled freedom of movement to the cutting tool. The spring bias allows the tool to float and self-align with the direction of travel while maintaining contact with the glass, absorbing vibrations and misalignments without subjecting the tool to damaging forces
4Reliability
If the cutting head is accidentally dropped or catches on the edge of the work piece, then the precision bearing shaft may be damaged causing major down time and expense, but using a breakaway mechanism may reduce precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a breakaway mechanism designed beforehand to protect the precision bearing shaft from damage. The cutting tool holder is designed with a controlled weak point that will break away under excessive force, preventing damage to the expensive precision bearing shaft while maintaining cutting precision through the spring-loaded bearing support system that ensures accurate positioning during normal operation
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 solution provides accurate, efficient cutting with reduced production downtime and costs by ensuring precise alignment and movement of the cutting tool, enhancing corner cuts and reducing the risk of tool damage.
Implementation Method 1
A pneumatic cylinder is engaged with the opposed end of the spline shaft and is operative to lift the cutting tool away from the work piece and also to provide down-force to the cutting tool to provide the cutting force on the work piece
Implementation Method 2
A ball spline shaft extends through the bore of the servo motor. One end, the lower end, of the spline shaft holds the cutting tool mount
Implementation Method 3
A hollow bore or high torque servo motor serves as the base and support for the entire cutting assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting head assembly for use in cutting plate glass has a simplified drive train, all positioned about the vertical rotational centerline. The drive train includes a hollow bore drive motor having a drive adaptor directly engaged with a spline shaft that extends through the hollow bore. The lower end of the spline shaft is directly engaged with a cutting tool holder for retaining a cutting tool. The drive motor imparts rotational movement to the cutting tool through the spline shaft and the cylinder imparts vertical movement to the cutting tool by vertical movement of the spline shaft.