Core Winder Cutting Tool Pressure Element Tube Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of tubes by winding strips of web material often faces issues with insufficient adhesion between helical strips, leading to damage, particularly around the cutting area, due to inadequate glue quality.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a discoidal cutting tool and a pressure element that compresses the tubular element between the spindle and the pressure element adjacent to the cutting tool, ensuring better adhesion and mechanical strength by consolidating the web material at the cutting area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tube is cut into sections, then single tubes of required length are obtained, but the tube can be damaged around the cutting area due to insufficient glue adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube production efficiencyVSAvoidtube integrity at cutting area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure member applies pressure to the web material before the cutting operation occurs, pre-consolidating the glue joints in the area that will be cut. This preliminary action strengthens the tube structure at the critical cutting zone before the damaging cutting force is applied, preventing damage while enabling continuous production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure member is positioned to apply pressure only at specific locations where glue joints need reinforcement, particularly at the cutting area. This localized pressure application consolidates the web material precisely where the glue adhesion is weakest and most critical, without affecting other parts of the tube

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If pressure members are provided downstream of the forming unit to increase mutual adhesion, then the mechanical strength of the tube is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strength of tubeVSAvoidmachine structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure member is integrated with the existing cutting unit structure, combining the pressure application function with the cutting mechanism. This merging approach allows the pressure member to be supported by the same structural elements that support the cutting tool, reducing the need for additional independent support structures and minimizing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure member serves multiple functions: it consolidates glue joints to improve tube strength, positions the web material for accurate cutting, and can be integrated with the cutting unit's support structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively stabilizes and consolidates the weakest area of the tube during cutting, enhancing the mechanical strength and integrity of the tubular elements by applying pressure, thereby reducing damage and improving the quality of the cut sections.

Implementation Method 1

at least one pressure element is associated with the cutting tool, to compress the tubular element between the spindle and the pressure element adjacent to the cut performed by the cutting tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2203303B1Core winder with a cutting tool associated with a pressure member
Publication Date: 2011.03.02 FABIO PERINI SPA
  • EP2203303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2203303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2203303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The machine comprises: a spindle (1); a winding unit (5), cooperating with the spindle to wind one or more strips of web material about the spindle and form a tubular element (T); a cutting unit (31) with at least one discoidal cutting tool to divide the tubular element into tubes of a length which can be predetermined. At least one pressure element is associated with the cutting tool, to compress the tubular element between the spindle (1) and the pressure element adjacent to the cut performed by the cutting tool.