Cutting Machine Adapter Structure for Tool Clearance and Stable Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting machine adapters often interfere with tools, limiting the size and shape of workpieces that can be processed.

Innovation Solution

An adapter for cutting machines featuring a support portion that abuts the outer peripheral portion of a plate-shaped workpiece and a connecting portion forming a gap between itself and the workpiece, allowing for secure holding without interference with the cutting tool, thus enabling the processing of larger and more complex shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the adapter structure is made compact to avoid interference with cutting tools, then tool accessibility is improved, but the support stability for the workpiece deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with cutting toolVSAvoidsupport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into two distinct functional portions: a support portion with a first cross-sectional area that provides stable support for the workpiece, and a connecting portion with a smaller second cross-sectional area that connects to the holder. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the support portion maintains stability while the connecting portion minimizes interference with cutting tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the adapter size is reduced to allow processing of larger workpieces, then workpiece size capability is improved, but the holding force deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece processing sizeVSAvoidholding force
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the adapter into a support portion and a connecting portion with different cross-sectional areas, the design enables the support portion to maintain adequate size for workpiece support and holding force, while the overall adapter footprint is reduced through the smaller connecting portion, allowing processing of larger workpieces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter exhibits local quality by having different cross-sectional areas at different locations - the support portion has a larger first cross-sectional area optimized for workpiece support and holding, while the connecting portion has a smaller second cross-sectional area optimized for minimal interference. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between holding force and workpiece size capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3819077A1Adapter for cutting machine
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 DGSHAPE CORP
  • EP3819077A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3819077A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3819077A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An adapter for a cutting machine includes a support portion abutting against an outer peripheral portion of a plate-shaped workpiece and being configured to support the plate-shaped workpiece, and a connecting portion connecting to the support portion, surrounding the outer peripheral portion and the support portion, and forming a gap between the connecting portion and the outer peripheral portion. The adapter for the cutting machine is configured to be held by a holder of the cutting machine.