Cutting Apparatus Gas-Liquid Separation for Warped Dresser Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining suction force when a dresser board warps during the cutting process, leading to gaps between the holding table and the dresser board, which compromises the suction holding of the workpiece.
Innovation Solution
A cutting apparatus with a T-shaped branched pipe system that separates gas and liquid suction routes, using ejectors with weak suction forces, where the branched pipe has a larger cross-sectional area than the initial piping, allowing gas and liquid to be separated and maintaining suction force even when the dresser board is warped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong-powered suction pump is used to maintain suction force when the dresser board warps, then the suction force can be maintained, but large-type equipment is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into two separate suction sources: a first suction source that maintains suction force on the workpiece, and a second suction source that removes cutting water. This segmentation allows each suction source to be smaller and less powerful, eliminating the need for large-type equipment while maintaining effective suction holding.
Solution Approach 2:
A suction water separator is introduced as an intermediary device between the cutting area and the suction sources. This separator mediates by dividing the mixed flow of air and cutting water into separate streams, directing them to appropriate suction sources. This allows the use of weaker suction sources that would be insufficient without the separating function.
2Reliability
If mechanical means are used to restrict warping of the dresser board, then the suction force can be maintained, but the structure of the holding table becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical means for restricting warping are replaced with a fluid-based solution. Instead of using mechanical clamps or supports to hold down the dresser board, the system uses suction force and water removal to maintain contact between the workpiece and holding table, simplifying the holding table structure.
3Reliability
If cutting water penetrating through the gap is accumulated in a tank and periodically discharged, then the suction force can be maintained, but the suction force is lowered during the valve change-over timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous suction action by having the second suction source continuously remove cutting water as it penetrates through gaps. This continuous removal prevents water accumulation that would interrupt suction, eliminating the periodic valve change-over timing and maintaining uninterrupted suction force.
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
This configuration maintains the suction force on the workpiece without the need for strong suction equipment, allowing for effective suction holding even when the dresser board warps, and enables the use of smaller, less powerful ejectors.
Implementation Method 1
a suction port communicating with a negative pressure generating part generating a negative pressure by causing the air to flow from the supply port to the discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a branched shape of the branched pipe ensures that a gas sucked in from the suction surface goes toward the upper-side outlet of the branched pipe, whereas a liquid sucked in from the suction surface goes down toward the lower-side outlet of the branched pipe, whereby the gas and the liquid are separated from each other
Implementation Method 3
a holding table having a suction surface for suction holding a plate-shaped workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting apparatus includes: a first piping for communication of a suction surface with a first suction source; a branched pipe by which the first piping is branched to an upper-side outlet for passage toward the first suction source and a lower-side outlet for passage toward a second suction source; and a second piping for communication of the lower-side outlet with the second suction source. The cross-sectional area of the branched pipe is set greater than the cross-sectional area of the first piping, such that the flow velocity of a fluid upon transfer of the fluid from the first piping into the branched pipe is lowered. Liquid goes down toward the lower-side outlet of the branched pipe, whereby a gas and the liquid are separated from each other, and the gas is sucked by the first suction source, whereas the liquid is sucked by the second suction source.