Cutting Device Segmented Passage Prevents Offcut Sticking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting machines in the paper processing industry, such as cutting presses and sheeters, face frequent malfunctions due to irregularly shaped offcuts getting stuck during discharge, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming to resolve.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device with a movable blade that maintains a partially clear passage opening during its stroke, allowing continuous passage of elongate objects, and can be combined with a blower to displace long offcuts, featuring angled cutting edges, fixed blades, and a funnel-like infeed passage to enhance cutting efficiency and prevent sticking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a closed passage is used for cutting offcuts, then cutting efficiency is improved, but offcuts get stuck and cause malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidoffcut passage reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The passage opening is segmented into multiple sections along the blade stroke path. At least one section remains open during the cutting stroke, allowing offcuts to pass through continuously without getting stuck, while other sections can be closed to contain cutting debris and improve cutting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passage opening configuration is made dynamic by allowing different sections to be open or closed depending on the blade position. This dynamic arrangement ensures that the passage remains open for offcut discharge during cutting operations while maintaining containment when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the passage opening is kept open during blade stroke, then offcut passage is ensured, but cutting containment and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffcut passage reliabilityVSAvoidcutting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The passage opening is divided into multiple segments along the blade stroke path. By selectively closing only certain segments while keeping others open, the system maintains offcut passage reliability through open segments while improving cutting containment and efficiency in closed segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the passage opening have different states (open or closed) based on their specific function. Sections requiring offcut passage remain open, while sections benefiting from containment for improved cutting efficiency are closed, creating local quality variations in the passage structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a blower is added to displace long offcuts, then handling of very long offcuts is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffcut handling easeVSAvoidcutting device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A blower device is integrated into the cutting apparatus to generate airflow that displaces very long offcuts through the passage opening. This pneumatic assistance significantly improves the handling of long, flexible offcuts that would otherwise be difficult to manage, despite the added complexity of the blower system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Ensures uninterrupted cutting operations by preventing offcuts from getting stuck, allowing for reliable handling of very long, thin strips, and reducing the risk of malfunctions by maintaining a partially open passage and using a blower to guide offcuts effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a blowing device which is configured to generate a downstream-directed airflow toward the passage opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3370933B1Device for cutting an elongate object, and machine provided with such a cutting device
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 COLOGIC
  • EP3370933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370933B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370933B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for cutting an elongate object, such as an offcut, comprising: - a wall with a passage opening which is configured to feed therethrough the elongate object to be cut; and - a blade movable along the passage opening substantially parallel to the wall, wherein the passage opening is at least partially clear during a stroke of the movable blade along the passage opening. The invention further relates to a machine provided with such a cutting device.