Cutting Gap Support Layout for Collision-Free Part Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cutting out workpiece parts from plate-shaped materials face inefficiencies due to tilting parts causing collisions with cutting heads, incomplete cuts with microjoints, and manual handling, leading to increased costs and reduced material utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method using a cutting jet guided within an elongated cutting gap formed by three separate support surfaces, where one support surface is height-adjustable, allowing for quick and reliable removal of cut parts by lowering them onto this surface, enabling continuous cutting and efficient part production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal parts are packed tightly to prevent tilting collisions, then collision risk is reduced, but material utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support table is designed with height-adjustable support surfaces that can dynamically change position. During cutting, support surfaces are raised to provide stable support preventing tilting. After cutting, the support surface lowers to enable easy removal of the cut part. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing stability when needed and accessibility when needed, without requiring permanent tight packing or microjoints.
2Reliability
If microjoints are used to prevent tilting, then stability is improved, but process complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support surfaces are raised beforehand during the cutting process to provide stable support for the workpiece, preventing tilting before it can occur. After cutting is complete, the support surface lowers to allow easy removal of the part. This preliminary stabilization eliminates the need for microjoints and subsequent finishing operations, reducing overall process complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If parts are removed only after complete cutting, then cutting precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface lowers after cutting is complete, enabling immediate removal of the cut part while the cutting process can continue on the same workpiece. This preliminary preparation of the support surface during cutting allows for continuous operation without waiting for part removal, thereby maintaining cutting precision while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting process can continue uninterrupted because the support surface dynamically adjusts height - raised during cutting to maintain precision, then lowered to enable quick part removal. This continuous operation without idle time for part removal resolves the contradiction between maintaining precision and improving production rate.
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 approach enhances process reliability and efficiency by preventing collisions, reducing material waste, and allowing for continuous cutting while ensuring quick removal of parts, thereby lowering production costs and improving material utilization.
Implementation Method 1
Removing the cut-out workpiece part (5) from the residual skeleton (6) by lowering a single height-adjustable support surface (8) from a high position, in which the support surface is part of the workpiece support, into at least one low position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cutting workpiece parts (5) out of a planar workpiece (4) by means of a cutting beam guided within a cutting gap (9), said method comprising the following steps: providing the planar workpiece (4) on a workpiece support (3) composed of at least three supporting surfaces (8), wherein the supporting surfaces (8) are arranged in a row, and the cutting gap (9) is delimited by two directly adjacent supporting surfaces (8), wherein the cutting gap (9) extends perpendicular to the arrangement in a row of the supporting surfaces (8) and is completely open, - cutting at least one workpiece part (5) out of the planar workpiece (4), leaving a remaining grid (6), - removing the cut-out workpiece part (5) from the remaining grid (6) by lowering at least one height-adjustable supporting surface (8) from a high position in which the supporting surface is part of the workpiece support into at least one low position, - removing the cut-out workpiece part (5) from the height-adjustable supporting surface (8) in the low position, - moving the height-adjustable supporting surface (8) up from the low position into the high position.