Cutting Jet Sectioning to Prevent Plate Scrap Tilting

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Solution Overview

Problem

When cutting plate-shaped metallic workpieces using a cutting jet, smaller waste parts can tip or get jammed during the cutting process, complicating their removal from the cutting machine due to uneven geometry and thickness, leading to potential collisions with the cutting head and hindering automated removal.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dividing the workpiece into sections where the first section is cut free at a point within the outer contour of the workpiece, closer to its center of gravity, reducing tilting due to cutting fluid pressure, and ensuring the second section is large enough for heat dissipation and geometry is optimized to prevent tilting, with chamfered or rounded corners and oblique cuts to facilitate safe falling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the workpiece part is cut free by a cutting jet, then the cut piece is separated from the remaining workpiece, but the piece may tip over or become jammed during the cut due to cutting fluid pressure acting on the outer contour

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidtilting moment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of cutting fluid pressure acting on the outer contour is eliminated by extracting the cut piece from the outer contour before the cutting process completes. The method separates the cut piece internally from the remaining workpiece at a point inside the outer contour, preventing the cutting fluid from exerting tilting moments on the outer surface that would cause jamming or tipping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cut piece is preliminarily separated from the remaining workpiece by creating an internal separation point before the cutting jet completes the full contour cut. This preliminary internal separation prevents the cutting fluid pressure from acting on the outer contour of the cut piece, thereby preventing tilting moments before they can occur during the cutting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the cut piece falls by free fall, then removal is simplified, but uneven geometry and thickness cause jamming and collisions with the cutting head

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval simplicityVSAvoidprocess reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cut piece is preliminarily prepared with optimized geometry and uniform thickness before free fall removal by separating it internally from the remaining workpiece. This preliminary internal separation ensures the cut piece has consistent dimensions and shape, preventing jamming and collisions during subsequent free fall removal while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Shape

If the free cutting point is on the outer contour, then the cut follows the workpiece shape, but the tilting moment due to cutting fluid pressure increases causing jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut contour accuracyVSAvoidprocess reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process is segmented into two distinct phases: first, an internal separation is created at a point inside the outer contour to prevent tilting moments; second, the outer contour is then cut to achieve the final shape. This segmentation allows the cut contour accuracy to be maintained while eliminating the harmful tilting effects during the critical separation phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful outer contour exposure is extracted or removed during the cutting process by first creating an internal separation point. This extraction prevents cutting fluid from pressurizing the outer contour of the cut piece, eliminating tilting moments while the final contour shaping is subsequently completed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 significantly enhances process reliability by minimizing tilting and jamming, allowing the sections to fall safely and be removed without obstruction, improving edge quality and machine efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the tilting moment acting on the first partial piece due to the cutting fluid pressure (gas pressure, water pressure) is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

which, after their respective cut-free operation, fall or are lowered downward from a surrounding residual workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree fall: Free Fall

Data Source

PatentEP3863794B1Method and machining tool for cutting workpieces and associated computer program product
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3863794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3863794B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3863794B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

In a method for cutting an, in particular flat, workpiece (6) by means of a cutting jet (5) and a cutting fluid (7), wherein a workpiece part (10) to be cut away is consecutively cut into at least two smaller portions (11, 12) which fall or are lowered downwards from a surrounding remaining workpiece (13) after they have each been cut away, according to the invention, the division into smaller portions (11, 12) and the execution of the cut for separating the first smaller portion (11) occur such that the point (14) at which the first-cut, first smaller portion (11) is cut away lies within the outer contour (15) of the workpiece part (10) to be cut away.