Cutting Machine Closing Device Prevents Off-Cut Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting machines face malfunctions due to small off-cuts penetrating the cutting slot, limiting the effectiveness of closing strips in preventing these off-cuts from entering the machine, especially when panel clamping grippers are used, which restricts the placement of closing strips.
Innovation Solution
A cutting machine with a closing device that moves along a straight path to close the cutting slot, using a deformable elastic foil or rigid structure, actuated by a mechanism that ensures the closing member is retracted during cutting and remains extracted during the return stroke, allowing for multiple closing devices to be placed along the cutting line without interfering with gripper grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If closing strips are positioned on the working table to prevent off-cuts from penetrating the cutting slot, then off-cut prevention is improved, but the number of closing strips is limited due to interference with gripper grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The closing strips are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be dynamically positioned. During cutting operations, the strips can be retracted to avoid interfering with gripper grooves and panel movement. During return strokes, the strips can be extended to close the cutting slot and prevent off-cuts from penetrating into the machine interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The working table is divided into multiple segments or zones, with closing strips positioned at specific locations that do not conflict with gripper grooves. This segmentation allows both the gripper system and closing strip system to function independently without mutual interference, enabling more closing strips to be installed throughout the cutting line.
2Ease of operation
If panel clamping grippers with grooves are used for panel movement, then panel handling is improved, but the placement of closing strips is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The closing strips are positioned in a different spatial dimension or plane relative to the gripper grooves. Instead of placing closing strips directly over or adjacent to the grooves where they would interfere, the strips are arranged in alternate zones along the cutting line, allowing both systems to coexist without spatial conflict.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper profile of closing strips is lower than the upper surface of the working table to prevent locking, then panel clamping is improved, but closing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closing strips utilize a dynamic height adjustment mechanism that allows them to change their vertical position based on operational requirements. During panel clamping, the strips maintain a lower profile to prevent interference. During return strokes, the strips can be raised to a higher position that effectively closes the cutting slot, thereby maintaining both clamping stability and closing effectiveness.
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
Enables the placement of multiple closing devices along the cutting line, effectively preventing small off-cuts from entering the machine while maintaining optimal panel clamping and cutting quality, even with increased gripper usage.
Implementation Method 1
using a deformable elastic foil or rigid structure
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting machine (10) comprising a support structure (11), which is provided with an equipped working table (100), a saw carriage (CRR), which comprises at least one circular blade (SC), which is suited to run, during the panel cutting operation, along a cutting slot (FT), which is obtained on said working table (100), at least one pressing unit (PRR), which acts on the panels to be cut on at least one side of said cutting slot (FT); the working table (100) comprising at least one closing device (200), (200A), (200B), (200C), (200D) for closing the cutting slot (FT), so as to prevent off-cuts from dropping therein; said closing device comprising at least one closing member (201), which is orthogonal to the cutting slot (FT) itself. The cutting machine (10) being characterized in that an area (A), (A*), (A**), (A***), (A****) arranged next to the cutting slot (FT), onto which a force (F), substantially exerted by the pressure beam (PRR), is applied for clamping the panels during the cutting phase, is comprised in a part of the upper surface (SS) of a portion of the equipped working table (100) arranged eventually between two grooves (SCN) which are provided on said equipped working table (100); said portion of the equipped working table (100) housing and/or guiding at least one portion of said closing device (200), (200A), (200B), (200C), (200D) for closing the cutting slot (FT).