Cutting Plotter Sliding Tool Holder for Full- and Half-Cut Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cutting plotters require the manual removal and reinsertion of cutting pens to switch between full-cut and half-cut modes, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A cutting plotter design featuring a tool holder with a sliding member and pressing mechanism that allows the pen tool to be selectively positioned at two different locations within the tool holder, enabling seamless switching between full-cut and half-cut modes without manual removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting pen is manually removed and reinserted to switch between full-cut and half-cut modes, then the cutting plotter can perform different cutting operations, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pen tool is made movable within the tool holder along the conveyance direction, allowing dynamic repositioning between front and rear positions. The oblong through hole enables the pen tool to slide freely to different positions, and the pressing mechanism dynamically secures it at either position, eliminating the need for manual removal and reinsertion while maintaining adaptability between full-cut and half-cut modes
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting pen is manually removed and reinserted to switch between full-cut and half-cut modes, then the cutting plotter can perform different cutting operations, but time is lost during the switching process
Solution Approach 1:
The pen tool is pre-positioned within the tool holder at either the front or rear position before the cutting operation begins. The pressing mechanism is pre-configured to secure the pen tool at these positions. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for time-consuming removal and reinsertion during mode switching, as the pen tool can be quickly repositioned along the oblong through hole and secured by the pressing mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A cutting plotter (11) includes: a stage (13) configured to support a medium-to-be-cut (12); a pen carriage (16) configured to move above the stage; and a tool holder (21) supported by the pen carriage for holding a pen tool (19). The tool holder (21) includes: a supporting member (25) having a through hole (24); a sliding member (26) supported by the supporting member to be movable along a front-rear direction; and a pressing mechanism (45, 52, 36) configured to selectively bias the sliding member in either direction along the front-rear direction relative to the supporting member. The through hole (24) is formed in an oblong shape elongated in the front-rear direction as viewed from above. The sliding member (26) includes: a first pressing portion (46, 47) for pressing the pen tool against the front side (30) of the inner wall on the through hole (24); and a second pressing portion (48, 49) for pressing the pen tool against the other side, in the first bidirectional direction, of the inner wall on the through hole.