Cutting Spindle Suction for Automated Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting machines require complex and costly manipulators for handling cut material, which are prone to malfunctions and increase the machine's dimensions and cost, leading to increased machining time and labor costs due to manual operation and alignment errors.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with integrated sucker means is mounted on the cutting spindle, allowing for simple and reliable material handling without additional complex mechanisms, enabling the spindle to rotate and adhere to material for gripping and moving it within the working area, reducing the need for manual intervention and machine complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If complex manipulators are provided for automatic material handling, then automation level increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the material handling function with the cutting tool by integrating a suction cup directly onto the cutting disc assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate manipulators while achieving automatic material handling, thereby increasing automation without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting disc assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: cutting the material and handling the cut pieces. The suction cup integrated on the cutting disc enables the same assembly to both cut and handle materials, reducing the need for dedicated handling mechanisms
2Extent of automation
If multiple movable mechanical parts are added for manipulator operation, then automation capability improves, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the material handling function into the cutting disc assembly itself, the patent eliminates multiple separate manipulator mechanisms with their associated movable parts. This reduction in mechanical components directly improves system reliability while maintaining automation capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional handling mechanisms are provided, then material handling capability improves, but machine dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the material handling capability into the existing cutting disc assembly by adding a suction cup. This integration allows the same compact assembly to perform both cutting and handling functions without requiring additional space or increasing machine dimensions
4Manufacturing precision
If manual strip spacing operation is performed, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but machining time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup automatically grasps the cut material pieces immediately after cutting, performing the spacing and positioning action preliminarily before the next cut. This eliminates the need for manual intervention between cuts, maintaining positioning accuracy while significantly reducing machining time
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and versatile method for automating material handling, reducing machining time and labor costs while maintaining a compact machine design, as the sucker means are integrated into the cutting disc protection device, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms and minimizing machine size and cost increases.
Implementation Method 1
sucker means able to cause said device to adhere and be fixed to the materials under processing
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting device for a machine tool, suitable for mounting on the spindle support structure of a machine tool for processing and cutting materials, incorporates suckers able to cause the device to adhere to and be fixed to the materials being machined. Further, a cutting head having a protection device with incorporated suckers, a cutting spindle having a protection device with incorporated suckers and a machine for machining the materials, having a cutting spindle incorporating suckers.