Disc Cutting Machine Speed Control for Spaced Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slicing machines face challenges in depositing slices of material at a defined spacing, often resulting in unsatisfactory results due to complex and space-consuming spacer devices, limited adjustment range, and synchronization of carriage and transport speeds.

Innovation Solution

The method involves controlling the carriage and chain frame speeds as predeterminable functions of time, decelerating or accelerating them after each slice is cut to achieve the desired spacing between slices, eliminating the need for separate spacer devices and allowing for adjustable spacing without complex setups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If spacer devices are used to space slices, then disc spacing can be adjusted, but device complexity and space consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisc spacingVSAvoidspacer device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the spacing function from separate mechanical spacer devices and integrates it into the control system. By removing the physical spacer devices and implementing spacing through coordinated control of carriage and chain frame speeds, the solution eliminates complex mechanical structures while maintaining precise disc spacing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical spacer devices with a control-based system that uses predefinable speed functions. The spacing is achieved through electronic control of motor speeds rather than mechanical positioning, substituting a complex mechanical system with a simpler control-based approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If spacer devices are used to space slices, then disc spacing can be achieved, but the adjustment range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisc spacingVSAvoiddisc spacing adjustment range
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements dynamic speed control where the instantaneous speeds of the carriage and chain frame can be continuously adjusted through predefinable functions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different spacing requirements by modifying speed parameters rather than being constrained by fixed mechanical spacer configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters (speeds of carriage and chain frame) to achieve different disc spacing values. By varying the speed ratio and timing between the two components, the system can accommodate a wide range of spacing requirements without physical reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If carriage and chain frame speeds are synchronized, then cutting operation is simple, but slice spacing control is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting operation simplicityVSAvoidslice spacing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the speed control of the carriage and chain frame into independent controllable functions. Rather than using a single synchronized speed, the system independently controls each component's speed through separate predefinable functions, allowing precise spacing control while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If multiple strands are cut simultaneously, then productivity increases, but space for spacer devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting capacityVSAvoidsupport plate space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the physical spacer devices from the support plate area, freeing up space that can then be used to accommodate multiple material strands. By extracting the spacing function to the control system, the physical workspace is maximized for simultaneous cutting of multiple strands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3456494B1Method for operating a disc cutting machine and disc cutting machine for spaced deposition of discs
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 BIZERBA GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3456494B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3456494B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3456494B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A method for operating a disc cutting machine (1) for cutting discs (14', 14", 14'') from strand-like material is characterized by the fact that an instantaneous carriage speed vS(t) of a carriage (5) of the disc cutting machine (1) and/or an instantaneous transport speed vT(t) of a chain frame (6) for transporting the discs (14', 14", 14'') are briefly and precisely varied. According to the invention, the cut discs (14', 14", 14'') can be placed on a delivery table (7") or a conveyor belt (7") at a desired distance (eps) from one another. No accessories such as spreading or spacer devices are required.