Dummy Pin Cleaning in Cutting Machines for Powder-Free Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting machines face difficulties in effectively removing cutting powder attached to dummy pins, which can cause errors and hinder the proper storage and handling of these pins due to their interaction with sensors and tool holders.

Innovation Solution

A cutting machine design that includes a housing, gripping portion, spindle, contact body, and position adjuster, with a controller programmed to rotate the dummy pin in contact with the contact body to remove cutting powder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the dummy pin is stored in the tool holder or attached and removed from the tool holder, then the dummy pin can be utilized for various applications, but cutting powder is caught and it becomes difficult to store or handle the dummy pin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedummy pin utilizationVSAvoiddummy pin storage and handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning operation is performed in advance before the dummy pin is stored in the tool holder. The controller executes the cleaning operation when the dummy pin is gripped by the gripping portion, removing cutting powder beforehand. This preliminary cleaning action prevents cutting powder from being caught during subsequent storage and handling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the dummy pin with cutting powder attached is brought into contact with the sensor, then the dummy pin can be positioned, but error detection is caused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor detection accuracyVSAvoidcutting powder interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning operation is executed before the dummy pin contacts the sensor. The controller is configured to perform the cleaning operation when the dummy pin is gripped, removing cutting powder in advance. This prevents cutting powder from interfering with sensor detection during positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates easy removal of cutting powder from dummy pins, preventing errors and ensuring smooth operation and storage of these components.

Implementation Method 1

rotating, in a state where the dummy pin gripped by the gripping portion is brought into contact with the contact body, the dummy pin together with the gripping portion by the spindle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

dummy pin cleaning by rotating... the dummy pin together with the gripping portion by the spindle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cleaning: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP4427879B1Cutting machine
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 DGSHAPE CORP
  • EP4427879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4427879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4427879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting machine includes a cutting room in which a cutting object is cut, a gripping portion to selectively grip one of a cutting tool that cuts the cutting object and a dummy pin that does not cut the cutting object and is in the cutting room, a spindle to rotate the gripping portion around an axis line, a contact body that is in the cutting room and can contact the dummy pin gripped by the gripping portion, a position adjuster to change a relative positional relationship between the gripping portion and the contact body, and a controller including a dummy pin cleaning controller to execute dummy pin cleaning by rotating, when the dummy pin gripped by the gripping portion is brought into contact with the contact body, the dummy pin together with the gripping portion by the spindle.