Apparatus for processing a material, in particular for cutting the material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting apparatuses for flexible materials, such as fabrics, lack precision, efficiency, reliability, speed, and cost-effectiveness, often resulting in material waste and damage during the cutting process.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a movable head and integrated video camera for precise image capture and illumination, combined with electrostatic retention and deionization, allows for accurate cutting of materials by supporting the material on a flat surface and using rotatable blades, enabling precise cutting and minimizing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If prior art cutting apparatuses are used, then basic cutting function is provided, but manufacturing precision and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidcutting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus captures an image of the material before cutting to detect its actual position and characteristics. This preliminary detection allows the system to adjust cutting parameters and compensate for material variations, ensuring high precision and reliability without requiring complex real-time control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses image capture and detection to obtain feedback about the material's actual state, then automatically adjusts cutting parameters based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures consistent cutting precision and reliability even when material properties vary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If complex apparatuses are used to improve precision, then cutting accuracy improves, but device complexity and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus uses its own imaging and detection systems to automatically identify material characteristics and adjust cutting parameters without external intervention. This self-service capability achieves high precision while avoiding the need for complex external measurement and control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical positioning and measurement systems with optical imaging and electronic detection. This substitution achieves equivalent or superior precision while significantly reducing mechanical complexity and construction costs.

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

3Loss of substance

If traditional cutting methods are used, then simple apparatus structure is maintained, but material waste and damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial wasteVSAvoidapparatus simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures an image and detects material characteristics before cutting begins. This allows precise determination of cutting paths that optimize material utilization and minimize waste, while the apparatus structure remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus dynamically adjusts cutting parameters such as blade position, speed, and depth based on detected material characteristics. This adaptive parameter adjustment reduces material waste and damage without requiring a fundamentally complex apparatus design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus achieves precise, efficient, and reliable cutting with reduced material consumption and lower construction costs, producing high-quality products with minimal damage.

Implementation Method 1

a head (13) supporting means (14) for processing, in particular for cutting, the material (11) in particular the material (11) situated on the supporting means (12), and means (16) for capturing at least one image of the material (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

electrostatic retention and deionization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP3635170B1Apparatus for processing a material, in particular for cutting the material
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 BIERREBI ITALA
  • EP3635170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3635170B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3635170B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

Described is an apparatus (10) for processing a material, in particular for cutting the material (11); the material being preferably in the form of a respective body, or layer, which is flexible or compliant, having a prevalent two-dimensional extension, the material being shaped especially in the form of a tape or band, that is to say, it is in the form of a respective piece, and is preferably defined by a corresponding fabric or the like, that is to say, by another material, especially for use in the clothing sector, for covering products or for other purposes. The apparatus comprises supporting means, or frame, (10') for the means, or surface, (12) for supporting, in particular for resting, the material (11), and for the means (14) for processing, in particular cutting the material (11), in particular the material (11) situated on the supporting means or surface (12), in particular mounted on respective supporting means, or head, (13), with the means, or head, (13) for supporting the means for processing the material (11) which are mobile relative to each other, in particular along the plane of extension of, that is, in a direction longitudinal to, the material. The apparatus comprises means (16) for capturing at least one image of the material (11), in particular of the material (11) situated on the means, or surface, (12) for supporting the apparatus.