Glass Sheet Cutting Segmentation for Compact Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass sheet cutting methods are inefficient, leading to increased handling time and positioning errors, which reduce productivity and dimensional quality, and require bulky lifting devices due to the need for extensive handling of residual sheets.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a cutting machine with a cutting bridge and lifting means that divides the glass sheet into two pieces along an intermediate cutting line, allowing progressive cutting of crossbeams while lifting only one piece, reducing the need for extensive lifting and repositioning, and using smaller lifting units to accommodate the reduced length of the machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the remaining sheet is continuously moved backwards, lifted, and repositioned for each crossbeam cutting, then the cutting process can be completed, but the cutting time increases significantly and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet is divided into two separate supporting surfaces (front and rear), allowing different portions of the sheet to be processed simultaneously on different surfaces. This segmentation enables parallel processing of multiple crossbeams without requiring continuous repositioning of the entire remaining sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension by using two separate supporting surfaces (front and rear) instead of a single surface. This allows the sheet to be supported and processed at different locations simultaneously, eliminating the need for repeated lifting and repositioning operations along the same linear path.
2Manufacturing precision
If the remaining sheet is continuously fed and repositioned for each crossbeam, then cutting can proceed, but positioning errors accumulate and dimensional quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the sheet processing into two separate supporting surfaces, each surface can maintain its own reference system and positioning accuracy independently. This prevents the accumulation of positioning errors that would occur with repeated repositioning operations on a single surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet is positioned and supported on both front and rear surfaces from the beginning of the cutting process. This preliminary positioning setup eliminates the need for repeated repositioning operations that would otherwise accumulate positioning errors.
3Ease of operation
If bulky lifting devices are used to support and lift the residual sheet, then the sheet can be handled for each crossbeam cutting, but the machine length increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is segmented and distributed to two separate supporting surfaces rather than requiring a single bulky lifting device. This allows the use of smaller, more compact lifting mechanisms at each surface, reducing the overall machine length.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing two separate supporting surfaces positioned at different locations, the invention eliminates the need for a single long lifting mechanism. The lifting operations are distributed in space, allowing for a more compact machine design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A glass sheet (2) is cut according to a cutting programme (P) comprising first cutting lines (5) delimiting a plurality of crossbeams (8) and second cutting lines dividing the crossbeams (8) into respective flat articles (9); the sheet being cut along a first intermediate cutting line (5A), making a piece of front glass sheet (2B) still to be cut along the respective first cutting lines (5) and a piece of rear glass sheet (2A), lifting the piece of rear glass sheet (2A) from its supporting surface (16), cutting the piece of front glass sheet (2B) progressively along the respective first cutting lines (5) forming crossbeams (8') in succession and cutting the last crossbeam (8") along the respective second cutting lines (6) after moving at least part of the other cut crossbeams (8') below the lifted rear piece (2A).