Interchangeable Cutting Members for Box Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The corrugated box-making industry faces challenges in reducing changeover time and space consumption for rotary cutting machines, as different customers require varying box designs, necessitating the frequent replacement and storage of specialized shells.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a cutting cylinder with a transfer member and connector structure allows for the easy mounting and positioning of cutting members, which can be moved along a selected axis, enabling quick adaptation to different box designs without the need for multiple shells, by using a transfer member with a reference indicium and a locking structure to secure the cutting member at precise distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dedicated shells are used for each box type, then manufacturing precision for different box designs is ensured, but changeover time increases and space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single cutting cylinder that can accommodate multiple types of cutting members with different blade configurations. This universal cutting cylinder replaces the need for dedicated shells for each box type, allowing one cylinder to perform multiple functions by simply changing the cutting members attached to it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cutting system into separate modular components: a universal cutting cylinder and interchangeable cutting members. Each cutting member can be independently designed for specific box types and then attached to the universal cylinder. This segmentation allows for quick changes between different cutting members without replacing the entire cutting system.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated shells are used for each box type, then manufacturing precision for different box designs is ensured, but storage space and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal cutting cylinder serves multiple purposes by accommodating different cutting members, eliminating the need to store separate dedicated shells for each box type. This reduces storage space requirements while maintaining the ability to produce various box designs with precise cut placements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of permanently storing dedicated shells that are not in use, the system allows for easy removal and replacement of cutting members. The cutting members can be quickly detached from the universal cylinder and stored separately, reducing the permanent storage footprint compared to maintaining full dedicated shell inventories.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shells are frequently replaced to accommodate different customers, then adaptability to different box designs is achieved, but changeover time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting system is segmented into a universal cylinder and interchangeable cutting members, allowing for quick changes between different box designs. Instead of replacing entire shells, only the cutting members need to be swapped, significantly reducing changeover time while maintaining adaptability to various customer requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static dedicated shell configuration to a dynamic interchangeable component system. The cutting members can be quickly attached and detached from the universal cylinder, enabling flexible adaptation to different box designs without the time-consuming process of replacing entire cutting cylinders.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, there is provided a combination for use in readying a cutting cylinder is rotatably mounted to a frame in a box-forming production line. The cutting cylinder has a cylinder reference indicium. The combination includes a transfer member with a transfer member reference indicium thereon, a cutting member that includes a base and a cutting blade, and a connector structure that is configured to releasably mount the cutting member to the transfer member. The cutting member is movable to a selected distance along the first axis from the transfer member reference indicium. The connector structure includes a locking structure positionable in an unlocking position for separating the cutting member and the transfer member, and a locking position to lock the connector structure to the transfer member, so as to hold the cutting member at the selected distance from the transfer member reference indicium.