Diagonal Cutting of Laminated Glass Sheets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual cutting of laminated glass sheets, particularly along diagonal lines, often results in precision issues due to human error and fatigue, leading to discarded or requiring subsequent processing, especially when automated systems are not fully effective.

Innovation Solution

A cutting method utilizing a cutting table with adjustable reference pegs, a hinging head, and an electronic control unit to position and align the laminated glass sheet accurately along diagonal cutting lines, ensuring precise cuts by maintaining the sheet's peripheral edge as a continuous reference point, reducing operator intervention and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If automated cutting systems are used for diagonal cuts, then cutting precision should improve, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a simple mechanical intermediary system consisting of a rotating table with protractor scale and fixed reference marks, which mediates between the manual positioning operation and the automated cutting system. This intermediary provides precise angular reference without requiring complex automated positioning mechanisms, thereby achieving diagonal cut precision while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a reference copy of the desired cutting angle on the rotating table itself through fixed reference marks that replicate the required diagonal angle. This reference copy serves as a template that the operator can align with, eliminating the need for complex automated angle calculation and positioning systems while maintaining high cutting precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If operator intervention is used for diagonal cutting, then flexibility is maintained, but cutting precision deteriorates due to human error and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating table with reference marks serves as a self-service positioning aid that automatically provides accurate angular reference information to the operator. The table itself contains the knowledge of the correct angle through its marked references, eliminating the need for the operator to calculate or remember angles, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring consistent precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed reference marks on the rotating table provide visual feedback to the operator during the positioning process. The operator can visually align the sheet or tooling with the reference marks to verify correct angular positioning, creating a closed-loop feedback system that eliminates human error without removing operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If optical devices and position indicators are provided to assist the operator, then positioning accuracy should improve, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex optical measurement devices with simple, inexpensive mechanical reference marks painted or etched on the rotating table. These reference marks serve the same positioning function but at a fraction of the cost and complexity, embodying the principle of using cheap substitutes for expensive components when the function can be achieved equivalently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3431450B1Cutting method for cutting manually a laminated glass sheet
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 BOTTERO SPA
  • EP3431450B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3431450B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3431450B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cutting method for manually cutting a laminated glass sheet (2) comprising two side glass sheets (3) and one intermediate layer (4) of thermoplastic material; the sheet (2) being cut along at least one diagonal cutting line (29) on a supporting surface (5) of a cutting table (1) taking the cutting line (29) so that it intersects an advancement direction of incision tools (8) of the side glass sheets (3) at an intersection point (P1), hinging said laminated sheet (2) in the intersection point (P1), manually rotating the laminated sheet (2) to bring it into abutment against a reference bar (20) resting on the supporting surface and in abutment against reference pegs (13, 16),truncating the side glass sheets (3) and cutting the intermediate layer (4) along the cutting line (29).