Magnetic Cutting Support Assembly for Replaceable Conveyor Slats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting support assemblies for automatic sheet material cutting machines require complete dismantling of the conveyor slats to replace damaged modular cutting support elements, which is cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A device for assembling modular cutting support elements onto a cutting support slat using magnetic and mechanical retention means, allowing vertical detachment and replacement without disassembling the slats, utilizing hooks, magnets, and metal inserts for lateral and vertical support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hook-shaped fasteners are used to assemble modular cutting support elements on slats, then the cutting support elements can be retained on the slats, but complete dismantling of the slats is required to replace damaged elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of cutting support elementVSAvoidreplacement of damaged element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting support element is divided into modular components (comb elements with bristles) that can be independently replaced. Each modular element can be detached and replaced without affecting other elements or the slat structure, enabling localized maintenance rather than complete dismantling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic retention system extracts the cutting support element from mechanical interlocking with the slat, allowing the element to be freely removed by overcoming magnetic force. This separation enables replacement of individual elements without dismantling the slat assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If complete dismantling of slats is required to replace cutting support elements, then damaged elements can be replaced, but operational efficiency and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement of damaged elementVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention system transitions from static mechanical fastening to dynamic magnetic retention, where the cutting support element can be easily detached by applying vertical force to overcome magnetic attraction. This dynamic system allows rapid replacement during operational pauses without lengthy dismantling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Damaged modular cutting support elements can be quickly discarded and replaced with new ones, while the slat infrastructure remains intact and reusable. This selective replacement minimizes waste and reduces maintenance time, improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If magnetic retention is used to hold cutting support elements on slats, then easy replacement without dismantling is enabled, but additional magnetic components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement operationVSAvoidmagnetic retention system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical hook-based fastening system is replaced with a magnetic retention system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical interlocking mechanisms and allows for simpler, tool-free replacement operations by simply overcoming magnetic attraction through vertical pulling force.

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

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

Enables easy and efficient replacement of modular cutting support elements without dismantling the conveyor slats, improving operational efficiency and reducing maintenance time.

Implementation Method 1

a base (10-1 to 10-5) comprising a magnet (18) and a metal insert (16) positioned at a second lateral end (10b, 10b', 10b'', 10b''', 10b'') of the base (10-1 to 10-5) so as to allow vertical retention, by magnetism, of the second lateral end (10b, 10b', 10b'', 10b''', 10b'') of the base (10-1 to 10-5) on a cutting support slat (6-1 to 6-5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4486552B1Device for assembling a cutting support element on a slat of a conveyor cutting machine
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 LECTRA SA (FR)
  • EP4486552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4486552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4486552B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for assembling a modular cutting- bed support element on a cutting-bed support batten of a machine of the conveyor type for cutting sheet materials, comprising a cutting-bed support batten (6-1), at least one modular cutting-bed support element (4-1) comprising a plurality of bristles (8) each having a root (8a) secured to a base (10-1) and a tip (8b) at the opposite end from the root, and means (16, 18) using magnetism for the vertical retention of at least a second lateral end (10b) of the base of the modular cutting-bed support element on at least a second lateral end (6b) of the cutting-bed support batten.