Mobile Cutting Device for Bar Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for cutting and processing metal rods for reinforced concrete require extensive space and time, leading to cumbersome and expensive installations, with a significant impact on productivity due to the need for long feeding and measuring lines.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where a mobile cutting device is used along a support and measure line, allowing it to position and cut bars without needing to feed them the full length, thus reducing the required space and cycle time by enabling compact installation and efficient processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bars are fed through long feeding and measuring lines to accommodate maximal bar lengths (12-24 meters), then the plant can process bars of any length, but the longitudinal extension of the plant increases to more than three times the original bar length (about 40 meters)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process bars of maximal lengthVSAvoidlongitudinal extension of the plant
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting device is made mobile along the support and measure line, allowing it to dynamically position itself at different locations to cut bars of varying lengths. This dynamic positioning eliminates the need for a stationary feeding line as long as the maximal bar length, since the cutting device can reach any position along the bar regardless of its length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting device moves along the longitudinal dimension of the support and measure line, enabling compact arrangement by concentrating the cutting function at a specific location rather than requiring a linear feeding path. This dimensional movement allows the plant to process long bars without proportionally increasing its longitudinal footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If a mobile cutting device is used that positions itself along the support and measure line, then the space needed for the plant is reduced, but the cutting device must be able to move precisely to the desired cut sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace needed for the plantVSAvoidmobility and positioning capability of cutting device
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile cutting device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the cutting mechanism and the measuring reference by positioning itself at predetermined locations along the support and measure line. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measuring and feeding systems, thereby reducing overall plant space while the positioning capability is integrated into the cutting device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If long feeding and measure lines are used to accommodate maximal bar lengths, then bars of any length can be processed, but the transferring time of bars increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process bars of maximal lengthVSAvoidtransferred time and cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile cutting device reduces the transferring time by eliminating the need to feed bars through a long stationary line. Since the cutting device moves to the bar rather than the bar moving through a long feeding line, the cycle time is reduced to the time required for the cutting device to position itself and perform the cut, significantly improving productivity while maintaining the ability to process bars of maximal length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2964414B1Method and apparatus for cutting bars
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 SCHNELL SPA
  • EP2964414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2964414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2964414B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method for cutting bars provides to prearrange a cut device (16) mobile along a support and measure line (15) for the bars (2), to feed a determined number of bars (2) to the support and measure line (15), to measure the determined number of bars (2) relatively to abutment means (17), identifying respective cut sections along the determined number of bars (2), to handle the cut device (16) mobile along the support and measure line (15), relatively to the determined number of bars (2), to position the mobile cut device (16) at the identified cut sections, carrying out the cut of the determined number of bars (2) through the already positioned mobile cut device (16).