Modular Cutting Device With Interchangeable Abutting Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices for caps, particularly those making tethered caps, face challenges in precision, repeatability, maintenance, and flexibility, with a need for fewer parts, easy handling, and rapid production changes to minimize wear and rejects.

Innovation Solution

A modular cutting device with interchangeable abutting blocks and cutting elements that adjust the depth of cuts, allowing for customizable dimensions and easy replacement to maintain cutting edge effectiveness, integrated into a carousel-based cutting apparatus for efficient cap processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional cutting devices with fixed blades are used, then the structure is simple, but the cutting precision and repeatability deteriorate

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

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting device is divided into modular components: a support body with housing cavity, interchangeable cutting elements, and replaceable abutting blocks. This segmentation allows precise adjustment of cutting parameters while maintaining overall device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable and replaceable components rather than fixed structures. Cutting elements can be interchanged, and abutting blocks can be replaced to adjust total dimension, enabling dynamic adaptation to different cutting requirements while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cutting parts are used to achieve versatility, then the adaptability improves, but the number of parts increases and maintenance time worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction change flexibilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The support body with housing cavity serves as a universal base that can accommodate different cutting elements and abutting blocks. This single support structure performs multiple functions by simply changing the interchangeable components, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Worn or damaged cutting elements and abutting blocks can be easily removed and replaced with new ones. The modular design allows quick disposal of worn parts and recovery of the functional device without extensive disassembly or maintenance of the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Manufacturing precision

If the total dimension of cutting components is fixed, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the ability to compensate for wear and maintain cut quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut quality consistencyVSAvoidcomponent standardization
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The total dimension of the modular insert is made variable through interchangeable abutting blocks with different dimensions. This allows the device to adapt to wear of cutting elements and maintain consistent cut quality by replacing blocks rather than the entire component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The abutting blocks are provided in different dimensions to change the total dimension of the modular insert. This parameter variation allows compensation for wear on cutting elements while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for the base support body and housing cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4219101B1Cutting device for cutting caps and relative assembly method
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOC COOP ARL
  • EP4219101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219101B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting apparatus and a cutting device are disclosed comprising a modular insert arranged at least partially in a housing cavity, in which the modular insert includes a cutting element for performing a vertical or oblique cut and an abutting block which is interchangeable and couplable with the cutting element to fix a total dimension of the modular insert, in which an abutting face of the abutting block abuts on a back wall of the housing cavity so that a rear end of the cutting element is spaced away from the back wall. An assembly method is disclosed for assembling the aforesaid device comprising the steps of providing a plurality of interchangeable abutting blocks and of choosing an abutting block between the plurality of interchangeable abutting blocks on the basis of a desired total dimension of the modular insert.