Movable Leather Cutting Table for Operator Access and Fast Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic cutting machines for tanned leathers face limitations in production rate due to manual operations for spreading and removing leathers, particularly near the longitudinal axis, and quality control processes, which are time-consuming and hinder efficient processing.
Innovation Solution
A work table with a central body and lateral portions that can move between configurations to maximize or minimize the active surface area, allowing easy spreading, quality control, and removal of leathers, utilizing suction means and articulation elements to facilitate efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the work table surface is made large to accommodate big leathers, then the leathers can be processed, but the operators have difficult access to portions near the longitudinal axis requiring climbing or special structures
Solution Approach 1:
The work table is designed with movable lateral portions that can change configuration between work and rest positions. During cutting operations, the lateral portions are in the work configuration providing maximum surface area. During leather loading and scrap removal, they move to the rest configuration creating aisles that provide operator access without requiring climbing or special structures.
2Productivity
If manual operations for spreading and removing leathers are performed on a large work table, then complete leather processing is possible, but the production rate is limited to 4-5 leathers per hour
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic configuration of the work table reduces the time required for manual operations. By moving the lateral portions to create aisles, operators can quickly access and remove scraps or load new leathers without climbing or navigating around fixed structures, thereby reducing cycle time and increasing production rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The work table is designed to facilitate preliminary actions by operators in preparing and removing leathers. The movable lateral portions can be positioned to optimize operator workflow before cutting begins and after cutting completes, streamlining the manual operations that limit production rate.
3Ease of operation
If the lateral portions are always in the work configuration to maximize surface area, then leathers can be spread easily, but the operators cannot access portions near the longitudinal axis efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The work table employs dynamic lateral portions that adapt their configuration based on the operational phase. During leather spreading and cutting, lateral portions are in the work configuration for maximum surface area and ease of operation. During loading and scrap removal phases, they move to the rest configuration to enable efficient operator access, thus maintaining both ease of operation and productivity.
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
The solution significantly increases production rate by simplifying the spreading and removal of leathers, enabling operators to perform quality control quickly, resulting in a quadruple increase in productivity compared to traditional machines.
Implementation Method 1
suction means for making at least portions of said leathers to adhere to the active surface of the work table
Data Source
AI summary
A work table for an automatic machine for cutting leathers and the like, includes a plurality of holes opening outwards and communicating with a vacuum source, to make portions of leathers to adhere to the active surface (3) of the work table (1). The work table (1) includes a central body (1a), supported by a fixed structure (2). At least one lateral portion (1h, 1j), connected to the fixed structure (2), is moved by first motion means (10h, 10j) between at least one work configuration (K1), in which its active surface (3h, 3j) is aligned with the active surface (3a) of the central body (1a), to define the active surface (3) of the work table (1), and a rest configuration (K2) of reduced dimension, in which the active surfaces (3a, 3h, 3j) of the central body (1a) and the lateral portion (1h, 1j) are arranged at an angle with respect to each other.