Plasma Torch Movement Device with Rotary-Translational Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional movement devices for plasma cutting torches face limitations in achieving smooth, continuous movement and accurate positioning due to inertia, resulting in burring and cutting inaccuracies, especially during inclined cuts, and are prone to cable issues that lead to reduced operational lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A movement device with a working head that can move along three Cartesian axes and incorporates combined rotary and translational motion, allowing complete rotation of the cutting torch without obstruction, using a disk-like element connected to motor means via a belt and pinion system, enabling continuous rotation and maintaining perpendicular orientation to the cutting line regardless of inclination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional multi-body movement devices are used with electric motors mounted proximate to joints, then the system provides multi-axis movement capability, but the significant mass of motors creates inertia that reduces acceleration and deceleration values, resulting in burring and cutting inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy electric motors from their conventional locations proximate to the joints and removes them from the multi-body system. Instead, a single motor is mounted on the base table, eliminating the inertia problems caused by distributed motor masses while maintaining the required movement capabilities through a different mechanical architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the working head and torch assembly move relative to a stationary motor on the base table, rather than having motors mounted on moving components. This inversion allows the motor to remain stationary while still achieving complex multi-axis movement through the mechanical linkage system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting torch is subjected to continual accelerations and decelerations for inclined cuts, then the torch can follow complex cutting paths, but the inertia of rigid bodies results in inaccuracies of positioning in the space of the focal point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sources of inertia (distributed motors) from the system, allowing the torch assembly to accelerate and decelerate without the positioning inaccuracies that plague conventional systems. The single stationary motor drives the entire assembly without creating inertial errors during rapid directional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic capabilities by allowing the working head to rotate freely through 360 degrees and the torch to articulate through multiple degrees of freedom without rigid constraints. This dynamic design enables smooth transitions during inclined cuts while maintaining focal point accuracy through real-time positioning control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the working head performs complete rotation about its inclination axis, then the cutting torch can access all positions around the workpiece, but the rotation is obstructed in conventional implementations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the structural obstructions that prevent complete rotation in conventional systems by separating the motor mounting from the rotating components. The stationary motor on the base table eliminates the need for rotating motor mounts that would obstruct full 360-degree rotation of the working head.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into a stationary base table with motor, a rotatable working head assembly, and an articulated torch assembly. This segmentation allows each component to move independently without interfering with the rotation of others, enabling complete revolution of the working head about its inclination axis.
4Reliability
If the supply cable undergoes furls and tensionings during torch movement, then the cable must rotate to loosen itself, but this necessitates additional torch rotations that reduce operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable management system with guide rollers and tensioning mechanisms that act as intermediaries between the stationary motor and the moving torch. These intermediaries guide the cable smoothly during torch movement, preventing furls and tensionings that would require corrective rotations, thereby maintaining both cable integrity and operational efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A movement device (1), particularly for cutting torches, comprising a working head (2) that can move along three Cartesian axes which are mutually perpendicular and supports a cutting torch (7) for cutting mechanical pieces and the like, means (9) being further comprised for combined rotary and translational motion of the cutting torch (7) with respect to the working head (2) in order to vary the inclination of the cutting flow with respect to the mechanical piece, the means for combined rotary and translational motion comprising a first pinion (19) which is adapted to transmit the motion to a disk-like element supporting an articulated parallelogram structure (20, 21, 22) which in turn supports the cutting torch (7), in order to perform a complete rotation of the disk-like element (17) and thus of the torch (7) with respect to the working head (2), and a second pinion (25) which is arranged coaxial to the first pinion ( 19) and is actuated by further drive means (24), the second pinion (25) actuating a conical pair formed by a third (27) and a fourth pinion (28), the fourth pinion transmitting the motion to mechanical transmission elements which are integral with the articulated parallelogram structure (20, 21, 22).