Plotter Receiving Portion Segmentation for Cutting and Drawing Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medium processing devices face challenges in executing drawing and cutting operations with high accuracy due to interference between tools and the receiving portion, leading to reduced durability and increased costs, as well as inaccuracies with thin materials.

Innovation Solution

A medium processing device with separate processing means for drawing and cutting, positioned on different lines intersecting the transfer direction, and a holding mechanism that allows adjustable distances to the medium, along with specific supporting portions for each tool to prevent interference and enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a rubber roller is used as a receiving portion for both drawing and cutting tools, then the structure is simplified, but cutting accuracy deteriorates due to hooking and jumping motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcutting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving portion is divided into two separate functional areas: a first receiving portion (hard surface) for cutting operations and a second receiving portion (soft rubber surface) for drawing operations. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the cutting tool from hooking or jumping while providing appropriate support for the drawing tool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the receiving portion are given different material properties: the first receiving portion has a hard surface to prevent deformation during cutting, while the second receiving portion has a soft rubber surface to accommodate the drawing tool. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing location-specific characteristics rather than a uniform structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a rubber roller is used as receiving portion, then drawing operation is supported, but durability of cutter blade is reduced due to hooking and jumping motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawing operation supportVSAvoidcutter blade durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving portion is segmented into distinct zones: a hard first receiving portion for cutting that prevents blade hooking and jumping, and a soft second receiving portion for drawing. This segmentation allows the cutter to operate on a stable hard surface, improving blade durability, while the drawing tool operates on the soft rubber surface for ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving portion incorporates local quality differentiation where the first receiving portion has hard surface properties to protect the cutter blade, and the second receiving portion has soft rubber properties to support drawing operations. This resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate local characteristics for each tool type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a flexible napped material is used as receiving portion to facilitate cutter motion, then turning and following motion is improved, but drawing accuracy deteriorates for thin materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutter turning and following motionVSAvoiddrawing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving portion is segmented into a first receiving portion with hard surface for cutting operations that facilitates tool motion, and a second receiving portion with soft rubber surface for drawing operations that ensures accuracy. This segmentation allows the cutter to benefit from the hard surface while the drawing tool benefits from the soft surface, resolving the accuracy contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the receiving portion are assigned different material qualities: the first receiving portion has hard surface properties optimized for cutting tool motion, while the second receiving portion has soft rubber properties optimized for drawing accuracy. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of cutter operation and drawing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If a single rubber roller is used for both tools, then replacement cost increases when damaged, but structure remains simple

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving portion is segmented into two distinct functional areas with different material properties, allowing each zone to be optimized for its specific tool. This segmentation prevents damage to the entire receiving portion from affecting both operations, as the hard first receiving portion protects against cutting-induced damage while the soft second receiving portion protects against drawing-induced damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving portion incorporates local quality differentiation with a hard first receiving portion for cutting and a soft second receiving portion for drawing. This allows the system to withstand the demanding conditions of both operations without requiring complete replacement, reducing loss of substance while maintaining structural simplicity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2532496B1Medium processing device
Publication Date: 2017.08.16 MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO LTD
  • EP2532496B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2532496B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a device that can execute both of two kinds of processes, at least, for a target medium inexpensively with high accuracy. [Means to Solve the Problem] A plotter (20) includes a cutter (1) and a pen (2) for individually executing each specific process for paper being transferred in a predetermined direction, and a receiving portion (8) for supporting the paper to be processed by the cutter (1) and the pen (2), while the receiving portion (8) being provided at a position facing the cutter (1) and the pen (2) through the intermediary of the paper. Then, the cutter (1) and the pen (2) are positioned on different lines individually in a direction intersecting the transfer direction of the paper. Therefore, a condition of the receiving portion (8) after a process by one tool does not affect the other tool.