Rotary Drum Dough Cutting Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for producing dough blanks, particularly triangular pieces, face issues with alignment errors and increased manufacturing complexity due to separate punching/cutting, spreading, and turning processes, leading to inefficiencies in further processing steps like winding croissants.
Innovation Solution
A device with cutting tools arranged on a rotary drum that combines vertical and rotational movements to guide cutting tools parallel to the conveyor belt, allowing for precise cutting, spreading, and alignment of dough pieces, enabling efficient processing and correction of cut sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate punching/cutting and spreading/turning processes are used, then each process can be optimized independently, but alignment errors occur and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines punching/cutting and spreading/turning operations into a single integrated device. The tool carrier simultaneously performs cutting with punching tools and spreading/turning with spreading tools, eliminating the need for separate devices and ensuring precise alignment between cutting and spreading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool carrier is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform multiple operations (cutting, spreading, turning) in sequence. This universal tool carrier reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize each operation, as it integrates all functions into one coordinated system.
2Productivity
If cutting tools are moved back to the end of the conveyor belt after cutting, then the cutting elements can be reused, but long travel distances increase the footprint and require additional spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The tool carrier is designed to be movable along the conveyor belt direction, dynamically adjusting its position. After cutting, the tool carrier remains in place or moves minimally, and the dough pieces are spread by moving the dough relative to the stationary tool carrier, eliminating the need for long tool retraction trips.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the cutting tools back to the starting position after cutting (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by keeping the tools in place and moving the workpiece (dough pieces) through additional spreading operations. This eliminates long tool travel distances and reduces device footprint.
3Productivity
If high cycle rates are achieved with precise placement, then production efficiency increases, but device complexity and control effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool carrier operates in periodic cycles, performing cutting and spreading operations in a repeating sequence. This periodic action enables high cycle rates through rhythmic, predictable operations that are easier to control and synchronize compared to continuous variable operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool carrier is divided into separate functional modules (punching tools, spreading tools, turning mechanisms) that can operate independently in sequence. This segmentation allows each module to be controlled separately, simplifying the overall control system while maintaining high productivity through coordinated operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tool carriers are reversed to change rotation direction, then triangular dough pieces can be processed, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tool carrier incorporates a reversible rotation mechanism that can dynamically change rotation direction based on the required dough piece orientation. This dynamic adaptability allows processing of different dough piece shapes and orientations without requiring multiple dedicated tool carriers, maintaining versatility while managing complexity through a single reconfigurable system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device 100 for creating blanks from pieces of dough 4, in particular triangular pieces of dough, from at least one web of dough 2, comprising a plurality of cutting tools 1 which cut an edge 3 of the pieces of dough 4 as a result of a movement oriented against the at least one web of dough 2 and comprising a conveyor belt device 5 on which the at least one web of dough 2 is conveyed. The cutting tools 1 are arranged on a drum 7, which is driven in a rotating manner, via tool holders 6, said drum being superimposed with a vertical movement 8 such that one or more cutting tools 1 which can be found circulating about the drum 7 are moved parallel to the conveyor belt device 5 as a result of the superimposed sequence of movements of the drum rotation 9 and the vertical movement of the drum 7.