Rotary Slide Workpiece Transfer in Multi-Stage Cutting Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring workpieces in and out of multi-stage cutting and machining tools are complex, prone to wear, and reduce productivity due to the need for linear slides and extended tool opening times, which compromise precision, accuracy, and tool compactness.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a rotary slide with transfer and discharge openings on a circular path, where the slide plate is designed as a separate structural unit with a linear drive for horizontal pivoting, allowing for efficient transfer and discharge of workpieces without moving the slider in and out of the tool, enhancing precision, compactness, and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a linearly displaceable cross slide is used to transport workpieces, then the workpiece can be moved in and out of the tool, but the opening time of the tool must be extended to wait for the cross slide to move out, which increases production time per part and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linearly displaceable cross slide with a rotatable slide plate that can dynamically change its position and orientation. The slide plate rotates to different angular positions during the tool cycle, allowing workpieces to be transferred to different processing stations without requiring the tool to remain open for extended periods. This dynamic rotational movement resolves the contradiction by enabling workpiece transport while maintaining shorter tool opening times.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide plate is designed with a circular path of active elements that correspond to multiple processing stations arranged in a circular or arc-like configuration. This curved/spherical arrangement allows the slide plate to sequentially present workpieces to different processing stations through rotation, eliminating the need for linear extension of tool opening time and thereby increasing productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a linearly displaceable cross slide is used to transport workpieces, then the workpiece can be moved in and out of the tool, but sufficient space is required which counteracts the compact design of the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The slide plate utilizes a circular arrangement of processing stations with workpieces being transferred along a curved path. This spherical/curved geometry allows the tool to maintain a compact footprint by utilizing radial space rather than requiring linear extension, thereby achieving workpiece transport capability without compromising tool compactness.
3Productivity
If a rotatable cutting plate with both cutting and transport functions is used, then workpiece transfer is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and wear on the cutting plate increases due to constant aligning, locking, and rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tool into separate functional units: a cutting stage and multiple processing stages arranged on a circular path. The slide plate acts as a separate transport mechanism with transfer openings that align with these distinct stages. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without the complexity of a combined cutting-transport plate, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining efficient workpiece transfer.
4Productivity
If a rotatable cutting plate with both cutting and transport functions is used, then workpiece transfer is achieved, but constant monitoring of active elements is necessary to maintain precision and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the cutting function from the transport function into distinct stages, the patent reduces the complexity of monitoring. The slide plate with its transfer openings provides fixed, predetermined alignment positions that are simpler to monitor and maintain for precision compared to a rotating cutting plate that must simultaneously maintain cutting accuracy and transport positioning accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for transferring workpieces in a tool, in particular a multi-stage cutting and processing tool consisting of an upper and lower part, with a cutting stage (8, 8.1) for cutting blanks (2) from a strip of tape (7), several processing stages (9, 10, 11, 12 or 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1) lying on a circular path (K1, K2, K3, K4) consisting of active elements (23) of the upper part (3) and active elements (34) of the lower part (4), wherein a slide moves the blanks intermittently from stage to stage.The invention is based on the objective of providing a device and a method for transferring workpieces into and out of multi-stage cutting and machining tools, which makes it possible to largely avoid the insertion and removal of the slide from the tool while simultaneously increasing the stroke rate and efficiency with high part precision, improved tool compactness, and simplified design. This objective is achieved by providing the slide as a rotary slide (37) equipped with several transfer openings (46, 47, 48, 49) and an ejection opening (50), and the cutting stage (8, 8.1) and the individual machining stages (9, 10, 11, 12; 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1) with an ejection stage (13, 13.1).1) are designed as separate, mutually supporting building units (A,B,C,D;,E,F,G,H) which are arranged around a rotary axis (DA) of the rotary slide (37) mounted on the lower block (6), wherein the transfer openings (46,47,48,49) and the discharge opening (50) lie on a circular path (K5) which corresponds to the circular paths (K1,K2; K3,K4) of the active elements (23,35) of the cutting stage (8,8.1), processing stages (9,10,11,12;9.1,10.1, 11.1,12.1) and discharge stage (13,13.1) and which have a distance from each other which is identical to the distance of the active elements (23, 35) on the circular paths (K1,K2;K3,K4). Figures 9 and 10 are to be provided as the main drawings.