Rotatable Auxiliary Tool Unit for Stone Slab Work Centers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work centers for processing stone slabs face challenges in quickly and reliably controlling the movement of auxiliary processing tools between operating and rest conditions without interfering with the slab during cutting operations, while also protecting these tools from external agents like water and sediments.
Innovation Solution
A work center design featuring a rotatable auxiliary tool unit with an electric motor-driven spindle and a locking mechanism allows for quick and reliable movement between operating and rest positions, ensuring the tool does not interfere with the slab during cutting, and is protected against water and sediments, extending the device's service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary processing tool is slidably mounted on a vertical support structure, then the tool can be moved between operating and raised positions, but the movement control becomes complex and vulnerable to external agents
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the auxiliary tool vertically along the cutting tool's path, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the auxiliary tool unit horizontally around a substantially horizontal axis. This allows the tool to be positioned over or away from the slab without vertical movement, simplifying the control system and reducing exposure to water and sediments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rotatable support structure that enables dynamic repositioning of the auxiliary processing tool between operating and rest positions through rotation around a horizontal axis. This dynamic mechanism allows quick adjustment without complex vertical sliding controls, improving both adaptability and reliability.
2Speed
If the auxiliary processing tool is positioned close to the cutting tool for quick adjustment, then movement speed improves, but protection from water and sediments becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical movement (one dimension) to horizontal rotation (another dimension) for repositioning the auxiliary tool. By rotating around a horizontal axis, the tool can be quickly moved to a rest position away from the cutting zone without requiring vertical travel, thereby reducing exposure to water and sediments while maintaining fast repositioning capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex vertical sliding mechanism is used for tool movement, then positioning flexibility is achieved, but reliability decreases due to exposure to external agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical sliding mechanism by implementing a horizontal rotation system. The auxiliary tool unit rotates around a substantially horizontal axis, allowing flexible positioning while keeping the mechanism away from water and sediments, thereby improving both adaptability and reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex vertical sliding mechanical system with a simpler horizontal rotation mechanism. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts exposed to harmful agents, improving reliability while maintaining positioning flexibility through the rotatable support structure.
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 enables rapid and reliable movement of auxiliary tools between operating and rest positions, preventing interference during cutting and providing long-term protection against external agents, thus ensuring efficient and durable operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor carried by said support body and a spindle driven in rotation by said electric motor
Implementation Method 2
said auxiliary processing tool is part of an auxiliary tool unit which is supported by an auxiliary support structure of the operating head in a rotatable manner around a substantially horizontal axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A work center (1) for processing slabs of stone material comprises a bench (2), defining a worktable (3) for receiving the slabs to be processed, an operating head (7) movable above the worktable (3) according to three mutually orthogonal directions (X, Y, Z), a cutting tool (6) in the form of a disc blade, carried by said operating head (7) and configured to rotate around a horizontal axis (6A), when it is in its operating condition, and an auxiliary processing tool (14), also carried by said operating head (7), configured to rotate around a substantially vertical axis (14A), when it is in its operating condition. The auxiliary processing tool (14) is carried by an auxiliary tool unit (15) which is rotatably mounted on a support structure (120) of the operating head (7) around a substantially horizontal axis (16). The operating head (7) comprises an actuator device (19) to rotate the auxiliary tool unit (15) between said operating condition, in which the axis (14A) of the auxiliary processing tool (14) is substantially vertical, or inclined with respect to a vertical direction, and a rest condition, in which the axis (14A) of the auxiliary processing tool (14) is substantially horizontal, or is otherwise rotated with respect to a vertical direction to an extent sufficient to avoid interference with the slab to be processed while the operating head (7) has its cutting tool (6) engaged on the slab to perform a cutting operation.