Rotatable Stone Cutting Tool Plug for Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chain cutters used for cutting lapidary materials face frequent tool breakage due to high forces, leading to increased costs and the need for multiple tool positions, resulting in high stock requirements and frequent replacements.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design featuring a movable body constrained to a base with a locking mechanism that allows the plug to be rotated to different angular positions, reducing stress on the tool and enabling easy replacement, while a single tool can be adapted for various positions by adjusting the movable body's engagement with the base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the plug is tightly clamped to the chain to withstand high forces during cutting, then the cutting force resistance is improved, but the tool breakage frequency increases due to stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting force resistanceVSAvoidtool breakage frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is divided into modular components: the plug (cutting element), the clamping body (fastening mechanism), and the attachment body (mounting interface). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the plug can be designed for cutting performance while the clamping body distributes stress to prevent breakage, and components can be replaced individually rather than as a complete assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping mechanism uses a dynamic tightening system where the clamping body can be adjusted and tightened progressively. The threaded engagement and cam mechanism allow for controlled application of clamping force, distributing stress over time and preventing sudden stress concentration that leads to breakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple chain cutting machines present tools with different positions of the plug to widen the machined surface, then the machining versatility is improved, but the tool stock requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining versatilityVSAvoidtool stock requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment body is designed with a universal interface system featuring multiple engagement positions and adjustable clamping orientations. A single plug-clamping body assembly can be mounted in different angular positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) on the chain, allowing one physical tool to perform multiple machining functions and achieve various cut widths without requiring separate tools for each position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds rotational dimensionality to the tool mounting system. Instead of requiring separate tools for different linear positions, the attachment body allows the plug to be rotated to different angular positions around the chain link, achieving width variation through rotational adjustment rather than requiring multiple identical tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3858566B1Cutting tool and chain cutting machine for stones and similar material
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 BIGINI FABIO
  • EP3858566B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3858566B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

It is provided a cutting tool (1) comprising an attachment base (2) to a chain cutter; a plug (3) configured to perform a manufacturing by removing material; a movable body (4) of the plug (3); and a locking body (5) defining a plurality of locking positions of the movable body (4) at the base (2); each of said locking positions defining a different position of said plug (3) with respect to said base (2); the base (2) comprises a tooth (22) defining a first support surface (22a) and a second support surface (22b) of the movable body (4); and wherein the movable body (4) comprises a first portion (41) configured to rest on the first support surface (22a) and a second portion (42) configured to rest on the second support surface (22b).