Scale Removal Tool For Cutting Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laser cutting of metal, slag, scale, or debris attaches to the cutting table slats, interfering with the cutting process and requiring a safe and quick removal method.
Innovation Solution
A debris removal tool with a housing, handle, and axles supporting removal wheels and spacers is designed to engage and remove debris from multiple slats, allowing for efficient scraping and alignment maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual removal of debris from slats is performed, then safety risks and time consumption increase, but a simple tool design is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The tool divides the debris removal function into multiple removal wheels (first removal wheel, second removal wheel, third removal wheel, fourth removal wheel) spaced along a single axle, allowing simultaneous contact with multiple slats. This segmentation enables parallel cleaning of several slats at once, significantly increasing productivity while keeping each individual wheel relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple removal wheels and spacers onto a single axle that rotates together, merging the cleaning function across multiple slats into one unified tool structure. This allows the operator to clean multiple slats in a single pass, improving efficiency without requiring multiple separate tools or complex mechanisms for each slat.
2Productivity
If removal wheels are used to scrape debris from slats, then debris removal effectiveness improves, but the risk of damaging slats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are positioned at specific locations between the removal wheels to create varying gap sizes. These localized variations in spacing allow the tool to adapt to different slat conditions - maintaining effective debris removal where needed while reducing pressure and gap size in areas where slats may be more vulnerable to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers act as cushioning elements that prevent the removal wheels from directly contacting and potentially damaging the slats. By positioning spacers between adjacent removal wheels, the tool design anticipates potential damage risks and incorporates protective spacing beforehand, allowing the wheels to scrape debris effectively while the spacers prevent excessive pressure or direct wheel-slat contact that could cause damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single axle with multiple removal wheels is used, then the ability to accommodate slat imperfections improves, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers serve as intermediary elements between the removal wheels and the slats, mediating the interaction to accommodate slat imperfections. By positioning spacers at specific intervals, the tool can adapt to variations in slat spacing and conditions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, as the spacers naturally absorb and compensate for dimensional variations.
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 tool effectively removes debris from cutting table slats, ensuring proper operation and alignment by using removal wheels with spacers to accommodate slat imperfections and debris, enhancing the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
A first removal wheel is disposed on the first axle, a second removal wheel is disposed on the first axle, a third removal wheel is disposed on the first axle, and a fourth removal wheel disposed on the first axle
Data Source
AI summary
A debris removal tool for removing debris from a first slat and a second slat includes a housing and a handle coupled to a base wall of the housing. A first axle is disposed on a second side of the housing. A first slat engagement mechanism is disposed on the first axle engaging the first slat. A second slat engagement mechanism is disposed on the first axle spaced apart from the first slat engagement and engaging the second slat.