Setting Head Cutting Mechanism for Fastener Strip Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing setting tools for connecting elements with material strips face issues such as accumulation of empty material belt, inefficient cutting methods requiring additional actuators, and accessibility challenges during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A setting tool with a C-frame, drive unit, and integrated cutting device where the cutting mechanism is rigidly connected to the setting head, allowing for application-specific cutting without additional actuators, utilizing the drive unit's kinetic energy for both setting and cutting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a pneumatic cutting device with an additional actuator is used to cut the material strip, then the material strip can be cut automatically, but the device complexity increases due to the additional actuator and control system
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting function is merged with the setting head by rigidly connecting the cutting part to it. The drive unit that moves the setting head is used to actuate the cutting device, eliminating the need for a separate actuator and control system for cutting. This combines two functions (setting and cutting) into one integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit is given multi-functionality by making it responsible for both moving the setting head during setting operations and actuating the cutting device. The same mechanical motion that performs setting also triggers cutting when the setting head reaches the end of its stroke, eliminating the need for dedicated cutting actuation mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the cutting device is located inside the housing of the assembly tool, then the cutting function is integrated, but the accessibility during maintenance and repair work deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device is segmented into a modular unit that is rigidly connected to the setting head but can be easily detached. This allows the cutting device to be integrated during operation for compactness while enabling easy separation for maintenance and repair, resolving the contradiction between integration and accessibility.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the material strip is cut after each setting stroke, then the empty material belt is removed, but the process time increases due to frequent cutting interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cutting after every single setting stroke, the cutting action is performed periodically when the setting head completes a full stroke cycle and returns to its starting position. This periodic cutting based on the drive unit's natural cycle maintains empty material removal while minimizing interruptions to the continuous setting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting operation is integrated into the existing motion cycle of the setting head, utilizing the return stroke of the drive unit to perform cutting without adding separate cutting strokes. This maintains continuous useful action by making the cutting happen during the natural idle return movement of the setting head, not interrupting the productive setting cycles.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention describes a setting tool (1) for setting connecting elements provided with a material strip (5). The setting tool (1) comprises a C-frame (10), a drive unit arranged on the C-frame (10) with a setting head (12) by which the setting head (12) is movable linearly in the direction of a counter tool (14) arranged on the C-frame (10) opposite the setting head (12), thereby defining a setting stroke (S) between a setting position for setting the connecting element and a receiving position for receiving a subsequent connecting element from the material strip (5), a motor (16), in particular a roller motor, for moving the material strip (5), wherein the motor (16) is arranged adjacent to the setting head (12) and is connected to the setting head (12) in such a way that it is rigidly arranged relative to the setting head (12), a cutting device (20;120) for cutting the material belt (5), which is located behind the motor (16) in the conveying direction of the material belt (5) and comprises a cutting part (22; 122) with a blade (24) and a release part (40; 140), wherein the cutting part (22; 122) is connected to the setting head (12), whereby the cutting part (22; 122) is rigidly arranged relative to the setting head (12), and the release part (40; 140) is connected to the setting tool (1) such that, during operation of the setting tool (1), there is a relative movement between the release part (40; 140) and the cutting part (22; 122), wherein the setting head (12) can be moved by the drive unit into a cutting position which is spaced from the receiving position in a direction opposite to the setting position and in which the blade (24) of the Cutting part (22; 122) the material belt (5) due to actuation by the trigger part (40;140) cuts transversely to the conveying direction of the material belt (5). The invention also relates to a method for setting connecting elements provided with a material belt.;