Setting Head Tape Cutting for Connecting Element Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing setting tools for connecting elements using material tapes suffer from inefficiencies in material tape cutting, requiring additional actuators and causing material accumulation and accessibility issues during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A setting tool with a C-frame design, incorporating a drive unit, engine, and a cutting device where the cutting part is rigidly connected to the setting head, allowing the use of the drive unit's movement for both setting and cutting, eliminating the need for additional actuators and enabling application-specific, efficient cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cutting device with additional actuator is used to cut off the material tape, then the material tape can be separated, but the device complexity increases due to additional actuators and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting function is merged with the existing setting head by rigidly connecting the cutting part to it. The drive unit that moves the setting head is also used to move the cutting part, eliminating the need for separate actuators. This combines two functions (setting and cutting) into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting head is given multi-functionality by adding the cutting part to it. The same component (setting head) now performs both the setting operation and the cutting operation, depending on its position and the engagement of the cutting part with the material tape.
2Ease of operation
If the material tape is cut off after each setting stroke, then the material tape is separated, but the productivity decreases due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting operation is made dynamic and conditional rather than fixed and mandatory. The cutting part is positioned to engage with the material tape only when needed, allowing the system to adapt between cutting and non-cutting operations based on the application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the cutting parameter (whether to cut or not) based on application-specific requirements. The drive unit can move the cutting part to different positions, enabling or disabling the cutting function as needed, rather than forcing a cut after every stroke.
3Device complexity
If the cutting device is provided in the housing of the assembly tool, then the cutting function is integrated, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to reduced accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device is segmented as a separate, modular component (cutting part with blade) that can be independently accessed and removed. The cutting part is designed as a distinct element that can be separated from the setting head for maintenance purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting part is designed to be extractable or removable from the setting head assembly. This allows maintenance personnel to access and replace the cutting blade without having to disassemble the entire setting tool housing.
4Productivity
If the separated pieces of material tape arise at or close to the assembly position, then the cutting is performed, but the loss of substance increases due to material accumulation in the workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting operation is positioned in a different spatial location (behind the engine in supply direction) rather than at the assembly position. This changes the spatial dimension of where the cutting occurs, moving it away from the workspace where components are assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting operation is extracted from the assembly position and relocated to a separate location behind the engine. This separates the cutting function from the assembly function in both time and space, preventing material waste from accumulating in the assembly workspace.
Data Source
AI summary
A setting tool for setting connecting elements from a material tape. The setting tool comprises a C frame, a drive unit arranged at the C frame with a setting head that is linearly movable in the direction of a counter tool, an engine for displacing the material tape, arranged adjacent to the setting head and rigidly connected to the setting head, a cutting device for cutting the material tape, located behind the engine and comprising a cutting part with a blade and an actuating part, the cutting part being rigidly connected to the setting head, and the actuating part being connected to the setting tool such that there is a relative operational movement between the actuating part and cutting part, wherein the setting head is movable by the drive unit into a cutting position such that the blade cuts the material tape during actuation.