Sharpening system for cutter blades for cutting flexible materials in automatic cutting machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sharpening systems for cutter blades in computer numerical control cutting machines for flexible materials are inefficient due to frequent sharpening needs, lack of active sharpening on the rotary guide plate, and inability to dynamically adjust abrasive element position, leading to reduced productivity and cutting precision.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sharpening system with active sharpening elements on the rotary guide plate or symmetrically in the cutting head, featuring interchangeable modules for friction and motorized sharpening, with modular abrasive configurations and controlled actuation, allowing precise and efficient sharpening during blade exit from the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If frequent sharpening is performed to maintain cutting precision, then cutting quality is improved, but productivity decreases due to machine downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The sharpening system is positioned to engage with the blade before it fully exits the cutting area, performing preliminary sharpening actions during the blade's natural motion cycle. This allows sharpening to begin before the blade completely leaves the material, reducing idle time and maintaining cutting precision without significant productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The sharpening elements are arranged to provide continuous sharpening action as the blade passes through the cutting area and exits. The system maintains constant contact or near-contact between abrasive elements and the blade throughout the blade's motion cycle, eliminating gaps in sharpening and reducing total sharpening time while maintaining edge quality.
2Device complexity
If fixed position sharpening elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the blade must rotate to find sharpening position, increasing sharpening time
Solution Approach 1:
The sharpening system incorporates movable or adjustable sharpening elements that can dynamically position themselves relative to the blade during operation. The abrasive elements are arranged on the rotary guide plate to automatically align with the blade's position and orientation, eliminating the need for the blade to rotate to a specific sharpening position and reducing sharpening time while maintaining system simplicity.
3Device complexity
If passive grinding wheels are used, then device complexity is reduced, but cutting quality is lower compared to active sharpening systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic reciprocating motion of the blade combined with strategically positioned abrasive elements on the rotary guide plate. As the blade moves back and forth during cutting, it periodically contacts the abrasive elements at optimal angles, achieving effective sharpening through the natural periodic motion of the cutting process rather than requiring complex active sharpening mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the blade exits the material completely for sharpening, then sharpening access is improved, but cutting function is interrupted, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sharpening elements are positioned in a spatial arrangement on the rotary guide plate that allows them to contact the blade's cutting edge during the blade's exit motion without requiring complete separation from the material. The three-dimensional positioning of abrasive elements enables sharpening to occur in the lateral dimension as the blade exits, rather than requiring full retraction, thus maintaining cutting function continuity.
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
Enhances cutting precision and productivity by enabling real-time sharpening with adjustable abrasive elements, reducing friction and temperature, and improving cutting quality through dynamic positioning and modular configurations.
Implementation Method 1
said sharpening elements include, for example, flexible abrasive belts, active or passive grinding wheels
Implementation Method 2
a friction member configured to sharpen said blade by friction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The sharpening system for cutter blades for cutting flexible materials in automatic cutting machines comprises at least one sharpening element, and it also comprises a first sharpening module that includes at least one first sharpening element (3), and a second sharpening module that includes at least one second sharpening element (5). It provides a sharpening system that offers an integral and simple solution to current sharpening systems by incorporating an active sharpening system in the guide plate, either in the rotary area or on the outside, or symmetrically in the upper part of the lower body of the cutting head, interchangeably.