Method for cutting cut parts, and cutting device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting processes for materials like airbags result in excessive material waste due to the need for safety margins and inefficient nesting methods, particularly when cutting multiple layers simultaneously, leading to increased material consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method for cutting cut parts on a single-layer material web that optimizes the arrangement of cutting patterns and pieces by allowing partial placement within repeating sections, eliminating the need for safety distances at the ends of the material web and using a laser cutting device to minimize material waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple material web layers are stacked and cut simultaneously with safety margins, then cutting efficiency is improved, but material waste increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process is divided into two independent stages: first, cutting individual layers with optimized nesting patterns, and second, stacking the cut pieces into multi-layer assemblies. This segmentation eliminates the need for safety margins between layers during cutting, as each layer is cut independently without risk of misalignment. The nesting algorithms can fully utilize material width without adding extra margins, significantly reducing material waste while maintaining high productivity through the stacking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If safety margins are added to material web ends for simultaneous multi-layer cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but material consumption increases by 0.5 to 1%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The material web is pre-marked with cutting patterns and alignment references before the cutting process begins. This preliminary marking enables precise positioning and cutting without requiring additional safety margins at the material ends. The nesting algorithms are designed to utilize the full material width by calculating optimal piece arrangements that account for the marked positions, ensuring high cutting precision while minimizing material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If conventional nesting methods are used for rectangular material sections, then space utilization is improved, but material waste remains excessive due to safety clearances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The nesting algorithm dynamically adjusts the arrangement of cut pieces based on the available material width and required piece dimensions. Instead of using fixed rectangular sections with static safety clearances, the system calculates optimal piece positions and orientations to maximize space utilization. The algorithm can rotate, flip, and reposition pieces to fit irregular spaces, eliminating the need for uniform safety margins and reducing material waste while improving space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Significantly reduces material consumption by 0.5 to 1% by optimizing the nesting of cutting patterns and eliminating unnecessary safety margins, achieving efficient and precise cutting of complex shapes with minimal material waste.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam is focused on the fabric and controlled by computer commands to move within the cutting area to cut a variety of patterns quickly and accurately

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3717690B1Method for cutting cut parts, and cutting device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 HEFA HLDG GMBH
  • EP3717690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3717690B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3717690B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for cutting cut parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), wherein the cut parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) produce a cutting pattern (7), said method having the following method step: cutting (106) the cut parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), wherein the cut parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are arranged in a rectangular, repeating portion (9, 9') of an endless single ply material web (19), wherein the portion (9) at least one cut part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) or at least one cutting pattern (7) is contained in part (10, 11). The method additionally comprises a computer program product and a device for cutting by means of a cutting tool.