Spike Bed Support Isolation for Precise Laser Sheet Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser or plasma cutting apparatuses experience reduced cutting precision due to vibrations from the cutting head movements, especially when processing laminar material in the form of single sheets, as these vibrations affect the positioning of the material on the spike bed.

Innovation Solution

The cutting apparatus features a spike bed and closing devices that are mechanically independent of the cutting head's support structure, reducing vibration transmission and maintaining cutting precision by using a separate support structure for the spike bed and closing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the spike bed and closing devices are integrated into the cutting head's support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cutting precision deteriorates due to vibration transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into two independent support structures: a first support structure for the cutting head and a second support structure for the spike bed and closing devices. This segmentation isolates the spike bed from cutting head vibrations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and cutting precision by organizing complexity at the system level rather than eliminating it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spike bed and closing devices are extracted from the cutting head's support structure and placed on a separate second support structure. This extraction removes the source of vibration transmission to the laminar material, allowing the cutting head to move freely without compromising material positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the cutting head moves rapidly to maintain productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the cutting precision deteriorates due to increased vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the spike bed and closing devices from the cutting head's support structure, the invention decouples the vibration source from the material support system. This allows the cutting head to operate at high speeds for improved productivity while the separate second support structure maintains stable positioning of the laminar material, preventing vibration-induced precision loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The second support structure acts as an intermediary between the cutting process and the laminar material. It absorbs and isolates vibrations generated by rapid cutting head movements, enabling high-speed cutting while maintaining cutting precision through mechanical decoupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the closing devices are integrated into the cutting station's support structure, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cutting precision deteriorates due to vibration coupling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing device operationVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The closing devices are segmented from the first support structure and assigned to the second support structure. This segmentation allows the closing devices to operate easily on a stable platform isolated from cutting vibrations, maintaining both ease of operation and cutting precision simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second support structure serves as an intermediary platform that provides a stable, vibration-free base for the closing devices. This intermediary structure enables easy operation of closing devices while preventing vibration coupling to the laminar material during cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design enhances cutting precision by minimizing the impact of cutting head movements on the laminar material, improving accuracy for both sheet and coil forms of laminar material, and simplifies implementation without requiring complex additional systems.

Implementation Method 1

apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of pieces of laminar material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser cutting: Laser

Implementation Method 2

apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of pieces of laminar material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma cutting: Plasma

Data Source

PatentEP3636376B1Apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of pieces of laminar material
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 DALLAN S R L CASTELFRANCO VENETO
  • EP3636376B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3636376B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3636376B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention concerns an apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of pieces of laminar material, comprising: - a cutting station 10, comprising a first support structure 16 and at least a laser or plasma cutting head 11 which is associated with the first support structure 16 and which is movable in relation thereto within an cutting operating area 12; - means 21 for positioning at least a portion of the laminar material in the operating area 12 on a cutting plane m. The aforesaid positioning means consist of a conveyor belt 21 of the "spike bed" type. The apparatus 1 further comprises a first closing device 71 suitable to close a first opening 10' made in the protection cabin 15 for the entrance of the laminar material into the cutting operating area 12 and a second closing device 72 suitable to close a second opening 10" made in the protection cabin for the exit of the laminar material from the cutting operating area 12. The conveyor belt 21 is associated with a second support structure 22 mechanically separate and independent of the first support structure 22. The first and second closing devices are also associated with a mechanically separate support structure that is independent of the first support structure.