Stone Plate Work Center With Movable Supports for Cut-Edge Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machining systems for stone and glass plates require separate machines for cutting and edge machining, leading to increased costs, space requirements, and reduced productivity due to the need for plate transfer between machines.
Innovation Solution
An electronically-controlled multi-functional work center that integrates cutting and edge machining operations using movable supporting and holding units, allowing for precise positioning and movement of plates without a sacrificial plane, enabling simultaneous cutting and edge machining with reduced dead times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate machines are used for cutting and edge machining operations, then each machine can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall productivity decreases due to dead times for plate transfer between machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cutting tools and edge machining tools on the same machining head, allowing both operations to be performed on the same machine without transferring plates between different machines, thereby eliminating dead times and improving overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The machining head is designed to accommodate multiple types of tools (cutting tools and edge machining tools) that can be automatically changed, making the machine universal and capable of performing both cutting and edge machining operations with the same equipment
2Reliability
If separate machines are used for cutting and edge machining, then each machine has dedicated functionality, but the space requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging cutting and edge machining operations into a single machine, the patent reduces the total number of machines required in the production line, thereby decreasing space requirements and associated costs while maintaining dedicated functionality through tool changes
3Productivity
If a sacrificial machine top is used for cutting operations, then cutting can be performed on the same machine, but the apparatus complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses movable supporting and holding units that can dynamically adjust their positions during the work cycle, rather than requiring a static sacrificial machine top, thereby achieving operational integration without increasing apparatus complexity
4Ease of operation
If movable supporting and holding units are used for plate positioning, then plate transfer and positioning is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable supporting and holding units are automatically controlled by the electronic control unit to position plates and maintain them during operations, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for manual intervention, thereby simplifying operation despite the added complexity of movable components
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronically-controlled multi-functional work center can be used to machine plates of natural or synthetic stone or glass plates. The work center is configured to perform both the cutting operations on a plate (L1, L2) and the machining operations on the edges of the plate portions (L1 A, L1 B, L2A, L2B) obtained as a result of the cutting operation, without the need to arrange a sacrificial plane above the machine top to perform the cutting operation. The machine top (3) is provided with a plurality of supporting and holding units (8) mounted movable in a horizontal direction Y on respective support cross-members (9), which in turn are mounted movable on the machine top (3) in a direction X perpendicular to the direction Y. The electronic control unit (E) of the work center positions a plurality of supporting and holding units (8) selected to receive a plate (L1, L2) to be cut in such a way as to maintain them all on both sides of the cutting line (T). After performing a cutting operation, the plate portions (L1 A, L1 B, L2A, L2B), which have been subdivided from said plate (L1, L2), are separated by a movement along said second horizontal direction (X) of the cross-members (9) carrying some of said selected units (8) and/or a movement of at least some of said selected units along said first horizontal direction (Y). In this way, the machining head (7) of the work center can carry out the machining of the edges of the aforesaid plate portions (L1 A, L1 B, L2A, L2B) on the same machine top (3). In a variant, the supporting and holding units (8) are also provided with a vertical movement, which can be used to separate the cut plate portions.