Multi-Spindle Stone Slab Cutting Machine for Flexible Precision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stone cutting machines face challenges in balancing flexibility and productivity, often resulting in high costs, limited precision, and increased machine size due to heavy components and complex kinematic chains, which hinder efficient cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
A machine design featuring a rotatable workbench, bi-rotational machining heads, and multiple cutting spindles with independent movement along a beam, combined with a suction cup manipulator for precise orientation and cutting, allowing for flexible and efficient cutting operations without the need for multiple machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single cutting disc is used to perform longitudinal, transverse and inclined cuts with high flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to sequential operations
Solution Approach 1:
The single cutting disc is segmented into multiple independent cutting spindles (first, second, and third spindles) that can operate simultaneously or independently. Each spindle can perform different cutting operations (longitudinal, transverse, inclined) at the same time, transforming sequential operations into parallel operations to improve productivity while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting spindles are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing each spindle to be independently moved along the beam and positioned at different heights. This dynamic arrangement enables the spindles to adapt to various cutting patterns and sequences, maintaining high flexibility while enabling simultaneous multi-line cutting for improved productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple cutting spindles are arranged side-by-side to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and machine size increase due to heavy beams and complex kinematic chains
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent cutting spindle units that can be selectively activated. Not all spindles need to operate simultaneously or be present in every configuration, allowing the system to maintain productivity when needed while reducing complexity when fewer spindles are required, thus managing device complexity effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cutting spindle is designed as a multi-functional unit capable of performing longitudinal, transverse, and inclined cuts. This universality reduces the need for specialized components for each cutting type, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity through simultaneous multi-line cutting operations.
3Productivity
If multiple cutting spindles are arranged side-by-side to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to larger machine dimensions and heavier components
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting system is divided into modular spindle units that can be configured in different numbers and arrangements based on productivity requirements. This modularity allows manufacturers to produce smaller, more cost-effective machines for lower productivity needs while offering upgrade paths, thereby reducing manufacturing costs compared to fixed large-scale multi-spindle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of operational parameters such as the number of active spindles, cutting speeds, and positioning configurations. This flexibility enables the machine to operate efficiently at different productivity levels, optimizing manufacturing costs by avoiding over-engineering for maximum capacity when lower productivity suffices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cutting spindles are moved along the beam with complex kinematic chains, then positioning flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to accumulated constructional imprecision
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into independent drive mechanisms for each cutting spindle, with each spindle having its own motor and positioning system. This segmentation isolates errors to individual spindles rather than propagating them through a complex shared kinematic chain, thereby maintaining cutting precision while preserving positioning flexibility through independent control of each spindle unit.
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
The machine achieves high productivity and flexibility while maintaining low costs and improving cutting precision, with reduced mass and simplified kinematic chains, enabling precise cuts regardless of cutting sequence or pattern.
Implementation Method 1
a device for manipulating slabs or portions thereof, using one or more suction cups
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A machine (12) for cutting slabs of stone or stone-like material comprises a work bench (13), two lateral support structures (14, 16) between which a beam (18) runs. On the beam (18) there is arranged a first machining unit (20) comprising: a carriage (22) adapted to slide along the beam (18); a sleeve (24) adapted to slide with respect to the carriage (22) in the vertical direction; a machining head (26), connected to the end of the sleeve (24) and adapted to rotate relative to the sleeve (24) about a vertical axis (28). The machining head (26) comprises a spindle (30) on which a cutting disc (32) is mounted. Manipulator means (34) for slabs or portions thereof, engaged with the head or the sleeve, are also provided. The machine comprises a second machining unit (36) mounted slidably on the said beam (18) and comprising at least one second machining head (38) with fixed orientation, adapted to be moved in the vertical direction and comprising a spindle (42, 44) on which a cutting disk (46, 48) is mounted.