Stone Cutting Wire Pulley Tensioning for Inclined Cuts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire shaping machines for natural stone materials face complexity and high costs in maintaining constant wire tension, particularly when cutting sections are inclined, requiring intricate pulley systems and additional tensioning mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A simplified wire shaping machine design featuring a tensioning pulley that moves relative to the carriage pulley along the column, using a pneumatic actuating system to adjust wire tension automatically, ensuring constant tension across varying cutting configurations without the need for additional complex mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pulley systems with multiple tensioning mechanisms are used to maintain constant wire tension during inclined cutting, then wire tension stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire tension stabilityVSAvoidpulley system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and isolates the tensioning function into a single dedicated tensioning pulley that moves independently along the column. This separate tensioning pulley is operationally associated with the carriage pulley but can move relative to it, allowing independent tension control without affecting the main cutting mechanism. This extraction principle simplifies the overall system by dedicating a specific component to tension maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning pulley is designed to move dynamically along the column to maintain constant wire tension. The pneumatic actuating system enables the tensioning pulley to adjust its position automatically in response to tension variations, creating a dynamic balance that maintains optimal tension throughout the cutting process, especially during inclined cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If additional tensioning mechanisms are added to maintain wire tension during inclined cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a pneumatic actuating system to drive the tensioning pulley along the column. This pneumatic mechanism provides precise, controlled movement of the tensioning pulley to maintain constant wire tension during inclined cutting operations. The use of pneumatic technology offers a cost-effective solution compared to more complex mechanical tensioning systems, while achieving the required precision for high-quality stone cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Device complexity

If a single tensioning pulley moves relative to the carriage pulley, then device complexity is reduced, but wire tension control capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensioning system complexityVSAvoidwire tension control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic actuating system provides feedback control for the tensioning pulley position. The system continuously monitors wire tension and automatically adjusts the tensioning pulley position along the column to maintain constant tension. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable wire tension control despite the simplified single-pulley design, compensating for tension variations that occur during inclined cutting and block movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution provides a constructionally simple and cost-effective method to maintain optimal wire tension during machining operations, allowing for efficient cutting of natural stone materials with reduced operational complexity and increased flexibility in cutting angles.

Implementation Method 1

using a pneumatic actuating system to adjust wire tension automatically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatics:

Implementation Method 2

maintain optimal wire tension during machining operations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension:

Data Source

PatentEP3160673B1Wire shaping machine for cutting blocks of natural stone material
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 TONCELLI LUCA
  • EP3160673B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3160673B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3160673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wire shaping machine (12) comprising two columns (14, 16) each of which is provided with a carriage (18, 20). At least one pulley (22, 24) is provided on each carriage (18, 20), the pulleys (22, 24) being adapted to engage with and move at least one cutting wire extending between them. The machine is characterized in that it comprises a tensioning pulley (28) operating in conjunction with at least one respective pulley (22, 24) designed to be moved relative to the respective pulley (22, 24), along the column or in a direction substantially parallel thereto, said tensioning pulley (28) also engaging with the wire.