Swingable Profiling Head for CFRP Edge Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional profiling apparatuses struggle to accurately follow non-uniform workpiece surfaces with varying contours, leading to ineffective cutting of edge material or burrs in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) products.

Innovation Solution

A profiling apparatus with a freely swingable profiling head and displacement means that adjusts the positional relationship between the profiling member and the nozzle body, allowing for precise alignment and cutting of edge material or burrs on CFRP surfaces with continuous or intermittent variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the nozzle body is secured to a robot arm with a fixed positional relationship between the nozzle tip and profiling member, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the profiling member cannot accurately follow the profile target surface when the contour varies continuously or intermittently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofiling accuracyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a displacement means that enables dynamic adjustment of the positional relationship between the nozzle body and profiling member. The profiling member can now move relative to the nozzle body in the vertical direction, allowing it to adapt to varying workpiece contours while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separable components: the nozzle body and the profiling member are connected through a displacement means rather than being rigidly fixed together. This segmentation allows independent movement and adjustment of each component to optimize both profiling accuracy and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the profiling member is made to follow the profile target surface with varying contours, then cutting accuracy is improved, but the positional relationship between the nozzle tip and profiling member becomes difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidcontrol difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives information about the workpiece contour and automatically adjusts the displacement means to maintain the optimal positional relationship between the nozzle tip and profiling member. This feedback mechanism ensures cutting accuracy while simplifying operation through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement means is designed to automatically adjust the profiling member's position in response to workpiece contour variations without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates to maintain proper alignment between the cutting and profiling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables accurate cutting of edge material or burrs on CFRP surfaces with varying contours by allowing the profiling member to dynamically follow the workpiece, ensuring effective removal of edge material during profiling.

Implementation Method 1

water (or laser beam) can be output from the nozzle body to easily cut edge material or burr formed on the workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet erosion: Jet Erosion

Implementation Method 2

water (or laser beam) can be output from the nozzle body to easily cut edge material or burr formed on the workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP2471638B1Copying apparatuses
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 NIHON SHORYOKU KIKAI
  • EP2471638B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(C)
  • EP2471638B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP2471638B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

There is provided a profiling apparatus that can make a profiling member to accurately follow a profile target surface of a workpiece and perform cutting while profiling even when the profile target surface of the workpiece varies continuously or intermittently. A pair of profiling members 33A and 33B which come into contact with a profile target surface 51A of a workpiece are secured to a nozzle body 13 for water or a laser beam through a stay, and displacement means 17 for changing the positional relationship between the pair of profiling members 33A, 33B and the nozzle tip 13A of the nozzle body 13 in association with the figure of the profile target surface 51A of the workpiece is provided.