Swiveling Operating Unit for Soft Sheet Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting and creasing machines for soft materials like cardboard and corrugated plastics are costly due to the need for multiple precision actuators for angular orientation and linear translation of tool holders, leading to inefficient geometries and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A swiveling operating unit with a rotating plate and support column, where tool holders are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation, allowing for coordinated translation and rotation using a minimal number of actuators, eliminating the need for dedicated angular and linear actuators on each tool holder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple precision actuators are used for angular orientation and linear translation of each tool holder, then the cutting precision and positioning accuracy are improved, but the production cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple actuators into a single actuator by integrating the angular orientation and linear translation operations. The tool holder is designed with a swiveling mechanism that combines rotational movement around its own axis with translational movement along the cutting path, allowing one actuator to perform what previously required multiple separate actuators, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The tool holder is designed as a multi-functional component that can both rotate around its own axis and translate along the cutting path using a single actuator. This universal design allows the same actuator to perform multiple functions (angular orientation and linear translation), reducing the overall number of actuators needed in the system while maintaining the required precision for both operations
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple precision actuators are used for angular orientation and linear translation of each tool holder, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple precision actuators into a single actuator by designing the tool holder with integrated swiveling and translation capabilities. This merging reduces the number of precision components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining the required positioning accuracy through the coordinated motion of the single actuator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex multi-actuator system and replaces it with a simplified single-actuator design. By removing the unnecessary actuators and their associated control systems, the production cost is reduced while the essential positioning accuracy is maintained through the optimized mechanical design of the swiveling tool holder
3Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated angular and linear actuators are provided on each tool holder, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the number of components and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder is designed as a universal component that can perform both angular orientation and linear translation using a single actuator. This multi-functional design maintains operational flexibility by allowing the tool holder to adapt to different cutting paths and angles, while simultaneously reducing the number of components by eliminating the need for separate dedicated actuators for each function
4Device complexity
If a minimal number of actuators is used, then the production cost and device complexity are reduced, but the ability to perform coordinated translation and rotation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic motion control where the single actuator performs coordinated swiveling and translation operations through programmable motion sequences. The actuator dynamically adjusts its motion parameters to achieve the required coordinated movement, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining simplicity in the mechanical design. This dynamic approach allows one actuator to reliably perform functions that traditionally required multiple actuators
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an operating unit (G) for cutting or creasing flat sheets (L) made of soft materials such as cardboard, poli-wave plastics, composite materials, comprising a supporting base (1), a rotating plate (2), rotatably coupled to said supporting base (1) about a first axis (C) to perform a first rotation (1T); a support column (3), having one end constrained to said rotating plate (2), by means of first guide means (20), wherein said support column (3) is adapted to constrain a plurality of tool holders (Wk), arranged on it with the respective operating axes (Ak) parallel to said first axis (C), and equipped with respective tools (Uk); wherein said first guide means (20) are configured to allow a translation (61), or rotation (62) first movement of said support column (3) with respect to said rotating plate (2), such that the operating axis (Ak) of one of said tool holders (W1,2, ... , k,... n) coincides with said first axis (C).