Automatic Tile Cutter With Conveyor Positioning and Offcut Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile cutting technologies require significant user intervention and time, as they are either manual or electric, necessitating repeated cuts and precise handling, which can be inefficient and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable automatic tile cutter with a cutting table, conveyor system, end stops, and electronic control unit that automates the positioning and cutting of tiles along predefined lines, allowing for programmable cutting without user intervention, and includes features like mobile end stops, angularly orientable cutting tools, and separate conveyor systems for efficient offloading and sorting of cut tiles and offcuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual or electric tile cutters are used, then the cutting operation can be performed, but significant user intervention and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting parameters (cutting lines, dimensions) are predetermined and programmed into the control unit before the actual cutting operation. The conveyor system is pre-configured to transport tiles to specific positions, and end stops are pre-positioned to automatically orient tiles. This preliminary programming and setup eliminates the need for repeated manual measurement and positioning during cutting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tile cutter system performs automatic tile positioning, orientation, and cutting without continuous user intervention. The conveyor automatically transports tiles, end stops automatically orient them, and the cutting tool automatically executes cuts based on programmed parameters. The system serves itself by using the programmed information to guide the entire cutting process, reducing user involvement to initial programming and material loading.
2Extent of automation
If automatic positioning and cutting is implemented, then user intervention is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system serves multiple functions: it transports tiles from the loading zone to the cutting zone, positions tiles automatically using end stops, and can transport both whole tiles and cut pieces. The control unit universally manages all aspects of the cutting process including conveyor operation, end stop positioning, and cutting tool actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the user's cutting requirements and the physical cutting operations. It receives cutting parameters, processes them into positioning instructions, and coordinates the conveyor, end stops, and cutting tool. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing control logic and reducing direct mechanical linkages between components.
3Weight of moving object
If portable and compact design is achieved, then transportability is improved, but cutting capacity may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tile cutter is divided into functional modules: a compact cutting head with cutting tool and guide rail, a conveyor system that can be folded or disassembled, mobile end stops, and a control unit. Each module can be independently handled and reconfigured. The cutting table and support structure are designed to be collapsible or separable, allowing the entire system to be broken down into manageable pieces for transport while maintaining full functionality when assembled.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic tile cutter (1) comprising a cutting table (31) for receiving a tile (21) to be cut, and at least one cutting tool (59) that is translatably movable along a guide rail (61) and is to cut the tile along a cutting line such that a cut tile and scraps are obtained, characterized in that the tile cutter additionally comprises: —at least a first conveyor (11) for conveying the tile (21) from a tile loading zone (5) to a tile cutting zone (7); —at least two abutments (15) for blocking the movement of the tile (21) in a predefined tile position in the cutting zone; and —an electronic control unit (57) configured to control the positioning of the abutment elements (15) and the cutting tool (59) relative to each other in accordance with predefined cutting parameters and actuate the cutting tool.