Transverse Cutting Unit with Counter-Rotating Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automatic cutting devices for printed substrates require multiple operations and stops to make transverse cuts, increasing processing time, especially when dealing with thin and light papers that tend to build up or experience static electricity issues.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device with counter-rotating blades spaced apart in the longitudinal direction allows for simultaneous parallel cuts in a single pass, featuring adjustable blade positions, a supporting surface to prevent scraps from falling, and conveyor belts to facilitate discharge, along with auxiliary means like flaps or air jets to manage substrate alignment and static issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single transverse cutting unit is used to make transverse cuts, then the device structure remains simple, but multiple operations and stops are required increasing cutting time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidcutting unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse cutting unit is divided into multiple independent cutting assemblies, each with its own counter-rotating blades. These assemblies are arranged side by side along the transverse direction, allowing simultaneous parallel cuts at different positions across the substrate width, thereby reducing the number of operations and stops required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cutting assemblies are merged into a single integrated transverse cutting unit that operates together. The supports carrying the blade pairs are movable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction, allowing coordinated operation to make multiple cuts in one pass while maintaining a unified structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If the substrate is stopped multiple times for transverse cuts, then cutting precision can be maintained, but processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process continues without stopping the substrate by making all necessary transverse cuts in a single pass. The transverse cutting unit moves continuously across the substrate while making multiple parallel cuts simultaneously, eliminating idle stopping time while maintaining cut precision through the controlled movement and positioning of the cutting assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If thin and light papers are cut using conventional methods, then cutting can be performed, but scraps build up and discharge becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrap dischargeVSAvoidscrap buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting surface is shaped to impart an arch shape to scraps in the vertical dimension, creating a curved profile that prevents scraps from building up horizontally. This dimensional transformation allows thin and light papers to be discharged more easily by directing them along the curved path into the slit, overcoming the lack of rigidity and static electricity issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3317054B1Device for cutting paper and other graphic substrates wound in rolls
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 FOTOBA INT SRL
  • EP3317054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3317054B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3317054B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an automatic cutting device (100) for printed graphic substrates, said device comprising a working plane (110) configured to allow passage of a printed graphic substrate (200) along a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse cutting unit (300) arranged at a slit (120) of said working plane (1 10) extending in a transverse direction (T) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (L). The transverse cutting unit (300) is movable along said slit (120) in said transverse direction (T), and comprises a pair of uprights (310, 320) on which two pairs of counter-rotating blades (31 1, 312; 313, 314, 321, 322, 323, 324) are respectively mounted, said uprights (310, 320) being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (L).