Vacuum Conveyor Elastic Sole for Sheet Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic cutting machines for sheet materials face issues with material deformation and reduced cutting length due to the opening of cutting supports during rotation, which affects the quality of cuts and requires longer unloading combs to prevent material from entering gaps.
Innovation Solution
The cutting supports are designed with elastic soles that can deform to follow the trajectories of the drive mechanism, reducing the gap between supports and allowing the unloading combs to be lowered, preventing material deformation and extending the cutting surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cutting supports are rotated at the end of the table, then the conveyor can turn around, but the cutting supports wrap around the pinion and open creating a gap
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting support is designed with a flexible sole that can bend and deform during rotation. The sole includes a depression zone that allows it to wrap around the pinion without creating excessive gaps, maintaining contact between adjacent cutting supports throughout the rotation cycle.
2Ease of operation
If the material unloading combs are positioned at a height above the cutting surface, then the cutting supports can pivot during rotation, but the material deforms by stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sole allows the cutting support to deform during rotation without requiring high positioning of unloading combs. The depression zone in the sole enables the support to wrap around the pinion while maintaining a relatively low comb position, preventing material stretching and deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting support transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic, flexible structure that can adapt its shape during operation. The sole's ability to deform elastically allows it to follow the rotational motion and maintain contact with adjacent supports, reducing the need for high comb positioning.
3Reliability
If the material unloading combs are positioned offset from the vertical of the pinion axes, then material can be prevented from entering the gap, but the useful cutting length is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sole maintains contact between adjacent cutting supports during rotation, reducing the size and duration of the gap. This allows unloading combs to be positioned closer to the vertical of the pinion axes without material rushing into the gap, thereby preserving useful cutting length while maintaining reliable material discharge control.
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
This design enhances the cutting surface length, maintains material quality by preventing stretching, and allows for a more efficient cutting process without material deformation, while also enabling effective air cleaning of the cutting supports.
Implementation Method 1
the sole of each cutting support is capable of being elastically deformed following the paths of the drive mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a strong vacuum is established in order to keep the sheets of material to be cut stationary during the cutting operation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a suction cutting conveyor of an automatic blade cutting machine for sheet materials, comprising a plurality of cutting supports (14) rigidly connected to a drive mechanism driven along rectilinear and curvilinear paths, each cutting support comprising a plurality of bristles (16) each having a foot (16a) rigidly connected to a sole (18) and a head (16b) opposite the foot and on which a sheet material to be cut is intended to rest, the sole of each cutting support being capable of deforming elastically in accordance with the trajectories of the drive mechanism.