Variable Angle Cutting Device for Rubber Webs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices for semifinished multilayers with metal wires or textile webs lack precision and straightness in transverse cuts, leading to material waste and requiring manual interventions for winding and sampling operations.

Innovation Solution

An automatic transverse cutting device with a movable cutting unit and two conveyor belts, including a guiding and blocking cylinder system, allows for precise angled cuts and automated operations such as drawing-in, sampling, and discarding, enhancing safety and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a cutting device is used for transverse cuts of semifinished multilayers, then the multilayer can be cut into desired lengths, but the cuts lack precision and straightness leading to material waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut precisionVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The multilayer is pre-tensioned and positioned on the conveyor belt before cutting occurs. The blocking cylinder secures the multilayer in place, ensuring it remains stable and properly aligned during the cutting operation, which prevents imprecise cuts and reduces material waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manual positioning and securing operations are replaced by an automated system involving a movable blocking cylinder and conveyor belt mechanism. This automated mechanical system provides more consistent and precise positioning compared to manual operations, improving cut precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual interventions are performed for winding and sampling operations, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but operational efficiency decreases and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs winding and sampling operations automatically without requiring manual intervention. The conveyor belt transports the cut multilayer to the winding station, and the system automatically winds it onto reels or performs sampling, eliminating human error and improving operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt system serves multiple functions: it transports the multilayer during cutting, positions it for winding, and facilitates sampling operations. This multi-functional automated system replaces multiple manual operations, improving both productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If perpendicular cuts are made to the feeding direction, then the multilayer is efficiently divided, but scraps are lost at the initial and final parts of the roll

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidscraps loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting angle parameter is made variable rather than fixed at perpendicular. The cutting unit can be inclined at different angles relative to the feeding direction, allowing optimization of the cut angle to minimize scrap loss while maintaining cutting efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3144132B1Automatic device for the transverse cut of reinforced rubber coated webs
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 COMERIO ERCOLE
  • EP3144132B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3144132B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3144132B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting device (500) for a manufacturing line of semifinished multilayer products comprising pairs of rubber layers between which a plurality of metal cords or fabric webs are arranged, said cutting device (500) comprising a cutting unit (510) with variable cutting angle that is movable along guide rails and a first conveyor belt (520) that stretches out in a horizontal direction (H) and is arranged under said cutting unit (510) in a vertical direction (V), said first conveyor belt (520) being provided with a guiding cylinder (521) and a blocking cylinder (522) arranged at an outlet end thereof. Said guiding cylinder (521) is restrained to a rotatable arm pivoted about a transverse axis perpendicular to said horizontal and vertical directions (H, V) and said blocking cylinder (522) is movable along a straight direction to and from the guiding cylinder (521). The invention also relates to a manufacturing line of semifinished multilayer products comprising the cutting device (500) above, as well as to a cutting method carried out in line with the cutting device.