Device for mutually positioning tools in a cutting machine for vegetables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting machines for vegetables face challenges in achieving precise positioning of tools due to deformation from thermal tensions in stainless sheet metal, making it difficult to maintain the necessary distance between the dicing grid and cutting disc for optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
The device uses two or more cooperating tool parts supported by steps formed on a single machine element, such as an axis or a sleeve, to maintain precise distance between the dicing grid and cutting disc, even when the machine housing is made from deformed stainless sheet metal, ensuring the cutting disc and dicing grid are positioned correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the machine housing is made from stainless sheet metal, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to thermal tensions causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple independent steps formed on a single machine element (axis or sleeve). Each step independently supports a specific tool part (cutting disc, dicing grid), allowing precise positioning without requiring the entire housing to maintain high precision. This segmentation isolates the precision requirements from the housing material's thermal deformation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
A single machine element (axis or sleeve) acts as an intermediary carrier that integrates multiple positioning steps. This intermediary component is designed with high precision to provide accurate positioning surfaces for all tool parts, while the housing itself can be made from less precise stainless sheet metal. The intermediary absorbs the precision requirements, decoupling them from the housing material constraints.
2Ease of operation
If the distance between dicing grid and cutting disc is increased, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to vegetable crushing
Solution Approach 1:
The steps are designed with predetermined distances that pre-establish the optimal 0.1-0.4mm gap between the cutting disc and dicing grid during machine assembly. This preliminary positioning action ensures correct tool spacing is achieved automatically during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly adjustments and ensuring optimal cutting performance from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system uses fixed step distances that define specific parameter values for tool spacing (0.1-0.4mm). By changing from adjustable positioning to fixed parameter-based positioning through the steps, the system maintains optimal cutting parameters while simplifying operation. The parameter changes are built into the machine element's geometry rather than requiring operational adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Device for mutually positioning tools in a cutting machine for vegetables, which cutting machine comprises a machine housing (1), wherein in the upper part of the machine housing cutting tools (5) are arranged to be mounted around an axis (2) which is driven by a motor (3) arranged in the machine housing, wherein the upper part of the machine housing is shaped as a trough (4), running along the periphery of the cutting tool (5), which trough (4) has a bottom (6) out from which the said axis (2) protrudes upwards and which trough is arranged to collect cut vegetables and which trough is provided with a radially directed output channel (7) for cut vegetables. The invention is characterised in that two or more cooperating tool parts (5,8) are provided, in that each tool part is supported directly or indirectly by one of two or several steps (16, 18; 12, 21), arranged at a distance from each other and formed on one and the same machine element (2; 14).