Vibratory Cutting Tool for Insulating Fibrous Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting through holes in fibrous or cellular insulating materials, such as glass wool, often damage the material or fail to precisely control hole dimensions, especially when dealing with thick sections.

Innovation Solution

A method and device involving a cutting tool with a profiled shape and vibratory movement, guided along a traversing direction to minimize material damage, using a support with a passage hole and optionally aided by gas expulsion to remove the insulating material, allowing for precise control of hole dimensions and shapes like square, T-shaped, or circular sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cutting blades are used to cut through holes in thick insulating material, then cutting capability is achieved, but material damage and crushing occur around the hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidmaterial damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tool is equipped with a vibratory mechanism that generates high-frequency oscillations during the cutting process. This vibration reduces friction between the cutting edge and the insulating material, allows the tool to penetrate more easily through thick material, and minimizes crushing and damage to the material structure around the hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting process utilizes changes in physical parameters including vibratory frequency, cutting speed, and tool geometry. By optimizing these parameters, the tool can effectively cut through thick insulating material while controlling the degree of material deformation and damage in the surrounding area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional cutting methods are used, then cutting action is achieved, but precise control of hole dimensions is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting actionVSAvoidhole dimension control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Before the final cutting action, the cutting tool performs preliminary scoring or grooving of the insulating material along the desired hole perimeter. This preliminary action guides the subsequent cutting path and ensures accurate hole dimensions by establishing precise boundaries before removing the material core.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary support structure with a passage hole that guides the cutting tool. This support acts as a template or mold, ensuring that the cut hole matches the precise dimensions and shape of the passage hole in the support, thereby achieving accurate dimensional control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If cutting blades work directly on the conveyor belt, then cutting speed is maintained, but the conveyor belt is damaged by incisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidconveyor belt damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a removable support structure with a passage hole as an intermediary between the cutting tool and the conveyor belt. The cutting tool cuts through the insulating material while guided by this support, preventing direct contact with the conveyor belt and thus avoiding incisions and damage to the belt while maintaining cutting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables the creation of through holes in thick insulating materials with minimal damage and precise dimensions, facilitating the insertion of solid bodies and maintaining the insulating material's integrity, suitable for various shapes and thicknesses.

Implementation Method 1

by imposing a vibratory movement on the cutting tool throughout the crossing of the piece of insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibratory movement: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

blowing a flow of gas into the hollow body to expel the core of insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP3313629B1Method and device for cutting insulating fibrous or alveolar matter
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 GAZTRANSPORT & TECHNIGAZ SA
  • EP3313629B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3313629B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3313629B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting method for forming a through-hole passing through an insulating material part (5) comprising: placing the insulating material part (5) against a holder (11) having a support surface provided with a passage hole (18), arranging a cutting tool (15) that has a cutting edge facing the insulating material part, translatably guiding the cutting tool in a through-direction (19), and pushing the cutting tool in the through-direction until the cutting edge reaches the passage hole so that the cutting tool passes through a density of the insulating material part located between the second end surface and the first end surface of the insulating material part while imposing a vibratory motion on the cutting tool (15) all the while it is passing through the insulating material part. The insulating material part (5) can be made of glass wool.