Workbench Slag Removal with Sliding Guide and Motorized Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slag removal systems for workbenches, particularly those used with precision laser cutting machines, are laborious to operate, require manual handling, and hinder the operation of the machine when not in use, limiting tool choice and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A motorized slag removal system with a traction group and linear sliding guide that allows the slag removal machine to be operated from one side, compatible with various tools and machine orientations, and does not obstruct the workbench when not in use, utilizing a winch and cable system for smooth movement along the guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual traction is used to move the slag removal machine, then the machine can be operated, but it requires significant strength from the operator and is laborious to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical traction system with an automated motorized traction system. The motorized winch (50) winds and unwinds the traction cable (25) to automatically move the slag removal machine (5) along the workbench, eliminating the need for manual pulling and significantly reducing operator effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized system enables the machine to move itself along the workbench through automated cable winding and unwinding. The system can autonomously position the machine at different locations without requiring continuous manual intervention, making the operation self-sufficient.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the traction system uses cutters as traction wheels, then the machine can move, but it limits the choice of removal tools and requires orthogonal orientation only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the traction function from the slag removal function. The traction group (10) with the winch and cable handles movement, while the tool means (35) handles slag removal. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, enabling various tool orientations and types without compromising traction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized traction system with cable and winch provides a universal movement mechanism that works with any tool configuration. Unlike the previous system that required cutters to serve dual purposes, this traction system is agnostic to tool type and orientation, allowing universal application with different slag removal tools.
3Productivity
If manual locking and unlocking is required to displace the machine between plates, then the machine can be positioned, but the displacement process becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual locking/unlocking mechanism with an automated motorized traction system. The winch automatically winds the cable to pull the machine onto the next plate, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and significantly reducing the time required for plate-to-plate transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized traction system enables continuous movement of the machine along the workbench without interruption. The cable winding process provides smooth, continuous traction as the machine transitions between plates, eliminating the stop-start nature of manual locking and unlocking operations.
4Ease of operation
If the slag removal system occupies space above the workbench, then the machine can be positioned, but it hinders the operation of the laser cutting machine when cleaning is finished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where the slag removal machine can be moved to different locations along the workbench. The motorized traction system allows the machine to be positioned only when needed for cleaning, and moved away to clear the workspace for laser cutting operations, providing dynamic adaptability to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the workbench for positioning the slag removal machine, rather than occupying fixed space above the workbench. The machine moves along the length of the workbench plates, allowing it to clear the vertical workspace when not in use while maintaining accessibility when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for removing slag from workbenches includes plates parallel to each other developed in a first main direction L, where the system includes a slag removal machine, a traction group of the machine, and a linear sliding guide for the traction group. The three elements are associated with each other in such a way that the traction group is operationally interposed between the machine and the guide, so as to drag the machine towards the guide along a traction direction L, and the traction group slides at least partially along the guide along a sliding direction W orthogonal to the traction direction L. The slag removal machine includes a tool suitable for straddling, during the traction, at least one of the plates oriented with the first development direction L parallel to the traction direction L.