GB2178686A

GB2178686A - Card cutting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2178686A
Application number: GB08519822A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger William Saunders; John Richard Snook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-08-07
Filing date: 1985-08-07
Publication date: 1987-02-18
Also published as: DE3626426A1; GB8519822D0

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting card or the like to a predetermined shape comprises a cutting blade 8, means 18, 20 to move the blade toward and away from the card to be cut and rails 4 whereby the blade and the card can be moved relative one to the other. The movement of the blade 8 is controlled according to a predetermined computer programme and the blade 8 is vibrated, at a frequency in the region of 100 kHz, by means of an ultrasonic vibrating mechanism 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved card cutting apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of cutting card and the like.

The term card should be taken to include not only paper and card, but also corrugated board, card of such thickness as is used for cartons, fibre, rubber, plastics material and natural fibrous cloth. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method which include the use of an ultrasonic vibrating mechanism acting on a cutting knife.

It is well known for card to be cut into relatively intricate patterns for use as e.g. carton blanks and pattern pieces for clothing.

Where such patterns need to be repeated in greater numbers, it is common for the cutting means to be computer controlled on what is known as a three axis plotter. Where such card is thin, for example 0.2-1 mm, the apparatus works very well. However, for larger thicknesses of card, the apparatus cannot be used and instead of a cutting knife, there is used a laser beam. Lasers are expensive to purchase and to operate and accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method which will enable larger thicknesses of card and the like to be cut by comparatively simple means, e.g. a cutting knife.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for cutting card or the like to a predetermined shape comprising a cutting blade, an ultrasonic vibrating mechanism acting on the blade, means to move the blade toward and away from the card to be cut, means whereby the blade and the card can be moved relative one to the other, and means to control the movement according to a predetermined programme.

Preferably the card remains fixed in position and the cutting blade is moved over its surface.

The cutting blade may be moved by means of a known three axis plotter which receives movement commands from memory processing means.

The memory processing mean may be either numerically or computer operated.

The ultrasonic vibrating mechanism operative on the blade advantageously vibrates at a frequency in the region of 100 kHz.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cutting card or the like comprising the step of ultrasonically vibrating a cutting blade, preferably at a frequency in the region of 100 kHz.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cutting head embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the cutting head of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the cutting head; Figure 4 is a plan view of a three axis plotter including a cutter as shown in Figs 1-3; and Figure 5 is a side elevation of the plotter of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly Figs. 4 and 5, a cutting head 2 is movable in the direction of a Y axis along rails 4. The rails 4 are themselves movable as a pair in an orthogonal direction, an X axis, along rails 6. The movements of the cutting head 2 are controlled according to data given from a host computer, a programming aid, or by a programming drive unit contained in the plotter.

The cutting head 2 may drive a cutting knife or a creasing wheel and will cut a sheet of material placed on the plotter to any desired predetermined pattern by undergoing various movements along the X and Y axes.

The cutting head comprises a knife blade 8 which may be either single or multi-edged.

The knife blade 8 is ultrasonically vibrated at a frequency in the region of 100 kHz by means of an electrically driven ultrasonic vibrator 10.

The vibrator 10 is mounted to a plate 12 which is pivotable under the control of a stepping motor 14 about point 16. The plate 12 and thereby the cutting knife 8 can be raised or lowered by means of a pivot arrangement 18 controlled by a pneumatic cylinder 20.

This enables the cutting depth and/or the height adjustment of the cutting knife to be varied. The pivoting arrangement 18 pivots about point 22 on a carriage 24 movable in the Y axis along rails 4.

The material to be cut 26, which may be corrugated board of thicknesses in the region of 10 mm is placed on the bed of the plotter above a suitable buffer material, for example expanded polyethylene 28.

Apparatus embodying the invention can be used to cut card and other board, e.g. corrugated board of much greater thicknesses, for example up to 10 mm, using conventional cutting equipment with the addition of an ultrasonic vibrator. Since the ultrasonic cutting knife has less drag on the material being cut, there is less pressure needed to hold down the material onto the bed of the plotter.

The pneumatic cylinder 20 may be replaced by a solenoid operator with manual adjustment for cutter height and depth of cut. A feedback system may be incorporated acting on the stepping motor 14 to ensure that the exact position desired of the cutting knife is reached. The stepping motor may be replaced by a d.c. servo motor with or without feedback control. The cutting blade is shown as being down facing, but it could operate at any angle, include upside down. If so desired, the cutting apparatus may be maintained stationary while the material being cut is moved in a predetermined manner.

The cutting apparatus of the present invention may be incorporated in a cad-cam system (computer aided design-computer aided machinning).

The figure of 100 KHz given as the frequency of vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 10 can of course be varied to suit different materials being cut, different thicknesses of materials or different speed of cutting.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting card or the like to a predetermined shape comprising a cutting blade, an ultrasonic vibrating mechanism acting on the blade, means to move the blade toward and away from the card to be cut, means whereby the blade and the card can be moved relative one to the other, and means to control the movement according to a predetermined programme.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the card remains fixed in position and the cutting blade is moved over its surface.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cutting blade is moved by means of a known three axis plotter which receives movement commands from memory processing means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ultrasonic vibrating mechanism operative on the blade vibrates at a frequency in the region of 100 kHz.

5. An apparatus for cutting card or the like substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A method of cutting card or the like comprising the step of ultrasonically vibrating a cutting blade.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the blade is vibrated at a frequency in the region of 100 kHz.

8. A method of cutting card or the like substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings