EP3072650B1 - Liquid jet cutting device and cutting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water jet cutting device for flat or block-shaped, pliable body (especially technical textiles or animal skins) and a corresponding cutting method.

Because of the particularly good suitability for cutting a technical textile, so-called water-jet cutting devices are used to cut out workpieces from bodies to be processed.

Due to the particularly large, occurring water jet forces must therefore be provided for the body to be cut usually very robust support surfaces for this purpose.

A well-known, not writable device of the prior art is in this respect in the FIGS. 1a and 1b shown. It shows Fig. 1a a water jet cutting device 10 'of the prior art with a water jet cutting device 11' and a support surface 12 'for supporting the non-illustrated flexurally flexible body. In the device of the prior art, the support 12 'is associated with a movable carriage and this can according to the arrow shown under the cutting device 11', to process the body, proceed.

Fig. 1b shows the support surface 12 'of the prior art in a perspective, very schematic Schrägaufsicht, which is clear that the substantially rectangular support surface is provided by steel honeycomb. In this regard, the support surface 12 'alternately straight steel webs and corrugated steel webs with a height (ridge height) d' to form the honeycomb structure. That from the cutting device 11 'discharged water can leave the honeycomb (after cutting the body, not shown) down and, for example, in the in Fig. 1a Collect the cars shown. Due to the relatively large height d 'of the support surface 12', the water hardly splashes back up out of the car. The overall height d 'of the individual steel webs is in this case many times greater than their respective web width b'.

Even if the in the FIGS. 1 illustrated device 10 'is basically used advantageously, so there is a certain need for increased ease of use in certain applications. For example, in the case of endless articles (in the form of rolls), there is a constant back and forth process of the in Fig. 1 shown carriage and a replacement of other body sections necessary.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a water jet cutting device with increased ease of use.

The invention solves the stated object according to a first aspect with the features of claim 1, in particular characterized in that the support surface is formed as part of a circulating conveyor belt, characterized by a beam for supporting the support surface of the conveyor belt in the region of the water jet cutting device, which below the conveying plane is arranged.

Exactly such a support is known from the prior art in the form of WO 94/05473 A1 not known. There, a paper machine is described in which collected on a rotating wire ejected pulp and dried. Proven to be there Fig. 2 then edge trimming with the help of a water jet probably next to this wire (tape). In addition, the disclosed EP 1 990 144 A2 a food slicer wherein the food products are merely perforated by means of a jet of water. Support is also not disclosed in this prior art document. Also in the FR 2 586 959 A no support is disclosed. Animal skins, which are transported on a conveyor belt formed from gapless adjacent metal planks, are cut there with a water jet cutter. Finally, the non-generic US 5 831 224 A a system for cutting food using a water jet cutter, wherein below a conveyor belt, transverse to the conveying direction, a number of veritkal arranged Ableitrohren is arranged. These discharge pipes have in their head region a common, transversely to the conveying direction, elongated lid, which contains a central section for the passage of the water jet. The row of tubes and covers is stored stationary in a tub and this pierces a cover of the tub.

In other words, the idea according to the invention is to assign a continuous, yet robust support surface to a water jet cutting device with which preferably technical textiles or animal skins are cut.

Although the known from the prior art, described bearing surface is sufficiently robust, due to their design but essentially rigid and therefore not suitable to be used as a conveyor belt.

The applicant has now recognized that the use of circulating conveyor belts is also advantageous in the case of water jet cutting devices. However, since normal conveyor belts (for example made of textile material) are unsuitable for feeding a material to a water jet cutter, Applicant has developed a support surface of a conveyor which is harder than a normal conveyor belt but not as rigid as the support surface of the conveyor belt known devices of the prior art.

In particular, the Applicant has minimized the height of the support surface, e.g. can be dispensed with in-depth steel bars. Instead, for example, resort to a wire construction or a wire mesh. Because the width of a wire essentially corresponds to its height, a support surface can thus be provided, which can also be used as a revolving conveyor belt.

Since the relatively large height of the support surface in the prior art is not based solely on static reasons, but also serves as a splash guard (which is not provided in the present invention due to the lower height usually not in the extent of the prior art of the support surface ), the applicant has also developed a mountable below the support surface splash guard, which may in particular also have acoustic insulation properties. The principle known in the art (which is partially cut to prevent splashing underwater) basically known problem that a back splash for a large amount of moisture also leads in the field of users can thus be minimized with the present invention.

In summary, the Applicant's invention allows for increased ease of use in contrast to the prior art device, for example, in continuous goods, which can thus be continuously conveyed in the manner of a conveyor belt, without always new material would have to be placed on a support surface in the manner of a movable table ,

The support surface is inventively formed as part of a revolving conveyor belt, wherein typically the entire conveyor belt has a homogeneous structure, thus the support surface of each section of the outside of the conveyor belt can be provided. The conveyor belt is circumferential in that it may allow endless conveyance of a material or body parts, in the sense that the support surface providing top surface of the conveyor belt is connected at both ends thereof to form a belt-like body.

Although the support surface could in fact be arranged separately on the conveyor belt, it is typically an integral part of the conveyor belt and thus provided by the conveyor itself. A movement of the conveyor belt can thus lead to a displacement of the support surface, for example into the effective range of the water jet cutting device, and also relocate the support surface out of the effective range of the water jet cutting device. In this sense, each section of the outside of the conveyor belt may be referred to as a support surface.

The conveyor belt can be moved around (ie counterclockwise or clockwise). However, it is also a control possible, which can shift the conveyor belt in both directions, for example, alternately, to shift the support surface in and against the conveying direction of the body.

The support surface and thus also the conveyor belt can be movable in particular clocked, in the sense that a body to be conveyed, for example, partially introduced into the effective range of the water jet cutting device and brought out.

Thus, the water jet cutting device can cut through the body reliably, the support surface, and thus the conveyor belt, aligned in the cutting direction aligned (ie typically vertically arranged) water outlets (the vertical orientation refers to the horizontally oriented areas of the conveyor belt). In fact, the water passages are typically physical water passages and orifices. A conventional textile conveyor belt is usually not sufficient, since such conveyor belts are typically formed closed. The conveyor belt according to the invention is therefore non-closed, but has openings. These openings or water passages form in a plan view of the support surface or the conveyor belt actually the majority of the support surface. In other words, they are not just tiny holes in a substantially flat material. In fact, the conveyor belt may rather be a lattice or honeycomb structure in which more than half the area of openings or passages is provided in supervision. This is usually necessary because of the great power of the water jet.

The conveyor belt can be formed in this sense, also braid-like or net-like.

The conveyor belt forms on its side facing the cutting device a conveying plane, on which the material to be conveyed or in which the body to be conveyed is interpretable. In other words, the conveying plane is provided by the top of the conveyor belt.

The movable support surface can in this case be movable in the conveying plane into the effective region of the water jet cutting device and can also be moved out of this effective region. The active region is thus the region which can be cut by the water jet of the water jet cutting device (due to the arrangement of the water jet cutting device). Namely, the water jet cutting device is typically arranged on a kind of portal and can be moved both in and against the conveying direction and typically transversely thereto. In addition, the water jet cutting device is usually vertically movable. This allows the cutting of different height body, since the water jet cutting device can take the desired distances above the body to be cut due to the height adjustment.

Of course, a water jet cutting device can be used, as it is used for so-called 3D cutting use. In such water jet cutting devices, the head of the device can be tilted, for example by up to 45 degrees or more, with respect to a vertical cutting direction. Also, such water jet cutting devices are of course included in the present invention.

The body can, for example, be completely incorporated into the effective range of the water jet cutting device (for example, if it is isolated animal skins) or only in sections are moved into the effective range, typically in continuous materials or endless bodies.

In both of these cases, the conveyor belt rests as long as the water jet cutting device actively cuts. In this sense, the conveyor belt and thus the support surface can be clocked or sequentially moved or moved.

The water jet cutting device according to the invention is a typical device capable of delivering a jet of water to cut a corresponding body. Here, predetermined workpieces or shapes can be cut out of the body, for example, predetermined patterns of leather skins.

The water jet may be, for example, a pure water jet. But the water jet can also, namely for abrasive cutting, a cutting means, a so-called abrasive, be added. In principle, all other water jet cutting devices can also be used (for example, those in which polymers are added or the like). Due to the high discharge speed of the water, this can result in high cutting forces and, during cutting, typically a sound pressure of up to 120 dB.

The materials to be cut in this way are preferably limp bodies, namely either flat, like skins, foils, classic textiles or the like or in order block-shaped, for example in the manner of composites or mats. It is therefore typically not so hard materials such as aluminum or the like, but essentially more or less soft materials, especially technical textiles. Thus, the body may be provided, for example, as a composite, spacer fabric, foil, laminate or the like. The technical textiles may in particular be functional textiles, high-performance textiles, industrial textiles or the like. The term "technical textiles" is understood in particular as distinct from traditional clothing textiles and home textiles. Another typical use is the use of animal skins, so leathers of different quality and finishing level.

The bodies are limp, so have low elongation and large deformations due to low force-moment loads. In particular, the bodies can also be called dimensionally unstable, dimensionally unstable or at least not dimensionally stable.

The flat and block-shaped body usually have a more or less flat top. The block-shaped bodies may be, for example, (fleece) boards, or else upholstery, mattresses or the like.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conveyor belt consists essentially of metal or steel. This allows a particularly robust embodiment, in which a water jet cutting device can be used without hesitation. Typical conveyor belts are made of textile materials or the like, which would be shredded by a jet of water. It requires a certain robustness of the material used, so that in particular stainless steel as particularly advantageous and insensitive to rust. The height of the support surface or the conveyor belt may not be too high in this choice of material, so that at all a conveyor belt function can be achieved. Typically, the conveyor belt may comprise a plurality of metal or steel, in particular stainless steel members. Even plastic would probably not be suitable for the present purpose, but just like other materials should not be categorically excluded from the invention.

The term "substantially" in connection with the material used means in particular that the essential portion of the conveyor belt is made of metal or steel, whereby, of course, minor additions or the like can be provided. For example, lateral suspensions of the conveyor belt may of course comprise plastic or the like. Rather, it depends on the basic structure of the conveyor belt, in particular in the area of the impinging jet of water.

Instead of an embodiment essentially of metal or steel, it is of course also possible to use another suitable material for the conveyor belt, for example carbon fibers or the like.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conveyor belt is formed substantially as a wire mesh. Again, "essentially" means that the conveyor belt is typically formed by a wire mesh, wherein, in particular laterally, additional attachment or guide means of other materials can be basically provided. This does not change the basic design of the conveyor belt as a wire mesh.

The wire may be formed of metal or steel, but preferably of stainless steel. Here, individual wires can be "woven" into a wire mesh, such that on the one hand they have a necessary stability, but on the other hand, a flexibility of the overall structure, which allows a circulation as a conveyor belt (and the associated deflection properties). In particular, unlike the prior art device described above, the individual wires typically have a width substantially equal to their height. A wire may typically have a round cross-section. In any case, the height is not, as in the prior art, many times greater than the width of the wire. The wire mesh may be composed in particular like a scale. The wire mesh may in particular have a web-like structure.

Instead of a wire mesh can be used as a bearing surface but of course also, in particular steel or metal, preferably stainless steel, existing limb or crawler. The conveyor belt may thus consist in this embodiment of links, in which width and / or length of the individual members significantly exceed the link height. The individual members can be fastened to one another in a known manner, for example via connection axes or the like. The limb or curb chain course has water passages, which may for example be arranged within the individual members and / or of course may be formed by the arrangement of the links between the members.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a trough for collecting the cutting water is arranged below the conveying plane, ie below the support plane of the body. The conveying plane is typically from the outside of the upper Conveyor belt section provided. The trough serves to catch the water delivered by the water jet cutting device for cutting and can collect this water and / or also lead it to a drain. A water mist in the tub can also be extracted. Advantageously, the conveyor belt is returned below the tub (while passing above the tub below the water jet cutter). As a tub, a container (or more) must be selected, which is able to catch the water over the required width. It may of course also be a trough, a basin or a shell-like construction or the like.

According to the invention, below the conveying plane, transversely to the conveying direction, a supporting beam assigned to the water-jet cutting device is arranged. This bar serves to support the display surface of the conveyor belt in the region of the water jet cutting device (that is, for example, under the water jet cutting device). However, in the conveying direction, the beam is typically somewhat offset from the water jet cutting device, since the water discharged by the water jet cutting device is not intended to strike the support beam, but rather the support beam serves to laterally support the bearing surface and the body in the area to be trimmed. Due to the symmetry, it is readily apparent that preferably another beam is arranged offset in the conveying direction. The two beams can together form a support beam pair, one of which is arranged in the conveying direction before and one behind the water jet cutting device in the conveying direction. In this sense, the water jet cutting device between the two support beams act on the body and through the support surface or the conveyor belt get down. The support beam or the support beams are typically movable in and against the conveying direction.

Advantageously, the support bar (and, if present, the second support bar of the support bar pair) can be moved together with the water jet cutting device. The first (and possibly also the further) support beam can be coupled to the water jet cutting device for this purpose. For example, water jet cutting device and support beams may be attached to a common retaining portal. This design guarantees that the support beam or the support beams are not placed directly under the water jet cutting device, but they each have a small distance in or against the conveying direction, so that a lateral supports and not a support directly vertically below the water jet cutting device, in the region of the water jet ,

A corresponding support bar may typically extend across the entire width of the conveyor belt. The water jet cutting device can thus be movable in the longitudinal direction of the beam (transverse direction). However, it is typically not movable relative to the support beam in or against the conveying direction.

In order to allow a frictionless as possible support of the support surface or the conveyor belt on the or the support beam, the support beam is formed substantially of low-friction material, in particular of low-friction plastic. The same statements apply, of course, for the possibly existing second support beams. The one or more support beams are preferably formed of a thermoplastic material, since this has particularly suitable properties. Essentially, this means that a corresponding plastic is the essential component of the support beam accounts. Minor admixtures are usually not crucial here. In addition, the support bar on the sides may not have plastic-like brackets or attachments or the like. Particularly advantageously, a polyethylene-based plastic, especially on Polypetrafluorethylenbasis be selected. Here, the friction is particularly reduced. The support beams can also, in particular also on their upper side, have transverse slots, with which a mobility in or against the conveying direction despite in the conveying direction extending longitudinal support structures allows. These longitudinal support structures may be, for example, so-called knife sheets, which are generally not designed to be movable, but support the support surface and the upper side of the conveyor belt in the conveying direction or longitudinal direction. These support structures, at least if they are designed as knife plates, for example, be rounded (pointwise) above, to allow a wear-free resting of the support surface. However, a pointed knife-like upper edge is conceivable, especially since this can make direct contact with the discharged water jet. Preferably, these knife plates have a tapered, slightly rounded at the top edge head shape.

According to a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a height-adjustable feed beam is arranged above the conveying plane, transversely to the conveying direction. This intake beam here serves to act on the body on the support surface, in particular to prevent slippage of the body during a conveying process. In this way, the conveyor beam can in particular be lowered in order to clamp the beginning of a material or body between the intake beam and the support surface and then to fix the body in the conveying direction. The body can continue in this way, for example basic effective range of the water jet cutting device are brought in. Typically, however, the intake beam is raised as long as the water jet cutting device becomes active. In order to enable such a retraction process, the intake beam is typically movable in (or opposite) the conveying direction.

In order to allow a particularly good clamping effect, the intake beam can be arranged approximately congruent to the support beam described above (below the conveying plane). Here, the body or the support surface is applied when pinching both from above and supported from below.

During the drawing-in process of a body or body region or body part, the movement of the intake beam in the conveying direction can typically be synchronized with the movement of the support surface of the conveyor belt. The movement thus takes place here approximately at the same speed. This allows a homogeneous retraction and prevents damage to the body. Preferably, the feed beam is also synchronized with the support beam with respect to the movement, for which purpose the intake beam is preferably fastened to the support beam (possibly also with a further support beam) on the same retaining portal. Of course, the same applies to the water jet cutting device. Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which at the (in or against the conveying direction displaceable) both the intake beam and the water jet cutting device and the support beam (and possibly another support beam) are arranged so that these components, at least in and against the Conveying direction, have no relative movements or are fixed relative to each other. However, of course, a relative movement (in particular the water jet cutting device) in the vertical direction and / or also transversely to the conveying direction.

According to the most preferred embodiment of the invention, a spray-back and / or acoustic protection is arranged below the conveying plane. This protection is particularly effective in the present invention, since the support surface - in contrast to the described device of the prior art - typically has a lower height. As a result, in the device according to the present invention, the splashback and acoustic protection properties of the support surface itself can be reduced, which makes the use of the described protection appear particularly advantageous. The protection can therefore in particular cover the upper side of a trough arranged below the transport plane (for catching the cutting water). The protection can be arranged for this purpose over the tub or within the tub, so that in particular a back splash from the tub is minimized or prevented.

Since water jet cutting is also associated with a not to be underestimated acoustics, the protection can simultaneously cause an acoustic damping and make the operation of the water jet cutting device more pleasant.

The protection can in this case be designed in particular like a plan, ie in the manner of a flat body. For example, this hard-wearing tarpaulins are used, as they are also used for truck covers. Alternatively, however, the protection can of course also not be designed like a plane, but, for example, in the manner of (hard) lamellas (for example, a venetian blind) or in another suitable manner.

The protection is arranged below the conveying plane in order to prevent damage or contamination of the resting on the (permeable) support surface body. In particular, the protection can also be arranged below the support beam or the described, so that the support bar can move in particular above the protection.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protection is formed rollo- or plisseeartig adjustable. In contrast to a fixed, non-adjustable protection of the protection in such a configuration, in particular with the water jet cutting device (or its portal) "along". It should be noted that the protection directly below the water jet cutting device does not have to be present or open to let the water jet down, for example, in a tub, pass.

A rollo- or plisseartige adjustability in this case allows a special embodiment in which one end of the protection with the water jet cutting device is coupled in the conveying direction. In this sense, the one end of the protection can be arranged, for example, on the portal of the water jet cutting device and run with it. If the portal or the water jet cutting device then moves in the direction of protection, this can be pushed together like a roller blind or pleated. In particular, wrinkling may occur here. Advantageously, the protection is guided laterally, just like a roller blind or a pleated blind. Moving the water jet cutter in the direction away from the protection, it can be substantially stretched or elongated and unfold in particular.

The Rückspritz- or acoustic protection can be assigned to this purpose, in particular transversely to the conveying direction arranged, retaining struts, which run in lateral, extending in the conveying direction guides and are each connected to a portion of the protection to obtain a rollo- or plisseeartige arrangement.

Particularly advantageously, the device is configured, provided in the conveying direction in front of and behind the water jet cutting device in each case a re-injection or acoustic protection is arranged. In this way, a symmetry can be achieved and it can be achieved that almost the entire area of a trough arranged below the conveying plane is covered (with the exception of the area in which the water jet cutting device injects into the trough). In particular, the facing ends of both contactors can be arranged on the portal of the water jet cutting device and the mutually remote ends of both protective housings fixed immovably (for example, on the housing or in the tub).

The problem underlying the invention is achieved according to a further aspect by a method according to claim 12.

The method according to the invention can in this case be carried out in particular using a water jet cutting device according to one of the claims 1 to 11.

All in connection with the claims 1 to 11 brought forward features and advantages are thus also analogous to the inventive method according to claim 12 transferable and vice versa. The features and advantages are not repeated separately for reasons of clarity at this point.

The method steps described in claim 12 can in particular be performed chronologically according to the order listed.

However, in view of the above references to claims 1 to 11, it is of course also possible to carry out all of the method steps associated with claims 1 to 11. Thus, for example, a conveyor belt made of metal or steel, in particular stainless steel, can be selected, which can be designed in particular as a wire mesh. Furthermore, the water jet cutting device can be moved, for example, together with one or more support beams and / or a draw-in beam. The process of the method of the intake beam and / or the water jet cutting device can be synchronized in particular with the movement of the support surface or the conveyor belt, in particular to allow a harmonious drawing of a body. In addition, recoil and / or acoustic contactors can in any case be partially attached to a portal in order to move the shooter to the portal or the water jet cutting device and to cover the respective areas of a pan located below the support surface which are not covered by the water jet cutting device.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent on the basis of the following description of the figures and on the basis of the subclaims, which may not be described.

Fig. 1a

eine oben bereits hinreichend erläuterte schematische Darstellung der Vorrichtung des Standes der Technik,

Fig. 1b

in einer Ansicht gemäß Ansichtspfeil Ib in Fig. 1a eine entsprechende Auflagefläche des Standes der Technik,

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen, perspektivischen Schrägaufsicht eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung, bei geschlossener Abdeckung und aufliegendem Körper,

Fig. 3

in einer Ansicht gemäß Ansichtspfeil III in Fig. 2 eine sehr schematische perspektivische Schrägaufsicht auf die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung bei geöffneter bzw. transparenter Abdeckung und abgeschnittener Darstellung des Förderbandes,

Fig. 4

eine sehr schematische Aufsicht auf einen Abschnitt einer Auflagefläche des Förderbandes gemäß dem in Fig. 3 mit IV gekennzeichneten Bereich,

Fig. 5

eine sehr perspektivische Schrägaufsicht auf einen Abstützungsbereich der Auflagefläche bzw. des Förderbandes gemäß Bereich V in Fig. 3 mit zwei exemplarischen Stützbalken und zwei in Förderrichtung verlaufenden stationären Messerblechen,

Fig. 6

in einer schematischen seitlichen Schnittansicht etwa gemäß dem Ansichtspfeil VI in Fig. 3 die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung bei abgesenktem Einzugsbalken,

Fig. 7

in einer Ansicht gemäß Fig. 6 die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung bei abgesenkter Wasserstrahlschneideeinrichtung,

Fig. 8

in einer Ansicht gemäß den Fig. 6 und 7 einen Teilbereich dieser Figuren unter Fortlassung des Einzugsbalkens, jedoch bei teiltransparenter Wanne und

Fig. 9

in einer Ansicht gemäß Fig. 8 die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung bei im Vergleich zu Fig. 8 verfahrenem Portal.

In the figures show:

Fig. 1a

an already sufficiently explained above schematic representation of the device of the prior art,

Fig. 1b

in a view according to arrow Ib in Fig. 1a a corresponding bearing surface of the prior art,

Fig. 2

in a schematic, perspective Schrägaufsicht a device according to the invention, with the cover closed and resting body,

Fig. 3

in a view according to arrow III in Fig. 2 a very schematic perspective oblique view of the device according to the invention with open or transparent cover and truncated representation of the conveyor belt,

Fig. 4

a very schematic plan view of a portion of a support surface of the conveyor belt according to the in Fig. 3 area marked IV,

Fig. 5

a very perspective oblique view of a support region of the support surface or the conveyor belt according to area V in Fig. 3 with two exemplary support beams and two stationary gauge plates extending in the conveying direction,

Fig. 6

in a schematic side sectional view approximately according to the arrow VI in Fig. 3 the device according to the invention with lowered draw-in beam,

Fig. 7

in a view according to Fig. 6 the inventive device with lowered water jet cutting device,

Fig. 8

in a view according to the 6 and 7 a subsection of these figures with the omission of the intake beam, but with partially transparent tub and

Fig. 9

in a view according to Fig. 8 the device according to the invention in comparison to Fig. 8 moved portal.

The following description of the figures is prefaced that identical or comparable parts are optionally provided with identical reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of small letters or apostrophes.

Fig. 2 shows first a very schematic, perspective oblique view of a water jet cutting device 10 according to the invention. The device 10 is divided as shown Fig. 2 basically in three areas, namely one along the conveying direction F first, front support area 13, a medium in the conveying direction F processing area 14 and in the conveying direction F last, rear removal area 15th

In the illustrated example, a block-shaped body 16 is shown in the removal area 15, which is already processed (even if this is in Fig. 2 not explicitly shown or recognizable). Instead of a block-shaped body, which may be formed for example as a fiber mat or the like, of course, a flat body in the manner of a film, a dermis or the like can be edited.

In the Fig. 2 shown position of the body 16 thus shows the completion of the processing or cutting process, in which the body 16 basically initially placed in the support area 13, by the processing area 14 is conveyed therethrough and then ejected in the removal area 15.

The conveying of the body 16 in the conveying direction F is in this case made possible by a circulating conveyor belt 17, which provides a bearing surface 12 for the body 16. The conveyor belt 17 is in this case formed endlessly circumferentially and is directed at a plurality of deflection axes 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d in the manner of a circulatingly guided conveyor belt.

The upper portion 19 of the conveyor belt 17 in this case forms the conveying plane E, on which the body 16 rests. This upper portion 19 of the conveyor belt 17 is moved to convey the body 16 in the conveying direction F (but may in principle also be movable counter to the conveying direction F, depending on the requirement). A lower section 20 of the conveyor belt 17 then extends below the conveying plane E. On this lower section 20, the body 16 is then no longer on. The lower portion 20 is typically moved back or transported against the conveying direction F in the direction of the support area 13.

A body 16 may, for example, be placed manually on the conveyor belt 17 in the upper section 19 in the delivery area 13. During a support operation, the conveyor belt 17 is typically stopped.

Alternatively, in particular for the case that the body is formed as endless material, that is, for example, as a flat body, which is pulled off a roll, the support area 13, a roll holder or the like can be assigned. In this case, the body, at least in sections, from the roll holder or the material dispenser, automatically deducted and on the Support surface in the support area 13 are applied (this will be described in more detail later).

Subsequently, the body can be moved by means of the conveyor belt 17 in the conveying direction F in the processing area 14 and cut there. The processing area 14 has proven Fig. 2 basically a cover 21 and a housing. Inside the case is an in Fig. 2 Not shown water jet cutting device arranged, which can cut the body 16. For example, workpieces or certain shapes can be cut out of the body 16 as specified.

Fig. 2 but can already be seen that below the conveying plane, for receiving the cutting water, an upwards, ie to the conveying plane E out, open collecting trough 22 is arranged, which collects the water, which is discharged during the cutting process of the water jet cutting device. The tub 22 can be assigned, for example, an outlet, so that the water can run in order. Alternatively, the tub may also have such a capacity that the water can be drained in a separate processing step.

Fig. 2 can be seen in particular that the conveyor belt 17 and the lower portion 20 of this conveyor belt 17 is guided below the tub 22 along. The respective lower section 20 of the conveyor belt 17 can in this case in particular be returned to the support region 13, counter to the conveying direction F below the trough 22. Finally, with regard to the processing area 14, it should finally be noted that this can typically also have doors 23 or flaps or the like in order to allow a user access to the water jet cutting device or its associated portal, which is not shown.

The cover 21 has a certain distance to the transport plane E (or one entrance and one exit gate), which allows correspondingly high block-shaped bodies are still easily conveyed through the processing area 14 above the conveying plane E, without the cover 21 to bump and thus get stuck. On the internal structure of the processing area 14 will be discussed in much more detail below.

After the body 16 has been cut in the processing area 14, to which especially the conveyor belt 17 has been stopped, the conveyor belt 17 can move the body 16 out of the processing area 14 into the removal area 15 and, as soon as the body is sufficiently in this area, stop again ( alternatively, the conveyor belt 17 may also automatically convey the body to another unloading table or the like).

In the removal region 15 (ie, for example, still lying on the conveyor belt 17 or already forwarded by the conveyor belt 17 to an external removal table), a user can then remove the cut out of the body workpieces. For this purpose, it can be supported, for example, by a projection unit which can be arranged above the removal area 15 (in FIG Fig. 2 not shown) and the user by projecting the outlines of the workpieces shows where the removable workpieces are to be expected. Alternatively, however, the removal area 15 can of course also be associated with an automatic removal device, such as a robotic arm or the like, which automatically removes the workpieces from the body and, in particular, subsequently removes or discards the rest of the body 16.

In the present embodiment, the conveyor belt 17 extends all the way into the right area (at the deflection axis 18b). Alternatively, the conveyor belt 17 could also be made much shorter and in the area of the in Fig. 2 the body 16 could already rest on a separate support table from the conveyor belt or the like.

Fig. 3 shows the device 10 according to Fig. 2 in a view approximately according to arrow III in Fig. 2 in a highly simplified, semi-transparent, schematic, perspective view. In particular, the conveyor belt 17 is according to Fig. 3 aborted and the cover 21 partially transparent. The cover 21 thus releases the view of the interior of the processing area 14 (in other words, what is arranged in the cover 21). This shows in particular that within the cover 21, a portal 24 is arranged with a main support bar 25, which extends substantially transversely or orthogonally to the conveying direction F along a transverse direction Q.

The portal 24 together with the main retaining bar 25 is movable in and counter to the conveying direction F (in particular within the cover 21). These are (in Fig. 3 omitted for clarity) guide and drive elements. The device 10 can be assigned to control the portal 24 as well as a not shown in the figures control unit in a conventional manner.

At the main holding bar 25 are shown Fig. 3 two separately movable water jet cutting devices 11 and 11 a arranged movably (which are hereinafter referred to as water jet devices 11 for the sake of simplicity). The water jet devices 11 are due to their attachment to the main support bar 25 together with the portal 24 in or against the Transport direction F movable. But you can also be moved along the main support bar 25 in the transverse direction Q separately. Finally, (in Fig. 3 not shown) means for moving the water jet cutting devices 11 in the vertical direction V, substantially orthogonal to the conveying plane E, provided. Hereby, the water jet cutting devices 11 at the lying on the conveying plane E body (in Fig. 3 not shown) to achieve a necessary cutting distance. Corresponding vertical guides are in Fig. 3 Although not shown (or hidden), but can be provided in a known manner.

The water jet cutting devices 11 are thus movable substantially along three directions and thus have three degrees of freedom.

The portal 24 also has in the transverse direction Q on both sides of the cutting devices 11 vertical secondary support bar 26, of which in Fig. 3 only the left is shown (the right is in particular covered by the housing struts). The secondary support bars 26 in this case have a plurality of functions: Thus, the secondary support bar 26 is first associated with a draw bar 27, which will be described in more detail below. The intake beam 27 is therefore movable together with the portal 24 in and counter to the conveying direction F. In addition, it is arranged in the conveying direction F (with respect to its arrangement plane) in front of the water jet cutting devices 11. In particular, it can be made height-displaceable along the secondary support bars 26 in the vertical direction V. From the in Fig. 3 shown, raised position, the beam can be lowered in particular to the conveying plane E, to act on the body, not shown, and in particular pinch.

At the lower end of the secondary support bar 26, these are also connected to two other so-called support beams 28 and 29. These support beams 28 and 29 extend (as the intake beam 27) transversely to the conveying direction F, ie in the transverse direction Q, over the entire width of the conveyor belt 17. The front support bar 28 in the conveying direction F is arranged approximately in the arrangement plane of the feed beam 27 (ie in particular in the conveying direction F in front of the water jet cutting devices 11), while the rear supporting beam 29 is typically arranged in the conveying direction F behind the plane of the water jet cutting devices 11. In other words, the two support beams 28 and 29 are arranged on both sides of the water jet cutting devices 11 (at least in supervision). The function of these support beams 28 and 29 will also be discussed separately.

Basically, however, these serve to support the conveyor belt 17 or the bearing surface 12 in the region of the water jet cutting devices 11. For this purpose, they are arranged in particular below the conveying plane E, which is just formed or clamped by the upper section 19 of the conveyor belt 17. Both support beams 28 and 29 are fixedly arranged on the secondary support bars 26, so that they are movable together with the portal 24 in and counter to the conveying direction F. They are therefore arranged with respect to the conveying direction F relative to the water jet cutting devices 11 fixed and immovable.

In addition to the support beams 28 and 29, the device 10, in particular in the processing area 14, for supporting a plurality, in particular immovably arranged, in the longitudinal or conveying direction F aligned holding webs 30 on. On these retaining webs 30 is the conveyor belt 17 with its upper portion 19 (at least in the processing area) also on. These retaining webs 30 can as Knife sheets are formed and will also be described later in more detail.

Together with the support beams 28 and 29 they serve to support the conveyor belt 17 in the processing area 14, wherein the structure of this conveyor belt 17 according to Fig. 4 something to be explained in more detail. This is how it works Fig. 4 for example, an in Fig. 3 marked with IV area of the conveyor belt 17 in an enlarged, very schematic view. The view according to Fig. 4 is shown in particular cut off.

Like yourself Fig. 4 easy to remove, the conveyor belt 17 is formed in its structure as a wire mesh. For this purpose, numerous wires 31a to 31m are provided, which may extend in particular in the transverse direction Q. However, the wires 31 are not straight, but each have offset mesh portions 32 which project laterally slightly with respect to the main direction of extension. In particular, the laterally projecting portions 32 and the laterally non-projecting portions 33 may be formed approximately the same length. In the region of the connection points 34 between the two sections 32 and 33, the wires 31 may have braided connections to their respective adjacent wires 31.

In this way, a wire mesh is provided, which on the one hand, due to the materials used, is robust enough to withstand water jet cutting operations without damage. On the other hand, the wire mesh from the conveying plane E to the deflection axes 18 (see. Fig. 2 ) are easily deflected from the plane E and deflected, which is not possible in the prior art due to the large heights. In the present case, the wires 31 each have a width b which essentially corresponds to the overall height d (in FIG Fig. 4 not shown) of the conveyor belt corresponds.

To create the wire mesh in particular round wires can be used, which consist of metal or steel, but in particular stainless steel.

Water passages are provided by the holes / openings 45.

This wire mesh-like conveyor belt 17 is in the apparatus 10 according to the invention in the field of water jet cutting devices 11, as already mentioned with reference to Fig. 3 indicated supported by two support beams 28 and 29, which in Fig. 5 are shown enlarged. Fig. 5 this shows a section Fig. 3 which is in Fig. 3 marked V. Fig. 5 shows the aborted illustrated support beams 28 and 29, which are in and against the conveying direction F, as already described, movable. The arrangement of the support beams 28 and 29 on the portal 24 and the secondary support bar 26 is in Fig. 5 omitted for clarity. Rather, it is clear that the support beams 28 and 29 are substantially at a distance a from one another, wherein approximately at a distance a / 2, above the in Fig. 5 Planned, the water jet devices 11 would be arranged.

As already described, this is according to the construction Fig. 5 basically lying conveyor belt 17 in Fig. 5 for the sake of clarity not shown. However, so that the two support beams 28 and 29 can move as smoothly as possible on the underside of the conveyor belt 17 in or against the conveying direction F, the two support beams 28 and 29 are made of thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene-based, for example Teflon or the like (For the material of the pulleys 18 the rest is the same).

The two beams 28, 29 also have receiving slots 34 for the aligned in the conveying direction F holding webs or knife sheets 30. The blade plates 30 are arranged stationary and the support beams 28 and 29 can be moved along the blade plate 30 in or against the conveying direction F. The knife plates are tapered in terms of their cross-section to the top support line 34 (at least in the uppermost area). For this purpose, the upper edge 34 of the knife sheets, for example, be slightly rounded or tapered. This serves in particular a better support of the conveyor belt 17, not shown, on the blade plate 30 and on the other hand an optimized section of the water jet cutting device 11, since the water jet cutting device 11 is so easily passed over the blade plate 30 during cutting.

Fig. 6 shows a very schematic cross section through the device 10 according to the invention with the omission of various components in a very schematic view, wherein the support surface 12 is a planar body 16, for example, a film or the like associated. This can be removed or unwound from a dispenser 46 (such as a roll holder). Fig. 6 represents in particular a lowered intake beam 27, wherein it is initially apparent that the intake beam 27 is basically displaceable in the vertical direction V and is arranged in a transverse plane together with the front in the conveying direction F support beam 28.

In the in Fig. 6 shown position of the intake beam 27 may be lowered so that the body 16, together with the support surface 12 between feed beam 27 and support beam 28 is clamped or at least acted upon. This can be a retraction of the body 16 and a further portion of the body 16 serve in the processing area of the device 10. Thus, in particular, the body 16 can be clamped between intake beam 27 and support beam 28 and then the portal 24 (in Fig. 6 not explicitly shown) together with intake beam 27 and support bar 28 are displaced in the conveying direction F (in Fig. 6 indicated by an arrow).

In particular, in this case, a signal to the control of the conveyor belt 17 are delivered, that the conveyor belt 17 is displaced to the same extent or at the same speed (at least in its upper portion 19) in the conveying direction F. Conveyor belt 17 and portal 24 are thus synchronized with respect to their movement in the conveying direction F. As a result, a smooth retraction of the body or a further body portion in the processing area 14 of the device 10 is made possible. The drawing is thus segmental.

Once the body 16 has come in far enough into the processing area 14 with respect to its sections, the intake beam 27 can again be displaced upwardly in the vertical direction V and a cutting process can begin. At the beginning of the cutting process was then the cutting device 11, as in Fig. 6 represented shifted in the vertical direction V down.

Fig. 7 then shows one (not necessarily Fig. 6 subsequent) cutting process, in which the water jet cutting device 11 with the aid of a water jet 35 acts on the body 16 in order to cut it. The support bar 27 is usually located in a raised position during a cutting process Fig. 7 , The body 16 and in particular the support surface 12 are shown in their immediate to be cut area verweislich Fig. 7 approximately in the middle between the two support beams 28 and 29. The support beams 28 and 29 thus support the area of the body 16 to be machined However, they allow because of their spacing, that the water of the water jet 35 can pass through the two beams 28 and 29 into the tub 22 after penetrating the body through the two beams.

So that the water does not splash out of the tub 22 again, shows Fig. 8 in a very schematic representation (approximately according to Fig. 7 omitting other or further elements), in particular the trough 22 associated, splash guard system 36, which has a first splash guard 37 and a second splash guard 38. For this purpose, for example, the trough 22 integrally at its upper edge region on a protective guide 39, along which the protector 36 may extend. Of course, the protective guide 39 can also be provided separately from the trough 22 by the device 10.

It is crucial in this case in particular that the shot splash 37, 38 is disposed below the conveying plane E, so that the body 16 is protected against zurückspritzendem water. The splash guard 37 as well as the shot splash 38 each have a tarpaulin 40, which may be formed for example of truck tarpaulin or the like and which typically over the entire width of the trough 22 (with respect to the plane of the figure Fig. 8 ie in the plane and out of the plane). The tarpaulin 40 in this case has a roller-blind or pleated-like guide structure: Thus, a first end 41 of the tarpaulin 40 is typically fixed to the device or fixed to the trough, that is to say immovable to the device 10. The respective other end 42 is arranged fixed relative to the cutting device 11, so it can, for example, on the in Fig. 8 not shown portal 24 (in particular on the secondary support bar 26) may be arranged. In other words, the end 42 always moves with the cutting unit 11 (and the support beams 28 and 29).

Depending on the position of the water jet cutting device 11, the tarpaulin 40 thus contracts (cf. Fig. 8 the splash guard 37) or unfolds (see. Fig. 8 Splash guard 38). The splash guard 37 and the splash guard 38 thus prevent water from getting up out of the tub 22. In addition, the splash guard system 36 also provides an acoustic protection, since the noise that arises when penetrating or hitting the tub floor, is damped by the tarpaulin 40.

The splash guard 37 and the splash guard 38 leave only in the area immediately below the water jet cutting device 11, a cutting gap 42 freely through which the water jet can enter into the tub. This gap may preferably extend over the entire width of the trough 22, since the water jet cutting device can typically also be moved over the entire width of the trough. A splash guard is not necessary here due to the prevailing negative pressure.

Finally shows Fig. 9 one in conveying direction F compared to Fig. 8 easily moved cutting device 11, which illustrates that unfolds in this case, the splash guard 37 and the splash guard 38 folds. This is due in particular to the fact that guide rails 44 guided in the guide 39 are assigned to the tarpaulins 40, which are essentially freely movable in and against the conveying direction F along the guide or guide rail 39, at least in the context of the clamping of the tarpaulin ends 41 and 42.

Claims (12)

1. Water jet cutting device (10) for flat or block-shaped, preferably flexible, bodies (16), in particular technical textiles or animal skins, comprising a water jet cutting unit (11) for cutting the body (16) as well as a movable support surface (12) for the body (16), the movable support surface (12) being displaceable in a conveying plane (E) at least partially into the operating range of the water jet cutting unit (11) and the support surface (12) having water passageways (45) in a cutting direction, and the support surface (12) is part of a circulating conveyor belt (17), characterised by a beam (28, 29) which is disposed below the conveying plane (E) displaceable in and opposite the conveying direction for supporting the support surface (12) of the conveyor belt (17) in the region of the water jet cutting unit (11) .
2. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the conveyor belt (17) is made substantially from metal or steel, in particular stainless steel.
3. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the conveyor belt (17) is provided substantially in the form of wire mesh.
4. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a tub (22) for catching the cutting water (35) is disposed below the conveying plane (E) and the conveyor belt (17) is recirculated underneath the tub (22) in particular.
5. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that disposed below the conveying plane (E) transversely to the conveying direction (F) is at least one supporting beam (28, 29) co-operating with the water jet cutting unit (11), in particular displaceable in the conveying direction (F), which preferably forms one beam of a supporting beam pair (28, 29) offset in the conveying direction (F).
6. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the supporting beam (28, 29) is displaceable jointly with the water jet cutting unit (11), the water jet cutting unit (11) and supporting beam (28, 29) being secured to a common retaining frame (24) in particular.
7. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the supporting beam (28, 29) is made substantially from preferably thermoplastic plastic, in particular with a polyethylene base.
8. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that disposed above the conveying plane (E) transversely to the conveying direction (F) is a height-adjustable clamping beam (27), displaceable in the conveying direction (F) in particular, which is secured to a common retaining frame (24), preferably together with the water jet cutting unit (11) and/or a supporting beam (28, 29) disposed below the conveying plane (E) transversely to the conveying direction (F).
9. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that disposed below the conveying plane (E), in particular also below a supporting beam (28, 29), in particular above or inside a tub (22) for catching the cutting water (35), is a preferably blanket-type back-spray and/or acoustic guard (37, 38).
10. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the back-spray and/or acoustic guard (37, 38) is designed to be displaceable in a roller-type or pleated manner and in particular one end (42) of the back-spray and/or acoustic guard (37, 38) is coupled with the water jet cutting unit (11) so as to move in unison therewith in the conveying direction (F) .
11. Water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterised in that a back-spray and/or acoustic guard (37, 38) is disposed respectively upstream of and downstream of the water jet cutting unit (11) in the conveying direction (F), and it is provided in particular that the upstream and downstream guards (37, 38) form a cutting gap (43) underneath the water jet cutting unit (11).
12. Method for cutting flat or block-shaped, preferably flexible, bodies (16) with a water jet, namely technical textiles or animal skins, by means of a water jet cutting device (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps

    • providing an appropriate conveyor belt (17) of the water jet cutting device (10) provided with water passageways (45),

    • laying a body (16) or a body section on a support surface (12) of the conveyor belt (17),

    • displacing the conveyor belt (17) in such a way that the support surface (12) is moved into the operating range of a water jet cutting unit (11) of the water jet cutting device (10),

    • cutting the body (16) and/or body section by means of the water jet cutting unit (11) so that workpieces or blanks are cut out of the body (16),

    • displacing the conveyor belt (17) in such a way that the support surface (12) is moved out of the operating range of the water jet cutting unit (11),

    • freeing the support surface (12) of the body (16) and recirculating the support surface (12).

Images