MXPA99002131A

MXPA99002131A - Cutting knife assembly

Info

Publication number: MXPA99002131A
Application number: MXPA/A/1999/002131A
Authority: MX
Inventors: R Geffros Michael; S Levene Gary
Original assignee: Ontario Die Company Limited
Priority date: 1996-09-06
Filing date: 1999-03-04
Publication date: 2000-06-05

Abstract

A cutting knife assembly has a projecting cutting knife (12) detacheably connected to a baseboard (10). The cutting knife circumscribes a knife cavity (18) on the baseboard (10). An elongate cross member (20) extends across the knife cavity (18), is affixed to the cutting knife (12) and is mounted to the baseboard (10) by a removable fastener.

Description

CUTTING BLADE STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. - Technical Field The present invention relates to cutting blades, for die cutting and more particularly to a method and apparatus for mounting cutter blade cavities in a base board. 2. - Discussion of Related Art Cutting blades are commonly used to cut sheet material such as cloth or vinyl. Cutting blades are also referred to in the industry as cutting dies. Typically, a cutting blade structure has a support board with a mounted cutting blade or knife, configured to cut a desired pattern. The cutting blade structure is mounted on a press. The sheet material is fed to the press. The press forces the cutting blades or knives through the cutting blade material - the desired pattern. One type of common press is a clipping press with matrix. The cutting blades are mounted on the support plate, which is commonly made of wood or steel. Wood is preferred due to its low cost compared to steel. A typical method for mounting a cutting blade is by machining a channel in the support plate corresponding to the shape of the desired pattern and holding the cutting blade within the channel. The support plate is typically machined in a workshop at a remote site in the manufacturing area and then carried to the assembly press. Sheet or sheet material comes in a variety of widths. It is common for the widths of a particular material to vary up to several centimeters between rolls. It is highly convenient to fully use the material to minimize waste. Since material widths change, the placement of fixed cutting edges may not fully utilize the material unless it is readjusted. Methods for conventional cutting blade assemblies do not allow for easy removal and readjustment of the cutting blade, to fully utilize different material widths or improved distributions. Because the modifications to the support plate are carried out offline, substantial time and effort are required to re-arrange the blades. So much effort is required that a change in the width of substantial material is required before readjustment is effective in cost. Conventional machining methods used in the assembly of cutting blades, result in permanent modification to the base plate. Subsequent changes in cavity placement require new motherboard material. New motherboard material substantially increases the cost of a new structure. Therefore, it is convenient to have the ability to readjust the cutting blades quickly and effectively in order to fully utilize the available material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a technique for mounting cutting blades on a base board, which allows the economical and quick re-arrangement of the cutting blades to optimize the use of material. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a non-metallic base board having a generally planar surface. A cutting blade extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the base board and circumscribes a blade cavity. The cutting blade has an elongated cross member fixed to the cutting blade that extends through the blade cavity. The transverse member provides a means for securing the transverse member to the base board. One method for connecting the cutting blades to the base board is to screw through the cross member in the base board. If the cutting blades need to be removed, the cutting blades are unscrewed quickly, preferably using a motorized base 10 screwdriver and reassembled on the assembly line. In one aspect of the invention, a method for cutting sheet material includes providing a plurality of cutting blades with an integral cross member, arranging the plurality of cutting blades in a predetermined pattern on the base board and securing the cutting blades to the base board by screwing a fastener through the transverse member and into the base board. By using a computer program of the adjustment type, the cavity distributions can be constantly improved in such a way that the cutting material is used more efficiently. An advantage of the present invention is that relatively inexpensive wooden baseboard can be employed. The duration of a wooden base board is prolonged by the present invention since the transverse members are preferably placed adjacent to the base board to distribute the load of the press through the surface of the base board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description which will be read in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a base board having cavities for blades of cut both mounted in accordance with the present invention in a conventional manner; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 having a wooden base board through a cutting blade cavity according to the present invention and mounted in conventional manner; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 2, having a non-metallic base board other than wood; Figure 4 is a top view of a base board having blade cavities mounted in accordance with the present invention for material having a first width; and Figure 5 is a top view of a base board having blade cavities mounted in accordance with the present invention, using a wider sheet material than that given in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top view of a base board after successive readjustments of the cutting blades. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Now with reference to the drawings, similar reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various Figures. Although the invention will be described and illustrated in the context of a blade structure particularly suitable for use in a die cutting press, it will be appreciated that the invention can be used in conjunction with other well-known types of presses. Now with reference to Figure 1, a space board 10 is illustrated having both conventional cutting blades 12 and flexible cutting blades 14 mounted. The base board 10 is preferably made from hardwood such as birch, beech or maple. A built modality uses a base board made of beech with a thickness of 16 mm. Flexible cutting blades 14 are flexible in the sense that they are easily removed and fastened in different places on the base board 10. Each of the cutting blades 12 and 14 is preferably made of a durable metallic material that is easily sharpened such as steel. Each cutting blade 14 is circumscribed in a blade cavity 18 which defines a desired pattern for cutting of sheet material. Each cutting blade 14 is preferably formed of a single piece or a single part of steel. Various parts or pieces can nevertheless be used to form the cutting blade 14. Flexible cutting blades 14 have at least one elongated transverse member 20, which extends through the blade cavity 18. Both ends of the transverse member 20 are fixed to a flexible cutting blade 14. The transverse member 20 has holes 22 through which a fastener is placed to hold the flexible cutting blades 14 in the base board 10. Preferably, holes 22 are pre-formed. Holes 22 also they can be formed when the flexible cutting blades are fixed to the base board 10. Now with reference to Figure 2, flexible cutting blades 14 and conventional cutting blades 12 both have a first edge 24 that is sharpened to cut through the material. Conventional cutting blades 12 have a second edge 26 which is used to hold the conventional cutting blade 12 to the base board 10. In conventional mounting methods, a slot 28 is cut within the base board 10 to the shape of the blade cavity. 18 extending through the base board 10. The slot 28 must especially be machined and assembled off-line in an intense operation in labor and time. The conventional machining of the base board does not allow the efficient modification of the distribution of the knife cavities. For example, base board 10 must be removed from the press, shipped to the manufacturer, retrofitted and then returned to the press and installed again. The flexible cutting blades 14 have a second edge 30. The second edge 30 is preferably planar in cross section. The preferred plane is parallel to the plane of the base board 10. The transverse member 20 is preferably fixed adjacent the edge 30. The transverse member 20 can be fixed to the edge 30 by welding. The transverse member 20 preferably has a substantially planar surface which is adjacent to the surface of the base board 10 and is preferably contiguous with the second edge 30. The transverse member 20 is fastened to the base board 10 by screws 32 or other fasteners easily removable. When using a flexible cutting blade configuration, the base board 10 does not need to be removed from the press to adjust the placement of the flexible cutting blades 14. A motorized screwdriver or similar tool (not shown) can be used to remove the screws 32 from the base board 10. In the same way, the flexible cutting blade 14 can be located in a different area in the base board 10 and reattached by screwing screws 32 through holes 22 and inside the base board 10. Thus, no processing or pre-drilling is required of line, since the base board 10 is made of a material through which a screw 32 can be easily shown. Time for removal and re-clamping is minimal compared to off-line base board processing. Now with reference to Figure 3, the material of the base board 10 is illustrated as another non-metallic material such as a plastic material or pressed agglomerated fibers. The material should be resilient to the forces in a press operation but capable of being threaded on the inside, such that the flexible cutting blades 14 can be easily readjusted in the base board 10. Now with reference to Figure 4, the material Laminar typically comes in a variety of widths. It is not uncommon for lamellar material manufacturers to provide a roll of material several centimeters wider than the ordered material. The flexible cutting blades 14 of Figure 4 are optimized to fit a material having a width V1. Now with reference to Figure 5, the flexible cutting blades 14 have been readjusted to optimize a new width of material W2. The width W2 is greater than that of the width x. Several more patterns can be cut compared to those of a narrower width material. A conventional best-fit type computer program can be employed to assist in determining an optimum fit for flexible cutting blades 14. Now with reference to Figure 6, eventually the base board 10 will end with a multitude of threaded holes 34 of the process removing or reattaching flexible cut knives 14. The base board 10 will eventually break once enough holes for thread 34 are formed. The cross members 20 however help to distribute the load of the press force on the press. a large area of the base board 10 to assist in prolonging the life or useful life of the base board 10. In practice, the present invention may be employed only as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 or may be employed in combination with a method of conventional matrix assembly such as that shown in Figure 1. If the sheet material has a width different from that for which they are adjusted As currently cutting blades, the blades can be configured to provide a minimum amount of waste. This can be done manually or by using a computer program to find the optimal setting for the patterns to be cut. Once this configuration is known, the flexible cutting blades 14 are fastened to the base board 10 by using a motorized screwdriver to move a screw through holes 22 and into the base board 10. Again, there is no need to pre-empt. drilling the base board 10, since the board 10 is made of a material in which a screw with a motorized screwdriver can be moved. While the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the technique to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- A cutting blade structure, characterized in that it comprises: a non-metallic base board having a planar surface; a flexible steel cutting blade having first and second edges and inner and outer surfaces, with the outer surface without limitation, the cutting blade is detachably mounted on the planar surface; the cutting blade extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the non-metallic base board and circumscribes a blade cavity there; the first edge forms a cutting edge that is in a plane parallel to and spaced from the planar surface; the cutting blade is of a generally uniform thickness throughout its extension, except at the cutting edge; and an elongated cross member that is located entirely within the cavity and has end surfaces that are clamped to the outer surface of the cutting blade adjacent to the second edge, the cross member engages the planar surface and assists in transferring part of the load applied to the cutting blade on the non-metallic base board, the cross member provides a means for rigidly connecting the elongate cross member and the cutting blade to the base board.
2. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 1, characterized in that the second edge has a generally planar surface parallel to and in contact with the planar surface of the non-metallic base board.
3. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 2, characterized in that the elongated cross member has a planar surface; the planar surface of the elongated cross member forms a planar surface contiguous with the planar surface of the second edge.
4. Structure of cutting blades according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting include holes through the elongate cross member and fastening means mounted through the holes to hold the cutting blade with the base board.
5. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting blade has a plurality of elongated cross members fixed to the cutting blade adjacent to the second edge, each cross member has a planar surface that forms a surface contiguous with the planar surface of the second edge and engages the planar surface of the non-metallic base board.
6. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 2, characterized in that there is a plurality of cutting blades adjacent to each other detachably mounted on the planar surface of the non-metallic base board, the cutting blades have the same height throughout its extension.
7. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the cutting blades is provided with a plurality of elongated cross members fixed to their respective cutting blade adjacent to the second edge, each cross member has a planar surface forming a contiguous surface with the planar surface of the second edge and coupling the planar surface of the non-metallic base board.
8. The structure of cutting blades characterized in that it comprises: a non-metallic base board having a planar surface; a flexible metal cutting blade having first and second edges and inner and outer surfaces, with the outer surface not limited, the cutting blade is detachably mounted on the planar surface; the cutting blade extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the non-metallic base board and circumscribes a blade cavity; the first edge forms a cutting edge that is in a plane parallel to and spaced from the planar surface; the second edge has a generally planar surface parallel to and abutting through its extension with the planar surface of the non-metallic base board; the cutting blade is of generally uniform thickness by its extension, except at the cutting edge; and an elongated cross member having a first end and a second end, each end is fixed to the cutting blade adjacent to the second edge, the elongated cross member extends through the blade cavity and buttresses the planar surface of the cutter. non-metallic base board and aid in transferring part of the load applied to the cutting blade with the non-metallic base board, the first end and the second end are fixed to the inner surface of the cutting blade, the elongated cross member provides a means for rigidly connecting the transverse member and the cutting blade to the non-metallic baseboard.
9. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 8, characterized in that the elongated cross member has a planar surface; the planar surface of the elongated cross member forms a surface contiguous with the planar surface of the second edge.
10. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for connecting include holes through the elongate cross member and fastening means mounted through the holes to hold the cutting blade with the base board.
11.- Structure of cutting blades according to claim 8, characterized in that the non-metallic base board comprises wood.
12.- Structure of cutting blades according to claim 8, characterized in that the non-metallic base board comprises a composite material.
13. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 8, wherein the cutting blade has a plurality of elongated cross members fixed to the cutting blade adjacent to the second edge, the cross member has a planar surface that forms a surface contiguous with the planar surface of the second edge and engages the planar surface of the non-metallic base board.
14. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 8, characterized in that there is a plurality of cutting blades adjacent to each other mounted detachably on the planar surface of the non-metallic base board, the cutting blades have the same height through your extension.
15. - Structure of cutting blades according to claim 14, characterized in that each of the cutting blades are provided with a plurality of elongated cross members fixed to their respective cutting blade adjacent to the second edge, each cross member has a planar surface that forms a contiguous surface with the planar surface of the second edge and that couples the planar surface of the non-metallic base board.
16. Method for releasably assembling a cutting blade structure on a non-metallic base board, which is provided with a planar surface, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing on the planar surface, a plurality of cutting blades of flexible steel, each blade circumscribes a blade cavity and having first and second edges and inner and outer surfaces, with the outer surface not limited and with an integral elongated cross member having a surface coplanar with the second edge; placing the second edge of each flexible steel cutting blade on the planar surface in contact, with each flexible cutting blade projecting in a direction generally perpendicular to the non-metallic base board; arranging the plurality of flexible steel cutting blades in a predetermined configuration on the planar surface, with the first corresponding edge projecting in a direction away from the planar surface; and releasably securing the flexible steel cutting blades on the base board by screwing a fastener through each transverse member directly on the base board, thereby rigidly connecting the transverse member and the corresponding flexible steel cutting blade.
17. The method for assembling a cutting blade structure according to claim 16, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: removing each fastener from the corresponding flexible steel cutting blade by unscrewing the fastener; adjust the flexible steel cutting blade on the planar surface; and reattaching each flexible steel cutting blade by screwing a fastener through each transverse member directly on the base board, thereby rigidly connecting the cross member and the flexible steel cutting blade corresponding to the base board.