WO2006089158A2 - Ensemble coupant a modulateur de largeur d'impulsion - Google Patents

Ensemble coupant a modulateur de largeur d'impulsion Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006089158A2
WO2006089158A2 PCT/US2006/005731 US2006005731W WO2006089158A2 WO 2006089158 A2 WO2006089158 A2 WO 2006089158A2 US 2006005731 W US2006005731 W US 2006005731W WO 2006089158 A2 WO2006089158 A2 WO 2006089158A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
die
cutting
extruded
cutting assembly
wiper
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2006/005731
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2006089158A3 (fr
Inventor
James Pinchot
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JMP Industries Inc
Original Assignee
JMP Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/062,220 external-priority patent/US20060121142A1/en
Priority claimed from US29/242,613 external-priority patent/USD550259S1/en
Application filed by JMP Industries Inc filed Critical JMP Industries Inc
Publication of WO2006089158A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006089158A2/fr
Publication of WO2006089158A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006089158A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
    • B26D7/27—Means for performing other operations combined with cutting
    • B26D7/28—Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for counting the number of cuts or measuring cut lenghts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
    • B26D1/0006—Cutting members therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D5/00—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
    • B26D5/20—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
    • B26D7/26—Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting member; Means for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member
    • B26D7/2614—Means for mounting the cutting member
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
    • B29B9/00—Making granules
    • B29B9/02—Making granules by dividing preformed material
    • B29B9/06—Making granules by dividing preformed material in the form of filamentary material, e.g. combined with extrusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
    • B26D1/0006—Cutting members therefor
    • B26D2001/0046—Cutting members therefor rotating continuously about an axis perpendicular to the edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
    • B26D1/0006—Cutting members therefor
    • B26D2001/0053—Cutting members therefor having a special cutting edge section or blade section

Definitions

  • the rate at which a particular product extrudes through one or more can periodical vary.
  • This Varying of the rate of product extrusion commonly results in the cut extruded product to be non-uniform, thereby resulting' in a significant percent of the product to be disposed of.
  • Pill machines are also used for form some types of catalyst that require a low tolerance to the size of the catalyst.
  • the pill manufacturing process produces a large percentage of medication and catalyst having a desired size, the pill manufacturing process is very expensive as compared with most extrusion processed, and also has extremely slow throughputs, resulting in low output over time and significantly increased manufacturing costs. Such high costs are cost prohibitive for many types of products. [0004]
  • a cutting device that can be used to cut extruded product in a more uniform manner.
  • the present invention relates to cutting devices, and more particularly to a cutting device for use with an extruder device, and even more particularly to a cutting assembly to cut materials that have been extruded through one or more dies.
  • a cutting assembly used to cut materials that have been extruded through one or more dies.
  • the cutting assembly of the present invention is particularly directed the cutting of extruded catalyst; however, the cutting assembly can be used to cut many other types of extruded material.
  • the improved cutting assembly is designed to improve the product quality of cut extruded material by cutting the extruded material within low tolerances to a certain specified length.
  • the size of the extruded material must be maintain to comply with stringent criteria.
  • the size of a cut pill affects the dosage of the medication. A pill that has been cut too large or a too small may result in the incorrect dosage being given to the patient.
  • the size of the catalyst can affect the rate of reaction that takes place when using the catalyst. An extruded catalyst that is cut too large or too small could adversely affect a chemical reaction that involves the use of the catalyst.
  • the improved cutting assembly of the present invention is designed to cut an extruded product from a die to form a cut product that more closely matches the desired length of the product, thereby eliminating the need for forming the product by more expensive processes that have lower throughputs. Consequently, products that have historically been formed by pill manufacturing processes (e.g., medication, certain types of catalysts, etc.) can be extruded through one or more dies and cut to a desired length by use of the improved cutting assembly of the present invention.
  • pill manufacturing processes e.g., medication, certain types of catalysts, etc.
  • the improved cutting assembly of the present invention can be used to cut products that are currently extruded through dies and thereby significantly reduce the amount of waste of such extruded product that historically has to be disposed of since the extruded product did not meet the size tolerance parameters of the extruded product.
  • the present invention is thus directed to an extrusion cutting assembly which can increase the quantity of cut product as compared to prior art cutting assemblies.
  • the improved cutting assembly incorporates several new technologies that are used to produce a higher quality product. Each one of these new technologies individually results in increased product quality. In addition, the combination of these new technologies further increases the percentage for producing product having a desired cut length. Prior cutting systems for extruded products commonly produced about 15-35% of the cut product being within 200% of the desired length.
  • the cutting assembly of the present invention results in about 60-99.9% of the cut extruded product being within about 200% of the desired length, typically about 70-99.9% of the cut extruded product being within about 100% of the desired length, more typically about 80-99.9% of the cut extruded product being within about 100% of the desired length, and still more typically about 90-99.9% of the cut extruded product being within about 100% of the desired length.
  • the cutting assembly of the present invention thus produces a higher quality product with significantly less waste.
  • the cutting assembly of the present invention also has higher throughputs without sacrificing product quality.
  • the cutting assembly includes the use of an increased number of wipers positioned closely adjacent to the openings in the die support plate.
  • the wipers are used to direct material to be extruded into the openings for extrusion through the dies positioned in the openings of the dies.
  • the wipers are also and/or alternatively used to reduce or eliminate the amount of space around the openings that can harbor material, thereby reducing or eliminating the amount of material that stagnates or accumulates around the openings. Material that stagnates or accumulates around the openings can become hardened or less formable. This hardened or less formable material will eventually work its way into one of the openings.
  • the material Due to the hardened or less formable nature of the material, the material can become stuck in the opening, thereby resulting in plugging or clogged the opening.
  • the clogging of the opening reduces the number of dies that are being used to form the extruded product, thereby reducing the amount of product being produced.
  • the clogging of one or more dies also affects the pressure at which the material is extruded through the remaining unclogged openings. For instance, a plate which includes four openings would suddenly encounter a pressure increase of at least about 15-35% in the three unclogged openings when one of the openings becomes clogged.
  • the increased pressure exerted on the extruded material results in the material being forced through the openings at an increased rate, thereby resulting in the lengths of the cut catalysts being increased when the cutting blade is running at a constant speed.
  • the increased length of the cut product can result in an unacceptable product due to the unacceptably long product length, thus reducing the yield of acceptable product.
  • the increased pressure on the material can also adversely affect the extruded material (e.g., adversely breaking down chemical bonds or structures, unacceptably increasing the heat applied to the material thereby resulting in adverse chemical reactions or structural formations, etc.). Such adverse affects on the extruded material can result in the material being unacceptable for its end use, even if the cut length is within an acceptable range.
  • the wiper blades of the improved cutting assembly are designed to reduce or eliminate the space about the openings that can harbor material to be extruded, thereby reducing or eliminating the incidence of one or more of the openings becoming partially or fully plugged or clogged during an extruding process.
  • the wiper blades result in at least about a 20% reduction in the space about the openings that can harbor material to be extruded.
  • the wiper blades result in at least about a 50% reduction in the space about the openings that can harbor material to be extruded.
  • the wiper blades result in at least about a 75% reduction in the space about the openings that can harbor material to be extruded.
  • the wiper blades of the improved cutting assembly reduce the pressure variations of the material being directed into the openings of the die holder.
  • an auger is used to direct the material to be extruded toward the openings in the die holder plate. Most of these augers have a single flight configuration; however, dual flight configurations can be used. As the auger is rotated, the material to be extruded is moved toward the openings in the die holder plate.
  • An opening in the die holder plate that is positioned closest to the face of the blade of the auger at a certain time is exposed to a higher pressure by the material than another opening on the die holder plate which is positioned at a farther distance from the blade face of the auger.
  • the increased speed at which the material passes through an opening results in an increased length of the material being cut when the cutter blade is rotated at a constant speed.
  • the reduced speed at which material passes through an opening results in a reduced length of material being cut when the cutter blade is rotated at a constant speed.
  • the cut material constantly varies in length due in part to the rotation of the auger feeding the material to be extruded through the die plates.
  • the use of multiple wiper blades positioned between the end of the auger and the openings in the die holder plate results in a reduction of the pressure amplitude differential between a high and low pressure situation, thereby resulting in a more constant pressure being applied to the material directed into the plurality of openings in the die holder plate.
  • a plurality of wiper blades are used in the improved cutting assembly to reduce or eliminate the pressure amplitude differential between a high and low pressure situation during the extrusion of material through one or more die plates.
  • the number of wiper blades used in the improved cutting assembly is at least one-forth the number of openings in the die holder plate.
  • the number of wiper blades used in the improved cutting assembly is at least one-half the number of openings in the die holder plate.
  • the number of wiper blades used in the improved cutting assembly is at least three-quarters the number of openings in the die holder plate. In still yet another non-limiting design, the number of wiper blades used in the improved cutting assembly is equal to or greater than the number of openings in the die holder plate. In a further non-limiting design, the number of wiper blades used in the improved cutting assembly is at least 1.5 times the number of openings in the die holder plate. In still a further non-limiting design, the number of wiper blades used in the improved cutting assembly is at least 2 times the number of openings in the die holder plate.
  • the cutting assembly includes wiper blades that are connected to the end of the auger and are positioned closely adjacent to the openings in the die holder plate so as to reduce the amount of area about an opening which can harbor stagnant material.
  • at least a portion of at least one wiper blade is positioned from the plane of the die opening and at a distance of less than about 0.5 inches from the opening in the die plates.
  • at least a portion of at least one wiper blade is positioned from the plane of the die opening and at a distance of less than about 0.25 inches from the opening in the die plates.
  • At least a portion of at least one wiper blade is positioned from the plane of the die opening and at a distance of about 0-0.1 inches from the opening in the die plates. In yet another non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, at least a portion of at least one wiper blade is positioned from the plane of the die opening and at a distance of about 0-0.065 inches from the opening in the die plates.
  • the cutting assembly includes wiper blades that are sized so that they are at least as large as the openings in the die holder plate so as to facilitate in directing material into the openings.
  • the size of the one or more wiper blades can be used to reduce the amount of dead area about the die opening when a particular wiper blade passes by and over the die opening, thereby reducing the amount of stagnant material which can become entrapped or stagnant about the die opening or within the wiper area. It has been found that by properly designing the wiper blades, the amount of cut product that is within size tolerance range for a particular product can be improves by up to 25% or more.
  • the size of at least one of the wiper blades are up to about 5% larger than the diameter of the openings in the die holder plate. In another non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the size of at least one of the wiper blades are up to about 10% larger than the diameter of the openings in the die holder plate. In still another non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the size of at least one of the wiper blades are up to about 20% larger than the diameter of the openings in the die holder plate.
  • the size of at least one of the wiper blades are up to about 30% larger than the diameter of the openings in the die holder plate.
  • the plurality of wiper blades are substantially equally spaced apart so as to create a more uniform pressure at the die opening, thereby resulting in a more uniform length of product that is cut by the cutting assembly during the extrusion process.
  • the cutting assembly includes wiper blades that are substantially the same shape and size so as to create a more uniform pressure at the die opening, thereby resulting in a more uniform length of product that is cut by the cutting assembly during the extrusion process.
  • the cutting assembly includes wiper blades that have an angle that is used to facilitate in pushing the material into the openings in the die plate. The angle is selected to facilitate movement of the material into the die openings without cutting or substantially cutting the material. In essence, the angled wiper blade smears the material to be extruded into the opening in the die plate as the wiper blade passes over the die plate opening.
  • the selection of the wiper blade angle can also or alternatively be used control the pressure of the material being forced through the die plate openings.
  • the angled wiper blade reduces the occurrence of stagnated material about the die plate openings and can facilitate in flow rates of the material through the die plate openings.
  • the angle on at least a portion of one or more wiper blades is about 1-89°.
  • the angle on at least a portion of one or more wiper blades is about 10-70°.
  • the angle on at least a portion of one or more wiper blades is about 15-60°.
  • the angle on at least a portion of one or more wiper blades is about 20-45°. In still yet another non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the angle on at least a portion of one or more wiper blades is about 25-35°.
  • a single uninterrupted flight auger is used to move the material to be extruded toward the wiper blades and through the die plate openings.
  • the single uninterrupted flight auger creates a more uniform profile on the material being fed to the die plate as compared to interrupted flight augers.
  • the more uniform pressure profile at the die opening results in a more uniform length of product that is cut by the cutting assembly during the extrusion process.
  • the improved cutting assembly includes an improved control arrangement which can vary the cutting blade speed to better account for the pressure differentials applied to the material being extruded through a die in a particular opening of the die holder plate.
  • the pressure on the extruded material increases, the material travels at a faster rate through the die.
  • the pressure on the extruded material reduces, the extruded material passes at a slower rate through the die.
  • the speed of the blade can be accordingly decreased. If it is found that the pressure of the material has increased, the speed of the blade can be accordingly increased. Furthermore, if it is found that the pressure is constant, the speed of the blade can be maintained as constant.
  • the control of the blade speed used to cut the material that has been extruded through one or more dies can be controlled so as to maintain a desired cut length of the cut extruded material.
  • the rate of increase or decrease of the blade speed can be linear or non-linear.
  • the change in blade speed can be delayed to account for the time that the material enters into the opening in the die holder plate and passes through the die prior to being cut by the blade; however, this is not required.
  • an electronic control system is used to control the rate at which the cutting blade cuts the material being extruded from one or more dies.
  • a pulse width modulator control system is used to control the rate at which the cutting blade cuts the material being extruded from one or more dies.
  • other control systems can be used.
  • the control of the blade speed with respect to the detected pressure in one or more of the die plate openings can used to adjust the cutting blade speed to account for abnormalities in the feed rate of the material being extruded.
  • the velocity of the cutting blade can be increased to account for the increased speed at which the material is extruded through the remaining unclogged openings.
  • the control of the blade speed with respect to the detected pressure in one or more of the openings in the die holder plate can be used to adjust the cutting blade speed to account for abnormalities in the feed rate of the material being extruded. For instance, when one or more of the openings for the extruded material is plugged or clogged, such clogging of the die plate opening results in an increase in pressure on the extruded material prior to the material moving through the remaining unclogged openings. A clogged die opening will result in significant pressure drop. This pressure drop reduction can be used to adjust the speed of the cutting blade to at least in part account for an increase in pressure of the material through the unplugged die openings.
  • a pressure sensor in one or more of the unplugged openings will indicate a pressure increase when one or more of the die openings becomes plugged. Consequently, the one or more pressure signals can be used to adjust the speed of the cutting blade to at least in part account for an increase in pressure of the material through the unplugged die openings and/or a decrease in pressure through one or more plugged die openings. As such, the velocity of the cutting blade can be increased to account for the increased speed at which the material is extruded through the remaining unclogged openings. In another situation, with the extruder is starved of feeder material, the pressure on the extruded material can decrease on the extruded material prior to the material moving through the remaining unclogged openings.
  • the velocity of the cutting blade can be decreased to account for the decreased speed at which the material is extruded through the openings in the die plate.
  • the one or more pressure sensors generate a signal that canbe used to activate an alarm to indicated that the detected pressure is below and/or above a desired value. This alarm can be used to detect and/or notify an operator of clogged die openings, worn components (e.g., worn auger, worn die plate, worn die inserts, worn die pins, etc.), insufficient feeding of material to be extruded, etc.
  • the improved cutting assembly can include a storage system that stores date regarding the detected pressures over a period of time.
  • This data can be used to facilitate in determine whether one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly were operating properly during an extrusion process.
  • the data can be tagged to a time and/or date period; however, this is not required.
  • This data can be designed to be accessed at real time and/or in other manners.
  • the collected data can be used to activate one or more alarms to indicate a existing or potential problem with one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly; however, this is not required.
  • the collected data can be used to activate one or more alarms to indicate that a component change out is due for one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly; however, this is not required.
  • the collected can be use to profile the operation of one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly; however, this is not required.
  • the control of the blade speed with respect to the detected pressure spaced from the openings in the die holder plate can used to adjust the cutting blade speed to account for abnormalities in the feed rate of the material being extruded. For instance, when one or more of the openings for the extruded material is plugged or clogged, such clogging of the die plate opening results in an increase in pressure on the extruded material prior to the material moving through the remaining unclogged openings. As such, the velocity of the cutting blade can be increased to account for the increased speed at which the material is extruded through the remaining unclogged openings.
  • the pressure on the extruded material can decrease on the extruded material prior to the material moving through the remaining unclogged openings.
  • the velocity of the cutting blade can be decreased to account for the decreased speed at which the material is extruded through the openings in the die plate.
  • the speed at which a feed material is moved toward one or more die openings can vary depending on the type of material and/or the type of auger or other type of feeding device. Even when wiper blades are used to decrease the range of pressure fluctuations as the material is being fed through one or more die openings, the changes in pressure being applied to the material being extruded result in an increased and a decreased velocities through the dies.
  • the rate at which material is fed into a feeder can vary, thereby resulting in variable amounts of material being fed to the one or more openings in the die holder plate.
  • Reduced amounts of material in the feeder can result in reduced pressure on the material that is ultimately fed through the one or more openings in the die holder plate.
  • Increased amounts of material in the feeder can result in increased pressure on the material that is ultimately fed through the one or more openings in the die holder plate.
  • the detection of these pressure fluctuations can be used to increase and/or decrease the cutting blade speed to obtain cut extruded product having a more consistent cut length. As such, by detecting these increases and decreases in pressure, the speed of the cutting blade can be adjusted to obtain more cut product having a length within an acceptable range.
  • the cutting blade speed can be increased to account for an increased velocity of the material passing through the dies, or decreased to account for a decreased velocity of the material passing through the dies, thereby maintaining the desired cut length of the material being cut by the cutting blades.
  • the detected pressure can be in a single or multiple locations that are spaced from the die openings (e.g., at the begging of the die openings, in the region of the wiper blades, along the length of the auger, etc.).
  • the one or more pressure signals can be used to adjust the speed of the cutting blade to at least in part account for an increase and/ir decrease in pressure of the material that is to move through the one or more die openings.
  • the velocity of the cutting blade can be increased to account for the increased speed at which the material is anticipated to be extruded through the die openings .
  • the one or more pressure sensors generate a signal that can be used to activate an alarm to indicated that the detected pressure is below and/or above a desired value.
  • This alarm can be used to detect and/or notify an operator of clogged die openings, worn components (e.g., worn auger, worn die plate, worn die inserts, worn die pins, worn wiper blades, etc.), insufficient feeding of material to be extruded, etc.
  • worn components e.g., worn auger, worn die plate, worn die inserts, worn die pins, worn wiper blades, etc.
  • the one or more pressure sensors that are spaced from the die plate openings can be used in conjunction with one or more pressure signals that are portioned in at least a portion of the die openings to at least partially control the speed of the cutting blade and/or to activate one or more alarms when the detected pressure is undesired.
  • the one or more pressure sensors generate a signal that can be used to activate an alarm to indicated that the detected pressure is below and/or above a desired value.
  • This alarm can be used to detect and/or notify an operator of clogged die openings, worn components (e.g., worn auger, worn die plate, worn die inserts, worn die pins, etc.), insufficient feeding of material to be extruded, etc.
  • the improved cutting assembly can include a storage system that stores date regarding the detected pressures over a period of time. This data can be used to facilitate in determine whether one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly were operating properly during an extrusion process.
  • the data can be tagged to a time and/or date period; however, this is not required. This data can be designed to be accessed at real time and/or in other manners.
  • the collected data can be used to activate one or more alarms to indicate a existing or potential problem with one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly; however, this is not required.
  • the collected data can be used to activate one or more alarms to indicate that a component change out is due for one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly; however, this is not required.
  • the collected can be use to profile the operation of one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly; however, this is not required.
  • the improved cutting assembly includes one or more sensors other than a pressure sensor that us used to affect the cutting speed of the cutting blade and/or activate one or more alarms.
  • sensors can include, but are not limited to, temperature sensors, flow sensors, compositions sensors, auger rotation speed, blade cutter arrangement speed, die opening plug detectors, product quality detectors, die plate pressure detectors, etc.
  • These one or more sensors can be located in one or more die plate openings, positioned on and/or located in the die plate, and/or spaced from one or more die plate openings. The data from one or more of these sensors can be recorded; however, this is not required.
  • the data can be tagged to a time and/or date period; however, this is not required.
  • the data from one or more of the sensors can also or alternatively be used to control the operation of one or more components of the cutting assembly (e.g., cutting blade rotation speed, etc.) and/or one or more components of the extruder (e.g., auger rotation speed, material feed rate into auger, etc.).
  • the collected data can be also or alternatively be used to activate one or more alarms to indicate that a component change out is due for one or more components of the extruder, and/or the cutting assembly and/or one or more components of the extruder are not working properly; however, this is not required.
  • the collected can be use to profile the operation of one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly; however, this is not required.
  • additional data can be used by the cutting assembly to monitor and/or control one or more components of the extruder and/or cutting assembly.
  • Such data can include, but is not limited to, die plate size, die plate opening configuration, die plate opening size, material of the die plate, thickness of the die plate, die insert size, die insert shape, die insert thickness, die insert material, type of insert pins, shape of insert pins, material of pins, type of auger, material of auger, type of feed material, type of cutting blades, number of cutting blades, cutting blade material, number of wiper blades, type of wiper blades, spacing of wiper blades from die plate, wiper blade material, etc.
  • the improved cutting assembly includes a cutting blade arrangement to improve the quality and cut length consistency of the cut extruded product.
  • the cutting blade arrangement includes a plurality of cutting blades that are spaced at substantially equal distances from one another and/or spaced at substantially equal angular distances from one another.
  • a two blade system would be about 180° from one another, a three blade system would be about 120° from one another, a four blade system would be about 90° from one another, a five blade system would be about 72° from one another, a six blade system would be about 60° from one another, an eight blade system would be about 45° from one another, a nine blade system would be about 40° from one another, a ten blade system would be about 36° from one another, a twelve blade system would be about 30° from one another, a fifteen blade system would be about 24° from one another, a sixteen blade system would be about 22.5° from one another, an eighteen blade system would be about 20° from one another, a twenty blade system would be about 18° from one another, a twenty-four blade system would be about 15° from one another, etc.
  • one or more of the cutting blades has a novel cutting profile to facilitate in the cutting of the extruded material.
  • one or more cutting blades includes an angular primary cutting surface.
  • the primary cutting surface is used as the principal cutting surface of the blade.
  • the slope angle of the primary cutting surface is used to effectively cut the extruded product.
  • the slope angle of the primary cutting surface is generally about 20-85°.
  • the slope angle of the primary cutting surface is generally about 25-60°.
  • the slope angle of the primary cutting surface is generally about 20-35°.
  • the slope angle of the primary cutting surface is generally about 25-35°.
  • one or more cutting blades includes a rake surface that has a rake angle.
  • the rake surface is positioned on the same side of the one or more cutting blades as the primary cutting surface and is position next to the primary cutting surface.
  • the primary cutting surface transitions into the rake surface; however, this is not require.
  • the rake angle is less than the slope angle of the primary cutting surface. The rake angle is used in part to create a trajectory of the material after it has been cut by the primary surface.
  • the slope angle of the rake surface is generally about 1-84°. In another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the rake surface is generally about 5-75°. In still another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the rake surface is generally about 10-60°. In yet another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the rake surface is generally about 10-45°. In still yet another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the rake surface is generally about 15-30°. In further non-limiting design, the slope angle of the rake surface is generally about 15-25°.
  • one or more cutting blades includes a clearance surface that has a clearance angle.
  • the clearance surface is positioned on the opposite side of the one or more cutting blades as the primary cutting surface, and the rake surface when used.
  • the clearance surface is positioned is also position at about the same level on the blade as the primary cutting surface and/or rake surface, when the rake surface is used.
  • the clearance surface is designed to facilitate in enable the cutting blade to clear the continuously extruded product. Once the primary cutting surface has cut a portion of the extruded product, more extruded product moves out from the die plate openings. This front end of the extruded material can cause interference with the cutting blade, and thereby cause improper rotation speeds of the cutting blade arrangement.
  • the clearance angle on the blade is selected so as to enable the back side of the cutting blade to easily move past the front end of the extrude product and thereby facilitate in the proper operation of the cutting blade arrangement and proper and consistent rotation speeds of the cutting blade arrangement.
  • the slope angle of the clearance surface is generally about 1-65°. In another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the clearance surface is generally about 3-50°. In still another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the clearance surface is generally about 3-40°. In yet another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the clearance surface is generally about 5-30°. In still yet another non-limiting design, the slope angle of the clearance surface is generally about 5-20°. In a further non-limiting design, the slope angle of the clearance surface is generally about 8-15°.
  • the improved cutting assembly can include one or more operational modes.
  • one mode of the cutting assembly can be a manual mode wherein the speed of the cutting blade is set and maintained at a substantially constant speed throughout an extrusion process.
  • one more of the improved cutting assembly can include an automatic mode wherein the speed of the cutting blade is adjusted based upon one or more set and/or detected parameters (e.g., die plate temperature, auger temperature, material to be extruded temperature, material to be extruded flow rate, material to be extruded composition, material to be extruded density, time period required for material to move through die inserts, auger rotation speed, blade cutter arrangement speed, die opening plug detection, product quality detection, die plate pressure detection, pressure in one or more die plate openings, temperature in one or more die plate openings, time of use for die inserts, time of use for die plate, time of use for die pins, time of use for auger, time of use for liner, type of liner, material of liner, shape of liner, die plate size, die plate opening configuration, die plate opening size, material of the die plate, thickness of the die plate, die insert size, die insert shape, die insert thickness, die insert material, type of insert pins,
  • parameters e.g., die plate temperature,
  • the pressure of the material prior to and/or as the material is inserted through one or more die openings is detected in one or more of the die openings and/or regions about one or more for the die openings so as to at least partially control the rotation speed of the cutting blade arrangement on the cutting assembly.
  • the temperature of the material prior to and/or as the material is inserted through one or more die openings is detected in one or more of the die openings and/or regions about one or more for the die openings so as to at least partially control the rotation speed of the cutting blade arrangement on the cutting assembly.
  • the velocity of the material prior to and/or as the material is inserted through one or more die openings is detected in one or more of the die openings and/or regions about one or more for the die openings so as to at least partially control the rotation speed of the cutting blade arrangement on the cutting assembly.
  • the average cut product length of the extruded and cut material is actually detected and/or calculated from one or more of the die openings so as to at least partially control the rotation speed of the cutting blade arrangement on the cutting assembly.
  • the improved cutting assembly can include one or more adjustable parameters to adjust the length of the extruded material being cut so as to obtain a desired length of the cut material, calibrate the pressure so that the speed control for the cutting blade is properly adjusted based upon a particular detected pressure, and/or adjust the delay so as to delay the adjustment of the speed of the cutting blade to account for the time period in which the material travels into and through a die, etc.
  • the improved cutting assembly can include one or more detectors (camera, light sensor, radio frequency sensor, sound wave sensor, etc.) to monitor the length of the extruded material prior to, during, and/or after the cutting process.
  • This monitored information can be used to provide data on the quality of the material being cut, the percentage of the material being cut that is within an acceptable length, and/or to control the speed of the cutting blade to better obtain a desired cut length of the material.
  • the detection of the length of the cut material can be monitored at the location of the cutting blade and/or at some period after the material has been cut (e.g. when the cut material is being conveyed to a drying location, etc.).
  • a video monitor or other device can be used to monitor the material being cut and/or conveyed and a software program or other type of statistical device can be used to determine the length of the cut product and send such information to the controller to be used to adjust the speed of the blade based upon the determined length for the cut product and/or provide quality control data regarding the cut product.
  • a closed loop system could be used to further simplify the control system (e.g., reduce the number of control switches an operator uses) and/or facilitate in obtaining the desired product quality.
  • the improved cutting assembly can include various features used to deactivate the cutting blade especially when one or more dies are being replaced. It is not uncommon that the die plate, die insert, pin, auger blade, etc. has to be periodically services and/or replaced after a run. A run may be as short as a few minutes or as long as several days or months. When one or more components are removed and/or serviced, it is important not to inadvertently activate the cutting blades during such operation, wherein such operation could result in the damage to the blades.
  • the improved cutting assembly of the present invention can include one or more detectors, switches, etc.
  • the improved cutting assembly can be ergonomically designed so as to facilitate in the operation of the cutting assembly and/or to facilitate in the repair and maintenance of the cutting assembly.
  • the cutting assembly allows the operator to easily access various connectors, bolts, switches, etc. which are required for periodic operation and/or maintenance of the cutting assembly.
  • the need for special tools is reduced or eliminated and/or the operation and/or maintenance of the cutting assembly is simplified, thereby reducing the time and/or cost of maintenance and repair.
  • One non-limiting object of the present invention is the provision of a method and process for forming more uniform cut lengths of an extruded product.
  • Another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention is the provision of a method and process for a cutting assembly that can be used to improve the forming more uniform cut lengths of an extruded product.
  • Still another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention is the provision of a method and process for a cutting assembly that can vary the speed of the cutting blade based on or more detected parameters and/or set variables to improve the forming more uniform cut lengths of an extruded product.
  • Yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention is the provision of a method and process for a cutting assembly that includes a wiper blade assembly to inhibit or prevent plugging or clogging of one or more die openings.
  • Still yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention is the provision of a method and process for a cutting assembly that includes angular wiper blades to inhibit or prevent plugging or clogging of one or more die openings.
  • a further and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention is the provision of a method and process for a cutting assembly that includes unique shaped and angular cutting blades to improve the forming more uniform cut lengths of an extruded product.
  • Still a further and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention is the provision of a method and process for a cutting assembly that includes improved auger blade to improve the forming more uniform cut lengths of an extruded product.
  • FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of a cutting assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a wiper of the cutting assembly of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the wiper of FIGURE
  • FIGURE 7 is ' an end view of the wiper of FIGURE 5.
  • FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 6.
  • FIGURE 9 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of a wiper for use with the cutting assembly of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 10 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the wiper of
  • FIGURE 11 is an end view, opposite the end shown in FIGURE 9, of the wiper of
  • FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12- 12 of FIGURE 10.
  • FIGURE 13 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of a cutter head for use with the cutting assembly of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a cutter knife that connects to the cutter head of
  • FIGURE 15 is a front elevation view of the cutter knife of FIGURE 14.
  • FIGURE 16 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the cutter knife of
  • FIGURE 17 is a rear elevation view of the cutter knife of FIGURE 14.
  • FIGURE 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 in FIGURE 16.
  • FIGURE 19 is an elevation view of a non-limiting single continuous flight extruder feed screw that can be used in the present invention.
  • FIGURE 20 is an end view of an extruder feed screw of FIGURE 19.
  • FIGURE 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 of FIGURE 19.
  • FIGURE 22 is an elevation view of another non-limiting single continuous flight extruder feed screw that can be used in the present.
  • FIGURE 23 is an end view of an extruder feed of FIGURE 22.
  • FIGURE 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 41 -24 of FIGURE 22.
  • FIGURE 25 is an elevation view of a non-limiting two blade wiper blade that can be used in the present invention.
  • FIGURE 26 is a top plan view of a wiper blade shown in FIGURE 25.
  • FIGURE 27 is a side view of a wipe blade shown in FIGURE 25.
  • FIGURE 28 is an end view of a wiper blade shown in FIGURE 25.
  • FIGURE 29 is a bottom plan view of a wiper blade shown in FIGURE 25.
  • FIGURE 30 is an elevation view of another non-limiting two blade wiper blade that can be used in the present invention.
  • FIGURE 31 is a top plan view of the wiper blade shown in FIGURE 30.
  • FIGURE 32 is a side view of the wipe blade shown in FIGURE 30.
  • FIGURE 33 is an end view of the wiper blade shown in FIGURE 30.
  • FIGURE 34 is a bottom plan view of the wiper blade shown in FIGURE 30.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates one non-limiting configuration of an auger 12 moves material to be extruded toward a die plate 14 having a plurality of die openings 16 that receive dies 18.
  • the material will become an extruded product such as, but not limited to, a catalyst.
  • the present invention can be used for may types of products other than catalyst.
  • the auger 12 can be a standard auger such as a standard single flight configuration or a dual flight configuration. Auger 12 can have a unique single continuous single flight configuration such as, but not limited to, the augers illustrated in FIGURES 19-24.
  • the continuous single flight auger helps to reduce pressure variations as the material moves into the die openings
  • the auger 12 is housed in an auger housing 22 that defines a cylindrical opening 24 through which the material to be extruded travels.
  • the die plate 14, in the depicted embodiment is a circular plate having a plurality of die openings 16 formed through the plate. As can be appreciated, the die plate need not be circular.
  • the die openings 18 in the die plate depicted in the figures are shown in only one configuration for the sake of clarity only. The die openings 18 can take numerous configurations.
  • annular spacer 26 is attached to an end of the auger housing 22 and an annular die holder 28 attaches to the annular spacer 26 via fasteners 32.
  • the annular spacer 26 and the annular die holder 28 can house some of the components of the cutting assembly. These components will be described in more detail below.
  • a wiper 36 attaches to an upstream end face of the auger 12.
  • the wiper includes a plurality of wiper blades 38 that encourage the material to be extruded into the dies 18.
  • the wiper blades 38 reduce or eliminate space around the die openings 16. The aforementioned space can harbor material that can stagnate or accumulate around the die openings.
  • the wiper blades 38 can also reduce pressure variations of the material to be extruded as it enters into the dies, as compared to systems that do not employ such a wiper.
  • the wiper 36 has a generally frustoconical body 40 that is concentric about a rotational axis 42.
  • each wiper blade 38 extends radially outward from an upstream end of the body 40.
  • each wiper blade 38 includes an inclined leading edge 44 and a trailing edge 46, the edges being defined by the direction that the wiper rotates.
  • the leading edge 44 is inclined to encourage the movement of material into the die 18.
  • Each wiper blade 38 also includes an outer axial edge 48 that contacts or is positioned closely adjacent an upstream face of the die plate 14.
  • the outer axial edge 48 in the depicted embodiment, is also at least generally parallel to the upstream face of the die plate 14. This configuration reduces the likelihood that a material clogging the dies 18 because the wiper blades 38 remove any hardened material from around the die openings 16.
  • the shape of the wiper blades facilitates the moving of the material to be extruded into the die openings and/or helps to reduce pressure variations as the material moves into the die openings.
  • FIGURES 25-34 Non-limiting examples of other wiper blade shapes that can be used in the present invention are illustrated in FIGURES 25-34.
  • FIGURE 25-34 only illustrate a two blade wiper blade system, the configuration of these two blades can be used on a wiper arrangement having more than two blades.
  • the wiper blades are typically spaced at equal distances apart from one another; however, this is not required.
  • the wiper blades included angled faces that facilitate in the movement of the material to be extruded into the die openings.
  • the wiper 36 attaches to an end face of the auger 12.
  • the wiper 36 includes a slightly bowl-shaped downstream surface 52 and a central opening 54 beginning in the downstream surface 52 for receiving a fastener 56 (FIGURE 1).
  • the fastener 56 is countersunk into the body 40 of the wiper 36 to sit flush with the downstream face 52:
  • the wiper 36 also includes a front drive block opening 58 aligned along the central axis 42.
  • the drive block opening is polygonal in cross section, which in this embodiment is substantially square.
  • the drive block opening 58 receives a drive block 62 (FIGURE 1 ) that is also received in a corresponding opening provided in the auger 12.
  • the drive block 62 includes a threaded central opening for receiving the fastener 56, and the auger 12 also includes a corresponding threaded opening for receiving the fastener 56.
  • the fastener 56 connects the wiper 36 to the auger 12 and the drive block 62 allows for the rotation of the wiper 36 as the auger 12 rotates.
  • the wiper can be attached to the auger in other arrangements.
  • an upstream face 64 of the wiper 36 includes a plurality of fastener openings 66 that receive fasteners to attach a wiper spacer 68 (FIGURE 1) to the wiper for spacing the wiper from the end face of the auger 12.
  • the wiper spacer 68 is in the form of an annular ring; however, the wiper spacer can comprise a plurality of components, such as a plurality of blocks. As can be appreciated, other connection arrangements can be used.
  • Different sized wipers can be used with the improved cutting assembly. Different sized wipers may be desirable where different die plate and/or die openings are used. It may be desirable to have a certain shaped wiper be used in conjunction with a certain die plate and/or certain die inserts. As seen in FIGURE 2, the number of wiper blades 38 is equal the number of die openings 16; however, this is not required. In the embodiment depicted in FIGURE 2, each wiper blade 38 extends from a peripheral edge of the body of the wiper 36 a distance that is nearly, the same as and/or slightly greater that the diameter of each die opening 16. In one non-limiting design, the wiper blade is at least 80% as large as the cross-sectional area of the die opening.
  • the wiper blade is at least 100% as large as the cross- sectional area of the die opening.
  • the wiper blades are also arrangement to be in contact with the inner face of the die plate or be closely oriented to the die plate. Typically the edge of the wiper blade that is closest to the die plate is no more than about 0.25 inch from the die plate.
  • a wiper 36' includes a plurality of wiper blades 38' radially extending- from a periphery of a substantially frustoconical body 40'.
  • the wiper blades 38' extend a greater radial distance from the periphery of the wiper body as compared to the wiper blades shown in the embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 5-8.
  • the wiper blades 38' extend a distance from the peripheral edge of the body 40' a distance greater than the diameter of the die openings 16 shown in FIGURE 2.
  • each wiper blade 38' includes a leading surface 44' and a trailing surface 46'.
  • each wiper blade 38' also includes an axial end surface 48' that contacts or is positioned closely adjacent to the die plate 14.
  • the wiper 36' also includes a bowl-shaped downstream surface 52',
  • the wiper 36' also includes a fastener opening 54' beginning in the downstream face 52 1 and the drive block opening 58' extending from a front face 64'.
  • Fastener openings 66' extend into the body from the front face 64' to attach a wiper spacer, such as wiper spacer 68 in FIGURE 1 , to the wiper 36'.
  • the wiper can take many configurations other than those described above.
  • a rotating cutter head 80 having a plurality of cutter blades or knives 82 cuts the extruded material into cut products P.
  • the cut products P can take a number of different shapes dependent upon die 18 used to form the cut product.
  • the length of the cut product is controlled by way of the systems that will be described below.
  • the cutter head 80 is rotated by a motor 84.
  • the motor 84 receives power from a power source (not shown).
  • An output shaft 86 extends from the motor 84.
  • a shaft coupling 88 connects the output shaft 86 of the motor 84 to a drive shaft 92.
  • the wiper 80 includes a central opening 94 for receiving the drive shaft 92; however, other arrangements can be used.
  • the drive shaft 92 extends through a bearing plate 96 having bearings 98 and 102 disposed therein.
  • the drive shaft 92 can also include a forward threaded section 104 that nuts 106 can threadingly engage to control the location of the cutter head 80 with respect to the die plate 14.
  • the cutter head 80 can also include radial openings 108 (only one is shown in FIGURE 13) for receiving fasteners 112 (FIGURE 1) for securing the cutter head 80 to the drive shaft 92.
  • the cutter head can be connected to the drive shaft. in other ways.
  • a plurality of cutter blades or knives 82 connect to and radially extend from an upstream face 120 of the cutter head 80.
  • each cutter knife 82 includes a lower body portion 122 and a blade 124 extending from the lower body portion.
  • the lower body portion 122 is received in appropriately shaped recesses 126, which in the depicted embodiment are rectangular, formed in the body of the cutter head 80 at the upstream face 120.
  • Each lower body portion 122 also includes fastener openings 128 that receive fasteners 132 (FIGURE 1) to attach each cutter knife 82 to the cutter head 80.
  • the cutter knife 82 can be replaced from the cutter head 80 by removing the fasteners 132 (FIGURE 1) that attach the cutter knife 82 to the cutter head 80.
  • the cutter knifes can be connected to the cutter head by other arrangements.
  • the cutter head 80 and the cutter knifes 82 can be formed as an integral unit.
  • the blade 124 includes a sharpened or primary cutting edge 134 that lies in the same plane as the upstream face 120 of the cutter head 80, or slightly in front of the upstream face of the cutter head.
  • the primary cutting edge is used as the principal cutting surface of the blade.
  • the slope angle of the primary cutting edge is used to effectively cut the extruded product. Typically the slope of the primary cutting edge is about 25-35°.
  • the blade also can a rake surface next to the primary cutting edge, not shown, that has a rake angle.
  • the rake surface is positioned on the same side of the one or more cutting blades as the primary cutting surface. Typically, the primary cutting edge transitions into the rake surface; however, this is not require.
  • the rake angle is less than the slope angle of the primary cutting surface.
  • the rake angle is used in part to create a trajectory of the material after it has been cut by the primary edge. This trajectory of the material is used to more the material off of the cutting blade and/or to through the cut material to a desired location. Typically the rake angle is about 15-25°.
  • the blade can also include a clearance surface that has a clearance angle. The clearance surface is positioned on the opposite side of the one or more cutting blades as the primary cutting edge, and the rake surface when used. The clearance surface is designed to facilitate in enable the cutting blade to clear the continuously extruded product. Once the primary cutting edge has cut a portion of the extruded product, more extruded product moves out from the die plate openings.
  • the clearance angle on the blade is selected so as to enable the back side of the blade to easily move past the front end of the extrude product and thereby facilitate in the proper operation of the rotating cutter head and proper and consistent rotation speeds of the rotating cutter head.
  • the slope angle of the clearance surface is about 8-15°.
  • the blade 124 is positioned closely adjacent an outlet end of the die 18 so as to cut the cut product P to the desired length.
  • the primary cutting edge is less than about 0.5 inch form the face of the die plate. The rate at which material to be extruded enters the die 18 and the rotational velocity of the cutter head 80 controls the length of the cut product P.
  • a plurality of pressure transducers 150 can be supplied into the radial openings 152; however, this is not required. Plugs 154 can be inserted into radial openings 152 where no pressure measurements are being made.
  • the pressure transducers 150 can communicate with a controller 156, which communicates with the motor 84 and/or auger motor 158. If it is detected that the pressure has decreased, the speed at which the motor 84 rotates the cutter head 80 can be accordingly decreased. If it is found that the pressure of the material has increased, the speed at which the motor 84 rotates the cutter head 80 can be accordingly increased. Furthermore, if it is found that the pressure is constant, the speed at which the motor 84 rotates the cutter head 80 can be maintained constant.
  • the control of the cutter head 80 can be controlled as a function of the pressure detected upstream of the dies 18 through the controller 156. It may be desirable to also control the rate at which the auger 12 rotates as a function of the pressure upstream from the dies 18. This can be accomplished by allowing the controller 156 to communicate with a motor 158 that drives the auger 12. It also may desirable to control the rate at which the cutter head 80 rotates as a function of the rate at which the auger 12 rotates. This can also be accomplished by the controller 156. [0081] • The rotational speed of the output shaft 86 of the motor 84 can be determined using a sensor 160 such as, but not limited to, a digital encoder available from US Digital Corporation. The sensor 160 communicates with the controller 156 which communicates with the motor 84. Accordingly, rotational speed of the output shaft 86, which is connected to the drive shaft 92, can be controlled.
  • a sensor 170 can also be supplied to check the length of the cut product P.
  • the sensor can be in the form of a camera, or the like, that can detect the dimensions of the cut product P.
  • the sensor 170 communicates with the controller 156.
  • the sensor 170 can send a signal to the controller 156 in response to the detected dimensions of the cut product P. Accordingly, the rotational speed of the cutter head 80 can be adjusted in response to the detected dimensions of the cut product P.
  • a switch 180 can be provided to communicate with the controller 156.
  • the assembly is typically disassembled.
  • the die holder 28 and the bearing plate 96 attach to a trolley plate 182.
  • the trolley plate 182 connects to a trolley assembly for moving the cutting assembly.
  • a plurality of fasteners 184 connect the die holder 28 to the trolley plate 182.
  • a plurality of fasteners 186 also attach the bearing plate 96 to the trolley plate 182.
  • the switch 180 includes a button 190 that contacts a dowel 192 disposed in a dowel opening 194 formed in the die holder 28.
  • the dowel opening 194 runs parallel to the central axis of the die holder 28, which is aligned with the drive shaft 92.
  • a radial bore 196 extends from a periphery of the die holder 28 into the dowel opening 194.
  • the radial opening 196 receives a fastener 198 which can be received in a notch 202 formed in the dowel 192.
  • Removal of the die holder 28 results in the button 190 extending outward from the switch 180, which sends a signal to the controller 156 to cut power to the motor 84.
  • the positioning of the button 190 can be adjusted by adjusting the dowel 192 by loosening the fastener 198 in the notch 202 and adjusting the dowel accordingly.
  • Another sensor 210 can be added to the fastener 32 that connects the die holder 28 to the spacer 26 and the auger housing 22.
  • the sensor 210 can be a load cell-type sensor that is trapped between the die holder 28 and a nut 212.
  • the sensor 210 can detect forces from the die holder 28 and send a signal to the controller 156 to control power delivery the motor 84.
  • the cutting assembly can also include a mode control 220.
  • the mode control 220 is in communication with the controller 156.
  • One mode can be a manual mode wherein the speed of the cutter head 80 is set and maintained at a substantially constant speed throughout an extrusion.process.
  • the improved cutting assembly can also include an automatic mode wherein the speed of the cutter head 80 is adjusted based upon the detected pressure of the material prior to and/or as it is being extruded through the die, the detected velocity of the material prior to, during, and/or after being extruded through the die, and/or detecting the actual and/or calculated length of the cut material.
  • the improved cutting assembly can include one or more measured and/or adjustable parameters to adjust the length of the extruded material being cut so as to obtain a desired length of the cut material, calibrate the pressure so that the speed control for the cutter head 80 is properly adjusted based upon a particular pressure, adjust the delay so as to delay the adjustment of the speed of the cutter head 80 to account for the time period in which the material travels into and through a die, etc.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Extrusion Of Metal (AREA)
  • Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un ensemble coupant destiné à couper une matière extrudée d'une filière. Il comprend une raclette conçue pour se raccorder à une vis sans fin ou à un autre dispositif d'avancement de la matière, une platine porte filière venant contre la raclette, un couteau en aval de la platine, et un régulateur de vitesse de coupe du couteau.
PCT/US2006/005731 2005-02-18 2006-02-17 Ensemble coupant a modulateur de largeur d'impulsion Ceased WO2006089158A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/062,220 US20060121142A1 (en) 2004-02-27 2005-02-18 Pulse wave modulator cutting assembly
US11/062,220 2005-02-18
US29/242,613 USD550259S1 (en) 2005-11-10 2005-11-10 Wiper blade
US29/242,613 2005-11-10
US29242779 2005-11-15
US29/242,779 2005-11-15
US29/242,881 2005-11-15
US29242881 2005-11-15

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Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006089158A2 true WO2006089158A2 (fr) 2006-08-24
WO2006089158A3 WO2006089158A3 (fr) 2007-01-18

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JP2989122B2 (ja) * 1995-06-13 1999-12-13 株式会社日本製鋼所 合成樹脂の押出造粒方法およびその装置

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8186991B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2012-05-29 Jmp Industries, Inc. Extruder system and cutting assembly
JP2025010374A (ja) * 2020-12-24 2025-01-20 株式会社日本製鋼所 造粒方法
JP7707401B2 (ja) 2020-12-24 2025-07-14 株式会社日本製鋼所 造粒方法

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