JP-7857301-B2 - Crafting device

JP7857301B2JP 7857301 B2JP7857301 B2JP 7857301B2JP-7857301-B2

Inventors

クリステンセン，ジョンバラス
リンチ，ジェイムズ
スティーブンソン，ノーマン
ビールマイアー，ブライアンフレッド
サットン，ドナルドクリストファー
ダルトン，ジョンダグラス
ノウブル，ライアンベイツ
ジョンソン，カイルケネス
ストップ，グレイソン
フィルール，ベイデン
スタルスバーグ，カート

Assignees

クリカット，インコーポレイテッド

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220127
Priority Date: 20210127

Claims (20)

In the crafting device (10), A working section (22) having a lower surface (32) and an upper surface (34), wherein the upper surface (34) defines a working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z), A base portion (20) having a lower surface (24) and an upper surface (26), wherein the lower surface (24) defines a non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ), the lower surface (32) of the work portion (22) is positioned adjacent to the upper surface (26) of the base portion (20), and the upper surface (34) of the work portion (22) extends at a predetermined angle (θ 22) relative to the lower surface (24) of the base portion ( 20 ) such that the working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X - Y - Z) is angularly offset from the non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ), The device includes an intermediate drive roller (84) for imparting motion to the workpiece (W) in the Y direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) during the work, so as to cross the upper surface (34). The X -S axis of the non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ) and the X axis of the working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X - Y - Z) coincide with each other, and the Z -S axis of the non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ) is rotated by the predetermined angle (θ 22 ) with the X axis as the center of rotation. The X and Y axes of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) in the aforementioned work area are parallel to the horizontal and depth directions of the work section (22), respectively. The crafting apparatus (10) has a non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ) where the X S axis and Y S axis are parallel to the horizontal and depth directions of the base portion (20), respectively.
In the crafting apparatus (10) described in claim 1, The aforementioned work unit (22) Rail (18) and A carriage (16) is movably positioned on the rail (18) in the X direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) used for the work, A crafting apparatus (10) comprising a printing device (12) and a cutting device (14), one or both of which are detachably fixed to the carriage (16) for performing work on a workpiece (W) in the Z direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) of the work.
A crafting apparatus (10) according to claim 1, A crafting device (10) further comprising a pair of pinch roller mechanisms (50).
In the crafting apparatus (10) described in claim 1, The predetermined angle (θ 22 ) is between 0 and 90 degrees, in the crafting device (10).
In the crafting apparatus (10) described in claim 4, One or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) and A craft apparatus (10) further comprising a vacuum source (95) configured to draw air (238) into one or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) in order to create a pressure difference (240) that pushes the lower surface ( WB ) of the workpiece (W) toward the upper surface (34) when the vacuum source (95) is activated.
A crafting apparatus (10) according to claim 1, A crafting apparatus (10) further comprising one or more workpiece support arms ( 100D , 100U ) connected to the work section (22), wherein the one or more workpiece support arms ( 100D , 100U ) are configured to be positioned in either a storage position or a deployment position relative to the work section (22).
A crafting apparatus (10) according to claim 6, A craft device (10) further comprising a safe-detach coupling that allows for the selective disconnection of one or more workpiece support arms ( 100D , 100U ) from the work section (22).
A method for using a crafting apparatus (10) to perform work on a workpiece (W), wherein the crafting apparatus (10) includes a work surface (34) of a work section (22) defined by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface, which is angularly offset at a predetermined angle (θ 22) from the lower surface (24) of a base section ( 20 ) defined by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ) on the non-work surface, in a method (200, 300) for using a crafting apparatus (10), The steps include: positioning the actuator (52) of the craft device (10) in a first position (202, 302), The process involves configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the crafting apparatus (10), which are connected to the actuator (52), in a first arrangement (204-212, 304-312), The steps (214-224, 314-316, 326) include positioning the workpiece (W) on the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34) at least in close proximity to one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94), The process of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position (226, 328) to fix the workpiece (W) against gravity (G) to the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34), and to configure the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) in a second arrangement (228-240, 330-342) to fix the workpiece (W) in a first direction (Y, Y') of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface (34), and the process of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position (226, 328), The steps (242, 344) involve activating one or more working components (12, 14, 16, 18) of the crafting apparatus (10) in order to perform work (244, 346) on the workpiece (W), The process of configuring the vacuum source (95) to be activated (236) to draw air into one or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) (238) and create a pressure difference to push the lower surface ( WB ) of the workpiece (W) toward the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34) (240) , wherein the process of configuring the vacuum source (95) to be activated (236) is included in the process of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position (226, 328) , Method (200, 300), wherein the XS axis of the non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ) and the X axis of the working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X - Y - Z) coincide with each other, and the ZS axis of the non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X S - Y S - Z S ) is rotated by the predetermined angle (θ 22 ) with the X axis as the center of rotation.
In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising the steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the crafting apparatus (10), including the step (204, 304) of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers (86) into a deployment position.
In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising the steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the crafting apparatus (10), including the steps (204-212, 304-312) of positioning the components of a cam actuator (48) connected to a pinch roller arm (46) to a first position (206, 306), and positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) away from the active drive roller (60) (208, 308), of positioning the components of the cam actuator (48) to a first position (206, 306).
In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising the steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the craft apparatus (10), including the step (210, 310) of configuring a vacuum source (95) in an inactive state.
In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising the steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the craft apparatus (10), including the step (212, 312) of positioning one or more workpiece guides (92a, 92b, 92c) in deployment positions.
In the method according to claim 8 (200), The step (214-224, 314-326) of positioning the workpiece (W) on the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34) at least in close proximity to the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) is: A step (214) of unwinding a portion of the workpiece (W) from the roll (W R ) of the workpiece material, A method (200) comprising the steps (216-224) of positioning the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece (W) unwound from the roll (W R ) of the workpiece material on the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34) at least in close proximity to the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94).
In the method (200) of claim 13, The step of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position (226, 328) to fix the workpiece (W) against gravity (G) to the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34), and to configure the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) in the second arrangement (228-240, 330-342) to fix the workpiece (W) in the first direction (Y, Y') of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface (34) in a movable manner (228-240, 330-342), is as follows: A step (228) of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers (86) to the retracted position, A method (200) comprising the steps of: positioning the components of a cam actuator (48) connected to a pinch roller arm (46) in a second position (230); positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) toward the active drive roller (60) (232); and applying a clamping force to the workpiece (W) (234); and positioning the components of the cam actuator (48) in a second position (230).
In the method according to claim 14 (200), When it is determined that the work (244) performed on the workpiece (W) is complete (246), the method (200) The actuator (52) is moved back from the second position to the first position (248), and the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) are configured to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement (250-256), the step of moving the actuator (52) back from the second position to the first position (248), A method (200) further comprising the step (256) of releasing the workpiece (W) from the work surface (34).
In the method (200) of claim 15, The step (250-256) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement is, The process of returning the components of the cam actuator (48) connected to the pinch roller arm (46) to the first position (250), positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) away from the active drive roller (60) to remove the clamping force from the workpiece (W) (252), and returning the components of the cam actuator (48) to the first position (250), Step (254) to configure the vacuum source (95) to be inactive in order to stop the pressure difference so as not to push the lower surface ( WB ) of the workpiece (W) toward the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34), A method (200) comprising the step (256) of separating the workpiece (W) that has been unwound from the roll (W R ) of the workpiece material.
In the method according to claim 8 (300), The step (314-316, 326) of positioning the workpiece (W) on the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34) at least in close proximity to the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) is: A step (314) to obtain the workpiece (W) defined by a pre-configured shape (W L , W W ) that does not originate from the roll (W R ) of the workpiece material, Steps (316-324) include positioning the leading edge of the workpiece (W) having a pre-configured shape ( WL , WW ) that does not originate from the roll (W R ) of the workpiece material, on the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34) at least in close proximity to one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94), A method (300) comprising the step (326) of positioning one or more support arms ( 100U , 100D ) of the crafting apparatus (10) in a deployment position, thereby aligning the one or more support arms ( 100U , 100D ) with the angularly offset ( θ 22 ) work surface (34) to support the workpiece ( W ).
In the method (300) of claim 17, The step of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position (328) to fix the workpiece (W) against gravity (G) to the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34) and to configure the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) in the second arrangement (330-342) to fix the workpiece (W) movably in the first direction (Y, Y') of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface (34) (330-342) is as follows: A step (330) of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers (86) to the retracted position, The process involves arranging the components of the cam actuator (48) connected to the pinch roller arm (46) in a second position (332), positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) toward the active drive roller (60) (334), and applying a clamping force to the workpiece (W) (336), and arranging the components of the cam actuator (48) in a second position (332), A method (300) comprising the step (338) of configuring the vacuum source (95) to be activated (338) to draw air into one or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) (340) to create a pressure difference for pushing the lower surface ( WB ) of the workpiece (W) toward the angularly offset ( θ22 ) work surface (34) (342).
In the method (300) according to claim 18, When it is determined (350) that the work (346) being performed on the workpiece (W) has been completed, the method (300) The actuator (52) is moved back from the second position to the first position (352), and the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) are configured to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement (354-358), the step of moving the actuator (52) back from the second position to the first position (352), A method (300) further comprising the step (360) of releasing the workpiece (W) from the work surface (34).
In the method (200) of claim 19, The step (354-358) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement is: The process of returning the components of the cam actuator (48) connected to the pinch roller arm (46) to the first position (354), positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) away from the active drive roller (60), and removing the clamping force from the workpiece (W) (356), and the process of returning the components of the cam actuator (48) to the first position (354), Step (358) to configure the vacuum source (95) to be inactive in order to stop the pressure difference so as not to push the lower surface ( WB ) of the workpiece (W) toward the angularly offset (θ 22 ) work surface (34), A method (200) comprising the step (360) of discharging the workpiece (W) from the work surface (34).

Description

(Cross-reference of related applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/142,488, filed on 27 January 2021, under 35 United States Code, Section 119(e), and the disclosures thereof are deemed to be part of the disclosures of this application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This disclosure broadly relates to an electronic cutting system and its method of use. In particular, this disclosure relates to a crafting apparatus and a method for operating the apparatus. This section provides background information related to this disclosure and is not necessarily prior art. While conventional craft devices have proven to meet the requirements for various applications, there is room for improvement in their overall performance and cost. Therefore, there is a need to develop improved craft devices that advance the arts. U.S. Patent Application No. 63/142,488 One aspect of this disclosure provides a crafting apparatus or apparatus for crafts. The crafting apparatus comprises a working section and a base section. The working section includes a lower surface and an upper surface. The upper surface defines a working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The base section includes a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface defines a non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The lower surface of the working section is positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the base section. The upper surface of the working section extends at an angle to the lower surface of the base section such that the working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is angularly offset (positioned) from the non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The embodiments of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the work unit includes rails, a carriage, and one or both of a printing device and a cutting device. The carriage is movably positioned on the rails in the X direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of the work. One or both of the printing device and the cutting device are detachably fixed to the carriage to perform work on the workpiece in the Z direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of the work. In some embodiments, the crafting apparatus further includes a pair of pinch roller mechanisms and an intermediate drive roller. The intermediate drive roller imparts motion to the workpiece in the Y-direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of the work surface. In some implementations, the angle at which the working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is offset from the non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is between 0 and 90 degrees. In other implementations, the angle at which the working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is offset from the non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is approximately 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the crafting apparatus includes one or more workpiece support arms. One or more workpiece support arms are connected to the work section. One or more workpiece support arms are configured to be positioned in either a stowed position or a deployed position relative to the work section. In yet another embodiment, the crafting apparatus includes a safety release coupling. The safety release coupling allows for the selective disconnection of one or more workpiece support arms from the work section. Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for using a crafting apparatus to perform work on a workpiece. The crafting apparatus includes a working surface of a working section defined by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system on the working surface, which is angularly offset from the lower surface of a base section defined by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system on the non-working surface. The method includes the steps of positioning an actuator of the crafting apparatus in a first position and configuring one or more workpiece handling components of the crafting apparatus in the first position. One or more workpiece handling components are connected to the actuator. The method further includes the steps of: positioning a workpiece on an angularly offset work surface in at least close proximity to one or more workpiece handling components; moving an actuator from a first position to a second position to fix the workpiece against gravity on the angularly offset work surface and configuring one or more workpiece handling components in a second arrangement so as to fix the workpiece movably in a first direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system relative to the work surface; and operating one or more working components of the crafting apparatus to perform work on the workpiece. This embodiment may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the step of configuring one or more workpiece handling components of the craf