Device for processing or generating break lines in flat products

Abstract

In a device for processing flat products using a processing tool which processes the product between the tool and a counter-tool, the processing tool is supported by an ultrasonic sonotrode. The processing tool performs a processing movement together with an ultrasonic sonotrode, wherein the processing movement results in a partial separation of the flat product.

Claims

1. A method for processing or producing break lines in a flat product, comprising: providing a sonotrode, a processing tool, and a counter tool; supporting the processing tool by the sonotrode so that the processing tool together with the sonotrode performs an ultrasonic processing movement and arranging the sonotrode with the processing tool supported by it in opposition to the counter tool, with the processing tool and the sonotrode positioned on one side of the product and the counter tool positioned on an opposite side of the product; moving the counter tool vertically in a reciprocating movement toward a region of the flat product so that the vertical reciprocating movement of the counter tool is superimposed on the ultrasonic processing movement of the processing tool and subjecting the region to an oscillating movement by the sonotrode in a direction which is parallel to the processing movement of the processing tool thereby embrittling the flat product in the region and allowing the flat product to be severed in the region.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of perforating or kiss-cutting the flat product.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the oscillating movement of the sonotrode has a stroke of 5 m to 20 m.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing tool has a cutting edge with spaced-apart cutting sections configured to cut the flat product in sections, with lands remaining between separation locations and producing a perforating cut.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing tool has a continuous cutting edge, and reduces a height of the flat product.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which a particularly preferred embodiment is described in detail with reference to the drawing. Here, the features shown in the drawing and mentioned in the description and in the claims can each be essential for the invention either severally or in any combination.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a separating device in the open state,

(4) FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the separating device in the closed state (shear cut);

(5) FIG. 3 shows an embodiment according to a first variant of a processing cut in a plan view;

(6) FIG. 4 shows the embodiment FIG. 3 in a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment according to a second variant of the processing cut; and

(8) FIG. 6 shows the embodiment FIG. 5 in a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) The longitudinal section illustrated in the drawing shows a processing device, generally designated with 10, with a counter tool 12 (die), which is attached on a tool holder 14 and which can be moved vertically by a carriage 16. A processing tool 18, which is surrounded by a hold-down device 20 and has at the bottom side a cutting edge 24, is located opposite the counter tool 12. The processing tool 18 is supported by an ultrasonic sonotrode 22. The cutting edge 24 has spaced-apart cutting sections which can be used to produce a perforation cut. The dimensions of the cutting portions 30 (FIG. 3) are selected such that the cutting portions can move into the cutting contour 26 disposed in the counter tool 12 with a gap distance of a few 1/100 mm, as shown in FIG. 2. Here, the reciprocating movement of the carriage 16 is here superimposed on the ultrasonic movement of the processing tool 18. The material of the product 32 to be processed is thereby softened, thus substantially aiding with the cutting process. In addition, the cutting edges are rounded. lands 28 remain between the cutting sections on product 32 to be processed.

(10) The processing tool 18 may also have a continuous cutting edge 24, with which the flat product 32, however, is separated only over a portion of the thickness. In both variants, the flat product 32 is embrittled 34 in the processing region, so that the processing region can then be easily broken apart by deformation.

(11) The counter tool 12 may also be constructed with a closed surface, so that the processing tool 18 performs a crush cut (FIG. 4). Here, the closing movement of the carriage 16 ends before the counter tool 12 contacts the processing tool 18.