US 5,699,707 AGranted

High speed sheet material cutter and method of using same

AssigneeAutomated Solutions, LLC

InventorRobert L. Campbell, Jr.

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A machine and method of using same for cutting soft sheet material, such as textile fabric, which includes a cutting table having a support surface with openings distributed thereover. An endless conveyor of relatively high air permeability overlays and is movable relative to the support surface for moving sheet material. An endless micro-porous support belt having a relatively low air permeability overlays the conveyor for corresponding movement therewith. A vacuum source is connected to the cutting table and cooperates with the micro-porous support belt to retain the sheet material thereon in a relatively fixed position during transporting and cutting thereof and to retain the micro-porous support belt in engagement with the conveyor for uniform movement therewith. A cutting tool is supported on a cutting table for cutting the sheet material. The cutting tool has a washer positioned adjacent the cutting wheel to limit the penetration of the cutting wheel in the micro-porous support belt. An indexing device is provided to cooperate with the cutting tool for locating the position of the sheet material prior to cutting thereof.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A machine for cutting soft sheet material such as textile fabric comprising:

a cutting table having a support surface containing a plurality of openings distributed thereover;
a vacuum source connected to said cutting table and in communication with the openings in said cutting table;
an endless conveyor having a predetermined air permeability overlaying and movable relative to said support surface for moving the sheet material;
a cutting tool supported on said cutting table above said endless conveyor, said cutting tool having a downwardly directed sharp edge for engagement with the sheet material;
and
an endless support belt overlying said conveyor for supporting the sheet material below said cutting tool, said support belt having a predetermined air permeability lower than the air permeability of said conveyor for being retained on said conveyor for movement therewith and for retaining the sheet material in a relatively fixed position on said support belt during transporting and cutting of the sheet material, said support belt further having a tough engagement surface against which the sharp edge of said cutting tool is engaged without causing substantial downward deformation of said support belt so that the sheet material is cut by the sharp edge of said cutting tool.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.