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US 6,861,615 B2Granted
Method and system for cutting cores with a laser
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsSteven J. Wojcik, Nathan C. Harris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for cutting cores used to wind up web materials or as a base structure for containers and other devices is provided. The system uses a core guidance tube in one aspect to position a continuously forming core while a laser beam is directed at the core to cut the core into desired lengths. A method for using the system is further provided.
Claims32
A system for cutting a rolled product core comprising:
- a laser configured for generating a laser beam;
- a core guidance tube configured for receiving a rotating core moving at a translational speed in a machine direction from an upstream core winder, the core guidance tube further configured for exposing a portion of the rotating core to the laser beam;
- a laser beam delivery system configured to direct the laser beam in a direction of the portion of the rotating core;
- and
- a linear motion system configured to move the laser beam delivery system in the machine direction such that the rotating core is axially stationary to the laser beam delivery system as the laser beam is directed at the portion of the rotating core, the linear motor and the laser beam delivery system cooperable to cross-cut the rotating core transverse to the machine direction with the laser beam.
2 more elements
A system for cutting a core comprising:
- a laser configured for generating a laser beam;
- and
- a laser beam delivery system configured to direct the laser beam in a direction of a rotating core moving in a machine direction at a translational speed, the laser beam delivery system further configured to match the translational speed such that the rotating core is axially stationary relative to the laser beam delivery system, the laser beam configured to cross-cut the rotating core transverse to the machine direction such that the rotating core is severed by the laser beam.
A method of cutting a core comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a continuously forming and rotating core from an upstream core winder, the rotating core moving in a machine direction at a translational speed;
- b) generating a laser beam;
- c) receiving the laser beam in a laser beam delivery system proximate the rotating core;
- d) moving the laser beam delivery system in the machine direction at the translational speed such that the rotating core is axially stationary relative to the laser beam delivery system;
- and
- e) directing the laser beam at the rotating core with the laser beam delivery system such that the rotating core is circumferentially severed by the laser beam.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.