Automated nonuniform enclosure cutting tool
Embodiments are directed to an automated cutting tool that is configured to cut open nonuniform enclosures, such as cases containing electronic components. An example system comprises a multi-speed motor that is coupled to a cradle. The multi-speed motor rotates the cradle at a selected speed, and the cradle adapted to hold a case. A cutting head is positioned adjacent to the cradle and is configured to maintain contact with the case during rotation of the multi-speed motor. The multi-speed motor is configured to operate at a first speed when first segments of the case are in contact with the cutting head and to operate at a second speed when second segments of the case are in contact with the cutting head.
1. A system, comprising:
a multi-speed motor coupled to a cradle, wherein the multi-speed motor rotates the cradle at a selected speed, the cradle adapted to hold a case;
a cutting head positioned adjacent to the cradle and configured to maintain contact with the case during rotation of the multi-speed motor, wherein the multi-speed motor is configured to operate at a first speed when first segments of the case are in contact with the cutting head and to operate at a second speed when second segments of the case are in contact with the cutting head;
a trolley slidably mounted on a rail, the cutting head attached to the trolley and configured to move toward or away from the cradle;
a spring element coupled to the trolley, the spring element configured to apply a spring force on the trolley to move the trolley toward the cradle; and
a flexible link coupled between a pulley and the trolley, the flexible link configured to overcome the spring force when the pulley is rotated in a first direction, the flexible link configured to allow the spring force to move the trolley when the pulley is rotated in a second direction.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a servo motor coupled to the pulley, the servo motor configured to rotate the pulley in the first or second direction in response to signals from a controller.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rotary motor;
a flexible extension coupled between the rotary motor and the cutting head and configured to transfer torque from the rotary motor to the cutting head.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the flexible extension allows the cutting head to move toward or away from the cradle while the rotary motor maintains a fixed position.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a guard coupled to the cutting head, the guard configured to limit a cutting depth allowed when the cutting head contacts the case.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-speed motor is a stepper motor that is configured to rotate at the first speed while rotating through a first range of angles of rotation and to rotate at the second speed while rotating through a second range of angles of rotation.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller configured to control the speed of a multi-speed motor based upon a current angular position of the multi-speed motor.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the controller comprises:
a processor; and
a memory for storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to:
command the multi-speed motor to rotate at the first speed when the current angular position corresponds to the first segments of the case; and
command the multi-speed motor to rotate at the second speed when the current angular position corresponds to the second segments of the case, wherein the first speed is faster than the second speed.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first segments correspond to one or more sides of the case, and the second segments correspond to one or more corners of the case.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second segments correspond to sections of the case that are thicker than the first segments of the case.
11. A method, comprising:
commanding a multi-speed motor to rotate a device at a first speed when a current angular position corresponds to first segments of the device;
commanding the multi-speed motor to rotate at a second speed when the current angular position corresponds to a second segments of the device, wherein the first speed is faster than the second speed;
cutting a sidewall of the device using a rotary blade while the device is rotating at the first or second speed; and
selectively applying one of:
a positioning force to the rotary blade, wherein the positioning force is configured to move the rotary blade toward the sidewall of the device; and
a retraction force to the rotary blade, wherein the retraction force is greater than the positioning force and is configured to move the rotary blade away from the sidewall of the device.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
driving the rotary blade at a first cutting speed when the current angular position corresponds to the first segments of the device; and
driving the rotary blade at a second cutting speed when the current angular position corresponds to the second segments of the device.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first segments correspond to one or more sides of the device, and the second segments correspond to one or more corners of the device.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second segments correspond to sidewalls of the device that are thicker than the first segments of the case.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the multi-speed motor is a stepper motor.