Patent Publication Number: US-2022234238-A1

Title: Cutting device and holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-012271, filed Jan. 28, 2021. The disclosure of the foregoing application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a cutting device that cuts an object to be cut using a cutting blade, and to a holder that holds the cutting blade. 
     A cutting device is known that cuts a pattern from an object to be cut by moving the object to be cut and a cutting blade relative to each other. The cutting device includes a carriage capable of moving in the left-right direction with respect to the object to be cut. A cutter holder, an up-down drive mechanism, and a compression coil spring are provided on the carriage. When cutting the object to be cut using the cutting device, the cutter holder is moved downward by the up-down drive mechanism, and a blade tip of a cutter held by the cutter holder comes into contact with the object to be cut. As a result of the cutter holder moving further downward, the compression coil spring becomes compressed. Due to an urging force according to the compression of the compression coil spring, the cutter maintains a cutter pressure with which the object to be cut is pressed. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cutter pressure required when cutting an object to be cut differs, depending on the type of the object to be cut. However, in a cutting device, it is only possible to obtain the cutter pressure as an upper limit of the constant cutter pressure corresponding to characteristics of a compression coil spring. There is a case in which the cutting device cannot appropriately cut the object to be cut, as a result of not being able to apply, to the cutter, the cutter pressure greater than the cutter pressure corresponding to the characteristics of the compression coil spring. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cutting device capable of appropriately cutting an object to be cut and a holder that holds a cutting blade. 
     Various embodiments herein provide a cutting device that includes a placement member and a carriage. An object to be cut is placed on the placement member. The carriage is configured to move in a first direction and a second direction relative to the object to be cut placed on the placement member. The second direction is opposite to the first direction. The carriage includes a mounting portion, a movement mechanism, and a first spring. A holder that holds a cutting blade that cuts the object to be cut is mounted by the mounting portion. The movement mechanism is configured to move the mounting portion in a third direction causing the mounting portion to move closer to the object to be cut placed on the placement member, and a fourth direction causing the mounting portion to move away from the object to be cut placed on the placement member. The third direction and the fourth direction intersect the first direction and the second direction. The first spring is configured to apply a pressure to the mounting portion in the third direction, in accordance with a driving state of the movement mechanism. The holder includes a second spring configured to apply a pressure to the cutting blade in the third direction. 
     According to the above embodiments, the holder that is detachably mounted to the mounting portion includes the second spring, in comparison to a case in which the holder does not include the second spring, the cutting device can increase the pressure (a cutter pressure) applied to the cutting blade via the mounting portion when cutting the object to be cut. Thus, even when a large cutter pressure is required when cutting the object to be cut, the second spring can apply the appropriate cutter pressure to the cutting blade and can appropriately cut the object to be cut. 
     Various embodiments also provide a holder that is mountable on a mounting portion of a cutting device. The holder includes a placement member and a carriage. An object to be cut is placed on the placement member. The carriage is configured to move in a first direction and a second direction relative to the object to be cut placed on the placement member. The second direction is opposite to the first direction. The carriage includes the mounting portion, a movement mechanism, and a first spring. The movement mechanism is configured to move the mounting portion in a third direction causing the mounting portion to move closer to the object to be cut placed on the placement member, and a fourth direction causing the mounting portion to move away from the object to be cut placed on the placement member. The third direction and the fourth direction intersect the first direction and the second direction. The first spring is configured to apply a pressure to the mounting portion in the third direction, in accordance with the movement of the mounting portion by the movement mechanism. The holder includes a cutting blade, a support body, a holding body, and a second spring. The cutting blade is configured to cut the object to be cut. The support body is configured to support the cutting blade. The holding body is configured to support the support body to be movable in a fifth direction and a sixth direction opposite to the fifth direction. The holding body is held by the mounting portion. The second spring is configured to urge the support body in the fifth direction with respect to the holding body. 
     According to the above embodiments, as the holder includes the second spring, in comparison to a case in which the holder does not include the second spring, it is possible to increase the pressure (the cutter pressure) applied to the cutting blade via the mounting portion when cutting the object to be cut. Thus, even when a large cutter pressure is required when cutting the object to be cut, the second spring can apply the appropriate cutter pressure to the cutting blade and can appropriately cut the object to be cut. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cutting device; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a carriage in a state in which a holder is mounted thereto; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the carriage in a state in which the holder is removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the carriage and the holder in a stand-by position; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the carriage and the holder that have moved downward from the stand-by position; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the holder; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the holder; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows along a line A-A shown in  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a support body, a cutting body, an intermediate body, and a second spring. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments embodying a cutting device  1  and a holder  6  according to the present disclosure will be described in order with reference to the drawings. The drawings to be referenced are used to illustrate the technical features that can be adopted in the present disclosure, and the described configurations and the like of the devices are not intended to be limited thereto, but are merely explanatory examples. The lower left side, the upper right side, the lower right side, the upper left side, the upper side, and the lower side in  FIG. 1  are the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively, of the cutting device  1  and the holder  6 . 
     Overview of Cutting Device  1   
     An overview of the cutting device  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The cutting device  1  cut an object to be cut  9  held by a holding portion  90 , using a cutting blade  72  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) held by the holder  6 . The cutting device  1  is provided with a main body cover  2 A, a platen  2 B, a carriage  3 , a conveyance mechanism  2 C, a movement mechanism  2 D, and the like. 
     An opening portion  21 , a cover  22 , and an operating portion  23  are provided on the main body cover  2 A. The opening portion  21  is provided in a front surface portion of the main body cover  2 A. The cover  22  is rotatably supported on the main body cover  2 A. In  FIG. 1 , the cover  22  is open, and the opening portion  21  is in an open state. Hereinafter, various configurations are explained on the basis of the state in which the cover  22  is open. 
     The operating portion  23  is provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD)  231 , a plurality of operating switches  232 , and a touch panel  233 . An image including various items, such as commands, illustrations, setting values, and messages is displayed on the LCD  231 . The touch panel  233  is provided on the surface of the LCD  231 . A user performs a pressing operation on the touch panel  233 , using either a finger or a stylus pen. In the cutting device  1 , which of the items has been selected is recognized in accordance with a pressed position detected by the touch panel  233 . The user uses the operating switches  232  and the touch panel  233  to select a pattern displayed on the LCD  231 , set various parameters, perform an input operation, and the like. 
     The conveyance mechanism  2 C is provided with a driven roller  24  and a drive roller (not shown in the drawings). The driven roller  24  is rotatably supported inside the main body cover  2 A. The drive roller faces the driven roller  24  from below, and rotates in accordance with the driving of a Y-axis motor (not shown in the drawings). The conveyance mechanism  2 C clamps, between the driven roller  24  and the drive roller, left and right end portions of the rectangular-shaped holding portion  90 . The holding portion  90  holds the object to be cut  9 . The conveyance mechanism  2 C conveys the holding portion  90  in the front-rear direction (also referred to as a “Y direction” and a “sub-scanning direction”), as a result of the drive roller rotating in a state in which the holding portion  90  holds the object to be cut  9 . In other words, the conveyance mechanism  2 C conveys the object to be cut  9  held by the holding portion  90  in the front-rear direction. 
     The platen  2 B is provided inside the main body cover  2 A, and further to the rear than the drive roller. The platen  2 B is a plate-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction. The length of the platen  2 B in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the holding portion  90  and the object to be cut  9 . The holding portion  90  that is conveyed to the rear by the conveyance mechanism  2 C is placed on a portion of the upper surface of the platen  2 B excluding portions at both ends in the left-right direction. The object to be cut  9  held by the holding portion  90  is placed on the platen  2 B via the holding portion  90 . 
     The holder  6  is mounted to the carriage  3 . The carriage  3  and the holder  6  will be described in more detail later. The carriage  3  is moved in the left-right direction (hereinafter also referred to as an “X direction” and a “main scanning direction”) by the movement mechanism  2 D. The movement mechanism  2 D is provided with a guide rail  26 , an X-axis motor (not shown in the drawings), and the like. The guide rail  26  is fixed inside the main body cover  2 A and extends in the left-right direction. The carriage  3  is supported by the guide rail  26  such that the carriage  3  can move in the X direction along the guide rail  26 . The rotational movement of the X-axis motor is converted into motion in the X direction, and this motion is transmitted to the carriage  3 . When the X-axis motor is driven forward or in reverse, the carriage  3  is moved in the leftward direction or the rightward direction. In this way, the carriage  3  moves in the left-right direction relative to the object to be cut  9  placed on the platen  2 B via the holding portion  90 . 
     Using the conveyance mechanism  2 C and the movement mechanism  2 D, the cutting device  1  causes the carriage  3  to move in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction relative to the object to be cut  9 . At the same time, using a movement mechanism  3 C (refer to  FIG. 2 ) of the carriage  3  to be described later, the cutting device  1  causes the carriage  3  to move in the up-down direction relative to the object to be cut  9 . In this way, the cutting device  1  cuts the object to be cut  9  into a desired shape using a cutting blade  72  of the holder  6  mounted to the carriage  3 . 
     Carriage  3   
     As shown in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5 , the carriage  3  is provided with a support body  3 A, a mounting portion  3 B, the movement mechanism  3 C, a first spring  3 D, a third spring  3 E, and the like. Portions of the carriage  3  apart from a portion to which the holder  6  is mounted are covered by a cover  30  shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5 , the cover  30  is omitted. 
     Support Body  3 A 
     The support body  3 A support the mounting portion  3 B, the movement mechanism  3 C, the first spring  3 D (refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ), the third spring  3 E, and the like. The support body  3 A includes base portions  31 ,  32 , and  33  that are each plate-shaped. 
     The base portion  31  is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The base portion  31  is coupled to the guide rail  26  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) at a rear surface thereof. The base portion  31  is supported by the guide rail  26  such that the base portion  31  can move in the left-right direction. As shown in  FIG. 3 , support shafts  31 A and  31 C are provided at positions separated from the base portion  31  to the front thereof. The support shafts  31 A and  31 C each have a circular cylindrical shape, and extend in the up-down direction. As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the support shaft  31 A is provided in the vicinity of the left end portion of the base portion  31 . The first spring  3 D (to be described later) is wound around the support shaft  31 A. The support shaft  31 A supports a rack gear  43  to be described later, such that the rack gear  43  can move in the up-down direction. The support shaft  31 C is provided in the vicinity of the right end portion of the base portion  31 . The third spring  3 E (to be described later) is wound around the support shaft  31 C. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the base portion  32  is orthogonal to the up-down direction, and extends to the front from the lower end portion of the base portion  31 . A through hole  32 A is provided in the base portion  32  so as to penetrate the base portion  32  in the up-down direction. The base portion  33  is orthogonal to the left-right direction, and extends to the front from a position further to the left than the support shaft  31 A of the base portion  31 . A portion of the movement mechanism  3 C to be described later is supported by the base portion  33 . 
     Mounting Portion  3 B 
     The mounting portion  3 B is disposed to the front of the base portion  31 , above the base portion  32 , to the left of the support shaft  31 C, and to the right of the support shaft  31 A. The holder  6  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) is mounted to the mounting portion  3 B. The mounting portion  3 B includes a holding body  36  and a lever  37 . The holding body  36  holds the holder  6  in the state in which the holder  6  is mounted to the mounting portion  3 B. The lever  37  fixes the holder  6  in the state of being held by the holding body  36 , such that the holder  6  cannot be removed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the holding body  36  includes side plate portions  36 S,  36 R, and  36 L, an upper plate portion  36 U, and a bottom plate portion  36 B. The side plate portion  36 S is disposed to the front of the base portion  31  of the support body  3 A, and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The side plate portion  36 S is coupled to the base portion  31  such that the side plate portion  36 S can move in the up-down direction. In this way, the mounting portion  3 B is supported such that the mounting portion  3 B can move in the up-down direction with respect to the support body  3 A. The side plate portion  36 R extends toward the front from the right end portion of the side plate portion  36 S. The side plate portion  36 L extends toward the front from the left end portion of the side plate portion  36 S. The side plate portions  36 R and  36 L are each orthogonal to the left-right direction. The upper plate portion  36 U is provided on the upper end portions of each of the side plate portions  36 S,  36 R, and  36 L. The bottom plate portion  36 B is provided on the lower end portions of each of the side plate portions  36 S,  36 R, and  36 L. The upper plate portion  36 U and the bottom plate portion  36 B are each orthogonal to the up-down direction. The front end portion of the holding body  36  is open. 
     A circular through hole  363  is formed in the upper plate portion  36 U so as to penetrate the upper plate portion  36 U in the up-down direction. A circular through hole  364  is formed in the bottom plate portion  36 B so as to penetrate the bottom plate portion  36 B in the up-down direction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a state in which the holder  6  is held by the holding body  36 , the holder  6  is inserted through the through holes  363  and  364 . In this state, the upper end portion of the holder  6  protrudes further upward than the through hole  363 , and the lower end portion of the holder  6  protrudes further downward than the through hole  364 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , a movable plate portion  361  is provided at the lower end portion of the side plate portion  36 L, and a movable plate portion  365  is provided at the upper end portion of the side plate portion  36 L. The movable plate portions  361  and  365  extend to the left from the left surface of the side plate portion  36 L, and are orthogonal to the up-down direction. Through holes are formed in the movable plate portions  361  and  365  so as to penetrate the movable plate portions  361  and  365  in the up-down direction. The support shaft  31 A of the support body  3 A is inserted into the through holes of the movable plate portions  361  and  365 . A movable plate portion  362  is provided on the side plate portion  36 R. The movable plate portion  362  extends to the right from the right surface of the side plate portion  36 R, and is orthogonal to the up-down direction. A through hole is formed in the movable plate portion  362  so as to penetrate the movable plate portion  362  in the up-down direction. The support shaft  31 C of the support body  3 A is inserted into the through hole of the movable plate portion  362 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the lever  37  is rotatably supported by the side plate portions  36 R and  36 L of the holding body  36 . The lever  37  includes a plate-shaped grip portion  37 A that is long in the left-right direction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a state in which the lever  37  has rotated in a direction in which the grip portion  37 A moves downward, the holder  6  that is held by the holding body  36  is fixed. In this state, the holder  6  cannot be removed from the holding body  36 . On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in a state in which the lever  37  has rotated in a direction in which the grip portion  37 A moves upward, the state of the holder  6  being fixed to the holding body  36  is released. Thus, in this state, the holder  6  can be removed from the holding body  36 . 
     Movement Mechanism  3 C 
     The movement mechanism  3 C moves the mounting portion  3 B in the up-down direction with respect to the support body  3 A. Note that as a result of the mounting portion  3 B moving downward, the mounting portion  3 B moves closer to the object to be cut  9  placed on the platen  2 B. On the other hand, as a result of the mounting portion  3 B moving upward, the mounting portion  3 B moves away from the object to be cut  9  placed on the platen  2 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5 , the movement mechanism  3 C includes a Z-axis motor  41 , a gear unit  42 , the rack gear  43 , and the like. The Z-axis motor  41  is disposed to the left of the base portion  33  of the support body  3 A, and is fixed to the support body  3 A by the base portion  33 . A rotation shaft of the Z-axis motor  41  extends in the rightward direction, and is inserted to the right into a through hole  33 A formed in the base portion  33  (refer to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ). A gear  41 A is provided on the rotation shaft of the Z-axis motor  41 . The gear  41 A protrudes further to the right than the base portion  33 . 
     The gear unit  42  includes an internal gear  42 A and a pinion gear  42 B. The internal gear  42 A has a circular plate shape, and is orthogonal to the left-right direction. A circular recessed portion, which is recessed to the right, is formed in the left side of the internal gear  42 A. Teeth are formed on the inner side surface of the recessed portion. The pinion gear  42 B is provided on the right surface of the internal gear  42 A. The diameter of the pinion gear  42 B is smaller than the diameter of the internal gear  42 A. Positions of rotational centers of each of the internal gear  42 A and the pinion gear  42 B are aligned with each other, and extend in the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the rotational centers of each of the internal gear  42 A and the pinion gear  42 B are referred to as a “rotational center of the gear unit  42 .” The internal gear  42 A and the pinion gear  42 B rotate integrally with each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the gear unit  42  is provided to the right of the base portion  33  of the support body  3 A, and is rotatably fixed to the base portion  33 . The rotational center of the gear unit  42  is positioned below the rotational shaft of the Z-axis motor  41 . The gear  41 A provided on the rotational shaft of the Z-axis motor  41  is inserted, from the left, into the recessed portion formed in the left surface of the internal gear  42 A. The gear  41 A meshes with the teeth provided on the inner side surface of the internal gear  42 A. The drive force of the Z-axis motor  41  generated in accordance with the Z-axis motor  41  being driven and the gear  41 A rotating is transmitted to the gear unit  42  via the gear  41 A and the internal gear  42 A. In this way, the pinion gear  42 B of the gear unit  42  also rotates. 
     The rack gear  43  is provided to the rear of the pinion gear  42 B. The rack gear  43  includes a rectangular column-shaped base that extends in the up-down direction. The rack gear  43  includes gear teeth  43 B on the front surface of the base. The rack gear  43  further includes a through hole in the base that penetrates the base in the up-down direction. The support shaft  31 A fixed to the support body  3 A is inserted into that through hole. The rack gear  43  moves up and down along the support shaft  31 A. The gear teeth  43 B of the rack gear  43  mesh with the pinion gear  42 B. The rack gear  43  moves in the up-down direction in accordance with the rotation of the pinion gear  42 B. 
     First Spring  3 D 
     The first spring  3 D is positioned below the rack gear  43 . The first spring  3 D is a compression coil spring, and is wound in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the support shaft  31 A. The upper end portion of the first spring  3 D is coupled to the lower end portion of the rack gear  43 . The lower end portion of the first spring  3 D is coupled to the movable plate portion  361  of the mounting portion  3 B. The first spring  3 D is interposed between the rack gear  43  and the movable plate portion  361  of the mounting portion  3 B, and urges the rack gear  43  upward. In this way, the upper end portion of the rack gear  43  comes into contact, from below, with the movable plate portion  365  of the mounting portion  3 B, and presses the movable plate portion  365  upward. A spring constant of the first spring  3 D is denoted by a “first spring constant K1.” 
     When the Z-axis motor  41  of the movement mechanism  3 C is driven, the first spring  3 D moves the mounting portion  3 B in the up-down direction in conjunction with the movement in the up-down direction of the rack gear  43 . Further, when the first spring  3 D is compressed in accordance with the downward movement of the rack gear  43 , the first spring  3 D applies a downward pressure on the mounting portion  3 B. 
     Third Spring  3 E 
     The third spring  3 E is a compression coil spring, and is wound around the support shaft  31 C. A fixing washer  310  is fixed to the upper end portion of the support shaft  31 C. The upper end portion of the third spring  3 E is in contact, from below, with the fixing washer  310 . The lower end portion of the third spring  3 E is coupled to the movable plate portion  362  of the mounting portion  3 B. The third spring  3 E is interposed between the fixing washer  310  and the movable plate portion  362  of the mounting portion  3 B, and applies a downward pressure to the mounting portion  3 B. A spring constant of the third spring  3 E is denoted by a “third spring constant K3.” The third spring constant K3 is smaller than the first spring constant K1 of the first spring  3 D. Regardless of a driving state of the Z-axis motor  41  of the movement mechanism  3 C, the third spring  3 E constantly applies the downward pressure to the mounting portion  3 B. 
     Holder  6   
     The holder  6  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 . The holder  6  is used in a state of being mounted to the mounting portion  3 B, and cuts the object to be cut  9  using the cutting blade  72 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the holder  6  includes a housing  6 A, a support body  6 B, a rotation shaft  6 C, a cutting body  6 D, an intermediate body  6 E, and a second spring  6 F. The housing  6 A and the intermediate body  6 E are referred to as a “holding body  60 .” 
     Housing  6 A 
     The housing  6 A is made of resin, and houses the support body  6 B, the rotation shaft  6 C, the cutting body  6 D, the intermediate body  6 E, and the second spring  6 F, which are to be described later. As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the housing  6 A includes a main body portion  61 , a lid portion  62 , and a screw cap  63 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the main body portion  61  includes a rectangular cylindrical portion  61 A, and circular cylindrical portions  61 B,  61 C, and  61 D, each of which extend in the up-down direction. The rectangular cylindrical portion  61 A has a rectangular shape of which a cross section that is orthogonal to the up-down direction is long in the left-right direction. The lid portion  62  closes the opening of the upper end portion of the rectangular cylindrical portion  61 A. The circular cylindrical portions  61 B,  61 C, and  61 D are provided below the rectangular cylindrical portion  61 A. The circular cylindrical portions  61 B,  61 C, and  61 D are aligned downward in this order. The diameter of the circular cylindrical portion  61 B is shorter than the length, in the left-right direction, of the rectangular cylindrical portion  61 A. The diameter of the circular cylindrical portion  61 B is substantially the same as the diameter of the through hole  363  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) provided in the upper plate portion  36 U of the mounting portion  3 B. The diameter of the circular cylindrical portion  61 C is smaller than the diameter of the circular cylindrical portion  61 B. A plurality of screw threads, with which the screw cap  63  to be described later is fitted, are formed on the side surface of the circular cylindrical portion  61 C. The diameter of the circular cylindrical portion  61 D is smaller than the diameter of the circular cylindrical portion  61 C. Hereinafter, a straight line extending in the up-down direction along the centers of the circular cylindrical portions  61 B,  61 C, and  61 D will be referred to as a “center line C.” 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a through hole  610  that penetrates the interiors of the circular cylindrical portions  61 B,  61 C, and  61 D in the up-down direction includes inner diameter portions  611  and  612  having differing inner diameters. The inner diameter portions  611  and  612  are aligned downward in that order. The inner diameter of the inner diameter portion  612  is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner diameter portion  611 . The inner diameter portion  611  is disposed on the inside of the circular cylindrical portion  61 B. The inner diameter portion  612  is disposed on the inside of the circular cylindrical portions  61 C and  61 D. In the vicinity of the lower end portion of the inner diameter portion  612 , a portion that protrudes toward the center line C (hereinafter referred to as a “first support portion  613 ”) is provided. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the screw cap  63  is fixed by being screwed onto the circular cylindrical portions  61 C and  61 D of the main body portion  61 . The screw cap  63  has a circular cylindrical shape, and an opening is provided in both ends thereof in the up-down direction. A plurality of screw threads provided on the inner surface of the screw cap  63  engage with the plurality of screw threads provided on the side surface of the circular cylindrical portion  61 C. The screw cap  63  is removed from the main body portion  61  when replacing the support body  6 B, the rotation shaft  6 C, and the cutting body  6 D to be described later. The outer diameter of the screw cap  63  is substantially the same as the diameter of the through hole  364  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) provided in the bottom plate portion  36 B of the mounting portion  3 B. 
     In the state in which the holder  6  is mounted to the mounting portion  3 B, the housing  6 A is held by the mounting portion  3 B. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the circular cylindrical portion  61 B of the main body portion  61  of the housing  6 A fits into the through hole  363  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) of the upper plate portion  36 U of the mounting portion  3 B. The screw cap  63  of the housing  6 A fits into the through hole  364  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) of the bottom plate portion  36 B of the mounting portion  3 B. Further, the rectangular cylindrical portion  61 A of the main body portion  61  of the housing  6 A is disposed above the upper plate portion  36 U of the mounting portion  3 B. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower end portion of the screw cap  63  of the housing  6 A protrudes further downward than the lower end of the bottom plate portion  36 B. 
     Support Body  6 B, Rotation Shaft  6 C 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the support body  6 B supports the cutting body  6 D via the rotation shaft  6 C to be described later. The support body  6 B has a circular cylindrical shape. The support body  6 B includes an enlarged diameter portion  66 A and an insertion portion  66 B, which have mutually different outer diameters. The insertion portion  66 B is positioned above the enlarged diameter portion  66 A. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a through hole  660  penetrates the support body  6 B in the up-down direction. The inner diameter of the through hole  660  is different at the enlarged diameter portion  66 A and at the insertion portion  66 B. The inner diameter of a through hole  661  of the insertion portion  66 B is larger than the inner diameter of a through hole  662  of the enlarged diameter portion  66 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a recessed portion  663  that is recessed toward the center line C is provided in the side surface of the insertion portion  66 B, at a portion in the vicinity of the enlarged diameter portion  66 A. The diameter of the bottom surface of the recessed portion  663  is smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion portion  66 B. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a fixed washer  67 A is engaged with the recessed portion  663 . The outer diameter of the fixed washer  67 A is larger than the outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion  66 A. 
     The rotation shaft  6 C is inserted into the through hole  662  of the enlarged diameter portion  66 A. The rotation shaft  6 C is a magnetic body, and more specifically, is made of metal. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the rotation shaft  6 C has a circular cylindrical shape, and extends in the up-down direction. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lower end portion of the rotation shaft  6 C protrudes further downward than the lower end portion of the support body  6 B. The cutting body  6 D, which will be described later, is coupled to the lower end portion of the rotation shaft  6 C. The diameter of the rotation shaft  6 C is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the through hole  662  of the enlarged diameter portion  66 A of the support body  6 B. The rotation shaft  6 C fits closely with the through hole  662  of the support body  6 B, and is rotatably supported by the support body  6 B. A bearing  68  is held at the lower end portion of the through hole  662 . The bearing  68  alleviates friction when the rotation shaft  6 C rotates with respect to the support body  6 B, and causes the rotation shaft  6 C to rotate smoothly. 
     A spacer  67 B and a magnet  67 C are disposed in the through hole  661  of the insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B. The spacer  67 B is positioned in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the through hole  661 . A portion of the upper end portion of the rotation shaft  6 C is inserted through a through hole of the spacer  67 B. The magnet  67 C is positioned above the spacer  67 B, in the through hole  661 . The magnet  67 C is adjacent to the upper side of the rotation shaft  6 C. A gap is formed between the lower end portion of the magnet  67 C and the upper end portion of the rotation shaft  6 C. The rotation shaft  6 C is attracted upward by the magnetic force of the magnet  67 C. 
     The support body  6 B is inserted into the through hole  610  of the housing  6 A. In this state, the first support portion  613  provided in the inner diameter portion  612  of the housing  6 A is in contact with the vicinity of the lower end portion of the support body  6 B. Using the first support portion  613 , the housing  6 A supports the support body  6 B such that the support body  6 B can move in the up-down direction. The lower end portion of the support body  6 B protrudes further downward than the lower end portion of the circular cylindrical portion  61 D of the housing  6 A, and is disposed on the inside of the screw cap  63 . 
     Cutting Body  6 D 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 8 , the cutting body  6 D is provided on the lower end portion of the housing  6 A. The cutting body  6 D includes a rotation support portion  71 , the cutting blade  72 , a support shaft  73 , and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cutting blade  72  has a circular plate shape, and cuts the object to be cut  9  using a peripheral end portion thereof. A through hole is formed in the center of the cutting blade  72 . The rotation support portion  71  includes a base portion  71 A, a pair of support portions  71 B, and a protruding portion  71 C. A recessed portion  710  that is recessed downward is formed in the upper end portion of the base portion  71 A. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lower end portion of the rotation shaft  6 C is inserted into the recessed portion  710  from above and engages with the recessed portion  710 . In this state, the cutting body  6 D is coupled to the rotation shaft  6 C. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pair of support portions  71 B are separated from each other in the horizontal direction, and extend downward from the lower end portion of the base portion  71 A. The pair of support portions  71 B are positioned on both sides, in the horizontal direction, of the cutting blade  72 . A through hole that extends in the horizontal direction is formed in the leading end portion of each of the pair of support portions  71 B. The protruding portion  71 C has a circular plate shape, and protrudes in the horizontal direction toward the opposite side from the center line C, from the upper end portion of the base portion  71 A. 
     The support shaft  73  includes a shaft portion  73 A, a head portion  73 B, and a retaining ring  73 C. The shaft portion  73 A has a circular columnar shape, and extends in the horizontal direction. The head portion  73 B is provided on one end portion of the shaft portion  73 A, and protrudes outward. The shaft portion  73 A is inserted into the through holes of the pair of support portions  71 B of the rotation support portion  71 , and into the through hole of the cutting blade  72 . In this way, the cutting blade  72  is rotatably supported with respect to the rotation support portion  71 . The retaining ring  73 C engages with the other end of the shaft portion  73 A, and stops disengagement of the shaft portion  73 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the protruding portion  71 C of the cutting body  6 D is clamped, from above and below, by the circular cylindrical portion  61 D of the housing  6 A and the lower end portion of the screw cap  63 . In this way, the cutting body  6 D is rotatably supported with respect to the housing  6 A, and cannot be removed from the housing  6 A. The cutting body  6 D rotate with respect to the housing  6 A in accordance with a direction (a cutting direction) of the relative movement of the cutting blade  72  and the object to be cut  9  when cutting the object to be cut  9 . 
     Intermediate Body  6 E 
     The intermediate body  6 E is disposed inside the housing  6 A, and supports the support body  6 B, and the second spring  6 F to be described later. The intermediate body  6 E is made of metal. As shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 9 , the intermediate body  6 E includes a contact portion  76 , a second support portion  77 , and a bridge portion  78 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the contact portion  76  has a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is orthogonal to the up-down direction. A circular concave portion  76 A that protrudes downward is formed on the bottom surface of the contact portion  76  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). A pair of through holes  76 B are formed on the left and right sides of the concave portion  76 A, in the contact portion  76 . The pair of through holes  76 B each have a circular shape, and penetrate the contact portion  76  in the up-down direction. The second support portion  77  has a substantially square plate shape, and is orthogonal to the up-down direction. The second support portion  77  is separated downward from the contact portion  76 . A through hole  77 A is formed in the center of the second support portion  77 . The through hole  77 A is circular, and penetrates the second support portion  77  in the up-down direction. The diameter of the through hole  77 A is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion  66 A of the support body  6 B. 
     The bridge portion  78  extends in the up-down direction over a space between the contact portion  76  and the second support portion  77 . The bridge portion  78  has a plate shape and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The bridge portion  78  bridges the space between the contact portion  76  and the second support portion  77 , and holds the contact portion  76  and the second support portion  77  in a state of being separated from each other in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , two screws  760  are inserted, from above, through the pair of through holes  76 B (refer to  FIG. 7 ) of the contact portion  76  of the intermediate body  6 E, and are screwed into screw holes inside the housing  6 A. In this way, the intermediate body  6 E is fixed inside the housing  6 A. In this state, the intermediate body  6 E is positioned above the first support portion  613  of the housing  6 A. Further, the second support portion  77  of the intermediate body  6 E is in contact, from above, with a step  614  formed at a boundary section between the inner diameter portion  611  and the inner diameter portion  612 , of the through hole  610  of the housing  6 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the support body  6 B is inserted, from below, into the through hole  77 A (refer to  FIG. 7 ) of the second support portion  77  of the intermediate body  6 E. The fixing washer  67 A that is engaged with the insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B, and the recessed portion  663  of the support body  6 B (refer to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ) is positioned above the second support portion  77 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the through hole  77 A of the second support portion  77  is in contact with a portion in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the enlarged diameter portion  66 A of the support body  6 B. Using the second support portion  77 , the intermediate body  6 E supports the support body  6 B such that the support body  6 B can move in the up-down direction. Note that, as already described above, the support body  6 B is also supported by the first support portion  613  of the housing  6 A such that the support body  6 B can move in the up-down direction. In other words, the support body  6 B is supported so as to be able to move in the up-down direction by the housing  6 A and the intermediate body  6 E that configure the holding body  60 , more specifically, by the first support portion  613  of the housing  6 A and the second support portion  77  of the intermediate body  6 E that are separated from each other in the up-down direction. 
     Second Spring  6 F 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second spring  6 F is a compression coil spring, and is extendable and contractable in the up-down direction. The second spring  6 F is provided in order to apply downward pressure to the cutting blade  72  of the cutting body  6 D. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the second spring  6 F is interposed between the contact portion  76  and the second support portion  77  of the intermediate body  6 E. The upper end portion of the second spring  6 F is in contact, from below, with the bottom surface of the contact portion  76  of the intermediate body  6 E. The concave portion  76 A of the contact portion  76  is positioned on the inside of the upper end portion of the second spring  6 F. The concave portion  76 A suppresses the position of the upper end portion of the second spring  6 F from becoming displaced with respect to the contact portion  76 . The insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B is inserted inside of the vicinity of the lower end portion of the second spring  6 F. The lower end portion of the second spring  6 F is in contact, from above, with the upper surface of the fixing washer  67 A that is engaged with the recessed portion  663  of the support body  6 B. In other words, the lower end portion of the second spring  6 F is coupled to the support body  6 B at a position above the first support portion  613  of the housing  6 A and the second support portion  77  of the intermediate body  6 E. 
     A spring contact of the second spring  6 F is referred to as a “second spring constant K2.” The second spring constant K2 is greater than the first spring constant K1 of the first spring  3 D (refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ), and is greater than the third spring constant K3 of the third spring  3 E (refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The length in an extension/contraction direction, when the third spring  3 E is compressed to a maximum extent and the helical wires are in close contact with each other, is referred to as a close contact length. The length, in the up-down direction, of the insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B is shorter than the close contact length of the third spring  3 E. 
     Operation Example 
     The holder  6  is mounted to the mounting portion  3 B, and the mounting portion  3 B is disposed at a highest position, of a movable range of the mounting portion  3 B in the up-down direction. Further, the holding portion  90  holding the object to be cut  9  is placed on the platen  2 B. The position, in the up-down direction, of the mounting portion  3 B that is disposed at the highest position is referred to as a “stand-by position.” 
       FIG. 4  shows the mounting portion  3 B disposed at the stand-by position, and the holder  6  mounted to the mounting portion  3 B. The lower end portion of the housing  6 A of the holder  6  mounted to the mounting portion  3 B is positioned above the base portion  32  of the support body  3 A that supports the mounting portion  3 B. Further, the cutting body  6 D provided at the lower end portion of the housing  6 A is inserted through the through hole  32 A (refer to  FIG. 2 ) of the base portion  32 . The cutting blade  72  of the cutting body  6 D protrudes slightly further downward than the base portion  32 . Further, the cutting blade  72  is separated upward from the object to be cut  9  placed, via the holding portion  90 , on the platen  2 B of the cutting device  1 . 
     In the state in which the mounting portion  3 B is disposed at the stand-by position, the third spring  3 E is in a state of being compressed between the fixing washer  310  at the upper end portion thereof and the movable plate portion  362  at the lower end portion thereof. Thus, the third spring  3 E applies the downward pressure to the movable plate portion  362  of the mounting portion  3 B. The mounting portion  3 B receives the downward force from the third spring  3 E via the movable plate portion  362 . On the other hand, the rotation of the pinion gear  42 B that meshes with the rack gear  43  is suppressed by the rotation load of the Z-axis motor  41 , and thus, the movement of the rack gear  43  in the up-down direction is suppressed. As a result, the downward movement of the movable plate portion  365  of the mounting portion  3 B, which is in contact with the upper end portion of the rack gear  43 , is also suppressed. Thus, even in the state of receiving the downward force from the third spring  3 E, the mounting portion  3 B does not move downward and is stationary. 
     When cutting the object to be cut  9  using the cutting blade  72 , a control portion (not shown in the drawings) of the cutting device  1  drives the Z-axis motor  41 , and rotates the gear  41 A. In accordance with the rotation of the gear  41 A, the internal gear  42 A and the pinion gear  42 B of the gear unit  42  rotate integrally. In this way, the rack gear  43  that meshes with the pinion gear  42 B moves downward. In accordance with the downward movement of the rack gear  43 , the first spring  3 D coupled to the lower end portion of the rack gear  43  also moves downward and does not contract. Note that the mounting portion  3 B is in contact with the upper end portion of the rack gear  43  via the movable plate portion  365 , and is coupled to the lower end portion of the first spring  3 D via the movable plate portion  361 . Thus, the mounting portion  3 B moves downward from the stand-by position in accordance with the movement of the rack gear  43 . 
     In accordance with the downward movement of the mounting portion  3 B, the holder  6  also moves downward. The cutting blade  72  of the holder  6  gradually approaches the object to be cut  9  positioned below the cutting blade  72 , and comes into contact with the object to be cut  9 . At this time, since the cutting blade  72  is in contact with the object to be cut  9 , an upward pressure acts on the mounting portion  3 B via the holder  6 . By continuously driving the Z-axis motor  41 , the rack gear  43  moves further downward. At this time, the third spring  3 E that has the spring constant that is smaller than that of the first spring  3 D and the second spring  6 F (refer to  FIG. 7 ) of the holder  6  applies a downward force to the mounting portion  3 B via the movable plate portion  362 . Due to this force, the cutting blade  72  of the holder  6  mounted to the mounting portion  3 B attempts to penetrate and cut the object to be cut  9 . 
     There is a case in which the object to be cut  9  is hard, and it is not possible to cause the cutting blade  72  to penetrate the object to be cut  9  using the force applied by the third spring  3 E. At this time, the downward movement of the mounting portion  3 B is suppressed by the upward force received by the mounting portion  3 B from the object to be cut  9  via the holder  6 . When the pinion gear  42 B rotates further in this state, the rack gear  43  moves further downward. In this way, the upper end portion of the rack gear  43  separates from the movable plate portion  365 , and the rack gear  43  moves downward while compressing the first spring  3 D having the spring constant that is smaller than that of the second spring  6 F of the holder  6 . The first spring  3 D applies the downward force that is stronger than the third spring  3 E, to the mounting portion  3 B via the movable plate portion  361 . As a result of this force, the cutting blade  72  of the holder  6  mounted to the mounting portion  3 B moves downward and penetrates the object to be cut  9 , and attempts to cut the object to be cut  9 . 
     There is a case when the object to be cut  9  is even harder, and it is not possible to cause the cutting blade  72  to penetrate the object to be cut  9  using the force applied by the first spring  3 D. The downward movement of the mounting portion  3 B is suppressed. As a result of the pinion gear  42 B rotating and the rack gear  43  moving further downward, the first spring  3 D is further compressed, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The downward force received by the mounting portion  3 B from the first spring  3 D increases. At this time, the second spring  6 F of the holder  6  having the spring constant that is greater than that of the first spring  3 D is compressed between the contact portion  76  and the fixed washer  67 A engaged with the support body  6 B, by the downward force received from the first spring  3 D. The second spring  6 F applies a downward force that is stronger than that of the first spring  3 D and the third spring  3 E, to the support body  6 B via the fixed washer  67 A. As a result of this force, the cutting blade  72  of the cutting body  6 D that is supported by the support body  6 B via the rotation shaft  6 C penetrates and cuts the object to be cut  9 . 
     Operations and Effects of Present Embodiment 
     The second spring  6 F is provided on the holder  6  that is detachably attached to the mounting portion  3 B. In comparison to a case in which the holder  6  does not include the second spring  6 F, the cutting device  1  can increase the pressure (a cutter pressure) applied to the cutting blade  72  via the mounting portion  3 B when cutting the object to be cut  9 . Thus, even when the large cutter pressure is required when cutting the object to be cut  9 , the cutting device  1  can apply the appropriate cutter pressure to the cutting blade  72  and can cut the object to be cut  9 . 
     The holder  6  includes the second spring  6 F having the larger spring constant (the second spring constant K2). Thus, even when the large cutter pressure is required when cutting the object to be cut  9 , the cutting device  1  can appropriately cut the object to be cut  9  using the second spring  6 F. 
     The cutting device  1  further includes the third spring  3 E. The third spring  3 E can apply the pressure to the mounting portion  3 B in a state before the pressure is applied by the first spring  3 D in the course of the downward movement of the mounting portion  3 B. Thus, the cutting device  1  can apply the pressure to the cutting blade  72  via the mounting portion  3 B over a wider movement range in the course of the downward movement of the mounting portion  3 B. 
     In the holder  6 , the rotation shaft  6 C coupled to the cutting body  6 D is attracted upward by the magnet  67 C. Thus, the holder  6  can suppress the cutting body  6 D from becoming disengaged from the support body  6 B in a state in which the screw cap  63  is removed, and an operation by the user to replace the cutting body  6 D can be simplified. When cutting the object to be cut  9 , the holder  6  can allow the cutting blade  72  of the cutting body  6 D to rotate in response to the cutting direction, using the magnet  67 C. 
     The length in the up-down direction of the insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B is shorter than the close contact length of the second spring  6 F. Thus, even when the second spring  6 F is compressed to the maximum extent, the upper end portion of the insertion portion  66 B is not in contact with the contact portion  76  of the intermediate body  6 E. As a result, even when the second spring  6 F is compressed to the maximum extent, the holder  6  can apply the pressure to the cutting blade  72  via the support body  6 B. 
     The holder  6  supports the support body  6 B using the housing  6 A and the intermediate body  6 E that configure the holding body  60 , more specifically, using the first support portion  613  of the housing  6 A, and the second support portion  77  of the intermediate body  6 E. The first support portion  613  and the second support portion  77  are separated from each other in the up-down direction that is the movement direction of the support body  6 B. Thus, the holder  6  can support the support body  6 B in a stable manner and cause the support body  6 B to move smoothly in the up-down direction. 
     When the second spring  6 F has come into contact with the contact portion  76  of the intermediate body  6 E, a load that accords with the pressure is likely to act on the contact portion  76 . Further, since the second support portion  77  of the intermediate body  6 E is in contact with the support body  6 B, a load is likely to act on the second support portion  77 . In contrast to this, the contact portion  76  and the second support portion  77  are included in the intermediate body  6 E, and are separate members from the housing  6 A. In this way, the holder  6  can increase the durability of the housing  6 A. Further, as the intermediate body  6 E that is susceptible to the load is made of metal, the strength thereof can be increased, and the holder  6  can thus suppress degradation over time. 
     MODIFIED EXAMPLES 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In the above-described embodiment, the object to be cut  9  is placed on the platen  2 B in a state of being held by the holding portion  90 , and is cut by the cutting device  1 . The object to be cut  9  may be simply placed on the platen  2 B and cut by the cutting device  1 . The holder  6  may be fixed to the mounting portion  3 B and may be configured so as not to be removable. Each of the first spring  3 D, the second spring  6 F, and the third spring  3 E may include a plurality of compression coil springs. In this case, the spring constants of the first spring  3 D, the second spring  6 F, and the third spring  3 E may be an aggregate of the spring constants of the plurality of springs. 
     A magnitude relationship between the first spring constant K1 of the first spring  3 D, the second spring constant K2 of the second spring  6 F, and the third spring constant K3 of the third spring  3 E (K2&gt;K1&gt;K3) is not limited to that of the above-described embodiment. For example, the first spring constant K1 may be larger than the second spring constant K2. The third spring constant K3 may be larger than the first spring constant K1 and the second spring constant K2. The first spring constant K1, the second spring constant K2, and the third spring constant K3 may be the same as each other. The first spring  3 D and the third spring  3 E is not limited to being the compression coil spring and may be a spiral spring, for example. The movement mechanism  3 C may apply the downward force to the mounting portion  3 B by causing the spiral spring to rotate by driving the Z-axis motor  41 . The cutting device  1  need not necessarily include the third spring  3 E, and may include only the first spring  3 D. 
     The cutting blade  72  of the holder  6  is not limited to the circular plate shape, and may have a rectangular plate shape with a pointed leading end. The holder  6  need not necessarily be provided with the rotation shaft  6 C. In this case, the magnet  67 C may directly attract the cutting body  6 D upward. 
     The second spring  6 F is not limited to being the coil spring, and may be a disk spring, a ring spring, a plate spring, or the like. In place of the concave portion  76 A, a through hole may be formed in the contact portion  76  of the intermediate body  6 E. The diameter of the through hole may be larger than the diameter of the insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B. In this case, the length in the up-down direction of the insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B may be longer than the close contact length of the second spring  6 F. Note that when the second spring  6 F is compressed to the maximum extent, the insertion portion  66 B of the support body  6 B is inserted into the through hole formed in the contact portion  76 . Thus, since it is possible to suppress the upper end portion of the insertion portion  66 B from coming into contact with the contact portion  76  of the intermediate body  6 E, even when the second spring  6 F is compressed to the maximum extent, the holder  6  can apply the pressure to the cutting blade  72  via the support body  6 B. 
     The inner diameter portion  612  of the housing  6 A may be in contact with the support body  6 B over an entire region in the up-down direction. In this case, the intermediate body  6 E need not necessarily be provided with the second support portion  77 , and need not necessarily support the support body  6 B. The intermediate body  6 E may be configured only by the contact portion  76 . Furthermore, the holder  6  need not necessarily be provided with the intermediate body  6 E. In this case, the upper end portion of the second spring  6 F may directly be in contact with the housing  6 A. The housing  6 A is not limited to being made of resin, and may be configured by another material (metal or the like, for example). The intermediate body  6 E is not limited to being made of metal and may be configured by another material (resin or the like, for example). 
     The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.