Patent Publication Number: US-2023135959-A1

Title: Cutting device

Description:
The invention relates to a cutting device with a cutting tool. 
     EP2551077A1 discloses a cutting device, in which the connecting parts of a cutting tool are linearly displaceable, so that the cutting tool is displaceable back and forth along a straight line to perform cutting movements. The cutting tool is held on both sides by a guiding device with two guide modules, by means of which the connecting parts of the cutting tool are guided and mounted to be linearly displaceable along one path each. Furthermore, drive modules are provided by means of which the cutting tool is moved along the paths. By means of a control device, the drive modules are synchronised with each other so that the cutting tool remains horizontally aligned during the execution of the cutting movements. 
     The cutting tool or the metal blade is connected via a coupling element and an energy converter with an ultrasonic generator. During the cutting process, ultrasonic energy is applied to the metal blade so that the cutting process can be carried out with reduced resistance. 
     If the metal blade is not subjected to ultrasonic energy, as is the case with conventional cutting devices, the process material to be cut is compressed more during the cutting process than when ultrasonic energy is applied. Under the influence of the cutting tool, a deformation of the elastic process material occurs, which is reduced when ultrasonic energy is applied. The deformation of the process material can have an unfavourable effect on the cutting pattern. If, on the other hand, the process material is hard and possibly also brittle, it may break under the effect of the cutting tool. 
     The described problem of the deformation of the process material also requires a limitation of the cutting cycles, since the forces acting increase accordingly with increased speed and displacement. 
     Due to the forces acting on the process material and the forces acting back from the process material on the cutting tool, there is also a higher stress on the cutting tool, which leads to higher maintenance requirements and an earlier replacement of the cutting tool. 
     The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved cutting device. 
     In particular, a cutting device shall be created that is simple in design and at the same time provides improved cutting results. 
     Any process material shall be cut advantageously by means of the cutting device. Deformation, in particular compression, of the process material shall be avoided. Accordingly, cutting processes shall be carried out precisely and improved cutting patterns shall be achieved to a great extent independent of the nature of the process material. 
     The cutting operations should be able to be carried out with higher clock cycles. 
     The cutting device shall be compact and take up little space, so that it can be integrated advantageously into any production process. 
     The cutting device shall be manufactured with reduced effort. In particular, guiding devices and drive devices for the cutting tool shall be simpler in design and less expensive. 
     This task is solved with a cutting device which comprises the features indicated in claim  1 . Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in further claims. 
     The cutting device comprises a tool drive, a cutting tool having a first connecting part, which is connected to a first follower, and having a second connecting part, which is connected to a second follower, as well as a guiding device, which comprises a first guiding unit with a first guiding module and a second guiding module, with which the first follower is held displaceable along a first guideway and the second follower is held displaceable along a second guideway. 
     According to the invention, the first and/or the second guiding module comprises two guiding wheels,
     a) which are held each by related bearing devices rotatable in a guiding plane;   b) which are peripherally adjacent to each other at a first transfer position;   c) which each comprise an outwardly open receiving opening, which is suitable for receiving the first follower;   d) which are rotatable by the tool drive in opposite directions with the same angular velocity; and   e) which are arranged in such a way that their receiving openings lie opposite one another at the first transfer position after each revolution, so that the first follower is transferable alternately from one receiving opening into the other receiving opening at the first transfer position and is further guidable alternately along the periphery of the first guiding wheel or of the second guiding wheel.   

     During operation of the cutting device, for example, the first follower in the first guiding module is thus guided in a guideway alternately first around the first guiding wheel and then around the second guiding wheel, which rotate synchronously with each other in opposite directions. The resulting guideway corresponds to a figure of eight. The first follower and thus the associated connecting part of the cutting tool is thus moved back and forth in a first direction by twice the diameter of a guiding wheel and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by the single diameter of a guiding wheel. 
     In this operation, the second follower in the second guiding module can be moved along an identical, linear or curved guideway. The second follower can follow the movements of the first follower passively or slavishly. For example, a linear or curved guiding channel is provided in the second guiding module along which the second follower can follow the movements of the first follower. By appropriate dimensioning and alignment of the second guiding channel, the deflection of the cutting tool can be determined accordingly. 
     Preferably, however, the second follower is also actively guided in the same way as the first follower. For this purpose, the second guiding module also comprises a first guiding wheel and a second guiding wheel,
     a) which are rotatably held by related bearing devices;   b) which are peripherally opposite each other at a second transfer position;   c) which each comprise an outwardly open receiving opening on the periphery which is suitable for receiving the second follower;   d) which can be rotated by the tool drive with the same angular velocity in opposite directions;   e) which are arranged in such a way that their receiving openings are opposite each at the second transfer position after each revolution, so that the second follower can be transferred alternately from one to the other receiving opening at the second transfer position and can be guided alternately along the periphery of the first guiding wheel or of the second guiding wheel of the second guiding module.   

     The first and the second guiding module are thus preferably identical, preferably arranged within a guiding plane, possibly rotated 180° against each other and spaced apart according to the length of the cutting tool. 
     The rotation axes of the wheels of the first guiding module and the wheels of the second guiding module preferably define the corners of a rectangle or a parallelogram in the intersections of the guiding plane. 
     The first follower and the second follower run synchronously in spaced-apart identical and identically aligned guideways, possibly guided in congruent guide channels. 
     The guiding wheels can be rotated at high speed so that a process material can be cut with high cycle rates. 
     During the cutting process, a cutting movement takes place in two directions. The cutting tool always remains aligned parallel and is moved cyclically downwards and upwards along its longitudinal axis with a first cutting movement. At the same time, the cutting tool is moved back and forth perpendicularly with a second cutting movement. With the first cutting movement, the cutting tool can be guided tangentially along the process material, while at the same time, with the second cutting movement, the cutting tool is guided against the process material or into the process material in order to cut it open. With simple rotational movements of the guiding wheels, an ideal cutting movement can be carried out, which allows the process material to be cut precisely and quickly. 
     The process material is cut open by the first cutting movement, while the process material is not compressed by the second cutting movement. Due to the avoidance of the compression of the process material, precise cuts and precise cutting patterns result. Process material, in particular foodstuffs such as meat, bread, cheese or other industrial goods, can thus be cut optimally, i.e. extremely precisely and with high cycle rates. 
     If the cutting tool is designed as a wire or a blade that comprises cutting edges on both sides, the process material can be cut from both directions by means of the wire or the blade, which doubles the cycle frequency of the cuts. 
     If a wire is used as cutting tool, it is preferably rotatably mounted and driven by at least one tool motor. Preferably both wire ends or connecting parts of the cutting tool are connected to tool motors, so that a torsion of the wire is avoided and it can be rotated at highest speeds. The wire can rotate at speeds preferably selectable or adjustable by the control unit between zero to over 1000 revolutions per second, resulting in high cutting performance. The rotating wire can be guided into the process material with practically no resistance. 
     The guiding device described so far comprises only one first guiding unit, which is practically aligned in a first guiding plane. 
     To increase the performance and stability, the guiding device is preferably equipped with a first guiding unit and a second guiding unit. The second guiding unit is preferably a mirror image of the first guiding unit and lies in a parallel guiding plane, preferably frontally opposite. The axes of rotation of the guiding wheels of the first and the second guiding unit are preferably aligned coaxially to each other. The distance between the two guiding units and thus the distance between the two guiding planes is preferably chosen according to the dimensions of the cutting tool and associated equipment, such as tool motors or ultrasonic transducers, which are held and guided between the two guiding planes or guiding units. The guiding units are preferably identical and can be manufactured with minimal effort. 
     In this embodiment, the cutting tool is held on both sides at both connection parts, which is why no bending stresses and torsions result. The cutting tool can be guided powerfully without overloading. 
     In each of the embodiments described, the guiding device can be made extraordinarily compact. The dimensions of the guiding units are determined by the dimensions of the cutting tool and by the deflection of the cutting tool in the first and second directions of movement. This means that only as much space is required as is needed by the cutting tool itself. The guiding units themselves can be manufactured with a small thickness of for example about 1 cm to 2 cm. A more compact design is therefore hardly possible. 
     The inventive cutting device can therefore be advantageously integrated into any processes and devices. Due to the compact design, the cutting device can also be integrated into vending machines that cut a process material to be sold. For example, the cutting device is combined with a conveyor device that cuts bread or cakes. The conveyor device can also feed different process materials sequentially into the cutting process, for example first bread and then meat and then bread again. In this way, fresh sandwiches can be cut automatically. 
     Particularly advantageous is the mirror-image or symmetrical design of the guiding devices, which use essentially the same device parts for all guiding modules. For example, identical guiding wheels can be used, which only need to be coupled together in pairs in the appropriate orientation. 
     The inventive cutting device can be constructed modularly and assembled in a few simple steps. 
     The guiding wheels can be driven in various ways. Preferably, the tool drive comprises a single drive motor, by means of which all guiding wheels of the guiding device are driven via a correspondingly designed force transmission device. The force transmission device may comprise interconnected toothed wheels and/or toothed belts. Furthermore, a drive module can be assigned to each guiding unit or each guiding module or each guiding wheel. In this case, the synchronisation of all guiding wheels must be ensured. For example, sensors are used to determine the positions of the guiding wheels and correct them if necessary. The drive can be carried out by stepper motors, which control the related guiding wheels accordingly. 
     It is particularly easy to drive the guiding wheels if they are designed as gear wheels and comprise peripheral toothing. It is sufficient to drive only one of two toothed gear wheels. The corresponding toothing of the guiding wheels automatically synchronises them. In this case, the pairs of guiding wheels can also be driven with little effort by a single drive motor through transmission shafts and gear wheels. 
     The tool drive can therefore be easily set up in a centralised or decentralised manner. 
     After each rotation of the guiding wheels, the follower and the receiving openings of the guiding wheels reach the related transfer positions. At this transfer position, the receiving openings may be opposite each other with a slight slope. Due to the moving mass, the followers at the transfer position try to continue their path in a straight line, which runs from the first guiding wheel towards the neighbouring guiding wheel. At the same time, centrifugal forces act which cause the followers to enter from the receiving opening of one guiding wheel into the receiving opening of the other guiding wheel. In this way, an automatic transfer of the follower and of the cutting tool connected to it takes place. 
     The transfer of the follower from the receiving opening of the one guiding wheel to the receiving opening of the other guiding wheel is supported in preferred embodiments by additional guiding elements that can be used individually or in combination. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, a preferably at least approximately V-shaped first guiding collar is arranged at the receiving opening of the first guiding wheel and a preferably at least approximately V-shaped second guiding collar is arranged at the receiving opening of the second guiding wheel. 
     The first guiding collar is preferably designed to project beyond the first guiding wheel and to engage the second guiding collar at the transfer position. In the transfer position, the two guiding collars define a possibly self-contained transfer channel along which the associated follower is safely guided from the receiving opening of the first guiding wheel to the receiving opening of the second guiding wheel. 
     As auxiliary elements, possibly rotatably mounted magnets can also be provided which attract or repel the followers or magnets directly or indirectly connected thereto in order to hold them in the receiving openings or eject them therefrom. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first and/or the second follower, the first and the second guiding unit are connected to each other by a first guiding shaft. The guiding shafts can fulfil different functions. On the one hand, the guiding shafts can serve as bearings for the follower, which for example are designed as hollow cylinder elements and can rotate around the guiding shafts. Preferably, the guiding shafts project outwards from the follower on both sides and are connected outside the follower with their end pieces with a guiding slide. 
     In preferred embodiments, the followers are rotatably mounted so that they can be moved as smoothly as possible along the guideway in a guiding channel. 
     In preferred embodiments, the followers and/or the guiding slides are guided in guiding plates. Preferably, each of the guiding modules comprises a guiding plate serving to support the related guiding wheels. Each guiding plate preferably comprises a guiding channel running parallel to the guideway along which the associated follower is guided. The guiding channel comprises at least one channel segment which serves for the direct or indirect guidance of the related follower. 
     Preferably, a first channel segment is provided, which serves to accommodate an end piece of the related follower. The followers are thus preferably guided in this first channel segment parallel to the guideway. 
     Alternatively or in addition to the first channel segment, a second channel segment is preferably provided, which is designed to receive an elongated and rotatably mounted guiding slide, which is directly or indirectly connected to the related follower. The guiding slide can be directly or indirectly, fixed or rotatably connected to the follower. Preferably, however, the guiding slide is attached to the guiding shaft, which protrudes over the follower accordingly. The guiding slide is guided in the guiding channel or in the second channel segment substantially straight along the guideway, so that it always passes diagonally through the crossing point, which is located at a related transfer position. In this way, the guideway is always passed through smoothly and correctly. 
     Preferably, a third channel segment is provided in which the guiding wheels are countersunk. By countersinking the guiding wheels, it is ensured that followers held in the receiving openings cannot exit the receiving openings outside the transfer position. 
     The connecting parts of the cutting tool can be connected to the followers in any way. Preferably, articulated connections are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second followers are connected directly or indirectly, for example by a bearing block, to the related first or second connecting part of the cutting tool. 
     Any auxiliary devices can be attached to the bearing block, in particular auxiliary devices that serve measuring purposes and/or act on the cutting tool. Sensors that are moved with the cutting tool can be used to monitor the cutting process, if necessary. 
     Preferably, the first and second followers are each connected to a bearing block that holds an ultrasonic transducer, which in turn is connected to the related connecting part to deliver ultrasonic energy to the cutting tool. 
     Inventive cutting devices can be advantageously integrated into any process chains, any devices, vending machines and the like. The process material to be cut is preferably fed by means of a conveyor device in process steps that are synchronised with the cutting cycles. For each step to be executed, the process material is pushed into a desired position beforehand. If the cutting tool comprises a cutting edge on both sides or if the cutting tool is a wire, the process material can be cut from both sides. After each deflection, the process material is advanced according to the desired cutting thickness and made available for the next cutting cycle. With each pass through the guideway, the cutting tool can therefore execute a cut twice. 
    
    
     
       The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Thereby shows: 
         FIG.  1    an inventive cutting device  100  in a preferred embodiment with a conveyor device  4  for conveying a process material P to be cut, with a tool drive  3  and a cutting tool  2 , which is held by a guiding device  1 , which comprises two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, which are spaced apart from one another and operate synchronously, each comprising an upper guiding module  11 A,  11 B and a lower guiding module  12 A,  12 B, each comprising two mutually coupled guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122 , by means of which a respective follower  118 ,  128  connected to the cutting tool  2  can be circulated along a loop which runs along the periphery of the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  coupled to one another; 
         FIG.  2   a    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    with a wire-shaped cutting tool  2  and the guiding device  1  without the second guiding unit  1 B, which is only optionally provided; 
         FIG.  2   b    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  2   a    after a rotation of the coupled guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  by 90° in opposite directions, after which the cutting tool  2  has been moved an eighth of the way within the self-contained loop; 
         FIG.  3   a    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    from the front side with the guiding device  1  with the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, between which the cutting tool  2  is held so that it can circulate within the loop and which are each provided with an upper guiding plate  115  and a lower guiding plate  125  for mounting the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122 ; 
         FIG.  3   b    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   a    after removal of the upper and lower guiding plates  115 ,  125  from the second guiding unit  1 B; 
         FIG.  3   c    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   b    without the optionally provided second guiding unit  1 B, looking at the cutting tool  2  whose connecting parts  21 ,  22  are held by optionally provided ultrasonic transducers  25 ; 
         FIG.  3   d    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   c    without the ultrasonic transducer  25  looking at the followers  118 ,  128  in a position in which they are transferred from the first guiding wheels  111 ,  121  to the second guiding wheels  112 ,  122 ; 
         FIG.  3   e    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   d    without the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  looking at guiding channels B 11 , B 12  provided in the guiding plates  115 ,  125 ; 
         FIG.  4    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    with a view from above between the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, between which the cutting tool  2  is held; 
         FIG.  5   a    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    with the moving elements the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, the guiding device  1  and the cutting tool  2 , which is held by followers  118 ,  128 , which are alternately circulated around the first guiding wheels  111 ,  121  and the second guiding wheels  112 ,  122 ; 
         FIG.  5   b    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  5   a    with the moving elements of the first guiding unit  1 A of the guiding device  1 ; 
         FIG.  5   c    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  5   b    with the first guiding unit  1 A, optionally with the not shown second guiding unit  1 B in a preferred embodiment, in which only the first connecting part  21  of the cutting tool  2  is circulated around the guiding wheels  111 ,  112  of the upper guiding module  11  and the second connecting part  22  with the related follower  128  in the lower guiding module  12 A is guided back and forth in a straight or curved, vertical or inclined guiding channel B 12 ; 
         FIG.  5   d    the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  5   b    with the moving elements of the two guiding units  1 A of the guiding device  1  with a wire-shaped cutting tool  2 , which is optionally held rotatable about its longitudinal axis by motors  211 ,  221 ; 
         FIG.  6    the guiding device  1  with the first guiding unit  1 A and the tool unit  2  with the ultrasonic transducers  25  of  FIG.  3   c    in exploded view; 
         FIG.  7   a    the upper guiding module  11 A of  FIG.  3   d    without the first guiding wheel  111  with the follower  118  at the transfer position T 1  between the first and second guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ; 
         FIG.  7   b    the upper guiding module  11 A with a vertical section along the section line B-B of  FIG.  6    through the guiding plate  115  at the transfer position T 1  of the follower  118 ; 
         FIG.  7   c    the upper guiding module  11 A of  FIG.  3   d    without the first guiding wheel  111  with the follower  118  moved further by a quarter turn of the second guiding wheel  112  and with the follower  118 ′ at a further position; 
         FIG.  7   d    the upper guiding module  11 A of  FIG.  7   c    with a section through the guiding plate  115  at the position of the follower  118 , which was reached after the quarter rotation of the second guiding wheel  112 ; 
         FIG.  8    an ultrasonic transducer  25  taken from the cutting device  1  of  FIG.  1   , which is connected on the one hand to a connecting part  21 ,  22  of the cutting tool  2  and on the other hand to a bearing block  29  shown with a quarter section, which is held on both sides by followers  118 ,  128 ; 
         FIG.  9    the cutting device  1  of  FIG.  1    in a further preferred embodiment and a tool drive  3  comprising a force transmission device  310  with drive belts; and 
         FIG.  10    the cutting device  1  of  FIG.  1    with a further exemplarily shown conveyor device  4 . 
     
    
    
       FIG.  1    shows an inventive cutting device  100  in a preferred embodiment with a guiding device  1 , which comprises two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, which serve to guide a cutting tool  2 , which is held between the guiding units  1 A,  1 B and can be guided in vertical alignment along a guide loop. The two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, which are preferably mirror-inverted and aligned frontally with respect to each other, each comprise an upper guiding module  11 A;  11 B and a lower guiding module  12 A;  12 B. The guiding modules  11 A,  11 B;  12 A,  12 B are preferably identical and may be rotated by 180° in relation to each other. 
     Each of the guiding modules  11 A;  11 B;  12 A;  12 B comprises a first guiding wheel  111 ;  121  and a second guiding wheel  112 ;  122 , which are rotatably held in pairs by guiding plates  115 ;  125  (see  FIG.  2   a   ). The guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  are formed as toothed wheels and engage in each other with their toothing. The guiding plate  115  of the upper guiding module  11 A of the first guiding unit LA has been cut vertically in the middle. 
     From each pair of cooperating guiding wheels  111 ,  121 ;  112 ,  122  a follower  118 ;  128  (see  FIG.  2   a   ) is held and circulated along the guiding loop. A guiding slide  119 ;  129  (see for example  FIG.  3   c   ) is provided coaxially aligned with each follower  118 ;  128 . The end pieces of the followers  118 ,  128  which are facing the guiding plates  115 ,  125 , and the guiding slides  119 ,  129  are guided in guiding channels, which are arranged in each of the related guiding plates  115 ;  125  and run parallel to the guiding loop. 
     Below it is described and shown that each follower  118 ;  128  is alternately circulated by the related pair of guiding wheels  111 ,  121 ;  112 ,  122  along their periphery, which is why the guideway comprises the shape of figure eight. The cutting tool  2  is thus cyclically guided along a figure-of-eight path comprising a crossing point or transition point T 1 ; T 2  (see  FIG.  2   a   ). 
     The guiding device  1  comprises a mounting structure  10  connecting the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B and their guiding modules  11 A,  11 B,  12 A,  12 B. The two guiding units  1 A,  1 B comprise associated structural units  10 A,  10 B which are interconnected by connecting elements  10 C. 
     The guiding wheels  111 ,  121 ;  112 ,  122  and the cutting tool  2  are driven by means of a tool drive  3 , which comprises a drive motor  30 , which drives the guiding wheels  112 ;  122  (see  FIG.  2   a   ) via a force transmission device  31 , which drives the associated further guiding wheel  111 ;  121  via their toothing. The force transmission device  31  comprises gear wheels which are rotatably held by gear wheel shafts and which are positively coupled on the one hand to the drive motor  30  and on the other hand to the guiding wheels  112 ,  122 . The power transmission from the drive motor  30  to the guiding wheels  112 ,  122  can also be effected by drive belts, preferably a toothed belt and possibly toothed wheels, as shown in  FIG.  9   . It is also possible to drive the guiding wheels  111 ,  121 ;  112 ,  122  by individually assigned drive motors that operate synchronously. 
     The guiding device  1  with the cutting tool  2  can be integrated in any devices and processes in order to cut a process material P.  FIG.  1    shows an example of a conveyor device  4  with a pushing device  41 , by means of which a process material P can preferably be pushed step by step against the cutting tool  2 . The pushing device  41  comprises a conveyor motor  40 , by means of which a feed slide  411  can preferably be moved stepwise along a feed track  412 . With the feed slide  411 , pushing tools  413  are displaceable against the process material P. The process material P is guided by side plates  421  and is displaced against the cutting tool  2 , preferably step by step, via a feed plate  42  in accordance with the cutting cycles. 
     The cutting device  100  preferably comprises a control unit  5 , by means of which the movement of the cutting tool  2  and the feeding tools  413  can be controlled.  FIG.  9    shows that the position of the cutting tool  2  is detected by at least one sensor  50  and reported to the control unit  5 . Subsequently, the control unit  5  sends corresponding control signals  53 ,  54  to the drive motor  30  and the conveyor motor  40  to control the feed of the process material P according to the movements of the cutting tool  2 . After performing a cutting cycle and before starting the next cutting cycle, the process material P can be advanced by a distance corresponding to the set cutting thickness. The control unit  5  can be, for example, a conventional personal computer. 
     In preferred embodiments, the control unit  5  also comprises an alternating voltage generator, by means of which alternating voltages in the ultrasonic range are generated and applied to sound transducers  25 , which are connected to connecting parts  21 ,  22  of the cutting tool  2 . The alternating voltages are fed, for example, to piezo elements which convert the electrical oscillations into mechanical vibrations. 
       FIG.  1    shows the cutting device  100  in a preferred embodiment with two upper guide modules  11 A,  11 B and two lower guide modules  12 A,  12 B. The connecting parts  21 ,  22  (see  FIG.  2   a   ) provided at both ends of the cutting tool  2  are held and guided on both sides in this embodiment. The guiding device  1  can also be designed in such a way that the connecting parts  21 ,  22  are only guided on one side in a guiding module  11 A;  12 A. Furthermore, it can be provided that only one of the connecting parts  21 ;  22  of the cutting tool  2  is guided on one side through one or on both sides through two guiding modules  11 A,  11 B;  12 A,  12 B lying opposite each other (see  FIG.  5   c   ) and the other connecting part  22 ;  21  follows in any path. The cutting device  100  can therefore be constructed and extended according to the needs of the user. 
       FIG.  2   a    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    with a symbolically shown, optionally wire-shaped cutting tool  2  and the guiding device  1  with the first guiding unit  1 A from the viewpoint of the second guiding unit  1 B, which is, however, only optionally provided. 
     The end pieces or connecting parts  21 ,  22  of the cutting tool  2  are each connected with a follower  118 ,  128 , which can be circulated in a figure-of-eight path alternately along the periphery of the two mutually corresponding guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122 , which are held by means of bearing devices  7 . The bearing devices  7  comprise bearing shafts  71  which are held in central bearing openings  70  of the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122 . 
     The guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122 
     a) are peripherally adjacent to each other at transfer positions T 1 , T 2 ;   b) are designed as toothed wheels and engage in one another with toothing;   c) each peripherally comprise a receiving opening  1110 ,  1120 ;  1210 ,  1220  which is open at least approximately radially outwards and serves to receive a follower  118 ;  119 ;   d) are rotatable by the tool drive  3  with the same angular velocity in opposite directions;   e) are arranged in such a way that their receiving openings  1110 ,  1120 ;  1210 ,  1220 , as shown in  FIG.  2   a   , lie opposite each other after each revolution at the related transfer position T 1 ; T 2 , so that the followers  118 ;  119  can be transferred alternately from one receiving opening  1110 ,  1120 ;  1210 ,  1220  to the other at the transfer position T 1 ; T 2  and can be guided further alternately along the periphery of the first guiding wheel  111 ;  121  or of the second guiding wheel  112 ;  122 .   

     In  FIG.  2   a   , the followers  118 ,  128 , which have just passed around the first guiding wheels  111 ,  121 , are held in the receiving openings  1110 ,  1120  of the first guiding wheels  111 ,  121  and are subsequently transferred by centrifugal forces or guided by force into the receiving openings  1120 ,  1220  of the second guiding wheels  112 ,  122  and subsequently pass around the second guiding wheels  112 ,  122 . Even before reaching the transfer positions T 1 , T 2 , the followers  118 ,  128  can move outwards so that they are thrown into the adjacent receiving openings  1120 ,  1220 . 
       FIG.  2   b    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  2   a    after the transfer of the follower  118 ,  128  to the second guiding wheels  112 ,  122  and a further rotation of the coupled guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  by 90° in opposite directions, after which the cutting tool  2  was moved one eighth of the way within the closed loop. The cutting tool  2  was not only guided to the right in the direction of the second guiding wheels  112 ,  122 , but also upwards. 
     It is therefore visible that the connecting parts  21 ,  22  of the cutting tool are deflected downwards and upwards twice during a cycle according to the diameter of the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  and moved back and forth according to twice the diameter of the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122 . The cutting tool  2  thus performs a tangential movement relative to the process material while it is guided through the process material. The process material is thus cut with high precision without being compressed. 
       FIG.  3   a    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    from the front side with the guiding device  1  with the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, between which the cutting tool  2  is held circulatable within the loop. The guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  are mounted in pairs in upper and lower guiding plates  115 ,  125 . 
     The process material (not shown) is conveyed via the feed plate  42  to the cutting tool  2 , which is cyclically guided back and forth in front of the feed plate  42 , preferably corresponding to the entire width of the feed plate  42 . 
       FIG.  3   b    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   a    after removal of the upper and lower guiding plates  115 ,  125  from the second guiding unit  1 B. The guiding slides  119 ,  129  are exposed at the front and are guided in guide channels provided in the removed guiding plates  115 ,  125 . 
       FIG.  3   c    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   b    without the optionally provided second guiding unit  1 B, looking at the cutting tool  2  whose connecting parts  21 ,  22  are held by optionally provided ultrasonic transducers  25 . It should be noted that the guiding device  1  can also be realised in this configuration, i.e. only with the first guiding unit  1 A. The double-sided guiding is preferred when process material is cut with high force. The force required to cut the process material, on the other hand, can be reduced by applying ultrasonic energy to the cutting tool  2 . 
     It is shown that the followers  118 ,  128  each hold a mounting body  29  on which an ultrasonic transducer  25  is mounted. Each of the ultrasonic transducers  25  is in turn connected with a connecting part  21 ,  22  of the cutting tool  2 . The connecting parts  21 ,  22  are connected, for example, with a metal cylinder, which is braced inside the ultrasonic transducer  25  with piezo elements. By applying electrical alternating voltages in the subsonic range to the piezo elements, ultrasonic waves are generated which are transmitted to the cutting tool  2  via the connecting parts  21 ,  22 . 
       FIG.  3   d    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   c    without the ultrasonic transducer  25  looking at the followers  118 ,  128  in the position of  FIG.  2   a   , in which they are transferred from the first guiding wheels  111 ,  121  to the second guiding wheels  112 ,  122 . Any cutting tools  2  can be connected to the followers  118 ,  128 . Preferably, the exemplarily shown cutting tool  2  is used, which comprises a blade  200 , which is provided with cutting edges  201 ,  202  on opposite sides. With such a cutting tool  2 , possibly also with a wire-shaped cutting tool  2  (see  FIG.  5   d   ), a cut can be made in any direction of movement from left to right and from right to left. 
       FIG.  3   e    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  3   d    without the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  looking at optionally provided guiding channels B 11 , B 12  provided in the guiding plates  115 ,  125 . The followers  118 ,  128  and the guiding slides  119 ,  129  are guided in different channel segments of the guiding channels B 11 , B 12 . By means of the guiding channels B 11 , B 12  the followers  118 ,  128  can be positively guided. The guiding slide  119 ,  121  ensure that the cutting tool  2  is always guided in the correct direction at the transition positions T 1 , T 2 . 
       FIG.  4    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    with a view from above between the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B, between which the cutting tool  2  is held. The guiding plate  115  of the upper guiding module  11 B of the second guiding unit  1 B has been cut horizontally at half height along the cutting line A-A shown in  FIG.  3   a   . In the cut guiding plate  115 , parts of the guiding channel B 11  are exposed. In the area of the transition position T 1 , the follower  118  and the guiding slide  119  held in the guiding channel B 11  are shown. Furthermore, the inserted bearing devices  7  are visible. 
       FIG.  5   a    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    with the moving elements the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B of the guiding device  1  and the cutting tool  2  in the position of  FIG.  2   a   . The cutting tool  2  is held between the first and second guide wheels  111 ,  121 ;  112 ,  122  of the first and second guiding unit  1 A,  1 B by followers  118 ,  128  of the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B. 
       FIG.  5   b    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  5   a    with the moving elements of the first guiding unit  1 A of the guiding device  1 . As mentioned, the guiding device  1  can also be operated in this configuration. It is shown that guiding shafts  1181 ,  1281  protrude from the followers  118 ,  128 . The followers  118 ,  119  of the two guiding units  1 A,  1 B are hollow cylindrical and rotatably held on both sides by the guiding shafts  1181 ,  1281 . 
       FIG.  5   b    shows further that the first guiding wheel  111 ;  121  is provided with a first guiding collar  1111 ;  1211 , which projects beyond the first guiding wheel  111 ;  121  and engages at the transfer position T 1 , T 2  in a second guiding collar  1121 ;  1221 , which is attached to the second guiding wheel  112 ,  122 . The guiding collars  1111 ,  1211 ,  1121 ,  1122  are V-shaped and enclose with two guiding arms the associated receiving opening  1110 ,  1120 ,  1210 ,  1220  of the related guiding wheel  111 ,  112 ,  121 ,  122 . Through the mutual engagement of the guiding collars  1111 ,  1211 ;  1121 ,  1122 , a transfer channel TC is formed at the transfer position T 1 , T 2 , through which the followers  118 ,  128  can pass from one to the other receiving opening  1110 ,  1210 ;  1120 ,  1220  in a controlled manner. The guiding arms of the guiding collar  1111 ,  1211 ,  1121 ,  1122  can be shaped as required, so that, for example, a gradient results, along which the followers  118 ,  128  can roll or slide in accordance with the centrifugal forces and gravitational forces acting on them. 
       FIG.  5   c    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  1    with the first guiding unit  1 A, optionally with the not shown second guiding unit  1 B in a preferred embodiment, in which only the first connecting part  21  of the cutting tool  2  is circulated around the guiding wheels  111 ,  112  of the upper guiding module  11  and the second connecting part  22  in the lower guiding module  12 A is cyclically guided back and forth in a straight or curved, vertical or inclined guiding channel B 12 . In principle, a self-contained second guiding channel B 12 , for example running along a circle or an ellipse, can also be provided. In the example shown, the follower  128  and the optionally provided guiding slide are guided vertically upwards and downwards. 
       FIG.  5   d    shows the cutting device  100  of  FIG.  5   b    with the moving elements of the guiding unit  1 A of the guiding device  1  with a wire-shaped cutting tool  2 . The cutting tool  2  is mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis and is preferably connected to and driven by electric tool motors  211 ,  221  at both connecting parts  21 ,  22 . 
       FIG.  6    shows an exploded view of the guiding device  1  with the first guiding unit  1 A and the tool unit  2  with the ultrasonic transducers  25  of  FIG.  3     c.    
       FIG.  7   a    shows the upper guiding module  11 A of  FIG.  3   d    without the first guiding wheel  111  with the follower  118  at the transfer point T 1  between the first and second guiding wheel  111 ,  112 . 
       FIG.  7   b    shows the upper guiding module  11 A with a vertical section along the intersection line B-B of  FIG.  6    through the guiding plate  115  at the position of the follower  118 . It is shown that the guiding slide  119  is correctly aligned and guides the follower  118  correctly over the intersection of the guiding channel B 11 . 
     The guiding channel B 11  comprises three channel segments B 1 , B 2  and B 3 . In the middle channel segment B 1  an end piece of the follower  118  is guided. In the lowest channel segment B 2  the guiding slide  119  is aligned and guided accordingly. In the uppermost channel segment B 3  the guiding wheels  111 ,  112  are countersunk. This ensures that the follower  118 ,  128  can only detach from the guiding wheels  111 ,  112 ;  121 ,  122  at the transfer positions T 1 , T 2 . 
     At the transfer point T 1 , the middle channel segment B 1  is somewhat wider, which is why the guiding here is essentially done by the guiding slide  119 . 
       FIG.  7   c    shows the upper guiding module  11 A of  FIG.  3   d    without the first guiding wheel  111  with the follower  118  moved further by a quarter turn of the second guiding wheel  112 . Furthermore, the follower  118 ′ is shown at a further position within the part of the guiding channel B 11  in the area of the first guiding wheel  111 . The follower  118  has been moved in a clockwise circular path around the second guiding wheel  112  and inserted from below into the circular path around the first guiding wheel  111 . 
       FIG.  7   d    shows the upper guiding module  11 A of  FIG.  7   c    with a vertical section along the section line B-B of  FIG.  6    through the guiding plate  115  at the position of the follower  118 , which was reached after the quarter turn of the second guiding wheel  112 . The follower  118  is guided here in the middle channel segment B 2  with little play. The guiding slide  119  is horizontally aligned in this position in the lowest channel segment B 1 . 
       FIG.  8    shows an ultrasonic transducer  25  taken from the cutting device  1  of  FIG.  1   , which is connected on the one hand to a connecting part  21 ;  22  of the cutting tool  2  and on the other hand to a bearing block  29  shown with a quarter section, which is held on both sides by followers  118 ,  128 . 
     The followers  118 ,  128  are penetrated by a guiding shaft  1181 ;  1281 , which projects beyond the followers  118 ,  128  on both sides. The two end pieces of the guiding shaft  1181 ;  1281  are connected to the guiding slides  119 ;  129 . Also shown are the guiding collars  1121 ,  1221  which engage with each other at the transfer position T 1 , T 2  and form a transfer channel TC. The bearing block  29 , which comprises a bearing channel for receiving the guiding shaft  1181 ,  1281 , can be of any shape and can hold any auxiliary devices. For example, the tool motors  211 ,  221  of  FIG.  5   d    are mounted on such a bearing block  29 . 
       FIG.  9    shows the cutting device  1  of  FIG.  1    in a further preferred embodiment and a tool drive  3 , which comprises a force transmission device  310  with a drive belts  310 . The function of the control unit  5  has been described above. 
       FIG.  10    shows the cutting device  1  of  FIG.  1    with one of the guiding units  1  according to the  FIGS.  1 - 9   , in this case with only one guiding unit  1 A and with a conveyor device  4  with at least one tubular feeding body  42 A, which is preferably funnel-shaped or comprises a funnel-shaped element. The feeding body  42 A can comprise a tube with a round, for example elliptical, oval or circular, or a polygonal, for example rectangular, square or triangular cross-section. The process material P is conveyed through the feeding body  42 A, for example by means of an extendable plunger or piston. 
     Optionally, two or more feeding bodies  42 A,  42 B are provided, which can be exchanged by means of a changeover device  45 , or can be moved with their outlet opening alternately in front of the cutting tool  2 . For example, the feeding bodies  42 A,  42 B are slidably mounted on rails  46 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCES 
     
         
           100  cutting device 
           1  guiding device 
           1 A first guiding unit 
           10  mounting structure, machine frame 
           10 A structural unit of the first guiding unit  1 A 
           1 B second guiding unit 
           10 B structural unit of the second guiding unit  1 B 
           10 C connecting elements of the guiding units  1 A,  1 B 
           11 A,  11 B upper guiding modules 
           111  upper first guiding wheels 
           1110  receiving opening 
           1111  guiding collar 
           112  upper second guiding wheels 
           1120  receiving opening 
           1121  guiding collar 
           115  upper guiding plates 
           118  upper follower 
           118 ′ upper follower at a further position 
           1181  upper guiding shafts 
           119  upper guiding slide 
           119 ′ upper guiding slide at a further position 
           12 A,  12 B lower guiding modules 
           121  lower first guiding wheels 
           1210  receiving opening 
           1211  guiding collar 
           122  lower second guiding wheels 
           1220  receiving opening 
           1221  guiding collar 
           125  lower guiding plates 
           128  lower follower 
           1281  lower guiding shafts 
           129  lower guiding slide 
           2  cutting tool, blade or wire 
           200  blade 
           201  first cutting edge 
           202  second cutting edge 
           21  first connecting part of the cutting tool 
           22  second connecting part of the cutting tool 
           25  ultrasonic transducer 
           251  connection cable 
           29  mounting body 
           3  tool drive 
           30  drive motor 
           31  force transmission device with gear wheels 
           310  force transmission device with drive belts 
           4  conveyor device 
           40  conveyor motor 
           41  pushing device 
           411  feed slide 
           412  feed track 
           413  feeding tools, preferably adjustable 
           42  feeding body, such as tube or plate 
           42 A,  42 B exchangeable feeding body 
           421  side plates, preferably adjustable 
           43  output plate 
           45  changeover device 
           46  rails of the changeover device 
           5  control device 
           7  bearing devices for the guiding wheels 
           70  bearing opening 
           71  bearing shafts 
           72  bearing body 
         B 0  linear guiding channel 
         B 11 , B 12  guiding channel in the guiding plate  115 ,  125   
         B 1  first channel segment for the follower 
         B 2  second channel segment for the guiding slide 
         B 3  third channel segment for the guiding wheels 
         P process material 
         T 1  first transfer position 
         T 2  second transfer position 
         TC transfer channel