US 11,911,925 B2
Method for automatically adjusting the cutting gap of a slicing machine and slicing machine suitable therefor
Albert Hartmann, Dietmannsried (DE); and Alexander Kast, Memmingen (DE)
Assigned to Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller SE & Co. KG, Wolfertschwenden (DE)
Filed by MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER SE & CO. KG, Wolfertschwenden (DE)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/381,352.
Claims priority of application No. 102020119226.6 (DE), filed on Jul. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0024064 A1, Jan. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. B26D 7/26 (2006.01); B26D 1/28 (2006.01)
CPC B26D 7/2628 (2013.01) [B26D 1/28 (2013.01); B26D 2210/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for automatically adjusting a cutting gap of a slicing machine for slicing strand-shaped product calibers from a food product into slices, under control by a controller of the slicing machine, wherein the slicing machine includes
a blade motor for driving a blade about a blade axis, wherein the blade has a peripheral cutting edge which defines a blade plane, and
a cutting frame with a counter edge for cooperation with the cutting edge,
wherein, under control by the controller and without contact of the blade to the food product to be cut, the method comprises steps of:
a) moving the blade along the blade axis in an approach direction to approach the cutting frame until contact with the cutting frame,
b) stopping the approach movement of the blade,
c) moving the blade back in a spacing direction by a distance corresponding to a desired size of the cutting gap, measured in a direction of the blade axis,
wherein, in the method,
in or before step a),
without contacting the food product to be cut, an idle torque of the blade motor or of the blade is measured and supplied to the controller, and
in step b),
the approach movement of the blade is stopped
when an increase of the idle torque by at least a fixed 1st moment difference is detected and suppled to the controller,
or when a defined absolute torque threshold value is detected and supplied to the controller,
wherein in step a)
the method comprises automatically checking whether, within one revolution of the blade, the idle torque increases significantly even before an entry angle of the blade into the cutting frame is reached,
if the idle torque increases significantly, a warning signal is emitted in order to check a parallel position of a front surface of the cutting frame to the blade plane,
or an operator is informed that an upper edge of the cutting frame is closer to the blade plane than a lower edge.