“CUTTING MACHINE FOR SHEETS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD”

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of cutting machines, and in detail relates to a cutting machine for sheets.

The present invention also relates to a method for cutting sheets.

Background art

With the spread of smartphone mobile phones provided with large screens, the use of layers of plastic material to be superimposed on the screen has become widespread. Such layers of plastic material are typically sheets, having a substantially planar configuration, which are glued over the screen of the mobile phone in order to strengthen and/or protect it from cuts, scratches or chips that may result from the normal use of the mobile phone. The spread of such layers of plastic material has been particularly important recently, since the screen of the latest generation of mobile phones is a touch-sensitive screen, and represents the main, or indeed the only, user interface. Moreover, the screens of the latest generation of mobile phones are extremely expensive to replace as they have a significant technological contribution.

In particular, the layers of plastic material superimposed on the screens must still allow the screen's sensors to detect the touch - in this case no longer directly on the screen but on the protective layer superimposed thereon - and must not impair the quality of vision of the screen itself.

The plastic layers must be cut to exactly cover the shape of the screen. Where the screen is accompanied by, or incorporates, additional user interface devices such as a microphone, loudspeaker or buttons, the cutting of the plastic layers becomes difficult to do by hand. For this reason, machines have been developed for cutting layers of plastic material. These machines have a cutting head which executes a relative movement with respect to the sheet which will realize the layer of plastic material superimposed on the screen. The relative movement occurs along a determined path or perimeter.

The Applicant has observed that users may require layers of plastic material for a wide variety of mobile phones, each characterized by a screen and/or by additional user interfaces located in particular positions. In fact, it has been determined that there are now several hundred possible shapes in which layers of plastic material can be cut to fit various mobile phones. With such a large number of cutting possibilities, it is easy to make a mistake and thus cut a layer of plastic material into the wrong shape. The cut layer thus created must then be discarded.

It has been noted that the layer of plastic material to be superimposed on the screen is expensive, and for this reason its waste resulting from cutting it according to a wrong shape represents a significant loss for the manufacturing company.

The Applicant also noted that for those who sells layers of protective plastic material to be superimposed on the screen, an important commercial data can be the number of layers realized.

The aim of the present invention is to describe a cutting machine and a cutting method that allow to solve the drawbacks described above.

Summary

The invention is described herein in some of its salient aspects, which may be combined with each other and/or with portions of the description and/or with the appended claims.

According to the present invention it is described a cutting machine (100) for cutting sheets (300), in particular sheets intended to cover portions of electronic devices, the cutting machine comprising:

- a support plane (104) for at least one sheet (300), in use lying on the support plane (104);

- a cutting head (102) configured for cutting the at least one sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path;

- a sheets recognition module (103), configured for detecting characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300), and for causing an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data (D), comprising at least one of the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103); said cutting machine (100) being configured for:

- adjusting (1006) at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300), in accordance with, and/or on the basis of, said electronic configuration data (D), and/or for recognizing, by means of the sheets recognition module (103), the correct positioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) and/or with respect to the cutting head (102) and/or for automatically or semi-automatically determining or modifying the predetermined cutting perimeter or path basing on the, and/or in accordance with the, characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or basing on the, and/or in accordance with the, electronic configuration data (D); and - causing a relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along the predetermined cutting perimeter or path.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the predetermined cutting perimeter or path is a closed path and/or comprises at least one cutting realized in an internal portion of said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets (300) are intended to cover portions of electronic devices and to provide at least one layer of protection for said portions of electronic devices.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) occurs at least along a plane comprising a first direction (X) in use substantially horizontal.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) occurs at least along a plane parallel to a plane on which lies said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for adjusting (1006) at least a cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300) basing on the, and/or in accordance with the, characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103).

In particular, according to another aspect it is described herein a cutting machine (100) for cutting sheets (300), in particular sheets destined to cover portions of electronic devices, the cutting machine (100) comprising:

- a support plane (104) for at least one sheet (300);

- a cutting head (102) configured for cutting the at least one sheet (300), in use lying on the support plane (104), along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path; and

- a sheets recognition module (103), configured for detecting characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300), and for causing an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data (D), comprising said characteristics of the sheet (300) in particular the shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300) detected by the sheet (300), wherein the cutting machine (100) is configured for:

- adjusting (1006) at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300) basing on the, and/or in accordance with the, characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or basing on the, and/or in accordance with the, electronic configuration data (D), and/or for recognizing, by means of the sheets recognition module (103), the correct positioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) and/or with respect to the cutting head (102) and/or for automatically or semi-automatically determining or modifying the predetermined cutting perimeter or path basing on the, and/or in accordance with the, characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or basing on the, and/or in accordance with the, electronic configuration data (D); and

- causing a relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along the predetermined cutting perimeter or path.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the characteristics of the sheet (300) comprise at least one among: one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the speed with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300) is a speed of movement of the cutting head (102) with respect to the sheet (300) held in a fixed position.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for executing, optionally automatically, an electronic search of a predetermined electronic sheet model (300m) whose shape and/or size and/or graphic pattern and/or informative element data are compatible with the electronic configuration data (D), in particular with the characteristics of the sheet (300) present in the electronic configuration data (D), more in particular with the shape of the sheet (300) and/or the size of the sheet (300) and/or the graphic pattern on the sheet (300) of the electronic configuration data (D).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for automatically or semi-automatically determining or modifying the predetermined cutting perimeter or path in accordance with the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for adjusting (1006) the cutting characteristic with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300) with cutting data of said sheet (300) loaded from said predetermined electronic sheet model (300m).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for receiving, in input, cutting path or perimeter electronic data (P) intended to determine the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the at least one sheet (300) along said predetermined cutting perimeter or path. According to another non-limiting aspect, the characteristics of the sheet (300) comprise at least one level of transparency of the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets recognition module (103) is configured for detecting and/or measuring a level of transparency of the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for causing a relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) in order to execute a cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined path or perimeter lying in an inner portion of the sheet (300) with respect to an external edge or perimeter of said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine is configured for causing a relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) in order to execute a cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined path or perimeter lying in an inner portion of the sheet (300) with respect to an external edge or perimeter of said sheet (300) subordinately with respect to a level of transparency detected and/or measured by the sheets recognition module (103).

According to another non-limiting aspect, said cutting path or perimeter electronic data (P) comprise a plurality of coordinates, preferably at least two-dimensional, optionally three-dimensional, for allowing the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (103) along a plane parallel to the support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, said predetermined cutting perimeter or path is determined by the cutting path or perimeter electronic data (P) received in input by the cutting machine (100).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the graphic pattern and/or the informative element comprises a particular shaping of elements repeated on the surface of the sheet (300), said elements being characterized by a specific color and/or geometric shape and/or by a specific contrast variation, and/or it comprises an alphanumeric or visual code, optionally a barcode.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets recognition module (103) comprises at least a video camera or photo camera oriented so as to frame at least part of the sheet (300) when positioned on said support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets recognition module (103) comprises a laser barcode reader.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets recognition module (103) is configured for executing an algorithm of computer vision and/or of OCR and/or of machine learning, for identifying characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300), or the cutting machine (103) comprises a data processing unit operatively connected to the sheets recognition module (103) and configured for executing an algorithm of computer vision and/or of OCR and/or of machine learning, for identifying characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for maintaining the sheet (300) fixed on the support plane (104) and for moving the cutting head (102) at least along a plane substantially parallel to a plane on which said sheet (300) lies.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) is movable at least on a plane substantially parallel to a plane on which said sheet (300) lies.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) comprises at least one blade (102) configured for cutting the at least one sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine is configured for determining a relative rotation between the sheet (300) and the cutting head (102) and/or the blade, said relative rotation occurring on an axis orthogonal to said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) is configured for rotating around an axis substantially orthogonal to said sheet (300) and/or to said support plane (104), and/or said blade (102) is configured for rotating around an axis substantially orthogonal to said sheet (300) and/or to said support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) is movable, for a predetermined travel, along at least one plane substantially orthogonal to the plane on which the sheet (300) lies and/or orthogonal to the support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) is movable on a surface substantially orthogonal with respect to the plane on which said sheet (300) lies and/or the step of cutting comprises the movement of the cutting head (102) along a plane substantially orthogonal with respect to the plane on which said sheet (300) lies and/or with respect to the support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the blade (102c) is movable between a first distance with respect to the sheet (300) and a position of substantial contact with said sheet (300) or of insertion in said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting depth of said sheet (300) determines at least part of said predetermined travel and/or determines at least part of a distance between the first distance with respect to said sheet (300) and the position of substantial contact with said sheet (300) or insertion within said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for allowing the simultaneous cutting of a plurality of sheets (300) overlapping each other. According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) comprises a sheets supply module configured for allowing the cutting in series of a plurality of sheets (300), optionally wherein the sheets supply module is configured for allowing the cutting in series of a plurality of sheets (300) along said predetermined cutting perimeter or path. According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets supply module is configured for automatically supplying the plurality of sheets (300) to the cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for transmitting and/or emitting an alarm signal, if it is detected, optionally by means of the sheets recognition module (103), that the sheet (300) is situated in an improper position on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, said alarm signal is a visual signal and/or an acoustic signal.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for executing a repositioning of said sheet (300) on said support plane (104), optionally wherein said repositioning causes a movement of said sheet (300) from said improper position to a correct position for executing the cutting.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) comprises and/or is operatively connected to a monitor (105) and is configured for transmitting said alarm signal, when visual signal, on the monitor (105). According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for preventing and/or stopping, optionally automatically, the cutting of said at least one sheet (300) when it is detected that the sheet (300) is situated in an improper position on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) comprises, or is operatively associated to, a memory containing at least one predetermined electronic sheet model (300m), and said graphic pattern and/or informative element of said predetermined electronic sheet model (300m) is uniquely associated to a specific type of sheet (300) having a predetermined size and/or thickness and/or material.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for storing a number of cut sheets, and for updating said number of cut sheets with each new cutting of a sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for storing, for each cutting of a sheet (330), said electronic perimeter or cutting path data (P) used for cutting the sheet (300) and/or said electronic configuration data (D). According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for generating an electronic cutting report (R), configured for allowing a classification of a number of cuts of sheets executed in accordance with the cutting path or perimeter electronic data (P) used for cutting the sheet (300) and/or in accordance with the electronic configuration data (D), and/or for being able to determine a number of errors that occurred during the cutting of one or more sheets (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for or transmitting the electronic cutting report (R) towards an electronic device by means of a remote data transceiving connection (200). According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for recording at least one video of a cutting of a sheet (300), said recording taking place by means of the sheets recognition module (103).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheet (300) is a sheet of plastic material.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheet (300) is a single-layer sheet or a multi- layer sheet.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) is a cutting head specifically configured for cutting sheets of plastic material.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for executing a transmission of said video towards an electronic device by means of a remote data transceiving connection (200), optionally if the cutting machine (100) detects a failure or malfunction during the step (1007) of cutting the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for allowing the execution of a calibration procedure of the cutting head (102), optionally in an at least partially automated way and/or guided by means of pre-programmed instructions. According to another non-limiting aspect, the calibration procedure of the cutting head (102) is designed to allow an optimization of the precision and/or accuracy of the cutting of the at least one sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) comprises and/or is operatively connected to a monitor (105) and is configured for providing said pre-programmed instructions through at least said monitor (105).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) comprises, or is operatively connected to, a printing head configured for executing at least one print of a graphic pattern on the sheet (300), optionally wherein the printing head is operatively associated with another cutting head (102). According to another non-limiting aspect, the printing head is movable integrally with the cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for establishing a connection with an auxiliary electronic device, in particular for establishing a remote connection with the auxiliary electronic device, said connection being intended at least to enable the reception of electronic data intended to cause the execution of the printing of said graphic pattern on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the network interface (106) is configured for establishing said connection, optionally said remote connection. According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for executing, and/or for making it executed, said printing in an at least partially automated way, optionally in a fully automated way, following a completion of the reception of said electronic data.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for making it executed, said printing by an external printer operatively connected to the cutting machine (100). According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for executing, and/or for making it executed, said printing after the step of cutting (1007), in particular after the completion of the step of cutting (1007).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting machine (100) is configured for executing, and/or for making it executed, said printing before the start of the step of cutting (1007). According to another non-limiting aspect, said sheet (300) comprises an upper surface and a lower surface opposite with respect to the upper surface, and said cutting machine (100) is configured for executing said printing of said graphic pattern on the upper surface.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the lower surface of the sheet (300) is configured and/or intended to be in use directly in contact with a surface of the electronic device (400). According to the present invention is also described a method for cutting sheets (300), in particular sheets destined to cover portions of electronic devices, said method comprising:

- a step of positioning (1001), wherein at least one sheet (300) to be cut is positioned on a support plane (104) of a cutting machine (100),

- an identification step (1002), comprising an identification of characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300), said identification occurring by means of a sheets recognition module (103),

- said identification step (1002) also comprising an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data (D) comprising the characteristics of the sheet (300), wherein said electronic configuration data (D) are retrieved and/or generated by means of the sheets recognition module (103),

- a step (1007) of cutting at least one sheet (300), comprising a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path,

- a step of recognizing the sheet (1003), comprising the identification of a correct positioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) and/or with respect to the cutting head (102), said identification being executed by the sheets recognition module (103), and/or a step of adjusting (1006) the cutting head (102), wherein:

- at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300), is set or changed in accordance with the and/or basing on said electronic configuration data (D), and/or wherein

- the predetermined cutting perimeter or path is automatically or semi-automatically determined or modified in accordance with the, and/or basing on the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or in accordance with, and/or on the basis of, said electronic configuration data (D).

According to the present invention it is also described a method for cutting sheets (300), in particular sheets destined to cover portions of electronic devices, said method comprising:

- a step of positioning (1001), wherein at least one sheet (300) to be cut is positioned on a support plane (104) of a cutting machine (100),

- an identification step (1002), comprising an identification of characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300), said identification taking place by means of a sheets recognition module (103),

- said identification step (1002) also comprising an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data (D) comprising said characteristics of the sheet (300), in particular the shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300), wherein said electronic configuration data (D) are retrieved and/or generated by means of the sheets recognition module (103),

- a step (1007) of cutting at least one sheet (300), comprising a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path,

- a step of recognizing the sheet (1003), comprising the identification of a correct positioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) and/or with respect to the cutting head (102), said identification being executed by the sheets recognition module (103), and/or a step of adjusting (1006) the cutting head (102), wherein:

- at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300), is set or changed in accordance with, and/or basing on, the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means the sheets recognition module (103) and/or in accordance with the and/or basing on said electronic configuration data (D), and/or wherein

- the predetermined cutting perimeter or path is automatically or semi-automatically determined or modified in accordance with the, and/or basing on the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or in accordance with, and/or basing on, said electronic configuration data (D).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the predetermined cutting perimeter or path is a closed path.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step (1007) of cutting comprises the realization of at least one cutting in correspondence of an internal portion of said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step (1007) of cutting comprises the simultaneous cutting of a plurality of sheets (300) superimposed on each other, and/or the step of cutting (1007) comprises a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) for executing the simultaneous cutting of a plurality of sheets (300) superimposed on each other along said predetermined cutting perimeter or path.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step (1007) of cutting comprises the cutting of a plurality of sheets (300) placed in series, and optionally comprises a step of supply of said plurality of sheets (300) by means of a sheet supply module.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step (1007) of cutting comprises the cutting of said plurality of sheets (300) placed in series along said cutting perimeter or path.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of supply comprises the automated supply of the plurality of sheets (300) through the sheets supply module towards the cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) takes place along at least one plane comprising a first direction (X) in substantially horizontal use.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the at least one sheet (300) occurs along at least one plane parallel to the plane on which lies said at least a sheet (300). According to another non-limiting aspect, the speed with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300) is a speed of movement of the cutting head (102) while maintaining the sheet (300) in a fixed position.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of cutting (1007) takes place maintaining at least a sheet (300) fixed on said support plane (104), and moving the cutting head (102) with respect to the support plane (104) and to the at least a sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of executing, optionally automatic, an electronic search of a predetermined electronic sheet model (300m) whose shape and/or size and/or graphic pattern and/or informative element data are compatible with the electronic configuration data (D), in particular with the characteristics of the sheet (300) present in the electronic configuration data (D), more in particular with the shape of the sheet (300) and/or the size of the sheet (300) and/or the graphic pattern on the sheet (300) and/or the informative element of the sheet (300) of the electronic configuration data (D).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head comprises adjusting the cutting characteristic of the cutting head (102) with cutting data of said sheet (300) loaded from said predetermined electronic sheet model (300m).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of receiving (1009) electronic perimeter or cutting path data (P) intended to determine the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) in order to perform the cutting of the sheet (300) along said predetermined cutting perimeter or path.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the characteristics of the sheet (300) comprise at least one level of transparency of the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the identification step (1002) comprises the identification and/or measurement of a level of transparency of the sheet (300), said identification and/or measurement occurring through said sheets recognition module (103).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of cutting (1007) of at least one sheet (300), comprises a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path which lies inside an external border or perimeter of said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of cutting (1007) of at least one sheet (300), comprises a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path which lies inside an external border or perimeter of said sheet (300), said cutting inside said external border or perimeter taking place subordinately with respect to a level of transparency detected and/or measured by the sheets recognition module (103).

According to another non-limiting aspect, said predetermined cutting perimeter or path is determined by electronic perimeter or cutting path (P) data received in input from the cutting machine (100).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) comprises the maintenance of the sheet (300) in a fixed position and a movement of the cutting head (102) at least along a plane substantially parallel to a plane on which said sheet (300) lies.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of cutting (1007) comprises a movement of the cutting head (102) for a predetermined travel at least along a plane substantially parallel to a plane on which said sheet (300) lies and/or parallel to the support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of cutting (1007) comprises a movement of the cutting head (102) for a predetermined travel at least along a plane substantially orthogonal to a plane on which said sheet (300) lies and/or orthogonal to the support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) comprises at least one blade (102c) configured for cutting the sheet (300), and the step of cutting (1007) comprises a movement of the blade (102c) between a first distance with respect to the sheet (300) and a position of substantial contact with said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting head (102) is movable on a plane substantially orthogonal with respect to the plane on which said sheet (300) lies and/or with respect to the support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the cutting depth of said sheet (300) determines at least part of said predetermined travel and/or determines at least part of a distance between the first distance with respect to said sheet (300) and the position of substantial contact with said sheet (300) or insertion within said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a transmission and/or an emission of an alarm signal when, optionally by means of the sheets recognition module (103), it is detected that the sheet (300) is in an improper position on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the transmission and/or emission of the alarm signal comprises an emission of a visual alarm signal on a monitor (105), optionally a monitor (105) of said cutting machine (100). According to another non-limiting aspect, the transmission and/or the emission of an alarm signal comprises the emission of an acoustic alarm signal.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of repositioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) if, optionally by means of the sheets recognition module (103), it is detected that the sheet (300) is in an improper position on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of repositioning of the sheet (300) is at least partially automatic, optionally is at least partially automatically executed by the cutting machine (100).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of repositioning of the sheet (300) is entirely automated, optionally is entirely automatically executed by the cutting machine (100).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of interrupting or preventing the execution of the step of cutting (1007) of said sheet if it is detected said improper position of the at least one sheet (300) on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of storing, in a memory of the cutting machine (100) or operationally accessible to the cutting machine (100), a predetermined electronic sheet model (300m) comprising at least one graphic pattern and/or informative element, and to which to the graphic pattern and/or informative element is associated a specific type of sheet (300) having a predetermined size and/or thickness and/or material.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a phase of storing a number of sheets cut by the cutting machine (100) and comprises a phase of updating the number of sheets cut at each new cutting of a sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets recognition module (103) comprises at least one video camera or camera and/or a laser barcode reader, and the method comprises a step of orientation of the sheets recognition module (103) so that the video camera or camera frames at least part of the sheet (300) when positioned on said support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises the execution of an algorithm of computer vision and/or of OCR and/or of machine learning, for identifying characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) comprises a relative rotation between the sheet (300) and the cutting head (102) and/or the blade (102), said relative rotation occurring on an axis orthogonal with respect to said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) comprises a rotation of the cutting head (102) around an axis substantially orthogonal to said sheet (300) and/or to said support plane (104), and/or comprises a rotation of the blade (102) around an axis substantially orthogonal to said sheet (300) and/or to said support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of storing, for each cut of a sheet (300), said electronic perimeter or cutting path (P) data used for cutting the sheet (300) and/or said electronic configuration data (D).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of generating a report (1008), said step of generating a report (1008) comprising a generation of an electronic cutting report (R), configured for allowing a classification of a number of cuts of sheets executed according to the cutting path or perimeter electronic data (P) used for cutting the sheet (300) and/or to the electronic configuration data (D), and/or for being able to determine a number of errors occurred during the cutting of one or more sheets (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of transmitting the electronic cut report (R) to an electronic device via a remote data transceiver connection (200).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of recording at least one video of a cutting of a sheet (300) via the sheets recognition module (103).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of transmitting said video to an electronic device through a remote data transceiver connection (200), optionally if the cutting machine (100) detects a failure or malfunction during the step of cutting (1007) of the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of cutting (1007) occurs after said step of recognizing the sheet (1003) and/or after the step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head occurs after said step of recognizing the sheet (1003).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of recognizing the sheet (1003) occurs after said step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head.

According to another non-limiting aspect, in the step of cutting, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) takes place basing on a plurality of coordinates, preferably at least two-dimensional, optionally three-dimensional, extracted from said electronic perimeter or cutting path data (P). According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of actuation of a printing head for executing a printing of a graphic pattern on the sheet (300), optionally a step of actuation of a printing head operatively associated to the cutting head (102), in order to cause the execution of a printing of a graphic pattern on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, said step of actuation of the printing head determines an integral movement between the printing head and the cutting head.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of establishing an operative connection between the cutting machine (100) and a printer comprising said printing head for the execution of said printing.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the method comprises establishing a connection with an auxiliary electronic device, in particular establishing a remote connection with the auxiliary electronic device, said connection being intended at least to allow the reception of electronic data intended to cause the execution of the printing of said graphic pattern on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the printing is executed with at least a partially automated process, optionally with a fully automated process, after the completion of the reception of said electronic data.

According to another non-limiting aspect, said printing is executed after the step of cutting (1007), in particular after the completion of the step of cutting (1007).

According to another non-limiting aspect, said printing is executed before the start of the step of cutting (1007).

According to another aspect it is herein described a computer program, stored on a storage medium and comprising software code portions which when executed cause the execution of the method according to one or more of the aspects described herein.

In particular, according to an aspect it is herein described a computer program comprising software code portions which when executed cause the execution of:

- an identification step (1002), comprising an identification of characteristics of a sheet (300) positioned on a support plane (104) of a cutting machine (100), wherein said characteristics comprise at least a shape of the sheet (300) and/or a size of the sheet (300) and/or a graphic pattern and/or an informative element on the sheet (300), said identification occurring by means of a sheets recognition module (103),

- said identification step (1002) also comprising an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data (D) comprising the characteristics of the sheet (300), wherein said electronic configuration data (D) are retrieved and/or generated by means of the sheets recognition module (103), - a step (1007) of cutting at least one sheet (300), comprising a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path,

- a step of recognizing the sheet (1003), comprising the identification of a correct positioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) and/or with respect to the cutting head (102), said identification being executed by the sheets recognition module (103), and/or a step of adjusting (1006) the cutting head (102), wherein:

- at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300), is set or changed in accordance with the and/or basing on the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or in which

- the predetermined cutting perimeter or path is automatically or semi-automatically determined or modified in accordance with the, and/or basing on the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or in accordance with, and/or on the basis of, said electronic configuration data (D).

Furthermore, according to an aspect, it is herein described a computer program comprising software code portions which when executed cause the execution of:

- an identification step (1002), comprising an identification of characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300), said identification occurring by means of a sheets recognition module (103),

- said identification step (1002) also comprising an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data (D) comprising the characteristics of the sheet (300), in particular a shape of the sheet (300) and/or a size of the sheet (300) and/or a graphical pattern and/or an informative element on the sheet (300), wherein said electronic configuration data (D) are retrieved and/or generated by means of the sheets recognition module (103),

- a step (1007) of cutting at least one sheet (300), comprising a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) in order to execute the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path,

- a step of recognizing the sheet (1003), comprising the identification of a correct positioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) and/or with respect to the cutting head (102), said identification being executed by the sheets recognition module (103), and/or a step of adjusting (1006) the cutting head (102), wherein: - at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head (102) cuts the sheet (300), is set or changed in accordance with the and/or on the basis of said electronic configuration data (D), and/or in which

- the predetermined cutting perimeter or path is automatically or semi-automatically determined or modified in accordance with the, and/or basing on the characteristics of the sheet (300) detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or in accordance with, and/or on the basis of, said electronic configuration data (D).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of a step of positioning (1001), wherein at least one sheet (300) to be cut is positioned and/or held and/or moved on a support plane (104) of a cutting machine (100).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of the step of cutting (1007) after said step of recognizing the sheet (1003) and/or after the step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of a relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the at least one sheet (300) that occurs at least along a plane parallel to the plane on which said at least one sheet lies (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of a step of cutting (1007) which occurs maintaining the at least one sheet (300) fixed on said support plane (104), and moving the cutting head (102) with respect to the support plane (104) and to the at least one sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of the step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head after said step of recognizing the sheet (1003).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of an electronic search of a predetermined electronic sheet model (300m) whose shape and/or size and/or graphic pattern and/or informative element data are compatible with the electronic configuration data (D), in particular with the characteristics of the sheet (300) present in the electronic configuration data (D), more particularly with the shape of the sheet (300) and/or the size of the sheet (300) and/or the graphic pattern on the sheet (300) and/or the informative element of the sheet (300) of the electronic configuration data (D).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of the step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head (102) adjusting the cutting characteristic of the cutting head (102) with cutting data of said sheet (300) loaded from said predetermined electronic sheet model (300m).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed, in the step of cutting (1007), cause a movement of the blade (102c) between a first distance with respect to the sheet (300) and a position of substantial contact with said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of a transmission and/or an emission of an alarm signal if, optionally by means of the sheets recognition module (103), it is detected that the sheet (300) is in an improper position on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of an interruption or prevention of the execution of the step of cutting (1007) of said sheet if it is detected said improper position of the at least one sheet (300) on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of a storage, in a memory of the cutting machine (100) or operationally accessible to the cutting machine (100), of a predetermined electronic sheet model (300m) comprising at least one graphic pattern and/or one informative element, and to which to the graphic pattern and/or the informative element is associated a specific type of sheet (300) having a predetermined size and/or thickness and/or material.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the sheets recognition module (103) comprises at least one video camera or photo camera and/or a laser barcode reader, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of an orientation of the sheets recognition module (103) so that the video camera or photo camera frames at least part of the sheet (300) when positioned on said support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of an algorithm of computer vision and/or of OCR and/or of machine learning, for identifying characteristics of the sheet (300) comprising at least one shape of the sheet (300) and/or one size of the sheet (300) and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) comprises a relative rotation between the sheet (300) and the cutting head (102) and/or the blade (102), said relative rotation occurring around an axis orthogonal with respect to said sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the relative movement between the cutting head (102) and the sheet (300) comprises a rotation of the cutting head (102) around an axis substantially orthogonal to said sheet (300) and/or to said support plane (104), and/or comprises a rotation of the blade (102) around an axis substantially orthogonal to said sheet (300) and/or to said support plane (104).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises software code portions which when executed cause the execution of a step of storing, for each cutting of a sheet (300), said electronic perimeter or cutting path (P) data used for cutting the sheet (300) and/or said electronic configuration data (D).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which when executed cause a generation of a report (1008) said step of generating a report (1008) comprising a generation of an electronic cutting report (R), configured for allowing a classification of a number of cuts of sheets executed according to the electronic perimeter or cutting path data (P) used for cutting the sheet (300) and/or to the electronic configuration data (D), and/or for being able to determine a number of errors occurred during the cutting of one or more sheets (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the characteristics of the sheet (300) comprise at least one level of transparency of the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which when executed cause the execution, in the identification step (1002), of an identification and/or measurement of a level of transparency of the sheet (300), said identification and/or measurement occurring by means of said sheets recognition module (103). According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which when executed cause, in the step of cutting (1007) of at least one sheet (300), a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) for executing the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path which lies within an external edge or perimeter of said sheet (300). According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which when executed cause the execution, in the step of cutting (1007) of at least one sheet (300), of a relative movement between a cutting head (102) of the cutting machine (100) and the sheet (300) for executing the cutting of the sheet (300) along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path which lies within an external edge or perimeter of said sheet (300), depending on a level of transparency identified and/or measured by the sheets recognition module (103).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which when executed cause the execution of a transmission of the electronic cut report (R) to an electronic device through a remote data transceiving connection (200).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which when executed cause the execution a transmission of said video to an electronic device through a remote data transceiving connection (200), optionally if the cutting machine (100) detects a failure or malfunction during the step of cutting (1007) of the sheet (300). According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program comprises portions of software code which when executed cause the execution of the step of recognizing the sheet (1003) after said step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head and/or cause the execution of the step of adjusting (1006) of the cutting head occurs after said step of recognizing the sheet (1003).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the execution of a step of repositioning of the sheet (300) on the support plane (104) if, optionally by means of the sheets recognition module (103), it is detected that the sheet (300) is in an improper position on said support plane (104) and/or with respect to said cutting head (102).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of repositioning of the sheet (300) is at least partially automatic, optionally is at least partially automatically executed by the cutting machine (100).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the movement of servo-actuators of the cutting machine (100) for the execution of the step of repositioning of the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the step of repositioning of the sheet (300) is entirely automated, optionally is entirely executed automatically by the cutting machine (100).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the actuation of a sheets supply module for causing the execution of said step of cutting (1007) with a cutting of a plurality of sheets (300) sequentially supplied to said cutting head (102) along said cutting perimeter or path. According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the execution of a calibration procedure of the cutting head (102), optionally at least partially automated and/or guided by means of pre-programmed instructions. According to another non-limiting aspect, the calibration procedure of the cutting head (102) is intended to allow an optimisation of the precision and/or of the accuracy of the cutting of at least one sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the provision of said pre-programmed instructions by means of at least said monitor (105).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the actuation of a printing head for executing a print of a graphic pattern on the sheet (300), optionally being configured for causing an actuation of a printing head operatively associated with to the cutting head (102), for causing the execution of a print of a graphic pattern on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the actuation of an operative connection between the cutting machine (100) and an external printer equipped with said printing head for the execution of a printing of the graphic pattern on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the establishment a connection with an auxiliary electronic device, in particular for causing the establishment of a remote connection with the auxiliary electronic device, said connection being intended at least to enable the reception of electronic data intended to cause the execution of the printing of said graphic pattern on the sheet (300).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the execution of the printing in an at least partially automated way, optionally in a fully automated way, after the completion of the reception of said electronic data.

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the execution of said printing after the step of cutting (1007), in particular after the completion of the step of cutting (1007).

According to another non-limiting aspect, the computer program is configured for causing the execution of said printing before the start of the step of cutting (1007).

According to a further aspect, it is herein described the use of the cutting machine (100) for cutting sheets in plastic material for mobile telephony applications.

Figures

The description of a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the cutting machine and of the method object of the present invention is hereinafter presented, and refers to the attached figures, wherein: - figure 1 shows a first non-limiting configuration of a cutting machine object of the present disclosure;

- figure 2 shows a second non-limiting configuration of a cutting machine object of the present disclosure;

- figure 3 shows a schematic view of a cutting head, from which it is possible to observe the movement of a blade that is part of the cutting head itself;

- figure 4 shows a schematic and non-limiting view of electronic data contained in an electronic model of a sheet from which the cutting machine realizes the layer of plastic material to be superimposed on the screen of a mobile phone;

- figure 5 shows a block diagram which contains some of the steps that are part of the method object of the present disclosure;

- figure 6 shows a schematic and non-limiting view of a report that the cutting machine object of the present disclosure is configured for generating; and

- figure 7 shows a detail of a mobile phone to which a layer of plastic material is superimposed, obtained from the sheet cut by the cutting machine herein described.

Detailed description

With the reference number 100, it is indicated a cutting machine 100. The cutting machine 100 is configured for cutting at least one sheet of preferably plastic material along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path; said sheet, which in the present description will be identified by the reference number 300, is intended to be used as a protective layer or screen for screens of mobile electronic devices, preferably and not limited to mobile phones.

The "predetermined cutting perimeter or path" substantially above mentioned can coincide with the surface of a screen of an electronic device, and in particular is a closed path and/or can integrate one or more cuttings made within the perimeter edge also according to the specific material chosen for the cutting. This is not limiting: in fact, the "predetermined cutting perimeter or path" can be such as to define an area greater than the area of, for example, the plan view of a screen of an electronic device, or in any case of the electronic device. In particular, the size of the cut can be such as to allow at least the partial covering of several surfaces of the electronic device, even if such surfaces are aligned on mutually inclined surfaces.

The cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure comprises a working area 101 that is delimited inferiorly by a support plane 104 supporting at least one sheet 300 to be cut. The support plane 104, according to the specific embodiment of the cutting machine 100, can have a size equal to that of the sheet 300, larger with respect to the sheet 300 or smaller with respect to the sheet 300. In an alternative embodiment, the support plane 104 can be doubled and assume a shape of a plurality of lateral guides for the sheet 300.

Although in the present description reference will be made primarily to the cutting of a sheet, generally, the cutting can be executed on several sheets 300 simultaneously, in particular by arranging a plurality of sheets 300, overlapping one another, on the support plane 104. In an embodiment, the cutting machine 100 comprises a sheets supply module configured for supplying a plurality of sheets automatically towards the cutting head 102, so that the cutting of the sheet along the predetermined perimeter or cutting path can occur in a serial way. Therefore, said sheets supply module is configured for allowing the serial cutting of several sheets, thus in a sequential way.

The cutting machine 100 can thus be configured, for example by means of a software program executed by its control unit, for controlling the extraction of a plurality of sheets 300 from the sheet supply module (or, equivalently, for controlling a movement of parts of the sheet supply module), so that such sheets can be supplied in a serial way towards the cutting head 102 in order to allow the execution of the cutting.

The cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure further comprises a cutting head 102, which is configured for executing the cutting of the sheet 300. Preferably, but not limited thereto, the cutting head 102 is a cutting head of a mechanical type, i.e., equipped with a blade 102c that cuts the sheet 300 by means of a mechanical contact with the latter. Although further variants of cutting head 102 will not be described in the present description, the Applicant points out that such cutting head 102 could equivalently be a thermal or laser cutting head.

The cutting head 102 preferably moves with respect to the sheet 300. However, according to a more general definition, the cutting machine 100 is configured for causing a relative movement between the sheet 300 and the cutting head 102, and i.e., when properly programmed, the cutting machine 100 is configured for executing at least one step of cutting of at least one sheet 300, and such step of cutting comprises the above-mentioned relative movement. A computer program which is executed by the control unit, or data processing unit, of the cutting machine 100, controls the movement of the cutting head 102 with respect to the sheet 300, along a direction substantially parallel to the plane on which the sheet 300 lies, or equivalently along a direction substantially parallel to the support plane 104, and optionally, along a direction substantially orthogonal to the support plane 104 and thus orthogonal to the plane on which the sheet 300 lies.

This means that in an embodiment, the sheet 300 is kept fixed and the cutting head 102 is moved along the working area 101; in an alternative embodiment, the sheet 300 is moved by actuators along the working area 101, and the cutting head is kept fixed. In a further and more complex embodiment, actuators move both the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 in order to execute said cutting.

In any case, since the sheet 300 is arranged planarly on the working plane 104, the relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 occurs at least along a plane, which comprises a first direction identified in the figures with the reference X. This direction is substantially horizontal.

Therefore, the following configurations can be obtained: a cutting head which, on said plane parallel to the sheet 300 and to the support plane 104, moves only in a linear direction (first direction identified in figures with the reference X), and in which the sheet 300 will be moved on said plane and in a direction orthogonal to the first direction by pusher elements of known type, or a cutting head capable of moving two-dimensionally along this plane.

In particular, the cutting head is configured for moving along a plane on a curved path in a substantially continuous way, being able to cut sheets along curves without angular points and/or on a closed perimeter. This means that not only mechanically, but also from the point of view of the software control implemented by the data processing unit which controls the cutting head, appropriate movement commands are given to the servo actuators of the cutting head in order to allow a movement along a substantially continuous path.

In a preferred but not limiting embodiment, the blade of the cutting head can be rotated along a vertical axis in order to facilitate the cutting along particularly tortuous paths; the rotation along the vertical axis determines a rotation of the blade on an axis orthogonal with respect to the sheet 300 and thus with respect to the support plane 104. The entire cutting head can be rotated along the latter axis. Alternatively, the sheet 300 can be rotated around said axis.

The cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure further comprises a sheets recognition module 103, which is configured for identifying certain characteristics of the sheets 300 which comprise at least: a shape of the sheet 300, and/or a size of the sheet 300, and/or a graphic pattern and/or an informative element on the sheet 300. The identification of the characteristics of the sheets 300 is part of a specific step which can be or comprise a step of identifying the characteristics of the sheet. The control of the module 103 occurs preferably through the computer program that controls the functioning of the cutting machine 100.

In an embodiment, the sheets recognition module 103 is configured for identifying, and in particular measuring, a transparency level of the at least one sheet 300. In particular, such identification capability may be useful if the cutting of the sheet, in particular the realization of at least one hole within the external perimeter of the sheet, makes sense to be realized only when the level of transparency of the sheet falls below a certain threshold. In fact, on certain electronic devices, there is the presence of sensors which operate correctly even if covered by a transparent sheet, but which do not operate correctly when covered by sheets of semi-transparent or semi-opaque or opaque material.

This means that the relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 for executing the cutting of the sheet along said predetermined cutting perimeter or path can be a movement carried out in an internal portion of the sheet 300, thus in an area of the sheet that lies within the external edge or perimeter of the sheet 300; in particular, this cutting in the internal area can be executed depending on a level of transparency identified and/or measured by the sheets recognition module 103.

In an embodiment this sheets recognition module 103 can be configured for measuring a relative attenuation of an optical radiation transiting through the sheet 300, and expressing it as a percentage.

By means of the sheets recognition module 103, there is at least a temporary storage of electronic configuration data D, which comprise the characteristics of the sheet mentioned above, and in particular at least the shape of the sheet 300, and/or the size of the sheet 300 and/or the graphic pattern and/or the informative element of the sheet 300.

This temporary storage is intended to allow access to a database of sheet electronic models (identified in the accompanying figures with the reference 300m), contained in a memory of the cutting machine 100 or in any case operationally accessible by the cutting machine 100, in order to extract - where possible - the actual data relating to the sheet model 300 that has been loaded on the support plane 104.

The Applicant has conceived at least a first and a second embodiment of the cutting machine 100 object of the present invention. In the first embodiment, represented in figure 1, the sheets recognition module 103 is installed on the cutting head 102 and can be rigidly movable with the latter. In the second embodiment, represented in figure 2, the sheets recognition module 103 is installed fixedly on the working area 101.

Preferably, but not limited thereto, the sheets recognition module 103 can be a video camera or a camera or comprise a laser barcode reader. In any case, such barcode reader, or camera or video camera is oriented so as to frame at least part of the sheet 300 when positioned on the support plane 104. This allows an optimal reading.

In an embodiment, the cutting machine 100 can comprise an orientable sheets recognition module 103, and the computer program which controls the functioning of the cutting machine 100 comprises at least one subroutine which, when executed, causes a step of orienting the sheets recognition module 103 so that the video camera or camera frames at least part of the sheet 300 when positioned on said support plane 104.

In fact, a manufacturer can produce a predefined number of types of sheet, for example more or less thick, and/or more or less long or large, or realized in different materials. In order to be optimally cut, each of these types of sheet 300 can impose an adaptation of the configuration of the cutting head 102 or, in other words, of the characteristic of cutting with which the cutting head 102 performs the cutting of the sheet 300. The adaptation of the characteristic of cutting can be controlled by the control unit of the cutting machine 100, and in particular by said software program.

The Applicant observes that in a particular embodiment, the sheet 300 can be at least partially transparent and/or can be realized in a plastic material. Such a plastic material, in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment comprises a polymeric material and/or a nano-fiber material, and can in detail comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane, in particular belonging to the classes of polyether- based or polyester-based polyurethanes. Furthermore, the sheet 300 that the cutting machine 100 is configured for cutting can comprise silicone and/or glass.

The sheet 300 can be a single-layer or multi-layer sheet, and in particular can comprise a layer of adhesive material suitable for being bonded directly in contact with the screen of the electronic device. Preferably, but not limited thereto, when the machine cuts several sheets 300 simultaneously, such sheets are all of the same type. The sheets may also be of the same type when the cutting machine 100 cuts the sheets sequentially by the action of the aforementioned sheet supply module.

The characteristic of cutting with which the cutting head 102 executes said cutting comprises at least: a determined speed, in particular measured on the plane of movement which comprises the first direction X; a determined pressure, i.e. a force that the blade 102c exerts on the sheet 300 along a direction Y substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and more generally to the previously mentioned plane of movement; a depth of cut, i.e. a depth of insertion of the blade 102c within the sheet 300 to ensure said cutting without possibly burrs. The depth of insertion is measured along the direction Y.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the blade 102c can have a sufficient thickness to allow the cutting of more than 300 sheets simultaneously.

The cutting head 102 is therefore adjusted in accordance with, or basing on, said electronic configuration data D. The wording "in accordance with, or basing on" is used herein because in an embodiment, the adjustment of the cutting characteristic with which the cutting head 102 executes said cutting of the sheet 300 is given directly by the length and/or shape and/or thickness parameters retrieved from the sheets recognition module 103; however, in a further - and preferred - embodiment, the cutting machine 100 is configured for executing a comparison between the electronic configuration data D retrieved from the module 103 with one or more of the electronic models of the sheet 300m, in order to accurately derive the working parameters for the cutting headl 02.

In other words, the cutting machine 100 object of the present invention is therefore configured for adjusting at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head 102 cuts the sheet 300 on the basis of, and/or in accordance with, the characteristics of the sheet 300 detected by means of the sheets recognition module 103. The cutting machine 100 object of the present invention, alternatively or in combination, is configured for determining or automatically or semi-automatically modifying the predetermined cutting perimeter or path with which to cut the at least one sheet 300, in particular in accordance with the characteristics of the sheet 300, more particularly on the basis of, and/or in accordance with, the characteristics of the sheet detected by means of the sheets recognition module (103) and/or on the basis of, and/or in accordance with, the electronic configuration data D.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, with "semi-automatically" it is meant that the cutting perimeter or path is modified or determined partially automatically, and at least partially by means of a manual intervention of an operator on the machine (for example, and not limited thereto, pressing a confirmation button). For the purposes of the present disclosure, with "automatically" it is meant that the cutting perimeter or path is modified or determined substantially automatically, preferably without intervention by an operator. This latter aspect relieves the operator of a further operation and makes the functioning of the machine described herein even more simplified.

The adjustment of the cutting characteristic can be the object of a specific phase of operation of the cutting machine 100 described herein, in particular implemented by said computer program.

In particular, the cutting machine 100 can thus be configured for executing an electronic search of a predetermined electronic sheet model 300, whose shape and/or size and/or graphic pattern and/or informative element data are compatible with the electronic configuration data D, in particular therefore with the shape of the sheet 300, and/or the size of the sheet 300 and/or the graphic pattern and/or the informative element of the sheet 300 of the electronic configuration data D. The electronic search can be initiated by a specific subroutine of the computer program executed on the data processing unit of the cutting machine 100.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the cutting head 102 is configured for moving also along a second direction Y, in particular on a direction of a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane on which the sheet 300 lies when resting on the support plane 104. This movement causes a movement of the blade 102 between a first distance with respect to the sheet 300 and a position of substantial contact with the sheet 300 or of insertion within the sheet 300. This movement assumes a predetermined travel range. The cutting depth of the sheet 300 determined in accordance with, or on the basis of, the electronic configuration data D determine at least part of said predetermined travel and/or determine at least part of the distance between the first distance with respect to the sheet 300 and the position of substantial contact with said sheet 300.

In a particular embodiment, the blade 102c is movably installed on the cutting head 102, and its travel is determined by the excitation of a solenoid acting as an actuator. In this embodiment, the cutting head 102 can be maintained at a predetermined (fixed) height with respect to the support plane 104, therefore with respect to the sheet 300, during the translation along the plane parallel to the support plane 104. The "first distance" previously mentioned is indicated in figure 3 with the blade represented by a continuous line, while the position of substantial contact with the sheet or of insertion within the sheet 300 is represented by the blade 102c' represented by a dotted line.

In particular the Applicant observes that the speed, pressure and depth with which the blade 102c must act on the sheet 300 to cause the cutting thereof depend on the nature of the material and/or the thickness of the sheet. In principle, the more viscous the material from which the sheet 300 is made, the slower the speed of movement of the blade 102c along a plane parallel to the working support plane 104. The greater the thickness of the sheet 300, the greater is the depth at which the blade 102c must act. The stronger the material with which the sheet 300 is made, the greater is the pressure that the blade 102c must exert on the sheet 300. When a solenoid is used as an actuator, the pressure and/or the depth of action of the blade 102c can be set and/or regulated by a power supply current of the solenoid. Such a current may be delivered upon control exercised by the computer program mentioned above.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, at least one among the speed, pressure and depth of cut settings of the blade 102c can be adjusted to positive or negative values from one (or more) default values. This provides a general cutting setting that will ideally suit all the materials with which the sheet 300 can be realized, although not in a punctually optimal way.

The cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure comprises, optionally, a monitor 105 for displaying operating parameters, for example during the cutting of the sheet 300. The monitor 105 may be used as a user interface device for displaying alarm messages, should the operating system being executed on the cutting machine 100 so command.

The Applicant observes that in an embodiment, this monitor 105 can also be used to facilitate a calibration procedure of the cutting head 102. In particular, therefore, in an embodiment, the cutting machine 100 described herein can be configured for performing a calibration procedure of the cutting head 102 that allows to optimize the precision and accuracy with which the cutting head 102 executes the cutting of the at least one sheet 300 along the perimeter or cutting path. This calibration procedure, in particular, can be controlled by the computer program, in particular together with the monitor 105. In an embodiment, in fact, the cutting machine 100 is configured for guiding the operator, with a series of pre-programmed instructions, in a plurality of operations aimed at adjusting certain cutting parameters in order to establish a basic setting of the cutting machine, in particular of the cutting head 102.

The cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure further comprises a network interface module, identified with numerical reference 106, which is configured and specifically intended for allowing the establishing and transceiving of data over a remote connection 200, for example and not limited thereto an internet connection, or Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. In a preferred but not limiting embodiment, the network interface module 106 is configured for allowing an automatic update of an operating system of functioning of the cutting machine 100.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the sheets recognition module 103 is configured for executing a computer vision and/or OCR and/or machine learning algorithm to detect characteristics of the sheet 300. It is to be noted that said module 103 can execute or integrate at least part of the aforementioned software program, which therefore comprises portions of software code that when executed cause the execution of a computer vision and/or OCR and/or machine learning algorithm to identify characteristics of the sheet 300 comprising at least one shape of the sheet 300 and/or one size of the sheet 300 and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet 300. Through the use of a machine learning algorithm, the cutting machine 100 is able to very accurately identify even faintly visible graphic patterns and/or informative elements, and improves its performance with each use.

The characteristics of the sheet, that in particular are physical characteristics, which are detected by means of said algorithm comprise at least one shape of the sheet 300, and/or one size of the sheet 300 and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet 300.

For example, a graphic pattern and/or informative element comprising a juxtaposition of a triangle, a square and a circle that can be repeated along the surface of the sheet 300 is shown in figure 4. More generally, the graphic pattern and/or informative element can comprise a particular conformation of repeated elements on the surface of the sheet 300, and such elements are characterized by a particular combination of colour, geometric shape, contrast variation (e.g. such elements can be bars of a barcode or squares suitable to form a QR code).

In an alternative embodiment, wherein the sheets recognition module 103 is less intelligent or does not possess sufficient electronic processing capability, a computer vision and/or OCR and/or machine learning algorithm is executed by a data processing unit of the cutting machine 100. Such data processing unit is clearly operatively connected to the sheets recognition module 103.

In detail, figure 4 schematically represents a situation in which, when the sequence triangle/square/circle is read by the sheets recognition module 103, through electronic access to the memory, an electronic model 300m of sheet is identified from which the following information are obtained: length, width, thickness and material. The following information are associated with the electronic model 300m for the adjustment of the cutting characteristic: speed of movement of the cutting head 102 set at Ci mm/s, pressure of the cutting head set at C2 N, cutting depth set at C3 m. The tern of values mentioned above, which more generally could be a n-uple of values, is shown in figure 4.

The cutting of the sheet 300 occurs along said determined cutting perimeter or path. The cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure is configured for receiving as input electronic data of a cutting perimeter P intended to determine the relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300, in particular intended to determine the movement of the cutting head 102 along the plane parallel to the support plane 104. A determined routine of the above-mentioned computer program can be configured for causing the cutting of the sheet 300 along the determined cutting perimeter or path and/or for receiving as input electronic data of a cutting perimeter P.

The electronic cutting perimeter data P contain in detail a plurality of coordinates, at least two- dimensional, along which moving the cutting head 102. In particular, the Applicant observes that the cutting perimeter corresponds to the perimeter of the screen of the electronic device on which the cut sheet 300 is then to be applied. Preferably, however, the electronic cutting perimeter data may be given containing a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates; thanks to this aspect, it will also be possible to determine the raising or lowering along the Y direction (plane orthogonal with respect to the support plane 104) of the cutting head 102 and/or of the blade 102c. The presence of three- dimensional coordinates also makes it possible to realize cuttings of the sheet 300 within the external perimeter.

In particular the Applicant observes that the realization of the cuttings is also automatic and determined by the "reading" of sheet 300 by means of the sheets recognition module 103.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the electronic cutting perimeter data P are retrieved from an external source by means of e.g. the network interface module 106, or alternatively from a memory - within the cutting machine 100 or operatively associated with the cutting machine 100 - in particular containing a database of electronic device models (e.g., mobile phones) and associated screen sizes. The Applicant observes that the presence of the sheets recognition module 103 also makes it possible to identify an incorrect, or vice versa correct, positioning of the sheet 300 on the support plane 104, and therefore also with respect to the cutting head 104. This is particularly useful because it makes it possible to reduce any possible waste of material, especially when several shapes must be obtained from a single sheet or when the shape to be obtained by cutting has sizes very close to the external size of the sheet 300.

In an embodiment, the cutting machine 100 described herein can be configured for executing a repositioning of the at least one sheet if - for example by means of the sheets recognition module 103 - the incorrect positioning of the sheet 300 on the support plane 104 is detected. In particular, the data processing unit present on the cutting machine 100 can be configured for causing the execution of a substantially automated procedure of sheet repositioning.

When the module 103 detects a misplaced sheet 300 (improper position on the support plane 104), the cutting machine 100 can be configured to transmit an alarm signal. Such an alarm signal can be visual or audio, or a combination of both, and can be intended to be displayed on the monitor 105. In a non-limiting embodiment, the cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure can be configured for storing at least a total number of alarm signals generated over a specified time period. This makes it possible to keep track of the reliability of the cutting machine 100 and/or of the operator in correctly positioning the sheets 300 on the support plane 104. In case of incorrect positioning of the sheet 300 the software program can be configured for causing a stop, in particular automatic, of the cutting machine 100, in particular of the relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300, or - equivalently - for causing a stop of the step of cutting of the at least one sheet.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure can also be configured for storing a total number of cut sheets 300 and more preferably for storing - for each type of electronic sheet model 300, and/or for each shape of cutting perimeter or path (cutting perimeter data P), the number of cut sheets. Thanks to this aspect, it is possible to execute a posteriori, preferably by means of the aforementioned computer program, a step of categorization of the type of cuttings realized by the machine. In this case, the machine 100 can be configured for executing a routine of generation of a cutting electronic report (e.g. on a Excel-compatible spreadsheet), indicated in figures 1, 2 and in figure 6, with the reference R. This cutting electronic report is configured for allowing the classification of a number of cuts of sheets executed according to the electronic cutting perimeter data P used for the cutting of the sheet 300 and/or according to the electronic configuration data D. Preferably, but not limited thereto, the cutting electronic report R can be transmitted, preferably in a specific step of transmission activated at predetermined time intervals by the data processing unit of the cutting machine 100, to a remote electronic device by means of a remote data transceiving connection 200 established via the network interface module 106. In particular, the aforementioned computer program can be configured to execute said transmission at predetermined time intervals or after receiving an input command from an external electronic device.

Finally, the machine object of the present disclosure can be configured for allowing the recording of a video of a cutting of a sheet 300. In particular, preferably is the sheets recognition module 103 which by means of its camera allows the recording of said video. Once the video has been recorded, or alternatively in real time, the cutting machine 100 described herein can be configured to execute a transmission of the video to an electronic device through the remote data transceiver connection 200 established through the network interface module. In particular, the recording and/or the transmission of the video can take place when the cutting machine 100 described herein detects a malfunction during the step of cutting of the sheet 300.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a method of cutting a sheet 300.

In detail, block 1000 identifies a step of selection of a sheet 300 to be cut. This step of selection 1000 can occur manually, i.e. by selecting a sheet 300 from a predefined stock, or by means of actuators of the cutting machine 100, in a storage of the machine itself containing a plurality of sheets 300 classified and/or ordered by type. In this case, it will be a software program executed by the cutting machine 100 to cause the execution of a step of positioning of the sheet 300, in which at least one sheet 300 to be cut is held or moved on a support plane 104 of the cutting machine 100.

Block 1001 identifies a step of positioning of the sheet 300 previously selected on the support plane 104. In a preferred but not limiting embodiment, the positioning of the sheet 300 on the support plane 104 can occur by means of a manual operation executed by the operator, but alternatively it can be the step of positioning of the sheet 300 comprises operating actuators to move the selected sheet 300 from the storage to the support plane 104 by means of an electromechanical procedure.

Block 1002 identifies an identification of the type of sheet. This identification is executed by means of the sheets recognition module 103 in the modes previously described, and therefore not repeated. By means of this step of identification, it is possible to realize a matching between the electronic configuration data D and the electronic sheet model 300m, in order to be able to fully use the data of the electronic sheet model 300m to execute the cutting of the sheet 300. In a particular embodiment, the step of identification of the type of sheet comprises an identification and/or a measurement of the level of transparency of the sheet 300, and this identification and/or measurement is executed by the sheets recognition module 103. For example, and not limited thereto, the level of transparency of the sheet can be expressed as a percentage varying between 0% and 100%. By level of transparency is considered, for example, the level of attenuation of an optical radiation transiting through the sheet 300.

Block 1003 identifies a step of recognizing the sheet 300, which in particular can comprise the verification of the positioning of the at least one sheet 300 on the support plane 104 and/or with respect to the cutting head 102. If the sheets recognition module 103 identifies the presence of at least one correctly positioned sheet 300, it will be possible to proceed towards the step of cutting 1007 of the sheet 300 in the modes described below (block 1003, output S); conversely, if the sheets recognition module 103 identifies the presence of at least one not correctly positioned sheet 300 on the support plane 104, the data processing unit of the cutting machine 100 described herein will cause a transmission of an error message (for example, a visual message intended to appear on the monitor 105, and/or an acoustic message) requesting a repositioning (block 1004) of the at least one sheet 300. The step of verification of the positioning of the sheet 300 is repeated again, optionally automatically, or after the intervention of the operator (for example and not limited thereto through pressing a key on the cutting machine 100), until the sheet 300 will not result correctly positioned on the support plane 104 and/or with respect to the cutting head 102.

Block 1005 identifies a step of selection of a cutting shape. In this step, the cutting machine 100 receives in input the electronic data of the cutting perimeter P that will be used to define how the cutting head 102 will have to move along the first direction X or, more generally, on the plane parallel to the support plane 104 and/or, if necessary, to define how the cutting head 102, or its blade 102c, will have to move along the second direction Y or plane orthogonal with respect to the support plane 104.

Block 1006 identifies a step of adjustment of the cutting head 102. In this step, at least one cutting characteristic is varied or adjusted comprising at least one, and preferably all, the characteristics of the list comprising a pressure exerted by the blade 102c on the at least one sheet 300, a speed of movement of the cutting head 102 along said plane parallel to the support plane 104, a depth of engraving of the blade 102c on the sheet 300.

Although it has been shown in the block diagram of figure 5 that the step of selection of the cutting shape (block 1005) the step of adjustment of the cutting head 102 (block 1006), this configuration should not be intended to be limiting. In fact, the step of adjustment of the cutting head 102 can occur before the step of selection of the cutting shape. Block 1007 identifies a step of cutting, wherein actuators of known type - therefore not described - are activated in order to proceed with the relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 in order to execute the cutting along the coordinates electronically retrieved from the electronic cutting perimeter data P.

In an embodiment, optionally, the step of relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 takes place in a portion of the sheet that is internal with respect to an external perimeter or edge of the sheet itself. This, for example, makes it possible to drill holes, for example circular holes, in correspondence of a predetermined area of the sheet 300.

In an embodiment, this cutting within the external perimeter or edge of the sheet 300 can be subject to a level of transparency identified and/or measured by the sheets recognition module 103.

The block 1008 identifies a step of generation of the cutting report R, configured to allow a classification of a number of cuts and sheets executed according to the electronic cutting perimeter data P used for the cutting of sheet 300 and/or according to the electronic configuration data D.

Figure 7 shows the result of the cutting executed by means of the cutting machine 100 and by means of the method described herein, showing in particular an exploded view of an electronic device 400 (e.g. a smartphone) provided with a screen 401 on which is superimposed a sheet 300 of plastic material cut along an external perimeter substantially coinciding in size with the perimeter of the screen 401 and in which the sheet 300 has three head cuttings in correspondence of a speaker of the electronic device 400.

Generally, the cuttings can be made in correspondence of any portion of the sheet 300, and can be useful for any type of sensor that the electronic device 400 should have, in particular when said sensor may be interdicted or otherwise may operate less efficiently due to said sheet 300, even if transparent.

It is therefore clear that the cutting machine 100 object of the present disclosure is generally configured for executing a method of cutting of at least one sheet, in particular of at least one sheet intended to cover portions of electronic devices, wherein said method comprises:

- a step of positioning (block 1001), wherein at least one sheet 300 to be cut is positioned on a support plane 104 of a cutting machine 100,

- an identification step (block 1002), comprising an identification of characteristics of the sheet 300 comprising at least one shape of the sheet 300 and/or one size of the sheet 300 and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet 300, said identification taking place by means of a sheets recognition module 103,

- wherein said identification step (block 1002) comprises also an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data D comprising the characteristics of the sheet 300, in particular the shape of the sheet 300 and/or one size of the sheet 300 and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet 300, wherein said electronic configuration data D is retrieved and/or generated by means of the sheets recognition module 103,

- a step of cutting (block 1007) at least one sheet 300, a relative movement between a cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 in order to execute the cutting of the sheet 300 along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path,

- a step of recognizing the sheet (block 1003), the identification of a correct positioning of the sheet 300 on the support plane 104 and/or with respect to the cutting head 102, said identification being executed by the sheets recognition module 103, and/or a step of adjusting (block 1006) of the cutting head 102, wherein at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head 102 cuts the sheet 300 is set or changed in accordance with, and/or basing on, the characteristics of the sheet 300 detected by means of the sheets recognition module 103, and/or in accordance with, and/or basing on, said electronic configuration data D.

In the same step of recognizing the sheet (block 1003), the predetermined cutting perimeter or path can be determined or modified automatically or semi-automatically in accordance with, and/or basing on, the characteristics of the sheet 300 detected by means of the sheets recognition module 103 and/or in accordance with, and/or on the basis of, said electronic configuration data D.

Parts of the method described herein can be executed by means of software code portions which are part of a computer program. This computer program is stored on a memory medium suitable for being read by a data processing unit of the machine 100, or operatively connected to the machine 100. The data processing unit can comprise a general purpose type processor, or one or more ASICs, or one or more FPGAs.

In an embodiment, the computer program, by means of its software code portions is configured for causing the execution of: a step of identification (block 1002), comprising an identification of characteristics of the sheet 300 comprising at least one shape of the sheet 300 and/or one size of the sheet 300 and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet 300, said identification taking place by means of a sheets recognition module 103,

- wherein said step of identification (block 1002) further comprises an at least temporary storage of electronic configuration data D comprising said characteristics of the sheet 300, in particular the shape of the sheet 300 and/or one size of the sheet 300 and/or one graphic pattern and/or one informative element on the sheet 300, wherein said electronic configuration data D is retrieved and/or generated by means of the sheets recognition module 103, - a step of cutting (block 1007) at least one sheet 300, comprising a relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 in order to execute the cutting of the sheet 300 along a predetermined cutting perimeter or path,

- a step of recognizing the sheet (block 1003), the identification of a correct positioning of the sheet 300 on the support plane 104 and/or with respect to the cutting head 102, said identification being executed by the sheets recognition module 103, and/or a step of adjusting (block 1006) of the cutting head 102, wherein at least one cutting characteristic, comprising pressure and/or speed and/or depth with which the cutting head 102 cuts the sheet 300 is set or changed in accordance with the and/or basing on the characteristics of the sheet 300 detected by means of the sheets recognition module 103, and/or in accordance with, and/or on the basis of, said electronic configuration data D, and/or wherein the predetermined cutting perimeter or path is determined or modified automatically or semi-automatically according to, and/or basing on, the characteristics of the sheet 300 detected by the sheets recognition module 103 and/or according to, and/or basing on, said electronic configuration data D.

The step of loading the sheets 300 on the support plane 104 can be the object of a routine of the computer program when executed by the cutting machine 100 by means of an at least semiautomatic procedure.

The computer program can be in particular configured for sequencing the previously described steps in the order with which they appear in the block diagram of figure 6, and/or in particular in a configuration wherein the step of cutting (block 1007) occurs after said step of recognizing the sheet (block 1003) and/or after the step of adjustment (block 1006) of the cutting head, and/or in which the step of adjustment (block 1006) of the cutting head takes place following said step of recognizing the sheet (block 1003), or alternatively in which the step of recognizing the sheet (block 1003) takes place after said step of adjustment (block 1006) of the cutting head. When executed by means of the computer program, the step of loading the sheet on the support plane can be conveniently executed before at least the step of recognizing the sheet (block 1003) and before the step of adjustment (block 1006) of the cutting head. In an embodiment, the computer program can comprise software code portions that cause and force the execution of the step of repositioning (block 1004) and/or of the transmission and/or emission of the alarm signal, at least before the execution of the cutting (block 1007). The computer program can comprise software code portions that cause generation and/or transmission of the report at predetermined time intervals. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, these predetermined time intervals are determined by a report request provided by an external electronic device operatively connected to the cutting machine 100. The Applicant has finally conceived an embodiment of the cutting machine 100 described herein which integrates within it a printer. In particular, in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the printer comprises a movable printing head together with, or integrally with, the cutting head 102, thus substantially joined to the latter. In another embodiment, the cutting machine 100 is operatively connected to said printer, provided with said cutting head. In a further embodiment, the printing head is configured for moving independently of the cutting head 102.

The printer is configured for printing on a surface of the sheet 300, in particular on an upper surface of the sheet 300. The upper surface of the sheet 300 is that surface opposite with respect to the surface which, in use, is applied in substantial contact with the electronic device 400. The printing techniques used by the printer are of a known type, and therefore not described herein.

In particular, the printer described herein is configured for and specifically intended to print one graphic pattern and/or an informative element which is intended to be subsequently recognized by the sheets recognition module 103.

The cutting machine 100 is configured for being operatively connected to a remote electronic device, which for the purposes of the present description, to be better distinguished from the electronic device 400, is referred to as auxiliary electronic device. This electronic auxiliary device is, for example, a personal computer or a smartphone, and is configured for receiving from the latter electronic data (comprising images and/or textual alphanumeric portions) to be printed on the surface of the sheet 300. The operative connection mentioned above can be realized by means of the network interface 106.

The computer program which is executed on the cutting machine 100 is therefore configured first of all for allowing to establish said operative connection with the remote electronic device for a time sufficient to allow the loading of said electronic data on the cutting machine 100. Subsequently, said computer program causes the execution of a printing phase of one graphic pattern corresponding to the electronic data on the sheet 300, in particular on the upper surface of a sheet 300. To do this, the computer program causes the execution of a movement of the printing head. If the printer is external to the cutting machine 100, the computer program is configured to transfer such electronic data from the cutting machine 100 to said printer.

If the sheets recognition module 103 is configured for measuring the transparency of the sheet 300, the computer program described herein can advantageously comprise software code portions which when executed specifically cause a detection and/or a measurement of the transparency level of the sheet 300, and this detection and/or measurement is executed by the sheets recognition module 103. In such case, this computer program, which in a more general form can be configured for causing a relative movement between the cutting head 102 and the sheet 300 in an portion of the sheet 300 inner with respect to an external perimeter or edge of the sheet 300 during the step of cutting (block 1007), can be written with portions of code that when executed cause the execution of said movement and, in particular of the cutting of the sheet 300, in said portion of the sheet 300 inner with respect to an external perimeter or edge of the sheet 300 only according to a level of transparency identified and/or measured by the sheets recognition module 103.

In an embodiment, the cutting machine 100 described herein is configured for immediately executing, or immediately causing the execution of, in an at least partially, and preferably integrally, automated way, the printing of said graphic pattern upon a completion of the reception of said electronic data. Preferably, although not limited thereto, the step of printing said graphic pattern occurs before the execution of cutting (block 1007) of the at least one sheet 300 along the predetermined perimeter or cutting path. Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the cutting machine 100 can be configured for executing said printing, or for causing the execution of said printing, after the completion of the cutting of the at least one sheet 300 along the predetermined perimeter or cutting path, thus after the completion of the step of cutting (block 1007).

The image is positioned by the user himself by means of a special software loaded on the auxiliary electronic device, and by means of this software it is possible to realize electronic image processing operations regarding the size and/or position of the sheet 300, comprising at least one among: an adaptation of the colours and/or brightness, a rescaling, a rotation.

So advantageously the shop doesn't have to use a PC or other device for controlling the printer, and the consumer can create his or her own film “design” independently, even from home.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. For this reason, where in the following claims determined elements of the cutting machine 100 or of the method for cutting sheets are followed by reference marks, these reference marks are intended to be provided for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and do not have a limiting character.

Parts of the process and of the cutting machine described herein can be subject to additions, modifications or variations, which are obvious to a person skilled in the art, without thereby departing from the scope of protection provided by the accompanying claims.