A worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine

Abstract

This invention provides a worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine, belonging to the field of laser cutting machine technology. The device includes a frame and a controller mounted on the frame. The frame also houses a laser cutting mechanism and two worktables. It further includes: a clamping and positioning assembly; and a limiting and lubrication assembly. The clamping and positioning assembly uses symmetrically arranged cylinders to drive connecting columns and trapezoidal blocks, which cooperate with locking slots on the worktables. Under the rigid limitation of a baffle, multi-directional rigid locking of the worktables is achieved. The limiting and lubrication assembly is triggered by the clamping action, pushing a slider through an internal hydraulic circuit to momentarily open the lubrication passage at a specific stroke, automatically and quantitatively delivering lubricating oil to the inclined surface of the blocks and the surface of the locking components. This invention solves the problems of instability and easy wear of traditional pneumatic clamping, increasing the reliability and lifespan of the clamping and positioning assembly, thereby ensuring the quality of laser cutting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser cutting machine technology, and more specifically, to a worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine. Background Technology

[0002] As a highly efficient sheet metal processing device, the stability of the laser cutting machine's worktable directly determines the cutting accuracy and quality. To improve efficiency, existing technologies often employ a dual-worktable exchange system, where one worktable is in the cutting position while the other is in the loading / unloading position. However, this exchange structure has inherent drawbacks: vibrations generated by loading / unloading operations in the loading / unloading position are transmitted to the worktable in the cutting position via connecting components such as chains, causing it to vibrate slightly. This severely affects cutting accuracy and may even lead to serious accidents such as the laser cutting head colliding with the workpiece or the worktable.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies commonly employ pneumatic clamping devices to secure the worktable at the cutting station. A common practice is to install cylinders on the left and right sides or front and back of the worktable, using these cylinders to drive locating pins or pressure blocks for locking. However, the locking stability of this pneumatic clamping method is significantly affected by fluctuations in air pressure, leading to uneven clamping force, worktable displacement or torsion, and an inability to guarantee repeatable positioning accuracy. Furthermore, while existing clamping mechanisms use locating elements such as frustum-shaped locating pins to eliminate some radial clearance through conical extrusion, their contact is often linear or a narrow annular contact band, resulting in stress concentration. Under frequent operation and high loads, these elements are prone to rapid wear. Once worn, the clearance increases rapidly, and under continuous vibration, slight separation can easily occur, failing to achieve comprehensive rigid locking.

[0004] How to invent a worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine to solve these problems has become an urgent issue for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the above deficiencies, the present invention provides a worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine, which aims to solve the problems mentioned in the background.

[0006] This invention is implemented as follows: This invention provides a worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine, including a frame and a controller mounted on the frame. The frame also houses a laser cutting mechanism and two worktables arranged vertically, with one worktable in a cutting position and the other in a loading / unloading position. The device further includes: The clamping and positioning assembly is housed in a box fixed to one end of the frame and is used to clamp the worktable at the cutting station. The limiting lubrication component is located inside the clamping and positioning component, and can automatically lubricate the clamping area when the clamping and positioning component is working.

[0007] Preferably, the clamping and positioning assembly includes a mounting plate, a cylinder, a limiting cylinder, and a locking member fixedly connected to the end of the worktable. The mounting plate is fixedly installed inside the housing. A base plate and a side plate are fixedly connected to one side of the mounting plate. The cylinder is fixedly installed on the side plate. A connecting plate is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder. Two connecting posts are fixedly connected to one side of the connecting plate facing the locking member. A locking block is provided at one end of the connecting post facing the locking member. The locking member has a locking groove that matches the locking block. The limiting cylinder is fixed to the mounting plate. The connecting post passes through the inside of the limiting cylinder. The limiting cylinder has a channel that matches the contour of the connecting post.

[0008] Preferably, the clamping and positioning assembly is provided in two sets and is symmetrically distributed along the central axis of the worktable. The two connecting posts on the same connecting plate are respectively matched with the height of the locking parts on different worktables.

[0009] Preferably, the cross-section of the locking block is trapezoidal, the locking block is located in the middle of the connecting column, and the upper and lower surfaces of the locking block are flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member.

[0010] Preferably, the base plate is located at the bottom of the mounting plate, a baffle is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate, a baffle is fixedly connected to the front end of the baffle, a sensor is installed on the side of the baffle facing the locking member, and the sensor, the cylinder and the controller are electrically connected.

[0011] Preferably, the locking element is positioned between the corresponding limiting cylinder and the first baffle, the second baffle corresponds to the position of the locking element, and when the worktable is in the clamped state, the side wall of the locking element abuts against the side wall of the first baffle, the front end of the locking element contacts the sensor, and at this time the side wall of the card block fits against the inner wall of the card slot.

[0012] Preferably, the limiting lubrication assembly includes an oil reservoir, a first cavity, and two second cavities within the connecting column. The first cavity is located near the locking block and in the middle of the connecting column. A piston rod is slidably connected inside the first cavity, and the piston portion of the piston rod is elastically connected to the inner cavity of the first cavity via a second spring. The end of the piston rod passes through the end of the locking block. The oil reservoir is filled with lubricating oil and is located in the upper half of the connecting column. An oil delivery channel is provided in the lower part of the oil reservoir, and the oil reservoir communicates with the inner cavity of the second cavity via the oil delivery channel. The two second cavities are symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the first cavity. A connecting channel is provided between cavity one and cavity two, through which cavity one is connected to two cavities two. The upper cavity two is sealed and slidably connected to an upper slider, and the lower cavity two is sealed and slidably connected to a lower slider. The upper slider and the lower slider are elastically connected to the inner cavity of the corresponding cavity two by a spring. Two oil guide grooves are symmetrically opened at the bottom of the upper slider along the central axis of the block. The inclined surface of the block is provided with a liquid guide branch. The liquid guide branch is composed of an oil receiving groove, a main groove and several branch grooves. The lower end of the oil receiving groove is connected to the main groove, and the upper end of the branch groove is connected to the main groove.

[0013] Preferably, the oil delivery channel is provided with a one-way valve at its end, the oil storage chamber is provided with an oil replenishment port at its upper part, a plug is detachably connected to the oil replenishment port, and a ball is rotatably engaged at the end of the piston rod; a through-hole for the piston rod to pass through is provided on one side of the locking member, and the end of the through-hole passes through the slot and the side wall of the locking member.

[0014] Preferably, when the piston rod of the second spring is in its initial state, the end extends to the outside of the locking block. At this time, the upper slider, the lower slider and the end of the connecting column are flush, and the oil guide groove is in a blocked state. When the locking block and the slot are just in contact, the oil guide groove is connected to the oil receiving groove. After a period of time, the oil guide groove returns to a blocked state. When the worktable is in a clamped state, the upper slider and the lower slider are in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member, respectively.

[0015] Preferably, the upper slider and the lower slider are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the card block, and the surfaces of the upper slider and the lower slider that are in contact with the card block are planes, and the contour of the plane is larger than the contour of the card block. The oil receiving groove, the main groove and the support groove are all open grooves. The end of the main groove penetrates through the front side wall of the card block. The end of the oil guiding groove does not penetrate through the front side wall of the upper slider.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. By using two sets of clamping and positioning components arranged symmetrically on the left and right, combined with the wedge action of the trapezoidal block and the slot, the axial rigid limit of the baffle, and the vertical pressing of the upper and lower sliders, a locking structure is formed that provides all-round constraint on the worktable in the radial, axial and vertical directions. This structure completely eliminates the movement gap in all directions, effectively suppresses vibration, and ensures the dynamic stability and repeatability of the worktable during high-speed cutting.

[0017] 2. The large-area surface contact design between the trapezoidal block and the slot significantly reduces the contact stress per unit area compared to the line contact of the traditional frustum pin, thus mitigating wear at its source. Secondly, the limit lubrication component integrated inside the connecting column can automatically and quantitatively lubricate the inclined surface of the block and the mating surface of the locking part during each clamping action, forming a maintenance mechanism of "action as maintenance," ensuring that the friction pair is always in a good lubrication state, and greatly extending the service life of the core components.

[0018] 3. The lubricating oil delivery system is set after the clamp and groove are fully engaged and the friction pair is fully established. This ensures that the lubricating oil is delivered to the target contact surface, avoiding premature leakage and waste in a non-contact state. This not only improves the utilization efficiency of the lubricating oil but also prevents the oil from contaminating the working environment. After lubrication is completed, the lubrication passage can be automatically cut off, and the oil guide groove port is effectively hidden and sealed by the moving slider structure. This self-sealing mechanism, combined with the open groove design adopted by the liquid guide branch, fundamentally eliminates the possibility of external dust, metal shavings and other contaminants clogging the precision oil passage, greatly improving the long-term operational reliability and maintenance-free operation of the lubrication system under harsh working conditions.

[0019] 4. By utilizing the sliding block's resetting action for scraping and the natural flow of lubricating oil, this invention extends the lubrication range from a single inclined surface of the locking block to the entire upper and lower mating surfaces of the locking element. This fundamentally eliminates the wear risk of multiple friction pairs, greatly improving the service life and reliability of the entire clamping mechanism. Traditional fixed limit blocks experience an instantaneous rigid collision when contacting the locking element, easily generating impact and noise. In contrast, the sliding block of this invention moves gradually under hydraulic drive. Its contact with the locking element is a soft landing process with gradually increasing force, effectively mitigating impact, making the movement smoother and more stable, and reducing noise. Since the sliding block begins to deliver lubricating oil during its movement, a lubricating oil film already exists between the contact surfaces when it finally contacts the surface of the locking element. This transforms dry friction or boundary friction into a more favorable mixed lubrication state, significantly reducing frictional resistance and wear during the sliding process. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the housing according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the worktable when it is clamped according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the box of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the locking component structure of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping and positioning assembly of the present invention in its initial state; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the clamping and positioning component of the present invention during operation; Figure 8 This is the invention Figure 7 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the card block and the card slot when they are just attached; Figure 10 This is the invention Figure 9 Enlarged structural diagram at point B; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the card block and card slot after they have been in contact for a period of time. Figure 12 This is the invention Figure 11 Enlarged structural diagram at point C; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the baffle and sensor structure of the present invention; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the oil guide groove and the oil receiving groove of the present invention are connected; Figure 15 This is the invention Figure 14 Enlarged structural diagram at point D; Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the upper slider structure of the present invention; Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid guiding branch distribution structure of the present invention.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Frame; 2. Housing; 3. Worktable; 4. Laser cutting mechanism; 5. Mounting plate; 6. Cylinder; 7. Connecting column; 8. Upper slider; 9. Locking block; 31. Locking element; 32. Slot; 50. Base plate; 51. Side plate; 52. Baffle one; 53. Limiting cylinder; 61. Connecting plate; 71. Oil storage chamber; 72. Chamber one; 73. Chamber two; 74. Piston rod; 75. Connecting channel; 81. Oil guide groove; 82. Lower slider; 91. Oil receiving groove; 92. Main groove; 93. Support groove; 321. Through port; 521. Baffle two; 522. Sensor; 711. Oil delivery channel; 712. One-way valve; 713. Plug; 731. Spring one; 741. Ball; 742. Spring two. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] Example 1, refer to Figures 1-6 A worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine includes a frame 1 and a controller mounted on the frame 1. The frame 1 also includes a laser cutting mechanism 4 and two worktables 3. The laser cutting mechanism 4 performs cutting operations on the workpieces on the worktables 3. The worktables 3 are arranged vertically, with one worktable 3 in the cutting position and the other in the loading / unloading position. The device also includes: The clamping and positioning assembly is installed in the housing 2 fixed at one end of the frame 1 and is used to clamp the worktable 3 at the cutting station. The limiting lubrication component is located inside the clamping and positioning component, and can automatically lubricate the clamping area when the clamping and positioning component is working.

[0025] Furthermore, the clamping and positioning assembly includes a mounting plate 5, a cylinder 6, a limiting cylinder 53, and a locking member 31 fixedly connected to the end of the worktable 3. The mounting plate 5 is fixedly installed inside the housing 2. A base plate 50 and a side plate 51 are fixedly connected to one side of the mounting plate 5. The cylinder 6 is fixedly installed on the side plate 51. A connecting plate 61 is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder 6. Two connecting posts 7 are fixedly connected to one side of the connecting plate 61 facing the locking member 31. A locking block 9 is provided at one end of the connecting post 7 facing the locking member 31. The locking member 31 is provided with a locking groove 32 that matches the locking block 9. The limiting cylinder 53 is fixed to the mounting plate 5. The connecting post 7 passes through the inside of the limiting cylinder 53. The limiting cylinder 53 is provided with a channel that matches the contour of the connecting post 7. The connecting column 7 moves linearly within the channel of the limiting cylinder 53, which provides rigid guidance for the thrust of the cylinder 6. Through the cooperation of the two sets of connecting columns 7 and the limiting cylinder 53, the connecting column 7 and the locking block 9 can be prevented from swaying or shaking during the movement, ensuring that the locking block 9 can be accurately aligned and enter the locking slot 32, which compensates for the slight sway that the cylinder 6 itself may have.

[0026] It should be noted that there are two sets of clamping and positioning components, which are symmetrically distributed along the central axis of the worktable 3. By symmetrically arranging two sets of clamping and positioning components on the left and right sides of the central axis of the worktable 3, the clamping force appears in pairs and is balanced with each other, clamping the worktable 3 from both sides. This fundamentally eliminates the torsion and offset caused by unilateral force or asynchronous operation of the cylinders 6, ensuring the stability and repeatability of the clamping. The two connecting posts 7 on the same connecting plate 61 are matched with the height of the locking parts 31 on different worktables 3. The cross-section of the locking block 9 is trapezoidal, and during insertion, the inclined surface of the trapezoid acts as a guide. Even with minor alignment errors, the trapezoidal inclined structure can be corrected by the inclined surface and smoothly slide into the slot 32. When fully fitted, the trapezoidal inclined structure generates a radial locking force, which works together with the axial thrust of the cylinder 6 to form a strong locking force, enhancing the reliability of clamping. Compared with the existing structure of inserting a frustum-shaped positioning pin into a slot for locking, this structure uses the long inclined surface of the trapezoid to provide a larger contact area, forming a stable surface contact rather than a line contact or point contact, resulting in better rigidity and greater stability. The locking block 9 is located in the middle of the connecting column 7, and the upper and lower surfaces of the locking block 9 are flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member 31.

[0027] Furthermore, the base plate 50 is located at the bottom of the mounting plate 5. A baffle 1 52 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate 50. A baffle 2 521 is fixedly connected to the front end of the baffle 1 52. A sensor 522 is installed on the side of the baffle 2 521 facing the locking member 31. The sensor 522, the cylinder 6 and the controller are electrically connected. The baffle 1 52 provides a lateral positioning reference surface for the locking member 31, ensuring that the worktable 3 is uniquely positioned in the horizontal direction when clamped. The sensor 522 (which can be a proximity switch) is a key safety and status monitoring element. It is electrically connected to the controller. Only when it detects that the locking member 31 is fully in place will it send a signal to the controller. The controller can then instruct the cylinder 6 to start clamping. This effectively prevents clamping when the worktable 3 is not fully in place, thereby avoiding possible collision accidents.

[0028] It should be noted that the locking element 31 is positioned between the corresponding limiting cylinder 53 and the first baffle 52, and the second baffle 521 corresponds to the locking element 31. When the worktable 3 is in the clamped state, the side wall of the locking element 31 abuts against the side wall of the first baffle 52, the front end of the locking element 31 contacts the sensor 522, and at this time, the side wall of the card block 9 is in contact with the inner wall of the card slot 32 (refer to...). Figures 6-7 ).

[0029] In this embodiment, the exchange system drives a workbench 3 fully loaded with the material to be processed to move to the cutting station in front. During this process, the locking member 31 fixed to the end of the workbench 3 enters the predetermined area inside the housing 2 and is located in the space between the limiting cylinder 53 and the baffle 52.

[0030] When the workbench 3 is in position, the front end of the locking component 31 will touch the sensor 522 (such as a proximity switch). At this time, the controller (PLC, etc.) sends a clamping command to the cylinder 6. The output end of the cylinder 6 extends and pushes the connecting plate 61 forward. The connecting plate 61 drives the symmetrically distributed connecting columns 7 to move forward together. The connecting columns 7 slide in the channel of the limiting cylinder 53, eliminating the error caused by the swing of the cylinder 6 itself, and providing rigid guidance for the precise insertion of the locking block 9. The trapezoidal locking block 9 at the front end of the connecting column 7 moves toward the slot 32 on the locking component 31. At the moment of insertion, the trapezoidal inclined surface of the locking block 9 plays a guiding role. Even if there is a small centering error, it can guide the locking block 9 to slide smoothly into the slot 32.

[0031] As the cylinder 6 continues to push, the inclined surface of the trapezoidal block 9 completely fits against the inclined surface of the slot 32. This process generates a radial wedging force, eliminating radial clearance and achieving strong radial locking through large-area surface contact. While the block 9 is wedging, the forward movement of the entire connecting column 7 forces the side wall of the locking member 31 to press tightly against the baffle 52. The baffle 52 acts as a rigid mechanical stop, completely eliminating the possibility of the worktable 3 moving in the axial and longitudinal directions.

[0032] Traditional frustum-shaped locating pins rely on their conical surfaces for radial compression positioning, resulting in line contact or a narrow annular contact band. This leads to high stress concentration, and under frequent insertion and removal actions and heavy workloads, this stress concentration area is prone to plastic deformation and wear. Once wear occurs, the clearance between the locating pin and the locating hole increases rapidly, leading to irreversible loss of positioning accuracy. Moreover, this wear process has the characteristic of accelerating deterioration. In contrast, the trapezoidal locking block 9 of this invention forms a large-area stable surface contact between its two inclined surfaces and the locking groove 32. This design allows the locking force to be evenly distributed over a larger contact area, thereby significantly reducing the contact stress per unit area. This optimized stress distribution fundamentally slows down the wear rate of the contact surface, resulting in a longer service life and higher accuracy retention for the entire clamping and positioning device.

[0033] Example 2, refer to Figures 7-17 The limiting lubrication assembly includes an oil reservoir 71, a first cavity 72, and two second cavities 73 within the connecting column 7. The first cavity 72 is located near the locking block 9 and in the middle of the connecting column 7. A piston rod 74 is slidably connected inside the first cavity 72. The piston part of the piston rod 74 is elastically connected to the inner cavity of the first cavity 72 by a second spring 742. The end of the piston rod 74 passes through the end of the locking block 9. The oil reservoir 71 is filled with lubricating oil and is located in the upper half of the connecting column 7. An oil delivery channel 711 is provided in the lower part of the oil reservoir 71, which communicates with the inner cavity of the second cavity 73 through the oil delivery channel 711. The two second cavities 73 are symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the first cavity 72. A connecting channel 75 is provided between the first cavity 72 and the two second cavities 73. The upper slide block 8 is slidably connected to the inside of the upper cavity 73, and the lower slide block 82 is slidably connected to the inside of the lower cavity 73. The upper slide block 8, the lower slide block 82 and the inner cavity of the corresponding cavity 73 are elastically connected by a spring 731. Two oil guide grooves 81 are symmetrically opened at the bottom of the upper slide block 8 along the central axis of the locking block 9. A liquid guide branch is opened on the inclined surface of the locking block 9. The liquid guide branch is composed of an oil receiving groove 91, a main groove 92 and several branch grooves 93. The lower end of the oil receiving groove 91 is connected to the main groove 92, and the upper end of the branch groove 93 is connected to the main groove 92.

[0034] Furthermore, a one-way valve 712 is provided at the end of the oil supply channel 711 to ensure that the lubricating oil can only flow in one direction. An oil replenishment port is provided at the upper part of the oil storage chamber 71, through which lubricating oil can be replenished into the oil storage chamber 71 in a timely manner. A plug 713 is detachably connected to the oil replenishment port to ensure that the lubricating oil inside the oil storage chamber 71 will not leak. A ball 741 is rotatably engaged at the end of the piston rod 74 to ensure that the contact between the piston rod 74 and the slot 32 is rolling friction, which reduces noise and wear. A through-hole 321 is provided on one side of the locking member 31 for the piston rod 74 to pass through. The end of the through-hole 321 penetrates the slot 32 and the side wall of the locking member 31. The through-hole 321 provides clearance space for the piston rod 74 to ensure that the extended piston rod 74 will not rigidly interfere with the locking member 31 when the worktable 3 is exchanged or removed.

[0035] Furthermore, in the initial state, the end of the piston rod 74 of the second spring 742 extends to the outside of the locking block 9. At this time, the upper slider 8, the lower slider 82 and the end of the connecting column 7 are flush, and the oil guide groove 81 is in a blocked state to ensure that the lubricant can be squeezed out during each clamping process; when the locking block 9 and the locking groove 32 are just in contact, the oil guide groove 81 is connected to the oil receiving groove 91 (refer to...). Figure 10 After a period of time, the oil guide groove 81 returned to a blocked state (refer to...). Figure 12 This ensures that the flow rate of lubricating oil is constant. When the worktable 3 is in the clamped state, the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 are in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member 31, respectively. At this time, the contact surfaces of the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 with the locking member 31 can limit the locking member 31 and prevent the locking member 31 from fluctuating, thereby ensuring the accuracy of laser cutting.

[0036] It should be noted that the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the locking block 9. The surfaces of the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 that are in contact with the locking block 9 are flat, and the contour of the flat surface is larger than the contour of the locking block 9. This ensures that the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 can act on the surface of the locking member 31. The oil receiving groove 91, the main groove 92 and the support groove 93 are all open grooves. Compared with the tiny circular channels that are easily blocked by impurities, the open groove structure provides a path for contaminants to pass through. Even if a small amount of impurities enter, they can be easily discharged under the action of the oil flow, without stagnating and blocking the oil passage. The end of the main groove 92 penetrates the front side wall of the locking block 9, ensuring that when the locking block 9 is attached to the groove 32, the lubricating oil can be delivered to the front end of the locking block 9 through the main groove 92. The end of the oil guide groove 81 does not penetrate the front side wall of the upper slider 8, ensuring that the oil guide groove 81 can automatically switch to the blocked state after releasing the lubricating oil. At the same time, the oil guide groove 81 can be hidden, reducing the risk of blockage caused by exposed ports.

[0037] In this embodiment, in the non-working state, the piston rod 74, under the elastic force of the second spring 742, has its end protruding beyond the front end of the locking block 9. At this time, the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82, under the action of the first spring 731, have their end faces flush with the end of the connecting column 7, sealing the outlet of the oil guide groove 81. The lubricating oil in the oil storage chamber 71 is in a sealed state. When the cylinder 6 drives the connecting column 7 and the locking block 9 to move toward the locking member 31, the end of the piston rod 74 will contact the locking member 31 before the locking block 9, and will be pressed back under the continuous pushing force, compressing the second spring 742. 2. The volume of cavity 1 72 is reduced. The compressed oil in cavity 1 72 is simultaneously forced into the upper and lower cavities 2 73 through the connecting channel 75, and pressure is built up in the cavity. The pressure oil in cavity 2 73 pushes the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 to slide outward against the elastic force of spring 1 731. As the clamping action is finally completed, the locking block 9 is fully wedged into the locking groove 32, and the connecting column 7 reaches the final position. At this time, after the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 reach their maximum stroke, their end faces are tightly pressed against the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member 31, providing auxiliary limit in the vertical direction.

[0038] At the moment when the locking block 9 is about to be fully wedged in, the oil guide groove 81 at the bottom of the upper slider 8 is accurately aligned and connected with the oil receiving groove 91 on the inclined surface of the locking block 9, forming a temporary lubrication path. Through this path, the oil guide groove 81 -> oil receiving groove 91 -> main groove 92 -> support groove 93 forcibly delivers the lubricant to the contact surface between the locking block 9 and the locking groove 32. Since the locking block 9 and the locking groove 32 are in the locked state at this time, the lubricant can be evenly covered on the trapezoidal working inclined surface of the locking block 9. As the lubricant flows out, the pressure in the cavity 73 decreases. At this time, the spring 731 will pull the upper slider 8 to a slight displacement, causing the oil guide groove 81 and the oil receiving groove 91 to misalign again (refer to...). Figure 12 It automatically cuts off the lubrication passage to prevent continuous leakage of lubricating oil; throughout the process, the movement of the lower slider 82 is mainly used to balance the pressure and together with the upper slider 8 to provide clamping force.

[0039] It should be noted that the oil guide groove 81 will only connect with the oil receiving groove 91 after the locking block 9 is fully wedged into the locking groove 32, and the lubricating oil will be discharged. This ensures that the lubricating oil can act on the contact surface and avoids the situation where the lubricating oil flows out before the contact is established.

[0040] This invention creatively integrates a limiting lubrication component inside the connecting column 7. Its operation is linked to the clamping action. In each successful clamping cycle, the system automatically and quantitatively lubricates the critical contact areas. This proactive maintenance mechanism ensures that the contact areas are always in optimal lubrication condition, making the operation smoother and changing the traditional method of relying on regular manual maintenance. It eliminates wear problems caused by forgetfulness, delays, or improper lubrication. By momentarily connecting and ultimately closing the oil guide groove 81 and the oil receiving groove 91 at specific strokes, the amount of oil injected for each lubrication is controlled, avoiding the oil waste caused by the traditional open oil circuit and the negative impact on the working environment. Pollution is eliminated, achieving economical and environmentally friendly precision lubrication; the open-type fluid guide channels (oil receiving groove 91, main groove 92, and branch groove 93) have the inherent advantage of being less prone to clogging compared to micro-channels, ensuring the long-term reliability of the lubrication system; during each locking process, a new lubricating oil film is formed between the friction pair (the inclined surface of the locking block 9 and the inclined surface of the groove 32), fundamentally avoiding dry friction. This greatly reduces the wear rate of the contact surface, allowing the surface contact and low stress advantages brought by the trapezoidal locking block 9 to be maintained for a long time, significantly extending the service life of core components such as the locking part 31 and the locking block 9, and ensuring the long-term positioning accuracy of the equipment.

[0041] Furthermore, the upper slider 8 and the lower slider 82 are not only key components for lubrication, but also act as rigid limit blocks at the end of their strokes, pressing against the upper and lower surfaces of the locking element 31. This design eliminates the slight wobbling gap that may exist in the vertical direction of the worktable 3, and together with the radial wedge and axial stop, it forms a complete constraint system, further improving the clamping rigidity of the worktable 3 and the dynamic stability of laser cutting.

[0042] In Example 3, when the upper slider 8 moves outward to its maximum stroke under hydraulic pressure, its end has come into contact with the upper surface of the locking member 31. More importantly, the front end outlet of its internal oil guide groove 81 is also opposite to the upper surface of the locking member 31 at this position. When the clamping process ends and the cylinder 6 drives the connecting column 7 to start resetting, the upper slider 8 retracts inward under the action of the spring 731. During this resetting process, the lubricating oil remaining at the front end of the oil guide groove 81 and the end of the upper slider 8 is directly scraped and evenly spread on the upper surface of the locking member 31, completing the lubrication of the contact surface. At the same time, the lubricating oil flowing out from the main groove 92 and the branch groove 93 of the liquid guide branch of the clamping block 9 will naturally drip or cover the end face of the lower slider 82 under the action of gravity. As the lower slider 82 resets, this lubricating oil is also automatically transferred and coated onto the bottom wall of the locking member 31.

[0043] It should be noted that, compared with the fixed locking mode of upper and lower limit blocks, the (upper and lower) sliders of the present invention move outward smoothly and gradually in the later stage of the clamping action as the internal oil pressure is established, and finally contact the surface of the locking member 31 and apply clamping force. Therefore, the contact friction between the present invention and the locking member 31 is small, and the lubricating oil can be automatically applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member 31 during the movement of the slider.

[0044] By utilizing the sliding block's reset motion for scraping and taking advantage of naturally flowing lubricating oil, this invention innovatively extends the lubrication range from the single inclined surface of the locking block 9 to the entire upper and lower mating surfaces of the locking member 31. This forms a more complete lubrication and protection system, fundamentally eliminating the wear risk of multiple friction pairs and greatly improving the service life and reliability of the entire clamping mechanism. This lubrication, completed during the sliding block's reset stroke, is a dynamic and automatic application process that ensures the lubricating oil is distributed most evenly on the contact surface. The lubrication effect is superior to static dripping or brushing, achieving efficient and uniform automatic lubrication maintenance. Traditional fixed limit blocks experience an instantaneous rigid collision when contacting the locking member 31, which is prone to impact. The present invention addresses the issues of impact and noise by employing a hydraulically driven, progressively moving slider. Its contact with the locking element 31 is a soft-landing process with gradually increasing force, effectively mitigating impact, making the movement smoother and more stable, and reducing noise. Since lubricating oil is supplied to the slider during its movement, a lubricating oil film exists between the contact surfaces when it finally contacts the locking element 31, transforming dry friction into a more favorable mixed lubrication state, significantly reducing frictional resistance and wear during sliding. Through this design, not only is more comprehensive lubrication protection achieved, but the combination of progressive limiting and in-motion application enhances the dynamic operating quality of the equipment, increases the reliability and lifespan of the clamping and positioning components, and thus ensures the quality of laser cutting.

[0045] The control method of this invention is automatic control through a controller. The control circuit of the controller can be implemented by simple programming by those skilled in the art. The power supply is also common knowledge in the field. Since this invention is mainly used to protect mechanical devices, the control method and circuit connection will not be explained in detail. The specific model and specifications of the relevant electrical components need to be selected and determined according to the actual specifications of the device. The specific selection and calculation method adopts the existing technology in the field, so it will not be described in detail.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the invention should be included within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine, comprising a frame (1) and a controller mounted on the frame (1), wherein the frame (1) is further provided with a laser cutting mechanism (4) and two worktables (3), the worktables (3) being arranged vertically, wherein when one worktable (3) is in the cutting position, the other is in the loading / unloading position, characterized in that, Also includes: The clamping and positioning assembly is installed in the housing (2) fixed at one end of the frame (1) and is used to clamp the worktable (3) at the cutting station. The limiting lubrication component is located inside the clamping and positioning component, and can automatically lubricate the clamping area when the clamping and positioning component is working.

2. The worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping and positioning assembly includes a mounting plate (5), a cylinder (6), a limiting cylinder (53), and a locking member (31) fixedly connected to the end of the worktable (3). The mounting plate (5) is fixedly installed inside the housing (2). A bottom plate (50) and a side plate (51) are fixedly connected to one side of the mounting plate (5). The cylinder (6) is fixedly installed on the side plate (51). A connecting plate (61) is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder (6). Two connecting posts (7) are fixedly connected to one side of the connecting plate (61) facing the locking member (31). A locking block (9) is provided at one end of the connecting post (7) facing the locking member (31). A slot (32) matching the locking block (9) is provided on the locking member (31). The limiting cylinder (53) is fixed on the mounting plate (5). The connecting post (7) passes through the inside of the limiting cylinder (53). A channel matching the outline of the connecting post (7) is provided inside the limiting cylinder (53).

3. The worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The clamping and positioning assembly is provided in two sets and is symmetrically distributed along the central axis of the worktable (3). The two connecting columns (7) on the same connecting plate (61) are respectively matched with the height of the locking parts (31) on different worktables (3).

4. The worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cross-section of the card block (9) is trapezoidal. The card block (9) is located in the middle of the connecting column (7). The upper and lower surfaces of the card block (9) are flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member (31).

5. The worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base plate (50) is located at the bottom of the mounting plate (5). A baffle (52) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the base plate (50). A baffle (521) is fixedly connected to the front end of the baffle (52). A sensor (522) is installed on the side of the baffle (521) facing the locking member (31). The sensor (522), the cylinder (6) and the controller are electrically connected.

6. The worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking element (31) is located between the corresponding limiting cylinder (53) and the first baffle (52). The second baffle (521) is positioned opposite to the locking element (31). When the worktable (3) is in the clamping state, the side wall of the locking element (31) abuts against the side wall of the first baffle (52), the front end of the locking element (31) contacts the sensor (522), and the side wall of the card block (9) is in contact with the inner wall of the card slot (32).

7. The worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting lubrication assembly includes an oil storage chamber (71) opened in the connecting column (7), a first chamber (72) and two second chambers (73). The first chamber (72) is close to the locking block (9) and located in the middle of the connecting column (7). A piston rod (74) is slidably connected inside the first chamber (72). The piston part of the piston rod (74) is elastically connected to the inner cavity of the first chamber (72) by a second spring (742). The end of the piston rod (74) passes through the end of the locking block (9). The oil storage chamber (71) is filled with lubricating oil. The oil storage chamber (71) is located in the upper half of the connecting column (7). An oil delivery channel (711) is opened in the lower part of the oil storage chamber (71). The oil storage chamber (71) is connected to the inner cavity of the second chamber (73) through the oil delivery channel (711). The two second chambers (73) are symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower sides of the first chamber (72). A connecting channel (75) is provided between cavity 1 (72) and cavity 2 (73). Cavity 1 (72) is connected to the two cavities 2 (73) through the connecting channel (75). The upper slide block (8) is sealed and slidably connected inside cavity 2 (73) on the upper side, and the lower slide block (82) is sealed and slidably connected inside cavity 2 (73) on the lower side. The upper slide block (8), the lower slide block (82) and the inner cavity of the corresponding cavity 2 (73) are elastically connected by spring 1 (731). The bottom of the upper slide block (8) is symmetrically provided with two oil guide grooves (81) along the central axis of the locking block (9). The inclined surface of the locking block (9) is provided with a liquid guide branch. The liquid guide branch is composed of an oil receiving groove (91), a main groove (92) and several branch grooves (93). The lower end of the oil receiving groove (91) is connected to the main groove (92), and the upper end of the branch groove (93) is connected to the main groove (92).

8. The worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The oil delivery channel (711) is provided with a one-way valve (712) at its end. The oil storage chamber (71) is provided with an oil replenishment port at its upper part. A plug (713) is detachably connected to the oil replenishment port. A ball (741) is rotatably engaged at the end of the piston rod (74). A through-hole (321) for the piston rod (74) to pass through is provided on one side of the locking member (31). The end of the through-hole (321) passes through the slot (32) and the side wall of the locking member (31).

9. A worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the piston rod (74) of the second spring (742) is in its initial state, the end of the piston rod (74) extends to the outside of the block (9). At this time, the upper slider (8), the lower slider (82) and the end of the connecting column (7) are flush, and the oil guide groove (81) is in a blocked state. When the block (9) and the groove (32) are just in contact, the oil guide groove (81) is connected to the oil receiving groove (91). When the worktable (3) is in a clamped state, the upper slider (8) and the lower slider (82) are in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member (31) respectively.

10. A worktable clamping and positioning device for a cutting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The upper slider (8) and lower slider (82) are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the card block (9). The surfaces of the upper slider (8) and lower slider (82) that are in contact with the card block (9) are flat, and the outline of the flat surface is larger than the outline of the card block (9). The oil receiving groove (91), the main groove (92) and the support groove (93) are all open grooves. The end of the main groove (92) penetrates the front side wall of the card block (9). The end of the oil guiding groove (81) does not penetrate the front side wall of the upper slider (8).

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