A gantry machine tool slide rail cooling mechanism

Abstract

This utility model relates to a cooling mechanism for the slide rail of a gantry machine tool, including a slide saddle, a slide ram, and a cooling assembly. The slide ram moves up and down within the inner cavity of the slide saddle via a drive mechanism, and the guide rail surface of the slide ram contacts the inner cavity of the slide saddle. The cooling assembly includes cooling plates for cooling the guide rails at the four corners of the slide saddle and a cooling machine for supplying coolant to the cooling plates through a pipe assembly. This utility model relates to the field of gantry machine tool technology. This gantry machine tool slide rail cooling mechanism has a cooling system fixed on both sides of the slide saddle. The cooling system consists of cooling plates, pipes, connectors, etc. The entire cooling system is supplied with coolant by the cooling machine. The coolant circulates through pipes into the circulation groove of the cooling plates and finally flows back to the cooling machine, forming a circulating cooling system for the slide saddle and slide ram guide rails. This reduces the thermal deformation of the slide saddle and slide ram, thereby improving the machining accuracy of the machine tool.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gantry machine tool technology, specifically a gantry machine tool slide saddle guide rail cooling mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] CNC machine tools are widely used machining equipment in the market. The slide saddle and ram mechanism are crucial components of gantry milling machines, and their precision significantly impacts the final machining accuracy. With increasingly stringent requirements for machining accuracy, research into various factors affecting machine tool precision has deepened. Among these, the thermal deformation caused by the sliding friction of the slide saddle and ram guide surfaces is a significant factor affecting machine tool precision and has become an important research topic. This invention provides a solution to address or control the overheating of the slide saddle and ram guides, thereby improving machine tool machining accuracy. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a cooling mechanism for the slide saddle guide rail of a gantry machine tool, which solves the aforementioned problems.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution: a gantry machine tool slide saddle guide rail cooling mechanism, including a slide saddle, a slide ram, and a cooling assembly, wherein the slide ram is driven to move up and down in the inner cavity of the slide saddle by a drive mechanism, and the guide rail surface of the slide ram is in contact with the inner cavity of the slide saddle; The cooling assembly includes cooling plates for cooling the guide rails at the four corners of the slide saddle and a cooler for supplying coolant to the cooling plates through a piping assembly. The piping assembly includes inlet and outlet pipes for connecting the cooler and the cooling plates, and circulation pipes for connecting the cooling plates. The cooling plate is fixed above the slide saddle by screws, and the inner cavity of the cooling plate is provided with a circulation groove that communicates with the circulation pipe and the inlet and outlet liquid pipes. A fixing frame is fixedly connected to the surface of the sliding saddle. A locking bolt is threaded into the inner cavity of the fixing frame. An elastic plate that abuts against the surface of the cooling plate is fixedly connected to the end of the locking bolt. By rotating the locking bolt, the pressure of the elastic plate on the cooling plate can be adjusted so that it can tightly abut against the surface of the cooling plate and apply pressure, which can effectively prevent leakage.

[0005] As a further embodiment of this utility model: eight cooling plates are provided, and four are installed in a group on the left side of the slide saddle respectively.

[0006] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the inner cavity of the cooling plate is provided with a sealing ring groove, and a sealing ring is installed in the inner cavity of the sealing ring groove. The sealing ring is located at the fixed joint surface between the cooling plate and the slide saddle.

[0007] As a further embodiment of this utility model: a set of cooling plates is connected by a circulation pipe and an inlet / outlet pipe, and the coolant circulates between the inlet and outlet to cool the upper and lower surfaces of the two corner guide rails of the saddle and bolster.

[0008] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the cooling plate is machined with two threaded holes arranged at both ends of the circulation tank. The threaded holes are used to install the connectors of the circulation pipe and the inlet and outlet pipes. The coolant enters from one threaded hole and circulates fully in the circulation tank before flowing out from the other threaded hole, thus ensuring the cooling effect.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: This device is installed at the rear of the plastic-coated guide rail surface of the slide saddle. Coolant is supplied by a cooling machine, and the coolant circulates between the cooling plates to cool the guide rail surfaces of the slide saddle and the ram, thereby reducing the thermal deformation of the slide saddle and the ram and improving the machining accuracy of the machine tool.

[0010] To address the problem of premature heat generation due to friction on the guide rails at the four corners of the saddle and ram of a gantry milling machine, which causes deformation of parts and reduces machining accuracy, a cooling system is fixed on both sides of the saddle. The cooling system consists of cooling plates, pipes, and connectors. The entire cooling system is supplied with coolant by a cooling machine. The coolant circulates through pipes into the circulation groove of the cooling plate and finally flows back to the cooling machine, forming a circulating cooling system for the saddle and ram guide rails. This reduces the thermal deformation of the saddle and ram, thereby improving the machining accuracy of the machine tool. Highly efficient and precise cooling significantly suppresses thermal deformation: By installing cooling plates at the four key corners of the slide saddle (which are also areas sensitive to thermal deformation), and ensuring that the cooling plates cover both the upper and lower surfaces of the contact area between the slide ram guide rail surface and the inner cavity guide rail of the slide saddle, direct, efficient, and precise cooling of the heat source is achieved. The coolant flows fully in the circulation grooves inside the cooling plates, quickly carrying away the heat generated by friction. This effectively reduces the peak temperature and operating temperature gradient in the guide rail contact area from the source, maximizing the suppression of thermal deformation of the slide saddle and slide ram, and providing a fundamental guarantee for the machine tool to maintain high precision over the long term.

[0011] Optimized cooling coverage and thermal balance: A cooling plate layout of "four corners and two sides" (eight cooling plates in total, four on each side) systematically covers the most overheated and deformation-sensitive areas of the entire saddle guide rail system. This design ensures uniform heat dissipation, promotes thermal balance throughout the saddle structure, and avoids the formation of localized hot spots.

[0012] Multiple sealing features effectively prevent leakage: Sealing ring: A sealing ring groove is set at the joint surface between the cooling plate and the slide saddle and a sealing ring is installed, forming the first reliable static sealing barrier.

[0013] Elastic clamping device: Through the unique design of the fixing bracket, locking bolt, and end elastic plate, the operator can easily rotate the locking bolt to precisely adjust the pressure applied by the elastic plate to the surface of the cooling plate. This adjustable, continuous, and elastic clamping force ensures that the cooling plate and the sliding saddle mounting surface always maintain a tight fit, dynamically compensating for gaps even under thermal expansion and contraction or slight vibration, forming a strong second line of defense. The dual sealing mechanism (sealing ring + elastic clamping) greatly reduces the risk of coolant leakage, improves system reliability and service life, and avoids efficiency reduction, environmental pollution, and equipment corrosion caused by leakage.

[0014] Modular design facilitates installation and maintenance: the cooling plate is independently fixed to the slide saddle with screws, and the pipes are connected via standard threaded connectors. This modular design makes the replacement and maintenance of individual cooling plates or seals simple and quick, greatly reducing the difficulty and cost of later maintenance.

[0015] Reliable piping connections and circulation: Inlet and outlet pipes connect the cooler to the cooling plate assembly, while circulation pipes connect to the cooling plates within the assembly, forming a clear coolant circuit. Dedicated threaded holes on the cooling plates ensure secure and sealed pipe connections. Coolant flows into the circulation tank from one end, circulates and exchanges heat fully, and then flows out from the other end, ensuring sufficient contact time and area between the coolant and the cooling plates (i.e., the heat source on the guide rails), maximizing heat exchange efficiency.

[0016] Improving Machine Tool Performance and Lifespan: By effectively controlling guideway temperature rise and reducing thermal deformation and wear, this mechanism significantly improves the machining accuracy, stability, and reliability of machine tools. Simultaneously, it reduces the wear rate of critical moving parts, extends the overall service life of the saddle, ram, and guideway system, and reduces the frequency of machine tool maintenance and total cost of ownership. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a front view of the structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooling plate of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the fixing frame of this utility model.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Slide ram; 2. Slide saddle; 3. Guide rail surface; 5. Cooling plate; 6. Inlet / outlet liquid pipe; 7. Circulation pipe; 9. Sealing ring groove; 10. Sealing ring; 11. Circulation groove; 12. Screw; 13. Fixing bracket; 14. Locking bolt; 15. Elastic sheet. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this utility model in order to achieve the intended utility model purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structure, features and effects of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0020] Please see Figure 1-4 This utility model provides a technical solution: a gantry machine tool slide saddle guide rail cooling mechanism, including slide saddle 2, slide ram 1, and cooling assembly. The slide ram 1 moves up and down in the inner cavity of the slide saddle 2 by a drive mechanism, and the guide rail surface 3 of the slide ram 1 contacts the inner cavity of the slide saddle 2. The cooling assembly includes cooling plates 5 for cooling the guide rails at the four corners of the slide saddle 2 and a cooler for supplying coolant to the cooling plates 5 through a pipe assembly. The piping assembly includes inlet and outlet pipes 6 for communicating with the cooler and the cooling plate 5, and circulation pipes 7 for communicating between the cooling plates 5. The cooling plate 5 is fixed above the slide saddle 2 by screws 12. The inner cavity of the cooling plate 5 is provided with a circulation groove 11 that communicates with the circulation pipe 7 and the inlet and outlet liquid pipes 6. A fixing bracket 13 is fixedly connected to the surface of the sliding saddle 2. A locking bolt 14 is threadedly connected to the inner cavity of the fixing bracket 13. An elastic piece 15 is fixedly connected to the end of the locking bolt 14, which abuts against the surface of the cooling plate 5. By rotating the locking bolt 14, the pressure of the elastic piece 15 on the cooling plate 5 can be adjusted so that it can tightly abut against the surface of the cooling plate 5 to apply pressure, which can effectively prevent leakage.

[0021] There are eight cooling plates 5, and they are installed in groups of four on the left side of the slide saddle 2.

[0022] The inner cavity of the cooling plate 5 is provided with a sealing ring groove 9, and a sealing ring 10 is installed in the inner cavity of the sealing ring groove 9. The sealing ring 10 is located at the fixed joint surface between the cooling plate 5 and the slide saddle 2.

[0023] A set of cooling plates 5 are connected by circulation pipe 7 and inlet / outlet pipe 6. The coolant circulates between the inlet and outlet, cooling the upper and lower surfaces of the two corner guide rails, saddle 2 and bolster 1.

[0024] The cooling plate 5 has two threaded holes arranged at both ends of the circulation tank. The threaded holes are used to install the connectors of the circulation pipe 7 and the inlet and outlet pipes 6. The coolant enters from one threaded hole and circulates fully in the circulation tank 11 before flowing out from the other threaded hole, ensuring the cooling effect.

[0025] This utility model, in use, includes a slide saddle, a slide ram, cooling plates, a cooling machine, and cooling pipes. The machine tool slide ram moves up and down within the slide saddle, and friction between the guide rail surfaces generates heat, which can cause thermal deformation of the slide saddle and slide ram, affecting the machining accuracy of the machine tool. This device is installed at the rear of the plastic-coated guide rail surface of the slide saddle. Coolant is supplied by the cooling machine, and the coolant circulates between the cooling plates to cool the guide rail surfaces of the slide saddle and slide ram, thereby reducing thermal deformation of the slide saddle and slide ram and improving the machining accuracy of the machine tool. This mechanism consists of two parts, installed on the left and right sides of the slide saddle, respectively, to cool the guide rails at the four corners of the slide saddle, and correspondingly, the guide rail surfaces at the four corners of the slide ram. The cooling machine supplies coolant, which circulates in the cooling system and returns to the cooling machine, thus cooling the slide saddle and guide rails. Identical cooling mechanisms are arranged on the left and right sides of the slide saddle, with four cooling plates corresponding to the two guide rails of the slide saddle and slide ram. The upper and lower surfaces of the rail are connected by joints and pipes. The coolant circulates between the inlet and outlet, cooling the upper and lower surfaces of the two corner guide rails of the saddle and ram. The same applies to the other side of the saddle, thus completing the complete cooling of the four corner guide rails. The cooling plates are fixed to the saddle with screws through screw holes. The cooling plates are machined with sealing ring grooves, and sealing rings are installed at the fixed joint surfaces of the cooling plates and the saddle to ensure that the coolant does not leak. The cooling plates are machined with two threaded holes and circulation grooves. The threaded holes are arranged at both ends of the circulation groove. The threaded holes are used to install joints and pipes, ensuring that the coolant enters from one threaded hole, circulates fully in the circulation groove, and then flows out from the other threaded hole, ensuring the cooling effect.

[0026] The working principle of this sliding saddle guide rail cooling mechanism is an active circulation heat dissipation process, the core of which lies in accurately delivering the coolant to the heat source for heat exchange: Coolant supply and circulation: The cooler, as the power source and heat exchange center of the system, pumps the low-temperature coolant through inlet and outlet pipes 6 to the cooling plates 5 installed at the four corners of the slide saddle 2. Typically, the cooling plates on the left and right sides each form a loop; for example, four cooling plates on each side are connected in series or in parallel.

[0027] Internal heat exchange: Coolant enters the specially designed circulation groove 11 inside the cooling plate 5 through the inlet threaded hole. The path of the circulation groove covers the key areas of the cooling plate that need cooling, corresponding to the upper and lower contact surfaces of the slide saddle guide rail. The coolant flows fully in the circulation groove 11, achieving efficient heat exchange with the cooling plate body. The cooling plate is installed close to the slide saddle, and its heat mainly comes from the conductive heat generated by the friction between the lower slide saddle guide rail and the slide ram guide rail.

[0028] Heat absorption and transfer: As the coolant flows through the circulation tank 11, it absorbs the heat transferred from the cooling plate, and its own temperature rises.

[0029] Coolant collection and return: The coolant that has absorbed heat flows out from the threaded hole at the other end of the cooling plate 5. Adjacent cooling plates in the same circuit are connected by a circulation pipe 7, allowing the high-temperature coolant to flow sequentially through all the cooling plates in the circuit, maximizing its cooling capacity. Finally, the high-temperature coolant in the entire circuit returns to the cooler through another inlet / outlet pipe 6.

[0030] Heat dissipation and coolant regeneration: The high-temperature coolant returning to the cooler typically dissipates heat to the external environment through a heat exchanger inside the cooler, such as through air cooling or water cooling. The coolant temperature decreases, and it becomes a low-temperature coolant again, completing one cycle. The cooler continues to operate, maintaining the circulation of the coolant.

[0031] Sealing protection mechanism: The mating surface between the cooling plate 5 and the sliding saddle 2 is sealed by the sealing ring 10 embedded in the sealing ring groove 9.

[0032] The mounting bracket 13 is fixed to the slide saddle, and the locking bolt 14 inside its cavity can be adjusted by turning it. Rotating the locking bolt 14 pushes the elastic plate 15 at its end downward, and the elastic plate 15 applies adjustable and continuous elastic pressure to the upper surface of the cooling plate 5. This pressure ensures that the cooling plate 5 is tightly pressed against the mounting surface of the slide saddle 2. Even if there are minor unevenness or thermal deformation, the elastic plate can provide compensation, which greatly enhances the reliability of the seal and prevents coolant leakage from the mating surface.

[0033] Continuous cooling effect: The above-mentioned coolant circulation and heat exchange process continues, constantly carrying away and dissipating the friction heat generated on the upper and lower guide surfaces at the four corners of the key contact area of ​​the slide saddle guide, thereby maintaining the guide system within a reasonable operating temperature range and ensuring the accuracy and stable operation of the machine tool.

[0034] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Although the present utility model has been disclosed above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model without departing from the scope of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A cooling mechanism for a gantry milling machine tool slide saddle guide rail, comprising a slide saddle (2), a slide ram (1), and a cooling assembly, characterized in that: The slide block (1) moves up and down in the inner cavity of the slide saddle (2) by a drive mechanism, and the guide rail surface (3) of the slide block (1) contacts the inner cavity of the slide saddle (2); The cooling assembly includes cooling plates (5) for cooling the guide rails at the four corners of the slide saddle (2) and a cooler for supplying coolant to the cooling plates (5) through a pipe assembly; The piping assembly includes inlet and outlet pipes (6) for communicating with the cooler and the cooling plate (5) and circulation pipes (7) for communicating between the cooling plates (5). The cooling plate (5) is fixed above the slide saddle (2) by screws (12), and the inner cavity of the cooling plate (5) is provided with a circulation groove (11) that communicates with the circulation pipe (7) and the inlet and outlet liquid pipe (6). The surface of the sliding saddle (2) is fixedly connected to a fixing frame (13), and the inner cavity of the fixing frame (13) is threadedly connected to a locking bolt (14). The end of the locking bolt (14) is fixedly connected to an elastic sheet (15) that abuts against the surface of the cooling plate (5).

2. The cooling mechanism for the slide saddle guide rail of a gantry machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling plates (5) are provided in eight units, and four units are installed in groups on the left side of the slide saddle (2).

3. The cooling mechanism for the slide saddle guide rail of a gantry machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner cavity of the cooling plate (5) is provided with a sealing ring groove (9), and a sealing ring (10) is installed in the inner cavity of the sealing ring groove (9). The sealing ring (10) is located at the fixed joint surface between the cooling plate (5) and the slide saddle (2).

4. The cooling mechanism for the slide saddle guide rail of a gantry machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: A set of cooling plates (5) are connected by a circulation pipe (7) and an inlet / outlet pipe (6). The coolant circulates between the inlet and outlet to cool the upper and lower surfaces of the two corner guide rails of the slide saddle (2) and slide block (1).

5. The cooling mechanism for the slide saddle guide rail of a gantry machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling plate (5) has two threaded holes arranged at both ends of the circulation tank. The threaded holes are used to install the connectors of the circulation pipe (7) and the inlet / outlet liquid pipe (6).

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