Abrasive Strip Holder With Forming Tunnel for Precision Deburring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deburring processes for precision workpieces, such as multipoles in mass spectrometers, are manual and time-consuming, leading to inconsistent quality and potential damage to precision surfaces due to the lack of suitable automated deburring machines and tools.

Innovation Solution

A deburring tool with a belt holder that enables automatic renewal of the grinding belt, featuring a forming tunnel with a tubular and funnel-shaped section to facilitate belt insertion and folding, allowing for automated belt replacement and consistent quality, and a pneumatic or electromagnetic drive for alternating stroke motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual deburring is used, then quality control is simple, but productivity is low and time is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeburring speedVSAvoidautomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forming tunnel is designed to automatically fold the grinding belt in the longitudinal direction as it passes through, eliminating the need for manual belt preparation and folding. The belt holder automatically positions and secures the belt, enabling autonomous operation that increases productivity while maintaining consistent quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The forming tunnel pre-folds the grinding belt in the longitudinal direction before it reaches the working area. This preliminary folding action ensures the belt is properly configured for automated deburring operations, eliminating manual preparation steps and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a transverse abrasive belt insertion is used, then the tool can be simple, but machining precision deteriorates due to rotating free ends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole grounding precisionVSAvoidbelt holder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forming tunnel pre-folds the grinding belt in the longitudinal direction before it reaches the working area. This preliminary folding action ensures the belt is properly configured for automated deburring operations, eliminating manual preparation steps and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The forming tunnel is designed to automatically fold the grinding belt in the longitudinal direction as it passes through, eliminating the need for manual belt preparation and folding. The belt holder automatically positions and secures the belt, enabling autonomous operation that increases productivity while maintaining consistent quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the grinding belt is replaced for each workpiece, then quality consistency is improved, but productivity decreases due to frequent replacements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality uniformityVSAvoidworkpiece output
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The forming tunnel continuously folds the grinding belt in the longitudinal direction as it passes through, enabling continuous operation without interruption. This continuous folding action ensures consistent belt configuration for each workpiece, maintaining quality uniformity while improving productivity by eliminating stop-time for belt preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures consistent high-quality deburring of precision workpieces by automating the belt replacement process, preventing damage to precision surfaces and enabling deburring of hard-to-reach areas with a multi-axis robot arm.

Implementation Method 1

a grinding belt (24) that can be fed into the inlet side (20) of the forming channel (18) and exits the forming channel (18) folded centrally in the longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a pneumatic or electromagnetic drive for alternating stroke motion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a pneumatic or electromagnetic drive for alternating stroke motion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4049789B1Deburring tool with abrasive strip holder
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 APEX AUTOMATISIERUNGS & PRAEZISIONSTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP4049789B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E
  • EP4049789B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a deburring tool (10) with a belt holder (12) configured to hold a belt (24), wherein the deburring tool (10) has a housing (14) in which the belt holder (12) can alternately perform a linear stroke movement (15). The belt holder (12) has a forming tunnel (16) that forms a forming channel (18) with an inlet (20) and an outlet (22) for guiding the belt (24), wherein a belt (24) can be fed into the forming channel (18) at the inlet side and exits at the outlet side folded centrally in the longitudinal direction of the belt (24). The forming channel (18) has a round cross-section at the inlet side and a slot-like cross-section at the outlet side.