Machine Tool Suction Head With Adaptive Hood for Residue Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining centers face inefficiencies in suction device design, leading to high energy consumption and suboptimal removal of cutting residues due to oversized suction systems that accommodate various tools, resulting in compromised removal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The operating head features a tubular hood with adjustable portions and a containment element that adapts to different tools, allowing for precise suction and reduced suction power by creating a secondary chamber for auxiliary units, optimizing suction efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large-sized hood is used to accommodate various tools, then versatility is improved, but suction efficiency deteriorates due to excessive internal volume
Solution Approach 1:
The hood is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the movable portion to be repositioned based on tool size, creating an optimized suction volume for each specific tool while maintaining the ability to accommodate various tool types.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood's movable portion can be dynamically adjusted along the spindle axis to change the internal volume of the suction chamber. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize suction efficiency for different tool configurations while maintaining versatility across multiple tool types.
2Productivity
If suction means are sized to handle the largest possible residue volume, then removal capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the hood into fixed and movable portions, the system creates a variable-volume suction chamber that can be optimized for each specific machining operation. This eliminates the need for oversized suction means capable of handling maximum theoretical residue volume, allowing energy-efficient suction systems to be used for each specific tool configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal volume parameter of the suction chamber is changed by adjusting the movable hood portion's position. This parameter adjustment optimizes the suction chamber volume to match the actual residue generation of each tool, enabling the use of appropriately sized suction means that consume less energy while maintaining effective residue removal capability.
3Productivity
If the hood is positioned close to the work surface, then residue capture is improved, but the risk of damaging the workpiece increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bristles or fringes on the hood's end edge provide localized gentle contact with the workpiece surface. This local quality feature allows the hood to be positioned close to the work surface for effective residue capture while the soft bristles prevent damage to the workpiece, creating a localized protective interface between the hood and workpiece.
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
This configuration enhances the collection and removal of cutting residues with reduced energy usage and improved efficiency, allowing for precise suction close to the detachment area, minimizing residue dispersion and facilitating easier collection.
Implementation Method 1
The hood is in communication with suction means, vacuum generators, adapted to create a depression in said area surrounding the tool for sucking up the residues generated by the machining of the tool
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating head (1) for a machine tool for flat and sheet-like pieces, comprising an electro spindle (100), with a head area (110) and an attachment (120) for connecting a tool (60) or an auxiliary unit (70), and a suction device (10) for the cutting residues comprising a hood (20), sliding along the axis (Z) of the electrospindle, which defines a main chamber (27) in communication with suction means, and a containment element (40), applicable to at least one tool of an auxiliary unit (70), comprising an annular element (41), mounted aligned with the end (111) of the head area (110) of the electrospindle in such a way as to obstruct an annular passage (28) between it and a peripheral edge (25) of the hood, and at least one casing (50) which at least partially surrounds said tool of the auxiliary unit (70) forming at least one secondary chamber (52) communicating with the main chamber (27).