Adaptive Workpiece Support for Precise Machining of Long Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for machining elongated workpieces, particularly those with varying cross-sectional dimensions and non-circular shapes, fail to provide sufficient accuracy and complexity in their mechanical structure, especially when the length exceeds the average cross-sectional dimension by a significant factor.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support unit that has a contact area divided into first and second contact sections, allowing for relative arrangement changes via a third positioning unit, providing additional degrees of freedom for precise adaptation to workpiece contours, and a clamping arrangement for selective machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing solutions are used for machining elongated workpieces with varying cross-sectional dimensions, then the mechanical structure becomes complex, but the machining accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit is divided into multiple support elements (first support element, second support element, third support element) that can be independently positioned along the workpiece length. Each support element has its own positioning arrangement with adjustment screws, allowing precise local support without requiring a complex overall structure. This segmentation enables accurate support for workpieces with varying cross-sectional dimensions while keeping each individual support component relatively simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support unit has fixed contact sections, then the mechanical structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to workpieces with varying contours
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit incorporates adjustable support elements that can be dynamically repositioned along the workpiece length using positioning arrangements with adjustment screws. The support elements can be moved to different locations and heights to adapt to varying workpiece contours, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that responds to different machining requirements while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
3Measurement precision
If multiple positioning units are added to the support unit, then positioning precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented across multiple independent support elements, each with its own positioning arrangement. Rather than one complex positioning system, each support element has a simple positioning mechanism with adjustment screws that can be independently controlled. This distributes the positioning precision requirement across multiple simple units, achieving high overall positioning precision without requiring any single component to be overly complex.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for supporting a workpiece (12) to be machined by a machine tool (100), comprising: a support unit (14) that can be brought into contact with the workpiece (12) to be machined, and a positioning arrangement (30) for positioning the support unit (14), wherein the positioning arrangement (30) comprises at least a first positioning unit (32) for positioning the support unit (14) along at least a first axis (Z) and at least a second positioning unit (36) for positioning the support unit (14) in a plane (X, Y) spanned by a second and third axis, wherein the first axis (Z), the second axis (X) and the third axis (Y) are substantially perpendicular to each other.The support unit (14) has a contact area (22) by means of which it can be brought into contact with the workpiece (12), and which is divided into at least a first and a second contact section (24, 26), and the support unit (14) includes a third positioning unit (15) which is designed to change a relative arrangement between the first and the second contact section (24, 26).