Adjustable Centering Vice for Five-Axis Machining Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centering vices have a fixed threaded rod, which prevents adjustment of the clamping center to align with the machining center of a five-axis machine tool, resulting in poor machining accuracy. Additionally, existing adjusting mechanisms are complex, making them inconvenient to manufacture and operate.
Innovation Solution
A centering vice with a sliding groove and an adjusting assembly that includes a threaded rod, a positioning member, and two adjusting members. The adjusting members are movable relative to the base, allowing the positioning member to be adjusted in the first direction, thus aligning the clamping center with the machining center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the threaded rod is fixedly mounted to the main body, then the structure is simple and stable, but the clamping center cannot be adjusted to align with the machining center, resulting in poor machining accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded rod is made movable relative to the base through the adjusting assembly, allowing the clamping center to be dynamically adjusted to align with the machining center. The sliding groove enables the threaded rod to move laterally while remaining constrained in its motion path, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one that achieves both adaptability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting assembly is divided into separate functional components: the threaded rod for positioning, the positioning member for constraining motion, and the adjusting members for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of manufacture.
2Manufacturing precision
If an adjusting mechanism is added to the centering vice, then the clamping center can be adjusted to align with the machining center, but the structure becomes complicated, making it inconvenient to manufacture and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting mechanism merges multiple functions into a compact assembly: the threaded rod provides both the adjustment capability and the clamping function, while the positioning member simultaneously constrains the threaded rod's motion and serves as a reference for alignment. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying both manufacturing and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded rod serves multiple functions: it acts as the adjustment element for positioning the clamping center, as a clamping element for securing the workpiece, and as a guide for the adjusting members. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the adjusting mechanism while achieving the desired alignment precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If an adjusting mechanism is added to the centering vice, then the clamping center can be adjusted to align with the machining center, but the structure becomes complicated, making it inconvenient to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting mechanism is designed to be self-aligning through the positioning member that guides the threaded rod's motion along the sliding groove. The operator simply needs to move the adjusting members, and the positioning member automatically ensures proper alignment, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures and simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary between the threaded rod and the adjusting members, mediating their interaction by constraining the threaded rod's motion to the correct path. This intermediary component simplifies the operator's task by automatically maintaining proper geometric relationships during adjustment, making the operation more intuitive and convenient.
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
The adjustable design of the centering vice allows for precise alignment of the clamping center with the machining center, enhancing machining accuracy and simplifying the manufacturing and operation processes.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded rod includes a first threaded segment, a second threaded segment and a positioning portion. The first jaw portion and the second jaw portion are connected respectively to the first threaded segment and the second threaded segment
Implementation Method 2
The two adjusting members are at least partially movable relative to the base in a second direction lateral to the first direction to urge the positioning member to move in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A centering vice is provided, including: a base, a clamp assembly and an adjusting assembly. The base includes a sliding groove extending in a first direction and a first abutting portion. The clamp assembly includes a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The adjusting assembly includes a threaded rod, a positioning member and two adjusting members. The threaded rod includes a first threaded segment, a second threaded segment and a positioning portion. The positioning member is immovably connected to the positioning portion and disposed between the two adjusting members, and the two adjusting members respectively have a second abutting portion abutted against the first abutting portion. The two adjusting members are movable relative to the base in a second direction lateral to the first direction to urge the positioning member to move in the first direction.