Adjustable Chuck Jaw Assembly for Irregular Workpiece Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soft jaws for lathes require a large number of pieces to accommodate different workpiece contours, leading to storage and machining delays due to the need for custom shaping.
Innovation Solution
A chuck jaw with moveable holding elements and a clamping assembly that can be adjusted to secure workpieces with irregular contours, allowing for versatile mounting and efficient machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple custom soft jaws are used to accommodate workpieces with different contours, then the ability to hold various irregular workpieces is improved, but storage costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chuck jaw is designed with a movable holding element that can be adjusted to different positions and orientations, allowing a single jaw to accommodate multiple workpiece contours and shapes. The holding element can be repositioned along the jaw body to adapt to different workpiece geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specialized soft jaws.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element is made movable relative to the jaw body through a adjustment mechanism, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the jaw's gripping surface. This allows the same jaw to be adapted for different workpiece contours by moving the holding element to appropriate positions, rather than requiring static custom-shaped jaws for each contour type.
2Reliability
If custom soft jaws are machined to match unique workpiece contours, then the fit and hold capability are improved, but preparation time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element can be quickly repositioned and reconfigured on the fly during setup, eliminating the need for time-consuming custom machining of soft jaws for each workpiece contour. The adjustment mechanism allows rapid adaptation to different workpiece geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and orientation of the holding element can be adjusted to match different workpiece contours, providing custom-fit capability without requiring custom machining. The parameters of the jaw's gripping configuration are changed through mechanical adjustment rather than material removal.
3Device complexity
If traditional fixed jaws are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to hold crushed or irregular workpieces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed to be movable relative to the jaw body, allowing it to conform to irregular workpiece surfaces and prevent crushing. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the jaw to adapt its gripping force distribution without requiring complete redesign of the basic jaw structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw is divided into a stationary jaw body and a movable holding element. This segmentation allows the holding element to be independently positioned and adjusted to accommodate irregular workpiece contours, while the jaw body maintains its simple structural form for easy manufacturing and mounting.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a chuck jaw (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) for securing a workpiece (12) to a lathe chuck. The chuck jaw (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) includes a jaw body (16) adapted for operative mounting to the lathe chuck. The chuck jaw (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) further includes at least one holding element (18) operatively associated with the jaw body (16) and adapted to engage the workpiece (12). The at least one holding element (18) is moveable between (i) a release condition in which the holding element (18) is released from the workpiece (12), and (ii) an engaged position in which the holding element (18) engages a surface of the workpiece. The chuck jaw (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) further includes a clamping assembly (20) operatively adapted to secure the at least one holding element (18) in the engaged position.