Adjustable Copier for Milling Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working units with milling cutters and copiers have complex structures, are prone to wear, and struggle with construction tolerances and surface inaccuracies, leading to imprecise machining and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable copier with an annular element that is radially elastically deformable, allowing compensation for tool wear and surface irregularities through fluid-actuated or mechanically adjustable mechanisms to maintain precise machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a complex articulated structure with intermediate members is used to achieve adjustable copier positioning, then the machining precision and wear compensation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The copier assembly is segmented into modular components: the copier body, the annular element, the adjustment mechanism, and the contact element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall precision, reducing the complexity of the entire system compared to a fully articulated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular element provides dynamic adjustment capability through radial expansion and contraction, allowing the contact element's position to be adjusted in real-time to compensate for tool wear and surface irregularities without requiring a complex articulated mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple intermediate members are used in the copier structure, then the adjustability and wear compensation are improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The annular element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables radial adjustment through expansion/contraction, and accommodates the contact element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate intermediate members, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adjustability by changing the radial parameter of the annular element through controlled expansion and contraction. This single-parameter adjustment mechanism is simpler and more cost-effective than multiple intermediate members with complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If the copier structure is simplified, then the manufacturing costs and device complexity are reduced, but the ability to compensate for tool wear and surface inaccuracies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The annular element acts as a flexible structure that can radially expand and contract to adjust the contact element's position. This flexibility enables the simplified structure to maintain positioning accuracy and compensate for tool wear and surface inaccuracies without requiring complex articulated mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If frequent adjustments are made to compensate for progressive tool wear, then the machining precision is maintained, but the machine downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables operators to perform quick adjustments of the contact element's position using the adjustment mechanism during brief pauses in production. The simplified structure and direct adjustment capability allow for rapid compensation of tool wear without requiring complex realignment procedures, minimizing machine downtime while maintaining precision.
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 copier ensures high precision machining by compensating for tool wear and surface imperfections, reducing downtime and manufacturing costs while maintaining a simple structure.
Implementation Method 1
an annular element rotatable with respect to said first support around a second rotation axis parallel to said predetermined direction, wherein said annular element is radially elastically deformable with respect to said second rotation axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a working unit for machining at least one piece (P), said machining group comprising: a rotary tool (41) rotating around a first rotation axis and configured to perform at least one machining on at least one piece (P); a copier (1, 20, 40) arranged in correspondence with said rotary tool (41) and capable of resting on at least one face of said at least one piece (P) to guide said rotary tool (41) with respect to said at least one piece (P). Said copier (1, 20, 40) comprises: a first support (2, 21, 42); a second support (5; 26, 30, 34; 48) axially movable with respect to said first support (2, 21, 42) along a predetermined direction; and an annular element (14, 31, 47) rotatable with respect to said first support (2, 21, 42) around a second rotation axis (A, B, C) parallel to said predetermined direction, wherein said annular element (14, 31, 47) is radially elastically deformable with respect to said second axis of rotation (A, B, C) and comprises a first end portion (14b, 31b, 47a) axially engaged, according to said second axis of rotation (A, B, C), to said first support (2, 21, 42) and a second end portion (14a, 31a, 47b) axially engaged, according to said second axis of rotation (A, B, C), to said second support (5; 26, 30, 34; 48), so that an axial displacement of said second support (5; 26, 30, 34; 48) towards said first support (2, 21, 42) is followed by a reduction of the axial dimensions of said annular element (14, 31, 47) and a radial expansion of said annular element (14, 31, 47), and in such a way that an axial displacement of said second support (5; 26, 30, 34; 48) in the opposite direction with respect to said first support (2, 21, 42) follows an expansion of the axial size of said annular element (14, 31, 47) and a reduction of the radial size of said annular element (14, 31 , 47).